Paul Stewart: The Kingmaker of Vocal

Heavy the crown that wears the man. Weighty the responsibility that said man wields. Said man being me. There is nothing throwaway or even remotely slight and insignificant about what I do. A well-timed comment and a like from me can lead you onto great and wonderful things around these parts. Eclipsing my own success entirely. Just one first place and a plethora of Top Stories are all I have to my name. While those I paved the way for and who I helped encourage and inspire, have overshadowed me.

The life of the Kingmaker of Vocal is one that is as much about glory and fortune (someone else's) as it is about shame and misfortune (mine and mine alone to carry like Johhny Marr did The Smiths despite Morrissey's best efforts to derail things).

Like Grima, I feel that lonely desolate despair that comes from controlling everything and gaining none of the glory. I do not despise those who came after me, who followed and gained might success. For success is deserving of those who earn it. But long has seasons past since my big victory. Gone, but not forgotten, at least of all by my own wavering ego, as I gaze upon my profile page and see the little badge. The euphoric state I was in for at least several hours after the announcement had passed, has been replaced with one that is decidedly despondent and like a geyser waiting to burst force, I fear my venom is always waiting to be released on unsuspecting readers and writers alike. For, I need to write, not just want to write...and I bring forth the dark and the light that dulls and shines often so equally.

So “Come what may of The Kingmaker of Vocal?” asked no-one and everyone in sad reflection. Shall I continue a beacon of encouragement or retire to my lonely throne in the cave of robbers I dwell, like some forgotten champion?

The quill must meet the parchment, yes, the file must fill with the words of the self-inflicted. My truest self is between the lies I tell and the satire I spell. The whole world is a stage I want to burn with fire from my mind's match.

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Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: This is mostly Stephen E. Roddewigg's fault. Go check out his work. I wouldn't be living up to my role as The Kingmaker of Vocal if I didn't include a link to his profile, now would I?