Time Warp: Black Mourning Coming Down

[Catherine Novella]

Setting:Ivy Green Cemetery, Port Orchard, WA
Date: March 14th 2014

It was the day of the funeral and Cat wasn't dealing quite so well. Dressed in an all black ensemble the dreary outfit fit the mood and the weather perfectly. She didn't know how she was going to do this alone. All of this. Ever since she had left Hammel Cat had been slowly working her way through community college, earning her associates degree, she was almost done with the program and had no idea what to do next. All of everything changed when her gram fell asleep and just didn't wake up.

She had tried waking her but finding her there... Cat didn't want to go in that room again.

Her gram was her life and this wasn't how it was supposed to happen. She was supposed to see Cat graduate with an associates degree. They had even planned a trip back out to the east coast. When she had come home not a lot had changed, but this had. Cat was now registered to drive the damn motorcycle that her grandma had, and it was about the only thing left Cat had of her.

The house, the things in the house. Everything, it was all to be put up to the bank since Cat couldn't take care of it, couldn't make the bills and was working her hardest to do everything she could to graduate. Cat had come to a real hard part of life that was something that she would need to learn to deal with.

She looked down at the stone slab and shook her head. No this was not the time to cry. Her grandmother's old biker friends had showed up, and the local paster had also shown up. Cat didn't know how they knew but she was glad they were here. Her gram would have wanted it. The funeral home had decided to take this case as a charity act, and suspiciously all of the other places that were necessary had as well, giving Cat reduced prices, and sometimes refusing to take her money. She wanted to know why but was too tired to ask and argue.

To put it lightly Cat didn't have many friends and she had no idea where her mom or dad was, so her gram was all she had left. Now that was gone too. Cat looked down at the ground and tried to stop crying. It was disrespectful to her gram to cry. She looked over at Alice and offered her hand. She needed her friends support right now...

Alice.

Alice was the one person Cat had called in tears. She was the one person Cat had kept in contact with since Hammel and she was the one person Cat could trust. Alice was an invaluable friend and Cat couldn't deal with life right now but Alice was here and Alice had a way of making things okay.At least for the moment.

Looking at the lilies that each of the people around her held Cat tried to keep her chin up as the pastor continued his sermon. This was hard. Too hard.How was she supposed to do this on her own?

[Alice Halifax]

To be honest, this wasn't exactly how Alice had pictured seeing Cat again after all these months, but life had a funny way of arranging things. Funerals weren't really Alice's style as she found them far too depressing, but this was her friend that needed her and since when was Alice once to deny Cat anything she wanted or needed. So, dressed in a black formal dress with black veil and black flats, Alice stood side by side with her close partner. The two held hands tightly, perhaps more intimately than friends would have, but Alice didn't care. Cat meant a great deal to her and the two had grown very fond and close to each other over the many months, even during their separation while Cat had gone off to pursue her academic studies elsewhere. Stealing a glance to her rather close friend and confidant, Alice felt a pang of grief as she looked at the pain stricken face of Cat. Clearly her grandmother had meant the world to her and in turn, Alice felt grief for the one who meant the world to her. Alice gently squeezed Cat's hand to give her some sign of reassurance and turned her gaze back to the tombstone before them. A few other people had shown up to pay their last respects but none of them seemed to show any interest in Cat or Alice.

Cat was alone now, save for her relationship with Alice and as such, Alice knew she was going to have to double her efforts and time spent with Cat. Not that it was a problem, in fact, Alice looked forward to the fact to being the one Cat would come come crying to and the one she looked to for moral support. It had been a very long time since Alice had felt this close to anyone in her life and she could see Cat being the one she could spend her life with, damned what society thought. "I'm sorry I couldn't have been here sooner love," Alice said softly, feeling somewhat bad that Cat had to deal with most of the arrangements by herself without any real support. Alice had only found out just a few days back that Cat needed her and had flew out immediately to be with her friend. "You know if you need anything from me, all you need do is ask," Alice said, her gaze still transfixed on the grave before her. Alice would have moved heaven and hell if Cat asked her.

The pastor's words were kind and Alice felt they merited some meaning, if not for Cat's sake at least. As the man spoke, Alice leaned in closer to her dear friend and put one arm around the young woman, much in the same manner a lover might console another. The two had never officially expressed intimate feelings for each other, but Alice suspected they were there. "I think it might be best if you stay with me tonight love. Being alone in such a time as this is never a good idea," she said, pulling Cat tighter against her.

[Catherine Novella]

It wasn't supposed to be this way. She wasn't supposed to have gone, not yet. Somehow Cat knew that everything would be different and everything was wrong and this just wasn't right. Cat was glad she had passed in her sleep but her Gram was the only thing she still cared about. Cat was slowly losing hope as she stared at the tombstone that was below her. This wasn't right and she didn't know how to fix it. She couldn't fix it that was the problem. Cat was trying and trying and trying to forget that this was real, but this was the one thing she couldn't hide in the books. She just, wasn't able to. Something told her that the people who loved her gram were around but she couldn't face them. Not after what had happened. Cat could feel her nails digging into Alice's skin, but didn't register that that was happening. Alice was the only thing from keeping her to break down right now. She was happy her friend had come to see her, but she wasn't used to having someone else to rely on, and she wasn't used to people actually coming through for her and she was holding onto everything she could right now and that was Alice. She just wished this could be better circumstances.

Cat was honestly Blanking out. The only thing holding her up right now was Alice, and she has that fake smile on. The one where she wasn't listening, where she was lost in thought and trying not to cry. That smile adorned Cat's face as she stared at the tombstone. Alice's words jolted Cat out of this trance like state and she shook her head whispering back. "It's okay. You came." That was all that Cat cared about. She had someone here who would support her and keep her up through this. Her grandmother would have loved Alice, she really would have. Again at Alice's words Cat shook her head and gently squeezed the other woman's hand. "You being here is enough."

Cat caught the words of the pastor as he spoke and nodded her head in a small prayer for those around her. Her gram wasn't conventionally religious but she had believed in a god who loved and took care of his creatures, human or not. It was this aspect that her Gram had passed onto Cat. Cat believed that love was the driving force of what made the world go round, but she was having a very hard time giving love to those around her. Right now she was drowning in sorrow and pain as she glanced down at the tombstone again, twirling the lily in her free hand. smiling a little Cat laid her head on Alice's shoulder as the other woman wrapped her arm around her. Cat didn't think twice about how lose they were or how they could be perceived. What mattered was Alice was here, and Cat needed someone to lean on. At the words Cat gave a nod. "That might be best..." Cat didn't want to be alone. Not right now. She looked at Alice then back to the tombstone. It seemed the pastor had finished and it was time to put the lilies down.

Waiting as each one of her gram's friends came and put the flower's down Cat waited for Alice to do the same before doing so herself, taking a while at the grave and paying her dues. She didn't want to disrespect her gram and would do everything in her power to bring her back if she could. Cat would miss her, that was for sure. Turning towards Alice Cat was trying to hold back tears. "Thank you for coming..."

[Alice Halifax]

Alice leaned into Cat all the more as the other put her head against her. It seemed their intimate nature was growing even closer and Alice liked that. She had no idea of the sorrow which Cat was feeling right now and wasn't about to pretend to even try to understand. Instead, Alice simply offered herself to her friend, willing to give what was needed. Yeah, it was a different side to see of Alice, but those she considered part of her new found 'family' meant the world to her. They were there for each other when needed because that's how their group would stay strong. Cat remained quiet as expected and Alice didn't push for any sort of response as she knew Cat would give it in due time. Alice was glad Cat took up her offer to spend the night with her during this time as Alice knew Cat couldn't handle this grief on her own. At least Alice could use her power on Cat to help her through all this, that is if the grief wasn't too overwhelming.

The pastor finished his sermon and it came time to place the flowers on the grave and one by one each mourner did so in turn until it came Alice's turn and while Alice never knew the woman buried there, she placed a flower out of respect for Cat. Moving to the side, she watched as Cat placed her flower, the young woman taking her time kneeling there. Alice stayed silent, willing to give Cat all the time she would need.

As Alice stood there waiting for Cat, Alice realized that she was the rock in Cat's life now and as such, their relationship was probably going to accelerate. This was fine with Alice, but was Cat really ready for such a thing. Alice wanted something intimate to happen between them, but of its own free will, not because Cat was looking for something to fill the void in her life. Either way, that bridge would be crossed at a later date. All Alice knew was that Cat was cemented in her bond to Alice know and that was the first step to establishing the 'family'. Call it selfish for while it helped Alice out, it also benefited Cat. For once in her life, Cat would have people who would go to the ends of the Earth for her, people who would protect her from any outside harm and people who would teach her how to be the true woman Alice saw her to be.

Alice offered a weak smile to Cat as the other thanked her for coming. Alice wouldn't have expected any less from Cat, good manners even during a time such as this. Alice reached her hand out to Cat, "I told you I would always be here when you needed me didn't I? I just wish you would have reached out to me sooner. I could have helped you prepare your grandmother instead of letting all that responsibility rest on your shoulders alone," Alice said, her weak smile threatening to drop, but she knew it mustn't for Cat needed someone in her life to carry her right now. It was true that Alice did not know Cat's grandmother, but that didn't matter, she was here for Catherine, after all, her grandmother was at rest, Cat was not.

[Catherine Novella]

Cat wasn’t okay. The smile on her face was purely for manners, she wasn’t going to cry here. She had done that enough the past few weeks, right now she had to be strong and right now she had to the one who kept it together. There were those around her who needed her to be the one who held it together. She silently watched on as George, her Gram’s closest friend stood there and cried standing at attention for his friend. He must have noticed her and offered her a smile that showed the resemblance of her grams. The two of them had fought like cat’s and dogs but in the worse situation they had each other’s back. That was something that Cat really respected about George. Her eyes flickered to the tombstone and Cat nodded smiling. her gram wouldn’t like all this crying, but she couldn't help feeling like it. She nodded at George who seemed to be looking at Alice and refocused on the sermon.

Cat waited for everyone to place the flower on the tombstone, and she smiled as she caught the last few words of what George was saying ...”Stubborn old broad, you always were in a rush. Shoulda learned to slow down. At the very least don’t leave me behind...” Cat took a step back trying not to listen in on the intimate moment George was experiencing. She shouldn't intrude. She smiled softly, trying to keep it together as Alice placed her flower down on the tombstone, shaking her head slightly, and keeping her hands placed neatly in front of her dress.When it came her time Cat slowly went to the tombstone, placing the lily down on the top of the pile. “Well, gram, what am I supposed to do with you? You went and left me all alone, I haven’t been this scared since I left for Hammel. How am I supposed to do this? You were gonna come see my graduation in a week. A week, You only needed to make it that long.” Cat slowly wiped the tears from her eyes before continuing. “I love you gram. God I wish you were here, but I love you.” Cat kissed the tips of her fingers and placed them on the tombstone. “Riley, right Gram? Remember I LovE You.”

Cat smiled as George offered his hand, and she took it, standing up with his help. She looked over at Alice and offered a smile as George glanced her way as well. With the ceremony over Cat began the tiring ritual of shaking the people’s hands and listening to the stories they had with their grandmother. One by one all of them left and Cat’s smile waived in the slightest. Cat was getting ready to leave herself when George came up and kissed her hands as he had been doing for years, much like a grandfather he was the one thing closest. She smiled at him as he looked down at her. For being an older gentleman he sure held stature. He was tall and would remain tall in Cat’s eyes. She was having trouble holding in the tears and silently he pulled her into a hug, soothing her hair. “It’s alright little one, you don’t have to hold it in anymore.” Cat’s eyes widened and shocked she nodded into his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” Promptly Cat began to sob, tears running down her face and she hugged him a little tighter. It must have been a good five minutes before she finally stopped crying. “Sorry George...” She sniffled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I know it’s hard on you too.” She smiled as he looked at her. “The old broad is...was one of the best things that happened in my life. one of the damnedest, most stubborn, and completely hardheaded woman in my life but she certainly did one notable thing, and that was raising you, little one.” Cat noted that he was curiously looking over at Alice. Smiling she took his arm bringing him over to her. “George, this is Alice, one of my friends I met while I was at Hammel.”

Alice had to be someone pretty important in cat’s life to be introduced to George or even invited to the funeral. Cat made sure to nod at George, letting him know that she was important. As Alice reached her hand out Cat slowly let go of George and took Alice’s hand. “I thank you for that Alice.” Cat made sure it was something that only Alice heard. “It somehow worked out...” She looked down looking at the tombstone one more time before smiling at George. “She had a funny way of doing that didn't she.” The man in response chuckled and nodded. “That she did little one.” Cat watched highly amused as George reached for Alice’s hand and pulled it slightly giving Alice’s fingers a light kiss. “Pleasure to meet you, Alice.” Cat had to stifle a chuckle from the look on Alice’s face. She wondered how Alice would deal with George.

[Alice Halifax]

Alice had been to funerals before, heck, everyone had. Showing emotion wasn't foreign to Alice, but true to her upbringing, Alice tended to hold her emotions well. Alice wore many masks in life and this moment was no different. Not that she wasn't true to Catherine, she was just putting forth the proper look for the moment. Alice was raised as a true lady. Etiquette was practically her middle name. Her posture, her appearance, even the look in her eyes were almost too perfect. Alice didn't seem real, like something out of a poster. She stood there, just off from the group, but close enough should Cat need her. Alice made sure to keep one eye on Cat as she looked about the crowed, finding one older gentleman in particular interesting. He stood out from the rest. The man was closer to the grave than most, save for Cat, and that meant something. Perhaps a love interest or just a good friend? Either way, it wasn't that important for Alice to know, just something observed.

Cat seemed to hold herself together well, and that impressed Alice. Losing someone so close to you, someone who was almost a part of you could and would tear your soul apart. For Cat to control her emotions so well here and now made Alice realize she had underestimated her companion. She knew Catherine was intelligent, perhaps even more than herself, but Alice had always seen Catherine as emotional, despite the image Cat put forth. To Alice, Cat was fragile and she thought Cat would break rather easily under emotional duress. She had been wrong and while that usually left a bitter taste in her mouth, this wrong pleased her in a way. Her 'family' had to be strong and seeing how well Cat had played Alice let Alice know she had chosen wisely in taking Catherine as her companion. Sure, pretty things caught Alice's eye all the time, but looks only went so far. With Alice, there had to be strength and a strong will, both things which Cat was showing her now in spades.

Some of the people there, gave Alice a small glance, a smile as they walked by, things of a proper social nature. However, the older man kept looking back to Alice more than anyone else there. He had centered in on her, no doubt due to the interaction between herself and Cat. Alice finally centered he gaze upon the man, smiling in that way she had always been taught. Judging by the interaction between the man and Cat, Alice surmised that the two knew each other well. The man was a close friend of Cat's dearly departed grandmother then. Alice thought for a moment of her own departure from this world. Would anyone mourn her in such a genuine way? Alice then shook her head slightly, looking away to gather her composure. Catherine would mourn her and Alice knew that if she lost Cat, that the feeling of loss would be all too real. That admittance didn't come lightly or easily. Alice had associates, but not many people were allowed to be close to her. Sera was one of the privileged few. Another spoiled princess from a family who had ties with the Halifax family.

As Alice turned her attention back to Cat, she and the other man were making their way toward Alice. Alice and Cat exchanged their affection before Cat introduced the older man. Before Alice could properly offer her hand, George reached out and took the initiative. He gently kissed the fingers of Alice's hand as a gentleman would. Alice smiled and was speechless for the moment, she wasn't expecting such manners, but the silence passed quickly and Alice cleared her throat. "Such a gentleman in today's world is rare. Catherine and her grandmother were and are lucky indeed," Alice said simply. She would leave any explanation of her and Catherine's relationship up to Cat. Alice wasn't embarrassed by their relationship, but Cat might have been and Alice did not want to put her companion in any difficult spot, not here.

[Catherine Novella]

Cat fought the urge to cry, keeping that smile on her face. She needed to for the people who her gram had interacted with, had lived with who had supported her gram from the very beginning. Cat didn’t know much about her parents but she knew about her gram. That was what she needed to know. She knew her gram’s compassion, her kindness and her spitfire attitude that translated to anyone who tried to hurt Cat or her friends. Her gram wasn’t much of a cook, but she certainly had her traits that Cat would grow to admire and love over the years. She wasn’t going to sugarcoat her grandmother’s flaw but Cat knew her grandmother better than anyone, at least she thought she did. The only person who might have known her more was George, and Cat wasn’t going to even compare the relationships as they were two very different things.

So Cat would hold herself together, if only for the sake of appearances. Her gram wouldn’t want all this fuss, but Cat wasn’t her gram, and wasn’t going to pretend to be. She could never be that strong, that pure. She would keep her thoughts to herself until she was in a private place, away from everyone. That was the only proper way to grieve. She was trying so hard to hold it all together though. She wondered if Alice could tell if she was faking it, if her smile wasn’t real. Most of the people who had showed up didn’t. Then again, some had never seen her before. She was as much a mystery because of Hammel, as the next person. Most seemed to be surprised that Cat even existed. Cat was honestly surprised this many people had shown up, she doubted this many would show up for her funeral.

Cat looked from George to Alice and back again. She wondered how they would get along, and made sure to smile at both of them, especially when he had centered his gaze on her. She knew she would have to explain Alice at one point or another and right now, what mattered most was her gram. This was what was keeping her still, and not sobbing. As soon as everyone had vacated the grave site Cat had brought George over to Alice and she knew that they would have to talk. She still wanted to leave soon, but knew that Alice should probably meet George. It would make sense in the long run, seeing as George was really the only one she would be keeping in contact with here. Cat had decided to continue her degree at the University of Vermont after being granted a scholarship there. She planned on moving as soon as the school year was done here and she graduated from Tacoma Community College. She hadn’t told Alice all of the details yet, but they had time to discuss it.

Cat made sure to smile at Alice when George reached out. “He is like this to all the pretty ladies. Drove gram crazy.” She smiled as George continued. It seemed Alice was eating this up. “George, this is Alice, she is one of my friends I met at Hammel.” Cat looked on as the older man nodded. “George Alan Perkins. Thank you for taking care of the little one while she was at Hammel, her gram and I certainly appreciated it.” Cat blushed a little at being called little one in front of Alice. She shook her head a little and nodded towards Alice. “I think I will be staying with Alice tonight... we need to finalize some things about the move and such.” Cat looked at Alice with a sideways glance and smiled. George looked at the two girls and smiled. “Probably for the best little one, you know I would take you in but my place is quite messy. The life of an old bachelor you know.” Cat gave a knowing nod and smiled keeping the tears from her eyes. “Thank you George, I appreciate it.” She took Alice’s hand giving it a squeeze, she just wanted to go to sleep right now. The day as a whole had been exhausting.

[Alice Halifax]

Alice smiled at George and his slightly flirtatious ways. It was nice to see a man of his age to still try and play the field. Alice surmised that George must have meant a great deal to Catherine's grandmother, in a variety of ways. Alice didn't slight the recently departed woman, good for her. George would have been a fine fit for any lady and Alice imagined in his youth, George was probably a busy, busy man. Catherine seemed to be quite fond of George as well and the way the older man addressed Cat spoke volumes. The little pet name he had for her made Alice laugh just a little. She stifled the laugh and cleared her throat, giving Catherine a teasing look. She would never live this one down.

Cat seemed a bit hesitant to mention to George that she would be staying with Alice for the night. The two had not yet openly admitted their feelings for one another, nor had Alice made it exactly clear that she was intent on taking Cat as something more personal other than her companion. George gave Alice a side glance and something in his eye held Alice. The old man probably suspected something, but he simply said nothing. George was perhaps one of the more tolerant individuals of the world. Alice returned his smile and gave a simple slight nod of respect. The old man had earned this much.

As for finalizing a few things, Catherine was correct there. Alice had been busy doing things behind Cat's back. Perhaps it was underhanded, but Alice knew Catherine wanted to be oblivious to the things Alice did. Take Catherine's scholarship she received from the University of Vermont. Alice's family had money and had done things less than legal to obtain said money. So, in order to make themselves appear more wholesome, they sponsored several scholarships. Alice simply placed a call to her father's assistant, Thomas and instructed him to casually bring her father's attention to a young woman in Tacoma who happened to be one of the brightest literary minds on the west coast. Thomas would take care of the things Alice needed, he always had. Even before Alice manifested, Thomas had taken a shine to her. Not in any sexual way mind you, but in the way a true family member should. Alice would make sure to find some way to properly thank Thomas for his work, perhaps a new watch or suit.

Alice held Catherine's hand tightly, wanting to offer Cat more, but knew she couldn't now. Alice then decided that later tonight she would admit her real feelings for Catherine and see where things went from there. She knew Cat already cared for her, but to what level?

End of Thread