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

Emilia Stacojiu | OTA

[scarlet_devil]

While Emi wasn't sure about the party being held in Locke, there was a part of her that missed the place, having lived there a few years even before the Numbered thing began. Emilia wasn't going to miss this party, though, and she's more than ready for it.

Of course she's decided to wear a dress that might get her some attention. And she most certainly wants to get Arthur's attention... Anyway, the vampire is quite happy to socialize with most people here... Especially if they're fellow Numbered.

[princesscut]

Huh. Emi is attracting almost as much attention as Summer is. Can't have that without a challenge, nope, nope. Striding over in an almost-tastefully short black dress leaving her shoulders bare, she grins. "You're certainly dressed to kill tonight. Enjoying yourself?"

[scarlet_devil]

Well, that had to be Summer, now didn't it? The general difference in demeanor and being far less shy about the way she dresses was a dead giveaway. "You must be Summer. Yes, it's been a quite the party so far..." Though some positive attention from the locals would be nice.

Amelia's at the party too, but, somewhere near the edges.

[princesscut]

"Yes, that's what I call myself," she casually adds, sliding close to keep the other woman engaged. "I've been enjoying things, although I've been sticking close to my lovely partner for large portions of the night. Sticking to the catering, or are you up to anything in particular tonight?" She knows about Amelia, but... one at a time. She needs a different tactic for this particular reincarnate's mirror.

[scarlet_devil]

Well, Emi doesn't want her anywhere near Amelia, she fully expects Summer to try to hurt her somehow. "I've been sticking close to my friends for most of the night. Though, I might be persuaded to donate to charity..."

She would have done so if Locke didn't still shun her.

[princesscut]

Special exception for Winter aside, Summer would laugh at the notion. Things too nice to fight back aren't fun to get in the way of.

"Glad to hear it. Locke is a better place than it used to be, especially with Megacorp 1 and Megacorp 2 looking out for us. But I still don't walk around without an exit plan, or someone else looking over my shoulder. And I don't donate at things like this. Maybe after the fact, but something about it feels..." She fishes for a word, making a small face. "...tacky, to me. A check in a box is just the same as being seen handing it over in front of a dozen social elites, right?"

[scarlet_devil]

"I'll be doing for a simple reason... It'll improve my image." She still resents the people of Locke... but she had grown a bit over the last year. Actions spoke louder than words... But still, it was an act on her part.

[dictator_ko]

Happy she might be to socialize with most people... but most people probably doesn't include Mina. Who is right now staring at Emi. "What're you doing here?"

[scarlet_devil]

Somewhere in the background, Amelia is making her way over and hoping her hotheaded sister isn't about to start a fight. Emilia, on the other hand, raises an eyebrow imperiously at Mina.

"I was invited."

[dictator_ko]

"So was I." The residual rage from that time is threatening to flare up. The only reason Mina hasn't already flown off the handle is that she's trying to put on her best face in front of the other Numbered and this is an important event she doesn't want to ruin. Plus she isn't directly being provoked right now.

"So, nice event, isn't it?" The words're obviously forced.

[scarlet_devil]

Emilia still thinks she's a shit, but she isn't antagonizing. Or trying not to.

"It seems to be going well. Despite you staring at me like that."

[dictator_ko]

And she drops the staring. "Well, you know, that's quite an outfit. Where'd you get it?"

She herself is in a simple but fashionable flowing and poofy white and black dress, with a hole tailored for her tail.

[scarlet_devil]

The only thing she had to worry about is making sure she got a backless dress to accommodate her wings.

"That, I'm afraid, is something you'll need to find out by yourself." Hey, Amelia knows where she got it. Online.

rabu

[knights_king]

In comparison, Arthur felt lacking. He was wearing a suit and bowtie--one he had to sit still so Emilia's father could put on him properly. If only because he had to ask her father of all people to set up the bowtie for him, he felt ruined for the night. The entire time they drove to the event, Arthur was wrapped up in his nerves and for the first part of the party, he was looking for a bit of liquor to help unbundle those nerves.

They danced for a bit and he felt like he squandered a few chances through the night, until the conversations became a bit more hushed. Sidling up next to Emilia by one of the tall windows, he cleared his throat and offered her a weak smile, clearly a bit dazed by the worry that had been plaguing him.

It wasn't about worrying if she would turn him down at the last second. It was the refusal to do it poorly and the refusal to make it predictable.

Still, he smiled, "One more dance?"

He was struck with an amazingly moronic idea.

[scarlet_devil]

Emilia on the other hand was her usual, confident self. Any trouble that she expected to interrupt the party never materialized, things were indeed going along as expected.

It wasn't hard to catch her there as she continued to mingle... and she greeted him with a smile.

"I'd love to, Arthur..."

[knights_king]

Dancing. He wasn't the best at it, but he was fairly adept. On top of that, he felt one of his shoe laces loosening just a little. Though most people would have thought it was a sign of a lack of preparation, Arthur saw it for an opportunity that should have seemed completely natural for him.

Taking Emilia's hand, he smiled with just a touch more confidence, leading her out to the middle of the floor.

[scarlet_devil]

Emi was of course willing to teach him to dance even better, even though he seems to be holding his own from what she can see.

She followed his lead, hand in his, ready to begin the dance.

[knights_king]

Following Emilia with his heart rate steadily adjusting, Arthur fell into a dance with her near immediately, stepping in tune with her right from the start. The last time they danced at such a big event, he had struggled quite a bit, but by then he had steadily improved--not through practice, but through confidence. He didn't remember the big parties of Camelot, but he did gain a sense for where his feet were supposed to go. Comparing it to the footwork of a swordsman helped a little bit, though he tried not to be so aggressive.

"Has it been a good night, so far?" To at least breach the subject, Arthur could at least try and rely on the good conversations Emilia might have had during the night to wear her down into the perfect situation.

[scarlet_devil]

Emi obviously was more than used to dances like this, he seems to be following her lead without too much trouble.

"Mmm, it has, with my friends and of course you being here with me." She starts to really relax now... Especially since he seems to have dancing well in hand.

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus also has mixed feelings about returning to Locke after such a long time. Having been born and raised in the city, it is home, as well as the cradle of many endeavors and labors of love. Horrible things have happened here, too, over the course of his life like mangled patches of an otherwise coherent tapestry. But viewed as a sum of its parts, if he could return to Locke City permanently and safely, it's highly likely that he would in a heartbeat, even though he's come to love Shepherd's Haven dearly.

"That's some dress," he comments. He has no sense for taste or aesthetics in clothing, but he can at least tell that much. "If you can dance in that, I expect Arthur will have every one."

[scarlet_devil]

Gateway was her home now, and Locke was not a place she could see herself moving to anytime soon at all. She's tired of moving around anyway, so even if she could move back to Locke, she most likely wouldn't. All she wants to do now is try and build a new life with Arthur.

"Why, thank you. I do try to look my best in any situation, and I'm sure Arthur would find me as alluring as ever."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus knows Emilia well enough by this point that he can take her somewhat egotistical swanning in stride. As far as he's concerned, people all have their assets, and he figures that if he was physically attractive, it's likely that he would be proud and flaunt it, too.

"I confess... I was nervous about coming back to Locke City after all this time, but I'm heartened. So far this seems like it's going OK. It's probably good for everyone to get to know each other a little better in person."

[scarlet_devil]

Can't stop won't stop. It should be quite obvious to everyone that Emi's pride is her greatest flaw by far, not that she'll ever stop to consider that she might get bad about it at times.

"Ah, I was hoping for a little more positive attention, myself. But Locke's people are true to form..."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus' expression is tired and sad. "Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the attitude is going to turn around very soon or very quickly. An even better reason for all of us to be on our best behavior, whether or not we have the kinds of powers or features they're afraid of. Whether or not we always feel like it," he adds, possibly specifically for Emi's benefit.

[scarlet_devil]

"I'll be nice and civil. What choice do I have?" Emilia looked fed up, but there was a hint of resignation in her expression.