Qrow.

Chapter 41 | The Meeting

It wasn't hard for the others to see that Jasper wasn't moving easily. Shae kept by his side, making sure the old vampire didn't fall over. At a time like this, it raised a Hell of a lot of concern. Did it really have to be now, when they're expecting an ambush, that his body was breaking down? He stayed as strong as he could and tried to act like it wasn't a problem. 

As they reached the sanctuary, he took a kneel on his place. Not out of respect or anything like that. It was weakness. His hand grasped desperately onto his cane while he seeped a deep breath out. Beau offered his hand to the warden, helping him to his feet. 

"C'mon, old man. You've still got a little left in that body yet." He said.

Jasper forced a slow smile, "I'll be cutting it close. Please, do me a favor, and lead the meeting. I don't have it in me to take charge."

Beau gave a nod, "Of course." He looked over to their newest editions, "The markings on the floor power this system. They won't drain your aura but they will utilize it. So, please, try not to step off of them."

"Is that your way of preventing Ricky from hitting Chris?" Ryan joked.

He laughed shortly, "It would be an added bonus." 

Ricky ignored the comment, instead turning his attention to the symbols on the floor, "It doesn't feel like there's a whole lot here for those on the other side."

"The afterlife is meant to be a place where we find peace. Because of that, many step down in their final hours. Some, like Chris, had no other choice in the matter. Of course, they can step down even after death, but at that point it's rare they do." Jasper explained.

Finch noted the snowflake on the ground a few spaces over from him had lit up. "Some feel they must remain to redeem themselves." 

"And others, they feel the job of a guardian should be eternal." Jasper spoke, eyeing the symbol of two bones crossed. He lowered his head, "Though Deacon is gone, he is also not in the spirit world yet. He is still here, I promise you." 

Several more of the symbols began to light up around the room. Ricky noticed the empty space beside him, noting the sign of a coffin over a crow. Who else would have a crow sitting atop their deathbed? His fist tightened as he saw it illuminate. As much as he missed Chris, he couldn't forgive the mess he'd left them in.

Three of the symbols were nearly identical. They were of a twisting pattern, each having something attached to them to make them slightly different. The one beneath Remington seemed to be twisted up with smoke, and Emerson's was intertwined with the chain of a pocket watch. The third, which left an empty space, had a tattered scarf in the design.

As soon as they'd all been lit, Ashley cast a spell that coated the room. From the empty spaces, members began to materialize. Some faces were familiar, and others completely foreign. Upon the realization that Vepar was one of the fallen members, Ryan gave one of his deadly glares to Ricky. It wasn't directed at him as much as it was a way of saying that fact didn't settle well with him. 

"Though our circumstances could be better, it is an indescribable feeling of joy to be able to see you all again. It's been many years since we've all been in the same room together." Beau said, "Jasper is not at his best, at the moment. He's asked me to lead the meeting. Which, before we get into it, I believe it'd be best if any personal situations were to be resolved first."

"We've agreed any... Anger we have, we'd keep to ourselves." Ricky replied.

"You three did," Ashley replied, "But I didn't agree to shit. Chris, do you have any idea what a mess you've left us all in?! You didn't think at some point it would be a good idea to pop back here and tell us that none of the others knew? Not to mention, we miss you! Why'd you have to leave us? Huh? ...I know you would've never died the way you did if you had the choice."