A/N: Hey guys! I wrote this one about… November last year? Anyway, I never got around to posting it, eventually forgot it existed and then found it again a few days ago while sorting documents on my computer.
This story will probably be Emmy/Layton and/or Claire/Layton. I haven't really sussed out what is going to happen yet! Though do be aware that the rating might change.
Disclaimer: I don't own much besides some games, a tumblr or two and a computer. Definitely not the Professor Layton franchise, by any means.
Oh well. I can dream. Onwards with the story!
Dear Professor,
How are you? It has been quite a while since we last spoke. I do hope you can forgive me if this letter comes as the surprise I imagine it to be- 6 years is a long time, after all.
I've seen you in the paper- it appears that trouble and adventure has a way of finding you (or perhaps you have a way of finding trouble) just as much as ever. If the articles prove correct, you have an adopted daughter now. I can imagine that you treat her well- you did always have a way with Luke.
What happened to the little one, anyway? He just disappeared from the stories- while they did never include him in the articles much, he also disappeared from the photographs. He also stopped replying to my letters. I do hope he is safe and well, wherever he may be. Even if he was Apprentice Number Two.
No doubt you are wondering why I am contacting you after all these years, let alone the circumstances upon which we parted. Now that I'm writing this, I may as well say it straight- you know me. I have never been one to 'beat around the bush'.
I am sending this to you because it has been far too long, Professor. What happened that day hasn't let me be at peace for any more than a month for the past 6 years, and I am simply not interested in attempting to put off the inevitable any longer. I would like to meet you again, face to face.
I will be back in London on the 16th of this month- should you decide to see me, I will be at the café on Gable st at 2:00pm sharp. I trust you remember the spot- it was you who first introduced me to it, after all. I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Emmy Altava
I dropped the pen I was using and grudgingly glared at the collection of crumpled letters strewn across the desk. As embarrassing as it was to admit, that had taken far too long to write.
I stared out the window of my hotel room and scolded myself.
It wasn't supposed to be this hard! I waited this long just so I would be ready for this!
Irritated, I hastily folded the letter in half and shoved it into an envelope, nicking my finger on a sharp edge of the paper in the process. Slowly, blood began to peep out from my under my skin. I clenched my hands into tight fists, the situation beginning to finally catch up with me. He should be the one contacting me! Not me him- it is absurd! How dare he and his oh so precious top hat not even go so far as to apologise once over the past 6 years! After all that happe-
Goddammit Altava! Pull yourself together! A lady should always maintain full composure no matter the circumstances- you know this!
Sighing, I relaxed my hands and placed the letter down, going to find a bandage and putting the kettle on in the process. A good cup of tea would surely help me organise my thoughts.
As much as I didn't want to see him again, it really was unavoidable. I had tried my hardest to move on- from travelling the globe on pointless adventures to therapy, medication and (attempting) to take up the oboe, I had tried so hard to re-invent myself and stop those goddamn nightmares. Hell, I had even considered adopting at one point, but then the professor had to go and take even that from me. I reasoned that he had no way of knowing that I had wanted to adopt, but him adopting Flora upset me nonetheless.
It felt like everything I tried to do he was always one step ahead- always that little bit closer. It was something that annoyed me to no end- to think I used to consider it endearing. How times have changed.
The years reflecting had done nothing but make me bitter, and I knew that. But after what had happened, it was to be expected.
Now screeching, the kettle pulled me out of my thoughts. That was one thing I could never go without, no matter what- tea. I had the Professor to blame for that, as I had originally been a coffee fiend before I met him.
Pouring the water into my cup, I retrieved a teabag, sighing at the brand on the label. It was the only one the budget hotel had, and certainly wasn't up there with the best. I added spoon upon spoon of sugar in the hopes of drowning out the burnt taste of the tea.
Sitting back down, I wondered if he ever thought about me. I doubted that he had, no matter what he used to think of me. Who was Emmy Altava to a celebrity like him? Not very much, based on his lack of contact over the years.
I was bitter. I was angry. I was, in one word, lonely. Lonely because while I surrounded myself with people, I never could bring myself to really get to know them, to become close. Perhaps in the hope of the Professor realising his mistake and getting back in contact. That's what my therapist said, anyway. I wasn't too sure.
All I knew was that I had been having nightmares for the past 6 years every single night and just wanted to be able to sleep without the constant fear I would wake up sobbing into my pillow.
I was a strong, independent woman. But my behaviours said otherwise.
All I could do is hope that meeting with him would allow me to sleep again- my lack of rest was dramatically illustrated to everyone I met, what with those wretched dark circles shadowing my eyes.
I decided that the tea had cooled enough and took a sip from the cup. Spluttering, I decided that no amount of sugar could cure this terrible blend. I poured it down the sink and decided to try my hand at sleeping.
I would post the letter in the morning.
A/N: Likey? No likey? Review and let me know? I have no idea where this story will go, so any ideas or opinions so far are very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!