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

[cypressceo]

Ah, this one is interesting. A lot of people are putting on a front of some sort or another to her. That much, given their past histories with Thunder, is pretty obvious. This man, on the other hand... The greeting isn't even remotely friendly, is it? You can almost hear an audible 'tsk' from Lucille as she smiles at him.

"Ah, but why shouldn't we all?" She asks, almost absently, before adding in the same tone. "Though you don't seem to be as much, Mr. Lawliet."

[numberedshepherd]

"The day all people do or feel something isn't coming any time soon," he says flatly, turning his champagne flute restlessly in his spindly fingers. "And whenever we're all called together in a city where we've had problems, I think it's natural to feel on-edge, even when people I trust are doing the inviting."

Allegiance: Factor. Distrust: Thunder Corp. That much must be abundantly clear, and Lazarus makes no effort to hide it.

"I noticed you made a donation that could probably feed a small country for several days. Do you truly believe in the cause so strongly?"

[cypressceo]

"Ah, but when it's something like this, what's the harm? After all, it's for a good cause. What should be the best cause, at the current state of the world, am I right? After all, it's a miracle that destabilization of economy and military forces the world over hasn't just blown apart into mass worldwide bloodshed."

She smiles. Almost sickeningly sweet.

"Somehow."

She takes a sip from her own glass before continuing.

"So I would say be thankful for that which we have, and maybe relax a little." She eyes him a little bit more, before continuing, not seeming to miss much of a beat in spite of her pause. "Why shouldn't I feel strongly about that cause? After all, pulling people back up on their feet does nothing except benefit everyone, in the long run."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus regards her sullenly, expression characteristically blank. Usually, when he meets someone for the first time these days, he's had a chance to observe them and even speak to them on the Network. Being faced with such a confident and self-assured woman is also noticeably different from comforting someone new to being Numbered and afraid.

He tilts his head sideways. "Mass worldwide bloodshed? You know... it's a common and extremely popular concept, this idea that society and order are just a few dollars and government-issued rifles away from collapsing. That humanity tends toward violence and chaos. But it's not the case; not only did humanity create society and order, it's their natural state. So... it's not so much a miracle as years of evolution reminding humans that if they help their neighbors, they'll very likely return the favor. Rather than crush this instinct, times of crisis exacerbate it."

He has stopped drinking by this point, is not even fidgeting with his glass. He's set it aside completely.

"You're a wonderful example of this, yourself. Putting the needs of the many so high on your list of priorities. You and Benjamin Factor appear to have more in common than first glance would suggest."

[cypressceo]

"Mmm, that is indeed true," Lucille replied with a short nod. "It is the instinct of humankind to gather together, to form groups and rely upon one another. But they also fall apart when things are destabilized enough... we've seen that enough, throughout history. In such cases, it becomes the responsibility of strong leaders to create those small miracles. I'm sure at the least you can understand the wisdom of that, hm?"

At Lazarus's comparison, she smiles a bit, while taking another sip of her drink. "Benjamin and I are far more alike than you realize, I suspect. But yes... the betterment of humanity is among those things we have in common."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus looks skeptical. Destabilization, in his opinion, makes human bonds stronger and not weaker. But he finds himself nodding when she mentions strong leaders. "Essentially... when things destabilize and factions form, there's usually a leader at the head of each. I don't know if I'd call it wisdom, but it seems natural enough."

It's harmless to agree with her on that much, isn't it?

"If it's truly the betterment of humanity you want, that's excellent, but... there's a lot of tension between the two of you. I don't suppose you've ever been..." he bites his lip and shrugs, clearly trying to think of a way to put it delicately. If her modus operandi is behaving as though nothing can make her uncomfortable, he's happy to test that, and he happens to be pretty good at it.

"Forgive me for my bluntness, but have the two of you ever been romantically involved? Perhaps parted on poor terms, perhaps experienced one-sided attraction...?"

[cypressceo]

Lucille listens, wearing that same smile on her face throughout. By the time he finished, however, it had twisted into a sort of half-smile, followed by a laugh that was perhaps just a bit too audacious for the setting. In fact, it went on for a good ten seconds, drawing the eye of people around them.

"Mr. Lazarus," she said, as her breath caught up to her, "if that did indeed come from your sense of humor, I must commend you for your ability to keep a straight face."

[numberedshepherd]

Peals upon peals of loud laughter draw a considerable amount of attention to the attractive blonde and the significantly less attractive brunette. His brow raises as it continues longer than most people could ever consider comfortable even for a truly funny joke,

"You find the prospect humorous," he says, unnecessarily. "Please don't think that I am making fun of you. I am genuinely curious. You interact as two who know each other better than you would like to."