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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 7, 2009 17:37:05 GMT -5
Geoffrey's presence was barely noticeable to her. She was so singularly focused on Blake. She wanted to tell him to leave, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her. Still, she couldn't stop herself, and she pulled away from Geoffrey, going towards them.
She sank into a seat next to Blake, on the other side that Emelia was sitting, and put her hands in her lap. "Please leave," she said quietly, and it was more like she was begging him than telling him. It was like every enemy she had was here at Roland's funeral. All the ones that made losing Roland harder, anyway.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Jul 7, 2009 18:08:04 GMT -5
Blake turned to her slowly, a hint of a smirk on his face. If he was honest with himself, it was because of her that he'd wanted to come today. As amusing as it was to him to sit at the funeral of his own nephew while secretly hiding the fact that he was the one to kill him, it wasn't nearly as much fun without someone to torture. And although she had not seen his face and couldn't prove it, Blake knew that Roland had told her who he was.
"You have no authority to ask me to leave," he said in a low voice. "I'm family, and you aren't. Do you really want to make a scene right now?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 7, 2009 18:17:57 GMT -5
"I'm not trying to make a scene," Riley said, defending herself, though her voice was still quiet. In all of the other voices around them offering their condolences, hers could be easily lost. She didn't want to make a scene. She didn't want anyone to suspect that she felt uneasy around Blake at all.
"I'm just asking you to please leave. This is for his family... the ones that care that he's dead. Please just let them have this." She was too tired to fight with him, verbally or otherwise, and she just wished he would go. His family deserved some peace, and even if they didn't know that Blake was the one to kill their son, Riley knew.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Jul 7, 2009 18:26:22 GMT -5
"He was my nephew," Blake reminded her coldly. "I've a right to be here."
Her quiet, pleading manner, however, was taking quite a bit of fun out of it. He wanted her to scream and shout, to make a scene. First Mathieu gave in too easily, and now she was refusing to make more noise about it. It was all highly disappointing.
He nodded to Emelia, who was next to him sniffing back tears. "If I leave, I bring my wife with me. Do you want to deny her the chance to mourn? Or deny her family the chance to grieve with her?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 7, 2009 18:34:13 GMT -5
Riley looked up to glance at Emelia, whose eyes were on her hands in her lap. It was like she didn't even hear Blake. It wouldn't be fair to take her away, but really, how much did she know Roland anyway?
Her eyes shifted to Angelique, who stopped her from making her first scene, then to Geoffrey, and back to Blake. It would give him too much satisfaction if she started to yell at him, but she wanted him gone for Mathieu's sake. And for Roland's.
"Roland wouldn't want you here, Blake," she replied. Her eyes had started to well up, and the last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of him. "There are a hundred Aurors here. All I would have to do is tell one of them what you did, and you'll be in Azkaban before you knew what hit you. I'm just asking you to let his family have today for them, okay?"
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Jul 7, 2009 18:39:25 GMT -5
Blake didn't pretend to be an expert on his now deceased nephew, nor did he really care. But he knew enough about Roland to know this.
"Roland would not have wanted any of this. That boy was too noble for his own good. He sacrificed himself willingly, and he wouldn't have wanted anyone to mourn or cry or make a big fuss about him. This funeral is for his family. Of which I happen to be a member."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 7, 2009 18:45:53 GMT -5
"Why are you fighting this so hard?" She asked. Riley's voice was still low, but she wasn't as careful to whisper. She didn't get what sort of sick pleasure he was getting out of this at all.
"Family means more than blood. I'm more family to him than you are, and if it weren't for you, there wouldn't even be-"
She cut herself off, noticing that Emelia looked up at her, curiously. Did she not know what Blake had done? It put the weight of the world on Riley's shoulders to realize right then that she was the only person in the world who knew what Blake had done. She wiped furiously at her tears.
"I will curse you if I see you even think about going for your wand."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Jul 7, 2009 20:57:44 GMT -5
Blake reached over and toook Emelia's hand, giving it what appeared to be a reassuring squeeze. She may have hardly known Roland, but she was grieving as surely as Riley was. Blake, of course, was not grieving, but that hardly mattered. Riley was the only person there who knew the truth. And she had no proof.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Blake whispered back.
He also didn't intend to stay through the whole ceremony, when it began. It would be just a little too nauseating. But when he left, he wanted it to be his idea, not Riley's.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 7, 2009 23:28:30 GMT -5
Riley didn't move for a moment, but just stared at Blake. Finally, without saying a word or nodding or anything, she stood up and walked back to Geoffrey.
"I'd like to sit somewhere else," she told him, implying that she wanted him to come with her. She wanted to sit a couple rows behind Blake so that she could keep her eyes on him during the service. She didn't trust him.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jul 8, 2009 0:02:59 GMT -5
Geoffrey didn't understand any of this. Like pretty much everyone else, he didn't really like Blake. It was hard to imagine anyone liking him, really. The guy was pompous, pushy, and just plain mean. But, hey, some of those things could also describe Roland at times. And the guy was family. But if Riley didn't like him, that was really enough of a reason for him. She was usually a pretty good judge of character.
"Um, OK," Geoffrey said, shrugging. He got up, giving his mother an apologetic look, and followed Riley to her seat.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 8, 2009 16:10:59 GMT -5
"Thank you," Riley said. She was more steeled and determined now than she had been when they first arrived. There was business to be handled again, and that meant there was no time for her to lean on anyone else. When they sat a row behind and two seats to the left of Blake, Riley's posture was rigid. She would be ready if he tried anything.
Her attention wasn't even torn away as someone approached the front of the seats and gently asked everyone to find a seat. It meant the service was starting. She just wanted it to be over so that Blake would go away.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Jul 8, 2009 23:23:35 GMT -5
Mathieu's eyes were also fixed on Blake. It had not escaped his notice that Riley had been talking to him, and he couldn't help but wonder what they had been talking about. Did she know something that Mathieu didn't? Or did she just know that Roland didn't like Blake?
The ceremony was now starting, and Mathieu felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hated this. He didn't want it, didn't want to say goodbye to his son...
He zoned out while the official gave the standard speech and benediction and wasn't aware of anything for a while. All he could think about was Roland, at various ages and sizes. It was so odd... he had only been 22 years old, but he always seemed so much older. Like he thought he knew everything already. But he'd had so much life left to live...
When the official asked if anyone would like to share any memories of Roland, Mathieu snapped back into attention.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Jul 9, 2009 15:40:03 GMT -5
Hayden was still sitting next to Cara and he was in an almost zombie like state. Blake appearing at the funeral hadn't phased him. Hearing someone speaking made him hold his head up. He sat still for a moment, not seeing anyone else rise to say something.
Clearing his throat, Hayden stood but squeezed his aunt's hand before he walked up to face everyone. Once he turned around to face everyone, he swallowed. He could still hold it together to say something, hopefully.
Searching for a few words, he clasped his hands together. "Roland was pretty much my best friend. We got along pretty well and had good times together. I remember going out to the club with him a few times." A small smile appeared on his face at the memories. "It was always the thing that I would look forward to most." Hayden's smile faded as he paused for a moment to swallow the burning lump in his throat. "Roland taught me a lot of things just by watching him. He taught me that actions speak a lot louder than words. He also taught me the value of bravery and courage. I couldn't ask for a better friend and I know that wherever he is right now, he's probably shaking his head." Hayden could almost see him in the background doing just that. "I never thought that I would have to say goodbye so soon and I'm going to miss you like hell."
Once he finished, Hayden stopped by the empty coffin and he put his hand on it. The burning sensation in his throat was starting to build more and his eyes started to become a little blurry. He told himself that he wouldn't cry but it seemed like it was a losing battle. Hayden returned to his seat with his head looking down as his eyes started to fill with a few tears.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Jul 9, 2009 16:15:27 GMT -5
When Hayden returned, Cara was crying. Her tears were silent, but heavy. She shouldn't have to say goodbye to her son. She needed him so desperately. It seemed Roland was the only thing that held her and Mathieu together... losing him meant she lost her husband, too. How was she supposed to deal with that?
She took his hand when he sat down and squeezed. "Thank you," she whispered, unwilling to get up herself. Thought maybe she should.... Merlin knew no one else in the family was going to. She still felt like she had a point to prove by having this ceremony, so with tears in her eyes, she stood up and walked up to the coffin.
Turning to face the crowd, she started. Her words were choppy and broken, thick with tears, but the effort was certainly there.
"I've loved every one of my children, each in a different way. I could tell you almost anything about each of them. Roland was my first child, and Mathieu's. He was something of a surprise, but I loved him from the day I learned I was pregnant with him. He was always so serious, like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders since the time he was three. I say that we raised him and taught him the ways of the world, but really, I think he taught me more than I could have ever taught him. I don't know what to do without him, but the world is a sadder place now."
She turned and placed her lips to the wood of the coffin. "I love you, my baby boy," she whispered, her words to Roland that were for no one else. When her tears hit the wood, she stood up and returned to her seat, unsteady on her feet.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Jul 9, 2009 16:21:50 GMT -5
He should go to her. Mathieu knew it, and his conscience was screaming at him to do it, but he couldn't make his feet move. He watched her speaking, trying to find a way to say goodbye to their son, and it broke his heart all over again.
Why couldn't he go to her? Why couldn't he take her into his arms and cry with her? There was even a part of him that wanted to. But still he stayed motionless, his eyes now locked on her instead of the empty coffin.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jul 9, 2009 22:39:05 GMT -5
There was a heavy pause after Cara had gone back to her seat. How could anyone follow that? There was nothing more personal or painful than a mother grieving for her lost child. It was hard to look at and hard to hear. Geoffrey's eyes went immediately to his own mother, who was sitting next to Aunt Cara on the other side from Hayden. She was there for her sister, but he knew almost instinctively that her mind had to be on her own children and how she would feel if she lost one of them.
As the silence began to drag on, Geoffrey felt he ought to say something. He gave Riley's hand a squeeze, then stood up and made his way to the front where the empty coffin sat. He stood a minute, clearing his throat and pulling at the too-tight collar of his shirt.
"It wasn't easy growing up with a cousin like Roland," he began haltingly. "He was only 4 years older than I was, but somehow it felt like 14. Even as a kid, he was intimidating. He could stare a hole right through you, and he always seemed to know what was going on without being told. He used to annoy me by being preachy or overprotective, and for a long time, I just really couldn't stand him. But I think I understand him better now, and I realize that he just wanted the best for everyone he cared about. He was fiercely loyal to family, and he'd do anything for the people he loved. And I think, in a way, I was really almost jealous of him. Everyone, especially the adults and the girls, just kind of worshipped him, and it felt like he was the standard we were all being held up to. We all really just wanted to be like him, but he was unique and irreplaceable. And I'm really going to miss him."
He gave a heavy sigh, then walked over to touch the coffin. It was so cold and empty, just the exact opposite of Roland. Geoffrey couldn't reconcile the two in his mind. He looked back at his aunt for a moment, offering her comfort and understanding, before heading back to his seat.
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Post by Lina Harper on Jul 10, 2009 11:40:22 GMT -5
Lina's eyes were downcast, the guilt still washing over her as she continued to believe that it was her fault Roland had died. If she'd just been more careful, or not gone out... but Mara had been ill and she just wanted to make her little girl feel better.
She sighed as Geoffrey sat down, and looked at Cyrus. She squeezed his hand and stood up, taking her spot in front of the congregation. "I'm not sure there's really anything I can say that any of you couldn't about Roland. But he wasn't judgmental, ever. He had a sense of family that I can only ever hope to give my daughter. The first time he held Mara... it was awe inspiring. The way Roland looked at that little girl made me think that maybe this parenthood thing wasn't as terrifying as it seemed. I remember thinking what a great father I thought he'd be... and I'm really, really sorry that he won't have that chance. We miss you, Roland."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 10, 2009 11:48:12 GMT -5
Riley felt decidedly out of place. All of these people knew Roland so well, and she'd only known him briefly. Did they hate her for mourning as much as she was?
Cara's words brought tears to her eyes, and it only got worse from there. Geoffrey, and Lina, and Hayden, though he had gone first. It wasn't until Lina's testimonial that Riley felt ill, felt that sudden urge to throw up. She felt dizzy even sitting in her seat, and she reached out, putting her hand on Geoffrey's arm as she closed her eyes and tried to quell the feeling in her stomach.
She couldn't do this. "Geoff," she whispered, her voice very, very quiet.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jul 10, 2009 13:19:24 GMT -5
She spoke so quietly that Geoffrey didn't even hear her voice. He turned at the feeling of her hand on his arm, and immediately took in the color of her face. She was a sickly grayish tint, almost green, and without hesitation, his hand slipped into hers. "Are you OK?" he whispered. "You look like you're about to be sick."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 10, 2009 14:54:40 GMT -5
Riley only shook her head lightly. No, she was not okay, and she was pretty sure she was going to be sick. She really should have tried harder to force breakfast down today.
She pressed a hand to her stomach just praying she didn't throw up in the middle of Roland's memorial. She felt like if she moved too much, she was just going to black out, and the last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself here, of all places.
"I'm okay," she lied, her voice still impossibly quiet.
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