They sat at the mammoth round table. Aquarius seemed dazed. No one spoke. Capricorn seemed strangely amused. Scorpio cried quietly.

Finally, Libra broke the silence. "It's what he wanted. He died protecting people he cared about, doing a job he loved. Cancer chose to do what he did."

Capricorn chuckled. "No one will miss him more than me. I'm just happy he went out in a blaze of glory. He always was a showman."

Scorpio glared daggers at him. "It's not the time. Have some respect."

"If he were here right now, he'd love nothing more than a chorus of 'he's a jolly good fellow' and you know it," sniffed Capricorn. "Shall we?"

Capricorn attempted to lead the song but no one else picked it up. Juan admired the effort, and watched the satyr-like man settle back into his seat with the same dignity.

Aquarius offered, "he was an incredible wizard and friend. We'll all miss Cancer dearly. Capricorn, would you be in charge of planning the celebration of his life?"

Capricorn agreed, crossing his arms across his broad chest and grinning broadly.

"Gemini and Pisces, you're both due for some rest and relaxation. No missions for a week. It's protocol after losing someone in action, even if they're resurrected," explained Libra.

"That's fine with me," agreed Juan. "It'll give me a chance to get to know Atla while her house is being built. Could someone show me around the rehab wards for the former Abaddon cultists?"

"Certainly," said Aquarius, pointing to Scorpio. "Scorpio is heading up those efforts." She nodded at Juan. She was a dark eyed woman with curly hair, dressed in black, with a sword across her back. She struck Juan as extraordinarily intelligent and shrewd, while fierce and protective.

Pisces came up to Juan as the meeting broke up and hugged him. "Thank you again for everything. I'm going to spend time with my family, get into that routine for awhile. I'll see you soon."

Juan agreed and wished her well. Scorpio called him over. "You ready to go see the addicts? Some of them are in rough shape."

"I want to, it'll help me stay grounded, and maybe I can help some of them."

Juan got to know her as they walked toward Golgonozza. She had been a warrior before she joined the guild, and still maintained her skills as a swordswoman. She kept cats in her home.

"You and Cancer were close? I'm so sorry."

"He was a good friend, like an uncle or a father figure. I know he wanted to move on, stop getting reincarnated, and just to reach that final equilibrium. I'm the one who wasn't ready." She shook her head.

"No one ever is. Even when I'm with people I know are dying, it still hurts every time. I can't make my peace with it," said Juan.

"And here you are facing it every day, risking everything to protect who you can. I admire that, Gemini, really."

They entered the courtyard of the hospital and were met by a tall, bright eyed young man with neatly combed black hair. "Xicarus!" Juan exclaimed.