NationStates Jolt Archive

With deepest regret, it is my duty to announce the death of His Imperial Highness Archduke Tristan, the Consort of Empress Joanna von Sachshausen. Their marriage of over two decades led the nation and provided three children, Archduke Valerian and Archduchesses Magda and Aurora.
The funeral will be held in three days in the city of Hofburg at the Cathedral of the Archangels. Full state honors will be observed.

- Count Hohenloe, Imperial Chamberlain

Our deepest condolances at your loss.

The Federation offers our sincest condolences at your loss, and our ambassador will be present at the funeral parade. Our thoughts are with you, and all flags in the Federation will be flown at half-mast for one week.

Rachel Knight, External Affairs, GMC Military Arms.

You have our condolences. The Archduke was a paragon of understanding; his loss is sure to be deeply felt in Lavenrunz and beyond.

The Confederacy of Ravenspire has declared a day of mourning in solidarity. At twilight, across a dozen worlds, the national anthem of Lavenrunz will be played, followed by a moment of silence.

Ambassador Setsuna will attend the funeral services.

Alaric Morgannan
Chief Diplomat

From the Office of Princeps Senatus Karl Kopinski,

Empress Joanna Von Sachshausen,

I offer my sincere condolences upon the event of your loss. It is my hope that you will overcome any distress associated with this testing time. Although I did not know the late Archduke, or indeed, yourself, I would, if foreigners are permitted, like to attend the funeral, in order to show my respects.

http://www.angelfire.com/scifi2/iimperium/kopinskisig2.jpg

Princeps Senatus Karl Kopinski,
The Confederacy of The C'tan,

William was staying in the autum palace in Lavenrunz, home of Joanna von Sachshausen, as a guest.
He had heard of her consort had died the day it actually happened. But he let Joanna be with her familly for the time being. Now that the death of her consort has been made publc and all are free to give their condolences, he will to.

William will was told very respectfully that short of emergencies the Empress will not be reciving any visitors or giving audience to anyone. Inquiries would ahve to be directed to the Imperial Chamberlain or an apporpriate member of the Government.
So he went for the Chamberlain, who would politely express gratitude for his presence.

William entered the Chamberlain's office.
The Chamberlain stood in his office and offered William a chair.
William bowed politely before sitting down on the offered chair.
"Can I help Your Majesty?" The Count said.
"Yes you may. I would like to first express my gratitude for allowing me to guest here."
"Your Majesty is most welcome." Count Hohenloe said, bowing.
William bowed respectefly and spoke again. "And second and more importantly. I would like to give her Empress Joanna my condolences about her loss. I but hope she is taking it well."
The Count said, "Her Majesty is bearing Her grief with remarkable fortitude. And I will be honored to convey your sentiments to Her; I have no doubt that they will be touch the hearts of those who grieve the most in the very deepest way."
"Thank you Count." William said and bowed his head respectefly again. "I must now take my leave of you. Thank you for conveying my message to her majesty." He said and stood up.
The Count stood up aswell and bows deeply. "It has been my pleasure to be of service to Your Majesty."
William bowed one final time before leaving and going to the gardens to relax.

To Empress Joanna von Sachshausen,

I send my heartfelt condolences to you on your loss. I only wish there were something more I could do than offer words of sympathy. You have been a pillar of strength through many trials and adversities. May the faith that you have shown in the past be a comfort to you now in your time of need. Know that you have friends, even outside your alliances who support you and wish you well. I will do what I can to attend, and show that such support is not merely empty words.

Convertat Dominus vultum suum ad te et det tibi pacem.
(Num 6:26)


--Nathicana D'Aquisto dal Lupo

----------------------------

Nathicana sat quietly, pondering the missive she'd just sent. It was not in her nature to follow such religious ponderings, but she knew Joanna to be a woman of faith. She hoped her words would be well recieved and offer some modicum of comfort.

She was surprised she had thought of some of those things at all. She herself had been raised in her early years as a faithful Catholic. But she had been so young, and it was so long ago. The state did not encourage such thinking, and she had had it quickly and efficiently beaten out of her.

Looking back now, she wondered if perhaps such things were a mistake. Did such ethereal beliefs truly aid in such times as this? If so, she couldn't help but think, given all that was going on, that it would be a welcome comfort indeed.

Nathicana took a slow sip of her ice water, pondering the implications of such idle thought ... then shook her head, dismissing such frivolous notions. Now was the time for strength, not any more idle musings. Devon still needed to be made whole. Faith was not going to accomplish that. And Jaime ... ah, Jaime. Even faith could not repair the damage done there.

She made another silent wish for Joanna's well being, and went back to her work, her brow furrowed.

"We are surprised and... shocked by your loss, and offer our condolences in this time of need.

For him, the time of struggling, his long suffer, has come to an end, may he life forever, in peace, on the other side.

However, we shall not forget that not the past, but the present, and the future should concern us.

Every end is also a new beginning."

~ Mr. Morden and associates

I shall be attneding the Funeral in person.

God bless,

Benedict Michael Sukothai
President and First Consul of the Republic of Syskeyia

Siri blinked a bit as she read the dispatch, a tear welling up in her eyes. "No..."

She had... ways of dealing with these sorts of problems, but she doubted Joanna's religious beliefs would allow her to go along with them. And the cancer must have been deep and malignant indeed if Lindir, the Menelmacari healer employed by House von Sachshausen, had been unable to stop its spread. This meant it would likely recur, even if Tristan were brought back - leading only to more sadness and pain.

The elvenqueen sighed, and she reached for a flexisheet and a stylus, to compose a reply.

Dearest osellë Joanna,

I am deeply saddened by the loss of your husband. I considered Tristan a dear friend, and mourn his passing. I will be there in person to help you through this sad time.

Your dear friend,

~Siri

She then prepared a decree - all Menelmacari flags would be lowered to half-mast until the date of the funeral. And at the moment Tristan's casket was interred, there would be a twenty-one gun salute in Imperial Square, all Menelmacari would observe two minutes of silence, and the Lavenrunzian national anthem would be played, followed by Lament for Gandalf (the Menelmacari equivalent of Taps).

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

Viole brushed her dark, damp hair back from her eyes as she retreated from the steamy confines of the bathroom. Her parents had left again, after their brief return from wherever they been. She wasn't clear on exactly where they had gone, but Kyrsten had said they would return if she was in need.

A quick double beep emanated from Viole's comdesk, marking a priority message, and private. She picked the companel from the table, and flopped down in a nearby chair.

The message wasn't good news. She hadn't expected it to be. But she hadn't expected this, either. She would sent a return message at once, and arrange a shuttle downside.

****

My Lady Joanna,

I am sorry to hear of Tristan's passing. I know you felt deeply for him, and though I never knew him well, I know he was a good person, who will be sorely missed by many people from around the world.

I hope to join you as soon as I may schedule a shuttle downside.

Yours,
http://homepage.mac.com/klemberger/.Pictures/Ienotheisa/Viole-sig.jpg
Viole Of the First

Oh! my mothers would like to extend their sympathy as well; "Dearest Joanna. Remember that the greatest pain from loss is immediate, but the memory will be with you forever. Now is the time to grieve; later you will need to be strong."

Viole brushed her dark, damp hair back from her eyes as she retreated from the steamy confines of the bathroom. Her parents had left again, after their brief return from wherever they been. She wasn't clear on exactly where they had gone, but Kyrsten had said they would return if she was in need.

A quick double beep emanated from Viole's comdesk, marking a priority message, and private. She picked the companel from the table, and flopped down in a nearby chair.

The message wasn't good news. She hadn't expected it to be. But she hadn't expected this, either. She would sent a return message at once, and arrange a shuttle downside.

****

My Lady Joanna,

I am sorry to hear of Tristan's passing. I know you felt deeply for him, and though I never knew him well, I know he was a good person, who will be sorely missed by many people from around the world.

I hope to join you as soon as I may schedule a shuttle downside.

Yours,
http://homepage.mac.com/klemberger/.Pictures/Ienotheisa/Viole-sig.jpg
Viole Of the First

Oh! my mothers would like to extend their sympathy as well; "Dearest Joanna. Remember that the greatest pain from loss is immediate, but the memory will be with you forever. Now is the time to grieve; later you will need to be strong."

OOC: Didn't Viole have an affair w/Joanna or something?

Viole is an adulterous slut. :x If I were Viole, would not join Joanna on such an occasion.

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

OOC: Oh dear, I think I may have started something with the sigs :? :shock:

Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Joanna von Sachshausen,
We offer our sincerest condolences to you in your time of grief as well as our desire for friendship and goodrelations. In token of our sympathy, our son, Prince Leontine will be attending the funeral of the late and distinguished Archduke to represent the grief of our house and our empire at the death of the distinguished nobleman.
With my most sincere regards,
Garathon, Emperor of Finara

OOC: Yes you did Ctan, If I had time, and i my Sindarin writing was a little better, I would make Theallas' sig too

IC

Empress Joanna Von Sachshausen,

Although our two nations have never seen eye to eye, I am sadend by your loss. I have heard that his cancer was a long ordeal. Now though, I hope that his soul rests in peace, and with God.

General Robert Theallas

OOC: That was a handwriten letter, it was in (enter Lavenrunzs' nation language), but the hand writing showed a hand that was used to writing in the flowing script of Sindarin

*tagg0rt*

ooc: *reads everyone's heartfelt sorrow*

And I was just going to send a "I'm so sorry" letter...

IC:

Yuri viewed the announcement and shook his head.

"I despise death..."

He turned to his desk and started to pen a letter to the Empress.

"Empress von Sachshausen,

It is with great sadness that I have found out about your loss. If there was anything I could do to help your pain, I would, so please do ask.

Regards,

Emperor Yuri Kershner
Allied States of Fenwick (Krosa Island)
CCoL"

He let out a deep sigh.

Never was too good at these letters...

Renate looks into a blazing fire, an old ghost beside her. Smell and warmth, memories and simulation.

Tristan had died by choice - the medical technology was there to save him. Just like her own ghost.

She rises, and the fifty year old memory fades, leaving her in the real world. Pen to paper, it's easy, you've done it before...

OOC--Actually, I've been using that signature since at least May. Not so much the ones for Kyrs or Aeris, but I did them all at the same time...

And no slanders against Viole. She's entirely faithful. As far as I know. Typically, those stories are meant for background information. She wouldn't actually be publishing that personal. If you're getting that from anywhere else... well, you can think what you like.

And just to be clear, no, Viole has never slept with Kyrsten or Aeris. They're her parents, you know. Okay, I don't even know why I'm doing this. Whatever.

And no slanders against Viole. She's entirely faithful. As far as I know. Typically, those stories are meant for background information. She wouldn't actually be publishing that personal. If you're getting that from anywhere else... well, you can think what you like.

OOC: I was referring to Viole's (assumed) affair w/Joanna *cough* (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76003) *cough* (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50910) *cough* (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51723), a married woman. Sigh, taking advantage of a beloved Empress' weakness *cough* (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52510), 'tis a shame, 'tis a shame.

But anyway, this thread should not be about Joanna's of Viole's or anyone's sexuality. A (made-up) man has (virutally) died. This should be about him. Poor Joanna's hubby's dead. :cry:

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

We are shocked by this news. We join the ranks of those nations that grief for your husband, and we offer you our sincere condolences. We have visited your nation only once, but that single occasion was sufficient to show us what Empress Joanna and her loved ones have been fighting for to preserve and cultivate.

Please, if there is anything, anything we can do to help or sooth but a tiny portion of your pain, then please tell us.

Signing on behalf of Council,

Simon Delendre

[handwritten]

The Kingpriest was in his private rose garden having a quiet luncheon when he learned of the news. "Dead... Well you have a letter of condolences to write and we will of course send a representative in the name of the Holy Empire if the funeral will be State Funeral." the Kingpriest ordered the First Son Palis who was dining with the Kingpriest. The First Son, a young man of about 27 with fire red hair and glittering green eyes nodded before leaving to obey the orders of the Kingpriest.

To Empress Joanna Von Sachshausen,

Please accept the condolences of the Kingpriest and the Holy Empire of Istar in your time of pain and sorrow. The Holy Empire of Istar will send a representative to the funeral if it is not going to be a private affair. May Paladine Bless You.

In Paladine's name, with Istar's might;
First Son Palis

[handwritten, the paper smells of flowers]

The Empress Joanna was very pleased to have received so many letters of condolence. She insisted on writing the replies herself, which took up much of her time but also provided a necessary distraction from the preparations for the funeral.
All honour seemed to come to her...
But she felt as though the sky had fallen.
A sad song she remembered from when she was young kept playing in her head.
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this: the fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall, the major lift:
The baffled King composing Hallelujah...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

She walked in the Linderhof Gardens near the Autumn Palace, and felt the winds stirring her hair, saw it making the flowers move. She picked a withering daffodil and saw her tears begin to glisten on it.

Your faith was strong, but you needed proof.
You saw her bathing on the roof;
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you.
She tied you to a kitchen chair.
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew a hallelujah.

'Oh, Tristan', she thought sadly, 'Does anyone know what a support you were to me?'

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch;
Love is not a victory march.
It's a cold and its a broken hallelujah.

Turning back towards the palace, she thought of Viole as well. So distant. Like a dream barely remembered.

There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below.
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved with you
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah?

And she wanted to kneel and pray. But she could not. She felt filthy inside. Unworthy. Her only prayer, said through near blindness from her tears and nearly deaf from the roaring in her ears: 'Oh, God...please give me back my Majesty!'


Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.
And its not a cry you can hear at night;
It's not somebody who's seen the light.
It's a cold and its a broken hallelujah.

President Takeo Katana sat on a bench in Tanah Burung during a break in the Developing Nations Conference when his PDA buzzed. He pulled it out and read the report to come from Lavenrunz.

"Oh this is terrible news," he said. He'd remembered catching a glimpse of the Empress during the conference he'd attended in Lavenrunz. He picked up his cell phone and placed a call to the Presidential Palace.

"Aianna, I want you to send a wreath of roses to Empress Joanna von Sachshausen in Lavenrunz and our deepest condolences for the death of her consort. No no, take the roses from the Presidential Palace's private garden... No, they should be different colors. Yes this is a priority."

Jesus, where do I hire these people from...

"Yes.. thank you. On the private jet, yes that will be nice."

He hung up the phone and sighed. It wasn't a pen and paper, but he started writing a letter in his PDA.

Dear Empress Von Sachshausen,

I would like to send my deepest condolences for the death of your consort. I am sorry at the sadness you have to endure now. But, we are hoping for the best for you, and that there will be happier times in your future.

In Strength,
Takeo Katana,
President, Larkinia

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF BOA VISTA

The President of the Commonwealth has expressed his deepest condolences over the deaths of the rulers of Lavenrunz. By executive order, all Commonwealth Government buildings, as well as government buildings of Commonwealth dependencies, will be flown at half mask. The President of the Commonwealth, Antonio Carmona, will be present at the funeral to represent his nation.

Sincerely
Joao Ferreira
Presidential Minister for Public Relations
The Commonwealth of Boa Vista

The Funeral

Archduke Tristan, Consort of the Empress of Lavenrunz, was brought in his coffin to a gun carriage and laid there by soldiers of the Guards Regiments that were his: the Heavy Dragoons, the Imperial Halberdier Guards, the Atlach Foot Guards, the Imperial Light Horse Artillery. Their plumes nodding on their shakos, their brass glinting in the sun, they handled the coffin with reverence and care.
Behind the carriage came a riderless grey horse. Two reversed boots stood in the stirrups.
At a stroke of a muffled drum and muted order, the honour guard and the procession began to march towards the Cathedral of the Archangels.
Following came the Imperial Family and the dignitaries of the Empire.
Empress Joanna, her face drawn and pale, arm in arm with Archduke Valerian, his eyes set forward. Weeping, Archduchess Magda came clutching the arm of her husband, Hegemon Witzig of Terraus. Behind them came ministers of the government, ambassadors and other personages of importance.
Reaching the cathedral, the honour guard carefully removed the coffin and brought it inside. A Te Deum was sung by the choir.
Once all were assembled, the Archbishop of Zwoll stood before the congregation.
"Blessings be on all here. In as much as we must all pass from this world, earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, we nevertheless look with hope to the Resurrection promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. As it is written: 'I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die..."

"The Empire extends its most heart-felt condolences, and apologizes for its sluggish response to this griveous event. The hearts and support of the Empire of the Eternal Dawn, as ever, stands together with both the People of Lavenrunz and their greatly honoured Empress.

"If it is permittable, the High King Semir-randil I would much desire to make a visit to Lavenrunz, and we have been biding our time to make the request to do so; yet we shall understand if the timing is poor.

"Our best wishes and sympathies."

~ Empress Rialla ux-Rihad II

The procession had been somber, and quite appropriate in its austerity and reverence. Nathicana had watched it all in silence, dressed in a surprisingly conservative dress and jacket combo of Dominion design. The unrelieved black suited her, she felt. So much of late seemed to be of a mournful nature, and this funeral merely personified it all.

Il dio, she's been through it, she'd thought, seeing Joanna walk by. Valerian, she had met once before, what seemed ages ago. He'd rather caught her eye at the time, though nothing had come of it. Most likely for the best. I'm not one a good man like him ought to get entangled with. He did his mother and his country honor then, and continued to now, being a pillar of strength for the mourning woman.

She felt for Joanna. The loss of a loved one ... a life partner, father of children ... It wasn't something she could fully relate to, but knew must be hell for the woman. What she couldn't understand was the 'why' of it.

Surely she has allies and contacts that could have helped ... or did they try, and fail? There is a sobering thought. I know she's a person of faith. Perhaps ... proscriptions? Nathicana shook her head, making her way into the cathedral with the rest of the crowd, and taking a quiet seat in the back.

Nathicana did her best not to fidget, though sitting here, listening to the Archbishop speak made her uneasy. Aside from a few weddings, and affairs of state, she'd avoided attending church over the years. It surprised her to no end that her all too brief instruction by her parents when she was very young had been so deeply ingrained to still have an effect.

I thought I'd squelched all that long ago. Even so, the lyrics to a song seemed to echo in her mind. Every finger in the room is pointed at me ...

Resurrection? Blessings? She had little hope for such things. Sitting here, amidst the faithful, she felt herself a hypocrite. Surely the others could see it, sense it. She did not belong here.

"I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die ..."

The words came through, loud and clear, and her brow furrowed in thought. And do these words truly bring comfort? She glances at those sitting near her, gaging their moods, watching their faces from behind her dark glasses as she nervously brushes a stray lock of hair back into place. I believe in what I can see, what I can feel. Were I to desire everlasting life, I'd ask Shodey to fix me up, not pray to some vengeful, yet supposedly forgiving and utterly distant deity. And of course, there's always ...

She stopped her thoughts there, not wanting to go there at all. Nathicana repressed a shudder, only half succeeding. She had her reasons for feeling the way she did. Some of those reasons, she wasn't sure she'd ever get past enough to feel comfortable here. Forcing herself to cease fidgeting again, she continued to listen to the Archbishop speak, her face a careful mask of neutrality.

The Lord's my Shepherd I'll
not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again:
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's
dark vale
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy
rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou has furnished
In presence of my foes
My head Thou dost with oil
Annoint
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me
And in God's house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Amen.

The funeral procession had moved to Saint Carol Abbey where the dead of the Sachshausen's were laid in state.
Lines were forming outside of those who wished to pay their respects from the public.
In full uniform, clasping a sword in hand, the art of the mortician barely concealing the wasting of his body, Archduke Tristan lay, eyes closed. Above him gently swayed flags of his dedicated regiments.
Tears glittering in her eyes, Empress Joanna bent and kissed him on the forehead. A touch on his cheek, and a flower laid at his breast.
Archduke Valerian followed suit. His face was grim.
The waiting crowds slowly began to move, their flowers clasped in hand.

Empress,

Chimaea presents it's sincerest condolences on this tragic loss to you and your nation.

I know that cold words mean little at a time of grieving, but I hope that the thought of us feeling your loss alongside you will aid you through and soften the bereavement.

Warmest regards,
Sir Reginald Styles,
Governor of Chimaea

In the Territory few enough flags fly, but quite a few of those fly half mast these few days between the Archduke's passing and his burial. Few practising Christians, but quite a few do pray for the Archduke.



There is a terse statement to all State servants, authorizing the uniformed services to deviate from standard uniform to express mourning. It is an individual matter - and many, especially those stationed in Lavenrunz, choose to wear a black armband.



A great cat prowls near Joanna von Sachshausen - Thirty Camellias loves her human unconditionally, but she's failed to protect her twice now.



Renate von Saucken discards another draft, sits down beside her ghost and writes a terse letter of condoleance. Too damn close to home. Then she buckles down and writes, allowing herself to feel what she has never been good at expressing in writing.



Sharing your grief. Respecting and admiring the Archduke's choice. Edward Cornell to aid you in any way he can. Will attend funeral service.



The text is devoid of feeling, formalized. Three splashes of tears having hit the ink before it dried belie the formalism.



During the service she holds grim-faced General Cornell's hand, white-knuckled.

"Sir, this just came in." said Meagen, the secretary of the Houdian Emperor.

Cedric read the newspaper blurb, and frowned.

"With all the tech and magic in the world, he still couldn't be saved." he said outloud.

"I don't think she tried to hard." said Meagen.

"Something..."

"What?" said Meagen.

"Something is strange."

"It is Lodoss sir, everything is strange."

"Meagen, stop calling me sir."

"Ok bubblebutt."

"Is it really bubbly?" said Cedric, with a touch of concern.

"Get over yourself. You sending a 'hope your okay' card?"

"I'll send her a 'free pass to my bed' card." replied Cedric. "But, I don't think that would go over well."

"Oh, your so smart." said Meagen.

"Get over yourself, and then send the message."

"Yes Cedric." She walked out of the room, muttering about men and their foolish desires.

Cedric, meanwhile, thought of fantasys unfulfilled.



To the Empress of Lavenrunz:

We are so sorry to hear your loss, and grieve with you. May he find peace in the next life.

Cedric Houde
Emperor of Houde