A/N: Largely inspired by Alex Clare's "Treading Water". (Don't even get me started on how much I believe his music fits this pairing). This is not a songfic, mind, but I feel the line "I'm sorry, girl...It's not you, it's her." especially relates to Layton in the third game upon finally meeting Celeste. Please enjoy. This is sort of a test run with this pairing, hence the term 'drabble'.

Celeste? But she looked exactly like her, and their voices sounded exactly the same. The same exact intelligence...and had he seen those clothes before? No, surely not...Surely surely not. It was only the voice of wishful thinking, leading him astray. The neckerchief was questionable seeing as Claire favored them, but it was too indistinct a fashion choice. Surely if Celeste liked them too she wouldn't let her elder sister's own choice dissuade her…provided she was even aware.

But she clasped her hands like her sister when she was especially anxious…particularly when she thought no one was watching. Her bravery was unmatched, neither was her ambition. So similar…and yet so not. He now wished he had some experience to fall back on, a pair of siblings he could have observed for all of these similarities…how could she be so well-preserved? If they were estranged as was claimed…Hershel had a hard time imagining Claire being estranged from anyone—that was another puzzle all on its own.

"Professor?"

He had clearly lost his mind. "Yes?" He didn't quite trust himself to say her name yet; the wrong one might come out.

Not-Claire closed her eyes and sighed. "I know this must be difficult for you, especially seeing as I know I look so much like her—it drove our parents crazy when we were younger—but you can't allow our similarities to distract you. I'm sure you're the only one who can solve this case once and for all…and I'll help you in any way that I can."

What she said was certainly true...and reassuring. "I agree…Celeste." It felt so wrong attaching this new name to this face he knew so well, but he pressed on. "But I do have a few questions for you…provided you are willing to answer. Never once did Claire mention having a sister. It never came up in conversation, but I am dreadfully curious about the circumstances surrounding…your estrangement."

Celeste gave a soft, apologetic smile. "No, I didn't think she would've mentioned me. We had a falling-out shortly before she met you I think…it's entirely my fault that it happened and I've regretted it ever since, even before her death and…"

"That's all I needed to know," Hershel quickly cut in, but not unkindly. "You don't need to share any details with me."

Celeste looked at him, gratitude filling her already-glistening eyes. "Thank you. If there was a way I could…"

But Hershel couldn't just leave her just standing there, Not-Claire or…the impossible otherwise. He hastened to reassure her, somehow already knowing what she had been going to say. "The Claire I knew would never hold something against another, and even if she did, it would never be for so long. If you truly were the one at fault…I think she forgave you a long time ago. She was always…" he broke off, slightly overcome, but he cleared his throat and finished, "extraordinarily content. Like nothing could dampen her warmth."

"Thank you, Professor. You have…no idea what it means to hear you say that."

"Not at all," he waved her words away with a courteous tip of his hat. "Now, my second question…What do you know about what's going on?"