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

[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."

[numberedshepherd]

He responds with a humorless chuckle. "We all have a somewhat better idea of what's going on, and the reason for our existence, nowadays. And I like to think that most of us are committed to the attitude that we're in this together, so unless someone makes a really terrible first impression, people will be kind and helpful to you, as a general rule."

He really likes to think that he's one of them. Despite being a little on the standoffish and awkward side, he does mean well, and offers help that he can where it's needed.

"Benjamin Factor's efforts certainly helped..." he murmurs, worrying the tip of his thumb with his teeth before growing conscious of the action and lowering his hand to slip into his pocket. "But whether or not you'd been affiliated with someone who had helped us, you'd have been treated kindly."

He pauses.

"If you'd been working for someone who was both mysterious and seriously suspected of maliciousness, though, that would perhaps be a different story."

[secretaryclarke]

"That's quite true," Sonia replied. "If I'd identified myself as an employee of Thunder Corp, I'd have gotten as warm a reception. Even a more... neutral organization by your perspective might have earned a more guarded response. But that's natural."

She looked across the dance hall, smiling sadly for a moment. For a very short moment. Lazarus's various quirks didn't even phase her, or at least, received no comment.

"I do wonder what my experience would be like if I weren't affiliated with Mr. Factor. We're all quite lucky to have him on our side, myself included."

[numberedshepherd]

"Well... it doesn't take much for someone to pick up rather strongly on the fact that we don't much care for Thunder Corp," Lazarus says with a one-shouldered shrug. "It's true, though... if someone was openly affiliated, they wouldn't be received kindly. Certainly discouraged... maybe even shunned, if it seemed that their mind wasn't to be changed anytime soon even with hard evidence."

He nods in emphatic agreement concerning Mr. Factor.

"I should like to speak with him later, but I recognize that he's busy, and... honestly I'm rather poor at being an audience for magic tricks. I usually catch the illusion early."

[secretaryclarke]

"Mmm, of course," she said. "Still, I'm thankful for the understanding and trust you've given me, all the same. I suppose it's best to focus on the here and now rather than what might be."

She smirked. "I envy you, then," she said. "Every time I think I have him figured out, he surprises me."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus cants his head, considering Sonia's words.

"The gratitude really does go both ways. Knowing how busy Mr. Factor tends to get, you've always been a remarkably efficient liaison for him. I've never once felt like I had to wait long on a request to keep Shepherd's Haven running smoothly, and I feel that you're largely to thank for that."

It might be his way of trying to deflect envy; he thinks he's usually good about not flaunting his intelligence, but when he does, he tends to only realize it after the fact.

[secretaryclarke]

"... I will admit," she said. "I did, at times, oversee such matters, even before introducing myself. I suppose then, I should say 'you're welcome.'"

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus laughs; the sound is not quite nervous, but it's not really natural either.

"It shouldn't be about what you're supposed to say. I know you have a professional image to uphold, but do you always think about such things before you speak?"