Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

[ceofactor]

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]

Comments

Sonia Clarke

[secretaryclarke]

In contrast to her employer, Sonia Clarke stood out much less than her boss. It wasn't to say that she didn't stand out at all, however. Being the right hand to one of the most powerful men in the world still got you noticed, it just wasn't to the same extent as her eccentric and outgoing man who she worked for.

That being said, aside from her time on the podium, Sonia spent most of her time minding something else entirely: The state of the room. She knew an event like this had the potential to go wrong a million different ways, and it was the responsibility of someone like her to make sure any fires would be put out before they had a chance to start. That was just part of her job description.

But she was also interested in the people attending the party. So, every now and then, Sonia would drop her guard, approach a partygoer, and ask, "How are you enjoying the party?" Direct and to the point, as she often was. If she didn't approach you, however, Sonia could usually be seen in a position where she could easily look out over the whole dance hall, and ensure that everything was running smoothly.

[speedpariah]

"Ah, Miss Clarke. It's nice to finally meet you in person."

Sonia wouldn't have introduced herself, in this case. This was Weller, being himself, approaching her. He wears a wide grin on his face.

"I don't suppose I could interest you in a drink," he said, motioning to the bar.

[secretaryclarke]

Few things can get under Sonia Clarke's skin, or rattle her nerves. As Weller approaches however, she purses her lips and clearly has to keep something bottled up. You'd think he would catch a hint, hm?

Still, she smiles. Politely. If forced.

"I'm working, Doctor. I'm afraid I couldn't."

[speedpariah]

Edwin had seen enough smiles like that in his time. And yet, he grins in response.

"Your employer seems to be taking every opportunity to enjoy this evening. Surely you're allowed at least one drink."

[secretaryclarke]

Sonia bites back the sigh. It's definitely there, but so help her she's not going to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing it.

"My employer is due to facilitate the party however he deems necessary. Meanwhile, I know my job."

[speedpariah]

"Mmm, I suppose," he said, with a short laugh. It was best to cut this off rather than drive this further.

"Perhaps then, simple conversation would be enough? I feel perhaps that last time we got off on the wrong foot. I'd like to change that."

[secretaryclarke]

Yes, Edwin. Go with that feeling. Even if mentally she feels rather put upon to give him that much, eyeing for whatever angle he's trying to dig into this time. Still... knowing those angles can be beneficial too, can't they?

"Well, it is a party, yes."

And you were invited, for better or worse.

"By all means, I'm not exactly going anywhere."

Sadly.

[dragon_blossom]

Smiling, Marina nodded at Sonia. "It's a little tiring being at the center of things, but it really is lovely." Thankfully, she'd picked out her own dress, for the sake of matching an eyepatch to it - just how many did she have anyways?

[secretaryclarke]

Sonia provides Marina with a polite smile and nod in greeting. It's only courteous, after all.

"I would almost expect you to be used that by now, although I don't suppose you've been throwing yourself out there quite as much into the public eye as some of your..." Her eyes flicker a bit as if she's mentally running through information she knows about people. 'Family' isn't quite the right word for it yet, at least officially, is it? "Friends."

[dragon_blossom]

"Surprisingly, I'm not good with the spotlight, as much of an attention hog as I am." There's attention, and then there are... expectations. These are a little different.

"Sometimes I feel a little bad, though. Winter's kinda shy compared to me, and look at her putting herself out there." And wordswordswords. "But I'm not that eloquent."

[secretaryclarke]

That first part actually brings a slightly amused expression out from Sonia. More than one might typically expect, for how little any of them might have known her at this point. "Not everyone is, but..."

She shakes her head. "If you do what you know you can do, well. That's more important in the long run, isn't it?"

Sonia isn't exactly the person you'd usually turn to for an encouraging pep talk, but she doesn't want the girl to put herself down, either. There's no reason for it.

[dragon_blossom]

"Oh, I know. I've done a lot, I just ought to learn to not have other people do all my talking for me, maybe... I dunno, take a public speaking class." Marina's self-esteem hasn't been too much of a problem, at least. "She'll still probably field more of it than I do, though."

[secretaryclarke]

"Well, what I mean is if it's not your forte, then it's not. Everyone's got different roles in things, correct?"

You know, just like at a business.

"Maybe look at it more that way, perhaps."

[charcoalfeather]

Again, Rakka put on a smile that shined like her necklace. It came easily as her eyes fell on the lady that invited them to this in the first place, as well as personally allowed Rakka to speak at this shindig. "I think it's been really great, so far."

"These are the best!" Fougere chimed in, with a mouthful of hors-d'oeuvres. How many had he had so far? We just don't know. Rakka laughed it off.

"Fougere gives it his seal of approval."

[secretaryclarke]

Sonia gives Rakka a small smile, and a nod. She's glad to see the young woman here, and that she's taking the initiative.

"So, this is your partner, then," she said, eyeing Fougere. "I'm glad he's satisfied with our preparations."

It was interesting seeing him up close like this. Fougere was such a fanciful creature, yet clearly real, and intriguing enough on his own. Sonia made a note to herself to pay as much attention to them both as possible.

[charcoalfeather]

The event needed everyone to do their part, and Rakka wasn't about to let that not happen. Not on her watch.

"Yes, that's right!" She nodded, noting her Fairy companion sitting on her right shoulder at the moment... and getting crumbs all over his bowtie. "Fougere's also happy to be here for the charity, of course."

"Yush"

As intriguing as he was, Fougere was just a friend in Rakka's eyes, someone she'd come to know and love like a best friend over the years. It was normal to her.

[secretaryclarke]

It's funny how "normal" works out in this world, nowadays. She continues watching Fougere a moment, before focusing her gaze back upon Rakka, that small smile still present.

"We're glad to have you. So far, I believe this is meeting Mr. Factor's expectations - I think it bodes well for future endeavors."

[charcoalfeather]

Rakka had possessed wings and a halo for almost more then three years now. To not have them would seem weirder to her now then anything.

"I'm really glad about that. I've already made a donation to the charity myself!"

"Sure did!"

Rakka beamed happily now, a far shot from her early days. She'd grown quite a bit. "I'll be making a speech soon."

[secretaryclarke]

She gives a short nod, but still looks on at her pleasantly enough. "That's good, though in the end what's more important than the money is the message we send. We can find the funds, that much is obvious by the people we've had come here and what they've provided. The message, though..."

Her eyes flick over towards the stage.

"That's what we really need to be hearing, and I think I'll be looking forward to what you have to say."

[numberedshepherd]

The flash and panache of Benjamin Factor is something that Lazarus appreciates, but doesn't feel right or comfortable approaching. He doesn't have much patience for card tricks, and he doesn't have much stamina for the kind of jovial persona the man's conveying, even after a couple of drinks. He keeps to the outskirts of the party for the most part, observing, maybe looking a touch like he's skulking, but at least he's here.

"Oh..."

At the sound of Sonia's now-familiar voice (by merit of having heard it before on the network), Lazarus turns, meeting her eyes with his own owlish, dark grey ones.

"It's nice to meet you in person, Ms. Clarke," he murmurs, wishing that he was less awkward in person. He often gives the impression of being like a wild animal someone brought indoors, relatively tame but by no means domesticated. "I don't tend to enjoy parties, but I recognize the importance of this one. Naturally, I made it a priority to attend."

He wouldn't want to essentially stand up Factor, who has given him so much to work with in the New Zealand settlement.

[secretaryclarke]

"And it is nice to meet you in person as well," Sonia replied, giving him a firm nod. What she said next didn't surprise her; from what she'd gathered of Lazarus from previous interaction and the background information she had, it seemed logical enough.

"I can sympathize," she replied. "Perhaps not entirely; Functions like this are part of the job description, and Mr. Factor puts on a lot of them. Still, I'm quite thankful you decided to attend."

[numberedshepherd]

Sonia's overall air is one that Lazarus would describe as "pleasantly professional." That is to say that she is approachable without being overly casual or familiar, and brisk without being cold. It's an attitude that goes a long way toward relaxing him and putting him at something like ease; certainly more approachable than Factor's slightly overwhelming jolliness. What puts him even more at ease is hearing that even though they both consider the event important, they mutually see it as more of an obligation than a pleasurable outing.

"I'm glad I did," he says honestly. "The Network can come across as impersonal, sometimes, which might be ironic considering the nature of some of the content that makes it on there. People post accidentally, or when they're vulnerable or desperate, but there's still a human element that is unique to face-to-face interactions. Even many of those who came reluctantly will get a lot out of this, and come to appreciate the humanization of their fellows."

[secretaryclarke]

Really, as far as Lazarus goes, given who she works for, individuals with decidedly stand-out quirks don't really bother Sonia very much. So long as they can maintain their own sense of decorum, Sonia's more than willing to give a lot more leeway than her outward appearance might entail.

Still, she gets that same sense off him that he does off her - this is an obligation, yes. Not one she's hard pressed to fulfill, but a part of her job all the same. Either way, her lips quirk up in a small, polite smile.

"You're not wrong, but that impersonal nature can help ease one into things sometimes, too," she says, and then casts a look out at the gathering. "Had we approached you for something like this out of the blue, I imagine it would've been a much harder sell."

[numberedshepherd]

Most of the Numbered, especially those who have been around for a long time, have their fair share of quirks by this point. And even if Lazarus seems to barely pull it together and hang on by the skin of his teeth on some days, he can maintain something like a sense of decorum. Even if he has to borrow suits because a teleporter ate his and replaced it with an outfit that looked like it was dug out of the garbage.

"It... really depends on when you'd approached me," he admits. "Everyone responds differently, but the Network has the advantage of being accessed by the individual. They make first contact, and in a way they have to accept it because of the burden of proof, or sanity, resting on the individual who provoked it. When I first accessed the Network a few years ago, I thought the CIA was behind it."

[secretaryclarke]

That was interesting to Sonia. She could only speculate as to what had led him to such a conclusion, though she did have some perspective on that. At the same time, she kept those thoughts to herself.

"I suppose I should take it as a small blessing that my first experiences were relatively pleasant. It says a great deal that everyone treated me with respectful caution when I made my greeting."

She looked to the side. "Though, I suspect that may be more due to Mister Factor's efforts."