Hesta stood alone before an unknown gravestone, silent for a long while.
She had never considered things from this angle before. But after Victoria said it, other questions came to mind—such as why the District 12 United Government could tolerate District 3's armed forces intervening so frequently, and how a Governor appointed by District 3 could wield such influence here.
"Come on, let's keep walking." With both hands in her pockets, Victoria looked at the gravestones beside her. "Let's see if we run into any other old acquaintances."
Hesta followed behind her. "Why did you bring me here?"
"There aren't many people in a cemetery. It's convenient for talking."
"Is that the only reason?"
"...Also, Stella brought me here yesterday," Victoria said. "The scenery really is nice, isn't it?"
After they walked another dozen steps, Hesta saw that many coffins had a sprig of holly laid on top, held down with stones against the wind. Someone had clearly come specifically to pay respects to every Quicksilver Needle who had died in the Fayalar Wasteland incident.
"Who put all these here?"
"I don't know," Victoria said. "They were already like this when we came yesterday."
Then Hesta suddenly spotted two familiar names among the gravestones. "Sahameh R." and "Anlia Mala" stood side by side near the road. Not only did their coffins have holly branches on them, but two pots of unknown plants had been placed before their markers as well.
Hesta detoured over to the stones and saw several memorial plaques arranged neatly there. They read: "Forever missing you, dear friend."
"Are their remains really here?"
"I don't know." Victoria said, "Some of them were probably taken away with the base, but I checked. Basically every victim has a marker here."
Hesta crouched down and wiped the rain stains from