Professor Layton and the Living Dead
Chapter 3: Meet the parents
As Layton, Flora and Scarlett kept looking through the library, they came across old newspaper articles. A lot were just the normal news, but an obituary stood out to the trio. Flora was the one to find it and shows it to the professor.
"Professor look!", she said in an excited voice. Layton took the newspaper and looked at it.
"We regret to inform our friends and family of the tragic death of Scarlett and Penelope Sycamore. In eternal love, Richard and Lilian Alister.", the professor read out loud. The names seemed to make Scarlett stir a bit.
"Are you alright, Miss Scarlett?", Layton asked, as he noticed that Scarlett's face became concerned.
"I have heard the names Richard and Lilian Alister before….however, I can't remember where.", Scarlett explained.
"Well, Miss Scarlett, they have the same last name as you. Perhaps we should visit them. They might know something about your past.", Layton suggested. Scarlett felt a bit uneasy.
"Don't worry, Miss Scarlett. I bet they will be very kind. Besides, you have me and the Professor by your side.", Flora smiled, taking Scarlett's hand. In this moment, Scarlett felt a warmth in her heart. It was as if she had know such a love before, the love for a child.
"Alright. Yeah. Maybe we should look for Richard and Lilian Alister.", Scarlett said, holding her hands to her chest.
"We just need to find them. That might be a bit challenging, however, I could ask a favour from Inspector Chelmey of Scotland Yard.", Layton stated as he started to walk out of the Library. Flora followed close behind. Scarlett stayed behind a bit, before following the others as well. How did she know the names Richard and Lilian Alister? Why did those names seem so familiar? Whatever it was, Professor Layton promised to help her with her memories, and as far as she knew, Layton would always keep his promises.
After the Professor had gotten the information he needed, him, Flora and Scarlett drove to the Alister residence. Scarlett was nervous, but she didn't know why.
"Miss Scarlett, you look nervous. Are you afraid of seeing your parents again?", Flora asked.
"I don't know. I don't remember how they were like...", Scarlett replied honestly, looking at the floor of the Layton Mobile.
"I am sure they are lovely. They have raised such a lovely lady, after all.", Layton tried reassuring her, with little success. As they pulled up to the house, they could see an older lady working in the garden. Flora, Layton and Scarlett got out of the car, Scarlett staying behind slightly as Layton approached the fence and called out to the woman.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am. May I inquire where I can find Doctor Richard Alister and his wife Lilian?", Layton asked the woman. She put down the watering can she held in her hands and said: "I'm Lilian Alister. Who do I have the pleasure with?", the woman responded.
"Of course, my bad. My name is Professor Hershel Layton, I am an archaeologist and teacher at the Gressenheller university.", Layton said. He than pointed at Flora and Scarlett and continued: "These two lovely ladies are my companions, Flora Reinhold and…."
Before he could finish his sentence, Lilian gasped as she recognized her daughter.
"Scarlett….", she whispered. Lilian then invited all of them inside.
Inside the house, the trio looked around. Everywhere were pictures of Scarlett and a little girl looking like her with brown her. Occasionally there was a man on the pictures as well, and Layton knew that face all too well. He felt a wave of nostalgia seeing him in those pictures, the adventure to discover the Azran sanctuary, Aurora, the revelation that he was his brother, all of it was quite fascinating.
"I must warn you, Richard isn't very fond of archaeologists.", Lilian said, snapping Layton out of his thoughts. Flora was admiring the pictures, studying them intensely.
"Oh? Is there a reason for his dislike?", Layton was curious.
"Well, let's just say that he has had a bad experience with them.", Lilian chuckled nervously as she lead Layton, Flora and Scarlett to the living room. A man was sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper.
"Richard, honey. There is someone who wants to talk to you about our daughter.", Lilian said, and the man put down the newspaper, scowling at the professor.
"I'm sorry if my enthusiasm to seeing an archaeologist is limited. What exactly do you want to know?", Richard said, standing up and walking over to the trio.
"Doctor Richard Alister, I do wish to discuss everything you can tell me about your daughter.", Layton stated. Richard looked at Scarlett and then at Layton again.
"Lilian, please show the ladies around the house some more. There is much to discuss with the professor.", Richard said, his voice stern. Lilian took Flora and Scarlett and lead them upstairs. Richard gestured for Layton to sit down, which Layton promptly did.
"May I offer you some tea, Professor Layton?", Richard stood up and walked over to a small tea set.
"Yes, that would be nice. Thank you.", Layton replied and Richard made two cups of tea, handing one to Layton.
"Now, what is it you want to know about Scarlett?", Richard asked sitting down again.
"Well, anything you can tell me about her would be of help, Doctor Alister. Her past, anything you can tell me about her own family, her husband...", Layton noticed that Richard's expression changed to one of disdain as he mentioned his son-in-law. He took notice of that, it may be of interest later on.
"My son-in-law is a coward and a fool. He promised to protect her, but he just left. I never understood what Scarlett saw in him anyway. He was an archaeologist, like you, and I have the feeling that he loved his work more than his family. He didn't even bother showing up to the funeral.", Richard ranted. He really seemed to dislike Scarlett's husband.
"He didn't show up to the funeral? That's odd. I would reckon that anyone would go to the burial of a loved one.", Layton was confused, taking a sip from his tea.
"You'd think. But it's like he just vanished. No note, no letter, nothing, just gone, that coward.", Richard sounded angry. It was understandable, given that his son-in-law just vanished, as if he had never existed.
Meanwhile, Scarlett and Flora explored the rooms on the upper floor. Lilian decided to show them Scarlett's old room, though Scarlett didn't remember it. Flora was fascinated with the room, she didn't have something like that when she still lived in St Mystere, her room in the tower was pretty and had everything she needed but this room was well lived in, notes, letters and pictures everywhere. Flora was fascinated, while Scarlett felt a bit out of place.
"Who is the man on this photo?", Flora asked, picking up a picture in a frame. The picture showed a man with glasses wearing some fancy clothes and smiling while holding a bouquet of flowers.
"That's mine and Richard's son-in-law. He was quite sweet and loved Scarlett so much. It's sad that he disappeared.", Lilian replied.
"May I keep that photo?", Scarlett asked. Something about the photo made her smile softly.
"Take it. We don't have any use for it anyway.", Lilian smiled.
"Thank you, Ma'am.", Scarlett thanked Lilian.
"No problem, honey", Lilian chuckled. Scarlett was staring at the picture, feeling happy, as she seemed to remember something else.
Scarlett was at home, getting ready for a date, brushing her hair. Her mother helped her with finding the perfect outfit, she was going to a play after all.
"Look, this dress might be lovely.", her mother said, holding out a dark blue dress with sequins stitched to the skirt.
"Something less fancy. It's a first date, after all.", Scarlett chuckled nervously. Her mother nodded and started looking for something more casual, yet elegant.
Once Scarlett was ready, she grabbed a purse and walked to the living room, seeing her date and her father talking, her date being quite nervous. When the men spotted her, her dad jumped up from the couch and gave her a bouquet of flowers he had gotten her.
"I'm sorry that I am early. I was just very excited. I got you a bouquet of assorted flowers.", he said chuckling nervously. Scarlett took the bouquet and put it into a vase with water.
"I hope you keep your hands to yourself, boy!", Scarlett's father stated, grumbling a bit.
"Richard, be nice! He is doing his best.", her mother stated, slapping her husband slightly.
"I just want to make sure he doesn't get any ideas, Lilian.", Richard stated. Scarlett hugged her parents, before leaving with the young man.
Scarlett bust out into tears. She remembered something important, she remembered her parents.
"Miss Scarlett, why are you crying?", Flora wondered. Scarlett turned to Lilian and hugged her, surprising the older woman.
"I'm sorry, mum. I forgot you and dad!", Scarlett whispered between sobs. Lilian stroked her hair and patted her back, assuring her that it was fine. Scarlett, Lilian and Flora soon made their way back down to the living room, and Scarlett ran to hug Richard. Richard was also surprised, but hearing the sobs of her, he hugged her back.
"I'm sorry, dad.", Scarlett stated, getting the same answer from her father as she had gotten from her mother.
"Well, it seems like she has recovered another memory. I thank you for your help, Doctor and Misses Alister.", Layton said, adjusting his top hat with a smile.
"If you have other questions about him, don't be afraid to ask, Professor Layton.", Richard said, guiding his daughter to stand next to Layton. "I may not be the greatest fan of him, but I do wish for my daughter to be happy."
With that, Layton,. Scarlett and Flora said their good-byes, Scarlett hugging her parents again, before they made their way to the next destination to help Scarlett unlock another memory.
