raisetheearth | Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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]

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Also no arm. That sort of set them apart as well. Still, Umi, dressed far more ostentatiously in a shimmering silver dress, was hardly any more sociable than Reki, although at least she was a little better at faking a smile.

Eventually they were both able to set about the party a little, and Umi was picking at some very expensive cheese when she caught Reki's eye, nodding to indicate that she should come over. If she wanted to.

Ah, Umi. One of the only people here Reki would actively seek out. Naturally, when her eyes fell on her, and her dress, she made her way over to the snack table. It took a little time, what with weaving through the crowd like she was.

"....I guess you're enjoying yourself?" She asked, plucking one of those cheeses off the platter and sticking it in her mouth.

The dress was way too much for someone like Umi, but she did look good in it anyways. So, she couldn't complain... too much.

Umi offered a small smile when Reki approached. "I don't think I've ever had food this expensive. It's a fine consolation."

Whether Umi looked good or not in that dress was not open for debate with Reki. ~~She looked fantastic.~~ Of course, Reki felt a bit more conscious about her outfit, considering how one sleeve of her jacket was basically useless.

Chew, chew.... swallow. "It's good, which is what matters." A brief chuckle and she was leaning back against the table, eyes on the crowd. "...Ever thought you'd be to a party like this?"

Umi was used to Reki's lack of an arm; she didn't even really notice it. Reki was Reki and was cute in her dress, and if she heard anyone say otherwise she might actually have to say something to them.

"...that too." Umi set her plate down, looking around. Just the sight of so many people milling around talking set her shoulders tense. "At first? ...I thought it would've been when... if... our 'side' had one when we were in opposition," she began, tensing further, "perhaps, we would... be powerful enough to do this ourselves. For... our amusement."

She turned back to Reki. "After that, I didn't expect to live to see such a thing."

Thankfully, Umi was not most people. It was in some small part thanks to her that Reki was able to adapt as quickly as she did to her new situation... including not bleeding out immediately after that final battle where she first lost it.

And she was cute in her dress, though she wouldn't be the first to admit that.

"....Yeah." She nodded slowly, letting her gaze drift off. Not really looking into the crowd anymore. "Back then.... I didn't really care what happened to our side, or theirs. It's.... weird, thinking about that now."

Despite herself, Reki lets out a goodhearted laugh this time. "But we're still here, at this party."

Adapting is much easier when one is alive to do so, yes. Umi didn't regret it. They were both stronger, in some ways, than they'd ever been; they'd survived a nearly impossible wasteland.

"Hope." Umi smiled. "It's strange, having hope, but I like it." Even the fact that many in this room might be her enemy couldn't spoil it; in fact, Umi wanted them to live to see the world change, in the long run.

"And I am enjoying this cheese..."

They'd survived more then that, they survived themselves. A rather cheesy statement to make, if it wasn't literally true.

She waves a finger weakly at Umi. "That's the word I was looking for. I'm feeling.... hopeful for us. For everything, for once in my miserable life."

Reki wanted to see life continue a well. It wasn't as worthless as she once thought it was.

"Well, enjoy it while it lasts. Don't choke though, I'm not qualified for the Heimlich now."

That was accurate, though.

"Don't worry, I don't rush through food. I'm sure Carl is trained, anyways." Umi stop putting so much on his shoulders.

"I am glad that you feel that way though. About hope, not... not choking. I don't really even mind being here as much as I might - at this party." And not just because of the food, she's not Rose.

It was.

".....Ah. He probably is." Oh Carl, was there anything that you couldn't do? Reki had never had a manservant before, it felt right, somehow.

"To be honest.... I'm pretty glad about it, too. Maybe we really can make a difference with that Keldak's help." She shot a glance at Umi. "And we can enjoy a party too."

Edited 2015-10-23 05:35 (UTC)

He wasn't really, truly, 'their' manservant, but... boy was he convenient. And he could probably do the Heimlich Maneuver if Umi started choking on a hunk of cheese.

Now that really is not how she plans to die.

"Who knew signing up to make the world a better place would lead to parties?" And the difficult parts couldn't be any worse than what they'd been through... right?

"It's far too crowded for my tastes, but other than that... it's nice." At least she's finally gotten herself calmed down from the borderline panic she was in when she arrived.

He was basically their manservant. And he was convenient. It was like having another Umi around to tell Reki what she probably shouldn't do.... and then probably try to stop her if she does it anyways.

If she ever did die by choking on a piece of cheese, Reki would never let her hear the end of it... even if she was dead.

"It's the best thing to happen since we got that apartment." Did she ever thank Keldak for that? Hmm, maybe.

She nodded in agreement. "It kind of sucks... Do you think we could slip out without anyone noticing?"

Edited (html fail) 2015-10-25 18:45 (UTC)

Their beefy, terse manservant. Umi would not really appreciate the comparison, though, regardless of accuracy.

"There have been plenty of 'good things' relative to the past year, lately." Go thank Keldek he is the best.

Umi thinks for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe for a little bit, but we were brought here for a reason..."

Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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