The Bizarre Adventures of Doctor Who

My River

The sudden death of Herman drove everyone in the media sector into a frenzy, scores of people on the phones, scrambling to get ahead of the news, while trying to figure out the optics for the show, having lost its sole show runner abruptly.

Details remained murky, but Herman's adopted daughter broke the news, and she couldn't bear to speak to anyone any more than needed, that the media circus couldn't get anything more than what the police and other knew.

With the death weighing on their minds, the heads of the studio decided to temporary suspend the show after the last set of episodes aired for the series, while giving them time to sort out the details.

Herman helped tapped enough episodes that it'll last them for a while, but still, the optics of how to proceed with the news.

Fans from around the world showed support and held vigils for Herman in their areas.

River held the funeral a few weeks after Herman's death, she invited the Samito, the Ko'gan, David, and he in return invited Pete, Catherine, and Jenny, wanting to show solidarity with River, having heard the news while away.

In accordance with Herman's wishes, River didn't make it a spectacle, she didn't have a preacher or anyone residing over the last rites, as Herman never believed in the sort, and chose to follow what he laid out.

Just the few people he came to like in the time of his exile to Earth.

Her frizzy sunburnt hair tied back in a bun, wearing all-black and a veil over her face, River overlooked the freshly drugged grave of her adopted father in the quiet cemetery, her reddened eyes hidden behind the black veil, the tears rolled down her reddened cheeks.

She overheard the others coming towards the plot, turning her head subtly.

It's unheard of seeing Samito express grief, but they did, and they produced tears after hearing Herman's death.

For Samito, they don't cry salty tears like humans, it's a risk to their health, instead they cry watery tears, fresh as the rivers, and it did the same thing as regular tears did to humans, drying out their skins, reddening their eyes.

"We're so sorry for your loss," Jenny expressed condolences to River, taking River's clammy hands into her warm hands, River thanking her for it.

Sniffling, River wiped down her face with a tissue, before Pete came to express his condolences for Herman, and River thanked him for it, as well.

David came to River's side, taking her hands, as he apologized for no coming sooner after hearing the news.

A bitter smile on her face, River waved it away, saying she understood, adventuring doesn't always end promptly.

"I hadn't heard silence like this since I left the planet," they overheard the Ko'gan approaching the plot.

Dom's shocked at the silence, having grown accustomed to the bustling inner-city ambiance, and Shale responded that humans typically showed respect for their deceased relatives by the way of having an area designated that'd be quiet, allowing them to reflect.

The Ko'gan showed sympathy for Herman's sudden passing and River thanked them, even if Dom didn't understand it fully, he understood how the loss of Herman affected River.

"I, uh, guess we should do it, now, he-he always liked things prompt," River exhaled sharply as she decided that with them here, they'll start River's version of a sermon, having found a piece of paper stowed away in Herman's desk.

It had her name on it, so he must've wanted to give it to her, she hadn't read it, when he passed, she didn't get enough time.

Herman wouldn't waste time for something he would've put on a post-it and if it was something he didn't want her to read, he wouldn't have had it in his writing desk, he'd keep it where he kept all his private things, in his mind.