[PROMPT] The Funeral

A bell tolls from above the church. Signaling to mourners that the funeral has started. The pews are full, mourners and onlookers alike filed into the wooden seats. Other’s linger to the sides, backs pressed against the wall. The quiet murmur of whisperings ring through the unholy halls. 

Gage is amongst the onlookers. Somehow managing to find a place amongst the first row of pews. He’s dressed… poorly, to say the least. His clothes are torn and moth eaten, he looks more appropriate for a stage in some shitty dive bar than a funeral for one of the most beloved buns in Burrowgatory. He was never really the devout type. Finding the Church’s beliefs to be silly rather than inspirational. To him, Demons were glorified caretakers rather than beings of worship. Still, he wasn’t ignorant. He knew that faith was important for some, and Olelander’s honeyed words and sermons brought those who were devout comfort. 

Leaning back into the somewhat uncomfortable wood, Gage peeks around to see the others around him. His interest peaks at the sight of two particular people. He vaguely remembered them - Jackal, an Envy bun and Dove, the first Cherubun in Burrowgatory. Looking over Jackal, a part of him is glad he isn’t the only one underdressed for the occasion. 

However, he quickly catches her gaze in return. There’s an awkward moment as Jackal scoffs at him and Gage simply returns with an awkward hand wave. It’s Dove who melts the tension, giving a soft smile and wave. 

“Hello.” Their voice rings soft. Almost lost within the sea of whispers that surround the three of them.

“Ello.” Gage responds, giving them a wave too. Leaning forward a bit to see the others a bit better, thankfully his lanky form allows for it well, even when sitting. "What's brought all of you lot ‘ere then?"

“The funeral, jackass.” Jackal responds with a hiss, very clearly annoyed by Gage’s question. 

It just makes Gage exhale a huff of air, amused by the reaction. With a shrug he braces his elbows on his knees. "Well, of course, I meant are you here because you're mourning, or are you just here for the show?” Gage doesn’t mean to sound like an ass about it all, never really being good with words outside of lyrics.He gives Jackal another once over, noting that like him, she wasn’t really dressed for the occasion. 

Before Jackal gets a chance to respond, Dove speaks up again. “What do you mean by show?” Their brow quirks up as they also lean forward, gazing up at Gage curiously.

Gage makes a subtle gesture with his hand, pointing out the fact that a good number of others in the church seem to be here for the sole purpose of a spectacle. After all, it’s not every day a beloved priest and head of the church dies. It’s bound to attract curious onlookers, like himself. “Lot of people here don’t seem to be here on the sole idea of mourning. I was just wondering if you and your companion were here on similar grounds.” 

Prickly as ever, Jackal responds first. “Mourning.” There’s still a slight hiss in her voice, clear to Gage that she isn’t very interested in chatting right now. To make that even more obvious, Jackal loops an arm around Dove’s shoulders and pulls them in close. 

They speak quietly among themselves, and Gage isn’t one to chase those who obviously want nothing to do with him. So instead he chooses to lean back and observe his surroundings. 

The first thing his gaze goes to is the casket. It sat within the center of the Crossing. Gage wasn’t surprised to see that it was fancy, it made sense, Oleander was the head priest. He wasn’t surprised that Mercy seemed to have made sure that his final resting place was a comfortable one. 

The wood shined with freshly applied polish, the brownish colour of the wood appeared slightly more red within the churches lightening. A satin cloth is draped down the middle of it, the edges just barely hovering over freshly cleaned floors. There were red ropes around the area of the casket, walling it off away from the rest of the public, in the center of each rope, the Leviathan’s Cross hung low. 
It was a rather touching sight, even to someone like Gage. It was clear love had been poured into keeping everything tidy and pristine. Wanting to make sure Oleander remains undisturbed. Yet there was something… off about everything.

The casket was closed. 

Perhaps Gage was just assuming, he didn’t know much about the priest all things considered. Yet with the lecherous reputation, Gage would have assumed that someone like Oleander would have wanted his fellow worshippers to see him one last time. It just made sense. 

As he was lost in thought, priests and nuns started to file in, they walked in straight lines from each Transept. Nuns from the South and Priests from the North. They were draped within black vestments with black satin veils obscuring their faces. Their hands were clasped together, bound by the Leviathan’s Rosary. Falling into line, they circled the altar. The crowd went quiet as they arrived. Instead of the whisperings of mourners and onlookers, the church was filled with quiet prayer from the church's members. A handful of voices from the crows joined along, whispering prayers.

Mercy came up through the Nave. In their hands, they carried what Gage assumed was one of Oleander’s own rosaries. They walked between the rows, their head down as those in the pews watched them with. It’s a moving scene, watching as Mercy stands before Oleander’s casket. The way their hands shook as they draped the rosary across the cloth before continuing to walk forward. Taking the spot at the head of the Altar. 

“O’ Lords of Sulfur,”

Mercy’s voice carries over the natural acoustics of the church. Though it’s spoken loudly, their voice is still soft, filled with heartache. Gage straightens up a little as he listens. Dove and Jackal do the same. 

“We stand before you, a congregation in sorrow,”

The gathering of priests and nuns behind them speak the same words at a slight delay. It makes the atmosphere of the church feel slightly off-putting in a beautiful sort of way. Gage can hear the emotions behind their words, looking up at Mercy he can see just how hurt the nun had been about Oleander’s passing. It tugs slightly at his heart.

“As we bid farewell to our beloved Oleander,”

Mercy chokes up as they speak Oleander’s name. It’s hard to make out due the space between them, but Gage swears he can see tears well up in their eyes. On the side of him, Dove makes a pensive noise, Jackal pulls them slightly closer in response. 

"May your tender embrace welcome him,”

Other members of the church, who know the prayer, join along. It’s a quiet mumble from the crowd, there’s someone in back of Gage who seems particularly invested. The voice behind him shakes like Mercy’s own. 

“And guide his way through the sulfurous realms of your domain.”

There’s a pause after Mercy’s words. Their hands clasp together as they take a moment to collect themselves. Using the sleeves of their vestments to rub away the tears from their face. Gage lets out a pensive hum at the sight, he doesn’t know Mercy but he feels terrible for them. Losing someone close to you is never easy. Mercy continues on after a deep breath of air.

“We entrust their soul to your care,”

Mercy chokes back a sob as they once again speak Oleander’s final rites. Once again having to use their vestments to brush tears from their face. Dove shifts uncomfortably around them, Gage can only assume that the cherubun wants to comfort Mercy in their time of need. 

“We entrust his soul to your care, may he indulge to his heart’s desire,”

Their hands clasp together with a soft clap as they continue. With their head bowed, Mercy’s voice is slightly muddier as they speak. Between the noise around him, Gage struggles to listen. The voices behind him are what fill in the 

“As we look forward to the time when we shall reunite once more.”

If it weren’t the congregation behind them, the final verse Mercy spoke would have lost to their shaking voice. It takes a moment for their head to rise again, looking at the buns in the pews with a devastated gaze. Tears drip down their cheeks freely now, no effort being made to wipe them away.

“Ave atque vale.”

With their final words, the bells from above toll. Once, twice, three times before things fall silent. The clergy behind mercy start to file out from their spot behind the altar, each in unison as both lines go back to their respective Transepts. Mercy remains at the altar, waiting until they have made their way out before walking down and standing before the casket again. Their hand is gentle as it swipes over the wood.

The people are quick to leave. Some say a quick prayer while others choose to leave quickly, not wanting to be in the way of the grieving. Gage was about to leave before he noticed Jackal and Dove moving to stand beside Mercy. He can’t help his nosey tendencies, pretending to mumble prayers as the trio talk. It was hard to make out, but Gage still tried his best to listen in.

“Oh, Mercy, that was beautiful…” Dove coos as they nudge closer to Mercy, now standing shoulder to shoulder with them. A tired Mercy rests their head against Dove’s, their gaze still settled on Oleander’s casket. Jackal stands on the other side and gives a nod.

“It was…” Her gaze shifts to Gage and the rest of those who stayed behind, letting out a contemplative hum before she quietly mumbles to the others. They all nod and shuffle to a more private area.

Now left to himself Gage can’t help but to think that was an odd funeral. Touching, but odd.