HIMULUMAHUMAGUH!
Shimmering-Sky: Thank you! And yes, Layton/Emmy isn't really such a great pairing. Clershel 5ever!
GoldGriffin: Funnily enough, I originally hadn't intended for Bronev to even appear in this story. I completely forgot that he was a character, lol. Then, while I was thinking of how to have Tom meet Emmy, I was like, wait...Emmy worked for some organization, right? Then I read the plot of Azran Legacy and then I knew I had to include Bronev. His story is way too good.
Hollyshadow the medicine cat: Yeah, Tom's personality is based off of me. Sometimes I get serious but other times I tend to just have fun. Mostly the latter.
Oh, and I have a poll on my profile. Which Professor Layton game's theme is your favorite? I have two: Diabolical Box and Last Specter. Most people seem to underappreciate these two, especially Diabolical Box; I have no idea why. They're really good!
Well, I think I'm rambling again. Enjoy Chapter Seven! There may or may not be some fourth wall breaking. Yes, this chapter is supposed to be blatantly stupid. A welcome break from the intensity of Chapter Six.
Chapter Seven
Puzzling Indeed
Having spent the night at another hotel, Tom reached his destination quite early in the morning.
"St. Mystere. A curious little village, if I say so myself."
Such were Tom's first impressions of Flora's home. Though he told Flora to move back after the Professor became clearly depressed, he himself had never visited the town until now.
"But first, where does she live?"
Just then, a large sign dropped out of nowhere reading:
PUZZLE 001
Find the House
"You've got to be kidding me."
"I live in the tallest building in St. Mystere. I can see birds from up here! And planes! And clouds! And the sky!"
This is Flora's description of her house. Where does she live?
"Uh...probably that huge tower over there?"
Another sign fell from the sky. This one said:
CORRECT
10 Picarats
Ten tiny silver pieces magically appeared in Tom's pocket.
"The hell are these?"
A baffled Tom eventually decided it was best not to question the system for now.
After some wandering around, Tom found Reinhold Manor. He found it quite impressive at first, until...
"What's the point of a river, if there's no boat here?"
PUZZLE 002
Building the Boat
Tom swore.
You arrive at Reinhold Manor, but can't cross the river without a boat. Sadly, Ramon has taken the only one available in order to go fishing. Using the wood pieces below and no tools whatsoever, cross the river safely.
"Bloody hell! I'll swim!"
INCORRECT
16/20 Picarats
"Alright! You win! I'll build the stupid boat!"
After ten minutes of exhausting effort, Tom managed to construct the boat. It was only after he got to the other side that he realized...
"Flora doesn't live here."
He turned around and saw that his boat has completely vanished.
"What the hell?"
PUZZLE 003
Building the Boat 2
"FU-"
Your wooden raft has been washed away by the powerful river current! You must build another boat using the flower petals found here.
Are you up to the task?
"NO! I'M NOT! NOW LET ME CROSS!"
Tom was answered with complete silence, save for a bird who simply glided across the river.
"Damn you InstaGimp."
"Alright, so the tower's that way...guess I'll have to go through the clock tower first."
As he approached the clock tower...
PUZZLE 004
What's the Time?
"THERE'S A CLOCK RIGHT THERE! THAT'S THE TIME FOR YOU!"
CORRECT
15/15 Picarats
"..."
Tom managed to reach Flora's house at the top of the tower without running into another falling sign. Finally, safety.
"Hello, Flora."
"Oh! Tom! Hi. How are you?"
"I'm fine...but those stupid falling puzzles are seriously ticking me off."
Flora giggled. "Oh come on, they're not too bad! Well, I think Bruno's been making them more difficult, but still..."
"Are you kidding!? I had to build an entire boat out of the flowers in front of the Reinhold Manor! Not fun! Not at all!"
"Oh hush, you. Here, have some tea. I did as you asked, by the way."
"Good. I take it Bruno wishes to help us?"
"Yes. He does. He's a very dependable person."
"It certainly seems that way. So when will she arrive?"
"I would say within, oh, I don't know, twenty minutes. She seems pretty smart. I'm not sure she'd believe your story about the Oculus and everything."
"That'll be no problem. Thank you, Flora. By the way..." Tom smirked. "Cooked anything edible lately?"
"Shut up!"
Emmy Altava took one look at the looming structure before her and decided that she would probably never visit it again unless there was a very, very good reason.
Oh well. This "Flora Reinhold" person seems to know me quite well. I wonder why.
But, of course, as is customary of the Professor Layton universe...
PUZZLE 005
Climbing the Tower
This rickety tower has a number of false steps. Stand on one and you'll fall into a pit with crocodiles! Don't die!
"Well, these puzzles are a lot more...morbid than I remembered," Emmy noted. "Should be a piece of cake for me, though."
By the time Emmy reached the top of the tower, she was quite determined to never, ever return.
"Oh, hello, Emmy Altava!" a little girl said. "I'm Flora! Nice to meet you!"
"Hello, Flora. What did you want me here for?"
Flora beckoned Emmy to follow her. "You'll see."
"So you see, Emmy, we need someone of your skills if we are to prevent the Oculus from falling into the wrong hands," Tom finished.
Emmy took another sip of Flora's tea and asked, "You said you've met Bronev?"
"Yes, I have."
Emmy sighed. "He really was a good man, you know. Just obsessed."
"I know he was. He's agreed to help me."
"How on earth is he going to help you from inside a high-security prison?"
"He's not." Tom grinned. "He's going to help us from outside it."
Emmy realized what Tom was implying and also grinned. "Alright. Who else'll help you break him out?"
"I think I'll bring the Professor. And maybe...one other. If he wants to. I haven't met with him yet."
"Who?"
"You'll see."
"Okay." Emmy stood up. "Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you, Tom."
"Likewise. I look forward to your cooperation."
"As do I. Goodbye for now, Tom."
"Goodbye, Miss Altava."
Tom spent most of the day conversing with Flora and exploring St. Mystere. Late in the afternoon, he prepared to leave. As he walked past the inn, he saw that the drawbridge was raised.
"Excuse me, sir? Could you lower the-" He stopped. There was no one operating the crank. Wait...where was the crank? There was only a row of buttons and a switch-
PUZZLE 006
Lowering the Drawbridge
Tom swore again.
Just a few more people to visit! Who are they? Well, you'll just have to find out.
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