Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise
Had this idea in my head for a while now! I really love this group dynamic and will probably create some more stories with them. The next few chapters will each depict a day on the vacation. Enjoy and let me know what you think :) English is my second language btw, so my apologies for all the mistakes!
Chapter 1 Convincing a stubborn professor
Luke and Flora couldn't be more excited about today. Together they had achieved something, they'd never thought possible. They had gotten professor Hershel Layton to agree to a vacation! And not just any vacation at that, a vacation in the sunny country of Spain.
The week before this event, had been quite the troublesome week for the great puzzlemaster. He had to quickly check all the exams before summer vacation started, take care of several staff meetings which took forever, watch after both Luke and Flora since Clark had asked him to and to top it of, the Scotland Yard had also asked him a favour with one of their older cases.
To say the professor was exhausted was an understatement. Luke and Flora felt bad for the man and kept pushing him to take some well deserved time for himself once the vacation had officially started. Emmy, who shared most of the pressure during the same time period, had agreed wholeheartedly. On the final day before break, Luke had called his parents to ask if they knew a good way for the professor to relax. Clark and Brenda knew Hershel well and also knew he wouldn't truly relax at home. At home, there were still artifacts to look over, assignments to prepare and cases to solve for the Scotland Yard. Too many distractions to truly relax.
This is when they suggested a fun group vacation. The Tritons had already planned their getaway to Spain, but were happy to invite their friends along. Luke had jumped at the suggestion and immediately told Flora and the professor. The professor declined at first. He didn't want to intrude on someone else's vacation and tried to assure everyone that he would be fine.
Luke however, wouldn't take no for an answer. He rang up Emmy next, to ask if she had any plans the following week. She told Luke she wasn't all to sure yet. She had plans to see where the wind would take her, or so she vaguely implied. Luke informed her of his plans to which she promptly answered ''We are definitely doing this.''
With Emmy on their side, things had become a lot easier. She had casually asked the professor about spanish relics to try and pique his interest, dropped flyers on his desk about spanish cuisine and even hung up a poster of a beautiful beach, leaving a little note on the top right corner, promising him they would go there. The professor knew exactly what his assistant was trying to do and had politely tried to explain why he didn't want to intrude on Clark and Brenda with their presence. Emmy had become frustrated after her plans had failed, but soon thought of a new one. What if she invited more people? Her next step was to ring up the Ascots. Randall had answered the phone and was immediately thrilled with their idea.
He then called Brenda and asked if it was alright for them to join as well. The Tritons were happy to increase the capacity of their group. They all started calling each other, devising a plan to either convince Hershel, or trick him into going. After multiple attempts to convince the stubborn man, they gave up with the convincing part. This meant the next step would be to try and trick him. Flora, however, wasn't too fond of that plan. She felt bad to mislead her guardian like that and concocted her own plan. It was a friday night, the first night of the vacation, when she approached the professor about the topic during dinner.
''Professor, can we talk one last time about the whole Spain thing.'' She asked timidly.
The professor had sighed softly, not really in the mood to talk about it any more.
''Flora, I know what you're thinking, but I just really think it would be better if I weren't to intrude.''
Flora had started playing with her left-over veggies and thought about what to say.
''Maybe it's better to drop the subject.'' The professor suggested after a long silence.
''No!'' Flora quickly responded, surprising the professor. ''I'm sorry professor, it's just...I know you REALLY don't want to intrude, but have you thought about me in this situation?'' She asked.
The professor wasn't sure how to respond. He lowered his gaze to the plate in front of him, covering his eyes with the brim of his hat. Maybe he had been a little selfish.
''It would be my first time outside Britain and I just think...it would be a lot of fun…with everyone together...'' She finished shyly.
He hadn't thought about it like that. Flora was his adopted daughter now and her happiness was very important to him. He finally changed his mind. Flora had given him a big bear hug and a kiss on the cheek to thank him. They informed the others and started organizing the trip. Clark and Brenda had originally planned to go the following monday, and tried their hardest to add the rest of the company to the flight and hotel.
Luckily, everyone was able to board the same plane, although not seated together. Emmy had suggested taking her own plane, but the professor was afraid it would be too straining on her to fly for so long. She insisted she had flown way longer and farther, causing them to go back and forth in discussion. After some arguing, she had agreed to take the normal plane, like the rest. The professor was pleased with her decision. At the moment, she was seated next to a middle aged man who smelled like he had turned into a cigarette before he entered the plane. It took every fiber in Emmy's being to either not gag, or not to run far away. The professor sat two isles behind her, noticing her contorted faces from time to time. He felt bad for her, but was still glad she decided to join them. He was also dealing with his own trouble. The grumble and annoyed sighs from the people behind him was not very pleasant either. At the beginning of the flight they weren't able to see the flight stewardess during the instruction due to his top hat and they were sure to let him know that.
Luke was seated next to Flora, the only pair able to sit together. Originally, Brenda had planned to sit next to her son, but she figured it would be better if the young girl wasn't seated alone. The flight was relatively short and after just 2,5 hours they arrived in Spain. They had arrived late in the afternoon, making it a nice 27 degrees celsius.
''So we have five days to have some fun. What should we do first?'' Clark asked while rubbing his hands together excitedly.
''Maybe we should start by checking into the hotel and dropping of our luggage.'' Angela responded dryly.
''Oh, right of course.'' Clark was too eager.
''Come on dad, we'll have plenty of fun!'' Luke responded and started dragging him and Brenda by their hands.
They arranged for some taxi's to bring them to the hotel and were glad to hear their rooms were already clean. They had decided on four rooms for two people each. Angela and Randall, Clark and Brenda, the professor and Luke and finally Emmy and Flora. Flora and Luke ran down the cosy looking hallway towards their rooms, excited to see where they would be sleeping. The adults had chuckled at the youth but quickly turned to worry when Luke ran headfirst into a bellboy. Thankfully, neither was hurt.
The rooms were small, but cute. Everything was either tropically themed or covered in shells. Since the reservation was made quite late, the only rooms available were the ones with double beds. The professor didn't mind sharing a bed with Luke. The boy could be overly energetic at times, but was fairly calm when he slept. Flora had been excited to share a room with Emmy. She had always wanted to have a girls only sleepover and saw Emmy as big sister.
After everyone had changed into weather appropriate clothes, they reconvened downstairs in the lobby. The Lobby had a perfect view of the mountains, making it quite the sight. The receptionist had informed them about the local restaurants nearby and there were flyers for different activities scattered about as well. It wasn't too hard to figure out what they could do in the following days.
''Alright then, mission ''Bring Hershel to Spain'' is complete. Now what.'' Randall said with a smile, nudging his friend in his shoulder.
The professor smiled and adjusted his hat. ''Well you were the ones with a plan. I'm just here to relax.''
Everyone smiled and continued to discuss their schedule.
''Alright one thing is for sure, I need to go to the beach.'' Brenda said and pretended to sunbathe on her chair.
''Me too, i'd love to get some sun in.'' Angela responded and glasped Brenda's hand in her own.
''Alright so beach on one of the days for sure, what else? Any other ''necessities''?'' Clark asked and looked around at the group while taking notes.
''How about this theme park?'' Luke asked with a big smile, holding up a flyer from a very colorful looking theme park.
''It has a waterpark attached to it as well.'' Flora exclaimed, reading the flyer.
''Sounds good. Everyone else agree?'' Clark asked.
Everyone nodded and continued to think. Randall wanted to go bungee jumping, but was quickly shut down by everyone else.
''Come on you guys, let's do something thrilling!.''
Everyone ignored him. The professor had heard other people talk about a small festival that would take place the next day, which was added to the list.
''Alright so tomorrow we will do some relaxation in the afternoon and the festival in the evening, wednesday we could do the beach, thursday theme park.'' Clark summarized.
''Emmy my dear, you've been awfully quiet.'' The professor suddenly said, drawing everyone's attention.
''Well…'' She started, a distant look in her eyes. ''I was thinking maybe we could go hiking? The mountain outside looks absolutely gorgeous and I would love to take some pictures, but...I didn't want to suggest it because we're trying to make you rest professor.'' She said with a slight blush grazing her cheeks.
''That sounds wonderful Emmy! Don't let me hold you back. If it results in it being too much for me to handle, i'll just turn back.'' He placed his hand on top of her shoulder and smiled warmly.
Emmy beamed back at the professor and shyly started fiddling around with her camera. Something she usually did when she was nervous or flustered. Randall continued spouting crazy ideas that sounded either too reckless or just utterly impossible.
''Maybe we could do some shopping on the last day. You know for souvenirs and such.'' Angela suggested.
Everyone agreed, expect for Randall.
''So everyone's idea just gets immediately accepted except for mine?'' He pouted.
''Correct.'' Angela responded.
She poked her husband in his side, revealing a ticklish to randall as he jumped up from his chair. The group continued to enjoy their evening in the lobby, discussing their plans and talking about everything and nothing. At the end of the night they walked back to their room and said their goodnights.
''Thank you all for convincing me.'' The professor said lastly, before turning in.