the lost

[monochrome_mirror]

In my world, we have many traditions to honor and remember the dead. Those who have died are given proper rites and coins for the ferry across the Sanzu River; they are prayed to and worshiped as honored ancestors; they are welcomed with a feast each year, observed by our entire nation.

The City takes from us with no ceremony and no warning, and it doesn't even leave a body or ghost behind. What do citizens do to respect those who have left? They are not dead, but they have been taken away. It is a strange sort of limbo, a death without closure, as if each who vanishes has been dragged into the forest by some youkai, never to be seen again, and all their works and the fruit of their lives are left behind to dwindle and decay.

Does the City find any peace after this? Scattered about like birds flushed from the grass, do citizens simply scatter and take their despair with them? Is there any organized way to provide solace to those who are still here?

...I wonder if some of our customs might be welcomed in this place. The Toro Nagashi, or "floating of the lanterns," comes to mind, where we send lanterns down a river at the end of Obon, to light the way for spirits to return from our world to the other side. It is a quiet practice, beautiful and simple both in its metaphor and its purpose.

Comments

text;

[othersdie]

People leave and their portraits appear in the Hall of the Missing--that's it. There's no ritual or respect. The living go home and the dead go to whatever afterlife exists, presumably.

[paving]

That really sounds like something you would think about, Shikieiki-san.

I guess I'm used to sudden deaths, so it's not that shocking! I'm not sure if not finding a body is worse than finding one, though.

[lawbender]

I try to wish them well as they return to their old lives. It seems like the best thing to do.

voice;

[signatures]

You know, I don't think I've ever seen much of a funeral here for the citizens. I suppose that most people would rather consider their friends and family as missing rather than anything particularly permanent - hence the Hall.

Hall of the Dead also has a bit of an ominous ring to it.

The lantern bit does sound rather lovely, though.