Dikratsblim - Thank you so much! I was planning on doing PL vs PW and it should between the Pandora's Box and The Lost Future. It's going to be hard writing all that dialogue. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
djinn - Thanks again. It's fun to write original chapters, it really explores the world outside the games.
aivenir - I'm so happy that you reviewed. This story doesn't get as much attention as the other stories, so it's amazing to see people reading this story.
I get what you mean about harems. It's very hard to do it properly and some stories really fail at it. I myself feel really awkward about writing them. However, I'm glad that you like this, it means I'm doing something right. I'm so glad that you are enjoying this story. Other fanfic stories are not...as ambitious as what I am doing. However, I too love the series. It has unfortunately gone downhill since Akira Tago had passed away a few years ago, but at least his legacy lives on.
(Which game is your favourite btw? Mine has to be 'The Pandora's Box'.)
It's also great to hear from another Londoner. I love English Breakfast as well as Darjeeling and Sencha. I honestly wish I could update quicker, but my other stories are dragging me down. 'Fairy Tail's Night Terror' is a particular toll on my mental capacity...and my poor, poor, fingers.
Hope to hear from you more.
Guest - Yeah, they did. But it was nice to see them bond. Thanks for the support.
Enjoy the next chapter :)
Intermission III - The Perfect Gift
Edgar's Room, Layton's Residence
Edgar groaned tiredly as his alarm clock started to ring.
With his eyes still closed, he lifted a lazy arm and reached over to his bedside table. He aimed for his clock, but after a few failed attempts at blindly looking for it, he gave up and opened his eyes. His eyes scoured the table, trying to find the annoying object, but the only thing he can see was the framed photos of Agatha and Melina.
He followed the ringing and soon found his alarm clock on one of his bookshelves attached to the wall on the other side of the room. He miserably remembered that he put it there on purpose, so he was forced to leave his comfortable bed and prevent him from just turning it off and going back to sleep. He lifted the duvet off him, walked towards the alarm clock and switched it off before sitting on the edge of his bed.
He yawned and looked around his room. It was certainly better than the warehouse he and Agatha used to live in, although anywhere is better then that old building. It had been Layton's guest room before Edgar took over it.
On one side were his bookshelves that he and Layton put up. Stored disorderly on them were a number of history books, puzzle books and one atlas. He even had a photo album full of news clippings of various cases him, Layton and Emmy had been assigned. Those cases were nothing major, but he liked to keep them. Beneath his bookshelves was his writing desk and his record collection.
To his left was the door to his room to which his wardrobe was placed. To his right was a window that looked out onto the garden. Edgar had placed a chair next to the window in case he wanted to watch the birds fly by and have a cup of tea.
Lastly was the wall behind him. He had placed his bed along the wall in the right corner, with his headrest away from the door. He had managed to find a giant world map that almost covered the entire wall and hung it up over his bed. On the space above his headrest, he had hung up a blue and yellow scarf which were the colours of the football team he supported: Wimbledon FC.
Once he was done observing his room, Edgar stood up, got dressed and headed downstairs to the dining room. Like every morning, Layton was sat at the table drinking a cup of tea and reading the morning newspaper.
The Professor looked up and smiled kindly as Edgar walked in, "Good morning, Edgar. How did you sleep?"
Edgar yarned again and headed over to the toaster to fix himself some breakfast, "Mornin' Prof," he grumbled as he placed some bread into the toaster, "Not bad. Although, I think the window needs fixing. There's a draft coming in and I need to find it before the winter comes around."
Layton nodded, "I leave you some money so you can get some sealant."
"Cheers," Edgar said as he sat down at the table.
As he was about to pour himself some tea when he noticed the calendar hung up. There was a something written on one of the days and he leaned forwards to take a closer look. In red ink, it said 'Emmy's Birthday!' followed by a small smiley face beneath it. Curious, Edgar turned to the Professor.
"Did Emmy write that?" he asked pointing to the memento on the calendar.
"Yes, indeed," Layton replied, briefly looking up from his paper to look at the calendar, "she wrote it on there the other day. I'm surprised you hadn't spotted it before."
"I'm not a perceptive in the mornings," Edgar grumbled in reply before looking back at the calendar. His eyes widened in realisation, "Wait, that's tomorrow!" he cried, "Emmy's birthday is tomorrow!"
Layton looked up at him with a concerned look, "Yes. Didn't Emmy tell you? We're having a small celebration at the university"
Edgar slumped back into his seat in despair, "No…she hasn't. I haven't celebrated someone's birthday in…well since Agatha," Edgar told him, "Does that mean I have to get her a gift?"
Layton chuckled, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you didn't. Perhaps you can write her a card wishing her a happy birthday," he suggested.
"When the party starts tomorrow, would I be the only guest there who didn't get her something?" Edgar question in deadpanned tone.
….
….
….
….
"Perhaps a small gift would be… appropriate," Layton corrected himself with a small sheepish smile.
Edgar groaned in annoyance. The toast popped out of the toaster and Edgar instantly collected them and shoved one of slices in his mouth.
"I'm going shopping," he told Layton before heading to the front door.
"Wait Edgar," Layton said, stopping his apprentice from going any further, "you promised Dean Delmora you would help him this morning," he reminded.
"But Prof…" Edgar began to complain.
"You can go shopping in the afternoon," Layton gently told him, "There's still plenty of time to find a gift for Emmy."
"Easy for you to say," Edgar muttered bitterly, "I assume you already got her something."
Layton nodded, "Indeed," he confirmed.
"You can't, by any chance, tell me what you got her?"
Layton chuckled and sipped his tea, "I believe that would ruin the surprise. By I can assure you that Emmy would find it very interesting, indeed."
"It's a book on archaeology, isn't it?"
Layton paused for a few brief seconds. He then cleared his throat awkwardly and sipped his tea again.
"…yes," he hesitantly answered.
Edgar rolled his eyes, "Surprise, surprise," he sarcastically muttered.
Gressenheller University
"Thank you for your help, Edgar," Dean Delomora happily said as he waved goodbye.
"No problem," Edgar called back as he stepped out of his office and turned down towards the campus exit.
Edgar gave a tired sigh as he walked down the marble hallways, briefly looking at his watch to see that it was past noon. While he was helping the elderly Dean move boxes and organise some paperwork, he was trying to think of what to get for Emmy. The allowance Layton gave him wasn't a lot so anything too expensive was out of the question. Even if he did have the money, Edgar didn't think he could physically buy anything expensive. Years of stealing and living on the streets had conditioned him to not a live a luxurious lifestyle or else he betray his fellow proletariat.
'So something inexpensive and meaningful. I mean we're friends. I can't give her an old shit,' Edgar thought, 'Layton has already given her book, she has plenty of photo albums,' Edgar sighed in annoyance, 'why is this so hard? I don't know what she would like.'
"Oh Edgar," a feminine voice called to him, making stop and turn. Rosa walked to him in her usual cleaner attire with a gentle smile on her face, "Have you seen Professor Layton?"
"I think he's in a lecture at the moment. He should be done in about half an hour," Edgar told her.
"Right, thank you," Rosa said as she began to turn away.
"Wait, Rosa," Edgar suddenly said, making the cleaner stop, "Emmy's birthday is-"
"Tomorrow. Yes I know, dear," Rosa interrupted before she gave a stern look, "You didn't forget, did you?"
"Of course not," Edgar denied, "you can't forget something you didn't know in the first place."
Rosa hummed in irritation.
"I was wondering if you have any gift ideas?" Edgar continued, "I can't think of any."
"Well," Rosa started, tapping her cheek with her finger in thought, "Emmy's active young lady. She's always rushing around and doing jobs for the Professor. So I recommend something practical that she can use on a daily basis. That's why I got her a new diary, that way she can keep track of everything," Rosa cheerfully chirped.
'Damn,' Edgar thought with a sweat drop, 'between that and the Prof's gift, I might as well write her a card. It might be the most thrilling gift she would receive.'
"Thank you, Rosa...I'll keep that in mind," Edgar unsurely said.
Rosa smiled in delight, "Your very much welcome, dear," she told him before turning away again, "good luck," she said as she waved goodbye.
Edgar sighed and headed to the exit once again, "That was a waste of time," he muttered.
He walked into the foyer, out of the oak doors and down the path out of the campus. However before he could reach the road, he spotted Janice walking a few steps in front of him. He and Janice had gotten along well since she started university again. When she wasn't too busy studying or at lectures, she and Edgar would spend time together like visiting the park or going to cafes. On two occasions, Janice had even dragged him into shopping for clothes for him, much to his annoyance.
Edgar could definitely rely on her for birthday gifts for Emmy.
He jogged up to and called out her name. Janice looked around and smiled as she saw Edgar walk beside her.
"Hello Edgar," she greeted.
"Hi. Are you busy at the moment? Because I need help finding something," he asked hopefully.
Janice gave him a sympathetic look, "You just realised Emmy's birthday is tomorrow, haven't you?" she deduced accurately.
Edgar groaned, "Am I the only person who didn't know?" he muttered bitterly to himself.
"Possibly," Janice giggled, "I have some free time now. We can go down the Highstreet together."
"You're an angel, Janice," Edgar told her, taking her hand, and leading a blushing Janice down the road.
Shop
Edgar hummed as he inspected the shelves full different products before shaking his head dismissively. Not a single one seemed right as a gift. This has been the eighth shop he and Janice had visited so far, and he was starting to get frustrated. What's worse is that time was running out. The shops were about close in an hour or so and Janice had assignments she needed to start researching for.
Janice gave Edgar a concerned look. She could tell that Edgar was having a difficult time choosing something.
"Err…what about…" Janice started as she looked around the small shop before her eyes settled on something, "a new hairbrush," she suggested helpfully, pointing to a display of black handled hairbrushes.
Edgar looked over to where she was pointing and shook his head, "They aren't really designed for hair like Emmy's," he said, making Janice nod in agreement.
"What about a box of chocolates," she suggested again, but Edgar shook his head.
"I was hoping for something a bit more substantial than food," he replied.
"What about perfume?"
"She doesn't really like perfume."
Janice hung her head in defeat, "Then I've run out of ideas," she sighed.
Edgar smiled kindly at her and patted her shoulder, "I really appreciate you-"
He stopped suddenly when he spotted something. He walked past Janice, approached a shelf, and picked up a pair of yellow leather motorcycle gloves. A smile formed on his face as he inspected the gloves and he turned around to show Janice.
"This is perfect," he declared, "it's also in her favourite colour. She will love the-"
He stopped mid-sentence when he spotted the uneasy look on Janice's face. Confused, he looked at the gloves and then back to his friend. He did these a few times before he realised what's wrong.
"You…already got her these, haven't you?" Edgar asked.
Janice nodded sheepishly.
"Bugger," Edgar muttered as he tossed the gloves back onto the shelf, "Why is this so hard?"
Janice walked up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It will be alright. You still have time."
"No, I don't," Edgar sighed, "We've been at this for hours now. I'm useless at this."
Janice was about to deny what he said when she was interrupted by somebody else.
"Edgar? Janice?" a voice caught their attention down the shop aisle.
They turned and saw Luke and Brenda walking by. In Luke's hands was an object wrapped up neatly in tissue paper and tied with a bow. It had been some time since the bunking school incident and Luke and Edgar were obviously punished for it. However, Brenda, at first being angry at the two, soon forgave them and admitted that she too used to skip school when she was younger. Clark, on the other hand, was less forgiving.
Edgar had introduced Luke to Janice a while ago when he last visited Layton's office. Unsurprising they had gotten along. With Janice being the sweet person that she was and Luke being the bright person that he was, it was inevitable.
Luke smiled and ran up to them eagerly, followed by his mother.
"Hey Luke," Edgar said, trying his best to not look miserable, "what are you doing here?"
"I just bought a present for Emmy," Luke chirped only to become confused when Edgar bowed his head in defeat, "is…everything okay?"
"Edgar didn't know it was Emmy's birthday tomorrow," Janice answered as she reassuringly petted Edgar on the back.
Luke's eyes widened in surprise, "You didn't know?"
"Yes, I know, I'm a terrible person," Edgar sighed.
Luke gulped and shook his head rapidly, "Oh no. Sorry that's not what I meant," he frantically explained to the depressed Edgar.
"Can I make a suggestion?" Brenda asked, making Edgar's head snap up towards her.
"Please do," he seriously answered, earning a giggle from her.
"Follow me," she said before leading Edgar towards the front of the shop. She led them down an aisle that faced the shop window and stopped about halfway down. She then pointed at a particular item on the shelf next to them.
"What about this?" she questioned as she indicated at a yellow leather satchel.
Edgar inspected it. It was big enough to hold all of Emmy's stuff, but small enough to not be a hinderance when she's on her scooter. It was in her favourite colour. It was professional, practical, and it showed that he put a lot of thought into it.
It was perfect.
"Brenda that's amazing," Edgar happily declared, "if you weren't married, I would kiss you."
"Edgar," Janice warned irritably.
"Oh, that's a shame," Brenda replied with a small a giggle.
"Mum!" Luke cried.
"I'll but it n-"
However, before Edgar could either finish his sentence or reach out for the bag, a loud noise interrupted him.
SMASH!
Two figures smashed their way through the shop window and landed on the floor before them. Shards of glass flew everywhere, and Edgar had only just made it in time to shield himself in front of Luke. Recovering from the shock, everyone (including the poor shop owner) turned and saw two men wrestling on the ground. One of them is very familiar to all of them.
They all watched in astonishment as Grosky and the muscular criminal fought each other. The criminal pushed Grosky away and got to his feet, but the detective grabbed onto his leg. The criminal began to kick Grosky in the face a few times before Grosky eventually let him go. The criminal, free at last, leapt out of the shop window and started running once again.
Grosky growled in annoyance, got to his feet, and fixed his hair before he noticed them.
"Oh, hello there," he greeted in his usual manly tone.
"Don't act casual after all of that!" Edgar, Janice, and Luke shouted at him, while Brenda smiled calmly.
"M-m-my shop," the shop owner stammered seeing all of the destruction.
"Don't worry, madam," Grosky told the shop owner, "send an invoice to Scotland Yard and they will pay you back for the damages," he told her.
"Or just don't jump for shop windows and cause the damage in the first place," Edgar muttered.
"Why do I have the feeling that this isn't the first time he had this conversation," Janice added in a deadpanned tone.
"Well, I must be off," Grosky said. But before he could leave, he spotted the bag Edgar was going to pick, "Oh look at that," he said to himself as he picked up the bag and inspected it, "it's Emmy's birthday tomorrow, isn't it? This would make a great present for her," he declared, taking the bag to the till.
Before Edgar could protest, the shop owner, wanting to get rid of the detective, rang the bag up and Grosky paid for it. Satisfied with his purchase, Grosky headed for the front once again.
"That's lucky," he told himself, "It was the last one as well. Well, farewell everyone. Criminal stay out of trouble!" he cried as he leapt out of the broken shop window and onto the street.
"Exit through the door, you moron!" Janice, Luke, and the shop owner shouted at him.
The detective chose not to hear them and pursued the criminal once again, followed quickly by a love-struck Hannah.
Edgar looked at the shelf and saw that Grosky was right, it had been the last one. Although, even if there were others, he couldn't give Emmy two of the same kind. Janice, Luke, and Brenda turned to a depressed Edgar, his flat cap hiding his eyes. They shared a sad look with each other before Janice approached him.
"Edgar…" she started, trying to place a hand on his shoulder, but he just moved away.
"Thank you for all your help, Janice," Edgar told her in a low voice before shoving his hands into his jacket pockets and exiting the shop via the broken window, much to the shop owner's annoyance.
Janice, Luke, and Brenda watched him leave down the road and out of sight.
They had no idea what to do.
Layton's Residence
Layton looked up from his book as Edgar walked in through the front door and slammed it behind him. After taking of his shoes, jacket and cap, Edgar entered the living room and slumped into the arm chair across from Layton. He didn't bother to say hello or acknowledge Layton's presence, but leaned back in his chair and stare up at the ceiling.
Layton softly closed his book, placed it on the side table, and turned back to Edgar with a kind smile, "I take it that your shopping trip has not been successful," he observed.
Edgar grunted in reply.
"I just don't get it," Edgar sighed, "Why is bothering me so much? I never cared about birthdays before."
"Have you never celebrated your own?"
Edgar shrugged "Saw no point in it."
Layton frowned slightly at the admittedly sad statement, "Perhaps the reason why this is frustrating for you is because of your good relationship with Emmy. You feel guilty about not knowing her birthday and now you're worried that she would be upset with you."
Edgar gave the Professor a light glare at the 'good relationship' part, but he did have to admit that he does feel guilty. Especially since everybody in London seems to know.
"Well, if I have such a good relationship with Emmy, why don't I know what to give her?"
Layton hummed and rubbed his chin in thought, "You mentioned that you used to celebrate Agatha's birthday. What did you do then?"
"Nothing much. Couldn't buy her anything and I wouldn't dare steal anything for her," Edgar told him, "I...used to make things."
"Make her things?"
"Yes. I saved up for fabric, thread, and beads. Go to the library and take out a few books and I..make her some things."
"Like what?" Layton inquired further.
"Doesn't matter."
"Edgar," Layton warned.
"Dresses," Edgar finally admitted, "I used to make her a dress every year and then some jewellery. They weren't great, but...she loved them. Then I take her to a local park and she would show them off to everyone we pass. We couldn't stay out for long because of her illness and... because I was a criminal. But she was so happy. Looking back at now, I don't think it was the dresses that she liked...or the jewellery...but rather that she just felt...normal. Just for one day, she was just a normal girl with her whole life to live."
Silence fell between them. Edgar looked down at the floor as he remembered his sister. He had thought he gotten over her death, but somehow it still haunted him. He didn't know why. It just felt as if something was...missing. Something that he hasn't found yet.
Layton nodded solemnly, "I see," he said, "well, if I may, can I recommend something."
Edgar looked up at him again and cocked an eyebrow.
Layton's Office
The Next Day
Emmy was having an almost wonderful birthday.
It was a small celebration; she didn't want anything too big. Layton had bought in a cake for them and he, Emmy, and Edgar sat in his office and talked while having tea. Ever so often they would get guests who would give her a gift, take a slice of cake and get on with their day. She loved all her presents and getting to meet everyone.
However, there was one downside.
And that was Edgar.
Since this morning, he had been unusually quiet. It wasn't as if he didn't talk to her or anything, but the confidence and sense of superiority he always shows wasn't there. He didn't even make a single snide quip or joke. If Emmy hazard a guess, he would say that he was...anxious.
She didn't know Edgar could be anxious.
"Are you having a lovely day, Emmy?" Layton asked, snapping his assistant out of her thoughts.
"Yes. Thank you so much for organising this Professor," Emmy told him with a smile, earning a nod from Layton.
"Damn," Edgar suddenly muttered, "I forgot to check the postboxes. Do you mind coming with me, Emmy?" he asked.
Emmy blinked in surprise for two reasons. The first is that she doubted that retrieving post was a two person job and the second is that he already brought in the post in this morning. It was even on the table in front of them. Obviously, he wanted to talk to her alone and so she she agreed without argument.
"Of course," she unsurely said, standing up to follow Edgar out of the office.
Emmy closed the door behind her, leaving Layton alone. He hummed wearily before looking at the post on the table and picked them to read through them.
Outside the office, Edgar and Emmy stood awkwardly across the hall from each other. Edgar shuffled his feet and held something in his pocket as Emmy waited patiently for him to speak. Soon, Edgar took a deep breath and took out the thing in his pocket.
"Here," he said giving her the object, "happy birthday."
Emmy was surprised at abruptness and hesitantly took the object. She saw that it was a small black box, something that usually holds earrings or small necklaces. She opened the box and gave a quiet gasp
Inside the box was a yellow crystal in a metal wire frame. The crystal was cut into a heart and as she took it out, a silver metal chain came with it, attached to the frame. She brushed her thumb over the crystal and noticed that it wasn't cold as a crystal should be, indicating that it was made of glass. However, it didn't matter to her as she continued to admire the beautiful necklace.
"Edgar," she uttered, "did you...make this?"
"Yeah," Edgar shrugged causally, "sorry about it being a heart. There weren't any other shapes-"
"No, this is...it's beautiful," she told him looking up in wonder, "I didn't know you could make something like this."
"I'm full of surprises," Edgar said with a small smile, "I...I didn't know it was your birthday," he admitted, making her raise her eyebrows, "I only found out yesterday morning. I'm not great with...birthdays and things like that and I haven't gotten used to living a legal life yet, so I'm really sorry Emmy. I try harder next time," he said, leaning guiltily on the wall behind him.
Emmy stared blankly for a few seconds before smiling comfortingly. She moved next to Edgar and leaned on the wall as well,
"Hey, it's fine, really. It wasn't as if you had to get me something. I would have been happy with a card or a meal," Emmy told him, making Edgar him in annoyance, "all I'm saying is that you don't have to feel like you're walking on egg shells around me. We're still...friends no matter what."
Edgar looked towards Emmy and saw her smiling face. A smile eventually crept on to his face.
"Thanks Emmy," he quietly said.
Emmy giggled slightly before passing the necklace to Edgar and lifting her hair up with one hand.
"Do you mind putting it on?" she gently asked.
Edgar blushed, unclipped the little latch and wrapped the necklace around her neck. He clipped it on and stood back as Emmy put down her hair. She adjusted the necklace slightly and admired it for a moment.
"It's beautiful, Edgar. Thank you," she told him, looking up at him with a bright smile.
Edgar smiled back, "I thought I use a lighter chain," he told her before the smile widened into a teasing smirk, "you know because how scrawny your neck is."
Emmy's smile was instantly replaced with an angry frown, "You're being awfully cocky for someone who didn't learn my birthday."
"Alright then, when's my birthday? Since you know everything," Edgar shot back.
"26th January," Emmy confidently replied.
...
...
...
...
"Fuck!" Edgar muttered, making Emmy smirk victoriously.
"Not so smart now," Emmy taunted.
"Shut it, Princess!"
"Make me, Pig!"
The two glared at each other, neither one backing down. After a few seconds they both smiled and laughed happily.
"We should head back in," Edgar suggested.
"Yeah," Emmy agreed, "also your excuse for getting me out of the office was getting the post. You do know you already done that."
Edgar rolled his eyes, "Shut up, I panicked," he said, making her chuckle.
The two entered the office once again and found the Professor reading over a letter. However, Emmy and Edgar noticed the thoughtful expression on Layton's face as he read the letter. Something about it obviously caught his attention.
"Very strange..." he told himself.
"Everything alright, Professor?" Emmy asked in concern as she looked over his shoulder at the letter.
Edgar looked down at the opened envelope on the coffee table. It stood out from the other letters because of the wax seal keeping it enclosed. If Edgar recalled, it was addressed to Layton personally.
Layton passed the letter to Emmy so she could read it as well before rubbing his chin in thought.
"Angela...after all these years," he said out loud.
"Something caught your attention?" Edgar observed, taking the letter after Emmy was done reading it.
He looked over the handwritten letter curiously. One particular section of the text caught Edgar's attention and it would be something that would throw him, the Professor and Emmy into their next great adventure.
It all started with the words:
'The Mask of Chaos.'
Another small intermission before the next game. This time there wasn't any crimes to solve. I thought it nice to show the average life of Edgar.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you next time.
Thanks :)
