“Professor Calixte! I’m Mr.Menett, curator of the Museum. It’s a pleasure to meet an archeologist such as your self!”

“Thank you, Mr.Menett. Please, call me Liana.”

She walked up the steps hurriedly, forcing the shorter man to jog to keep up with her stride.

“Liana... I’m quite a fan of your work. I’m sure you know, we have several of your pieces on display here actually.”

She smiled graciously at the portly man, understanding a need to at least try to be friendly.

“Please, Mr.Menett. I just dig them up.”

“Well your research is fascinating! The explorations you’ve made and your dedication... it’s commendable! I was rather surprised when you E-Mailed me.”

“Yes and speaking of which–“

He interrupted her,

“It was a rather odd request but to a distinguished scholar such as your self, one I am happy to fulfill! What exactly is your interest in this artifact?”

It would seem Menett was an extremely talkative man and the empty foyer of the museum echoed his nasally voice back to her. She found her ears aching and while moments ago she had decided to be polite, her excitement was making her impatient.

“Just some old research. Where is the artifact?”

He bobbed his head several times, reminding her strongly of a rooster, as he walked away, talking again.

“We have it set aside in a private study and–“

“And it is the original?”

“Oh yes! Only the best for one such as yourself! Your book about the advancement of Norse blacksmiths most illuminating...”

And then he went on and on, revisiting each of her books and discoveries. She knew she was rather successful in her field. Very few archeologists and historians were better! But this man seemed to take the term ‘buttkisser’ as a title! He led her down the hallways used only by staff and finally opened unlocked a door.

“And your mother was highly respected in her field as well! I met her myself once and–“

“May I have a moment alone, to conduct my research?”

He looked rather startled at this request and visibly reeled.

“Please, Mr.Menett?”

She dialed her charm up as much as she could.

“It is obvious no one has a higher respect for such history than you and I promise I will be as careful as possible with your artifact and conduct all the proper handling protocols.”

He only hesitated a second more before giving her a nod and backing out the door way.

Finally.

The artifact in question was a heptagon of gleaming bronze. Holes sat in each side, each one shaped differently than the last. It was Greek, but other than that nothing was known about it. Some speculated it was a lock. They weren’t wrong, she mused, as she inserted the seven oddly shaped keys.

The tiny machine whirred delicately as the seven sides folded back, like the petals of a burnished flower. A clear crystal appeared in the center and she snapped out of her awed gaze the turn the lights off as a projection filled the room. Oceans spanned the walls, leviathans twisting and curling around cities of mermaids with emerald hair. Mountain ranges hovered in the air in front of her with thrones seated at their peaks. It was technology beyond anything they had today and it was made centuries ago. And it would tell her where to find Atlantis.

As she locked the door and browsed the glowing map, tears came to her eyes.

They all said her mother was obsessed... a dreamer... searching for a fairy tale... if only she were here now...