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

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

[hisreturn]

[Archaeology broooooo you're here, wanna go exploring together.] Aha! It is you. Well, I feel a bit more relaxed now. [Onto more important matters.] You don't seem that distressed, though. Know where we are?

sccreeaaamssssss.........

[reminded]

[Count on Randall to be perfectly adaptable to all of this. Layton can't help but smile.]

As a matter of fact, I do. I hope you're prepared for a bit of a lecture.

yes, yes let it all out

[hisreturn]

[This is the guy who dragged you down into danger-ridden, deadly ruins. A new planet is no big deal.] As long as there's no test afterward. Come on, Hershel, I'm all ears.

screeaaaaokay i'm good

[reminded]

[Yes, those ruins went so well that bigger obstacles are guaranteed to be similarly trauma-free.]

All right. [You asked for it.] We're in an enclosure called Luceti. We were brought to this world by an unknown influence, but are confined to the area by a group called the Malnosso. Their scientists grafted wings onto our backs with the supposed intent to ensure our survival, and we die if they're removed. For reasons beyond my understanding, those like yourself who arrived today lack them.

The Malnosso conduct experiments on us from time to time. They claim to be equally foreign to this world and solely intent on learning how to return people to their home worlds upon command. As things stand, we are only able to depart by chance; after an unspecified amount of time, we simply disappear without warning.

[Phew.]

are you sure becauseiwanttoapphim

[hisreturn]

[See? He did you a favor with those ruins! But oh man, that is definitely a lot of information. Yet all of it is just as exciting as Randall thought it would be.] A completely new world... now this is an of adventure for us. Those Malnosso folks don't sound too pleasant, however. Anyway of avoiding them? Oh, and about the wings? Hershel, you seem to be the only one with any. [He doesn't have any. Maaaaaan, did he get ripped off?]

o... well then here i go again screeEEAAA

[reminded]

Not that we know of, and anybody who has been here for more than a few days will have wings. I'm afraid they're not as exciting as they sound, however. For one thing, they're incapable of true flight.

[All small and stubby and all.]

HAHAHA sadly, you'll have to wait a couple of months

[hisreturn]

Well, that seems rather pointless. I'd much rather be able to fly than just have little decorations. [Reaaaaaaching out to touch it for science.] Do you think it's possible to somehow make them able to fly?

that is a long time to be screaming :|a

[reminded]

[Okay you can touch them... but only for science. Layton crosses his arms and holds still until Randall is satisfied with his poking around.]

By supplementing them in some way? Hmm. I've never heard of an attempt.

maybe you can just scream when apps roll around

[hisreturn]

[Oh whoa, this shit is cool. Except they don't look very convenient. After a few minutes, he's done. BUT YOU SAID THE MAGIC WORDS, LAYTON.] Then this means we should be the first to try it!

done deal

[reminded]

I somehow knew you would say that. [And yet Layton said those magic words anyway.]

We're hardly young men anymore, Randall. A long fall could do havoc to us.

[The idea does interest him, though...]

sweeeet

[hisreturn]

You do know me best, Hershel. [Hershel, you're talking to the guy who walked on a high wire.] We'll have proper safety measures taken care of! [Maybe.]

[reminded]

[okay yeah that was weirdly death-defying]

I should hope so. Because I notice that we only have one pair of wings between us, which means only one of us is eligible to be tested for this hypothetical experiment.

[hisreturn]

Then let's get started. Maybe after that, I'll find out how to make a pair of wings for myself. [Hold onto your top hat, Hershel, because he's going to try to make you fly. BEST FRIEND, AM I RIGHT.]

[reminded]

[NOT THIS SHITTO AGEN. Best friends do more than just watch from a safe distance while their buddies are getting hounded by puzzle mummies ok]

Hold on now, I don't remember agreeing to anything just yet. We should at least get you settled and acquainted with the village first.

[hisreturn]

[YES, THIS SHIT AGAIN. Hey man, you had those guys under control.] Oh, come on, Hershel! We haven't had an adventure in ages! But I suppose getting settled does take a bit of priority here.

[reminded]

I'm glad you agree. What do you say to a little tour?

[hisreturn]

That sounds like a good plan. Lead the way.

[reminded]

[Layton opens his trunk and deposits his puzzle index into its rightful and tightly hedged spot. What space is freed up by his lack of need for travel necessities is filled instead with puzzles. Pure, unadulterated puzzles.]

We can make the plaza our first stop. It isn't far from here.

[hisreturn]

That's an awful lot of puzzles you have. [Does he sound happy about this? Good, because he is.] I'm guessing it's not like the plaza at Monte d'Or.

[reminded]

Nothing quite so grand, but we manage. [Joking, of course. He shuts his trunk and secures it, then hauls it up so they can get going.]

"Awful" is right. I suppose I have a very persistent friend of mine to thank for that.

[hisreturn]

I don't think many things could be as grand as Monte d'Or. [Hmmm persistent friend.] Is it that boy Luke? From what I've seen, he's not that bad at puzzles. We should all swap puzzles sometime.

[reminded]

Ha, I think he would enjoy that. But no, it isn't him, as fond as he is of puzzles.

[hisreturn]

Well, if you mean me, I'm quite flattered, Hershel. [He's very proud of this accomplishment.]

[reminded]

Only you would take that as a compliment. [He really is the same as ever.]

[hisreturn]

What else would it be taken as? [He laughs at the thought of it being anything else.]