A bit of a different spin here!

Lucy is in italics, as per usual.

Professor Layton is in bold.

I will easily admit that I don't have a complete grasp on Professor Layton. Admittedly, I've only played two games with him present; I plan to remedy that, but until them, here we are...


"Hello?"

"I do pardon if I am intruding, but are you able to spare some time for conversation, Miss Baker? I understand that it's work hours, but it's a matter that can wait no longer."

"Ee, sure, I'm on my break so I can spare some time. Though uh, who is this?"

"Ah, my sincerest apologies for not introducing myself in the beginning. It's Alfendi's father."

"Oh, Professor Layton! Sorry, I didn't recognize your voice at first 'ear, sir. Hi! What can I do for you? Is it about Alfendi? Did he do something bad again? Cor, blimey, I told 'im-"

"Please don't fret, Miss Baker. I can assure you that my son has not delved back into the devil's substance nor has he disrupted his therapy any longer. Rather, his recovery desire have suddenly doubled in effort after your correspondence with him."

"Well, that's good to hear. He doesn't really tell me much about his recovery, in all honesty...but this isn't about that, is it?"

"Very astute of you, Miss Baker. No, you are right. I haven't called to talk about his health, as bustling as it is. Instead, I have come under the pretense of discussing new developments between you and my son."

"Er, I'm not sure I follow, Professor."

"Hmm. I believe that it would be better if I fared directly to the point of my call rather than sidestepping the isssue. You see, I have learned that you and my son have delved into a...new territory with your correspondence."

"Ee, that's right. Who told you that, Professor?"

"How I know is hardly important. I would like to discuss with you of your intentions with him."

"My intentions, sir?"

"Let's not beat around the bush, my dear. You would like to delve into a romantic relationship with my son, is that correct?"

"...Aye, that's true. But I don't have any intentions other than seeing him well so far, sir. If you're worried that I will hurt him-"

"My dear, my worries are not founded on him, but rather for you and your wellbeing."

"For me, sir? Why?"

"Yes, for you, my dear. As you know, my son has used cocaine for the past four years, only being forced clean through my intervention. It came to my knowledge at a time that would have been considered too late."

"Aye, that's right. I know that he took it because he didn't feel like he was ready socially, even though he is brilliant and hardly someone that I'd think would-"

"Indeed, Miss Baker, that is correct."

"Ee, then..."

"I would be remiss if I didn't indulge you in what those four years entailed, considering that you will be a part of his life in a more intimate matter. Those four years consisted of many-"

"No, no, Professor, I apologize for interruptin', but I don't want to 'ear it. I'm not trying to be rude or erm, naïve in my faith, but I want to keep the Pro-I mean, Alfendi's trust. 'e'll tell me what happened in those four years if 'e really wants to."

"You must understand, my dear, I am not trying to go behind my son's back. I'm only attempting to save you from the worst of my boy. I cannot allow you to come into his life and subsequently demolish what little I have managed to salvage after his fall from grace-"

"Professor Layton, wait, wait. 'old on. I really appreciate what you're tryin' to do to protect me. Really, I do, but I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm not going to let 'im go, sir. I care for Alfendi and that care has grown wit' each letter, phone call, and visit. I am willing to take the role of whatever he sees fit. I understand that you're worried that I'm going to be like everyone else in his life where I leave him when he goes wonky."

"And will you?"

"Honestly, sir? I don't know. I don't wanna make empty promises or summat, which is what you're worried about, right? You worry that I'll take him for granted and that I'll leave him just like all the rest of 'is friends because I won't be able to handle 'im anymore. I can tell you know that it won't happen if I can prevent it."

"Your loyalty is quite astounding, my dear. I can see why my son chose you to write to."

"Aye, well, that's where you're wrong. He didn't choose me. Some random choice in the pen pal system led me to him, even as he didn't even want to do the whole pen pal thing in the first place. I...I'm not the first one in his life, Professor. I am, however, one of the only few that seems to believe in him wholeheartedly, without fail. I don't know my position in his life necessarily, sir, but...I know enough that I'm willing to be whatever he wants me to be, within reason. At the moment, I'm his pen pal turned romantic pen pal, perhaps a lover. I have no plans in breaking his heart, even if he breaks mine, sir. I willingly allowed myself to respond at that first letter, knowing I would be speaking to a former drug addict. I won't just drop him because his personality is too much.

"And I know his continued drug use comes from him worrying about his social standing. Sure, he has an affinity for dead bodies and murder and cutting tongues as a joke but...beneath all of that, sir? There's a different man. One that doesn't need to keep using drugs to be some societal expectation of normal because he already is...just with some eccentric interests. If that was enough to scare me, I don't think I would have responded to his letters any further, sir. The problems of his past...they aren't mine. The problems of his future...we'll just have to work on them together."

"..."

"...Professor?"

"...I apologize."

"Ee...what?"

"My assumptions of your character are completely unfounded. They have been built from my fears for my son ever since I became estranged to him. As a father, I have failed him beyond relief, as you insinuated in the past. After that conversation, I realized that I truly have. I could not solve him, no matter how much I attempted and much to my future dismay, eventually I gave up on him. There is no amount of rehab that I shoulder in monetary cost that will allow me to beg for his forgiveness. In turn, I am seeking yours. For the very least, an apology for how I have made a poor deduction of your intentions. I see that now."

"Ta, Professor, but you don't need to apologize to me. I know that yer just trying to 'elp. We all have the same goal for Alfendi."

"That may be true, but I will offer my apologies anyway. I must also say..."

"Yes?"

"It is true that my son has been doing wonderfully in rehab. They estimate that he could be released on a recovery plan in the next two months, if it all goes well. He is no longer ignoring the help offered to him and has been actively participating without qualm, showing signs of moderate recovery, even with the stint he pulled earlier."

"Oh that's...that's good to hear and gives me time to plan..."

"He still has his career at the Yard and will be coming back to it once he is cleared to return, as you may or may not know. Lucy, my dear, would it be overstepping for me to ask for a mere favour?"

"Er, what is it?"

"Watch my boy. Whatever remains of the future between you and my son is not my business, but you have proven to be the best equipped in doing so. Once he is released from rehab, he won't seek me. He will seek you. For that, I ask that you will be there for him. I can make it easy by requesting for you to be removed from your current mentor's employ and into his, but that is something we can decide on later."

"You don't even have to ask, sir. I'll do my best."

"Of course. We will be in touch, Miss Baker."

"Aye. Goodbye, Professor."

"Goodbye, my dear."