Having decided to go back with Elliot to his parent's house, was somehow a breath of fresh air for Eden. They always spent so much time at home, especially since they also worked there. As much of a gift as it was, being able to have a roof over their head and no commute to work, it also meant Eden didn't really have to go
anywhere, unless they really wanted to. And considering this was the first time they had really been away from The Mystery Shack in weeks, it was nice. Even if it was stressfull.
But, once Eden got to the house with Elliot, it was like everything from their teenage years came back to them all at once. Everything was practically the same. And it was all too easy to fall into routine again, like no time had passed. And since it was only them, Eden didn't have to stress too much. Except for the obvious reasons. Figures occasionally tarting around corners, or those whispers in their ear. But thankfully, with Elliott being around, Eden had a means of distraction. At least it was until he inevitably fell asleep. They were both laying on the bed, just there and talked, for a few hours. And nearly mid-conversation, Elliott passed out. Just like old times indeed.
Eden let Elliot sleep, and took the time to go out on the back patio, and decided it was a better time than any to take a smoke break. Retrieving the blunt they had tucked away. Eden had been outside for roughly thirty minutes before they went back inside. The voices and shadows were gone as always, whenever their mind was clouded by the affects of cannabis. It just made things easier, and Eden didn't know why.
Maybe they really were crazy?
Eventually though, Elliot woke up, and in the meantime Eden had even cooked up some food, and the two shared a small lunch, just catching up for a bit again. Eden's mind clearer now than it was a bit before. That was until the conversation veered to what they'd be doing this evening. It was the annual anniversary for the night Sam died. Only difference, it was now twenty years later, and still no answers. Elliot had asked for help from Eden with what to wear, Eden didn't give too much help seeing as they wouldn't be changing, it'd be fine. And with what Elliott decided on, it was good enough. No one would care.
As the hour began to close in, the two decided it was best to start heading over to the city square, where the ceremony would be held. Eden went every year, and it never stopped making them feel the same way. Like they failed her. They should have been able to have found answers to this by now, but here they were. All grown up, and nothing had been pieced together, and that was the worst of it. As Eden and Elliott made it over, there were already a few groups had already gathered.
A small smirk creased on Eden's lips when Elliott asked where they wanted to go,
"L-like you e-even need t-to ask-" they joked, taking him by the arm as they both stood off to the side, but up close enough to be able to see the Mathers when they arrived. They did come here for their daughter and best friend after all. As they waited for it to officially begin, a few things caught their eye. Well, more so
people did, than anything else. Oddly during these services, Eden
never experienced seeing things. And it never made sense, but they weren't going to question it, less things to stress about the better. But, this time, there were some faces in the crowd Eden didn't either recognize at all, or a few they did.
The first one was that pod-caster who recently came into town, Eva. She was cool in Eden's opinion. They weren't friends by any means, but Eden did recognize her from their past, scattered conversations around town. Mainly when she'd ask about some of the local rumors around town, and Eden would as always awkwardly do their best to explain, but it would always be passed off to someone else who didn't stammer throughout the whole ordeal. But, even through the awkwardness, there was something
comforting about her presence to Eden, but they weren't going to think about it too much. All Eden did was give her a small nod of their head, and slight wave of their hand before looking around more.
Next Eden managed to see Ashir, one of their roommates. They gave him a small nod, but watched as he went off to the side, taking out a small notepad. Couldn't blame him, even the town square managed to be a pretty sight, all things considered. After looking around a bit more, Eden scouted out Venus, and gave her a small smile and wave, but paused as they saw her talking to someone Eden didn't recognize. Leaning over to Elliot,
"Y-you know wh-who Vi is t-talking t-to? I-I d-don't." Eden asked with a shrug. Not putting too much thought into it, Eden looked around once more, managing to see Miles standing off alone. They gave him an awkward smile and turned back to the main part of the square. Seeing as the Memorial Service was beginning now.
The Memorial Services were always hard for everyone in Gravity Falls. Not because they had personally known Sam, or knew the story about her anyway, but because of the overall tone and atmosphere. It was nearly palpable. It was just as depressive and heavy as the gray skies that were a constant in this town, and just as thick as the fog that often filled this town in the mornings and evenings. When people weren't giving their speeches, there was a heavy weighted silence that filled the air. Not even the chirp of a bird or the wind could be heard. It was the small things like that, that made this whole ordeal feel
weird. But that's not saying much in a town like Gravity Falls.
Sam's parents and her older brother gave their usual speech about Sam, and how much she was loved and missed. The usual things parents would say after losing a child this early, even if it happened so long ago. Whether people believed it was something that was simply a tragedy, or knew there was something more to it, they listened. After a few more speeches were given, the town's own Mayor,
Quinnlan Simms came up to the podium to give the closing speech. It was drawn out just as ever, some people even beginning to yawn. Which, was a total shift in attitude than it had been earlier to the family of Sam herself. Finally though, the old man finished his speech, with hopeful parting words to the crowds. How this is what Sam would have wanted, and it was for the best they always came to pay their respects.
Finally, the Memorial Service came to an end, and people began to part ways and disperse. Eden simply looked at Elliott, giving him a an awkward smile. It was only then, in the dispersing crowds, that Eden spotted something that stood out from the rest. It was a man in a pure black suit, with dark hair, which was jelled back tightly to his head, he had dark eyes, that seemed transfixed on Eden, and Eden alone. After a moment, Eden leaned over to Elliot as they glanced at him,
"E-Elliott, did y-you see th-that-" they started, but by the time they looked back, the man was gone. Eden took a deep breath, shaking their head.
"N-nevermind.." there was a tone of defeat in their voice as they spoke. Not wanting to give it more attention than it deserved.
Giving a small shrug, Eden didn't know what to do now. They could go get some dinner with Elliot and the others if they wanted, even if Eden wasn't in the biggest mood of social interaction. Looking around a bit more, Eden froze. The feeling of anger and annoyance building up,
"W-why's he h-here?" Eden muttered aloud. Looking off to the side, there was a man that they did recognize. It was that new officer in town, Mason Cartwright. He was poking around in Sam's case, and Eden didn't like it much. So, the fact he was here now, watching the whole Memorial Service, and clearly having been taking notes as he was busy writing things down in a damned notepad.
Eden looked back at Elliot, with a look he'd know all too well, and they began walking over to the officer in question. A clear annoyed and upset look on their face all the while.
"Wh-what are y-you d-doing here?" Eden started as they approached the man. Their eyes surprisingly locked onto him, finding a bit of courage in the moment, or just anger, really.
"Y-you're n-not supposed t-to be here." Eden said with a cleat tone of anger. They would have continued questioning him, until they felt someone grab Eden by the end, pulling them back before they could make things worse. Eden was nearly seeing red, all they wanted was answers as to why
he was here out of all places, and taking notes during a Memorial Service? He couldn't have waited until he got back? It just felt like a slap in the face to Eden, and they weren't having any of it.
RPG
