The Loss, and Regaining, of Innocence
Corran didn't know what to say. The somber expression coming from that face was eating away at him and he could feel his heart melting. A tear rolled down a cheek, no not tears, he could never resist tears. What made matters worse was the all-encompassing anguish he could feel coming off such a small body. If he didn't do something soon, he would be labeled a heartless basted.
The family had gone through all the traditional rituals. He had carefully wrapped the body in red, the traditional Corillain color for the dead and mourning. Then he'd gotten all the Rouges to hold a funeral service in the briefing room. Everyone had gathered around the body to recite all their fond memories. Unfortunately most of Rouge squadron had only second hand knowledge of the dearly departed and so a few, namely Wes and Hobbie, made up memories. If his son hadn't been there, Corran was sure the mourners would have quickly lost their doleful expressions and give into a fit of the giggles.
After the service the band of mourners, some still trying to cover up their snickers, made their way to the funeral pyre. Having been carefully constructed out of highly flammable material on a flame-retardant surface, the deceased was laid upon it and then lit on fire. In Corallian tradition the family must stay and watch till every last ember has gone out, but friend are allowed to leave one by one. Only the Rouges decided to get the wake started early and all left together. Thankfully the fire only lasted 30 minutes and he quickly shuttled his family home.
But this left him in his present circumstance. "Valin, please don't cry."
"But dad," was all Corran's son got out before succumbing to convulsing sobs.
Just then he heard the door to their quarters open and he saw his wife come in with a small box. Turning back to his son he tried to inject as much sincerity and empathy as he could into his voice. "Now Valin, I know how much she meant to you and I know no other derbit will ever replace Kenzi, but…" Motioning for Marix to bring the box closer he continued. "But your mother and I want you to have this."
Marix set the now open box down if front of her son. Peeking over the edge Corran could see that it was another derbit. I fact it look almost the same as the last one, just a little bigger. Maybe he and Marix should just have said that Kenzi grew some overnight. However it looked like they didn't need to convince that this rodent would be less then the last one. Valin had already taken the new pet out of the box and but it on his shoulder. All traces of tears were gone except for a still red and runny nose and he skipped off to his room.
Sigh, Corran turned to his wife and said, "Good call with the replacement pet."
"Thanks, but what you should have said was, 'Good think four year olds have short attention spans.'"