Summer break isn't just for students (Open)

[Prince Pony Age]

It was summer, and had been for a while now. In fact, it was honestly rapidly approaching the autumn, and schools were soon to be starting up again any time now.

But the several weeks longer it would take for the Eran University to open their doors was too long for Layton. They didn't run summer classes, as there hadn't been enough demand to justify much but the core classes for years upon years now. Those more specialized professors who didn't have a job in the summer usually found work elsewhere, if they could, or lived meagerly and--as of late--battled Pokemon. Or at least, Layton assumed that's what the others did, as he couldn't really think of another way to get through the summers.

He hadn't managed to find a summer job that wasn't something totally inappropriate for a high-standing Professor such as himself, so the only other option was battling. And while studying battles was interesting, in its own way, he liked it much less when he had to use his friend and study object, Nahuatl, to do so. or occasionally his Unown, Insignia, though it was always a distractor/staller in some strategy.

It never occurred to Layton to battle with Luke at all.

He'd survived, and the summer was ending, and he was growing...antsy, he supposed. He hadn't been doing much of anything, as he never did much of anything any summer, and by the end he was always so anxious to get back to schooling. In this strange state, he tended to go out and do rather strange things he wouldn't any other time.

Things like visit the Summer Festival at the Yukishiro Castle.

He wasn't really sure what he was doing here, but Luke seemed to be loving the sights, and sounds, and the cotton candy. Well, and every food that Layton bought for him, actually, as the little Golett did seem to put it away.

Now, it was rather late in the day, and while both were rather tired, neither was ready to head home yet.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

Carly was looking around at all the different games and activities on display with wide eyes as she surveyed the area. For all appearances it appeared she was a young girl enjoying the sights of the summer festival but in Carly's case, she was using this as the perfect opportunity to view the layout of the castle. After all, what better time could there be to see the weaknesses of the castle when the castle gates were actually open to the public. With Rina in her arms, Carly was heading towards the far end of the displays when a display of plushies of all shapes and sizes caught her eye. Momentarily distracted, Carly just stopped and stared at the display, eyes sparkling with adoration ... there were so MANY! Maybe she could play the game and win one ... just one ... right? Averting her gaze from the plushies, Carly looked at the game setup: three pyramids of bottles with three bottles a pyramid, it seemed the goal of the game was to knock them down with the bean bags available, simple enough. Letting Rina go, Carly set some money down to play and picked up the first bean bag ... only to just barely miss the top bottle. Frowning, she picked up the second bag and knocked down one pyramid and then just barely grazed the top bottle of the third ... . This was just not her day now was it ... ?

[Prince Pony Age]

Childish as ever, Luke's tiredness only lasted for a bit, and after a short rest was off wandering again. Layton shook his head and sighed, following shortly after.

What caught the little Golett's eye this time around was one of the carnival game with lots of bottles in triangles and candy as prizes! The larger prizes were stuffed Pokemon, but Luke didn't care much for those.

A young girl was currently at the stand taking a shot at the game--and apparently not doing very well, judging by her posture and how she seemed to be putting down a bit more money to buy another few chances. There was no one in line behind her, excluding Luke of course.

As she threw the beanbags again, and while her aim may have had something to do with her foul luck, the bottles didn't seem to budge much for being apparently empty when hit.

By the time he'd reached Luke and the girl, she was paying for one more go. She seemed pretty tired of it, but also determined, if he was reading facial expressions correctly. Before she threw the first beanbag this time around, said Excuse me, young lady?"

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

Carly was getting just a little annoyed at the bottles in the game and was debating whether or not she should just shoot the darn things down when she heard a voice behind her (or rather above her) and nearly jumped. Lowering her hand that was about to throw the bean bag, Carly looked up at the man that had addressed her, the wheels already turning in her head. Maybe if she could get this man to throw for her she'd be able to get the plushie(s) she wanted after all. Blinking, she stared up at the man for a few moments before smiling and laughed sheepishly,"Yes mister?"she asked, staring up at him with wide eyes,"You didn't want to play ... did you ?"

Rina was growing quickly tired of watching Carly throw and miss for nearly 5 consecutive times in a row when she saw the Golett and floated down to say hi before flying around his head just for fun.

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton chuckled lightheartedly for a moment, and responded, "No, not at all dear. ...That would actually be my Golett who'd want that. But I saw your trouble, and thought I might help. It should be much easier if you think of it like a puzzle. If you look closely, the bottles seem to be weighted at the bottom, making them harder to knock down. Since you only have three beanbags per paid-for turn, and ..."

He actually went on for several more lines, but the narrator can't think of the puzzle that she [/i]knows[/i] full well could be made from this, and it's likely Carly stopped listening and/or caring by that point anyway the narrator's understanding of the character is correct.

Meanwhile, Luke was trying to tell Rina a puzzle as well, though a stock-one he remembered rather than a situational one like the Professor's.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly let her hand fall limp at her side as she stared rather blankly at the man as he gave her a lecture of all things, eyes glossing over as the man explained how to solve a puzzle and wished he would just shut up already. Most, if not all of what Layton was saying was going over Carly's head and after he finally finished talking (thank Arceus) Carly simply smiled and nodded, pretending she had actually understood most of if not all what he had said,"Sounds good! But I'm not exactly sure how to do that, do you think you can show me? I really want to win that big plushy ... ,"she asked with a rather hopeful expression on her face Rina's expression mirrored Carly's when the Golett tried to tell her a puzzle. For a moment the Castform tried to think of what Luke could possibly mean but finally shook her head and tagged Luke, <"You're it!">she chimed happily before floating away from him.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

The Professor hesitated several moments, keeping the placid smile on his face while he mulled over what she'd said. When he finally did react, the smile dropped as did the light tone. "Young ones these days," he muttered as he took a beanbag from her.

Rather than just tossing the bag, he flattened out the bag and threw it as one might when skipping a stone across water, spin and all, towards the base of the pyramid. It managed to make one of the bottom bottles budge--not enough to knock it down, but enough to make the ones above it lose support, which ended up knocking down most of the ones below them as they fell, though at least one righted itself rather than falling over entirely.

It wasn't enough bottles to win their largest prizes, but that had been with only the one beanbag. With the next two, Layton managed to knock down the two remaining bottles, and said, "You may choose any plush you'd like, if I'm correct." He looked at the vendor, to make sure he was right--the latter nodded. Layton then looked back at the girl with a smile. A rather strained one, to be honest, but not obviously so.

Luke, on the other hand, was less put off. He chased after the little Castform, calling out But wait! My puzzle!

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly watched with wide eyes as Layton knocked down the bottles for her and squealed with delight as she picked out a rather large Togekiss plushy. Cuddling the plushy she looked up at Layton and hugged him with one arm, grinning from ear to ear,"That was so cool, thank you Mister!"she chimed in a cheerful voice before releasing him and looking back at the game .... there were so many plushies and >3< she needed to get back to mapping out the castle right? Right. She was about to turn away from the game when she saw a shiny Buneary plushy in the corner ... okay, just one more wouldn't hurt right? Right. Turning back to the game, she set the Togekiss down and picked up one of the bags after putting money down. Remembering how Layton had thrown the bag, Carly flattened it and tossed it at the base of the bottles and succeeded in knocking most of the bottles over with one bag. Squealing with delight, Carly jumped up and down in clear excitement,"I DID IT!!! DID YOU SEE THAT I DID IT!!!"she shrieked, oblivious to the other people staring at her in that moment. Rina simply giggled at Luke and twirled in the air, before 'running' away again,<"Catch me!">she chimed, giggling as she went.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

The Professor smiled and nodded as she chose her plush, and remarked, "A gentleman is always pleased to help a beautiful lady," though he did seem uncomfortable with her arm being there as he tried to pry himself out of her hug. He was internally disappointed, though he supposed that not everyone could derive their joy from pursuits of the mind.

He backed up a bit to give her room as she paid for another go and--well, at least she did pay attention to how he'd thrown. She spazzed again and asked if he saw that, to which he replied, "Yes I did, my dear, that was quite well done."

Preparing to leave the stand afterward, he looked about for Luke and could nit see him in the crowd. "Luke! Are you around, my boy?"

Luke stopped chasing the Castform as soon as he heard Layton, and called back Comin', 'Fessah!

[[not necessarily leaving the topic, but at this point it would seem creeperish I think for a 40-some year old man to continue hanging with a girl who appears 12 8'D;]]

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Pleased with Layton's reply, Carly threw the other bag at the bottles and managed to knock the rest down and squealed again, though not as loud as before and pointed to the Pink Buneary plushy in the corner. Upon receiving the plushy, Carly looked to see that Layton was leaving and quickly put the two plushies in her backpack before walking over to him and pulling gently at his sleeve to get him to stop."Wait, where are you going? That was a lot of fun! Can you help me win more games? How did you put it, like solving puzzles? I actually do that a lot, I like solving mysteries and putting clues together. I was actually doing that when I came here but I got ... ah, distracted,"she said in a cheery voice, looking up at him with bright eyes as she continued,"It's sort of a hobby of mine. Maybe you could teach me about puzzles though?" Rina looked disappointed that Luke was called back but decided that the Golett wanted to be chased and laughed, hurrying after the Golett as she continued her version of tag.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

As Professor Layton heard the girl talking to her, he mentally cringed for a moment but turned to face her, smiling as pleasantly as ever. As she finished her outpour of words, though, he was legitimately happy to accompany her and speak to her more about said hobby, and told her as much. "Why yes, that sounds like a wonderful idear. To be perfectly honest, though, in puzzles--as with most things--critical thinking is the key to success."

Luke had reached Prof. Layton by this point, and was looking up at him wondering why he was called. Layton patted the Golett on the head and told him, "Luke, my boy, it seems there has been a small change. We shall be accompanying this young lady around the fair for a bit, and educating her on how to find and solve puzzles."

Quite excited for this development, Luke called out quite loudly--or at least, in the heads of surrounding people it seemed loud--'Oh man, 'fessah, this'll be great fun!'

[[.....I enjoy putting quotes/references/etc to the games in these posts entirely too much \o/]]

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly nodded her head in response to Layton and smiled genuinely this time, "I know what you mean, sometimes when I have a mystery it takes some thinking before I can figure it out. Like when Rina goes missing sometimes, I just have to look for a crowd of people most times because she likes making people laugh. Observations and stuff like that I'm really good at, especially when nobody really notices me because I'm so small."she replied cheerfully before Luke showed up and Layton explained what was going on. Upon the Golett's reply, Carly visibly winced at how loud his voice was in her ears and was thankful that Rina couldn't do anything like that. Goodness knows the Castform would talk her ear off given the chance. Looking from Luke to Layton, Carly looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling again,"Does he call you professor because you're a teacher? Oh! I'm Carly by the way, CJ for short." Rina, rather oblivious to the conversation going on about puzzles and such (not that she would have the foggiest idea about puzzles and what not anyway), tagged Luke once again and dashed away, hiding among the cotton candy as if by doing so she would become invisible.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

Nodding in response, the Professor was about to say something when Luke arrived, and distracted him with the need to explain. The impression her response left on him, though, did not dissipate as quickly as his intention to respond--she was quite a bit smarter than he originally thought, it seemed.

For now, though, he smiled at the Golett and said, "Keep your voice down, m'boy," before turning back to--the girl who he hadn't realized he hadn't been quite introduced to until she brought it up.

"Oh, pardon me, I seem to have momentarily misplaced my manners. I am indeed an instructor--Professor Layton of the Eran University, at your service." He slightly bowed, tilting his head forward as he did so. "Most simply call me Layton, or the Professor. Either works fine."

He hadn't actually noticed Carly's flinch, and had chided Luke more from his own mental sake, for the record.

Luke wasn't fond of being told such things, but understood them quite well. 'Sorry 'Fessah, he said, still in their heads, but less 'loud' this time. He still seemed to be smiling, though. He wasn't paying much, if any, attention to Rina now since they were about to be doing something! 'Is there was another mystery or somethin' we gotta solve, 'Fessah? We 'aven't 'ad one o' those in yeeears now!'

Somewhat belatedly, Luke realized introductions had been done, and he called out, 'Oh! Right, 'e's the famous detective 'Fessah Layton, and I'm 'is numbah one apprentice!' He held one hand up, with one finger pointing out, signifying "number one" appropriately.

Layton sighed and said to Luke in a very mildly exasperated tone, "Luke, you and I both know that I am no detective."

Luke 'harrumph'ed and crossed his arms. He still seemed to be smiling, though.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly smiled at Layton, grateful that he had told Luke to quiet down a bit and smirked when her thoughts were confirmed,"I thought so~, you're really smart after all. Professor sounds too formal though ... I like Layton better."she chimed before hearing Luke once again, though thankfully not near as loud as before. "Oh, you like mysteries? I have one that I've been trying to solve for months ... maybe longer, but I haven't been able to. But I can't really tell you about it here, it's kinda well ... personal and I don't really want other people overhearing it ya know?"Carly said in a quieter voice before waiting to see what Layton and Luke's reaction would be. Who knows, maybe they could help her solve this mystery after all, Layton certainly was good at the games but he had said he was a professor, surely he was better at other things than just simply games. In the meantime, Rina was quite content hiding among the cotton candy and was even starting to nibble on it a little. Who says fairs were just for humans anyway~.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

The Professor nodded, and replied, "Then 'Layton' it is." He then listened patiently as she spoke, while Luke started bouncing as soon as she asked and was saying 'Oh man yes this'll be grite*!' Without taking his eyes off the girl speaking, Layton hushed the 'young' (technically rather old-ish) Pokemon, whispering how gentleman don't interrupt a lady while she's speaking, and apologizing for his own interruption.

After she'd said her piece, he responded, "I would only be too happy to help, miss. I agree some place less crowded would be desirable. Aside from uninvolved parties hearing what you'd rather them not, someplace privater should also be a good deal quieter..." He said that almost with distaste or disdain. ...Almost, but not quite. It was true, Layton was less fond of so much noise than a nice, quiet place to relax and think, but it wasn't strong enough to really break through his placid gentlmanly air.

[*"great" but trying to show that he has that British accent 'x3;]

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly laughed at Luke's reaction to the declaration that she had a mystery of her own and as Layton explained that he preferred quieter areas as well. Personally, Carly didn't mind crowds all that much, it was easier to blend into a crowd then anywhere else, especially if someone was chasing you (not that Carly knew this by experience, it was just common sense). Either way, Carly wasn't going to tell Layton what was going on (or show him her biggest clue for that matter) in public. Hmmm, maybe if she knew the grounds better she would be able to find a quieter place ... blast it all, that was the very reason she had come here in the first place! Curse her obsession love of plushies, it would be her downfall one of these days she just knew it ... but of course she wouldn't part with Mr. Fluffles for anything, no matter what anyone said. "Well, this is really the first time I've been this far up north so I don't really know where to go that would be quieter. Do you have any suggestions?"Carly asked in a polite voice, eager to see what exactly Layton would think of her mystery.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

"Hmm," was all the Professor said at first, thinking for a moment.

'Oh, oh! If we head out from the castle, then we'll get out of the fair area and that should be quiet and all roight?' Luke was very proud for having come up with a solution before the 'Fessah, despite the fact that every time he voiced his solution before Layton did...

"If we go far enough away from the castle, the fairground crowds are sure to thin eventually, it's true; however, my boy," ...Luke was almost always proved incorrect. "By that point we might be quite too far away to explain anything by sight, or even to share the light of the festival to see by, and I've no intention of taking a beautiful young lady such as yourself into the wilderness." Layton raised his head and took a panoramic view from left, to right, then left again; he continued, "There does not seem to be any festivities in the rear of the castle, all in the front courtyard and a few in the main gates, though I'm sure there are other open areas outside it. Come to think of it, I do seem to remember a path that may be exactly what we want... If you'd follow me, miss?"

Meanwhile, the vendor that was selling the cotton candy Rina was eating noticed her. He waved his hands and raised his voice at her, trying to shoo her away.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly listened to Luke's plan and thought that it sounded good, but then she still wouldn't be able to map out the castle grounds. On the other hand it would prevent anyone from possibly seeing them, hmmm perhaps it would be a good idea after all. Carly was about to speak up and had opened her mouth to do so when Layton began speaking ... well ok then ... closing her mouth again, Carly's eyes were rather intent on Layton ... though she didn't really appreciate the stereotype it seemed Layton was putting on her, she could handle herself in the wilderness just fine thank you very much! Carly had opened her mouth to protest when Layton began speaking again ............... Arceus, didn't he ever stop talking? Closing her mouth again, Carly listened to Layton as he continued with his explanation. Hmmm, well yes that would work~ and she would be able to map out the castle grounds more after all~. "That sounds good, I was hoping to see more of the castle anyway since it is my first time here. Lead the way~,"Carly chimed, gesturing for Layton to take the lead as she did so. Rina did indeed stop eating the cotton candy but instead of going to find Carly like the vendor had probably intended, started to fly around the man's head, laughing all the while. She was making quite a scene and causing a lot more people to come over to the stand as a result, but the red Castform didn't care what other people did, Rina just wanted to make the man laugh~.[/scrolly]

[Prince Pony Age]

As was probably guessed, Layton had been quite oblivious to Carly's indignation about his talking. If she'd managed to say something before he'd started again, he certainly wouldn't have interrupted, but it hadn't actually occurred to him that she'd have anything to say--what with her asking him for suggestions, and everything ever was a puzzle to be solved.

At her gesture, he did indeed lead the way, and with little trouble found the path he'd been thinking of. It occurred to him at some point while walking that this was not quite--not quite right, in some way. Such a young girl (who he still supposed to be quite a bit younger than her actual age--likely, in his mind, a very smart twelve- to maybe fourteen-year-old) really oughtn't go with grown male strangers into secluded areas. Granted this was her idea in the first place, but... Well, as it was her idea, he would not patronize her, though he did plan to bring it up in conversation. Somehow. Maybe.

Down this path, the lights became fewer and fewer until they stopped completely. There was some vegetation, and while it was at its thickest in these summer months, it still wasn't nearly thick enough to block even the moonlight. A bit further on was a small clearing with a stone table and benches. "I do believe we're quite far enough away, and there is even a place to sit. Does this suit you, miss?"

It seemed to suit Luke just fine as he ran up to the bench closest to them and sat down, turning to look intently at Carly. He was apparently quite eager to hear what she had to say.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch stall, the vendor was not laughing. He swatted at the red Castform and was saying several not-really-obscenities such as "darn you mangy little jerk"--after all, kids were the main buyer of his cotton candy and funnel cakes and other general confections.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/CarlyTable.png][atrb=height,300][atrb=width,493][atrb=style,border:0 firebrick none,b,Table][scrolly:h(220),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:3px;margin-left:230px;margin-top:45px;margin-bottom:10px;)]Carly was quite oblivious to the fact that it might look bad for Layton and her to be seen alone together. Rather, she was making a mental note of the layout of the castle while rather absent-mindedly following Layton since it didn't really take much thought to follow such a tall man, I mean it wasn't like she could lose him or anything. When Layton pointed out the bench, Carly smiled and nodded,"Sure~ it looks good to me," she replied before sitting down on the bench,"It's kind of a long story, but I'll tell you what's going on before I bring out the one clue I've found so far. Well, I've always liked solving mysteries and since I've always been small for my age I was really good at listening into conversations and such. My dad was a doctor and I often helped him figure out the truth about what a patient was saying by solving puzzles or just by listening in on them. Anyway, one time I was hiding in one of my favorite places to see what I could find out when I heard something I shouldn't have ... . I overheard some men talking about robbing a bank and after I heard them walk away, ran to find my dad. My dad called the police and told them what I had heard and they stopped them. What I didn't know though was that one of the men saw me run away. Later they cornered me and my dad ... they shot him in front of me. I don't know what they would have done with me had a Sawk not saved me. Anyway, my 'brother' found me and took me in, later though I went back to the spot where it happened and found this,"she explained before shrugging off her backpack and pulling out her gun,"It's the same gun that killed him ... my dad that is, I would bring you back to the scene but frankly ... I don't think I can go back there again." Rina eventually got tired of pestering the cotton candy vendor and thankfully managed to catch a glimpse of Layton and Carly walking off to a more secluded area of the fair. Rushing to where Carly was headed, the Castform caught the last bit of Carly's monologue and settled next to her, cuddling with Carly now. Rina knew that telling that story always got Carly down even if she didn't want to admit it.[/scrolly]