A week after the final chapter.
A Gentleman Must…
Sea salt filled the air. You couldn't breathe for the wind to fill your mind with the bitter taste of tears, wept by lovers, family and friends as the boat departed. The commotion had not been appropriate, so Hershel Layton had waited until the vessel was long out of view, the fog horn merely a whisper in the roar of the ocean gale, and the sun sinking below the waves, following his young friend. Now, in the silence left behind by as everyone else left, Hershel let himself feel. Luke had been there through the worst of times, as well as some of the best, showing maturity beyond his years as well as childish wonder.
And so, with no one to see, with no one to remain strong and collected in front of, Hershel Layton cried. Not for the boy, not for the adventures that had come to an end, but for himself, who was now without the apprentice who had brought so much into his life. He didn't allow himself to weep for long, after all, he had not lied to Luke: this was not goodbye, but so long. And yet from where he was standing 'so long' already felt like too long. By the time Luke returned, if he ever did, he would be a young man. Hershel was going to miss the last and most fundamental years of the boy's childhood. But those years had never belonged to him, they had always been Clark and Brenda's to cherish, Hershel had already taken enough of their son's time.
As the first stars appeared in a rose sky, he no longer felt alone. Feeling their gaze drawn onto him, he decided it was time to go home. With one last glance at the horizon, he smiled.
"So long, Apprentice Number One."