Every puzzle has a trick.

indie au professor hershel layton. sideblog. work in progress.

[professorunaging]

“That seems to be the case... though I will admit it also isn’t unusual for me.”

[professorunaging]

“... How long was I out?”

[professorunaging]

“On the contrary -- if one was deceased, they would have to take very good care of their body afterwards, as it wouldn’t be able to heal itself. Unless, of course, they had a special condition like my own.”

[professorunaging]

so... its dying?

“No, tipster. It is not dying. I request that you not phrase it that way.”

[professorunaging]

professah, whats your skincare routine?

“I regret to inform you that due to me mysteriously passing away, there seems to be no need for me to maintain my skin, as it does not change in health no matter what I apply to it.”

[professorunaging]

“Goodness, so many of you are here now. Well, I hope you don’t mind that I am a bit lacking in activity at the moment.”

[professorunaging]

“... It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?”

[professorunaging]

any food in particular you're missing?

“Nothing in particular, no. Just the concept of food. Being unable to really eat or drink makes me feel a little more seperated from the living... it is not an especially good feeling.”

[professorunaging]

“Knowing that I’ve lost my taste for food... is a little painful, but if that is a price I must pay to still be around for those who want me here, then so be it.”

[professorunaging]

thegreatestmother‌:

“Of course, Theodore! Why wouldn’t I be proud of you?” she brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. “All I could hope for is that you were happy and healthy. I regret not being there to make sure you always were.”

Ha ha. ‘Healthy’. This spot of imaginary parenting is really not going well for him, and he can feel distress surfacing in him like a submarine from the depths. Hershel does all he can to stuff it back down for now.

“Ah... I haven’t heard that name in some time. But... I understand. Please don’t worry yourself over not being there. I still came out quite alright, if I may say so myself.”

[professorunaging]

thegreatestmother‌:

“Thank you, my sweet child. That means a lot.” She’d heard of her son’s success and triumphs. It was enough to make a mother proud. “You’ve grown up so much since I saw you last.”

“Ah... yes, I have, haven’t I?” Was this punishment for something? There were a few things that could come to mind with a bit of coaxing... Hershel merely adjusts his hat before offering a soft smile, concealing his mixed feelings on the matter.

“I hope you are proud of me.”

[professorunaging]

thegreatestmother‌:

Just having my family all together again is enough of a gift for me!

“Yes... together, again. Of course.” One of the issues of being somewhat disconnected from your own body was how your brain would occasionally throw phantom sensations at you. This had to be one of them. Right?

“Of course... it may be early, but happy Mother’s Day.”

[professorunaging]

thegreatestmother‌:

Don’t worry, it’s not for few more days.

......... Ten years of isolation really have done a number on him, it seems!

“... That is true,” says Hershel, just barely able to keep his voice from trembling.

[professorunaging]

“... Mother’s day, is it?... I see.”

[professorunaging]

... He shouldn’t feel pain, but there was a little stab at his heart just now.

[professorunaging]

fatheroflayton‌:

“I’m afraid we’ve got another lovely Son around, yet I’m uncertain on how to communicate with them— their multiverse seems far off from what I’m used to.”

“As you possess abilities I lack, could you give a try? They go by ‘Alfondee Burgerham’ I believe.”

“I could certainly try. I can only hope that there is a way for me to communicate with this new son, a way that differs from your attempts. Unfortunately, my powers are limited mostly to putting something that was in a different state up to four minutes ago...

“Thank you for the information.”

[professorunaging]

fatheroflayton‌:

“Evening—”

“Would you mind helping a fellow Layton with keeping their crumbling sanity around these parts?”

“Oh, of course I wouldn’t mind. A true gentleman always does his very best to hold himself together, even if he is referring to another version of himself. What would you like me to do?”