R. I. P. Duke of Clubs

It's been over five hours since I heard the news, and this is the first chance I've actually had a chance to say something about it. With as much death and horror that goes on here, I think people become detached from the reality that people actually do suffer; that people do die. That thought is, without a doubt, the most terrifying thing to the living, and when all is said and done, people die. However, that is also detached, since I think everyone here, and everyone that's alive, always tells themselves, "It won't be me or any of my friends or family." I honestly feel it takes a tragedy like this to realize just how fragile and weak life is.

However, my words mean nothing in this thread... but, as I sit here in tears finally able to actually cry for the first time all day, I recall a long period of history, starting with the IC thread, one of em, and Reluctant Alliance X 2 where Duke and I had our first battle. As I sit here and look back, I smile, but at the same time, my heart aches more, since I know that those days are now gone. I'll never have a battle with the man that I knew was better then me, both as a person and a writer.

I've known him a much shorter time then Aiko, Awkin and KD, so I won't say anything about how absolutely heartbroken this makes me, since I know whatever I feel is unscalably worse for them. I'm not going to say that the pain I feel is anything like that of the people that truly knew him. But I will say that I've lost something very important to me in this.

When Duke and I were first made the best Rivalry in the BA, I can't say I wasn't overly enjoying that title, since the person I found myself matching wits with knew how to keep things interesting. After RA X2, I had asked Duke if he wanted to have a battle between Johnny and Zorlo, and I recall his words being something along the lines of, "That would be Splenderific" or something along those lines. I lament not saving that PM now, since it would be the start of an interesting relationship between Zorlo and Johnny.

In the first week of that battle, we amassed something like 23 posts or something, and things were good. That was the same week that some *******s decided, "Let's be cockstains and hack ZU and crash the server. Oh, we're so brilliant. God knows that no absolute and complete loser would do that." Even after we lost something like 14 posts from that day or week or whatever length of time it was, Duke and I still endured, even through another hack that luckily only got my redone post. As I sit here now thinking about it, I can't even get mad at the ****ers that did the hacking, because I become sad thinking back to when that battle had only started.

Eventually, after many days of waiting, the battle was back on track and we were finished before long. I recall PMing Duke after that, and congratulating him on the great battle, and talking about starting another one, and the first thing he told me was, "I think we need an RP, to make things more interesting." I smiled and laughed, knowing it was true. After that came Chinatown Rush. Above all else I can say that Duke and I had an uncanny way of trying to make sure the other couldn't get up, and that person always did.

Finally, the last, and possibly most brilliant thing that was suggested by Duke started. What Fate had In Store, looking back now, seems aptly named. My only real regret is that I hadn't started it earlier. I know, I probably sound stupid looking back on things, but when someone dies, all your left with are the memories of them. I'm sure that Duke's up somewhere in Heaven, probably looking down on us and feeling honored, the way he should.

I've lost my rival, and Zorlo's lost something more. In this, both Zorlo and I have lost a friend and a true challenger. As I sit here now and type, I know that for a long while, writing Zorlo won't be the same. His attachment to Johnny and my relation to Duke are too rounded by the two. Again, like Aiko said, you don't know how much you truly cherish someone until they're gone. Duke, I'll miss you, and I want to thank you. I realize now you've made me a better person, and rest in peace. Know that you'll be missed.

Originally Posted by Igna

Altamira, if it would not be too much to ask, could I see the sections of the novel that he sent? I've always known him as a great writer, and I know that it was something that meant a great deal to him.

Of course. I only wish that I had the whole thing--had I read and reviewed faster, maybe I would have... I remember him telling me spoilers and all as he was writing it, and cheering for him when he finished. Procrastinating...really comes back to get you sometimes.

I'll send you the ten chapters of it I do have tomorrow as soon as I return home from track conditioning. It'll be easier by email, if you don't mind. Please PM me your email address as soon as you can, if that's okay with you.

I really did think this thread was a joke at first, knowing that his character was...well...dead.

I really did wish it was a joke, but it isn't.

I never knew him that well, but every post of his was one that would make you laugh. It's...truly a loss that there won't be anymore great quotes coming from his keyboard.

We started an battle, Vitros and Bones...but the hackers interfered, and the battle was erased.

I...thought I had plenty of time to restart it one day when I was better, but now...I'll never be able to again.

I didn't know him, I didn't even know his real name. Yet...I'm almost crying.

Just proves how great and honorable he was to this BA...

Find peace Jared Griffis. *bows head* You will be missed.

Duke of Clubs, I never liked you. That's as honest as I can be. But I'm sad that you've passed. This site, this section, has lost someone that was devoted to it. We are now one man more quiet. Please, pass knowing that people are crying for you. Please, pass knowing that they're crying for you. Please, pass knowing that you will be remembered. It's more than many, including myself, can say they will pass knowing.

Omg, Duke is gone . . . . . no, thats horrible. He was too young to go, he never enjoyed lifes bounties. He will be missed deeply, and I only wish his death had not been so sudden. I pray for his family, and I hope they will be able to overcome such a tragic loss. Although, the loss of a loved one is a hard thing to get over, and no one will truely get over his death. I only wish I knew Duke better. I only knew him as a great BA battler, and his char Johnny Bones, such a great character. He will be missed deeply by all . . . .

Thus we say goodbye to the first BAer to make their character fight on an acid trip.

Originally Posted by king daphnes

Thus we say goodbye to the first BAer to make their character fight on an acid trip.

Aye, and the first person that ever made me truly laugh at my own character because of his odd habits.

I'm.... crying. I don't know why I'm crying. He and I weren't even the best of friends... in fact we even argued like enemies from time to time... but... God. How could this happen? Why did it have to happen? Just when the BA seems like its future is going to go amazingly and that DoC and everyone else would be there to enjoy it, he gets taken away. One of the best writers to grace the world is taken away.

It's like... I sit back and think of all the mean things I said about him behind his back due to our conflicting political and social opinions, and how I never accepted him because I was too stuck up in the "glory days", and how... oh, God damn it. God damn it. DoC, if you're reading this in wherever it is we go after death, just know that I'm sorry. I'm so, so... so ****ing sorry for everything. This shouldn't have happened to you; it shouldn't happen to anyone. I hope that you may you know peace in death as you did in life. I just regret never knowing you as well as I should have.

Farewell, my friend.

This is... this is a shock. It's unexpected. I never think about death too often, and now a very member of the BA has passed. Man.... I wasn't that close to Duke, but back when the IC thread was first starting, Kellson and Toofy had some rather interesting moments together, some of the best I've ever had in the IC thread... no, strike that, they were the best moments I've ever had in the IC thread. Several days ago I was just thinking how I really wanted to have a good Toofy vs. Johnny Bones battle, but now... I'll never get that chance.

Duke was an excellent writer, better than most of us. Although I wasn't that close to him, nor knew much about him, I always recognized his characters and his personality through them.

Was his novel ever published? If it wasn't, I'd like to get a copy. But if it was, I'd like to know what it's called and where to get it. I'd love to buy and read it as a hard copy sometime soon.

Rest in peace, Jared. You will be missed by many.

I haven't really been here long enough to know him. I haven't even spoken to him. But I read the first post, and an RP or two, and the link in the first post, and that's more than enough to make me mourn his passing. I deeply regret that I couldn't have been here earlier to get to know him, and I put off posting here because I thought I should wait until people who knew him better had a chance to pay their respects, though I don't know why.

Bye Duke, or Jared...I hope when I get to heaven, you've got the sequel to that novel waiting for me. I'm sure it'll be a classic. Could someone please send me as much of that novel as possible?

Originally Posted by Safer

I'm.... crying. I don't know why I'm crying. He and I weren't even the best of friends... in fact we even argued like enemies from time to time... but... God. How could this happen? Why did it have to happen? Just when the BA seems like its future is going to go amazingly and that DoC and everyone else would be there to enjoy it, he gets taken away. One of the best writers to grace the world is taken away.

It's like... I sit back and think of all the mean things I said about him behind his back due to our conflicting political and social opinions, and how I never accepted him because I was too stuck up in the "glory days", and how... oh, God damn it. God damn it. DoC, if you're reading this in wherever it is we go after death, just know that I'm sorry. I'm so, so... so ****ing sorry for everything. This shouldn't have happened to you; it shouldn't happen to anyone. I hope that you may you know peace in death as you did in life. I just regret never knowing you as well as I should have.

Farewell, my friend.

Safer, you arent the only one shedding tears for Duke. Unfortuantly, this only shows how fragile life is, and how quickly it can be taken away . . . .

I would like to publically state something that I have kept secret for a great length of time.

I never RP'ed with Duke of Clubs. I never got to fight his incredibly awesome characters, or even read some of his great posts. I was far too busy being me. But I am glad to see that others were not as blind as I was, and had the chance to meet and talk to this touching individual who clearly thought that bounderies were things to be blatently ignored and discarded. I am glad that, until the day he died, Duke did not feel isolation, loneliness, or grief that he had somehow offended someone, because he did not care about such things, and was concerned only with living to the fullest, even if a substantial amount of that living was spent glued to the screen writing.

So I thank Duke of Clubs for being Duke of Clubs, and I thank all of you for caring so much for a person whom, for the most part, people knew as a card. I did not even know his name until today, but I will remember the way he has touched everyone here. Duke of Clubs was a true fighter, and a true man, and a talent taken before his time. I can't say what he would have wanted us to do, because I cannot speak for someone who I did not have that many interactions with other then the occasional witty banter. I can only hope that, wherever he might be, he is looking down on all the people he has touched, and trying with glee to hack into ZU via the database up in Heaven. I will recomend to Scott that we need higher security.

It is a terrible shame such a tragedy could occur. I did not know him personally, but almost everyone I know in the BA spoke very highly of his work. I will not repeat the words the people have spoken, instead, I shall choose my own:

I read in Jared's profile and saw that he was a philosopher, much like myself and others here at ZU. All my life I have questioned it, and wondered what it is and why. Jared has finally found the answer eveyone wonders, but does not wish to find out; what happens after life? Whever he is, Heaven or not, I only wish he be put in a better place then the place he was to begin with.

Everytime I hear of a death, I act like I think nothing of it. But no matter how I act, I am always hiding the truth; I fear it, and Jared has taken the steps towards what even the greatest of all fear; death.

I am very very sorry if I have offended anyone with my comments in the slightest way. I only mean the best for this tragedy.

Though I never knew him, I shall never forget him....Duke of Clubs no; Jared Griffis....

The BA will never be the same....the only thing I can do is mourn, and continue to support the BA. I am a Hero, regardless of my name or not. I will do whatever I must to help in this terrible situation....

Originally Posted by Quark

Was his novel ever published? If it wasn't, I'd like to get a copy. But if it was, I'd like to know what it's called and where to get it. I'd love to buy and read it as a hard copy sometime soon.

Rest in peace, Jared. You will be missed by many.

Originally Posted by MrRandom

Bye Duke, or Jared...I hope when I get to heaven, you've got the sequel to that novel waiting for me. I'm sure it'll be a classic. Could someone please send me as much of that novel as possible?

No, he only finished it around Christmas, and so I don't believe there's been time for that. His family may see to its publishing now, and I earnestly hope they do, because I would love to have a copy and read all the parts he hinted at and everything else that I had never gotten to.

I will send what I have to anyone who wishes to have a copy. Please, just PM me your email address, and I will send it to you tomorrow when I can.

EDIT: Shotty, they will never invent the security--or anything--that is too tough for Duke to get through. If he feels like it, of course. There's drumming, eating tacos he'd tease Aikies about her not having, and writing to be done first.

Oh, dear, now this? Why is it the good that go so young? It still feels like a nightmare you're unable to wake from. I usually had no problem with death: seeing it on the news every day, but feeling to people you look up to and who you were sitting next to gives such...anguish.
I never personally knew the guy, but I know he was a great guy to be around and a valued member of our community. And now...he's gone. I only wish to have known him better. And from what I hear from many of you, he had the gift to write. He died young, leaving so much behind him. I only wish he would have his book published to show himself to the world to who he really is. I pray for his family and friends as well who are going through such tragic woe.
I'm...crying again. So many people have touched lives by people like him, but it feels hard for him to just leave. This feels like a nightmare: something you want to wake up from. Feeling numb over the inhuman and tragic world we live.
Although I hardly pray to the world above, I will keep you in prayers. R.I.P. "Jared". Say hi to Heath for me.
If I could, I'd like to share a poem I will make tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Altamira

EDIT: Shotty, they will never invent the security--or anything--that is too tough for Duke to get through. If he feels like it, of course. There's drumming, eating tacos he'd tease Aikies about her not having, and writing to be done first.

IN this comment alone, I recall the thing I'll really miss most about Duke. All of the poorly planned, sloppily thrown together plots for RPs and battles that were thrown together on a pin drops notices. I mean, he had the ability to turn nothing into something.

OH MY GOD! I'm so sorry, Altamira. He does sound like a wonderful human being... I feel like I wish I would have cried. R.I.P Duke of Clubs, may there be a special place along side God in heaven for you.
You will be missed.

And, for the record... I never knew him, starting to wish I did...

Originally Posted by Altamira

I will send what I have to anyone who wishes to have a copy. Please, just PM me your email address, and I will send it to you tomorrow when I can.

You can send it to me if you want to at moltenwater@gmail.com, but I probably will hold off on reading it until I find out if his book will ever be published. I'd much rather support his family with what money I pay for the book, as well as have a hard copy to read.

...I never really ever knew Duke of Clubs, and I misread this thread title originally (in the most recent posts thread,) thinking it was indeed some kind of battle or something that had recently been going on or something...I had no idea. But he sounds like he was just the kind of person I would enjoy being around. I would like to read that novel of his, I think I'd want the same for my book if I passed. My email address is deityarimas@gmail.com

And to Altamira, I'm sorry if I private messaged you some trivial details over character art while you were grieving...I didn't know about this until right now, I swear, and I'm dreadfully sorry for your loss, and everyone elses.

Rest in peace, Jared.

Aiko, if you could send me the book as well, however, i shall do the same as Quark

ridetowin02@hotmail.com

or

avyuir@yahoo.com

whichever is easier for you . . . .