[Puzzle 004]

[hisapprentice]

[A dejected little boy young gentleman in blue sits in the library today at a table, journal open off to the side. In front of him is a book with a red cover, full of intermediate-level puzzles and riddles. There's a piece of paper beside it, on which he solves most of them - if they require paper.

There are a few interesting ones copied down into the journal, for reference later.

YYHLYEYT?
6L=12 6S=18 6LS=?
Meanwhile...

After a while, Luke sighs in a most ungentlemanly way.]

I wish I knew why this book feels so important. [the sound of ruffling pages] Maybe if Professor Layton were here he-

[Luke cuts himself off almost sharply, closing the puzzle book and doodling a few little pictures of fish and mice instead. One of the little mice wears a tall top hat.]

I wish I could go home.

Comments

[hisapprentice]

[ASjdaioaksa he jumped a little. At least it's a familiar face.]

Hello, Anise. ...It's not my library, you can sit if you want.

[failguardian]

[Drawing out a chair and sitting down then, keeping a careful eye on Luke. But it's probably bad to start off with a serious topic right off the bat, so she tries to search for an ice-breaker. The book and notes on the table provide the perfect opportunity.]

So, what's all this?

[hisapprentice]

It's a book of puzzles and I'm writing some down so I can solve them.

[failguardian]

I bet you can solve them even without writing any down!

[hisapprentice]

[Oh geez you are making him smile.]

Well, probably, but I can't always carry this book around with me. So I want to have some saved.

[failguardian]

Awww, Luke, you're so smart! ♥ [And that isn't entirely flattery either! She smiles widely back at him, glad to see he's beginning to cheer up.] So, how come you like puzzles so much?

[hisapprentice]

Don't you know? [POINT!] A true gentleman leaves no puzzle unsolved!

[failguardian]

So, you're a gentleman, huh? [Gentlemen tend to be rich, right???] That's great! I've never met a real gentleman before.

[Because dem boys in her party totally don't count. Well, maybe Guy, but what self-respecting gentlemen throw poor innocent lolis off their back?]

[hisapprentice]

Professor Layton is a true gentleman. I'm his apprentice!

[failguardian]

Professor Layton...?

[hisapprentice]

That's right! He's really an archaeology professor, but he loves to solve puzzles, and I've never met a better gentleman.

[failguardian]

Is he from your world? [BEING SO DISCREET ABOUT APPROACHING THE SUBJECT OF HOMESICKNESS]

[hisapprentice]

[Luke nods.]

Mmhmm. We...we're friends.

[failguardian]

You sound like you admire him a lot! Is he here too?

[hisapprentice]

No. He's...not here.

[This is the saddest Luke.]

[failguardian]

[She would give him a quick hug, but this position's too awkward to reach over from.]

I'm sure you can see him again someday!

[hisapprentice]

I know... [Well. Sort of.] And it's not fair to wish he was here. ...But I still do.

[failguardian]

Yeah...It's pretty hard to be here sometimes.

[hisapprentice]

...You miss your home, too, don't you?

[failguardian]

I think most people do.