No. 00X - The Fourth Wall

[reminded]

[There sure is a lot of excitement this morning. After getting a vague grip on the situation by talking to some of the wingless newcomers, Layton decides to take a stroll around the village, trunk in hand, and observe. Something very unusual is happening, and there's no point in missing it by staying indoors.

Occasionally, he takes a seat on a bench or at a table and scribbles notes into his journal. Or puzzles into his puzzle index. Because no matter how much hubbub there is, you can never stop the puzzles.]

Comments

[thebluepawn]

Oh I see, this is Lucet--

Where is that?

[reminded]

None of us can be sure, but this world isn't like any Earth I know. My apologies, but I suspect you're a very long way from home.

[thebluepawn]

That's what I thought...

But what do you mean, like any "Earth" you know?

[reminded]

What I mean to say is that we may or may not be on Earth at all. That is where you're from, isn't it?

[thebluepawn]

Yes! But... this might not be Earth?

(What is he talking about...?)

[reminded]

I can't say for certain, nor can I fully explain my reasoning without being dismissed as a lunatic, I suspect. You may just have to see for yourself, Mister...?

[thebluepawn]

Ah, I'm sorry! My name is Phoenix Wright.

I'm a lawyer! [Important point right there.]

[reminded]

Mr. Wright, then. Hershel Layton, professor of archaeology.

I'm sorry to say that the law has no bearing here, Mr. Wright. If it did, I imagine you would find a healthy amount of work in the area.

[thebluepawn]

No bearing? But then... what happens if something bad happens around here?

Like if someone stole money, or even a loaf of bread! Is there anyone taking care of that?

[reminded]

I would say our complete lack of currency would address your first point nicely, and the free distribution of goods would address the second. But if things did get out of hand, it's true that there would be no official authority present to apprehend the criminal.

[thebluepawn]

[But that's horrible that's probably even worse than That Classroom Trial so many people will be sad! What the heck!!!]

That's... that's kind of scary, isn't it? But this village is okay with that?

Why are we here, anyway?

what is even happening in that icon

[reminded]

[These are the questions normal people ask. It's nice having someone question the weirdness of Luceti life sometimes, if only to remember that Luceti is weird to begin with.]

Ah, that's where things get more complicated. Very simply: we don't know. We are brought here by an unknown, faceless power, then collected and deposited here in the village by an organization called the Malnosso. They run experiments on us from time to time.

edgeworth needed a profile picture

[thebluepawn]

Experiments?!

... You're kidding, right? Professor!

edgeworth no

[reminded]

I assure you, I'm doing nothing of the sort. Did you not find our wings to be strange? We certainly weren't born with them.

[thebluepawn]

Huh?

What... wings? Of course people wouldn't have wings.

[reminded]

[... Well, that explains that.]

Have a look here, Mr. Wright. [He turns so that Phoenix can see the small white wings coming out of his coat.] I and many others had these attached to us when we first arrived.

[thebluepawn]

[He thinks of the first thing that comes to his mind.]

I though Halloween was already over. Or maybe this is Halloween Town?

[He peers at the wings closely, then turns to Layton again.]

Or are these... actually real?

[reminded]

[Mr. Skellington is thataway, Mr. Wright.]

As entertaining as I find the notion of 300 people unwittingly showing up with the same angel costume on Halloween day, these are no props. Whether by science or by magic, things wings are a part of me.

[He gives his wings a full stretch to demonstrate.]

[thebluepawn]

[He yelps and jumps back from the wings when they move.

They're real for real for real?! Phoenix's hand flies to his chest as if to soothe his startled heart, and he looks most incredulous as he gives Layton the most baffled look he can manage.]

I can't believe this. Did you grow them?!

[reminded]

[Layton can't help but smile. Phoenix makes him feel like a regular magician.]

Your guess is as good as mine. I simply woke up with them. Do you believe me now when I say we are experimented on?

[thebluepawn]

Well... I guess I should.

Actually, wait! You said this was some sort of different place? Maybe we're in some kind of dream world where people normally have wings, so you might not have been experimented on at all!

[There is no point to that line of thought, but the instinct to point out a possibility gets the better of him.]

[reminded]

You're proposing that my wings are only here because a dream dictates they should be? [This is a strangely familiar concept to Layton.]

That's quite the conjecture. But as a lawyer, you must know that the burden of proof falls on you to support it. What do you have to suggest that these wings are the result of a dream rather than a scientist?

[thebluepawn]

Urk--...! [He has a point. Nick deflates, looking around and deciding that if he wants to point out any objections to this man's explanation, he'll have to look around and find things for himself. Asking what else Layton has to say might better, for now.]

... I'll find that later.

[reminded]

[He almost wants to comment on how the process should be the other way around, but what does he know? He's just an archaeologist.]

I hope you'll share if you do. But you know, I can at least agree with the spirit of your hypothesis.

[thebluepawn]

[Anybody knows how to lawyer better than Nick does, to be honest.]

I'll definitely share! But how would I get in touch with you? I don't think... phones exist around here, do they?