An Old Man's Dream

[MRCHENN 4741]

Spoiler

 

 

AN OLD MAN'S DREAM

 

 

With a loud BOOM, the building erupted into flames. As the burning building of Providence engulfed itself into smoke and flame, a red streak pervaded itself upon the night sky, illuminating the horrified citizens that happened to be present. Within that building stood one old man George Galbraith, surrounded by soldiers of the ISA managing an attempt to escape - but to no avail. As the structure of the building began to give away and the man flashed in and out of consciousness and he closed his eyes - his life flashed before his eyes.

 

The Galbraith opened his eyes to a bright light - had he perished, woken up to the continuous flame? He took a look around.

In place of a burning building, was a vibrant city - one he easily identified as the Ruby City of Helena. Seeing a reflection of himself in a glass mirror, he saw a version of his youthful self - one outfitted in his old black coat. Suddenly, he heard a low grumble, yet a familiar voice. He turned to his left, only to see a man he had not seen in decades - Green Carrington.

 

“Aye young George, put yer’ hat on, we’ve got work to do in the Treasury, you lazy bastard! Follow me!”

 

With another blink of his eye he was whooshed away once more, this time to a more crowded setting. Outfitted with his old purple coat, the young version of the Galbraith stood in the NGS museum in New Reza. The crowd roared - Orenians and Haenseni alike - as Sir Terrence May would give his infamous speech to the Josephite caucus, both one of retirement and a vision to the future. It was there where Sir Jonah Elendil first recruited him. He turned, putting his hand on his shoulder.

 

“You’ve got a future up there, young man.” The aging Adunian and his soon to be mentor assured.

 

He closed his eyes once more, different scenes unfolding once more around him. The Josephites versus the Everardines, The Josephites versus the Muldavian bloc, The Josephites versus the Nationals. He stood, amongst the leadership of Sir Jonah Elendil and Sir Franz de Sarkozy.

 

The Galbraith blinked his eyes, finding himself sitting on the same wooden bench as figures of generations came and went. Sir Konrad Stafyr, Abram Stalistena, Sir Jonah Elendil, Lauritz Christiansen, Sir Franz de Sarkozy, Keaghen Armas, Padraig O’Rourke, Anabelle Kelmenour, and so many more.

 

As the Galbraith went back into consciousness, he found himself slouched up against a piece of a burning wall, placed down on the same Josephite bench that was now on fire. Had all of his work finally made an impact on the Orenian citizens? Had he finally helped to move the Josephite cause in the books of history? 

Had all of his titles mattered? Minister of the Treasury, House President, Vice Chancellor, had it all furthered the Orenian identity? The Orenian cause?

 

The Galbraith smiled as his body went limp, knowing he’d done what he could, and could leave the responsibilities of state in the good hands of the next generation. It was there that he died in the same spot that once started his career.

 

---

SIR GEORGE GALBRAITH KM J.D. S.S.E.

1749 - 1809

---

[Nectorist 12869]

"A great man of our time! How I cannot wait for us to meet again someday, old friend," Franz remarks somewhat solemnly. Yet still he smiles, proud of the many achievements of George Galbraith, and thankful that he could serve beside, and befriend, such a man.

[ErikAzog 3575]

"Mister Galbraith..." muttered the General, recalling the many years of service that the man had given for the Imperial State, he would shed a tear for the man he considered a friend, raising a glass to him, "I'll miss you, Georgie, Providence won't be the same without you." he'd utter, downing the glass, a frown evident on his face.

[SortedJarhead 817]

It had been almost 2 years Keaghen Armas was sober, but that frightful night the House of Commons collapsed many drinks were had.

 

Sitting alone in his room, staring out into the dark streets of Providence, Keaghen spoke aloud his seventh lonesome toast to George that night.

 

"Georgie - fawk. Ye was a wee *****, but me best friend." he cried, leaning his body out the window as that evening's dinner came up from his stomach and over his porch on Helena Street.

[RoseyMissPosey 152]

Upon hearing the news of George Galbraith's passing, Belynda Cenobia sighed. 

 

"Poor Gramps... Probably should have brought the kids round to see him. Never got to meet his great grandkids."

She poked at the sleeping twins in their cribs with a solemn expression.

 

"Mom will be sad.."

 

And so the daughter of Georges forgotten child, Aisling, quietly drifts off, wondering if she really had any memories of her grandpa anyway.

[RaindropsKeepFalling 886]

An aging Illatian, Gino Falcone, recalled the Galbraith and his eccentric attitude. He recalled the first days in Helena: only a memory now, he supposed.

 

 As another name perished, hit the sod, from the days of the Josephite's unopposed; there was a melancholia. And so, at his cluttered study as evening light poured in, a reddened tone akin to the very flames he'd witnessed, he sat. He grasped a palm around a bottle, and toast to grief. 

 

He'd known the man well, only uttering a plain sentiment to the open air,

"God bless ye' soul, George." 

 

As he took a sip from his drink, his eyes fell to a crumpled old note, and advertisement from times of yore. He'd dug through the drawers, the cases, the bags, the intricate inches of the house:

 

Vote Galbraith - 1784. 

[Hanrahan 2983]

Edward Napier smiles at hearing the news..

 

"Another of the conspirators bites the dust."

[fetty bridgers 4492]

Tobias would frown as he saw the news, "Oh GOD..." he says as a tear runs down his eyes. "I was just there, catching up with him... he was just-" he would be cut short. 

Fiyem upon hearing the news from afar would open a bottle of alcohol. "It is a shame. I always remembered going for drinks and gossip with George. He will be dearly missed.."

 

 

[Iudaes 1095]

While he did not know the man, George Galbraith, well, he did know him to be a good man, a virtuous man, and a man who seemingly served the people of Providence well, even finding himself dead in the halls of the Commons whilst serving them. Jude II reflected on the man's life and his service and came to a conclusion; this man was indeed a good one, seemingly rare among those halls of governance. A man who kept the people of Oren at heart and served others, not himself. That night, the High Pontiff prayed for that good man and entreated God, "May he enjoy salvation in that Ruby City."

 

[bugbytes21 790]

William Santiago would sit in silent prayer praying for Georges soul muttering, "I will avenge you, I will avenge all of you"

[garentoft 9265]

Lauritz put down his book, turning to stare out at the lake outside of his Valwyck Cabin's window, nodding his head a few times, he began to brood over the news of the Galbraith. "You weren't even that old. You had plenty work left in you, George." He spoke with a sigh, the almost eighty year-old retiree returning to his writing.

[AnonymousAlexa 3890]

Angelika Bykov, a former colleague of George, had released a long exhalation as the news of his death reached her. "A good man he was," she uttered sorrowfully, tears welling in her eyes as she clenched her hands into fists. "He was too young...I wish I had the chance to say dravi...." she trailed off as a few tears fell down her cheeks. "Until we meet again, George," she muttered before saying a prayer for the Galbraith.

[Benjikhei 698]

reserved

 

[Sprinkles 39]

Augustus Halcourt looked up from his work, furrowing his brow at the courier who had barged into his office and placed a letter on his desk. The old man irritably opened it, annoyed at the interruption. The man's face would quickly turn from annoyance to pained stoicism as he learned of his old friend's passing. 

 

"Rest well, mon amie, God knows you deserve it." 

 

The courier would later claim he saw a tear stream down the aged man's face, to the disbelief of many. On a normal day someone would be lucky to see so much as a smile on the old man's stoic face. This, however, was no ordinary day. . .

[𝖂𝖆𝖌𝖜𝖆𝖓 740]

Lieutenant Robert Archibald Galbraith's eyes would well with tears upon hearing the news, in an attempt to hide such from his men he moved to exit the hospital after doing his duty. Marching home to his Office as he would scan the missive in disbelief. As he arrived at his Office he would reach for his decanter of whisky pouring himself a glass as he would sit there for a moment before stating "I'll miss you , Uncle."