Japanese | English | Date:November 9th, 2024 | Word Count 648/200

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Outfit:

It was Aiko’s first true test as Headmistress. And not one she relished either. Mahoutokoro had lost one of their students in the Hogsmeade attack, and of course Headmistress Sato was now missing. She hadn’t been entirely certain about including the former Headmistress with memorial for the student who had died but after some discussion with her colleagues, she had decided to include her. If only to give their students a chance to remember and hopefully share some of the good times. And yet, it could have been so much worse. The other international schools had suffered much greater loss than their school. But it did no good to dwell on that or compare suffering.

Aiko had chosen to have the memorial on a Saturday when alumni of the school, and parents would be more likely to be able to attend without needing to take time off from their work. The day students had also been invited, and she had offered the carriages, and the storm petrels to bring people to the school from their locations. The carriages and storm petrels would return them after the service had concluded.

She had set up seating in an area close to a nearby lake, and she had asked one of her colleagues to prepare flower arrangements. Her colleague had come through spectacularly and created arrangements for each end of the row, small arrangements to go up a center aisle, and some arrangements at the front on a table along with the photo of the lost student and Headmistress Sato. Aiko had added incense holders and Mimuroto Lotus incense sticks. She had lit them as the guests had started arriving. The scent was likely not able to be smelt, but it just seemed more calming with scent, rather than the scent-free versions. Aiko knew that didn't make sense, but what did such a trivial thing matter when they were gathering to remember and grieve.

Sticking to tradition, Aiko wore a black dress, with a black three-quarter sleeve cardigan over top of it. She wore black flats, and her silver, delicate looking watch on her left wrist. Around her neck was a silver teardrop necklace, and she had diamond studs in her ears. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun, and for this occasion, she had changed the color of her hair back to its natural black color. It was a rare thing to see but Aiko felt it was only right on this day of mourning.

Checking the time on her silver, delicate looking chain of a watch, Aiko went to the front of the gathering and cleared her throat. Realizing that she would need to make herself louder, she took out her wand and cast the amplifying charm on herself. “Honoured Guests, we gather today to remember our fallen or missing. The events that took place at Hogsmeade were horrific, and to lose two individuals…well there are no words that can be said.

I know that Headmistress Sato has not yet been found, and I am hoping that she will be found soon. She was a lively woman and ran this school quite well. I do not know how she did it so well to be honest, and I hope I can do it justice in her honor.

Honestly, I don’t wish to take away from those who knew them better than I. I invite anyone who would like to speak about them to come and share their thoughts. I also invite you all to stay afterwards and join us in the school for refreshments and more time to share our memories and stories of those who are not with us today. The school carriages will be available at 3:00 pm for those who require their services.”

Aiko ended the amplifying charm’s effects, and stepped to the side, letting those who decided to come up front to speak.

Japanese ~ English

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Word Count: 319

Mentions: @Aiko Mori, @Kim Sato as Tone Bakugo

Date: November 9th 2024

Today was an event that no student had ever wished to attend during their time at school, Chiaki least so. Having not been present for the event, whilst of course she mourned, there was a heavy sense of guilt that weighed within her for not being able to be there for her friends. To her, the least she could do was attend the memorial, in honour of Headmistress Sato and the one that was lost.

In the colder weather, Chiaki had arrived in a black turtleneck, smart black trousers and a long black trench coat, matching the solemn atmosphere that had settled. Taking a place next to Tone, she gently touched his arm. "I'm glad to see you here, Tone," she whispered softly. A smile didn't seem appropriate for the occasion, but she had noted his slow retreat from the happy bubbly character he once was in their younger years. He had always been such a ray of sunshine, but it was noticeable in the more recent days that his light was diminishing. "If you would ever want to talk, I am here for you, you know."

Headmistress Mori's speech (and any others) were beautiful, and Chiaki could only wish that she had something as eloquent and well-spoken to share. Alas, this was not her moment, it was a moment for those longer with them. She lingered around a little longer than the others as she approached the front to pay her respects, taking the time to remember what she could about them both. Memories, after all, were some of the best ways to keep people alive after their passing.

After the ceremony had concluded, Chiaki found herself stood slightly to the side, just observing the space and the swirl of emotions that surrounded her. Loss was a difficult feeling to acknowledge, and all she could do was be a shoulder to listen and comfort in the trying times.

Chiaki's Calming Presence is active.

Japanese | English | Date:November 9th, 2024 | Word Count 241/200

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Outfit:

Aiko released a big sigh, regretting the action immediately as it was slightly louder than she had intended. Smiling softly at Tone, she told them “I’m pretty sure that’s the question I’m meant to be asking you. Are you okay?” She admittedly was finding the dress slightly uncomfortable, more so because it reminded her of being forced to study how to be a proper lady, than the association with death and loss. But that was not her students to worry about. It was her own hang-up. After all, many wore skirts and dresses more frequently without experiencing discomfort. And it seemed silly to be uncomfortable with such a silly thing when the gathering itself was for a very solemn occasion. One where they were meant to be allowed to share the pain and grief of loss, and uncertainty around their missing headmistress.

And that was another thing, Aiko still felt the imposter, just a stand-in for the real headmistress who should have been with them today. Aiko smiled invitingly to the student who came up and spoke something to Tone, but not wanting to intrude, she shuffled slightly backward, and turned her head to survey the crowd, leaving them to their space to talk amongst themselves if they wished or speak with her. She didn’t want them to think she was withdrawing but also didn’t want to intrude. It was a delicate balance, and Aiko hoped she had handled it correctly.

Reducio

@Pax Zhang Chiaki Hiroi, @Kim Sato Tone Bakugo