13741/In Memoriam Zor-El

In Memoriam Zor-El
Date of Scene:	06 January 2023
Location:	Sandy Beaches
Synopsis:	An emotional moment for the Kryptonians as they say goodbye to Zor-El, who passed away in Argo city many years before but never had surviving family give him the rite of passage. The Amazons lend a beach on Themyscira and provide a touch of local ceremony to the occassion.
Cast of Characters:	Alura In-Ze, Clark Kent, Kara Danvers, Donna Troy

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Alura In-Ze has posed:
Themyscira has set aside a portion of beach for the Kryptonian Rite of Passage for Zor-El. Husband of Alura In-Ze; Father of Kara Zor-El; uncle of Kal-El. Torches circle the water and Alura has left her arm bracer upon a ornately carved wooden pinth.

The sun is setting with red hues on the horizon - as close to a Kryptonian sun as can be found on Earth. The light dances across the ocean like twinkling stars. There is no more beautiful place to do this ceremony than here.

Even though it hasn't begun yet, Alura's eyes are wet. Unlike Kara she has not had the luxury of mourning her loss for quite so long - not that it takes the sting away. Ever. She turns her head at the sound of approaching family - a sensation she is still not entirely used to - super hearing.

She's wearing a long white gown with hood, something that was made for her - for today's ceremony - in the style of Kryptonian ceremonial garb. Her belt is wrapped about her waist and she has plaited her long blonde hair back.

Clark Kent has posed:
    Kal-El hasn't had much call to wear it, but he does actually have a similar robe tucked away in the Fortress. After collecting it, it's just a quick trip to Themyscira and the beach location for the Rite. Touching down gently a bit away from Alura, he slips the robe over his head, letting it fall into place over his brightly colored outfit.

    Once attired correctly, he walks over to stand near Alura, nodding a greeting but not starting a conversation at this time. Waiting quietly, he gazes out over the ocean as the sunset paints the sky a myriad of colors. It's not Krypton, but at least it is a beautiful setting for memorializing Zor-El. He waits quietly for the start of the Rite.

Kara Danvers has posed:
Of the three, Kara has the least appropriate attire for this. Earth funerals wear black, Kryptonian white. And she's very much a daughter of both by now. She's conflicted over the situation, too. She long ago had done her mourning...and Alura's return has brought everything back to the front. She glides down, in a white full-length robe, not quite Kryptonian in design, but at least reminiscent, with a black sash about her waist. She lightly touches down, and swallows, a little hard, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Mother. Kal." A slight smile, forced, quirks her lips.

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura looks with sad eyes to Kal as he lands and joins her. Her eyes turn to the approach of her daughter and she gives her a smile too. She's had plenty of practice with English and with Themysciran. Today is for Kryptonian. She gives Kal a side snug with an arm and then approaches Kara and wraps her in a hug.

"Thank you both for joining today for the rite," she says and then lifts up an arm. A holographic user interface floats above her bracer and she speaks to it, "Begin."

She stands before the plinth as a hologram of Zor-El appears over the water. A proud looking man with gentle but intelligent eyes. The light isn't solid, but there enough that he appears almost ghostly. Like the VI in the Fortress, this too is semi-interactive.

Zor-El looks down upon the three and he appears almost choked up immediately. The revelation of what this means hits the programmed neural pathways of his recollection. "Alura, Kara.. and.."

Alura speaks up, "This is Kal-El, your nephew. The hologram dips his head to Clark, "Kal. I knew this day was inevitable. In the last moments of Krypton we began to take greater and greater risks in our attempts to save the world, to save our people."

Alura offers a hand each to Kara and Kal as Zor-El continues to talk his chosen last words left for his family.

"I see somehow my memory has made it to Earth. My brother spoke at length and with zeal about this world and I knew without a doubt in my heart this was the only place that would be safe for you Kara. Please forgive me, I took away the choice, consent, from both you and your mother when I sent you here."

Clark Kent has posed:
    Kal turns his attention to the holographic Zor-El, returning his nod and then taking Alura's offered hand. He is perhaps the least affected as Earth is the only planet he's ever known. There's a certain amount of melancholy in the thought that he never really knew his parents or homeworld, but Earth is his home. Which doesn't mean he'd take this any less seriously.

    Addressing the hologram, he says quietly "Earth was a good choice, uncle. We've found acceptance here, and honestly... they need us. We're not just refugees looking for a home, we can contribute." That said, he looks over to Kara to see if she has anything to say before the Rite continues.

Kara Danvers has posed:
    Kara takes her mother's hand, and honestly, it's a good thing that Alura's been absorbing sunlight, because when she sees her father there, her grip tightens on Alura's hand, and she's not really thinking about holding back at the moment. Her eyes immediately go bright with tears, as she looks to Zor-El. She didn't come here as a baby. This is her FATHER. This is years of unresolved issues, is what this is.

"Father..." she says in Kryptonian. She's trembling with emotion. This is bringing back everything she's tried to get past since she GOT here.

Donna Troy has posed:
    It's not quite true that funeral clothes are traditionally black; though they are generally in the cultures Kara has most been exposed to, there are exceptions. In the Themysciran tradition, it is somewhat mixed. The wearing of dark robes is indicative of someone particularly close to the deceased, a throwback to ancient Greek traditions where it would be the female family members. Donna was not close to Zor-El, indeed never met him, so it's an easy decision, a white Themysciran gown to match the Kryptonian tradition.

    For this service, Donna is here in support of her friends. Kal she has known since she first started Superheroing. Kara has been a close friend since she joined the Titans, and Donna had brought her here to Themyscira and helped her to learn a greater degree of control over her powers with Themysciran martial training. Alura, over recent weeks, has become another friend as Donna helped her to learn the local languages and extended a similar hand in aid to the newest Kryptonian inhabitant of Earth in coming to terms with her burgeoning powers.

    Donna and Kara have been teaching each other their native tongues, and amongst humanity, Donna's definitely one of the better speakers of Kryptonian. The more formal language of a Kryptonian service may be stretching her linguistic skills a little, but she's keeping up for now at least, staying at a respectful distance, head dipped slightly, as the family members speak of their loss. So far it's not too different from what she might expect, though there's no sign of the procession or the ritual meal a Themysciran funeral would include.

    This is a Kryptonian thing though, and there at the plinth stand the majority of Earth's Kryptonian contingent. Donna watches her friends with quiet sympathy, hoping only that her presence can offer some little comfort to them as a reminder that here on Earth they have found a new home amongst people who welcome and befriend them.

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura is very glad too, that she's had enough time to develop resistance when Kara's hand grips her so immensely. Short of hugging her tightly, she too feels tears run down her cheeks. This was the man she chose as her life partner and now she is forced to say goodbye. She never wanted to say goodbye - she always thought she'd be with him until the end.

Zor-El being himself half laughs and says, "I honestly don't know where to begin. But.. yes.. Kara, my sweet fire bird. You are a force of nature and if you had lived your life on Krypton you would have changed the world. You are the best qualities of your mother and myself and, sadly, some of our worst."

"Alura, my heart, my soul bound, you and I share a fatal flaw. We always try to fix everything that we see as broken. And though we'd often disagree spiritedly about how to fix things - our mission was always aligned. I know my love for you is reflected back, I have never felt a doubt between us - but now that I am forced to contemplate the end..."

"We tried to save Krypton, we tried to save Argo, ... and now I know you will try to save Earth. But this is not a weight you should carry on your shoulders. Alura. Kara. And yes you too Kal."

"It is against our nature not to try but you must not let it eat you up inside. The end of Krypton was inevitable. Perhaps even necessary. We were a people trapped in time and tradition. Take with you the good things and leave behind the bad."

Zor-El dips his head and touches a hand to his chest, then throws his hand out palm up as if offering something to the group. It is the traditional Kryptonian greeting, like Earth's waving of the hand. "There is nothing more left for this man to do in this life. I hope to be with you all again in the next. I Zor-El, do invoke the rite of passing."

His hologram disappears.

Clark Kent has posed:
    As Zor-El's image speaks, Kal smiles slightly, recognizing in the man's words his own similar flaw. There's a reason just about everyone in the world recognizes Superman, because he shares that driving need to fix the things he sees as broken. It was a long process to separate what he _should_ fix from all the things that _need_ fixing. He has had the chance to work that out with the images of his parents in the fortress and with the people he calls his friends and family.

    He also squeezes Alura's hand, but gently, as if just to let her know he was still there to support her if needed. As Zor-El finishes the Rite, Kal looks over to Donna and gestures for her to come over and be a part of the little group on the shoreline. "I wish I had the chance to know him and my parents as well. They all seem to have been people of amazing vision."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara is overtaken by emotion, and it shows. This has pulled a lot of scabs off of emotional wounds. "They were." she says to Kal, voice choked up. She lets go of Alura's hand, and takes a couple steps backwards, hugging herself a bit. "I just need a moment." she says, as she closes her eyes, breathing at a steady pace, as she tries to get her emotions under control. Overly emotional Kryptonians is usually a bad thing.

Donna Troy has posed:
    As the hologram fades out its departure is met with a gentle thump of spear-butts into the sand. Rather further out than where Donna stands, representing Themyscira's first family, a semi-circle of Amazon warriors stands in honor guard, watching their guests respectfully. They do not speak Kryptonian and have no real idea of what's being said, but it's easy enough to guess the general direction of it all. Wherever you are in the universe, there are certain aspects to funeral rites that are easy enough to understand. This moment seems to mark a particular point in the ceremony, and the honor guard marks it too, in their own way. Respect for a warrior fallen; that Zor-El was not a warrior in the normal sense of the word is irrelevant, the concept in Amazon thinking is broad. He fought for the good of his people, therefore he is a warrior worth respecting even if he never raises a sword in combat.

    Donna replies to Kal's nod with one of her own, and comes closer to join the three Kryptonians where they stand. With that final farewell from the the hologram of Zor-El, the 'rite of passing', it seems the right thing to do. There are parallels in Themysciran funeral tradition Donna is familiar enough with -- parts of the ceremony for those close to the deceased, other parts more about those who are left behind.

    Donna rests a comforting hand on Kara's shoulder for just a moment as her friend deals with the emotions welling up within her, and gives a small nod to Alura, too. She comes to a halt close by, hands held respectfully in front of her. "In the name of Queen Hippolyta and all of Themyscira," she begins, "I offer to you all our sympathy and condolences for your loss. We know of your husband, uncle and father only through the imprint he has left on the three of you, but from knowing you we are sure he must have been a man worthy of the greatest respect. Know that in Themyscira the three of you will always find a welcome and a home."

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura wipes at the tears on her cheeks and gives Kal a small squeeze back. "If you want to know your parents, Kal, just look in the mirror. You are the son of Jor and Lara and they would be beyond proud of you."

Holograms appear, four of them, of robed figures. They wear the insignia of the mediators guild. Even on Krypton they would not call themselves religious, but that's what they were. They took on the roles of spiritual leaders and the well being of their fellow Kryptonians hearts and souls.

Each is holding a triangular instrument with crystals hanging from the top edge. They begin to shake it and as the crystals touch, the tinkle and emit harmonious sounds. Their voices begin to chant softly in ancient Kryptonian words.

Alura, seeing Kara needs a moment, holds up a hand, "Pause rites." The holograms freeze in place and she steps after Kara. "Kara. If... perhaps it would be best if you speak the rites of passage for your father. If you remember them. It will help, I promise, no matter how hard it seems."

She holds out her hand to her daughter again, hoping she will be able to see this through. It's clear on Alura's face that this isn't easy for her either. The urge to run away and hide and pretend this isn't true is strong in her. But Zor-El has invoked his rite and now they must complete the ritual.

Seeing Kara is not ready for this. She lowers her hand and nods her head. "In your own time," she says and wipes away another tear. She nods as Donna joins them and places a hand to her heart at her kind words. At the kind gesture of the Amazons. She hadn't even noticed their arrival, so transfixed with her late husbands words as she was. She makes that same gesture Zor-El made but to the Amazonians who have attended. She turns back to the ritual and draws in a ragged deep breath, "Resume rites." The holograms begin their motion and song once more.

Clark Kent has posed:
    Kal nods to Alura, saying quietly "I have a little knowledge of them through the holograms in the Fortress, but it's really not the same. I'd like to learn a little more about them from you when we have the chance."

    As Donna joins their group and conveys her message, he says quietly "Please convey our thanks and appreciation to the Queen, and on a more personal note, thank you for coming Donna. I think I can speak for all of us when I say how glad we are to have you here."

    Turning his attention back to his family, he stands by quietly, giving them the time they need to compose themselves.

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara finally seems to have her emotions under control, especially with Donna's help. Sometimes a little physical contact at the right time can mean the world. She reaches up and puts her hand over the Amazon's, squeezing it a moment, and now, more in control, she steps up towards the holograms there.

"Zor-El...husband. Father. Uncle." She clears her throat, blinking back tears, and continues.

"You have been the sun of our lives. Our prayers will be the sun that lights your way on the journey home. We will remember you in every dawn, and await the night we join you in the sky. Rao's will be done." She manages to get through it, to her credit, and then stops, glad to not have to say more in that moment. She isn't sure she could.

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna replies to both Alura and Kal's words with a nod and a smile, not her normal wide cheerful smile, but one more tempered with sympathetic sadness at the pain she sees on the faces of the Kryptonians. Kal's response will of course be conveyed to the queen, but though she is here for her friends Donna is trying to interrupt the rituals as little as possible, and remains silent.

    Beyond, just at the edges of the light cast by the circle of torches, the honor guard of Amazons stands similarly silent and respectful.

    Donna looks to Kara with concern, wishing she could offer some greater comfort to the one closest to her amongst the three. When Kara appears to have recovered herself enough to continue, Donna settles on giving her an encouraging smile. It's an expression that must be so familiar to Kara. Through lessons in Themysciran to exercises in control in the Danger Room and missions with the Titans, that encouraging smile is a common expression on Donna's face, a reflection of the indomitable belief she has in her friends.

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura feels the tears flowing down her cheeks freely as her daughter speaks the rites for Zor-El. The holograms disappear and her bracer turns itself back off. The sun is almost set and the quiet rush of water against the beach are the only sounds that remain for now.

Alura turns and wraps her daughter up in a hug. She needs to hold her because the two of them have lost something that can never be replaced. No matter how hard they wish, nor even if the technology existed, Zor-El's rite of passage means he has asked never to return to this life. He has asked that they let go of him.

Alura is not sure she can ever let go of him but she knows she can at least put one foot in front of the other and keep walking forward. With a sniffle, she wipes at her cheeks again and says quietly for Kara, "There is nothing more special than the bond between daughter and father. He loved you with all his heart."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara holds her mother tightly, though not painfully tight. She finally lets her go, and looks back "And he loved you too. Even when you both argued. I miss him. I miss him so much. But...we have to move on. The only way to go is forward." She sighs, and looks over to Donna with a smile. "Thank you. And thank all the Amazons. For helping my mother. For letting us have this here. For everything. For being you and being my friend."

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna rests a hand on Kara's arm and smiles back. "I am honored to count you..." she glances at Kal and Alura too, "... all of you, as friends. You can always count on me to be there for you in hard times as well as good."

    She lowers her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face as she considers the oddness of the situation. Here on Earth, three Kryptonians are holding a final rite for a loved one. There is no Krypton any more, and the three are now exiles. And yet they have found a new home here on Earth, one that has embraced them. As the (almost) human here, Donna feels some words should be said to reflect that. She looks again from one to the other before speaking, this time switching from Kryptonian to English.

    "Though you three are far from the home on which you are born, Earth has welcomed you, has offered you a new home. Today you mark a rite of passing not just for your loved one, but of something of your old lives on Krypton. In a way it is apt though that you hold it here on Earth, your new home. This way it marks as well the new bond you have formed. Through you, Krypton lives on here on Earth, and the people of Earth welcome and embrace you. "

    She holds her gaze on Kara. "Do not thank us for letting you hold this ceremony here. Rather we thank you for honoring us by holding it on our island, and on our world. In Themyscira when we honor our beloved dead, we remind ourselves that such rituals are as much a blessing to those they have left behind as they are a celebration of the life passed. Through such rituals we honor each other too, and become closer by sharing our pain. Ever since Kal revealed himself on our world, Kryptonians have stood beside us and fought beside us to make this world a better and safer place. You have lost a home, but you have also found a new home, and a new family. "

    "Alongside you, I honor Zor-El. But I also honor the three of you. You are friends, and more. In this hour of sadness, know that Themyscira, and Earth, stand with you."

    Donna ends her words with a slight nod, and takes a short step backwards. All around comes the sound of metal on metal as the Amazon honor guard brings there bracered forearms together to salute the three Kryptonians.

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura gives Kara one last squeeze of a hug before letting her go and smiling at Donna's words. An odd sentiment at a rite of passing but still one she appreciates. Alien world, alien people, alien interpretations are all as valid as the ones she was raised with.

And as her partner said - keep the good and let go of the bad. This is home now and it is a world with more than one dominant species. Krypton was never like that. Earth truly is a special place and, perhaps, if Krypton hadn't been so closed off from the universe then may be it would have been like this too.

Alura steps before the group and then is met with the Amazons doing a salute. An impressive sound and sight. The sun sets upon them and darkness falls. Alura is still getting used to seeing so easily in the dark. "As Kara says, now we move forward. The traditional time of mourning is one week which on Earth would be..."

She blinks, realising the answer is there in her mind almost as fast as she could think on it, "6.94 days. It is our time to be kind to ourselves, to let this new dawn on Sol fill our hearts and become truth. I intend to spend much of that time at the Fortress, here, and perhaps more of the American cities. But I hope to see you all in that time, as isolation is not the truth of my heart. I have enough of that in the Aethyr."

Clark Kent has posed:
    "I'd be happy to have you visit the Fortress. It doesn't see a whole lot of traffic, but then, there is a reason I raised it so far from any human habitation." He looks out over the ocean again then continues, "I honestly don't know if there was a better planet for us to end up on than this one. For all it's problems, it has amazing potential."

    He glances over to Donna with a smile, adding "And we've met some amazing people here as well. I think we were very fortunate to have Earth chosen as our new home."

    "Alura, feel free to give me a call if you want any company for your city visits. I imagine Kara would be happy to go with you as well."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara nods. "If nothing else, I still have to introduce you to the Danvers, mother. When you're ready." Not that she's too eager to have Kryptonian-mom meet Earth-mom and see how that goes." She smiles at Donna's words, and then looks over. "But this has been an emotional roller-coaster, to put it mildly. I think...I think I need some time now, if that's all right." She looks around to all the others here, her family, by blood or choice.

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna takes a step back to let the three family members do their thing. "The three of you are welcome to spend as much of that time here as you wish," she assures them. "That includes you, Kal. We have not entirely rescinded the conventions of the island, but it is now agreed that exceptions can be made. Diana has spoken highly of you to the Queen for years now. I cannot offer you quite the freedom of the island that Alura and Kara have been offered -- while you are always welcome here, at least for now we'd like prior warning. But this time is an exception. We have welcomed you here for this service, and you are welcome to stay or go as you please during this period of mourning."

    She turns to give a nod to the Amazon honor guard, who take their spears and file away from the beach, leaving the others to their choices.

    "Kara, if you wish to use your old room at the palace, it has been made ready for you. There's a room for you too Kal, if you wish it. It is normal in Themysciran funerals to hold a feast in honor of those left behind after we have held a service for those we say farewell to. The three of you are invited to a feast at the palace if you would wish to hold such an event, but if you prefer your privacy or your own ways to mourn, we have no desire to impose on your wishes."

Alura In-Ze has posed:
Alura walks over to her bracer and picks it up. Sliding it back up her arm the sunstone connects to her skin and remoulds to her shape. She picks up the plinth and looks back at the people assembled. A smile on her face, a touch of hope in her heart seeing Kara and Kal as they are. Kara is growing up so fast and Kal is a tribute to his parents.

"Kal it would be my pleasure to talk to you about your parents. And Kara, I do look forward to meeting your Danvers mother. And yes, I'd appreciate your company when I explore the cities. Though I did run in to Kon-El the other day..." she says happy to ramble a little bit as she walks back to the group.

"And did you know a man named Bruce in a jet can deploy nanites to help structurally secure a damaged building with the help of someone called Jarvis who I *think* might be an AI?" Ah, yes, superhearing. She heard the entire exchange between Bruce Banner and Jarvis in the Avengers quinjet the other day.

"Amazing Potential might be underselling it Kal," she says and places a hand on his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. "Also, if you're a hugging person then you should know Kal, I am too. Just ask Kara. It's practically family tradition."

Alura gives Donna a gentle bump on the side as she walks past her, "I for one am eager to enjoy a feast at the palace. Amazons really know how to put out a spread of food. I don't need to tell you Kara how strange the tastes of Earth are but I'm starting to get used to them." She continues on toward the palace, ready to place Zor-El in a quieter part of her heart and mind.

Clark Kent has posed:
    With a grin, Kal gives Alura a hug. "I don't really have many people I'd feel comfortable hugging, so I'll happily take advantage of the opportunity. And yes, Jarvis is an AI designed by Tony Stark. He's an interesting man, brilliant, but a bit erratic. I'm sure you know the type." He shrugs slightly, as Stark is a hard man to sum up in less than an hour or so.

    "Why don't we head to the palace? We can at least have a meal since I think it would be a bit too little notice for a feast to appear."