[Puzzle 011]

[hisapprentice]

[It's early in the morning, and there's a commotion. The village knows about this commotion because things are scattered in the scuffle, including Luke's journal. It thunks onto the floor of the apartment, open and 'on' enough to record...well.

The sounds of a scuffle.

Bangs and clangs and the occasional mechanical whirr or someone shouting (classic noir American accent or subtle/overt British one, take your pick!) and the end result is a nice, spread-out flurry of chaos.

In which one of the people living in the apartment is no longer there.

After a while, there are footsteps; it's Luke trudging over to pick up his journal and gingerly talk into it.]

Um. They came and...took Czes- Benjamin. [Not without a fight!] Maiza and Professor Layton and I tried to stop them, but it- it didn't work. Sorry. [...] Maybe he won't be gone for long.

[[ooc: Those replying may get an answer from Luke, Maiza, or Layton! Depends on who's got the journal at the moment, and who's off trying to clean up the mess in a dejected manner.]]

Comments

[hisapprentice]

They might, I just haven't asked. There's a separate place just for tea if you want it. [And if not, well, they're remiss in their menu aren't they?] You'll just have to teach the people here about tea, Professor.

[reminded]

Why, I would be more than happy to hold a seminar or two on the subject. The only question is whether I'd be able to attract enough students to justify the venture.

[He would attend such a class, but he's not deluded enough to think many people share his passion.]

[hisapprentice]

I bet you would! Sometimes there's not a whole lot to do here, so- [That makes it sound like a tea seminar would be just one level above boredom. Luke barely stops himself from slapping both hands over his mouth.] Um, so something new would be extra interesting.

[reminded]

[He'll just take that comment with a dash of optimism.]

Then I'll be sure to consider it. Though I suspect there are others here better suited to lecturing about tea than I.

[The keeper of the tea shop, for one. Hopefully.]

[hisapprentice]

Don't be silly! You're almost as much of a tea expert as you are for puzzles.

[Luke is being a little silly instead. After all that tea-making in Folsense what does he expect? He has shimmied himself into his cold-weather coat and is standing by the door.]

[reminded]

Ha ha, your faith is always appreciated, my boy.

[Layton picks up his trunk and takes a look around the flat in case they've forgotten anything. He heads for the door but pauses when he sees Luke.]

I think it's going to be rather warm today. Are you sure you want to bring your coat?

[Air conditioning: how often it trumps our estimation of the weather.]

[hisapprentice]

[After the icy rain incident it's hard to think of being unprepared. But, if he says it's warm. Give him a minute to get out of the coat and pick up his bag again.]

There really is a school here. I bet you could teach if you wanted to even though it's not a university.

[reminded]

[The last bout of icy rain was but three days ago. Layton finds the weather here moody at best. He waits patiently for Luke to de-coat before stepping into the hallway.]

Now that you mention it, I have been feeling a little... aimless, lately. [No mysteries, no papers to write, no students...] Though I'll confess I don't know much about the school at the moment, apart from general hours and location.

Speaking of which, I don't recall you ever mentioning your own attendance at the school.

[hisapprentice]

Well, I wouldn't have mentioned it. There's nothing to mention.

[He's not keeping up with your pace, Layton. Facing this discussion is scary.]

[reminded]

[Oh, Luke. He sees your sadface and raises you a smiley.]

Don't look so glum, my boy. I was only curious. I know too well that most youths would rather have fun than chain themselves to a desk.

[hisapprentice]

That's assuming that living here is 'fun', Professor.

[But he'll catch up. Even smile a little.]

And I suppose it is, sometimes. Just not always.

[reminded]

Isn't that true for all of life? I imagine we'll get ourselves into more than a few predicaments in days to come, but I have faith that there will always be something better waiting around the corner.

[hisapprentice]

[And.

He really missed hearing things like that.

Luke tugs the brim of his hat down a little bit so all anybody might be able to see is a smile.]

Yeah. I hope so.