CHICAGO [THE MONSTERS ARE BACK IN TOWN] 2/11-2/18

        If that smirk is any indication, Helena is having as much fun with this as Al is. "Of course, one of the principal markers of taste is a discerning palate. You don't just walk in and start mindlessly sampling everything in the room... well, I don't, at least." Casual shrug.

        Helena rolls her eyes. "Not all of us have the luxury of time like you do, hun. We have to choose carefully what joys we pursue in life; There are things far more satisfying - and enlightening - than simple pleasures of the flesh. To me, at least. It's all relative in the end, you know; to each their own, and all that." She ponders for a minute, looking off into space. "Besides, it's just so... pedestrian, hedonism. It lacks imagination. I mean really, all the wonders of the world and you fixate on that? I suppose there's some appeal - a simple life for a simple man. You never have to try very hard. But again, to each their own."

        Jude has caused Helena to collapse into a fit of giggles. She... sort of regains her composure - enough to talk, at least. "Hee hee! So... hee! So what you're saying is... you've got your... hee... you've got your main course over there, so now you're telling the appetizers that their services are no longer required?" 

        Still a bit red in the face - but recovering - Helena nods. "They don't like it? Not your problem. Maybe they should think about their presentation, yeah? I mean, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a good salad... but when a choice cut of steak comes along, it's gonna get pushed aside. Also," *snaps fingers* "Get it, girl."

        Helena holds out a hand and makes a little grabby motion, "Oh, lemme see it. The phone, I mean."

        Helena takes the phone; she's got slightly-crazy-eyes. Well, she always has slightly-crazy-eyes, but moreso than normal this time. Her only response is, "Improve it." A slight breeze stirs through the room from apparently nowhere, and you think you see a few sparks of static jump from the phone as Helena turns it over, examining it closely. Anyone with supernatural senses (the mages and crux) can see the unmistakable aura of magic in action. "...theeere we go. All flaws of form and function removed. For a time, anyway." She hands it back, and it is unmistakably lighter in your hand, and cooler to the touch. Additionally, the battery display shows about ten percent more charge than it had just a moment ago - maximized efficiency, it seems.

        Helena's entire posture changes; she's been asked a question, and now it's time to teach. She straightens up, adjusts her spectacles, and speaks noticeably slower with very precise articulation. "The Theory of Forms, also known as Platonic Idealism, holds that the concept of an object - a non material abstract which nevertheless contains the essence of an object's being - is the highest and most fundamental form of reality. All forms in lesser physical states, such as the state of being in the mundane reality we can perceive with mortal senses, are imperfect reflections of the Idealized state of an object, and each reflection can be distinct form from each other." There is a fire in her eyes, an enthusiasm that is infectious. "This concept of Ideals was presented as a solution to the Problem of Universals; simply put, how can one thing in general be many things in the particulars? Every object or quality in reality has form, but several distinct forms can be the same object; look at dog breeds, as an example. The Ideal Form of the 'dog' - and the qualities we attribute to the ideal such as intelligence and loyalty - is represented in plural representation of particular objects - different breeds - which only reflects the Ideal qualities to limited extent; but they must represent the Ideal at least in part, the Ideal being the essential qualities which make a particular object what it is. To a Sleeper, this is mere philosophical theory." She directs your attention to the newly-improved phone in your hand. "To the Awakened mind, it is metaphysical truth. In the hands of a properly skilled Mage, an object can be brought closer to its Platonic Ideal, performing its essential functions with greater effectiveness and efficiency than mundane physics is capable of producing. The Mobile Phone, in Ideal, draws power from an internal reservoir - without regard to mundane inefficiencies of engineering or the trivialities of thermodynamics - and allows communication through a network - unaffected by signal strength, because to an Ideal, the connection either Exists or does Not Exist. Also, a Platonic mechanism is defined by its function - it IS what it does - and so cannot operate with ambiguous effectiveness - no lagging or hanging up - or fail to operate as intended in any way." It's clear to everyone around that this is her joy in life. Intellectual pursuits are her passion; knowledge, no doubt in the collection but also in the teaching.