The Innsmouth People

Paul sat down next to Hope, sniffed in Hope direction, hesitated for a moment, and then asked if Hope could borrow her perfume, as the surrounding smell was too nauseating.

Hope guessed he was referring to the Spirit-Infused Water," unaware that it was the breathing support agent the two professors had prepared for Hope.

Hope then sought advice from Professor Armitage.

"Generally speaking, there's no problem. I recall some people being addicted to the scent of the Spirit-Infused Water, almost using it as perfume," Professor Armitage said. "However, if necessary—"

The old man felt his pocket and found a small glass bottle wrapped with a pink ribbon, decorated with pink bears and rabbits, inside his black suit.

He handed the glass bottle to Paul.

But Paul stared blankly at the glass bottle.

"Perfume," Professor Armitage explained, seeing this. "Strawberry scent, though I don't think so."

"No, Professor, I don't think that's why he's puzzled." Hope was also taken aback.

He silently observed Professor Armitage, the old man just as Elizabeth had described Hope: a black suit, round-framed glasses, a red bow tie, and a gentle, serious yet warm smile.

Professor Armitage is the kind of person who, upon standing before him and seeing his smiling face and the wrinkles on it, will unconsciously become solemn and serious.

But this dignified and serious old man took out—

Hope glanced at the small bottle again. The pink ribbon was tied into a small bow, and the pink bear and bunny were slightly deformed due to manufacturing issues, but it was still quite cute.

Hope looked at Professor Armitage again; the old man remained serious.

It's very incongruous----

"Ah, I know what you're thinking." After a few seconds of silence, Professor Armitage said, "But this was originally a gift for my granddaughter, children's perfume. I saw it in the newspaper and ordered one."

Telephone shopping----

Having read many newspapers, Hope had some understanding of this shopping method. Some manufacturers would leave their contact information along with a "GG" in the newspaper, which sellers could then use to contact them.

Due to postage costs, goods that can generally be purchased over the phone are not of high value.

Paul still didn't accept it. "Since it's a gift, then it should—"

Professor Armitage shook his head. "It used to be. That is to say, it isn't anymore. Professor Rice found it before I planned to give it to my granddaughter, and then Professor Rice told me with great certainty that although it's called children's perfume, its ingredients actually make it unsuitable for children."

"Alright then, thank you, Professor." Paul finally reached out and took it, the rich, sweet aroma filling the air.

Professor Armitage is right, it doesn't smell like strawberries at all, but thankfully it's not unpleasant either.

As Paul reached for the bottle, Professor Armitage's gaze fell on Paul's wrist.

Some fine, pale green scales were visible there.

The old man didn't say anything.

He watched as Paul withdrew his hand, and only after the perfume in the air had become too strong did he say, "Miskatonic University recently admitted a strange patient."

"A patient?" Hope didn't know why Professor Armitage suddenly brought this up, but still asked, "Shouldn't he be at the hospital—well, at medical school?"

Professor Armitage shook his head. "It's not medical school. That patient is very special, and ordinary doctors probably wouldn't be of much help to him."

We've arranged two doctors for him, Dr. Morgan and Mr. Jack.

Hope remembered Professor Rice saying that Jack was a surgeon.

He quickly came to a guess. "The patient is suffering from some kind of mystical ailment?"

Professor Armitage replied, "Yes, it was an investigator from the Federation. In fact, until now, Dr. Jack and Dr. Morgan have been at their wits' end with the patient, and the Federation has sent a new doctor. But I suspect the new doctor won't do much better than the two of them."

"That's a shame," Hope said.

"Indeed. He was a fine young man, a graduate of Miskatonic University, who also went on to earn a master's degree in the Old Kingdom. He was a rare kind of moderate towards the Old Kingdom. But now, his body is covered in dark green fish scales."

Paul looked over; he almost dropped the perfume bottle in his hand.

Professor Armitage's gaze passed over Hope and landed on Paul. He adjusted his glasses, and for a moment, his eyes looked directly at Paul through the lenses.

"Perhaps you would be willing to answer a few questions for me?" Professor Armitage asked.

Paul nodded.

"I don't know if this is polite, but I'd like to know if you or any of your other immediate family members are from Innsmouth?"

Innsmouth ----

Hope realized it was a familiar name.

He had only recently seen it in the newspaper—it was about that fishing town where a professor from Miskatonic University had gone to investigate.

Paul paused for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "My father seems to be from there."

Mr. Corey ----

Mr. Corey survived a shipwreck as a child— Mr. Corey said he saw Monster — Innsmouth is a fishing town—

Was Mr. Corey originally from Innsmouth?

Well, judging from Paul's expression, he seems to feel this is—humiliation?

"Nobody likes Innsmouth people," Paul said softly. "But my father was a good man, and if he hadn't admitted it himself, I wouldn't have believed he came from Innsmouth."

Regional discrimination?

Even though Mr. Corey came from Innsmouth, Paul still didn't seem to like it there.

Hope looked at Professor Armitage.

The old professor said, "That's nothing. I have some old friends who are also from Innsmouth, but that doesn't stop them from being very good people."

"However, the patient I was talking about only became like that after returning from Innsmouth."

Paul instinctively touched his wrist.

Professor Armitage then shook his head. "You don't need to worry too much. Although I don't know why, your situation seems quite different from his; you are much more stable."

"What I really wanted to ask was, Mr. Paul, if you had the time, would you be willing to come to Miskatonic University? The Federation and Miskatonic University would be willing to offer you a substantial reward, provided you are willing to assist in the treatment of that patient."

Paul raised an eyebrow.

Hope raised an eyebrow.

Professor Armitage noticed Hope raising an eyebrow.

"A hefty reward?" Hope asked.

"Hmm—I'm not sure how much," Professor Armitage replied, "But it'll definitely make people exclaim 'Wow!' when they hear it."

Hope nodded. "What I mean is, since the Federation is being so generous, then I—"

Professor Armitage raised an eyebrow. "Did Jack tell you you wouldn't get any reward?"

Enjoy