The Sleepy Goat

[DahStalker 2856]

The Sleepy Goat

1871-1938 ||424-491

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  The final breath of Elia Eryka was short, soft, and inevitable. For years the prolonged suffering of her heart had proven far too strenuous in this very moment, as the elder Scyfling remained bundled in thick hides and warm quilts, comforted by the multitude of goats at her flank- a spot her now late husband once occupied. Copper curls faded gray embraced her gaunt features, as they grew cold and stiff in the next stage of death, for she would not be discovered until hours later in the peak of sunlight as her daughter would aim to fetch her; Henrietta would be the one to discover the husk of that once Baroness. 

 

  Normality consumed the final hours of that Scyling's life, as she marched around the estate. In the morning she woke to a traditional breakfast of her ancestors; crispy bread, cold meats, cheese you could smear, cucumbers, and a refreshing glass of goat milk. Once she had ordered the governors of what her grandchildren - born from Edmund -  would learn.  She wrote letters to her children far away;  Edwyn, Konrad, and Kamilla. She would visit Ravenna later with sweets to spoil her beloved grandsons, Alfred and Konrad. Thondorus and Henrietta, she would convene throughout the day with meticulous planning, for future aspirations of House Stafyr. After indulging in her duties within the Courts alongside her adopted daughter Amaya, she would pick up a crate of imported gemstones with the three royal youth in tow - for their curiosity was unquenchable, and her love for them as pseudo-grandmother was everlasting. She did not have brunch today with Viorica, Anabel, Lorence, and Dominic. So rather she took the chance to visit the Colborn estate to visit her kin; pestering her older sister, irking Carolus, braiding the hair of Marija, and taking a moment to cherish the air around sacred Colborn relics in prayer. 

 

  As the sun began to set, and the elder had made her way settled at home - she felt content. A final dinner of roast, bread, and mixed vegetables accompanied the quality time she had with a small part of her family. Katrin focused on her studies, Rhosyn said grace, Feodor rambled on swords while Hieromar read plays by the late Dame Stryne, Ivonne begged to aid her grandmother with jewelry, and the babe Rosemarie slept peacefully. A joyous stride was felt in her gait as the Scyfling thought of her blessings, family, and those who she shared her life with. As she slowly drifted into sleep.. her heart throbbed with immense pain, and she took her final short, soft, and inevitable breath. 

 

  All that had been promised to her in regard to death had been true. Tender limbs of warmth consumed the soul of that aged woman as their gentle touch soothed whatever stray feelings of anguish reached her in the final moments of her humanity, cradling her frail body with bliss. With profound melodies of Scyfling origins erupting from the void of silence she indulged in the memories of her lifetime- smiling with content. As she reached the seven skies, she was welcomed by those who too, were kissed by death. 
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MY FINAL WILL

Written by Lady Elia Eryka Colborn-Stafyr
 

 

-- Although I hold the hyphenated name of both Stafyr and Colborn, I shall always follow the motto of my birth house, Family through Fire. I entered this world as a Colborn, and I shall enter the seven skies one. I request a proper Scyfling burial, where my ashes shall be held by my children for a year, before returning to House Colborn so I may rest with my kin. 

 

-- Although I shall return to House Colborn, I will give unto Stafyr a part of me- So I may partly rest with my children and husband. My hair will be braided, and shaved from my scalp prior to my burial. I request my locks be sealed in a small vase for House Stafyr to place within their crypts.

 

-- My goats cannot live without me, and I cannot live without my goats. Should any of my remaining goats live on- I request for them to be slaughtered and burned alongside me. The hide of my biggest and oldest goat, Andrew, shall be separated from his hide prior to burning. It is my wish that the upcoming Curator of Crown Jewels who shall replace me use it to make a lavish cloak with it, decorating its collar with a multitude of gemstones. My only specific wish for a gemstone is that of green jade. 

MY FINAL LETTERS:

Edmund

Spoiler

I wish you had done more for your household, I wish you were around my son. But partly, I am to blame. I did not push you enough, I let you be idle in childhood, and for that I created a lazy son. I am sorry, my little falcon. I love you, and should’ve allowed you to pass on the title without having to endure all that stress.

Edwyn

Spoiler

 I have always known you would be much like me, my son. Rather than set out to conquer the world, you would settle for what would make you content in life. And not surprisingly, akin to me you found someone to love, no matter their title or standing in life. Support your wife until both of your final breaths, and live for love. Live for her, live for your children, and live for me. I am proud of you, your father is proud of you, and GOD is proud of you. When your siblings yearn for my smile, smile for me. 

 

 

Konrad

Spoiler

Although you travel plenty nowadays my son, I hope you are content. You always had that eager yearning for adventure akin to your father and I. Although it was impossible to do so when older in age, I am happy you were able to make it your lifestyle. I love you, my son. 

 

Thondorus

Spoiler

You hold the bold spirit of your ancestors, my son. Should this thought not threaten your father to rise from the grave and ***** at me, I’d argue and say you’re more akin to your Colborn ancestors. Closely you follow the motto; Family through Fire, sacrificing much for the sake of them. For House Stafyr’s sake, I hope the future leaders of the household are much like you. I am so proud of you, my little Thondy. Continue to live for House Stafyr, and to support them. Assist your sister Henrietta in raising Katrin, and the others now that their mother is gone. I love you.

 

Ravenna

Spoiler

My little Raven. You shall forever be my little girl, no matter how old you get, no matter how much wrinkles will stain your face in the future, no matter how much wiser than I you become. I always knew you were destined for greatness; whether it be as a childless Dame of Haense, Duchess of a great Household, or even as a member of a navy or Haense Courts. You have done well, and will continue to do well. You hold onto that kind spirit of your father that charmed many, including I. Care well for yourself, husband, and children. And remember, should you always be in need of aid- merely look at a goat or goat milk. I will be there. I love you, my little Raven. 

 

 

Henrietta

Spoiler

You are strong. You were my biggest babe, with the cries of a roaring lion. I recall when governess after governess would complain to me of your wittiness and stubborn mind- when they forced you to adjust your pace of learning to that of your siblings, as you were always ahead. At times, I wished that you could’ve married and have children of your own, so you might’ve been able to experience the same love I was lucky to endure having had you and your siblings. But, everyone walks their own path. I hope as you live, you continue to find that love and happiness. Support your kin, support your siblings, and aspire for greatness. I am proud of you, and I love you, my little dove. 

 

 

Kamilla

Spoiler

We have always butt heads, because you have my spirit, and for that I thank you. Always keeping me on my toes, always surprising me time after time, and forcing unto me new perspective. I shall be frank, I am not too fond of your husband’s involvement with Adrians, but I shall place respect where respect is earned - he fought for you, and you fought for him. Much like Arthur and I had done for another, much like people I loved had done for one another in the past. You shall make a mighty mother, and carry an unfathomable legacy of merit with you until you too, reach death. I love you, my daughter. I love you so dearly. 

 

Amaya

Spoiler

 My daughter. My daughter, I cannot imagine what it must feel like to endure the weight of the crown upon your head alongside your husband- our King. But, I have seen what it has done to those who have. However, I’ve also seen what the flames of our family have done to stay strong. You make our Patron Ancestors proud, and you make me proud. You shall walk the remainder of your life upon a path of fierce flames, carrying with you the wisdom you have gained in life, beckoning your courts, children, and people with it. Do not feel threatened by it and allow though embers to flicker and diminish, continuously feed into them, make them stronger. I am proud of you, Ada is proud of you, Haense is proud of you. I love you, my little goat. 

 

Mari

Spoiler

Although I did not have the opportunity to raise you, I had the opportunity to see you grow up from afar. Your mother would be so proud of you, my dear. I am proud to see the woman you have become, and what more you shall do as you grow. Stand strong before the flames, and conquer them. I love you, my dear.

 

Marija

Spoiler

You have always been my daughter, since I saw you come into this world, and since I saw Ada leave it. Although the circumstances which led to this, I am fortunate enough to assist in raising such a marvelous, talented, young Lady. You took the advice I gave you years ago, and bursted away from the shadows of your sister you trapped yourself within. You surrounded yourself around those you valued you, and became perhaps the most talented culinary expert I have seen in ages. Pride is too weak of a word to describe it. Your kindness cannot be defeated either, having taken in a daughter not of your blood- yet raising her all the same, much like I with you, though we are of blood partly. I love you, my daughter. You will be alright.

 

 

Aaren

Spoiler

You are a boy of strong stock. I wished you became a ballerina, and walked that walk. But, you found your own path in life- that is something I respect. You shall do well in life, and I hope you find a wife. You deserve to pave a family of your own, my son. I love you very much, and I hope perhaps you even get a pet goat in my honor. You are my little one, no matter how many times you’d argue against it. I love you. 

 

My Grandchildren

Spoiler

 Within all of you do I see fragments of myself, Arthur, your parents, and ancestors. Akin to ourselves, you shall grow to become personalities of merit and bravery, made to step out into the realm and inspire it. Whether it be doing something regarded as mundane or heroic, you shall cause impact to the world. Katrin, you shall become the firstborn Stafyr to be Baroness - raise the household further into heights of its former glory; Rhosyn you, I can tell, shall become a devoted woman of church; Feodor, I see your mother’s spirit within you, and the courage your father lacked, abuse that advantage; Hieromar, you told the love and talent for theater much like I do, and I see a fine pupil raising up to the bar; Ivonne, you are a girl of impeccable beauty and wit, take full advantage of it, and become something you and I would both be proud of; Rosemarie, much like me you are the youngest, and youngest tend to be the most surprising. Reach for the stars, my little dove. From the embrace of my son Edwyn, I have been graced with Noaise, a girl who I have seen little- but heard of plenty. You shall become a leader for House O’Rourke, and all the while your Stafyr ancestors shall support you doing so. From the womb of my eldest daughter Ravenna, come three boys. Alfred; a boy who has been mocked for his weight yet potential overlooked. You have blood coming from two prideful households, two powerful lineages, and let naught anyone tell you otherwise. You shall be a Duke, you shall make a fine man. I love you, little eagle. Konrad, a namesake within the Stafyr lineage can only be telling of one thing - you are destined for greatness. Support your brother as you pave further legacy for House Barclay, while also supporting a grand future for yourself. And finally, little Albrecht. With a name so sweet, I can hardly imagine what a little charmer you will be growing up. Grandmother is sorry she hardly knew you, due to being so little, but she will look down upon you. Grow up strong, healthy, and know everything you do great I shall be proud of. I love you. And finally, grandchildren I brought into my hearts as one- the Princes and Princesses of our realm, the youth of my beloved Amaya. Ivan, you currently stand as the Grand Prince, and soon enough you will feel the full weight of the crown atop your head. I know not how it feels, but I know one thing- follow the motto of your maternal lineage; Family through Fire. Your family is House Barbanov and Haense, comfort them all as they are your kin. Do not cause burnage, comfort and care for the flame. I love you, little crow. Robert, the second son is always never heeded to in any family, yet with upcoming years that circumstance has been proven otherwise. Such shall continue with you- I am forever proud of what you shall do, and I know you will cause greatness alongside your kin. I love you, little raven. Emma, you were the sweetness I knew Amaya required in her life for balance. Naturally, you shall be involved in the courts, and I know you will only do great things. Remember to not cause drama, for those fellow Ladies in courts shall be your sisters, keep your chin up high, and do everything with grace. I left behind for you Ve Elia Carnelians, I hope one day you don them. I love you, my little falcon. To my grandchildren yet unborn, I love you all, and I shall know of you when I look down from the seven skies and bask in the glory you all will fiercely accomplish. 

 

 

My Siblings

Spoiler

 I beat you all in death, and because of that I hope you shall drink a glass of goat milk in my honor. I do not know why GOD blessed me with such siblings, nor tested us through the years. But my gratitude is undying, and I hope one day we may all meet again in the Seven Skies. I wait here with my son Courtnay, husband, and our ancestors. I hope that they will be proud of me. Did I do enough? Am I enough? I know not, but there is no time for those sorts of thoughts now. Dominic, I love you brother, will you do the puppet shows we once did for my grandchildren? Anabel, my big sister, I know you have always been a victim of my taunts and pride, but I always looked up to you, sister. I love you. Anastasia, although not of blood, you are a sister of mine. I admire you for all you’ve done for our family, and all you shall continue to do. Your children are truly of hearty stock, and you raised them well. I love you, and will keep Baldrum company until you join us. Lorence, Lorence, Lorence. You are a pesky thing, always vanishing on us- do not vanish forever, grace the attention of Colborn once more before you leave the realm of humanity and join the seven skies with the rest of us. To all my siblings who still roam the realm within adventure, I love you. 

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OOC: 

I do not know what to say besides thank you tbh. I loved Elia, I loved everything I did as her, and feel I’ve completed her as a character in a way I am absolutely content with. I’ll likely be gone for a while, but when I return… I’m ready for the next adventure!

[Melpomenne 1553]

The Princess Astronomer, MISCHA BARBANOV, lamented over the passing of her childhood friend. Within her tower she prepared a letter for the late Lady Elia's kin.

 

To the children of the esteemed Lady Elia Eryka Colborn-Stafyr,
     

      It pains me dearly to hear that your patron has sadly passed on. I wish good health and prosperity on you all, as the descendants of the dear Elia. At any point in time that you need help with anything under the moon, please do not shy from reaching out to me.

 

With great sorrow,

Duchess of Greywyn, Princess Mischa

[Ryanark 1946]

A burning memory writhed, weeping tears of grief that none could hear. Were there truly any tears, then? The Azdrazi that read the letter was indifferent, a part of its Flame shunned in a silent expression of the sorrow it would have felt— Hannes would never see her in the Skies, and the cries of his forlorn soul fell on deaf ears.

[MisterBlitzkrieg 1357]

Spoiler

 

 

[Bethinwonderland 1106]

Verónica, having been rather busy trying to locate her son. Somehow caught wind of her mentor's death. She regretted not spending more time with the woman who taught her ballet as a girl, and who she had been apprenticing under as the Curator of Crown Jewels for so many years.. She knew that she would most likely be the one stepping into the large shoes left by Elia, she only hoped that when the time came she would be able to make the late Colborn proud.. Time for grief would come later though, as her son still needed to be brought home

[Cheese 2307]

Liridona rocked back and forth, as her children played on the floor before her; save for her youngest boy, who was still swaddled in her arms. With a heavy sigh, she spoke to her sons: "Vyr hauch-aedymamej was ein very strong.. ein very wonderful person... Vy are all of her blood." The Amador woman muttered a quick prayer under her breath for her late aunt-in-law, before standing up and seeking to find her husband, to console him if need be.

 

Tiny Ivonne Emerentia still did not understand... she had only lost her mother and brother but two saint's days ago; what happened to her grandmother? The sweet Stafyr girl took to her room once more and cried, begging GOD that he would take care of her grandmother.

[Gandhi 2708]

Alfred Barclay sat in silence - collecting himself on one of the benches that dotted the second floor of his family's manor in Valdev. His chubby fingers scanned over the words in the letter sent to him - and many of his other cousins.

 

The boy was silent, even as the servant departed. He was frozen.
"Ich will make du proud."

 

Was all the Baron of Sigradz willingly uttered as he isolated himself in his room.

[CopOwl 1668]

News reached the ears of the Matriarch of House Colborn rather quickly; although it was not unusual for a messenger of House Stafyr to visit the Colborn Residence and thus his letter went unopened for longer than she'd have liked. Still, on the Matriarch's desk laid her sister's final piece of work -- "Ve Eryka Jewlz: The Ember Collection", a few short lines of smartly written comments scrawled on the folded parchment to be returned to the author. Alas, such thoughts never reached her -- nor did those of an expansive collection stored in the Scyfling Matriarch's drawers. Each publication, each jubilated announcement, a warm-worded comment had been scribbled with the intention to be forwarded to Elia Eryka eventually.

 

However, once Anabel Elia Colborn got her hands on her sister's letter, along with an accompanying notice from her children, tears welled in that aged woman's eyes. "Elia ..." She sniffled, long-buried memories resurfacing from years past -- accompanied by pangs of regret. "You could have - you could have told mik, systir, you could have ..." She whispers, thumb gently stroking the piece of parchment. "Oh Gud," She reflects, "I was truly a terrible systir, my dear Elia. None of us deserved you."

 

That evening, at dinner served for the Countess - and any other young Colborns who sought to grace the Ancestress with their presence - each place at the table was set with a glass of goat milk, in silent acknowledgement of who it was for. That evening was filled with no laughter, merely solemnity. Before the Countess went to bed, she peered out of her window as she set out a candle to flicker away into the night. She signed the lorraine, whispering.

 

"Burn bright, little systir... You are the spark that lit a thousand flames."

[Kaladin Stormblessed 635]

at the Seven Skies, Ser Baldrum Colborn was at peace. He greeted Elia with a warm smile upon his face "Kusin!" a voice significantly more cheerful then he had on the mortal plane "It took eym long enough. Come, everyone is waiting, we're dying to hear eym rambling about goats milk." 

[sarahbarah 5021]

The inconsolable wails of the Haeseni Queen fill the Prikaz as the tragic news reaches her doorstep.

[AndrewTech 2815]

Somewhere in the vastness of the Seven Skies, a mild mannered lawyer waited by the Gates to welcome his wife.

 

"Ah, Ellie!" He clasped his hands together, his spectacles drooping off of his eyes. "I'm so happy to see you here. Or- Not happy, perhaps, but it's better than the alternative. Anyway, you're just in time to help me forage for paper!"

 

He said this as though it was the most normal thing in the world. But his gaze told so much more, showing the pride that he held for her, the gratitude that he had for help his dream and the dream of his ancestors a reality.

 

He would offer his arm for them to walk together, into whatever lay next.

[Tav 1372]

Aaren Colborn sat there wordlessly upon hearing the recent passing of his aunt, Elia Erkya. In both palms, he held letters - one delivered just this day, and the other thirty years ago.
Usually, at this time, the young-spirited Colborn would be far away from the walls of Valdev - but, perhaps sleeping in today isn't so bad.
 

Spoiler

ooc: 
I'm glad to have roleplayed with you on Elia, pollo. always ended up in me laughing because of your emotes on her LMFAO
wish you luck on irl and such, and will be happy to see you on the server again - whenever that may be.

 

[beetle 2761]

It was quiet on most days. However, comfort was brought to the lost soul.

The old Rose of Colborn knew her cousin was home, the rightful home - grateful for it all.

[___siren___ 457]

Thondorus Thighes Stafyr sat upon a bolder outside the walls of Valdev, letter in hand. Tears streaming down his cheeks, leaving wet dots on the parchment. It was a dark day for him, so he decided to stay on said bolder and pair his pain with a bottle of red wine.

[EmiliainWonderland 1526]

Feodor took a deep breath, swallowing. The child could not fathom all of the loss he'd dealt with recently, but knew he had to be strong for hie grandmamej and siblings. 

 

The child, hardly old enough to think his own thoughts resigned himself to quiet studying, determined to make the family proud.

 

 

Meanwhile, Feodora, mother of Feodor, arrived shortly after Elia, smiling warmly when she saw a familiar face, the normally shy and soft spoken woman walked up to hug her mother in law, who always managed to treat her with kindness and compassion despite Feodora's awkward behavior.