004 - Action/Voice

[halfnhalf]

[Action]

[Although Teddy didn't go on the draft, he knew plenty of friends who did. Once he was certain they were all accounted for, though some had gone through some heavy losses, he felt like he could relax a little. And with relaxation, it dawned on him that he hadn't really practiced his shifting ability in a while. Sure, there was his Hulkling form, but he knew that one. Knew it inside and out. What about others?

This is why he sits by the edge of the fountain, homework and pencil in hand, though he doesn't work so much as watch people over the top of the page. He's inconspicuous about it, as this is a hobby he's developed for some time now.

And when he's sure he's not in anyone's range of vision, he transforms, shifting into the form of the person he's got his eyes on. That's when he stops watching them and looks down at the body he's impersonating, just to study the shape, occasionally glancing up to make sure he has everything right. Even when the person's left, he still stays in that form for a few long moments before he shifts back, writing his answers in his homework once he's satisfied with the shape he's in.

Observe, learn, shift, hold. This is what he's learned over the years, though it's been a while since he's done this for selfless reasons. Just for practice, nothing more.]

[Voice]

[It's sunset and he's still outside, though he appears to be walking back home. There's just one thing on his mind, something that occurred to him while shifting.]

Anyone up for playing b-ball sometime? It's been way too long since I actually got to play against someone. Holograms just don't really cut it, you know?

[He would suggest football, but, well. When you've got the ability to possibly break someone in half with a good tackle, that probably isn't the best sport to go for.]

Comments

[reminded]

... [He looks down at the pencil and paper.]

You've picked the odd spot to settle. Catching up with schoolwork?

[halfnhalf]

Yes, it's actually quite relaxing! I thought a quiet spot would be just the thing to help with my work. [He straightens out the paper on his knees, feeling a lot like he's already caught. It's the professor, after all.]

[reminded]

[Whether or not he's caught on, Layton gives no indication.]

Only take care not to get your papers wet. Deciphering muddled ink is a puzzle I could do without. [... Well, it could be enjoyable under the right circumstances, but he'd better not encourage it.]

Speaking of paper and puzzles, I've got a puzzle about paper for you. How about it?

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy blinks, then holds the paper away from the fountain a little more while eying the fountain suspiciously. He hadn't even thought of that, though his paper seems fine...

But at the prospect of a puzzle, Teddy lights up, and not just because he's pretty fond of puzzles. Layton puzzles are something else entirely.]



As if you need to ask!

[reminded]

Very good. [He sets his trunk on the fountain's edge and pulls out a sturdy index card and a pair of scissors. Why he has index cards and a pair of scissors in his trunk is anyone's guess.]

A famous magician once claimed that he could pass his entire body through a bit of paper the size of this card without tearing it. With only this pair of scissors to aid you, can you recreate his trick?

[He offers both card and scissors for Teddy to work with.]

[halfnhalf]

[...

W H A T

Teddy stares down at the scissors and the card as if he were incredibly bewildered. How are you even supposed to... If he cut in the middle, he could possibly pass most of his arm through it, but his entire body? And he could shrink down to do so, but that would give him away entirely.

So after several minutes of staring, he looks up at Layton.]



May I have a hint, Professor?

[reminded]

[While Teddy was thinking, Layton took a seat next to him on the fountain's edge and began leafing through his journal. When addressed, he looks back up.]

Of course. Don't let the fact that this was devised by a magician fool you; this is a trick grounded in logic. Your first thought was probably to cut a hole in the middle of the card, but I'm afraid that not even you're slim enough for that, my boy. Instead, you must think of a way to create a hole even bigger than the card itself in its present state. Do you have any ideas on how you might do that?

[halfnhalf]

Stretching out the card itself seems like the logical answer.

[That has to be it, but how to stretch the card and still keep it intact... Maybe he has to cut the hole a fancy way.]

I do hope you brought more than one card with you...

[reminded]

As many as you need. [He opens his trunk and pulls out a small stack. Saving the trees?? The trees can make way for puzzles.]

How do you imagine you can stretch paper?

[halfnhalf]

By... cutting the hole in such a way, that it makes the paper stretch. [He gives the stack of cards a glance - good, he feels like he needs those. Then, he cuts a small hole in the corner of the paper, before he starts to cut in a spiral.]

Like this? [But when he's done, he holds up the card, and... well, the hole in the middle is bigger, but the edge is still the same size.] Oh...

[reminded]

[Layton watches him snip away with interest. He can practically see those brain cells chugging away.]

Not quite, but you may be onto something. What did you accomplish by cutting it in this manner?

[halfnhalf]

I certainly made the hole bigger. [He waves the card, causing the spiral to gently bob up and down like a fancy yo-yo.] But not the edges. I'll just have to try again.

[MAN NOW HE'S DETERMINED TO GET THIS.]

[reminded]

[And so the puzzle's picarat value takes a dip.]

That's the idea. Cutting the card into a spiral was inventive, but there must be better way to utilize the material given to you. Surely, a challenge like this will require 100% efficiency.