[Oh, look who it is. Hershel will just gently tug the brim of his hat down a bit and put on a smile. Time to play it cool.]
There's no need for concern. I've ended up with quite the career of predicaments, believe it or not, and we've always come out in one piece. [Of course, this mun... hasn't started that particular predicament just yet. But hopefully soon!]
After all, what is a predicament other than a series of particularly complicated puzzles?
[He laughs softly at that. The idea of facing sorcery sounds a bit daunting, but from Claire it sounds like a fanciful joke.]
I suppose that you're right. I'll certainly try to cut back in the future. Heaven knows I've ended up dealing with swords more than I'd prefer to over my lifetime...
I hope that I can deliver a satisfying solution. Of course, it won't be just Luke and myself this time. If I understand correctly, a charming young attorney and his friend shall be joining us?
[Claire answers with a pleasant laugh of her own.]
And here I was under the impression that you were quite fond of fencing. Or are you already that much out of practice? [She's joking, of course; just because she's positive that Hershel's capable of taking care of himself doesn't mean she'd like him to get into that much peril.]
As far as I'm aware, yes. I've never met him myself, but I've only heard good things about both Mr. Wright and Miss Fey. [then again, sharing a player with Mia Fey will do that.] The four of you will do fantastic.
Perhaps I don't practice as much as I used to, but I'm still quite fond of fencing as a recreational activity. That aside, I would simply prefer not to end up in the types of situations that cause me to rely on my fencing skills to save my very life. [He says it very casually at least.]
It seems that I'm hearing good things about them as well. [Well... and to think this Layton is now sharing a player with an attempt at Godot...] Having the assistance of Luke has often been all the help I've needed in the past; I can only imagine the height of efficiency our team will reach with those two extra players.
...I miss you, Hershel, but I'm inclined to agree. [Claire's still smiling, but the expression doesn't carry to her eyes. She reaches for Layton's hand.] If I have to meet you again, I'd much, much rather that it be here alone.
[But that depressing topic aside--]
In such an unreasonable situation, you'll need all the help you can get. Witch hunts, of all the illogical, cruel things...
Yes fate! You're not the same Mia who tagged me are you
[Of course he'll take her hand. He always will. With a very sad smile as he tries to maintain his normal appearance.]
Claire...
I would be very agreeable to that. To any amount of extra time I have to be graced with your presence.
[And then he adjusts his hat stoically with his free hand.]
Historically, witch hunts have been caused by nothing but superstitious fear. If they're being practiced somewhere out there, I know that I will do everything in my power to stop it.
As long as you like, Hershel. [After all, it isn't like she has anywhere else she needs to be.]
I won't ruin too much of the Story-- I've been filled in on most of it-- but... there is undoing things that are unnatural, and then there is simple brutality. And fear, indeed. [She squeezes his hand.]
You're a good man. I know... I know you'll do what's right.
You can't give me that choice, Claire. [He says with so much bittersweetness.] I might never end up choosing to return to my life at home.
Thank you for being considerate. There's few things sadder than a puzzle that someone else shows you the answer to, after all. It certainly sounds like a serious conundrum, however. I'll be sure to commit myself to the task.
You've always believed in me, Claire. It's helped me to get quite far, indeed.
Don't be silly. You have Luke and Flora to look after. [she replies, fondly: it didn't take her long to get attached to those two at all. And Claire adds, teasingly--] Besides, I'm sure you've got dozens of papers and conferences and stuffy faculty meetings to attend! You won't get out of those that easily, Professor Layton.
And I'll never stop believing in you. It might be selfish to ask this of you, but... I hope you'll remember that, even when I'm not around to remind you of it. Carry on for me, Hershel.
[Not even getting into the "how are you here" and "why are you here" bits, enough weird stuff has happened to him that he knows 1. there's an explanation and 2. he probably doesn't know it and won't for some time.
[Luke neither turns toward her hand nor shrugs it away. Of course he didn't think he was done being upset about this but he did expect to be done with the ungentlemanly hair-trigger break in his voice.]
But I don't know if that'll last long. [So far they are going one by one...]
LUKE BABY also theres spoilers here to any passersby
Instead, Luke breathes short and sharp, once, determined not to let himself fall apart again. He has to believe in the Professor, there must be a way, some way to fix all of this-
Luke hasn't slept for two days and he keeps seeing that moment in the study over and over, trying to force his feet to move faster when he knows they can't possibly. So as much as his heart insists that it can't be real and his mind assures him he will solve this puzzle, he just...can't.]
He- [An upswing in his voice, like a squeak. One hand tugs down his hat, low enough to almost cover his eyes, and the other makes a tight fist at his side.]
Claire takes a knee to get down to Luke's level, maintaining that contact with him. She's trying her damnedest to keep her composure-- God, is she ever-- but Hershel. Hershel can't be hurt. Or worse.]
I-I see.
[A deep breath to steady herself. She cannot afford to panic in front of Luke: not when she can't do anything, either, and not when she has the chance to perhaps calm him into finding a solution. Every puzzle has an answer, right?]
Are you alone there? Luke, is there anything to be done to... to help him?
No, I'm not alone. [Which. He almost forgot, in the surge of confronting Layton's...accident again.] I'm...I'm with somebody else Professor Layton really believed in.
[Luke shakes his head, as much to force off sadness as it is an answer to Claire's question.]
I don't know what we can do, but I think he'd want- [This is hard. It's harder to look at her and say it all.] The answer. He'd want us to do everything we can do to reach a solution.
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There's no need for concern. I've ended up with quite the career of predicaments, believe it or not, and we've always come out in one piece. [Of course, this mun... hasn't started that particular predicament just yet. But hopefully soon!]
After all, what is a predicament other than a series of particularly complicated puzzles?
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[says the time traveler. nbd.]
I can't wait to see how you solve this one.
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I suppose that you're right. I'll certainly try to cut back in the future. Heaven knows I've ended up dealing with swords more than I'd prefer to over my lifetime...
I hope that I can deliver a satisfying solution. Of course, it won't be just Luke and myself this time. If I understand correctly, a charming young attorney and his friend shall be joining us?
no subject
And here I was under the impression that you were quite fond of fencing. Or are you already that much out of practice? [She's joking, of course; just because she's positive that Hershel's capable of taking care of himself doesn't mean she'd like him to get into that much peril.]
As far as I'm aware, yes. I've never met him myself, but I've only heard good things about both Mr. Wright and Miss Fey. [then again, sharing a player with Mia Fey will do that.] The four of you will do fantastic.
no subject
It seems that I'm hearing good things about them as well. [Well... and to think this Layton is now sharing a player with an attempt at Godot...] Having the assistance of Luke has often been all the help I've needed in the past; I can only imagine the height of efficiency our team will reach with those two extra players.
OMG do you really, fate
[But that depressing topic aside--]
In such an unreasonable situation, you'll need all the help you can get. Witch hunts, of all the illogical, cruel things...
Yes fate! You're not the same Mia who tagged me are you
Claire...
I would be very agreeable to that. To any amount of extra time I have to be graced with your presence.
[And then he adjusts his hat stoically with his free hand.]
Historically, witch hunts have been caused by nothing but superstitious fear. If they're being practiced somewhere out there, I know that I will do everything in my power to stop it.
my mia's spiritedefense!!
I won't ruin too much of the Story-- I've been filled in on most of it-- but... there is undoing things that are unnatural, and then there is simple brutality. And fear, indeed. [She squeezes his hand.]
You're a good man. I know... I know you'll do what's right.
oh! you are a different one!
Thank you for being considerate. There's few things sadder than a puzzle that someone else shows you the answer to, after all. It certainly sounds like a serious conundrum, however. I'll be sure to commit myself to the task.
You've always believed in me, Claire. It's helped me to get quite far, indeed.
aw too bad, happy to see mias around though!
And I'll never stop believing in you. It might be selfish to ask this of you, but... I hope you'll remember that, even when I'm not around to remind you of it. Carry on for me, Hershel.
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[Not even getting into the "how are you here" and "why are you here" bits, enough weird stuff has happened to him that he knows 1. there's an explanation and 2. he probably doesn't know it and won't for some time.
Luke wears the longest face.]
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Luke? You're there too, aren't you... [She makes a move to put a comforting hand on his shoulder.] Are you all right?
let's do a painful gamepoint y/y
[Luke neither turns toward her hand nor shrugs it away. Of course he didn't think he was done being upset about this but he did expect to be done with the ungentlemanly hair-trigger break in his voice.]
But I don't know if that'll last long. [So far they are going one by one...]
LUKE BABY also theres spoilers here to any passersby
Is Hershel all right?
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Instead, Luke breathes short and sharp, once, determined not to let himself fall apart again. He has to believe in the Professor, there must be a way, some way to fix all of this-
Luke hasn't slept for two days and he keeps seeing that moment in the study over and over, trying to force his feet to move faster when he knows they can't possibly. So as much as his heart insists that it can't be real and his mind assures him he will solve this puzzle, he just...can't.]
He- [An upswing in his voice, like a squeak. One hand tugs down his hat, low enough to almost cover his eyes, and the other makes a tight fist at his side.]
no subject
Claire takes a knee to get down to Luke's level, maintaining that contact with him. She's trying her damnedest to keep her composure-- God, is she ever-- but Hershel. Hershel can't be hurt. Or worse.]
I-I see.
[A deep breath to steady herself. She cannot afford to panic in front of Luke: not when she can't do anything, either, and not when she has the chance to perhaps calm him into finding a solution. Every puzzle has an answer, right?]
Are you alone there? Luke, is there anything to be done to... to help him?
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[Luke shakes his head, as much to force off sadness as it is an answer to Claire's question.]
I don't know what we can do, but I think he'd want- [This is hard. It's harder to look at her and say it all.] The answer. He'd want us to do everything we can do to reach a solution.
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[...Hi Claire. Clive might be feeling a tad awkward chatting with you.]
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The moment she recognizes him, Claire's expression flickers to one of remorse-- but she holds back, because, well, that's not the issue right now.]
You're right-- I know he will. But I can't help but to worry a little, even so.
[She trails off. awkward? awkward.]
I hope you're doing well too, Clive.
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You needn't worry about me. You know how resourceful I can be. [Aka, stop being nice, I don't know how to deal with it from you.]