6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Donella.

Meandre, an albino python arrives, following Aurora.

Senza Luce arrives, following Branan.

    This was going to be a more intimate affair, and as such there was not much put up in the way of decor outside of the simple beauty of the small garden itself. Most of the Mercier retinue was present, family and servants alike, standing in front of a large marble statue of the deceased. Silas steps forward and turns to observe the new arrivals, solemn but not cold.

Branan steps into the gardens - leaving Senza near the gates, before proceeding onward, quiet, as to avoid interupting anything.

Fidelia Fidante, A Lady-in-Waiting arrives, following Juliet.

6 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Intimate affair! In through the garden walks an armored female figure, the mask of her helm up so that Reese's face can be seen. It has a serious expression although the lips form a small smile to those she meets. She stands more towards the rear, a glance towards the entrance to see who comes.

Lazarus stands outside the door of the lab, on a small platform, of a twirling stairs, that oversees the garden and the ceremonies. On his hand is a small tea which he nurses absently as he watches from the shadows.


Aurora comes into the familiar gardens, Meandre wrapped around her thin frame. She eyes the door towards the laboratory, keeping her gaze there for a moment before shifting to move towards where the guests gather.

Valencia slips in like a little shadow, quietly taking a place in the back, her head respectfully lowered.

Donella said that she would be here, to pay her respects. Her men go away to leave her there, in the gardens, which are to her unfamiliar. She looks left and right, cranes a bit. And when she finally catches sight of that figure in the shadows, swilling leaf-water, she bows her head.

Strolling in still in training-worn armor, Agnarr finds a spot by the back to observe mutely.

"Messere Lazarus," Juliet offers, as she steps up - dressed somberly in black leathers which may almost seem out of place on the Fidante noblewoman. Gesturing for Fidelia to come forward, the Lady-in-Waiting carries a small basket, and Juliet finds a single black rose within, offering it to the man. "I am sorry for your loss. The Thirteenth has shown him the way to a better place."

Jeremiah is there--has been there, politely early--he waits, alone and to the side, every-so-often fidgeting with his vest's buttons, observing the statue or the Merciers more than any of the other attendees.

     Bethany is standing behind and left of the monument, hands clasped behind her back, watching (head tilted, chewing on her lower lip) as visitors enter the gardens - as Silas steps forward from the statue - this makes her take a half-step back in concentrated effor to be more unobtrusive.

Lazarus catches Donella's gaze and lowers his head respectfully towards her distant attention. His gaze drifts from the Thrax princess towards Lady Juliet, "Lady Juliet, you honor us with your presense." The words dull and almost robotic, "Thank you for the gift."

Fuzzy Wuzzy arrives, following Darren.

"I was honoured to get to know messere Horatio," Juliet murmurs to Lazarus, her face severe. "Thank you for letting me grieve with you, and share in the memory of him." She gives the man's hand a squeeze, then moves along, so other guests and mourners may talk to him. Moving along, towards Bethany. "Messere Bethany. You have my condolences. Messere Horatio's drive for knowledge seems so very recognisable in your own." Again, Fidelia offers the basket, and Juliet picks out another black rose, offering it to Bethany.

Lazarus offers Juliet a polite smiles and nods, "Thank you. He is an interesting character." He says, glancing at the statue. He did not like it. Lazarus takes a step back and bows his head for Juliet to pass.


Silas smiles faintly from where he stands when Juliet offers Lazarus the flower, then turns his attention to the rest present and bows his head. "I want to thank all of you for coming. Your presence and respect for our loss will be remembered." He lifts his head again and looks to the statue behind him: a good likeness of how Horatio looked when he was alive, python and all. It is not lost on him that the python was still among the living herself, but it wouldn't be Horatio without Meandre. The look he gives Aurora is notably more sympathetic than his gaze was previously. "This is a memorial, not a funeral service. I have more of an interest in honoring our cousin's life, opposed to his death." He squares his shoulders and clears his throat.

    "Horatio was sent from Arx from his home in Clemenstone - a little known vale within the Crownlands, after he had demolished a homestead in one of his alchemical experiments. He intensely denied any wrongdoing from the start - and perhaps it truly was a case of mistaken... explosion." A pause. "I am sorry to say I did not get the opportunity to acquaint myself with him well during our childhood and I was happy for the oppportunity to remedy that. I was happy to finally see him make friends..." There's a nod in Aurora's direction. "Good friends."

     Bethany accepts the rose from Juliet, dipping briefly to curtsy. Her tone is solemn, "Thank you." Then, a vaguely amused look lifted toward the marble likeness - and expression composing, to listen to Silas' eulogy.

    Julea arrives, belatedly, moving around the rear of the group, she keeps her left arm tucked in against her side. The right brings gloved fingers up to the side of her face, the one visible eye scanning the crowd for familiar faces. The other eye remains concealed behind a swarth of bandages that cross over her brow and cheek.

With a quiet but purposeful stride, Darren enters the Mercier Garden holding a rather heavy bottle of whiskey by the neck. Alongside the Prince strides a muzzled grizzly bear, who stands dutifully by Darren's side. He stands off to the side as Silas speaks, though he'll make his way over soon after, offering the whiskey bottle to Silas. "Sir Silas," he says in a respectful voice, "I am sorry for your loss. House Redrain sends their condolences and their regards."

Branan glances sidelong at the bear, then steps further back into the background.

Branan is ... Bearly... there.

Keeping silent, Agnarr lifts a brow when Julea is noticed making her entry. He flicks his eyes back to Silas speaking, but shifts closer to her at the back so he can murmur something.

Reese turns to listen as the eulogy is given concerning Horatio. Regarding the look towards Aurora, Reese glances a moment in passing before looking back to Silas as he speaks. She clasps her hands behind the small of her back.

After the lab, Aurora's attention does make it to the statue. It is hard to keep the emotions from her face. Thankfully Silas begins and her eyes share attention between the man and the stone. As Silas talks, Aurora twists the rings in unison on her fingers, all the while Meandre seems more interested in licking the air around her. A small dip of her head in acknowledgment is offered in response to his words

It's not as if Jeremiah doesn't want to remain fully focused on the memorial--indeed, still, much--most--of his attention remains on the Merciers--living and mineral. Nonetheless, he does toss periodic awkward glances at the bear, or the python--even the little corgi. He just sort of stares every so often, utterly surprised and transfixed, poorly hiding that. He at least manages, again and again, to return his attention to Silas, or the statue, or the other Merciers present.

    Like attracts like, and Julea finds herself positioned not too far away from Darren, and Agnarr and she gives the Prince a brief nod in greeting. Agnarr is given a curious look when he leans in to whisper, and after a moment, she offers a couple of quiet words back, her right hand falling to hook into thw waistband of her leather pants. She watches on, listening to the eulogy through her one visible eye.

Juliet nods, giving Bethany's hand a squeeze - and turning to listen to Silas. Her gaze, too, goes to Aurora as Silas speaks. "I'm going to finish delivering flowers," Juliet murmurs to the Mercier before her. "But perhaps we can speak more later, about Horatio. And, as Sir Silas says, celebrate his life." She gives a nod of her head, and glances to the High Lord of Redrain as he offers his condolences. Then, with a whisper of leather, she moves over to Aurora. Fidelia is already bringing out the next black rose, so Juliet may offer it. "Messere Aurora. We have spoken some already, and I can only repeat my deepest sympathies for your loss. I look forward to hearing more about Horatio from you." And with that, the rose is offered.

Silas certainly does not ignore the addressing of a prince, mid-eulogy or no! Silas accepts the offered bottle of whiskey from Darren, somber smile upon his lips. He nods gratefully to the Redrain man. "Thank you, Prince Darren. House Redrain honors us well, and we will return the favor some day." He takes a moment to inspect the bottle and label itself before opting to continue.

    "Many of you did not get the chance to know him personally, and I cannot promise you it would be a pleasant encounter even if you did. Horatio was not what one would call a social butterfly and he did not mince his opinions." He tucks the bottle of whiskey underneath his arm. He now gives each indiviual within the gathering a look - shortlived but attentive. "But I can assure you he was not a dishonest man and would, in the end, do right by you. He proved that when he swallowed his pride and went to Princess Natalia to personally apologize to save me a headache - he probably didn't even know that I had deduced that. In many ways he was still a boy." He sighs. "The Compact will miss him, even if it may not know how or why."

Donella knits her fingers together, and stands with somber aspect, with her veil cast over her hair and face. She turns over her hand, and common brown spider with long slender legs is there, as might be found anywhere. She turns over her palm to let it descend on a silken strand by its spinnerets toward the grass at her feet. Everyone gives remembrance in their own way.

Lazarus stands in the distance with an excellent posture and a delicate and refined allure. Almost like a statue himself. He sips from his tea, his blue eyes fixing on the statue, a symbol of someone who is truly gone. During Silas' eulogy Lazarus shifts his attention to his brother and listens, lowering his head.


Seeming satisfied with whatever answer Julea's provided to him, Agnarr nods once, taking a step back and to the side with a similar nod of greeting for Darren - he's seen the bear before, and doesn't fear it, possibly because it may be his sibling, turning back to watch the goings-on of the family of the dearly departed.

Whiskey handed over, Darren will step back towards Julea and Agnarr and quiet himself. Nevermind that he interrupted, he's going to be completely respectful now! His eyes focus on Silas as the man continues to talk of Horatio.

Juliet cants her head, looking to and considering the eulogy - offering another sad smile for Silas as he looks her way.

Valencia glances at the Redrains and drifts further back.

Reese gets tapped on the shoulder and nods to a herald. As she's in the back, the Grayson turns to slip out.

     Beth glances up - sweeps her eyes aside. Sidestep, sidestep. Sliding step. Slowly moving further back using the power of wallflower. And, now, she is standing beside Jeremiah. Her hands remian occupied with the black rose, twirling the stem between her fingers.

    The sad smile he is wearing drops now, gradually. "We have lost Horatio, but we were honored to have known him, if even for a mercilessly short while. This garden will be his resting place - not the catacombs beneath the city." He sucks in a long breath now. "In the coming days ahead there will be more loss and heartbreak - I will pray it will not touch you, but if it does do know House Mercier will always offer support to the grieving, regardless of our relationship to the departed. It is not anyone's right to tell someone how to grieve, when to grieve, or how long they should grieve. It is an intensely personal experience and not something that should be subject to the court of public opinion."

    "That concludes my piece. Should anyone else want to say something on behalf of our cousin, speak now and I will humbly relinquish the floor to you." He looks up expectantly.

    Julea adds a grunt of acknowledgement following Silas' words and she bows her head a touch forward, uneven lengths falling over her brow. Her right arm gives a quick flex, fingers tensing and tucking in against her palm when the catacombs beneath Arx are mentioned.

Aurora accepts the rose offered by Juliet, though she can't fake her smile, not even a little. "Thank you" is said after swallowing to find her voice, the words soft. After, Silas once more has her full attention as he speaks about Horatio. There are no nods given in agreement to the words spoken, though she does wait a moment to see if anyone wishes to speak before she has her chance, bracing herself for that moment.

Jeremiah does smile aside at Bethany once she's near--bracingly, bittersweetly. It's something to focus on that isn't an animal, apparently--if that's the tactic, it works. He turns his attention back to Silas after a few moments, quietly listening and observing, waiting for the next speaker.

Silas seems to sense Aurora's intention - and her inner turmoil. He looks back at her with concern. "It does not have to be now," he assures her quietly, but moves to allow her room to join him if she indeed wishes to say something. He waits a minute longer before he makes his decision on whether or not to proceed...

Lazarus remains still and silent. A very private man himself, Lazarus does not allow himself to grief. He reaches for a watch in his vest pocket, flipping the lid to read the time and then shoving it back into his pocket. Listening to Silas' word, he glances around at those present. A desire for isolation a bit overwhelming.

"I'll need a word with Sir Silas," Juliet murmurs to Aurora. Giving her hand a squeeze in sympathy, and then moving along - making sure to move at the outside of the circle gathered, so that her motion cannot be confused with her actually stepping up to speak. Pausing at Sir Silas, and once more, a rose goes from Fidelia's basket to Juliet's hand, offered to a Mercier.

"Sir Silas. A moving euology. It evoked my fond memories of your Horatio. Truly, I am thankful to be here today, among those who loved him, and those he loved." Juliet tells the knight before her. "While he may regret not having finished all of his projects here, I am sure he is already making splendid discoveries in a great mystery. On the other side of the Mirror." Her voice reverent. Her gaze lowered.

Darren dips his head to Julea and Agnarr before taking a few steps backwards to Donella's side. He folds his arms over his chest and tilts just enough to murmur a few words to the Princess, while his eyes remain on the Mercier family to see who might come up to speak.

Dark-haired Donella Thrax says reverently, "Master Horatio Lazarus was not well known to me. But he was a man who I have been told had an appreciation for things that were harder to love than the common man seeks out. The man is great, who can be good to the least, who can find beauty in the unsightly, who can maintain his sense of wonder in the face of the cynical and jaded. So I know that Horatio Mercier was a rare man-- may we see his like again." She says, "I shall take his life, and his passing, as a reminder that it is a waste to go through life so cautious that we never question, for no one may tiptoe through life to come out safe on the other side."

    Bethany dips her head, enough to shield some of her expression with the fall of her hair. Methodically picking a petal off the rose, letting it fall.

Returning Darren's nod by way of acknowledgement, Agnarr doesn't react much to what's spoken of Horatio, doing his best not to fidget.

Silas accepts the rose carefully, mindful of the thorns! Should they be there. He takes a moment to admire it before replying to Juliet with a bow. "Thank you, Lady Fidante. I am glad he got the pleasure of meeting you," he quirks a smile in the well-known Fidante lady's direction. "I think he liked you more than he cared to admit." Donella contribution was an unexpected surprise. His smile returns at her words - it seems he agrees wholeheartedly with the sentiment. "Thank you, Princess Donella. That is a virtue not often recognized and I am gladdened to hear it so applauded."

Lazarus smiles to Donella and nods agreeing with what she said but keeps to himself at the platform, listening to the eulogy of others.

    A fleeting smile accompanies the return nod to Darren, and then Julea's eyes are on the next speaker, Donella, acknowledging her words with a small dip of her head. When there is a break, she adds her own brief words into the mix, and while she doesn't come forward to the front of the crowd, she does draw to tip toes, and raise her voice so that it carries. "I did not know him well. In fact, I only met him just a few hours before he died. But I was there when he did, and even in that brief time, I got a glimpse at the man he was: He seemed to have a love of spiders, and they seemed to love him equally as much. He was relentless in his pursuit of .. stuff. Ever curious. Always wanting to know more. I didn't know him like the rest of you did, but I think, he might of been someone I'd of been friends with, if I did."

Subduedly speaking to Bethany, grim and focused, Jeremiah offers a nod, listening to each speaker then with focus. His expression is one of sympathy--distant, respectful, toned down, but still there.

    "Ah yes, I remember the tarantula. Lazarus's favorite friend," he murmurs as he smiles wryly back at his tea-sipping brother, when Julea brings up Horatio's love for arachnids. He cants his head curiously at the smith. "Thank you, for being there, even if it was only for a few hours."

Donella comments to Darren in return about the proceedings in a soft tone, striving to be respectful, but her face is slightly bewildered.

Aurora moves towards the front, damned snake and all, the act of twisting the promise ring that wasn't promising anything at all and Horatio's own Mercier ring, now replaced by holding the monster around her as she moves. "Horatio is a bastard" ah, no flowery words from this one. "Stubborn, brash, idiotic, impulsive. He was not a good man, but he knew that. He had his own set of standards, his own moral compass and expected everyone to life to it." She pauses to look at the statue, "I found Meandre. I know you knew I would come for her first when I found out. You are lucky I kept my promise, because she was out of her cage. She could have eaten a baby, stupid." All this is said calmly. "I lived him more than I have ever loved anyone. Even despite all if his faults, he was my partner, my other half. My life will never be the same without him in it." Her eyes begin to tear up and she is forced to swallow once more to continue, still looking at the man she lost, "he was not perfect but he was mine." With a deep breath she leaves the stage.

Meandre, an albino python have been dismissed.

Listening, Juliet finds herself nodding, even finds the corners of her mouth stubbornly quirking upwards, as Donella says her piece. Glancing to Julea as well - and once more finding reminders of the man, Horatio. And then Aurora. Juliet smiles, listening to her. Considering the woman's words, a hand brought up to stifle a laugh at the initial statement. Eyes getting a certain teary sheen as she listens to the talk of love, and the celebration of his faults. And then, she lets out a sigh, and clears her throat.

"Thank you, Sir Silas," She murmurs, and moves towards the statue, picking out a final rose from the basket. Looking up at the stone representation of the honoured dead. "Messere Horatio told me I was naive and foolish," She offers, her voice clear and loud, as she turns to look around. "That my thoughts were those of a spoiled noblewoman, for only an idle mind could think that the purpose of life was to give happiness to others. And yet..." She looks around them. "And yet he touched us all. His memory will warm us on cold nights. His special insights will be with us for the rest of our lives. And so, Messere Horatio," Juliet offers, raising the rose, tip-toeing to place it against the stone snake. "I say that your life did have a radiance, and that you brought warmth and light to many. May he help us bring light and warmth to others." She brings her fingers to her lips, then plants a small kiss via them to the statue.

"May Elysia welcome you, my friend."

Juliet drops A Fidante Rose in Black.

Valencia 's dark eyes are kept lowered, her expression quiet. Feeling perhaps shy, she silently pays her respects and then slips away.

Silas disagrees with Aurora's conclusion on his cousion, obviously, but at the same time they did not have the same relationship! He lets Aurora rage and mourn uninterrupted, knowing full well that she needed to do so. Juliet's follow up, strangely, concludes the memorial in a far more fitting and touching way than he could manage - so he simply sidles up to her side when she makes her final rose offering and bows again to the gathering. "I thank you all for attending, again. And... please help each other." He closes his eyes. "May the Gods watch over you all."

    After her words, Julea takes a sole step backwards, sole eye watching first Aurora and then Juliet as each of them speaks in turn, and noting the rose getting placed by the stone statue, she dips her hand into her pocket, turning it into her palm, and finding all manner of things, scraps of metal. A few opaque pieces of glass, but nothing suitable to lay down as tribute. She grunts, and tucks her pocket back in the right way and goes back to watching.

Darren watches Aurora and then Juliet as the women approach to speak, his lips tipping downward in a somber frown. Though he offers no words of his own, he will tilt to murmur something once more to Donella, before the Prince and his bear turn to leave the gardens.

Shifting his weight, Agnarr makes to leave not long after Darren does, gauntleted fingers rubbing at his beard.

Fuzzy Wuzzy leaves, following Darren.

There's a twitch of sympathy on Jeremiah's lips; Aurora, Julea, Silas, all draw the same expression. He does speak again, to Bethany: quietly, all the more somber. Touched, sober, briefly tense.

Branan slides back into the shadows, and departs.

Senza Luce leaves, following Branan.