The young teens walk through the beautiful mansion with awe as they examine their surroundings. From the white marble floors, to the floral themed paintings that decorated the walls, and the flowery aroma that lingered in the air, which makes sense as this residence belongs to flower people.
"Wow...everything looks beautiful..." Katy smiles as she looks around.
"Yeah, if I knew Sunny's family was loaded I would've befriended her a long time ago." Ma-San blurts out in her usual dry manor as Katy gives her a glare.
"Pssh, I've been friends with Sunny since Elementary school and I only found out now." Parappa replies to Ma-San's comment as the group of teens enter the courtyard.
It was clear that the funeral service would be held here since their were multiple white chairs facing a vigil with a picture of an old woman with a flower pot for a head in the center of a flowery wreath. That must be Sunny's grandmother.
The only person who was sitting in the chairs was Sunny, who was facing her grandmother's vigil with a somber expression.
"Sunny?" Parappa calls out to the upset girl.
She turns around to face her friends. Instead of her usual warm smiley face, she looked rather sad and sorrowful.
"Hello..." She half heartedly waves at her friends as they approach her.
Katy kneels down to hug her mourning friend. "I'm sorry for your loss Sunny...I really am." Katy gives her condolences as Lammy joins Katy in trying to comfort the flower child.
"I'm sorry too...I'm here for you Sunny." Parappa speaks up, trying his best to console his love interest.
"If I had any donuts left, I would let you have some, but I don't have any left." PJ poorly tries to comfort Sunny in his own way.
"Th-thank you, everyone..." Sunny sniffles as she gives a slight smile at her friend's support.
"Not to interrupt, but...shouldn't there be a casket over there?" James notices the lack of a casket by the vigil.
"That's because there isn't one, human." Everyone turns around to see a woman with a pink tulip for a head. Wearing some kind of formal smock with a sunflower on it, also she was wearing some sort of crown made out of leaves.
"Who are you?" Parappa asks the woman.
"I am Priestess Tulipia. I will be leading the funeral services here." The flower Priestess answers the rapping pup as she turns her attention to the flower girl.
"I am so sorry for your loss, my child. Your grandmother is with The Mother now." Priestess Tulipia genuinely gives her condolences to the girl.
"The Mother?" Katy raises her eyebrow.
"Yes, The Mother. As in Mother Earth. The Mother brought life into our world, making it unique compared to any other. The Mother gave birth to two races. The Flora, which includes me and Sunny here, and the Fauna. Which is all of you." The priestess explains her beliefs to the teens.
"Most of the Fauna have rejected this belief, believing in other religions and theories, while a good many of the Flora, including myself, have stayed loyal to The Mother. Sunny's Grandmother remained loyal, in return, she will be given new life by The Mother." Tulipia continues to explain.
"Okay...that still doesn't answer my question. Shouldn't there be a casket?" James asks the Priestess.
"We Flora don't use caskets. We have a more organic method." She answers the boy directly.
"Organic?" Parappa scratches his head with a confused look
"Yes. Meaning that we take the departed's remains and break it down into a rich, fertile compost. So we can spread it over a garden or perhaps in a forest, where the soil can absorb the nutrients and allow the plants there to grow better." The Preistess finishes explaining as everyone except Sunny silently stares at the woman with wide eyes.
"YOU MULCHED HER GRANDMA?!" Caleb breaks the uneasy silence as he screams in a mixture of shock and disgust.
James quickly puts a hand over the raccoon's mouth to stop him from shouting more.
"I guess that's the simple way to put it, yes." She agrees with Caleb's outburst.
"Yeah...I'm...I'm gonna go for a little walk..." Ma-San walks away from the group, still walking funny with her shoes.
"W-wait! I'll c-come with!" Lammy quickly follows Ma-San, looking slightly disturbed from the Priestess's explanation.
"I'm right behind you Lammy." Katy quickly walks away too as she follows Lammy.
"Let's uh...Let's go look around boys..." James says as he and his friends take off too.
This leaves only Parappa, PJ, and Sunny with the Priestess.
"Well, I must talk to the other family members. See you children later." Tulipia walks away from the remaining teens as she has business to attend too.
After a few moments of silence, Parappa speaks to Sunny again.
"Look Sunny, I'm here for you if you need to-"
Before Parappa could finish his sentence, a loud, confident voice booms out.
"Ah, Sunny! There you are!" Joe Chin approaches Sunny with his usual swagger. He was wearing a Black Tuxedo with a white bowtie.
"Oh...hey Joe." Sunny gloomily greets the rich dog.
"What the heck is he doing here?" Parappa whispers to PJ as Joe continues to talk to the flower girl.
"I just want to say that I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother! She was a very important Shareholder in my family's business!" Joe Chin continues to speak in his overly bold voice, despite the circumstances.
"Uh...yeah...thanks." Sunny still feels sad despite his condolences.
"Anyway! If you ever need cheering up! Joe Chin is always here to help you! Perhaps a cup of Joe Chin brand dark roast coffee can soothe your sorrow?" Joe Chin offers to the flower girl.
"What? Is he really doing this at her grandma's funeral?!" Parappa whispers once more to PJ.
"Uh...no thank you..." Sunny turns down the offer.
"Suit yourself, but just to let you know, Joe Chin will always be here for you in your darkest hours!" With that, Joe confidently walks away.
Parappa and PJ sit down next to Sunny and pat her on the back, trying to comfort her. Parappa watches Joe proudly walk away, giving the rich blonde a small frown. This was going to be a long day.