Thread: Cold as Ice (Broomhandle and Lady Athene)

It was foolish how much ceremony and pomp was required for a corpse, it could not be escaped on how much of a depressing day it truly was. The rain was an unrelenting force, steady enough to be cold and frigid...but not enough to stop the procession from making it's lazy trot down the muddy roads, followed by a hundred thousand soldiers and Cao Cao's most loyal officers. Some of them openly wept as they traversed the unrelenting road, villagers could only look on in abject sorrow as their Lord had been taken from them so early, so shamelessly. Mauled by a wild animal that lived another day. Dian Wei's sobbing was an incessant blubbering at his right and Xu Zhu's own crying was at his left. And yet, all he could feel was empty and unfeeling...numb to the reality of it as everyone around him spilled out their hearts and souls. He was the ruler of Wei, now. In time, he knew that the officers that attached themselves so strongly to his father would think over their futures and view him with disdain, but choose to stay regardless. There was so much more to think about than leading the precession of his father's funeral. Or maybe he was just trying to ignore it, his fingers tight on the reins. Even in death, I am still compared to you, Cao Pi murmured morbidly, clicking his tongue in irritation. What did this provide to him? Nothing but a bitter taste in his mouth and the realization that nothing he did would ever remove the glory of his father. Why pay respects to a corpse? Have some respect for a man better than you, pup. Xiahou Dun muttered. Especially today, of all days. A man no longer with us, Dun, Cao Pi replied in turn. Do you think my father would have us grieve over his body when there is so much to do? A wild animal is out there and we are sobbing like children over a man who is no longer here to see us respect his corpse so. However he meant it, it sobered everyone into an uncomfortable silence. It was foolish. It was so foolish and idiotic that his father would die to that rabid dog, he was greater than that. He had aspirations that Pi would meet in his time, and now...now those aspirations were so much smaller. Now is not the time to question the methods that soothe hearts and minds, my lord. Guo Jia reminded easily as he moved his horse ahead, sensing Dun's increasing anger with an easy smile. Master Dun, you must understand that our Lord Cao Pi hurts as we do...only in his own way. Cao Pi's expression darkened, glancing off with an irritated scoff. Zhen Ji, the only light of his life hummed faintly in thought, shifting on her horse in thought. I agree with Master Jia, my Lord. Zhen smiled. This is for the people, as much as it is for you...now is not the time for arguing, it is a time for mourning. Agreed, Dun muttered, however displeased he sounded...it was an agreement that met with silence, filling the air the reminder of their loss. It seemed the road never stopped. But Cao Pi was insistent on this having meaning, a step towards progress. Luoyang would be the site of the new Wei, and his father would be buried there to give the place meaning. The capital had been left to ruin thanks to Dong Zhuo, but in time...it would be the foundation for an empire that China would never forget. Looking on the ruins of a once great city, it seemed fitting. His father was gone, and even now Cao Pi could see his face, hear his voice. His hands tightened sharply on his reins, and he felt the weight of the world sink down on his shoulders. So, so foolish to have him gone. To never hear his voice again, to never hear his laughter or the conviction he had in his voice. The pain he felt was empty, numbing...cold and furious. He felt nothing, and that nothingness hurt more than pain. All he could do is accept Zhen's offer to lean her body against his, and watch as Cao Cao's most loyal officers prepared the burial site. There would be...something proper here, something fitting his father. For now, he simply let the cold rain pour down his numb heart.