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rainbowfic2012-12-04 11:57 pm
shadowsong26) wrote in rainbowfic2012-12-04 11:57 pm
Arsenic #15, Gunmetal #14, Blood Red #8
Name: shadowsong26
Story: Madam Speaker
'Verse: Feredar
Colors: Arsenic #15. aconite, Gunmetal #14. Crossbow, Blood Red #8. poisoning
Supplies and Materials: eraser (in SPACE AU), oils, stain, fabric, chalk, novelty beads, yarn, glitter ("I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." – Henry David Thoreau), glue ("...pull yourself back to the ground and begin the conversation once you feel like you have returned to earth. Stick to the facts as much as possible and the rest should fall into place.")
Word Count: 390
Rating: PG
Characters: Kesshare
Warnings: None
Notes: Constructive criticism welcome, as always. Last Blood Red! I'm using the U.S.'s government structure for the Republic of United Earth, largely because that's what I'm most familiar with. Names of offices/legislatures (House and Senate, President being Chief Executive) and term lengths and limits are the same as the U.S. Other details about the government are subject to change.
Normally, Kesshare Heidari rather enjoyed press conferences, but this one was getting rather old rather quickly. After serving in the House for close to two decades, the last four years as Speaker--she was hardly going to let her party lose the majority, after all, and it wasn't difficult to make sure they maintained it, no matter how often the Presidency changed hands--there was only one question anyone wanted answered.
"Madam Speaker, will you be seeking your party's nomination for the Presidency?" Rather blunt, and without the buildup it could have had. Kesshare made a mental note to use that reporter when she needed a question to make her opposition look ridiculous. Blunt missiles were by far the best for that--difficult to misinterpret, causing significant damage, but not drawing blood and cries of foul play.
None of that played on her face, of course. She was, after all, a professional.
She smiled, and launched into her prepared answer. "I appreciate the confidence you have in my abilities," she said, "but I feel I am better suited here."
Not entirely true. She was perfectly capable of managing the Presidency, better than just about anyone else her party could drum up this cycle, and the leadership knew it. They'd been after her for ages, too, and had almost certainly planted that question. Which was probably why every damn press conference she'd been involved in since the midterms six months ago had included it. As if she'd suddenly change her mind. No, her party's nomination would go to someone forgettable, Sorell Nathanson would win in the fall, but she would maintain the House, and probably take the Senate as well.
No, her problem with the Presidency wasn't her own abilities, and it certainly wasn't her ambition. It was, in truth, the time limit. As Speaker, she had at least as much power, and, so long as her party maintained its base, she had no forcible retirement date.
She called on the next reporter--a longtime ally of hers--who thankfully got the conference back to the education bill she had introduced that morning, and relaxed a little. No, let Nathanson and his ilk be Presidents of United Earth. Her road may be less glamorous, but it was longer and reached much the same place. And that, at the end of the day, was all that mattered.
Story: Madam Speaker
'Verse: Feredar
Colors: Arsenic #15. aconite, Gunmetal #14. Crossbow, Blood Red #8. poisoning
Supplies and Materials: eraser (in SPACE AU), oils, stain, fabric, chalk, novelty beads, yarn, glitter ("I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." – Henry David Thoreau), glue ("...pull yourself back to the ground and begin the conversation once you feel like you have returned to earth. Stick to the facts as much as possible and the rest should fall into place.")
Word Count: 390
Rating: PG
Characters: Kesshare
Warnings: None
Notes: Constructive criticism welcome, as always. Last Blood Red! I'm using the U.S.'s government structure for the Republic of United Earth, largely because that's what I'm most familiar with. Names of offices/legislatures (House and Senate, President being Chief Executive) and term lengths and limits are the same as the U.S. Other details about the government are subject to change.
Normally, Kesshare Heidari rather enjoyed press conferences, but this one was getting rather old rather quickly. After serving in the House for close to two decades, the last four years as Speaker--she was hardly going to let her party lose the majority, after all, and it wasn't difficult to make sure they maintained it, no matter how often the Presidency changed hands--there was only one question anyone wanted answered.
"Madam Speaker, will you be seeking your party's nomination for the Presidency?" Rather blunt, and without the buildup it could have had. Kesshare made a mental note to use that reporter when she needed a question to make her opposition look ridiculous. Blunt missiles were by far the best for that--difficult to misinterpret, causing significant damage, but not drawing blood and cries of foul play.
None of that played on her face, of course. She was, after all, a professional.
She smiled, and launched into her prepared answer. "I appreciate the confidence you have in my abilities," she said, "but I feel I am better suited here."
Not entirely true. She was perfectly capable of managing the Presidency, better than just about anyone else her party could drum up this cycle, and the leadership knew it. They'd been after her for ages, too, and had almost certainly planted that question. Which was probably why every damn press conference she'd been involved in since the midterms six months ago had included it. As if she'd suddenly change her mind. No, her party's nomination would go to someone forgettable, Sorell Nathanson would win in the fall, but she would maintain the House, and probably take the Senate as well.
No, her problem with the Presidency wasn't her own abilities, and it certainly wasn't her ambition. It was, in truth, the time limit. As Speaker, she had at least as much power, and, so long as her party maintained its base, she had no forcible retirement date.
She called on the next reporter--a longtime ally of hers--who thankfully got the conference back to the education bill she had introduced that morning, and relaxed a little. No, let Nathanson and his ilk be Presidents of United Earth. Her road may be less glamorous, but it was longer and reached much the same place. And that, at the end of the day, was all that mattered.