Chapter Eleven: Dancing Under The Stars
After several pots of tea, the three of us finally conjured up a plan to find Bruno. Looking into Luke's research, we found that a few bystanders had witnessed Bruno coming to and fro a small alleyway, within the next village over from St. Mystere. Luke was going to take a night watch over the village, keeping a surveillance over Bruno, seeing what he's up to. When Bruno goes into the alleyway, Luke was to contact the Professor, and then we would go.
"Do you think the plan is plausable, Professor?" asked Luke, putting down what must have been his fifth cup of tea.
"Indeed I do, my boy," replied the Professor, "Until we are sure that Bruno is in one place, we cannot ask about Flora's kidnapping. Victoria, do you have any queries about it?"
"Hmm," I mused, "Not that I can think of, Professor. It seems like a very decent plan. Although..."
I turned my attention to Luke.
"...are you sure you'll be okay? You know, on your own, at night..."
"Of course!" Luke replied, with great enthusiasum, "I'm an apprentice of the great Professor Layton! I'm prepared for anything!"
"Very well," the Professor said, "Well, the sun has set now, are you okay to go now?"
"Sure thing, Professor!" replied Luke.
He stood up from the sofa, and began to make his way to the door. Just before he opened the door, he turned to us.
"Professor, Victoria, have a nice night," he said, then made his way out the door. For a few moments, an awkard silence hovered around me and the Professor. We tried to avoid looking at each other, but miserably failed. It was me who decided to break the silence.
"So, what now, Professor?"
"Well, wait for Luke's call I suppose," he replied. He then came at sat next to me on the sofa.
"Would you like to do anything?" He asked me, smiling,"Just to pass the time, I'm sure Luke won't be calling for quite some time."
I smiled.
Oh yes, you and Professor could do a great deal with some 'alone time' haha!
I shook my head.
Shut up, conscience!
Then I remembered something.
"Can we go and see your observatory?" I asked, "I'd really like that."
"Of course, my dear," the Professor agreed, "It is a lovely night tonight, I'm sure it's perfect for viewing."
He then lightly grasped onto my wrist, then led me upstairs. We approached the door to the observatory, and the Professor unlocked it, and we went inside. There wasn't much in the room; just a window that stretched the length of a whole wall, a telescope, and a gramophone. The walls were painted a dark blue, with small white stars scattered around. I walked over to the window, leaning my hands and face upon it, sucking in the view. I sensed the Professor next to me. The sky was as black as ebony, the moon was full and bright, and all the constellations were visable to me.
"Wow..." I managed to form, "Professor, it's beautiful!"
"Yes, it certainly it," he agreed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the Professor wasn't looking at the view when he said it. I felt my cheeks becoming warm again.
"Professor," I began, "Why do you have a gramophone in here?"
"Why, a gentleman must have some music to enchant his ears whilst he gazes at the stars," he answered, flashing me with one of his dazzling smiles.
"Do you mind if I..."
"Of course not, my dear, go right ahead."
I walked over to gramophone, and began to browse through some of the records. It was mostly classical, yet I recognised most of them. Mozart, Vivaldi, Grieg. Then I found some Beethoven, and found a composition that I knew, and liked quite a lot. I removed the record from it's sleeve and placed it upon the gramophone. I moved the needle onto it, and it began to play. I began to sway slighty.
"Ah, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata," the Professor exclaimed, "An excellent choice, Miss Belladonna."
I did a small twirl before returning to the Professor's side.
"I'm sorry, Professor.." I began, "It's just the wonderful view, and this beautiful song, it just makes me want to dance."
Dance? Pfft, I'd like to see that.
The Professor chuckled, then extended his arm out to me.
"Then dance we shall," he stated.
I stood dumbfounded, completely in awe at the Professor. At last, I grabbed onto his hand, and he pulled me into him. My arm was around his neck, and his around my waist. So then we danced, slowly and calmly around the room. At first, my eyes were tightly shut, and my head was leant against the Professor's shoulder. But as the song progessed, I began to lift up my head, and my eyes soon found his. He twirled me around several times, each time pulling me in a little closer. I was happy, and I could tell that he was happy too, the small smile on his face proving it. As the song finished, we came to a halt, and continued to hold each other.
"Victoria.." he whispered, then leaned his head towards mine. My eyes widened, and my mouthed dropped slightly. Our lips brushed, but the Professor pulled away quickly. A small wave of disappointment hit me.
"Professor?" I whispered back.
"Victoria," he explained, "I have confession I want to make..."