The Room by the Window

[Jericho]

(open to Thunderhoofs!)
Joseph slunk sheepishly into his new room. He'd gotten here at about the end of classes, so no one had seen him come in. It almost made him feel like a burgular, the way the entire dorm was empty. The blond dumped his stuff in the middle of the floor, looking around. It was a large room, but then again, there were three beds in addition to their closets. One of the beds was set up against the large bay window that looked out into the courtyard and it seemed that it was the only one left untaken. His roommates must have already moved in.

[Red]

"Uh, sir? Sir, are you my roommate?" Luke Triton had walked into his room, his stuff already set up. Joseph had surprised him. "I'm Luke, Luke Triton. The great Professor Layton's apprentice!" Former apprentice, more like it. But at least Luke had actually seen someone in his house.

[Jericho]

Jericho jumped. He hadn't been expecting anyone here so soon. He turned and smiled warmly at his new roommate, waving. He began signing to the boy, who seemed quite a bit younger than himself, before remembering that he probably didn't speak sign language. Instead, he hurried over to his bag, digging out a pencil and sketchpad. He hurridly scribbled on the paper, then turned it to the younger man.
Yes, I am! My name's Jericho, but my friends call me Joseph.

[Red]

"Ah, I see." Luke said as he read the note. "I'm assuming you can't speak then, Joseph?" Joseph. Luke had not met anybody named Joseph. Surprising, since he knew someone named Hershel. Not much of a common name. "Well, at least I know a roommate of mine."

[Jericho]

Joseph shook his head, pulling down the collar of his white turtleneck to show the jagged scar down his voice box. Although he wore a sad expression, Jericho no longer dwelt on his disability. There was nothing he could do about it and there were so many other ways of expressing himself that he could do.
Where are you from? The blond wrote with a curious smile.

[Red]

"Ah, I see." Luke said once he saw the scar. "I'm from London." He had to answer Joseph's question. Besides, Luke was proud of his roots. Proud to be from London. Proud to know Professor Hershel Layton.

[Jericho]

The blond smiled back. He'd been to London once with his mother with her organization a few years ago. From what he remembered, it was nice. He lay the pen and pad down on his dresser for a moment, realizing that his stuff was still littering the floor of the room, and hoisted his bags onto the bed. His guitar he placed a little more carefully at the foot of his bed, along with his easals and paints.

[Red]

Guitar. Luke had not seen many of those around. "So, you play guitar?" he asked, trying to make some conversation with Joseph. Sure he couldn't talk, but it was just not like a gentleman to not talk to the teenager. It would be something Layton wouldn't be proud of, not at all.

[Jericho]

Joseph nodded vigorously as he packed his casual clothes into the bottom drawer of the dresser. His guitar was his constant companion, almost like a best friend, that he had recieved when he was only ten. He carted it with him nearly where ever he went, which made its survival even more miraculous. He scribbled another note, which he passed to his roommate.
I plan on trying out for the school band.

[Red]

"The school band? That sounds rather interesting." Luke said. Luke would probably fail miserably at trying to be in the school band. Even if he was in it, what instrument could he play? He didn't play any instruments anyways. The boy was much better with puzzles.

[Jericho]

The blond smiled back at the younger boy. He seemed friendly. And friends were important when you came to a new place. Having put away all of his clothes, Jericho moved on to place his art supplies and fancy clothes in the standing closet. His guitar he took out of its case and, sitting on the bed, plucked a few of the notes. Travel tended to put his instrument out of tune and it was always one of the first things he fixed.