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Despite spending his entire life amongst the crumbled, Charcoal Cookie had never been to a funeral before, he tended to meet the spirits of the departed after their loved ones had already said goodbye to them.
But here he was, sitting in a church in the Faerie Kingdom, preparing for the funeral of White Lily Cookie. It was extremely sudden, the poor woman having been struck down whilst trying to fight Dark Enchantress Cookie… Charcoal still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact she was gone.
Thankfully the funeral wasn’t a huge affair, Charcoal wouldn’t have been able to handle a large event in his current state and judging by the demeanour of the few other guests in attendance, it was safe to assume they wouldn’t have been able to handle one either.
There weren’t too many other guests, of course both himself and Pastry Cookie had shown up, there was no way either of them was going to pass up the opportunity to say goodbye to their dear friend, Charcoal was currently holding the former nuns hand as she muttered a prayer for White Lilys soul under her breath.
The other Ancient Heros had also shown up, even Golden Cheese Cookie much to Charcoals surprise, the Golden Sovereign was sitting quietly amongst the others with her head bowed. Hollyberry Cookie was sobbing into her hands as Dark Cacao Cookie rubbed gentle circles into her back whilst Pure Vanilla Cookie was adjusting one of the wreaths of flowers that had been laid on the coffin.
A few citizens of the Faerie Kingdom were also in attendance, most notably Silverbell Cookie and Mercurial Knight Cookie, who were attempting to write a eulogy to read out during the service, though Silverbells shaking hands and occasional tears dripping on the page were making the task rather difficult.
Charcoal meanwhile had been staring at the floor, lost in thought and feeling numb with grief, it was only when he heard a Cookie approaching that he finally looked up and snapped himself back to reality. Pure Vanilla had approached him and Pastry and was giving them both a sad smile.
“Hello, you’re Charcoal Cookie and Pastry Cookie, correct?” The Ancient healer asked curiously with a slight tilt of his head.
“Aye, that be us,” Charcoal responded with a nod, offering a brief tired smile of his own to the other Cookie. “Yer Pure Vanilla Cookie, ain’t ye?”
“I am… I really appreciate you two showing up and I know White Lily would’ve appreciated it as well,” Pure Vanilla stated softly, moving to sit next to the duo. “I know you weren’t acquainted with her for very long, but she cared deeply for you both regardless.”
“I owe White Lily a lot… I don’t think she knew the full extent of just how much she helped me,” Pastry admitted while sitting up a little, idly fiddling with the sleeves of her robes. “Coming to say goodbye is the least I can do to repay her kindness towards us both.”
“She was a dear friend… it wouldn’t ’ave been right to skip sayin’ goodbye to ‘er,” Charcoal said, closing his eyes briefly to reminisce on his time with the mysterious yet charming Cookie. “Specially after everythin’ we went through together.”
“I’m glad she left such a big impact on you both, despite your short time together,” Pure Vanilla said as he offered a bittersweet smile before standing up and checking the clock, letting out a quiet hum. “It seems it’s time for the service to start, let us give our late friend the send off she deserves.”
Charcoal and Pastry nodded, moving to take their seats within the pews of the church and bowing their heads as Pure Vanilla began the service… it was rather beautiful, each guest taking turns to read a personalised eulogy and share their fondest memories of the departed Cookie, which helped to lighten the somber mood somewhat.
A few hours later the service had wrapped up and the guests had started making their way home, except for Charcoal, who stood over the coffin with a single red rose in his hands. Minutes later he heard footsteps approaching and a new Cookie stood next to him, holding a rose of his own.
Charcoal knew who it was without even needing to turn and look, instead choosing to keep his sorrowful gaze fixed on the rose in his hands whilst idly fiddling with the stem… it was silent for a few moments before the newcomer spoke.
“I’m sorry I had to take her so soon,” The Guide of The Crumbled muttered quietly, regret lacing his tone as he glanced towards the tombkeeper. “I know she still had much left to do.”
“Tis not yer fault,” Charcoal reassured the other, finally tearing his gaze away from the rose and resting it on his fellow caretaker of the crumbled. “T’was unfortunately ‘er time to go, nothin’ that could’ve been done t’stop it.”
Though he did hope that Dark Enchantress would face karma for her actions, Charcoal would be more than happy to aid in the fight if called upon… he’d help ensure White Lily’s crumbling wouldn’t be in vain. “But can I ask fer just one thing?”
“Usually I don’t allow favours… but I suppose I can make an exception for another who cares for the crumbled,” The Guide replied after a moment of contemplation, curious as to what Charcoal would ask for. “You are aware I can’t bring her back, right?”
“I know, that ain’t what I be askin’ fer,” Charcoal said with an understanding nod, he already knew resurrection was off the cards from the start so he’d thought of a different request, one he hoped White Lily would appreciate. “Take care of ‘er, please… after such a brutal life, I reckon she’s earned ‘erself a calm afterlife.”
“That I can do,” The Guide confirmed before turning his attention back to the coffin and the slew of roses that adorned it. “She will get the rest she deserves with me.”
“Thank ye,” Charcoal replied with a brief smile before moving to set his rose on top of the coffin amongst the others, making sure it was neatly placed. “It means a lot to us all.”
Once satisfied with how his rose looked, Charcoal finally turned and began to make his way out of the church to meet with Pastry once more, but before he stepped outside he paused and turned back around just in time to witness The Guide place his own rose on the coffin, bringing White Lilys spirit to him.
Despite suffering such a brutal and sudden crumbling, the Ancient Hero looked at peace, much to Charcoals relief. Sensing a third presence, the spirit of White Lily turned and visibly brightened upon spotting the tombkeeper, offering one last serene smile and a small wave goodbye before turning back around and taking The Guides hand, the two vanishing to the afterlife seconds later.
Once the two had vanished completely Charcoal finally turned and left the church, satisfied that his dear friend would finally get to live without pain and hardship.