Chapter 198: Day 197

Day 197,

Lin came back into town today.  The patient she’d been attending to for the past couple of months passed away yesterday.  She brought me all the info I needed to make the official archival log of the old woman’s death.

Miranda.  No living relatives.  Never married.  Former crystal collector.

While I already did my duty as Archivist in recording that all and more in the official record, it felt wrong not to write it here as well.

Lin had already prepared the body to keep it moderately fresh until the next mist night, which is likely still a few days away at the earliest.  In lieu of family, the deceased’s nearest neighbors will watch over the body until Village guards arrive to retrieve it.  Notifying the guards and mediators about that was going to be her next stop for the day.

I offered to handle that in her stead while she took some time to rest.  Browse the archive, see her parents, take a walk to Siren Overlook, whatever suited her.

She accepted the offer with an audible sigh (Relief? Exhaustion?  Reluctance?).  Expressed her gratitude.  Asked what it was Cass and I had been starting to bring up when she walked in before she had delivered the news.

I said it was just some arrangements/invitation for a return trip to the ruined cathedral (why do we always specify “the ruined cathedral” when it’s the only cathedral?) but it could wait until later.

Not turning to look at either of us, she said that sounded nice.  That she could use the distraction.  Nothing for her to do until the funeral anyway.

Leaving Cass to watch the library (and maybe Lin) I made my way to that building where the guards and mediators centralize their work to pass on the news.  I wound up talking to a mediator I wasn’t particularly familiar with and didn’t catch the name of.  She thanked me for letting her know and told me that she’d take things from here for the necessary arrangements.  She added that all that was left for me to do as Archivist was to make sure I’m in the Village for the funeral and to record whatever it is she and the other mediators finalize for handling the deceased’s house and belongings.  I’d seen such entries for similar cases while doing the research for my extrapolated census, so I’ve got some idea what that last part should end up looking like.

No sign of Vernon while I was there.  Must have been handling the market for the day.

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Lin wasn’t at the library when I returned and hadn’t told Cass where she went.  When she returned a couple hours later as we were wrapping up for the evening she was carrying her camping pack.  She still looked tired, but perhaps a little less haggard.

As we still had some time before Cass and I needed to meet up with James for our ride back, we got into talking about expedition plans.  We eventually decided on heading out there the next morning that it was raining.  As Lin said earlier, she had both nothing to do and a need for distraction.  The bracelets confirmed Vernon was still at the markets so we decided to find him and fill in/invite him on our way out of town.

As we were heading out the door, Lin asked if she could spend the night at my place.  I told her she was welcome any time.  I’d kind of figured she’d be asking since she had her pack with her already.__________

Just caught myself nodding off there.  The hour grows late and my eyelids heavy.  I’ll be brief about the rest of the day.

We managed to catch Vernon before leaving.  He was amenable to our plans so long as he didn’t get pulled into something at the last minute.  He’ll meet us out there the next rainy morning.

James was happy to give Lin a ride along with us.  Thankfully he didn’t pry too much about it, especially after we mentioned the upcoming funeral.  He did bring up that we’d need to discuss Cassandra’s schedule between farmwork and apprenticeship now that the rainy season was over, but that could wait until after the funeral at least.  Just as well.  I’m not up to thinking about that topic right now.

Maiko was pleasantly surprised to see Lin.  Sympathetic when the funeral was mentioned.  Caught the other two of us off guard when she (accurately) pointed out that close as she was to Miranda these past months the death must be hitting Lin hard since she was the closest thing the old woman had to family at this point.

When I last saw the two of them before retiring to my room for the evening they were both on the couch, leaning on one another but awake.  I wouldn’t call it cuddling, not that warm or playful.  But I like to think that the two of them were providing some degree of mutual comfort to their respective pains.

 

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