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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Her reaction doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Nux's eyes also widen, and his mouth drops open slightly. A flush creeps into his cheeks and he looks distinctly disappointed and afraid.

"It... it looks that bad? I gotta do something about it. Someone said that Kirara was gonna be here. I need good lips to meet Kirara..."

"It looks like a can opener went two rounds with your face!" Jasmine exclaimed. "Forget about meeting Kirara, are you okay?!"

Nux's hand creeps to his mouth, and he holds it miserably as his eyes brim with a sheen that he blinks quickly away, because both his dad and Albero had told him that boys don't cry.

"Yeah. I'm..." he inhales wetly through his nose. "I'm OK. Just scars. Not b-bleeding or anything."

... Jasmine recognizes that look, and she reaches forward to grab his shoulder.

"Look, I was just worried you were hurt, okay?" she said. "Take it from a girl who grew an extra appendage that everyone stares at even on a good day. You're still you under all that."

His eyes go wide, but he doesn't pull away. People don't touch him that often, and when they do, he's reminded of the fact.

"Y-yeah... that's... I'm trying to remember that," he snuffles, taking the hand from his mouth and wiping it impatiently over his eyes before they betray him and start to leak over. "It's not what they told me when they said I'd be turned into a lizard, so it, uh, it takes some getting used to..."

"... Turned you into a..." Jasmine repeated, before frowning.

"Yeah, it's definitely like that. Trust me. And to be honest, now that I've got a look at you, those scars look a bit bad ass."

"Yeah, b-back when I worked for Albero," he mumbles. "Really missed the way I looked back then, and now it's happening all over again. Just slower."

His lip is starting to quiver again, but Jasmine's compliment actually does help.

"...you think so? Do they make me look tough?"

"... You don't need that," she said. "You're better than what happened to you there, you got that?"

She smirked. "I do think so. They make you look... battle hardened."

Nux swallows. "I wasn't back then," he mumbles. "But I'm really t-trying to be now. I want to help out the Numbered, did even before I was one. You guys did so much for me. Now if I look b-battle-hardened maybe fewer people will mess with us at all."

Jasmine... was actually pretty touched by that. She nodded, and patted him again on the shoulder.

"Sadly, I don't think it'll be that easy," she said. "But... please. Don't let this get to you, okay?"

"I'll try. If everyone is as nice as you are about it, uh, I think it won't be that hard," he says. "Maybe Kirara even likes b-battle-hardened."

"... Maybe," she said. "But... I dunno. Even if she isn't she doesn't seem like the type who'd treat you badly for a reason like that."

"She's really nice," Nux confirms, swallowing as if he's starting to get a little bit emotional just thinking about how good Kirara is at being a celebrity. "I know that what I want isn't something I can expect, but she's so cute, and so nice, and she's pretty much my dream girl. It's hard not to think about it."

"... Maybe," she said. "Just... promise me you'll accept whatever she says, alright? You're a good guy, Nux. I believe in you."

He swallows; if he wasn't getting emotional before, he certainly is now.

"I care a lot about she says," he insists. "And even if I am a good guy, she deserves a great guy, so uh... I won't try to make her like me or anything, if she doesn't. Don't worry, I'm not like that."

"Good," she said. "Now... get yourself some water so you're at least hydrated."

Nodding, Nux turns toward the refreshment table. "OK. Good advice," he laughs nervously. "Th-thanks for all you've given me. Have fun tonight."

"... Heh. You too, Nux. You too."

Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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