"Alright, I'll give it a try." She looks expectantly at the image of his interface for a moment and then frowns when nothing happens. "Hmm, it's like you have anti-modification magic setup, I wondered if it would be like that."

He glances between her and a small screen on his wrist. "This device measures my Aura strength, to a high degree of precision. It took a slight dip just now. My Aura appears to have rejected your attempt; opposing outside forces drains Aura to one degree or another. Let me see if I can adjust." 

And lo, the focused staring into space. 

"Alright, I'll give it another try." She does something and this time a square badge manifests on the chest area of his Aura in the image. "It seems to have worked that time."

A corresponding small green patch likewise glows, briefly, on his chest. Pietro positively beams at it. "A delightfully successful experiment. Your magic is at least somewhat compatible with Auras - and we may even be able to awaken your own Auras, in time. I recommend it; they are quite convenient." 

(As he stops concentrating, the data start to corrupt and disappear.)

"I'll think about it, I expect it's not reversible so it's not a step I want to take lightly. It also seems that it makes storing data unreliable."

"Possibly it could improve with practice and familiarity as Huntsmen and Huntress weapons do, but yes, it could be a problem at first. Well, at least we have established possible cross-compatibility. What do we need to test the first applications of your - interface snapshot - technology?" 

"Siobhán?"

Siobhán takes out a small off-white crystalline device shaped like a sphere with a flattened bit from a pouch at her waist and sets it on the table.

"This is a basic snapshot system, this version stores the encrypted snapshot in our central repository and produces tokens that can be used to retrieve and decrypt that data. I expect it should work for people with activated auras but it's something that needs testing, the magic works by using someone's interface to access their mind. We can make versions that bypass the interface but those can also be disrupted by anti-magic defenses and I'm not sure if an activated aura functions that way for magic that doesn't explicitly target it."

"Auras are, generally, protective of their owners' bodies, and resist physical harm. Evidently this also includes etching things on our souls, but if this works more on the mind than the body, it might suffice. We do not have much in the way of anti-magic, as you call it, but there are documented cases of Semblances that partially negate or counter others or render Dust inert. Do I need to touch the device...?"

"Yep, that's how it's setup to work. It'll also ask for your permission."

He looks at the crystal almost-sphere. "How...? Well, let's find out." He places a hand firmly over the top. 

In his mind there's a voice This is a standard snapshot system, it stores an encrypted backup to the Heart's archive and produces local tokens which can be used to retrieve and decrypt that backup the tokens can be copied as many times as desired. Do you consent to being snapshotted?

"I do," he says aloud in case it matters, and, also just in case, he concentrates on convincing his Aura to treat the device as an extension of himself. 

If he's paying careful attention to his aura he'll feel something gently reaching through his aura and then something flowing back. And then it stops and the voice speaks again. Snapshot complete, integrity checks complete. Please supply a medium to store the authentication token.

"Ah? Oh, I see." A bit taken aback, Pietro fumbles in his pockets for a moment. Then, struck by a thought, he opens a drawer in his desk and produces - of all things - a worn brass key. 

"That should work, storing tokens in objects like that makes them harder to copy though for better or for worse."

"What does the token do, exactly? Allow someone to create a new body if I die?"

"Yep, it lets someone create a new body given the correct equipment, with the memories you had just before touching the snapshot device"

"What else would one store them in?" 

"At this point a research team back where we come from has analyzed a scroll enough that we could store it as a file on that."

"I am humbled by your scientific efficiency," he says wryly. "I think, for this first test, I shall stick with my first idea. It has certain...sentimental appeal." Gingerly, he taps the key against the crystal. 

For about fifteen seconds the key glows with blue light. Once the light fade the key appears unchanged.

"Immortality is certainly unassuming." Pietro turns the key over in his hands thoughtfully. 

"Are you offering this particular snapshot device?" asks Po. "A Hunt group is slated for patrol this afternoon. If this truly works as you say, we should get them snapshotted immediately." 

"And the rest of Atlas and Mantle," interjects Gerain. 

"In time," agrees Po. 

"Sure, if you don't want to do more testing first then feel free."