Burial at Sea

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 14th December 2008

Characters: Jerroll, Edele
Description: The Silver Sails loses an old crewmember.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 2 of Turn 4

Jerroll knocked on the door briefly before leaning his head into the galley. "The crew is going to be late for dinner," he told Edele.

"Oh?" Edele looked up from the bowl where she had been mixing some batter and raised an eyebrow at the First Mate. When she saw the expression upon his face, her lips turned down into a frown. "What's wrong?"

"Trinket died," he said quietly.

"Oh ... oh no. I'm sorry." Edele put down the bowl and moved over to Jerroll. "What happened?"

"Just ... old age." Jerroll shrugged. "We knew it was coming."

"Poor fellow." The old feline had seemed as much a part of the ship as the sail was. Even though he was old, he moved around quite well for his age, though he did sleep quite a bit as well.

"We're giving him a sailor's burial in a candlemark, if you want to come." Jerroll tried to tell himself that Trinket was just a feline, but he had lived on the ship for ten turns, and Trinket really did feel like one of the crew. Nearly everyone on the Silver Sails felt the same.

"Of course." It would make lunch even later, but Edele would get as much done as she could in that time. "I'll come up when it's time."

"All right." Jerroll left quietly.

~ ~ ~

One of the men had made a little box out of crate pieces, and Trinket was laid inside, wrapped with a bit of old sail. The top was nailed on and Jerroll stepped up next to it. Lerra was off to the side, pretending she didn't care, but Jerroll knew she did. He'd caught her feeding treats to the old feline and giving him affectionate scratches dozens of times.

Jerroll turned to face the crew. They had all turned out for the little ceremony, and he saw a few leaky eyes among his mates. "Today we lay to rest a fine member of our crew," Jerroll began.

Edele looked from the makeshift coffin to Jerroll. It seemed that even he was moved by the death of the feline. A strange thing, a tough man like him being touched by such a small creature. She couldn't help but smile at the thought, though it was a small smile indeed. The wind picked up suddenly, then died down as if trying to say its own farewell.

"He did his duty well, and kept the hold clear of pests, even when age slowed him down. You were a proud and fine feline, and we will all miss you." Jerroll lifted the small coffin and held it over the rail. "Rest well, Trinket." He let the box slide from his fingers and watched until it hit the water and slipped below the waves.

And the moisture in his eyes? Well, it could have been from the wind.

So strange to see so many hardened sailors upset over the feline's death. Strange, comical, cute. Especially Jerroll. There was a long moment of silence and Edele even heard a couple of sniffles. She glanced back over to Jerroll, watching him.

Lerra finally sighed and called out sharply, "Enough of this foolishness. Back to work!"

A self conscious smile flitted across Jerroll's face as he joined Edele. "You must think we're a bunch of fools."

"No, I don't." Edele slipped her arm through Jerroll's, then stood on her tip toes to place a gentle kiss on the line of his jaw. "I think it shows that you guys have a sweet side."

"When you live the life we do, it's easy to get attached to certain things - the ship, the crew ... and Trinket was part of the crew," he said.

"I never thought otherwise." Edele assured him, her hold upon his arm tightening for just a moment. "It's always sad when you lose a friend - even a furry one."

"Yes ..." He looked out at the sea for a moment. He'd lost many friends and pleasant acquaintances over the turns. Jerroll turned back to her. "I hope you're making something hot and filling for dinner ...
and I hope you plan on keeping me warm tonight." He smiled. Although the day was warm, the wind would make tonight chilly.

"It's a stew, which should be plenty warm and filling." Edele assured him. She couldn't help but smile. It felt so good to be beside him, her arm in his.

"Sounds good."

"And I hadn't any other plans tonight." Edele squeezed his arm gently as they came to the stairs that led below deck. "I don't think you'll find yourself lacking for company." To be honest, she hadn't spent a night in her own little bunk since her return. She didn't mind it one bit. After all, she had made the decision to make him her life.

"Good." He kissed her, his arm slipping around her waist.

"I should go get dinner ready." She had prepared as much as she could and left it to simmer, but that didn't mean she didn't have anything to do. "Want to keep me company?"

"Sure." Pleasant company was just what he needed.

"Good. I can always use an extra hand." Edele grinned and let her arm slide from his, though her hand clasped his own. "You know you won't get away without being put to work."

"No problem." The busier he was, the less time he would have to brood on Trinket. **Poor old feline.**

Last updated on the December 18th 2008

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Burial at Sea