#if I ever meet Descole again

[professor-hershel-gayton]

How do you keep your swordfighting skills so sharp?

Who would have thought I’d be fighting anyone with a real sword? Ha ha!

I must admit that I much prefer using épées and other swords to metal pipes. They’re so unwieldy…

[caramelcuniculus]

Natural habitat... sure, Simon had a point in that. The thespian had only seen bits and pieces of the historic displays around the Human City (virtually none, outside of the vague time periods that the general public seek interest in and nothing outside of it), but from what they've caught sight of, nothing gave the true story from those times. A house or home would; it's the most natural outside everything else. Des wondered what the antiquarian's at-home "exhibit" displayed; the mundanes of life and nothing tied to the text preserved in history books. If history books even existed anymore. Wow, Simon had a lot on his shoulders, didn't he? Too bad Des could already make the assumption that the local humans have little interest to the past and strive towards the future. They're not aware that they need to know the past to not repeat it. If anyone knows that statement, it'd be them. Never repeat the past. Never. "At least you could present history right out of the comfort of your home. I hope the people were fascinated. This sort of opportunity isn't something that comes around often, you know." His free hand reached over to pat Simon's shoulder. "The circumstances weren't favorable, that I can already tell, but for their sake or my own, I must thank you for telling ou..." The hand on Simon's shoulder immediately retracted to hold up to the golem's mouth. "Your period's story. It may have very well been lost to time if you were not here to recount it." The truth hurt, but that was the absolute truth. "That must mean something to you, too, Doctor Petrikov?" Des couldn't help but snicker lightheartedly at Simon's attempt to fix his hair. It reminded him of their own history together, their story. Simon Petrikov and Desmond Sycamore, grand explorers searching for treasure believed to be fantasy and blasphemy. The antiquarian had moments like these, too. He'd get embarrassed over something minuscule and have the absolute sweetest reaction to it. There was no real way to hate him, even now, after a thousand years had gone and most of it was spent in an snowy purgatory. Even this, even now, how so much yet so little had changed about Simon and Des himself, they were both able to fall back in place as if no time had passed. Like they were still college students that didn't know any better. Like they were two young fools seeking out the Enchiridion and the Az-- Simon spoke and Des snapped out of it. The golem blinked aimlessly under the mask. Did he remember their interest in theatre? They were about to respond, but then the antiquarian added his comment regarding the Phantom of the Opera. No, no he didn't. The thespian scoffed. "That you have, I presume. What a lucky day it's been for you. You find your friend and see their doting attire. Plan to turn me into one of your attractions? Keep me here forever, even?" If Simon was going to bite, Des was going to bite back. Playfully, of course. This sort of teasing was also apparent within their past together... Or was that just one of their many fabrications with Simon as their item of fascination? Hopefully he won't think anything of it. Besides, the last thing Simon would probably want is the display of Jean Descole up in a positive light... if anyone here even knew who that was. They wouldn't want to take the risk regardless. Anyways! "I'd like to see this exhibit, still. I'm positive I'll see the love poured into preserving the ancient arts, even if they're mere recreations." Des assumed most of them were by his hands anyways, meaning they would be in impeccably quality. That made her just a pinch more excited for what Simon would introduce to her. Oh, that reminded her... "If you ever do need help in developing a Phantom of the Opera exhibit, feel free to ask... if you can find me, anyways." It would be fine. Maybe they would meet again, maybe they wouldn't. Time was their biggest friend and their biggest enemy. "Lead the way to the classics, Simon."

Des felt the air freeze like the ice Simon so badly wanted to avoid. He could feel the tenseness of the grasp of the antiquarian against his vessel, knowing that he'd struck a chord. He should've stopped himself, but it was better to receive an answer to the unspeakable question now opposed to later. It didn't make the guilt and embarrassment that was beginning to fester within any better, though. The thespian had to physically look away from the mortal man beside him. Why did he say that? What a complete and utterly stupid fool. She should have known better. It was all so crystal clear that the simplicity of it flew over the golem's head. Obviously obvious. Being enclosed around it, being the entity of it, would practically force you to become detested by it once it all melted away. Even though Des didn't mind too much regarding what Ice King had or hadn't done, she hadn't come to realize until now how Simon felt regarding that. Simon's morals are far different than Ice King's, regardless of whether or not they're the same being at the end of the day. Des is still Desmond, too, and while the antiquarian's insanity was brought about artificially (metal and glass, metal and glass), Des's... was not. Natural insanity was what spun in the mind of of the ancient archaeologist instead, but the thought of potentially having to bring all that up made her feel sick. Ignore it; it'd never happen. Stay with the cold and never return to the warm earth. She shook her head. "Right." A pause. "I apologize." Another pause. Speaking those words felt like horse pills falling down her throat. The topic change was a lifesaver for the one who's ran from death for millennium. However, his words managed to make them raise an eyebrow. "Your home?" There were a handful of meanings what a home could really be. Certainly not the same as the one before; a small place for an indebted, yet content college student. That had to be long gone now, lost to the pieces that parallel their own knowledge to the Mushroom War. Maybe Simon found somewhere similar? Or is home no longer a home, a place solely to rest your head and to not keep your memories? He had to live somewhere up here, meaning the latter to be more likely true. And yet, Des wished to believe that a part of this life and the armature antiquarian found that same conclusion: contentment. Kind of like themself, in a way... Speaking of artifacts and ancient times... "I wouldn't say bare bones at all. Do you know how much history a home can tell just by looking at it? I'm not entirely sure how long you've lived in your house to say anything concrete, but I'm sure there's bits and pieces of you in the cracks of the architecture. Whatever you'll claim about it, it is undoubtedly you." The thespian made sure to give Simon a definite look and a small, yet firm nod. "And if I know anything about Simon Petrikov, the last thing he could ever be is bare bones." All he was doing was being nice to his best friend of a thousand years, so why did his own encouragement make him feel sheepish? Des pulled on the arm that Simon held onto. "I want to see it all, yet I'm lost in your new museum. You'll take me somewhere the both of us will be interested in, won't you?" They knew he would. After all, its not like Des's interested changed much. If they thought about it, they haven't changed much at all, with the exception of traveling the multiverse. Simon hasn't asked them how they're alive yet, has he? That'll be another conversation for another time. Potentially.

[quibbs126]

So back to my age swap au, here’s Descole, or rather Desmond Locklair, as I call him

(to be perfectly honest I just called him that because I wanted to and I thought it sounded cool. I mean calling himself that here has the same effect as calling himself Jean Descole, considering there’s no Desmond Sycamore, or if there is he hasn’t done anything worth noting, he’s a literal nobody)

More info about him under the cut!

He probably stole those clothes from a local high school theater. Also I made the mask big because I think that’s how those masks are actually supposed to function. I didn’t give him a hat because I just wanted to see him without one and also he’s not as good at concealing his identity

So Des is about 14-16 in this au, and he and Hershel still have their backstory from the main universe. Here though, I’m gonna say that Desmond was never actually picked up by anyone, and he’s been living alone for the past several years. (Or maybe Raymond found him and he’s living with him, I haven’t fully decided yet, though I am leaning towards the homeless option)

Locklair is trying to take down Targent, same as Descole, but he’s nowhere near as dramatic with his plans, nor do his plans really involve the Azran ruins, considering he doesn’t really know about them or their significance yet, he’s a teenager. He’s just trying to track down this organization and take them down, as well as find his parents. So no giant mechas, though he may be working on a prototype for one

Speaking of which, I do plan to have them show up at some point, though their story’s probably a bit later on in the timeline. Rachel is still alive and Leon isn’t exactly a loyal member of Targent yet, he’s still very much working against his will here

Anyways, back to Locklair, we see him a few times before all that, but he’s probably not as involved in the conspiracies as he is normally, other than possibly one or two times, I haven’t decided yet. He very much dislikes Triton but always seems to act a bit nicer (well as nice as he can be) whenever Hershel’s around. The reason for this is later revealed to be because he doesn’t want Hershel being put in these dangerous situations. On Triton’s end, he’s wondering why this kid is on his own and where his parents are, and if they know what he’s up to. Hershel feels like he’s familiar but he just can’t place where

Speaking of which, given that it’s only been around 4-6 years, Hershel still remembers some of his old life, but not much. Mainly, he remembers he has an older brother, but he cannot for the life of him remember what his name was, and he’s mostly forgotten what he looks like, only that he looks sort of like him but with different eyes. He feels guilty about it

Anyways after the whole Targent and Bronev family thing, Desmond might end up getting taken in by Triton and Flora, and I was thinking that perhaps due to their shared interest in machines, Desmond could become Flora’s apprentice, because I just think that would be neat

Anyways I think that’s all I got for now, enjoy

[rainymeadows]

Masterpost of my #drownout2020 fics

Or at least, the ones I’ve done so far. Here’s a few things to read if you’re like me and would rather see literally anything other than p*rn of a preteen!

Hershel’s Secret Stash Professor Layton's family confront him about the secret box he keeps under his bed. Loosely connected to The Families of Jean Descole. Word count: 1,188

My Sunflower Des is confused. Who on earth lives in LA that his brother could be sending flowers to? Loosely tied to The Families of Jean Descole. Word count: 865

The (Not Very) Haunted House There have been strange occurrences around the Layton household. Alfendi and Katrielle think a ghost might be responsible, but could there be a more conventional explanation for the scratching, wailing and doors swinging by themselves? Loosely tied to The Families of Jean Descole. Word count: 1,679

The Comforts of Home Unable to sleep after that hellish witch trial, Hershel Layton finds himself alone with the only person as out of place in Labyrinthia as he is. Aka what Phoenix and Layton did while Maya and Luke were out searching for Eve. Word count: 3,033 words

Meeting the (Potential) In-Laws Des meets the man his brother is so enamoured with, but he isn't entirely sure if he likes this upstart American... Loosely tied to The Families of Jean Descole. Word count: 1,626

Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: The Dog and Duck Two men. Two glasses. One pub. Who will win in this epic showdown of liver against liver? Loosely tied to The Families of Jean Descole Word count: 4,535

The Layton Family Bake Peanut Butter Cookies And a good time is had by all. Loosely tied to The Families of Jean Descole. Word count: 3,051

Professor Layton and the Cursed Laptop One of the Professor's students comes to him with a terrible problem. Will he be able to solve it and save the boy from a fate worse than death? Word count: 818

Candle In The Wind Her favourite song comes on the radio... and the Professor can't bear to hear it and be reminded of everything he's lost. Set in the aftermath of Unwound Future. Word count: 1,722

Someone Saved My Life Tonight... Stumbling through the streets after a horrible attack, Hershel Layton is rescued by the last people he ever would have expected. Word count: 2,802

And while I’m here, I’d like to link a couple of fics that I didn’t write for the drownout, but that I’m proud of and would like to share nonetheless!

The Families of Jean Descole An imagining of the life of Desmond Sycamore, how he adopted the facade of Jean Descole and his furious vendettas, and what became of him once the world no longer needed either of those identities. Word count: 30,384

Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: The Frigid Melody A chance encounter on a northbound train leads Professor Layton and his young friend Luke to once again team up with the hapless lawyer Phoenix Wright, now accompanied by his sweet little daughter Trucy. At first, the Professor's latest mystery seems like a straightforward missing persons case, but after arriving in the haunted village of Fatargan, Layton and Phoenix soon realise that if they ever hope to make it out of here, they'll have to understand the village, its people, and each other. Word count: 154,319 (incomplete, 13 chapters posted out of 28 total)

[101flavoursofweird]

I just realized... The Masked Gentleman’s (Randall’s) costume is so similar to Hershel’s, most strikingly with the top hat.  

Randall ‘died’ and Hershel studied archaeology in his memory. Hershel went to Gressenheller, the university Randall had his sights set on. Hershel became a famous archaeologist involved with the Azran.

Hershel... became Randall, in a sense. 

If Randall hadn’t ‘died’, he would have Professor Ascot. 

Would Randall have started wearing a white coat and a purple ascot? (You bet he would have.) I don’t think he would have fallen for Claire like everyone else on the planet- he would have been Hershel’s wingman and may have still been with Angela/getting over a breakup with Angela/dating someone else. So, Randall wouldn’t have the top hat but he still would’ve been friends with Claire and maybe continues to wear his glasses in memory of her. (Even though he doesn't need glasses or contacts would be far more convenient when out in the field, he refuses.)

Randall would have studied under Dr. Schrader. He would have found a rival in Paul and a friend in Clark. He would have started helping Scotland Yard with small crimes, dragging Hershel along with him, and they both would have saved Emmy from being wrongly accused. Hilariously (or worryingly), Emmy only remembers Hershel Layton’s name and not Randall Ascot. 

Seven years after Claire’s death, ‘Clark’ writes to Randall, asking him to investigate the spectre. Randall almost runs over Emmy in his car (“New assistant? I already have a friend who- never mind. Get in.”) and they drive off to Misthallery. Randall has zero concerns over Emmy being a lady rushing into danger with him. Turns out Luke was the one to write to Professor Ascot. Randall is so positive and excited for this adventure that Luke immediately befriends him. When Emmy later returns to London during PL4, she meets Hershel again waiting at Randall’s office. Emmy remembers him and Hershel returns to Misthallery with her. Hershel teams up with Team Ascot and they beat Descole. Hershel still finds Descole familiar. Luke becomes Professor Ascot’s Apprentice. 

How will Miracle Mask play out if both Randall and Hershel are ‘alive’? Where are Angela and Henry throughout all this? Did Dalston ever achieve fame to rival Randall’s? And why does Bronev give a toss about Hershel Layton?

TO BE CONTINUED (maybe...) 

[jean-despacito69]

Lmao this is my terrible writing

(SPOILERS FOR AZRAN LEGACY)

(Tbh I live for Descole angst)

-------

He always told everything to Raymond

So why couldn't he just bring himself to say it?

These thoughts haunted Descole as he laid in bed

He rolled on a side

He was gonna tell him.

He had to.

He rolled to the other side

How was he gonna explain it?

How could he just say that he died and then came back to life?

Raymond knew most of what happened in the Azran Sanctuary, Descole left out the sacrificing part to not worry his friend

But he couldn't keep it inside forever.

"Good morning master!" Raymond's voice made Descole jump "rise and shine!"

"mornin' Ray " he grunted sitting up as his servant opened the curtains

"I'll bring tea soon" Raymond smiled leaving the room

It was the moment.

Maybe he could have just waited?

Maybe another day?

No.

It was time.

Soon the old man came back with a cup of tea

"Raymond" Descole took a deep breath "we need to talk"

"Sure master" he smiled

"It's about what happened in the Azran Sanctuary a week ago" he looked down

"I know what happened, you jumped in front of Luke to protect him" Raymond replied "I know you dont wanna talk about it, don't feel forced to tell me" he said softly placing his hand where his master's wound was

"It's not about saving that little brat!" Descole scolded him

Something in Raymond's expression made Des realize that he already knew something was missing, and that he couldn't wait to know what it was

"I died." Descole was scared to look in Raymond's eyes

"You what?" The servant asked

Descole looked up to meet Raymond's confused and worried expression

"I died and then came back to life." his voice trembled

Descole took a deep breath and started to tell what really happened

He looked down,too afraid to even see Raymond's face

When he finished his story he looked up,meeting Raymond's terrified expression

Descole tried to say something to calm him down,but before he could even open his mouth his butler was already hugging him,sobbing.

"Raymond? Are you... crying?" He asked softly and mostly confused

Raymond never cries.

Never.

"I could have lost you!" He pulled back from the hug, holding tightly Descole's arms "I could have lost you without even knowing!"

"It's ok,I mean- don't you almost lose me every single time I try to do something?" Descole tried to reassure him

"It's not the same thing! It isn't ok!!" Raymond sobbed "you died! You actually died! Oh my God the last word you would have heard from me were "try to be careful master"- yeah! I see how you've been careful! you just-" he broke down again

Descole gently hugged him,patting his friend's back and feeling him calming down

"I'm sorry, I swear I'll try to not die" he said

"Why are you even sorry? I'm the one who should just apologize for letting you go, without thinking that maybe it would have been the last time I was going to see you" Raymond wept

"Are you mad?" Descole smiled "Everything was out of your control,you dont have to be sorry"

Raymond let Descole go and looked at him

"Are you ok?" He asked

"Ok?" Descole was confused "I'm fine, I guess"

"You died and now you are brushing it off like it's no big deal" Raymond was serious "it doesn't feel ok"

"I don't know what are you talking about" the masked man chuckled "I mean yeah I died and I know it's a big deal, but I just...don't feel like it's something big? The thing that I only worried about was scaring you I think?" He felt more confused as he went on

What did he feel? Did he even feel anything?

"How was it?" Raymond asked "I just want to know what you felt in that moment."

"I just remember...feeling nothing" Descole remained quiet for a moment "I remember not thinking about my brother, my family, saving the world...I remember feeling like it was over."

Raymond wasn't sure if to talk or not,but he let his master take a little pause

"Everything I've ever had to live for was finally over, the Azran was finally over, targent was finally over" he started smiling "What was my purpose anymore? I finally reached my only goal"

His eyes swelled up with tears

"What is my purpose now? I just don't know- I don't know anything! I'm so scared! There's nothing left for me to live for! " he started sobbing while laughing,then fully breaking down crying

Raymond hugged him again, holding him tightly

"You'll find a new purpose,don't worry" he tried to reassure him "you're not useless, it may take time to understand but you'll find your new self"

Descole started to calm down, finally embracing his friend

"You know how I used to say that the Azran is all I have left to live for?" He sobbed

"Of course I do" Raymond softly said

"I think I lied" Descole smiled "you are what I have left to live for"

"Oh Descole-" Raymond sobbed, letting both of them cry and finally getting all the pain out.

Descole knew it wouldn't have been easy from now, but finally after years he wasn't afraid anymore

He knew he always had someone he could count on.

He finally felt like he had a family again, he felt like he was home.

---------

THIS SUCKS BUT I'VE TRIED

[dysfunctionalnerd]

prof lay zelda au??

i,,,, dont know how to add a cut so like,, sorry if this gets long I'm making this up as I go

I guess hersh is link cuz hes like courageous? and hes got like main character syndrome

or maybe zelda cuz hes wicked smart

fuck it hersh is zelda

uhhhhhhhh luke is link?? whacking all this moblin bastards cuz some power crazed thot decided to kidnap hersh cuz hes smart and got a yellow triangle

London hyrule I guess (lorule lol)

it's like hyrule except big Ben and bricks but like castles too I guess

hersh is like a prince but like only in title bc he actually gives all his money away and just lives in this little flat I guess and tries to live his best life despite having this lil yellow mark on his hand

and one day he comes across this like kinda roudy luke kid who at first hes like g od this kid is rude but like then luke brings him like a cuccoo egg bc somehow he learned that that's his fav produce ???????? point is he sees this kid has a big heart and grows fond of him and like adopts him I guess

but then Ganondorf!!!

but it's not ganondorf its ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, uh,,,, don Paulo

except hes like a fake ganon (think zant) but regardless he thinks he can rule everything and he wants that triforce!!

hersh feels the disturbance when don Paulo is like at it and hes like luke I'm gonna go see what's up cuz like technically I'm still a prince

but luke is like i!! wanna go with you!! and BAM yellow light and holy shit hes got a triforce piece too

and hersh is like wHAT

and like idk hersh is like u cant get involved I dont want u hurt so he like,, leaves without telling luke

turns out his fencing skills fall short of don paulos nast magic given to him and he get Kidnapped like a Loser

and the adventures of luke begins I guess

so like luke is out there solving puzzles and fucking up ancient temples n shit I guess and he meets emmy!! who gives him his horse!!

but it's a donkey

anyways they're best friends now

oh along the way he meets some random ass dude called randall?? luke nonchalantly tells him everything bc hes a roudy kid and suddenly this weirdo is super interested and worried?? weird

luke noticed randall is like Not So Suddenly following him but by the 3rd temple he figures this guy isnt actually getting in the way so it's like whatever I guess

but still creepy so he confronts the guy and hes like Hey!!! What the Fuck!!!

and randall confesses that when hersh and he were kids they lived in a big castle together and were best friends!!!

but then hersh hated the bougie 1% castle life and left without telling randall. bummer!

and Randall's been like searching for him since

now we know why hersh always absolutley refused to give his name to the papers!!

also hes a prince that would totally suck if the media knew it was him

anyway so luke and randall team up now and face don paulo

turns out randall ain't shit at fighting but he does know where some cool ass sword is (think of him as like navi or midna. he provides info)

luke has some generic but kinda powerful sword now yay ! time to fuck up some temple bc randall thinks that's smart

in the temple luke gets some kind of magic violin then??? and he can like,,,,,, aquire the power of the animals r some bs like that

time to head to don paulos

theres this big dialogue where luke is like gIVE ME BACK MY BEST FRIEND and don paulo is like Haha u ain't shit kid

turns out he is and don Paulo gets fucking destroyed

but????? no clue to hershs whereabouts when this fool falls???

and suddenly BAM luke gets taken by the hand by this weird but oddly familiar guy in this funky top hat and top hat man just fucking tears luke away from the now crumbling castle room place

luke is like hey What The Fuck

and top hat man is like you have a terrible fate ahead of you but you must save the prince

did I forget to mention luke doesnt know hersh is a prince

so luke is like prince????????

and top hat man is like yea so now u gotta go to this one shithole village nobody knows of and speak to the one the call buffoon

and the top hat man vanishes in a cryptic wave of leaves I guess

randall was there I guess but he only saw top hat man for like 1 second at the end and just fucking sCREAMS

and luke is like what the fUCK is going on

and randall is like do u not know??? r u serious??? but figures it's best he not know yet if this is what top hat man intended

so they go to shithole village and ???? it is not a buffoon, but flora!!

and this time flora is IMPORTANT and VITAL to the plot

flora is like hello they call me buffoon but I'm actually just a lesbian girl everyone here is just home of phobia

and luke is like wow hey cool literally the rest of London hyrule doesnt care pls leave shithole village

and flora is like I cant!! I'm protecting the master sword!

the master sword

floral like dont fcking touch it

luke touches it like an idiot

so luke pulls that shit out and darkness sweeps over the place

and oh dear heres the root of don paulos power!! turns out is Descoganon behind it all

luke tries to fight descole but like too powerful so he gets a Defeat

descoles like buahahahahaha u fool this isnt even my final form and he fuckin dives to finish off luke

but!

top hat man!

he like appears in front of luke and is devoured but descoganons darkness

but before that his top hat falls off and !!!!!!!! wow what a surprise its hersh

luke is like NO I was a FOOL I was too BRASH!! I am not courageous, but dumb!

and Randall's crying I guess but hes like it's not ur fault

and floras like I'm mad at u for pulling out that sword but I mean hes right in order to defeat descole u need to strike him with that sword

so of to descoganons we go!

oh yeah flora joined the team bc turns out shes a fucking BADASS magician

also she constantly gives randall shit for not being able to fight

you thought you heard the last of Emmy but no!! shes back again bc I said so!!!

she wants to join the team too and luke is like cool more horses

everyone's has a cool ass horse except luke who has his dumb lil DONKEY

hes pissed but also grateful he doesnt have to walk by foot but also a fucking donkey???? seriously???

and emmy's like fucking deal with it you whiny ass man

so yeah master sword and magic violin in hand luke calls upon the animals to aid him in battle and it's off to descoles we go!!!

wow this place is DARK

and also the iconic castle that everyone cherishes is now in ruins

and in the most concentrated area of darkness is hersh trapped, glowing just a little bit but fading fast

and luke is like FACE ME DESCOLE U COWARD

and he does

and hes like boutta lose again and flora is like NO! I awaken ur full power!!

and his triforce glows!!!! he is powerful! full of courage!

but descole starts fucking tearing appart in laughter

hes glowing too! he has a triforce too!! he has them all

if you've ever played any zelda game ever this is when descole turns into some pig

but alas by the power of the magic animal violin and the master sword he is defeated

flora dealt the most damage and at the end she was like luke u gotta stab him now and he was like uh ok I guess

voila!! hersh is no longer trapped in darkness!! nor is the rest of London

oh yeah Randall's gay for hersh duh first thing he does is run to him being like remember me???? doesnt matter I'm nursing you to health now

bc I SAID SO

oh but first luke runs to him crying and hugs him and is like pls dont ever leave like that again dad

and hersh is like did.... did u call me dad??? and he cries too and they hug

(except halfway through hersh collapses and luke is struggling to try and keep him from falling. how did this weak boy defeat such an all powerful being?????)

yeah hersh and randall get married flora gets a gf and happily ever after

oh and claire is like the goddess of London who made the damn triforce bc why the fucking hell not

so anyways yeah uhhhhhh someone tell nintendo to fucking hire me

[theodorereinel]

“I hope Mr. Descole is all right... it’s been so long since we last talked. At least I can surprise him with english if we ever meet again - though I suppose he’ll be a bit upset if he finished that machine... Oh well. I’m just happy I can rejoin society. Living like a mad hermit was frustrating as hell.”

[101flavoursofweird]

Title: Autumn  Summary: For all the anguish it has brought her, Flora still loves autumn.

Spoilers: For Curious Village, Lost Future, Layton’s Mystery Journey and possible Layton Brothers: Mystery Room.

Characters: Flora-centric with sibling bonding moments between her, Luke, Alfendi and Kat. 

Warnings: Hints of PTSD... and Clive Dove isn’t portrayed in the best light in this fic. (Sorry.) 

(More below the cut since Tumblr seems to have banished links to the Shadow Realm.)

Autumn

When she lived in St Mystere, she used to call it fall, like her Papa did.

Papa wasn’t fond of fall. He always made sure Flora was bundled up in layers before they went out. On rainy days, he preferred for them to stay inside. The only places Flora could play were in the manor or by her Mama’s grave. There, the flowers bloomed all year round— even when it got cold outside.

Ingrid said it was a magic garden.

“A secret magic garden,” Flora whispered.

Sometimes, she felt a bit like Mary Lennox. Mary got sick after her parents died. She moved to an English Manor House, befriended the servants and discovered a secret garden.

Flora had her own secret garden, but she wasn’t sick and her papa wasn’t dead...

She was sat reading behind her mother’s grave when the doctor came to visit. Not even her favorite books could comfort her then.

Matthew found her crying over The Secret Garden. Gently, he took the book from her and wiped its tear-stained pages with his handkerchief.

“This is an old book,” he mumbled. “Old... and yet, timeless.”

He studied the text for a few moments, searching for the right words. His eyes were shiny— or was that just the reflection from his glasses? Flora had never seen Matthew cry.

He sighed. “Don’t worry. We can fix it— the… the book, I mean.”

He dried her eyes and helped her blow her nose. On their way out, Flora picked some red pom-pom flowers (‘Dahlias,’ Matthew called them) for her papa. They wouldn’t last long in a vase. She put them by his bed anyway and he said they were beautiful.

Papa promised it was ‘just a cold’. Flora knew he was lying. If it was a cold, Papa wouldn’t kiss her in case she caught anything. But he kept kissing her head and talking till he got too tried.

This wasn’t something Flora could catch. She could only wait.

Even after her papa died, she kept saying ‘fall’ and so did the villagers.

It was only when she came to London that she learned most people called it ‘autumn’ in Britain. Luke was the one who corrected her.

The two of them had been walking home from school. (She actually went to the girls’ school but Luke liked to meet her on the way home, even more so when the darker evenings crept in.)

Flora’s day had been fine. The other students and the teachers were helping her settle in, but she still had lots of studying to catch up on since she had started late. That meant extra homework and tutoring sessions with the professor.

Flora let her mind wander. She relied on Luke to lead her up a road lined with horse chestnut trees.

“The trees look so pretty in fall...” Their leaves were either orange like the professor’s shirt, or rusty red like robot gears.

“Fall?”

Luke exclamation pulled Flora from her daydream.

“Um, you know... Fall. After summer, when all the leaves fall off the trees.” She pointed at a pile of leaves beside them on the pavement.

“Oh!” Luke kicked up the leaves. “You mean autumn!”

He was showered with leaves and Flora snickered. “Careful, or you’ll get lost in the leaves!”

Laughing, Luke chucked a ball of leaves at her.

She squealed and swept them off her school uniform. (Rosa had ironed it specially for her!)

“Luke!”

He gasped as if he had mortally wounded her. “Sorry! That was a bit rough—“ He got a face full of leaves. “—Ow... I think you threw a conker at me.”

“Conkers!” Crouching, Flora picked up the spiky green shell. She inspected it as a jeweler would an emerald. “Bruno used to make them for me— I mean, put them on a string— and we had conker tournaments. The villagers always let me win, though...”

Everything had seemed so simple back then. She smiled nostalgically the conker shell.

Beside her, she heard leaves crunching. She turned and her eyes widened.

“Bet you’d never beat me.” Luke was on his knees, holding a conker under her nose. “I was the best conker player in Misthallery!”

Flora’s smile became a smirk. “Really? Is that a challenge?”

Her conker would be... unconquerable. She had everything she needed at home: String, glue, a miniature drill she’d ‘borrowed’ from Bruno...

While she planned her conquest, Luke had been stuffing his satchel and coat pockets with conkers. He leapt to his feet and took off like a greedy squirrel. “Bagsie asking the professor for help first!”

What ever happened to ladies first? “Luke, wait up!”

These days, Luke called it ‘fall’. A warm smile enveloped Flora’s face as she read his latest letter. Who was this mysterious girl he couldn’t stop gushing about…?

Her fantasies of Luke’s possible-girlfriend were dashed by the slam of the front door. Her thirteen-year-old brother squelched into the kitchen. He’d been trying to grow his hair out but he currently looked like a drowned rat.

Flora snorted. “Did you forget your brolly?”

“Did you forget you don’t live here anymore?”

Flora didn’t take offence at the extra dose of venom in his voice. School had just started again and it was coming up to that time of year…

“I had a letter from Luke that I wanted to show the professor.” She stretched in her chair and yawned, “Are your joints meant to feel this stiff in your mid-twenties—?” She caught herself when she realised that, oh lord, she sounded like Dahlia. Dahlia would moan whenever her joints needed oiling or her perfect skin needed a polish or the colour was fading from her hair… All while eighty-year-old Bruno toiled away and Flora continued to age.

With age came agency. With each new trial life threw at her, Flora accepted that she couldn’t fuss over the little things.

This was a lesson Alfendi still had yet to learn.

Having ripped off his waterlogged shoes and his backpack, Alfendi raided the fridge.

“I made pasta salad if you want some—“

“Hell, no.”

“Language.” (Kat was out with their father, but still...)

Alfendi groaned, “Who ate all the leftover pizza?”

“Probably Emmy, if she stopped by.”

Alfendi’s scowling face emerged from the fridge. “Not helping.”

“Don’t snap at me just ���cause you got caught in the rain,” she retorted.

It wasn’t just that, she knew, but she sat in silence as Alfendi fished a soaking, illegible newspaper out of his pocket and held it up to her. “The forecast said it would be dry today. There was only a 35% chance of rain!”

“They can’t always be accurate.”

“Well, they should be!” He pounded the wet paper into a ball and hurled it at the bin. (It landed just next to the bin with a sad ‘plop’.) “Why can’t the weather just make up its bloody mind?” he snarled, swiping wet hair out of his eyes.

The British weather was beyond Flora’s control, but she could at least do something about Alfendi’s hair. “Give me a minute.”

While Alfendi changed into some dry clothes, she nipped up to Kat’s room to grab a brush and a pink bag of hair accessories.

“This is a waste of time,” Alfendi grumbled. Still, he sat obediently as Flora dragged the brush through his wavy hair, taming it into a low ponytail. She offered to add a purple ribbon, so he’d look like a fairytale prince, to which Alfendi told her something very inappropriate for a prince. He was, at least, satisfied with his ponytail as it was ‘practical’ and kept his hair out of his eyes.  

The next time Flora visited the house, she found Alfendi plaiting Kat’s hair. Apparently, a little boy had pulled Kat’s hair at the playground...

“Do you want me to plait your hair next, Al?”

Keeping hold of Kat’s plait, Alfendi turned to glare at Flora. “Get lost. Kat’s going to do my hair.”

“Yeah, get lost, Floor,” Kat said.  

The thought of ‘getting lost’ would have terrified Flora years ago. Now, she just burst out laughing.

In October, Alfendi was promoted from hairstylist to ‘Halloween wardrobe stylist’. He helped Kat put together a spooky outfit every day. Some were inspired by Kat’s current fixations: The little witch from her favourite book, Tigger from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster. (Kat saw this as an excuse to eat as many cookies as she liked.) Then there were Kat’s villain ‘disguises’, from Descole to Don Paolo. Alfendi drew the line at Bill Hawks. Not because it would be ‘offensive’— Hawks was the butt of many jokes in the Layton household— but because they all knew who came after Bill Hawks.  

There had been… impersonators every year since Clive Dove’s attack, rather like the clown craze that followed a certain Stephen King novel. None of them copied Clive’s methods, as far as Flora was aware. They were just out to scare the public. That was traumatic enough if you had suffered at the hands of Clive… but what if you bore a striking resemblance to him?    

Much to Kat’s dismay and Flora’s relief, Luke couldn’t make it back for Halloween this year. He was off solving another mystery. Flora hoped he wasn’t alone.  

There hadn’t been any ‘Clive Dove sightings’ on the news lately, but Flora still insisted Emmy should go trick-or-treating with Kat and Alfendi. Flora would have accompanied them herself had she not been invited to a Halloween party by Kuri, her closest friend from university. They hadn’t seen each other for months, so Flora was very grateful for Emmy’s assistance. Emmy was over the moon because it meant she got her own share of treats. Alfendi, for once, didn’t argue.      

He was content to dress as a vampire rather than some nightmarish movie villain. Kat went as a literal cat, complete with a tail, a cute red bow and bag of garlic to chuck at Alfendi. Emmy was Batwoman.

They all made it home safe and stuffed with sweets. Flora phoned at ten to check on them and to let them know she was staying at Kuri’s flat.

“Enjoy yourself,” Emmy chimed over the phone. Hopefully, Flora’s creepy doll makeup would hide her flushed face from Kuri.

In the following days, Alfendi knew Flora was hiding something, though he didn’t pry.

As soon as the holiday was over, he withdrew to his room. Halloween couldn’t cure the bitterness that had been festering inside him like a pumpkin left to rot.

Flora would take Kat out whenever Alfendi started shouting at their dad. (“WHY DO YOU KEEP VISITING HIM?”)

Bonfire night was the worst.

They had arranged to see the fireworks at Gressenheller. Flora had arrived at the house to find the professor comforting a tearful Kat. Alfendi had snapped at Kat when she kept asking why he wasn’t coming with them.

The professor had tried talking to Alfendi, tried getting him to talk to someone, to no avail. Flora told the professor to go on ahead with Kat. She could handle this.

When she tapped on Alfendi’s door ten minutes later, he barked, “Eff off—!”

“It’s me.”

Silence. Flora waited. She heard a firework explode outside. Then, a smothered whimper from Alfendi.

“Al...” she said softly. “I’m coming in, okay?”

Alfendi didn’t turn her away. She opened the door. Since Flora had moved out, Alfendi had claimed the biggest bedroom. (It stank of coffee now…) She used to tease Alfendi about how he was always holed up in his ‘cave’, but his ‘cave’ was the tidiest area in the house, as opposed to Kat’s toy-strewn room or the professor’s office. It was also very well-lit for a ‘cave’; the ceiling light, the lava lamp and his computer screen were all on.  

Alfendi had been lying facedown in his purple beanbag. He sat up awkwardly and Flora saw he was wearing a pair of fluffy white earmuffs.

His eyes were red and his nose was running. Sniffing, he took the earmuffs off and tossed them at Flora. “Can you give these back to Kat?”

Another explosion went off. Alfendi flinched.

She nudged the earmuffs back to him. “You can keep them for now. I’m sure Kat won’t mind.”

“Is she ok?”

“She’ll cheer up when she sees the fireworks.”

He put the earmuffs back on, clamping his hands over them until the next firework had passed. “Weren’t you going with them?” he asked eventually.

The plan had been to meet Kuri there. Flora was going to introduce her to the professor and Kat.

But Flora shook her head at Alfendi. (Kuri would understand— she had practically raised her twin brothers.) “Nope,” she said. “I think The Muppet Movie is on... Want to watch it with me?”

The two of them curled up on the settee and she put the T.V. volume on full-blast. It was so loud that the professor, Kat and Kuri heard The Rainbow Connection on their way home.

Per usual, Alfendi didn’t join them for coffee but he said he would pop over to Flora’s after work. That was... sociable of him.

Kat thought it had something to do with his new assistant, Lucy. Frantically, Flora phoned Kuri and asked her to tidy the living room because Alfendi might be bringing a friend with him. Kuri made no such promises but she would made plenty of stew.

Flora thanked her, hung up and informed Kat they were having stew for dinner.

Kat squinted at Flora over her Pumpkin Spice Latte. “Are you quite sure your wife isn’t a witch?”

Flora chuckled, “Why would you think that?”

This was the question Kat had been hoping for. She launched into a retelling of ‘Katrielle and the Witch Wife’. That spark in her eyes, her exaggerated gestures, the way she took bites out of her chocolate muffin in-between... She looked so much like Luke. Flora remembered him describing his own encounter with a ‘witch’— back when he first met Professor Layton.

That part of their lives, much like Autumn, had ended too quickly. Now, some days, it felt like they were caught in an eternal Winter. The professor was gone, along with Luke. Alfendi was more distant than ever...

But she still had Kat.

Story complete, Kat leapt to her feet. There was a pair of fluffy boots in the autumn sale she wanted to buy. Of course, she secretly hoped Flora would buy them for her. Flora was happy to oblige, because that’s what big sisters do.