skin, bone, and arrogance
[member="Maximilian Jens"] | [member="Gerion Ardik"] | [member="Ludolf Vaas"]
It was a warm, clear morning in the capital of the First Order when Anteny Goldberg (of Billingham, Goldberg, Hammerstein & Templeton) scheduled the reading of Natasi Fortan's last will and testament. Sioux Chambers was the first to arrive at the late Moff's apartment, spanning the top two floors of one of the more exclusive buildings in the city. Sioux unlocked the doors to the penthouse and looked inside. It was her first time inside her onetime boss's home; it was surprisingly modern -- black wood polished floor, sleek paneling, with furniture in clean lines and cream upholstery. Sioux didn't know what she was expecting, but this wasn't it.
It was also shockingly neat, from what Sioux could see. There were no dishes in the sink or on the counter, no papers on the tables or desks, no clothes strewn across the bedroom or in the washing machine (because you'd better believe Sioux looked). The only thing that wasn't perfect was the short vase of lilies on the table in the foyer, which had long-since died, and whose water had stagnated. Sioux picked them up, took them into the kitchen, and dumped the flowers, washed the vase, and turned on the coffee maker just in time for the attorney to arrive.
The doors were opened, and so were the communicator lines in the library, so that those who were invited to attend but were not able to make it in person could zap in using the holocommunicator. Anteny Goldberg was a portly and elderly man who had never much cared for Natasi personally, but was making the effort of looking at least somewhat dejected. Sioux took a seat near the back of the library and took small notepad out, so that she could arrange to execute the disposition of the will after it was read. Already she had several cartons, each clearly labeled with a name of the beneficiary.
"Are we ready to begin?" rumbled Goldberg. Without waiting for a response he went on: "Very well." Clearing his throat, he took one last sip of his coffee before he began, not looking up to verify if anyone was present or listening. "I, Natasi Josephine Fortan, on this date being of sound mind and body, do declare this document (and any attendant codicils, appendixes, or ancillary documents) to be my Last Will and Testament. I revoke all wills, codicils, appendices, or ancillary documents I have previously made.
I appoint Anteny Goldberg to be the Executor of my will and request that he be permitted to do so without court supervision with the posting of appropriate bond. If Anteny Goldberg is unwilling or unable to serve as Executor of my will, I appoint Sioux Chambers to serve as the Executrix of my will and request that she be permitted to do so without court supervision and without the requirement to post bond.
I hereby direct my Executor to pay out of my residuary estate all of the expenses of my last illness, administration expenses, legally enforceable creditor claims, estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and any other charges imposed as a result of my death without seeking reimbursement from, or charging, any person for any part of the taxes and charges paid. If direct my Executor to seek to reimburse, to the extent that he is able, the First Order for the cost of any state or ceremonial funeral expenses.
I hereby direct my Executor to make the following gifts and bequests:
To Maximilian Jens, Earl of Herevan, solely to form a part of the Herevan Estate:
It was a warm, clear morning in the capital of the First Order when Anteny Goldberg (of Billingham, Goldberg, Hammerstein & Templeton) scheduled the reading of Natasi Fortan's last will and testament. Sioux Chambers was the first to arrive at the late Moff's apartment, spanning the top two floors of one of the more exclusive buildings in the city. Sioux unlocked the doors to the penthouse and looked inside. It was her first time inside her onetime boss's home; it was surprisingly modern -- black wood polished floor, sleek paneling, with furniture in clean lines and cream upholstery. Sioux didn't know what she was expecting, but this wasn't it.
It was also shockingly neat, from what Sioux could see. There were no dishes in the sink or on the counter, no papers on the tables or desks, no clothes strewn across the bedroom or in the washing machine (because you'd better believe Sioux looked). The only thing that wasn't perfect was the short vase of lilies on the table in the foyer, which had long-since died, and whose water had stagnated. Sioux picked them up, took them into the kitchen, and dumped the flowers, washed the vase, and turned on the coffee maker just in time for the attorney to arrive.
The doors were opened, and so were the communicator lines in the library, so that those who were invited to attend but were not able to make it in person could zap in using the holocommunicator. Anteny Goldberg was a portly and elderly man who had never much cared for Natasi personally, but was making the effort of looking at least somewhat dejected. Sioux took a seat near the back of the library and took small notepad out, so that she could arrange to execute the disposition of the will after it was read. Already she had several cartons, each clearly labeled with a name of the beneficiary.
"Are we ready to begin?" rumbled Goldberg. Without waiting for a response he went on: "Very well." Clearing his throat, he took one last sip of his coffee before he began, not looking up to verify if anyone was present or listening. "I, Natasi Josephine Fortan, on this date being of sound mind and body, do declare this document (and any attendant codicils, appendixes, or ancillary documents) to be my Last Will and Testament. I revoke all wills, codicils, appendices, or ancillary documents I have previously made.
I appoint Anteny Goldberg to be the Executor of my will and request that he be permitted to do so without court supervision with the posting of appropriate bond. If Anteny Goldberg is unwilling or unable to serve as Executor of my will, I appoint Sioux Chambers to serve as the Executrix of my will and request that she be permitted to do so without court supervision and without the requirement to post bond.
I hereby direct my Executor to pay out of my residuary estate all of the expenses of my last illness, administration expenses, legally enforceable creditor claims, estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and any other charges imposed as a result of my death without seeking reimbursement from, or charging, any person for any part of the taxes and charges paid. If direct my Executor to seek to reimburse, to the extent that he is able, the First Order for the cost of any state or ceremonial funeral expenses.
I hereby direct my Executor to make the following gifts and bequests:
To Maximilian Jens, Earl of Herevan, solely to form a part of the Herevan Estate:
- The portrait of my mother and father, the Earl and Countess of Herevan, which hangs in my personal study. I ask that you see it hangs in a place of honor at Herevan Hold and is occasionally cleaned and restored as needed.
- The Esperell Fulcrum. My mother was a practitioner of the Cosmic Balance and her family recorded important dates -- births, marriages, deaths, etc. -- in their copy of the scripture. This book has nearly three centuries of Esperell and Fortan history, and I bequeath it to the estate, that it may continue to serve as a record and guidance for any who seek to pursue balance.
- Any and all books which I have removed from Herevan's library, which may have belonged to myself or my mother. They must be restored to their place at Herevan Hold.
- Platinum frame containing photograph of myself and my brother Mathes.
- Engraved platinum pen and pencil, and desktop holder.
- My bespoke leather desk set and accessories, including (but not limited to): blotter, day planner, portfolio, inbox/outbox set, Grand High Whatever deskplate, banker's lamp.
- My set of Galactic Common Law reference books
- Sealed letter addressed to him, top left drawer of my desk.
- Galaxy projector map; it's not too late.
- Crystal decanter and bar set. It was my hope that we might share drinks from this set in the future, but I suspect it was not meant to be.
- Scale model of the capital city plans, in case I die before my plans are realized.
- The jet and pearl Balance brooch I wore at Skye; after your bravery and quick thinking there, it would be wrong to see it in the hands of another.
- Sealed letter addressed to him, top right drawer of my desk.
- Key to penthouse
- The sum of twenty-five thousand credits, and the thanks of a grateful family
- My silver fox fur stole, the furrier tag for which you will find in the envelope addressed to you in the top left drawer of my desk.
- My mink coat, the furrier tag for which you will find in the envelope addressed to you in the top left drawer of my desk.
- My diamond earrings
- The sum of ten thousand credits
- The deed to my penthouse, in hopes that the First Order will put it to use as the residence of the highest-ranking, or longest-serving, Moff.
- My shuttle, for same.
- 50% to any child of my body, or if I have multiple children, among them equally.
- 25% to the First Order General Treasury with my best wishes
- 25% to a licensed and reputable charity, selected by my assistant Sioux Chambers, which shall provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged persons.