Atlas at the Observatory

[K. R. Jakes] [oh, right]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Atlas Mason] An odd place for such an odd man to visit, Atlas had travelled the umbra for decades, he had been to the star's, to the planets of both the near, and the deep umbra in his travels aboard the Lafette, he had seen thing that would make men quiver with fear, laugh with joy, and fall deathly still in awe. The planetarium had the same effect for the would be astronaut's of mankind, and for many, in fact most it was the closest they would ever come.

It was the same for Atlas now, with his ship broken and his skill far removed from what it would take to advance and return to the starts once more. And so he roamed the grounds of the great domed structure set against the waters edge, its slanted sides catching the light of day, and its great sphere, the heart of the planetarium was stark white against the blue background of the sky. The building in of itself held a sense of space and wonder, a place that spoke of possibilities, of things dreamed, and hoped.

It was an odd structure, and he was an odd man....but together, they were just fine. A pair of oddities, often forgotten, often considered a throwback to older times. But still able to inspire, to dazzle, and to hold the attention of all who took the time to look. This was a good place for Atlas.

And so he stood on one of the great concrete steps that lead to the water, his eyes to the sky, and the planetarium itself at his back, thinking, watching....wondering.

[K. R. Jakes] [Holy awareness batman!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[K. R. Jakes] This was the first planetarium built in the West (the place of dying [the land of the golden apples]) and it is also the oldest to yet stand. That it should look up at the stars (there is a red star; it sings, Madness) while presiding over a city like Chicago - murder city, jazzy city, windy city, bad weather city, city of restaurants, city of lines, mapped city, mapping - is (not to be found in these telescopes, in these instruments held and tooled to precision by the unenlightened and sleepy) nothing short of poetic.

Until very recently, Kage had been inside one of the theaters, gazing up at a map of stars, a network of (false [siren]) luminaries. She'd left the show early, because something had prickled at the nape of her neck, something had ached in her bones. If she were a sailor, she'd predict the weather, down to the very nuance of it, down to the land the winds first kicked up from. She isn't a sailor. She's a mage. She's awakened. She predicts nothing, but she knows that Atlas Mason is near. Who else feels like he does -- that deranged, unhinged sense of luminous brilliance? That twisted shine? Noone.

So Kage steps out of a false night and into the - relatively speaking; this is Chicago, and the weather is bad - bright light of day, and it doesn't take her a very long time to find Atlas, or to walk in his direction.

[Atlas Mason] Brown overcoat, white button up shirt, suspenders and a pair of brow corduroy pants, if anything other then his resonance screamed of Atlas, it was that aged, old school outfit. He say casually by the the waters, his manner, his bearing does not indicate a man who wishes to be alone, or one who is so deep in thought that he did not wish to be disturbed, it was one of a man who was enjoying the simple things, or at least as simple as they became for one of the awakened.

Kage approached, her shoes clacking on the concrete that kept them above the water, held aloft by an odd piece of land that jutted out into the lake. Atlas turned slightly as he saw her, rather then felt her and a smile crossed his lips as he spoke.

"Kage, this particular juncture could not have been theorized or projected on any known scale wave flow space or numerically charged two dimensional graphing system. To calculate a percentage of effective theoretical value and weight I would require the processing power of the Lafette." He comments as he watches her. "How is your chemical biological structure Kage? Has your existence existed upon a nominal plane of reality since the previous juncture?"

[K. R. Jakes] "Perhaps not, but I bet there's an unknown scale wave flow space or numerically charged two dimensional graphing system that'd do the trick," Kage says, by way of reply, as she comes abreast of the (old-fashioned [relic]) man.

He's received a couple of looks from other guests at the Adler Planetarium, but is saved from true scrutiny by the times. These are times when people dress howsoever they want. When being part of a subculture is mainstream. Welcome to the next century, Doctor Atlas Mason.

"Lafette or no Lafette. I'd like to visit your ship again, Captain. When can this be arranged?"

Her shoes did, as a matter of fact, clack. The sound was ladylike; sharpness, sheathed. They meant heals, which also meant that Kage was a little taller than usual; say 5"5, or almost 5"5. Nobody dresses up to go out anymore, not fancily, and Kage is not dressed fancily; she is dressed for comfort in a light dress with pockets, sleek, strappy sandals, heeled, her hair pulled off of her neck, because the heat would love to flush her, and she is having none of that. There's a sweater, too, but it's in her grungy old messenger bag.

"And I am doing well. Working a lot. No capital W. How have you been?"

It is courtesy; but it is also asked sincerely enough. She'd like to know; her eyes are interested, studious, studying.

[Atlas Mason] "My personage and intrinsic integrated existence dynamic have been at a state of idle for a series of time units. Allocated units of the chronological state have been directed primarily at internal research and development and structure nominalization and sounding of the Lafette's primary locomotive capabilities. Socio-political dynamism has been reduced to near insignificant proportions with the exception of the intermittent co-locality with the Conglomerative structures primitive two dimensional message delivery system."

He says casually, like he was talking about the weather as he shrugged. It all seemed quite normal for Atlas, for him to wile away his existence away from the world at large, apart of it, but away from it. He gestured to the hard concrete next to him, offering the woman the opportunity to join him.

"Please, alter your physical structure to form a convergence factor with this physical plane we shall engage in socio-dynamism as it is prudent and inherently necessary for my personage to do so despite prescribed internal dictations laid out by my synaptic processes."

[K. R. Jakes] [ (squint) That first part, what? ]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Atlas Mason] [Ive not been busy, just...researching magic and foci, while working on my ship...i really havent been interacting with others much, hell havent been out much except to take a look at the chantry message board.]
to†K. R. Jakes

[Atlas Mason] [Please have a seat Kage, well have a chat. I've been somewhat avoiding conversation, and I really shoudn't you know...bad for the humors]
to†K. R. Jakes

[K. R. Jakes] Now that Kage has seen the sheer scope of the Lafette and how much it seems to tend toward ruins Kage can understand why Atlas spends so much time tinkering with the ship. And it isn't just tinkering, the way so many Gentlemen Inventors do; it isn't just tinkering, like one of those lovers of old automobiles who'll spend time putting an engine together part by part and each part is red with their love. It's work. It's a job. It's a labor. It's going to take a damned long time and there's always going to be something to do.

"There is nothing primitive about paper and pencil," Kage says, goodhumored: " - really, one might say that the writing one does by hand is the pinacle of technology, using as it does the perfect machine: ourselves; our bodies; our mind." Maybe she is teasing Atlas; maybe she is baiting him. Maybe she is just devoted to written correspondence.

Very gravely, she says, "And, sure. I would love to engage in some socio-dynamism, Atlas. I don't think we're likely to be trapped under a cage all the way out here. The sky is bright; also, there is no ceiling. And the concrete looks pretty stable, too." A beat, a smile.

And then, "Are you naturally inclined toward solitude, Atlas? Or is there a reason you're playing All On My Own No Conversation For Me? Are you well?"

Because Edom. Because his wife's ghost. Because Edom.
Because the Awakened are a moody lot, and often followed by tragedy.

She is asking, and seriously.

[Atlas Mason] Atlas listens to her, hears the seriousness in her voice, serious equated to concern, one was never serious with someone else unless there was in some sense concern for the other individual. Atlas waves a hand dismissively at the notion that he is not well. "Your Theory and concentrated neuro chemical responses equating towards concern for my personage as well as my synaptic and biological functionality is noted and represented as a positive modifier within my direct noospheric environment."

He says as he pats the Concrete one more time, before turning to look back out at the water. "The preset algorithms of my personage do not incline my positioning towards other individualized personages or in the negative of that possibilty, I have simply been actively engaged with my responsibilties to my vessel, as well as to my own personage. The events of our previous convergence have had an effect upon my synaptic functions, but not in any lasting detrimental state, the half life of the event's experience field was minimal."

He then smiled wryly as he looked up at the woman one more time. "It is not within my distinct capabilties to negatively impact on graphite based communcation methodology, such actions and methods have terminated geo-political states in previous junctures afterall."

[K. R. Jakes] "The pencil and paper," Kage says, with a quick smile; she has taken a seat on the bench (a bench) that is nearby. There is no exaggeration of movement; no looseness, no lack of control, no weariness. Just: a body is an instrument; make it sing. And sit. "Most glorious of all tools invented, after the tongue and throat."

He reassures her that he's fine, that what happened has left no lasting [detrimental] mark, nothing that is bringing him down to despair, and she accepts that.

[Atlas Mason] Atlas watches the woman as she chooses the bench over the concrete. The distance was acceptable for conversation...but it just didnt feel right. So the man rose from his seat, denying the concrete his warmth and company and moves to join the living, the animate...the awakened. He lowers himself briskly onto the bench and his hands finds his knee's as he looks around, his eyes at last settling on Kage.

"What is news from the generalized sphere of interactivity amongst our awakened paradigmically inclined populace Kage?" He asks, catching up on the news it would seem, talking to a message board really only gave you so much afterall.

[K. R. Jakes] The sky is bright, yes. But the sky is bright the way a tarnished piece of tin is; all clouds, all light turned toward some secret thing; see how it hides shadow? All that storm; that promise. The temperature shan't drop until night falls again and the air is redolent of summer, and of lightning, of sudden electricity, of resurrections.

The bench wasn't far from Atlas's chosen circle [compass rose (this is the place all directions go forth from)] on the concrete ground and the concrete sucks up warmth and moisture both and it is dry, dry as a bone before the soup, and the bench is much more suitable for a woman in a skirt and heels, although Kage doesn't care about that. It's dreaming, that; how she sits, leaning forward at first, the better to look Atlas in the eye, then straightening again when he stands and comes to join her on the bench. She braces herself up, palms against the back edge of the (backless) bench and elbows locked. Leaning, leaning.

Her eyes on the bright sky.

He wants to know what's going on. They're about to exchange gossip. And that's fine. That's also ironic. Kage is on the outside. An Orphan, but truly; unlike Israel, she is not a crux, not a central piece, not a key player. She knows everyone (or it seems that way, sometimes), and is friends with many of those, and yet she isn't a full member of th chantry, she has watched it begin to pick itself up, to put itself into governance piece by piece, and she has remained apart, aloof. She isn't part of any drama, and no drama comes for her. That's Kage: cool, composed, aloof from whatever goes on; even Edom, even the Fallen, she involved herself because others she knew were involved, because it was too big, because she wanted to.

With Kage, wanting always means so much.

And she doesn't usually want to socialize.

Atlas, he wants to know what's going on. And they're about to exchange gossip. Kage considers for a moment, while her eyes stay on the sky, tease shapes out of the clouds. She listens to Atlas, though; the texture of his breathing, the sound the air makes around his body. And she says, "Let's see. How long've you been out of the loop? There is a new Mystery-drinker, a new, ah, Dionysian; two - actually. And T.H. - Nathan - has decided to ditch the trappings of traditionalism and sing 'I did it my way,'"

and it should be noted, Kage actually does sing I did it my way, croons the words like blue-eyed Sinatra,

"The white fence house is getting organized; and oh! Ashley has levelled." A beat. She realizes that Atlas probably doesn't get the gamer reference. "She's an Adept. And that is it for gossip; I'm not very good with it, you know," she says, with sidelong glance.

[Atlas Mason] Atlas listens to Kage, hears her words, and digests her meanings, the two of them could not be further apart in their speech patterns and how they portray what is going on in the world. She uses slang, and short forms, she uses abreviations. Much of it Atlas does not immediately make connections with, but slowly he forms the connections through the slang, this woman spoke in such inaccuracies, but that hardly mattered, compared to Atlas, much of the worlds population talked like gibbering baboons when it came to detail.

His eyebrow shoots up at the mention of Nathan rescinding his membership with the Cult of Ecstacy, tossing off the basis of much of what forms a mages identity, at least for most. "Is that data packet affirmative and catalogued Kage? Nathan has ejected his conglomerative paradigmic outlook from his noospheric manifest space?" He asks slightly incredulous at the idea before shrugging. "I instinctively and methodically contemplate the situation and experience derived particulars that formulated such a response. It is a curiosity, an aberrant factor that I shall endeavor to ascertain."

Atlas then comes to the mention of the house and he nods. "So I have kept appraised, it would seem that within several near time junctures it will no longer be a individualized choice to manifest a group socio-synaptic dynamic...but a requirement." He doesn't seem overly pleased with that...but it was required at times. "I may require to ascertain appropriate candidates or concurrently established dynamics for evaluation and consideration." He then looks at Kage with a raised brow, a look of intent curiosity upon his face.

"What of your personage Kage? Will you actualize along a parallel course? Or diverge?"

[K. R. Jakes] [Okay. Did I get all of that?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Atlas Mason] [Nathan left the Cult...wow....thats, really really odd, i mean, that doesnt usually happen. I'm gonna have to look into that cause thats just weird.

Yeah I heard, its looking like having a cabal is going to be necessary, not just a choice anymore...shame really, guess im going to have to find some people to make a cabal with, or a cabal to join. What about you Kage? You going to join up? are you looking for a Cabal?]
to†K. R. Jakes

[K. R. Jakes] Kage often did have a slangy way of talking; something quick, something quippy, something old Hollywood, something fable-noir; it was purposeful. Kage was an Orphan; she named things herself. Often, she did not share these names with the Others; used the words they believed in; the words they had. But Kage: she mythologizes the world, and language is important. Atlas speaks as precisely as he can; because he leans so on precision, others do not always understand him. Precision, the death of poetry; Kage, she is far more beholden to poetry: aware of connotation; aware of meaning what you say, of layers. They speak differently, these two; it's remarkable that they converse as easily as they do.

But they do. Kage doesn't ever stop and wish that Atlas were speaking normally; she occasionally pauses, turns a phrase over in her head, tries to tease the nuance out of the language laid bare. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Is that data packet affirmative and catalogued, he says, and she nods once. Affirmation.

And then she says, "I don't think it was a sudden decision; I think it was a long time coming. I don't think he believes - or maybe ever believed - in the tenants those people hold fast to. And paying lip service is no longer serving him, so he's decided to try and find his own path." A smile, brief, wry, hooked: sharp as the moon. "Does happen, you know."

Then: Atlas, and the subject of the White Fence House, of cabals, of the government forming, and - " - oh." Here, that smile again; it is in her eyes, like a firefly cupped, held almost secret, ardent. "Give me two choices, Atlas, and I will immediately fix upon a third." A brief pause. And, "What do you mean, a requirement? And require to ascertain? Why?"

[Atlas Mason] "I had believed that through concurrent action and socio demonstrative means that access to the chantries limited access facilities would be eventually granted. That is no longer the dynamic that is being established, effects and results are no longer the basis upon which to base a plan to gain access. A paradigmic gathering of individuals with a common identifier and purpose will at this point and this point forward be the only viable method by which to obtain direct access." He says, shaking his head as if he was displeased.

"What is this third option upon which you theorize Kage?" He asks now, returning a question to her, asking for more data.

[K. R. Jakes] Neutral. "There are reasons the Society of the Nameless Crow decided it would be wise to organize access along those lines," Kage says, and her voice is a quiet thing; private, intimate, just for Atlas Mason. Her voice is also cool; is water, moonlight kiss'd, and it is a shining day, all storm, the older-than-he-looks man and old-souled woman are sitting beneath. The observatory gleams, too; the water of a wishing well. Dull. Dim. And shadowed.

Atlas is displeased. Kage says, "Where did you hear this; did you ask why they would not relent?" A beat. And, "Is direct access very important to you?" And he wants to know what the third option is. Kage says, "I'll give you some other roads; but first, let's just discuss."

[Atlas Mason] "This data was acquired during a data transfer and socio dynamic setting with Ashley McGowen, her socio-political views were quite staunch and unyeilding. I am certain tempering is feasible, however the incumbent and primary attributes would remain the same with the exception of application of excessive stress upon her ideals."

"Direct access to information as well as necessary, existence supporting resources is indeed important, I abhor and detest the indicitive idea that information should be contained and denied to those who may make a proper utilization protocol with it. The heirarchy and structure that is being instituted is in direct opposition to this ideal."

He says with a shrug, someone dismayed, but not without his own resolve of course.



[K. Jakes] "Okay," she says, and for a beat, she's just quiet. And then: "How would you," and this isn't asked critically, as if she were picking the flaws apart in his Belief, as if she disagreed with him and wanted him to only see that, poor Doctor Atlas Mason, weight of the world on his shoulders, named after a particularly tricky jar to open, a jar that defies strength and suffocates fireflies, well poor old Doctor Atlas Mason, he isn't always right: that isn't where Kage appears to be coming from, "do it? How would you change it?"

[Atlas Mason] "If my personage were the focal point of this exact and precise socio political emergent societal system?" He asks momentarily seeking clarification as he watches her, her question was a good one, no doubt about that, but the good doctor seems ready to answer, as if he had thought such things over many, many times.

"One primary concern that exists with the existing system is its focal apex and primary reliance upon the socio-dynamic of aligned and homogenized individualized paradigmic personages, or..cabal's in this instant. Access to the political structure should not be mandated by the express inclusion of a personage within one of these homogenized states, this situation leads to considerable elitism and provokes and instigates a twenty percent increase in the likihood of eventual systemic collapse or internal paralysis of the functionality.

All capable and trustworthy actualized individuals would have access to necessary resources and materiel, inclusive to the system intrinsic. Cabal's would over see specific political functions, such as city security, data harvesting, dissemination and cataloguing, conglomerational nexus upkeep and nominalization, as well as any other projected requirement of the conglomerative whole."

He pauses, letting that sink in for a moment before continuing. "In addition, a apex structure of individuals would comprise of cabalized individuals, the leading representative of the nexus, as well as elected individuals not affiliated or associated with any particular office or cabal."

He thinks on that for a moment before nodding. "This is an acceptable initial statement of intent and purpose."

[K. Jakes] "How would you determine who was trustworthy," Kage says, "and who was capable? Who would determine this? Why shouldn't cabal membership be the rule of thumb? What's wrong with that? Doesn't membership in a cabal prove that, at very least, you're able to work with some others, that you aren't just a lone rogue, out for lone rogue things, things that lone rogues would just love to take out their roguery and do, which may not be beneficial to the whole?"

[Atlas Mason] "Internalized compatibility characteristics as well as necessary value to the community would be evaluated through the individuals involvement within the conglomerative sphere of nominal existence, via their activities at aberrant junctures as well as junctures of stability and control, voted on by either the apex body, or in general assembly, this status may be revoked by the apex body if necessary. This would leave the dualized action plan of enticing the individualized personage to assimilate within a homogenized paradigmic unit to further their initial acceptance, but not relegate their available methodology to a singular pathology."

He gestures as he talks, as if he were drawing a diagram in the air before them to better illustrate how things would work, how it would all come together, his was a more complex system, but then, this was Atlas Mason. He is excited talking about this, perhaps he had not gotten the chance to discuss his views before, given that there was no current forum for such discussion where it mattered.

"The existing system is acceptable, but it remains inflexible, baring a resemblance to strained, over tempered Iron carbon Alloys. Effective, but ineffective and faulty when necessary force or stress factors escalate beyond a factor of five."

[K. Jakes] "But how do you know it remains inflexible? Because of one conversation with Ashley?" Her voice is even; is calm, and cool, and just a little burnished, just a touch smokey. There are expectations that come with hair the colour of Kage's, but she rarely seems to meet them. Atlas has never seen her lose her temper (indeed, few in the city could say they had; indeed, indeed, one of those who has likely doesn't even think that it was a loss of temper, that it was a chink, in self-possession, poise). "Is she the only member of the Society you've spoken to -- or of the, hm," a brief pause, because she is searching for the name, "Israel's cabal? Do you think that, from without the system, you should be able to change it?" A brief pause, and, "Why do you think that anybody should, if they've proven themselves, be allowed to utilize all of the -- uh, special snazzy extras -- that the White Fence House comes with?"

[Atlas Mason] "The basic structure of the metaphorical community and it's actualized reality are synchronized within a five percent variance. A community prospers via the trade and collective distribution of resources and data. The concurrent projection of political interpretation and direction negates the existence of the general concept of community. This is an catastrophic level category flaw within its defined parameter's."

He pauses and considers another of her questions, he doesn't take any offense from any of this, he is distributing data and she is digesting it, and re-framing her inquiries, it was a classic method of debugging theories, ones he welcomed, and the look on his face showed that. Even as he shook his head and chuckled.

"The direct and indirect ability and desire to interface and establish an altered dynamic from within or without the integrated and established system is a scientific fact Kage, one cannot even begin to observe and categorize a system or individual without influencing its existence. To posit otherwise is fallacious."

[K. Jakes] "Mm. But resources are limited; if history has shown us anything, it is that resources can be overtaxed; that all inclusiveness can wear at an empire's edges; that it can cause internal strife, that resources can be worn away, lost, vanquished, fade. Perhaps the House's heart can't take too many people drawing on it; perhaps there's a reason they're trying to limit membership."

And Kage -- well, Kage is almost terrifyingly intelligent sometimes, and she rarely has much difficulty following another person's leaps of logic, even when they run counter to her intuition [Devil's advocate]. But this, this right here -- she listens to Atlas's answer, and her eyebrows draw together, a crease appears between them, and she says, "That makes no sense whatsoever. At least, not in context. Philosophically, why, sure - but what's that to do with things as they are? If you can just stand there, look pretty, and things'll change around you, then what's the problem? That you don't know how to influence change so it changes into what you want?"

[Atlas Mason] "Change is a universal constant, it is a factor that permeates and integrates while influencing and disseminating throughout the Etheric structure of the known planes of existence. The problem is as you postulate, observation and simple physical existence within proximity of the system's structure results in minimal degree's of alteration, it is neither a great enough volume of change nor is it focused, or aligned in a manner that would facilitate alterations to the dynamic structure in a cohesive or effective manner."

He seems to consider her earlier statement as he finishes elaborating on his own statement, laying out some of the basics of the principle, Kage was smart...wonderfully so, but she was no etherite. His statement complete he comes back to her reason for minimal numbers, rubbing his chin with one calloused hand as he thinks.

"The data required to establish a formative theoretical conjecture is not available within this time unit. Previous junctures as well as testimonial disseminated by Ashley allows for the postulation that this is however not a feasible solution, it is indicated that the current individuals established within cabal's seek and movate towards the eventual culmination and inclusion of all paradigmic individuals within such homogenous unit's. Which would result in the termination and depletion of such resources without correct and thorough maintenance and upkeep, to postulate otherwise would indicate that the encumbent individuals do not aspire towards the eventuality for individuals to actualize themselves within a collective and therefore negate access to afformentioned resources.

This causes a frown as he thinks upon it...not liking that option at all it would seem. "Which would indicate a blatant disregard for, and dislocality from the paradigmic populace. A Theory I am not inclined to promote."


[K. Jakes] "Precisely," Kage says, to the first. The day is wearing onward; the brightness is slowly leeching from the [tarnished, metallic, storm-laden] sky, and it is being replaced by a rosy tinge, by something burnished on the horizon. Hints of copper, threads of gold. The Orphan watches Atlas, curiously, thoughtfully, her head canted just so. It would be easy to imagine her studying a book with that same posture. "Which brings me back to this question: Why should you get a say? Listen," because that question isn't alone: because she is expanding it, into a more specific question.

"Why should you, not part of the system, get a say? Tell me. Simply. Do you think it's right? Say that things were a little different. That we were talking about the Lafette. Some portion of the Lafette not open to the general public, but interesting, of potential intrigue for another member of this community you and I find ourselves moving in. Let's say you had a way to prove oneself trustworthy, or at least watchable, connected, involved, already in place. Let's say someone didn't like that way. How would they be able to prove to you that their way was better?"

A pause. Then, by way of replying to the latter: "For what it's worth, I don't believe they're mistreating What Lies Beneath, All Shining." A touch of something wry, there, about the mouth, the eyebrows.

[Atlas Mason] "The individual would be allowed to state the particulars of their case before a panel, or the apex officials of the established political system. If their points, or some point of merit became noted as feasible or worth while, then those particulars would be adopted. However the systemic basis of your proposition is misformed, the Chantry is not owned by any particular individual, it is a structure based upon public access and utilization. The Lafette is not in such an existent state, it is privately acquired and utilized therfore under my direct control and ownership and not subject to such policies."

He says without a hint of ire or annoyance. He simply states it, willing to accept her counter points, and negate them accordingly, or finding no feasible negation, to accept.

"At this juncture it is not within reasonable theoretical projection that they would be misappropriating the elemental Etheric energy eruption point. misappropriation is not the reason for this political disagreement or view point differential."

[K. Jakes] "I see," Kage says, and the woman glances across the cement [across the planetarium (this is where you can view the stars as more than pretty glimmering beads all milk luminescence held between fingertips blotted out by the palm of your hand- if the weather cooperates] and at the lake. There, her gaze rests. Water is a good thing to look at, mutable, neutral, lovely, always, always changing. "So Ashley said No to a panel of the White Fence House's 'apex officials' to hear your ideas?"

[Atlas Mason] "There are at this juncture in time no official representatives beyond these as of yet unnamed, uncatalogued emissaries. It is unknown if such a panel would be convened at any date or juncture to vocally recognize outside influences or individuals, or if such a process has even been conceived."

He continues to watch Kage at this moment as she looks out to the water, his eye's curious as always, penetrating and ocean blue, much like the waters she watched now.

"You have yet to surmise or extrapolate upon your own internalized political or sociological views and standards Kage, where in this existential situation have you represented your personage?"

[K. Jakes] "I believe," she says, "That you should put a notice on the corkboard." And Kage holds up a hand, and the lake is between her index finger and her thumb, framed, and her index finger almost touches the burnished line of the horizon [gate to heaven], "And on that notice, you should say, I, Doctor Atlas Mason, hereby request blahblahblah yaddayadda a meeting with such muckymuck fat cats -- you could use those words, if you'd like; 'fat cats.' I haven't copyrighted them -- to go over some concerns and blahdeeblahblah at the earliest convenience. "

"Then," and she glances at him, and it can be difficult to extrapolate the exact colour of Kage's eyes. They're hazy, hazel, they're green as glass, as smoke, and sometimes they're gray, and quite often they're just an indistinguishable dark (solemn [ardent]), "You should probably note that, of course, convenience in this city of Wind and Chaos is something that needs be forcibly wrestled down," and she makes little forcible wrestling down things claws with her hands, then drops them in her lap, "And see what comes of it."

A beat. Still solemn. "I'd like to point out that there is one fallacy in your reasoning, Atlas. The house isn't public property. Or, at least, it isn't beginning as public property; the Society claimed it when there was a vacuum of power; it appears that they want it to be a hearthome and a rallying point for people in this city. But it's no more -- a structure based on public access and utilization -- than the Lafette."

Another beat, and Atlas asked her a question. Kage says, "I try to be available."

[Atlas Mason] "Your suggestion is noted, catalogued and may yet be transmuted into an active plan of forward momentum Kage, the basis of it's particulars are specific, poignant and as an initial proclamation of intent and design, effective. However."

And he nods, greatful for the suggestion, even if he might have already considered this line of advancement prior to this juncture. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an old package of cigarettes and pulls one out, sticking it between his teeth but not yet lighting it.

"Available is ineffective as a response given the thoroughness of which you have dissected and evaluated my own integrated point of reference Kage, it is a matter of polite discourse and friendship that I would request additional insight to your particulars."

[K. Jakes] "You could also have small conversations -- but official; let them know that it is official -- with members of each cabal. Working towards that panel of peers, the hope of seeing your vision utilized."

Her mouth quirks. "My throat's a little sore, Atlas. I'm not really used to monloguing." Brief pause. Then: "I'm not a member of the House; I don't want to make it the center of my world. But I don't want to see it fall. I want to see those who ward it strong; strong enough to withstand internal corruption as well as external, if it came to that. I want to see this city strong, and brave, and I want to see those in this city stand together, to know where and how standing together can happen, and I want to see this occur day-to-day, sunshine-to-storm, cloud-by-cloud, so it doesn't just need a threat like Edom to make things happen. That's where I stand, Atlas. Available."

[Atlas Mason] "Then it is your intended purpose to remain apart from the particulars of the political sphere of influence and remain an esoteric defender of the paradigmic conglomerative strength within this urbanized center? Or..."

He considers for a moment and then sits up a bit straighter. "Will you metaphorically co-locate with my personage in an endeavor to evaluate, test, and challenge the system as it is being built stage by stage Kage? You posit that your personage is Available, I now request the utilization of that availability, you have already instituted aid specific to the directions I seek to traverse and movate towards, will you assist further? Or is your intent as previously stated, to remain an objective data acquisition point?"

[K. Jakes] This isn't the conversation Kage thought she'd be having with Atlas when she came over to say hello. The truth of the matter is she would have thought twice about coming over, if she'd known; and in the end, she probably would have walked over to the brilliant, deranged man Time has decided to keep still (stay [unchanging]) for howsoever long. It's likely that Atlas just might outlive them all. It's likely that he'll be able to say he witnessed these events, years, years, and years from now.

He says or, so the Orphan doesn't further define her 'intended purpose,' just listens to Atlas, what he says after his back has straightened like an exclamation point. There is something rueful, something sardonic, (kiss [shadow]) just there, the way her mouth curves, acknowledgment, listening, when he plays Echo to her (Narcissus [pride is a long way to fall from]). And then,

"I am here, Atlas, and it isn't a metaphor. You're welcome to find me whenever something comes up, whenever you've a test you want to run by them, whenever you've a concern, just - whenever. And when I can, I'll help you - because I like you."

[Atlas Mason] "Your open ended offer of intended aid in endeavors within future time frames is acknowledged and positively reacted upon Kage. But I am not of insufficient intelligence to realize that it is an blanket statement one specifically designed and verbalized to ensure your offer, and genuine intent, but not to specifically align your personage with my particular intent and direction in any permanent basis within time." He smiles regardless of her open ended offer. It was obvious he enjoyed her company as well, because some people might take it as political moving of the worst sort.

"Your particularly individualized dynamic personality sphere is equally appealing to mine Kage."

At that he pulls out a lighter and lights that stick held between ageless lips and breaths in as he turns to look at the waters, and then the sky above them, letting silence settle over them for the time being.

[K. Jakes] "But I'll think about it," Kage says, "and you." Within time. And the young woman (rowan-haired, rowan-berries for luck, for ward against the fairies, for witchcraft and unsainly things - for devils) scrunches her nose, thoughtfully. Atlas lights his cigarette, but Kage doesn't seem to mind [secondhand smoke, making life bearable for the I-just-quit smoker since time immemorial (or the 90s)].

Then: a chuckle (shining [smoke]). "You say the nicest things, Atlas." A beat, a pause, and - "Can I ask you a question?" Kage can be content with silence. And often, she is. Kage is a serious creature in many ways, although she can banter with the best of them, be silly, be stupid: that isn't what she's remembered for. Kage: steadying, poised, gracious.

[Atlas Mason] Atlas' thoughts drift for a few moments in that silence, falling upon various equations and ideas for new constructs of light he had been tinkering on, ways to integrate living matter into his thoeries, as well as on the esoteric field of time, in relativity to light. He smiles when she speaks, thinking about it, and him, how nice. He pauses a moment there, and his gaze shifts to Kage, like maybe...just maybe the woman was flirting with him, the theory is deepened when she speaks of him saying the nicest things but then she asks that great question...to ask a question, and his smile broadens and the man nods enthusiastically.

"Most positively Kage, questions further our understanding of our environment and reality itself, to negate your request could quite potentially handicap or negate your forward movation towards the meta-physical state known to laymen as ascension! I would not imply or direct my personage to do so in any direct or circumventive respect then release my physical structure from the utilization of one or more armatures."

[K. Jakes] "Who was Alexa? Or - what was Alexa?"

[Atlas Mason] Atlas blinks, once, twice, and even a third time as he is honestly surprised by Kage's inquiry. It takes him a moment but he speaks, slowly at first and then increasing in speed. "Alexa, also known as Alexa Bastion, a female human of an age similar to yours who had become romantical linked with my personage for a brief time frame, until the intended purpose of this inter personal relationship was revealed to be a fallicy." He says quickly, before slowing himself to a more manageable pace.

"This individual, along with two other homogenous individuals formulated a direct action plan to replicate the frotean incident nominally referred to as Project Rainbow, to maintain complete authenticity they required my personage, upon acquisition of my personage, and the utilization of my physical structure for the...required...activity, I escaped, the vessel they utilized to reconstruct the juncture disappeared, the current existence of Alexa is believed to be terminated or corrupted by nephandic aberrant factors...a shame really."

[K. Jakes] "Project Rainbow? Is this something I should have heard of?" Kage is an Orphan: she may seem up to code, but the truth is, she isn't. Not always. And Atlas, he blinked thrice. Kage looked a touch amused; the amusement (cool radiance) is touched with something very close to sardonicism. But only until he actually explained. Maybe Atlas doesn't know how Kage knows that name; maybe he doesn't remember where his mind had wandered when they first met at the crossroads outside Chicago.

[Atlas Mason] Atlas shakes his head as she ask's if she should know about the project, it was known to some, but those sorts were usually conspiracy nuts and wierdo's, that or Son's of Ether. "Negative, the particulars of Project Rainbow, equally referred to as the Philidelphia Project are at this juncture relegated to an existence as the phenomena known as Conspiracy and myth, data corresponding to the particular event are theorized upon by unawakened individuals but no effective or relevant data is available to such personages."

He smiles at her. "It is a more expansive topic to discuss and disseminate upon at a later juncture perhaps?"

[FADE OUT, yo]