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

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?

[reminded]

[Right, no journal...]

Hm. That could be a problem. If you can get a hold of a winged resident with a journal, then it shouldn't be an issue. Otherwise, you would need to find me at the school or my flat.

[thebluepawn]

Do you communicate with journals? ... I'd ask how that works, but that might take a while, so I'll run with it.

Where do you live, if you don't mind telling me that?

[reminded]

[Hmmm... Layton looks at Phoenix thoughtfully for a moment, and then a smile grows on his face ohhh so slowly.]

I live on the fourth or fifth floor of a certain building. The walk to school is a rather long one, but when I'm running later than usual, I can still make it on time without running at all. It's a lucky thing, too, because on those mornings, I always find myself horsing around.

As for the room number? 23.

[thebluepawn]

--Huh?

T-that doesn't really help. I know it's a little suspicious asking you to tell me where you live, but...!

[reminded]

Oh? But I've already told you everything you need to know in order to pinpoint my flat. Get to know the village a little better, Mr. Wright. By the time you've found your evidence, you should be familiar enough to decipher my puzzle.

[thebluepawn]

This isn't the time for puzzles, Professor Layton!

[reminded]

You don't think you'll be able to solve it?

[thebluepawn]

It's not that! I'm sure if I took some time... I'll find something... but.

[But this isn't the time for it, geez!]

[reminded]

Then there should be no problem. [This puzzle is worth 10 picarats at most. He has faith in you, Mr. Wright!]

I'm sure you'll find other worthwhile endeavors in the meantime. Some of your acquaintances might be wandering about, or you can grab a bite to eat if you're hungry.

[thebluepawn]

[Why can't you just be straightforward? It's not like you're a witness.]

My acquaintances... oh!

Do you know if there's a girl in strange clothes around here?

[reminded]

Just one? You'll have to be more specific than that, my good man.

[And "strange" is such a subjective word nowadays.]