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AINT NO PARTY LIKE A SAFFIT FUNDRAISER (DAY :47)
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.
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[But she smiles at Giorno kindly, and not all of it's in the game of pretending to be charmed. No one wants to be told their ambitions are forever out of reach.]
[Mara lays down another card, and she's just one card short of a full house. She titters at the man beside her, acting as though she's always so shocked.]
( You do well enough for someone without the skill. I take it this is more than just a hobby? )
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[ after all, if the arrow's existence has taught giorno anything, it's that you can do more with power than waiting for the right opportunity.
on the other hand, his circumstances are different enough that giorno is perfectly willing to wait and hope whenever it suits him.
as for the question, giorno smiles, rather amused. ]
( I had terrible friends, and we did what we can to survive.
Nothing new or interesting, as I've said before. In fact, compared to others I've met here .... my circumstances are rather mundane. I'm fairly sure that children with terrible childhoods and even worse mentors are a dime a dozen back in the Bearings, even if some of them have grown up already. For better or worse. )
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( And what about you, Giorno? Have you 'grown up'? )
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But I'm well beyond where I need to be, and being tenacious and brilliant doesn't always guarantee success. )
[ consistently haughty, and sometimes downright arrogant about what he can achieve, giorno is also painfully reminded that he is more or less an ant compared to some of the people that roam the streets of concordia in terms of strength and influence. not to mention whoever lives in the bearings; he can count with a hand how many of them can defeat him in a straight battle, with or without the symbiote's influence. even if physical strength was never the forte of his Stand, he would certainly appreciate it being a good component of it.
there was a time where he could wield strength and influence just as easily as breathing. but that time was long gone, and anyway, he'd made the decision not to return anymore. it was here, in this glitzy and tedious world, along with the difficulties of being with his brood and the rest of the hosts, that giorno realizes he wielded it rather awkwardly. like a bird trying out its wings for the first time.
he wants to ask mara so many things. like where she came from, why was she so sharp, how did all of that come to her. what kind of training, what skills does she have. what kind of family or friends did she keep, if ever, and did she ever like them enough to have them stay. giorno's childhood was practically devoid of women; the stupidities of the mafia made it difficult for him to encounter them within passione, and his previous experience with them wasn't the best. but he was content with conversations like these, too. it mattered less to him, in the end, where she came from, although it was interesting to him from the point of view of a kid from a distant past compared to where mara's world is in the future; a kid trying out what toys and sharp things can he draw from an unfamiliar box. what giorno wanted was to see things as they play in front of him, to be pleasantly amused or disappointed in turns as they come to learn about each other. he wants to know, but is rather content in letting them play out as they should. ]
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( Nothing guarantees success, I'm afraid. )
[The dealer calls an end to the hand, and Mara bows out graciously. She smiles, makes a joke abour Giorno stealing all of her luck, and stands near him to watch.]
( I'll show you how it works, if you trust me not to send you a bad hand. )
[Trust me. She can't believe this is who she's become.]