The professor takes Mariko's note, examines it for a bit, says this checks out and is rather exciting - of course their department is mathematics, not anything prone to lost tomes, unless demons happen to have more advanced math books, so they don't think they'll have much call for conjuring - and of course they're willing to help with this.

"We might have more advanced math than you, I don't know where yours is at, but it'd take some translation work since the notation'll be all different." He will make a circle for himself and one for Mrindeh and explain how to complete them.

Well, that's sad. Maybe the university can finally get a full and proper linguistics department, though, to do that translation.

Circle: completed.

Here's Mrindeh! She takes a minute to thank her summoner and orient herself and then lets herself out the window. Cam's circle can be stashed somewhere - it would actually be ideal if there's a suitable location where it can be stored in active condition, so he can go to it immediately if he's dismissed.

They have a room in their house they're currently using for random pieces of furniture.

Awesome. Cam will help clear a space there and lay down the circle.

The room's plenty big, and furniture's plenty movable.

Circle: also completed.

"I really appreciate this, can I get you anything for your time?"

If he has any kind of fancy calculator? They can probably get used to the notation difference.

Aw, sure, here's a graphing calculator and a quick chart of the numerals and "Notation: A Visual Glossary".

Nice, thanks!

"You're welcome!"

He has no other errands in this area so he disrupts himself instead of flying back.

Planning seems to be proceeding apace. He gets a few emails from Sasuke, mostly requesting this or that document of Orochimaru's. The consensus seems to in fact be 'offer Orochimaru an anatomy text and a language book as an opening move', with any further bribes depending on good behavior. (They also make plans for if it turns out that killing Orochimaru is their best move, and for handling Itachi. Sasuke concedes on talking to Itachi in person eventually; instead, they'll send Tobirama and a video link.)

Cam preps an anatomy text and finds a nice innocuous L1-neutral introduction to Javanese.

And Sasuke finishes his preparations.

(He's not nervous. He's the sort of jittery calm he usually gets before major fights, which probably isn't helping.)

He'll be bringing Tobirama and Minato to the meeting itself. None of them are particularly skilled medics, so he mentally tosses around the idea of bringing Karin - surely she'll also be useful if he ends up forced to dismiss the undead - but ultimately decides against. He'd rather not test her somewhat tenuous loyalties.

His snakes dutifully relay the message to Orochimaru, who agrees to a meeting rather quickly. They'll be meeting in the Land of Rice Fields. Risky, for Sasuke, but he's decently confident in his ability to get out of this if and when it turns into a trap.

Orochimaru's waiting at the appointed time, Kabuto alone at his right hand. 

"Sasuke-kun," he purrs, leaning back against a wall. He didn't bother furnishing the meeting room with chairs. "It's good to see you again. And it seems you mastered my technique!" He inclines his head towards the two undead Hokage flanking Sasuke.

"Orochimaru. You shouldn't take credit for others' work," Sasuke says, voice bored.

"I did do quite a bit in making that usable. Though I wonder how you mastered breaking the Death God's seal so quickly. I certainly didn't hear of a break-in in the Leaf."

"I'm better than that."

He slouches across from Orochimaru, hands in his pockets. (The undead can take care of looking menacing. Sasuke needs to look like it hasn't even occurred to him Orochimaru's a threat.)

"You always were my favorite student," he says, voice light.

"Why did you call me here, though? Surely not to exchange pleasantries."

"I have a deal to propose. Knowledge, for your cooperation with something."

"It's like you know me so well and yet not at all, Sasuke-kun," he drawls. "Why would I cooperate with anything?"

"I'm going to turn this world on its head, and I figured you'd rather be watching than burned to ash."

"Why do I suspect you merely want me out of your way, Sasuke-kun?"

(Orochimaru saying his name in that tone of voice doesn't bother him, it doesn't - )

"I want you to contribute. If you won't, I'll leave you on the sidelines, but you'll have your knowledge either way."