The sky above the forested Phong Gi was a dimming orange as the sun continued its descent down the horizon. When it fully set, both its residents and its visitors would retreat back to their homes and sleep until the cock crowed upon the sun's return. For now, with as little time as they had, Emmy, Luke, and Aurora were walking through the town and learning about its inhabitants and ways of life. Field research, a necessity from the field the standby professors were integrated into, but not so much for the assistant, apprentice, and attendee. Layton considered this, but Layton also considered the time he had off to the side with Sycamore alone much more important.
Phong Gi was the first of many places they would have to go in order to secure the Azran Eggs. They were on a deadline, with Targent trying to keep at their tails, attempting to find the Eggs before their amateur investigative group could. They all knew the importance of keeping Targent as far away from the eggs as possible, but no one stressed it more than the other archaeologist. No one else stressed Targent as a whole. Not even Aurora, who both professors were watching interact with this vastly different environment compared to the small towns and large cities she'd seen previously. Despite that, none of them couldn't quite possibly compare to the time in which she came: the peak of the Azran Civilization.
So, there was a lot to ask about Aurora. Layton and Sycamore had been speculating about that as their companions carried on before nightfall. The conversation quickly changed to the Azran, and eventually to Targent. Why did they want to keep her hostage? What information could they get out of her that she couldn't even share with them, the people who wished nothing but to help her? What caused Targent to find and follow them in the first place?
Sycamore's cryptic comment did little to ease Layton's mind. There was an implication of... something there. A connection of some kind, or some reason that they'd been watching them closely enough to know where Aurora was to take her once she had been freed from the artificial ice. Sycamore was a curse, but they were also a cure... Did they seek to stop Targent on a much higher level than Layton realized? He forced his gaze closely on Aurora as he tugged at his coat.
"How metaphorical we are when speaking of something greater than you and I," Layton commented with a few beats passing before he continued. "I believe I'm beginning to understand it: they seek something out of you. However, I'm under the impression that they want her far more than they want you." He gestured towards Aurora with his hand, who was speaking with one of the residents of Phong Gi. A small smile formed on her face. Layton turned himself fully towards Sycamore.
"I do not know what history you have with Targent, nor do I need to in knowing that Aurora must be protected from them. I will do whatever needs to be done in order to secure her safety. Do not let semantics put you down in order to do what's right." Layton moved the hand that was gestured towards Aurora and moved it in-between the two of them.
"You are the cure? Let us both be one, so that another soul is not lost to authoritarian desires."
