Title: The Seniorum Concilium
Masterpost:
We're All Part of a Chemical EquationCharacters/Pairing: Gerard Way/Frank Iero, Ray Toro, Bob Bryar, Mikey Way, Brendon Urie, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Mark Pellegrino, Samantha Ferris, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Jim Beaver, Traci Dinwiddie, Robert Wisdom, Kate Cassidy, Richard Speight Jr., Alona Tal, Lauren Cohan, Chad Lindberg, Kurt Fuller, Rob Benedict, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Samantha Smith, Lindsey McKeon, Matt Cohen, James Patrick Stuart
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 2553 (this chapter), ~50K and counting for entire series.
Warnings: Frerard, slash,cursing, hurt/comfort, angst, war, violence, mentions of rape, science fiction, war, discrimination
Notes: Futuristic fic, MCR, band slash, Supernatural RPF
Disclaimer: The lovely boys (ex/current members) of My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and Panic! At the Disco do not belong to me. Neither do the cast of Supernatural...no matter how much I want them to. Scientific information in this story is based on 50% fact and 50% imagination.
Summary: Sometimes, Gerard wished he was never a part of the Seniorum Concilium.
Saturday, May 21st, 2112
Gerard had been intrigued by the boy the first time he had laid eyes upon him. Apart from the fact that the boy had a living Anima, a beautiful red cardinal, he had been captivated by the friendship that existed between the boy and the bird. The way the boy moved his arm without saying a single word at a soft chirp from the bird, and the way the bird instinctively flew towards him to take his place on the boy’s shoulders as they made their way towards the Immunology Office was a lovely image to behold. Gerard was even more intrigued when he realized that Frank was a Multiple.
It helped that the boy was gorgeous as well. He had short, black hair framing his face and gorgeous hazel eyes that gave way to a vivid green under the sunlight. His features were sharp, but were softened by his smooth cheeks and pink lips. Gerard had been ogling his muscular chest and the smooth curve of Frank’s hips and firm ass before he had snapped out of it, sternly telling himself that the University frowned upon such relationships and that he was too old (Good heavens, an age difference of ten years!) for Frank.
The intelligence of the boy had been refreshing to Gerard. Frank had been right about the Anima situation. Although Gerard had tried to be careful and encouraging towards Frank in order not to dissuade him, he had been pleasantly surprised by Frank’s maturity when Frank reasoned that it was still way too early to be hopeful about Animas ever being a neutral topic in the potential future. The political situation was still very much fragile. Even though the law had been passed to make discrimination against Multiples a crime, several members of the Seniorum Concilium were still pushing for the establishment of a replacement law to make the Anima records a neccesity again.
Gerard was growing very weary of the situation. However, considering how delicate it was currently, he would fight till the very end to make sure that the Anima Records were never established again as long as he was on the Seniorum Concilium.
“I will call the meeting to order now.” Startled out of his thoughts, Gerard turned towards the elderly Iustus Fletcher, the Dux, or the chairperson of the Seniorum Concilium. The Seniorum Concilium comprised of twenty-one members, including the Dux. Iustus was tall, with sharp, angular features, a hook-nose, and a shock of white hair. The Dux was the peacekeeper of the Council. His role was to listen to both sides of the argument, bearing no prejudice or bia-ness towards any side. Thus, he could not influence the vote towards any potential bill in any way. Iustus was the one with the authority to establish the seat of an individual in the Council, and to call for votes towards the establishment of a bill.
Gerard had been pleasantly surprised when Iustus had approached him for a position on the Council, convinced that Gerard’s expertise and scientific knowledge would be illuminating and educational to the Council. He wanted Gerard to present an unbiased, objective and more accurate scientific assessment of issues that may crop up during Council meetings. He believed that Gerard could provide relevant information and knowledge and thus be able influence more adequately the views of the members on the Seniorum Concilium towards the establishment of bills that would be more useful for the future.
Iustus’s Anima was a fountain pen. Gerard watched as Iustus flicked the pen casually in the air, and there was a soft pop of noise as paper appeared. The pen flew out of Iustus’s reach and began to scribble conscientiously on the paper in mid-air, taking the minutes of the meeting.
The Council met in the Hall of Justitia within the Seniorum Concilium Building. The Hall of Justitia was a large hall, with a long, marble table that stretched the entire length of the room. Marble chairs were placed around the table, twenty-one in total, with the Dux’s chair right at the head of the table. At the end of the room was a gorgeous and elegant marble statue of Lady Justice, blindfolded and carrying a set of scales and a sword. Lady Justice was portrayed as blindfolded to show her objectivity in meting out justice, to show that she would not be swayed by power or weakness. The set of scales in her right hand were to show that she would measure the facts against or for a conviction. The sword symbolized the power to enforce and convict people of their crimes. Gerard had always loved the statue, and the deep meaning behind it.
“Mark Pellegrino has called for this meeting to address the situation that has occurred this morning.” Iustus said, a little blandly.
Gerard groaned inwardly. He should have known that Mark Pellegrino would make use of the tragedy that had occurred earlier this morning. Mark Pellegrino was one of those members on the Seniorum Concilium who was pushing for a second bill to reestablish the Anima Records again.
Mark leaned forward in his seat, and bowed slightly towards Iustus. Iustus inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“This morning, a tragedy occurred on Javier’s Street. A Multiple attacked members of the public, killing an entire street of people all at once, including his own wife. He was apprehended on the spot by the Guardia.” He sneered slightly.
Gerard bristled in his seat. Trust Pellegrino to leave out vital information on the case.
“I think you’ve oversimplified matters, Pellegrino. Valer and his wife were attacked by five Osores in public. They had merely been minding their own business, doing their weekly grocery shopping, and had not been doing anything wrong when they were attacked. Did you expect Valer not to defend himself?” Riordan Black, the oldest council member after Iustus, opened his mouth to speak sarcastically.
Pellegrino’s eyes glittered with unconcealed amusement.
“No, I did not. It was his right to defend himself. However, defence is not equitable to innocence. It may have been his right to defend himself against those who attacked him, but he murdered an entire street of innocent people, including his own wife! That proves how dangerous these people can be, especially people like Valer who cannot control their overwhelming Powers.”
“You speak as though only Multiples have that problem! There have been cases of individuals with single Anima who have lost control of their Powers as well!” Jim Beaver protested, waving his hands emphatically in the air.
“Yes, Jim, that is true. However, the extent of destruction has been much greater for Multiples.” Pellegrino continued smoothly. “Are you not afraid that one day, someone like Valer would be unable to control his or her Powers and we would find ourselves murdered in our sleep? Are you not afraid that you’ll be innocently walking down the street one moment and then in the next moment find yourself being blasted apart into bits and pieces by a Multiple who cannot control their Powers? Even if you’re not afraid for yourself, are you not afraid for your children?” Pellegrino cried out passionately.
His eyes blazed as he continued to speak. “We have lost too much to these people. Ever since the Anima Records have been obliterated, the number of crimes related to Multiples has increased exponentially. I’m sure that you have noticed that every time you read the papers.”
Kate Cassidy spoke up in a soft lilting voice.
“I agree with Pellegrino. These people have killed innocents, destroyed property, and are still terrorizing our young. We have suffered enough.”
Pellegrino nodded at Kate in thanks as he spoke again.
“In consideration of the elevated crime rates and all that has occurred after the removal of the Anima Records, I propose that we overthrow the current Anima law and override it with one that requires all Animas to be registered again.” There was a buzz of noise from the rest of the council.
Gerard tried not to scoff. However, looking around the hall, Gerard realized that not all of the council members disagreed with Pellegrino. He mentally took note of those people who were nodding in agreement at Pellegrino’s words.
Riordan Black opinioned, “Pellegrino, I believe you are missing the point here. The Osores are the main problem here, are they not? They are the ones causing panic among the public. We have outlawed discrimination against Multiples, yet they still chose to target them. They are the ones that we should be concerned about!”
“With all due respect, I disagree. It is because the people are dissatisfied with the law that the Osores exist. It is because of the fact that these Powers are dangerous that the Osores have chosen to take it upon themselves to remove them from society. If we were to reestablish the Anima Records again, the Osores would have no reason to exist!” Pellegrino sneered.
“Establishing the Anima Records would only give the Osores a greater incentive to exist! A list of names of all who have multiple Animas - you may as well throw a party for the Osores and tell them to enjoy themselves! You’ll be giving those Powers a death sentence!” Jensen Ackles protested loudly from the other corner of the room.
Gerard schooled his countenance into a vaguely serene one and patiently said, “Mark, with all due respect, I’m sure I have mentioned this many times before, but my research shows that…”
Pellegrino interrupted him in mid-sentence.
“Yes, Professor, we know what your research has shown,” Pellegrino sneered mockingly, unconcerned. “But… ah… the truth does not seem to measure up to what you have said so far…”
“I’ll have you know that there are many other scientific names who agree with me on this!” Gerard said, feeling incensed that Pellegrino was placing doubt in his work and expertise.
“I’m sure of that, Professor.” Pellegrino waved a dismissive hand in Gerard’s direction (Gerard felt an irrational urge to set Pellegrino’s hair on fire), “However, the situation so far remains that these Powers have proven themselves to be dangerous… and measures should be taken to put them in place.”
“Have you forgotten the Anima War?” Samantha Ferris cried out from the other end of the room. “It’s because of these measures that caused the War in the first place!”
There was a murmur of agreement from some members of the council.
“Of course, more severe measures could be put in place to curb the more problematic Powers…” Pellegrino responded.
“That will only cause more resentment among the people! You’ll be declaring war once again!” Jim Beaver retorted.
“Do you need me to list the number of people with only one Anima who have committed heinous crimes?” Gerard contributed hotly.
Pellegrino laughed, his lips twitching slyly as he shot a response back at Gerard.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ve made that argument many times in defense of your brother, Professor.”
Gerard turned bright red with anger, and there was another loud roar of noise from the council members but before Gerard could make any response, there was an explosive pop of noise as Iustus waved his hand quickly over his pen and called for attention again once more.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Please desist at once!”
Gerard clamped his mouth shut firmly, clenching his fingers so tightly that his fingernails dug into his skin, leaving deep red half-moon indentations behind.
Iustus turned towards Pellegrino. “Personal attacks are shameful, Mr. Pellegrino, and should not be made against any esteemed individual of the Council.”
Pellegrino nodded, but smirked at Gerard, saying nothing. Gerard gritted his teeth in fury.
“We are all sensible folks here. We are the main body in charge of making legislative laws, and we should always remain dispassionate and focused. It will not do to have fighting amongst ourselves. Our goals should be focused on the welfare of our community instead.” Iustus said sternly. His fountain pen skidded across the paper frantically, taking down his words.
“Council members, I think that that will be all for today’s session.” Iustus paused. “We shall reconvene in another two weeks’ time. You shall be notified of the exact time and date a few days before the scheduled meeting.”
“In the meantime, do take note of the arguments that have been presented today. Look at the situation from both sides of the coin.” Iustus emphasized heavily. “Our next meeting would be a continuation of today’s topic, on whether there is a need to reestablish the Anima Records again. Have a pleasant day. Dismissed.”
*
Gerard made a beeline towards the refreshments table set outside the Hall of Justitia, reaching for a cup of coffee. As he sipped the dark beverage, he glanced uninterestedly at the cupcakes and sandwiches that had been set out for the members of the Seniorum Concilium, then turned his attention to the rest of the room. The rest of the members of the Seniorum Concilium began to head towards the table, some pilling food onto their plates, some eating or drinking, and others merely standing around and engaging each other in conversation. Gerard headed towards Matt Cohen, who was lounging on a sofa by himself and sipping on a cup of tea.
"Matt! How are you?" Gerard greeted cheerfully.
Matt looked vaguely alarmed as he looked up at Gerard. Before Gerard could even try to sit down next to him, Matt had jumped out of his seat, almost spilling his tea on himself. He shot a furtive and surreptitious glance at Mark Pellegrino, who (Gerard noted with some alarm) was talking to Samantha Ferris in low, dark tones at the corner of the room.
"I'm going to get some sandwiches, I heard they're great! Do you want some, Gerard? I'll go get some for you!"
Gerard barely managed to say a confused "No" before Matt Cohen hurriedly headed towards the refreshments table, a look of relief vey much evident on his face as he walked away from Gerard. Matt kept casting frightened looks at Mark Pellegrino, who looked oblivious to Matt's attentions.
There were many rumours about Mark Pellegrino, because of his many connections. What many suspected was that Mark Pellegrino was also very much responsible for the Osore activities that were occuring with increasing frequency. None had been able to prove it though.
Right.
Gerard could take a hint.
He sat down on the large sofa and sighed heavily. Taking a long sip of his coffee, Gerard scrubbed his face with his hands tiredly.
"Some of us just have a lot to risk, Professor."
Gerard looked up to see Traci Dinwiddie smiling prettily at him.
"I know." He replied quietly. "But so do I." He fell silent as Traci sat down next to him, sipping delicately on her own cup of tea.
"We all do. The difference is, Professor," Traci continued softly, "that some of us just aren't willing to take that risk."
"How about you, Traci? Are you willing to take that risk?" Gerard asked boldly.
Traci merely smiled cryptically, saying nothing. She reached over to pat Gerard's hand gently before she left, her dress a swirl of red and green behind her.
(
Frank's Idea)
*
1) Iustus means "just" and "righteous" in Latin.
2) Seniorum Concilium means Council of the Elders in Latin. (At least i hope so! I googled for a translation, so if it's not accurate, please forgive me.)
3) The Seniorum Concilium consists of 21 members. So far, I have introduced
1. Iustus Fletcher (the Dux)
2. Gerard Way - AGAINST
3. Mark Pellegrino - FOR
4. Riordan Black - AGAINST
5. Jim Beaver - AGAINST
6. Kate Cassidy - FOR
7. Jensen Ackles - AGAINST
8. Samantha Ferris - AGAINST
9. Jim Beaver - AGAINST
10. Matt Cohen - ?
11. Traci Dinwiddie - ?
To make things less confusing, for future chapters on SC matters, I will present a summary table at the end of the chapter showing members against and for the reesstablishment of the Anima Records based on the opinions they have given during the meetings.
The situation doesn't look too bad for Gerard now, doesn't it? BUT take note that
1) The stands of the members may change over time.
2) Most of the members have chosen not to voice out any opinions yet.
3) It's also possible that they are merely paying lip service... such is human nature.
Let the political games begin.