#maybe Alfendi isn’t really a Layton at all

[probablygayattorneys]

[islaytonlost]

Three's a crowd

For a prompt by @madmaxou. This is a four part series. First Part, Second Part, Fourth Part

This Chapter contains: Hospitals, amnesia, siblingly saddy sad.

Disclamer: I am no professional in writing OSDD. Please do not use my fanfic to shape your views on the real world.

The newbie had kept insisting his name was Drew until the hospital staff started using that name. Much to the annoyance of Al and Fendi. Worse, he was rejecting any visits from anyone from work. Especially Lucy. 

They’d located his family, well Flora. She was the only one not off on an adventure in America. Drew said he’d talk to her. That she could help him. 

“Uhm, last time I saw you your name wasn’t Drew though. Even when we first met.”

“No, I'm like Alfendi’s guard, I protect him. When people turn nasty I protect him and then I leave. I’m out now so I need to protect him but I don’t know where the danger is!”

“Am I the danger?” Flora asks.

“No! You��re my sister and my friend! You’re my only friend right now.”

Flora smiles at him, so very brightly, “That’s so nice of you! So you want me to help you find the danger?”

“Yes!” 

“Oh, okay,” she folds her hands in her lap, “look Alfendi hasn’t spoken to me in a while I don’t know a lot.”

I told you we should have written. Al sighs, we really messed this up.

Oh right, after everyone turned their backs on us we should have written! It was her job to contact us!

They both pause for a second. 

I think we forgot to send her a christmas card before Forbodium and then after, when we got it, we never wrote back because I was scared she’d react like everyone else.  Al admits.

So like Hershal Layton we forgot her.

Yeah.

Fendi began making anguished noises, noises Drew was either ignoring or completely oblivious to. 

Flora finished summarising what she knew about him being shunned and the mystery room, “I tried writing but you never wrote back, I assumed you were busy. I didn't know there were more than one of you.”

“Do you think there’s someone else like me?” Drew leans forward, “someone who isn’t Alfendi? Someone who helps him like I do?”

“Yeah! Maybe. I really don’t know.”

“I’m sorry I, well he, never responded to your letters.”

“No it’s fine I heard some stuff from Katrielle. Lucy sent her letters.”

“Katrielle is my sister and Lucy is my coworker.”

“Could you talk to Lucy?”

“No she’s my coworker, last time I trusted one of those he shot me.”

Ohhh so that’s where Forbodium went. Fendi interjects.

Wait, the memories we’re missing go somewhere? Fendi, I don’t remember before Hershal.

I do, not all of it but I do. We’re screwed.

“I think he was using me for something, I don’t fully know it’s all foggy but I can’t trust her.”

Flora’s silent for a full minute, “I’ll talk to her, I’ll talk to all your coworkers and I’ll make sure none of them hurt you.”

“No! It could be dangerous. I may have to protect Alfendi but I want to protect you too!”

“But I’m older.”

“You buffoon, being older means nothing, I’m stronger.”

Flora smirks slightly, “alright! I’ll arm wrestle you for it.”

“Arm skills don’t work well against a knife, or a gun.”

“You’re just worried I’ll win,” she teases.

Drew couldn’t help but smile, “fine, you’re on.”

Flora won, of course she won, in her spare time she went on secret adventures. Ones that involved a lot of climbing and Alfendi/Drew had been stabbed.

“Please, be careful. They’re dangerous! You’re the only person I can trust. I can’t do this alone!”

Flora smiled but there was something sad in her eyes, “okay before I leave how about a story.”

He snorts, “I’m not a kid.”

“Do you know how the Professor adopted me?”

“No.”

Flora sat on the bed, with her brother, giving him a soft smile she began, “well my father was a great inventor and he knew my mum was going to die. So he tried to make her into a robot, in fact he made a whole village of robots just to look after me. I grew up around clockwork people, all obsessed with puzzles.”

“Like Hershel.”

“That’s probably why he came, yes,” she chuckled, “but he didn't know they were clockwork, no one did. Now, I know it’s different, very different from your childhood,” she reaches out for his hand and gives it a squeeze, “but I grew up around people I could trust and it’s a good thing. I trust the people around me.”

“No! You don’t understand they tried to kill me!”

“I don’t understand, not really but I have been kidnapped, twice. I know you cant trust everyone Drew but you know something? Most of the time you can. Don’t go following anyone into a dark alleyway and people aren’t always what they seem but if I hadn’t trusted Luke and the Professor I wouldn't be here. If we hadn't trusted you when-”

“Don’t talk about it,” his voice was stern, “please, don’t talk about when I was adopted.”

“Okay, I’m just saying, trusting you is the best thing we could have done and now, I still trust people. I trust them all the time. I trust them not to run me over when I cross the road, I trust them not to steal my luggage when I get on the train and leave it in the baggage area.”

“That’s different! There are witnesses.”

Flora holds back a chuckle, he was deadly serious after all, “so I’ll talk to them near witnesses.”

“I can't trust your judgement now, you’re too trusting.”

“We can both talk to them near witnesses.”

“What if they follow me back? What if they wait until there are no witnesses? Justin did.”

Flora hesitates, “Drew, you’re scared. Please, you have to trust someone or you’ll be like this forever. I’ll protect you, can you trust that?”

“Yes, but I’m telling you, one of them is out to get me! Just like Justin was! I know he isn’t the only one!”

[laytonfam]

For the writing prompt thing, how about the Layton siblings playing Mario Kart?

Oh thank you Robyn, this was so much fun I love them with my whole heart- enjoy this wii chaos. (Sorry if the formatting is off, I’m on mobile)

————

“Stop shoving me!” Alfendi was referring to Katrielle’s elbow, which was digging into his side. He was only moments away from knocking her out if she didn’t cut that shit out now.

“Then maybe you should stop cheating!” She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Being better than you isn’t cheating, Kat.” He had finally had enough and rammed over into her, practically knocking her over.

“Would you two keep the bumping inside the game please?” Flora was on Al’s other side, glad to be out of the firing zone. They were seated on the floor, backs against the couch, simply because that was how they had always played as children.

But children they were not.

“See ya later!” Katrielle was passing Alfendi as they headed into the final lap. He had fallen for her tricks and was so distracted by her physical assaults that his driving suffered for it. Flora laughed a little but was mostly focused on her own little square. It was so rare they got together like this now; it filled her heart just to see them having fun.

If screaming and wrestling could be considered fun.

“Give me a minute- I’ll be in front when it counts.” Al spoke like he was confident, but he was smart enough to know it was more a game of luck then of skill. He just needed one person behind them to grab a blue shell and Kat would be eating her words.

“I’ll believe it when I see it, Al.” Kat was a menace. She enjoyed pressing Al’s buttons, loved to see him all riled up. This wasn’t a secret, they all knew this- it was a game to her. Dragging out Al’s other half was a sign she was winning.

Flora, meanwhile, was slipping further behind. She just wasn’t as competitive as the other two, and she didn’t play as much with them growing up. Honestly, she preferred just to watch.

Somewhere behind them someone had picked up the blue shell. Al smirked knowing he had a shot now that they were closing in on the end. Katrielle’s grip on the wheel tightened. As the youngest, she had always pouted and whined to get to use the wheel- it was still hers. She was driving now with her whole body, not just her hands, turning into each curve like she could outrun it.

Hubris.

Alfendi laughed as the sound got louder, as her doom approached. She could not outrun the sun, the shell was upon her, she could only accept her fate. As her cart exploded, Al passed her, focused, dialled in. He could do this, he just needed to hold steady for-

Flora giggled beside him as her bullet zipped right by him. It dropped her off mere inches from the finish line, and she was able to finish first.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Al almost dropped his controller. Kat could only groan. Moments later they both crossed the end as well, but without smiles on their faces.

Flora was happy. Not to have won, but just to be here. She remembered when they were younger. When Luke would stop by and be their player four. When Al would play cross-legged with little Kat sitting in his lap. When occasionally Kat was able to force Hershel to play for a bit, despite the fact he had to ask what the buttons do every thirty seconds.

This was fun. This was nice.

“Okay losers, wanna go again?” Both of their jaws dropped hearing her say that- her smile and tone were both too pretty for trash talk.

“Yeah sure thing, let’s see you get lucky like that again.” Alfendi was fast at recomposing himself, sitting up straighter. He meant business now.

Whether she knew it or not, Katrielle copied him, scooching back and straightening up. “It’s on.” She glared at them both.

Flora, however, was just really hoping she wasn’t about to become a victim in the next assault.

[101flavoursofweird]

Secret injuries would be interesting for some good Flora angst

((Thank you for the suggestion and I’m sorry this is late! I already used the ‘Secret Injuries’ prompt for Rook and Bishop whump... so I decided to add this to my new series about Flora— Put Yourself Back In The Narrative. It still contains Flora whump and angst... Flora secretly misses the professor and Luke, but Kat helps her realise that she’s not alone in that regard! This also contains some criticism of Layton’s decisions during the Relics investigation from Flora’s perspective. I hope that’s ok! 

Spoilers for the anime and most of the series below! It starts with Flora writing a couple of letters...))

- 

Em,

It's a relief to hear that the agency aren't involved... I still can't believe the professor never mentioned them! After everything you and Uncle have told me, I hope we never cross paths with those vultures. Don't worry— I memorised Grosky's phone number and I made sure Fen and Kitty did too.

Though, at the same time, it's disappointing that we've you've exhausted another lead. 

Where will you be investigating next? Is there anyone else who might hold a grudge against the professor? All of the people I can think of are in prison... well, except for one, but he wrote to me insisting he isn't the perpetrator. I'd be more inclined to believe him if he spoke to me in person!

Maybe you could come home and help us track him down? Kitty said she misses her favourite aunt!

And we could make up some better codenames while you're here.

You stay safe too!

Flora

-

To Our Wise Guardian,

Thank you for searching for our reclusive father and looking after our restless uncle.

I trust Miss Altava with my life. If she believes the agency aren’t to blame, then I believe her. I don't care what she did in the past anymore then I care about Uncle's past. She wants to find the professor just as much as he does.

Please remind Uncle of that, and don't let him burn down any trees. Climate change is a real thing.

If you aren't having any joy with the Azran sites, maybe you should take a break. (It sounds like Uncle needs it!) There’s a park just across the road from us where you could land the Bos airship.

Fen would love to talk to Uncle about this device he's been working on. And Kitty has been begging for some new books...

Until next time,

The Layton Clan

-

Dear Brenda & Clark,

We're doing alright here, though we'd be lost without Rosa!

Alfendi has been given some extra time to complete his end-of-year project. At Kat's last parents’ evening, her teachers said she can be quiet in class but other than that, they're pleased with her progress. 

Yes, Grandma Lucille is home now— we went to visit her and Grandpa Roland the other day. I just received Kuri is still with her family in Japan.

I feel awful for Marina's family... Please tell them that they're welcome here in England as well. I'm sure that wherever they are, Luke will protect Marina with his life.

...Arianna mentioned Tony's wedding. We'll all have to go dress shopping together. Kat's already decided she wants a yellow dress. (You might have some competition, Brenda!) Can Clark help Al choose a suit? He's a nightmare to shop for!

We can't wait to see you both. If you need help with the move, just give us a call.

Love,  

Flora, Al & Kat xoxo

-

Dear Arianna,

Don't worry about the late reply! You should see my desk— there are SO many letters I haven't even opened yet! I wish I really wish Luke was here. He’s so much more organised than I am...

I miss him too—

-

The ink was smudged from Flora’s tears. She tried to hide it by scribbling out the last line, but there was no saving the letter now. Sniffing, she crumpled the paper into a tight ball and threw it at her bedroom wall. She didn’t bother aiming for the overflowing plastic bin.

What a waste. If Alfendi or Kat had done that, she would have tutted at them. They couldn’t afford to be wasteful, even with the emergency savings their father had left them… 

Flora squeezed her black fountain pen (a twenty-first birthday gift from the professor), wishing she could snap it in half. 

He had planned for this. He knew he’d be gone for so long and there was a chance he would never return.

Flora hadn’t come to say goodbye to he and Luke the day they set off, but Rosa had. 

“What’s the point in searching for the girl’s father, after all these years? Why take the risk? Don’t you love Kat, Professor!?”

Yes, of course he did, but he wanted to solve the mystery behind her family. Solving a puzzle about a bunch of rocks was more important than raising his daughter, apparently. He had adopted Kat and now he was leaving her behind. 

Flora huffed out a tearful laugh. She, more than anyone, should have seen it coming. But she had believed (assumed) it would be different with Kat. 

The professor had taken Kat in when she was a tiny baby. A baby couldn’t be left home alone or sent to school. Parenting was a full-time job (as Flora was well aware these days). 

Luke had laughed when the professor first announced that he would be Kat’s father. 

Everyone, Flora included, had expected the majority of responsibility would fall on Rosa. Or, in Rosa’s absence, another eager friend or family member. (Grandma and Grandpa Layton, Uncle Desmond, the Monte d’Or gang…) The babysitting offers came flooding in much faster than when Alfendi was little. A newborn baby was far more appealing than a grief-stricken child.  

Flora would have helped look after her siblings even more, had she not been so busy preparing for university. 

But, in the professor’s defence, he had refused to take on any new cases and he had reduced his work hours. When he couldn’t escape his office at Gressenheller, he would bring Kat with him.

He had chosen the name ‘Katrielle’. It was an unusual name, but it went well with ‘Alfendi’. 

You would think eight-year-old Alfendi would be jealous of all the attention his new sister was receiving. It was quite the opposite. By spending more time with Kat, the professor spent more time with Alfendi; trips to the park, the library, the museum… 

Flora would join them whenever she got the chance. Kat was the glue that brought them all together. 

The professor had ‘officially’ adopted Katrielle Layton when she turned three. It seemed he had given up on finding her biological father…

And then Luke (Darn him!) had to stick his nose back in to the Relic Stones business. 

He had married Marina in secret just so they could move to England without the professor’s knowledge. Consequently, Flora had been kept in the dark too.

That hurt. After all these years, Luke still didn’t trust her. 

She could have assisted him with the investigation. She wouldn’t have told the professor… 

Luke had shut her out, along with Marina. (Poor Marina…)

Thankfully, Marina had sought out the professor as soon as Luke went missing. 

The idiot had gotten himself caught by Don Paolo. (Yes, a similar fate had befallen Flora once… when she was fifteen. Luke was twenty-five, trained in karate and he should have known better!)     

After Luke’s rescue, he was dragged back to the Layton household for a family reunion. Flora had given Luke an earful— “YOU DIDN’T INVITE US TO YOUR WEDDING AND THEN YOU ABANDONED YOUR NEW WIFE?!!”—before she hugged him. She had thought that would be the end of the whole Relics fiasco. 

She’d thought wrong.  

The professor had gotten involved after that. Family outings were pushed aside in favour of the Relics Stones. 

At Alfendi’s eighteenth birthday meal, the professor and Luke were trading research notes under the table. 

Flora found a house with her girlfriend, Kuri. The professor never once visited them, despite Flora’s many invitations. 

The day Luke left for his journey with the professor, Marina had called Flora, crying because she and Luke had fallen out. Flora had gone to comfort her. (That was the last time Flora had any contact with Marina.)

Flora didn’t blame Luke as much as the professor. Luke was a young man fresh out of university— reckless, full of heart and loyal to a fault. He had watched Kat’s birth mother die and now he wanted to scour the world for answers. But, as Arianna had said, the world was so vast… 

When Kat was born, Luke had been a student— too young to look after a baby by himself. So, the professor had accepted the role of being Kat’s parent. 

The professor couldn’t just adopt a child (three children) and run off ten years later. 

Kat wasn’t a puzzle that needed to be solved. She was a little girl.

A girl who never stopped eating sweets, but enjoyed going to the dentist if they would give her a sticker.  

A girl who still hoped Santa and the Easter Bunny were real, even if the Tooth Fairy was fiction. 

A girl who practiced her dad’s ‘detective’ poses in the mirror. 

A girl who didn’t like tea, but still insisted on drinking it.

A girl who could hold a heated debate with her older brother (eight years her senior).   

A girl whose family couldn’t afford a dog, so she stopped to pet every stray she met on the street. 

A girl who thought people would only befriend her because of her last name. A girl who feared those friends would leave her when they learned of her father’s absence. 

A girl who dreamed about her dad every night and woke up in tears.

A girl who was always trying to make her big sister smile…

“Hey, Floor…?” Kat knocked on Flora’s bedroom door, but she didn’t wait for Flora to answer. She burst in to see Flora wiping her eyes. Kat wondered, “What’s for dinner?” 

“I, erm… I thought we could have lamb stew,” Flora suggested, standing up from her desk chair. 

“Lamb stew? That’s Uncle Luke’s favourite!”

It was actually roast lamb… Flora could feel her eyes burning again. She turned away from Kat and tidied her desk. “I’ll be down in a minute,” she said distractedly. 

“I can help you clean up!” 

“Don’t worry, Kat—“

“Have you been writing more letters…?”

Flora glanced at Kat. Kat was picking up the ball of paper that had missed the bin— Arianna’s letter. Flora gasped, “Don’t...!”  

Kat, ever curious, smoothed out the letter and read it to herself. She frowned when she reached the end. 

Flora sighed. “No one was meant to read that…”

Kat carefully placed the letter on Flora’s desk. “I miss him,” Kat mumbled. “And Dad…” 

“I know…” Flora touched Kat’s head. “I do, too.” Her words were mainly intended to reassure Kat, but Flora meant it.

She missed them— both of them— so much. No matter how much they had pushed her away, she missed them and she wanted them back. 

“That’s okay,” Kat whispered, reaching up to grab Flora’s hand. She tugged Flora out of her bedroom and downstairs to where Alfendi was impatiently setting the table for dinner.  

Later, Flora would rewrite her letter to Arianna, signing off with: 

 …I miss him too. It’s okay if you ever want talk about it. I’ll be here. 

Sincerely, 

Flora 

[dcilayton]

Your Muse In 5 Quotes You’ve Written

1. “I'm ALWAYS angry. I am frothing at all times. If I seem fine here, I'm just trembling with aggression under the surface and it's looking for a way out. When God made me he decided to give me a skinny, shitty frame and then made me feral and said 'oh this one's gonna be good for a laugh'.”

2. “Kat, I'm going to use these in my next culinary adventure by boiling them in a pot, then freezing the water into ice cubes, and then dumping those ice cubes down your back when your guard is finally down.”

3. “ I'll claw my way to the truth. I don't give a damn about who's in my way, they will move aside and I will make sure that the source of everything gets what is coming to them.”

4. “Do you think you're justified in lashing out and harming others just because you're dissatisfied? Do you think you are the only one who is allowed to act upon pain? Surely, you must feel so high and mighty in your actions! Your motivations! I find you fascinating. I really do.”

5. "I almost wish I had the freedom to be more overtly homicidal but at the same time I'm very glad I have actual restraints.”

--/--

1. “I can understand why. Being restricted all of the sudden is certainly no fun. Especially if it just leaves you alone with your thoughts..... Haha.”

2.  (“But, glad to see you’re not a total idiot.”) “No, not a complete idiot. Just half of one...” 

3. “It is! We'll probably spend a good portion of the day on this case, if not all of it. I just hope whatever 'trick' was used isn't overtly complicated.” (Hours later.) “I was wrong, and it was complicated.”

4. “Be sure to only settle in 'your place' once you're comfortable fitting in it. If you aren't, maybe it's time for a change? Your emotions could be telling you something.”

5. “... I... I am real. I'm real. I am real. I am Alfendi Layton and I'm real, and I exist.”

[finalvortex]

Which Professor Layton characters you should fight

Professor Layton | Who wins: The Professor Fighting Professor Layton is like fighting Batman: not only is he a master strategist, he’s an expert fencer, and he’s able to make an improvised sword out of whatever’s to hand. On the other hand, any fight with the Professor is going to look really cool, so you should definitely fight him.

Luke Triton | Who wins: Doesn’t matter Why the fuck would you fight Luke? Why the fuck? What the fuck is wrong with you? Why the fuck would you want to fight Luke? Shame on you. Don’t fight Luke.

Emmy Altava | Who wins: Emmy, duh There is no way you can defeat Emmy. That said, you should fight Emmy for the privilege of being able to say that you’ve fought Emmy.

Jean Descole | Who wins: Could go either way Descole is an even match for Professor Layton, and as long as he has the upper hand he’ll gloat about it like an asshole. Counterpoint? He’s a huge nerd. You have to win. Find a way. Fight Descole.

The Masked Gentleman | Who wins: You He’s all tricks and illusions, no real skill. Also I’m pretty sure you could just insult him and he’d break down crying.

Leon Bronev | Who wins: Don’t care Fight Bronev. Fight him right now. Do you want money? I’ll pay you money. I have $9 in my wallet right now and $200 in my bank account and I will give it all to you if you will fight Bronev. Fight Bronev. Please.

Aurora | Who wins: Nobody You can attack Aurora all you want, but you won’t hurt her, and she’s not going to fight back. Don’t fight Aurora

Professor Sycamore | Who wins: You This man couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag. Have you seen his hair?

Flora Reinhold | Who wins: You, but is it worth it? On the one hand, Flora grew up in a sheltered live as a member of the aristocracy in a tiny village. On the other hand, she’s tougher than she looks, and she’ll be able to make your life a living hell. Also, see Luke, above.

Don Paolo | Who wins: You, maybe Don Paolo relies on machinery to fight. He’s nothing but a whiny, if intelligent, loser if you separate him from his devices. Fight Don Paolo if you can guarantee he doesn’t have some kind of mecha ready to go in the back somewhere.

Anton Herzen | Who wins: You On the one hand, Anton is a capable fencer, but on the other, he tires easily. Don’t fight Anton, you’ll just feel bad when you beat him.

Bill Hawks | Who wins: Nobody Don’t fight Bill. Even if you win, you will have interacted with Bill.

Clive Dove | Who wins: You Clive is an angsty teenager with no real fighting ability. Definitely fight him, if only to try and knock some sense into him.

Alfendi Layton | Who wins: Alfendi If he doesn’t outright kill you, Alfendi will probably cut out your tongue. At the very least, he’ll definitely see you end up in jail.

Lucy Baker | Who wins: Lucy Lucy is from Yorkshire. Enough said.

Diane Makepeace | Who wins: Diane Diane isn’t the type to get her own hands dirty. But she can and will kill you. With a lot of knives.

Katrielle Layton | Who wins: Kat Kat wins, and sends flowers to your recovery room. She teaches your niece how to play piano. She pays your hospital bill, and visits the kids in pediatrics down the hall. Your friends and family like her better than you. You like her better than you. Fight Kat if you love feeling inadequate and hate having intact legbones. Otherwise, don’t fight Kat.

Ernest Greeves | Who wins: You Ernest is good at serving tea and being blindly lovestruck, and not much else. Fight Ernest, it’ll be hilarious.

Sherl | Who wins: Nobody Sherl is a dog. Don’t fight a dog.

Emiliana Perfetti | Who wins: Emiliana If you have to fight Emiliana, she’s already won.

[foxandcookielikesprofessorlayton]

LMJ Anime Thoughts so far

Cookie: This is what I think about the show in general, I might post some thoughts on each episode individually, but this is how I feel about the show, and I know it’s a bit early but I’m kinda confident my opinion won’t change. I’m also gonna compare it with Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy to see how it’s changed.

So, without further ado-

I really like the anime. But what makes it especially nice is that I think that Level-5 managed to hit the tone that they were going for that they missed in Millionaire’s Conspiracy. They talked about comedic episodic mysteries, and while Millionaire’s Conspiracy didn’t quite hit the nail, this anime delivers. Plus things like Kat’s behavior, and Ernest “playing out the crime scene” is also present in the show as well, and I really like it. I guess, with the way Level-5 talked about Katrielle’s saga, it makes sense how well it works for a show.

The small mysteries, are an upgrade from the mysteries in MC. I remember how bored I got and tried going as fast as possible because I wanted something interesting. With the anime, I’m not as impatient as the small cases are pretty fun. It still irks me a bit that they’re trying to make you cry every episode(ever since Unwound Future it seems that they’re trying too hard to keep the appeal, but seriously, use it where it fits and stop pouring water in my face in hopes I’ll cry) But in general it seems like they’re using these episodes to fully establish what Katrielle’s series is like, similarly to how they established Alfendi’s Mystery Room. 

While it kinda sucks how we haven’t seen any really recurring characters. yet. Hasting’s only appears once and even popular ones like Emiliana aren't there. The Dragons, bakery bois, or even npc’s. The background characters in the anime are nameless new people who we’ve never seen, and it’s not much of a problem, but one thing Level-5 hasn’t been able to establish was having Katrielle be in one location, around familiar faces. They set up those familiar faces, but they’re no being used. Thus, it doesn’t feel like a tight-nit London like in MC. But the main cast seem to be developing a lot better(excluding maybe one but I’ll get there. Kat is a lot funnier and it’s easier to see how her personality is like and what Level-5′s going for. Her “instinct” seems to be more natural than the “oh let’s stop doing detective stuff and look at this dress” spiel that MC did. Ernest is pretty amazing. I liked Ernest in MC, but he didn’t do much for most of the story, and he seemed to act similar to Luke. But seeing him in the anime is hilarious, and he’s developed more as his one person. Nowadays on Tumblr everytime a new episode airs people are always talking about Ernest(including me), and it’s great. In fact, it feels like since the anime, or at least a little bit before, the fandom seems to like and appreciate Katrielle’s series a lot more, even though we are all still fond of the original Layton with the top hat and cheeky assistant. I will say that Sherl is a bit in the background though, not quite as sassy as the game and it kinda sucks but it’s not like his personality downgraded, he just isn’t shown as much. 

I still anticipate Layton and Luke’s appearance in the anime; there’s so many ways they could be introduced, I don’t really have any speculations with how Level-5′s gonna do with them. However, my anticipation has changed a bit. With MC it kinda felt like I was impatiently waiting for Luke since I didn’t think Layton would show up, and got my fair share or grievances with how little cameos there were(and in my opinion I didn’t like Granny Riddleton’s portrayal). But here, I’m obviously excited to see them, but I’m also enjoying the ride. In the end I really enjoy Professor Layton and will always love it’s deep mysteries and complex stories, but I‘ve found stuff to enjoy with Katrielle Layton as well. Now I just wanna see how these two formats of story and character are going to meet in the middle, and hopefully bring all the things I like about both series. And even though I never got into Mystery Room, I’m sure all the stuff I said in this paragraph applies to it as well. 

I really like the anime. There’s some issues with it, but, just like Katrielle’s , I feel like the series is starting to find it’s own identity and trying to put it’s best foot forward. 

[foxesandcookies]

Uh an LMJ theory of things to come

Cookie: To get to the point, I think something has happened to Luke, and that this is the reason for Layton’s disappearance. 

I guess I’ll start with the Lady Layton trailer. It starts with a rather solemn montage replaying all of the adventures that Layton and Luke went through. This probably could mean nothing, maybe it’s just meant for nostalgia, but to me it looked oddly tragic. I mean, I think Eternal Diva did the same thing but seemed a lot more peppier than this. It then has this picture:

Which is fine in and of itself. But It’s something we’ve never really seen before, and it especially feels odd because of that weirdly sad montage. Not to mention it doesn’t fade to the next part immediately, it just...drifts away from you while slowly fading away to the sound of the violin just fading as well. So the first trailer of the Layton’s Mystery Journey game (almost) starts with this image, and the end of the actual game(i think when you solve all of the puzzles or reach the end of the game), you get this

I find it interesting that they chose to mirror the past image with this one. And with Layton acting so strange, it makes it seem like something bad did happen. In fact, in all depictions of Layton in Lady Layton is very disturbed and distant. Kinda like how he was in his titles because of Claire’s death and Randall’s “death”. I know he changed by the end of UF, but it’s shown that Layton does grow more reserved because of the tragedies that befall him. Also, about the previous picture of Layton and Luke

It returns in the anime trailer.

(I noticed that when you scroll on the Youtube bar you can see that these white lines form a phrase of some sort, and it looks likes the same letters used when Layton was starting to face Katrielle. If someone could translate it, I’d appreciate it.)

Not only does it appear more glitchy and darker than the previous time it was shown, but it’s only there for a quick second, as if they don’t want you to notice it right away. But why would they tease this image again? If it was only used in the trailer for The Millionaires Conspiracy, I would’ve just assumed that they’re just hitting the feels because of our love for the series. But it’s back again, looking more creepier than before. In fact, all of the disturbingly solemn layton moment(his appearance in Lady Layton and the montage) are cranked up in this trailer. Goodness I feel like they’ re teasing this almost as much as Layton’s disappearance. 

The reason I assume that this has to deal with Luke, is the fact that so far, everything wrong with Layton has already been shown. He’s missing. But the image parallels and the sad montage are not explained, as well as Layton’s behavior. Not to mention the image is of Layton and Luke. It’s not a group picture or anything to commemorate the series as a whole it’s just the two primary protagonists who have been in every adventure from this series. And something is wrong besides just the Professor disappearing.  Besides his teased relationship with Kat, we don’t know what’s happened to him.

Also, if Luke supposedly died, then it explains why Layton seems so sheltered and disturbed. It could also be a reason why Layton is gone. Maybe Luke died and Layton, feeling guilty about it, left to figure it out. And maybe while he was trying to figure it out, something happened to him. 

And I think I know what would be a good place where this could have happened.

Luke’s letter in Unwound Future. He said that something weird was happening in his new home. A mystery that would be perfect for the great Professor Layton. I know that Level-5 made that letter without actually intending to continue the series. But in my opinion it would be a great starting point to start off this tragedy, especially since leaving this supposed adventure out would be a little weird. Also, @chewyloon mentioned in her theory of Luke being Kat’s father that in UF the statue of Layton and Luke stated that the boy succumbed to his illness and died, and like the letter Level-5 probably didn’t think much of it but while starting up the series again could’ve been a great point to use again. Assuming Layton didn’t go, or maybe he did but it didn’t change Luke’s fate, Luke is probably dead or maybe he’s assumed to be. Layton, feeling that maybe it’s his fault, is withdrawn and sad, even after maybe adopting Alfendi and Kat(in Mystery Room, Barton calls Layton to help him with a mystery, which makes it seem like Layton hasn’t done a case in awhile, and Luke’s death would be a understandable reason not to) and later leaves maybe because he figured out there’s more to Luke’s death than he initially assumed or maybe Luke isn’t dead. And after Layton left, he never came back.

That’s what I would have done if I was Level-5 and had planned for something to happen to Luke. 

[floralicious]

(I’m just gonna keep on waiting) Underneath the Mistletoe

Cross posted on ao3 

Summary:  In which Lucy hangs some mistletoe with the hopes of kissing her dream girl, and Alfendi pretends not to help her.

Relationships: Lucy Baker/Katrielle Layton

Rating: General Audiences (I think there’s one curse word but not like a super bad one)

A/N:  Guys I wrote this at four in the morning on December 23rd so I could make some quick edits and get it out on Christmas so my deepest apologies for the incohesive and slightly out-of-character writing. I know it's not the best but I really wanted to get this out while Christmas was still here! My school didn't get out until December 22nd (!!! I'm angery !!!) so I have had uuhhh zero time to write this idea which has been bouncing around my head for the whole month. Anyway hope you enjoy!

Happy holidays!!!

-

If anyone asked, he would swear he tried to discourage her.

Technically, he did. But alas, there was no stopping Lucy when she got it in her head that the Mystery Room should feature mistletoe for the duration of December.

She already had the stepladder out to hang it in the doorframe when he walked into work on the second day of the month.

“Oh, hey, Prof! Look at this,” Lucy said. She waved a bunch of mistletoe around. “Some bloke on the street was selling it. Isn’t it a perfect decoration?”

“Sorry, Baker, but the Mystery Room is a strictly mistletoe-free zone,” Alfendi replied. Lucy made some sort of sputtering noise in protest. She opened her mouth to speak, but Alfendi put up a finger.

“Before you say anything,” he said, “Let me explain. Reason one: we really have enough decorations.” At this he pointed to the rather obtrusive plastic tree on Lucy’s desk.

“Reason two,” he continued. “Life is awkward enough without the possibility of being caught under mistletoe with your coworkers. And finally, reason three: last time I tried hanging mistletoe in here, there were some really scarring experiences for everyone involved.”

“Oh.” Lucy took her foot off of the stepladder. “But… it really completes the decorations! And we can make new memories with it!” She gestured to the generous amounts of tinsel and lights strung around almost every object in the room. “Look how well it would go with my tree!”

At that moment, Alfendi realized what Lucy’s true motive was. Or at least suspected. At the time he was about 93.7 percent sure that Lucy wanted to get caught with Katrielle under the mistletoe.

Contrary to Katrielle’s belief, he knew it wasn’t just platonic interest when she asked him for Lucy’s mobile number. Or when they went to dinner together- without him as a middleman. Nonetheless, both women denied that anything was going on whenever he broached the subject.

“You know what? Let’s do it,” he said. Would it be so bad to help a friend out? “What’s the worst that can happen?”

Lucy jumped right back on the stepladder. “Thanks, Prof! This will be the best December ever!”

In the end, the mistletoe really caused more problems than he expected. Cut to December 10th. Over a week had passed without any mistletoe incidents, though it had hung over every person to pass through the Mystery Room door.

He supposed he had been in a bit of a rush that morning. He overslept, his own coffee machine was broken, the local coffee shop was crowded, and to top it all off, traffic was hell.

So when Alfendi ran into the Mystery Room that morning, he didn’t realize Lucy was crossing the threshold at the same time he was.

The two hit each other and stumbled to the floor. Alfendi sat up, and saw that Lucy was just laying facedown on the floor.

“Lucy? Are you alright?” he asked. “Uh, sorry- here.” He stood and offered her his hand. Lucy looked up at him. Her eyes were bright with mischief. She took his hand and planted a kiss on the palm.

He raised his eyebrows. “Why, Lucy. I hardly think-”

“Look, Prof!” She quickly stood up before he could say anything more. “Mistletoe, remember?”

“...Ah.”

“Nothing like that, silly. You miss your alarm this morning too?”

And the day continued. That was the first time the mistletoe had caused a problem, albeit a minor one, but it wasn’t to be the last.

The next mishap happened only two days later. Alfendi was showing Emiliana Perfetti from her division to his own in preparation for a case they would be collaborating on. Emiliana was a rather fast walker for her height, and he struggled to keep up as she breezed through the halls. He managed to get through the door at the same time she did, not realizing his mistake.

“Caught you!” said Lucy from her desk. She crossed her arms. “Another person at last!”

“What?” Emiliana said, in that disturbingly calm voice of hers. “I don’t understa- oh.” Her gaze followed Alfendi’s to the mistletoe above them. “Ms. Baker, if you think I’m going to go along with your scheme, I am afraid that you’re sorely mistaken.”

Alfendi took her hand. “Don’t worry, Perfetti. It’s nothing personal. If I may?”

She nodded reluctantly. “If only because you have been competent so far on this case of ours… And I suppose I could do with a bit of Christmas spirit.”

Alfendi ducked down to quickly peck the back of her hand. “There. Now, Lucy, if you’ll allow us to work..”

He thought that was that. The first true bout of awkwardness the mistletoe had caused was over, and hopefully no more would occur. He was proven wrong, however, when the very person Lucy was hoping for came through the door two hours later with her assistant.

“Hey, Al!” Katrielle said. “Why are you looking at me and Ernest like that? You’re sort of… glaring above our heads?”

“I would suggest that you both look up.” Oh, this was bad. Bad for Lucy, anyway. Maybe good for that assistant of Kat’s. At least Lucy was out on business at that moment.

Katrielle and Ernest looked up at the same time. Katrielle grinned and kissed Ernest on the cheek before he could comprehend what was happening.

“Oh… Miss Layton…” Ernest said as a blush rose to his cheeks. He looked oddly similar to a tomato in that moment, Alfendi thought.

He directed his glare at his sister. In the space of a few seconds, they had a silent exchange.

Alfendi twisted his face into an expression that inexplicably said “Stop leading him on.”

Now Katrielled raised her own eyebrows. “I’m really not,” the face said.

“Oh, really? What about the fact that you’re very much not interested in men, yet just kissed the one hopelessly in love with you?” was the silent reply. Or something along those lines. It was a difficult thing to convey without words, but Katrielle got the message.

She looked away. Now she was blushing.

“Anyway,” Alfendi said with a pointed look at Katrielle, “What’re you here for?”

“Um, a- a c-c-ase,” Katrielle stuttered. “Definitely not a specific person or anything! Nope! Just a detective and her trusty very platonic assistant!”

“Alright, fill me in.”

In retrospect, maybe Alfendi shouldn’t have let his little sister off the hook so easily. Maybe he should’ve called her later to get her to confess her feelings. But he figured it was for her and Ernest and Lucy to work out, not him.

The next time it happened was the 21st day of December.

Lucy and Alfendi were working in silence, finishing up some paperwork that needed doing. The door creaked and Lucy looked up, presumably hoping to see Katrielle.

“Hi, Hilda,” she said. Alfendi looked up. Indeed, Hilda Pertinax stood in front of him, intimidating as ever.

“Ah, Ms. Pertinax. I’ve been expecting you,” he said.

“Alfendi Layton. Don’t tell me you forgot today was the solstice, you prick.” She was wearing her signature coat properly today, accompanied by what Alfendi assumed was a fashionable scarf wrapped around her neck. She looked almost like the angel on top of Lucy's tacky tree, golden hair floating around her shoulders.

“I resent that! I did not forget, thank you! Or did you not hear me say I’ve been expecting you?” Alfendi replied.

“Hmph. Oh, and Lucy. Merry Christmas, dear. Or whatever.” Hilda rooted around in her purse and drew out a gift card to a popular cafe chain. She gave it to Lucy.

“Thanks much, Hilda. You really didn’t have to do anything for me, y’know…” Lucy said. “What’s this about then?”

“Al and Justin and I have always celebrated the winter solstice together. It became a tradition- one Al always forgets about, might I add- since our first year of uni. The snow was awful that year, no trains going anywhere, so we had to stay at school. And now, well, we get lunch and give each other cheap gifts,” Hilda said.

“I actually spent more than ten pounds on your present this year, so mine better be good. Anyway, the lunch hour is ticking away, so let’s get out of here,” Alfendi said. He stood up and went to put on his coat. “Any interest in tagging along, Lucy?”

“Work awaits, as per th’ usual, Prof,” she replied.

“Alright, well, see you later.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Lucy twirled her pen in her fingers as Hilda and Alfendi started to leave. He really wasn’t expecting it when Lucy yelled “Wait!” It was an extremely loud yell- one she usually reserved for when she solved cases.

“Godamnit, Lucy!” he said. “What was that for?”

She silently pointed to the top of the doorway. The odd couple looked up.

“Of course,” Hilda said. “And here I thought you learned your lesson about mistletoe.”

“I have learned. It was Lucy’s idea,” Alfendi grumbled.

“Rules are rules, Prof,” Lucy said. “Two people end up under the mistletoe, they hafta kiss.”

Hilda put on a dry smile. “Shall we? For old times sake?”

“Hmph. Back when you thought you liked men and I thought I didn’t. Come here, then,” he said. And they kissed. Rather too passionately for friends, Lucy thought, but she supposed they did have a history. She watched as they walked away, both laughing as Alfendi tried to get Hilda’s lipstick off of his face.

After the solstice incident, Alfendi was genuinely worried that Lucy’s plan would never come to fruition. Every time Kat had come into their workplace that month had been a bad one, and he knew how much the two needed to resolve their obvious sexual tension.

Eventually, he took matters into his own hands and dialed up his sister.

“Alfendi, can this wait?” said Katrielle’s voice, tinny through his phone.

“I know you aren’t busy, shut it. You’re probably just waiting around for a case and playing with Sherl. Am I correct?”

“100 percent,” Kat sighed. “So what can I do for you?”

“I’m also 99 percent sure you won’t be doing anything at the time of the holiday party at the Yard tomorrow. Which you are expected to be at, as usual, and I also need you to be in my office ten minutes early. If you value your safety, don’t ask questions. Just be there,” Alfendi said.

“Al, I really don’t see why-”

“Nope! No questions!” he cut her off. “Be there. You’ll thank me later, I promise.” And Alfendi hung up.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Most of the Yard worked right up until or even on Christmas Day, so the party was always held the day before.

Fifteen minutes before, Alfendi set his trap.

“Lucy, would you do me a favor and stand under the mistletoe? It’s for a case. ‘The Merry Murderer,’ they’re calling it.”

“I s’pose?” Lucy did as he asked. She looked exceedingly confused.

“Thank you. Just… stay there. You’ll see.” Alfendi backed away slowly. He pretended to inspect the case file, being very careful not to look at the open door.

He didn’t have to pretend for long, though. Not five minutes later, Katrielle walked in and stopped next to Lucy.

“Oh! Kat! Good to- er- good to see you!” Lucy said, blushing.

“Alfendi, what is all this about? You better have a good reason for this! I’m actually on time for once.” Katrielle was unusually composed for someone wearing a hat with a puffball on it.

Alfendi turned around and tried to look surprised. “Oh, you’re here. Well. Kat. Kitty. Sister. Katrielle. Look up,” he said, smiling mischievously.

Lucy realized before Kat did. She turned a rather worrying shade of red, not unlike Ernest had.

“Prof! You didn’t- you couldn’t have-”

“Whatever you’re thinking, I didn’t do it. I really did need you there for a case,” Alfendi said, holding up the case file.

Kat glared at him. “You dirty-”

“Ah ah ah. Mistletoe first!”

Alfendi technically discouraged the kissing. He did avert his eyes when Lucy and Katrielle kissed, and shoved them out of the doorway, so if anyone asked, he had no idea what was happening while he was at the party.

And when he got a text from Katrielle the next morning with numerous heart emojis, he knew the mistletoe was probably worth all of the trouble it caused.

end

Thanks for reading! Please like/reblog!

[101flavoursofweird]

13 Kat and Al

((I found this sitting in my asks… I’m so sorry it’s late, but here- have some Layton family banter. Kat is 8. Al is 16. Luke is 22. Flora is 23. I forget how old Layton is but he hasn’t been frozen yet, that’s for sure.))

13 - “My hobby is making fun of you when you talk.”

Kat felt about as useful as a chocolate teapot at that moment. 

Her family had just been driving home after a sunny fun-filled week in Monte d’Or. 

Why, oh why hadn’t they accepted Uncle Randall’s invitation to stay another night? (There was plenty of space at the Ledore-Ascot Manor, even with their three kids!) 

Then maybe Dad would’ve been more awake. And they wouldn’t have hit that stupid cactus… 

Right when Kat was having a nice dream about the circus, resting in the backseat with her head on Uncle Luke’s knee, there was a gigantic jolt and the car jerked to a stop. The seatbelt bit into Kat’s throat while she was lying down. 

She didn’t scream— she didn’t— she just gasped very loudly, and Alfendi yelled at her to calm down. 

Luke lifted her up and checked she was okay. Still, Kat kept breathing quickly till Dad turned around in his seat. Once, Kat had watched a ‘funny’ scary movie with Alfendi that showed a car crash where the driver was thrown through the front window.

But their dad was fine, just a bit shaken and worried. He asked, “Is… is everyone alright?” 

“Fine,” Alfendi answered instantly. 

Luke nodded, so did Kat. 

Flora opened the front passenger door. “I’ll check the damage.” 

Dad started to say, “Wait, Flora—“ but Flora was already out of the car. 

“Quick, drive off without her,” Alfendi suggested. 

“Nooo!” Kat elbowed him. They couldn’t leave Flora behind! 

“We’re not going anywhere,” Dad said firmly. 

“You can say that again—“ Flora poked her head back in. “We’ve got a flat tyre on our hands…” 

The four of them followed Flora out of the car. Kat thought it would still be warm in the desert, but it had turned chilly this late at night. And very dark. They were a long, long way away from the bright lights of Monte d’Or. 

Kat shivered as Dad inspected the front left tyre with Flora. Alfendi was holding a torch up for them to see. 

“It’s cold,” Kat whined. She squinted when Alfendi swung the torch in her direction. 

“Start a fire then,” he snapped. “Make yourself useful—“

“Al,” Flora said in a warning tone, “we need that light…” 

Alfendi turned back to the tyre and Kat poked her tongue out at him. 

A coat covered Kat’s shoulders. She wrapped it around herself like a wizard’s cloak and glanced up at Uncle Luke.

Luke wondered, “How’s it looking?” 

“Judging by all the spines, I think we hit a cactus,” Flora replied. 

Kat peered closer at the flat tyre. It looked like they’d run over a hedgehog— no, a porcupine! 

Were there porcupines out in the desert? Or bigger animals? Kat’s eyes darted around the sand, though she could barely see a thing. 

Back in Monte d’Or, they’d seen horses, exotic birds and the circus animals, but Dalston had promised they were all tame— even Monty the tiger. 

But they weren’t wild animals. 

Out here in the desert, there could be snakes, or coyotes, or spiders. Even Aunt Emmy was scared of spiders!

“Are you still cold?” Luke asked as Kat cuddled against him. 

“N-no,” Kat stammered. “D-do any animals live in the desert? Scary ones—?” 

“AWOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Coyotes!” Kat yelped. She hid her face in the front of Luke’s shirt. 

Luke gently turned her around and pointed out, “Nope, your brother just thinks he’s a werewolf…”

Alfendi’s howls dissolved into hoots of laughter. 

“Shut up, Al!” Kat growled. 

He copied her in a squeaky voice, sounding like one of the parrots that lived outside of Dalston’s hotel. “‘Shut up, Al!’”

Kat stamped her foot towards him. “Why are you always so annoying?” 

“My hobby is making fun of you when you talk.”

“Daaaad…!”

“I don’t want to hear any more arguing, you two,” Dad called. 

“He started it!” 

“‘He started it!’ 

“One more word, Alfendi,” Flora grunted, “and I’ll shove a cactus down your throat.”  

That shut Alfendi up. 

“We’re going to have to lift the car to get this wheel off,” Flora said. “Papa, please tell me you packed a scissor jack and a spare tyre?” 

“Yes— of course,” Dad answered. “They should be in the boot…” 

“Luke, can you go grab that?” Flora asked. 

Kat looked at Luke. Luke scratched the back of his head. (He should really get a new hat!) “Er, sure…” Luke said. “What does the jack look like?”

“You’re kidding me,” Flora said, her voice flatter than the tyre. “Twenty-two-years-old and you’ve never seen a scissor jack?” 

Luke shrugged sheepishly. 

Grumbling about how she had to do everything around here, Flora went to grab the scissor jack. 

Alfendi turned to Luke and scoffed, “Can you even drive yet?”

 Luke confessed, “I usually just take the bus—”

“Leave Luke alone!” Kat growled at Alfendi.

“Just for that,” Alfendi said, “I’m not taking you to Starbucks when I pass my test.” 

“No one is going to Starbucks,” Dad said. “You know how I feel about their tea…” 

He helped Flora when she returned carrying the red scissor jack, a silver tool and a spare tyre from the boot. (Kat wondered if she’d be as strong as Flora when she was bigger.)  

Flora puffed, “I hope this works with all the sand…” She put the scissor jack under the car and starting unbolting the flat tyre. 

“I’d say it needs to be higher,” Dad said.

“I know, I know…” 

The scissor jack creaked as it lifted the Laytonmobile.

“Now it’s even taller,” Kat pointed out. “Dad, why is your car so tall?”

“That would be— Nnghhh!” Dad grunted as he heaved the flat tyre away from the car. “Sorry— That would be because of my hat.” 

Alfendi muttered, “Why not just lose the hat…?”

Dad placed the tyre on the sand and stood up straight. Both Luke and Flora glanced at him worriedly. Adjusting his hat, Dad sighed, “I try, but sometimes it finds its way back to me.”     

Kat blinked. Their dad would usually say something like, ‘A gentleman never removes his hat!’, but now he sounded sad and… old.

“There we are!” Flora said brightly. “The new tyre’s ready to go!” 

Alfendi shone the torch over the brand new wheel, perfectly fitted. 

“Ah—“ Dad smiled. “Thank you, dear.”  

Kat cheered. “We’re going home!”

“Finally,” Alfendi huffed.   

Luke offered to lock the tools and the flat tyre in the boot. 

Kat held the car door open for Luke when he returned. 

“After you, good sir!”

Luke chuckled, “Isn’t it ladies first—?”

“GET IN, BOTH OF YOU!” Alfendi barked from the back.

“GET OUT IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT!” Kat snapped. 

“—Or maybe I should go in the middle,” Luke decided, sliding into the car before her. He offered Kat his hand and she climbed in after him.

“Kat, Al, I don’t want another peep from either of you,” Flora warned, shifting in her seat to glare at them. She snorted when she saw how Luke was wedged in between Kat and Alfendi. (At least none of them ever had to share a seat with Bill Hawks.) 

“I’m sorry for the stress that must have caused,” Dad said. “If everyone’s strapped in, we’ll be off now…”

They all sighed with relief when the engine rattled to life and the Laytonmobile started to move. 

“We’ll still have to stop at a garage to get everything checked out,” Flora said. Dad nodded. 

“Bye, desert!” Kat waved as she gazed out the window. “Bye cactuses—“

“It’s cacti,” Alfendi quietly corrected her. 

“…Bye Mr. Coyote!” 

“Coyote?” Alfendi leaned over Luke to squint out of Kat’s window. “Where? Where?”

Kat flicked him on the nose. “There!” 

[floralicious]

dynamic lives, static signals: part 1

telephone blues

Crossposted on ao3

part 2

Summary: Alfendi is tired, and Kat just wants her brother to keep in touch. Lucy is... otherwise occupied. A movie night.

Relationships: Lucy Baker/Hilda Pertinax, Katrielle Layton/Pipper Lowonida

Rating: T for language and implied sex

--

“And that about wraps up the Simmons case, Prof.”

Lucy dropped the file on the Prof’s desk, where he was sitting and studying another open case file.

“Thank you, Lucy,” said Alfendi absentmindedly. “I'll double-check it later.” He kept looking at the page in front of him, eyes glazing over as they moved back and forth pointlessly.

Lucy gazed down at the Prof. “You quite alright?” It looked almost as if he was going to fall asleep. Just watching him made Lucy drowsy. As her eyelids started to drop, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

“Yes, just tired. The amount of homicides going on recently is a tad overwhelming. I appreciate your help with all these cases.” While Alfendi spoke, Lucy took out her mobile .

Text from: Kit Kat

make sure al is coning to movie nite 2day

It buzzed again.

the basrrerd was “sick” last weel

“Hey Prof, Katrielle wants to know if you’ll be at my flat later for movie night,” Lucy said. “We’re watching some Rector film with Leonardo diCameo and Cate Quinslet, if that's any incentive.”

Alfendi sighed. “Tell my sister it will take a little more than a romance film to get me to see her.”

Lucy started typing.

Text to: Kit Kat

I don't think he wants to come. Seems dead tired if you ask me.

Text from: Kit Kat

tell that asdhole I’m getting the good pizza and mr. lipsli’s cookies

and if he doesn't come I'll make sure he ends up on a mysteey room caae file

“She's getting the good pizza from that place by Guildhall. And cookies from the bakery on Chancer Lane,” Lucy read from her phone.

“Plus she said, and I quote, 'if he doesn't come I’ll make sure he ends up in a Mystery Room case file.’ I think she means as the victim, Prof.”

Alfendi got up from his seat behind the desk. “Fine. Tell Katrihell I'll be there. Your flat is near hers, correct?”

“Aye, P. Usle Avenue. I'm number 33, just shoot me a text when you get there,” Lucy said. She smiled, writing a quick confirmation message to Kat before slipping her mobile back into her pocket.

“That being said, I've got to get back. Hilda will have my hide if I don't clean the flat before we have guests, and we've finished enough cases for today, dontcha think?” Lucy glanced back at the Prof for confirmation, but he was already buried deep in his case file.

“Yes, fine. See you later,” he mumbled.

As she walked out the door, Lucy shouted over her shoulder at the Prof. “It's at seven! Don't be late!”

-

Alfendi sat, stewing in his car. Traffic was a nightmare come to life at six o'clock on a Friday evening, apparently, and the unusually warm fall weather helped nothing. The inspector was sweltering in his turtleneck, even without his lab coat.

For fuck’s sake, he thought. I thought rush hour was over when I got home. Cars honked all around him, but Alfendi just looked out the windshield and mourned the loss of a quiet night at home.

Damn Kat and her damn movie nights. Why can't she just call me like a normal person to catch up? And I bet she's bringing her damn girlfriend too. Two goddamned couples and I'll be fifth wheeling. Good thinking, Al. You give in to your goddamned kid sister and now tonight will be louder than Dolly Hollerday at a kids’ concert.

Traffic started to move, and Alfendi moved with it. He supposed seeing Katrielle again wouldn't be so bad, but it had only been two weeks since they had last seen each other. One if you counted the time she dropped into his office on business. But he liked Lucy’s place, and Hilda would be there. The movie didn't sound so bad either.

This could be fun, thought Alfendi as he made his way through the still-busy streets. He braked suddenly, jerking himself forward as another car cut him off at an intersection.

“Dickwad!” He yelled out the window, shoving out a hand with one finger raised. Or maybe not so much.

-

Lucy opened the door almost right as Alfendi sent her a text. Over an hour later, he had managed to find P. Usle Avenue again. By the time he arrived it was 7:14 P.M., and the whole party was already there.

“Hiya, Prof!” Lucy beamed at him, and Alfendi returned the smile.

“Hello, Lucy. Sorry I'm late.” He stepped into the modest flat, which was filled with knickknacks and bright colors. His former co-worker was sitting on a large couch in the living area, typing something on a laptop.

“Hi, Al,” said Hilda, barely glancing up from her work. “Good to see you.”

Alfendi smiled. “Likewise, Hilda. It's been too long. You really ought to accompany Lucy to the Yard more oft- oof!”

Katrielle Layton had jumped on him, smothering him in a tight hug around the neck.

“Big brother!” She squealed.

“Hey… Kat… rielle…” Alfendi croaked out. He spotted a blonde-haired woman occupying a chair next to Hilda. “Hello… Mayor-” he gasped- “...Lowonida.”

“Just Pipper is fine, Inspector,” said the mayor through her giggles.

Kat released him, and Alfendi took a few huge breaths. “Jesus, Katrihell. Are you actually trying to kill me? After I showed up and everything?”

“Yes, because you missed last week's movie night!” Kat said in a voice suspiciously close to a growl. “I’ve been worried sick, not to mention you looked terrible when I saw you at the office last week. You look even worse now, you silly boy.

“Have you slept at all this week? And look at this. Roots, Al.” Kat reached up and pulled the top of his head towards her, frowning at the brown hair around his part.

Alfendi, head still bowed, met Kat’s eyes. “Sorry that making a living is keeping me from dyeing my hair,” he jibed. “We're a bit stressed up at the Mystery Room.”

“Wait, Prof, your hair color isn't natural?” Lucy had taken a seat and was leaning on Hilda.

“Nope!” chirped Katrielle. “He dyed it this color when he was- what were you, Al, seventeen?” Alfendi nodded in agreement.

“Around that time.”

“Oh Lu, you should have seen it! Dad was so shocked, I thought his eyes might fall out,” Kat said.

Hilda looked up and grinned. “Al made me and Justin help touch up his roots in school because he didn't want to pay for a professional.” Lucy laughed at this and buried her face in Hilda’s shoulder.

“Enough about my hair, how about the movie? And food? I only came because we're getting the good pizza,” Alfendi grumbled.

Katrielle’s eyes lit up like stars. “Oh, the pizza should be delivered any minute! I can’t wait! Pipper, you set up the movie so we can start it as soon as the food gets here, right?”

“All taken care of, darling,” the mayor said from her seat. “It's like you care about the food more than me!”

“Mmm…” mumbled Kat as she watched the door, waiting for a knock.

Soon the detective got her wish, and flung open the door. She hurriedly paid the delivery girl and toted a stack of pizza boxes in.

“Okay…” she said. “A medium Hawaiian for Al and Hilda…” Katrielle pushed a box into Alfendi's arms. He moved to sit next to Hilda, forcing Lucy to release her girlfriend and sit amongst several cushions instead. Hilda snapped shut her computer at last and turned her attention to the food.

Lucy took a pizza box offered to her by Kat. “Large pepperoni?” she asked.

“Enjoy,” Kat replied with a wink.

She handed Mayor Lowonida a small box. “A personal cheese pizza for my beautiful lady-” she sat down as close as possible to Pipper “- and two almost-everything pizzas for me!”

“How are you going to eat all that?” Alfendi scoffed. “Jesus, Kat. Good thing you bike everywhere.”

Katrielle frowned. “Well, I don't understand how pineapple on pizza could possibly taste good to anybody. How you two can stand it might be the only mystery I can't solve.”

“Oh, shut up,” Alfendi said, though he was smiling.

The mayor pressed a button on the remote, and the movie started.

“Ah, what romance!” said Lucy around a mouthful of pizza. “They knew right away that they were meant to be, even bein’ strangers to each other.”

“I think our love is just as strong, dear,” said Hilda. She dabbed at her mouth before moving to the other end of the couch. She sat next to Lucy once more and kissed her cheek.

“As is ours,” Pipper said. Katrielle smiled at her. Kat leaned her head on Pipper’s shoulder and took another bite of pizza.

“What about you, Al?” Kat said, mouth still full. “Anyone special I should know about? I don't know anything about your life, seeing as you haven't called me.” With this she gave Alfendi a pointed look.

He considered flipping her off, but decided to just speak. He didn't really care about disturbing the movie at this point. “Well, prospects have dwindled. I haven't met anyone worth dating in ages. Not that it's your business what my love life looks like, Katrihell.”

“Hmmm,” murmured Kat, eyes on the screen. “All I'm saying is that Ernest is available.”

Alfendi just looked at his sister, dumbstruck. Once again, he thought about giving her the finger. “Are you nuts? I'm at least ten years older than that poor kid! At least! Not to mention how you led him on, the sap.”

“I pay him now! And-”

“Y’know, I were jus’ talkin’ to an old friend of mine. She’s a pretty lass if I ever met one, and clever too. I'm sure I could convince her to go on a date with you, Prof,” piped Lucy.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Lucy, but it's really a non-issue. Dating isn't an important part of life right now. Work is the priority.” Now it was Alfendi's turn to give a pointed look to Kat.

She studiously ignored him in favor of the film. Alfendi grumbled indistinctly as he shoved a chunk of pineapple into his mouth. He grabbed a pillow from the couch and lay down on it, settling down to watch the movie.

-

“Al? Come on, wake up.” Katrielle shook her brother. Alfendi was passed out on Lucy’s sofa. He had shoved a pizza box to the floor.

Katrielle was trying desperately not to wake Lucy and Hilda, who had fallen asleep snuggling together.

She continued to shake Alfendi. “Wha? Kat, what’re you-”

“Shhhhh,” she said, pointing to the cuddling couple.

“What's going on?” asked Alfendi. He was whispering this time.

“The movie’s over. Come on, you can stay in my flat, it's just down the street. Flora’s room is empty since she's in America.” Kat paused and tugged on Alfendi's arm. “Up with you now.”

She dragged the man off of the couch. He reluctantly walked out the door with her, too tired to really understand what was going on. Katrielle waved an arm at Pipper, asking her to join them.

The trio walked down Kat's street. It was lit by sturdy street lights, the kind nice to look at. Everyone walked in silence as they admired the few stars above.

Kat thought to herself how idyllic it was. A perfect night.

They entered Katrielle's flat. It was marked by a pretty blue door,which creaked upon being opened.

Pipper flipped a light switch, illuminating the dark hall.

“I can drive back to my home, Kat,” said Alfendi, now at full volume and full attention.

“Hush, it's late and I've got an empty room. Plus, your place is across town. You're staying,” Kat replied.

Pipper silently moved to Katrielle's own room, while Kat and Alfendi headed towards Flora's. Alfendi immediately flopped into the tidy bed.

“I miss Flora,” he said.

“Me too,” said Kat, “but she wouldn't appreciate having your shoes on her bed.”

Alfendi laughed and moved to remove his shoes. “Thanks for letting me stay, Kat. Really.”

“Goodnight,” she sing-songed as she closed the door.

“Love you,” said Alfendi.

“I love you too, big bro,” Kat said through the cracked door. “Now sleep. You need it.”

Katrielle walked down to her room, where she found Pipper undressing. “Now that we're alone…” said Kat, “what am I going to do with you?”

They both grinned.

end

Thanks for reading!

A/N: This is probably super out of character but I don't really care

(P.S. I'm sorry if I butchered any accents please forgive my American ignorance)

Clarifications:

Timeline: Set sometime shortly after Millionaire's Conspiracy.

Nicknames: Alfendi calls Kat "Katrihell" because hell is what she gives him (haha I think I'm funny). Lucy kalls her "Kit Kat" because she's sweet.

Kat's cursing- She doesn't curse out loud as it's not very gentlewomanly, but has no qualms about cussing out her brother over text. He is, after all, the one who taght her every curse in the book.

The living situation- Kat and the mayor alternate between each other's homes. Flora lived in Kat's spare room for a month or so, but has since returned to her life and career. ( I think she's significantly older than Kat and Alfendi because she couldn't have been younger than 12-14 when Al was adopted or born. This is assuming he was adopted as an infant.)

Flora's location: Flora is in America with parties who will probably become named in a shorter follow-up fic.

Technology- If someone tries to tell me they have a crime scene simulator but not cell phones in the Laytonverse I'm going to scream.