Professor Layton's Column - Gressenheller Weekly

Ah.

Ah. Yes. Such a publication is not available to most of the general public. To find it, one must know where to look.

Certain journals published within the academic community have classified advertisements in them. Since the funding is needed to publish the journal, more risqué things are advertised from time to time. From those advertisements, you will find the details you need to subscribe.

"Hate" is a rather hostile word Anon, and I cannot say I feel it or agree with it. Both Dimitri and Clive have... caused me trouble, but I do not hold grudges against them, nor hate them. I believe everyone has the capacity to redeem themselves, as well as the capacity to forgive - even if it is difficult.

Well, I believe. I suppose I am a little more distant with Rosa now, I no longer see her quite as much. Flora is having a little trouble settling into her new school - although she was home-schooled to the best of her extended family’s ability, I am not sure they accounted for how long she would be under their care for. She is finding some subjects she has not been taught more thoroughly rather difficult, but I fear I cannot provide a private tutor for her. I am assisting myself, but of course I am not a replacement for a true secondary school education.

Flora is a quick learner though, and her enthusiasm comes in bounds. I hope and suspect she will catch up to her peers quite quickly. Making friends is another matter though, and one I cannot step in for. All I can really do for her is be here for her when the school day is over, and that is what I do and will continue to do. Eventually, and probably sooner than I expect, she will grow to need me less and less.

Layton sighed when he read the letter, predictably neatly written on heavy paper. There was really only one course of action. He could be polite as much as he wanted, but it would not help. Sending a curt polite response to state ‘no thank you’ would not better anything, and it was just more advisable for the both of them that the business was left behind them in the ruins of Azran.

He folded the letter back up, returning it to the envelope and tucking it away into the drawer. Descole’s offer might have been unwelcome, but it was still merely an offer, not an obligation. There was no need to be petty and return the letter, or reply with a rejection. He would simply… bear it in mind.

Well, perhaps to a certain extent dear fellow. Really, I prefer the quiet life now. As little action as possible. Sometimes one finds their life contains far too much, that if anything more happened, one would be unable to balance it all. I am afraid I have reached such a point already, even at this age. Nowadays, I prefer to keep to myself - it is much more peaceful.

Hmm. I am rather glad to say I have not, as unaware of having a twin as I was. I certainly cannot say I enjoy finding out about family relations I did not know I had, especially when such family members turn out to be ‘evil’ as you say.

((I'm not sure if you'll ever see the answer to this question, but thank you! I'm glad you like it!

I'm afraid I'm not continuing it, no. It was entirely planned out, but the nature of tumblr roleplay is that people drop and pick up their characters at any time, so finding a group of people who would be comfortable and prepared to sit through a long plot I wrote was not only impossible, but also not hugely fair either.

In the end, I dropped this account too, and have just RPed in private with friends for the last... year or so. I also lost a lot of my interest in the Layton series once Spectre's Call came out in the UK - I have a pretty low opinion of the second trilogy I'm afraid.

I see… Well, I do suppose it would be rude to refuse, though I dislike saying such base things about those close to me.

However, I fear I may not be able to answer you as you wish me to. Although I am no longer close to them as such, Randall, Angela and Henry are dear to me, and I support their relations wholeheartedly. I could not give an answer as to whom I might kiss, because I shouldn’t like to come between them. Nor would I go out of my way to avoid any of them. However, I would not take issue with acting to marry them together, if I would not already be tied up with best man duties. …And of course if marriage between three people were not illegal here.

As for Flora, Luke and Clive, two of them are children, and one is under my care. I would be performing none of the proposed actions with them. Nor would I with Clive, who is currently in the care of those far better qualified to look after him than I. I fear visiting him may only exacerbate his… rehabilitation.

Katia and Aria… I shall not deny I do not notice their beauty, but I also notice their youth - or apparent youth - and I would not consider it appropriate to approach either. However… I have not seen Emmy in over a year, nor had any contact with her. I am not sure I plan to again. So I suppose I have finally answered in a way you may like.

And Claire, Dimitri and Descole… I believe the answers may be entirely evident. I still own my engagement ring, and still remember the date we marked down. If things had gone a little differently, perhaps Claire and I would be looking to buy a cottage in the countryside around now. Like Clive, I have not seen Dimitri since the… incident, and do not particularly wish to. I do not hold him accountable, or blame him, but I should like to finally keep the whole business behind me. Finally there is… Descole, whom I shouldn’t much like to speak of.

Oh, er, please, do give me a moment.

It has been a long time since I studied languages, I am a little rusty.

[He clears his throat.]

Ah, me encanta todos los colores. No me gusta un solo color.

...Is that correct?

...

It was a hot and sticky day, the kind uncommon in London - especially in spring - but one that was bringing divided feelings from everyone. Many students had skipped the days lecture, presumably knowing the heat in the hall would be unbearable. Layton himself had found it difficult to concentrate, though thankfully Rosa had taken to following him around with fresh glasses of water throughout the day. She really was too good to him sometimes.

Now, what else was there to do. Ah yes. He eyed the pile of papers pertaining to the case he currently had his nose stuck in. A matter concerning a particularly... worrying medical man whose current practice had taken a homicidal turn. This was of course a matter best left to the police - and make no mistake he knew Inspector Chelmey would catch this killer, the man wasn't an inspector for naught - but Layton had a vested personal interest in this affair.

This man had appeared at the most recent Archaeology conference at Gressenheller. He was certain of it. This man, whose 'practice' had now claimed five lives, had been in the same hall as Layton, the same hall as his colleagues.

A day after the conference, it was discovered the guest he had been posing as was one of those five lives. They found Professor Hemmings in the hotel room booked for him, stripped to the bone in a most gruesome manner.

Layton couldn't banish the haunting image of it from his mind.

He involuntarily shuddered a little, picking up the papers and leafing through them once more. He had been investigating the other victims, trying to find some connection, some common factor, something that explained why each had been targeted.