a bit of audio/action.

[contaeoro]

[audio]
[There is not a lot to the audio from Maiza today. Nobody is talking, but there is definitely something there, and that something is definitely attacking the journal. It hits it, sharply, then shoves it across -- judging from the sound of leaves and dirt dislodged by the moving journal -- the forest floor. It's followed by the rustle of wings close by the book, and some more scratching as the journal moves again.

The wings make noise again, although this time it sounds like it's flying. Clumsily so, one might note. The entry ends with the sound of wind blowing past and a loud thud as the journal hits the forest floor. Whatever bird was carrying Maiza's journal, it couldn't keep its grip.]

[action later on #1; the fountain]
[A couple hours after the entry, there is a brown owl sitting on the fountain in the village. He looks exhausted as he slumps on the journal he's got with him and hoots miserably at whoever passes by. Sometimes he spreads out his wings and rustles it to try to get attention, especially at people who Maiza Avaro may recognize. He's hungry. He's tired. Please help.]

[action #2; community house 7, floor 5 room 23]
[It's later in the afternoon, closer to evening, when an owl smacks into the window. It might have looked like it was trying to headbutt its way through the glass, but it's hard to tell. It disappears for a minute and returns to the window again, flying a little less steadily and now with a journal clasped in its talons. It stays at the window hoping someone will open it.]

Comments

[reminded]

[He is thoughtful!! ... Just kind of sleep-fogged and inattentive sometimes, okay.

But that noise is clearly intentional now, so Layton leaves his kettle to investigate. Nothing inside the flat looks out of sorts, so he takes a look out the window instead to see... an owl with a journal? Well, color him curious. Without further ado, he slides the window open and steps aside to let the bird in.]

[contaeoro]

[Oh thank god. The owl picks up his journal and drops it into the room, perching with a huff. Tucking his wings against his body, Maiza raises his head and looks at Layton quietly. He's grateful about being let inside.]

[reminded]

[He was wondering how an owl was able to carry a book this far up... Layton picks up the journal, opens it to the first page, and studies it for a moment before looking quizzically at the owl. He recognizes Maiza's barcode well enough.]

Maiza? I say, is that you?

[contaeoro]

[He hoots, perhaps in the alternative. Now that the journal is in someone else's possession, he makes himself welcome to perch on Layton's hat and rustle his wings a little.

I am indeed Maiza, Professor Layton. Please help me find a way to not be a bird again.]

[reminded]

[Oh my god, a hoot could mean anything. Maiza's sudden weight pushes Layton's hat down over his eyes, and he has to blindly set the journal down in order to lift it back up with both hands.]

... I suppose I'll have to take that as a yes. I'll confess I didn't expect you to come back quite this way.

[contaeoro]

[Alas, Maiza is not used to balancing on moving objects. Layton lifting the hat causes him to hoot in surprise and tilt backward suddenly, losing his grip and rolling off the hat to the floor.

There is suddenly now an owl on your floor, Layton. What will you do?

He hoots, though, slowly. He didn't expect to come back like this either.]

[reminded]

[Upon hearing the thump, Layton spins around and spies the errant little body on the floor.]

My word! Are you all right?

[Okay, Maiza can't really answer that question, but regardless Layton crouches down and moves to scoop him up. This may be a grown man on the inside, but there's something about having a fallen animal on your floor that makes you rush to tend to it.]

[contaeoro]

[This is an embarrassing situation, but Maiza is also not one to get humiliated easily. He shakes himself to clear his head from the fall and spreads out his wings to demonstrate that he's functioning just fine. Perfectly all right, Professor, thank you.]

[reminded]

[Well, good. Layton lets go of the breath he'd been holding and sits back on his heels.]

I don't think I'd be able to face Luke and Czeslaw if I had to tell them I got you killed just when you returned. If you can be killed.

[He's a bit curious to know if that immortality is still intact, actually.]

[contaeoro]

[That's a good question. Maiza looks down at his body and considers the many times he fell while flying. He doesn't hurt anymore... maybe he's still got his immortality?

He's not too sure if he wants to try, and when he turns back to Layton he eyes him with wariness.

Your curiosity can kill as many cats as it can he's we're not trying it out, Professor.]

[reminded]

[He may not be an expert on reading owl expressions, but the meaning comes across loud and clear.]

Ha ha! No need to look at me like that, my good fellow. You know I'd never do anything of the sort.

... But we may find out in one way or another if you make a surprise perch out of my hat again. Let's keep it to somewhere more stable, shall we?

[Like his arm, for instance. He offers it to Maiza for perching.]

[contaeoro]

[He can't disagree with that. A little embarrassed still, he pauses for just a moment before making his way onto the professor's arm and settling there. He's careful not to get his talons stuck in the fabric of the sleeve.

However, he does grip tightly. He does not wish to get thrown off by Layton standing up.]

[reminded]

[ow

Those are sharper than he expected. But it's tolerable so he stands, careful not to make any sudden movements.]

Hm... I suppose this means we'll need to make the proper accommodations, but I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with owl care. Should we stock up on meat, or will you be hunting? ... We can make it one hoot for the former and two for the latter.

[contaeoro]

[He stares at Layton and says nothing for a while. On one hand, he doesn't want to trouble Layton and the others too much, but on the other, he doesn't really want to go hunting. It sounds gross, instinct be damned.

He climbs his way up Layton's arm and hoots once.]

[reminded]

[ow ow ow]

Still not much disposed to mouseflesh? I don't blame you. [He rubs his chin with his free hand. It was about time to go grocery shopping anyway.] I may as well get to it. Will you be coming along?

[contaeoro]

[He hoots an affirmative, but because he doubts Layton is fluent in owl talk, he raises his head up and down in a nod and settles himself where he is perched.]

[reminded]

Then let's get a move on.

[He grabs a bag for the groceries and heads out the door.]

I imagine you'll want to know what you've missed while you were gone. Today is the 31st of January, so you've been gone for nearly the entire month.

[contaeoro]

[That would explain why it's slightly warmer than he remembers. He hoots and rustles his wings by Layton's head in reply. Please tell him anything more you have to tell.]

[reminded]

[Oh... That kind of tickles. After shutting the door, he moves down the hallway and thinks back to the beginning of the month.]

Let's see. I've been teaching at the school for a couple of weeks now, and Luke has been attending as well. He suggested that Czeslaw might enjoy it too, if only he could be convinced to go. What do you think?

[contaeoro]

[He thinks Czeslaw will grouch at you for suggesting it but it might not be a terrible idea. If he could go with Luke, it'd be even better because Luke seems to be a child Czes tolerates more than others.

Hoot hoot hoot.]

[reminded]

[... He'll just get clarification on that later. He pauses for a moment before descending the stairs.]

I also think Luke would benefit from having a study partner close at hand. One who isn't his teacher, anyway. Which reminds me -- it was his birthday on the 12th. I'll have to find out when yours and Czeslaw's are as well.

[contaeoro]

[Birthdays? Maybe they could celebrate Czeslaw's, but he's not so sure about his own. He doesn't remember celebrating it since years before he became immortal, anyway. He's just too old for this now, Layton.]

[reminded]

[Nonsense. No one is too old for presents!]

Otherwise, the month has been mostly unremarkable. Though there was a strange incident several days ago... Many among the village have reported missing memories from the 26th and 27th. I can only imagine it was the result of an experiment.

[contaeoro]

[Missing memories? That's intriguing, and also worrying. He hoots and stares at the side of Layton's head as if asking him if he had the same experience, too?]

[reminded]

[He meets Maiza's stare from the corner of his eye.]

Yes, it affected me too. I remember little from those two days. What's more, a page has been stolen from my private journal. I imagine it contained an entry or two the Malnosso would prefer stay forgotten.