Library: Late Friday night

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Once it was obvious there were more than enough people to strip leaves and brew tea, Karal slipped away from Town Hall. Sometime during his walk to the library he was joined by Altra.

He didn't speak and neither did Karal, they just walked together, Karal carrying an incredibly old, incredibly fragile, book held tight against his chest.

When he opened Special Collections, the same feeling of watchfulness was there, but he ignored it. Altra by his side, he moved to the shelf where the journal which contained the cure rested and slipped the book from the boat next to it. "There, now you are together again," he whispered, then locked the room behind him.

What he desperately wanted was sleep, and to not think, but there was one more thing that had to be done.

[ooc: library used with permission. Open for one only, thanks.]

Comments

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

With the cure administered and Town Hall looking much more peaceful, Fraser had left to check the school and his office.

When he noticed a light in the library, he frowned and slipped inside.

"Karal?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal looked up from his notes, blinking in surprise. Altra was lying across the table in front of him, head resting on his paws. "Constable Fraser?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"You should be sleeping," Fraser said but it wasn't an order. Just a light suggestion. "Are you all right?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He almost laughed at that, but he was afraid if started, he wouldn't stop. "Not by any meaning of those words I've ever heard, but it doesn't matter," he said. "I need to do this. It's the last thing."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Fraser nodded quietly, blinking away his own exhaustion.

"Karal," he said quietly even for being in a library. "You did...you saved a lot of lives tonight. You need to know that."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It wasn't me. It was everyone," he replied, just as quietly, reaching to lay a hand on Altra's back. "Everyone gave us this. I need to--" He scrubbed his other hand across his face, trying to wake himself up. "Bart, he needs to be remembered, we need a ceremony. For everyone. I'm the only Priest on the island."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"And I'm going to tell everyone the same thing I just told you," Fraser promised. "Individually. They all deserve that."

He had to take a brief pause, a brief moment to compose himself. He hadn't thought about Bart since it happened, had to make the choice to push it aside and focus his attention everything else first.

"He needs to be remembered," Fraser agreed, "for the brave young man that he was. That he would've been. If you're up to this, Karal, then you have the school's permission."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he whispered. "And I can. It's my duty, I know how, I've been trained for this." Karal looked up. "It needs to be tomorrow. I can make it ready." Sleep could come after. "I've already started. But it's important. It needs to happen while they all remember what they did. Before they start to forget."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Karal." Fraser pursed his lips, considering his words carefully. Instead, he stepped around the table and put a light hand on Karal's shoulder.

Whispering himself, he said, "It's absolutely important. But, from what I saw this past week, from what I witnessed and experienced, no one is going to forget. They won't forget what happened and they won't forget Bart. We all need to remember. We all should remember. And we all should mourn in our own ways. I won't forget. They won't forget."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He bowed his head, and if he was blinking back tears, it was only because he was so tired. "I know. I know they won't. But it needs to be tomorrow. Please?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Of course," he said, squeezing Karal's shoulder very slightly. "Tomorrow. The start of a better day. It will be a good day to remember."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It will." Karal drew in a deep breath, and another, letting them out slowly. "It will," he repeated, glancing up at Fraser. "Will you speak tomorrow?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"I'd be honored," Fraser said quietly. "Thank you for asking me.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

From somewhere, Karal found a smile. "Tomorrow at noon, when the sun is highest in the sky, at Serenity cove, on the hills overlooking the ocean. Will you pass the word?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Indeed," he said, nodding. "Of course I will. Is there anything else you need?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He rubbed his temple, thinking, then slowly shook his head. "I don't think so, but may I see you in the morning if I find I'm wrong?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"I'll be in my office," he said. "If not there, at Town Hall, helping clean up and resolve loose ends."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said earnestly. "For everything, for letting me do this. If I can help in any way, you'll, well, you'll likely find me here or in the church."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Of course." He gave Karal's shoulder one last squeeze before taking his hand away. "Promise me though, you will attempt a few hours of sleep tonight."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal glanced at the table, across his notes, then nodded. "I will try, I promise."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Good night, Karal," Fraser said, nodding once before turning and heading home.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Good night," he said softly, then returned to his planning, one hand buried in Altra's fur while the Firecat's soft purr filled the library, driving out the silence.