The Speech: Dead in Tokyo

by **krzy** Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:01 am

We stand upon the precipice of something grand.

Soak in this moment. Remember how it all felt in the before, and it will make the after feel all the more incredible.

Tailcoat Val stands on the stage in an auditorium, Joy Justice at her side. The two women face a large crowd that's primarily made up of the beautiful faces of Val's Arsenal and the rest of Joy's Family--but there are also several faces that aren't familiar to the CMV fans.

That's a troubling thought.

Val paces back and forth as she speaks. Her words echo in this word. And her words are the only thing that can be heard.

No one else dare make a sound.

Feel the weight of expectation upon your backs. You may buckle under that weight, you may stumble as you try to carry it, but you must. not. crumble beneath it.

Because that's what they're expecting.

They're expecting failure. They're expecting you to be laughingstocks and punchlines.

Tonight we subvert those expectations.

They expect all of that because they can't accept what would become of CMV were you all to live up to your promise.

Val turns her head; her gaze falls upon Amar'e Rivers and Isabella Almas. If Val is bothered by the sight of Rivers sitting in Almas' lap and snuggling closely against his love, Val doesn't show it.

Almas you carried a torch thought extinguished and lit a way for me to return stronger than I ever was before. Such faith and such loyalty will be rewarded, and tonight is just a taste. And as for…you.

Val pauses as Almas shoots up to her feet sending Rivers tumbling to the floor in the process. Her face is turning red, shamelessly blushing at being the focus of Val's…well at least, as close to being praised as you can get from Val. Rivers, more shocked at suddenly eating the floor than hurt, slowly gets himself off the ground but freezes as he meets Val's piercing glare.

You've been enjoying the ride, I see. Coasting on the passion and drive of your other half.

But you're not here to be a passenger tonight.

She almost sounds disgusted as she speaks to him, and you see that his feelings are hurt a little bit, but Almas is there to comfort him like the angel that she is.

Val looks around until she sees Bloody Justice, the money in the bank briefcase clutched protectively in his hands.

It wasn't easy putting the pieces together that assisted you, no matter how small, in getting that briefcase, and I certainly wouldn't tell you how to use it…but there are two men very close to my heart fighting for the title tonight, and I've already expressed to you privately that there's one in particular that shouldn't leave with the title.

Of course, the decision is yours to make.

I've always got contingencies in place.

An ominous silence fills the room.

Fight.

That is your only goal for tonight.

Fight…

…And win.

Amped up by her words, the crowd disperses with an electricity flowing through them. They are ready to fight, they are ready to go to war, they would run through a brick wall for Val, and it's a scary thought to think of how easy it was for her to get them riled up.[/color]