Bok Choy I liek
GoldGriffin: I'm glad you understand :D and thanks for the praise.
Many key characters will be making their appearance here. How many of them will Tom convince to join his side?
Oh, and I finished Professor Layton and the Last Specter! Hooray! *happy dance* But some puzzles were really a pain. A legitimate pain.
Hardest Puzzles to Solve:
The three stupidly difficult sliders (Puzzle 159 Bomb Squad was relatively easy) from Layton's Challenges top the list.
Puzzle 164 Jewel Swap - Sure, it's a typical slider puzzle, except you have practically no space to work with, and every single block must end up in a precise location, not just a few of them. Much harder than it looks!
Puzzle 166 Sliding Pipes - I'm not sure what was so difficult about this one, but it was soooooooo frustrating...eventually got it though!
Puzzle 170 The Greatest Escape - Most Professor Layton games finish with a really difficult sliding puzzle. This one differs in that there are two parts. Two super difficult sliders in one! Isn't that great? (It's not. Trust me.)
Hardest Puzzles to Find:
Puzzle 154 Wire To Wire - It took me over twenty minutes to find this one. I'm not telling you its precise location (that would make it too easy!), but know that it's somewhere you've probably only been once, unless you just like to wander places. The puzzle itself is a piece of cake.
It turns out that I'll be dedicating a lot of chapters to Tom's solo travels. This chapter will focus on Misthallery.
Chapter Five
Fides
"Is there a bus that goes directly to Misthallery?" Tom muttered. "Guess not. I'll take a taxi."
"Do you have money?" a voice asked from his earpiece.
"I have enough, I think. By the way, Claire, I probably won't make it back to the hotel tonight. I'm planning to go to Misthallery, and then I need to track down one of the Professor's former assistants. If I manage that I'll need to contact Scotland Yard. Talk to some prisoners. Hopefully I'll return tomorrow. Probably not."
"Alright. Does that mean I'll get to wake up late for a change?"
"Technically, I suppose. Once the search begins I doubt we'll get very much sleep anyway. Sure, go ahead."
"Hooray!" Claire yelled.
"Augh! Bloody hell! My ear! Don't be so loud!"
That was when Tom became aware of everyone around him staring at him as if he were insane.
"What's the problem?"
One timid man asked, "Um...who were you talking to...?"
"Ah, yes. I suffer from what the doctors call 'split personality disorder.' Quite aggravating, isn't it? Quite. I'm sorry. Disturbances like this tend to happen. Apologies."
"Oh. Well, it's alright, it just seemed a little weird, that's all."
"Thank you for being so understanding." Whew. Close save.
"You are a professional liar," Claire said (in a much quieter voice).
"Lying is an extraordinarily useful tool. One which will end up saving your life many, many times."
"Really?"
"You have no idea."
"So this is Misthallery," Tom mused, as he stepped out of the taxi. "I know a thing or two about the locals here, thanks to the Professor. Hopefully, I'll gain their trust this way."
As he walked across the bridge to town, he noticed banners flying in the air and a multitude of tents and stalls.
"Is there a a cause for celebration?" he asked a local.
"Don't you know? ...oh, yeah, you probably don't. You don't look like you come from here. Why are you here, anyway?"
"I'm visiting a friend."
"Oh. Well, you see, our old mayor, Clark Triton, he's come back. He moved to the US some months ago, but he's decided to move back here to Misthallery. So we're celebrating his return."
"Ah. Thank you, Miss...?"
"Mimi. Call me Mimi." The woman smiled. "And you are?"
"Tom."
"Well, Tom, why don't you join us in our festivities later? The party is sure to be quite amazing."
"That will be wonderful. Thank you."
As Mimi left, he whispered to Claire, "Actually, I think I'll be lucky if I return within three days."
Tom decided that he would meet with the Black Ravens first. Originally, he had decided on passing off as Professor Layton's friend, but something told him that his plan would not work. The Black Ravens were a clever lot; simply mentioning the Professor would not gain their support. No, he needed to earn their trust the right way. The same way the Professor himself did.
To the market he went.
"These bridges are sturdier than they look," Tom murmured, as he walked across one of Misthallery's famously rickety rope bridges.
The Misthallery market was, to Tom, quite an interesting place. Even while on the bridge, he could hear the shrill voice of an elderly woman:
"I only sell my candy to CHILDREN! No exceptions! Not ungrateful adults! Begone!"
Ungrateful adult? Is she looking in a mirror? Tom snickered at his joke.
Avoiding eye contact with the candy seller, he strolled right into the main marketplace.
I guess even the Black Ravens are preparing for the celebration. The kids seem to just be hanging around and not doing much.
"Hey, sir!" Tom turned to see a girl with a headband of sorts. "Would you like some fresh fruits and vegetables?"
"Ah. Yes, I'd like some tomatoes, please." One principle Tom learned was that people tended to open up more to him when he seemed to be genuinely interested in what they were buying or selling. "I was also wondering where the black market was."
The produce seller stated that she did not know.
Instead of venturing into the central part of the market to ask more people, Tom continued to stand at the produce...stand.
Eventually, the girl asked, "Why are you still here?"
"I'm waiting for you to tell me where the black market is."
"I already told you, I don't know!"
"Tsk. I'm expert at reading body language. When I asked you about its location a few minutes ago, you visibly tensed. There is something you are not telling me, and I would like to know what it is. By the way, miss, what is your name?"
"Marilyn. And as for the location of the black market...I suppose you should ask Tweeds. He's over there somewhere."
Tom briefly considered requesting more information, but decided against it. "Thank you."
"No problem sir. Do you still want some tomatoes?"
Tom gave her a few coins. "I'm fine. Take this for your trouble. Perhaps I'll buy some later."
As Tom walked towards the center of the market, a boy with messy hair looked down at him from the rooftops, ready to don his disguise and spring into action at any moment.
"Hello. I presume you are Tweeds."
A somewhat chubby child looked up and saw an unfamiliar looking blue-jacketed man looking directly at him.
"Uh...yes, sir. I'm Tweeds. What do you want?"
"I'd like to know where the black market is."
Tweeds was far less practiced at controlling himself compared to Marilyn. "I-I don't know anything about the black market!"
Tom raised an eyebrow. "Really now?"
Tweeds sighed. "Alright. I guess it can't hurt to tell you. Apparently this guy called the Black Raven runs the black market. He wears this creepy outfit, and he sells these really valuable objects. It seems pretty cool, if you ask me! Oh, I think that's my mom calling me, gotta go!"
And with that, Tweeds walked westward, into a shoddy, run down section of town.
Not to be offensive, but Tweeds is terrible at lying. Absolutely terrible.
Oh well. I suppose it can't hurt to play along for just a little while longer. I'm sure the Black Raven will appear any time now.
Sure enough, within five minutes, Tom heard a shrill cackle from above him. Looking up, he saw what appeared to be a part-human, part-raven figure.
The Black Raven jumped down and zipped through Market East, Tom following behind him. As the Raven entered a shop, Tom heard another laugh. Running through an alley was the same ominous figure.
Instead of chasing, however, Tom entered the shop. He saw a boy taking off the Black Raven costume.
"I do hope I'm not interrupting anything. Could I please see your leader? It's quite urgent."
"So what is it you want to talk to us about? You've scared the hell out of Badger already, so I hope it's important." Crow gestured to the quivering boy who escorted Tom to the black market.
"Yeah!" shouted Wren. "That was rude, y'know!"
Nabby continued to grumble about his back pain, arm pain, ear pain, everything pain.
"My apologies. It seems Badger is very shy."
"Yes, he is. Tell me, what do you want from us?"
"I know my story will sound quite fictional at first, but believe me when I say that it is true," Tom began. Here goes...
For the next thirty minutes, Tom explained three things. One, that he was the Time Guardian. Two, that there existed a device, the Oculus, which had the ability to control time. Three, that the Oculus was missing.
"So, simply put, I need your help ensuring that we find it before more...corrupt beings do. I'll give you all some time to consider. Inform me of your decision during the celebration later."
Tom then left.
There was a moment of silence, then Socket asked, "So...do we trust him?"
"Nah!" said Marilyn. "That story of his is like a fairy tale! There's no way it's true!"
"I don't know," replied Louis. "I think he looks like a trustworthy person. Besides, you're just mad he made you give him information that easily."
"Hey! At least I did better than Tweeds!"
"What did I do now?"
"You outright failed at protecting the black market!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Shut up!" Crow yelled.
The entire room instantly became so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
"I say we help this guy."
"What! Why?" questioned Wren.
"Because there's no way he came all this way just to tell us a completely idiotic story if there wasn't at least something true about it. Also, he's not a fool. He saw right through Marilyn and our Black Raven ruse. He's clever, and he's slick. As Louis said, he seems trustworthy. And if his story is actually completely true, then it is our duty, as people, to save the world." Crow pointed to Scraps. "Scraps, you will be our informant. During the celebration, tell him that we'll help him. Other than that, let's all enjoy the party."
Tom decided to visit Barde Manor next. He had heard much about Arianna and Tony, the siblings who had suffered so much turmoil in the past. One particular fact intrigued him.
"She originally had a terminal illness?" Tom mused. "I wonder...perhaps it is..."
The path to the mansion was no longer overgrown, thanks to there being an actual gardener on the grounds (instead of Seamus). The moss and ferns had been removed, giving a much better appearance to the estate.
"Hm. Impressive." He knocked on the door.
There was no answer.
Well, I bet I know just where they are...
He headed west and walked down into an ancient tunnel. Arriving at the Golden Garden, he saw three children, apparently delighting in exchanging stories.
Wait.
THREE children?
As Tom got close enough to ascertain the identity of the third person, he almost laughed. Of course. He would come here first, wouldn't he?
Unlike with the Black Ravens, Tom felt that using the Professor's name would be the easiest way to get the trio to trust him. After all, Professor Layton had greatly impacted all of their lives in some way.
To Arianna, Professor Layton was a godsend. He gave her a chance to start anew, one she did not waste. She had gone from being known as the "calamity witch" to constantly playing with the other kids in town.
Thus, Tony also respected Professor Layton. The man had understood the terrible pain felt by the two siblings...and removed it entirely. Thanks to the Professor, they now lived a happy, tranquil life.
As for the third member of the party...
"Once, we had to serve tea to these random people in some wacky town, and it turns out we were all just dreaming!" Luke said.
"Really?" inquired Arianna. "So it seems the Professor's had more adventures since he left Misthallery."
"Yes, indeed he has."
The startled children turned their heads and saw a man wearing a blue jacket and cap walking toward them.
"Wh-who are you? And what are you doing here?" Luke stuttered.
"I am an...acquaintance of the Professor's. My name is Tom. I come because the world is in grave danger, and I need your help to save it." Tom proceeded to describe the situation.
"So," Luke asked at the end of Tom's explanation, "is the Professor part of this?"
"Yes."
"Well then, count me in!"
Tom smiled. "Layton's apprentice strikes again?"
"Well, er...yeah!"
"Tony and I will help as well," said Arianna. "The world is a beautiful place. I will work to preserve it."
"That's very noble of you."
"Hey, Tom!" Luke called. "Do you want to play tag with us?"
"Actually, I-"
"Come on, sir!" Arianna giggled. "It'll be fun!"
"Yeah!" said Tony.
Tom sighed, then grinned. I suppose everything else will have to wait.
The celebration was, as Mimi promised, amazing. The Triton family became well respected after Luke's involvement in the affair of the specter became known, and the townspeople were all quite glad that they had returned. Even Greppe, the current mayor, shook Clark's hand, to the delight/relief of many.
As Tom observed the festivities, he heard someone walk up to him.
"Crow says we'll work with you."
"Thank you. Tell Crow that I will send him a letter within a few weeks giving further information. He should also have Luke, Arianna, and Tony read it, as they are allies as well. Other than them, trust no one."
"Aye."
Tom then quickly left Misthallery. His work there was done.
"Where to next?" asked Claire.
"...I think I'll pay a visit to Scotland Yard."
Chapter Six: Tom visits prison. What help could he possibly find there?
So, yes, Clershel will be a pairing. However! Not until the very end will they meet. I have already paired up the main characters, and I have decided that Luke and Arianna are a couple. (I don't ship Luke/Flora.)
And for anyone who's curious, the chapter name is Latin for "trust."
Please follow, favorite, or review! Anything is helpful! I like to think that my "talents" are being appreciated to some extent.