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Logging Started: 10-20-2015 7:47:30 PM
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ArchTeryx coos, "As a final reminder, please read the sign listing the rules for the ceremony. They are few and painless."
1) Please keep extraneous poses and says to a minimum, particularly during the testimonials, to minimize clutter
and prevent "wall of text" spamming. Whispers and pages are perfectly fine.
2) Please keep testimonials brief so that everyone who wishes may get a turn.
If there are fewer testimonials, each can be longer.
3) Please be respectful, as this is a memorial ceremony for someone who has died iRL.
4) Address any questions to ArchTeryx, who is moderating the ceremony. Thank you.
ArchTeryx slowly goes up to the lectern, which grows to fit him, and clears his throat.
ArchTeryx coos, "Are all present that can be, or shall we begin?"
Sslaxx hisses, "Let us begin?"
Drac rumbles, "Aye, begin, do."
BoingDragon nods.
The players awake here are Stymnus, Sy_Sable, Tacet, Mirrdae, Foster, Klondike, Shadow, Chrys, Drac, Gryph, Faeberry, Aragh, Umeko, BoingDragon, Amber, Sslaxx, Paris, and ArchTeryx.
The idlers here are Karu[15m], mejeep[18m], Shaterri[18m], Saurian[7m], Mikcat[4m], JayTee[9m], Dragon[7m], Warphammer[3m], Kreggan[3m], Cymoryl[10m], Khryss[6m], Darwin[3m], Helmke[6m], Bleu[7m], and Giles[8m].
The sleepers here are J'ee, SynTeryx, MoiraSable, Tachyon, and Berith.
The puppets here are MyrahTeryx, and MishaSable.
Helmke moves to sit between Chrys and Stymnus.
Umeko says, "The rules are really one simple one: Be respectful."
Faeberry talks, then.
Saurian leans on Stymnus.
ArchTeryx coos, "Yes."
Faeberry never reads rules, cause shi knows that they're all generalized to "Don't be a social dick".
Stymnus and Chrys gently lean on Helmke.
Helmke gives a shuddering sigh, sliding an arm around each of them, and nods to Archteryx.
Foster holds paws with Sy_Sable, and sits beside him.
ArchTeryx coos, "Let us begin then. Please keep extraneous poses and says to a minimum from here on out, though whispers and pages are still okay. This is to minimize spam during the ceremonly and the testimonials."
Faeberry is not too familiar with Sy, anyone important?
Sy_Sable sits close to the fo.
Faeberry zips.
Shaterri (returns, though sadly he's only here off and on.)
ArchTeryx coos, "I'll try to keep my part of the ceremony brief. Afterward, I will be opening the floor to testimonials. You may or may not choose to give one - it is entirely up to you. The first one, by prior agreement, will be Gryph, then I will make a list and call one at a time."
ArchTeryx coos, "Also, please note that the ceremony is being logged...what goes on here will be known for all posterity, and a copy of the log will be made freely available to anyone that wishes it."
Helmke whispers, "I should give a testimonial, though I wasn't prepared to speak today." to you.
You whisper, "That's perfectly fine." to Helmke.
ArchTeryx coos, "With that, I shall begin my part."
ArchTeryx coos, "Welcome to Manfred Prange's memorial ceremony, all."
ArchTeryx coos, "I can hardly say I know the full story of his life, but I will do my best here tonight, and I ask that you, his many friends and loved ones, help me fill in the blanks."
ArchTeryx coos, "In life, particularly his online life, Fred often defined himself by sexual matters. I'm sure many here could name one of his kinks or fetishes. This is a vitally important part of his life, for it provided relief fromt he pain he suffered for so much of it."
ArchTeryx coos, "However, for me to do so would do him a great disservice, for there was far more to him than that. In 25 years of knowing him, I've had the pleasure of seeing many of those facets of his being."
ArchTeryx coos, "I can count at least two lives that he helped to save, staying up all night with friends who were contemplating suicide, helping to talk them down off the ledge."
ArchTeryx coos, "One of those friends was me."
ArchTeryx coos, "He also stood by my side in college, against a corrupt university IT department, when nobody else would. He preserved my online access during a critical time in my life, by mailing me a 'dumb' terminal so I was not dependent on private computer labs. He built my first computer for me and spent many long nights helping to troubleshoot it."
ArchTeryx coos, "He introduced me to someone who is now my oldest living friend, the Silver Brumby, 25 years ago."
ArchTeryx coos, "He was my first Flockmate, and for many years, my best friend, someone who I could always turn to when things were rough, and someone who helped seed a circle of friends that continues to this day, my Flock. A circle of friends that enriches my life and will continue to do so for the rest of my life."
ArchTeryx coos, "One of Fred's favorite artists was Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, whom most of us know as Enya, and after long, agonizing consideration, I have taken his hymn from one of her songs."
ArchTeryx coos, "I ask everyone that can to turn their browsers to this link: https://youtu.be/5A01guT4HL4 . I shall post the lyrics, after a short pause, so everyone may follow along."
( City lights shine on the harbour / night has fallen down / through the darkness and the shadow / I will still go on... )
( Long long journey through the darkness long long way to go but what are miles across the ocean to the heart that's coming home? )
( Where the road runs through the valley where the river flows I will follow every highway to the place I know. )
( Long long journey through the darkness long long way to go but what are miles across the ocean to the heart that's coming home? )
( Long long journey out of nowhere long long way to go but what are sighs and what is sadness to the heart that's coming home? )
( Long long journey through the darkness long long way to go but what are miles across the ocean to the heart that's coming home? )
( Long long journey out of nowhere long long way to go but what are sighs, and what is sadness to the heart that's coming home? )
Foster removes his hat, holding it to his chest.
ArchTeryx coos, "Giles, as my best friend, would you assist me with this last?"
You whisper, "When I throw the ribbons up, flame them for me, as a dragon would." to Giles.
Klondike bows his head, tears trickling down his cheeks.
Giles nods and makes ready. "Certainly, my friend."
ArchTeryx takes out a bundle of shimmering white ribbons from his hip pack and holds them up into the wind.
Bleu hugs Klondike warmly.
ArchTeryx lets the long ends flutter, and releases them to drift over the crowd.
Giles flames the ribbons as they float in the air.
Klondike holds Bleu close, now openly crying.
JayTee gets out a much-needed tissue.
Drac bows forward, eyes closed, an arm about Mikcat and JayTee.
Sslaxx sighs.
ArchTeryx coos, "As the Thread goes, so shall we all, as Berith would have said."
ArchTeryx coos, "This concludes my portion of the ceremony.. I now will begin the testimonials. Gryph, the floor is yours."
Chrys leans to Helmke gently.
ArchTeryx steps down from the lectern and bows.
Sy_Sable says, "good choice for a song."
Gryph gives Giles and ArchTeryx wingsnugs as he steps up.
Foster says, "Very much."
Sslaxx whispers, "Thank you." to you.
Gryph says, "I knew and worked with Anne McCaffrey often and I can tell you, she would have liked that gesture very much. Good job. Good job."
Gryph takes his position to speak.
Gryph says, "I apologize that I can not stay longer, due to travel commitments. I am here as Gryph, the first gryphon character on FurryMuck. This was the character of mine that Manfred loved the most, brought back for this occasion."
Gryph says, "Manfred was a cast of thousands, with something around eighty thousand alts, each with ninety-plus morphs. I may be underestimating that amount."
Gryph says, "To the best of my recollection, every character that Manfred played was beloved to someone."
Gryph says, "I am of the age---disturbingly like a Matlock episode---where I get to use a phrase like to the best of recollection in conversation. I bring this up so I can explain some things about Manfred you may not have known. Like me, Manfred was one of the beginning players on FurryMucks first servers, in the early 1990s. To give you some perspective on what that was like, imagine the worst server lag you have experienced in the last ten years. Now imagine it happening between individual letters. Many of us then connected via acoustic couplers velcro-strapped to a hardline telephone handset. A pose could take a few minutes to show up on screen. There was a Muck-wide celebration when we hit 30 players online at once---which then, of course, crashed the Muck."
Gryph says, "That was a time when we were all innovators, because we had to come up with things to use, since it wasnt available anywhere else. That doesnt just mean code, it also meant manners, approaches and behaviors. Manfred created a lot of roleplaying style that echoes today, in what we all consider playing well. Probably, few knew of that before now, but we use his RPing methods all the time."
Gryph says, "Manfred lives on in many ways. My wife and I wrote a couple of popular urban fantasy books---one featuring a place called Furhold that had a bandstand, a foxtaur, a swish-tailed centaur, and others recognizable as FurryMuck wizzes if you were in the know---in which the kitsune character Foxtrot X-rays name is revealed to be Saski Berith. I did this painting, http://www.mediafire.com/view/hci2iz68a76zkmt/GryphTachyonBirthdayHug.jpg as a birthday present for Manfred, and I have had it in my professional portfolio ever since."
Gryph says, "Manfred was a good man. We were close, some times more than others, of course. He often looked to me for guidance on ethics, health, his social development, and how to handle his fears and disabilities. I taught him that, like me, we did not really have disabilities, we had circumstances. Problems are solved by quantifying the values within a context, and what might have been thought of by him despairingly, as crippling, was instead simply the circumstance a problem was framed by. I helped him through many a bad time, and I was his father figure when needed. With Manfred, I have lost both a friend and in many ways, a son. Twenty five years, it was."
Gryph pauses a moment.
Gryph says, "Manfreds family has asked me to design and construct his funereal urn, and the project is underway. The main vessel is thick glass, interior-metalized in gold-copper, with a vertical diamond pattern. It is a close match to how Manfred described Tachyons body color. The main vessel will be encased in a carrier of lathe-turned hardwood and hammered copper leaf. That is how it will be on the outside, but there is another important element."
Gryph says, "The interior of the vessel will be lined with tiny pictures of Manfreds characters and their friends, collaged digitally and printed in archival inks. We all understand how it is to maintain appearances to others while having multitudes of fantasies within ourselves. To the rest of the world, there will be the exterior as I described it, but inside, all the people that were important to Manfred, unseen by the rest of the world, will be there with him."
Gryph says, "For anyone who has pictures they would like included in the urns interior, please send them as attachments, as soon as is convenient, to the projects collection address, manfreds.home@gmail.com . Thank you for your time."
Gryph bows and backs away.
ArchTeryx coos, "A fine speech, Gryph. We thank you."
ArchTeryx coos, "Helmke will provide our next testimonial."
ArchTeryx coos, "For anyone else that wishes to come up and give me, please whisper to me so I may put you on the list."
ArchTeryx coos, "As a reminder, this is strictly optional...do not feel you must give one! But the floor is open to all who wish to. Please don't be afraid. You are among friends here."
Helmke steps up to the lectern and adjusts the microphone, the all white nine-tailed kitsune taking a deep breath before speaking, "Thank you all for coming. As I look out over this hilltop I see some people who measured their time knowing Manfred in what would encompasse almost the entirety of my life. I see many familiar faces, many I have known only by mention from him, and many more who are complete strangers. I am humbled by the turnout today."
Helmke speaks softly, "I first met him in early 2004, at the tender age of 19. I was your typical self-centered, and one might even say sociopathic, teenager. Here was this carefree, fun-loving person who had a certain ease about him that you just couldn't help but walk over and give a hug. It wasn't long after we met, that I lost my job, my first job, and during the interminable time with nothing else to occupy my mind, he helped to fill the empty with many laughs and much love."
Helmke speaks soflty, "It was over a year later, on December 9, 2005, that he formall submitted himself to me, with the permission of his master, Sslaxx. With the blessing of the green skunk, Berith became my submissive playmate, and many more hours were enjoyed in each others' company. As often happens in these types of things, fun soon turned to real affection, and it wasn't long before Manfred and I were in regular contact in real life. What followed over the next decade was a sharing of lives by which we both learned much of each other and of life."
Helmke speaks softly, "I would like to think to think that he learned much from me, but I gained much more knowing him. He was was and almost-infinitely patient. He had a terrific memory and loved all things science-fiction. This was a person who could quote entire episodes of The Twilight Zone or Star Trek, completely from memory. He was also the most obscessive audiophile I have ever known, and I had often given some grief over his choice in music. He never let me live down an off-hand slip I made one night, when he was incredulous that I had never heard of a band called 'The Police', when I mentioned that I had no interest a group that had 'faded into obscurity' likely before I was born. That became his favorite phrase to goad me with whenever I showed interest in anything old-fashioned."
Helmke speaks softly, "Well as our friendship progressed, fondness soon turned to true affection, and finally... love. We became romantically involved some five years ago, and nearly everyday we were in contact, making plans and the sort things you do when you're in love. As most of you know, last year in the United States, the Supreme Court ruled all bans on same sex marriage were unconstitutional, and in so doing made same sex marriage federally recognized. What most here may not have known, was that in August of this year, Manfred proposed to me. We were to be married when my relocation could be arranged. He was more than just my friend, my online love, my pet... he was my fiance. I'll miss you, dear. Ich liebe dich, mein Fuchs. Aufwiedersehen."
Helmke steps down.
ArchTeryx nods. "A moving tribute, Helmke."
Gryph says, "Well spoken Helmke and I feel for you, I do. And rejoice in how he made you feel."
ArchTeryx coos, "Our next testimonials, in order, will be Sslaxx, Klondike, BoingDragon, Shadow, and Drac. Sslaxx, the floor is yours."
Sslaxx smiles. "Thank you. This'll be brief, I think, not least because it's 2.20am for me. But I had to be here. I could never have not been here."
Foster mmph's softly. "Oh dear..."
Foster stands up, and pads over to hug Helmke. Tight.
Sslaxx hisses, "March 26th 2004 is a date that is forever stuck in my head. The earliest day I remember meeting Berith. The first day I remember meeting Berith. And, well, so much changed. Berith shone a light into my life that I had no idea I had been lacking."
Sslaxx hisses, "Berith's love of music, to me, manifested itself in his discussion and knowledge of valves. That is always something that struck me about Berith. And without Berith's support through some truly dark times, 2009 and 2010, I'm not sure if I would be here today."
Sslaxx hisses, "I loved hearing about Berith's knowledge of intricacy, such as valves and with clockworks and clock making. And Berith's playfulness was always something that I loved, amongst so much else. In many ways Berith was my inspiration, and directly or indirectly fuelled ideas and imagination. And not just that, but loved to explore themes too, to explore ideas. Berith had a mind that worked in a way that I adored."
Gryph whispers, "I just hope that mailbox fills up with pictures." to you.
Foster whispers, "Foster very much apologizes -- his player needs to go and take care of some work related business. He hugs you all, and thanks you for a beautiful memorial. Bright blessings." to Helmke, Sy_Sable, Shaterri, you and Gryph.
Foster winks out of sight in the sparkling glow of a space/time rift.
Sslaxx hisses, "And here, there are some who I didn't realise knew Berith - like Amber, or Chrys, or Klondike. It's a revelation to know."
Sslaxx hisses, "Berith was my rock. Berith was many things to me, as I know I were to Berith. Being Berith's master is, perhaps, too simplistic to use as a term. I'm not really sure how to describe it all. But Berith's loss is a great, gaping hole in my heart. One I loved, so much. Who I trusted more than any other. Who, I hope, trusted me as much as I trusted them. One who, above all else, I wanted to see happy."
Sslaxx hisses, "So much surprised me about Berith. Berith's love of fish and chips, and British beer. Interest in the UK."
Sslaxx hisses, "And Berith helped me when I was low. And to my eternal regret, now I can never repay Berith for that. Berith was a piece of my soul."
ArchTeryx smiles. "I think you already have, Sslaxx."
Sslaxx hisses, "Berith may have called me Master, but it was truly they who called the shots, because Berith held my heart."
Sslaxx hisses, "I am honoured to have known Berith. Truly, Berith was more to me than they may ever have realised - perhaps even more than I did, too."
Sslaxx hisses, "To me, Berith was many things. But most importantly, Berith was one I loved. And Berith was one I took joy in calling friend."
Sslaxx hisses, "I just want to honour that, as best I can. And to help others to honour that too, if I can."
Sslaxx hisses, "I think I am done now. Thank you."
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you, Sslaxx. Another moving tribute to one that knew Berith very well indeed."
ArchTeryx coos, "Klondike, you're up next."
Klondike sez, "Thank you."
Klondike steps up to the mike.
Klondike sez, "sad to say,Ireally didn't know Manfred all that well. Arch introduces him to me as Mishasable when I joined the flock. I do remember him as someone who coluld go with me tit for tat when it came to being silly, but a lot of the things I've heard tonight are news to me. So I see I have missed out on a lot."
Klondike sez, "This is someone who could remain cheerful and helpful through great tribulations. This is obviously a fur to be remembered, praised and emulated. So, in his memory, I am making a vow."
Klondike sez, "Many of you of my own problems stemming from my RL wife's illness. And you've heard me moaning about my problems. And I, myself am not in any physical pain pain or disability. Therefore, in Berith's memory, I intend to do my damndest to get rid of my workshirt, put aeway my 12 string guitar and cut off whiskey bottle neck, and stop singing the blues!"
BoingDragon grins.
ArchTeryx smiles. "We all have to sing the blues sometimes, old friend, as long as we don't become a blues traveler."
Sslaxx hisses, "Sometimes, it's good not to sing alone."
Sslaxx never felt like he was doing so with Berith.
Bleu churrs, "It is important to let off that steam sometimes, Klondike."
Gryph says, "I appreciate your feelings on this, Klondike."
Klondike sez, "When this memorial is over, I intend to go home like the old Dixieland bands would go home from a funeral. With joyful music in my heart. Probably the one Dixieland tune with a furry title, "Muskrat Ramble":)"
Faeberry never knew Berith... Which feels like shi missed a load, though shi had a lot of contacts with Tachyon moreso...
Klondike smiles with tears in his eyes. "That's all from me".
Bleu offers Klondike a tissue.
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you very much, Klonnie. Listening to your heart is an important part of the healing."
Klondike sez, "Thanks, Blue."
ArchTeryx coos, "BoingDragon, the floor is yours."
Klondike nodnods to Arch.
Dragon kaflops out on his back unconsciously.
ArchTeryx coos, "After BoingDragon, we have Shadow, Drac, Sy_Sable, Kyreeth, and Tacet."
Sslaxx whispers, "Thank you for organising this." to you.
Shaterri smiles. "I fear that I really need to be off for the moment, and I do apologize for interrupting the flow to say as much. I just really want to say that this was a wonderful person, wonderfully celebrated, and while I'll hope to return later, if I don't, thank you all so very much for your time and your words and your thoughts and for this truly inspiring tribute."
You whisper, "You're very welcome." to Sslaxx.
Gryph says, "Cheers Shaterri, good to see you again."
Drac rumbles, "Be well."
Bleu churrs, "Bye, Shaterri"
ArchTeryx bows to Shaterri. "Thank YOU for coming here to help."
BoingDragon whews, and takes the podium. "Thinking back.. well, I came here on June 26, 1992. I was a very different person then.. in fact, I was that guy over there.." she says and points to Khryss. "I had just been living on my own for the first time and the loneliness was affecting me. I wasn't very social, and certainly not outgoing. A month later, on July 26, Sierra the firelizard invited me to attend a big even: the hatching of Click and Whirr_II's babies. I don't recall which of those was one of Manfred's, but I think it was Click."
ArchTeryx nods. "Click it was. Brings back many memories."
Sy_Sable smiles
BoingDragon recalls, "It was really well-attended. And the babies all had personalities based on the Seven Deadly Sins. I was given one of them, Invide, who was Envy. Khryss is still holding him. But also at the event, I saw a golden dragoness. Tachyon was the first female dragon I'd seen here. And I actually introduced myself, and she came home with me. Her eyes 'whorled' when she was interested in you. The next time we got together, our first 'date'.. lasted 8 hours. As Gryph said, things moved a bit slower then. Time was easy to lose track of. We did a lot of things, and talked, and sang to each other. Tachyon always knew the song I would quote, and would get it playing in the background. She woke me up, I suppose you could say. Opened me. Her cave is still there in my Grotto.. and I'll recreate it all from memory for her shrine."
You whisper, "Come talk to me some time. Berith spoke very highly of you and I'm always interested in meeting potential new friends and flockmates." to Sslaxx.
BoingDragon says, "I'm not the first to say how Tachyon could make you feel happy, and above all wanted. I owe a lot of who I've become to her early influence. Patience, caring.. being there for others when they needed support or reassurance. If I hadn't met her.. I don't know if I'd have become that on my own. Khryss holds the engagement ring we made for her, in December of that year. Next to him is Cymoryl. Cymoryl's player was my protoge in a lot of ways. But it was Tachyon that she chose to be her mother - one that she traveled back in time to meet with."
BoingDragon says, "My other close.. intimate.. friend at the time was Ravenscroft. When she met Tachyon.. she immediately tried to seduce her away from me. It didn't work out completely. It led to some interesting times though. And when I split off Khryss, Tachyon would also stick with me still, and we would occasionally find some poor fool and gang up on him. I think that might have been Stymnus one time? It's been 20 years..""
BoingDragon looks down a bit. "And there were periods where Tachyon's health just prevented her from being around. I met Manfred at Confurence though. I was his wheelchair motor for the whole thing! And at Fur-le-Dance that year we were both apparently the designated underwear targets of some of the performers."
Drac smiles.
Klondike grins:)
Helmke smiles.
BoingDragon says, "Manfred knew everyone of course. I sort of do now, but I don't think I've gotten quite as far as he did. I remember lounging in Gryph's place, hearing more old stories and such. I try to be happy and helpful and upbeat to everyone, and doing that.. I know why Manfred was like that. It's rewarding in ways that are just unique. And it can give you strength to be strong for others, so being strong for yourself is a little bit easier."
BoingDragon says, "So I guess I'll just keep being strong for Tachyon then too. Thanks for listening and coming.."
Sslaxx hisses, "Thank you, Boing."
BoingDragon steps down.
Gryph says, "Manfred liked that phrase of ours, "pain shared is pain halved." Boing you have always been an ace to me and you carry on Manfred's traditions so very well."
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you, BoingDragon. We have to be strong for each other, for that's what gets us through life's hard times."
Klondike hugs BoingDragon! Boing embraces Klondike, rubbing her tail against his back and pecking him on the cheek.
BoingDragon snugs Gryph, really glad he could come.
ArchTeryx coos, "Shadow, you're up next."
ArchTeryx coos, "The floor is yours, old friend."
Bleu hugs BoingDragon! Boing embraces Bleu, rubbing her tail against his back and pecking him on the cheek.
Sslaxx murrs.
ArchTeryx coos, "We'll give Shadow a couple of minutes; in the interest of moing things along, Drac, you'll go next if he has not returned."
Shadow sighs and steps up. "I told Arch earlier this evening that I didn't know if I could stand up here and do this. The feeling when he gave me the news was as if the bottom had fallen out of the world..I drove close to 800 miles this weekend because I had to get away.. As with Gryph and others, I met Berith back in the early days of lag-o-meters and internet weather reports, I have a hard time thinking of exactly when that was, would have to be around '92.."
Squirrelly chatters, "Hello!"
Faeberry wakes up and yawns- "W... where am I? WHEN am I? " he screams.
Faeberry 's eyes glow of a deep red. Suddenly, he lays curled and begins to be wrapped in a stasis sphere.... He's gone in time...
Squirrelly whispers, "Squirrelly hugs, "Thanks and yes I see that now! I thought might be here after it was mostly over already."" to you.
Shadow says, "Berith was one of the sweetest people I've ever known, I'm not sure if there is any other word for it..we were so young back then, and I had a lot of things to figure out..I had a very bad past that I was working through, and Berith was one of the key people that helped me give me a foundation to build on with his love and caring.. He would refer to me as his 'First One' from time to time, something that I dearly treasure to this day.. I remember a dark time in my life, when my player sat on the side of the bed, a loaded pistol in his lap, when Berith was a bright point in his life, someone that he couldn't hurt when he no longer cared about hurting himself.""
Shadow says, "When I lost work and lost home, he kept me online by sending equipent that I couldn't afford, something that truely helped me survive, and grow. Over the last few years, I let myself drift away, from a lot of people, Berith included..There are no words to say how much I regret that now..and how much I miss him..and that I can't tell him how much I love him.. I think that that is all I'm going to be able to get out right now."
Klondike winces, then gives Shadow a warrm hug.
Helmke walks north, down the hill.
Shadow hugs Arch tightly, "Thanks for doing this, dear."
ArchTeryx coos, "We never truly appreciate what we have until it is gone. It is, I fear, part of the human condition."
Bleu hugs Squirrelly! "Gosh!" he sez, almost blushing, "I hardly even know the fella!"
Sslaxx hisses, "Such is the way of humanity, sadly."
ArchTeryx coos, "You are very welcome, Shadow."
ArchTeryx coos, "Drac, the floor is now yours."
Klondike nodnods and sighs:(
Gryph says, "We'll have your back in his place, for him, Shadow. Can't replace Manfred but we can continue his spirit."
Drac sets his charges to where he was sitting, and ruffles their muzzles, before taking the center.
Drac rumbles, "Berith... was many things, and from what I am hearing, more than I knew."
Faeberry is afraid shi needs to head to bed...
Drac rumbles, "From first meeting him during the 'dozen-is-many' time here, he made a considerable impression... and after meeting physically at ConFURence 8, I cam to know him as exceedingly special. His primary purpose in life appeared always to cause others to feel better, and smile; and to know that someone cared."
Drac rumbles, "(By all means, good Faeberry; our thanks for attending)"
Faeberry bows politely again, and wishes everyone well.
Faeberry winks out of sight in the sparkling glow of a space/time rift.
Drac rumbles, "Berith was not afraid to be silly, and to enjoy life, e'en when near-always in pain himself; he found ways to cause that pain to fade, in his causing others to forget theirs... and in many cases, heal."
You quick-mail "Thank you very much for attending. The log will be made available soon of the whole ceremony." to Faeberry
Drac smiles. "Many times I called Berith a silly foxling... and so sie was! But silly by design, with intent to cause the lifting of hearts. I cannot recall a less selfish person; for that matter, foxy was loyal to a fault, when an allegiance of heart was forged. We have heard how he was continually aiding others (often, I suspect, ignoring his own troubles), so I shall not drag the subject on. I shall say only this of our dear friend and companion: foxy, ye took residence in many hearts, and are part of us yet; you shall be so, so long as we all shall live, and thereby still be with us. Wherever ye may be, I hope that it has butterflies to chase, friends to make, and warm sunlit meadows to roll in. You have been, and shall ever be, much-loved.
Drac mrfs. "That is perhaps all that I am able to say." He moves back to his seat, to take again his charges into his lap and squeeze each in an arm.
ArchTeryx smiles. "Thank you very much, Drac. You said enough for you, and that's what's important."
Sslaxx murrs.
ArchTeryx coos, "Sy_Sable, the floor is now yours. We have four more testimonials."
Sy_Sable says, "Thank you, Arch."
Sslaxx snugs tight and heads to bed.
Sslaxx hisses, "Night."
Amber hugs Sslaxx! Sslaxx hissmurrs and returns the hug.
ArchTeryx hugs Sslaxx good night. Thank you for staying so late and for your testimonial.
Sslaxx hisses, "Welcome."
Sslaxx hisses, "Night."
Squirrelly smiles.
Sslaxx puts on his pyjamas. [MORPH]
Sslaxx falls asleep.
Helmke speaks softly, "Shayla sends hugs to all, and is sorry that she can't make it, she's working the Halloween event at FLD."
Klondike thinks he'll be calling it a night as well.
Bleu hugs Klondike!
Warphammer hugs too.
Sslaxx is automatically sent home.
Chrys says, "Goodnight, Klonnie.."
Klondike sez, "I thank you, Arch, for having such a moving ceremony."
ArchTeryx gives Klondike a big hug. "Rest well, old friend. The log will be available soon."
Klondike huggles around and marches home singing...."They're gonna play...that...musk...rat...ramblin' tune......."
ArchTeryx coos, "My apologies, Sy, for stealing the floor from you for a bit. Please continue."
Klondike winks out of sight in the sparkling glow of a space/time rift.
Sy_Sable says, "Later Berith returned the favor by creating companions for my other characters. He was always willing to give of himself for others happiness. In 1992, we had a chance to offer Berith a shared room at the World Science Fiction convention in Orlando. This may have been his first time at a convention, and my partner, rod and I were happy to give him a chance to experiance it. I belive it helped his confidence, becasue he traveled to other conventions, even ConFurence."
Sy_Sable says, "Later Berith returned the favor by creating companions for my other characters. He was always willing to give of himself for others happiness. In 1992, we had a chance to offer Berith a shared room at the World Science Fiction convention in Orlando. This may have been his first time at a convention, and my partner, rod and I were happy to give him a chance to experiance it. I belive it helped his confidence, becasue he traveled to other conventions, even ConFurence."
Sy_Sable says, "I particulaly like his robotic firelizard, Click. Besides creating amazing characters, Berith was an excellent worldbuilder. One night, out of a fondness for Click, I created Whir, a companion for Click. I followed Berith's lead on how to play an AI that was learning about being alive. It was different form any other RP I had ever done, and I loved it."
Sy_Sable says, "I am very sorry for my messages being out of order. It's been a long time since I have been on a muckl."
ArchTeryx coos, "That's okay, Sy. I can order them in the log later."
( (Never a worry. The thought is what comes through.) )
Sy_Sable says, "I was very happy to build a set of my speakers for Berith's HiFi system. I knew he loved music, and it was nice to share my love of listening with him."
Sy_Sable says, "I eventually drifted away from the mucks, and lost track of many good friends, Berith being on of the best. I am reminded of the end of the book/film Charlotte's Web, when it is said that the memories that you have of someone important in your life will casue them to live on. Hearing what has been said today makes me sure that Berith will live in us all for a very long time."
Sy_Sable says, "thank you for this oppertunity, Archteryx."
Sy_Sable steps down.
ArchTeryx coos, "You're welcome, Sy. Thank YOU."
Gryph says, "Very nicely put."
ArchTeryx coos, "We have an addition to the list, who will be going next due to his need for work tomorrow. Giles/Paris, the floor is yours."
Paris nods and takes hir place at the lecturn.
Paris chirps, "First I'd like to give my thanks to everyone that could make it here to join this rememberance, and especially to those that wanted to be here but couldn't make it. It is very touching to see all the threads of friends and relationships that exist here."
Paris chirps, "I'm sad at the fact that didn't know all that much about my Misha as I could have. I only got to know my one little piece. But to learn that shi touched so many lives and did so much for so many, how can that not make me glad? I have few stories to add, but doubleboilers and watermelons will always hold special meanings."
Paris chirps, "My advice going forward? Keep those family and friends you hold dear close to you. Make sure they know that you love them. The road ahead is unknown and you never know with the next turn if someone you care about will no longer be there."
Paris chirps, "Godspeed to you, my dearest woozle and love. Set your course, second star to the right..."
Helmke walks north, down the hill.
Paris chokes up and can't continue, turning from the lecturn and returning back to hir seat.
ArchTeryx gives Paris a big hug. "Thank you for that, Paris."
ArchTeryx coos, "Kreggan, you're up next. The floor is now yours."
Kreggan steps up to the podium quietly.
Kreggan chuurps, "It's not often I say much these days, but I will to remember Berith, and to thank you all for coming today, to remember Manfred. He was a good friend to me, and I'm sure, all of you."
Kreggan chuurps, "I first met him amongst the first people I met on the muck, in the early 90s, acquaintances and then closer friends of late. He was always overjoyed to see any of his friends, and talk, and share himself with them, and their lives. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him, as an amazing person with a tremendous spirit. I feel privileged to have known him, and will miss him greatly."
Kreggan steps back, and hugs Arch before returning to her seat.
ArchTeryx smiles. "An eagle of few words, but they always are worth listening to. Thank you for that, Kreggan."
ArchTeryx coos, "Tacet, you are second to last. The floor is now yours."
Paris jumps between...
Tacet whispers, "working on it" to you.
ArchTeryx coos, "JayTee, go ahead. Tacet is still working on her's."
JayTee gets up from where shi sat and pads over to the podium, holding hir hat in hir paws.
JayTee says, "It's a little hard for me to come up with something tonight... and not just because it hasn't already been said by someone else. I can't say that I knew Manfred as long, or maybe even as well as some others. I do know that we first met back around the time when I had met Drac, him as Berith, and myself under the fursona of Milgrove. This was around the time when TimeScape was just about up and running."
JayTee says, "I did have the pleasure of even meeting him at a couple of conventions, the first being Albany Anthrocon. I remember wheeling Manfred along the streets there as well. Even had the honor of meeting his parents... I still feel saddened that they have to bury their son. No parents should ever have to do that."
JayTee says, "But Manfred... you can tell he took after his folks. Always helpful, even if it's just to lend an ear, or just talk about anything and nothing at all. Heck, had I known some things then that I know now, I would have even tried to tell Helmke to just say the word 'greasy' to Manfred, and then watch that kitsune try to compose himself."
JayTee says, "I think that regardless of what kind of relationship Manfred had to each of us online, in some way, Manfred was (and still is in some respect) family, even in RL."
JayTee says, "I still haven't been the same when I got the message on the phone, but then I probably never was same after meeting him in the first place, and I feel all the richer for that chance."
JayTee says, "And to borrow a quote: And that's all I have to say about that."
ArchTeryx smiles and nods.
JayTee bows hir head and pads back over to where shi sat with Drac and Mikcat.
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you very much, JayTee."
Squirrelly smiles and applauds, "Definitely family."
ArchTeryx coos, "Yes. Definitely family."
ArchTeryx coos, "Tacet, are you ready?"
Tacet nods.
ArchTeryx coos, "Okay, mate. The floor is yours."
Tacet hops up to the podium and clears her throat, her nose twitching as she speaks. "Thank you all for coming to this remenberance for a near and dear friend. There are many of you I know through the furry community, but I didn't realize you too knew him. I knew Manfred best as MishaSable here. I was the one he called with affection "Big B bunny", as opposed to my real life pet Alex, called "Little b bunny". I am also the one that started the "doubleboiler" (if men are microwaves and women are crockpots, then herms are doubleboilers!) I met him in late 2006, as much as one can through the phone and through Skype, and was struck by how warm and friendly his voice was. He sounded so much like Sterling Holloway in life. I often called him to keep him company late at night till he dropped off, and I would call to cheer him up at the hosptial."
Helmke nods, to Tacet and has a little Sterling Holloway stoory when she's finished.
Tacet nosequivers, "Sadly, we never did meet in real life.... We exchanged gifts through the mail, from a snowglobe that two of his favorite things married (dolphin in an egg globe) to homemade fudge, to computers, to old cameras like my vintage german Bellows camera my grandfather kept with him during WW2. He was an audiophile, a computer nerd, a smart cookie, and a friend. Memories are what hold someone alive in your heart after someone can't be there anymore in person. One of my favorite memories was when he laid bubblewrap on the floor and rolled over it with the wheelchair, sending his cat skittering over the slick linoelium flooring! And as a nod to his voice sounding like the Disney Winnie the Pooh, he actually sang to me "I'm just a little black rain cloud"."
Drac smiles.. he recalls foxy giggling maniacally when told that he should apply to be backup voice-actor for the Pooh-bear..
Trauma nods, that would be amusingly accurate.
Gryph shares, weirdly appropriately, his RL music shuffle just played "Sodomy" from "Meet The Feebles."
Khryss snurks.
Drac gahs.
Warphammer chuckles.
ArchTeryx dear, dears.
Drac rumbles, "(Apologies; the hour is such that I must depart...)"
BoingDragon snugs Drac goodnight.
Gryph says, "Good to see you Drac."
ArchTeryx coos, "It's okay, Drac. We're nearly done anyway. Thank you very much for coming."
Tacet nosequivers, "I only knew him for 9 years, others have known him longer, but I feel enriched that I knew this wonderful person. And I am saddened that cancer cut his life short and took him from us before we could tell him how much we have to thank him for. But for all he did accomplish in life, everyone that he has touched with his presence, we thank you. He was one of my close friends, someone I could depend on. Someone HE could depend on when he needed cheering up to make him laugh halfway out of his wheelchair!"
Squirrelly chatters, "Take care!"
Gryph smiles. He gives Tacet approval.
Tacet nosequivers, "Thank you, Manfred. Godspeed to you, my doubleboiler."
Drac folds leathery wings about himself until they are all that is seen; they then shrink rapidly away until they disappear.
ArchTeryx hugs Tacet. "Thank you for that, my mate. I think Berith would have smiled to hear that from you."
Helmke can relate his story now?
Umeko must also depart soon. Late for her and work looms in a few hours. Thank you for allowing me to be here.
Trauma says, "I think Berith liked finding reasons to smile, including giving others good reasons to smile."
ArchTeryx coos, "We've got one final testimonial to go through. Trauma is last."
ArchTeryx hugs Umeko. Thank you very much for attending.
Trauma walks on up to the podium. "Hrmmm..."
Squirrelly smiles.
BoingDragon snugs Umeko.
Bleu pats Squirrelly!
Trauma says, "I got to know Manfred as Tachyon, back in the 90s here on the mucks. A bad time for me, among all the sarcasm, the closed cliques, I found Tachyon. Warm, open, and friendly, I recall Tach as being happy. There are a few familiar faces here, some of whom I've found make me feel welcome, when most don't. Tachyon always made me feel wanted."
Trauma says, "Eventually I was also introduced to Berith, and a few other names. I can't say that I'll likely ever be as kind hearted as Manfred, nor as open and welcoming, but I am at least a slightly better and kinder person just from what time I could share with him. There aren't any words for the loss his passing has brought. All I can say is that without him, the world would have been a little darker for a lot of people. But the world is a little brighter and happier from his presence."
Trauma steps back down.
Squirrelly smiles and nods. Tachyon is who he mostly knew as well.
Trauma only wishes there had been more time.
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you very much, Trauma."
ArchTeryx coos, "If there are no testimonials, then I will step up to offer a few closing words."
Helmke does have a couple humorous stories?
ArchTeryx coos, "Sure, Helmke. Go ahead."
Helmke nods, "So, hopefully one or both of these will bring a smile to some faces tonight."
BoingDragon hopes so! }:)
Trauma wanders on over to Sy, nosing the marten. Rrf.
Helmke speaks softly, "As many of you know, Manfred had both a disability and an injury which kept him a wheelchair much of the time. Also, he often had to go to the hospital for one reason or another. Because of those frequent trips, he came to loathe hospitals, and often had to break the tedium by having a bit of fun... at the staff's expense."
Sy_Sable churrrs and hugs Trauma
Trauma nods. He remembers after a spider bite, sickness seemed quite frequent afterward.
Trauma yips and squeezes on Sy, nosign at Marten ears. He used to be Holtz, by the way.
Gryph says, "Thank you. I am glad I could stay for this."
Helmke nods to Trauma, "Right, a brown recluse bite on his foot that made getting around very difficult. Well, at one time he was in the hospital because of an infection in his foot, and when they served him lunch, he got apple juice with his meal."
Trauma salivates.
Trauma gets foxdrool on Sy.
Helmke speaks softly, "He wasn't very thirst at mealtime, and he didn't want the nurse to take the juice with his tray, so he hid it in his bedding."
Helmke speaks softly, "This nurse comes in at some ungodly hour, it was still dark outside, and demands a urine sample from 'mister Praaaanj', totally massacring his last name."
Helmke speaks softly, "So she hands him the specimen cup and closes the curtain to give him some privacy, and he decides to have a bit of fun. He take sout the apple juice and pours some of into the cup, then hides the bottle again."
Squirrelly smirks already.
Helmke speaks softly, "She opens the curtain and holds up the specimen cup to the light, says 'huh... it looks a bit cloudy today'."
Helmke can't help but grin at this point, "Before she can stop him, he snatches back the specimen jar and says 'oh here, let me filter it through one more for you!' and he DRINKS it!"
ArchTeryx coos, "Yep, definitely sounds like the Manfred I knew and love."
Helmke is trying not to laugh, "The nurse's eyes go like O_O and she goes pelting down the hallway to the nuses' station, comes running back with the RN, and by this time he's in tears he's guffawing so hard! Traumatized that poor intern."
Squirrelly chatters, "Eww, hospital cafeteria apple juice. Even worse. ;-)"
BoingDragon laughs... but also ewwwwws! Heh.
Helmke grins, "And there's the other story, that Tacet reminded me of.."
ArchTeryx coos, "Some nurses just need to be trolled. Being a veteran of many hospital stays, I can testify to that too."
Squirrelly chatters, "Also would have been awesome to let her take it and see what the results came back as. :-)"
Tacet nosequivers, "I always told him you don't stop laughing when you grow old...... you grow old when you stop laughing. And yes, he never grew old."
Helmke speaks softly, "For those who hadn't met him, Manfred sounds a lot like Sterling Holloway, especially over the phone. Holloway was the voice actor who did Winnie the Pooh and Kaa from the Jungle Book (who Manfred admitted terrified him as a child), among other things."
ArchTeryx coos, "Yes. It was one of the first things I said when I first heard his voice. He was a dead ringer for Sterling Holloway."
Squirrelly has had apple juice at the hospital before. Figured as bad as hospital food is, how can you mess up apple juice. Well, then could. :-)
Trauma has a creepy voice, RL. :<
Squirrelly chatters, "Never got to meet or hear him RL, unfortunately. Just here on FM."
Tacet nosequivers, "Thought Holloway also did the stork in Dumbo and Lambert the Sheepish Lion, too?"
Helmke speaks softly, "About seven or eight years ago, my neice was 5 years old, and absolutely obscessed with Winnie the Pooh. So Manfred and I cooked up a little birthday surprise, and I had him call my parents' house during the party."
Bleu churrs, "Aww"
Helmke grins, "I picked up the phone, and told my neice that she had a phone call, there was someone who wanted to talk to her."
Helmke giggles, "Oh... my... GOD! She freaked when she heard his voice, screaming 'I knew you were real! I just knew it!'. I couldn't hear his end of the conversation, but he had her squealing with laughter!"
Cymoryl giggles.
Trauma smiles.
Tacet nosequivers, "That sounds like something he'd do, yes! grins"
Squirrelly chuckles and smiles, "A wonderful gift. :-)"
ArchTeryx coos, "He made a very good Pooh Bear on general principles."
BoingDragon says, "Had the same sort of glowing complexion to my memory."
Tacet nosequivers, "You need to replace the hunny pot with Nutella, though"
Helmke remembers often talking to him on the phone, he would randomly start singing 'I'm Just a Little Black Rain Cloud', and it would give me gigglefits thinking about my niece.
ArchTeryx steps up to the podium.
Squirrelly smiles.
ArchTeryx coos, "I will close the ceremony by a last few words."
ArchTeryx coos, "I will say that even having known Manfred for 25 years, you have opened my eyes to him in a way I never dreamed possible. I am very sorry that I didn't know him as well as some of you did in life, but you did a fine job of helping me be the Speaker for the Dead today."
Squirrelly nods and softly applauds, "Yes a wonderful ceremony, thank you."
ArchTeryx coos, "The traditional Mexican culture believes, as part of the Dia de los Muertos, that the spirits who are remembered live in a colorful paradise, and only those that are totally forgotten fade away."
Trauma regrets now approaching Manfred at the con where he noticed his namebadge.
ArchTeryx coos, "I don't think Berith's is in much danger of ever being forgotten amongst you all, his Flock, his friends and loved ones."
Gryph says, "We are the Unpaid Smartass Commentators for the Dead, and Manfred would've loved this, and heckled it adorably."
Warphammer grins widely.
Squirrelly smiles, "Hear hear. :-)"
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you all for coming here today, and staying through the ceremony. As a last note, if you wish to leave remembrances here, you may. I eventually will gather them into a memorial to sit atop Squirrel Hill."
ArchTeryx bows to all of you in a traditional 'teryx curtsey, going down on a knee and sweeping his wings forward.
Gryph says, "For anyone who has pictures they would like included in the urns interior, please send them as attachments, as soon as is convenient, to the projects collection address, manfreds.home@gmail.com . Send dozens if you want."
ArchTeryx coos, "Thank you all again. You may stay and talk as late as you like; the ceremony and log are now closed."
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Logging Stopped: 10-21-2015 12:17:24 AM
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