raisetheearth | Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

Even for Benjamin Factor, arranging this charity event had been something of a challenge. Just as he held great influence in Gateway City, Thunder Corp's influence in Locke was great as well. But with time and money, all things were indeed possible in this case, and the Memorial Dance Hall was playing host to the night's events. It was a glamorous affair: politicians, captains of business, dignitaries, and celebrities had been invited. For whatever controversy that existed, the world legitimately wanted to heal the wounds left by the invasion, and that meant there were a lot of people who wanted to use events like this to either advance that cause, or to make themselves look good.

But they weren't the only sorts of individuals who had recieved an invitation.

Benjamin Factor had also made it so the Numbered would be invited to his little party. Arrivals through the teleporter would be greeted by drivers at the community center, and the same courtesy was extended to anyone who might live in Locke. The only stipulation? Was that anyone who came make an effort to make themselves presentable. If that was a problem, or anyone arrived without knowing, they had clothes on hand for people to change into.

Indeed, it seemed that the Numbered would be well provided for tonight. That being said, their presence would get people to talk, given the presence of news crews making live coverage. Nevertheless... "getting people to talk" seemed to be exactly what Benjamin Factor wanted to happen.

[Event Links: Event Speakers | NPC Interaction | General Mingle]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nux is having a terrible time. Though he's not what most people would consider vain (he did once consent to a surgery that made him look like a chameleon, after all), he tends to get used to his appearance and come to like it. Any sudden change is reason for unsettled panic.

"No, Jacob, it's not a nice party," he says, hands held over his mouth. His teleporter echo has left him visibly maimed, with dramatic scarification over his lips as though someone drew train tracks across his lips with a razor blade. "I mean... OK, it's probably a f-fine party but I can't enjoy it like this. I look horrible."

Jacob almost drops his drink when he sees Nux a little more clearly. The smile fades to a look of worry. He sets his hand gently on Nux's arm.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Jacob starts to look Nux over. Does he need first aid? A hospital? "Did someone do this to you?" Jacob's tone sounds a little on edge, as though if he finds out someone did, he's going to make them regret it.

Nux is every part forlorn and inconsolable. Even the touch on his arm doesn't seem to raise his spirits much, but he does respond to the concern. It's nice to have someone worry about him, even if he'd rather there was nothing to worry about period.

"It was an echo. I got it when I came through the teleporter," he says miserably. "It just figures that it would be tonight. I could meet Kirara! This is just a disaster..."

Jacob's not too sure how to fix this for Nux. With advanced as the scars are, he doesn't think vitamin E supplements will make much of a difference. Or if it would work on an echo like this, anyway. And he understands why Nux would feel suddenly put off by meeting someone in his current state. It could... well... scare the person. Poor kid...

Jeez, what do you do in a situation like this?

"Is there anything I can do?" It's simple, it's to the point. But you don't know until you ask.

The sad reality is that there really isn't a way. Though Nux can shapeshift to a fairly impressive degree, it requires constant thought and effort to maintain, and the thought of going more than a few minutes at a time doing it is exhausting.

"I... I don't know! You tell me!" he says wildly, wringing his hands.

Offhand, Jacob's got nothing... He takes a deep breath as he tries to think, looking Nux over again. He's not good with makeup, he didn't exactly bring anyone with him or else his sister might. He doesn't know anyone with healing magic. The more options he runs over in his head, the more terrible he feels because none of them will work right now.

Then another thought strikes him. "Hang on, stay right here." He disappears into the crowd, looking for one of the people who provided suits upon entering Locke City. Luckily, they seem to have exactly what he was looking for and he beelines back to Nux. He flicks out the top hat and sets it on Nux's head. It doesn't eliminate anything, but it pulls the attraction from his face and, if nothing else, makes him look pretty cool, actually.

"There, that should help quite a bit. I'm sorry it's not perfect, but it should at least deter staring and I think it makes you look more like a gentleman."

Nux is in a similar place where every possible solution he can imagine is either impossible or so inaccessible that it might as well be. He hangs his head, staring at the floor and looking increasingly more miserable, until Jacob tells him to stay put and wait. He does, blinking, surprised and curious and waiting with bated breath to see what his acquaintance will come up with.

When Jacob returns, he looks at the hat doubtfully, but when Jacob sets it on top if his head, his reaction to the sight is positive enough that Nux seems to take heart in it.

"It... it really looks good? Yeah?" he asks, reaching up to experimentally touch the brim. "Where did you get it?"

Jacob gives a reassuring smile.

"Yes, I really think it does look good. I got it from one of the people who met me at the teleporter into Locke City, the ones who offer suits to those that don't have them. It's lucky they had one on hand."

He's happy that he can at least help Nux enjoy the party without being too self-conscious anymore. And, hopefully, if people do notice the scars, they won't mention it. He'll have to see if there's any remedies for this sort of thing when they get back home. But, for now, it's best to save those worries for later.

The smile is returned, even if it looks significantly more patchwork than Jacob's. That's just something that Nux will have to get used to, like the scarification covering his chest since another recent Echo.

"Thanks... already got the suit from them. The hat's a g-good idea. D'you think if I talk to Kirara she'll think it's c-cool?"

"I'm glad you approve." He pats Nux's shoulder. "I'm sure she will. Can't go wrong with a little class."

Jacob glances around the crowd, as if looking for this girl that Nux seems to be so interested in.

"If you want to try, I'll wait right here."

"Uh... yeah! OK," Nux says, nodding eagerly. "I'll... I'll go see if I can find her and talk to her. I'll let you know how it g-goes. If you wait though, uh, it might be awhile. If things go really well she might want to dance or something."

Jacob can't help but smile at Nux's eagerness. It's contagious, and Jacob is eager for him as well. He really hopes that Kirara gives Nux the time of day.

"I certainly don't mind waiting. I might wander a bit if I see someone I know, but I shouldn't be too far from here. Best of luck to you. I hope you get her to dance."

He raises his glass, as though a toast to Nux, giving another warm smile.

"Oh! Yeah, go ahead and wander," he says, nodding eagerly, clearly anxious to go off and look for his chance to wow Kirara with his new hat. "Thanks for the wishes though! I'm g-gonna hope for the best. If I d-don't see you again for awhile, have fun tonight, OK?"

Jacob nods back.

"Thank you, I most certainly will. You do the same."

"Yeah! OK, uh, thanks!" Nux answers excitedly, turning and starting to work his way through the crowd with his new hat perched jauntily atop his bald head.

Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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