Log:The Fall of the Cartesian, Scene 7

The Fall of the Cartesian 2018/04/06 	 Cartesian Dreamgirl Radical Raven|Amelia Frogirl Null Mieko Argus Lazare Kanzoutsukamu

7

This Colonial Bay City Hilton Hotel private dining room is set out for a formal dinner. White linen, silver table ware, regency style chairs. The room itself is luxurious with heavily embossed wallpaper in a classic pattern, polished cherry-wood floor and high arched ceiling supporting a pair of gold chandeliers illuminating the room with a warm hued ambiance. Spaced along the length of the table are bowls of other-world flame-orchids.

Possibly drawing the eye is the incomplete summoning circle off to the side with five large lit candles at the points of the inscribed pentagram. The candles are giving off the scent of cinnamon as they burn with unsteady flickering flames.

The private dining room at the CB Hilton has been set up for a formal dinner, with linen table cloths, regency style chairs, and actual silver tableware. The warm colors of the room, and the wood floor, feel very welcoming. In contrast, there is a partial summoning circle drawn off to one side, with five lit candles at the points of the pentagram.

Radical appears out of nowhere in the lobby from behind one of the potted plants. He then walks into the dining room and looks around.

Amelia has been hovering in the dining room for a couple of hours much to the irritation of the hotel staff setting out the room.

Amelia smiles, "Radical. I'm so glad you are here. I'm a little nervous. First time I've done anything like this."

Some people are here because of their ties to the heroic community, or due to investigations leading them here. Others never really -wanted- to be here. So it is that the daughter of Kobayashi Takagi was ... ahem... leveraged (read: Guilt Tripped by her father) into attending in his place. He was unable to get away from his own personal business. Which to Mieko means.. he just didn't want to bother, so made sure she'd do her duty to teach her a lesson and... blah blah blah.

But she puts on a good show at least. She attends, dressed in her house's traditional colors of red and black, in a formal kimono. Yes... it's damned odd looking in American crowds. But again.. it was stressed to her how important it was that she represent the house well. Damnit... But she -is- striking as she makes her way inside. As is the case whenever she attends formal functions, she has the family honor blade tucked into her belt. Sure.. it's not DHS approved... but there you go.

Frogirl hops in. Looks around. flicks her tongue in and out. "Hi. I'm not sure what I can do to help, but I've been involved in this case."

"...and she could technically destroy part of the city. So that's why." Null finishes explaining the general situation to Argus as enter the hotel from the rooftop entrance. It was locked, but that was easily remedied. Somehow, the two vigilantes go unseen without really trying, due to their instictive reflexes. As they arrive in the private dining room after avoiding cameras, the private chefs are running about the private kitchen preparing and plating the amuse bouche.

Radical chuckles and says to Amelia, "Organize a formal dinner and planning session? Or the second part?"

Dreamgirl enters, looking rather like Fiorella Asha in the rather memorable dress she wore to the Oscars. Not what she had in mind, but she had a little trouble on the way.

Mieko

Exotic is a term that has been overused in America. That said, it is still appropriate for this young woman. She can't be much older than twenty, and she is of asian descent. For those who can tell the indicators apart, she is of Japanese origin. While she stands a bit tall for a human female, at five feet nine inches, and has dark black hair, she is in excellent physical shape. She is not just some petite skinny girl. She has rock solid muscle and good tone across the whole body. Her cheekbones are sharply defined, and her dark brown eyes seem to contain a blend of courtesy, charm, and fearlessness all in one.

Amelia shrugs as she answers Radical, seeing others starting to arrive. "The first. The summoning I'm confortable with. It will either get Lazare's attention or not."

Argus nods as he listens to Null explain the situation. "Well, that could be bad for more than just business." He says as he straightens the long detective like coat worn over his cyber-armor. This is about as formal as he seems willing to get.

"In any case, I appreciate you bringing me in." He says cordially as the pair find a place to sit. Naturally the vigilantes choose positions were they can see all the entrances.

Dreamgirl poses rather as she looks around on entering. "I'm not sure if an incomplete pentagram is more or less worrying than a complete one, in general."

One of the servers hurries to Amelia with a silver platter carrying several cocktails and wine samples. There's the zinfindel, a rose, a blue wine, fae wine, a bubbling smoking concoction from Earth-4913, a whiskey-based cocktail with a twisted orange rind and flower. "Ms. Steinberg, the head chef has asked you to try which pairing you'd like with the amuse bouche." A white plate is also on the platter. A ceramic spoon with a handle sticking up at 30 degrees is in the center. The spoon has a light beige liquid, and a round orb that also looks to be made of pink-tinted liquid held into a bubble shape. Some yellow shavings are on top, and a baby green on top. "This is the tea-smoked lyche amuse bouche."

Radical pokes his head out into the hallway briefly, just to make sure that seems to be everyone before he closes the door. He smiles, "That'll be fine, I'm sure." He looks around at everyone, "Thanks for coming, all. I think I've seen most of you before. Met a couple of you in person. By way of an introduction, I go by 'Radical', and I'm the person who was formerly the Cartesian up until a couple of weeks ago. This gathering has two main goals: First, to get more of the local heroes up to speed with what's been happening lately in regards to a particular case. Secondly, to try to make some headway on that case."

Radical smiles, barely noticeable through his mask, and he motions to the table, "Plus, there's a meal."

Amelia looks over the selection. And then picks what she would have on first glance. The fae wine. "This I think." she tells the server.

The server nods and hurries to the kitchen. A minute after, servers are out to start serving fae wine to the guests.

Frogirl holds up her hand. "I'm too young to drink. Could I have a Diet Croak?"

Null had feared eating or drinking would be involved. But his mask does have options for that. He receives a wine glass, intricately curved and decorated in fae craftsmanship, and taps something under his jawline. The bottom half of his mask slides open, allowing him to sip.

Dreamgirl goes over and takes a seat. Since no one has reacted to her appearance especially, she assumes there's no need to identify herself. She accepts the wine and regards the room with an air of superiority.

Amelia is trying to conceal her nerves but the way she empties half the glass of wine in a single gulp may give it away.

Heroes? Mieko lifts both brows. She had been pondering such things. Did her father know and this was his way of showing approval? Or is it all a total mixup? It would be just her luck to show up for some diplomatic function and walk into the wrong ballroom. But it would also be her father's less than subtle way of suggesting that she do her thing.

She sighs softly, inwardly and just remains silent as Radical speaks. She sits down at a seat because she really -is- in the right room. She doublechecked earlier. Damnit.

Dreamgirl also downs her wine rather quickly. A habit, no doubt, acquired from the real Fiorella.

Argus misses that functionality of his helmet. That said, if he removed his mask to take a drink it would be clear his face didn't match the one generated by the mask so he waives the food and drink away, keeping his interest on fulfilling the ARGUS protocol parameters and providing 'local assistance'.

He places his hands on the table and interlaces his fingers as he waits to begin. As he looks patiently, his mind races over various databases, textbooks and whatever else strikes his fancy. Time is quite different when you (at least partially) experienece time the way a computer does.

Radical accepts a glass of wine as well, but he doesn't drink right away. He says, "To give those of you who are unfamiliar with the case, there are cosmic forces at work in the world. Order and Chaos constantly fight each other. As the Cartesian, I was a part of that fight. And their battle has come to a bit of a crux point. There is a young woman from Harrisburg, Miss Rira Gonzalez, who has a natural talent with Chaos magic. Chaos wants to recruit her to sway the balance of the conflict. And Order wants to kill her to make sure that doesn't happen."

Frogirl sits down next to Meiko and listens.

A group of servers come out with similar white plates with spoons on them, setting them out in front of all the seated heroes. A chef stands at the head of the table. "You have before you Genmaicha Tea-smoked lychee, topped with grated ginger, microgreens, and a dusting of himalyan sea salt for subtle flavor." He returns to the kitchen. It pairs oddly well with the fae wine, in an unexpected and undefinable way.

Null listens with interest, even though he knows some of these details.

Amelia sits near but not at the top of the table. That place she leaves for Radical.

Normally, she'd remain silent, but Radical's words trouble her. Mieko narrows her eyes and thinks for a moment. She is about to speak when the plate is set before her. It is not -her- normal taste in food, but she has been learning to branch out of late. She looks back up and speaks up for the first time in the gathering. "Excuse me." she remarks in her accented English, "But it seems to me that it would be the height of folly for Chaos and Order to fight one another. Would they both not do better to remain in balance? One without the other cannot hope to survive alone. Yin and Yang. Balance and moderation.." she suggests.

Radical continues after the chef makes his announcement, "That's how I lost my position as the Cartesian. I refused to try to kill the young woman. And...I was replaced by someone else." He shrugs, like it's just a fact of life, rather than anything else, "Amelia, Null, and myself have been discussing some options about how to deal with the problem. There have been a couple of attempts to attack her in the last couple of weeks, and we needed to come up with a course of action. Currently, I'm working on trying to help train Miss Gonzalez to defend herself effectively. I have knowledge of magic, even if I can no longer cast it myself." Upon hearing Mieko's question, he nods, "It is actually rare, in my experience, for the Yin and Yang to coexist without conflict. One waxes while the other wanes, and then it flips, going the other direction. They really are always in conflict."

Frogirl raises her hand. "Mr. Radical. Why are cosmic forces fighting on Earth, out of all places in the universe."

"Are we certain that it is not our -perceptions- of the situation that lead to the conflict? Without people to pray, religions would be meaningless. Without people to believe in order or chaos... do either have meaning?" Mieko asks this as she inclines her head. "It is akin to light and darkness. Without the concept of darkness, light cannot exist. Without the concept of chaos.. order cannot exist. Neither can vanquish the other and so conflict between them serves no purpose. For order to -fight-... is to lend power to chaos."

Radical says to Frogirl, "Doctor. I didn't spend five years in grad school to be called 'mister'." He then laughs. "I'm joking. Mister is fine. Or just 'Radical'." He takes a moment to consider his answer, "They actually fight everywhere. But of course, we only see examples of it here on our home turf. The cosmic forces do seem to take a particular interest in humanity, for some reason. But I'm never been privy as why that's the case. I do know that they have used agents from other races in the past. And I did visit other planets during my tenure as the Cartesian. I just spent most of my time here."

Frogirl lowers her hand. "Thanks, Dr. Mr. Radical."

Radical nods to Mieko, "There are examples in some dimensions where one side defeated the other. It is inevitably catastrophic, no matter which side wins."

Nodding slowly, Mieko states, "I have learned that combat itself -is- chaos. Conflict is chaos. Order can only exist when the chaos of combat does not exist."

Dreamgirl says, "Wait - is it catastrophic in their eyes too?"

Argus is quiet as the situation is explained and other questions answered. He has nothing to add for now, so he sits patiently- listening and absorbing everything, cross-referencing what he can with verifiable sources online and of course day-trading while combing classified documents he has no business having his hands on. Except that's exactly why he has his hands on these documents- business.

Amelia replies to Dreamgirl, "To the Lords of Chaos and Order, no. Not if they win. What happens to the dimension is not of concern to them."

Radical shakes his head at Dreamgirl's comment, "Not to the Lords of Order and Chaos. That's their ultimate goal. They want either complete order or chaos. Or nearly so. Some of you might have been around when my predecessor was the Cartesian, and the forces were fighting over an artifact called the Ataxianate. It had the ability to either increase Entropy or nearly completely eliminate it, depending on how it was used. If Entropy went uncontrolled, people and animals would have mutated out of control. If Order had slowed the flow of Entropy, everyone would have been frozen, like they were stuck in amber. Neither of those results would have been acceptable to life on the planet."

[To Radical] Dreamgirl says, "And you worked for these guys?"

"Again, if one eliminates the other, they eliminate themselves. Without one, the other has no meaning." states Mieko. She's a bit stuck on this and shakes her head, "These... lords, do not understand themselves, let alone one another, do they?" She snorts a bit and shrugs her shoulders, "They sound like human personifications. As they show far too many human traits to -be- what they claim to be."

Servers come out to serve the appetizers on stone slates. They have flattened, browned pieces of chicken, white round discs that look like cheese, and a reddish puree. The chef announces, "A new take on the classic buffalo wing. The deboned chicken wings are cooked confit in a madras curry mixture, then placed over a smooth celery root puree and topped with a cold blue cheese disk, achieved by billowing liquid nitrogen, of course." Amelia wanted American style food elevated, and that's what he attempts to deliver. He heads back to the kitchen. Who knows how much he's listening to talks of cosmic consequences.

Null tries the lychee thing, not sure what to think of it. Savory and sweet. It pops with the fae wine, though. . o O (Wow, Amelia's gone super fancy...)

Radical nods to Dreamgirl, "I did. And at the time, it felt...like it was the right decision. I grew up invested in a legacy. there was no assumption that one side would actually win. I always felt that I needed to try to maintain the balance, to counteract the other side. But, I've also come to realize that my mind, and emotions, were altered by exposure to the magic of Order." He shrugs again, "So, my take on it now is different than it was a few years ago."

Frogirl sangs some of the 'wings' off the plate with her tongue and munches on them. Shrugs. "I like normal ones better."

"Can we not demonstrate the folly of their struggle to them?" asks Mieko as she samples some of the food delicately. "Show them what the end result of their conflict would be if taken to the ultimate level?"

"A-hem." Argus says, "I believe these beings are capable of traveling to the worlds where they have won. So one can assume, they are well aware. Its a safe bet anyway."

Radical chuckles, and nods in agreement with Argus, "I suspect that it would be like telling Gravity to stop holding you down to the planet. It's...still going to try to pull you down. Even if you can actually fly, it's still acting on you while you're doing that. Order and Chaos are...concepts made real. I don't think it's going to be possible to convince them at that kind of level."

Frogirl raises her hand. "They're represented by, uh, personifications. Is each faction unified, or are there some that see balance as a goal?"

"And yet, by labeling Order the enemy, and struggling to dominate Order... Chaos is ultimately behaving in an orderly manner. And... by allowing itself to be drawn into conflict, Order is allow Chaos into its ranks. They are like brothers squabbling over a favorite game. Each wishing to own it, but the game is only useful with two players." Yep. Mieko again as she shakes her head. "Yes. Personifications. Which gain power and legitimacy, by the beliefs of those they personify."

Null ponders that as he pokes at his food suspiciously with a fork. "Like Agents of Neutrality?"

Radical holds up a finger, "Each faction is unified, for the most part...BUT...their agents on the plane are human. They can be convinced at some level. I was. That's the next part of the plan we had discussed. The Anarch, known also as Lazare, and the new Cartesian, are human. And as such, they can be convinced."

"So who was Lazare? Before he became the Anarch? And do we know who the new Cartesian is?" Null asks.

Radical tilts his head, "I...don't know of any Agents of Balance. But that doesn't mean they don't exist. I wasn't the Cartesian very long, so I may not have run across it. And it's quite possible that such things were hidden from me." He says to Null, "Lazare is...at least a couple hundred years old. Older, even. I think it was from the Old West. 1860s or so? And we don't know much about the new Cartesian, though Lazare might know, given that he found out my identity."

Dreamgirl can't help wondering if all abstractions have such personifications. And if so, if there's a war between the Lords of War and the Lords of Peace. And how thant works.

Null takes a bite of his appetizer. "If he's that old, I doubt he has many human ties left. After so long, is he really still human?"

"Ah. Unified. Which implies rules and order. Has anyone explained this to Chaos?" asks Mieko... a sly smile starting on her face. She enjoys a good philosophical debate. Why? Because it cannot truly be won.

Dreamgirl picks at her food. Typical, all these interesting things and she seems to be in a body that doesn't want to eat.

<< I'll be sure to ask you that in 300 years time. >> Daemon/Argus says with a tease. The mask gives him a straight face of course- but Null knows that tone all too well.

Amelia comment to Null, "I've encountered Lazare on several occasions unrelated to the Chaos-Order conflict. He's capable of emotions. Love for example. I'm sure his extended lifespan has had an effect but he does seem surprisingly normal in my opinion."

Radical shrugs again, "By 'unified', I mean...unlikely to actually help the other side or active try to achieve a balance. That doesn't mean they don't work at cross purposes at times. As for Lazare, I'd venture he's still at least partially human. Chaos will have had an impact on him, but he still struck me as acting with human-like tendencies as opposed to completely randomly, like you would expect an Agent of Chaos to be. If he acted completely randomly, he'd be a really poor agent in the world.

Shaking her head, Mieko remarks, "I would think that Chaos would tire of the same agent in time. That they would not gift an extended lifespan, because that would be too much like stagnation, order..." But she sighs, "Very well, assuming these cosmic forces are so blind as to not see the truth before their faces... what do you suggest we do in this -current- situation?" she asks Radical.

Null subvocalizes over his comms, a whisper only Argus can pick up. << I won't be alive in 300 years. >> His voice doesn't give it away, but he recalls that was something of a sore spot between him and Sasha. A mortal and an immortal don't mesh too well in some relationships.

Dreamgirl says, "Do Order and Chaos fight directly at all, or just through agents?"

Frogirl continues to munch on the 'wings', a vaguely disappointed look on her face each time she eats one.

Amelia chuckles, "That was discussed recently. As far as I know they work through agents. A cynic might think they are reluctant to risk their own necks in direct conflict."

Radical nods to Mieko, "My initial thought was to make sure that both sides knew that attacking Miss Gonzalez was a losing proposition. So, as I mentioned, I'm training her with her magic. But in addition, I'd like to make sure that the next time they attack her, they find it's completely overwhelming. That's difficult, because both are capable of travelling across dimensions." He smiles and motions to Amelia, "However, Amelia and I have been working on trying to create a dimensional stabilizer. Something that would solidify the walls between dimensions just enough to keep either of them here while other heroes..." He motions to everyone else, "...are able to hopefully take the attacker down."

Shaking her head, "Magic." mutters Mieko. "More chaos than anything. Since every wielder of it uses it differently, to do different things. But... forgive me. Chaos wishes this woman capture and converted, not killed. Correct?" she asks.

Radical nods to Mieko, "That's correct."

Dreamgirl says, "Or maybe their natures are such that direct conflict is impractical. Like an all-chaos or all-order agent would be useless. In which case, the best thing to do is maybe to talk people out of being their agents."

The stone slab plates are taken away once everyone finishes their first course, replaced with the main course. "Dry-aged Kobe beef steak, with a mirin steak sauce reduction, served with fried yucca and a fuji apple salad with an apple vinaigrette, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, and dried apple shavings." The chef announces this, appearing from almost no where before heading back into the kitchen. The fried yucca looks and tastes a lot like potato wedges. The chef peeks out of the kitchen briefly, eyeing Frogirl. Maybe he knows what she said about the previous dish. He slowly disappears back into the kitchen.

<< Well of course you won't. >> Daemon/Argus says over their closed comms. << But I'm sure you'll want a backup spun up by then. Who wouldn't? >> He sounds like this is a backup plan he already has in reserve. Which is probably Trouble. Note the capital 'T'.

Despite carrying on a covert side conversation, Argus keeps up easily. Nodding thoughtfully in time to questions and answers alike. That is until some sciencey words get thrown around. "A dimensional stabilizer? Interesting." He says with renewed interest.

"So, what we need.. is a place that truly resonates with balance, where neither would possess any advantage at all." suggests Mieko. "Or.. am I simply off base here? I apologize, I am not among your... crowd. I am here because my Father asked me to attend. Perhaps he thought it might be useful to have me here but..." she shrugs, "I am no superbeing."

Frogirl eats a slice of the steak. "This is good."

Null asks, "So how long do you think we can keep them here? These are cosmic forces. Won't there be retribution once the plan is carried out?"

Null sideglances at Argus' secret comments and whispers back, again just enough that only his throat mic can pick up. << I wouldn't. What's the point of a copy? It wouldn't be me. >>

Radical nods again to Dreamgirl, "That's the major reason for using human agents. Free will is actually really useful for them to get what they want. Yes, it seems counterintuitive. But every agent has a differing level of free will and obedience. When one is too obedient, they tend to not be as creative. It's a bit of a tradeoff." He considers comparing that to the balance between false positives and false negatives...but realizes in time that it's the wrong crowd. He says to Null, "We wont' be able to stop the cosmic force itself. Just the agent. And that hopefully will be enough. Like I said, we need them to just...think twice. Hesitate. I want them to realize that attacking Miss Gonzalez is a losing proposition."

Null nods to Radical. "So, we trap the agents in this reality, subdue them...and then what do we do with them? Are we just making it painful enough so they won't try again? Because their masters will expect them to keep trying, right?"

"Unfortunately, the only way I can think of to accomplish that goal is... going to involve a lot of blood and death." says Mieko as she sighs sadly. "Perhaps we could call a detante' of sorts, and sit down and discuss this with agents of both sides? Convince them that it is in their best interests to keep her safe, and so make it a priority that both sides work together to -keep- her safe?"

Frogirl hmmms and munches on the fried yucca. "This is OK too." She raises her hand. "Is there a way to break the connect an agent has with their patron? Make them normal humans again?"

Radical nods. "The Lords will want them to try again. But the Lords can also be patient, at times. One of the benefits of being...eternal." He raises a brow at Mieko's suggestion, "Now that is interesting. I hadn't considered that. Sort of create a Summit. Worth considering, for sure." Finally, he answers Frogirl's question. "Not...that I'm aware of. So, if it's possible, it was beyond my skill."

Frogirl carefully vomits up her phone from her stomach, making sure not to upchuck any actual food. She takes her phone out of its protective plastic baggie and taps away. "What is mirin..?"

Dreamgirl says, "Another question: are there other personifications of abstractions? Ones on the same level of power or such as Order and Chaos? Because it might be in their interests to try to maintain balance. Quite likely, I'd think, given that total order or chaos is likely to be bad for most other abstractions."

Radical motions toward the summoning circles, "I suspect that's a good transition to 'why is that over there'?" He chuckles. "Amelia wanted to ask Lazare to come here...and chat. It's not closed, so that anything summoned wouldn't be trapped. There's no guarantee that it would work, anyway. But trying to call him like that...might draw him here to see who was trying to speak to him."

Amelia sips on her wine as she thinks. Then says, "I don't recall it ever being done. So while it may be possible, Frogirl, I suspect it would be extremely difficult at best."

"Then I suggest that we -also- contact the new.. Cartesian.." says Mieko. She speaks that title slowly and clearly. "Perhaps we -could- explain to each side that Ms. Gonzales's life is important to -both- sides."

Radical says to Dreamgirl, "Not that I'm aware of. But again, my studies were kind of focused. There are certainly spirits of the planet, representing the world itself. But I'm not sure of other abstract concepts which are personified."

Dreamgirl thinks. o O (Though it might be best not to involve the Lords of Stupidity. Though they're doubtless immensely powerful, if they exist.)

And then.. Mieko hears Frogirl, and then looks her way, only to screw up her face in disgust. Not at the frogginess, no. It's the puking up of a phone that makes her almost gag and causes her to lose any desire to eat.

Frogirl bobs her head to Meiko. "Sorry."

Since he's not eating, Argus seems unphazed by Frogirl's regurgatative abilites.

<< Sure, sure. >> Daemon/Argus says in reply as if he doesn't quite believe it.

Radical looks over toward Amelia, "We could try that, I guess? Create an impromptu Summit?"

Dreamgirl says, "Interesting. If not all abstractions are personified like that, it suggests there's something special about Order and Chaos. And they're not the consequence of our own perceptions, say."

Amelia sips on her wine again. Has anyone been checking how many refills she's had? "I don't know the new Cartesian personally, so the chance of success will be smaller but I'm willing to give it a try." she says.

Null stabs his fork into a piece of meat a little harder than intended at Argus' taunts. That guy knows how to push all his buttons. He has to look away from Frogirl as she regurgitates, and sets his fork down. Done with trying to eat, he taps his mask, and the panel slides shut over his mouth.

Dreamgirl says, "If we get the agents to stop fighting, though, won't the Lords just choose new ones, like they did with you?"

Radical shakes his head, "I don't think that's necessarily the case. They might, so I can't guarantee they won't replace the current agents. But...they do take advisement from their agents, who they know have a different perspective. It just needs to be worded in a certain way."

Radical nods to Amelia, "Give it a try. Sometimes, we have to pick the bold choice."

Frogirl continues eating. She has frog powers, and she's a kid. She's not well equipped to deal with an eternal war between inhuman cosmic forces. "The salad is good too."

Amelia stands, wavering slightly so she has to grab at the back of her chair to steady herself. After a couple of blinks she walks carefully to the summoning circle and begins to speak in Latin as she traces sigils in glowing lines in the air with fingertips.

It takes a few minutes, but it doesn't take long before one of the shadows from the chandelier forms into a humanoid form, and the coalesces into the shape of Lazare...standing on the wall, as if gravity was sideways. "Well...THIS is a curious gathering. A party? Is it for me?"

Lazare(#2934TOnp)

A young (mid-20s?) Caucasian man dressed in a dark suit that seems to shimmer in various colors as the light hits it from different angles. His necktie is pitch black, however. His hair looks markedly unkempt, like he's just woken up from a nap.

Amelia blinks, "Hey. What do you know. It worked." she says with a slight slur to her words.

She's said what she has to say, so Mieko merely sits demurely. She goes silent and lets folks do whatever it is they need to do. She is still not sure -why- she is here.

Only moments after that, another figure appears in the room, from the opposite side. She just...appearsa out of nowhere. A woman dressed in white. "...dare summon me..."

Amelia waves to Cartesian, "Hi."

Argus's eyebrows raise when Lazare appears. "Well I'll be ..." He stops short, staying within the parameters of the ARGUS protocols.

He's quiet again, letting those who know of magic speak for them- at least for now.

Lazare chuckles upon seeing the Cartesian, "Oh, this is even more curious." He walks onto the ceiling to get a better view. "My, my. The newbie. And the oldbie. In the same room. Assisted by local heroes and witches. To what to we owe this honor of the call?"

Frogirl points at the food. "There's food. And we want you two to agree to stop fighting and leave us out of your war."

The Cartesian, for her part, points at Radical, "I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear anything from that one. Someone else is going to have to do the talking. Why am I here?"

Radical starts to speak, but gets cut off by the Cartesian.

For a moment, Mieko looks like she is willing to speak. But she glances about at the others first. Finally, she shrugs and stands gracefully to her feet, "It has been discussed that... your conflict serves no purpose but to have conflict. It is as if it has been done so long that it is forgotten what it is like to be without it." She pauses and continues, "Order fights chaos, and in doing so becomes more chaotic. Chaos opposes order, and to do so, becomes more orderly. One cannot fight an enemy without becoming a bit like that enemy."

Another pause before she adds, "Yet, that is a long term goal. In the short term... you must both understand that the safety and freedom of Ms. Gonzales is in the best interests of you -both-. And we are suggesting that you put your conflict aside and -cooperate- to keep her both safe and free."

Amelia looks over at Cartesian, "Because killing people is bad and we'll stop you. And your attempts are driving Rira right into the hands of Chaos. Your aim is to stop her taking up with Chaos, right." Amelia pauses to burp. "The best way to do that is to befriend and protect her."

Lazare considers the words spoken thus far, "That...is an interesting proposition." He tilts his head, "Entropy always has the upper hand, in the long term. I would be willing to accept that, and I think I can convince my Lord of such. But...in exchange, I would need to have some of the food you have down there."

The Cartesian doesn't seem as easily convinced. "She is already a gateway to Chaos. That is only going to increase over the years. She has to be stopped now."

Radical remains quiet, knowing that if he speaks up, the negotiations might go sour really fast.

Amelia waves at the table, "Grab a seat. There's plenty of food. I had a place reserved for you." she tells Lazare.

"So, your answer is to personally cause entropy. To breed more chaos and destruction?" asks Mieko of Cartesian. She turns and steps around the table in her kimono robe and approaches Cartesian. "Perhaps we can work through your argument one step at a time. You say that she could be a strong agent of Chaos. Could she not also be a strong agent for balance?"

Lazare shifts into the shadows on the ceiling, only to reappear behind the food table. He grabs a plate and serves himself up some food.

Frogirl headtilts. "What harm does that do if she's an agent of Chaos? She's still just one person our of billions, on one planet out of trillion, around one star out of, uh, lots. The difference in the overall Chaos of the universe if she exists or doesn't is mathematically zero. That would be the most orderly calculation."

Cartesian may not understand the consequences of Order taking over entirely. She says, "Why would I want her to be an agent for Balance?" Frogirl's comment seems to strike home, though. "That...is an interesting point. Why is she so important?"

One of the empty seats at the table suddenly has a large cat in it. It stretches and looks around slowly.

Amelia waves at Kanzoutsukamu, "The more the meerier. Hi, Lord Kanzoutsukamu. Grab a plate and tuck in."

Radical noticeably flinches at seeing the cat. He tries his best to fade into the background.

Dreamgirl is visibly nervous too. She's not had the best experience with the supernatural.

Frogirl's eyes widen behind her goggles. "Ooh. A kitty."

"Because... if there -is- no chaos, there is no order. Without chaos to -define- a lack of chaos... your master would cease to exist too." explains Mieko. "If order does not exist, then there is no chaos. There is merely nothing. You have been fighting for so long, that neither can conceive of a reality without that fight." A pause and she smiles just a little bit before adding, "The truth is that only in finding a balance between the two... can both of you win."

Argus finds no holes in Mieko's arguements. So he continues to play it cool- almost aloofly.

Amelia knows how to get a cat to relax. She goes around the table and scritches a Lord or Order behind an ear. It's wonderful what fae wine can get you to do.

Null leans over to Argus. "A cosmic cat? Has to be chaos." As cats are agents of such.

There's a voice in the head of each person in the room, << History is long. There is time to bring this world to order. It is possible, even while that entity is correct. Order cannot truly exist without some Chaos. But the trick is...is should be as little Chaos as possible. >> The cat purrs a bit as Amelia stritches its head. During that time, the voice stops. << Cartesian. One must learn to be patient. Antherion is not patient. This one will explain to it. >>

The Cartesian relaxes a bit at seeing one of the actual Lords of Order in the room. "Lord Antherion will not be pleased. Of that, I am quite sure."

Dreamgirl has some more wine. She's pretty sure if she gets involved things will just get more chaotic. Or orderly. Best to stay out of it.

"In many conflicts... the only way to win, is not to fight." offers Mieko. "The alternative is that everyone loses."

The cat looks at Mieko and purrs a bit more. It neither confirms or denies her statement. It just looks enigmatic. As cats often do.

Frogirl blinks. "This cat is a Lord of Order?" She looks at it curiously. "What's a Lord of Chaos look like, a platypus?"

Lazare even bows to Kazoutsukamu, though he doesnt' say anything.

<< Cats? representatives of chaos? >> Daemon/Argus says over Aleph|Null's comms. << That gumshoe has gotten you into some really weird stuff man. >> He says, not realizing Hunter was waist deep in this kind of trouble dating a mage in his old life.

<< You tell me when to start punching things. >>

Cartesian says to Frogirl, "There are a lot of Lords. They take a number of different aspects. There is another Lord of Chaos that also appears as a cat at times."

Cartesian says to the cat, "Are you sure about this. You will speak to him and convince him of this course of action?"

The voice in heard in everyone's head again, << Nothing is certain. This entity will have communication with the other Lords. One must make one's own decision. >>

<< Don't even get me started on weird. >> Nulls subvocalizing is exasperated on the idea of trying to explain it all to Argus. As the Cartesian confirms the theory, Null replies, << See? Cats, man. >> Null doesn't realize his gumshoe employer is referring to the cat burglars on her team when she bemoans about cats. Even those named Cat/Kat are chaos incarnate to Frankie.

The Cartesian looks around the room at the heroes gathered, her gaze lingering on her predecessor, Radical, briefly. "Very well. I will hold off. Unless something changes in her status with regards to the Anarch's attempts to recruit her. Then all bets are off."

The cat looks over at Radical again as well, but then curls up on the chair. And it continues to purr.

Frogirl bobs her head. "Thanks, uh, Kanzoutsukamu." She gets a little tongue tied with the unfamiliar name. "Um, Lazare, are you OK with a cease fire?"

Lazare looks to Frogirl. His mouth is full of food. He nods, "Oh, yeff. I'f goo wif ceaf fife."

Null relaxes in his chair and says verbally to Argus, "Maybe we weren't needed after all. That's a relief." Because when they're involved when things get physical, it's never good for the other parties.

Argus is as surprised as anyone that things worked out so well for everyone involved. Part of him is glad for it, the other part- the part that loves trouble, is disappointed. He's always happy to smack someone down a peg or two.

"Well- I suppose as long as no one was hurt, it's a good day. Amirite?" He says in a warm and personable way. Using a tone Daemon would never be caught dead using.

Frogirl sticks her phone back in its baggie and swallows it again.