In the time spent posing as her cousin, Elaine thought it was interesting how Henry Ledore seemingly had two personalities. The first was the one most people saw when first meeting him (Elaine being an exception to this for obvious reasons). Untrusting, a little distant and cold. However in familiar company he seemed happier. For a while, it made Elaine wonder if most people in business were like that.

Henry's office in the Reunion Inn wasn't as decorated or comfortable as his home study, but it was cosy and seemed more practical in regards to the search for Randall. Though currently Henry was just going over papers relating to the hotel while Elaine put the finished papers in the appropriate place in the filing cabinets. The quietness only being disturbed by the ticking clock had a somewhat soothing effect for Elaine.

Ring, ring.

Elaine already put down her load of papers on the nearest surface and went to answer the phone.

"Allô?"

"Is Mr. Ledore there? It's the police. There's been another attack by the Masked Gentleman!"

Elaine inwardly sighed. She wasn't too surprised. The other day Descole had her get Randall to sign something to give permission for the removal of a chariot under the pretence of it being repaired. As such, she anticipated some attack.

"I'll get 'im." Elaine quickly looked to Henry who looked to her expectantly.

"It's the police," Elaine said. "They want to talk to you. It's the Masked Gentleman again." Henry closed his eyes to take a deep breath and stood up and took the phone from Elaine.

"Yes, hello?" Henry listened while Elaine stood by silently. Henry kept a mostly calm look, but his lips dipped into a concerned frown. "… I see. Thank you for calling me." Henry put the phone down and looked to Elaine.

"Well Madeline, it seems the Masked Gentleman has a truly twisted sense of humour. He interrupted tonight's parade and turned several people into stone!"

"Stone?" Elaine frowned. This was certainly unexpected. "That's 'orrible! Are the police still there?"

"Indeed." Henry had a faint scowl on his face as he walked back to his desk. "You can go home now, Madeline. I'll finish up here before I go talk with the police."

"Don't stay up too late."

"I won't." Henry kissed Elaine's cheek before she left. Elaine forced both a tiny smile up and that very familiar guilt down before she left the office. She just repeated a mantra in her mind again and again. 'It'll be over soon. My reasons are justifiable. No one will be physically harmed.' It was one of the few things that kept her going.

Elaine's trip home had no stops, except in the hotel reception when she stepped to the side to let a man around her father's age in a blue coat and carrying a ferret pass through the main doors. But she did take a small detour. She wanted to have a look and see if the stone petrified victims were still out or if the police had taken them to a safer location. If there were even victims. She would just have to try and have a look at the statues themselves and deduce what she could from any evidence there was. Though she wasn't going to hold her hopes up high.

The street were the incident seemed nearly devoid of people. A cheerful balloon float of a clown laid on the ground in a dreary state. Most of the statues were gone though some were still being taken away by police. Elaine observed the ones yet to be taken away, but didn't dare any further. Not wanting to draw attention to herself. But seeing how at least two or three officers were carrying a single statue at a time onto a cart, Elaine could at least confirm they were indeed statues. Just regular ones since she doubted that even with Descole's admitably brilliant mind, that people could turn to stone.

Clicking her tongue, Elaine began to move her feet again. Back in the direction to what she had somewhat reluctantly began to call home for the time she has spent here. Reluctantly since she was technically living there illegally. … Actually, it was illegal if you thought about it. Either way, Elaine made a note to try and pay Madeline the money for the electricity bill and such when she could.

"E-Elaine?!" Startled, Elaine looked behind her and was surprised to see Emmy of all people. The look of surprise on the brunette's face was brief however when she frowned lightly.

"Oh, sorry. I thought you were someone else."

"Elaine?" Elaine guessed in a slightly dry tone. Emmy's face lit up again.

"You know her?"

"She's my cousin. I'm Madeline."

"Oh, I think she actually mentioned you at one point." She folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. "She said there was some similarity between the two of you. I didn't think you would look so similar though." Elaine couldn't suppress her chuckle.

"Oui, it's been mentioned before. Er…" Elaine had been trying to think of something else to say but Emmy misinterpreted her pause.

"Oh, I'm Emmy. Sorry for nearly forgetting to introduce myself."

"It's no trouble." Elaine waved it off. "So what brings you to Monte d'Or if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well, I'm here with someone. We're actually here to see Angela Ledore."

"You're with… Professeur Layton, I'm guessing?" Emmy looked a little taken back.

"Yes, but how did…?"

"I work for 'er 'usband," Elaine replied. "She said she was asking an old friend for 'elp with this Masked Gentleman. Are you lost? Perhaps I could take you to 'er 'ome if you like."

"We were going to ask for directions, but your help would probably be a lot quicker." Emmy admitted. "As soon as we spot the Professor… Oh, there he is. Professor, over here!" Elaine swallowed discretely and looked to her side in the direction Emmy was calling. Surely enough, Professor Layton was here and walking towards them with Luke just behind him. "Professor, this Elaine's cousin, Madeline. She offered to help lead us to Angela's home."

"Bonjour." Elaine said in s light sheepish tone.

"Very nice to meet you, Madeline." said the Professor, politely smiling to Elaine while she nodded back.

"The same in return, though I wish the circumstances were better, Monsieur."

"Yes, quite."

Elaine glanced back to the police before clearing her throat.

"Ahem, I er… Suppose I should lead you to the Ledore esate, oui?"

"That would be most helpful."

During the walk, Elaine was mildly surprised that the Professor hadn't recognised her yet. But she brushed it off to the fact that her cousin had never met the archaeology professor so that might have helped Elaine in one way or another.

"So, as it been long since you've last talked to Mrs. Ledore? If you don't mind me asking." Elaine figured she may as well ask. It wasn't something could ask Angela on the off chance Madeline already knew.

"It's been sometime actually. About eighteen years." Admitted the Professor, sounding slightly embarrassed. Elaine was surprised to hear the amount of time but didn't say it aloud.

"Oh, well… I'm sure she'll be very 'appy to meet you after so long then."

"It would be nice to catch up with her after all this time. I'm actually a little surprised she married Henry. Have you been working for him long?"

"About… A few years." Elaine responded with a light shrug. Giving the safest answer she could when she couldn't remember the exact number of years. Not something to be proud of, but then again she wasn't really too proud of herself at the moment, given her role. Seeing the estate come into view, Elaine stopped and gestured towards the way.

"The house there is where you need to go. Just follow the path and you should find the gate leading into the estate."

"Thank you very much for the assistance, Madeline." The Professor tipped his hat.

"It was no trouble whatsoever." Elaine replied with a light smile. "Good luck with the cases, Monsieur." 'You'll need it.' Elaine muttered in her mind as she turned to leave. Luck would be needed. But knowing that Professor Layton was here gave one of the few comforts to the entire situation for Elaine.


Omake Theatre: Where Layton characters are chibi-fied!


Blurred Puzzles

A Parody of Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines'

Featuring Randall, Professor Layton, Elaine, Descole, Angela, Henry, Anton, Clive as singers with Cameos by Luke, Don Paolo, Flora and an unnamed old guy.

(Professor Layton and Randall are wearing black suits and black shaded glasses. Clive and Anton are a little behind them in the same attire but with white suits)

Randall: Everyone solve da puzzles!

Layton: Woo!

Anton/Clive: Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey.

Randall: Everyone here, solve these puzzles now.

If you ever want to progress, yes.

(Layton is busy with a math based puzzle.)

Layton: Can't seem to solve this one. (Anton/Clive: Puz, puz, puz.)

Hint coins are uselss. (Puz, puz, puz.)

(Layton takes out his phone and goes on the internet.)

Just going to have to use some cheats.

(Randall points to every single boss monster from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game.)

Randall: Okay, now here's a fight,

There's a chance that we may die.

Layton: There's only one answer,

(Layton and Randall hold up sheets of puzzles!)

Take out the puzzles now!

(Footage of Luke struggling to climb back onto a pier.)

Randall: Are you perhaps drowning? (Anton/Clive: Puz, puz, puz.)

(Footage of Don Paolo throwing himself out of the window of his burning house, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist since he was previously having a bath.)

Trapped in a house fire? (Puz, puz, puz.)

(Flora is holding a super powered laser-gun and is facing off against a flying, mutant shark.)

Attacked by a mutant shark? (Puz, puz, puz.)

Layton: And that's why you must solve all these puzzles!

(Layton shoves puzzles towards the camera.)

I know you want it.

I know you want it.

I know you want it.

Randall: Because they're fun!

(Randall is in a surgery room and wearing a surgeon's uniform backwards. There is a desperate looking old man on the table. He is attached to a beeper.)

You need a new heart?

(Old man nods.)

Well that is a shame.

(Old man frowns as Randall shrugs and points to the lock of the heart box.)

It's sixty picarits.

(Old man collapses on the surgery table and the beeper gives a long, final beep while Randall has an innocent confused face.)

Layton: I hate sliders!

Randall: We know you hate it.

Stick to the damn script.

That's not in the lyrics.

(Randall looks like he is trying to flirt with a slightly uncomfortable looking Angela, who is trying to solve a puzzle with limited moves involving seals and circus balls.)

But you're a clever girl!

Only two more moves!

(Angela moves wrong and Randall looks freaked out.)

No do not go there!

(Angela moves wrong and Layton suddenly appears and flips the board over.)

Layton: Now damn you messed up!

(Randall does a dance solo, and looks like he is trying to hump something invisible.)

Randall: Everyone solve da puzzles!

Anyone who thinks that,

Puzzles games can't make you cry.

(Randall points to the Professor.)

Just look at Professor Layton.

(Layton clutches at his heart and drops to his knees.)

Layton: Dear God, the angst, my heart hurts!

(Randall appears in front of a slightly uncomfortable looking Henry.)

Randall: You solve the puzzle.

(Randall gives a flirty smile as he holds his arms out.)

So come on hug me~.

(Randall then frowns.)

What rhymes with hug me? (Elaine: Nothing else rhymed in this song!)

(Randall glares at Elaine off camera but the song goes on.)

(Layton looks down on Raymond.)

Layton: Okay now you were close,

Almost did solve our puzzle.

But you so failed,

(Layton pushes Raymond over and steals his money before running off. Descole appears and helps his butler up while glaring in the direction Layton ran in.)

So we'll just take your money!

(Randall and Layton are dancing disco style.)

Randall: If I did not have Angy,

I would have so fucked Henry. (Henry: What?!)

(Henry pops up and looks at Randall in shock, while Layton looks at Randall curiously.)

Or maybe just Hershy. (Layton: WHAT?!)

(Now Layton stops dancing and looks at Randall in bigger shock. Randall notices the stares and holds his hands up.)

But I am straight so get off my case!

I just love Angela.

And then some puzzles!

Layton: Give me some puzzles.

(Randall drops some puzzles in front of Layton who scavenges through them like a kid on a puzzle equivalent of Christmas.)

Randall: Here's some puzzles.

(Layton looks happy.)

Layton: We got some logic.

(Layton looks less enthusiastic.)

Oh great, and some math.

(Layton looks horrified.)

Dear God, some sliders.

Randall: Puzzles are the answers,

To all life's problems.

Except maybe death.

Okay not all probs.

But they're so cool!

I want to eat them.

(Layton holds a puzzle close to his chest.)

Layton: And hug them all day.

Maybe sleep with them.

(Henry, Angela, Descole and Elaine then walk in.)

Descole: Okay Hershel and Randall,

We're all sick and tired of this puzzle nonsense.

The first one or two days, were fine.

But frankly now it's just gettin' annoying!

So, please just stop with all of this.

Just put it all down and come with us,

To a therapist who will help you both out.

So we can all get back to our lives.

(Angela holds her hands in a pleading motion while Henry nods along.)

Angela: Please Randy, just listen to us.

It used to be fun, but now it ain't.

Henry: *Sung dryly* Master Randall has frankly gone insane,

Along with Hershel, this is true fact.

(Elaine holds up a white pill.)

Elaine: So just, take this pill, and lie down for a rest.

And when you wake, we'll start the first steps to cure both your addictions.

(Randall pushes Layton behind him and holds up a knife made of jigsaw puzzles. Everyone else looks confused and slightly scared.)

Randall: Stand back!

We're fine!

(Randall has shifty eyes.)

We're fine!

We're both okay! We're not on drugs.

We're not even high!

(Randall grabs Layton and they run before anyone can catch them. They then hide in a closet.)

Baby can you breath? I got this from Jamaica.

(Randall holds up marijuana in front of a shocked Layton.)

It always works for me, when I got no hint coins

(Light fills the closet as an annoyed looking Henry and Descole open the door. Anton and Clive and just barely be seen.)

Henry: Okay, no more nice guys! (Anton/Clive: Puz, puz, puz.)

Descole: You're heading to rehab! (Anton/Clive: Puz, puz, puz.)

Here's your beginning.

(Henry and Descole both grab Layton and Randall and begin struggling with them to take their pills. Angela and Elaine stand nearby.)

Henry/Descole: It's all for your own good!

We know you need it.

We know you need it.

We know you need it.

For your own good!

Elaine: Since this has started.

Puzzles are everywhere!

(Descole throws Randall to the ground as Henry holds Layton. He glares down at Randall.)

Descole: Even the damn bathroom!

I need to fuckin' go!

(Descole points to the bathroom door.)

But it's sixty picarits!

So solve it right now!

(Randall shakes his head.)

Before your rehab!

(Randall shakes his head again.)

Or I'll kill you!

(Randall sticks out his tongue.)

Think I am kidding?

(Randall nods again.)

Well I sure am not!

(Descole takes out a gun and points it to a scared Randall.)

Here's a gun right here!

(Descole points the gun at Randall who slowly makes his way to the bathroom door to solve the puzzle.)