The Funeral of Empress Tatiana (1982-2018) [OPEN]

[Osthia]

Church bells rang in Ostis, as well as all over the empire, and black drapes hung on every building, showing the affection the people had towards their assassinated empress. Unfortunately, no one knew the whereabouts of former Emperor Alendur I, so they decided that a service would be held for him as well. She was assassinated not by a foreign agent, but by a DMF gunman. During the ensuing civil war, Alendur had been declared missing, and Tatiana's body was protected in the Cathedral of St. Christofer. Now, with the bullet holes stitched together, and a white dress on her corpse, she now looked to be at peace. Imams in the province of Yunikara called the faithful to prayer, the growing Jewish population gathered at synagogues, and the Catholic people of Osthia headed to their churches, with a television in every one of these religous places to show the funeral. The coffin was placed in front of an altar in the Cathedral, and Osthian officials, Emperor Arathor, Empress Grace, as well as foreign dignitaries, were led into the Cathedral, and the camera crews there had tears in their eyes. Cardinal Jerome stood beside the coffin, murmuring prayers in Latin. Not official ones, but personal ones, asking God to lift her up to heaven, and to allow her spirit to aid Osthia whenever she could. Now, the funeral would begin.

[Grasmere]

Alexander Halbauer walked into the cathedral, and took a seat close to the front, but still saving room for the royal family. He bowed his head in prayer first, then rose and waited for the ceremonies.

Back in Grasmere, millions of viewers watched the funeral via the teary cameramen. Chief Mogojo, in honor of what Tatiana had done, named this day Osthia Day, and declared it a national Rooivalkan holiday, to celebrate Tatiana's life.

[Erjunhuf]

President Benjamin Archer walked into the cathedral, looking for an open seat that wasn't too close to the front: that was reserved solely for the Royal Family of Osthia. Looking at the new Emperor and Empress, he could tell, as if it was necessary, that they had been grieving for quite some time. Archer could sympathize: he too had buried many friends and family, especially during Erjunhuf's Great Patriotic War, and it was never easy, almost like a piece of you died when they did. He finally found a seat in the middle of the cathedral, bowing his head in a sign of respect and saying a quick prayer: he wasn't Catholic, but being a Protestant didn't mean not showing respect to those who weren't. After finishing, he rose his head and waited for the official ceremony to begin.

[Spartinth]

Lord Joseph Keefer walked into the cathedral, representing King Charles I who was at a ball and couldn't attend. He took a seat towards the middle and began to pray

[Unilisia]

Evelyn had arrived and found her seat, ignoring the silent hustle and bustle around her. She couldn't take her eyes off of the coffin. Tatiana looked like a ghost.

In Unilisia, a day of work had been called off for the first time ever. It was a day to mourn the loss of one of the greatest humans ever.

All misanthropic tendencies had left the populace for the day, as well as Evelyn. Some of Tatiana's foreign friends were praying; Evelyn knew not a single prayer. But she had brought something to leave as a true, "parting" gift.

[Holstria]

Nicholas II arrived, he himself had not been to deeply religious, he took a seat in the far back. He watched in a curious silence, he himself had never been to a foriegn funeral, muchless a royal one. He waited for the service to begin as there were still various people arriving. He had heard much of Osthia's Empress, but had never met her personally, now strangely he noted that he attended her funeral, she had been a quite leading figure in Holstria. Always seen as fair and just, someone you could only dream of meeting. But no, here he sat at her funeral instead.

[Malaysii]

Princesses Anabel and Helen, along with Lord Dumar, walked into the cathedral, sitting. Anabel and Helen were sisters of the late King Daniel. Lord Dumar was a man betrothed to Anabel. Helen, who'd met Tatiana once one buisness, had a tissue to her eyes, crying. It would be a long day for her, Dumar, and Anabel. In Malaysii, many peoples watched the funeral of the great Queen. It was the first time a forgein funeral was shown on national television. On every station, too...

[Osthia]

The Cardinal decided to begin the funeral. "Please stand." When everyone stood, he looked at them all. "Today, we commemorate not only the loss of a loved one, but we celebrate her life. Not only was she an empress, a monarch, but she was also a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend to Osthians and foreigners alike. Before her reign, she was the daughter of a Dralien lord, the eldest cousin of Emperor Christoer the Humane. When she ruled, her heart was open to the people that she swore to protect. If anyone has any words they would like to say about her, please do so now." Suddenly, the doors were opened, and in stepped Emperor Alendur, Tatiana's husband.

It turns out that he had survived the civil war and the purge of the DMF by going to the roof of the Imperial Palace. From there, he had been sniping for the Loyalists, and had locked the door to the roof accidentally. For a week, he survived with little food and water, until a police helicopter on patrol saw him lying unconcious on the roof. They took him to a hospital, where he was given food and water until he was healthy.

"I...would like to say some words." Arathor, hearing his father's voice turned around and cried. He was no longer an orphan monarch. His father was still alive. Alendur walked up to the altar, tears on his face as he passed the coffin. "Before I met Tatiana, I was a Quendi prince, and when my brother, the Crown-Prince, told me that I was to marry the young Empress, I was upset at first. I married her for politics. But as the months passed, I came to love her, and from that love, Arathor was born. I failed to protect her, even though I swore that I would. I know that I can't bring her bsck, but if I could turn back time to be in the year when I met her, I would change myself so that I could love her when I first met her. Goodbye, Tatiana."
He took a seat next to his son and daughter-in-law. Arathor then stood, and went up to the altar. "My mother was a good woman, and sometimes, she would reach her neck out to care for someone else's civil rights. Kind, loving, she was a mother not only to me, but to the Osthian people. I ask that no one remember her cruelly. I'll miss you, mom."

After that, High Council members said things about Tatiana, both personal and political reasons why she was who she was. Now, it was the turn of the foreign delegates.

[Haalstad]

HRH The Duke of Avondale has arrived at the funeral on behalf of HM King Albert III

[Malaysii]

Helen stood slowly. She walked over. "I met Tatiana years ago on a diplomatic mission. She was very nice. My brother Daniel, actually, was very fond of her. He thought her a friend, I know. When he passed in 2016, we got a very nice letter from her. When my Niece Grace became her Daughter in law, we were all happy as could be... Goodbye, Tatiana, and my you see my father some day up there." She said, going to sit back down, crying quietly.

[Unilisia]

Evelyn took a deep breath, and then walked up the altar. Turning to face the crowd, she wiped her eyes and then began to speak.

"I first met Tatiana nearly 3 decades ago, I can barely remember what was going on. For a long time, Osthia and Unilisia have worked together to achieve balance in the world, to keep the world in harmony. Although her and I didn't get along at first, I guess we came to grow on each other. She was, with a doubt, the greatest human being I have ever had the luck to know. May she rest in peace." Evelyn turned to the coffin, and grabbed something from her trench-coat.

It was a black pearl, enveloped within the fang of a Pariahan Banshee.

A Unilisian charm. The highest award someone could receive. She placed it gently between Tatiana's interlaced fingers, then sat down quietly.

[Haalstad]

The Duke stood up and walked over to HIH casket.
"Osthia has been a shining light in the world. One that has resisted the evils of the world. Her Imperial Highness will be most reverently remembered."

[Grasmere]

Alexander waited until near the end to speak. "Tatiana was immensely fair and just. When civil war struck my country, she suppressed the mass genocide of 13 million Rooivalkans. She also gave me refuge, and without her help I would have surely faced certain death."

[Bardust]

Do to the the military strain and diplomatic chess that the Bardustian government and royal family had taken on in the past few weeks, Her Royal Highness Princess Daphne, The Archduchess of Hilborn(wife of HRH Prince Louis the kings son) and The Rt. Hon. & Most Rev. Bishop James Logan of York represented the Bardust at the funeral.

Rather emotional The Archduchess stood say a few words, "Her imperial majesty was women of great strength, honour and most of all love. Regardless of her known trials and tribulation she had always put country and duty first, something I am afraid most of here are not likely to do. As said by th Bishop of York, a close friend of mine and the Empress, "Her imperial Majesty may be sovereign but she treats the common man as though they are kings of the castle" and in that one quote the personality of the Empress can be understood. Her love for her fellow man has the guiding force in her a life and through that love all things were able to come to pass. As we sit here today, let us remember this great women for in history she will be known as Empress Tatianna the Kind."

The Bishop of York then took the pulpit, "As a man of the Anglican faith I can truly say the Catholic Empress was a dear friend that even guided me in my religious manner and strengthen by relationship with the king of kings. It is her love of the almighty god that will bring her to the promise land where she will live in eternal peace and everlasting joy." he then took his seat

[Osthia]

Jerome thanked the delegates for speaking. "Let us pray." As the people bowed their heads, he spoke. "Lord, we ask that you transport the soul of this humane servant into Heaven's gates, where she will remain with her loved ones. Help her soul in the Day of Judgement, and help us with this loss of extraordinary proportions. Amen." After the funeral, a procession was led to the catacomb that had been built under the Cathedral for future Osthian rulers. One of the bodies was the one of Emperor Christofer the Humane. When the procession ended, everyone was led back upstairs, where, as was tradition, the Emperor and Empress would be crowned in the Imperial Palace. This was to prevent spirits of sorrow from overtaking the souls of those attending the funeral, by allowing the angels of joy to lift up the hearts of the people.

[Grasmere]

Alexander was glad to finally celebrate instead of being surrounded by sadness. He sipped from a glass of mediocre champagne, waiting for the crowning ceremony to begin.

[Menassa]

King Gedion walked in just as the praying had begun. He was carrying the royal scepter of kingship. He was also by his side weilding the famous Kosheph or in English sickle sword. He walked in as the prayer had begun and bowed his head in sadness. He had known the queen for only a shor period of time. But he was still sad for her passing. He said his own prayer. That which he said for his father and brothers. It was a truly sad time.

[Osthia]

The people attending the funeral were led to the Imperial Palace throne room, where chairs were set up for the guests to sit on. Arathor and Grace went to their own chambers to change into their coronation outfits. Fifteen minutes later, thanks to the help of their servants, both emerged into the throne room, Arathor wearing a green, Osthian military uniform covered with medals and the Order of St. Christofer, and Grace was wearing a white dress with a trailing gown. Both wore over their shoulders a royal blue mantle that had Osthian double-headed eagles stitched onto them. They knelt before the thrones and waited for Cardinal Jerome to meet them. He entered the throne room a few minutes later, escorted by altar attendents holding swinging pots of incense, and they were followed by two servants holding pillows, that had, resting on top of them, the Imperial Crowns.

Jerome went up to them and stood in front of the thrones. He motioned for them both to stand, and addressed Arathor first. "Arathor Alcedina Dralien, son of Empress Tatiana Dralien and Emperor Alendur Alcedina Dralien, do you swear by the grace of God that you will protect your people 'til your death? To serve them, as they serve you?" Arathor responded, "I do so swear, by the grace of God." Then addressing Grace, he repeated the question, except naming her parents. She replied, "I do so swear, by the grace of God." Jerome was then given the Imperial Orb and Scepter. He gave it to Arathor. "With this Scepter, you will instill the well being of your people. With this Orb, you will maintain justice." Arathor took these and knelt. The Imperial Crown was placed on his head by the Cardinal. Arathor then took the smaller Imperial Crown and, standing in front of the thrones besides Jerome, he had Grace kneel before him, and then he placed it on her head. Jerome bowed his head, and they sat on the thrones. "Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Osthia, by the will of God, I present to you, Emperor Arathor the First and Empress Grace!" The Osthians in the Palace applauded, and guns were fired into the air, as well as fireworks. The guests were then led to the dining hall while Arathor and Grace were allowed to remove their crowns and Arathor gave back the Scepter and Orb. By tradition, they had to keep the mantles on for the banquet.

[Erjunhuf]

President Archer took a chair near the back: he had never seen a royal coronation, and he wanted to see how one played out. At the very least, he reasoned, it was good that even out of something so horrible that something so beautiful could come out of that as well.

[Holstria]

Nicholas took a chair in the middle, he mentally took note of everything there, everyone. It was beautifal, his father would be proud of all he had done. His father he thought, was getting old, it could be in a short while that he would be made king. It seemed like something he couldn't handle, yet here and many other nations, sometimes a relatives death could be brought about by just some instability. It seemed that truly no ruler could really rule their nation, the government was a servant to the people. Nicholas watched as the procession continued, as he did his fleet began loading up it's equipment and forces.

[Grasmere]

Alexander sat close to Arathor, only a few seats away. He swiped a champagne flute from a waiter walking by, then looked around at the guests. Mostly foreign diplomats, with the Osthian nobles and high ups. He remembered being here when Arathor and Grace were married. It was months ago, but Alexander could still vividly remember Tatiana sitting at the head if the table, conversing and congratulating the couple. That memory vanished as the sadness caught up to him.