BAZ

I can see a figure approaching the hill. Simon is preoccupied with Penny who is trying to be reassuring so I walk towards the figure. It doesn't take long to figure out it's my aunt.

"Fiona. You're late."

"Oh hush Baz. When did you get all uptight."

My jaw drops but before I can say anything Fiona is walking towards the group.

SIMON

"Oh look. It's the mage's heir." I hear Fiona say with disgust.

My fists clench and I try to keep myself in check. Not because I might blow up, because I won't, but because the last thing I need is another row with Baz.

"Stop it." I say as calmly as I can.

"Or what? You will…choke me with your tail?" She says back with a smirk.

Baz steps in front of his aunt.

"Fiona. That's enough. If you can't be here without disrespecting Simon then leave." Baz says.

"I can't believe it. Still putting up a fight for the sake of this low-life. Did you forget how he destroyed our home?" Fiona says incredulously.

BAZ

If Simon doesn't punch her in the face I might. Fiona is going too far with this.

"He didn't do it on purpose Fiona. If you're only going to stay to argue then you might as well leave."

"Ebb was your friend." I hear Snow say.

Fiona just waves her hand dismissively as if it meant nothing. However, I can tell that she is shaken by the death of her old friend even if they hadn't been on the best of terms. In submission, she rolls her eyes and walks over to the grave.

It takes me back to my frequent visits to the catacombs. Sure I was there for the rats, but even more so for my mother. Ebb wasn't Snow's family relation in any way but he had never really had a family, so friends were his family, which is why Ebbs death stung him so much. I tried not to feel pity for him but I did, I just never showed it lest Snow punched me in the face for that.

I can see another figure approaching in the distance. It's hard to tell who it is, what with sun slowly setting.

"What is he doing here?" I hear Fiona say and so take a better look at the figure. Alas, it's Nicodemus. I invited him but didn't actually think he would show.

"Simon Snow, you have very strange friends." Fiona sneers.

"That's enough Fiona. I invited him." I say.

"What? Why?"

"It's his sister!" I raise my hands in frustration. Why do I have to keep explaining things to people?

PENNY

I probably shouldn't be surprised that Nicodemus showed or that Baz invited him. Baz had a strange soft spot for him, possibly because they were both vampires. I can see Simon only barely registered his presence being too preoccupied with staring out into the distance.

"You are not welcome here Nico." Fiona says lifting her chin up.

"Nice to see you too Fiona." Nicodemus snarls.

I can see Agatha slowly creep up closer to me and behind me.

BAZ

For Simon's sake, I decide to take Fiona a little further from the grave, and to let Nicodemus say his goodbyes with his sister.

"Snow?" I say gently in his ear.

"Hm?" Snow barely turns around.

"You take your time. I will be over there."

Snow just nods turning back.

SIMON

"She really meant something to you…" Nicodemus says from beside me.

"She never wanted anything to do with this stupid war but she got sucked in just like others have. It's not fair." I say, a tear making its way down my face. I can't even tell if I'm crying for Ebb's sake or for my role in the war.

"No, it isn't fair." Nicodemus looks down.

"She…she missed you. She talked about you, in as much as she could anyway." I say to the man and at that the vampire leaves.

It isn't moments before the comforting presence of Baz envelops me again.

"We don't have to leave yet if you don't want. Fiona and Nicodemus are gone. Bunce, Wellbelove and I will be by the gates." Baz whispers in my ear before leaving.

I'm alone again. Maybe I've always been alone, only pretended I wasn't. I try not to let the guilt for Ebb's death flood through me but it does, so I finally let it. I let the sobs come out not even caring who sees or hears them anymore.

AGATHA

I look at Penny, trying to decipher what in the world is going on. I feel like I'm in some strange alternate world where things don't make sense. Why was there a vampire, other than Baz, at the grave? Why was there such a fight between said vampire and Baz's aunt? And why do I have this strange feeling that I am missing some really big piece of information? Are Simon and Baz still on their truce? I wonder how to ask Penny all these questions but it doesn't seem like the appropriate time. I just stare as Baz whispers something in Simon's ear, gently brushing his fingers on his arm, and I can't let my eyes leave that scene even though it has long changed.

"He just needs some more time. I said we'd be waiting here." Baz says in a gentle tone. I don't think I've ever heard him use such a gentle tone and most definitely not in relation to Simon. This whole day has been bizarre.