Role-play part 5

'agreed' I said looking to Benji.

*slowly I made my way towards Andrey positoned myself next to his left shoulder and waited for the rest to carry him to the pyre*

 

I tied my dreadlocks into a ponytail, using one of the locks to hold it together, and let it fall down on the left side of my chest. I hopped onto my feet, walked over and carefully took hold of Andrey's right shoulder, waiting for someone to take his legs.

 

I went by Benjamin and Odessa to take Andrey's legs. I gave them a nod, and we lifted him up and went towards the pyre. Looking over my back I saw the flames of the pyre licking towards the marble ceiling. It was definately a fine, almost royal, burial in comparison to the standards of the metro. We swung Andrey's body back and forth a few times before letting him go, into the fire. It wasn't before now I gave him a soldiers salute. I didn't know him well and the circumstances of our first encounter could have been better, but he had been our companion to his death, and he deserved the respect.
Sorry for not posting for a few days, I've been in a summer residence for a week, no internet of course (smh) but I'm back now and I'll try and stay in touch while in Greece

 

After swinging Andrey's body onto the pyre, his body soon started taking fire. He was lying on his back, facing the ceiling. We stood there and watched the fire hungrily eat its way across his body. I felt that this was a proper moment for a proper speech.
"The fire licks its way towards the sky, to achieve its goal. On its way, it emits warmth in comfort for us all before it slowly fades and desintegrates in its ascension. Like this fire, Andrey comforted us with his emitting warmth, attempting to reach for his final destination. Not everyone carries the fire, but Andrey was a man who did. Amongst us, his warmth is absorbed in order for us to keep carrying the fire, with the memory of him. May his ascension be fulfilled, and may whatever god is left in this forsaken world, have mercy on his soul", I spoke loudly, yet respectfully, with a voice of pride. I took a short moment of silence. "He was a good Stalker", I finished before I layed my tightened fist against my chest and lowered my head as a sign of respect.

 

After Benjis speech we watched in silence as the fire transformed Andreys body into smoke and ash. "Nothing ever disappears, it all just transforms into something new. And so, Andrey will live on in a new form." As soon as I had uttered the words I wished I hadn't. Felt like a like a ridiculous thing to say. Blushing, I hoped noone had heard it and continued to watch as the smoke rised and the fire crackled.

 

Burning a body was a time consuming experience, and it usually took five to six hours before it was fully burnt. I glanced down at my rifle. "Should we stay here and guard him or let him have his peace?" I asked.

 

A'ight, man. Have a nice trip
When Darkbringer seemed to have lost his patience and seemingly wanted to leave, I was about to say that the night was not even over, but then I realized that there were no day and night in the Metro. We had already had some sleep, and whether the sun was rising now, or six hours later, would not make any difference. "If no one have any disagreements on leaving to Prospect Mira now, then Dakrbringer's suggestion would be a good idea as we all have slept well and enough", I said, looking at the rest of the group as a question mark.

 

*looking at Andrey's pyre I said a silent prayer. we had done all we could for him and now it was time to get back to the living. we couldn't stay in this station any longer, it would not be safe. the smell might attract nosalises to our location. we had to move*

'I agree, let's get out of this place. it is not safe. the smell might attract company we definetly don't want around. It will take us a couple of days to reach Prospect Mira, and once we get there and recover enough, we can decided what to do next. I don't think we are in any shape to get straight down to business' as I said this I walked back to the fire and gathered my gear. Jet once again jumped onto my shoulder and I got ready to move out.

 

As no one seemed to state any disagreement, I quickly packed my backpack, took on my grey camouflaged shirt, then my heavy dark brown coat followed by my metal boots, my sword-holster on my back and last but not least, my backpack. I undid the ponytail, and combed the dreadlocks that would be hanging in front of my face, back over my head to not have them hanging in my vision. "Ready and set", I stated eagerly. I pondered about where Steven might be. We had lost him in the Satanists' station somehow. Now he would be either dead, or far gone to some other station on his own, which was what I believed. There was nothing I could do for him now except hope.

 

"W-well maybe we should do as Pyotr proposed and split Andreys possesions first", I said hinting at the pile of equipment the others seemed to have forgot about. "It won't help him much now anywaysa."

 

"I am aware that he would be glad to have his previous possessions shared, as a last gesture of friendship towards us, from him. But then again, I also do believe that it is we who are supposed to show him respect, not opposite. I would of course be honored and satisfied by accepting his last sign of grattitude and humility, but we have just recently taken a lot from a huge storage, and I for one, am full. I, myself, will not recieve any of his items. You can do as you please. I will not blame or judge anyone, as it would be right to both take it, and to leave it. It is a personal choice that I will not interfeer with, and so should not anyone else either. We all do as we self please in this situation", I answered.

 

sorry for my silence guys, I've been at my In-laws dogsiting for the last few days

'then I propose we leave his possesions in a secret location, hidden in case any ranger coming through here in need of supplies can find them. we all know the secret codes and signs use by rangers, so no-one else will find the stash' I said to the group. 'I'm also full and heavy enough as it is. with the amount of gear we are carrying I believe our progress will be slower than normal. if we run into trouble, and have to run, we don't want any more weight on us, wouldn't you agree?'

*taking all my gear I started to move in Prospekt Mira's direction. there was not time to waste and standing around chatting would do nothing but increase the possible danger of staying in this part of the metro any longer than neccesary, and my arm was starting to hurt again*

 

"In the middle ages and times like those, great men who died were honored by being burned or burried together with their belongings. Let us burn them with him", I said before I threw all the items onto the fire around his body and followed Odessa.

 

I watched as the fire burned and picked up my knapsack, slinging it over my shoulder, its weight seemingly pulling me down. I then walked towards the pyre as I digged through my bottomless pockets, searching the different dewdaws inside them until I felt a smooth cylindrical bullet shaped sponge-like object. I brought to my nose and sniffed it a few good times. It was a used cigar. Cuban, in fact. I had it for nearly fifteen years, the third of the last of my cigars and the last one on my person.

It was an old and worn item. But an item of value nonetheless. With a heavy heart I walked towards Andre's corpse and placed the cigar on his body. "Have a good smoke Baldy." I muttered with a grin, "And make sure to save a seat for us in hell."

I then turned around and said to my remaining companion's. "A few words, I think I should say, before we leave. I didn't like Andre. Maybe only a bit. But he'd be a fine stalker. I can give him that much."

 

*following Pyotr's lead I fished an old lighter of my pocket, an old zippo that I rarely used, with the outline of a woman on it. I put it next to Pyotr's cigar*

'there you go comrade, now you can light your cigar as well. May the Metro be kind to your Soul'

*I bowed respectfully towards Andrey and started the long way back towards Prospekt Mira*

 

I spectated Odessa and Pyotr's gifts for Andrey, and though it was done with great humbleness, I still found it funny. I turned again and followed Odessa.

 

Sorry guys, I was on vacation.

I said my good bye to Andrey. I had only known him for a short amount of time, and his death was insignificant to me. The group was leaving the tunnel, I uttered a silent prayer and began jogging to the group.

As I caught up with them, I saw relaxed faces. We had just left a tunnel filled with death and misery; there was no doubt each of us would have our own nightmares. "So, where's the closest station from here? I could use a good meal..."