AN: Review replies!
Girlycathy: Thanks very much. There will definitely be more broken Hershel.
Descole'sApprentice: Thanks very much! :)
The Mocking J: Thanks very much! As an AU, it's kinda hard to have this story include no OOC, but I still tried to limit it for Clark as much as I could, and based his angry outburst on this withdrawal from Luke during Spectre's Call/Last Specter.
Thanks very much guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
A Perished Atmosphere
Chapter Three
Professor Layton remained at his dining room table a long time after Clark had left. He simply stared up and over at the wall, though there was nothing interesting to look at. He occupied himself with his thoughts and memories, instead. After all, he did have so many. The first time he met Luke (not including when he was an infant) and the discovery of the Golden Garden; the joy he felt when Randall turned out to be, miraculously, after all these years alive; the short reunion with his brother; the adoption of Flora Reinhold. And now he had gained even more memories: those few seconds longer with Claire. They weren't much, but they were something.
It wasn't until Layton heard the newspaper fall through the letterbox, that he stood up and left the kitchen. He would read the morning paper with a cup of tea, as he always would.
After fetching the newspaper, he sat back down in the same seat and looked at the front page.
Bill Hawkes To Return To His Seat As Prime Minister
Of course, that would be how it happened. The Government kept its secrets from the citizens. The Prime Minister's disappearance had been falsely publicised from the beginning. His temporary resignation from his seat in Downing Street had been due to his disappearance- the Professor had seen it with his very own eyes! Instead, the English media publicised this by stating that Hawkes had been caught stealing tax money for his own benefit. How ridiculous. And now, he would be put straight back into power. Even after all he had done; all he had taken.
The most absurd part, however, Layton notice as he flicked through the newspaper to get to know the headlines, was that Clive's attack was not at all mentioned. Just like when Claire had died. The media was completely silent on the matter. It was despicable.
It was the way of the world, in which he lived in.
The Professor sighed in frustration, as he pushed the paper aside and then made his way upstairs. There had been no other letters- no requests for help in solving mysteries or puzzles of any type- and so he thought now would be a good time to check on Flora. He made his way upstairs and gently knocked on her bedroom door before he entered.
The room was empty.
The Professor frowned in confusion, before realising that it was a weekday and Flora had schoolto attend. Additionally, it was half past ten! The Professor of archaeology had not even noticed the time. His adopted daughter must have made her way downstairs and off to school whilst the Professor had been busy contemplating. That had happened multiple times before. Surely, Flora would be used to it by now.
He rolled his eyes at his own actions, and closed the door just as he heard someone knock at the front door. He wondered who it would be. Inspector Chelmey, perhaps? Maybe he needed a statement from him about the events that had occurred in 'Future' London and Clive's fortress attack. That seemed to be the most likely scenario.
However, as the Professor opened the front door, he was greeted with a familiar face that was not Inspector Chelmey's. It was a woman. A woman in a green trench coat and a pink bow tie. The Professor had blink when he set eyes on her, as her hair had changed. The last time he had seen her, her brown hair had been long, thick and wavy, but was now much shorter and much straighter; only coming down to her chin. But it definitely was...
"Emmy Altava..."
AN: Hope you guys enjoyed it! Now what will Emmy reveal to Layton?
Reviews are great. :)
Nikki~