Video

[raisednpcs]

[The video begins, showing a woman sitting in an office with her back to a window. The sky-line of Gateway City can be seen behind her, facing the west. She stares forward for a few moments before pausing, and adjusting her glasses. For all intents and purposes, this is a new face on the Network.]

Ah, hello everyone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sonia Clarke, and I'm Benjamin Factor's personal assistant. As I'm sure you are all aware, both Mr. Factor and his company have been supporting the Numbered heavily in this past year. It was therefore decided that there needed to be a direct liaison between all of you and the company.

[She pauses, before adjusting her glasses and continuing.]

Furthermore, we'd also like to personally thank those Numbered who assisted in the recent... incident here in Gateway City. The animals that caused such damage are being cared for, but as you might understand, there are certain struggles in doing so for such bizarre creatures. However, Mr. Factor would like for me to assure you that they have not been mistreated or experimented upon. This has created some friction with the military, but we anticipate that will be resolved before long. Any damages to personal or public property are also being taken care of, as well.

[Sonia pauses for another brief moment, before her eyes widen slightly, and she sighs.]

I suppose I should also address the elephant in the room. Seeing as how I can communicate with you like this, it should go without saying that I'm a Numbered, just like all of you. I want you all to know that you can trust me, and that I do not intend to betray anything I learn here. Mr. Factor and I imagine that this is an area where you've potentially been used or manipulated, and it's for that reason that we intend to be as transparent as possible. We are committed to supporting all of you as much as possible, as we have in this past year.

[She offers a tiny smile, before speaking again.] Now, I would be happy to take any questions. I cannot promise an answer for every single one, but I will make an effort to be clear and concise for the ones in which I can.

Comments

voice

[darkhourdear]

[...maybe Phillip shouldn't be surprised, since that kind of helps explain why Factor might actually be interested in helping them (he hopes it's also just because he's nice, but knowing someone likely helps), but he still is. But he feels like he should say something, even though he's not quite brave enough to show his face. ...Even though he' already visible on the network.]

Um... hi! [this is a great start.] How long have you been Numbered?

[raisednpcs]

[Sonia's tone is very focused, and matter-of-fact, but somehow also not impersonal or unfriendly.]

Hello. I first an experienced an echo half a year ago.

[Video]

[lovesickkiller]

[Somehow, being told that they can trust this new face makes Misa instantly distrust her; even if "I'm numbered like you!" had been her opening line as a newly arrived journalist over a year ago. It hadn't worked so well for her then, and it doesn't work so well on her now.]

We must owe Mr. Factor a lot... tell your boss I say thanks?

[She smiles, projecting friendly intentions despite her misgivings.]

It's nice to be able to talk to one of you face to face.

[Video]

[raisednpcs]

I imagine it must be. The communication barrier has been difficult on Mr. Factor's end as well.

[video]

[jasminebloominginshadow]

[Jasmine's natural instinct is to distrust authority, but she knows she can't really air something like that out right now. So she's... going to do her best to play it cool, at least]

Watch out for the ones with the big claws. They're smarter than they look.

... So, uh, you guys really wanna help us, huh? Some of us aren't used to that, but... thanks, all the same.

[video]

[raisednpcs]

Ah, you are... [It's hard not to recognize her, or remember her. She sticks out a fair bit, plus... her sister and sister-in-law have made themselves rather prominent.] Miss Tsukuyomi. Yes, we're gathering as much - you were rather direct in dealing with them, right?

[She adjusts her glasses at the next bit. Her response reads that she kind of expected certain things.]

It's better off for everyone that way, isn't it? As it stands, you all faced almost nothing but opposition and being left to fend for yourselves, and you saved everyone in the end. Someone should be, don't you think?

[video]

[feastorfamine]

... Does compensation for damages cover damage that isn't to buildings? Because my employer found out some of the smaller ones got into our stock before they got rounded up.

...

Also... your company helped support Shepherd's Haven, correct? I have friends there, so... thank you.

[video]

[raisednpcs]

[Sonia's eyebrows raise a little bit.]

Well, we could certainly see about it, at least. Did they do any significant damage?

[She shakes her head.] It's not really me you should be thanking, of course.

[Audio]

[numberedshepherd]

Greetings from New Zealand. We owe a lot to your employer and greatly appreciate what he's done for us.

As much as I can get behind the concept of a liaison, I'd be personally interested in an open forum with Benjamin Factor himself. Is there any reason he would be adverse to this?

[Audio]

[raisednpcs]

[Sonia manages a small smile to Lazarus, knowing this is someone she has to be on good terms with.]

I'll be sure to share those regards with Mr. Factor. And yes, I do believe that can be arranged. I myself am here in order to make more direct communication easier.

[Text]

[prismaticdestruction]

[If anyone expected Dani to just out and talk, they were wrong.]

even if you say that, people are going to not fully trust you right away.

[Text]

[raisednpcs]

[On the main video feed, a small frown appears on Sonia's face, before she types her answer.]

Yes, and that is completely understandable, especially after the last year. But I will say again that we will do whatever we can to earn that trust.

[Video]

[witnessme]

Hi! I'm Nux! You sure seem like a nice lady, welcome to the Network!

[voice]

[raisednpcs]

[well, that's very simple and direct. She nods to him, in response to his friendliness.]

Thank you. Did you have a question for me?

[dictator_ko]

Hello. I have a question! What's the deal with Factor? Why's he being so helpful?

Also why're you keeping those dinosaurs? They almost ate us!

[raisednpcs]

Mr. Factor recognizes all that the Numbered have done for this world, and the fact we likely wouldn't even be here if not for them. He seems to... understand things differently than some parts of the world.

[She clears her throat a bit.] As to the dinosaurs, animal rights and scientific advocates lobbied quickly against having them disposed of. In the end, they're not evil or anything - they're just animals, not evil.

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[Rakka had listened to the assistant speak for as long as she did before letting herself speak up. This.... this could be a good thing. It had to be, right? The name, Factor, was a positive thing in Rakka's books - he'd helped them so much in the time after the invasion.]

Hello there! Uh... [Just smile, Rakka.] I'm Rakka, a-and I wanted to thank you and Mr. Factor for all the help with those dinosaurs.

[Video]

[raisednpcs]

[Sonia gives a polite nod, and keeps her smile.]

But of course. I'll be sure to forward that to him, and hopefully you should get the chance to say so in person as well.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Oh, taking care of damages to personal property, huh? That's good because Raye has a very important question on just that topic.]

You guys cover clothes? Cause I had to throw out a leather jacket I really liked after that t-rex puked all over it.

Watch out for that one, too. Bitch has got a shitty fuckin' attitude.

[raisednpcs]

[She blinks a bit, her professional demeanor shaken momentarily.]

It what? How--

[She shakes her head, clears her throat, and attempts to regain her composure.] No, I can understand that. The carnivores are... under the heaviest supervision, as I'm sure you can imagine.

As to the jacket, I'm... sure we could arrange something.

[video]

[speedpariah]

[the video starts, showing a somewhat haggard and more... unshaven Dr. Weller than usual]

Ah, hello, Miss Clarke. My name is Edwin Weller, and... I've actually sent a request to meet with Mr. Factor several times. He's likely read my paper regarding alien technology, correct?

I'm so glad your organization has seen fit to take care of these animals. I don't suppose you... would be willing to let certain parties join in the study of these fascinating creatures.

[video]

[raisednpcs]

Mr. Weller. I've received your requests, as well as the paper. The latter has been passed up, but I don't control what things are read. I'm working on the former, but as you're no doubt aware, Mr. Factor is an extremely busy man. [This one is perhaps a touch frostier than the others... mostly for having a somewhat longer page of notes.]

While we're happy to open study of these creatures to qualified parties, our list of candidates is fairly long already; it will take time to add new names to the roster of certified persons. Rest assured, those with the necessary... qualifications... will be reached out to in due time. Those without such qualities will, regrettably, not be permitted access.

((OOC - please let us know if this is more than you were expecting.))

Video

[dragon_blossom]

And here I am, not waiting to lose an eye until I could be compensated. Ah well.

[ It's obviously Marina, with the long blue hair and the eyepatch with a gold star on it. And not one of those lopsided 'you tried' stars but something fancy. ]

I have a feeling you know who I am - Marina Santana - and it's nice to meet you Sonia. I'm glad we've got someone on our side.

Video

[raisednpcs]

[Sonia frowns for a brief moment as she regards Marina's words. She stares at her, looking troubled for a moment, before answering.]

It's quite nice to meet you too, Miss Santana. I'm happy to do whatever I can to help.

As for your eye, I only wish we could. Unfortunately, that's beyond even our science.

[Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

It appears we owe you and Mr. Factor a great deal.

[The voice is that of a girl in her late teens, and accented. A Romanian accent, to be exact.]

Few go out of their way to help us Numbered, however, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm suspicious.

[Audio]

[raisednpcs]

Those suspicions are natural, as we've stated multiple times. I do sincerely hope that we can do whatever we can to overcome them.