From Heads Unworthy {All/Open}

[Lucius Kilvayne]

As their castles crumble slowly
We watch them fall
The crown slips from heads unworthy
As we gain control

Lucius Kilvayne's Inaugural Address
March 22, 2014 9:00 AM
Washington, District of Columbia

The Oath was the easy part, Lucius surmised. He strode confidently up to the podium. He had been in the public eye for much of his life, and never more so than the recent months, as his power grew exponentially despite several setbacks and challenges along the way. Perhaps because of those obstacles he had risen to new heights of glory. Destiny hung in the air this Spring morning. Appropriate timing for the rise of a new world order really. The Winter of Strife had ended, and a new Spring of Prosperity was in bloom after years of well laid plans and hard fought battles.

Lucius looked to the men and women surrounding him, the Cabinet he had formed and his long standing Inner Circle. His father was the Interim Governor of New York and planning to run for the House in November.That election would then result in his ascension to the position of House Speaker. Dakari stood by as his First Lady , and his Vice President was a matronly woman named Lisa Gentry, who had previously been the junior senator from Vermont. She was also an associate of Alexander Kilvayne's going back many years. Coincidentally. The new Secretary of State was a stout patrician looking gentleman named Eric James Harding III. Next was his Defense department and Homeland Security team, consisting Ezra stone and Elias Black. And Gabriel Constant was the final member of his Cabinet present. His office was not so significant as his actual presence, his actual contribution to the governance of the nation. This group had been chosen to highlight what the new government would look like. The direction for this government had to be clear from the start. He had also wanted to make clear his coalitions outside of the official channels of politics. So he had invited special guests today- Christian Moynahan, Maurelle LaCroix, his ancestor Brogan, his cousin Archie Cane, and others who could make it.

As the last notes of some patriotic dirge died down, Lucius turned his attention to the press and the onlookers arrayed before him. It was remarkable how quickly the White House and surrounding environs had recovered from the battles that had taken place here. The Kilvayne Corporation's assets had a lot to do with the swift restoration of the nation's Capitol.

"My fellow Americans," Lucius said with an intentional tone of responsible gravitas, despite his desire to merely luxuriate in the power of his office, " We come forth today as a nation emerging defiantly from the threatening grip of chaos and devastation spawned by a fundamental mistrust of our brothers and sisters in humanity. We have persevered in these uncertain times. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people led astray by a cabal of depraved agents who sought only destruction for the sake of destruction. We have the resolve to rebuild, to grow, to adapt and evolve in this brave new world we have found ourselves in."


Lucius paused, to let his words move through the hearts and minds of those present.

"Even before this latest conflict between Specials and the government of the United States, there have been mistakes along the way. There has been bad faith and blood spilled senselessly on all sides of this longstanding conflict. The goals of my presidency will predominantly be centered around the theme of our shared humanity and healing the scars of our most tragic of wars. There are those who wish to incite strife among us, and they will find that I do not tolerate threats to the peace I seek to build. You will come to know me by my fruits, the prosperity I will bring. The justice and rule of law I will restore. The peace that shall endure for all the days to follow."

He paused again, and he looked at the sky briefly. He wanted to appear as though he was invoking the presence of transcendent forces. He gestured with his hands to beckon his audience to follow suit.

" This world we call home stands alone in a vast universe where sentient beings have come into existence, after billions of years ,through generations of mutations and ages of cataclysm. The world made us with the power to reshape it into our own image. We at least have the responsibility to make that image something beautiful and transcendental. The progression of history will move forward, and if we do nothing, it will eventually leave us behind- to be forgotten and lost in the dust and ashes. But we have the power to change the future- we have the power to create a better world. Our ancestors prayed to Saints, Gods and Angels for salvation. They looked to legendary Heroes to lead them forward. The truth is that we all have the capacity to be Heroes. The truth is that, in plain and simple terms...We Are The Gods Now."

The Press Secretary traded places with Lucius, and shook the President's hand.

" I will be fielding questions about policy particulars, and broader questions, for the duration of the morning."

[Maurelle Lacroix]

Maurelle was quickly recovering from the losses she had sustained during the brief dash of the horsemen. With her power now back under her control and in full force, she was once again three moves ahead of every competitor, ally, and anyone in between. Personnel replacement had been the toughest, not due to a lack of candidates, but the small tug of regret Maurelle still felt at not being able to cloak those in her employ under her complete protection. As powerful as she was, with or without her powers, she was no god, she could not be everywhere and protecting everyone. She did not have the power to bring people back from the great hereafter...

Lucius Kilvayne and Gabriel Constant wanted them to believe that they were the gods now, but that was such a foolish notion. They were the evolution of the species, fortunate enough to have been granted that special genome or chromosome or whatever genetic accident allowed them to have these powers. As Lillith had proven, there was always bigger fish in the ocean, the cockiness that those men had was definitely a potential pitfall should any more sharks emerge from the shadowy depths of the unknown seas.

Despite that, Maurelle decided it would still be prudent to show up for Lucius big opening. The man was relying on Maurelle's influence with foreign governments and black markets to get the world to accept his ascension. For a moment Maurelle wondered if perhaps that was the wisest course of action, if it would not be better for her to assume the mantle instead. Kilvayne had his allies but how many crime bosses, how many dignitaries, how many heads of state owed him favors? It would have been the most intriguing of battles to see who could actually have gotten the world to back them and see them become the tyrant of the Americas.

The thought was fleeting though, passing as quick as it had formed, as Maurelle knew that was not her future. It was not her design to be the icon, to be the assumed leader, to be the face of it all. No, her designs were set just a notch lower but some would say that they were more vital and ambitious. Maurelle wanted the control, the influence, the ultimate say in how the world was shaped. And that was exactly where she was now...

"So tell me again how much you love me Mr. Moynahan, I need a distraction from the egotistical boasting, however much it may or may not be deserved." Maurelle teased at Christian, who had found himself invited as well. If he had had not, Maurelle would have used her plus one to bring the man along, they were an item now and had been for some time. "Maybe there is a new contender for the title of short sighted fool, though I wonder how much the current champion would relinquish the crown."

[Christian Moynahan]

I’m too close
to reaching my goal
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
said I’m too close
to saving my soul
-Mavis Staples, “Too Close”

It was only natural that Christian should attend his friend’s inauguration. For one, he was a representative of Ark, one of the Kilvayne Corporation’s umbrella companies. For another, their friendship was well known among the Inner Circle, and, albeit less so, the populace itself. Articles had been written regarding the “Holy Trinity” of the business world - Lucius, Gabriel, and Christian. It was little surprise, then, that the pair had joined their new President just beyond the podium.

Less known by far was the relationship between Christian and Maurelle Lacroix. It had only been a few months, but so much had happened since then. He was mildly surprised but immensely glad that Maurelle was still with him. She had stood beside him in the toughest of times, even in what could have been his death. His other friends had as well, but there was something… special about her presence. Something welcoming, something he had never found with anyone else.

That was why he was sitting next to Maurelle as Lucius delivered his speech. He had placed his hand over hers, discreetly. Maurelle might have been teasing about those three words he had uttered the night that Lilith descended upon them, but he had been, and still was, deadly earnest. At the time, he had vowed to kill Lilith for taking away that moment, but it had not come to pass. More pressing business had taken him to the White House before he could join the battle against the madwoman; fortunately, Lilith had been disposed of anyway. In a manner of speaking.

But he had said those words, naturally, without thinking of them or their consequences; and he had thought that Maurelle had not heard them. She had. There was no taking them back. Even if he could, Christian had realized some time before, he would not want to. So it stood between them, and when Maurelle teased him about it, he gave her a little conspirational smile.

“I love you,” he said into her ear, as though he were talking to her about some facet of Lucius’ speech or another. On Christian’s other side, Gabriel smiled to himself. “I would show you, but I think they would have a problem with public displays of affection here.” However, he did raise his hand to sweep her hair back, a casual move that could hardly be taken as personal. Between them, of course, the contact was very different.

“I love you as the tides love the moon,” he continued, a playful smile growing on his lips. “As an oven loves a cake. Romantic enough for you?” He chuckled softly and glanced back to Lucius, of whom he was immensely proud. They had worked hard for this, and, in Christian’s opinion, no man could be better to steer the nation through these difficult times. Besides, power suited him well.

He looked to Maurelle as she made her next comment. “I doubt Lucius would take kindly to being called a ‘short-sighted fool,’” he commented with a soft chuckle. “He sees his ideas a long-ranged and sweeping, as do I. As far as relinquishing the title, however,” he added, “I would be eager to do so.” He watched Lucius leave the stage, followed closely by Dakari, who had abandoned her seat. “I suppose we have to sit here and politely wait as all the questions are answered.”