We are gathered here today to celebrate our new coalition. We would like to welcome the representatives from their various lands and levels-those from inner earth and outer earth. We especially welcome dwarves, elves, humans, minions, and all the citizens of their regions. With multitudes of individuals represented, we strive to achieve a common purpose to reach global and individual prosperity and peace among all those who are represented here.

Therefore, we are establishing commissions comprised of representatives from every region. We will have one unit in each of the five international areas. Each unit will consist of two representatives from each of the five regions. In effect, we will have five committees with 10 members, and the team leader will not be from that geographical location.

The ultimate challenge is to develop a plan to capitalize on strengths and form a system of cooperation that reaches the needs of every individual as well as develop the economic growth of each region. Then, all the groups will converge here, in the capital, to share their proposals and finalize a constitution that is acceptable to all vested parties.

What could possibly go wrong?

I sit alone in my dressing room, practicing my words one more time. A lone moment of solitude during this campaign, and one I was grateful for; grateful for the time to collect my thoughts.

The enormity of the day sank into me, how far I had come to be here, preparing for this moment. The years of effort that had preceded it.

An aide pops her head through the door. “3 minutes til your cue.”

I nod, smiling sheepishly. “Thanks Nance. I’ll be out in a second.”

She nods back and backs out, leaving me in silence once again.

I let a breath whoosh out, visualizing myself finished with this speech, celebrating how well it went, how I’ve taken another step towards the ultimate end goal.

Standing, I begin to pace, back and forth, my pace increasing. A nervous energy began to build, and I shook my arms out, my head, trying to dispel it. One minute to go.

I reach for the door knob just as it opened again. The same aide smiles at me once more. “Perfect timing.”

She was really rather pretty, a fact that barely registered in my anxious, racing mind. I hadn’t dated in nearly three years, focused whole heartedly on the campaign, the long fight.

I found myself recklessly thinking that if all this went well today, I should ask the pretty aide out. If I could handle a nationwide speech, surely I could handle asking a beautiful woman to dinner.

She leads me to a side stage, listens to her headpiece for a moment, and then ushers me forward. “It’s time,” she says, her soft smile soothing my ragged nerves. “You’re going to do incredibly. Break a leg out there.”

Gulping, I try and fail to smile back, stepping into position behind the curtain. I can hear the MC beginning his introduction, and all too soon, the curtain is lifted, and I’m on stage.

A deep breath, and it begins.

At the after party that evening, I find myself with a constant refill of champagne, a steady stream of hands beating my back, a constant thrum of laughter and music in the background. I’m jostled from group to group, shaking hands, greeting friends, thanking sponsors, humbly accepting their praise.

After nearly two hours of this, I find myself seeking out an escape plan, a moment of solitude to process everything. Faking a trip to the bathroom, then shaking off a fellow who announced he also needed to use the facilities by saying I needed to greet some more family members across the room first, I finally found myself outside of the kitchen’s emergency exit, surrounded by dumpsters and pallets, the noise of the event a faint buzz behind me.

The night air settles soothingly against my skin, chilling my flushed skin. I tip my head towards the moonlit sky, eyes falling closed, basking in the moment.

“Oh! So sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” It was Nancy, sheepishly holding a cigarette in one hand and propping the door open with the other.

I smile at her, and gesture to a spot on the pallet next to me. “That’s okay. Plenty of space for us both.”

She sits down obligingly and lights her cigarette, taking a long drag before turning and offering it to me. I gratefully take an inhale, savoring the smoky flavor and her proximity.

“I was wondering where you ran off to. Although if that had been me, I would have needed some breathing space.”

I laugh, refreshed by her candor that stood out in stark contrast to the ass kissing I’d been enduring all evening. “I suppose it does say something when I prefer the disgusting trash filled alley to the oppulent ballroom.”

Handing the cigarette off again, I ask, “what about you? Whats your excuse for shirking the party?”

Its a minute before she answers, and when she does, its so quietly I’m unsure if I heard it correctly or not. “The only person I came here to see is you.” She turns to me more fully, smiling up at me shyly. “When I noticed you were gone, I figured I might as well sneak out before the open bar really got to everyone’s heads.”

I don’t even think; for the first time in years, I act before having a well thought out plan, act our of instinct. My lips find hers in the dim light, the taste of cigarettes and champagne dancing between us, an electric charge igniting my whole body.

After several long moments, I pulled back, but remained close, staring into her face. “I told myself if today went well, I’d ask you out. It was the only thing I was thinking of today.”

She laughs, looking at me almost incredibly. “I didn’t even think you knew who I was before today.”

Her eyes are blue, flecks of green prominently shining within them. “Have dinner with me.”

“When?”

“How about right now? I didn’t have anything but those god awful canapés, I could use a burger.”

She rises to her feet, holding a small, graceful hand out towards me. “It’s a date.”

"Good sirs and ladies, let me thank you for your attendance today. Let me offer my gratitude for your time and attention on this most glorious of days." The man's voice explodes from his mouth with an unexpected sonorousness. "I know there is much to be done in the fields and hills of this proud village, so I won't consume too much of your time." He is skeletal, though tries to hide it with wide legged trousers and an ornate white blouse with frills beyond good tact. As he strides about the small stage, seemingly unaware of the irony of the gallows platform being used as a political dais. "Today I come to speak to you of opportunity. Of the hope you provide your children, and your grandchildren. Because not two weeks from today, you are expected to cast your vote for the future!" And is met with a small grumbling. “What does that even mean?” A voice from deep in the crowd emerges in perfect time to the saunter of the man. “A great question kind sir!” He smirks and settles at the naked shift podium. His sleeves roll up of their own accord, eliciting a greater hum among those that notice. “Long has magic been quarantined to the high towers if far off lands. That magic is held captive by cloistered wizards and detached scholars.” A mirage appears before the crowd, to their astonishment. Many on the outskirts of the gathering flee with haste, and the growing concern of the rest buzzes. “In each of us there is magic. We need only … unlock it. “. With a wave of his hand the mirage bursts into a shower of starlight careening down into the crowd. “With your vote I will see too it that each of you is provided the chance… no, the right to bear the magic bred I to your soul. To embrace your very heritage and explore your power. Your vote for me will certainly unlock your favored destiny!”
He pulls his eyes down from the sky to look once more upon the crowd, finding that the courtyard is now empty ahead he stands only with his advisors at the gallows.

The crowd was loud behind the curtain. I was waiting for my name to be called. Today, I was running for president. Can you believe it? President. Me. I certainly can’t believe it. I never thought I would find myself here. I hear my name being called, and my hands start shaking. Suddenly, my entire mind goes blank and I can’t remember a single thing from the speech I had written. Oh no! What was I going to do without my speech? As I walk towards the stage, I could barely walk straight and I start fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. I’ll have to improve on the spot. “Dear citizens! Today, I present myself before you in hopes of convincing you to elect me as your president. My dear opponents have proven themeselves worthy of that title in my opinion, but let me explain to you why it should be me, and not them, that you should trust. I, unlike them, have actual ideas to improve this land. First, I would instore multiple shops not only in the center of the city, but also in the small villages. That way, anyone can buy, or sell products without mixing the social classes.” The cheers from the crowd can be heard. It was even louder than those of the previous candidates. “Secondly,” I continue “I will do everything to install a police department in each city, and I will not rest until justice is served!”

The roar of the crowd is like none I’ve ever seen before. Do they really like me that much? After all, I am pretty likeable. What am I even saying? Im amazing! Of course they love me! How could they not?

I took a deep breath and walked to the podium. “Citizens of Eeeeeeedo, I know times have been painfully difficult lately, the Giraffe War has separated many families, and I know many people are struggling with finances because of this, but trust me. You can get through this.”

I looked around at the crowd, and added quickly, “of course, only if you elect me…”

“Anyways! I can save you all, I can stop the war, and maybe someday, we can live peacefully with the giraffes.” The crowd was silent. Then, I started laughing. “I’m joking of course, the giraffes are wretched creatures, capable of only destruction and chaos.”

Perfect, I’ve got them wrapped around my finger… “now, all you have to do is give me all your money and souls!”

There was a murmur of dissent among the crowd, so I immediately jumped in with, “I mean, it’s not like the other candidate will be saving the world, in fact, I bet the other candidate is a robot! Made by the government to spy on our citizens!”

The crowd gasped, hooked on my every word.

“In conclusion, electing me will give me a ton of money, and you another liar to worship, what do you say!?”

The crowd cheered loudly.

“I’d rather imagine a herd of hornbeasts careening into a writhing pit of vipers,” Vildegard hissed.

Stark the Strong bounced their youngest on his hip. Vildegard paced the corridor. Wisps of smoke rose from her heavy bejeweled cloak.

“Take measured breaths as we do when sparring. Don’t burst into flames before your speech. It’s disconcerting,” Stark said. “You and you alone are well fitted to challenge the Red Hand.”

Coughing the baby swished his mini broad sword at his mother’s billows of emerald smoke. With three flicks of her wrist, the witch turned the acrid fumes into a shower of cream colored petals. Pudgy fists raised, Daggar squealed with delight. Vildegard kissed his plump cheeks.

“I shouldn’t be running for President Priest. I have no taste for coven politics and clan warfare. Why wrestle with these fossils when I could be home with my sweet baboos.”

Vildegard lifted up the giggly toddler. She buried her anxiety in his sweet neck.

“All right V. You head home with the younglings and prepare my supper. I will tell the five families that are stifling magical freedoms that you’ve withdrawn your nomination because you are afraid of speaking in public,” Stark said the headed for the feast hall.

She snapped her fingers and shot a violet spark at her forever mate’s shapely buttocks.

“Your persuasion sucks bog water, warrior. Don’t trick a trickster,” Vildegard said teasingly. “Wyck, come to Mama we’re going home.”

A glittering black crow hurled itself towards them. It hit the wall and bounced into a feathered headed four year old girl.

“Mama, didja win? Did you knock heads together,” Wyck shouted.

“No, I—“

“It’s okay Mama. I know you tried your best like you always told me to do. You’ll beat them next time.”

Running Wyck gathered her mother’s knees into a hug. Vildegard petted her daughter’s head as the inky feathers transformed into lush coils. With folded arms Stark the Strong gave his forever mate a smirk. She kissed her child on the top of her head, knowing that her children as half breeds would never be recognized in the coven if the Red Hand stay in charge.

“Lady Vildegard, Clan Broken Tree, daughter of High Seer Acrimona, present thyself,” coven page Malis announced.

With an imperious sniff, Malis looked down his nose at the warrior and the children. Stark growled low. The page blanched. Vildegard straightened her back, hiked up the baby on her hip, grasped her daughter’s hand, and marched inside to give the speech of her life.

Ladies and gentlemen and honoured guest wizards dragons and knights of the realm

I hereby stand not as your president or king but as one of you I pledge peace and prosperity and protection for all in the name of equality Dragons will be protected and wizards will be licensed and knights will go on daily quests for the love of battle and glory and fair maidens. This land is glorious and I will Make great again The future is ours Ask not what a wizard can do but what we can build and do for ourselves

Hello everyone gathered here today. From ghost to fairies, and centaurs to elves. Everyone gathered here today has took time out of their day to hear what I had to say, so I will not disappoint and get on with it.

This realm holds one of the most diverse creatures of realms. It is my duty as a member of this realm to be a leader to protect you all with my mind, heart, and soul. Now I know you may not have heard of me, but let me tell you if you’re here today, you already gave me your respect.

I admire your patience with everyone involved in this process of running for president. I know by heart that some of you have a bit of a short attention span, if a do say so myself. But for what it’s worth, I’m glad to be here to see you all listen.

Now to get on with the political things. This realm, as said before is very diverse, so the environment needs to match it. I believe that with my power as president could get each and everyone of us a separate space to be…us. But I get not all of us would like to be all bunched up together. That is why even though there will be sections, there would be a wide circle for a meet.

Now I’m not talking about a meet and go home, I’m talking a permanent stay! It will be like being a witch seeing fairies pass by Main Street. Now there would have to be some changes to fit everyone. Such as mermaids and sirens needing an expansion of water to swim in. Or centaurs and faries needing a surrounding area of forest. But trust me, it would be a win for everyone.

All in all, I want to welcome you to this opportunity. I hope that you will have a place in my future here.

Dear esteemed members of the magical community,

It is with great enthusiasm that I declare my candidacy for the esteemed office dedicated to safeguarding the rights and welfare of all magical beings residing within our beloved forest. My name is Dale Quartz, and I am wholeheartedly dedicated to upholding the principles of equality, safety, and prosperity for all members of our magical community. With your support, I am eager to champion the cause of unity and protection for our diverse and wondrous inhabitants.

Thank you for your consideration and unwavering support.

Warm regards, Dale Quartz

Dear residents of FarmVille,

I address you today on a very important matter. We have got to stop the pitching, rustling and abuse of the chickens. The chickens are citizens too, and should be treated with respect and not ridiculed for not being able to fly.