Not many people are going to recognize the woman who steps forward to speak. At least not without a lot of rot and decay on her. She seems a bit a awkward, a bit out of place. Her eyes were red - she'd spent quite a bit of the last few hours crying, both in a release of so many emotions from over the years and from sorrow and anger and loss. Karis has herself under control for the moment, but actually seeing those stupid caskets and knowing that Howard's gone are enough to tear at her heart again.

Of course, a little part of her is crying out for joy simply because she's feeling it instead of dim shadows and half-remembered ideas of emotions. But she's not about to drag that out.

"I knew Howie better than most of you," She starts in shakily. She takes a moment and gets her voice to stop trembling and continues, still trying to be just as full of piss and vinegar as she usually is (was).

"He was a decent kid. He wasn't a damn hero like most of you. He wasn't a fighter. He wasn't even interested in saving the damn universe. Howie... just wanted a place to call his own where he'd be safe and he wouldn't have to worry about assholes blundering in and screwing things up for him. And he didn't care if you were a human being or a damn zombie, you were all equally stupid and likely to cause problems."

Karis pauses and takes a breath, fingers flexing as she tries to think of what to say next.

"He did stuff that a lotta you wouldn't agree with. He stole shit. He snuck around. But who cares? There's a lot of stuff you people don't like and it never stopped me. He was who he was and he was a good friend and a good kid and to Hell with anyone who says otherwise. He didn't want to be here and now he's gone. So. Bye, Howie."

Karis sinks back into the crowd and goes to find a wall to lean against. Before she starts crying again.