Why here? (Doom/open)

[Prince Pony Age]

One Professor, one Pokemon (or 'apprentice' as he always called himself), were out and about in Escapade City.

It had been many years since Professor Layton had been here, and it likely would be many years before he came here again. Unless, of course, another archaeology conference were to be held here again in the near future.

He came here before because he was summoned about a mysterious "mask of miracle" incident; he's here now because of the previously referenced conference. He enjoyed the city last time, it's true, but he couldn't help but wonder...

Why here?

The conference wasn't until the next day, though, and he had already left his things in the hotel. For now, he was going to see the sights of the city and enjoy them.

Perhaps Luke would enjoy the Ferris wheel?

"Come along, m'boy, there's much to see yet. See what's changed since last time we were here, hm?"

Luke excitedly followed the Professor as they explored the city and occasionally talked to and/or helped out random people.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

The flashing lights of Escapade City. After weathering through a particularly insufferable lady at the docks, chilled to the bone and shadowed with doubt at a forest in the North, and scaling a massive clock tower in the center of the region, Garcian could finally face leisure by walking through the marvels of a town that seems to have few diminished qualities since the economic crash. It had been a beautiful night, most certainly, and to avoid a slight chill, he had been wearing a tall-looking stovepipe hat in the color of gray, surrounded snugly with a dull blue band. Not only does it help somewhat with the cold, it looks so stylish with the gray suit coat he had been wearing (rather than his usual sweatervest) for more protection.

His assistant had been the now-trainee Prosecutor Edgeworth, flippers at his side. He looked around town, but didn't quite seem to be as dazzled as the marvels of the city as Garci had. After getting as much of a look as he could tolerate, he turned his head to look forward instead, eyes sometimes looking to the side to inspect the people in his path. The sheer amount of folks walking about in the area, he couldn't lie to himself, made him feel somewhat anxious. He had hoped that someone wouldn't address him, though he is more than certain he'd be able to stay proper and talk to them. That Pikachu was no easy obstacle for him at the dock, and an encounter here wouldn't likely be much different.

Garcian eventually looked to the Ferris Wheel, a marvel to behold. Towering over many other buildings in the area, lit up so brightly in contrast to the nigh pitch-black darkness were it not for the lively city, it looked imposing. Another thing he enjoyed was the decorum and pleasantness people had seemed to exude. This was unlike the dock, where people seemed to be unkempt, and smelling deeply of fish. Disgusting! He had been afraid of being robbed by some brigands who may as well have lived there, though it was certainly quite the contrary.

As the duo continued to walk, he noticed he had immediately passed someone that appeared to be dressed in a somewhat similar outfit. It was strange indeed, but at least his dress was also fancy enough to be regarded as respectable. It was a handsome visage indeed, and he nodded respectably as he walked by. There was certainly no likelihood of him talking to him as they passed. None at all. Nope. Garci wouldn't be expecting that, but it probably won't happen.

...It could, though. He wouldn't deny it.

[Prince Pony Age]

[[gah sorry it's a shortpost but there's not a whooole lot to respond to and, well, short-post also implies shorter time during said post, and I'm posting about just a moment or so where Layton tries half-assedly to get Garci's attention \o/ it's not jsut because pottermore I SWEAR......]]

Layton hesitated only a moment, surprised as he was to see someone else in this city with such fine wear. "That is a fine hat you're wearing sir," the Prof. said as the other stylish "gentleman" walked by.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci tipped his hat to Layton as he commented on his finery. "Likewise, sir." Well, though he doubted it, he is now going to strike a question with this equally refined-looking gentleman. Granted that he stood about 6 inches shorter than the good professor, he looked up at him, a small smile creeping onto his face. He adjusted his suit for a moment. It was a reluctant gesture to make, granted, but he extended his hand to the stranger. One with such a refined nature deserved it. "I am Garcian Garcia. What is your name, sir?"

Internally, he wondered what someone like him would be doing here. True, it was a better place than other he'd seen in the region so far, but he hadn't expected someone who had dressed as elegantly as he did here. Not that it was a bad thing - it certainly was quite the opposite. Finally, someone to match him in conversation. Not only that, but finally Thanos would have someone to talk to. ..well, of course, if this Layton individual could understand Pokemon. In all likelihood, he probably can't, Garci assumed. He only met one person who could and.. well, he wouldn't like to internally third-person monologue out that memory.

Edgeworth looked at the Golett before him, not saying anything. It seems this Piplup doesn't enjoy conversation, and would only respond if obliged to. Although it was accidental, just something that Edgeworth tends to do, it appeared that he glared directly at the golem Pokemon, flippers still crossed as he usually has them. Garci noticed this momentarily, eyes temporarily diverted to look at him. He'd like to scold him for acting rude in front of a new face's Pokemon, but he immediately looked back at the gentleman before him.

[Prince Pony Age]

[[Wow this post feels like I took what you posted and used it for my character... I didn't mean to! '^^; And I won't do that in the future it's just, well, that's a pretty reasonable thing to wonder/ask about, and Luke would get indignant about evil glares and Layton would be like "that's not what a gentleman does" and blah I don't mean to steal ideas q.q ]]

Taking the hand firmly but not forcefully, Layton shook it and responded, "Professor Hershel Layton, or just Layton if you prefer." Layton half-wonderedmuch the same thing as Garci did, but pushed it aside much more readily, as this was hardly the strangest meeting or manner of dress he'd seen in his years. An image "Descolé," a masquerade-masked long-cloaked individual crossed his mind for a moment, and as quickly went away.

...Still, though, there wasn't too much else to say for the moment, and the good Professor was intrigued enough by this young gentleman to want to continue conversation with him. "May I ask what brings you around here, or are you quite busy?"

Meanwhile, Luke had noticed Edgeworth "glaring" at him. <'Well gee, you don't have to be so mad! I 'aven't even done nothin' t'you. Hrmph.'> He crossed his arms as well, and turned his nose (or, uh, lack thereof) to the sky to show his disdain.

Layton, upon noticing this, chided him, "Now now, Luke, we musn't be rude. That's not what a gentleman does." He hadn't actually understood what was said, but the tone in the Pokemon's voice and his stance was obvious enough.

The Golett's eyes snapped wide open upon hearing the last line, and hurriedly issued a <'Sorry for bein' rude... though it's still true.'>

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

He looked down at his hand a moment after Layton shook it. That was a gentleman's handshake. Garcian remembered his father's teachings, how the contact of palms between men and how they shake hands can tell you everything you need to know about them. This man's was firm, not forceful, and seemed to reveal quite the genuine gentleman qualities in him. Then again, he didn't really trust his own dad's advice in this case, and nearly dismissed any of the memories he just reminisced upon. The man's a professor, though. Now he HAS to trust him.

He adjusted his hat as Layton asked him. "I'm not busy at all, Mister Layton. I came here after leaving the more.. treacherous parts of Era. A nice walk out on the town, rest in a quality hotel, a trip of leisure, I suppose you could say." He momentarily also noticed the conflict between the Golem Pokemon and the penguin. He whispered to his Piplup, "Edgeworth, don't stare."

[/i] Turning his head back again, he had an inquiry about the Professor himself. "I assume that your career as a Professor has you out here on business? Might I ask, at that, what sort of a professor you are?"

Edgeworth looked down with a small amount of remorse, moving his flippers back to his sides. <I.. apologize. It is something I have a tendency to do, and I cannot deny it has vexed more than a few others before you.> He wasn't as accustomed to do it as he thought he was since his arrival on the dock, but he offered a flipper forward, almost half-heartedly trying to make his acquaintance with the Golett. <I am Miles Edgeworth. And.. you?>[/left][/blockquote]

[Prince Pony Age]

Chuckling warmly, the Professor responded only "I see," to the first bit. To the question itself, he explained, "That I am. I teach archaeology at the Eran University in the Capital, and was asked to speak at a seminar that will be here in a few days, and invited to the general conference in the preceding days." He paused to look down and make sure Luke was still behaving; he was, so Layton finished, "It's open to all, if you're interested and plan on being about."

Luke listened to the apology, and accepted it quite fine. <'Sall roight, I get it! Oi'm Luke Triton, 'Fessah Layton's numbah one apprentice!'> He held out one finger, reiterating that he was one, not any other (lesser) number. <'Pleasure to meetcha Miles! ...Any chance you'd like to troy a puzzle? The 'Fessah and Oi just looove puzzles, and like to greet new people and Pokemon wit' em! What ya say?'>

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Hm. There didn't seem to be any harm in attending. Garci thought to himself, mulling over the possibility of going to this seminar. He was never quite a big fan of archaeology, while he took part of a course in it while he had been educated, it never was one of his interests. But, it most certainly attracted interesting people to its following, and furthermore, he might find more people such as Layton to see and finally have them as peers. Not that others weren't, but they aren't quite as well schooled nor mannered as he believed himself to be. Nodding in affirmation, he agreed. "I will be about for a few days, so I suppose that there would not be any harm in attending."

Edgeworth listened to Luke, and to him, nearly found it as an unintelligible accent. He was able to get the gist of it the moment after the Golett finished and talking. He heard his question and considered it. Edgeworth, for all of his supposed intellectual prowess, never had been expressing an interest in puzzles either. But, to refuse one would be rude, and he was raised by only the finest. It might prove to be a little bit fun, anyway. His answer was simple; he wasn't one to overload his vocabulary. <Yes, I will take one.>

[Prince Pony Age]

"Good to hear, good to hear... Oh, dear me, I suppose I forgot to mention--it is not just on archaeology, but a manner of topics, with professors and subjects of several sorts there. It shouldn't be a problem finding something to entertain you if you decide my lecture doesn't quite strike your fancy. Well, that or my puzzles--but those are my hobby, rather than my profession, hohoh." The 'hohoh' there is supposed to be an onomatopoeia for his chuckling because the narrator just didn't feel like the sentence felt right ending before that and just stating that he chuckled, so chose that course of action instead.

The narrator placed some tape on the crack in her Fourth Wall, and declared it fixed.

Meanwhile, Luke put his hand to his chin and said, <'Hmm.... Lemme think... oh, Oi know! Here, lemme jus'...'> The Golett quickly gathered a few pebbles and sticks, laying them down between himself and the Piplup in a specific arrangement, and described his puzzle. It was a fairly easy one, but not exactly obvious--well, to those not used to puzzles or with the natural talent for solving them. (Layton could have solved it with a glance, being both of those.)

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garcian had already accepted the Professor's request, and to hear about professors appearing who had been masters of several other subjects interested him. It's true that he had no interest in one specific field of knowledge, but maybe looking at all these other options would help him. Still, this Layton man seemed interesting enough. Puzzles keep him occupied, as well! The boy watched as Golett set up such a puzzle for his Piplup. "I can see your interest in puzzles have even passed onto your Pokemon, though. The several different subjects in this seminar do sound interesting, yet, I do think I will be attending yours. Of course, I may take a look at a few others, but I'd likely be giving yours the most time."

Edgeworth stared down at the puzzle for a few moments, thinking it over. The Piplup wasn't quite known for being a master of puzzles, but he'd seen a few in his day. These few he'd seen let him know well enough on how to approach a puzzle such as this. He adjusted a few pebbles and sticks, and, if he didn't find them to be correct in solving the puzzle, he readjusted them. This system of trial of error went on for several moments, and not an ounce of frustration appeared on the Piplup's face. He continued his attempts, eventually managing to get it to a reasonable point where he believed it was correct. Going back from the puzzle, he looked at Luke, as though asking him if he had been correct simply with his eyes.

[Prince Pony Age]

"Ahah, it has indeed! He, well--heh.. Hrm. Well, you know how they say pets and, occasionally, Pokemon come to be like their owners, yes?" Layton hesitated a moment when the reason why he had Luke in the first place surfaced in his mind, only to be forced back down. He continued, "Well, that's good to hear. I shall make sure to keep an eye out for you then, young sir. No promises though--it's supposed to be fairly crowded, I hear." Yes, more talk of the convention or conference or what was it again? Please more of that. He'd never truly be through mourning for Claire, but he should have been some time ago, and... well, it was painful and got in the way and he just preferred not to think of her anymore. ...Except on those days he set aside just to think of her, but that was another story.

It would take a skilled people-reader or a psychic to know the distress he was suddenly in, though. The pause and incomplete sentence at the beginning would have given it away to those close to the Professor, but... well, 'those close to him' were almost entirely his superiors at the university. Luke technically counted, but he was never good at reading anything in people or tact in general, to be quite honest. But back to the point, such a sentence, while seeming a tad unprofessional, would hardly imply the great emotional distress (or uncertainty, technically) that it would with Layton. Other than that, he kept to the British 'stiff upper lip' policy quite well--not just now, but in general.

The author now realizes that the previous paragraph did nothing but cancel most of the possibly-replyable-to parts of the first paragraph, making this a whole bunch of nothing to respond to, and for that she is sorry. So, continuing on the thread that Layton wished to speak of this con-- con-- con-something rather than his kind-of twice-dead never-quite finaceé, he did so. "Yes, well, here is the address, it is ..." He didn't actually trail off, he stated the street name and address number, giving directions to the area where the "convention--er, no, I suppose I mean--conference, that's it--" would be held.

While the trainers were talking, Luke exclaimed, <'Cor, that was fast! Well, faster'n Oi eva managed to do it, anyhow! Oi'm gettin' bettah, but Oi still got a looong ways te go! Roight, anyway. ...'M not really shore wot to talk 'bout now, t'be honest whit'cha..'> He rubbed the back of his neck, rather embarrassed.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci was neither a skilled people-reader nor a psychic. He may have had a few telepathic experience with an Freudian elephant creature but it never really was enough for him to determine how low Layton's disposition had gone. He didn't seem to be quite fazed by the professor's stuttering, dismissing it as excitement. Layton's unintended rambling wasn't something that Garci did notice, causing him to wonder what had been eating away at him, yet he was still unaware of what exactly was on his mind. Of course, he wouldn't bring it up out of fear of coming off as rude, and instead commited the address to memory. "Thank you, Professor Layton. I will make sure to arrive early to see you, so I do not get trapped among the crowd." After Garci talked, an awkward silence perpetuated by one or both of them started to appear.

Edgeworth shook his head. <There is no problem with that. Unnecessary chatter is.. .. well, unnecessary.> He looked back down at the puzzle, focusing on it somewhat. Yes, it was complete, but Luke was right. What now, exactly? Perhaps it was unlike the Piplup, but he offered, <Do you have anymore puzzles involving these shapes that you would like to attempt with me?>

[Prince Pony Age]

The Professor chuckled, and said, "Indeed, indeed," in response to Garci's remark. He had nothing else to say, and the silence drew on for a bit.

Luke, however, was not experiencing any such awkward silence. <'You be' Oi do!'> was his answer, and he took up the sticks and pebbles and rearranged them once more. <'This'n should be 'arder, Oi'd think. So, the idear's this, 'n' you 'ave ta figure out 'ow this could be loike that...'>

Luke was explaining the puzzle as his trainer realized that while this young man--wait, what was his name again? Right, Garcian--had said he didn't have any place specific to go, he had been going somewhere and they were probably holding him up. "Hrm, well, I suppose we have wasted enough of your time, Garcian. I look forward to your visit, and hope you enjoy your time until then. Luke--come along, my boy, we ought to be leaving."

Luke shifted from Pokéspeech to his odd ghostly version of telepathy with no problem, whining in Layton's (and those surrounding) head(s) 'Awh, but I wasn't done explainin' this puzzle yet!'

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Finally, something to let the awkward tension break. Garci, hearing what Layton said as a sort of farewell, nodded. Still committing the address and time to arrive in memory, he wondered if he should really attend. Of course, it would be uncouth and very ungentlemanlike to stand him up, but archaeology was.. Wait, he was still considering the possibility of not going? His indecisiveness is crushing him, but he continued on, saying "I understand that you most likely have pressing matters of your own, so I shall see you within a few days." He tipped his hat to the professor and started to walk off.

Edgeworth continued to stare down at the puzzle even as Garci started off. As Luke had been interrupted, he looked up at Layton for a moment, and back to Luke. Shrugging and shaking his head, he said his farewell to the Golett. Again, another very apt and meaningful goodbye. <Farewell.> He waddled off at Garci's side, as the two left off into the night. Still, they didn't stray too far, after all, Garci still has to see the city.

The young man and his blue, big-headed penguin continued to explore the city after passing the Professor and his ghostly golem. Realizing he could very easily forget the address, he had written it down in a scrip of paper, stored in the band of his hat. They had been on their way to the amusement park, oddly enough, a place of childish amusement that was enough to mystify Garci. Lilycove festivals always managed to captivate him, looking at places both high and low from a massive rotating Ferris wheel.

This is, of course, exactly what the two had decided to see first. After paying for their ride, the pair were sitting in one of the booths, as it rode up slowly. Of course, given the fact that they weren't really able to communicate with each other properly, as well as Edgeworth's lack of sociability, it was an awkward, silent ride. However, when the booth gradually ascended to the peak, Garci showed an odd sign not seen by many he knew. It was legitimate amusement and glee, as his eyes shined at the bright lights below and the fairly starlit sky above, and a grin from ear to ear.

It took him back, essentially by force, to nostalgic memories of his beloved Sableye. That too typical, melancholy tear began to roll down the boy's cheek as he realized exactly what he was missing from Hoenn. For whatever it's worth, he had locked the memory deep within the depths of his mind, and there was nothing he saw in particular in Era that was fully capable of digging it out. Holding the safety bar, his hands trembled as he quickly choked away any sentiments or reminiscence of those happy days with Zafiro. Edgeworth managed to notice this tear, and thought nothing of it. It was none of his business, something that a Pokemon like Lexus would be able to deal with more properly.

When they left the ride, Garci still couldn't quite shake away thinking about how things had once been. Taking a seat on a bench near the wheel, he and Edgeworth remained in the vicinity, awkward silence intact.

(You could either have them show up by coincidence or have them do their own thing. Either way I'm intending it for it to end up as a timeskip to a few days later at the seminar.)

[Prince Pony Age]

[[oh dear(ish)(not really) I hadn't actually expected to write out Layton lecturing at that x''3 I just kinda came up with that on the fly and all but that does sound pretty interesting \o/ ]]

While Luke and the Professor did eventually go to the Ferris wheel, it was some time later--despite having just having experienced the Summer Festival in the north what, last week or so? Luke was just as excited about the ~slightly different~ attractions here as he had been then. They didn't run in to Garcian and Edgeworth again that evening.

They went slower than usual--and by that one really means Layton slowed down Luke even more than usual. He wasn't exactly a young man anymore, and wasn't as fit as he had once been, so there was that; and while he did manage to push his thoughts away from Claire for the most part, they still lingered. Mostly, though, what slowed him down was thinking he was more familiar with the city than he really was. After all, it had been--almost ten years now, come to think--since he was there last.

aaaand.. Let's, do, the time-warp agaaaaiin~!

It is now, suddenly, a day or so later, whenever it was that the conference/convention/whatever it was anyway was going on. The clouds in the sky were few, but fast-moving, as the day was windy. However, Layton had been inside the conference center since early in the morning, setting things up, and wasn't actually aware that now, as the event was about to begin, how the weather was outside. He hadn't even looked outside today.

The esteemed Professor got up on his stage, and made himself moderately comfortable in front of the gathering audience, waiting until the clock hit the hour to begin. With him on stage were several artifacts from various places around the world, a whiteboard with markers and erasers, and--as he released them--his Pokemon. Well, four of his six anyway--while interesting, his indigo Oddish and the strange Beldum he bought a little while back had nothing to do with archaeology. To be fair, Luke didn't either, but he was here as his assistant rather than as part of the presentation.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

A time after their visit to the amusement park, Garci, who at this point withdrew Edgeworth back into his Ball, finding the lack of conversation he provided this whole time had shown to be a serious detriment to his mood. The whole time, the only true conversation he had was with Layton, and whatever he had with his thoughts. No, he'd have to rely on more drastic measures to enjoy himself around here, as evidenced by the Larvesta that had now been following him in Edgeworth's stead.

The two continued along the path back to the hotel, talking along the way. Lexus had started the conversation, as per usual. "So, Garci, how was your stroll to the pier?" He hesitated in his speech, still afflicted by that one moment on the Ferris Wheel. "It.. It was good. Edgeworth and I met a professor by the name of Layton, and we are to attend his archaeology seminar tomorrow." "Archaeology? Garci, I would never have pegged you as a fan of that." "Well, there's a lot of things you don't know or don't need to know about me." "Hm. You know, you seem stressed. I mean, more stressed than usual." "How is that any business of you- Don't answer that. I already know what you're going to say."

One stressful hotel night and an early morning later..

Still in similar dress, Garci was among the audience watching his seminar. His hat most likely stood out among the group. The boy still had Lexus in tow, who offered to sit in his lap for space. Of course, he would have none of this, and instead pulled out a stool for her to sit on. The trip to the university had been as irritating as the weather dictated. The whole time, the poor boy had to hold onto his hat for dear life to keep it on and to ensure that Layton could recognize him.

Regardless of his apparent ambivalence towards archaeology, he seemed to be interested in the artifacts and Pokemon that were being displayed. The objects seem to come from several different areas, as said previously, but even the least astute spectator could determine this. He was curious as to their origin, and even more curious about the Pokemon that the professor had put on display. Most of them, he'd seen before in Hoenn, that Unown, the Natu, and the Lunatone. He knew Luke was of Unova, and that he was seen with Layton yesterday, but was more curious about him than anything else, especially that bizarre ghostly voice with an English accent that could hardly be determined.

Lexus watched intently, as she remained on the stool at Garci's side. She particularly liked the Natu - just look at that beautiful design on her. Her strange coloration also gave the Xatu her attention, causing her to wonder exactly what about the bird was the most mystifying thing.

[Prince Pony Age]

Oh, so Garcian was here! It wasn't hard to spot the stovepipe hat, not at all, and it was nice to have such an identifying sign. While Layton could have recognized him from before if they had been speaking one-to-one, he would not have been able to pick the boy out of the crowd.

Oh, it was almost time ti begin!

Layton looked at the clock; reorganized his note cards that reminded him what direction to take; looked at the clock again; wrote the title of his presentation today, "Cross-Pollination of Culture in Ancient Civilization," on the board; looked at the clock again, waited a moment, and...there.

"Greetings ladies, gentlemen, and students of knowledge in general." Apparently these days there were those who decided they weren't really either gender, and had on at least one occasion complained to him about perpetuating the "gender binary" whatever that was, and... well, he amended his opening statement for that.

"What you're here to see today is, as I've written on the board, a short lecture about cross-pollination of ancient cultures. In laymen's terms, this is how those societies affected each other, just as our different cultures of today do the same. ..." He talked, and drew, and pointed to things for about an hour--he could have done so much more, and in fact it had been a challenge to fit even this amount of information in that hour. He'd have a chance to explain further if anyone wanted when they stopped at his table once the lectures were over, but... Well, this was based on his original research, and while technically still in-progress he could go on about it for--for quite a while, obviously.

He compared his Unown to the tablet with Unown Scrpit on it, pointing out that they were somewhat obviously stylized English alphabet letters, or rather vice-versa as the English alphabet appeared later and--somehow--on an entirely different continent. He later talked about his Xatu and its connections to the pictographs in southern jungle continents. It was not as prominent, but Lunatone (along with Solrock) had also been featured in some ruins in Hoenn at one point; he started tying these together by the fact that they were all Psychic type, and had other good and interesting points that the author can't think of so the reader will jsut have to pretend for now.

The author really is sorry for that.

At the end, Layton re-announced that he and the other lecturers there today would be available in the other room at their tables to speak to. He withdrew his Pokemon aside from Luke, gathered the artifacts into their appropriate cases, and with Luke carried them off-stage. Well, "stage" was relative here.

He took the next several minutes to set up some of the artifacts at his table, as well as put the platelet that read his name on the corner. There were other professors, teachers, and even an amateur enthusiast, at their own tables. People--generally students required to attend for some reason or other, but a few others simply interested in knowledge--milled about at this or that table, and soon enough Layton was talking to people also. None of the tables was busy or crowded, really, and Layton's was no exception.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci watched the whole time, thinking through every point of the seminar. For a moment, he realized all three of these Pokemon were indeed of the Psychic typing. The association of southern jungles to ruins almost proved to be too obvious. Oddly enough, the archaeology seminar proved to show some points he hadn't thought through before. Psychic Pokemon and ruins, a correlation that he hadn't quite seen before. Other good and interesting points had of course been brought up, and he found them both good and interesting.

The puppeteer takes some of the blame to try and lift any feelings of the author being sorry.

Lexus and Garci, after his display, left to the room with all of the display tables. Looking through a few interesting entries at first, they finally managed to make it to Professor Layton's. "Garci, give me a boost, would you?" He looked down at her, and realizing that he is now in front of his new acquaintance, said nothing, picking up the Larvesta. They both looked over the trinkets and objects of artifacts with interest, while Garci started to speak. "Hello again, Professor. This is my Larvesta, Lexus." She nodded at the Professor, saying "Yes, greetings, Professor Layton. My trainer told me about you." "Yes, yes. You know, I at first thought there was nothing for me in the field of archaeology, but your ideas on both psychic Pokemon and their connection to ruins opened something up to me."

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton was saying goodbye to another student, one he'd had a year or so before, actually--who was leaving as Garci walked up. "Ah, Garcian! Good to see you." He paused as the young man and his Pokemon said their greetings. "And hello to you as well, Lexus!"

In Layton's and Garci's and, presumably, Lexus' heads came a very recognizable voice. 'Well 'allo from me also!' As a clue for the source of the noise, a thump and then a scuffling came from somewhere behind the table. Luke then appeared from behind some boxes. 'That wan't nothin' important, 'Fessah, jsut me stubbin' my toe. But roight! I 'eard you're Lexus? Oi'm Luke, 'Fessah Layton's number one apprentice!'

He sure did love to introduce himself as that. As usual, he held up one finger while he said that last bit.

"Quieter, please, Luke. Garcian--indeed, Psychics of all types seem to be linked to several ruins across the world. How each is connected, though, seems to vary. Like--were you aware that Unown can hibernate in the writing that resembles their letter on the stone walls? Only certain types of stone though. It's--quite fascinating, if you ask me."

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Lexus chuckled upon hearing Luke scuttle about behind the table, as well as that silly voice of his. "Hello, Luke, Professor Layton's number one apprentice. It's good to see another Pokemon that by some means can speak human, even if it is through a sort of telepathy." Garci looked down at the Golett. Those silly antics and that silly voice of his, clearly, he believed, must mean that Professor Layton has only one apprentice. The poor man.

"I am aware that Unown do have their own ruins, and they seem to be in several places around the world, but not how they hibernate. I can claim to have gone to many places, but I hear that the Ruins of Alph has a lot of the writing that you have mentioned." He decided that now would be a good time to talk about one of the Professor's Pokemon that happened to be on display. "You know, I hail from Hoenn, myself. There is one thing I'd like to point out."

He managed to sneak one arm free while still holding onto Lexus, pointing his finger up to say something. "I have seen Meteor Falls, and I have seen both Lunatone and Solrock. Mysterious Pokemon indeed, but if there is anything I could assume, they may very well not even be of this world. In fact, Meteor Falls is probably appropriate. Still, it's very interesting, to research exactly what makes them, er-herm, tick, as some would say."