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

[alilyinthemoonslight]

She laughs, shrugging her shoulders. "It's alright, it... happens." A lot. "I'm just a bit adamant in that area, I suppose."

She lets out a breath and nods, though. "Absolutely. We haven't been back in Locke long, but... it was only a year and a half ago we were fighting for our lives here. This is... gratifying."

[speedpariah]

"Of course," he said. "I can certainly understand that. I've had... a friend who was once adamantly in love." He sighs, and shakes his head. "I've always focused more on my career, however."

He listens to what she says next, and nods. What he says next, he says honestly. "I see. That... must have been a harrowing experience. I can't imagine what it must have been like to... endure something like that."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Lily raises an eyebrow at the talk of Weller's friend. 'Friend?' Who knows. She's not going to pry, but just smiles politely. Even as he notes that last bit, and while it's difficult to maintain that smile then, she nods.

"It... was. It's something I try not to think too hard about anymore."

She'd poured all that out onto the page, content to leave it there except when harassed by reporters. One of her hands tenses into something like a fist briefly, but she relaxes it to moment she realizes what she's doing.

"But, ah... brighter topics, hm?"

[speedpariah]

"Yes, of course," Weller replied, making a mental note. This was something that bothered her, clearly... which could be useful in the future. "We all have things like that in our lives, I suspect. But ah, as for brighter topics..."

He held up a hand, in an "aha" gesture. "The speech your wife gave. I was very impressed."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

She just gives a mild nod to the first part. She has plenty of those things, especially from those days of the invasion. This is why you hire therapists, though.

"Ah! Well, I'm sure she'd be happy to hear that. I'm not too surprised, she's always.. had a way with words."

Even back in the days when Winter had trouble stumbling over them.

[speedpariah]

"I can imagine. She's quite the vocal young woman. It's made her rather... notorious."

Not a word with the best of implications, now is it? "But I suppose it's her will that drew you to her, isn't it?"

[alilyinthemoonslight]

That ... is a word to use, isn't it? Something about it causes a certain, familiar type of defense to claw its way up into Lily's consciousness, and she quietly crosses her arms for a moment. You can say many things about Lily Tsukuyomi and not have her bat an eyelash.

Her wife? Well, that's another matter.

"I'm ... not sure that's how I'd put it."

She frowns.

"But, no. What drew me to her was something else entirely."

[speedpariah]

"Mmm, it's not?" he replied. "Perhaps it'd be easier to say 'well known', then."

He continued to smile.

"Something else? I'd be interested in knowing what that might be."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Lily doesn't make eye contact with him, now speaking and looking considerably more stiff than before. She shakes her head just a little bit.

"Her kindness."

It's simple and to the point, but that's her answer.

[speedpariah]

Weller stares for a moment... before laughing, softly.

"Well said," he replied. "That's a quality most people should show. I can see now what's taken you two so far."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Lily purses her lips, still holding herself a little defensively.

"It is, indeed. Sadly, it's also something in short supply in more places than it should be..."

She looks back at him, pointedly. "It'll take us as far as we need to go, though."

[speedpariah]

"I'm sure it will," Weller replied, offering a sincere-looking smile. "I think we need more kindness in this cruel world. Especially in the form of the people attempting to shape it."