Hanafubuki - Goodbye Xu

Posted on 09 Feb 2023 @ 7:18am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Oliver Stevens & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka & Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews & Lieutenant JG Riley Ames & Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens & Lieutenant JG Roger Harrison Jr

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Upon return to Andromeda universe - after events of "Touched by a dark fire"
1788 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Jon had spoken to Xu's parents and they had expressed their desires for their daughters funeral. They would be on subspace watching.

He was a little nervous on this one, his final funeral of the three. He had arrived before everyone and pulled his dress collar as he said the words, "Engage programme Hanafubuki," to the console and then walked through the doors to what he understood to be a replica of the real local temple his parents and Xu as a child had attended.

Ritual lanterns were above outside in the courtyard where they stood, it was serene and peaceful.

Cassie was holding Ollie hand, squeezing it tightly, partly for her own support but also to show him that she was here for him. The location displayed in the holodeck was beautiful. A traditional pagoda temple with a three tear spire, the rood shingles a distinctive vibrant red with timbe framed supports below and white plaster walls. A serene pond with large koi nipping at the water surface, the scent of incense on the breeze, a cherry blossom tree dropping light pink petals as the branches were jostled by that same breeze

Harper had been following people towards the holodeck. Her physio had been coming along since being back on the right side of the universe but she was still walking with an assistance support. It was a crutch of sorts that would engage to cushion a fall if she was to lose balance or strength in one of her legs. She hated it, but not as much as the time ahead.

Once everyone he was expecting had arrived, Jon led the way inside the temple.

Jon stopped at the first alter and picked up a stick of Senko gently with his right hand as tradition dictated and lit it via the candle. He then used his left hand to put it out so the stick started smoking and placed it upright in the incense burner.

He walked to the front and next to Xu's coffin allowing everyone else to participate in the ritual if they desired and be seated. Next to the coffin was a console with her parents linked in watching.

Aidan walked in, and followed suit on the ritual even though he almost made the error of doing it left handed. He caught his error in time and switched hands to complete the ritual. Walking up front, he briefly rested a hand in the coffin and whispered a few words in what had been her native language. With a brief nod to the captain, he took a seat as well.

Harper had decided to hang back. She still wasn't sure she was up to that kind of walk. She had spoken to Xu's parents and asked forgiveness, and expressed her extreme sadness and distress over what had happened. They listened and their chat made her feel a little lighter, but it wasn't enough to lift the burden of guilt and shame she felt. Harper had marked the coffin with a little marking as her send off for Xu.

The ACMO was next to turn up-he'd been avoiding it, deciding that it was *that* day for the Harrisons to field-day their suite, but much to his own chagrin, Lucy was miles smarter than he was and had seen through his mind games quickly, taking the child with her to a lower deck, and leaving him to attend the funerals alone. It was OK with him; Lucy was his rock but he needed to grieve in his own way. Grief wasn't exactly the right word, though-pay respects.

While he hadn't known the young woman at all, it was still upsetting that a life was lost, and HE had been unable to save it. Even if he had been there, he wasn't sure he could've. Turned up in the same dress uniform he'd worn the day before, he entered, quietly. He copied the others' actions, retrieving a semi-burnt piece of wood and making a marking on the woman's coffin.

His own beliefs were a mix of ancient Terran ones, and a smattering of ones he'd picked up in the various planets/quadrants he'd lived and worked, and he sent up a silent plea to all the Daughters of the five houses of Betazed, and particularly Aimee, before silently returning to the back of the room, to observe. Sometimes grief did weird things to people, and the incessant voice to help wasn't quelled even now, so he had brought a tiny med kit in case someone passed out.

C'Tora and M'Tara showed up together in full dress uniform. They had both been friends with Xu and had much love and respect for her. They carried a woven bead necklace for her that was given to departed loved ones or friends upon death. It was a Caitian belief that it would protect her soul as it traveled to it's new home in the afterlife. C'Tora walking with his head down trying hard not to show the grief that he felt for his departed friend as they walked slowly beside the casket.

Riley arrived, and walked up to the casket where Xu lay. He placed his hand upon the casket bowing his head in a silent prayer. It was sad that something had happened to the lovely Xu, he recalled Michael speaking to him about Xu and the preparations Michael had done for both Rose and Xu at a tea ceremony he put together. He lit a stick of incense with his right hand and put it out with his left hand, feeling the brief warmth from flame as it went out, and placed it next to the other incense. He took a seat to listen to what would take place next. He was sorely tired, his grief held within, he'd already had his cry earlier.

Jon walked to the front where the screen was with Xu's parents linked in. He was nervous about this next bit, having practiced the Japanese all week.

"oshuushou-sama desu "(You must be grieving terribly) he addressed them with a bow.

"O-kuyami moushiagemasu (I offer my condolences)"

The nodded and bowed back sadly.

Jon turned to face everyone else now seated.

"In tradition with a proper Japanese funeral and in accordance with Mr and Mrs Chang's wishes. We will now chant a Buddhist funeral chant. Then with their permission I will say a few words. During which there will be a register being passed around for anyone wishing to send messages to Lieutenant Xu's family which when we return back to Deep Space 21 next I will be meeting with them to hand over," he said.

Jon had already briefed everyone that you did not speak with the parents during this ritual.

Jon took a breathe and steadied himself after they finished the chanting. Not only was he feeling his own grief but as an empath everyone else's. He fortified his own mental shields and carried on.

“Lieutenant Xu was one of the finest officers I have had pleasure to work with to date. She was also unique. In her devotion to her culture, to her job and her loved ones.”

Jon had not been expecting it but suddenly there was a flash and a very familiar Goddess appeared at the back of the room. She walked forward and sat down next to Oliver saying nothing.

When Methalina said nothing further, merely reaching out to hold Oliver's hand who looked as dumbfounded at this turn of events as everyone else, he continued on.

“She had a wonderful playful side also. I was very lucky to share some wonderful holo adventures with her out of work. I am sure you all have your own stories and there will be time afterwards to share those and celebrate her.

“She was taken too young from us, just having had her returned once more. Now she will rest in peace and always be remembered in our hearts and minds.”

He stood to attention and what was a very rare occurrence for the Captain on his own ship, saluted her coffin.

“Thank you Lieutenant for you service,”

Jon turned to look at Oliver who had asked to read a traditional Japanese Jisei. He nodded and stood up the Goddess walking him up to where Jon was.

Oliver bowed to the coffin, then Xu's parents. Methalina looked confused but followed suit. Xu's parents seemed to recognise her and Jon did not need to be an empath to see it offered them some comfort.

Oliver cleared his throat quietly. He was nervous but he didn't have a long poem to read out. Jisei's were brief and this one selected by both him and Xu's parents they agreed suited her. Like Jon he had been practicing.

“By Li Bai,

“Wain ni yoishirete yūgure ga maioriru no ni kidzukanakatta rōbu ni hanabira ga ochite tsumoru yoishirete tachiagatte tsukiakari ni terasa reta tani o aruku tori wa satte hito mo sukunaku natta”

(Translation - Lost in wine, I did not notice dusk descending. Petals dropped and piled up on my robe. Drunk, I rise and walk the moonlit valley. The birds have gone, and people too are few.”)

The coffin began to move behind a little curtain, ready for Xu's final Journey.

Cassie felt out of place, an invader. Even more so since Xu's daughter had arrived. Silently she slipped away unnoticed by all.

“Thank you all for coming,” Jon said closing the ceremony up. “We will be moving to the Medusa's head to raise Saki to Lieutenant Xu. I will join you all shortly.”

He patted Oliver on the shoulder and looked at the Goddess.

“I failed you father. I put her in a coma thinking it would protect her from the enemy in your universe while I travelled to see how quickly they awaken. I failed to calculate there were others waking in others universes nor that you would encounter one.

Oliver looked like her would burst into tears. “No one knew my beautiful daughter.” He placed a hand on her cheek. She nodded into his hand and stepped back looking Jon square in the eyes.

“It is imperative now that you find allies. They are awakening once more. I, we …. can only protect you so long. We have to rouse our own allies again too. The first war wiped many of us out.”

And with that she was gone in another flash.

OFF:

Ltjg Riley Ames
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda

Jonathan Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Oliver Stevens
NPC Jon Reynolds

LtC Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer

Lt. JG Harper Matthews
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda

Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda

Dr Roger Harrison
ACMO
USS Andromeda