He tugged at the fitted collar, starch a bit heavy to his liking. The time was upon him and, as volunteered, he would speak on behalf of the Council of Dark Lords and the Dark Lord himself. He was the Wrath but for today, he would feign melancholy.
The steps that led him to the stage were long and arduous yet he carried the demeanor of a man wounded, yet humbled by the presence of those who would come to such a showing - a benefit to Dave. The music would turn quiet as the announcer gave way for the intimidating figure of a man. Above the bravado and obvious confidence, a well fitted black suit with a shirt of gray, that while they were here, he would give the display of mourning. But no tie - he hated the noose like appeal. Matching his clothes, the goatee of grey and black mocked a form of shadow upon his chin, his long hair tied back neatly and in plain view of the projections that would display his image to the masses.
And as the silence would grow, he would begin simply.
"Some of you know who I am, some of you don't. It's inconsequential...especially at a time like this." He paused and searched the crowd. "For those who have seen me around Coruscant, you know I'm a fan of skewered meat, the type you buy at the mobile vendors down the street." He smiled and gestured the size of the sticks, roughly six inches in length. Realizing the mood, he scratched the scar over his eye and continued. "During my moments of consumption, I had the opportunity to meet Dave. Of course, I didn't know his name nor how important he was."
He paused once more, rubbing his nose. "I've spoken to Johnny, Pell, Mio and Mia, and little Timothy..." Gabriel laughed. "He hates when I use his full name..." He continued. "I've had several meals with Janet, since the fated event...and we all agree on one thing." He leaned into the microphone. "No one knew Dave." He stopped, full force, as he looked out towards the eyes upon him. With that, he pulled the microphone from the podium and began to move away as he paced. "And that's because you don't know someone like Dave...you experience them. They're in your face, full of life, and are living it to the fullest." He paused and smiled, the vibrant hue of a his crimson eye casting against the blue enlarged display of himself.
"Each breath, each moment, was but a sip of the life that he earned...every day, with hard work and patience and love for friends and family alike." The crowd seemed moved, he thought, as he continued to recite the prepared lines. "I recall the first time I met him and he nearly forced a shish kabob down my throat. Try this, the seasonings are spectacular...He said." Gabriel laughed. "I'll admit, I was a bit taken back by the gesture but he was right, like I assume he often was." Cinnamon.
He chewed on the air for a moment, before continuing - the gravity shown through numerous pause and the expression of thought. "Beyond kindness, beyond his gentle hand and gentle ways, he was beyond brave...and not just because he studied accounting at Manarai Hills district campus of Coruscant." He shifted his hands, the mic taken to his right. "In a world compressed and shrunk with what should be feared, Dave lived a life absent it. He left behind five loving children and a loving wife, brought together by the common denominator that was Dave. And why are we now absent Dave's presence?"
He made a shrugging gesture with an upturned frown. "Is it because of a lack apathy, carelessness, greed or hate? Some would blame Dave himself, that he violated the curfew - and to them, I would point a finger and say..." He pressed out towards the crowd. "SHAME ON THEM!"
"The fact of the matter is that Dave was living his life, as he always did, free of fear. And I would sooner cage a ralltir tiger..." He said, a phrase he had once spoken to [member="Matsu Xiangu"], that carried more personal weight than it did now. "Look towards the Holonet, you will see an obituary for Dave. What I've said mimics it's contents. But more importantly, look towards the headlines - there, you will find the true weight of Dave's life. Testimony, character accounts - all mark the nature of his life."
He was near the end. "So I would ask you to take small moments, here and now, to mourn the death of this man. But take even greater moments to celebrate his life and what he represented. That despite the attacks of terrorism and vigilantes, they can't force their change upon us. That when Dave was presented with a world that demanded fear, he gave back with bravery and selflessness." For McYodas.
"Dave was everything we should all aspire to be. In honor of Dave, the Council of the Dark Lord has provided a college fund for Johnny, Pell, Mio, Mia, and Timothy." He continued. "On top of this, the Council is creating a program called Dave's Idol Program. In this program, we will annually elevate young hard workers in an attempt to better celebrate Dave's life through acknowledgment of personal achievement and sacrifice." He stopped, prepared to conclude his speech. "We owe much to Dave, he has provided us clarity when we needed it most. It's in acknowledging our own flaws that we attempt to better ourselves, for Dave."
With that, he gave a wave and placed the Mic back into the holster as he made his way down from the stage. To applause or silence, it didn't matter. Propaganda delivered to the hearts of Coruscant, wounded by the errors of a few naive rebels trying to make a difference where one wouldn't stick. And the music would begin once more, alcohol and libation flowing freely for the cause that was Dave. #NeverforgetDave
[member="Sage Bane"] | [member="Kaia Starchaser"] | [member="NPCs by Corey"] | [member="Animus Malgus"] | [member="Spark Finn"] | [member="Venussia Sasko"] | [member="Eugene Leopold"] | [member="Thanith Gumara"] | [member="Vrag"]
