PL. The inner smile
Chapter 1
This story takes place in the life of professor hershel Layton. We are going to look at how he handles his current problems. He always solved problems of others, with his magnificent puzzle solving skill. However, unfortunately now, the problem is his own. For some time now, he has been living alone. The story takes place after the events of the unwound future. Flora, his adopted daughter has been going back and forth between the professor's home and St. Mystere. Lately she has been there more and more, leaving the professor alone in London. On holidays, he joins her, but he never really liked the place after Luke's departure. It just doesn't feel right. Right now, he teaches at the University of Gressenheller. His everyday life consist of waking up, breakfast, going to work, teach, solve dean Delmona's puzzle, go home, eat dinner, make assignment for the students and sleep. The only other thing he does between those activities is sulking. He sulks about being alone. He sulks about missing luke. He sulks about every small little thing and forgets how to smile. When Flora gets home from St. Mystere he pretends to be happy for her. He acts as if nothing is wrong. However, so many things are wrong in the professor's head. More than he knows himself.
But let's have a look at the professor, let's have a look at how he is going to solve this puzzle. The puzzle of loneliness.
Hershel Layton
My name is Professor Hershel Layton. I would like to tell you about my story…but it all seems so insignificant now. You see, I am alone now. Not just this moment, but alone for quite some time. As a grown man, I should be able to handle being alone right? I should be able to overcome such a trivial matter. Moreover, I am going to. I suppose I would say ''that's what a gentleman does''. However, does he? I haven't a clue. If u ask, how come you are so alone? Well…I am not all alone. I have my adopted daughter Flora who is here for me, but she is gone a lot. She likes to travel to her hometown, St. Mystere to see her relatives. But that's a completely different story. I might tell you one day. For some months ago, I also had a wonderful apprentice. His name was Luke Triton. He was a bright young boy who followed me everywhere I went for the last couple of years. I adored him as my own child. Unfortunately, he went to study abroad. America I believe. I do miss his daily talk about animals. And then there was another person…I think it had been over 3 years since the last time I saw her. She was my assistant on the university. A very bright and talented young lady called Emmy Altava. She was the strongest person I knew, and the bravest. She was also very beautiful and…ahem, I'm getting off track. Things happened and we had to part ways. Although I never wanted her to go, she felt she needed to. That's also a story I might tell you one day. Emmy and luke both had to go and I feel it will be long before I see them again. It pains my heart.
Currently I am on my way to my mentor and dear friend, Andrew Schrader. I am in need of his guidance in my ''situation''. I park my car next to the building my mentor is currently living in. I wait for a second and breathe heavily. Will he really be able to help me? I don't think he understands. I step outside my car and close the door shut. I look up and see his window opening. A small man with a grey beard appears and waves at me. I smile and wave back. I enter the building and inhale the nostalgic scent the building brings. I proceed upstairs to the top floor. When I arrive, I am greeted with a big smile and the scent of freshly brewed tea.
''hershel my boy, it has been forever. How are you?'' my mentor beamed.
''ah Andrew I'm well thank you'' I lied.
''come in come in, I just made some jasmine tea. I hope you like it, cuz I do!'' Andrews says, happy as always.
I enter his apartment and chuckle at his beautiful collection of archaeological ornaments. I am always surprised to see all the new findings he makes, even at his old age. As I sit down a cup of tea is shoved in my hand.
''here you go, now let's have a talk shall we. You said you wanted some advice on a problem you had?'' Andrew said.
I look down at my cup of tea and gulp slightly. ''yes, I wanted to console you…you see I…can't sleep anymore''.
Andrew raised his eyebrow and tilted his head slightly. ''you can't sleep? Well why? Are you worrying about something?'' he asked.
''I don't know…that's why I wanted to talk to someone. I want to know why it is that I am feeling this way.''
Andrew seemed deep in thought as I looked up. I waited for him to say something while I sipped my tea. The tea was mostly sweet and had a great scent. I knew he drank this kind of tea for health problems, but I never bothered him with questions about it. The sweetness of the tea reminded me of luke…he really liked sweet things. I continued to reminisce about the past as Andrew suddenly stood up. I blinked and waited for him to say something.
''andrew…what is wro..''.I said when he cut me short.
''Hershel, I don't know what to say about your sleeping problems but I know the face you just made. The face of regret.''
I looked at him stunned not knowing what to say. Regret? But what was I regretting? I just thought about luke for a moment.
''I'm sorry Andrew but I don't know what you are talking about.''
He sighed and sat down. ''if you don't know it yet I can't help you. It's something you will have to figure out yourself my boy.''
I had a feeling he would say something like that. I wasn't pleased with the outcome as I left my mentor's apartment. I really hoped he could just tell me the answer. He did give me some sleep remedy tea. He did try to help…and he was right. I had to figure it out myself why I was feeling this way. Why I couldn't sleep at night.
it's been a while since i last wrote something so be kind ;)
