Stone Circle Exitlude

He moved where he was needed, stone-faced and quiet. The tears he did not shed were shed in thousands by those who loved Gunnar throughout his lifetime. The pain they felt was pain Skáld felt too- and yet, he was able to operate better through the tragedy by remaining calm, and numbing himself to loss as he had many times before. 

It did not mean that he cared any less- it was simply a means of sacrificing his own emotional outburst so that he could make a dreadful occasion as peaceful and light as possible for those who were absolutely crushed. 

He smiled, still, at Swiftlet and Katla on the morning that preparations were made so that they could understand that grief and joy could exist simultaneously. Tauris would lead the ceremony, so he spent much of his time gathering the last of the flowers from the area with the kids and Figment, before taking a quick trip to deliver them to Tauris, check on her and the progression of the grave, so he might ornament it with little white blossoms. 

He said nothing, following the ceremony, to give space for others to speak. He knew in his heart that Gunnar would know the words that were to be spoken to him, and that those words would continue to flow for the rest of Skáld's life. He would whisper words in his prayers, and smile when he saw them answered when nature would inevitably bring him a sign that Gunnar was still watching over him. 

Now was the time to grieve but as well, it was a time to heal.