fionnuisce | kaisou inbox

You work at the university, don't you? I need you to put in a word for me there. Preferably with one of the computing or programming departments.

That's all? Sure, I can do that easily enough.

That's all. I have something in mind I'm working on and I need to be able to study there so I can get more familiar with computers from this era.

That shouldn't be a problem. Our demonic capitalist overlords managed to get me a job and I'm sure as hell mot certified to teach normal chemistry, so enrolling as a student should be simple.

Mind if I ask why the sudden interest?

It's something I think you and the others might find useful.

[ There's a pause, but her texting bubble keeps popping up and disappearing. Then, finally; ]

More importantly, we should discuss my enrolment. Are you free to talk in person right now? We can meet at the university, if it's convenient for you.

[ Now that's abrupt. Is it really that urgent? ]

[...you're a smart cookie ryoko]

Sure. I'll meet you in the library.

I'll make my way there right now, then.

[ Right now apparently really does mean Right Now because she's there within thirty minutes. She's doing her best not to look too hurried but there's definitely an energy about her of a girl who's got a bee in her bonnet. ]

[Waver, meanwhile, had taken up some space at a table with a textbook and some nondescript paperwork. Totally normal.]

Shinonome. You wanted to talk about something?

Edited 2023-03-17 16:04 (UTC)

That's right. I was hoping you'd be able to show me where the computing department is - I'd like to see what sort of equipment they have and how it compares to what I'm used to.

[ That's what she says - but as she's talking, she makes a show of taking her phone out of her pocket and setting it on the table before angling her head as if to say yours too. ]

Unless you're busy?

Really, Shinonome, you're asking me to walk you somewhere?

[Taking his own phone out while complaining, of course.]

It would be faster to go on your own, or ask Nightroad to show you. At least he'd know more about this time period's technology level.

It looks better to have one of the faculty members introduce me, doesn't it? It's not like I have any papers or transcripts from the high schools here to back up anything I say.

[ And with that, she turns on her heel and sets off walking like this is just a totally normal conversation to be having. ]

For the love of-- [he knew this was part of The Bit(tm) but the annoyance was very real while grabbing his cane and going after her]

[ She doesn't say a word until they're out of the library and well away from their phones - at which point she glances back over her shoulder at him with... what just about passes for an apologetic expression. ]

Sorry to drag you away from you work. But I didn't think it was wise to talk about this where Zodiac would definitely be able to hear it.

Right, obviously, but try not to have the charade risk breaking my other leg next time.

[sheesh.]

I'm pretty sure it's down this way. What exactly are you playing at?

[ Dryly; ] I'll keep that in mind.

[ she's still rude. my apologies. ]

I'm trying to rectify a weakness of ours, essentially. It's something that's come up once or twice now but the past week has really highlighted it. We don't have any ways of communicating and coordinating with each other that aren't vulnerable to tracking and compromise by Zodiac.

[ A pause. You know, for dramatic emphasis. ]

But what if we did?

I was hoping someone might have the technological skill to engineer something for that. 'Don't plan felonies on the network' isn't something you expect needs to be said, especially not more than once.

Edited 2023-03-17 17:19 (UTC)

Exactly. It's all good declaring you're getting volunteers together to do this or that, but if you're planning it on the app then it's right from your keyboard to Zodiac's ears.

[ not to call out the TBO volunteers, but she's calling out the TBO volunteers. ]

For now, I'm working on designing an encryption method that should prevent Zodiac from reading certain posts we make... well, theoretically, anyway. It goes without saying that this is going to be a lot easier said than done.

I wouldn't know how to begin with something like that. In theory I could lay some encryption magecraft, but that's not exactly a first step so much as it is reinforcing a finished result. And that's only if whatever this place did to my Circuits wants to cooperate.

Once I get more accustomed with these sorts of computers, I'll be able to handle it. Writing an encryption method should be easy.

[ She says it matter of factly and completely without arrogance – the easy confidence of someone who knows their strengths and has been given an opportunity to apply them. ]

The difficult part will be injecting it into the Zodiac app without alerting Zodiac or giving them a decryption method. For that, I might need to access their systems and start studying their software.

I wonder if it would be possible to make something independent from Libra entirely; a separate app crafted from the same structure. More work, certainly, but that would keep them from having a direct line to it.

It'd be easy enough, relatively speaking. When you really get down to it, Libra's just a social networking app and it wouldn't be hard to clone its features with some additional security measures to keep any unwanted intruders out. What makes it special is how it connects us all.

[ She shoots him a sidelong look. ]

Remember when we were all first added to the app? Nothing had to be done manually, we were connected to everyone else in our situation automatically. Zodiac obviously has some way of doing that and I would need to try and copy it.

While automating the process would be more convenient on all sides, that doesn't sound entirely conducive to said security measures. Adding everyone relevant sight unseen invites trouble if someone less trustworthy should meet the qualifications.

Exactly. Even if someone isn't necessarily loyal to Zodiac, I can just as easily see someone who just wants to live a quiet life being willing to turn that sort of information over if they had access to it, if only to try and stop us rocking the boat. So I've been going back and forth over just how to manage this for a few days and I've had no luck coming up with a halfway decent solution so far.

[ She huffs a sigh. ]

Well. I'm probably getting ahead of myself. I haven't even gotten my head around the computers from this era, so planning an alternate app is a little beyond me right now.

Perhaps so, but that also means there's time to formulate the best course of action while building the framework to achieve it.

That's what I'm hoping, at least. It sounds like whatever they were planning has been delayed for now, but without more access to their systems, there's no way to know for sure.

[ She huffs a sigh. ]

Well. Now I have something to work towards. I'll need some extra pairs of hands to help towards testing it out, though – who else do you think could be trusted?

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