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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's kidding. Again. Because this is someone who's pretty much forgotten what that means -- except as a terrible punchline. He'll accept the drink though, more to have something to toy with in hand.]
[But he contemplates chugging the thing as soon as the question comes up.]
I meant to thank you, again. [Avoiding the question. Just a little.] You didn't have to do everything you did.
But I'm grateful.
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Yes, I did. You're...part of my people here.
[ It's complicated. Even giving in to the comforting pull of the bond between them is difficult for Bellamy, but ignoring it is hardly an option. ]
If I can help, I will. I want to do that.
[ The words are simple, even if Bellamy's never actually voiced them aloud to anyone before. It had been a given back on earth, behind Arkadia's walls. People had understood that about him. He always tried to help. It didn't always go well. ]
Trust me, you're not the worst I've gone up against.
[ The tease is accompanied by a mental nudge, like the playful dig of an elbow. ]
no subject
[Because it could have gone so much worse. He could have hurt so many people -- just like he'd been afraid of doing all along. But with his mind, not with his actual, physical self. And that honest, open gratitude radiates out of his mind.]
[Thank you for everything.]
[Being part of someone's people... that's not new. Even if it had always been him thinking that -- my crew, my team. It is complicated, no argument there.]
[He breathes for a moment, listening, thinking. Flashing a faint smile at the prod.] Do I want to know what the worst is?
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Probably not.
[ There's plenty of grotesque things lurking in Bellamy's nightmares. Technically, he should be thanking Shiro for overshadowing them. ]
I don't think it's party-appropriate anyway. But find me some night, we can trade stories. There won't be a campfire, but it'll still feel...homey.
[ Being indoors for so long is so weird, Shiro, Bellamy can't even begin to tell you. ]
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[But not in front of all these people.]
Noted.
[A soft huff, almost a laugh, and he swirls his drink in his hand.] A campfire. Wow... now that you mention it, I honestly can't remember the last time I had one of those.
[In the normal way people forget things, this time. Not the "Shiro My Life Is Terrible" way.] Did you have them a lot? Where you're from?
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[ Admittedly, he doesn't know much about where Shiro comes from. He knows he dreams of stars, and he knows that sometimes he thinks of lions. Bellamy doesn't think he should press, so he offers instead: Arkadia and the gatherings each night around the fires, the way people would share moonshine and food and talk quietly among themselves. It was community. The land may be harsh, but the people of the Ark had come together in spite of that.
He cuts away before he can think of his people, the delinquents who hadn't all made it into Arkadia. Flickers of faces bleed through before he manages to detach. He sips his drink, shrugging through the momentary discomfort. ]
They're a necessity.
no subject
[He has to shake his head a bit to clear it from lingering on the faces.]
You lived outdoors?
[They really haven't had time to get to know each others' backgrounds. Even after literally sleeping together and being mentally connected and ... well. Everything.]
We were in space.
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We were building a settlement. But mostly outside, yeah.
[ And now Bellamy would never know what Arkadia became. All he has is speculation, and the remembered plans for creating a safe place for his people. ]
In...a castle, I think? I remember the constellations, but you never really thought of anything that looked like a space station.
[ It was a strange marriage of two different extremes, as far as Bellamy was concerned. Castles were from myths and legends. Space stations were the reality he'd been raised in. ]
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[He nods slightly, still turning the drink around in gloved hands.] Settling a new place? New... world?
[Settlement means colonizing, in a way, doesn't it? Building somewhere no one's been before.]
That's what they called their ship -- the people who were there before us. It's ... a castle capable of flying through space. Really amazing.
[He can't help but smile a little, thinking about it. It's impressive, to say the least. Especially that the whole thing is still working, after so many hundreds of years inactive.]