WHO: Open to anyone WHAT: Memorial service & celebration WHERE: Most any public space in the caves! WHEN: All day Friday, March 8th STATUS: Ongoing, Open RATING: Sad, but then okay. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in front of your mom here please.
The 8th of every month since the attack was a vacation day of sorts, if such a thing existed within the caves. The more vital businesses kept on, and some opted out, but many chose to observe. Early in the morning, some villagers gathered together in front of the memorial they’d carved that very first month. A smooth expanse of rock bore the many, many names of the loved ones they’d lost, gathered up and added to as time went on. As she had every month, Minister Millicent Bagnold stood in front of that memorial and, with her voice magically enhanced, read out the names on that wall, pausing for a moment after each. She’d nearly memorized them at this point, though battles added new ones at the end each month. By the time she was done, it was nearly lunch and her voice was strained no matter how much she tried to power through the ordeal. Looking out into the crowd that was gathered (a crowd that had been dense that first month but dwindled some since), she spoke of the hope she felt even after reading out that list, as she always did. Taking one more pause, she let the tone shift. In the past, she’d spoken of a different friend or coworker, celebrating the lives she’d held so dear, sharing personal stories of their personality and humor before releasing those gathered to do the same and begin the celebration of life that followed.
After dismissal, a band started up music and the party began. During the day it remained family-focused, little ones free to run around and enjoy themselves until they were sent home to sleep for the night. Then the drinking and more adult celebrations picked up, a handful of those in law enforcement abstaining in case the worst should happen.