No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

[reminded]

[It's about time to give this device a go. In neat, legible writing is simply the following:]

5 + 5 + 5 = 550

It appears I have my arithmetic out of sorts. However, it would be a shame to scrap the equation entirely. Can you help me correct it by adding a single straight line?

Comments

[hisapprentice]

I've got an umbrella!

[It is too late Layton. He's got the book in his bag and he did, happily, remember to grab the umbrella and before either Maiza or Czes can say a word to him he is out the door.

Without a coat on, but. Details.

One library, coming up.]

[action]

[reminded]

...

[And before Layton can tell him to wait, Luke is gone. He can't say this was entirely unexpected, though.

He shuts his journal, acquires some thick towels, and makes his way to the library entrance. If he isn't in plain sight when Luke arrives, he expects the boy will tread water all over the library in search.]

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[Today, Luke learned that a sprint through icy rain does not leave you any less went and cold just because you've upped your speed.

The door to the library would bang open if it were any other building, one that didn't require peace and quiet as part of its existence. Luke drops his umbrella there in the entry and looks around, mostly dripping.

Then all that stuff about quiet is forgotten completely.]

Professor! [Too busy rushing him in the biggest hug attempt he's ever...attempted.]

[reminded]

Luke--!

[There is no puzzle that would help him avoid this. Layton struggles to hang on to the towels with one hand and secures his top hat with the other as Luke barrels into him and gets his clothes very, very wet.]

[hisapprentice]

[In the process his hat even fell off. He really doesn't care right now.]

[reminded]

[Oh, well. He softens.]

Hello, Luke. I confess I didn't expect to see you again so soon.

[hisapprentice]

Neither did- wait. You knew I left?

[He does not remove his arms from around his beloved Professor but he does look up curiously.]

[reminded]

[His hat has stopped wobbling, but he keeps a hand on it anyway as he looks down at Luke and ponders the wording of his question. R Sage's guide warned him of this eventuality, at least.]

Left to come here? No, I hadn't a clue that you were missing. Tell me, when was the last time you saw me?

[hisapprentice]

Almost a year ago now. [Trepidation creeps into his happiness and he lets Layton go, still oblivious to the damage he did to their clothes.] How long has it been since you saw me?

["I'm gone already, aren't I?"]

[reminded]

[That is rather longer than he was expecting... He unfolds a towel and hands it to Luke.]

A little under a week now. At the harbor, in fact. Does that ring any bells?

[hisapprentice]

The harbor...?

[Luke takes the towel and does nothing productive with it, thinking instead of boats and suitcases and things that have not happened yet.]

But I didn't leave yet when I left.

[reminded]

[He's sorry to remind Luke of this, especially when he knows how much it will pain the boy, but it was a necessary detail.]

I see. That places me in your near future.

[He takes note of Luke's inaction and gives him a small smile.]

Perhaps we should view this as a blessing. Our time together shall be that much longer.

[hisapprentice]

[He finally seems to become aware of the towel and his own shivering, and he pulls it around his shoulders with a frown.]

Yeah, that's true. [Having Layton's reassurance solves a lot of problems.]

[reminded]

[It will be warmer away from the entrance, so Layton turns to lead them further in.]

Well then, it seems I have a year's worth of catching up to do. Have you been taking care of yourself, Luke?

[hisapprentice]

[He picks up his hat from the floor quickly before following alongside Layton.]

Of course! It's not always as easy as it was in London, a lot more strange things happen here. [If you can believe that.]

[reminded]

The notorious Shifts, I gather? I'm quite curious to experience one of these myself.

[hisapprentice]

I really don't think you want to. [Shiver. Is there a chair he can sit on without ruining?] Some of the things that happen are scary.

[reminded]

[Probably not, but Layton has a couple more towels on hand if Luke needs them.]

I do recall that some of them sounded particularly unpleasant. A falling moon, altered memories, fabricated realities... Things that are better found in novels than reality.

[Still, he wants to witness it with his own eyes.]

[hisapprentice]

[Luke doesn't want anything bad happening to him! He finds a chair he can take the cushion off of and slides into it, hunkering down a little with the towel around him.]

This is different, though. Most of the problems can't be fixed with puzzles.

[reminded]

Hm. It is true that this is a unique situation even among our past experiences. [Their physiology has never been so personally affected, for one thing.]

As for the puzzles, it would be best if we viewed them less as tools to be wielded and more like pathways to an answer. I don't think they've failed us just yet.

[hisapprentice]

I really hope not. [But you don't know what it's like, Professor. Thinking of something else, Luke brightens, leaning forward over a reading table.]

Now I can finally show them who I'm talking about when I tell them I'm your apprentice! [Please please please don't say he lost the title at the harbor on a day that he wished would never come.] Would you believe some people laughed at the idea of learning how to be a gentleman?

[reminded]

[He was demoted to flunky. Layton takes off his damp coat and drapes it on the back of a chair before sitting down as well.]

Ha ha. I trust you responded in good humor.

[Most people don't think gentlemen warrant apprenticeships, so he isn't terribly surprised.]

[hisapprentice]

Usually I just tell them it's true.

[Most people don't think you can be a puzzle enthusiast either, for whatever reason.]

[reminded]

[It's okay, they are just wretched, ignorant souls.]

As you know, a gentleman is not always understood, but he is always courteous. Try not to let it bother you.

[Now that they're settled, he inspects Luke by tapping him with his stylus and better notes his condition.]

How far did travel to get here, my boy?

[hisapprentice]

Not too far. [How great it feels to hear the professor calling him 'my boy' again. Luke pulls a damp book out of his soaking-wet bag and opens it up, pulling out a folded-up map. Also damp.]

Here, this building is the library, and this other one here is where I've been staying. It looks far if you take the road, but I went through the trees right here. [He taps a spot between buildings.] It was a lot faster that way but I don't think it kept me very dry.