Puzzle 029 - Forwarded-dated to tomorrow

[hintcoinplz]

[Forest outskirts.]

[Luke sits on the outskirts of the forest with two makeshift headstones in front of him. He knows getting too close to the forest is dangerous, what with those bears and all, but he wanted to make sure the grave site he's made won't be disturbed.

Two names have been craved into the stones: Clark and Brenda Triton.

Luke smiles sadly. This was want he wanted, right? He could visit their graves in Mayfield, so he might as well visit them here.]

It's about time I made a decent memorial. Isn't that right, mum and papa?

...I'm sorry. It's been a while since I had the chance to talk to you. You'll never believe the sort of place I'm in now, and some of the people I've met. I'd rather be home in London, to be honest, but it can't really be helped. I've grown up a lot since you last saw me. I'm almost fourteen now. You missed my thirteenth birthday, you know. ...I think I spent it here in Mayfield, not that it really matters. I guess it just feels like I've been here for a long time.

...Oh! I learned make a golem too! A really big one, he's almost done. You'd be so proud of you could see it. And I'm living with some people who are taking really good care of me, so you don't...

You don't have to worry about...

[Luke clenches his fists until his knuckles turn white. Here he was, making a fake memorial to his dead parents who weren't even buried here. Who was he even kidding? It's not like a fake memorial was going to change the fact that they were dead. He stands up, shaking in anger.]

T-this...

This is so stupid!

[Around Mayfield.]

[Luke is making his way home after an unpleasant visit to his parents' "graves". He's in a terrible mood and not watching where he's going while making his way down the street, which is why he'll probably end up bumping into you.]

Oi, watch it!

[ooc: Luke is from a future London where his parents died in an explosion and he was never taken in by a Professor Layton. Also I'm still on hiatus. Shhh...]

Comments

forest.

[helpmeguideit]

[ He likes the forest, he often goes there to hide, and Luke there is a surprise to him. Sure, it may not be the wisest place to seek refuge when you were in a wheelchair, but -- Charles found paths and flat ground that make it possible. He hasn't even met the boy. He understands the loss, at least. The time with Erik in the camps had taught him more about the loss of others than anything. He also understood the desire to to remember it. He often found himself staring down at his wrist for the numbers that were once tattooed there. Charles' own mind had been so jumbled that he's barely able to know if that desire was his own or someone else's before he arrived here. With his ability shut off, he was finally starting to rebuild himself. ]

There is nothing wrong with a desire to remember.

Re: forest.

[hintcoinplz]

[Luke glances at Charles, surprise on his face. He wasn't expecting people all the way out here.

But his shoulders droop and he resumes staring at the two headstones.]

This isn't how I wanna remember them.

[helpmeguideit]

I -- I'm sorry, I'm disturbing you.

[ He hesitates, leaning into his chair and shifting his body a little to get a better look. ]

It's better than not at all. Some people aren't afforded that, I understand.

[hintcoinplz]

[Luke just stares at the headstones a bit longer.]

I've been through a lot of families already. I'm so sick of it.

[helpmeguideit]

I'm sorry.

[ He means it, too. He is very sincere. He knows what it is like to lose everyone. To have changed forced upon you. You do have his sympathy. ]

It doesn't mean you can't get past it, though. There is always a chance.

[hintcoinplz]

I guess. I'd like to think maybe the one I have right now will stick, but I don't know.

[helpmeguideit]

Things can change in an instant. If you don't hope too much and just prepare for it, then it won't be as disappointing.

[hintcoinplz]

Yeah, I guess so. Seems kind of silly to get attached.

[helpmeguideit]

It's okay to get attached if you prepare. [ Expect the worst... ]