The funeral turnout is...small. Aside from Sean's colleagues - in other words the other individuals working for the Spearens, Sean's subordinates, and a couple of his old friends, the only ones there are Arek and Sayan. Sean never had a family (aside from the Spearens) and most of his old friends either died on the battlefield or on missions. However, small isn't a bad thing. It's nice and quiet.
When Arek remarked about this to Sayan, the other simply responded by saying "that's how he'd have liked it." And after a moment of pause, Arek couldn't deny that this was the case. Gazing out at the empty casket, Arek is once again forced to come to terms with how little he knows about this man who'd practically raised him as a second father, in the end even giving his life for him.
Smack!
"Ow, what was that for?" Arek asks clutching his head where Sayan smacked him.
"Don't overthink." The other man impassively replies. However, Arek's attention has wandered over to the worn, leather-bound book clutched in Sayan's hand. A rather hard book...Arek internally grumbles, rubbing his head.
"What's that?"
"Oh this?" Sayan asks, looking down. "It's Sean's." Arek raises a brow.
"Then you have it here because...?"
"I'm having it buried with him."
"Oh."
Arek peers towards the book for a moment. "Can I see?"
"Hmm?" Sayan blinks. "This? No way, it's private."
"Private?" Arek blinks, his gaze fixating on it. "Then, it's..."
"A diary." A diary. The key to the secrets buried in the man who sacrificed his life for him, now being buried in his stead. After a moment, Arek blinks and looks away. Someone calls out to Sayan and the other turns away to speak with them.
"Wait!" Hearing Arek's call, Sayan pauses.
"Hmm?"
"I'll keep it."
"What?"
"The book - diary. I won't look. I'd just like to - to do the honor, of burying it with him." Sayan looks into Arek's eyes and something about that gaze convinces him to hand the book over. Then, he turns to go speak with the other guests.
Meanwhile, Arek firmly holds the diary, his fingers digging into its spine. He clutches it tightly, desperately like he's holding a precious treasure, or maybe a more apt description is like a man clutching driftwood. The funeral goes on and before anyone has realized it, it's over. One by one people leave until it's finally just Arek and Sayan.
"Arek-"
"You go on." Arek says, keeping his gaze fixed on the coffin. After a moment of hesitation, Sayan leaves. Finally, it's just Arek, Arek and...
"Sean. I know you're not actually here because your body is...well, not here but this coffin symbolizes you and...well, I'd like to talk to you, honestly for once. I never knew you, not really. I knew you were my family's bodyguard and that you were close to my dad but beyond that, you were always a mystery to me. In fact, I was probably slightly intimidated by you but then you saved me, you so easily gave up your life for mine and you didn't even need to. I mean, dad's gone - well you're probably with him now - but it was a completely different world and I was an idiot. You could have just let me be, let the prince use me. In fact, you should have, but you didn't. Without a thought you got in the way of the blade for me and-"
Arek spends the entire night rambling, ranting, crying, raging, laughing, speaking, speaking, speaking until his voice is sore and the first rays of dawn peek out over the horizon. With a gusty sigh he finally walks over and places the diary in the coffin, nods down to it, turns around, and makes his way back up to the house. Perhaps he's too immersed in his monologue or perhaps he doesn't care. Whatever the case, Arek doesn't seem to notice Sayan standing some distance away watching his retreating back.
Sayan's expression is impassive, his gaze downcast. However, his clenched fists betray his mood. Could have just let me be...let the prince use me...in the way of the blade for me...Arek's words, painting an image of nobles, conspiracies, a fantastical world beyond the comprehension or imagination of someone from the 21st century, keep ringing in Sayan's head. Digging his nails into his palms, Sayan anxiously thinks about his upcoming appointment. Friday the 13th, I just need to wait till Friday...
