May 11 00:42:41 109 PA - Philosophy and Superior Duo

From Chronicles

May 11 00:42:41 109 PA.

TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP

In the coffee shop is Bernard, lounging in a corner, with a good view of the door and his feet propped up on one of the chairs opposite him. In his hand he has a rolled up couple sheets of paper which he's unrolled and is casually looking over. A cup of coffee sits on the table in front of him, steam still rising from it's surface.

It's a good time to be out to work, and Gabriel enters the coffee shop wearing a rather nice uniform. Nothing normal, that's for sure, but it's a uniform of some kind. Not prim and proper, just there. With the sun shining off of his cheek, he makes his way through to the counter, nodding at a few people along the way, and raising a brief hand in Bernard's direction before his attention is taken up with placing an order.

No matter the hour, coffee is in demand. Especially if the demander is Leonard. The sunshine certainly can't hurt, either, and is much better than rain. Upon arrival, he heads for the counter to make his selection.

Bernard glances up at the new arrival, "Getting dressed to go off and join the Coalition or something?" he calls out to the uniformed Gabriel, the scrolls get rolled up, then slipped into one of his pouches, disappearing as if the pouch were bottomless. He then reaches for his cup, taking a sip from it.

Having received his mug, Gabriel turns toward Bernard's table with a laugh, though stopping for a moment for a quick, "Good morning, if you have some time, I'd love to talk," to Leonard. "No, no. Just old unit patches. The uniform's for the business, people like it when you have what they *expect* to be a professional image. Besides, maybe it'll help me get chicks. They love men in uniform." He winks at that, as everyone knows he's never going to be off trying to pick up girls. Or guys. Or neutral genders. "How about you, Bernard? Just up early for the sun? Let me guess, you're reading something that I probably wouldn't be able to?" He's chuckling by the time he reaches the table.

Leonard glances over at the comment on Gabriel's attire and smirks. "He seemed interested in a portion of former CS property, at least." A nod to Gabriel is made after he accepts his own coffee. "Yes, Gabriel, I have time. What did you want to discuss?"

"You could probably read it, but you'd never understand it." Bernard replies to Gabriel, "And Day, Night, it's just another hour, really. Much of my rest comes from meditation anyway, which can come at any time I need the rest. You don't have to worry about tossing and turning and trying to get to sleep." He adds.

Gabriel smirks in a happy way at the mention of 'CS property' and maintains his stance near the table. He does tap a chair with his boot's toe. "Mind if I take up a spot? But the day-night trick is pretty nice. Guess it gets you out of a lot of awkward mornings after!" Eyes to Leonard, then, "You've heard about Tolkeen's ambassador? It's been in the news. Wants to get to Free Quebec."

"Yes," Leonard sips his piping stimulants, "I've heard of the ambassador. Some mutual aid in either direction would be useful, though I expect that Quebec needs it more than Kingsdale."

Bernard pulls his feet back from the chair then offers a little gesture to the empty seats, "Well, it's more useful then just that." he says, but nods a bit, glancing between Leo and Gabe a bit, "Quebec, hmmn? Interesting area that. Spent some time up that way actually, when I first came through."

"Yeah, definitely," Gabriel confirms to Leonard. "Tolkeen's victory is pretty much done, they're just digging in extended lines now. It'll be... hell, might be years before Prosek tries their direction again. But the Canadians are starting to flex; plus, they pissed him off by breaking off the treaty in the first place." He gives Bernard a nod, and sits, also acknowledging Bernard's time in that direction. Even though he was clearly going to be speaking more directly to Leonard, he can't help but ask the other mage, "How much time, and where, Bernard? If I may ask."

Leonard finally takes a seat. "The Tolkeen victory is bittersweet, for both. Whatever forces retreated from Tolkeen could be added to those at Free Quebec. There are not longer two fronts. Which could, of course, make the ambassador's trip rather dangerous."

"I went all the way into Old Bones." Bernard replies, "Went to Kingston, took the lake up, walked the rest of the way in." he says with a slight little shrug, "Then made my way back out again and came this way."

Gabriel nods, considering the new information. Eventually, he leans forward, arms on the table as he allows his coffee to cool. "I'm putting people together to get the ambassador across. It's obviously dangerous, but I think that it's worth the risk - at least, to my own life, I'm willing to put it in harm's way. By best idea is to slip through without any magic or psychic followers, no offense. But I was particularly looking for you, Leonard, as an emergency escape route should we be found." He holds out a hand. "I can't tell you how much it'll pay yet. I'm putting together a team, then I'm making a bid, and we'll see what happens from there."

"How flattering that you'd make an exception for transportation," Leonard smirks. "If I actually chose to accept, you might as well remove that restriction. How many would you intend to abandon if there was need for an emergency escape?"

Bernard laughs a bit at the conversation, but he lounges back listening to the two discuss Leonard's potential escape ability, choosing not to interject for the moment.

"Only myself, if it came down to it," Gabriel responds to Leonard very seriously. "I didn't think that you'd want to get into combat, but if you do, I sure wouldn't turn it down. But the ambassador would have to get out, obviously. Then any mages or psychics. The rest of us would have a better shot of blending into the background and perhaps making an escape. Of course, it would be nice if everyone got away." It's at that moment that his communicator starts to squawk, and he stands, excusing himself to a quiet corner of the room to talk the 'call.'

Leonard shrugs, "It would be better if I were paid to simply teleport everyone to where they need to go and remain here, but I doubt that will happen." He takes advantage of Gabriel's excusing himself to sip coffee and look to Bernard. "How are your studies progressing? Has Valeriya availed herself of any epiphanies yet?" Now he chuckles.

"Well, I've just gotten the invisibility scroll we'd discussed the last time we were all at the hall." Bernard says at that, "And I've met her new pet. I'll probably be joining you guys going out to the site in the next couple days, and perhaps see how far it is from things out there as well." He adds, "As well as doing a little casting myself while I'm there."

"Which pet? She's acquired a few, lately. The site isn’t terribly distant," more caffeine moves from the cup to Leonard. "On the other hand, it won't necessarily be empty, either. I wouldn't stay too long."

"Both of them, actually." Bernard says, "And she's told me of the guardian, that's why I'll be going out there with her. I'd just assumed you were going to be the one taking her there." He laughs, "But yes, I've been in the area, but never to the specific place though."

Leonard chuckles and nods, "I may well take her there, or travel with her... though it depends on her mood, I suppose."

Bernard nods, "Well, if you don't want to, I can fly us there." He responds, "Either way I'll be going to be introduced to the gatekeeper, so to speak. Plus, I'm a bit curious to see this wild redecoration that's supposed to have taken place."

"'Wild' would be correct, from what I witnessed. The area is overgrown to discourage random wanderers," is explained between sips, "and even intentional intruders. As long as you don't accost anyone, though, you should be fine."

Bernard nods at that, "Indeed. Like I said, I'll be accompanied so I should get the grand tour first hand." He says with a laugh.

Gabriel finishes up his call and wanders back to the table, still in his own thoughts, trailing off as he re-seats himself and picks up his now-cool mug of coffee.

Leonard nods his agreement and takes another swallow of coffee before his attention moves to the returning Gabriel. "I'm glad that you could rejoin us."

"Welcome back." Bernard adds to Leo's sentiments, taking another sip from his cup of coffee, lounging back once again to watch the exchange between the two.

"Thanks, guys. Building these days is more chaos than in my time," Gabriel returns with a smile. "So, Leonard. I'd love to pop from place to place, but the problem is that the ambassador's being a little cagey with the exact destination. An unspecified nexus outside of Free Quebec's own boundaries. Going to put up a big light show to demonstrate Tolkeen's power, something like that. You're welcome as well, Bernard, though I expect that the larger the group gets, the less pay there will be to go around for the same danger through enemy-controlled territory."

"It might be possible to determine which with a little exploration," Leonard suggests, "But I'm in no rush to blindly rift my way into the middle of a war zone. Still, there are only so many nexi in any region."

"I don't do merc work for magical promises of undisclosed amounts of money from a source you admit is cagey about the specifics. If you had a hard number in mind perhaps, but the people I've worked with out of Kingsdale as far as Merc work goes have been rather unprofessional and the division of spoils favoring those who perform less work." Bernard replies, "I think I'll stick to my other methods of acquiring income."

"As I figured, Bernard," Gabriel winks across to the man. "Still, wouldn't be gentlemanly if I didn't offer. So what do you think, Leonard? The ambassador's making it hard on me. Giving me just enough information to hang myself with, which is why I'm going to bid high. How many people would you be able to accommodate in an escape?"

Leonard considers that for a long sip of caffeine. "Assuming that I would use resources for combat prior to an escape... perhaps a half-dozen individuals, at most. Rending reality is neither simple nor effortless."

"Doesn't sound like you're planning gentlemanly business, so no need to act the part." Bernard replies, offering a grin, "If your mage is planning something with a Ley Line Nexus, you just might be participating in something that may galvanize, and reconcile the Quebecois people. They hate mages just as much as the Coalition does. And nothing brings people's mutual hatred together again like an overt demonstration of power."

"Oh, well half-a-dozen? That's just fine, I can live with a half-dozen. I'm personally not planning on grabbing a diplomat and sneaking him through occupied territory by throwing a parade," Gabriel says with a laugh into his mug. A glance up to Bernard offers, "No, it doesn't. Except when they're losing and about to be overrun. Then everyone wants to be your friend. They've had a little contact going this whole time, so it's not as if there's some blast of fireworks coming completely out of the blue." He shrugs and offers a final, "The Germans were happy enough to pick sides when pressed between us and Stalin. It's all in what's going to turn out best for you. Then they fuck up the details later."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Leonard quotes. "It's just a matter of who decides whom is the most pressing enemy at any given time. I must agree with Bernard, though. Babysitting for charity is not on my task list for today, or any time soon."

"Is your admittedly cagey ambassador, who's told you enough to hang yourself, told you that he's been talking with the Quebec people as well?" Bernard asks, "I've no clue what you're talking about, and even little interest. But I've been here long enough to know that the Coalition and the Quebec people are basically the same as far as philosophy goes. It's much easier to reconcile two people with the same ideas, when a third that they hate offers an excuse." He shrugs, "But, you've my thoughts on it, I don't need to add any further. I'm sure your contact will be more than forthcoming with details and specifics."

Gabriel shrugs. "It's pretty well known that there's been contact throughout the entire siege up in Minnesota. I agree, the Coalition and the Québécois are very similar. In fact yes, once one in the same. But they're still fighting. Bernard, I never expected you to be interested. Leonard, if you're not interested, then I'll keep you out of the bid. Diplomats are always lying bastards, that's a universal constant." His mug is raised to his lips and he takes a long draw on the mocha. "I didn't expect you to do it for free, it was a bid. But, apparently we've all said what there is to be said. What exactly is it that the two of you do for society?"

Leonard smirks and pauses his sipping for that question. "What do I contribute? For one, I aim to survive, so that I can continue to contribute. As for society, to which one do you refer? There are innumerable selections."

"And you're apparently universally trusting of liars?" Bernard shrugs, "But, you're right, I'm wrong. I'll be around to see what really happened, though, or at least read about it in a history book. That's the nice thing about being me however." He grins, "And I don't do anything for your society. Your society isn't really worth helping, if you ask me, you think you've got all the right answers anyway. I worry about helping myself and those that can help me."

"Is survival a contribution?" Gabriel wonders philosophically to Leonard. "But still, it's a circular argument. You exist to continue your existence. What's the point? Oh, and just for my own sake, not being a master of tearing apart time or dimensions, let's just call it this boring society that I've been thrust into living with. Kingsdale and it's concept of freedom and equality generalized." Bernard gets a smile and a suggestion, "Well, if we're that bad, you could just keep passing on through."

"In that case," Leonard shrugs, "I contribute my talents, knowledge, and expertise. I work to increase all of the aforementioned, in myself and others." A light nod to Bernard. "I believe that, by raising the question first, he implies that we do nothing, or less than what he expects, at least. What is it that you do, Gabriel?" He gestures his cup lightly towards the older man. "As you began the topic."

"Because I thrive off of picking choice morsels from corrupt civilizations." Bernard replies rather simply. "It's a good practice ground too to help hone some of my skills. Who knows, where I go next may be worse and I'll need all the skills I can muster to survive." He explains, then nods a bit as Leonard asks his question of Gabriel, looking back towards the man.

Gabriel sets aside his mug, and answers with a shrug, "I endeavor to help out people who can't help themselves, first and foremost. Sometimes that means mowing an old woman's lawn, sometimes it means escorting an ambassador across enemy-held territory because it has the chance of leading to more freedom to millions. It's what I grew up with, maybe you honestly can't even understand it." He holds up a hand, his eyes wide in explanation. "I don't mean that as an insult, I mean it quite literally. I barely got an elementary education before the Great Depression hit. People helped each other. You had some meat and the other guy needed meat, you gave him meat. Your boot got busted, someone fixed your shoe. Two people declare them selves emperor of the world, kill millions and enslave others, you fight them. But maybe you just didn't grow up with those social and cultural pressures."

Leonard ahs softly and nods. "Yes, I recall some of that era. Former elite reduced to selling fruit on the streets for a pittance, and so on, yes? A humbling experience, I'm sure. Some probably deserved it, and others didn't." He waves his free hand dismissively. "It happened all the same, regardless... but it's not entirely relevant. I help others, I help myself, and all is well. Yet you still imply that when I choose not to run off into the unknown against those who would likely kill me on sight, to help others who might do the same, organized by a man who believes that women and children should go first, even in combat, that I am somehow beneath whatever standards you have set for yourself and others. How idiotically hypocritical of you."

"I think our world is far worse then anything you've come from. Here, you cannot have many brothers or friends, and the meat some one sells you may have come from your fellow man. A lot would still eat it, even if they knew, in some areas. That says something about this world we live in. You had just two people who declared themselves emperor of the world? We have far more. And I doubt there are even a billion men left on this world. The wars of your past are nothing compared to the devastation that's been ours. And your Emperors are nothing compared to the choices we have."

Gabriel doesn't seem phased by Leonard's possible knowledge of his own time, stating simply, "I implied nothing. I merely asked what it is that you do. I explained my position on the ambassador trip, and didn't press you when you declined. If you choose not to do it, you choose not to do it. That's freedom, and that's what I fight for. I see no hypocrisy." He shakes his head. "However, you continue evade my own question by only saying that you help. How do you help? I provided two extreme examples, completely opposite ends of the spectrum. And clearly, I'm not implying that 'help' has to be fireworks and trumpets." He then smiles at Bernard. "No argument here. I probably own the Kingsdale record for the most times that a single man has used the phrase, 'This world is shit and I want to go home.'"

"Actually," Leonard corrects him, "I explained that I share my expertise and knowledge. If you wish a specific example, I recently traveled to Arcadia in regards to their request for aid. I have assisted you, in the past, on public and private matters, though you obviously knew as much before asking the question."

Bernard lifts his coffee up, sipping a bit more at it as he listens to the exchange between the two, opting for silence now that he's fully voiced his opinions and thoughts, allowing the two to work out theirs.

Gabriel grins at both men. "Well then, I guess that we've all established that we're good guys, and can now continue on with coffee and other topics. I'll run off with myself to get killed," he chuckles very self-effacingly. "On another serious topic, what do you guys think about the refugees? I'm afraid that I'm staying out of this one. Both sides are wrong. The Family raped 'em with an impossible contract. Alternatively, the refugees signed it with no intent of ever paying. No thanks." He makes a horizontal crossing motion with his hands. "*This* one, they can shoot out and see who gets to declare victory after the dust clears."

"They're hardly refugees. They have a fairly massive factory complex underneath one of their buildings, and who knows what else they have, or what they're really doing there." Bernard says with a shrug, "I don't know about their deal with the Family, though. That's for someone else to puzzle out."

Leonard shakes his head on that topic, exhaling a noncommittal noise. "They lived outside of the walls, mostly on the charity of others, for many months. Now, they're obviously a force to not be taken lightly. I'd prefer to let them reap the results of their own mistakes."

"As do I. I met with both the leaders of the Family, and the refugees, Bernard, and they both told me their side of the story. Yeah, that hole in the ground is great. Marcel claims that it's just for constructing the things that they use." Gabriel chuckles. "Of course, this seems to include heavy weaponry. The Koreans tried to tunnel under our lines. I can't help but wonder if the 'poor refugees' are doing the same thing. Like I said, that's someone else's fight."

Bernard chuckles a bit, "Indeed. Though I doubt it's somethin so particular against Kingsdale itself, likely using it to help fund some sort of Tolkeen activities." he shrugs his shoulders.

"Now that Tolkeen is secure, and most are leaving," Leonard shrugs, "The rest just want to keep whatever they've gained, I imagine. Not so different from any other gang or power in the Dregs." The last of his coffee moves from cup to himself and Leonard stands. "As entertaining as the conversation was, my coffee break is over and I should return to my research."

"Good to see you, Leonard. Nice talk. We should do it again," Gabriel suggests. "Yeah, they're leaving, but also, yeah, someone's going to want to stay and call it a castle - oh, hold on." He reaches down to grab his pocket communicator, listens into it for a few seconds, then nods speaking into it, "I'll be down in a few minutes." The communicator is stowed, and he backs out of his own chair. "Looks like I'm off, too. Be seeing you around, Bernard."