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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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He cares about Ilde, cares about Angel and all three Sams. Considers a lot of the Nest his friends, something he didn't have in abundance back home. But for every good thing that's come from his connection to the Hive, there's been a price, and it comes in the form of people like Ren, like the Darkling, like Hux. Killers and manipulators. It comes in the form a two holes in his chest. Their loss matters, he owes it to them to finish this mission, but the wounds they cut are foreign (it didn't hurt this much when he buried his mother, it shouldn't hurt this bad now).
He wouldn't give up the bonds that he's formed or abandon the people of the Nest, but if given the choice, he can't say for sure that he wouldn't give up his place in the web.
He's leading them to a small park, little more than a fountain surrounded by a few flowering trees. They smell like jasmine at night. ]
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Do you hate it that much, Steve?
[ A softness in her tone, no judgment. By god she can be the harshest and most judgmental when it comes to her warped virtues, but this is not such a topic and because it isn't she has very little emotion about it beyond a faint sadness that she can't make him happier.
But then, would he be the Steve Rogers she knows if he was. ]
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His eyebrows knit together as he pulls in a breath, mouth forming a thin line in the pause that follows. ]
I don't. Not all the time. But I guess that's part of the problem. [ Those brief moments when he can let go, lose himself in the tangle of minds. He never immediately wonders what might have been changed in him in those moments. ]
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[ The tone of this question matters a great deal, there is no accusation as to why can't he just accept things. It's a true question of what makes the two so incompatible, when she truly sees them as easy enough to manage at once. ]
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[ Acceptance and the change that he resists. ]
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What kind of man do you want to be, Steven?
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Would you go down that far - like Carata, or Catheway? [ His feelings on that are easier to read - the idea disturbs him. ]
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I do not feel threatened by the Nest. I do not think it can take away from me the things which truly define me.
[ The arrogance of youth? The surety of a girl who has already had her sense of self pressed on by the weight of a sun god and lived to tell the tale? ]
If this is truly where I belong, then perhaps. But I am not yet convinced of that.