(Not) Cold Calling (D1 EM offices)

[Frozen Shadow]

Shadow had made sure to visit the institute a few times over the last 2 weeks, although she rarely entered. She more watched from outside, getting an idea of the layout, where crowds would gather and where she could avoid people. Unfortunately it was only getting more busy, and she knew eventually she'd be unable to avoid it. So she had sent a message (via Janet who had the contact details) to meet with Eskander in the morning.

She had arrived far too early, and made sure to wait an appropriate amount of time before going towards where the offices were and after speaking with a receptionist was pointed towards where she needed to go.

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

She was shown into the office, a rather large one with a nice view of the campus and surrounding area. The interior had a modern clean look with some pictures on the wall from various long distance running events including a picture from a local marathon.

There are diplomas on the wall and a large wooden desk. Dr. Eskander rose and said, “Good morning, how are you?”

[Frozen Shadow]

As she entered the room the girl looked up. Not at the diplomas, but at the walls. The corners, the ceilings. Noting where cameras were. Then she turned back to Eskander and nodded. Her hood still up.

"Hey. Sorry for the sudden turning up, also sorry for getting Janet to do the contacting. I don't have anyones details other than her. I'm...I'm ok. Adjusted and acclimated to the place now. Oh um first thing" she took her bag off and opened it, before taking out a small wrapped basket and placing it on the table.

"Here, it's for your wife. There's some chocolates and some coffee beans from the farm I'm living at. As an apology for how rude I was to her. I didn't mean to I just...I don't trust well and I had only landed that morning so I guess I wasn't in a good place but I know she meant well."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

He responded, “No harm done, she just was concerned but she can be a bit overbearing at times. She will appreciate the gesture. You’re living on a farm now? That’s great. I was sad to hear you were going elsewhere but I am glad you found a place for you.”

[Frozen Shadow]

"I think I needed it. If I was trying to adapt to a whole new place and dealing with a lot of people at once..." the girl shook her head "it wouldn't work. Better to be somewhere I can destress and get used to things, then come back in slowly. I...appreciate that you were willing to find something for me here though, even though there wasn't anything in it for you I think."

There was a pause a she closed her bag and put it on her back again.

"Um...I did want to ask though about what is open to me here. Janet said the ai thing could respond to me but I also don't want to go into places that are not open to people who aren't allowed."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

“Your situation is a bit different than others but we are willing to work with you, you can access the training center and work with our specialists and even shadow a few courses if you want. I would love to have you at the Institute but I understand if you’re not ready for that. Is there something specific you needed or wanted clarified?” he asked warmly.

[Frozen Shadow]

"I'm not sure how these training centers and courses work so if I can shadow some courses to understand them that would be cool" the girl nodded "I'm curious on the knowledge more than anything. Can anyone just access this or does it need supervision and permission? Is it all tracked? What is held on people? What is...held on me?"

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

“ADINA tracks everything for us, she,” he said before interrupted.

ADINA chimed in as a disembodied voice, “Not a girl.”

“Ahem, they probably have a lot on you already, but only a select few staff have access to critical files and privacy is always first on our mind. I can’t even fathom what ADINA has stored on you but only myself, Dr. Patel and high level staff of the UNJE could even access it. Medical data, and protected data requires a warrant. It’s a whole thing,” he replied.

ADINA added, “I am not in the business of just sharing my data with anyone, unless they have cookies.” A beat and then it added, “That was a joke.”

[Frozen Shadow]

Eskander wouldn't be able to tell but eyes were narrowed at the joke.

"I see. Can I access my own data? What about...family members? Blood relatives? "

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

“As you are an adult, they would need your permission, and yes you can access any information not deemed proprietary,” he said.

ADINA added, “Legal Guardians and parents can access it, unless you determine otherwise.”

[Frozen Shadow]

"My parents are not ever permitted to view any of my data" she said to the voice behind her, before turning back and taking a breath.

"Ok thank you. Sorry, they lost that right years ago. I'll...worry about that another time. If I want to visit and classes or equipment is there anything I need to say or give lecturers? So they don't just think random person is walking in uninvited?"

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

ADINA responded, “Understood, Mimi.”

Eskander said, “Between ADINA and my go ahead you should be fine to walk the grounds, but probably best to speak with the professor before the class especially at the Regional University if you so choose to observe there.”

[Frozen Shadow]

There was a nod.

"Will do. What about this competition? I guess those areas are out of bounds, but where should I avoid in terms of that. Also in terms of not being on camera if such a thing is possible?"

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

"The Elite Academy is off-limits, but otherwise if they are around campus, they have permission to shoot their footage," he said.

[Frozen Shadow]

Another nod.

"Ok, Will make sure I know where that is to avoid. Are all students in the institute taking part?"

There was a pause as she added mostly to herself "hmm...I don't remember seeing a television at the farm, should talk to Janet about that."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

"Not all, anyone not on contract will have their identity blurred out," he responded.

[Frozen Shadow]

"Oh good" there was a relieved sigh at that "when does it all start?"

[Dapper Dog]

ADINA chimed in, “Tonight and will last about fourteen weeks of shooting.”

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

"Yeah, that," he added with a smile.

[Frozen Shadow]

"Tonight? Will it be starting in that Elite Academy you mentioned then or elsewhere in the institute? Sounds like a good time to visit the training centre with minimal...disruptions" there was a small smile to herself about that "although I need to watch this competition also to understand the point of it too. That was the idea of coming here, well that and the institute."