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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Helen stared at both women for a few moments longer, her gaze hard and scrutinizing. In the moments that passed, Molly stood there with baited breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Finally, Helen sighed.

"I'll hold both of you to that, then," Helen replied, wearily. This whole ordeal had been emotionally taxing, and the way her body slumped into her chair showed that it had a physical component as well. "Very well then. But if this is going to work, I need Molly to be honest with me going forward. I think that's something we can all agree is necessary."

Molly... smiled an uneasy smile. Not out of lack of sincerity, but shame for her own behavior. "Don't worry, Aunt Helen. I'm done hiding things."

Helen nodded. "Then... I'll give you a chance. All of you. For my niece's sake. And right now... all I want to do is go home, and hear about all of this in Molly's own words."

Winter's wilting a little bit herself - this hit a few still-raw nerves, and she could use some downtime. So when Helen relents, Winter nods, letting herself come off alert just a bit. "I agree wholeheartedly. Molly, for what it's worth, I'm glad you came tonight. But trust is precious. Don't burn bridges you don't need to, okay? The next time I see you, your aunt better have at least some idea where you are." She lets her tone become a little more playful toward the end; Molly's suffered enough tonight. All of them have, in a way.

"I won't waste your time any further, then, ma'am. Have a safe trip home. I hope..." She lets herself smile, a little less anxious than she's been. "I hope you can come to an understanding."

Lily can feel as Winter relaxes, even as she feels more than a little stiff about the whole ordeal herself. It hits a raw nerve with both of them, though perhaps different ones, and it's a little harder for Lily to relax herself. Still, she nods along as well, agreeing with... most things here, at least.

"I'm hoping for the same, and... Really. Honestly. Anything that either of you need, please don't hesitate to ask. This world is dangerous, now, and... we want to be able to help anyone that we can. In the end, that's... that's what it comes down to."

The look on Helen's face was the same by the time both women were done talking; clearly conflicted, ashamed, angry, and unable to look anyone directly in the eye. Still, she nodded, and seemed to lift herself up for a moment in her chair.

"If that's how you feel, then I hope for my and my niece's sake that you're committed to seeing that through. Now... it's time Molly and I went home."

Molly nodded, quietly, and then, speaking a bit more confidently, said, "Uhm. Can I say goodbye to Lily and Winter?"

Helen paused for a moment before answering, and in a clearly forced tone, replied, "Yes, of course." Then, she moved away in order to give Molly and the Tsukuyomis some privacy.

Molly looked at both Lily and Winter with a thankful smile on her face... before lunging forward and taking them both into a big, mutual hug.

"Thank you," she said, with the voice of someone incredibly relieved.

Winter politely returns Helen's affirmative nod; things should be okay now. Probably. She keeps silent as they move to leave, but when Molly interrupts one more time, her smile grows a little bit... and then there's a pink blur coming toward her, and she has to brace herself to not fall over. An arm idly wraps around Molly for a second as she grins down at her. "You're welcome. That was something I had to do, even if I'd envisioned it going a little differently."

Her tone goes a little more stern after a second. "And I meant what I said - don't give her a hard time, okay? Keep everything on the up and up. And... try to be patient with her. There are some things you just get when you're Numbered. Those things aren't going to come to her as easily. Go slow, and be willing to explain. Everything will work out."

She wants to be mad at someone. At Helen, at Molly in small ways, at herself. But for once, something is more or less going right, and that's enough for now. She'll sort herself out later.

Lily is beginning to let her tensions release when Molly suddenly rushes up and hugs them both. She lets out a gasp as the wind practically flies from her lungs, but after a moment of befuddlement, she laughs and smiles. Like Winter, she also reaches out and hugs her back, nodding int he affirmative.

"Yes, and... just don't be afraid to ask for help, okay? Whether it's your aunt or us. I think the one thing all of us can agree on is that we want what's best for you. Regardless of anything..."

Be it Lily's own petty little personal issues or things much larger than that.

"...that's what I think we're all going to hold to."

Molly nodded, tears coming to her eyes yet again as she listened to both of their statements. "I will... I promise. I'll be more... I'll be more honest. To you, and Aunt Helen. And maybe... maybe we can change her mind..."

She sniffles and pulls away. Even with the tears running down her face, she's smiling, her cheeks colored red.

"I... I want you both to know... you remind me a lot of my mom and dad. We lived apart because of their work, but... they cared a lot about me. About people. I wish things had been different, but... they loved me a lot, and..."

She smiled wide. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you for helping me... and for helping me remember what they were like..."

Before she could continue, Molly heard her aunt calling out for her. Molly breathed a final word of goodbye, before turning to leave, giving them one last smile before she disappeared behind a corner.

Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

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