[ID: In the foreground, a drawing of future Flora Reinhold. She is walking to the right, looking back at the silhouettes of her younger self and Hershel Layton to the left. In the background, a drawing of the silhouette of Saint Mystere's tower front and center, with Flora looking at it from a cliff, alongside several sketches. The sketches depict, clockwise: the Golden Apple on Flora's neck, a shot of Flora's boot, Flora looking back at the town, a hand holding needles, and Baron Reinhold's diary. /end ID]
A clock ticked quietly and creating a peaceful melody with the crackle of a fire; snow fell gently outside, glittering through the window panes. Theodore Layton sat lost in thought, tea warming his hands as he lounged on his couch. Something was keeping him awake, and he was sifting through his memories like an archaeological dig.
Of course, because of recent events, he was regularly brought back to the Triton family - though he’d come to terms with their move long before Luke had told him, so he knew his restlessness was tied to something else.
Perhaps it was Flora, then? She’d been quite upset at the professor for not telling her sooner that Luke was moving away, and he’d admitted he’d never found the right time or words. It hurt so deeply to realize he’d given her no time to process the fact that he was leaving. He doubted that was the problem though, as they were making good strides in their conversations about processing these feelings.
The thought of Claire came up for a moment, but after a gentle squeeze of the heart, the thought passed. She was gone now, he knew for sure, and he had come to terms with that not long ago.
Then, finally, another face graced his mind.
It had been a year, maybe longer, since he’d been seen. The days seemed to have slipped by after that event, what with Saint Mystere and the Molentary Express, and just recently Future London. That letter still sat in his desk, the words burned into his heart.
“I will return to you someday, hopefully soon. But for now, I must take my leave. Stay strong, Teddy.”
He gripped the cup tighter as its warmth faded, then took a sip. Perhaps this…
As the clock struck midnight, he decided it would be better to speculate in bed. At least if he fell asleep mid thought, he wouldn’t be stiff in the morning. Swinging his legs down, he grabbed the blanket to fold it back up-
A knock, quiet but firm. Someone who knew the hour but wanted to be heard. One of the neighbors, perhaps?
He stood, then, setting the half-full teacup on the table and approached the door. He undid the deadbolt and lock quietly, then slowly opened the door.
Standing on his doorstep, damp coat in hand, was Hershel.
In the span of a heartbeat, Theo took in the details of his brother’s appearance - he’d trimmed his hair again recently, and it looked more gray than before; he looked well rested, though the late hour was beginning to show. When he glanced up from the doormat, Theo noted shame, then relief, then tears.
Without warning, his knees gave out as he crossed the threshold, and Hershel caught him in a hug. Body trembling, he could only whisper, “Hershel..!” Tears burned down his cheeks and he found himself clutching his brother’s shirt tightly. He didn’t want to let go, couldn’t bear the thought of losing him again.
“I’m so sorry,” Hershel said, his own voice cracking with emotion, “I’m so sorry for leaving… after all we went through…” Theo felt his brother’s grip tighten on his own jumper. All he could hope was that this meant they would be staying together from here on out.
looks like reform hogs are scraping the bottom of the bin for the tiniest bit of dirt. it takes a bin to clean up clacton!
context under the cut. british politics are very silly
nigel farage was a member of parliament "representing" clacton (he goes to the US to schmooze with trump more than he spends time in his own constituency). he's leader of reform, a far right party and is a fascist piece of shit. he also looks like a sea devil from doctor who
he's responsible for brexit, which has tanked the uk economy and is also in the epstein files.
it was discovered that he accepted five million pounds from a cryptocurrency billionnaire in thailand and failed to declare it, which, if found guilty, would cost him his seat in parliament. so to worm his way out of the investigation he quit
this triggered a by-election in his constituency. he immediately announced he would be running for his seat he resigned from. an obvious farce to flex the support he supposedly has.
thing is every other political party could tell what he was doing so boycotted the election.
enter Count Binface, intergalactic dictator of the Recyclons from Sigma IX:
He's been a joke candidate for some time. In the UK anyone can run in elections, you just need ten signatures from residents and £500. This time, he genuinely has a chance of winning. Without the other major parties to split the vote, he could potentially unite the anti Reform vote in Clacton and win Nigel's seat
so Nigel will either win and the investigation into him will continue, which will lead to him being fired, OR he loses his seat to a man with a bin on his head.
Canon Fact: The name "Cluny" is a legend and a boogeyman. Before his arrival none of the Abbey mice believed that he was real
Conjecture: Vermin are generally expected to change their names upon adulthood (I just can't imagine moms are going around naming their children things like Frogblood and Mangefur)
Now consider the idea that the name "Cluny" predates Cluny the Scourge- upon reaching a point of sufficient success in his warlord career, he changed his name to match this legend in order to take advantage of this reputation
Ooh I love this, it makes so much sense! That's so something Cluny would do and it adds to the worldbuilding in such a fun way!
I absolutely agree about the vermin name change tradition too, especially because a few canon villains like Slagar and Urgan Nagru re-named themselves. And then tons of other vermin have names based on a defining trait that wouldn't emerge until later in life, eg. Ashleg wasn't born with a wooden leg (even if it's a congenital limb difference, he wouldn't get a prosthesis until he could walk).
I've always thought that the "descriptive yet unflattering" names like Splitnose and Ashleg were nicknames.
New headcanon: Vermin that reach the age of majority rename themselves, and deadnaming someone using their child name is either bad luck or an excellent way to start a fight
~ Flowers for Daisy ~
Revenge for @toyoll for their drawing of my Chu over at Artfight! I have such a weak spot for bunny/rabbit designs so I could not pass up on drawing Daisy. She certainly deserves all the flowers for the ordeal the game puts you through :;)
Former Capital Courtier turned Farmer of Grimshire.
New file - New Farmer! (more information under the cut)
Name: Iseult
Age: 25
Species: Silver Persian Cat
Love Interest: Kai
Bio: Daughter to a nomadic clan of felines, Iseult had cast off her identity in order to fit into the court of Empress Priscilla SnowFur as an offering for trade relations. Iseult is a reserved feline, valued for her musical inclination and negotiation skills as a lady in waiting to the Empress. A luxurious cage, dressed in white and blue.
There was moments, where she would meet her kin on the fringes of the Capital, to see them well and to see them off to their travels with a sort of longing. Despite her attempts to believe that she was content.
However, flame would take the Capital-chaos bursting as she made her escape and found herself in the harbor, but among countless horrified civilians fleeing the flames. The panic brings the memory to pitch, recalling crashing waves and the smell of ash.
Eventually she would awake in Grimshire, what finery she wore now in marred in blood and ash. Perhaps Iseult wished to leave the island, as soon as Finn would return to it's shores. But grave news would soon follow, and Iseult would find herself as a pillar of the community when she was once a diminished presence in her old life.
Having to get past her lofty life style and getting in touch with long forgotten roots, she needs all the determination she can get to ensure the island can survive until winter.
Personalty: Haughty, a little distant as a defense mechanism. But a diligent and hard worker once she knows the ropes and sets her mind to things. Frustratingly stubborn with a heart of gold, especially towards the townsfolk she becomes devoted towards.
Misc Facts:
Once a court musician, Iseult knows how to play the harp and sings. However she seldom sings for audiences nowadays, rather she often does for her plants. If caught, she is quickly embarrassed by it and tells the listener to forget about it.
Mother was a herbalist, thus Iseult has some knowledge of herbs, but often consults Hazel and Rose for proper raising of them.
Allegedly, knew how to wield a bow and arrow, having learned from her father. But is terribly rusty. Asks Kai to fashion her one, if not for hunting but self defense when pirates arrive. Spear and bow lessons ensue. (surely not an excuse for romantic proximity)
Hates getting dirt underneath her claws, and is very thorough in bathing. Though that extends to her tending to others appearances, which she bonds over with Logan.
Headcanon: Priscilla Snowfur is keen on uniformity and the idea of purity of snow, thus dawns a white and icy blue dress code. Iseult used to powder her face to appear fairer, but is rather fond of her crescent blaze that her mother considered lucky.
It's really fun when there's a character creator and the choices you make in there are acknowledged.
So, since the newest update added an intro skip, I decided to round up all the species' commentary in the beginning. Theo's is my favorite of the bunch.
Though apparently Gustavo comments on your selected farmer later too? I might look into that later.
Along with thinking about my Mario AU again, I have also been mulling over some ideas for my Sonic AU.. 👀 Its fixing to get some major changes, but good ones I think! :}
