The sun was low by the time they had finished saying their goodbyes and left the totoma to do the final stages of the honours. He still had not developed a skill of knowing which guests would stay to watch the burning or the burying. Sometimes the breaved would go as far as to help with moving soil or gathering stones to contain the burning. It wasn't uncommon for family to want to leave a marking of some sorts so that they might return later to visit the site and pay their respects. He had yet to hold two funerals that were the same and he imagined it would be some time before it happened.

Honours the Dead dropped the last stone in the circle - the aforementioned border to contain the fire so that it did not spread. He had carefully selected a location that was clear of dry brush for the most part and what little was left he had carefully swept away. Even still, fire was unpredictable at best and chaotic and he did not wish to take chances. There was a soft thump as his salamander rolled off of the boulder he was basking on and yawned lazily, slowly blinking up at the setting sun.

"Yes, I know it's late. I don't like to rush their goodbyes."

In the middle of the circle, covered by dried grasses, sticks and other materials that would easily catch, was the dead. It was a wolf, familiar to a kiokote since birth. It was time that had taken it and Honours had explained that this was a luxury so few of us were given. The wolf had done its duty and it was time for it to rest.

"It's time, Ember," he said to the salamander who was sniffing around in the dirt, likely hunting some bug for a snack. The salamander snapped to attention and trotted over to the pile of wood, flames alighting his body as he did so. He curled around the wolf, letting the flames catch. Twigs cracked and embers and smoke began to rise in the air. Honours close his eyes, letting the warmth of it wash over him.

Appetite bolted towards the curling flames, "You idiot! What are you doing!?"

The acha scowled, mouth parted slightly, as her flame colored eyes stared at the totoma. In stillness, the doe radiated agitation as her tail twitched. She was trying very hard not to do something, whether that was throw herself into the fire or attack the bulky totoma. Either would likely kill her, but she might get a few good bites in first.

She stomped a hoof, "What a waste! I could have eaten that wolf for a week!" Probably less, honestly, but she didn't need to admit that out loud. Still, she'd been waiting for ages when the smell of death and sound of weeping had entered her nose and ears when it had seemed that no one was going to do the proper thing and eat the creature. It was dead after all. What did the wolf care? And if it's compatriots didn't want the meal, well they could have let someone else have it!

She could have just left, but the irritation . . . Oh, if only she could have rammed into the jerk like another totoma might. She was too delicate for that, at least her bones were. Who the hell set the dead on fire anyway? There was no use in that! Even she wouldn't fill her mouth with ash.

"You're lucky you have a fire salamander, you know, because you owe me a meal, now," she growled. Damn salamander would burn her for sure. Why couldn't kin have normal pets like dumb birds?