<Snipped quote by Valiance>

I'd ask how something like that can happen, but I've learned that the answer is usually magic of some kind, at least when dad is involved.

<Snipped quote by Zeal>

For sure! We’ll catch up soon!

<Snipped quote by Source>

It’s complicated, but like I said, magic really is the best way to boil it down.

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Maybe finding a visage of dad really is the best move. Let me look.
*Sets the stack of papers into the corner and slides a panel on the wall to the side, revealing a rat's nest of exposed wires and scrambled, color-coded cables*

<Snipped quote by Heroic>

*SideSlash smiles and then attends to everyone else and I sigh*
So, what have you been up to?

<Snipped quote by Source>

Finger’s crossed. If he’s not in, I have no choice but to go it alone on this one.

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Connects a thick amber cord to a connector within the panel, and then walks to another machine housing a frosted cylinder that traverses up through the lab ceiling*
That sounds like it might be the last resort, if you came all the way out here to avoid it.
*Opens a pocket reference guide and traces a set of sigils onto a glass frame with an unsteady hand—the system autocorrects each symbol once I start the next and projects the runes on a display to the right*

<Snipped quote by Source>

I don’t have many options to begin with. A lot’s been happening lately, and people have their hands tied. In the current moment, it’s less a last resort and more an only resort.

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Then I hope this works, for your sake.
*Hits "launch," and all the lights and displays in the lab go out, leaving us illuminated by the soft glow of the cylinder*

<Snipped quote by Source>

*Walks closer to it, looking down at it patiently*

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Starts organizing the stack of papers while the system processes*
It may not look like much, but these should help speed up the process. Once I get them in the right order, that is.

<Snipped quote by Source>

Need a hand with anything?

<Snipped quote by Zeal>

Experimentation. Branching out just a bit in my comfort zone, you could say. Just had a run in with Legend earlier today, too.

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

If you don't mind. Dad being dad didn't think to number them, so I drew a line across the diagonal in case something like this happened.

<Snipped quote by Heroic>

Is he short like Serenity says??

<Snipped quote by Source>

Just let me know what and what not to touch.

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

It should all be safe, for once. Just don't use any magic.

<Snipped quote by Source>

Heh. You’re safe. I don’t use magic, I just call it that so I don’t have to explain it.
*Takes some papers and gives you a hand*

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Thank you very much, Akora.
*Once we have the papers together, the previously-sporadic lines align nicely into a single diagonal stripe across the stack, which I carry over to another machine with a slanted, rectangular opening*

<Snipped quote by Source>

*Smiles*
Would be a little selfish of me to stand around while you help me out, don’t you think?