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Post by Max Kameren on Jun 8, 2011 19:35:34 GMT -5
Max Kameren sat on the front stairs of his new home, pondering the meaning of life and death. He sat awkwardly on the small steps; he was growing far too quickly lately, and didn't know how to handle his new, longer limbs. He was already taller than most of the second years. The boy was dressed entirely in black, his usually unruly brown hair brushed nicely, though the summer heat had already started it to curl again. Max sniffed as he wiped a tear off of his cheek before it got the chance to fall. He held a handwritten note in his hands, penned in his father's handwriting. Max had been too distraught to write it.
On the evening of June Sixth, Two Thousand and Twenty-One, Victor Fish Kameren-DeVille met his fateful end on the hard, dry surface of the kitchen counter. He was four months old.
Victor was always a cheerful fish, happily swimming circles in his fishbowl with all the vigor and excitement a goldfish could muster. He was taken in by the Kameren family on May First, and had been happy ever since. Victor enjoyed swimming, eating, and taunting Tabby, the Kameren's cat. Unfortunately, the stress of moving into a new home was too much for the goldfish, and in an attempt towards freedom from his glass-bowl prison, he met his end. He is survived by his family, Max Kameren-DeVille, Curse Kameren, Tabby the cat, and Lucy the Boa Constrictor, as well as his many friends. Victor will be sorely missed.
A funeral for Victor will be on June Eighth at the Kameren's home in Godric's Hollow. Friends and Family of the Victor are invited to attend.
"Victor," Max whimpered, his lip quivering as he tried to fight back more tears. Curse was inside, preparing for the wake before the burial. Max had been helping, but had stepped out for his own moment of silence for his lost friend. Curse had told him to stay out front and greet the other mourners as the came in. He waited on the stairs, his round emerald eyes glancing up whenever he heard a sound, prepared to greet his fellow mourners in remembering a fallen friend.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Jun 8, 2011 20:15:45 GMT -5
Theo rapped softly upon the door to Godric's Hollow, using the moment alone to straighten his tie and perform a final check on the magnolia blossoms he brought for the burial plot of one Victor Fish Kameren-DeVille. It was a devastating loss and word of Victor's passing spread quickly though the wizarding community. Patrons at the Three Broomsticks had even started a memorial fund in his honour; the proceeds would go to the one most affected by the ichthyological tragedy: Max.
Max
Theo thought constantly on the lad. In his few years, the boy had seen an awful lot and it was a testament to Curse's parenting that he was so well adjusted. Intelligent. All heart.
Hearing no movement at the door, Theo considered knocking again. It was quite possible that the family was busy with the preparations and he wondered whether it was proper to let himself in. He tapped on the door and tried the handle, finding it unlocked. The door slowly swung open to reveal a smartly dressed lad huddled at the bottom of the steps.
Theo wasn't entirely sure that Max liked him. They had only conversed on two prior occasions and it was a process trying to get the boy to trust him. Theo didn't blame the kid: the first time they met, he was tasked with rushing Max away from the sanctity of his home. Shortly thereafter, he helped clear the boy's house of all its worldly belongings. Yeah, real relationship-building stuff.
He instantly felt guilty for invading what was clearly a personal moment.
"Hey, buddy," he said gently.
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Post by Max Kameren on Jun 8, 2011 23:55:34 GMT -5
Max didn't look up as the first guest entered. He had heard the knocking, but had wanted to compose himself before he answered the door. He didn't do either. He wrung his hands awkwardly, wishing he could just sink into the stairs. Why couldn't the world be a simple place, where goldfish never took their own lives? What had happened that made Victor think that was okay? His dad could talk to Lucy, why couldn't he talk to Victor too?
"Hey, buddy," Max glanced up at the visitor, then back down at his feet.
"Hey Theo," the young wizard sighed deeply, resting his chin on his knees. He was supposed to greet them, his dad told him. "Welcome to the funeral." Max frowned, more distraught as he spoke the word out loud. He had only been to a funeral once, for his gran, but he was very young. Victor's passing was much tougher on him. "Dad's in the kitchen, I think."
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Post by Eden Fletcher on Jun 9, 2011 10:04:52 GMT -5
A storm should have been brewing. A great big one , with dark gray clouds, thunder, icy wind that howled and fat cold inducing rain drops. Instead it was a hot, humid day with a few clouds and sunshine. Not a day fit for a funeral at all. The weather was a disgrace.
Eden Fletcher made her way across Godrick's Hollow, a serious expression on her childish face. Having never been to a funeral herself, she had done research on what one wore. Her grandmother had not been amused when she learned that the funeral was for a fish named Victor. The another old ladies present for tea that afternoon though were and have given her grand advice. So, Eden was dressed entirely in black with white lace from a petty coat just peeping out. A large black hat that had been shrunk a bit to fit her head nearly consumed her curls. Behind her, Emery, her elder brother escorted her carrying the gift she had brought. There were benefits to having a house elf that could be bribed to purchase things for you and an older brother.
It didn't take long for Eden to reach the Kameren residence they only lived a couple of blocks away. Before walking into the house, Eden turned to her brother hands out demanding the package. "You may go now. I did not run away or do anything crazy." Eden had previously went to Hogsmeade alone. For that she was under close supervision. It was not fun. At first, Eden had welcomed the idea that Emery was going to go to the funeral but when he refused to dress appropriately she wanted him gone. Emery thought it silly to have such an elaborate funeral for a goldfish and was not going to sacrifice his comfort for a pet. The older boy handed his sister the package she had roped him into carrying.
"Have someone walk you home when you're finished." He demanded before leaving.
Eden rolled her eyes at moody Emery, since school ended he had been a bit prickly. Most likely it was about a girl. Shaking her head at the folly of older brothers, Eden quickly let herself into the Kameren residence.
Max was sprawled on the staircase eyes downcast. Eden paused for a second unsure about what to do. A strange man stood off to the side. Eden eyed him wondering who he was and how he was related to the Kamerens. There was something familiar about him but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Eden stored that information in the back of her head and went to sit beside her friend.
"Hullo mate." She said softly a she lowered herself onto a step higher than he was sitting. That way she her head was slightly above his shoulders.
"I brought you something to bury with Victor so he can have it in heaven to play with." Eden said handing him the package that contained all the things a really expensive fish would covet.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 11, 2011 11:22:41 GMT -5
Curse was putting dishes away in the kitchen; he heard voices coming from the front door, but he couldn't go see them yet. He opened a cupboard, stacking the plates carefully as he willfully tried to ignore the fact that Damien Andalucia was standing in his doorway. Andalucia was Curse's greatest enemy; a murderer, his poisoner. Andalucia was the man who gave Curse the long, jagged scar across his face. Andalucia killed him. He was just standing there, waiting for Curse to notice him, to engage him. Every now and then he would growl something at him, either a slur about his half-bloodedness or some insult about Max or, now, Ashlynn. There was no possible way Andalucia could know about either of them, but Andalucia knew what Curse knew.
There was one problem: Damien Andalucia was long since dead. Curse had personally made sure of it.
His delusions were strong today, but at least he could see that they were delusions. He wanted to lock himself away for the day, hide until Andalucia disappeared and his voice was gone, but he couldn't. Max was upset about Victor, so they were having a funeral. He wanted a sick day, but parents didn't get sick days. His fingers shook slightly as he put the last glass in the cupboard, closing it slowly. He loosened his black tie slightly, closing his eyes and sighing deeply. It was going to be a very, very long day.
The professor put on a sociable face, shouldering the delusion out of the way as he headed for the front door. On his way through the living room, he glanced over at the fish in question; Victor's body was laid in a shoebox, padded with one of Curse's old Ministry t-shirts. He hoped all the guests would arrive soon, or Victor would start to smell. Curse had locked Tabby in Max's room for the funeral, but if the whole house smelled like fish that cat would be uncontrollable for weeks. Lucy appeared out of nowhere, slithering along Curse's feet. She could tell he was having troubles today. He glanced down at her in thanks, before looking up at the three crowded around the door. He frowned, the scar across his face stretching uncomfortably as he did. He heard Andalucia laugh from the other room.
"Welcome," Curse's voice was solemn, reaching out a slightly shaky hand to help Eden to her feet, gently taking the gift from her. He glanced over at Theo, nodding in greeting. "Let's get a little further into the house, shall we? Don't want anyone getting hit by the door if more mourners come. Max..." Curse sent the boy a sympathetic look. He hated seeing his son upset, but he also knew Max could tell he was having his own troubles. He hoped Max wouldn't be too stubborn today; Curse didn't want to have to drop him off with a sitter tonight in this state, but he also didn't have the energy to argue with him, not if he wanted to keep Andalucia at bay.
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Post by Max Kameren on Jun 11, 2011 11:39:25 GMT -5
"Hullo mate."
Max scowled. Did everyone at funerals talk down to you? He wanted to give Victor a respectful ceremony, that didn't mean everyone had to talk to him like he was a little kid. If everyone was going to do this, it was going to get old very quickly. He looked up at Eden, his eyes meeting hers for a second before he looked back down at his shoes. He could tell she meant well, she wasn't trying to bother him. He was being angry for no reason. Why did Victor have to die?
"I brought you something to bury with Victor so he can have it in heaven to play with."
"Thanks, Eden." Max looked up as the door was darkened by his father's tall, gaunt frame. Curse had that tired look in his eyes, like he was looking at the world through a filter. It was the look he had when he was seeing or hearing things, Max knew. He wouldn't betray his father's secret. Max stood when his father said his name, stroking Lucy with the tips of his fingers as he passed his father and went into the living room, sulking on the couch. "I thought we invited Emery too," Max said simply, glancing at Eden. He refused to look behind him, at his fish's casket. He couldn't do it, not yet. He couldn't say goodbye until they were about to put him in the ground.
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Post by Reckony Pike on Jun 13, 2011 21:31:06 GMT -5
Koi or another goldfish? KOI...or another goldfish? Koi. Or another goldfish? The decision weighed uncomfortably on Reckony Pike's mind as he stood in front of a fish monger in Godric's Hollow. It was a mere five minutes before the start of Victor Kameren's funeral and he had yet to choose an appropriate consolation gift. Immediately his conscience said "replacement goldfish," but then he thought that Max might be odd on that kind of thing, always being forced to compare the original fish with the new and improved fish. It was so much more of an issue since Victor had a wonky fin and swam in circles. You had to compare apples to apples. Now a Koi. Koi were lucky. Koi looked cool. Koi also cost more than Pike made in a single night at the Broomsticks. He signed heavily. So much pressure.
"Come on, pal. I don't have all day. Which fish?"
Reckony hated high-pressure sales, but a lightbulb shone in the barkeep's head as he caught sight of an obscure scribble at the bottom of the menu. Oh. Oh yes. Brilliant.
"I'll have the piranha."
"That'll be five ten."
Pike dipped a hand in to his trouser pocket, pulling out the required payment. He was separating the lint from the coins when he was handed a parchment-wrapped lump.
"Beg pardon, my fine monger, but this fish is dead."
Great. Now he was late and giftless.
* * * * * *
With negative ten seconds to spare, Reckony arrived on the stoop of the Kameren household and barged in. He was not always one to knock when it came to friend's houses. He had learned the hard way that it was entirely possible for his mates to be in dire circumstances inside their homes and therefore in need of constant checking. Pike managed to catch the end of a train of mourners who were following Curse and Max in to the viewing room.
"Where have you been," Theo whispered over his shoulder.
"It's ludicrous. They sell dead fish in this village."
"Keep your voice down. Max'll hear you."
"You know, I never thought this colour of carpet would go with salmon."
Theo discretely cleared his throat, sending the barkeep a warning glare. The two men stood shoulder to shoulder in their suits and ties, both having been uncertain of the proper dress code at an aquatic funeral.
"I'm worried about Curse. His hands are shaking."
"The man is terminally ill, Theodore."
"This is different."
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Post by Alex Kameren on Jun 14, 2011 17:47:59 GMT -5
Alex was learning a lot about families. Like that nephews could be pretty fun. And that brothers looked out for one another. Little boys could get lost in a surprisingly short amount of time. Curse Kameren hated cats (and Alex was inexplicitly touched that he kept what had been a gift meant in jest, despite that) The insanity that ran in families showed itself in different ways. Max couldn’t speak Parseltongue, and Lucy was a very persistent and tolerant snake. Alex was even learning things about himself.
One thing he was learning was that you went to funerals, even if it was only for a fish. It was Max’s fish, more importantly, and no matter that it swam in circles or that it had wonky fins. Max wanted a funeral for Victor, and his brother was hosting it.
Alex arrived in suitably sombre clothing, slightly late but in one piece. He’d travelled by Apparition, something that still gave him the occasional trouble. He popped into existence outside Curse’s pink house, and couldn’t resist a brief smirk of amusement before he let himself into the house.
“Hello?”
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 14, 2011 19:22:20 GMT -5
Curse stayed mostly quiet. Speaking might set him off, he might accidentally acknowledge Damien. If his silent war with Andalucia broke into animosity, Curse wasn't sure what he'd do. He knew Andalucia wasn't there, but he felt he was. If the man attacked him, Curse would feel it. He wouldn't have a choice but to fight back. But he would look like a madman to his mourners. Curse bit his lip, crossing his arms to fight the quivering in his fingertips. He glanced over at his son, sitting sulkily on the couch. "Max, should we start the wake?" "No, Alex is still coming." Max's round eyes met his father's, slightly annoyed at Curse's rushing through the ceremony. Victor deserved a good ceremony, even with Curse's sickness. Alex knew this was important, a family member was dead. They could start the wake when the entire Kameren family was present. Curse nodded. "Okay, then. Anyone want tea?" Curse glanced up around the room, moving towards kitchen to put a kettle on. He stopped at the door, though. Andalucia was still in the kitchen, Curse could hear him. He sighed, running an anxious hand through his hair as he stopped and turned around. “Hello?” "Ah, there he is." "Uncle Al!" Max pushed himself off the couch and headed for the door, embracing his uncle. "Thanks for coming. We can start the wake now, dad!" Max called over his shoulder. Curse was standing behind him, arms crossed. He nodded at his brother in greeting. The professor muttered a spell under his breath, causing the stereo across the room to switch on. The song was, according to Max, Victor's favorite. Curse had no idea how a goldfish could have a favorite song or know the Beatles in the first place, but it was all the same to him if it kept Max happy. The mourners lined up for the wake, each getting their chance to view the dead one last time before the burial. Curse stopped dead in his tracks, stepping outside the line when he realized Damien was standing at the back. Max shot him a look when he moved. Curse bowed his head apologetically, trying to look anywhere but at the wizard in the back of the line. He could hear Andalucia chuckling at his helplessness. "...hands are shaking." "The man is terminally ill, Theodore." "This is different." As his friends Theo and Reckony passed him in the line, Curse couldn't help but overhear them. He arched a brow, folding his hands behind his back to hide them. He smirked crookedly. They were worried about him, which was understandable. Curse had never told either of his friends about his institutionalization, and as much as he liked them he preferred to keep it that way. When he told people about it, he felt like it. He felt like a mental patient. It was better for him that they didn't know. "I think he'll be fine. Don't worry about it." He turned to his son, standing to the right of his deceased fish's 'casket'. "Max, would you like to do your speech?" "I think it would be more appropriate at the burial," Max surreptitiously wiped a tear from his cheek, playing it off like he was pushing away a stray hair. Curse nodded, turning off the stereo as the song came to an end. "Shall we proceed with the burial, then?" With Max's blessing, Curse slowly cut the line and picked up Victor's burial case. Everyone filed out into the back yard in front of the casket-bearer, including Andalucia. Curse kept his eyes down, focussed on Victor as they headed out the door. A small hole was dug in the back of the yard nearest to the wood fence, just the right size for Victor and his casket. Curse gently placed the shoebox into the hole, closing it slowly. He took the shovel, holding it next to him as he looked around at his friends and fellow mourners. "Before Max does his speech, does anyone have anything to say about our dear friend, Victor?"
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 14, 2011 22:44:41 GMT -5
Arianna was terribly late. What was Curse thinking? The funeral had already started and she had yet to make an appearance. Did Curse think that she was running away from them? Not ready for all that came with being Curse Kameren's girlfriend? She was. Even if she wasn't entangled with Curse, she would have been at the funeral. If it had been any other day she'd have been there early ready to greet everyone. Instead, she was flustered, out of breath and a bit disheveled when she arrived. Stupid department protocol. Bloody meetings always went over time.
Music sounded from the Kameren residence and Arianna winced. It started. She let herself in the house and followed the music. A group of people, many Ari knew were lined up shuffling past the dead fish.
They hadn't noticed her yet. Max was fighting back tears and Curse looked terrible. His hands were shaking and he wasn't quite meeting the eye of anyone present and he kept glancing at empty space. Fear trickled down Ari's spine. She knew that look. One of his inner demons was there haunting Curse. Before Ari could announce her presence and try to help Curse asked Max about his speech and then the procession outside began. Arianna fell in behind the small crowd, her eyes trained on Curse.
"Before Max does his speech, does anyone have anything to say about our dear friend, Victor?"
Oh why not?
Arianna cleared her throat gently. "I was there when Max won Victor. He was a happy May day fish and his crazy antics will be missed. Good pet, better friend." She said softly, wondering the entire time if she was doing the right thing. Saying the right thing.
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Post by Reckony Pike on Jun 23, 2011 22:38:28 GMT -5
"I was there when Max won Victor. He was a happy May day fish and his crazy antics will be missed. Good pet, better friend."
Reckony looked to his shoes, wiping away stray tears that fell easily from his eyes. The song did it. That one always got him. Theo jabbed him sharply in the ribs, scolding him as best friends could and did.
"What the hell are you doing," he hissed beneath his breath. "You're going to upset Max."
But Reckony could not answer. A steady fit of giggles burned within his lungs and stomach; it was everything he could do just to keep the uncontrollable laughter silent. It was, by far, the best fish funeral he had ever been to. EVER.
"Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on."
"Reckony!" Theo took off his aviators, squinting in the sudden rush of light. He pushed them in to Reck's hand, demanding that he wear them. "At least make an effort to hide it." Without another word at Pike's rudeness, Theo took a step forward and addressed the gathered guests.
"I didn't know Max when he won Victor at the May Day fair, but I remember seeing him. It was evident in the way Max handled Victor that the fish was with the best possible family. Max celebrated that Victor was different and stood by his friend when others were less accepting. I think their friendship serves as an example for the rest of us."
Theo returned to his place beside Reckony, who had clasped his hands in front and was now wearing a rather solemn frown.
"Are you going to say something?"
"I have something very important to say, Theodore."
"Good. So...."
Reckony turned his head and caught Theo with authoritative stare.
"I am the walrus."
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