Half the Power

Honors

Apparently, the pegasi had a different version of funeral than humans. I guessed that was to be expected, but the impact of Ryan's death was really starting set in. I didn't feel many emotions, like surprise; just a dull numbness that left me without caring much. Sure, I had only known him for, like, a day or two, but he felt like a brother to me. How did I let this happen?

No, I told myself. You're starting to sound like Ava. Normally, that would've been a good thing, but Ava hadn't done much since her brother died. She mostly huddled in the corners of the tent while the pegasi prepared the funeral.

Ava was always clutching a book, with a blanket draped over her legs. I understood her interest in reading. In a book, she could get away from reality, be someone else for a while, have a different life. A life that wasn't anything like hers.

I mostly wandered aimlessly around, pretending to watch the pegasi. They seemed to be digging a large hole, which didn't make any sense, considering we didn't even have Ryan's remains. Eventually, I slipped into the quiet of the woods.

I took a different path than the one Ava, Ryan and I had taken that morning. Instead of walking straight, I veered to the left.

Again, nothing much happened. I tried not to think too much. I watched as the birds flew overhead, occasionally with a worm dangling from its beak.

I thought of how simple lives those of birds were. They didn't have any of this to worry about. Not death, complicated emotions, grief, society... anything. The simply lived, cared for others, and raised the next generation. I wondered what human life would be like, if we were to live like birds. Those birds were probably smarter than mankind in many ways.

It occurred to me that human ways may not be so much worse. If we just acted like the birds... we wouldn't have the good parts to life either. No happiness, excitement, learning, or simple pleasures. Perhaps all species on Earth, and possibly beyond, had things to learn from each other. We could combine them, and maybe make the best type of life possible...

Don't be stupid, I scolded myself. Who spends their time comparing their lives to birds? I couldn't waste my time. If my life was going to mean anything, I had to make it do just that.

When the sun was resting on the horizon, I turned and started back. I didn't want to face the funeral, but what choice did I have? If I couldn't do it out of respect, I would do it because Ava needed more comfort than dozens of winged horses.

I thought about what I could say to reassure Ava. I'm sorry-- No. Those were hollow, overused words. I tried again. Ava, you know you couldn't-- No. That wouldn't work either; what kind of friend would I be to remind her of what she could've done?

I pulled my jacket around me and savored the little time I had left to be alone. Better that than worry about the future.

When I got back, I saw what the hole had been for. There was a kind of pond in it, somehow with flowers floating on top. There was a small box bobbing in the middle.

Ava's eyes were somehow normal. She had that ability to be crying one second, have every trace of it gone the next.

I stepped respectfully beside her. The pegasi all gathered around the pond, and everyone stood in silence for several minutes. Finally, Ortheon raised his hand towards the pond. The water bubbled and he slowly lowered his palm, the box following his motion, until it was completely submerged. No one dared to leave, in fear of showing disrespect. I marveled at how Ava managed to keep herself together.

The only sound was the distant flow of water and insects. I was just pondering whether or not it would be safe to put my hand on Ava's shoulder when a bright voice spoke behind us. "Hey! What's going on here?"

Okay, so this is extremely short, but I needed to get through that scene. Please keep reading!