525/Coffee, Linker Cores and math homework

Coffee, Linker Cores and math homework
Date of Scene:	29 September 2023
Location:	Naru and Usagi's room
Synopsis:	Chrono and Naru discuss Obsidian's new weapon and the potentials therein. He also gives her magical math homework.
Cast of Characters:	Naru Osaka, Chrono Harlaown

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Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru and Usagi's dorm room is a busy place, and today Naru's just left the door cracked open in anticipation of Chrono's arrival. She's put the kettle on, because these meetings are always better with a cup of coffee.

The kettle is just boiling, to let her make a pour over cup of coffee, and she gets down a tupperware container holding oatmeal raisin cookies. How its survived this long in their room? A mystery for the ages.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown would gently knock on the door once he arrived. He was even out of henshin, surprise of surprises. But he still had that 'soldier' energy. Ironed pants, tucked and buttoned up shirt, an undershirt... seriously, the boy had no chill.

Once he was invited in, he walked in and stood near the door. "Hello, Osaka-san. You wished to speak with me?" he asked. "And thank you." he did take a cookie. It would last a while, though. He wasn't a big eater of sweets. He was okay with them, but... just okay with them.

On the other hand, it was oatmeal raisin. Wasn't a big surprise some remained.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Thanks for coming." Naru takes a cookie for herself. Just the one, she might love oatmeal raisin, but she doesn't eat much at the best of times, let alone sweets. "Can I make you a cup of tea, or coffee?" She offers before taking a slow breath.

"To get straight to the point and not waste any of your time. Obsidian has a new firearm that I was part of witnessing what I believe was the proof of concept or prototype firing of." Naru explains simply enough. "It removes a person's linker core, and renders it into a crystal." She considers a moment and then continues. "It was tested on an innocent bystander, who recovered fully when I put it back in."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded, taking a small bite of the cookie. His eyes narrowed as she talked. "Coffee, light cream. So, a gun to... remotely extract linker cores? That... huh. While a linker core can be extracted, the results are often fatal if not replaced. One cannot live for long without it. But to extract it into a crystal form..."

"That sounds like something Kyubey could do. I'll need to try and get in contact with them, see if they are aware of this. I'd... hope they're not a part of it, though. It doesn't sound like the kind of thing they'd do. I don't suppose you managed to get a hold of the weapon? Can you describe the crystal? Was it... round, kind of like a small bottle?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'm given to understand about an hour." Naru confirms on how long one can live wihtout a linker core. "Although I would not wish to test the edges of that timeline personally. A few minutes was stressful enough."

Naru sets about preparing a second cup of coffee for Chrono, this is assuredly a conversation that requires coffee AND a cookie to go with one's doom.

"Kyubey is generally aware, they were present at an oblique conversation around it, and gave no indication of being involved." Naru considers that a moment and then shakes her head sadly. "Unfortunately not. It was shot from a vehicle, there was people still in the vehicle and the weapon remained in the vehicle."

Naru passes him the cup with coffee,light cream. "Getting a hold of the weapon would be ideal, but it was well protected. The crystal was smaller than my fist, and quite spikey. Very dark." She is thoughtful a moment. "I expected it to be painful to touch, but it was not. Just surprisingly warm. Not so hot that you cannot hold it, but I was not expecting the warmth."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a nod and took the coffee. His mind was still awash, considering all that she was saying. Sipping the drink and occasionally biting into the cookie. He had ideas already forming, logging the information.

"An hour can be fairly accurate. There have been dangerous devices that... drain the linker core of people, but entirely removing one isn't normal. The fact Kyubey wasn't involved is both good and unsettling. It means someone else is trying to extract them themselves. I couldn't say why, but such a thing is incredibly dangerous."

"A linker core would be warm. It's a vital organ, in many ways. Not one most in this world would be able to see, but vital none the less. To have it extracted, especially at a distance such as that, is incredibly dangerous. Some incredibly strong individuals may be able to keep conscious despite it, but even that wouldn't last long. It's good you were able to return it to its owner."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"The danger is why I've been trying to get the word out to those I know in the hopes that people are at least aware of the potential." Naru gestures a little bit. "While 'don't get shot' is a hard tactical directive to follow, at this exact moment, it's the best suggestion I have for people, and I wish I had something more concrete to offer."

"Based on my information, Obsidian is who is behind it, and who wishes to do research upon them." Naru explains further. "The cyrstal remained near the person it had been extracted from. It was only because I am pretty fast that I got to it before the woman who shot him did. She tossed youma in the way of the others to keep them distracted, but I was able to come around from the side."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod, taking another drink of the coffee. He was nursing the cookie a lot more than he was the coffee. "I see. No, there's not a lot you can advise people past that. While I often have my device scanning for threats, not every magical person here has that option... strange as that is to me most days."

"Congratulations on your quick movements, though. You likely saved that young man's life. A shame the gun wasn't retrieved, but saving his life was the right priority to make. Especially considering the gun was protected. If we can get a hold of that gun, perhaps we can come up with a better way to shield against it. Extracting a linker core like that isn't... easy. Were one henshined, unless their defenses had been broken, their barrier jacket would make it near impossible. But... one cannot remain henshined indefinitely."

This... was certainly troubling...

Naru Osaka has posed:
"If you have any thoughts on options for those of us who don't have barrier jackets, they'd be welcome." Naru mms softly. "I've been talking with those i know who are versed in protection and I hope to speak to more mages who work with barriers, but I am not seeing anything that's functional in an ongoing indefinite scenario. Certainly nothing that's actually pragmatic."

There's a little frown, there's nothing but troubling and doom going on here.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'm not quite sure how to deal with such a thing. Even for those of us with barrier jackets it's only a short term solution. A... permanent solution I... can't imagine. Such attacks are difficult and inefficient, so they're rarely done. I've... only really known one time they were done and well..."

The Book of Darkness...

"They're... uncommon, to say the least. It must require a lot of energy to extract like that, so it's unlikely they can do it often. But if they're trying to gather linker cores for some reason, it can't be good. That's powerful, and deadly."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Power, I expect." Naru nods in agreement. "I am given to understand that they are looking for something, but I don't know anything about the what."

"Given that they did not shoot again when we stymied their attack, the weapon either takes quite a bit of time, or quite a bit of power.. or hopefully both.. to recharge or re-arm." Naru agrees on the 'difficult and inefficient' idea. "But no, there's nothing at all 'good' about this whole thing. Obsidian is not noted for their charitable motives."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "Yes. But... it would be more efficient to just drain a linker core. But even that would be incredibly taxing for what you get from it. Forcefully removing it like that is just going to use up a lot of resources and, well, as you've seen, putting it back in isn't very difficult."

"If there was some way to discover WHAT they wanted from it, that would likely help. But otherwise... I'd say we need to prioritize destroying those guns. Force them to use their own abilities, rather than a tool, to extract and they'll be less likely to do it due to the drain."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I would argue that higher priority is capturing one, so that we can examine it more closely and sort out how to protect against it." Naru replies. "With a secondary objects of destruction if that's not possible or after we camputre one for study."

Naru nods. "The what, and the why.. those are important and I hope to learn more from my sources, but for the moment. Be cautious, be aware and any thoughts you have on protecting people, well I'm all ears."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "Oh, I know. But I more meant... if they're in the car and protected, capturing them is likely difficult. But blowing up the vehicle may be an option, especially considering the amount of destructive capabilities many of the magical people I've encountered have."

ABSOLUTELY! NO! CHILL!

"I'll try and come up with possible solutions. Unfortunately... such things aren't my forte. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Osaka-san. I... truly do wish I could be of more help."

Naru Osaka has posed:
It is clear that the prospect of exploding the vehicle is not at all outside the realm of what Naru views as 'within the realm of possibility', as she just nods at the proposed massive destruction. "I understand, but I do find value in stating objectives clearly, even when the first objective seems to be unobtainable. I don't want someone to discount it, purely because they were advised that destruction was the only objective."

Naru has chill enough for both of them, really.

Naru's smile is gentle. "The fact that you are willing to consider possibilities and I hope will advise your compatriots as to the new danger out there is what I was hoping for. Thank you for that. It is appreciated."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "That's... not a bad way to go about it. Quite wise, in fact. Oh, that reminds me. I do have something for you," he said before holding out his card. A moment later, a small journal appeared. "Here," he said, offering it to her.

... it was math. He was giving her math homework.

"I've spent a little bit of time logging down some beginner midchildian magical equations and detailed the theories behind them. I remember you expressed an interest in them, so I figured I'd help you by starting with the basics. I uhhhh... hope you don't mind math."

Because that was what midchildian magic was. At least, if you didn't have an intelligent device to help.

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru's expression is curious as she takes the notebook and she opens it to look inside.

And then Chrono explains what it is, and Naru's expression lights up in a way that few 14 year olds ever do at the prospect of more math homework.

"Oh my goodness, that is so thoughtful of you!" Naru exclaims as she clutches the journal to her, keeping it precious. "Thank you so very much for this! I don't mind math at all."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave her a small smile, though there was a hint of a blush in his cheeks. "I'm happy to help. I wish I could do more, but... I'm admittedly not a teacher. Most of the practitioners here seem to have intelligent devices of their own which can help with the spells and allow them to work back from there to slowly catch up. If I had one, I'd even suggest teaching you with that. Training wheels, I think you'd call them. Unfortunately, I don't have anything like that."

"The math is only fairly basic, but I figure it should take a while to figure it out. It doesn't help that there is certainly... something else going on in the magic of this world, but I've tried to at least lay out the theories to better help you understand it."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Even this is a great start. Thank you." Naru seems absolutely delighted at the very idea. "I've been correlating the various magic types that I've encountered and examining the overlaps, there's quite a lot of overlap, even as much as everyone feels their magic is unique to them, and their mythos. There's an underlying foundation to it all."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but smile a bit more at her excitement. It was a little infectious. And frankly, it might be nice to have someone else he could discuss the math theories with. Math was... well... Magical math was a thing all its own and it really put the way this magic worked into question. Besides, she didn't understand how it worked. As someone without that knowledge, her insights could be incredibly beneficial and make him consider things he hadn't.

"It has been nice speaking with you, though. I should head out, though. Once you feel you have a firm grasp on that, we can meet up again and exchange notes as it were, okay? I'll then see if there will be a more efficient way to teach you. Who knows? Once you've learned enough, perhaps you'll be able to use a storage device to cast actual magic." He'd almost finished his cookie, even. Though the coffee was long gone. He'd even take a moment to rinse the cup out and everything. But in the end, the carrot was now there...

Study math, cast spells. It was the way.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I should also get to class." Naru confirms, still smiling a little. The prospect of digging into the theory side of things is going to put her actual math homework into question, but somehow she'll manage to find time for it all. Somehow.

"I'll look forward to getting together to talk about it. I'm sure I will have questions." Naru chuckles warmly, giving a shrug at the prospect of casting spells of her own. "Perhaps, although I'm not overly optimstic. And that's the cart ahead of the horse. I've homework to do first." Naru gestures with the journal as she stands to see him to the door.

"Thank you, Chrono. Say Hi to Adrien for me, and tell him to dodge too." Naru smiles. "I wouldnt want anything to happen to my favourite espesso source."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a polite bow. Well, he didn't know if she'd ever be able to do magic. But... it was always a possibility. If she was happy to just have the basics, however, he wouldn't try and force anything more. And frankly, it did make him happy to know he could give he something of use. Who knew if she'd ever even be able to understand it?

"I'll make sure to let him know. Extracting linker cores... what insanity will come next?" he muttered under his breath before heading out the door. This world some days, he swore...