#| ic ~ layton

[caramelcuniculus]

@magnifiico continued from here!

Hershel was a man with a love of puzzle solving. No matter their simplicity or intensity, the professor could figure out the solution in only a matter of minutes, if it even took that long at all. It stumped him as to why he couldn't have been able to figure out something as easy as a precise address, but the residents of Rosas seemed to have no ideas either. Was he sent on a wild goose chase? Was this what he was meant to believe? There was no other indication from the letter, which started to make him doubt his selflessness. He had hope he hadn't been tricked; how foolish he would be to be sent away from his home to help nothing. No, he had to have missed something, somewhere.

Before the professor can delve too much into his own mind, a wave from an incoming person drags him from the desperate depths. Simple, formal finger flutters, and the beaded eyes had the king's full attention. Royalty was unbeknownst to Hershel, but it wouldn't take very long to find that out. Most people were open with him, as he was to them, unless they had something to hide. If this well-dressed gentleman had stepped out of his way to assist him, that gave the idea to Hershel that he had nothing to fear. Unless, of course, he was proven wrong. He'd cross that bridge when he got there.

"Greetings to you too, sir," Hershel replied, tipping his hat carefully in his own modest introduction. He wouldn't argue with the new face that surely was no stranger to Rosas. Not only was he somebody unfamiliar with the kingdom, he was his own beacon in some unpractical way. The archaeologist was lost, stiff in the ways he stood, and confused. Almost everyone in the kingdom Hershel came across had some sort of joy to them, something he unfortunately was lost to for the time being. That didn't stop him from giving Magnifico an inch of a smile, though.

"Right you are. My presence has been requested within this general area, however to where I'm meant to be is beyond my knowledge. I've searched outside of this kingdom for my answer, but only now do I venture within its boarders. I asked plenty of townsfolk for assistance, but I've had little luck." A nervous chuckle escaped the professor and then gave Magnifico a somewhat wider smile. "Your help would be grateful! I appreciate your offer, kind gentleman."

A hand reached under his coat, only to pull out a letter. The piece of paper was handed to Magnifico. "This is the invitation I had received, alongside an address. Would you happen to know where I'm meant to be heading?"

Said address actually lead to somewhere inside Rosas! Unfortunately for Hershel and the residents the professor had spoken to prior, this is a very tucked-away street. Most wouldn't have heard of it, but the king might've. Hershel's eyes gazed at the letter, then softly up at the noble, silently waiting for him to give him the final piece of the puzzle he needed.

[caramelcuniculus]

Hershel's eyes lowered for a split moment on the notebook at his disposal. Most of the first page was already filled with a scramble of notes that half-were half-weren't legible. How untidy; how unbecoming. The professor doubted the cricket was at all familiar with his noble duty of being a true gentleman, but here to help or otherwise, poor Jiminy would barely be able to read anything he's written at all! At least Hershel possessed the ability to read his own handwriting, but everyone could do that. Jiminy could probably do that. Jiminy was a clothed, standing, talking cricket.

"I'd call you far from ordinary." Maybe there were dressed-up crickets and bugs and other things wherever Jiminy hopped from (as it certainly couldn't be London; his fatigue left him forgetful of entities such as Subject 3 and Beasly from the Future London case a few months prior). "Pardon my prior assumption. I apologize, I'm not at my best currently." Just then, Hershel yawned heavily. "I don't believe it difficult to conclude that."

The professor still held out some doubt that this was really happening. Maybe the light from the lamp reflected well enough to animate Jiminy's palette and figure. It had some credibility behind it; the property of light was a fascinating and mysterious thing. Yet that wouldn't explain the voice… Hershel let out a tired sigh. Professor Hershel Layton had experienced weirder, and without a doubt, he'll experience even weirder than this in the eventual future.

That only made Hershel question it even more. What would the particular reason be for Jiminy to be around here at all? London was an exceptionally busy place, no matter the time. Hershel would consider it highly dangerous for Jiminy's small size to be around these parts at all. Not that he could judge what was and wasn't good for somebody. Ignoring his need of sleep would have any words of debate ring hollow. It was ungentlemanly to act the line of hypocrisy.

Beady eyes widened slightly. "Sleep?" The repeated word spoke in a tone that sounded blasphemous. With how busy the professor considered himself, it may as well have been. "Why, I'm grateful for the concern, but I assure you… I'm alright." Hershel did his best to present his guest with a warm smile, but it was a small display. How the professor felt was irrelevant; he had planning to do. It wasn't though he could skip laying out his day. What sort of instructor would that make him?

"I'm a professor, see, and my schedule for the day has not been finished. I must have a completed list before I arrive in the morning, a short few hours from now." Another yawn, but this one was drawn out longer than any had been prior. "Sleep now would be as unwise as ending up in this predicament in the first place was."

It was more than likely the delirium once again making the irrational rational, but Hershel couldn't shake the feeling that Jiminy would grow upset with his response. A rare noise blew through his lips: the softest, quietest of whines. Hershel was silent for a minute, staring at the window with its raindrops, slowly losing himself in thought. His eyes started to slowly shut, but he forced them back open, wide. It was when the notorious, unbeknownst puzzle solver came up with a compromise.

"You said you weren't a specific helper spirit, but would you be willing to assist with smaller-scale favors?" Hershel raised his non-dominant hand to gently tip his top hat. "It'll move things along and return me to a state of slumber much faster. Besides, you could almost consider yourself paying your dues this way. You still so happened to retreat into my home uninvited, after all."

It was a fair trade, Hershel believed. On normal occasions, there would be no favors. A gentleman allows his hospitality to those who need it. However, this wasn't the ordinary case, not really. Jiminy seemed like a cleaver cricket too, based off impression alone. Was he knowledgeable on the complexities of Norse archaeology? Probably not, but Hershel could see him as a reliable note taker of sorts. Or an alarm clock. "Truth be told, I would enjoy the company. Opposed to being on my lonesome, there is no contest. Isn't that right, mister..?"

It takes little more than a quick survey of the desktop's contents to piece together that this isn't a very early riser he's dealing with, but a night owl; though, frankly, Jiminy probably could've guessed that much just by looking at the man. If he were to look up exhausted in the dictionary... still, if you're going to bump into a human, it's probably best that it's a human with slowed reflexes. One can never be too careful. Jiminy found out very quickly upon beginning his travels that the reception towards insects usually wasn't too friendly. Even halfway around the globe, that hasn't changed.

For a moment there he thinks he might be able to risk just sneaking right back out, actually. The fella's half-asleep, there's realistically very little chance he's noticed Jiminy at all. But then he supposes his own tendency to run his mouth might've closed that narrow window of time right quick - if he went unnoticed at first, it definitely didn't last long, given the way the man startles so violently when his eyes dart to Jiminy. The cricket in turn leaps backwards, habitually on-edge; and whatever he might have expected, it's not the surprisingly calm dialogue he receives in response after their mutual initial fright has passed.

Jiminy glances over his shoulder, like there's someone else he might be speaking to, and then very slowly nods his confirmation. Better to double down on the whole wrong turn thing than to advertise the fact that he's gotten very good at sneaking into places, he reckons.

"Uh, no, sir. Well—" he starts, and then goes to quickly correct himself, and then stops entirely again to ponder the matter. Jiminy's never quite figured out what sort of perks and titles go along with the whole conscience shtick. But if he were to go out on a limb... no, he wouldn't call himself a spirit, and he's certainly not a figment of anybody's imagination. He's no metaphysical concept like other consciences - just a fellow with a badge. He shakes his head with more certainty. "No. No, I'm just an ordinary cricket. Though I sure don't mind making myself useful."

Heck, he'll jump on that particular opportunity first chance he gets. He'll privately consider it repayment for the whole 'not throwing him back out into the rain with a broom' thing. Even if Jiminy suspects that decision may be somewhat exhaustion-induced (humans are a widely varied species, but the number of those who willingly let bugs into the house can be counted on one hand) and therefore likely to be taken back come tomorrow. Or... the day after, he supposes, given the current hour. But, besides that, he just likes being helpful, where he can. He'll vanish in a matter of hours, he always does, but in the interim there's certainly no harm in it.

His gaze drifts across the desk and he meanders his way carefully across it, walking across the page of one textbook with only enough time to skim a line or two before jumping to the next. He always did want to be a teacher, but that ship has long since sailed regarding everything save for moral lessons, and he's not really sure how useful he could actually be if this is the sort of subject matter the man is looking for help with. Though, given his state... Jiminy has to wonder how much of the scrawl on that notebook is actually coherent, and he glances up and over his shoulder at him with a somewhat doubtful expression.

"If you'll pardon my saying so, you seem more like a man in need of sleep than assistance."

[sentientstump]

i have a (very evil) question to ask... who's your favorite miracle mask character? favorite to draw, favorite to think about, favorite in general? :)

i will let the images speak.....

thank you for the ask! (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

[jakekazansky]

Was watching the local news and one of the news stories help inspire this idea

So it was about big brothers big sisters. Which if you don’t know what that is it’s essentially a mentoring program where older people (like 20s-40s) help mentor the youth (ages 6-18).

Story idea under the cut cause it got long

Tom and Slider who are stationed out in Texas who are like commanders by this point. There’s flyers on base asking service members to volunteer for the program. Slider makes a comment about how nice it would’ve been if he had some like that as a kid (personal headcannon is slider had a shitty home life as a kid). So Tom signs up and gets this kid name Jake.

Jake who is about 11 and kind of scrawny and a bit angry at the world. He’d just been made to move to Texas to live with his aunt after his parents died in a car crash. Jake loves math and planes so it’s an easy decision to match him with Tom.

Tom and Jake get on like a house fire. Jake is always grinning by the time he leaves after spending time with Tom who sees a bit of himself and slider in Jake. This goes on for years. Three years in and slider and Tom have to deploy for a few months. Sure Jake is upset but he pinky promise Tom to be there when their carrier came back. Tom had even given him one of his dog tags to keep safe. Tom had even done the paperwork to ensure Jake would be let on base for it.

Fast forward a few months and the day of return is here. Both slider and ice are excited to see Jake. Tom can’t wait to tell him more stories about flying. The carrier docks and there’s no blonde teen waiting for them. They kinda figure Jake is just sick maybe or had a school thing he couldn’t get out of. Come to find out a week later after Tom hasn’t heard from Jake that the mentoring people tell him Jake was sent to live with other relatives cause Jake’s aunt’s new bf hated Jake. Cue absolute devastation on both slider and ice.

Slider makes a comment a few years later, about the time Jake would be graduating high school, that maybe Jake will be going to the academy and they’ll be able to see him again. They never got Jake’s last name due to privacy reasons when mentoring him and there’s a lot of blond applicants to the academy that year. But ice is holding out hope. He and mav are committed dating at this point. So ice finally tells mav about the kid he mentored. About how he was sad he never got to say goodbye to Jake and how he hopes Jake is doing okay. About how he’s pretty sure Jake and Bradley, if they met, would either be in a fistfight or dating by now. About how sure Tom was that if Jake ever flew he’d be able to outfly them both.

Fast forward many more years, Tom is the COMPACFLT now and the mission has just finished. His husband decides it would be a good idea to invite the daggers over since they’re a permanent squadron now. A blonde kid named Jake is part of it, Tom remembers looking at the kids file and him just being so damn good. Like what he imagined Jake would’ve been like. Tom has given up hope at this point of ever seeing the kid he mentored again.

It’s the day of the bbq mav is throwing for his pilots. Tom is chilling back on the patio as his husband and his husband’s pilots play some dogfight football on the beach behind their house when the pilot named Jake sits on the deck near him.

“I don’t know if you remember me but my name is Jake and you used to mentor me when I was a kid. Down in Texas.”

That gets Ice’s attention who gaze is immediately on him.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you and slider came back. I wanted to be so damn bad. My aunt’s bf at the time hated my guts. Impersonated her to get me moved to another family members. I ended up in Alaska. Do you know how cold it is there?”

Ice can hear the tears the kid is fighting to keep back as he talks.

“ I still have that dog tag of yours. I wear it every time I fly. I’ve been hoping to run in to you ever since I applied to the academy. I can’t believe it’s taken this long.”

At this point tears are running down both their face as Jake pulls out his tag and nestled in between his shiny tags is a slightly dulled one with Tom’s name on it.

The hug Tom pulls Jake into has every emotion he’s felt since he last saw Jake nearly twenty years ago. Them both crying into each others shoulders. Tom making promises to call slider later and get him out here so Jake can see him again. Promising to tell him all about the deployment he never got to tell him about and all the rest after it.

Mav and Bradley watch from the sand. Mav glad his husband got the kid who he mentored (mav at this point believes Tom would’ve adopted Jake back then given the chance). Bradley coming to the realization that he’s no longer gonna be pops favorite and he’s fine with that if it means his boyfriend got back the man who made him into who he is today.

[lumi-the-valley]

having some fun on the ice

[justkillingthyme]

Happy Descember

Day 8: ice

[deadinsideart]

They're old friends, your honor

[demon-of-maxwell]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62727187

Descole sighs. Randall takes this as a sign that he’s beginning to come round to the idea and decides to change his tactic.

“Please?” Randall widens his eyes as much as possible. “Please will you come and get ice-cream with me? Please please please please-”

“Alright!” Descole throws his hands back in exasperation. “I’ll get ice-cream with you. But this is not going to become a regular thing.”

- - -

Or: Randall and Descole go to get ice-cream. It's definitely not a date.

[bitchfendi]

my name is clive, i made the fortress

it was difficult to put the pieces together

but unfortunately, something went so wrong

and now i cant do anything but sing this stupid song

[caramelcuniculus]

@mouseywousey continued from here!

Fortunately for Mousey, Hershel didn't mind their obvious height difference. It was a little jarring sure, but through a lifetime's worth of puzzles and mysteries, this was the least concerning. What really would attempt to stick out to the professor was their ability to speak. Normally his apprentice, Luke, would translate whatever an animal had to say. Mousey was a separate case, he assumed. Not that it bothered him. In fact, it made things not only convenient, but more interesting.

Hershel was about to question what it meant by not being around for long, but it went along its way with stories that were far more down-to-earth. More personal, more real. The professor wouldn't mind listening to both stories, or any others Mousey could recall, but one was good enough for now. Hershel raised a hand to his chin, rubbing it in deep consideration. This was like a fork in the road; would he choose the grapes or the serpent? He found himself drawn towards the latter, a sentiment he's sure most others would share. At least he was being given this opportunity at all from it, and Mousey seemed overjoyed to even spare the slightest of details. That enthusiasm made him smile warmly.

"Tell me more about this serpent, if you may." It made Hershel recount one of his first investigations. He'd spent some time around a serpent, one could call her. The young being's enthusiasm and love brought joy to two young children, same as his apprentice, assistant, and himself. Loosha… this wouldn't be a relatable story to him, but if Mousey would allow it, he could share the story of the Last Spectre.

Hershel hoped they would, but time would tell. "It sounds rather adventurous. Be sure to not spare any detail. I wish to picture the whole event myself through description. It's… immersive, that way. Does that make sense?"

[artists-wonder-emporium]

Stickers!~

I have stickers available!

The No Face and Howl (approx 2 inches) are starry holo and are £2.50 each~

Layton, Kingdom Hearts, Beetlejuice and Tails are glossy and come either small (approx 2 inches) for £2.50 each or big (approx 4 inches) for £4.50 each~

Frisk and Chara are holographic (approx 4 inches) and are £4.50 or both for £8!

If you're interested in ordering or just have a question, please message! Prices above don't include postage, I can ship worldwide and payment via PayPal only~

[swanlady25]

Simon and Indiana and Layton and Tintin like antiques and are good at history and archeology and have various adventures and the three of them are great parents except for Tintin he is just a famous reporter who solves mysteries and is good at antiquities

[teenytinyapprentice]

tryin' to beat the heat

(its been so humid and gross this summer bleughhh... )

[melcsmedleyofmalarkey]

This one is not meant to be a funny meme, apologies!

Listened to a german song and thought the lyrics at this particular part fit our dear sad Professor quite nicely, so I translated them and put them over the video.

--

I have been listening to "Baumann Bergmann Pokinsson", a german indie rock band, and as the members previously worked in the games industry, they have decided to create a "Playable Music Video" for this song.

If you know german, I can recommend the game a whole lot, it is called "Dünnes Eis" (Thin Ice) and is available on Steam!

[probablygayattorneys]

POV: you run into Layton and Luke solving puzzles

[suspiciousvivi]

webos