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Layton chuckled, coming into the room and sitting next to Flora.

“This, my dear… is an Azran artefact, and quite an important one as well.” He sighed, remembering his exhausting journey. “The ruins were simply astonishing- they were so vast and… labyrinthine that it took days to find the center chamber. And this…”

A small shuffling was heard as the Professor picked up the weighted object off the table. 

"…is what I was looking for. The Azran Crystal. It’s made out of a pure stone that no geologist could identify once I was out from the ruins and had returned to the main dig site. Many claimed it to be sapphire, turquoise, or even a rare type of mineral, but I believe it’s something entirely different.”

His face was solemn as he stared at the smooth, rounded crystal egg. 

“…And it must be important for something… I searched the center chamber, but I couldn’t find any traces of human activity that could reveal what it would be used for… perhaps, my dear, it’s only a treasure, but I believe that this stone hides a puzzle that is ripe for solving.” 

Flora sat in awed silence, staring at the Professor as his expression remained serious. She knew that look very well- it was the look he got when he was solving a mystery. 

A loud whistling interrupted the brief silence. Layton shook his head, rising from the sofa. 

"Ah, there’s the teapot. I’ll be right back, my dear… the usual for you, I assume?” he asked, heading to the kitchen. 

“Oh- uh, yes, please.”

Two sugars, one dash of milk. No more and no less, and the Professor got it right every time…

Kaito listened attentively to the professor, leaning back against the wall as he pressed the receiver further to hear, thoughts starting to race. If it really took so long and other has had such difficulty getting to the stone, there couldn’t be much doubt that it had been important to the people who hid it. And a good chance no one had ever checked it against moonlight for anything to be noticed, since the jewel itself already didn’t have any information on it aside from whatever the man who currently had it in his possession might have gathered. Though, the mention of pure stone made a slight frown appear.

That’s something he’s never really given much thought to, actually. Pandora is supposed to be a gem hidden within another, and it’s not strange to think it might not be able to be seen or anything. If it matches the color of what it’s in normally, or is transparent until moonlight hits it… But would it really not be noticed if it were analysed…

The whistling of the teapot startled him and brought him back from his thoughts.

…Either way, he should check. Considering Pandora’s legend involves immortality, he really shouldn’t try applying too much logic on it. Even the professor appeared to think it might be important, so it would be worth looking at, at least. If it somehow did contain the jewel, then this couldn’t be overlooked. Might feel a little bad if it turned out he’d need to take what Layton worked so hard to obtain, but it’s not as though he hasn’t put a lot in his own search a well. Besides, the chance was more likely in the stone just being some treasured artefact that had nothing to do with the immortal gem.

Kaito looked up when he heard voices coming near, turning to start walking casually and look up at the building. Staying here had been convenient while more people had been around after following the professor, but staying in one place like this for too long would be suspicious, especially as a Japanese in England when Kaitou Kid would appear soon. He could listen in elsewhere, so long as he didn’t stray too far out of the bug’s range.

And much as he might wish it were the case, not all information could be gathered in a few hours.

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The transmitter was silent for now, except for the small clicks and clinks of the Professor getting ready to make tea, along with the occasional contented hum. 

Suddenly there was a muffled creak of a door being opened, and a new voice entered the scene.

~~~

“Papaaaa!” Flora chirruped, practically skipping over to the kitchenette and bear-hugging the Professor (enjoy the eardrum-bursting static, Kaito), and bouncing back on her toes. “I missed you so much! How did it all go? I want to hear everything!” 

The Professor chuckled. “It’s wonderful to see you again as well, Flora dear,” he replied, gently hugging his daughter back. “I’ll be sure to tell you all about it once the tea’s ready, alright? That is, if no more reporters barge through the door.” 

He smiled teasingly and ruffled the girl’s hair, which she giggled at. “Okayyyy,” Flora mock-pouted, though a bright grin stayed on her lips. She then bounded out into the office and plopped down on the sofa. 

That’s when Flora noticed that a new artefact had joined the Professor’s collection of bits and bobs.

"Oh! What’s this big stone here? It’s really pretty!”

Ow… owowow!

Kaito had been fairly relaxed himself before the professor had gotten a sudden visitor. And she’d hugged the man. Fabric directly going over the device definitely was not the most pleasant thing to hear…

Thankfully, it didn’t last too long but ow… yeah, probably not going to hear much out of that ear for a few minutes after he finally takes it out. Deafening… so much fun…

…And now he had a name to thank for it. Flora… Hmm… The magician hadn’t heard much about her. Strange, considering how famous Layton was around here… A few people did mention her name, but not much else. Some said she was his adopted daughter, most just knew the man looked after her, but the use of ‘Papa’ was telling enough… Would need look into her more, if she might be involved in the hei-

Wait. A pretty stone? Maybe the one he’d just brought back? The teen shifted to get a bit more comfortable and focused on what was being said. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be anything else happening that would make him wish he really was deaf, because this would be something he’d actually like to hear.