Description: The YFCC has been in dire straights. Though repaired in the aftermath of the NESTS assault, funding has become an unfortunate necessity to make the center the true inspiration it was meant to be. But fortunately, someone chooses to lend a helping hand...
Finally, a quiet weekend. Strolheim was a whirlwind of activity up to the end of year break that sent all of the teams home until the Semi-Final rounds would be announced. Following that, Hotaru had returned to actively participating in the SNF circuits once more. The best deal going when it came to giving fighters a chance to demonstrate their skills to the world, the teenaged martial artist was a very regular participant.
Even with the dire warning K' gave her about the true nature the man regularly (and quite appropriately) called the King of Southtown, Hotaru couldn't be kept away from the biggest fight venue in existence. Events culiminated with a free for all to start the new Titles season off with explosive action, and as she staggered her way out of the bout as the season's first Warrior Belt holder, the girl was ready for a reprieve.
A chance to get back to what passed as normal for the teenager made famous by her fighting career was a welcome change of pace. No doubt challenges would be coming out of the wood work in future weekends, which meant she had better enjoy the break while she could. A break disrupted by the unexpected visit from K' and a new guest by the name of Shurui staying at her home. The recluse was on his way out of Southtown, which meant the bad things he had warned her about had come to pass.
There was catching up to do at the YFCC, however, and that made for a nice distraction to get her mind off of the trouble afoot in Southtown. The Futaba girl had pitched in as a volunteer teacher during the previous year, but as her fighting schedule got more and more booked, she found less time to help out in that way. That didn't mean that she couldn't contribute when opportunities came along though.
As late night settles in, the YFCC becomes quiet once the teenagers hanging out are ushered out the door generally back in the direction of their homes. The front lobby of the building has been newly rebuilt, the construction following the destructive 'visit' by a whole army of NESTS operatives finally having wrapped up. As one of the fiscal contributers to the reconstruction project, she can't help but feel a bit of pride at how it turned out. Reinforced glass walls supported by a cross section forms the newly made wall, rising up two floors for the high ceiling. Newly installed recessed lighting provides soft, comfortable illumination for the lobby.
With much of the building vacated, it's quiet as Hotaru hums to herself, a pair of earbud style earphones connected to a MP3 player in her pocket providing the source of her musical inspiration. Quickly wiping down the receptionist's counter with a cloth and cleaning solution serves as her final volunteer task for the evening. Some volunteers are elsewhere; sorting books in the library, straightening up the rec rooms. But it's time to finish cleaning the place up and lock it down until the busy day Saturday always promsied to be. But that was going to be someone else's problem. She was definitely going to take the weekend off!
The YFCC; even after the assault of NESTS on the establishment, it still serves as a beacon of safety and hope for any and all who wish to better learn how to defend themselves and, more importantly, how to better value human life -- both of their own, and of others. Truly, it's an unblemished, shining monument within Southtown, one of the few places where one could almost consider themselves outside the influence of the more unsavory types of the city.
Which is exactly why Geese Howard has deigned to come here today.
The summer air of Japan is warm, but not humid today; the dry heat, offset by the crisp breeze, makes for a truly relaxing night without the sun to pummel down heat from above. Fighters have returned from far and wide towards the end of the first half of Strolheim -- and one of the YFCC's own has returned with a new honor to carry under her belt. Hotaru Futaba. The young girl works diligently on the building as the bells of the YFCC's doors ring once -- a fact that might go unnoticed thanks to the music regaling the young Futaba's ears. Polished shoes stride across the room in a calm, leisurely fashion. An arm, covered by a black armani suit sleeve lifts; the hand presses against the bell of the front counter once, twice. And, if Hotaru deigns to look up--
--She'll find the smiling face of a singularly distinctive man there to greet her.
"Hotaru Futaba, isn't it? We've met before, but a more formal introduction is always nice when making friends, don't you think...?" A hand extends, as the man grins.
"I'm Geese Howard. And I'd like to have a chat with you."
The entrance goes entirely missed as Hotaru is focusing more at trying to figure out how it is that spilled soda can take on cement-like form after only a few hours of being left to dry. Making a bit of a face at the polished wood surface's blemish, she rubs harder at the mess. With music loud enough to be audible, it's any wonder she doesn't seem to react as Geese draws near. What's there to pay attention to right now beyond cleaning up and getting on home to see how Sleepless in Southtown Shurui is holding up anyway?
It's the reflection in the counter's surface that gives him away a split second before his hand reaches the bell. Whirling around to face him, clearly surprised at having someone so close without her noticing first, Hotaru releases a soft gasp of surprise. Wide, azure eyes look up into one of the most well known faces in the world: Geese Howard. The man that brought the masses Saturday Night Fights. She barely hears what he says at first, as her hands go up to her ears, fumbling quickly to withdraw the earbuds and let them rest over her shoulders.
In the space of a heartbeat, a thousand thoughts go through her mind as to what this is about. Has Geese decided to congratulate her personaly on her triumph in the previous week's bout? Flattering, to be certain, but also hard to believe at this hour either. But then there's the other side of the man that she only barely understands. Criminal ties? No, no, more than that. K' said that he was at the /head/ of the people he might have to go on the run from.
But what would that have to do with her? Is it as K' feared? Did someone identify her as having ties to the young man once again on the run? Did someone see him visit her house the other night when he remanded Shurui to her care? And if so, what does it mean? The mixture of confusion and having been startled is easily to blame for the way the girl pales just slightly, the rest of his words finally sinking in as he extends his hand.
"Y-yes," she stammers, digging her mp3 player out of her pocket all together to place down on the counter, getting the wires out from beneath her hair to untangle herself entirely, "I mean, sorry," she continues, her voice rushed, "I was just surprised!" Turning back to face the powerful man directly, she takes in a breath to get control over herself, looking a mixture of sheepish and nervous as she at last extends her hand to his.
"It is a real honor to have you visit all the same, Mister Howard." Hotaru replies, shattered composure at last regained. Did he say chat? What's this about? It has to be benign. Maybe it's a fighting opportunity? Wait, did he mention making friends?
"Surprised?" Geese asks; his smile is pleasant. His entire /demeanor/ is pleasant. The man oozes charm and warmth as he takes Hotaru's hand in a firm shake.
"I certainly hope you're not intimidated; I'd hate to think I'm scary to the citizens of the city I love so much."
The last comment is made with a grin as Howard releases Hotaru's hand; whatever his reasons for being here, he elects not to enumerate on them quite yet. Instead, icy blue eyes sweep around the surroundings of the YFCC's interior; hands slipping into his pocket, his expression changes to one more appreciative of the work done here.
"It's been a while since I've visited this place," the King of Southtown remarks distantly. "It's good to see that you've recovered so well from the attack. I was shocked to hear that it had happened; such tragedies shouldn't be allowed to fall on an institution with such pure intentions as this." He almost sounds sad, here; and it's convincing.
You don't get to the top without being able to appear sincere, after all.
Letting out an easy laugh at Hotaru's words, Howard shrugs, turning his gaze back to the fighter. "Please, no need to be so formal; call me Geese. And it's an honor for me to meet you in person -- you've come very far in your fighting career since you started, haven't you?" A pause, before Howard continues, almost as an afterthought. "Congratulations, on winning the Title; it was well-earned. I hope you can continue to defend it with such vigor.
"Though..." Geese pivots easily, turning to face Hotaru fully as he talks. His lips pull into a thoughtful smile. "That isn't, unfortunately, why I'm here.
"I'd like to talk business."
Her handshake is firm. A year spent in American schools aboard taught the girl something of the respect and confidence conveyed by a nice strong handshake. Confidence she wished she felt a bit more strongly about within. She laughs lightly, trying to brush off the question of being surprised. And her cheeks turn a slight shade more red at his grin, shaking her head quickly as her hand is released, "Oh, no, no. It's just, I mean," She almost panics. How should she come across? She needs to get K''s warning out of her mind, it's practically paralyzing to think that this unexpected visit has anything to do with him.
"Unexpected, is all." He makes easy conversation then, diverging onto a topic about the center's condition, and the girl seems to relax visibly. "Yes, it was a bit of a drain on the center. Even with so many generous contributions, Alma says that the budget is very tight. Damage like that puts us in a real bind. I hope they don't ever come back."
Geese's demeanor is disarming, making it easy for the girl who tries to think the best of everyone to see him exactly how he attempts to present himself - a concerned, wealthly and influential member of Southtown's society. A more ready smile and short nod is her response as he comments on her fighting career. That someone like Geese Howard has noticed her almost goes straight to her head. It's exactly what she's hoped would happen with her wayward father and brother after all! "Thank you, M- Geese," she corrects herself, eager to respect his wishes regarding the level of formality he requested. The bout wasn't quite as harrowing as her extremely narrow victory over Hayato a year prior, but she did have her moments this time around. Nothing to not be proud of, at least.
As he turns to face her directly, his expression shifting into a more thoughtful nature, her own attitude becomes more serious. It almost brings her nervousness back to the surface. So he isn't here about the match after all. Business? With her? "Sure. I mean. Of course. Ah, rather, how can I help?" Acting isn't her forte. Just keeping the thought of how he chased K' out of Southtown off her mind is a struggle, but it helps to keep her focused on holding her uncertainty at bay by a narrow margin.
Geese knows this place very well; he knows Hotaru, too. He's not a foolish man. He knows of /anyone/ who participates in his Saturday Night Fights because, simply put, it is his /business/ to know.
It's not good for business when you don't know who's under your thumb, after all.
More importantly though, Geese Howard knows the YFCC. His smile is still disarmingly pleasant and encouraging as Hotaru suddenly becomes uneasy once more, lifting a brow in response. "There's no need to be so hesitant! You'd think I was the boogeyman." A short and good-natured laugh follows as Geese shakes his head, sweeping a hand outward towards the YFCC proper. "It's nothing bad, I promise. In fact -- I think it's something that we can all benefit from greatly. In fact, it's not just business with you.
"I'd like to offer this place a helping hand."
Giving Hotaru a moment to let the words register, Geese turns his gaze back towards the rooms of the center beyond the lobby, icy blue gaze focused, thoughtful. Confident. His smile becomes a frown of concern as he continues on, head dipping ever so slightly. "Truth be told, the attack on the YFCC was a great blow to me, as well. This place has stood to be a great benefit to the entire city. Kids come here and learn -- they become better for the experience." Inwardly, Howard feels like retching. Outwardly, he is the epitome of genuine concern. "I would hate to see this place become ruined by some madman's petty or another's petty ambitions. It's sad that the world we live in today is full of people who would target institutions that just want to help others, don't you think? I don't want them to threaten the safety of the future of Southtown's children anymore."
Geese's hands spread as he turns to look back at Hotaru. "I know that your budget is tight; I'd like to help. I want to see this place grow and flourish. So I would like to invest in the YFCC through Howard Enterprises, and help fund your operations -- so it can be the best our city has to offer its children."
He doesn't believe a word he says. Normally, he wouldn't care. But he knows the YFCC. He knows who works here, and who has worked here. Like certain flamethrowing, volatile young men. So why? Because he can. He told K': he's a vindictive man. Besides...
It's unsightly to have something in his city that isn't firmly clasped onto his coattails.
As he calls her on her nervousness, Hotaru laughs again, almost making it worse as she then immediately regrets laughing, because it sounds even /more/ nervous. She recovers, though, digging deep, reminding herself that it isn't being deceptive or dishonest if she's just trying to find out what it is he'd be interested in. He can't possibly know, she reminds herself. And when he speaks again and makes his offer clear, her fear of why he might be at the center fades immediately, blue eyes widening slightly.
A helping hand? From possibly the world's most influencial individual? "That..." she gasps, looking shocked. Criminal masterminds aren't supposed to donate heavily to charity, are they? She blinks, quiet as he continues. He seems so calm, controlled. Like a true leader. She had never seen him as anything other in all the years she had known of Geese. And even now, with what K' told her, she finds the disparity between what he told her and what the exquisitely dressed business man in front of her is offering. "Thank you," she replies, her voice soft, her mind clearly wandering as she seems lost in taking in such a magnanimous offer.
"It would..." she can't believe she's having this conversation. But how could they say no? The stress in Alma's eyes every time she's seen him going over the YFCC books... the pressure he had in trying to scramble together the funds to do the repairs... with the backing of someone like Geese, those things could be no more. "...help so much." she continues. With his investments, a lot of the equipment could be replaced, the library further stocked with books not obtained from used-books drives...
"I know Alma Towazu would be delighted to hear this. This is wonderful news." She can't even remember why it was she was afraid exactly, her mind focused only on the generous offer on the table from a man of Geese's charisma and power. "With your help, we could really expand things here. Maybe bring in a few paid workers. Most of our staff has been volunteers only due to the costs."
She turns to the side, glancing around the lobby and off toward the rooms on the side, picturing what it could be with proper financial backing before turning to face the King of Southtown again, "It would really make a difference." A nagging sense in the back of her head questions the girl again - has she forgotten what he supposedly did? Who he supposedly is? It seems harder to believe in light of such generosity. "I think you'd be happy with the results." she continues, her expression warming.
Normally, he wouldn't care; this place is typically beneath his notice. Men like Geese Howard finance things for reasons.
He just happens to be very good at making that reason look like 'generosity.'
A smile drifts over Howard's lips as he shifts in his stance, standing tall and proud -- powerful. "Howard Enterprises will sponsor the community center; I'll personally give of my own pocket to see that this place can grow and thrive and become an even greater contribution to the community than it already is. I know how hard you all work." Howard tilts his head, grinning.
"Just think of this as me paying back a small sliver of that hard work."
How could they say no? It would be rude, and after all -- they need it. Something Geese knows rather well. "You and Mr. Towazu won't have to worry anymore," the so-called King of Southtown continues, smoothly. "With your consent, the paper work will be done up, and this center can finally get the attention and funding it truly deserves. And make it a place where children can learn to be strong, and unafraid of the type of cretins who would try to ruin places like this."
Howard ignores the irony of his statement as he sweeps a hand out, grinning broadly at Hotaru's words. "That's all I can hope for," is his warm response. "I'm sure it'll turn out to be a fantastic improvement -- and I'll be very interested to see how it all turns out. I'll keep my eye out to see what wonderful things you can do with the right budget, but I know I'm putting my faith in the right hands." His hand extends again, this time in a different offering.
An offering to seal a deal.
"I hope this may be the beginning of a wonderful arrangement -- for this center, and for the children." Of course.
The offer seems genuine and sound. And for all of what K' told her, there's no reason the girl can think of as to why Geese wouldn't be interested in helping out the YFCC. After all, for years his reign in Southtown has gone uncontested by the population because he DOESN'T do things that the masses can identify as openly sinister. He provides them with entertainment and one of the safer major cities in the world. Until the NESTS escapee told her otherwise, she had never once suspected him as being anything other than a shrewed yet mostly benign businessman and admireable fighter. And as the minutes have passed, she's managed to dismiss her initial fear that he was here for any reason related to K'. It's just a coincidence. She shouldn't be so jumpy.
Relaxing some, she listens to his offer further. It sounds good. Money from a wealthy industry leader like Howard Enterprises alone would make a big difference. And if it included endorsements, they could likely increase donations from other directions as well. "Thank you," the girl answers graciously. "Alma will be so glad." She glances back toward the newly rebuilt wall. "Just knowing that we had your support would probably make anyone think twice about attacking this place," she continues.
As he extends his hand again, Hotaru does likewise. While not a director, just having her on board with any plan is all it would take to guarentee that it got approved by Alma without complaint. She's arranged things for him in the past as well, including some employee hires and other deals for the center. Her right hand applies another firm, confident handshake, and this time she's actually feeling the sentiment behind it. "I can't wait to let Alma know; first thing tomorrow." she continues.
Of course the deal sounds good. It sounds enticing, perhaps too good to deny -- especially now.
Because tat's exactly what Geese wants it to be.
"I hope Mr. Towazu will be very pleased by the news; I know I'm in anticipation to see just what you and your friends can think up when given the right encouragement," Howard says, smiling faintly. He looks back towards the wall as Hotaru speaks, and slowly, the King of Southtown nods.
"Of course," he answers, smoothly. "I'll keep a watchful eye on this place, and make sure it stays safe. These criminals and terrorists only need a blow to the ego to let them know when they're just outclassed."
Grinning in amusement, Howard shakes Hotaru's hand once, firmly; the deal is sealed. There is no turning back. But then, what is there to turn back from? "I'll send all the official, tedious paperwork to the center tomorrow; and then we'll make sure the YFCC's new lease on life is given a proper bang, eh?" Voice still so calm and friendly, Howard releases his grip, and takes a single step backwards.
"It's been good finally getting to know you in person, Ms. Futaba. I look forward to our next meeting," giving a single nod of his head, Geese turns, slipping his hands into his pockets as he walks back towards the exit.
"I'm sure it'll be very soon."
Log created on 22:38:56 01/23/2009 by Geese, and last modified on 12:11:19 01/31/2009.