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[Some time after the combat with both the Indalph and the Avian Empire, Skald and Archie had been working on something. When anyone asked, the answer was simply 'saying goodbye'. As you happen upon them sitting by a lake you start to have an understanding of what they were working on. At a close by shore was a small, cat sized boat with a bed of twigs and a small sheet of cloth. Sitting upon the boat was a makeshift stand in of a tuxedo cat - for there was no body to be found after the battle- and not too far was a crossbow, with a bolt that smelled faintly of oil. Skald's head was lowered, as was Archie's.]
This must be what the allied pilots must have felt when the Red Baron was finally shot down. He was an enemy, a formidable and terrifying one... but at the same time honorable and brave and worthy of respect. Farewell Socrates. You truly were worthy of the title 'Ace'.
My mentor. Though your heart was clouded with vengeance and grief I had never once forgotten your teachings and everything you have done for me. Without your guidance I would have been without purpose, without knowledge or skill... without ever knowing or discovering who I was or what I was meant to be. I thank you for everything that you have done... and wish you well in the here after.
[With that Skald got to his paws and gently pressed his head to the back of the boat, pushing it from the shore and into the water, ignoring the slight chill that seeped up his paws and the water that soaked into his fur... merely sitting in the shallows and letting the gentle ebb and flow of the water brush at him as the boat began its journey. Archie, who watching as it left soon lit the bolt and let it fly. They watched silently as a distant fire began to rise, smoke trailing a path to the now distant funeral barge.]
Through bitter cold, our hearts still remain strong.
Through raging winds, our will shall be as stone.
Though we shall fall, as wheat to the scythe.
We know that glory, and joy eternal.
In the next life, shall be our reward.
[Skald lowers his head once more.]
Goodbye Socrates. May the Valkyries return you to our father's side.
This must be what the allied pilots must have felt when the Red Baron was finally shot down. He was an enemy, a formidable and terrifying one... but at the same time honorable and brave and worthy of respect. Farewell Socrates. You truly were worthy of the title 'Ace'.
My mentor. Though your heart was clouded with vengeance and grief I had never once forgotten your teachings and everything you have done for me. Without your guidance I would have been without purpose, without knowledge or skill... without ever knowing or discovering who I was or what I was meant to be. I thank you for everything that you have done... and wish you well in the here after.
[With that Skald got to his paws and gently pressed his head to the back of the boat, pushing it from the shore and into the water, ignoring the slight chill that seeped up his paws and the water that soaked into his fur... merely sitting in the shallows and letting the gentle ebb and flow of the water brush at him as the boat began its journey. Archie, who watching as it left soon lit the bolt and let it fly. They watched silently as a distant fire began to rise, smoke trailing a path to the now distant funeral barge.]
Through bitter cold, our hearts still remain strong.
Through raging winds, our will shall be as stone.
Though we shall fall, as wheat to the scythe.
We know that glory, and joy eternal.
In the next life, shall be our reward.
[Skald lowers his head once more.]
Goodbye Socrates. May the Valkyries return you to our father's side.
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[Izuru observes the boat as it floats away and catches fire.]
Now that I look at it, CLAW wasn't ever trying to target civilians or anything like that. At worst they were stealing resources.
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[Skald's tail gently sways in the water as he looks off into the distance.]
As much as my mentor declared his hatred and desire for vengeance, I believe that he always had the task our father had intended for us to take care of first and foremost.
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[There was a sense of great sadness in the cat's tone.]
Truly... now more than ever I wish that was the case...
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Leave the birds to us, Socrates. We won't let them kill any cats OR humans!
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However, Socrates was perhaps too caught up in his desire for vengeance as well as his pride.
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What will happen with the rest of the cats, now that he's gone?
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When they realize he is not coming back...
[Skald reminisces. Just how many arguments were defused. Just how many lessons managed to get through only because one of their own could maintain their discipline.]
He is our leader for a reason. He was the only reason CLAW could remain as effective and united as it was. Without him to maintain their focus and discipline they would fracture and simply do whatever they can to survive.
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I doubt anyone would mind to have more cats around.
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But they would require a leader to keep them focused and disciplined. Surely you remember how they had acted during the interrogation process?
Even individual teams without have a chance of fracturing. CLAW only managed to remain a force as it was because of Socrates.
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"Godspeed, Socrates." She says quietly. "Gods speed, I suppose I should say."
She turns to Skald. "Still...are you sure he's actually dead? We never found the body, after all."
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[He ran over to the wreck at the first possible convenience. Nothing... and absolutely everything in the cockpit was a complete mess as well.]
Even if there was no remains to be found... the possibility of death, even for an elite like my mentor is too high. I sorely wish he really was alive... I truly do...
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