[001]

[luke_triton]

[The best way to figure out the ups and downs of a puzzling situation is to explore! Right? Luke thinks so, and he's wandering up and down the streets of Luministi Greens East to get an idea of the lay of the land, so to speak, in his new neighborhood. It's weird to think about so he's trying not to; walking felt more familiar, prompting him to leave his bicycle at home.

"Home", rather.

After a while of sorting things out (the layout is nothing complicated, but he wants to sit down with a map anyway and start getting things all noted down in his notebook) he starts fiddling with the CAT again. The video function is pretty useful!]

The food they left out for us was sort of disappointing, wasn't it? I've got something less unimpressive, if anyone wants to hear a puzzle.

Comments

[fortune_sought]

[a frazzled-looking young woman with reddish hair activates her CAT. she's still dressed in only a bedsheet, too busy taking stock of the situation to solve that problem]

Excuse me, did you say they've given you a puzzle?

[there's a note in her tone that implies that a puzzle from the people keeping them here is nothing to sound so cheerful about]

[luke_triton]

Oh, no, nobody's given me a new one. Professor Layton and I solve lots of puzzles all the time, and I thought there might be...someone who'd...care to hear one.

[And Luke slows down at the end, realizing at last how silly his enthusiasm might have sounded to strangers.

Also realizing he's talking to a lady in a sheet. And averting his eyes.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie is genuinely surprised by that response] Oh...I see. [she really doesn't, but nevermind. at least it's not one of Luministi's brand of puzzles]

[she frowns when he starts to trail off, though. looking at his expression, she can't immediately work out what's wrong. and then, quite suddenly, she remembers]

Oh! [she reaches out to fiddle with the CAT until she remembers how to make it zoom in and sets it to show a close perspective of her face] Is that better? I'm afraid I was a cat until a moment ago.

[and there are much more pressing things to do in this town than figure out if her dresses are still in her wardrobe, obviously. but she does sound a touch embarrassed now that she realises she's embarrassed a kid]

[luke_triton]

Uh, yes, sort of. [Not really you're still a woman in a towel. Just hiding the woman-in-towel part from view.]

...You were a cat?

[fortune_sought]

[off-handedly] Yes, I was under a spell.

Have you just arrived in town? I've been here twice before, but... [sourly] I must say, I wasn't expecting to come back!

[luke_triton]

Yes ma'am, I've never been here before. ...Since you have, does that mean you know what we're supposed to do?

[fortune_sought]

[she sighs, scowling] Well, I do know what we've done before, but I have a feeling it will be different again this time. [despite her mood, she doesn't want to scare him. so she adds, determined:] But I'm certain we'll work it out.

[curious] How much of the town have you seen so far?

[luke_triton]

Right now I'm looking around the neighborhood I'm supposed to live in. I think. It looks like...well, like just a few streets with mostly empty houses.

[fortune_sought]

Yes... Well, if they're empty, that's one good sign, at least.

The Mayor's House is in the center of town. When we've left before, it's been through there. I'm going to see if we can't get back out the same way. Would you like to meet me there?

[luke_triton]

Really? Sure! ...A-Ah, um...you'll want a moment to...change clothes...

[fortune_sought]

Oh! [she actually looks a bit embarrassed now, as she almost forgot in her eagerness to solve this] Yes, of course! I'll see you there shortly.

[and she reaches up to turn off the CAT--and then realises she's been forgetting something else as well] I'm sorry, but what was your name? I'm Sophie Hatter.

[luke_triton]

My name's Luke Triton. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hatter.

[fortune_sought]

And you, Luke. I'll see you at the Mayor's House in a few moments.

[she shuts the CAT off. and, true to her word, she makes her way to the Mayor's House a few moments later. she's now wearing a blue dress, though her hair is still as much of a mess as before. clearly she's far more concerned about solving this than about minding how she looks. on the bright side, the walk to the Mayor's House has given her a chance to get used to balancing without a tail]

Luke? Are you here?

[luke_triton]

[He's a bit late. Coming by bicycle should be easier than this but he is rather out of practice. He makes it though! One hand holding onto his hat, and the other one maneuvering to a shaky stop.]

Um...are you Miss Hatter?

[fortune_sought]

[she gives him a curious look. didn't he see her over the CAT?] Yes, of course, Luke. [she gestures at the expansive building] Are you ready to go inside? [assuming they can do, anyway]

[luke_triton]

[She was in a towel. He didn't catch a lot of the details. A gentleman will always make sure he's with the proper person at a meeting place.

One hand tightens around the strap of his bag and he nods.]

I'm ready.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie nods] Follow me. [and she steps up to the front door, reaching up--and finding that it opens without a single protest. she glances suspiciously from the door to Luke before she shrugs and goes inside the lavish mansion]

[luke_triton]

[Hey! He didn't do it, that door is all suspicious on its own.

With a silent swallow he follows her in to look around. ...And everything just looks ordinary. Or, well, as ordinary as a mansion is ever allowed to look.]

You've been here before. Does anything look weird?

[fortune_sought]

No. [Sophie shakes her head, her expression disturbed] Really, the strangest part is that it's let us in at all!

[she continues into the building, glancing around as she goes but walking with purpose] The way out is through what's called a space station. It's not terribly far.

[luke_triton]

Let us in? I just thought he didn't lock his door.

I know what a space station is...isn't there a man trapped inside?

[fortune_sought]

What? Goodness no, it's not that simple! Sometimes they use a sort of misdirection, making it impossible to even walk toward the Mayor's House. And it's the same if you try to leave the town. Have you tried it?

[Sophie nods] Yes, Mr Ichijou is there. But the way to properly leave the town is also in the space station, so that's where we need to go.