Chapter 1: An unusual conversation

“Really now, Order, it’s really past due for this old place to get another big event of catastrophic proportions. It’s really not fair that you get to run things all the time,” said Chaos with a sardonic smile on his face as he lounged on the sofa. “You know the rules, old boy. You get some, I get some. Fair’s fair.”

Order narrowed his eyes for a moment, “You really have to stop calling me ‘old boy’, old boy,” he said in mocked anger. Then a corner of his mouth lifted up reluctant amusement at this old argument. “And I don’t agree with you. Even with civilization and technology, most mortals are still chaotic beings, and it’s a great effort for me to get them to do things the right way.”
Chaos rolled his eyes. “Not that old topic again. I must say that you’re repeating yourself these days, old boy.” He grinned good-naturedly. “Besides, what’s to say that doing things chaotically is the wrong way? It’s more spontaneous and fun. You have quite a few of nut heads in your camp too, y'know. That's what I like about them. Some of them can be so unpredictable. Which falls into my camp, of course. Nothing like a little mayhem to liven up the lives of these mortals. They'll be bored to death if you get your way all the time, old boy.”

“When are you going to be more responsible?”

He chuckled. “You forget who you’re talking to, brother dear.”

“I’m not likely to forget that, but it would be interesting to have you assume my office for a day or so and see how challenging things are.”

“You make it sound as if chaos is a simple thing. I assure you it’s not. It's an art form. It is the cacophony of mad voices, the disharmony of life, an added spice in the normal routine of life. But you'd be surprise at how many of these mortals resist chaos. They can be pretty stubborn too, y’know.”

“I’m not likely to forget that either.” Order glanced at his watch and made a sound of barely suppressed annoyance at the sight of the second, minute and hour hands spinning in different directions. He made a small gesture and the hands spun back to show the correct time. “You’ll forgive me if I cut short this little family reunion, but I have things to attend to, and I don’t want to run behind schedule,” he said in his characteristically well-modulated voice.

“Run along, I’ll just laze around a bit before I get my butt moving. Don’t mind me.”

“You need a minder, Chaos.”

“Call me K. It’s much more happening, y’know? I've decided to join a band. Cool stuff. You should try it sometime. Although I really don't understand why people keep throwing us out.”
Order lifted an eyebrow, but he is used to his brother’s strange habits, and chose not to question the latest in a string of changes that is typically Chaos.

Chaos continued in a mock whine, “I do have a minder. The one that goes around saying, ‘Oh, Mister Chaos, you have an appointment at three. I have the summary here, the documents are in your briefcase – I didn’t even know I had a briefcase! - and the driver is ready to pick you up –“ Then I asked, “ – what happened to my bike?” and she went, “Well sir, it’s hardly respectable to be meeting the head of the country in your motorcycle,” she said disapprovingly. Then she continued, “I had your shoes polished, and the tie’s knotted, you just need to pull this end here – she actually showed me how, like I was only a five-year old! – and I have your suit back from the dry-cleaners, although I must really say, sir, I really don’t know how you managed to get all that body paint over your nice suit,’” Chaos said in a very credible impersonation of his secretary, Polly. “Whoever named her must’ve really… not expected our Polly to turn out the way she is,” Chaos said with a sigh.

Order laughed. “That’s rather amusing. I think you should keep her around. She’s good for you. However did you get body paint on your suit anyway? I thought you don’t even wear suits.”
“Ah, now that is an interesting story, but I don’t think you have time to hear it, brother dear. Besides, it may be a little to risqué for your taste… Ugh, listen to me. Fifteen minutes in your presence and I start using words like ‘risqué’. Stop that, Order.”

“I didn’t do anything. It’s just my natural field, boyo. Besides, I had that contained… Oh god, did I just say that? I need to get out of here before my thought processes start to unravel."

Chaos gave a long-suffering sigh. “Give a guy some credit, will ya? I had it in a containment field all this while, so don’t blame me for that, okay? As for Polly, I don’t know. If I don’t do what she wants me to do, she doesn’t say a word, but there’s that hurt puppy-dog look about her that really gets to me, y’know?”

Order laughed. “You never could say ‘no’ to women, young or old. Anyway, I really have to run. I’ll see you around, Chaos.” There was the slightest stress on the last word as Order turned to go, a tall, neat figure in a tailored gray suit and an expensive leather briefcase. He nodded to Chaos. "We'll finish this talk later." He paused for a moment, and stood for a moment with a faraway look on his face as he mentally went through his schedule, then said, "I'm free on Friday at seven. Mulligan's?"

Chaos lifted his eyebrows in amusement as he noted Order’s deliberate use of his name. “Sure, see you there. Ciao, bro.” He watched as a rectangular portal opened up and Order stepped through, then the portal closed with a decided snap. Chaos lounged back on the sofa, looking all in the world like he’s a young rock punk, with untidy black hair that falls over his dark eyes, and unnaturally pale skin, wearing a black T-shirt that says, “Don’t look before you leap!” under a black leather jacket. His jeans were scuffed and torn – just the way he likes them – and the whole outfit was completed with a pair of laced-up boots.

"I say it's time Order gets a new secretary, don't you?" He smirked, "We'll have to teach him to loosen up a little."

"Mrrrrrr?" Earthquake stalked out from behind the sofa, a black ball of untidy fur and nervous energy. She leapt on Chaos' shoulder and he gave her a glance to make sure that she was sitting comfortably before snapping his fingers. There was a soft 'poof' and he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke...