Daria's Butcher Shop

Daria Gabat, owner of Gabat Butchery in Tangle Town. I'm rarely in my shop - if I'm not here try the game preserve.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart nearly dropped his cup when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Jacob gestured to the door, indicating that the first of the mourners had arrived- Daria and her mother. He wordlessly passed the mug to the intern and moved to the main hall.

He took a deep breath. “Daria- Madame.” He nodded at her mother. “I’m sorry to see you here again so soon.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria didn’t respond but her mother did look up then stood, walking over to Bart. “Thanks for doing this on such short notice, Mr. Dunhall.” She led Bart away a few steps from Daria then dropped her voice to say, “And thank you for whatever you said to her on the phone. She went and slept after that. I was getting worried.” She sighed and turned to look at her daughter. “She’s having trouble coping. After losing her mate she already wasn’t doing well but she at least had her chick to keep her focusing and going day after day. Now she doesn’t even have that.” The little old bird sighed and folded her hands together.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart shook his head. “Unfortunately, the very nature of my job insists that it always be short notice. And it was… well, I won’t say it was my pleasure, but I’m glad to hear she got some rest- Daria’s always done well by me and…” He let the line trail off there. It should be obvious that the situation was upsetting- it would be to anyone. “Still, you know her better than I- would you say you’re… greatly worried?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“About Daria?” She smiled. “I’ve always been worried about her. She’s my chick, of course I’m worried. But am I really worried?” She watched Daria for a few moments. “Yes. She’s never acted like this, not even before she fledged. Not when her father died.” She sighed. “I just hope she’ll be able to bounce back and not lose herself in her grief.”

[skyburials-blog]

“Hm. I can’t say I blame her- I’ve seen things like this happen, and for those who get left behind, it can be… bad. I know she’s a strong bird but…” he gave a nervous, tinny sort of laugh. “I suppose I’m not doing a good job of being comforting, am I?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"It's okay. You have to comfort her, not me." She sighed, "To be honest, I don't think anyone in the family expected her chick to live as long as it did. It was always sickly and rather weak. Daria didn't see it that way, of course. To her, her chick was as healthy as could be, all the time. I wonder now if it wasn't a coping mechanism, that she realized it was just not destined to thrive." 

Daria rose from her seat. She could hear her mother and Bart talking, but not what they were saying. She wasn't focused on them, anyways. She crossed to the bier and sat on the edge of the raised table, reaching out and touching her chick's face gently, stroking the soft skin and adjusting a stray lock of hair that had been jostled out of place by being moved around. She pressed the hand not touching her chick to her own face, trying to hide the tears welling up.

Daria's mother watched her daughter then said, "I should be with her. The rest of the family should be arriving soon, and I know she doesn't want them to see her like this." She left Bart's side and walked up to Daria, gently guiding her back to her seat, murmuring to her the whole time.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart nearly dropped his cup when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Jacob gestured to the door, indicating that the first of the mourners had arrived- Daria and her mother. He wordlessly passed the mug to the intern and moved to the main hall.

He took a deep breath. “Daria- Madame.” He nodded at her mother. “I’m sorry to see you here again so soon.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria didn’t respond but her mother did look up then stood, walking over to Bart. “Thanks for doing this on such short notice, Mr. Dunhall.” She led Bart away a few steps from Daria then dropped her voice to say, “And thank you for whatever you said to her on the phone. She went and slept after that. I was getting worried.” She sighed and turned to look at her daughter. “She’s having trouble coping. After losing her mate she already wasn’t doing well but she at least had her chick to keep her focusing and going day after day. Now she doesn’t even have that.” The little old bird sighed and folded her hands together.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart shook his head. “Unfortunately, the very nature of my job insists that it always be short notice. And it was… well, I won’t say it was my pleasure, but I’m glad to hear she got some rest- Daria’s always done well by me and…” He let the line trail off there. It should be obvious that the situation was upsetting- it would be to anyone. “Still, you know her better than I- would you say you’re… greatly worried?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"About Daria?" She smiled. "I've always been worried about her. She's my chick, of course I'm worried. But am I really worried?" She watched Daria for a few moments. "Yes. She's never acted like this, not even before she fledged. Not when her father died." She sighed. "I just hope she'll be able to bounce back and not lose herself in her grief."

[monkey-eater-blog]

By the time Tuesday morning dawned bright and early, Daria was at least up and moving, even if she was running off of very minimal sleep - less than 12 hours worth in the three days since the funeral plans had been made. She shuffled into clean - if a bit rumpled - clothes and combed her fingers through her hair - it needed to be cut, but she honestly didn’t care about that, before following her mother out of the house and into the car to go to the funeral home

[skyburials-blog]

Bart had managed a blessed hour of sleep before returning to work at nothing in the morning. Three of his interns had shown up, and for once, he was grateful for it. He sent two of them out to scout for a sturdy branch near the child’s father’s, and took the other (a hooded crow named Jacob), and set about arranging the main hall.

The two of them laid the child out on the bier, and folded the stuffed horse into their arms. Then came the flowers and chairs and his bones were tired and he swore he could feel his beak pressing against the inside of his face and the morning was going to be a long one indeed.

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria and her mother arrived not too long after the hall was set up. Daria hesitated in the doorway, leaning against one of the solid wood double-doors. There, at the far end of the hall, on the raised platform, was her chick. Daria swallowed down the lump in her throat then moved forward, grasping her mother’s arm tightly for support. It would be the first time she had seen her chick since they had died, and it would also be the last time to see them in the flesh. Together, she and her mother found seats at the front. Daria stared straight at the body, resisting the urge to fling herself forward onto her chick and sob as she had done with her mate months before.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart nearly dropped his cup when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Jacob gestured to the door, indicating that the first of the mourners had arrived- Daria and her mother. He wordlessly passed the mug to the intern and moved to the main hall.

He took a deep breath. “Daria- Madame.” He nodded at her mother. “I’m sorry to see you here again so soon.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria didn't respond but her mother did look up then stood, walking over to Bart. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice, Mr. Dunhall." She led Bart away a few steps from Daria then dropped her voice to say, "And thank you for whatever you said to her on the phone. She went and slept after that. I was getting worried." She sighed and turned to look at her daughter. "She's having trouble coping. After losing her mate she already wasn't doing well but she at least had her chick to keep her focusing and going day after day. Now she doesn't even have that." The little old bird sighed and folded her hands together.

[monkey-eater-blog]

By the time Tuesday morning dawned bright and early, Daria was at least up and moving, even if she was running off of very minimal sleep - less than 12 hours worth in the three days since the funeral plans had been made. She shuffled into clean - if a bit rumpled - clothes and combed her fingers through her hair - it needed to be cut, but she honestly didn’t care about that, before following her mother out of the house and into the car to go to the funeral home

[skyburials-blog]

Bart had managed a blessed hour of sleep before returning to work at nothing in the morning. Three of his interns had shown up, and for once, he was grateful for it. He sent two of them out to scout for a sturdy branch near the child’s father’s, and took the other (a hooded crow named Jacob), and set about arranging the main hall.

The two of them laid the child out on the bier, and folded the stuffed horse into her arms. Then came the flowers and chairs and his bones were tired and he swore he could feel his beak pressing against the inside of his face and the morning was going to be a long one indeed.

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria and her mother arrived not too long after the hall was set up. Daria hesitated in the doorway, leaning against one of the solid wood double-doors. There, at the far end of the hall, on the raised platform, was her chick. Daria swallowed down the lump in her throat then moved forward, grasping her mother's arm tightly for support. It would be the first time she had seen her chick since they had died, and it would also be the last time to see them in the flesh. Together, she and her mother found seats at the front. Daria stared straight at the body, resisting the urge to fling herself forward onto her chick and sob as she had done with her mate months before.

[skyburials-blog]

“It’s what I do.” Bart said simply. “And, unfortunately, what I do takes a good bit of time, so I’m afraid I’d better get a move on. Take care.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Alright. I’ll talk to you later, Bart.” Daria sighed. “Bye,” she said, then hung up. She didn’t set down the phone for a long time - it had been comfortable and familiar, talking to Bart. He had been careful but not on eggshells around her, not at all like her mother was being. She decided to take his advice, though, and try to rest. After explaining to her mother the funeral plans and asking her to take her chick’s stuffed animal over to the funeral home, Daria shuffled off to bed, curling up under the sheets with a tired sigh. 

[skyburials-blog]

The more he thought about it, the more Bart was fairly certain he didn’t even like coffee, which was rather unfortunate considering he’d all but replaced his blood with it. The caffeine (Or perhaps the lack of sleep) was obviously setting him on edge, and he was snapping more than usual at his interns, whom he’d once again banished to the reception area. 

He wasn’t sure what time it was when Matthew tapped on the doorframe and informed him that he and the rest were heading home for the night.

“Night?” the old bird asked. “What time is it?”

“A little after ten.” Matthew fidgeted. “Are you sure you don’t want any help? You have the funeral in the morning and-“

“What are you twittering on about?” Bart snapped, exasperated. “There’s nothing scheduled for Monday morning.”

“Tuesday morning- The Gabat funeral? Your friend-“

Bart rubbed the palms of his hand into his eyes. Right. Tuesday. Damn.

“-Did you want us to come?”

Bart waved his hand at the boy. “No. Yes. Ergh, show up early, if you can, or don’t show up at all.”

Matthew nodded. “I’ll tell the others.”

Bartholomew turned back to his work. There were still a few things he had to do, but he was certain he could get them done by morning. Hopefully. 

[monkey-eater-blog]

By the time Tuesday morning dawned bright and early, Daria was at least up and moving, even if she was running off of very minimal sleep - less than 12 hours worth in the three days since the funeral plans had been made. She shuffled into clean - if a bit rumpled - clothes and combed her fingers through her hair - it needed to be cut, but she honestly didn't care about that, before following her mother out of the house and into the car to go to the funeral home

[skyburials-blog]

“Of course- Let her know if I’m not available she can leave it with one of the interns. They’ll make sure it gets to me.” He tapped his pen against his desk and sighed. “Daria are you… have you slept at all?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“…A little,” Daria admitted a bit hesitantly. “It’s hard to. I dozed for about an hour this morning, but… Bad dreams.” She sighed. “But you don’t have to worry about me, Bart. I’ll be okay, promise.”

[skyburials-blog]

“If you insist.” he replied, not sounding in the least bit convinced. “Do try to get a bit more rest- I may not be allowed to worry about you, but that’s not going to stop your mother.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Whoever said you weren’t allowed to worry about me, Bart? I never said that.” Daria found herself smiling a little despite how she was feeling. “But I will try to rest. No promises if I’ll actually be able to sleep, but I’ll try.” Daria looked up and saw she was being watched by her mother from the kitchen. “Thank you for taking care of all the… arrangements. It’s a big worry off of my mother’s shoulders.” Daria put her head down. “And mine.”

[skyburials-blog]

“It’s what I do.” Bart said simply. “And, unfortunately, what I do takes a good bit of time, so I’m afraid I’d better get a move on. Take care.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"Alright. I'll talk to you later, Bart." Daria sighed. "Bye," she said, then hung up. She didn't set down the phone for a long time - it had been comfortable and familiar, talking to Bart. He had been careful but not on eggshells around her, not at all like her mother was being. She decided to take his advice, though, and try to rest. After explaining to her mother the funeral plans and asking her to take her chick's stuffed animal over to the funeral home, Daria shuffled off to bed, curling up under the sheets with a tired sigh. 

[skyburials-blog]

“Of course- Let her know if I’m not available she can leave it with one of the interns. They’ll make sure it gets to me.” He tapped his pen against his desk and sighed. “Daria are you… have you slept at all?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“…A little,” Daria admitted a bit hesitantly. “It’s hard to. I dozed for about an hour this morning, but… Bad dreams.” She sighed. “But you don’t have to worry about me, Bart. I’ll be okay, promise.”

[skyburials-blog]

“If you insist.” he replied, not sounding in the least bit convinced. “Do try to get a bit more rest- I may not be allowed to worry about you, but that’s not going to stop your mother.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"Whoever said you weren't allowed to worry about me, Bart? I never said that." Daria found herself smiling a little despite how she was feeling. "But I will try to rest. No promises if I'll actually be able to sleep, but I'll try." Daria looked up and saw she was being watched by her mother from the kitchen. "Thank you for taking care of all the... arrangements. It's a big worry off of my mother's shoulders." Daria put her head down. "And mine."

[skyburials-blog]

“Whatever works for you.” he said gently. “I have Tuesday morning free- is that okay?” Three days from now- well, two. Bart expected he wouldn’t be able to get much done morning of. A little tight, given his schedule, but he’d done worse.

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Yeah… That’ll work, if that’s not too soon for you…” Daria raked her fingers through her hair, “But if you need longer…”

[skyburials-blog]

“No no, don’t worry about me.” Bart didn’t mention that the funeral should be held as soon as possible, given the ceremony Daria had in mind. A body could only last so long before it… got ugly. Even embalming could only do so much to slow it. He’d learned that people didn’t always take kindly to that bit of wisdom, and given Daria’s line of work, he suspected she knew anyway. “I’ll work things out one way or another.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“If you’re sure it’ll be okay, then let’s just do that. Get it over with…” Daria sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I’ll have my mother bring over the stuffed animal… I’m in no shape to go anywhere at all.”

[skyburials-blog]

“Of course- Let her know if I’m not available she can leave it with one of the interns. They’ll make sure it gets to me.” He tapped his pen against his desk and sighed. “Daria are you… have you slept at all?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"...A little," Daria admitted a bit hesitantly. "It's hard to. I dozed for about an hour this morning, but... Bad dreams." She sighed. "But you don't have to worry about me, Bart. I'll be okay, promise."

[skyburials-blog]

“Whatever works for you.” he said gently. “I have Tuesday morning free- is that okay?” Three days from now- well, two. Bart expected he wouldn’t be able to get much done morning of. A little tight, given his schedule, but he’d done worse.

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Yeah… That’ll work, if that’s not too soon for you…” Daria raked her fingers through her hair, “But if you need longer…”

[skyburials-blog]

“No no, don’t worry about me.” Bart didn’t mention that the funeral should be held as soon as possible, given the ceremony Daria had in mind. A body could only last so long before it… got ugly. Even embalming could only do so much to slow it. He’d learned that people didn’t always take kindly to that bit of wisdom, and given Daria’s line of work, he suspected she knew anyway. “I’ll work things out one way or another.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"If you're sure it'll be okay, then let's just do that. Get it over with..." Daria sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I'll have my mother bring over the stuffed animal... I'm in no shape to go anywhere at all."

[skyburials-blog]

“Hello, Daria. This is Bart- I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you want your child to be laid to rest in the same manner as your husband. Have you decided on a date for the funeral, or would you rather I take care of it myself?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“I… Can you decide, Bart? I don’t think I’m… in the right frame of mind to be deciding anything.” She took a deep breath. “Can you just… I want them to have their stuffed horse… is that possible to put that in the wrappings, too? It was their favorite and I don’t want my chick to be… lonely.” Daria was fighting back tears but was determined not to cry - again.

[skyburials-blog]

“Of course- you can bring it by whenever you like. Give me a moment-” He began running his fingers along the over-sized calender pinned to his desk. “Would you rather it take place in the morning or the afternoon?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria took a deep breath and released it as a sigh. “Morning, I think. They did like mornings.” She pushed the heel of the hand not holding the phone against the bridge of her nose and rubbed her knuckles into her forehead hard. “I’ll… ask my mother to drop off the stuffed animal, is that okay?”

[skyburials-blog]

“Whatever works for you.” he said gently. “I have Tuesday morning free- is that okay?” Three days from now- well, two. Bart expected he wouldn’t be able to get much done morning of. A little tight, given his schedule, but he’d done worse.

[monkey-eater-blog]

"Yeah... That'll work, if that's not too soon for you..." Daria raked her fingers through her hair, "But if you need longer..."

[skyburials-blog]

“Hello, Daria. This is Bart- I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you want your child to be laid to rest in the same manner as your husband. Have you decided on a date for the funeral, or would you rather I take care of it myself?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“I… Can you decide, Bart? I don’t think I’m… in the right frame of mind to be deciding anything.” She took a deep breath. “Can you just… I want them to have their stuffed horse… is that possible to put that in the wrappings, too? It was their favorite and I don’t want my chick to be… lonely.” Daria was fighting back tears but was determined not to cry - again.

[skyburials-blog]

“Of course- you can bring it by whenever you like. Give me a moment-” He began running his fingers along the over-sized calender pinned to his desk. “Would you rather it take place in the morning or the afternoon?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria took a deep breath and released it as a sigh. "Morning, I think. They did like mornings." She pushed the heel of the hand not holding the phone against the bridge of her nose and rubbed her knuckles into her forehead hard. "I'll... ask my mother to drop off the stuffed animal, is that okay?"

[skyburials-blog]

Bart stood awkwardly for a moment, then elbowed the examiner and nodded toward the door- he didn’t like to watch people crying, and guessed that Daria wouldn’t miss him much if he made a quiet exit. He’d call her in the morning- or perhaps the afternoon- to discuss funeral arrangements.

[monkey-eater-blog]

The examiner followed Bart out. “Poor Daria. I know she doesn’t want anybody feeling sorry for her, but… she’s had it rough the past few months…” He sighed. 

-

Daria didn’t move when the house phone rang. She hadn’t slept and was curled up on the couch with a blanket around her shoulders. Her mother offered the phone, “It’s the funeral home. I’m sure Bart wants to talk about the arrangements.”

Daria took the phone. “This is Daria.” She’d gotten off the phone not hours before with the medical examiner - the death certificate was being mailed to her, but she has been told the results - pneumonia, as she had already known. Her chick had been drowned by their own body.

[skyburials-blog]

“Hello, Daria. This is Bart- I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you want your child to be laid to rest in the same manner as your husband. Have you decided on a date for the funeral, or would you rather I take care of it myself?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"I... Can you decide, Bart? I don't think I'm... in the right frame of mind to be deciding anything." She took a deep breath. "Can you just... I want them to have their stuffed horse... is that possible to put that in the wrappings, too? It was their favorite and I don't want my chick to be... lonely." Daria was fighting back tears but was determined not to cry - again.

[skyburials-blog]

“That’s… I’m glad, it’s good to have family close by.” It occurred to Bart that maybe it was good that the examiner hadn’t had the time to ‘open up’ Daria’s chick- it would have been unfortunate if they’d crossed paths with the body in transit. “I’m going to be heading home shortly, did you need anything? Want me to pick something up?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“No, I’m okay… Thanks, though. I have clothes in my bag.” She shook her head then turned when footsteps rapidly approached them. It was Daria’s mother. Mother and daughter hugged tightly and Daria rested her head on her mother’s chest, shoulders quivering with withheld sobs.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart stood awkwardly for a moment, then elbowed the examiner and nodded toward the door- he didn’t like to watch people crying, and guessed that Daria wouldn’t miss him much if he made a quiet exit. He’d call her in the morning- or perhaps the afternoon- to discuss funeral arrangements.

[monkey-eater-blog]

The examiner followed Bart out. "Poor Daria. I know she doesn't want anybody feeling sorry for her, but... she's had it rough the past few months..." He sighed. 

-

Daria didn't move when the house phone rang. She hadn't slept and was curled up on the couch with a blanket around her shoulders. Her mother offered the phone, "It's the funeral home. I'm sure Bart wants to talk about the arrangements."

Daria took the phone. "This is Daria." She'd gotten off the phone not hours before with the medical examiner - the death certificate was being mailed to her, but she has been told the results - pneumonia, as she had already known. Her chick had been drowned by their own body.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart was a bit startled at the shove and was about to reply when he saw who his associate was looking at. “I’m going to go see if she needs anything- did you want to come or…?” he trailed off. 

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Sure.” He shrugged and followed Bart over to Daria.

She looked up when she heard footsteps approaching. “Bart?” She hugged the stuffed horse against her then stood. She looked over at the medial examiner and just nodded to him. He nodded back and gave her a hopefully comforting smile.

[skyburials-blog]

“I’m surprised you’re still here, Daria. Did you get a hold of your mother?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria nodded. “Yeah, she’s… coming to pick me up. I don’t have a car and I’m in no state to fly…” She sighed. “I’m staying with her for a few days while I…” She trailed off, glancing away. While she adjusted to being alone was what she was going to say.

[skyburials-blog]

“That’s… I’m glad, it’s good to have family close by.” It occurred to Bart that maybe it was good that the examiner hadn’t had the time to ‘open up’ Daria’s chick- it would have been unfortunate if they’d crossed paths with the body in transit. “I’m going to be heading home shortly, did you need anything? Want me to pick something up?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

"No, I'm okay... Thanks, though. I have clothes in my bag." She shook her head then turned when footsteps rapidly approached them. It was Daria's mother. Mother and daughter hugged tightly and Daria rested her head on her mother's chest, shoulders quivering with withheld sobs.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart was a bit startled at the shove and was about to reply when he saw who his associate was looking at. “I’m going to go see if she needs anything- did you want to come or…?” he trailed off. 

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Sure.” He shrugged and followed Bart over to Daria.

She looked up when she heard footsteps approaching. “Bart?” She hugged the stuffed horse against her then stood. She looked over at the medial examiner and just nodded to him. He nodded back and gave her a hopefully comforting smile.

[skyburials-blog]

“I’m surprised you’re still here, Daria. Did you get a hold of your mother?”

[monkey-eater-blog]

Daria nodded. "Yeah, she's... coming to pick me up. I don't have a car and I'm in no state to fly..." She sighed. "I'm staying with her for a few days while I..." She trailed off, glancing away. While she adjusted to being alone was what she was going to say.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart waited patiently until both of them started back up the stairs to ground floor. “Indeed, it’s a shame- but I suppose that’s the price of working with the departed.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Yeah, I guess it is.” He smiled. “So you’ve been busy? You’re going to have to hire somebody to help you out soon enough, or are you still shy around newly graduated morticians? If you hire from out of the state you can be pretty sure that none of them will know about those rumors that were getting around a while ago.”

[skyburials-blog]

Bart grimaced. “I’ve taken on some interns- they’re barely tolerable as it is. Overconfident, under practiced, using some damned newfangled techniques I know nothing about, barely able to comprehend the old ones…” He shook his head. “And they never shut up! I imagine bringing someone on full-time would only make it worse.” 

[monkey-eater-blog]

The examiner laughed. “You’re such an old bird, Bart!” He shoved the crow playfully. “You even sound like an old bird, jeez.” As they were walking into the lobby, he stopped when he saw Daria. She was sitting in the waiting room, duffel bag at her feet, staring at the stuffed animal in her hands. She seemed focused on the plastic eyes and nothing else. The man looked over at Daria and sighed then glanced back to Bart. Even though he dealt with dead bodies on a daily basis he never really saw those left in the wake of a death. It was strange to see Daria now, probably waiting for her mother to arrive or something.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart was a bit startled at the shove and was about to reply when he saw who his associate was looking at. “I’m going to go see if she needs anything- did you want to come or…?” he trailed off. 

[monkey-eater-blog]

"Sure." He shrugged and followed Bart over to Daria.

She looked up when she heard footsteps approaching. "Bart?" She hugged the stuffed horse against her then stood. She looked over at the medial examiner and just nodded to him. He nodded back and gave her a hopefully comforting smile.

[skyburials-blog]

Bart waited patiently until both of them started back up the stairs to ground floor. “Indeed, it’s a shame- but I suppose that’s the price of working with the departed.”

[monkey-eater-blog]

“Yeah, I guess it is.” He smiled. “So you’ve been busy? You’re going to have to hire somebody to help you out soon enough, or are you still shy around newly graduated morticians? If you hire from out of the state you can be pretty sure that none of them will know about those rumors that were getting around a while ago.”

[skyburials-blog]

Bart grimaced. “I’ve taken on some interns- they’re barely tolerable as it is. Overconfident, under practiced, using some damned newfangled techniques I know nothing about, barely able to comprehend the old ones…” He shook his head. “And they never shut up! I imagine bringing someone on full-time would only make it worse.” 

[monkey-eater-blog]

The examiner laughed. "You're such an old bird, Bart!" He shoved the crow playfully. "You even sound like an old bird, jeez." As they were walking into the lobby, he stopped when he saw Daria. She was sitting in the waiting room, duffel bag at her feet, staring at the stuffed animal in her hands. She seemed focused on the plastic eyes and nothing else. The man looked over at Daria and sighed then glanced back to Bart. Even though he dealt with dead bodies on a daily basis he never really saw those left in the wake of a death. It was strange to see Daria now, probably waiting for her mother to arrive or something.