Disclaimer: Layton Brother's Mystery Room characters all belong to its respective owners. The game and all characters belong to Level 5
With that in mind, only the story is mine and please enjoy!
EDIT: Finally fixed!
It was Saturday, and by some gracious act, the universe had granted Lucy a day off. At first she was glad to finally have time to herself, but as the morning dragged along, Lucy realized she was bored out of mind.
And what was she supposed to do? It was raining (again) and couldn't go out, Florence was out on a holiday, a few of her friends were still at work or had other plans, meaning there was nothing to do.
"Well, I could clean up a little bit", she thought, but the rain and the gloominess seemed to penetrate into her mind Leaving her with a dull displeasure, so Lucy ended up moping around on her couch a book in hand.
"Maybe I can call Al?" Lucy thought, but just as quickly as she had thought if that did she dismiss the idea.
"No, isn't he going out with Hilda today?"
Lucy groaned and fell back onto the couch. "I don't get that woman. Didn't she say she was over him?"
"Didn't she say she wasn't interested in fixing or picking up where they had left behind?"
"Ugh…we, woman are sure a confusing lot." Lucy sighed.
She knew she couldn't compete with someone like her. Hilda was smart, almost to Al's level, pretty and graceful, and…and...who was she kidding? Almost everybody said that Hilda and Al would eventually end up together. And if not Hilda, then some other girl. Perhaps the only person who valued Lucy, apart from Al, was Al's own father.
He was thankful for helping clear his son's name and above all saving his life. She smiled remembering the time she met the real Professor Layton, short after the 'Case'.
"Dad, this is Lucy, Lucy Baker. She's my new assistant and help solve the 'Case'." Alfendi introduced Lucy to his father, a small smile on his face.
She extended her hand to Professor Layton, who took her hand and shook it with a firm, and steady grip.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Baker. Professor Herschel Layton at your service." He said, lifting his hat a little bit, "Alfendi here won't stop talking about you. I've told him that a real gentleman shouldn't talk about a lady in such manners."
Lucy blushed and glanced over to Al a sour look set upon his face.
"Dad…" He said, his tone mimicking a five year old.
"Oh, I see…" she said embarrassed.
"Just what did he say?!" Lucy thought frantically, good things, bad things, she mentally gulped, did he mean that in another way?
Professor Layton, suddenly let out a chuckle, "Miss Baker I assure that all my son speaks about is good things. All he does is praise your good works."
Lucy smiled and looked down to her feet. "Thank you." I mumbled.
"Now, how about we go and eat our dinner?"
At first they had a small conversation during the meal, it was quite enjoyable. Professor Layton was an incredible man, very smart and well versed.
"So, Lucy, I was told you figured out how to solve the mystery of the Forbodium case," the Professor stated, "you got yourself a quick mind.
Lucy blushed, "Oh, well, thank you sir. I just knew I had to solve the case. Half the time I didn't know what I was doing!"
She laughed, "I'm just glad everything worked out in the end."
The Professor chuckled softly, "I'm just surprised Al didn't get shot again."
"Dad. Please, everything was under control.
"I beg to differ! You were so close as to getting shot, or worse getting me hurt."
"Alfendi, did you put her on the line?"
"Her whole job is working on the front lines!"
"Yes, but you still are, after all, a gentlemen and-
"And a gentleman must always be careful. I know Dad."
"If only there were more people like him," Lucy thought. Unfortunately not many people saw Lucy as bright or approved of her friendship with Al. A few weeks later some of Alfendi's 'old friends' had asked to see him. That's when everything went downhill.
At first Al's 'friends' were more than happy to meet Lucy, but as they say all good things must come to an end. And at one point their conversation hit a moot point.
"So how's Hilda, doing these days?" one of Al's friends asked, his eyes turning cold as he turned to Lucy.
Alfendi tensed, "She's doing fine."
"I heard she got promoted to Detective Inspector, following the incident."
"Yes." Alfendi gripped the napkin.
"Lucy, if you don't mind me asking, what is your position at the Yard?" the friend pressed on.
"Oh well, I am a Detective Constable, sir," she replied proudly.
"Ahh~and how long does it take you to solve a case?"
"Fred." Alfendi said, his voice seemed to be warning his friend.
"Well,…"
"A few minutes, thirty, an hour, two?" He pressed.
"Well in my first case I did struggle a bit."
"I see. And Lucy, did you pass your exams?"
"Lucy, you don't have to answer him." Al broke through.
"No it's fine, really. And no, I did not."
"Did you go to an university?"
"For two years, then I applied to the academy."
Fred nodded, while Al merely groaned.
"Your from the north, are you not? There is a light hint of a Cockney accent in your voice."
"Yes, born and raised in Yorkshire."
"Mother and Father, were they educated?"
"My father is a doctor and my mother was a teacher."
"You say was, why?"
Lucy hesitated, "She passed away a few years back."
Alfendi took my hand in his, "Lucy…" he said softly, "I'm sorry."
She shook my head, "It's fine."
"May I ask, what is your father's branch of work?"
"He is a veterinarian. Best one there is, I'd say."
"A vet," Fred scoffed, earning a soft titter among the group.
Lucy smiled a little hurt.
"And do you wish to continue in this field of work?"
"Of course."
"And, Lucy where did you study?"
"At the 'public uni' at Leeds."
Fred and the others seemed to let all of this information seep in, then Fred sighed and turned to Al.
"You said she was smart, and quick. And yet she doesn't seem to match your descriptions."
"Excuse me?!" I exclaimed.
"She's just a girl from the countryside, nothing special. Don't waste your time on her, Alfendi. Be smart about your decisions."
"Fred!"
Lucy pressed her lips together nodded to herself. Then in a very dignified manner, she thanked the everyone for their time and the dinner.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Fred and the rest of you, whom your names I seem to have forgotten already. Must be because you aren't worth remembering. I am afraid to say that our dinner will have to be cut short. I have to go to work early tomorrow, I hope you can excuse me."
She took the napkin from her lap, folded it, and placed it on the table. She crossed her utensils on the plate and very slowly pushed her chair back and stood up.
"Lucy," Al began, "you don't have to go."
She gave him a half smile, "It is fine. It is already too late."
Alfendi shook his head, "I'll walk you out." He stood up and went to get her coat.
"Thank you."
Alfendi returned and led her out. Once outside he took hold of her hand.
"Lucy, don't listen to him."
"It's fine. Really." Lucy said gently.
"Thank you for everything. I enjoyed myself."
In the spur of the moment, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
His face turned bright red, "See-see you tomorrow Prof!" She said hurrying off down the street.
Alfendi shoved his hands into his pockets, "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Lucy was hurt that day, but refused to let it show. Days went by and Al would try to get her to understand that his friends from his college days meant nothing to him. Those people were the living memories of his bad days. Whenever she would dismiss the issue, he would get angry, his personalities switching making her feel guilty.
"But if their opinions didn't matter to him, why did he go out with Hilda?" Lucy thought. "Poor bloke, messed up head and heart. Maybe he feels guilty himself. After all, it was his switch that ended things...and now that more answers have arisen, they want to mend things."
But that was a good two weeks ago. Today was a new day, tomorrow would be different day with the whole Yard abuzz that Hilda and Al were back again. Her stomach felt funny at the sudden thought of Hilda and Al being a couple. Was it jealousy? Repulsion? A mix of both?
Lucy suddenly had an idea and she sat upright on the couch. She dashed to her closet and pulled her raincoat and umbrella and quickly put on her coat and shoes.
"I've got to stop pitying myself! A nice walk in around the city will cheer me up!"
She walked out and didn't realize she had left her cellphone behind. Had she remembered to bring it along, the whole mess she was about to walk into could have been avoided. Then again, fate has own plans right?
A/N: Edit: Once again, I have fixed this thing up! Chapter 2 should also be up soon!
Should I continue? Should I not? You tell me!