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Published:
2021-12-25
Completed:
2021-12-25
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2,160
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2/2
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Scientific Sorcery

Summary:

A Secret Santa gift for creepysteeples. After fighting each other to a standstill at the end of Rikako's route in PoDD, Rikako and Yumemi have agreed to a compromise: In exchange for providing Yumemi with data about magic, Rikako comes along to the former's world not as a test subject, but as a peer to study the techniques of futuristic engineering.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Laboratory Safety Orientation: Asakura Rikako

Instructor: Okazaki Yumemi

 

—Audio Transcript Start—

 

[...]

Yumemi:

And this is the materials safety sheet.

If you're working with something, and you have a spill, or it shatters, or whatever, first thing, you step away from it and you pick up the safety sheet from here by the door. That'll tell you the first steps for dealing with it.

Rikako:

And if I don't know what I'm working with?

Yumemi:

Then you shouldn't be working with it!

Rikako:

How am I supposed to discover new things if I can't work with things I haven't seen before? Isn't that the point?

Yumemi:

Well, around here, we've already discovered everything. Supposedly.

[Silence for approx. 15 seconds]

Rikako:

Hmm.

Yumemi:

That's why—

Rikako:

This sheet's rather thorough. Do you really have all of these materials in the lab?

Yumemi:

It has every hazardous material the lab's licensed for. I don't have, or plan to have, most of them, but I could, so I need to have a plan for handling them.

Rikako:

Fascinating.

Yumemi:

It is?

Rikako:

Yes! And that term you used earlier, "safety culture". Just the idea that there's a culture of safety. There's not really such a thing, with magic.

Yumemi:

There isn't?

Actually, thinking back, that tracks.

Rikako:

There's rules of thumb and common wisdom, of course. Never summon anything you can't take in a fight, for example.

Yumemi:

…Makes sense.

[Pause]

Yumemi:

Why are you smiling at me like that?

Rikako:

No reason.

Anyway, any good magician always has an escape plan, of course—

Yumemi:

[Clears throat]

Rikako:

—but safety isn't really the foremost thing on anyone's mind when dealing with magic.

Yumemi:

[Coughs]

Rikako:

I'm surprised this is on paper. Everything else you have here is those liquid screens, or holograms.

Yumemi:

Part of safety. Electronics and holograms can lose power. Paper can't.

Rikako:

Huh.

Yumemi:

All the emergency tools are designed that way, to work even if everything else doesn't. Take those emergency exit signs I showed you.

Rikako:

You said they glow in the dark. They've got to use some kind of power for that, so… batteries?

Yumemi:

That'd still require a bunch of electronics, and batteries can run out. They have a tiny amount of tritium in them, and then a paint that glows under the radiation from the tritium. No moving parts, only physical processes that just work… What's wrong?

Rikako:

Nothing. It's just charming how into it you get when you're explaining the science, even though you're more interested in magic.

Yumemi:

[Clears throat] Well, this is what I know. Anyway! Unless you physically destroy the lights, they'll keep glowing for decades no matter what.

Rikako:

How likely can it be for a battery to run out before you no longer need the light?

Yumemi:

Well, that's the philosophy. If it's possible, it's going to happen somewhere, eventually. So you need to avoid it or plan for it.

Rikako:

I see.

Hmm. You've really thought of everything, haven't you?

Yumemi:

That's the idea. You plan for everything you can think of, and then you have a plan for what to do when something you didn't plan for happens.

Rikako:

And what kinds of things haven't you planned for?

Yumemi:

Well, I don't work with anything biological, so for biohazards there's just a general— [high-pitched exclamation]

Rikako:

How about this?

Yumemi:

[Nervous laughter] That's not an emergency! C'mon, don't mess around in the lab.

Rikako:

No? Your ears are strawberry red all of a sudden, though. Didn't you say that's a warning color?

Yumemi:

[Unintelligible]

Rikako:

Aw, don't look away. Let me see your face!

Yumemi:

A-anyway, a hug isn't an emergency! It's, uh, it's not even a bad thing!

Rikako:

Why so flustered, then?

Yumemi:

I just wasn't expecting it right now!

Rikako:

Not the peck on the cheek either, hm? Well, here's something about magic, since you taught me so much today.

It's all about the X-factor. And I don't like that.

Yumemi:

Why not?

Rikako:

Because to be any good at it, you have to embrace that there's just some things you don't get. And when something happens, you ride the wave or you drown. I like your approach better.

Yumemi:

I guess that sounds exciting to me.

Rikako:

Because you're used to stability, I bet. Well, we'd better make some plans for the unpredicted then, yes?

Yumemi:

I—

Rikako:

For example: Let's say I let go and you turn around. But then I push you back against the wall, like this, and now our faces are almost touching. And your entire face is red for emergency.

Yumemi:

S-so's yours.

Rikako:

Right. So how do we develop a plan for this emergency? What's your method?

Yumemi:

Well—Well, I guess we have to walk through the scenario. In—In detail. Figure out what happens and how we react.

Rikako:

Makes sense. And then?

Yumemi:

Then… we put it into practice. And exercise.

Rikako:

Best get started right away, then?

Yumemi:

Ye— [muffled]

 

—Audio Transcript End—

Chapter 2

Chapter Text

RE: Project Submission OKZK-6541#5658

Dear Prof. Okazaki,

Our panel has carefully reviewed your project proposal titled "Evidence of Unaccounted-for Forces Demonstrated using a Programmable Magic Engine", attached.

I regret to inform you that the panel unanimously declined to fund your proposal on grounds that it falls outside the purview of our faculty, and indeed of academia. While the university does not presume to judge your personal interests, it is not appropriate to use research funds in their pursuit.

The panel also raised concerns that the individual listed as co-author of your proposal, named Asakura Rikako, is not a member of any research group at our institution, and on review of the global population registry does not appear to exist at all. While the panel decided to take no further action on this matter, I have been asked to remind you that improper citation practices and the fabrication of sources (or co-authors, as the case may be) may constitute academic misconduct or fraud and carry severe consequences up to and including expulsion.

Best regards,
Yamada Hiro
Spokesperson, Review Panel
Faculty of Comparative Physics

*。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。 Spell Engine Running Notes ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆

Or: Screw you, we'll just do it anyway!

    Comment by: Rikako♡
    With what funding, again?

    Comment by: Yumemi
    I didn't have funding for my Gensokyo expedition, either!

    Comment by: Rikako♡
    Then where did you get that spaceship?

    Comment by: Yumemi
    Stole it. (Also, not a spaceship)

    Comment by: Rikako♡
    Of course. You do have what it takes to be a magician.

    Comment by: Yumemi
    ♡✧*。(òωó)。*✧♡

    Comment by: Rikako♡
    Speaking of, why is there a heart next to my name?

    Comment by: Yumemi
    Why not?

    Comment by: Rikako♡
    Touché.

End Goal

One programmable spellcasting engine for showcase purposes.

  • Getting Rikako familiar with engineering techniques

  • Getting Yumemi familiar with magic!

  • Three components:

    • The engine performs operations to use magic according to its program

    • The programming interface for giving instructions to the engine

    • The spells themselves, to be developed for use by the engine

Requirements

  • To prove replicability, must be a machine that can run with no human intervention beyond activating and controlling it

  • Possible to set up different spells to be cast with the same machine

    • For the proof of concept, we only program one spell, but make sure it's extensible

  • To prove it's different from Yumemi's magic-imitating technology, no optics and minimal electronics

    • The fewer moving parts, the better. Give people no excuses to think this is a weird interaction of phenomena or just a trick of the light etc.

    • Pure mechanics would be ideal

    • Can we do pure mechanics?

                        Comment by: Rikako♡
                        Yes.

TODO

  • Rikako+Yumemi to develop a plan for having a machine perform the motions of a spell

            Comment by: Rikako♡
            I'm thinking a surface that can dynamically create sigils to channel a spell. Since we don't want optical components, we can use a spinning disk with adjustable colored components to create almost arbitrary images, yes?

            Comment by: Yumemi
            Perfect! We should be able to build it like a music box where we give the instructions more moving the color components mechanically and the only electronics are in changing the instructions and spinning the disk.

  • Yumemi to develop a programming interface for Rikako to use

  • Rikako to develop the first spell for the engine

  • Chiyuri to acquire materials

            Comment by: Chiyuri
            Why do I always get the shit job?

            Comment by: Yumemi
            Because you're my grad student! ｺﾞﾙｧヽ(`д´ ヽ)

            Comment by: Rikako♡
            We need to think about the composition. Materials and colors. Gemstones would be ideal for what we're trying to do, but with no funds, we need to think of something else.

            Comment by: Yumemi
            What kinds of gemstones?

            Comment by: Rikako♡
            Ruby, emerald, sapphire, those would give us the primary colors and a good range of magic affinities. Some semi-precious stones could substitute, but they won't be as good.

            Comment by: Yumemi
            Oh, we can just synthesize those. They're dirt cheap.

            Comment by: Rikako♡
            We can?

            Comment by: Yumemi
            It's specialized equipment, but I'm pretty sure one of the other labs has a machine we can borrow.

            Comment by: Chiyuri
            "Borrow"

            Comment by: Yumemi
            Quiet, you.

            Comment by: Rikako♡
            Tell me more.

            Comment by: Yumemi
            Well, for example, with rubies and sapphires, all you really need is aluminum and impurities… actually, let's block off some time to tell you all about it.

Progress

First check-in postponed in favor of impromptu lecture on synthetic minerals.

Rikako's Log

    The "spell" is done. Yumemi's interface made it a piece of cake. You could program a movie with this, if you really hated yourself.

    Really, I've been spending more time just watching how my inputs change the ridges on the transmission plate just so and how that translates into the casting disk's layout than programming. It's worlds more interesting, in my book, than the spell.

    She's going to be disappointed. She'll think it's a joke and a waste of time, and then it won't work. Should have said something about "no human intervention" instead of trying to make a point. That's just not how it works.

    At least if it flops, I can try another spell quickly. But then, I suppose it might not. That's the problem with magic. If only I could do this kind of thing scientifically. Reliably.

Test Run

    The instructions are entered and the disk starts spinning slowly to warm up. The individual gem-pieces jiggle in their slots to test mobility and make sure there are no obstructions. The lid over each of them closes and opens again; same purpose. It almost looks like a living creature waking from sleep.

    After warmup, the disk accelerates and the backlight turns on. They had to compromise on the no-electronics no-optics rule—without a light, it would be too hard to see the sigil.

    Rikako hasn't said what kind of spell it's supposed to be, said it's a surprise, but Yumemi can't wait. So she asks.

    "A love spell," is the answer. "It warms the heart and strengthens bonds." The straight face is part of the answer, too. Nothing kills magic like doubt. That's why you safely lock it away in writing.

    Yumemi's eyes turn as round as the spell disk. "Like, mind control?"

    "No, more like a blessing. Thoroughly unscientific, no?"

    "I'm not sure if we can make that the official showcase, but maybe we…"

    The disk begins casting its spell, and Yumemi turns her full attention back to it. She almost doesn't dare to blink. Rikako watches Yumemi's face the same way.

    "We'll have to do something about the noise." The components click and clack as they slide back and forth to create a pattern. Lids close for an instant to block colors or make dark lines in the rotating image. It's a good thing all the pieces are both light and sturdy.

    The first sigil is a suggestion of a face, drawn in simple dark strokes on the backlit disk. It has an enthusiastic smile and bright red outlines of hair. The second looks more serious, half-lidded, with a suggestion of glasses and purple hair.

    A third sigil replaces this, an outline of two figures, one redheaded, the other purple, holding hands. Ruby components trace a heart around the axis of the disk. Rikako watches Yumemi put her hands on her face, hiding her cheeks and mouth.

    With more noise, the fourth and final sigil is drawn all in white backlight and dark lines. It's not perfect, glitchy, the lids can't operate quite fast enough, but it's close enough to the intent.
    (◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*。

    Both watch quietly until Rikako decides the spell has failed and begins damage control. "Well, I suppose that wasn't much of a spell. I'll write another one quickly and we can—"

    Yumemi interrupts by nudging her with her hip. She's covering her cheeks and grinning ear to ear. "What are you talking about? That totally worked."

Notes:

My giftee wished for either Yumemi/Rikako or Nitori/Eirin content. The clear core theme between Yumemi and Rikako instantly jumped out to me: You have a scientist who'd rather be a wizard, and a wizard who'd rather be a scientist. Even among more nuanced takes on the classic magic vs. science theme that I've seen, this "the grass is always greener" motif feels novel. I also liked the opportunity to write something focused on the PC-98 continuity on its own merits rather than as a mostly-retconned backstory.

The prompt emphasized the science side of the theme more, especially aesthetically, so I did try to lean more towards science, but I fear the end result might actually be more about magic. I did, however, draw from my own background to inform the scientific trappings of both stories.

The term "materials safety sheet" is, strictly speaking, used wrong in the first story. Properly, a material safety data sheet contains comprehensive safety data about one specific material, not basic safety instructions concerning multiple kinds of materials. I know labs I have worked in before had both, but the term for the latter escaped me as I was writing and "safety sheet" seemed an intuitive descriptor, including for a reader who might not be familiar with the concept.

Tritium began to be used for illumination that does not rely on external power in the 50s and as far as I know is still used today, though I've never heard of a random research laboratory using it for emergency signs. It's more of a military equipment thing.

Making out in a laboratory is highly inappropriate, potentially dangerous, and best left to fictional characters.

My plan was, from the beginning, to write multiple shorter vignettes rather than one longer story, as that seems to simply be how I work best. The idea to have Yumemi and Rikako collaborate on a magic engine was for some reason one of the last ideas I got during brainstorming, but an immediate and obvious keeper. The big question I wrestled with was what it should actually look like, and what it should do. The "Running Notes" document (format loosely inspired by actual project documents I have collaborated on) basically lays out the considerations I went through.

Originally, I thought about some clockwork mechanism that would imitate gestures and actions to cast a spell, but I felt pretty lukewarm about this idea. The inspiration for the sigil disk came from a) those novelty LED fans that can display messages or simple graphics and b) real-world magic practices, but especially modern chaos magic practices revolving around symbols, pictures, and memes. I wish I had given myself more time to research these, but such is writing on a deadline.

Mr. Yamada Hiro is not named for anyone or anything in particular, I simply tried to come up with a generically boring Japanese name (with apologies to any real Yamada Hiros out there).

I would have preferred to find another epistolary framing device for the final part of the second story, but the sense of immediacy and visual component I felt the scene demanded made this difficult.

I couldn't explain to you why, but Yumemi strikes me as the sort of person who uses kaomoji extensively and creatively.

A big shoutout to finitexs for beta reading this on short notice even though he was busy and reassured me it was okay to post after the 25th.