hisapprentice | [Puzzle 011]

[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.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's thankful that Maiza is so patient, or this could have been much worse. Layton makes his way over, carefully stepping around the mess on the floor.]

I know it's been a trying morning, Luke.

[Maybe he makes a sound. He does nod, silent and slow.]

... Why don't you get some rest? We could all use some downtime, I think.

I think that would be a good idea.

[He stops behind Luke. He won't force the boy to face him, but he stands there with silent expectation.]

You still seem troubled, my boy.

[Sigh.]

It's not important, Professor.

[And he almost just heads for his bedroom but he cannot, as he was just advised, leave this conversation unfinished.]

Sorry.

[He gets the sense that this is difficult for Luke, but if any part of his frustrations can be amended, then Layton would at least like to try. But first, he has to understand what Luke's frustrations actually are.]

'Sorry'? Whatever for?

For...for being rude.

[For doing things that result in your disappointed voice, really.]

[He shakes his head slowly, even if Luke can't see it.]

That isn't something you need to apologize to me for. I know more than anyone how hard you try to do the right thing.

[Well in that case. He looks up at them both slowly.]

Sorry, Maiza.

[On top of all of this he keeps worrying about Czes. What will happen to him. The things that it seems like nobody knows...]

[He smiles and nods gently.]

It's all right, Luke. You had a hard morning.

[Very good. And yet Luke still seems worried. Layton thinks for a moment before kneeling and resting a hand on Luke's shoulder.]

I know you must be tired and very worried. I wish I could assure you that everything will be fine, but none of us here can know that for certain. The best we can do is trust Czeslaw to be strong until his return; the very least we can do is be strong for him in the meantime. Do you understand?

[Oh.

Well there are all sorts of memories tied up in things like this aren't there?]

Of course I understand. [Not in that indignant tone, either. He looks pretty grateful actually.] I'm the one who told you how it would happen, remember?

[Look though he's almost smiling, sort of. Thanks, Professor.]

How could I forget? [He gives Luke's shoulder a pat before rising to his feet.]

Now then, I believe the tea should be about ready.

[Maiza watches their exchange quietly and straightens himself as the professor rises.]

I can get you your cups.

[Without saying anything else, Luke takes himself to sit back down in whatever seat is nearest.]

[Why thank you, Maiza. As he goes to fetch the tea pot, he glances at the puzzle paper and sees that yes, Maiza did get the trick. Very nice.]

[He comes back with three mugs, one for each of them, and drags a nearby table closer to the seat Luke has occupied. He sets those mugs down and moves around to fetch chairs for himself and Layton as well.]

Edited 2012-12-14 08:46 (UTC)

[Luke wraps his hands around his empty mug and stares at it. It would be just his luck to try to stare into it the very moment Layton starts to pour the tea, so he doesn't try it.]

[Watch your fingers, Luke. Layton pours for all three of them, managing not to spill more than a drop or two. It's an Oasis Berry blend, touted as refreshing and revitalizing. Hopefully, Maiza doesn't mind his tea a bit sweet. That done, Layton sets down the tea pot and retrieves his ice pack before finally taking his seat.]

[He doesn't mind at all. A drink is a drink. But he waits until Maiza is settled before taking a seat, himself.] Thank you Professor.

Yeah, thanks, Professor.

[There is the slightest choking sound when he tastes the tea. Just a little one.

It's his favorite, you see.]

[Layton looks over at the noise, concerned.]

Is something the matter? I hope I haven't made it too strong.

Do you need to wait for it to cool down or something? It'd suck to burn your tongue.

No, it's-! It's great. Perfect.

[That's why he's sipping it and looking down at the table trying not to, ahem, make a scene in 'public'.]

[Well, good. But he reaches for his own cup to be sure.

He'll be happy to relax with his tea and have a slower morning than usual, if only to counteract the faster start. With no university obligations to hurry off to, he can take his time enjoying the company of his flatmates before hitting the books.]

[action]

contaeoro - 2012-12-20 06:31 (UTC) - Expand