Memory 30

[itsalluseless]

Memory: Beatrice's funeral [ep7] (Significant Negative)
Game: Cats and dogs and hot dogs (not played)
Day: 249
Form: Condiment packets; each labeled and with a little dotted curve on the corner that says ‘TEAR ME.’ One is KETCHUP, one is MUSTARD, and one is RELISH! You have to eat the entire packet to get the memory. 2/3 uses left.

After finishing her witch's prayer, Virgilia stepped back from the coffin, which lay on an altar bedecked with many beautiful roses.

In her place, Battler moved to the front of the coffin, wearing his territory lord's cape...... Though the cape was supposed to represent dignity and majesty, it somehow made Battler look smaller.

Battler held a book with a majestic binding in his hand.

It was......a game record that had just been written. Or, perhaps it was a tale. A game. Or else a Fragment. Written in it......was the 'dream' that would be more enjoyable for her than any other......

Battler pressed it against his forehead and contemplated for some time.

BATTLER: ............

Then, he kissed it, ......and laid it gently into the coffin.

It was placed upon her chest. It made her look like a little girl clutching her favorite stuffed animal as she drifted off to sleep......

BATTLER: ......This is...the unique tale I made for you.

This tale will be shut up with you in your coffin, for all eternity. So, no one will be able to read it except for you, there in your coffin.

VIRGILIA: Shut away in that cat box, the only unchanging, inviolable, ......eternal tale.

BATTLER: This way, ......no one will be able to defile your tale. ...No one can deny it, and no one can argue against it. ......Between just me and her, ...just the two of us, this is the one and only...certain truth.

VIRGILIA: ......We both know how much fun she'll be having in her final sleep. So, I doubt anyone could disturb it. ......After all, who could possibly disturb a sleeping child smiling at a happy dream?

BATTLER: ............

VIRGILIA: Come. ......It is time for us to leave. If we're too noisy, we'll wake her from her dream.

BATTLER: ......You're right. What else should you do with a sleeping child except put a blanket on them, turn off the lights, and walk away quietly...

After looking at the coffin one last time, Virgilia turned around quietly. Battler did the same, ......but he then stopped and turned to face the rose-covered altar...

BATTLER: ............

Battler said his final words with his heart.

As long as those words didn't leave his mouth, no one could understand what they were. ......However, those words of the heart caused Battler's expression to change several times.

At firse, he frowned sadly, ......then, his face clouded with remorse, and then changed to a bitter, dumbfounded smile. ......It flashed through several varied expressions.

Then, ......the final expression that crossed his face was, surprisingly, ......a gentle smile.

BATTLER: ........................

Something rose to Battler's lips. However, he bit it back down. There could certainly be no words to describe the many feelings he kept in his chest.

So, ...saying anything aloud would probably be crude. Battler understood this, and stopped himself from speaking once more with a bitter smile.

VIRGILIA: ............

BATTLER: ......Thank you.

VIRGILIA: Oh, I have done nothing deserving of your gratitude...

BATTLER: ......I'll leave the rest to you.

After seeing Virgilia nod back at him, Battler turned away from the altar one more time......and left the chapel.