Source

Myriad Reality

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Need a hand with anything?

@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.

Myriad Reality

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

@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.

Myriad Reality

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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.

@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*

Myriad Reality

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

@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*

Myriad Reality

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

@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*

Myriad Reality

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Close. I would never hurt you intentionally, but it truly is harmful knowledge in the most literal sense.

@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.

Myriad Reality

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There are aspects to what I do that are secretive in nature, in what we’ll call a magical manner just for simplicity’s sake. Your dad got involved accidentally and it’s an issue being worked on, but I would be very, very concerned about exposing anyone and anything to a potential infohazard.

@Valiance

*Grimaces*
One of those "If I told you, I'd have to kill you" type of things?

Myriad Reality

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I mean…
*Sighs*
Are you familiar at all with the line of work I’m in? The things I do and deal with?

@Valiance

*Shakes my head*
I'm afraid not. Sorry.

Myriad Reality

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Probably come with me, help out a bit while looking into the problem.

@Valiance

I take it it’s something you need dad to look at, right? It’s not something I could do instead?

Myriad Reality

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I don’t know how much of a benefit it would be unless it can do a little more than just talk.

@Valiance

What do you need it to do?