It's Time To Say Goodbye (Starling and Mika)

Starling had decided that it was time to bid farewell to little Olivia, she had wanted so much to bare her and have her as her own daughter, to raise her like she had always wanted to raise a child. It was not to be however and she was slowly beginning to come to terms with the fact that she wasn't going to be able to live the life she had wanted, or the life that she had been promised by Desmond Tiny. Oddly, that was becoming okay with her.

She could do what she wanted, be with who she wanted, and it meant that she no longer felt tied to a man that clearly loathed her, and she was feeling less than enthused about at the moment, and that was putting it mildly.

Although she felt slightly bad for him, the whole mountain was still talking about what had happened with them, what had caused her to be so brutal with Arra, and why he had spoken to her the way he did. But many of the vampire women were already shying away from him because he had obviously messed with Starling's heart, and all of her friends were taking her side. With their support, and Mika's she was feeling better than she was a few days ago.

After Seba Nile had built the small coffin for Olivia, he too had learnt of her story, and had turned away from Larten, even though she had made him promise not to tell him.

Now she was standing on the edge of the waterfall, and she was wearing a plain black dress that reached her knees, and flat boots, with a black veil. Mika and Seba had accompanied her today, Seba out of duty because he knew the story, and so, was determined to attend, and Mika because he wanted to be there to support her as she let go one of her biggest hopes for her future.

Starling had in fact invited Larten to come and see her at the waterfall at this time, they had delayed in case he was coming, but it was obvious he wasn't interested after waiting half an hour, so, they had begun the ceremony, Seba saying a beautiful passage that drew Starling to tears, as she gently placed the coffin in the water and watched it move away on the tide, before dissappearing over the edge of the waterfall.

Pressing her hand to her lips, she let two tears creep down her cheeks. No woman was supposed to see their child die before them, Olivia hadn't been born yet, but that hurt all the more, she would never know who she would have been, if she would have had her eyes, if she would have had her fathers spirit and strength.

She turned her gaze towards Mika, and held her hand out for him to hold, and the other for Seba, who joined her as they watched the water flowing.

Mika hadn't said a word about the truth around what had happened but rumors were already circulating by the time that Lilith decided that she wanted to hold a funeral for the little almost-child. He wasn't sure she was ready to say goodbye to what could have been her daughter. He was right, he was sure. She wasn't ready to let go of the child but he thought about it and couldn't think of a parent who was ever willing to let go of their child.

Even in death parents still loved and held their children close.

Seba Nile had even joined them after he had constructed the tiny little coffin. Even though there had been no story let out as to what had actually happened there were many vampires who had lined up outside the chamber and bowed their heads in sadness. It had made Mika a bit nervous about if someone had told. Seba had simply said that people were bound to draw the conclusion considering how small and delicate the coffin was.

Mika's rage towards Crepsley had grown to that of an inferno right now. He had been offered the chance to see his daughter off and to atone for his mistakes. Or attempt to. And instead he had thrown the offer back into her face. It was only because of the ceremony and that Lilith needed him... those were the only reasons he hadn't already hunted Larten down and gutted him like a fish.

As the tiny little coffin was sent down the river, Mika held onto the hand that Lilith offered him. When she looked at him she would no doubt see his own unshed tears. Mika was a male vampire and so was prone to being a broody as some human females at times due to his desire to be a father despite it's supposed impossibility. The loss of such a small life made him want to cry. But the warrior in him told him that such tears were useless, that his emotion would be better served comforting Lilith. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and said the first thing that came to mind,

"She would have had a great mother; if not for her father."