Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise.

Chapter 2 Perplections

It didn't take them long to arrive at their destination. Emmy had been secretive about their little expedition, wishing to surprise her former boss. She ascended the final part of the ladder they had been climbing and moved closer to the entrance on top. She looked back to see if the professor was still following her. To her delight, she could see his top hat poke its way to the top, quickly followed by the rest of his body. She took the opportunity to give him a look down. Besides his afamed top hat and signature green shoes, he looked different than she remembered. The getup she was used to was replaced with a set of dark blue trousers, a white blouse with sleeves rolled back to his elbows and a set of matching dark blue bretels. She had to admit, he looked quite handsome.

She turned back around and entered the little hut she had been using as a home during her stay in Nemhat. She welcomed the professor inside, who was curiously looking around. Once completely inside, a cosy looking room displayed little to no furniture. Emmy had not thought about decorating her little home, since she saw no use for other than the necessities. Next to a small table on the right side of the room, you could see a bed roll neatly rolled up against the wall. On the other side stood a cupboard with different items like clothes, water and food. In the middle of the room a small fire pit smoldered from the remainder of the fire that had been there before. Above the fire, a small kettle dangled from the ceiling by a metal string. She had no kitchen because she felt it was unnecessary, but she wouldn't start her day without a cup of tea. At the end of the room were two doors. One of the doors led to her bathroom with a small tub, which had to be heated with actual fire and a bucket to relieve herself in. It wasn't the most luxurious way of living, she had to admit, but it had been home for some time now.

The other one was the one she needed though. She opened it and beckoned the professor to follow. The door led to a small balcony outside with a beautiful view one could only dream of. Because of the positioning on the mountain, you could enjoy both the view of the city and the view of the spectacular nature surrounding the area. If you looked down, you could see the town lit up, with people frolicking about, enjoying their evening. If you looked up, you could enjoy the mountain range and a beautiful view of the stars. Emmy had loved looking up ever since she arrived here. It had been such a colossal difference with the London night sky and she swore she would never grow tired of it.

She leaned on the balustrade and sighed contentedly. The professor joined her soon after and peered out over the town. She wondered what kind of expression he was displaying and looked to her side. She had to hold back her laughter when she saw an almost child-like expression on his features. His eyes sparkled. She could have sworn if it wasn't just from the lights down below, he was actually creating some sparkles of his own. A small blush formed on his cheeks when he looked up at the sky. The very same sky that continued to take Emmy's breath away. Emmy couldn't help but stare at her former boss. He just seemed so...innocent. The urge to put her head on his shoulder grew, but she knew she couldn't allow herself to do something as intimate as that.

''It's pretty great huh.''

The professor sighed before answering ''It is magnificent my dear. I knew Nemhat had some beautiful archeological sites but I didn't expect to see anything like this.''

He turned his head back to his long lost assistant and smiled.

''Thank you...for showing me.''

Emmy looked down at her hands and hummed a soft you're welcome. A comfortable silence set upon them, both enjoying the view and each other's company. It might not have been part of Emmy's plans, but she was happy she found him and he had found her. The professor on the other side, grew curious.

''Emmy, If I may be so bold, what are you doing here my dear?''

She waited for a moment to think and formulate her answer.

''I'm...here to investigate the curse that has been plaguing the town actually. I'm sure that's also the reason why you're here.'' She said with a small smile.

''Yes I am. Princess Farah sent me a letter indicating they have been dealing with this curse for a couple of months now. Although, I have yet to be informed of the contents of the curse.''

''Princess Farah...? Really?''

''Yes. Have you talked to her about this situation?'' The professor asked.

''No...I've been investigating this case on my own so far. Although I would love to get a chance to talk to her, since she has been a major player in this whole happening. When are you going to meet the princess?''

''She asked to meet with us tomorrow afternoon.''

Emmy pondered for a moment. This could just be perfect.

''I would actually like to ask your help on the matter, professor.''

The professor's heart made a small leap. He had the opportunity to work together with Emmy again. The mere thought alone made him happier than he expected.

''I think it would be wonderful to work on this case together, Emmy. Just like old times. I'm sure Luke will be delighted as well.''

Emmy turned her gaze back to town and smiled reminiscently.

''I can't wait to see that little squirt.''

The professor chuckled deeply.

''You'll see that he's not so small anymore.''

Emmy was genuinely excited to see Luke again after all this time. She wondered how he had changed. She wondered if her feelings surrounding him had changed since the last time she saw him. Just like she had wondered with the professor...

''Emmy, would you be able to tell me about this curse?'' The professor asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Emmy nodded and started recalling the events of the previous few months. It had all started with several statues going missing. The statues had been found days later on the town square with strange notes and hieroglyphs clattered on their faces. Emmy noted how the statues seemed to have in common that they shared a likelihood from the egyptian god Thoth*, the god of wisdom, judgment and the dead. From what she understood from the locals, the people worshipped Thoth more than any other Egyptian god. Another legend that roamed the streets was that of the ancient cave near the city. The cave was closed however, Emmy noted, and was rumored to never have been opened since the people believed it to be a bad idea. The legend entailed that the god himself resided inside the structure and that he wanted some peace and quiet.

The notes and Hieroglyphs depicted on the statues told of a curse that would doom the people of Nemhat. Over the course of the next few weeks, different random events made the people believe the curse was actually real. It started with small items going missing, animals seemingly disappearing and pieces of furniture randomly breaking. After a while, the cases became more dire. Actual people started to go missing, only for them to show up days later without any memory of their time away. Some richer folk claimed their prized golden possessions suddenly rotted away and finally, in the last week or so, swarms of locusts started appearing in different places around the city. The locusts were believed to be an omen of death by the locals, making many afraid to even step outside their houses.

Emmy sighed deeply after she finished telling him all she knew about the happenings around town. She also mentioned how many believed the princess was responsible for the curse. They say she shouldn't have meddled with the cave nearby and that she called upon Thot's wrath. She had apparently tried to open the door to the cave. The professor listened intently to his new partner in the case. He was happy to have such an informed person around, since the princess hadn't told them in the letter what the curse was actually about. He figured it was probably because she felt some sense of guilt, since the people were blaming her. Now they just had to figure out how to continue.

''Thank you Emmy. This helps a lot. Why don't you join us tomorrow on our visit to the princess? I'm sure she will appreciate your help as well.''

''Sounds like a plan.'' Emmy smiled.

They said their goodbyes and goodnights to one another with the promise of meeting up somewhere tomorrow afternoon, before their audience with the princess.

The professor walked back to the hotel and thought about all the new information that had been provided. There were many things that still puzzled him, but that was only natural since he had only just arrived. The puzzle named Emmy, who still hadn't truly given him a valid reason for her lack of reaction on the market. The curse which plagued the town seemed to have some serious consequences. The princess was still a mystery as well. Why had she tried to open the cave, when the legend stated it shouldn't be opened. He was sure he was going to need to do a lot more investigating to figure them all out. He looked at his surroundings and found himself to have returned to the marketplace where he and Luke had separated earlier. The taxi driver that dropped them off was kind enough to give them directions to the hotel. The directions, however, were a puzzle on their own.

He thought for a moment to figure out the strange pattern which the man had explained to route in, when the answer suddenly hit him. The folk that were still out and about gave the professor strange looks when he pointed at a building nearby with a big smile on his face. He cleared his throat in embarrassment and quickly walked inside the hotel. He was greeted by a kind doormen who escorted him towards his room, where Luke had been able to get everything settled by the time the professor returned.

''Took you long enough.'' He said teasingly when his mentor entered the room. ''So, what did you find?''

The professor sat down on the sofa across one of the small beds with a sigh.

''You were right about the initials, my boy. They indeed belonged to Emmy.''

''Wait, so does that mean you found her?'' He asked shocked.

He could not believe his ears. Emmy Altava, the woman that he had looked up to until years ago, had shown up out of nowhere. The only reason he didn't look up to her anymore was because 1. She left and 2. He was probably just as tall, or almost as tall as she was by now. He had missed her more than he realised. He had a similar dynamic with Flora, but had always felt a need to protect Flora, whereas Emmy never needed his protection. It was usually the other way around.

''I did. She is also investigating the curse of Nemhat and asked for our coöperation. What do you think Luke? Would you like to see her again? I can imagine you might feel some reluctance as to work with her again.''

The professor was concerned for the boy. After she had left, Luke barely spoke of her in the beginning. After a few weeks he started to admit how much he missed her and told the professor how he couldn't understand why she left in the first place. They had both forgiven her, so what was her reasoning truly? The professor wasn't sure himself. He always regretted not asking more when she left.

Luke had moved to the window in their room and peeked outside through the curtains with a soft smile.

''I would love to see Emmy again. It's been so long. I wonder if she's still the same.''

The professor felt a sense of relief wash over him. The boy meant a lot to him and he wouldn't want to force him to work together with her, if he didn't want to.

''She will be joining us tomorrow for our audience with the princess. Now let me tell you about the curse.''

Luke looked back at his mentor with raised eyebrows.

''Emmy told me what had happened in the last few months. She has been here for a while.''

''That's great! She will be of tremendous help.'' Luke said happily and joined the professor on the bed opposite of him.

The professor retold every bit of the story Emmy told him and was glad to see the sparkle of interest reignite into his still young apprentice's eyes. Luke had been the one to read him the letter and had insisted on leaving to Egypt right away. The professor had protested at first, noting Luke had exams coming up soon, but the boy promised him they would be back before the exams and that he would study every day. The professor was even allowed to quiz him whenever he felt like the boy was slacking off.

After another fierce discussion about Luke having to spend the following morning studying, the two men decided it was best for them to sleep for now. The professor had trouble finding a comfortable position in the new and rather small bed, but fell asleep soon since he had been tired from the journey. He dreamed of finding treasure and exploring dungeons with his two trusty companions by his side, unaware of the development happening in the city, not too far from where they slept.

*Thoth is actually a god of many more things but i'd like to keep it a little simpler.

I wanted to update this weekly, but since I have been able to write a lot already, I figured I might as well post the next chapter now. Enjoy!