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

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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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Part of the reason Blaise might be opening up to Lazarus so well could be because of Lazarus' face, being somewhat similar to Ryuzaki's. Another part would be that Blaise has never been in this situation - first love, first loss, first most things. But, mostly because Lazarus doesn't seem to be judging him at all; that, despite his tone and appearance, he seems to be understanding and supportive. Blaise couldn't help but dump these emotions onto Lazarus.

His head perks up as he hears a certain word for the first time in regards to the Numbered. Wait, what?

"D...Doppelgangers? ...That's what Ryuzaki is?" It's almost like an epiphany to the child as he stares wide-eyed. A few pieces click into place, about Ryuzaki's parent being a swan, the other person he was always bitter towards, and Ryuzaki's validation to be 'real'. Blaise's face seems shocked, if not overwhelmed, at the new information. And, for some reason, he can't help but say, "Gosh, I'm... I'm so sorry..."

Sorry because, everything Ryuzaki said was a lie, and Blaise followed it blindly. That the Numbered were the bad ones, but all along, it was Ryuzaki. And more sorry for the fact that Lazarus, this kind, understanding man before him now, is the one that Ryuzaki hates so much.

It's certainly not an attractive face. Ryuzaki had made its angles and edges work in a strange way by frequently accessorizing with a cocky, confident smirk. On Lazarus, it all just comes together to look sunken, tired, and sad. He's ordinarily somber, but the more he talks to Blaise, the more it becomes obvious that this young man has been prevented from learning more about his place in the world as a Numbered individual, and lacks even basic knowledge of the way they operate, communicate, and relate to one another.

"That's what he is..." he confirms. "He wouldn't have told you. It's a dirty word to him; he hates everything it means and everything it stands for." He pauses, allowing Blaise to absorb the information, shaking his head when he offers sympathy, empathy, something uncomfortable.

Or maybe it actually is an apology for turning a deaf ear to everyone who tried to warn him, and only listening to the one who meant to ultimately play a game without care or caution for the pieces he might break.

"He's a psychopath. He is completely devoid of empathy, selfish, unrepentant. He hurt me, too, so... I do understand. For all that I'm sorry this happened, I'm glad that you understand now, too." He considers for a moment before adding, "No one will treat you poorly for this. I'll see to it personally if anyone decides to get too judgmental."

Edited 2015-10-24 04:32 (UTC)

Blaise is undoubtedly ignorant of many things to do with the Numbered. He had learned some things from Winter, such as what the Network is or what Echoes are; that he is the reincarnation of someone who may or may not be important. And a recent Echo that revealed something he hoped to share with Winter later, that proved he was more important than he thought he was. Or learning the Portals from Ryuzaki. But, beyond that, he hasn't really spoken to the Numbered, investing his time in Ryuzaki. Save for when Misa asked to get to know him. Alot of people were interested in his involvement with Ryuzaki, undoubtedly concerned. But all he could do was brag at how perfect Ryuzaki was. And maybe that was largely in part to Ryuzaki's words: that everyone seemed to pick on him. He thinks about apologizing to the ones who said anything to him, since they were only trying to help, and he didn't listen.

The word 'psychopath' makes Blaise shudder. Although the relationship ended badly, and Ryuzaki's words were beyond harsh, it was still hard to picture Ryuzaki in that classification. It felt like the word for a murderer. And Lazarus' promise to Blaise to come to his aid if anyone judged him for his actions reminds him of Ryuzaki's and his promise to protect each other. He feels his chest ache and his face falls a little as he tries to push it back. Lazarus is probably being genuine, and he does appreciate that. It might help him to face any fears he has about admitting his mistake to the others.

"Th-thank you. I... I really appreciate you helping me." He lets out a small, heavy laugh as he remembers his manners. "I'm... I'm Blaise."

Lazarus has no way of knowing what Ryuzaki said, but in general, he's relatively good at predicting which of his genuine behaviors the doppelganger will twist and pervert in mean-spirited mockery. If Lazarus would speak like this to reach a troubled young person, Ryuzaki would certainly do it to ensnare one.

Unlike Ryuzaki, though, Lazarus has the backing and assurance of others to confirm that his intentions are good, even if his presentation is sometime a little rough around the edges.

"Yes, you are," he replies, with a wry half-smile. "I remember. I'm Lazarus, and though I'm sure some kind of reputation precedes me, courtesy of my other half, I hope you'll let me revise it in the coming days and weeks."

"O-of course!" Blaise says it a little loud, and surprises himself with how it came out. "Uhm... how could I not? It wouldn't be fair to let... his words ruin you before I know you." He wants to give anyone that chance. And he can only hope for the same respect, to not be labeled as the one who fell for a con-artist and ignored everyone's advice. And, if nothing else, Lazarus has made too good of an impression on him today to even think of letting Ryuzaki cloud his judgement of him. Blaise would like it if he and Lazarus could become friends.

Blaise seems to cheer up, if only a little. He's able to flash a smile at Lazarus with a little more meaning behind it, now. Dropping some of that weight to someone as supportive as Lazarus has made a difference. He wonders if it would be too forward to ask for Lazarus' number in any form, in case he might need to get ahold of him quickly. And, that reminded him... he takes out his phone and flicks through numbers until he gets to Ryuzaki's. With a quick frown, he deletes it, to avoid stupid temptations. Then his face relaxes as he offers the phone to Lazarus.

"Uhm... would it be okay if I had one of your numbers? If you don't want to, that's okay. I meant, just in case..."

"I'm glad you feel that way," Lazarus murmurs. Unhappily, he's been ruined before by others who have had the misfortune of interacting with Ryuzaki. The most notable example is Cesar, who spent a fair amount of time thinking that the selfish and manipulative Ryuzaki was Lazarus, and in a large way, he still blames Ryuzaki for the ultimate failure of their relationship. But that's personal, and therefore, one of the few things that Lazarus can still hold sacred.

He accepts the phone, glancing at Blaise. "I know that it's natural to feel drawn to people who are kind and informative during a vulnerable time. But I don't want there to be any misconceptions about why I'm giving you my number, OK? I want to be very clear about the fact that I want to help you out with your questions, but have none of Ryuzaki's desires or aspirations."

That last comment comes as a shock to Blaise. Great, it was too forward. Lazarus feels like Blaise might fall for him, if he didn't think he was doing so already. He feels a good dose of embarrassment and a little ill. If Lazarus were like Ryuzaki, it might have probably scared Blaise. Yes, he longs for Ryuzaki, but having two of them to worry about is not his idea of an adventure. He's extremely grateful that Lazarus is, indeed, the exact opposite of Ryuzaki. And, it could be due to a broken heart, but he doesn't feel any romantic attraction to the man before him.

"I'm sorry," he says, rather unsure how else to say it. "No, I'm glad you're not like him. I only meant it for questions, to be able to ask for help if I needed it. I don't..." His face looks a little distressed, as though something he ate disagreed with him. If he has it his way, he won't fall for anyone for a long time. But, with how easily he fell for Ryuzaki, he certainly can't guarantee it. "I... I'm not interested in you like that."

It might seem grossly presumptuous in another situation, but seeing how quickly Blaise did fall for Ryuzaki, it is, at the very least, prudent to put that out on the table in all its starkly embarrassing glory.

"Don't apologize," Lazarus replies softly. "As long as we're clear, it's all fine, and truly, I'm very glad you're not interested. Maybe think of taking a break for a little while and figuring out who you are before you get into something else. And if he was your first relationship like that, remember that sex is something that people do, but it doesn't define them. Your inherent value is no different, and certainly no less than you were before you started seeing him, OK?"

Blaise nods a little.

"Right, I'll try to take a break. Actually, it should be easy to." His face falls a bit. Ryuzaki was the first boy to ever show interest in him. Being on a break would be easy because, as far as he knows, no one would be interested in him for a long time. Blaise can't imagine confessing with the chance of being rejected. He's afraid that if he does, they may avoid him. That's been his personal experience, Ryuzaki or not. "Ryuzaki was my first in alot of things. So, I'll try to remember that."

He gives another moment of thought.

"I don't know if I can do much. You've been so nice. But, if you need something, I'll try to help you, too." It was the least he could offer, since Lazarus is trying so hard to help him out.

"It might be easy and it might not, but if it gets too difficult, just try to remind yourself why you're doing it and you'll be able to keep everything in perspective," Lazarus says. It's clear that as much as Blaise wants this, it'll be very hard for him every step of the way

He shakes his head dismissively at Blaise's offer. "Really, this is no trouble... even though I don't have anything to do with Ryuzaki's will and actions, maybe I feel a sense of responsibility for him, given that if I was a bad person, he'd be good. My nature has influenced his since his inception. But if you really want to do something for me, at some point... I'll let you know, OK? Should I need a favor?"

Blaise nods slowly, trying to take mental notes of Lazarus' wisdom. "Do you think... I should tell my parents?" The question almost comes out painfully. It's obvious the thought terrifies him. He'd not only admit to stepping out of the closet, but also be admitting that his first love had turned out in such a way of failure. While he's sure his parents will be supportive of his sexuality, he's not too sure how they'll feel about his 'first choice' in men. And the ten year gap. And... Blaise has to fight not to feel overwhelmed by his thoughts.

"But... if you were bad, it would be the same thing. You're not responsible for that." There'd still be someone like Ryuzaki and the opposing side of the coin, since that's the way they're modeled. What good would switching roles have done? If anything, Ryuzaki's behaviour was Silent Swan's fault.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that," he says with a faint smile.

"Your... parents?" Lazarus asks, sounding surprised, even though he realizes afterward that he probably shouldn't. Many people whose parents are still alive have good relationships with them, after all. "Well, it depends. What do they know? What are you afraid of them finding out? What do you think you could use your help with? You can always omit certain things... for example, if you think it would be a problem that he's a guy, just say that someone dumped you and you're in pain. If you think the kind of guy he is is a problem... you put your trust in someone who didn't deserve it. It's not your fault he turned out to be the opposite of what he presented. I know him; he can't keep up an act indefinitely, but he can keep it rolling for long enough to do some serious damage. I think they'll be more supportive than you think."

He pauses thoughtfully after Blaise's rationalization. "Perhaps," he says carefully. "As for tonight... do you think you're going to be OK? Most of the Numbered are extremely nice. You should try to strike up a few conversations while you're here."

"Well... It's just scary because I've never brought anyone home. Not friends, not crushes, and... Ryuzaki never wanted to meet them. I would have liked to have a real boyfriend before admitting that I like men. I'm not scared that they wouldn't support it, but... It's one of those things that, until Ryuzaki said he liked me, I didn't tell anyone." Nice way for the cat to get out of the bag with everyone else, falling for a con-artist. "I never told my parents I liked anyone. So, it still feels weird bringing any of it up. And, for it to be Ryuzaki... My parents probably would have stopped him if they met him. Maybe. If they might not have liked him then, finding out what he really was like... The fact that they'll be hurt because I got hurt. That's what scares me."

Blaise is a little shocked at how much he's said. It's probably the most he's spoken in days. Oops. Lazarus probably wasn't looking for an unload of his life story. He gives an embarrassed smile. "S-sorry."

"...I guess I could try." He's still a little nervous - if others ask about Ryuzaki, he's afraid of the I-told-you-so's.

Not even friends? It surprises Lazarus, but he keeps his expression non-judgmental. Just because he had no friends to bring home to his uncle and attributed it to his shabby looks and his general oddness doesn't mean that someone who seems better-looking and more well-adjusted (as Blaise does) might not find himself in the same difficult situation.

"It sounds like a part of you always knew that they'd disapprove. And even though you're afraid of hurting them, they're your parents. It's their job to be sympathetic when you're the one who's hurt."

He speaks like someone who is trying very, very hard to know what he's talking about. When it comes to parents, Lazarus truly doesn't. He shakes his head dismissively when Blaise apologizes for getting a touch long-winded; he knows how he is. He knows that in general, people have a tendency to get drawn into his dark patient eyes and say a little more than they ever meant to. It happens almost daily.

"Trying is the best you can do, so make sure of it," he says encouragingly. "There are good people everywhere and maybe especially in places you don't expect. I also think that you're overestimating a bit just how many people are aware of your relationship; there must be a fair number outside of my immediate circle who simply do not follow such affairs."

Blaise looks a little unsure. He's gone to his parents with problems before, but this one is a whole different ballpark. "Y-yea... okay... Maybe I'll tell them l-later..." He fidgets a bit, thinking of how his parents might feel.

"You sound like you really know alot of people..." Blaise says it with a bit of longing, kind of wishing he'd gotten to know more people than just stayed strictly attached to Ryuzaki. "Okay, then I will try. I...th-thank you. For the advice. It... It'd be good to make new friends."

He nods; the more he thinks about it, the more he feels that Blaise probably will benefit from telling his parents what happened to him. Maybe that's what happens when someone is raised by good people who love them: they haven't had the ability to trust beaten out of them, and they have a safe place to run back to when they inevitably get hurt.

"I've been around for awhile..." he says vaguely. "Numbered for almost three years, and you'll have a hard time finding anyone who's been around for longer. I don't forget names and faces, so... I suppose it's true that I know a lot of people. And I'm glad to know you, now; you're really not the first person who's had the misfortune of being drawn in by my copy and hurt for it, and the other person I know that it happened to is a very intelligent man. So try not to feel too bad, or like this makes you stupid. It doesn't."

"...You mean Cesar..." Yes, Blaise had not only heard of the man, he's met him a grand total of twice, now. Or once, if you don't want to count the Network. Blaise's face lowers as he talks. If anything, he's most sorry for not listening to Cesar. "Yea... he tried to tell me first. I...I-I didn't listen..." Don't feel stupid? Yea, that just got harder... Ryuzaki had told Blaise that Cesar was a jealous ex-boyfriend. The spiral of lies just gets deeper. Blaise gives an uncomfortable, depressed groan.

Feeling a bit like a child, he curls his knees up to himself in the chair, both for comfort and the urge to hide. It's probably more than a little unusual to see an eighteen-year-old in a suit do such a thing. Good thing Blaise has a bit of a baby face; maybe he can get away with the reaction.

"S...sorry..." What is that, the third time he's apologised, now? He takes a deep breath for a moment, feeling helpless.

Lazarus looks surprised, and then immediately somewhat regretful. He hadn't intended to name any names, and he feels uncomfortably like he's outed a man unwittingly and without his consent. The fact that Blaise guessed so quickly (rather, knew) doesn't make it much better, but at the same time there is really no point in denying it.

"Cesar talked to you about it because he thought he stood the best chance of convincing you that you were in trouble," Lazarus says; he is far from naturally empathetic but he can feel the remorse practically radiating off of Blaise. "He's also the one who knew firsthand just how manipulative Ryuzaki can be. It was a situation built on lies and mistaken identity and a few other outstanding issues, and innocence is no less of a valid reason for being duped. Even if you feel foolish right now, some time and distance will make a lot of difference."

He shakes his head, simultaneously accepting and dismissing the apology.

Blaise's expression barely lightens. Lazarus' words are hardly reassuring. It feels more like the reasons he should have listened to Cesar. But the regretful look on Lazarus' face is what seems to pull him back some. Lazarus is actually trying to be helpful, after all. Slowly, with a sigh, Blaise returns to sitting more properly. At the note to take more time and distance, he gives a little nod. He doesn't look anymore at ease about it, but he does appreciate Lazarus trying to be helpful. He's given some good advice today, and Blaise will try to remember all of it.

"I'll... I'll keep that in mind..." Blaise gets up from his seat, setting both of his hands on the table for a moment. "Th-thank you... I'm going to... go try and m-make friends..." Trying to be true to the advice he received not too long ago.

Lazarus does his best. The man seems a degree separated from the rest of humanity in a way, and while his attempts to relate usually make sense in hindsight, after one's noted the directions his reasoning has refracted to reach his conclusion, it's often not terribly straightforward.

Cesar is smarter than you and he fell for it. He will be gentle in the aftermath, even after you didn't listen to him the first time. I definitely trust him that far.

"Are you? I'm glad," Lazarus says, seeming surprised but absolutely happy that Blaise has decided to mingle a little more. "You're welcome, and if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me."

Blaise manages a bit of a smile and a nod.

"Okay... I-I will. Thank you."

Blaise looks around at the crowd for a second, not sure where to start. He gives Lazarus a brief way as he starts to make his way around people.

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Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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