[[Not written in Julia's handwriting. Blacked out spots denote the ink being scribbled and splotched out.]]
This is not a eulogy. I do not know many people. I know even fewer well. Such is simply the nature of some individuals, and I believe it is the true nature, especially, of many in our profession. ................................................................................................................................................................
Lorelai was not someone that I knew well, not truly. Particularly not compared to many who frequent this academy area. In truth, I am uncertain what amount of her true thoughts she let slip. The vast majority of time that I knew her was spent as a student in the utmost peripheral, never part of an inner circle, never too close. A subordinate. ....................................................................................................................................... ................................ Perhaps that was how she liked it. Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps I know nothing of what went on in her mind. And now, I never will.
Make no mistake, I understand the importance of what was accomplished in her passing. The magnitude of it all. The consequences that this could mean for both our work and the impact upon the populace of this plane. ............................................................. Her life culminated here. The work that she devoted herself to for a lifetime, creating her eventual demise. It was good work. We all know the risks in our job. Perhaps there is solace in knowing that, of all of the possible ends that she preached all witch hunters would eventually meet– at least she did not go out by becoming that which she hunted.
My knowledge of Galladel and his workings are all but nonexistent. Gods are bullshit. But still, I will hope that the circumstances of her passing and the intention behind it place her in good graces. That, and the lifetime of work and faith preceding it.
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That, however, does not stop me from believing that she could be cruel. She *was* cruel. We are all prone to mistakes, and she was no exception to this rule. Is it poor etiquette to speak ill of the dead? If such decorum extends to our ilk, then I am unaware. I think we are more a breed to sit in silent respect. And make no mistake, I did and do respect Dame Lorelai Von Ritter. But I would do a disservice to her teachings to mask my own distaste for her actions out of some obligation for appropriacy.
Should you see fit, I welcome you to write. Or speak. Or do what you will with your memories, both positive and negative. I don’t care.
I disagree with her ending. But I wish for her to rest soundly. As has been said, it is well deserved. I will not deny my own emotion– I will miss her presence.
And I wish that any who would use her passing as fuel to commit any unsavory acts to find– oh damn, what is it called? Oh yes. “Justice”. She would be ashamed.
J. Marcain