NationStates Jolt Archive


The Funeral of Pope Mary II, by the grace of God, etc...

19-12-2003, 22:32
The cathedral lay empty. Vast pews, lit by the dim, watery winter light. A lone crucifix at the head of the main hall, with a small altar beneath it. A pulpit with a Bible upon it. A black man in holy vestures sat in one of the two front pews.

"And so, my friend, at last you may rest,"said Mbandwe quietly, and somehow sadly.

Yes. Do not be so sad, Kes; I have been here with you for some time, and now we leave the Darkness, I must leave for the Light.

"I know. I shall say farewell to you later, Mary."

He stood, and walked to the entrance. The giant doors opened in front of him, and he walked into the entrance area. He nodded to the knight who stood by the entrance doors.

"Let the mourners in. The funeral will begin shortly."
Edolia
19-12-2003, 22:42
Teranta von Blatterschplitt stood in the doorway, her light brown hair slightly mussed. She smoothed it down before moving towards the bishop. She had never felt comfortable in churches -there was something about the great sense of weight and solemnity about them that chilled her somewhat. Fighting down those feelings, she walked up to Mbandwe. She gave her most sympathetic smile. "On behalf of the people of the Edolia and my uncle, the Imperator Erik von Blatterschplitt, I must present my deepest condolences to the people of Milantos. The loss of such a guiding light is never easy for a people." She softly placed a small, elegant boquet of flowers on to the alter.
20-12-2003, 01:19
Kes BUMPed into the door.
Kaenei
20-12-2003, 02:32
>>>Transmission to:Milantos Communication Subchannels <<<
||From: Administration One, C/o WorldDisc Transmission Redundencies||
||Re: Tragic Events ||

The Serene^Union offers sincere and humble prayers for the departing spirit. May her journey be free of the darkness, pain and strife that stabbed at her existance on Terra. A Kaeneian presence will be a certainty. If time allows and assuming other duties Intelligence Minister Killthanus will make the weary journey. Again, we hope she finds peace.

Go now in peace, and may the Angel look on your endevours and smile.

Citizen Caelistis,First Citizen.

Kommandant, DEHC Military

Most Serene Republic Of Kaenei.

>>>Transmission Terminated<<<
20-12-2003, 21:55
"Our comrades in Kaenei;

We thank you for your kind sentiments, and hope to see you at the cathedral of St John.

Pope Kes"

***

The multitude of mourners marched solemnly into the cathedral, sliding into pews and sitting, their heads bowed. Knights stood at the doors, faces masked by their traditional silver helmets.

Kes sat in the entrance hall, eyes studiously blank as he greeted honoured visitors.

The time for mourning is over...now is the time for celebration. Mary's voice appeared in his head.

He nodded slightly.
20-12-2003, 22:21
OOC:

I'm waiting to talk to a few more people to give invitations (and for Scolo to post), then Kes will make his address, then it'll be over.
21-12-2003, 03:34
OOC:

Bump. Wow, two replies to the funeral of one of the most pivotal figures in NS history.
21-12-2003, 04:12
Heavy footsteps sounded outside, and within moments Reginald Orson, prime minister of Dandinas, entered the cathedral with his wife Susan and ten other men and women, all dressed in black, all carrying bouquets of flowers from the Imperial Gardens. The prime minister and his wife walked up to Mbandwe, bowing deeply before proceeding. "On behalf of the Imperial family and the people of Dandinas, I would like to hereby present our deepest condolences to the people of Milantos on this dark day. The Imperial Family send their sincere apologies that they could not attend the funeral in person, but wish to present to the late Pope bouquets of the flowers she was most fond of - one for each child of late Emperor Richard IX and one on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty, who wished for me to read these words;" his wife presented him a scroll wrapped in a red silk ribbon, as the flower-carriers advanced slowly towards the altar to place the bouquets.
"If whole in life, and free from sin,
Man needs no Moorish bow, nor dart
Nor quiver, carrying death within
By poison's art."
He waited for the last bouquet to be placed, then bowed again with the entire company and slowly left the cathedral.
Mintar
22-12-2003, 04:18
(OOC: Sorry for the delay. Edwardo Sanchez had to do some last-minute christmas shopping...)

A black limousine pulled up beside the cathedral and Edwardo Sanchez, long-time president of Mintar, stepped out. Dressed completely in black, he was quiet and unimposing.

"Glad we beat the rush," he said, though without the usual joy and authority his words came with.

Flanked by two guards, Sanchez stepped into the church.

"Greetings, I am President Edwardo Sanchez of Mintar," he said (OOC: Unless they don't speak english/spanish here in which case he'll need a translator). "Mary was a great honorable woman. Her sacrifices for the fight against Melkor will never be forgotten."

(OOC: If the guards need to give up their weapons, they will)
Riannen
22-12-2003, 20:19
President Enya Thalessa steps quietly into the church, dressed in a conservative black dress. She watches in silence for a few moments, then steps forward to the altar. Her two gaurds move to follow, but she motions for them to stay. She addresses Mbandwe in a steady voice, with only a hint of sadness. "I am sorry that we had to meet in such unpleasant times. My name is Enya Thalessa, president of the Free Republic of Riannen. On behalf of the people of Riannen, I would like express our condolences and deepest grief at the loss of this remarkable woman. Though I never knew her personally, I have heard many stories about her, and can only imagine the sorrow that must be felt in Milantos." Silently she places a cluster of white lillies on the altar and proceeds to sit down upon one of the pews in the back row.
(OOC: Yes, we've never met, but my allies have only the best to say of the nation of Milantos and Mary, so I have come to express my deepest sympathies.)
Assim
22-12-2003, 22:16
(OOC: We've never heard of her, either, but if she was as good and kind as these guys say, and if she was one of the pivotal characters in the fight against the power of Melkor, then we are truly grateful that she lived.)
(IC:)
Sun Ar'Sun Ar'Sun, having learned about this "Pope Mary II" and her deeds, had decided to pay his respects. That was what brought him to the cathedral that day, and he was impressed. {Foreign dignitaries from some of the most powerful nations on this world, important people from all over... I feel so small, so... isolated. I feel insignificant. I probably don't belong here...} Still, he had his respects to pay. He had told the people he would do this. So, with leaden feet, he carefully walked over to the altar, then bowed to the person behind it. Then, he slowly took out his most prized posession-the small flower given to him by his girlfriend. Its grey petals echoed of a storm, and the white stem cried of a spirit in mourning. The only joyful part of it was the red leaf that grew on the side. Carefully, he placed the flower on the altar. "It is all I have to offer such a great person," he said, "but I hope it is enough." His long black robe dragged behind him as he exited the cathedral. {May your memories rest in peace, and may you always know happiness wherever you are. I cannot stay, knowing that I am in a place where there are many more powerful than I. I cannot stay, not knowing the person as she was, but only through others' memories.}
(OOC: {} is thought bubbles for me. I find it easier than using italics.)
22-12-2003, 22:28
SINCERE SYMPATHY FROM PROLASPE FOR YOUR DEPARTED. OUR WISHES AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU MILANTOS.
23-12-2003, 01:09
Kes walked to the pulpit, and looked at the honoured foreign guests as well as the masses of local mourners.

"I thank you all for coming here, from the greatest of you to the least."

He fell silent for a moment, his eyes closed in silent prayer.

"Mary died so that, for one brief moment, the world could feel freedom. And then, even after death, she returned for a time to lead us out of the Darkness. We are here today to say farewell and see her spirit off into the Beyond."

The great organ began to play, and the choir of the Cathedral sang. Many Milantosi openly wept in their seats, whilst Kes and the Knights at the doors closed their eyes and allowed their spirits to soar for a moment, singing their own, silent song. As the hymn ended, Kes opened his eyes and addressed the congregation again.

"I thank you again for attending, and I shall not keep you. Knight Commander Gabriel, light the pyre."

Behind Kes, red curtains were pulled back and a large pyre was revealed, sat beneath an unroofed space. A knight who was not wearing a helmet, allowing his golden locks to flow freely, set the pyre aflame.

Thus ended Mary's time on earth.

And from afar, Lord Melkor, he who arises in might, looked on, face impassive.

***

Notes sealed with the wax stamp of the Papal Palace were sent to Riannen and Assim.

"We thank you for your attendance, and hope relations may be opened between our nations. All who would oppose Melkor are our friends."
Phyrric
23-12-2003, 01:40
Pyrrhus enters the Cathedral with a small staff of personnel, genuflects before the crucifix and takes a seat in the pews on the right side, pulls out a set of rosary beads and starts praying for her soul.