FINALLY. I said when I started this that I was determined to at least finish the initial section (believe me, I wanted to begin at the Revolution) and it's happened!

Disclaimer: yeah right.

Chapter 6- Stars

Chapter 6

Hershel pushed open the door to the inn, allowing Flora in before him, and was hastily met with a loud shouting aimed at Flora from a man storming down the entrance hall. He wore a grimace on his face and stamped angrily as guests scrambled out of his way. Flora moved behind Hershel's leg, clinging to him. When the man finally reached them he waved a finger angrily at her and yelled.

"You left over an hour ago! What have you-"

The noise died down as soon as he looked up and locked eyes with Hershel. He stood up and dusted himself off before bending down to knee height and attempting a sympathetic smile.

"What …have you been doing?" He took the bucket out of Hershel's hand and pushed it aside with his foot. "Oh, the water. You really didn't need to get so much dear."

"Sir, this girl-"

"Hey, why don't you let me take your hat yeah?" He reached up for it as Hershel ducked away. He grumbled "Fine keep the hat. Don Paolo by the way" He hastily shook his hand

"Hershel Layton." Paulo turned his nose up at him and fiddled with the end of his moustache.

"I run this place, so if you want a room I'm the guy to ask." He took Hershel by the arm and tried to lead him into the inn, whilst slipping a coin out of his pocket. Hershel leant back and grabbed his hand, pushing the money back.

"Sir. I'm not here for the inn; I'm here about this girl. I found her all by herself in town; she assures me that your wife sent her?" Paulo raised his eyebrows.

"Well uh yeah- HEY DAHLIA" He yelled into the crowd of the main lounge. A woman popped her head above the ruckus.

"WHAT."

"THE KID WANTS YOU." Hershel saw her move towards them, a tray balanced skilfully on her waist.

"WELL YOU CAN TELL THE KID THAT-" She, just like Paolo, caught Hershel's eye and changed demeanour immediately. "Oh sir" she added a flourishing courtesy "would you like somebody to take your-"

"Already tried it." Muttered Paulo out the side of his mouth. He whispered something to her as she flashed a stellar smile at Flora.

"Oh, she's back, that's good! Come over here darling, let's take you off to bed, you're probably tired…." Flora hugged closer to Layton's leg. Paolo made some wild gestures at her. She eventually hobbled over, where she was met with false hugs and hushed anger.

"Now-" Began Hershel, lowering his hat "Before I offer my proposal, I have some grave news to tell you." He leant down to Flora's height, he dreaded her reaction but couldn't bear to leave Claire wish unfulfilled "Your mother is no longer with us." Flora's eyes widened and she fixed her gaze on the floor. Paulo and Dahlia faked shocked faces and exchanged worried glances with each other. " She sent me to let you know that she loves you, and to make sure you're alright." He looked at each of the adults in turn "And it is clear that you aren't. So my offer to you is that I will take Flora off of your hands. That she will live in my protection." Paolo looked apprehensive.

"You want to take our…our little girl away? But she's so important, we care greatly for Florence."

"Flora…"

"-Care greatly for Flora."

"Perhaps this will sway your favour." He handed an envelope to them "just over 1000 picarats. I assume this will cover any of her continuing bills." Dahlia snatched the letter and weighed it in her hand

"This has an air of questionable legality about all of this, sir"

"There's also a very highly questionable legality over making a young child work for you." Before he had a chance to answer, his wife jumped in with the envelope.

"This would be a lovely amount of money, if it weren't for all the poor dear's medical bills. I'm sure Claire mentioned it?" Hershel should have expected something like these from these kinds of people. To further expand their point, Dahlia cupped Flora's face, exclaiming about how thin she looked.

"No more, please. I will offer you 200 more, but that is it. Flora will be in my care from now on. " He handed them the last few coins from his pocket and took Flora's hand.

"Will you be like my father now?" Hershel chuckled at the thought.

"Yes, I suppose so." Flora grinned "Come now, say goodbye." She smiled up as she quickly waved, more at the inn itself than the people and followed him out. Paolo clutched the money to his chest as he waved after her.

"Farewell Cora!" called Paolo as the two left, his wife sighing behind him.

Descole rapped his fist against the door, fuming with anger. Several locals had stated that the convict had been there but he'd not seen a sign of him. Behind the door he heard shouts which, from the words he could pick out, sounded like an argument over money. Eventually a woman opened the door, an envelope filled with money in her grasp. She plastered a strained look of welcome on her face but Descole spoke before she could.

"Have you seen Hershel Layton round here? Tall, beady eyed top hat?" The lady scoffed at him.

"Seen him? Yeah he robbed us. 1200 picarats… yeah right. There are barely 800 in here!" she shook the envelope at him. Descole smiled, he search may be over and he had another crime to pin against him. "He ran off with the little girl that worked here, without even paying off for her full care, took her off in a carriage down the road." She brushed a tear from her cheek as she pointed in the direction. A child ran up to the door, demanding her mother help her inside the inn whilst asking what she was talking to him about, so Descole merely nodded and thanked her for her help. Getting back onto his horse he followed in great pursuit of Layton.

**********************************

Hershel looked down at the face of the sleeping girl beside him, running a hand over her hair. She'd fallen asleep barely minutes after they'd sat in the carriage, clearly exhausted. He knew that by this point the inn keepers would be aware that he'd given them less, but he'd found that fooling them was more gentlemanly than leaving Flora in a place like that. Though as she slept, he mulled over how different his life would be. He was now caring for someone. The last time he'd offered kindness towards a child he was arrested.

Then there was Descole, he was sure that the inspector would be after him by now. It was just a matter of time before he reached them. The carriage veered left as they headed on their way and then stopped. That was when Hershel heard the dreaded voice. He quickly shook Flora awake and prepared to move.

"Excuse me; I must check the back of your carriage. I cannot give any more information." Flora looked up groggily, but with a fear in her eyes as Hershel prayed that the driver wouldn't allow it. There was shouting from outside, he didn't hesitate or wait around, he simply took her hand and leapt from the cart, running away from it. He could hear the inspector behind and was aware of Flora's panting; he quickly lifted her up onto his hip and darted into an alley. They stayed there for a few minutes before Hershel was sure Descole had passed. He moved her up onto his shoulders and headed on their way, with a clear destination in mind.

After several hours of walking and evading any oncoming figures along the path they reached the place. Gressenheller, the old schoolhouse. Schrader opened the door, recognising him at once from the cart incident and clearly understanding straight away. He let them in without a second thought.

Descole looked out from the balcony of the Reunion Inn. He'd completely lost sight of Layton, with no trace of him left in even the most obscure places. He didn't know how he found himself out on top of the town's most prestigious hotel, perhaps it was to get a better view of the city, it was unlikely that he went there to look at the stars. But no matter what, he was there now, gazing up at them. The orderliness of each light shining in the darkness, how they remained there forever as his life went spiralling in every direction. He'd devoted many years looking for Layton and where had it gotten him? He'd become some hopeless poet looking at the sky. He frowned at himself and straightened up against the railing. As he looked down over the city, he knew one thing for certain.

No matter how long it took, he would find him.

Please review!