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

[princesscut]

"I'm not qualified to say one of you is stronger than the other," she starts cautiously. "Both of you have gone through a lot of shit. I've seen a lot of it on your side, and I've been there for a lot of it on hers. But I'm confident enough to say she's at least as strong as you are. So... yeah. She'll be okay. I don't like prying in this kind of situation, but I'll manage. She needs my compassion more than I need peace of mind." It's kind of a rough thing to be thinking about, considering the possibilities, but she'll manage.

Pausing a moment while Lily collects her thoughts, Summer sighs. "It kind of comes as part of the package. No inhibitions, crazy powers, general dislike from day one. I don't really think about it much until things get worse, and then it hits me like a ton of bricks. But we have the strength to get up and keep moving again. Both of us. So..." She takes a short, slightly rattling breath as the implications hit her. "I want to be happy. I want to earn it, without having to take it from good, honest people. I can't feel good about that. So... we'll do what we can. I'll do what I can."

The haughty assurance yields, for just a moment, to easy conviction with a soft smile. In that moment, she looks more like the real Winter than she ever has. "It won't look the same as yours. But we'll find our happiness, Rose and I. And I hope you and Winter can find your own. That's the honest truth." Her tone drops a little, but she doesn't let her grin dim at all as she goes on. "If we have to come to blows someday, so be it. You're going to get nothing less then my best when that time comes. Because there's no sense in living if it's by halves and afraid of what tomorrow will bring." Resting back on her heels, she laughs briefly, before turning away from Lily and pondering leaving to go find her partner. "Bring a jacket. You'll need it."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

That smile is enough to disarm Lily, momentarily. More than Summer normally can, because in that moment she can see and hear Winter in her. It's... both disturbing, and reassuring. Because it tells her no matter how much they may be their "opposites" it's not necessarily cut and dry, either. They may be violent and harsh, but...

That doesn't mean their ideals or wants are evil, does it?

It also means Rose will be taken care of. Which Lily finds herself finding fundamentally important, in a way she'd never really anticipated.

So instead of looking disturbed, she smiles confidently. "I fully expect that best, Summer. For yourself, Rose, and... us, if necessary. We might butt heads, or we might work together. I'm sure you can guess which one I'd rather have but..."

She crosses her arms and looks back out at the party, that confident look remaining. "You're different, from some others like you. You don't want to just destroy. You want a life. I think... in the end, that'll point you the right way, whether or not we agree on what that is right now."