Wounded Future
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the original story to Professor Layton
Author's Note: They only let me put two genres, but this story is also a Comedy. It is officially Romantic, Comedy, and Angst. I hope you're not disappointed or looking for something heavy all the way through.
Chapter 1
Flora Reinhold jumped off the bus and raced into Gressenheller University as fast as her legs could carry her. She dodged students right to left as she moved across the large University campus. She zipped through the hallways urgently with a smile on her face as she clutched onto a piece of paper that she had found at the Layton household.
In her hand was an invitation to an exciting demonstration that was happening in central London. The invitation announced that there was to be a time travelling demonstration and that Layton had the opportunity to bring one guest. Time travelling had always fascinated Flora, and the thought of accompanying Layton to such an event thrilled her to no end. Of course, she knew he would most likely bring Luke, but Flora was optimistic that she could convince him otherwise.
"Professor!" Flora yelled as she bursted into Hershel Layton's office. She quickly scanned the room but the man in the tall hat was not there. Instead, she was greeted by the professor's apprentice, Luke Triton. The 13 year old boy seemed to be quietly reading a book when Flora had barged in.
"Oh, hiya, Flora!" The pre-teen cheered brightly. "The professor isn't here right now. He has a lecture."
"Oh okay. I guess I'll just wait for him then," Flora let out sigh and closed the office door behind her. She breathed heavily from the sprint as she plopped down next to Luke on the couch.
"What do you need to see the Professor for? If you don't mind me asking," Luke asked curiously as he closed his book over his lap.
"I found this wonderful invitation to a time traveling demonstration happening this weekend!" Flora exclaimed with glee as she held up the invitation. "It's so very exciting! I really wish to go with the Professor. He can show me around town more, you know I hardly ever leave the house. And time travel is just oh, so exciting! I'd love to go out and see this presentation. I hear the Prime Minister is going to be there as well! Imagine that, me, Flora Reinhold, meeting the Prime Minister!"
Luke's eyes widened as he listened to Flora gush about the event. It was clear that she was looking forward to this event and that she couldn't contain her excitement.
"But the Professor can only bring one guest, and he had already asked me," Luke said slowly. He braced himself as he watched Flora's smile fade.
"Maybe I can change his mind. I never get to go out with the Professor. You always go places with him!" Flora began to whine.
"Well, maybe we can ask him when he gets back." Luke said with hesitance. He was looking forward to the time travelling event himself, and he didn't want to just give it up.
"Great!" Flora squeaked. "Are you hungry? I'll make us some delicious cucumber sandwiches while we wait for the Professor to return!"
Luke's eyes widened in horror as he watched her begin to prepare those sandwiches that he secretly hated. He began to wince as he imagined having to bite into those bitter sandwiches while maintaining a grin. He often wondered how Flora managed to transform a simple, two ingredient sandwich into an illegal torture device. Of course, Luke could never tell Flora how he felt about her sandwiches; after all, it isn't what a true gentleman would do.
"It's quite alright Flora, the Professor and I had a big lunch earlier and I'm sure he's still stuffed!" Luke said quickly before she could prepare the sandwiches any further.
"Luke, you're almost a teenager! You need to eat more so you can grow up to be as tall and dashing as the professor!" Flora reasoned with a warm smile.
"We're out of cream cheese!" Luke cried in desperation.
"Cream cheese doesn't go in cucumber sandwiches silly, I use butter," Flora said with a small laugh.
Luke gagged inwardly as he remembered the taste of her cucumber sandwiches. That 1 inch thick middle layer was butter?
Just then, the door began to creek open as Professor Layton entered his office. He was astonished to see Flora holding pieces of bread and Luke looking like he'd just seen a ghost.
"My word, what is going on in here?" Layton asked with intrigue. He smiled at his apprentice and deduced that Flora was about to prepare her infamous cucumber sandwiches.
"Are you hungry, Professor?" Flora asked sweetly. "You must be hungry after that long lecture,"
"No, I am quite alright. But thank you, Flora." Layton smiled politely.
"You're not hungry either? Okay, fine." Flora said with disappointment as she began to put away the bread.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Flora?" The Professor asked as he placed his textbooks onto his desk.
"Oh!" Flora exclaimed as she had temporarily forgotten her mission. "I found this invitation!"
She picked up the invite from the coffee table and handed it to Professor Layton.
"I thought we could go together! It looks fun! I'm absolutely fascinated with the concept of time travel!" Flora explained cheerfully.
"Oh," Layton reacted, a little taken back, "I'd love to, but unfortunately, I had already ask for Luke's company"
"But, you're always with Luke!" Flora argued.
"Now, now, no need to yell. I'm sure there is a solution to this predicament." Layton said calmly as he glanced over at Luke. "I have an idea. What if you two were to compete with a puzzle challenge? Whoever solves the puzzle first gets to accompany me to the event."
"A puzzle solving contest?" Flora echoed with uncertainty. She gulped as she mentally weighed out the options. On the downside, Luke was the Professor's Apprentice; he had much more experience than her with puzzles. But on the flipside, if she managed to outsmart this 13 year old, she could get a chance to see a time traveling presentation. "Let's do it!"
"That's the spirit," Layton said with a chuckle. "Now, I will come up with a puzzle and time you two as you work on the solving it."
The Professor took at seat at his desk and pulled out a blank piece of paper. He immediately started scribbling down the instructions for solving the puzzle. It was a simple "process-of-elimination" puzzle which required finding contradicting statements. This solution, however, had a twist to it in which the answer was cleverly hidden while hiding in plain sight. He placed the finished puzzle onto the coffee table and allowed Luke and Flora to crowd over it. The two read the instructions carefully and mulled over the answer as the Professor timed them with a small pocket watch.
Before long, Luke's face shot up as he exclaimed that he had solved the puzzle. He scribbled the answer onto a scrap piece of paper and presented it to the professor.
"Here's my answer!"
The professor glanced at the paper and smiled widely. "Congratulations, Luke."
"Piece of cake!"
Flora sighed as she watched Luke celebrate.
"Don't frown, Flora, there'll be other events," Luke said in attempt to comfort Flora.
"I just wanted to spend time with the Professor. Maybe go on a few adventures like you do, Luke," Flora said in defeat.
"Of course we will! We'll go on an adventure soon. I promise!" Luke gave a toothy smile as he held onto the rim of his cap.
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