AINT NO PARTY LIKE A SAFFIT FUNDRAISER (DAY :47)

[unsea]

Just prior to the mission, everyone will receive handwritten copies of Sheena Frey's lists, previously held by Lexa. These lists contain the names of friends and enemies that Sheena Frey believes are not associated with H+H1. The Darkling has acquired the list, and immediately dispersed it among the nest. Because he is That Guy. There is a neat note from him at the top of each page, indicating that one of their goals is to match names to attendees at the fundraiser and to either confirm or debunk Sheena's legwork. There is also the matter of the well-earned findings, dredged up from Ngozi's files.

Under the cut, you'll find the mods description of the venue, some of the NPCs you might find there, and other general information!

THE VENUE --

The event itself is a benefit dedicated to raising money for those injured in the recent bombing, as well as for the families of those killed in it. It is being held at CAVANAUGH HALL - aka "THE OPERA HOUSE" - a live theatre and performance hall in the Beta Block. Some hosts (cough Mara and Hux cough) might be more acquainted with the layout of the building since they recently attended a performance there.

Most of the fundraiser is taking place in the Hall’s grand foyer rather than the theater itself. The foyer is four levels tall with balconies overlooking the main floor on each level. There’s a fabulous stained glass dome roof. The whole Hall is primarily decorated in shades of red, white and cream - white walls, ornate naturally cream woodwork, stunning glass-like fixtures, red carpets. For tonight’s event, a number of small white cocktail tables have been scattered throughout the foyer and a small circular platform has been erected in the center of the room where a small orchestra is playing music at any point that someone isn’t speaking over the microphone for the purposes of the fundraiser.

The catering is extensive, the outfits are lavish. The security is tight, so expect to either be in possession of an invitation or get ready to use your credit card to buy one (this IS a fundraiser after all - and for such a good cause!). Sorry Nathaniel, this is mostly a mingling and eating party and not so much a dancing party. On the plus side: that sure is an open bar!

THE MISSION --

The hosts initially have a twofold mission for this one: Carata, Aoba and the Darkling have secured a private meeting with Goram Saffit, and will be picking his brain for information. The rest of the party is a free-for-all for intel-gathering and - you know - in case you want to actually contribute to charity. There are a number of events-within-the-event to experience as well, including a lovely and rather familiar lion tamer, a silent auction ( all proceeds go to charity!! ), a live orchestra, and whatever else you all want to throw in there.

THE ATTENDEES --

Most of Saffit's guests are as follows:

middle (and above) aged politicians

business professionals

media figures

There are also a few theatre stars, but it's unclear whether they're actually there to support the fundraiser or if they're part of the deal with the opera house. Despite that the event is a fundraiser, most people in attendance seem to be Saffit supporters and more or less share his sensibilities - that androids are useful for production, but they’re just advanced machines and their increasing numbers of the workforce are creating problems for people on the economic fringe. Many of the politicians are for increased regulation of androids in the workforce, though that point is clearly one for casual debate among even Saffit’s supporters. By and large, everyone is mortified about the violence that’s recently plagued the city; some seem to be unsurprised - “It was really only a matter of time” - but no one seems happy that bombs are going off in the city.

There are a few people in attendance, and they are clearly there for the charity and not for Saffit. There are a few small time politicians, or media affiliates - and there is at least one journalist from a semi-serious EXTRAnet news outlet, though she spends most of her time camping by the bar and eating hor d'oeuvres. This is probably the fifth or sixth fundraiser she’s covered this year.

For the hosts who were not as gung-ho about fraternizing with a bunch of wealthy anti-synthers or attending fancy-schmancy events, feel free to take a much-needed and well-deserved break. Have a movie night at the Bearings - I hear that one flick "keeping tabs on your fellow hosts through the security cameras at the event and commenting on every move they make while throwing popcorn at the screen" is a great one. You can assist with observations, hack where you please, run detail and defense from the outside and even feed intel to the hosts at the party. Otherwise, you've got the Bearings and the whole city to yourself for the evening.

Comments

[erbier]

[ She shakes her head, frustrated with herself, and really just extends her hand stubbornly for the ice. She knows she can't go back inside until she brings the stinging redness down a little. ]

Nothing. Nothing happened.

[snaphiss]

I don't like being lied to.

[Mara sighs.] Let me see it. The ice can only do so much.

[erbier]

I'm not--

[ She's not trying to lie she's trying not to over blow the reality of the situation. She huffs a breath and lets Mara look. ]

It was my fault.

[ She would have done more than slap someone if they had done what she had done. ]

[snaphiss]

So you deserved to be- [Mara cocks her head to the side, inspecting it.] Hit? With something flat and not very heavy. Slapped.

[Mara's lip curls at the thought, ruining her calm facade for a moment. ]]

[erbier]

[ Gods above. Ilde makes another frustrated little noise, ]

I lost my tempter. And so did they.

[snaphiss]

[Mara sighs, and takes a step back.]

You won't tell me your secret, but I'll tell you mine. [She reaches out, her fingers hovering above the redness on Ilde's face.] The symbiote made me a healer.

[erbier]

[ She doesn't recoil, but her eyes widen slightly. ]

Why is that a secret?

[snaphiss]

[Mara rolls her eyes. Flatly,] I'm not a healer.

[She sighs.] But I can do this, if you'll let me.

[erbier]

[ She isn't sure she understands, like there's more beneath that state I'm not a healer than she has a grasp on. To her it is nothing more than having the power, she doesn't think on what other traits a Healer might have that Mara does not identify with. ]

Yes. Please.

[ She doesn't want to repeat this conversation -- It's nothing -- inside. ]

lmk if this is ok o7

[snaphiss]

[If this works anything like the Force-] Concentrate on how I feel in your mind. [Just as Mara concentrates on Ilde. She concentrates on their bond, the way they're all tied together in the Force, the Nest, all of it swirling together into-]

[Flowers swaying together in the breeze. The far off smell of ash. A man's voice. Something loud and strong and always there. Death. Preaching. Heat.]

[When she opens her eyes, Mara realizes only have passed, but it feels like longer. She feels a little dizzy, but that's nothing; she can push past it. More importantly, the redness on Ilde's cheat has gone down significantly.]

How does it feel?

[erbier]

[ Not such a strain for Ilde, she is a creature of the mind, had hidden the central kernel of herself in the depths of her inner world to escape the ruthlessness of the physical world. She has taken the the symbiote like a natural. It is even pleasant to her, to have Mara offer this of her own free will, remembers that she was not so pleased by their connections, their similarities, when they had first met. But now it makes things easier for them, their bridge growing stronger as the energy of Mara's symbiote traverses it.

A dizzy tingling feeling, warmth prickling in her face until suddenly gone. Ilde lifts her own fingertips to her cheek, to feel out the swelling lightly. ]

Perfectly, thank you. Are you alright?

[ Has she been practicing this skill, is her symbiote prepared for this or struggling now? ]

[snaphiss]

Fine. [But Mara says it out of habit. She's dizzy, slightly, and her eyes are narrowed. It's suddenly too hot, and the thought of going back inside is anathema.]

[She does her best to hide the discomfort, which, all things considered, is pretty good. But the feeling of pain lingers around her in the Force, in the mental connection she shares with everyone in the Nest. The discomfort ebbs and flows like the tide.]

I'm surprised it even worked.

[erbier]

[ Ilde has to resist the urge to press the issue, she's learned well enough that Mara Jade would resist out reflex alone. She will instead have to maneuver around the reluctance and make it into something else. ]

How did you discover this as your symbiote's talent?

[snaphiss]

It's accessed through meditation. Anyone wishing to use the Force needs to meditate frequently.

[She can't picture Kylo Ren doing it. It's another subject to be breached.]

I need to speak to you about Kylo Ren. It's more important than the Symbiote.

[erbier]

[ Oh, she didn't really know that about the Force, she is close with several who wield it but they're very cryptic about their space magic. But more than that, she gives Mara an uncertain look. She isn't entirely sure she wants to hear whatever this is, but it won't do her any good to duck from it either. ]

...Yes? What of him?

[snaphiss]

I fought him.

[She speaks slowly, carefully, expecting a reprisal but hoping not to find one.]

I had to, believe me. There was no choice.

[He tried to torture me. But she doesn't say it.]

[erbier]

[ Her eyebrows go up. She doesn't look offended so much as confused. ]

Very well.

[ She believes her, even Ilde has quarreled with Kylo Ren, though never physically. ]

[snaphiss]

[That... isn't the reaction she's expecting. She finds herself staring for a moment, two, waiting for some other reaction.]

[Oh, she understands. Ilde thinks Kylo Ren won.]

I beat him, Ilde. I electrocuted him. He could barely walk, afterward. I wanted to tell you, as a trusted ally. I won't lie just to preserve your opinion of me, whatever it might be.

[erbier]

[ Ilde's face lights up excitedly. ]

I did not realize you were so powerful.

[ Teach me senpai. ]

[snaphiss]

[Mara actually looks confused, now.] He was easily defeated. You aren't... upset? Angry? You said you loved him.

[erbier]

I could not defeat him, not yet.

[ Oh but she wants to, it vibrates off of her hungrily. ]

He only respects power. What is one to do with him, other than challenge him?

[snaphiss]

[Mara just... stares. This doesn't make any sense.]

Love him. I thought you- Why would you want to hurt him.

[Mara could barely bring herself to hurt him. Why does Ilde want to?]

[erbier]

I do love him, but that does not delude me as to his nature.

[ She is sweet when it is time to be sweet, but he is not her Godking. He is her peer, and she will have to fight hard to assert that. ]

It is not a matter of wishing to harm him.

[snaphiss]

[Mara tilts her head to the side, eyes narrowed with suspicion. The feeling of this apparent bond they share, Ilde and Jacen, that has changed. She isn't sure, yet, of its true tenor.]

[She can't love him. You can't love someone and be alright with them facing harm and pain.]

His nature. He deserved to be electrocuted?

[She spits it out like a curse, like it isn't something she did, something she'd justify if she had to.]

[erbier]

[ Ilde is equally confused. ]

You determined it was deserved.

[ And Ilde does not doubt it. Ren had been rough with her friend from the first moment they met, she remembers her trembling apologies, on his behalf. ]

You did not kill him, what do I have to mourn other than his ego?

[ And that's rather Ren's own business. ]