Yes, we really ought to. Messenger birds are helpful enough, but they're not instantaneous and they're not infallible, so this should be much more helpful in that regard.
Well, that's really rather remarkable --- though not entirely unexpected. I'll need to test it out a bit so I can properly congratulate you on the good work.
Plus, I'm certain it would be pleasant to have around even just in the event that one of us is just bored out of their minds... but really, I have no doubt that it works perfectly.
[Though... he does pause a moment, looking it over as though he's studying it a bit.]
...I admit, it feels a bit rude to ask this after you just gave me something, but now that I've seen this, I have a bit of a favor to ask you.
Well, I'm sure we'll find ourselves at opposite ends of the map eventually... perhaps one of us will need to take care of some business somewhere that's exceedingly dull.
And I was very recently commissioned to create some sort of inconspicuous recording device for both audio and visual playback, though there are admittedly a few features I'd like to add beyond that baseline.
Then I'm glad I thought to give you this before that did happen. It's important that we can talk to each other when we can.
[ Oh. Her eyes widen and she nods, shifting forward. ]
Like what? I can make anything into a device like the lockets, but privatising it is a little more difficult. Magical security is something I've been researching a little more lately.
It certainly is, isn't it? I would hope that the actual lockets get up and running before long, but... there's no guarantee of when or if that will happen.
Well... I can't go into too much detail as to the why, but it's intended for surveillance more than communications. I think I'd like to arrange it so it can be shared if the commissioner wishes, but... well, I think the ability to hide it and the ability to record audio and video and replay it is the most important aspect.
I had the theory that the lockets were somehow linked to the monarchy. They disappeared and, since then, we've been unable to use them. It would make sense, considering how much power they have.
[ She nods her head, considering... Before she leans forward. ]
So a compass, or a locket, that can record audio and video but isn't necessarily a part of a network for sharing that information? More of a means of storing the videos than sharing them?
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if that were the case, honestly. It'd be convenient for them to be able to keep an eye on everyone that way, wouldn't it?
[...that's another reason why he's happy to have this, but it's not like he's going to say that.]
And yes, exactly. And recording them, of course... I think I'd like some way to enhance or amplify both the audio and video, but that might be a little too adventurous. I imagine it'd be useful, though.
Which is why I'm glad I have this network. They can access the lockets but at the same time they can be used privately.
[ She, on the other hand, is more than happy to admit it. ]
I could always teach you a spell to make them louder, but I'm not sure that's exactly what you want. I could look into it and try and manipulate the spell?
Ah, I thought they could only access each other... well, that makes things even better, then. I really can't say I like the idea of someone else looking in on my conversations.
Well, that might help... but would it be possible for you to teach me your methods, actually? I feel like I may as well do my own experimenting on my own time, since I was the one commissioned to do it. It really wouldn't do much good to have someone else do the work for me.
It's a bit like having two networks, I suppose, except only the people that have a compass can access the second one. Once I've worked out the finer details I might be able to make a private network for just the Marquis and Marchionesses, but that might take a little longer.
[ She blinks, surprised, before she hesitates. ]
I can teach you how to turn something into a visual and audio recording device, but I'm not sure about the network part. It took a lot of research and security and I wouldn't want to overload you with information that you might not even need.
[ Which, at home, would never have been a problem, but here? She's started to learn that she needs to tone herself down ever so slightly, even around friends. ]
Ahhh, I see. That's the sort of thing I think we can definitely use, so it's certainly good that you're working on it. Having meetings over something like that instead of having to make sure we're here more often than not would be convenient, especially if someone's sick or injured or something like that.
[...he could have certainly used something like that last February, anyway...]
Well, I can handle a little more information than necessary, but you're right. I'll admit that I might be overthinking this a bit, but... I do enjoy adding extra bells and whistles, both to give the person I'm working for the best product possible and because it's more challenging than meeting the bare minimum.
That was the hope. The main issue I have is security and making sure that no one else finds a way of poking their nose into things if we do manage to have meetings over the compasses rather than in person.
[ She hums, considering. ]
I'll write up the information and get it back to you, how about that? I might even be able to use my magic to duplicate parts of the book I have.
I'm going to look in to making it as secure as possible. A lot of people know I make compasses, since I don't hide them, so the separate compass network isn't a secret. Making a different device for us might work too, but I don't want us to worry about carrying too much around.
[ It's something to think about, at least, and she has the time for it. ]
That would be wonderful. What's the point of having so many magical people around if we can't work together to make things better?
Yes, I could easily see how that could get to be a bit much, even if we'd likely only be using the one for official business. I suppose if they were all different, it would be a good way to avoid mixing them up, but...
Mn, well, there's something to be said for personal advancement, but if we're all in the same boat, as it were, there's no reason to keep things strictly to that.
That just makes for a few more questions. Maybe I'll look into developing a specialised network just for us and until then we can just be particularly careful about contacting each other.
Yes, that's true. We'd really have to be in a particular mindset, though, as misfires can be embarrassing at best and disastrous at worst...
[...trying to warn the Seelie about the Jabberwhelp did not go as planned.]
It most definitely shall. Anyway, what materials would you recommend gathering to start out on these? I imagine it won't take you too long to get the book copied, but I suppose that I may as well get started with preparations even before I can begin working in earnest.
I haven't had any unfortunate misfires, thankfully, but I'm sure it's entirely likely to happen.
[ Does anything ever go as planned? ]
All you'll need is something with a flat surface, so you can record the video, big enough for however large you'd like the video to be. I use compasses and whatever other items people bring me, so it's very much up to personal direction.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Well, that's really rather remarkable --- though not entirely unexpected. I'll need to test it out a bit so I can properly congratulate you on the good work.
no subject
[ Is she preening? No, hush. ]
Please, go ahead. I've been using mine for the past year or so without any trouble.
no subject
[Though... he does pause a moment, looking it over as though he's studying it a bit.]
...I admit, it feels a bit rude to ask this after you just gave me something, but now that I've seen this, I have a bit of a favor to ask you.
no subject
[ She pauses before she lifts her head, scooching forward a little bit. ]
It's not rude at all. Please, go ahead, I don't mind, especially if I can help?
no subject
And I was very recently commissioned to create some sort of inconspicuous recording device for both audio and visual playback, though there are admittedly a few features I'd like to add beyond that baseline.
no subject
[ Oh. Her eyes widen and she nods, shifting forward. ]
Like what? I can make anything into a device like the lockets, but privatising it is a little more difficult. Magical security is something I've been researching a little more lately.
no subject
Well... I can't go into too much detail as to the why, but it's intended for surveillance more than communications. I think I'd like to arrange it so it can be shared if the commissioner wishes, but... well, I think the ability to hide it and the ability to record audio and video and replay it is the most important aspect.
no subject
[ She nods her head, considering... Before she leans forward. ]
So a compass, or a locket, that can record audio and video but isn't necessarily a part of a network for sharing that information? More of a means of storing the videos than sharing them?
no subject
[...that's another reason why he's happy to have this, but it's not like he's going to say that.]
And yes, exactly. And recording them, of course... I think I'd like some way to enhance or amplify both the audio and video, but that might be a little too adventurous. I imagine it'd be useful, though.
no subject
[ She, on the other hand, is more than happy to admit it. ]
I could always teach you a spell to make them louder, but I'm not sure that's exactly what you want. I could look into it and try and manipulate the spell?
no subject
Well, that might help... but would it be possible for you to teach me your methods, actually? I feel like I may as well do my own experimenting on my own time, since I was the one commissioned to do it. It really wouldn't do much good to have someone else do the work for me.
no subject
[ She blinks, surprised, before she hesitates. ]
I can teach you how to turn something into a visual and audio recording device, but I'm not sure about the network part. It took a lot of research and security and I wouldn't want to overload you with information that you might not even need.
[ Which, at home, would never have been a problem, but here? She's started to learn that she needs to tone herself down ever so slightly, even around friends. ]
no subject
[...he could have certainly used something like that last February, anyway...]
Well, I can handle a little more information than necessary, but you're right. I'll admit that I might be overthinking this a bit, but... I do enjoy adding extra bells and whistles, both to give the person I'm working for the best product possible and because it's more challenging than meeting the bare minimum.
no subject
[ She hums, considering. ]
I'll write up the information and get it back to you, how about that? I might even be able to use my magic to duplicate parts of the book I have.
no subject
And that would be lovely, actually. If I make any breakthroughs, then I'll definitely let you know about them as repayment.
no subject
[ It's something to think about, at least, and she has the time for it. ]
That would be wonderful. What's the point of having so many magical people around if we can't work together to make things better?
no subject
Mn, well, there's something to be said for personal advancement, but if we're all in the same boat, as it were, there's no reason to keep things strictly to that.
no subject
[ And she nods, agreeing easily. ]
Then we'll work together. It's going to be fun!
no subject
[...trying to warn the Seelie about the Jabberwhelp did not go as planned.]
It most definitely shall. Anyway, what materials would you recommend gathering to start out on these? I imagine it won't take you too long to get the book copied, but I suppose that I may as well get started with preparations even before I can begin working in earnest.
no subject
[ Does anything ever go as planned? ]
All you'll need is something with a flat surface, so you can record the video, big enough for however large you'd like the video to be. I use compasses and whatever other items people bring me, so it's very much up to personal direction.