RP ~ Visiting April

[on_holy_ground]

Takes place after this phone conversation with Korda. (WIP)

Darius had agreed to help with the arrangements at Korda's request, mostly because he had a great deal of respect for the man, and it had been evident that the loss had been a heavy blow to him. However, there was a part of him that had agreed to help simply because it seemed to be the right thing to do. The time that he had spent with Ynez had softened the general, and it seemed that everyday the more gentle nature that had been his before Loki's interference was closer to the surface.

So that's the reason why he was now standing at the door to Aidan and Wes' house, ringing the doorbell and then stepping back a bit as he waited for an answer from within.

Comments

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

April was sitting at the table going over some of Aidan and Wes's financial papers, bills, and other documents when she heard the doorbell ring. How the boys got the doorbell to chime a particular strange song was beyond her. It made her smile a little thinking about them as she went to the door and opened it. "Father Darius?" She said softly, "I'm glad that Korda was able to contact you in this time. Please come in."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius smiled softly, though his eyes were sad, as he nodded and stepped past her and into the house. "I am very sorry for your loss, although I am sure that by now you are likely tired of hearing such sentiments."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"To be perfectly honest with you, I am. Would ye like some tea?"

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

He understood her feelings in that regard, in that he had run across people who felt much the same many, many times over the centuries. "I would appreciate some, if it is not too much trouble."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"I had already started a pot. Please take off your coat and have a seat. I'll be right back." She says as she leaves him in the living room before she heads to the kitchen.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius nodded, slipping out of his coat and hanging it on the rack that was in the entryway by the door. Once that was done, he walked back into the living room and noticed the pictures on the mantleplace over the fire. Moving closer, he picked up the first picture that caught his eye.

A wave of sadness washed over him as he noticed that it had been from the committment ceremony for the boys that he had precided over in Scotland. It had been one of the most unusual that he had ever done, and yet the bond between them had been more evident than in many of the others he had overseen.

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

April carefully brings out a whole tea tray because she didn't know how Darius liked his tea. She noticed that the boys were using the silver tea tray that she gave them for their wedding as a place to put their mail when it came.

She set it on the table and then poured the tea into a cup.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Carefully setting the picture back in it's place on the mantle, Darius walked over to the couch and sat down, taking the cup from her hand when she offered. He then added a twist of lemon and a single sugar cube before taking a careful sip.

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"I haven't seen you since the wedding. I hope that everything is well at the church. I have to say that I'm surprised to see you in street clothes and not your robes."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

He held the tea cup in his hands, letting the wamth seep into them as they spoke. "It has been some time since I have been to the church, although I will be going there soon to prepare things. I have been taking something of a sabbatical for much of the past year. However, I hold Monsieur Korda in high regard, and when he told me of what was needed I could not refuse."

Pausing for a moment, he looked at her. "And while I did not know him as well as I might have liked, I felt that I needed to do this for your brother as well."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"Of course." She says sadly as she takes a sip of her own tea as well.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

He wondered how the poor girl was fairing, and couldn't help the compassion that welled up inside him. She had to bury her brother not once, but twice, and such things were not meant to be endured by anyone. "Tell me, have you put any thought into what you wish to do for the service?"

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"Um...I contacted Wes's brother...or something. But, I think that Aidan wanted to be buried at the cemetery by your church. I suppose that I need to buy a plot...a large plot. I need to get caskets when Wes's brother or sister get here. Both of them will be buried together. One big headstone. A graveside burial and memorial service. Then a wake. That's all that I came up with so far." She says softly.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

He nods slightly, making note of what would be needed and the kind of service he felt would be best for the two young men. "I will make the necessary arrangements for the plot, and the stone."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"Is it...is it all right that they were gay and married? I just...don't know. I don't want to get you in trouble with the church."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

"It will have no effect on their burial, I can assure you. They will be interred as they deserve, and I will not get in trouble with the church. I have more pull than most people can possibly understand."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

She nods slowly.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

He takes another sip of his tea before looking at her again. "Is there anything special that you wish in the service? Traditions or words that you would like spoken?"

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

"Bail o/ Dhia is Muire duit." She says softly. "At the end, say that phrase."

She starts to cry softly again and so she stands up to remove herself from staring at him face to face.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius gives her the solitude she needs, and simply nods. He waits several moments before getting to his feet. "I should be going."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small square of paper with his name and a number written on it in old fashioned handwriting. "If there is anything that you need, please, do not hesitate to contact me."

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

She nods, "You can leave it on the table. The service should be at 3 and then have the wake afterwards. You are welcome to come after, if you like."

She escorts him to the door, "Thank you for your kindness and I hope to meet Korda again and also thank him for all of this."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Leaving the number on the table as instructed, he then walks with her to the door and turns to her as she opens it. "I will try and be there, to pay my own respects. As for Monsieur Korda, I am sure you will see him again so that he may do so as well. I wish you well and..."

He almost said 'may peace be with you' as he had done before, but the words seemed hollow given both what had happened to her family, and his own situation. "And I will see you soon."

Reaching out, he rests a hand on her shoulder for just a moment in a gesture of comfort, and then takes his leave.

[lawyer-frank.livejournal.com]

She watches him leave with a sigh before she closes the door and goes back to her work.