Chapter 20: Somewhere in the Mist

Well one thing's for sure, this place is pretty secluded. I mean there are a few towns on the way, but they aren't exactly close together. The fog is pretty thick as we drive to Misthallery, and I don't bother to look out the window. I can tell Descole can't hide his impatience, since all he's doing is turning around constantly. "You know, it's not like this place is leaving anytime soon." I point out as he adjusts his mask for the umpteenth time. He whips towards me and smiles. "Oh I'm quite aware of that, Teresa. It's just...you don't know how long I've been searching for an opportunity to open up. So many years of toil and hardship I had to go through." He explains while studying maps in his hands. I nod distantly; at this rate, it'll take another six hours to get there.

It's been about two months since I was told about Misthallery. I've continued more of my training; I suppose it's going well. A couple times Descole had to help me move around when I pulled a muscle. There have been days when I hadn't accomplished any training, but with some advice from my "manager", I've started improving. Apart from that, we've had some more bonding time to know more about each other. I've added some new designs on my motorcycle and I took Descole for a ride. He insisted he would never ride any "monstrosity" ever again, but he still comes along. I insisted that we take my bike, which he at first strongly disagreed. But with some persuasion, he finally allowed it. He already had it sent to where we'll be staying.

The car goes over a large bump, causing me to graze the roof. "Great, we probably hit some poor creature in the road." I mutter under my breath. The automobile abruptly halts, and Descole steps out slowly. I stay inside, not wanting to see any animal crushed against the road, with its...Ew, no I'm not going to think about that. I shudder and rub my arms. "Descole, is it alright out there?" I ask meekly. Someone runs up to the door and the masked man sticks his head inside. I swear, if I could see his eyes, they'd be shining with excitement.

"You have to see this, dear." He pulls me gently out of the car. I look at him with a smile, and then turn to a large expanse of mist. "Wow, you were right; this is so amazing to watch! Next, we have to go see that flower over there grow." I say sarcastically. He folds his arms, and I think he's showing that he isn't amused, only it's hard to tell with the mask on his face. "Very funny, Foley." He now calls me by my last name whenever he's mad or frustrated. "It's the fog that's covering it. Once it clears, you'll know what I mean." I stifle a laugh and look back to the fog. After a few minutes, it slowly fades revealing a river a yard in front of us with old buildings in the background. There are two bridges crossing the river, and a wooden dam near the center of town. "Okay, that is pretty cool." I admit as I lace my fingers through his.

Descole smiles triumphantly before going back to the car. It looks like we'll have to go by foot, as the bridge won't fit a limousine on it. When he returns, the maps are once again stuck in his face, and I shake my head exhaustingly. Then, I notice a distant shape on the hill; it's a large house, maybe about the size of Descole's, spread far apart from the rest of the town. I get a pain in my body for a split second as a memory of a foggy lake flashes momentarily in my head. Oh dear, if I've been here before, what does that mean for the future? When I return to the present, Descole is holding my waist with a shocked expression. I blink a few times and get back to my feet. "I-I'm alright. It must have been a spasm or something." It hurts to lie to him, but I can't tell him what really happened; that job is for someone else.

He nods and takes my hand. "Well, if you're okay, then we should head to where we're staying." I smile in response, and we make our way into the town. Most of the buildings are brick, with beautiful designs. The people are very kind while we walk through. Although, there was this weird boy who was laughing near what looked like a house that had fallen apart. Descole walked a little faster when we came near him. He said we'd be staying in a cabin that was near the edge of town by a forest. A few times he lost rack of where we're going and had to pull out more maps from wherever he kept them. Once we went past a dock with a canoe, I could see the wooden house nearby.

The cabin is very warm, unlike the weather outside. It has three different room and two bathrooms, along with a full kitchen. "What do you think?" he asks, still looking at the maps. I pull them away and put my arms around him. "It's more than I expected, that's for sure." I reply before kissing his cheek. He strokes my hair and smiles. "I wanted you to stay somewhere nice while I'm away." My bright smile immediately falls when he finishes. "You mean...you mean, you're not staying?" I furrow my eyebrows and push away from him. Descole bites his lip guiltily before answering. "Teresa, I- Well, what I'm doing is very dangerous, and I have something else I want you to do."

I clench my teeth down angrily. "You don't think I can handle it?" I force out calmly. He shakes his head briskly. "It's not that I think you can't do it; what I have to do requires more experience, and I've been doing this most of my life." He pauses to take my hand. "There are things I need for you to do, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you." I look down, still a little mad, but I get what he's saying. I nod solemnly and Descole rubs my hand. "I know you can do so many things, but who knows what will happen what I'm going to do." He talks so calmly, yet there's an insistent tone in his voice.

"Just promise me you won't be gone for too long." I say quietly. He raises my head and kisses my forehead. "I promise, Teresa."

Q and A

Hugs: Hey Layton fans! It's time for another Q and A time! *cheers quietly* Sorry about the delay for the last one, but here we are now! Our first question asks: "Descole and Layton meet Professor Herminia Layton; she's from an alternate universe where Descole had a sister instead of a brother. So what do you both think of her?"

Descole: *stare for long period of time*

Layton: It is a little strange to have someone look nearly like you, but I think we'll get along well.

Descole: *continues to stare* Why are there two of you? I'm not crazy, am I?

Hugs: While Descole is processing that, our next question says: "Rosetta, you're up against a time traveler and a lady who kicks have no chance at all with the and Emmy, that's your target." *reads again in confusion*

Emmy: Who's the lady who kicks? Are they referring to me or someone else?

Hugs: I guess they mean you, so Rosetta...good luck with her. You guys go fight somewhere I don't have to watch.

Rosetta: *gulps nervously* don't kill me Emmy.

Hugs: I know this isn't a question, but I have to see this one! "They kiss! And I wonder about Prof's reaction..."

Teresa: *blushes horribly* NO NO NO NO! I'm not doing that one!

Descole: *still in shock of Herminia*

Hugs: Too bad Teresa! I made you so you follow your creator!

Teresa: *sighs heavily* Please don't hate me Hershel! *kisses Descole on lips*

Layton: What did you sa-*sees Teresa and Descole smooching*...*chugs teapot*

Hugs: Oh I knew it was worth it! Next question: "A question for Descole:
Do you like cats?"

Descole:...I suppose I do, I didn't really come across too many when I was young, and most just hissed at me.

Hugs: The next question is: "Question for you actually like Descole as same as in the story?"...THE FIRST QUESTION SOMEONE"S ASKED ME! *plays hallelujah music* Um actually, I had a crush on Descole for a while, his personality and cockiness was just really charming for me. Oh yeah there's also one for Flora: "And Flora, give a random victim, I mean, character, your interference guys." I'm going to assume they want someone to eat Flora's cooking. *smiles deviously* One, two, three, NOT IT!

Teresa, Descole, Layton, etc: NOT IT!

Rosetta: *runs in* NOT IT! *looks at Emmy*

Emmy: Oh NO!

Hugs: You know, I never did forgive you for betraying the professor. *rubs hand together*

1 hour later

Emmy: *pukes everywhere* GROSS GROSS GROSS GROSS!

Hugs:*pats a sad Flora's back* Now that that's done with, thanks so much for reading!

Things are going to get interesting! I actually do hate Emmy for betraying the professor's trust and I did have a crush on Descole for a while! Thanks for the person who asked me a question, really appreciate it! Keep those eyes on the screen!