laugher cues as the last of uriah's words leave his mouth. with that, the party enters full swing; the rich and richer begin to mingle, and laugh, and drink. their specialty.

[break][break]
gabriel arrives fashionably late, walking through a sea of those who wish the earn the favor of a business mogul and councilman. he gives them even smiles and whispered assurances of his attention later in the evening, before moving to the bar.[break][break]
from his shadow a number of people break off, scattering in an organized fashion, their attentions hyper-focused on their 'targets'.
[break][break]
they would go and speak to influential, drowning their ear in sweet nothings about themselves, but most importantly, about the AQUA initiative.
[break][break]
this event would serve more than one cause.
[break][break]
"the stage suits you," he says to the heir-apparent, raising a hand for whiskey, "anyone of importance in attendance?" he knew the answer to this, of course. but, did uriah?

[attr="class","notes"]URIAH BLACK[break]valor: helping hand[break]mission

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

"that it does. i should do this more."[break][break]

words pour out easier with the help of alcohol. his lowers the glass of whiskey, waiting until the councilman has one as well before raising it up again.[break][break]

"mmm," he mutters over a sip, then points over to a few faces in the crowd. "him, him, her, him, her."[break][break]

notable faces, each carrying some form of significance or importance.[break][break]

"i did tell you they'd come."

[attr="class","ooc"]GABRIEL BLACK[break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

his eyes follow as his son points out each person in attendance. already, the non-descript men and women that had arrived with him, were maneuvering their way into their groups.
[break][break]
"that you did," muses the councilman, taking another sip of the bitter liquor. "come with me," he orders, pushing away from the bar with drink in hand, "do you recognize those people?" the ones he came in with, that was.

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]URIAH BLACK[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

after a brief moment, uriah shakes his head, conceding that there are in fact many in hoenn he still isn't familiar with.[break][break]

"i don't."[break][break]

he sips his whiskey.[break][break]

"will you introduce us? i'm sure i can get whatever it is you need from them."

[attr="class","ooc"]GABRIEL BLACK[break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

gabriel shakes his head slowly.
[break][break]
"no need, they work for me." many steal their targets attention with ease, low-cut dresses, exposed skin, and even on one fellow, an incredibly charming smile. "they're a marketing firm, but instead of speaking of AKURA's successes, they speak of the A.Q.U.A. initiative."
[break][break]
he swirls the liquor in his glass.
[break][break]
"do you know why?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]URIAH BLACK[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

a marketing firm? uriah looks at them again, trying his best to remember their faces.[break][break]

"are they a small one? i haven't heard of them."[break][break]

he'd done prior research for akura, after all.[break][break]

at his father's question, he shakes his head, sipping once before admitting:[break][break]

"i don't."

[attr="class","ooc"]GABRIEL BLACK[break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

"a subsidiary of AKURA, newly implemented." something that could relate to the company through their authority, but not be traced directly back to them. after all, politics and business, as much as they worked hand in hand, shouldn't look like they do.
[break][break]

"A.Q.U.A.'s success is our success," he answers simply. "they are composed of the most powerful, and influential people in this region. by affixing our name to them, and ensuring their name resonates with good media, we in turn rise with them."

[attr="class","notes"]URIAH BLACK[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

uriah supposes it's the next logical step forward for akura to further strengthen their reach within the region. partnering with the most powerful and influential propels them to the very top.[break][break]

"they'll be under the spotlight soon."[break][break]

the entire region will be tested. where will those in the aqua initiative fall?[break][break]

"do you want me to oversee the firm? ensure our success?"

[attr="class","ooc"]GABRIEL BLACK[break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

uriah's question sparks a moment of consideration for the flame-haired youth. the man had made an impressive, and unexpected, turn-around from the naive boy in canalave such a short time ago. perhaps AKURA had a place yet, in the future of hoenn.
[break][break]
"make it so," he says with a nod, placing his glass down as another replaces it in seconds. a familiar face shines through the crowd, and gabe takes a step out in advancement to it. he pauses, however, for a brief, singular moment.
[break][break]
"keep up the good work."
[break][break]
then he's off, mind working on how to secure his family's foothold in this region even further.

[attr="class","notes"]URIAH BLACK[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉