#can I be in layton's place...please | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tavolgisvist · 9 months ago

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'Just call him on the phone'

Q: Aside from the millions you’ve been offered for a reunion concert, how did you feel about producer Lorne Michaels’s generous offer of thirty-two hundred dollars for appearing together on Saturday Night Live a few years ago?* A: Oh, yeah, Paul and I were together watching that show. He was visiting us at our place in the Dakota. We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag. We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired. Q: How did you and Paul happen to be watching TV together? A: That was a period when Paul just kept turning up at our door with a guitar. I would let him in, but finally I said to him**, “Please call before you come over. It’s not 1956, and turning up at the door isn’t the same anymore. You know, just give me a ring.” He was upset by that, but I didn’t mean it badly. I just meant that I was taking care of a baby all day, and some guy turns up at the door … But anyway, back on that night he and Linda walked in and he and I were just sitting there watching the show, and we went, Ha-ha, wouldn’t it be funny if we went down, but we didn’t. Q: Is that the last time you’ve seen Paul? A: Yes, but I didn’t mean it like that.

<...> Q: You say you haven’t really listened to Paul’s work and haven’t really talked to him since that night in your apartment— A: Really talked to him, no, that’s the operative word. I haven’t really talked to him in ten years. Because I haven’t spent time with him. I’ve been doing other things and so has he. You know, he’s got twenty five kids and about twenty million records out — how can he spend time talking? He’s always working.

(John Lennon, 1980, All We Are Saying, David Sheff)

*It was in 25 April 1976 **it was in 26 April 1976

Well, when I, when I was Just a little baby boy, Every night, every night I would call, Because your number, you know, Brought me such sweet joy. I've called your name, John, Every night since then But I ain't never, no, no, never Heard you calling me, My sweet, sweet babe, So, you know, you better call me back again, I call your operator but I still can't get through to you, Call me back again

(Call Me Back Again, presumably, 10 June 1976, Seattle)

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Tell me, is she everything i see Or is she really not the one for me? We know, and though some may disagree But do they know the way we want to be? <…> Building something One thing made to last And holding something Special from the past And do I still believe in stories we've been told***? Are all the things she brings me worth their weight in gold? Oh yeah, (oh yeah) pure gold

(Pure Gold, Paul for Ringo, 1976)

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***I remember when John and I were first hanging out together, I had a dream about digging in the garden with my hands. I’d dreamt that before but I’d never found anything other than an old tin can. But in this dream I found a gold coin. I kept digging and I found another. And another.The next day I told John about this amazing dream I’d had and he said, ‘That’s funny, I had the same dream’. So both of us had this dream of finding this treasure. And I suppose you could say it came true. I remember years later talking about it – ‘Remember that dream we had?’; ‘Yeah, that was far out’. So the message of that dream was: keep digging lads.'

(Paul McCartney to The Big Issue, Feb. 2012)

After you've gone And left me crying After you've gone Ain't no deny You'll feel blue You'll feel sad You'll miss the dearest pal that you ever had

There'll come a time And don't you forget it There'll come a time When you'll regret it****

Someday when you grow lonely Your heart will break like mine You want me only After you've gone After you've gone away

(After You've Gone, 1977, Paul's version - 'just for fun' as he said - of a 1918 popular song written by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer, and it's Frank Sinatra's (and Sophie Tucker!) version.

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****the line 'Don't you forget it/When you'll regret it' reminds another old (not as old like After You've Gone but old) song - I Love You And Don't You Forget It by Perry Como. The song, what our lads were singing in their early years so playfully:

Klas Burling: Tell us something about how you find a song… how you get the idea about a song, to write it down. John: Well, sometimes it's the words first, and then the music after. Klas Burling: Very often you've got a title, you know… Me and you, and everything like that? Paul: Yeah. We try to do that, to make it personal so it's… so we really mean it. When we sing a thing about 'I love you,' it's easier. John: (singing) 'And don't you forget it!' John & Paul: (singing together, jokingly) 'I love you and don't you forget it!' Paul: Well, you see, it's easier than singing something about the cat that lives on the hill, man. (laughter) Paul: It's a lot easier just to sing about what you feel yourself.

(August 23 1963, interview with Klas Burling)

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Was I just dreaming or was it only yesterday I used to hold you in my arms And now a baby, and a another on the way [Indescernable] in a farm Now must we be alone? If it don’t feel right, don’t do it If it don’t look right, look right through it If it don’t feel right, don’t do it Just call him on the phone

(John Lennon, Real Life, Feb 1977)

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We'd had a bread strike over here***** and I rang him and I was saying, What are you doing? He says. I'm baking some bread.' 'Oh! Me too.' Imagine, with the stereotypes, John and Paul talking about baking bread.

(Paul McCartney, May 2001, interview for Mojo magazine)

*****a bread strike in England was in Nov 1978

Q: Do you regret that your life has become so public? A: I realized that a good fifteen years ago. I remember actually thinking when I went on holiday somewhere, ‘God I’d really better start thinking now about keeping a few countries aside where we don’t sell records. I won’t be able to go anywhere without being recognized.’ But now I think, ‘Really, I’ve reached the point of no return. There’s no going back.’ Even if I didn’t want to sing anymore, I’d just be like Greta Garbo or Brigitte Bardot. They both retired but you’d never know it. John said this to me a year before he died. He said, ‘Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true.’ That’s the way I look at it. I wished for all this and I got it. To regret it would mean I’d have to sit here and live with negative thoughts about it. I know that would only sink me. Even if I had feelings of regret my personality would not really let them out. ‘Look mate, you don’t regret it. Look on the other side,’ that’s me. Not to sink. I always used to do that instinctively, and not allow too many negative thoughts to surface.

(Paul McCartney, April/May 1982, interview for Music Express)

The couple of years after the Beatles broke up it was very touchy because I think we suspected each other of business manoeuvres. So anyone would ring up, it would be like, “Why is he ringing?” And when you put up the defensive like that it’s very difficult to say, “I’m not! Honest!” You just don’t know where to put yourself. So we had a lot of those ups and downs for quite a few years. But the favourite thing was that if ever we talked not business – and what we ended doing, actually, was make a rule not to talk business on the phone – and on those occasions, we had really good vibes, man. And it was great; we just talked kids, we talked family, we talked cats, we talked life, rather than, “oh, what songs are doing with x business affair?” And one of the great things for me, one of the consolation prizes after John was killed, the only thing– you know, you find yourself holding on to little bits of wreckage to keep yourself afloat. And with me it was the fact that our last phonecall was really one of the best we ever had together; it was really warm, we were really friends again.

(Paul McCartney, 1984, interview for CBS Morning News)

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Q: Do you remember your last conversation with John? A: Yes. That is a nice thing, a consoling factor for me, because I do feel it was sad that we never actually sat down and straightened our differences out. But fortunately for me, the last phone conversation I ever had with him was really great, and we didn’t have any kind of blowup. It could have easily been one of the other phone calls, when we blew up at each other and slammed the phone down. Q: Do you remember what you talked about? A: It was just a very happy conversation about his family, my family. Enjoying his life very much; Sean was a very big part of it. And thining about getting on with his career. I remember he said, “Oh, God, I’m like Aunt Mimi, padding round here in me dressing gown”– robe, as he called it, ’cause he was picking up the American vernacular –“feeding the cats in me robe and cooking and putting a cup of tea on. This housewife wants a career!” It was that time for him. He was about to launch Double Fantasy.******

(Paul McCartney, Dec 1984, interview for Playboy)

******Double Fantasy released 17 November 1980

I was lucky. The last few wee... months that he was alive, we’d managed to get our relationship back on track. And we were talking and having real good conversations. Real nice and friendly.

(Paul McCartney about This One, interview with Bernard Goldberg for the TV series 48 Hours, 1989)

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local-hyena · 9 months ago

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SO I'VE JUST WATCHED THIS AND I AM GOING TO GIVE MY THOUGHTS ABOUT EVERY LITTLE THING

First of all, here's the synopsis.

We got a lot of details here !! Tube's Tube. I don't really understand why, but it sounds funny. 12M viens and 12,000,000 likes. Why 12 ? Is it a hint towards à 12th game ? There are currently 11 Ace Attorney games. This vidéo recaps pretty much everything (except the prof Layton crossover...), so it MIGHT point towards a new game :). On the right of "Likes" and "Share" there is "DL|6" :). We cannot see how many subscribers Nick has, but since the video has lots of likes, I think it's safe to assume that he has a good amount of subscribers and that he is possibly a youtuber (in this version of the AA universe at least). On the right we can see 3 other videos : MUST WATCH - Top 3 Bedtime Picture Books by Laurice Deauxnim-Scented Adventures with 3.8K views uploaded 2 weeks ago. We don't know when Nick's video was uploaded (most likely more recently than two weeks) but maybe Larry is a more successful youtuber than Nick ?? Also, I'm pretty sure that Franzy's Whippity-Whip Trip is in this video :). Then we have Her Benevolence dances the Panic Dance by Kingdom of Kura'in Embassy with 3.15M likes and uploaded 1 (idk) ago. Idk who this character is so uh, idk what to say. But "Panic Dance" sounds fun heh. Then we have No Objections Judge's gourmet courthouse specials by His Honor Eats with 2 views uploaded 21 years ago. Poor old Judge :(. Also, Capcom is plastered everywhere. I mean, this video is part of marketing so of course.

Now, let's move on to the actual content of the video !

You. That's you, Phoenix

Wording, Phoenix. Wording.

So Klavier can canonically produce guitar sounds out of thin air ?? I thought it was extradiegetic. Well I guess that's handful when he has to do a concert but forgot his guitar, heh !

This is peak comedy right there. Man I love Ace Attorney.

ACE ATTORNEY AND GHOST TRICK CROSSOVER WHEN ??? (Still gotta play Ghost Trick and finish AA lmao)

This image is cool.

Oh, Nick, honey... that's the kind of reference that I like heheh

I WOULD LIKE TO DISAGREE. ALTHOUGH YOU *COULD* START AT THE APOLLO JUSTICE TRILOGY (I'vo only played the first of this trilogy) WITHOUT BEING TOO LOST, YOU WOULD MISS A LOT OF CHATACTER DEVELOPMENT AND WOULD NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW THE CHATACTERS GOT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

YES PLEASE MILES TELL US ABOUT THE STEEL SAMURAI <3 <3 <3

ALSO ! Turns out that ERIC VALE did Phoenix's voice. ERIC VALE the anime voice actor !!! Thatcis so cool. I didn't recongize Edgeworth's VA (cuz i've only watched the first anime episode + the bloopers) so... idk do your own research I don't care that much honestly. How about the "Objection!" Voiceline actors tho. Who are they. They're the closest to their official voice actors.

Anyways, tl;dr : this is a recap of all of Ace Attorney (minus the Layton crossover) + Ghost Trick. There is the number 12 at the beginning and Ghost Trick is mentionned, so my theory is that they're planning a 12th game which is a Ghost Trick crossover :)

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layton-heritage-posts · 11 months ago

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Happy Heritage Blog Anniversary!

Technically it’s already over for me though. I can’t believe I’m late to my own anniversary. But, in my defense, I would say I have a good reason for that.

Over the last while I and a very talented group of my mutuals have been working on something special for this Heritage Blog Anniversary, and I’m excited to finally reveal this little project that’s been slowly going on in the background!

Thats right. I’m getting my own knockoff wannabe Layton game. No, I also don’t know how my life ended up like this.

„But how will the game work“, You might ask yourself? Well that’s easy. In celebration of the anniversary I will invite 10 randomly chosen followers of mine to the Layton Heritage Posts Archive for an overnight stay. A trip where I’m sure nothing is going to go wrong.

But before I can send out the invites I really have to clean this place up a bit and maybe prepare a few things beforehand. So please be patient for now!

#not a heritage post #very excited to finally announce this #and the rest of my team is as well

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tacitcrow-blog · 4 months ago

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Since Foregone Collusion is finished reposting here, I thought I'd post some detritus from the folder I've been keeping all the comic art in.

A year ago, when I finished the comic the first time around, I attempted to write a "making of" document, mostly for my own reference. Y'know, just in case I might decide to start another long-form comic project and need some idea of what I'd learned the first time around.

As part of that, I put together some "character sheets" while I still had Clive and Edgeworth's designs on speed-dial. Please enjoy my chaotic rambling.

I also thought it might be fun to post an example of some traditional (on paper) stuff I scanned to incorporate into the comic. Two and a half panels of this comic were inked traditionally, one of which is on the scan-page below, and all of the typewriter text is from an early-1950s Smith-Corona which I uh. Own,

But I think the most ridiculous multi-media thing I did for this comic was to carve an actual relief block so I could physically stamp game-accurate gibberish onto newsprint paper to make the clipping of the article about his parents' death in Clive's mental conspiracy board. A very pleasant way to spend 3-5 hours. (I'd already prepared the "Layton alphabet" reference sheet months beforehand)

In the end, I placed this article mostly behind Clive's hand. You can't even see it. But you can bet if I ever get my ass into gear re: selling art I will be handing editions of this "article" out like business cards. (Would people actually want them? I have no idea.)

And lastly here's a "phone logistics" panel that I had to edit out of No. 13 at nearly the last minute.

There's more but it's 90% earlier versions of strips/panels/dialogue... these are the highlights! Thanks again for reading.

#foregone collusion #wips and sketches #miles edgeworth #clive dove #fan comic #let's make a tag for detritus that's a good idea

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angelofdiamond · 9 months ago

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Then I saw the demo trailer and I can say.... CABBAGE YES FINALLY! IS OVERDONE WELL THIS GAME! Ok now that I've calmed down I can continue, for sure when the game is complete something will change but for many who feared that this Layton was also made with Ai, this goes to disprove it a lot for two reasons: in some places you can see that the characters can look a bit "angular" is an Ai however good, can hardly reproduce shadows so well and badly done (I saw a guide on how to recognize an Ai design and it explains more or less this). An Ai fixes all kinds of imperfections almost to a perfect level but yet it is done extraordinarily well this demo, you can see imperfections now, let's begin with some scenes that I have loved it...

1) Layton is really proud and surprised of what Luke has created also if clearly doesn't know what is his use xD

2) Here we can see what Coindar what can really do and we know now that Luke still can't speak properly american but at least something he know

3) Seems that the people that Luke helps, they know how much Luke looks up to the professor so dearly... my word Luke really misses so much the professor Layton 😔

4) STEPDAD PROTECTION MODE ACTIVED!

5) his hand on Luke's shoulder is an affectionate clue of how much Layton trusts Luke and cares about him 😭

6) Layton: "Luke are you scared?"

Luke: " no no professor but I have to change my pants for a moment, they have turned from petrol blue to khaki brown" 🤣. I loved how the professor laughed in order to joke with Luke, he knows very well that he is scared is kind of in his own way teasing him affectionately without offending him as he did during their old investigations and it's nice to note how Luke character-wise hasn't changed that much in addition...THIS IS ANOTHER PROOF THAT HE CARES FOR LUKE AT THE AFFECTIVE POINT OF STEPFATHER-STEPSON AND THAT CONSIDER HE SO TO DO THAT (because you obviously have to be very intimate to allow such a thing-not everyone likes physical contact)!! LITERALLY WHAT STRA LITTLE CABBAGES YOU NEED GUYS TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROFESSOR CONSIDER LUKE ALSO IN THAT WAY D: !?!?

7) And the face she makes and she clearly says: " please let's go away that I'm chickening out...please let's go away that I'm chickening out..." and then she's disappointed and resigned because she knows they're going up against a ghost and he's still terrified of it...ispriceless xD!!!

And now the cherry on the top of this astonishing demo....THIS PIECE OF MASTERPIECE 2D ART WITH THEM!!!

Look at them having tea together after a year of separation (although they will certainly have kept in touch frequently or after Luke homeworks) and how happy they are together also because it is since the first part of the trilogy, the second part, the movie, and the crossover that they have not had tea together in peace.

#professor layton #pl nwos #level 5 #level 5 vision #detective luke #luke triton #professor layton and the new world of steam

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plgiftexchange · 3 months ago

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PLGiftExchange Interest Check Results

Hi all, Here are the results from the interest check!

83 people filled out the interest check, with 58 (69.9%) saying that they will likely be taking part in the gift exchange. 25 (30.1%) people wrote they might / might not join the gift exchange. For context, last year we had close to 100 people join the gift exchange, and we had 61 people fill out the interest check.

75 people (90.4%) noted that they post mainly on Tumblr, with 37 (44.6%) individuals also posting on Bluesky. Twitter, Instagram, and Ao3 all have 17/18 (21.7%, 20.5%) people posting on those websites. Therefore, our main sites for this year will be Tumblr and Bluesky, and anyone who signs up must have at least one of those websites and/or Discord as their social medias.

58 (69.9%) individuals would be signing up as artists, 17 (20.5%) as both artist or writers, and 8 (9.6%) as only writers. If you would like to sign up for something that is not a writer or an artist, please DM me directly and I can see if there's any way to fit you into the Gift Exchange.

In regards to dates, June, July and August would work the best for everyone. (Those three months had a range between 61% to 73%, compared to May and September, which both 30% and 42%!) However, due to July being Artfight and August being close to back to school/back to college/etc time period, we will have a longer amount of time to work on gift exchange pieces than usual.

We are NOT sure at the moment if we will be adding the options of non-Layton crossovers this year, but that would be discussed with our future event moderator position. More information will be updated within the next month.

This gift exchange will likely take place from June 15th to August 31st. Dates are not 100% set in stone, but that is the ideal timeframe for this event.

((Therefore, sign ups would be June 1st - June 15th. Pieces can be posted from September 1st to September 15th. There will be 2 checkins, one being roughly July 15th, and the second one being August 15th. Again, these dates are not set in stone, but this is where Im guesstimating they will fall.))

You can find our other accounts here: Discord- discord.gg/GZXMDJJzF7 Twitter- https://twitter.com/PLGiftExchange

We will be making a Bluesky account soon! More info will be released once we have more updated graphics. :]

You can also view last years interest check, here!: https://www.tumblr.com/plgiftexchange/765691382809722880/interest-check-results?source=share

Feel free to send us an ask if you have anything you'd like to ask! You may also DM me directly.

#plgiftexchange #plgiftexchange2024 #professor layton #fandom events

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call-me-rucy · 6 months ago

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Obviously you aren’t lvl 5 and don’t know everything but I thought this would be the best place to get clarification-

Do you think edits are allowed? Or compilatiosn that aren’t full cutscenes/compilations with gameplay as well?

Hi there! Thanks for the question, I will do my best to answer it, although I have to add that yes, I'm not L-5, and I have now law knowledge whatsoever.

If someone knows more details about law stuff (looking at you, Ace attorney fans that got into law school), please feel free to add/correct this post!

Note: The guideline is published in Japanese but I'm asuming that they can legally reach outside of Japan through Youtube, Tiktok and such.

I think the main spirit behind this thing is "Please don't make things that could be confused for official stuff".

Gameplay seems to be okay in all its forms, as long as it's clear that it's gameplay, that you're a fan playing a game you have. To that effect they also ask that you credit L-5 with the rights in the description section in the following format:

Phone trilogy: ©LEVEL-5 Inc.

Compilation of gameplays should be good, then! 👍

As for other stuff, such as edits, I'd say that as long as it's clear that it's fan made, spoilers are tagged and L-5 is credited, it's should be fine. This old video comes to mind:

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See how the first seconds are not the actual video? It says something along the lines "These characters are from the Layton series, there are slight spoilers up to Azran Legacy, continue only if you're okay with that".

It feel's weirdly 2010s, but I guess that's the way to go now.

Still, it is not like they will come inmideately for us all. I doubt they know Tumblr exists, for starters. As for Youtube and other places, short fan edits and gameplays and the likes might be good with those "I'm a fan, not L-5 and this has spoilers" disclaimers.

And I'm not really familiar with how Youtube works, but I'd say even if you have music videos or silent gameplays in Youtube the worst thing that can happen is for you to recieve a notification like "please take down this video". And then you do that and that would be sorted.

So the final message is:

Do not panic

Maybe add disclaimers and copyright thingies to future Layton videos

When/if you recieve a takedown/copyright notice, act. (And maybe share with the class so we can know when/if they are taking down videos, and which ones).

For now behave like your favourite cutscenes compilations or music videos might be taken down soon.

#professor layton #hershel layton #luke triton #katrielle layton #alfendi layton #level-5 new guideline

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yuseis-mindless-twaddle · 9 months ago

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Cohesive List of Notable Layton Projects I'm Working On

I'm Yusei, mostly active on Discord as of late. I entered the Layton Fandom through the subreddit and have been spreading the plague that is me since then. Since I just set up this account, here's a cohesive list of my notable Layton-based works: 1. Professor Layton and the Dreadful Food Service (2023 - On-going)

Above is a video playthrough of the (currently broken) demo of the game. It contains 1 puzzle and some shotty concept art. Development on the game has progressed much since the demo, including new assets, more puzzles, and some storyboarded cutscenes. Current project status: On Hiatus. Team Enigma, College, and Calamity Witch Arianna have taken precedence over this specific fan game, but it will be returned to in time (breaks from school, usually).

2. Professor Layton and the Mansion of the Deathly Mirror: Reflected (202? - On-going)

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I would like to make it known that this is not my endeavor alone. I'm the head programmer, but this is a group effort so please take a look at the other department heads -- their work is incredible, and I'm very proud to be part of a team with such pleasant folks. Together, we are Team Enigma! There's plans to make more games than just this, so keep an eye out for any news post-MotDM:RE.

Current Project Status: In development. It'll be a slow process but we're making good headway already. Look forward to updates as development progresses.

3. Calamity Witch Arianna Tetralogy (2024 - *anticipated* 2025)

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Want to "play" it yourself? Check it out (supposedly it work on phones, too):

This is planned to be a four-part mini series about Arianna from Professor Layton and the Last Specter. The idea is that each new chapter gets progressively more complex (longer runtime, new features such as puzzles, more actual art from my end, etc.) -- chapter 1 is already out, but it's simply a visual novel for now. Puzzles and basic investigation have been coded for chapter 2, which is currently in development.

Current Project Status: In development. Essentially working on this when I have time and the energy. On scene two, thinking up puzzle ideas. Doing voice work, as well.

4. Coin Forager -- a Layton-community-lead hint coin finding game! (2024, like last week - hopefully as long as people want to submit entries)

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Coin Forager is a fun little idea I had whilst browsing the Reddit-Discord. The idea is that whoever wants to can enter a photo they've taken from a place they feel like would have hint coins hidden around and I enter it into this little searching game. So far, we have 9 entries. Version 1.0.0 will be uploaded to itch once I get 20 submissions. Hint coins found through each location can unlock information about the area, such as the name of the place or a fun fact about it. Everyone is free to enter a location!

Current Project Status: Always in development. The goal is for this to be open for as long as I can. Folks will always be welcome to submit an entry, and I'll find the time to add it!

So that's it, for now, at least off the top of my head. Thanks for reading, and I'm sure there'll be many more projects to come in the future!

#layton #layton series #professor layton #fan project #fan game #yusei #yusei go #yusei ikinasai #arianna #calamity witch #hershel layton #mansion of the deathly mirror #team enigma #godot #godot engine #Youtube

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ninadove · 9 months ago

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Nina reads Dracula 🦇

September 26th

I thought never to write in this diary again, but the time has come. When I got home last night Mina had supper ready, and when we had supped she told me of Van Helsing's visit, and of her having given him the two diaries copied out, and of how anxious she has been about me. She showed me in the doctor's letter that all I wrote down was true. It seems to have made a new man of me. It was the doubt as to the reality of the whole thing that knocked me over. I felt impotent, and in the dark, and distrustful. But, now that I know, I am not afraid, even of the Count.

I love you, my good friend Jonathaaan 🎶

I would listen to him go on praising Mina for a day, so I simply nodded and stood silent.

I ain’t never gonna stop loving you, my good friend Jonathaaaaan 🎶

Dr. Seward's Diary. 26 September. — Truly there is no such thing as finality.

Mood.

I had a letter from Arthur, written on Sunday, and from it I gather that he is bearing up wonderfully well. Quincey Morris is with him, and that is much of a help, for he himself is a bubbling well of good spirits.

It’s hard to stay sad when you have your very own cowboy boyfriend (cowboyfriend…?)

"Do you mean to tell me, friend John, that you have no suspicion as to what poor Lucy died of; not after all the hints given, not only by events, but by me?"

Every day this novel feels more like a Professor Layton game

Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain.

I want this embroidered and framed

Can you tell me why, when other spiders die small and soon, that one great spider lived for centuries in the tower of the old Spanish church and grew and grew, till, on descending, he could drink the oil of all the church lamps?

Taking notes, because spiders are typically associated with Renfield. The symbolism here is interesting.

Can you tell me why in the Pampas, ay and elsewhere, there are bats that come at night and open the veins of cattle and horses and suck dry their veins; how in some islands of the Western seas there are bats which hang on the trees all day, and those who have seen describe as like giant nuts or pods, and that when the sailors sleep on the deck, because that it is hot, flit down on them, and then—and then in the morning are found dead men, white as even Miss Lucy was?

I need an AU where Van Helsing explored the pampa for his research and took on Quincey as his apprentice.

Professor, let me be your pet student again.

[Spit take]

Ah, you are my favourite pupil still.

Okay then

"You think then that those so small holes in the children's throats were made by the same that made the hole in Miss Lucy?"

"I suppose so." He stood up and said solemnly:—

"Then you are wrong. Oh, would it were so! but alas! no. It is worse, far, far worse."

"In God's name, Professor Van Helsing, what do you mean?" I cried.

He threw himself with a despairing gesture into a chair, and placed his elbows on the table, covering his face with his hands as he spoke:—

"They were made by Miss Lucy!"

"Dr. Van Helsing, are you mad?"

A reasonable question.

"Madness were easy to bear compared with truth like this. Oh, my friend, why, think you, did I go so far round, why take so long to tell you so simple a thing? Was it because I hate you and have hated you all my life? Was it because I wished to give you pain? Was it that I wanted, now so late, revenge for that time when you saved my life, and from a fearful death? Ah no!"

OK can we pause a second and get the full Van Helsing lore please.

I drew near and looked. The coffin was empty.

I was too cold and too sleepy to be keenly observant, and not sleepy enough to betray my trust so altogether I had a dreary, miserable time.

Again, mood.

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vabutterfly · 9 months ago

Text

My story for @proflaytonbigbang

Thank you to artists @prisile and @notllorstel !

PROLOGUE

“You’ve always been so interested in the Azran, Desmond. Perhaps you should give it a rest for the evening.”

My wife, Molly, said as she stood beside my desk. My small candle flickered and cast shadows in the dim room. Adele, my 3 year-old daughter, raced in with a smile.

“I’m ready to be tucked in!”

I smiled and began to put away the large book about the past Azran discoveries. I planned to make a trip to the ruins soon. Molly glanced over at me as Adele went off toward her room once again.

“Desmond, please think about what I said....not just for this evening. Don’t get so hung up on the Azran mystery that it’s all you can think about and work on, okay?”

I nodded and joined her to tuck Adele in. Her words remained in my mind today. Even though it’s been years.

Chapter 1

The morning woke up with golden light stretching after the dark slumber of night. Clouds sailed the pastel ocean, and the trees danced in the wind. Spotlights of sun splashed against random parts of the room and practically blinded me in the morning. Perhaps I should move the bed to a different part of the room. But bigger matters have taken up residence in my mind lately. All my life, but especially after losing my wife and daughter, I had spent my life searching for the Azran secrets and longing to get revenge on Targent.....until recently. All had become known. At last, Layton knew who I was, and I couldn’t be more surprised, (and disgusted), upon discovering his assistant, Emmy Altava, worked with the group as well! After my dramatic departure, I had considered visiting Layton and trying to make things right...but I couldn’t. A new adventure awaited me, I believed, but what? I had spent my life waiting for this moment, this discovery, and now it was over. What was I supposed to do now?

“Mastah, is something wrong with the tea? You’re glaring at it.”

“No, no, nothing’s wrong, Raymond. I was simply......thinking.”

“Ah, I see. “

I spotted the day’s mail and paper on the counter and decided to see what was new. On the paper’s cover, in large print read: LOOKING FOR A PILOT FOR SECRET ARCHEOLOGY PROJECT. A smirk crossed my face. Adventure has arrived.

Chapter 2

Clouds sailed past like fellow ships as I steered the Bostonious. Below were the tips of mountains; frosted in snow. I looked down and noticed the place that always filled me with a bittersweet feeling. Windy Valley. I had discovered the hidden forest many years ago on an archeology trip, and I had decided to propose and marry Molly there. The place had been nothing more than a legend for sometime, so my proving its existence made London Times headlines for awhile. But, being that she was such a big part of my memories of the place, I no longer feel the joy I used to when going there. I pushed the pedal on the ship harder than necessary.

“Are you ok, Mastah?” Raymond inquired.

“But of course.” I said quickly.

I continued the journey until I arrived at the address. I parked the ship farther away from the main building. I noticed a bright yellow plane as well. Something was familiar....

I started forward as the wind billowed through the yard, making grass bend in determination and icy fingers creep up one’s self. I tightened my scarf, slightly missing my old boa I’d worn so long in my Descole disguise. Just then, the yellow plane’s door swung open and a lady hopped down. She swept her long, wavy dark hair behind her shoulder and pulled out a bag and camera. I felt myself cringe. It couldn’t be....surely not.....not after all of this time. She turned around and when she saw me, her eyes widened.

“Professor Sycamore, I didn’t expect to see you.....well....ever.”

“Miss Altava, might I ask....what are you doing here?”

“I’m a reporter for the World Times, Professor. I came to discover this secret archeology project, gather people’s thoughts on it, and do it in an undercover disguise. As an archeologist, I’m sure you’re here for the actual work?” “A pilot. So, if we must speak in there, you will be going by a different name?”

“Sarah Phillips. They can’t know I’m a reporter, or I’ll get kicked out in a heartbeat.”

“I see.”

I did. Too well. I’d been through so many times of disguises and false identities, so I knew what it mean to be undercover. I nodded to her and went inside. Indoors, the smells of coffee and lunches perfumed the air. A man in uniform, or a suit, rather, stepped up to the platform.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m glad to see so many care about this project. Various historical lands bearing archeological treasures have been recently discovered! We are going to send teams out to mine the lands.”

Emmy raised her hand.

“Yes, Miss Phillips?”

“Why is this a secret project?”

“If people know about the treasures in these lands, we’ll have competitors after them before we get a chance. People who are more likely to sell than display and keep them safe. “

Emmy nodded and noted this.

“We’ll need volunteer pilots and sailors for transportation, as these locations are all over. Any volunteers?”

I raised my hand for either sailor or pilot. Emmy did so, I assumed, for pilot as well. A couple of others also raised their hands.

“Fantastic! Now we will divide up our archeologist volunteers into groups. For those of you sailing or piloting, the locations are on that board over there.”

We walked over to it and my heart seemed to momentarily stop. Windy Valley was one of the locations.

Chapter 3

I stared at the horrid print for ages, it seemed. Emmy turned to me.

“Why, Professor, you look ill. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just.....surprised.”

I had to find a way to stop this. Nobody was laying a shovel on that land.

Later, Emmy came up to me again.

“Professor, there’s something you need to know about these people.”

“Besides the fact that they’re destroying meaningful property?”

“They’re doing this illegally. Their whole name is fake. In fact, I hear they’re after ruining archeologists’ reputations. That’s why I want the scoop on all of this so I can publish it after.”

“Good. I own Windy Valley, so surely there’s a way to stop them.”

However, there was a problem. A contract had been signed for the land years ago, and after all that happened, I hadn’t seen it since.

Emmy poked me.

“Goodness, what?”

“Are you listening to me?”

“Well....no.”

“Well, I was saying, maybe we could actually work together.”

“Miss Altava, are you mad?”

“Why, no.”

“You, a woman both related to and having worked for Targent, want to team up with me, someone who hates Targent beyond comprehension?”

“Ah, well, I do regret that decision. But, if you can help me with disguises and all, and with better transportation, I happen to know of some way we can protect Windy Valley and all of the other locations from destruction. I know someONE who can help as well.”

“I didn’t say I needed help. I will keep your proposal in mind, however.”

“Very well.”

Once dismissed, I flew the Bostonious back to Windy Valley, landing softly on the cold, green carpet of grass. I stepped out and the refreshing winds seemed to envelope the forest. I stepped over to the small garden of violets; Molly’s favorite flower.

………………..

“Desmond, these flowers are perfect.” Molly said, eyes shining.

“I thought you said they were your favorite. When we build the cabin here, we can have a whole field of violets. What do you think?”

“Splendid! I love Windy Valley. And, I love you.”

…………………..

I fought the tears in my eyes as I held the flower in my hand. Suddenly, I heard footsteps.

Chapter 4

I whipped around, pleased that the wind removed any previous traces of my sadness. However, my pain got quickly replaced with more anger and irritation.

Bandana whacking him violently due to the winds, Randall approached. A thrilled grin showed on his face.

“I’ve done it! I’ve discovered Windy Valley! I-”

He froze once he spotted me.

“Hello, Ascot. What are you doing?”

“You knew about Windy Valley already?”

“I OWN Windy Valley. You are trespassing on my property.”

“I-uh-I say!-I had no idea! Why would you of all people own a historical legend like Windy Valley? Shouldn’t anyone be allowed to come to it?”

“What do you plan on doing here, Ascot? Advertising your discovery to the London Times? Breaking the ground for gold? Your plans disgust me. A true archeologist-”

“Well, you are ASSUMING that’s what I’m here for. I care very much about keeping these things in historical condition. I would like to do some exploring, but I will be careful...if that’s okay.”

“Hmph! So many are after this place.”

“I guess I’m really not the first after all...” He muttered.

Something about the great disappointment in his face and posture made me decide a baffling plan in no time at all.

“Look, if you want to know more about Windy Valley, I’ll make you a deal.”

His face hardened and he shot a glare at me.

“I think not. The last time we made a deal....if it weren’t for my friends, I would have lost everything. Do you hear me? EVERYTHING!!!”

“Well, I suppose you don’t care so much for this place.” I replied smugly.

For a few moments, he seemed to ponder that thought. At last, he sighed.

“Well, as I always say, ‘no risk, no glory’.”

“Good. If you’ll help me save Windy Valley, you may QUIETLY investigate it. Miss Altava will be helping as well. Your knowledge on archeology may help.”

“Great, Old Chap, but-”

“You’re fired on sight if you ever call me that again.”

“Sorry. Chum, if-”

“What did you just call me?!” “If you want to investigate all of this, Hershel would be a great teammate.”

“Absolutely out of the question.”

“Fine, where do we begin?”

Chapter 5

“So you believe the documents are still somewhere in their office?” Randall asked, cocking his head in a quizzical manner.

“Yes, I do. I lost them all of those years ago, but there must be proof somewhere.”

“I might be able to get access to it. As a photographer, I’ll be in the office at times. In fact, if they want the images edited, I would have to be in there for sometime.” Emmy remarked, a mischievous spark in her eyes.

“True. With the documents, I can bring the authorities into this; an easy win in a legal battle. But without that proof, this will be an uphill climb.”

Randall tapped his chin.

“Will you still be their pilot? I mean, if you don’t like them anymore…”

“But of course I will! I must get information. I can use my patrolling abilities to my own advantage too, you know.”

“Fair.” Emmy replied.

I sat and discussed this mission with Randall and Emmy a bit longer. We agreed that Randall would work undercover for the team as a supposed archeologist participant, I would be the pilot, and Emmy planned to capture important evidence with her camera.

…………………….

I walked away from Desmond and Randall and headed for the office. What a strange change in plans! I had intended on joining for one of my first solo photography projects for The London Times. Never did I expect to see Professor Sycamore and Randall again. But perhaps this will be good. Maybe I can prove I can be trusted again. I went inside and gasped. There stood Uncle Bronev talking with the rest of the team. My hands shook. He’d recognize me for sure! And then questions swam through my mind. Hadn’t he been arrested? Where did he live now? Did he know that this was wrong and that his son was involved, or was he innocent? And…could I go against my uncle? He turned toward the doorway and I ducked behind a tall potted plant. At last silence filled the room, and Uncle Bronev had left. That was too close! I walked over to the other man who was left in the room.

“Excuse me, Sir. I’m Sarah, the photographer and pilot. I was told I’d have an office here to work on my photos. It’s my specialty to give professional-quality photos.”

“You must be the photographer from The World Times! I was very impressed with your resume’. Yes, your office is this way.”

I followed the man down hallways, trying to sneak glances at the other doors. Was there a place for property selling documents here? Why would there be? Wasn’t this just this exploration team’s office? But Professor Sycamore seemed to believe that there was a good chance it was here. I’d have to look later when nobody was around.

Chapter 6

I waited for Emmy to return. It may be said that she was simply returning from her new job, but truly, it was returning from a reporter job that they cannot expect. I’m hoping she’ll have good news and perhaps know where the documents are today. I had been working on the Bostonious for travel, as it needed some minor repairs. Randall had been exploring the land about the camp. Why, I don’t know.

At last Emmy returned, but instead of an expression of success, it seemed she was nervous and hesitant, with a bit of disappointment.

“I see you’ve returned from your first day as their photographer. How did things go?”

“Um…fine. Perfectly fine.”

I raised a brow.

“Look, Professor Sycamore, it is not fine at all!”

“I gathered that. Let me guess, they fired you.”

“What? No! Why would they do that?”

“No real reason, I suppose. Unless criminal records count..”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Hmph.”

“No, but, you’re not going to like this one bit.”

“Please get on with it, Miss Altava.”

“The owner of this exploration….it’s-“

“Professor Sycamore! Miss Altava! There’s a stunning view of the Windy Valley Mountain just a few feet from camp! We simply MUST see it at sunrise tomorrow!”

“Sounds lovely.” Emmy replied.

“I have seen it then, and it is a remarkable sight.” I added, remembering many a morning.

There were mornings when Molly and I would go on walks in the sunrise, and sometimes Adele would wake up and join us. Sometimes I’d pulled an all-nighter for work and the golden, pastel hands would wave into the candle-lit office.

“Anyways, Randall, your arrival is good timing. You see, Leon Bronev is the leader of this.”

Silence weighed heavily in the room. But inside, a thousand thoughts flooded together, and boiling anger filled me.

“That monster dares take Windy Valley from me?!!! He’s already tried in the past, and it’s still partly his fault that my family is gone! He will NOT win! I will make sure of that!!!”

“I agree. We must stop him! He’s ruined enough historical sites.” Randall agreed.

I went off to my room, too angry to continue talking with them.

……………………..

I went to Desmond’s room later, and I knocked on the door.

“Professor Sycamore, may I come in?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Are you alright?”

He sighed.

“That man makes me very angry. He seems to be connected to all I’ve lost. And now he’s trying to take more from me. I must get those documents more than ever!”

“Indeed. It seems to be the easiest way. I will look harder tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

But as I walked away, I was still confused. I didn’t want to be against either of them.

The next day, I returned to the office, and I searched about whenever I could for the documents. However, I could not find them. At least not yet. But what was worse is that members of Targent, particularly Uncle Bronev, seemed to be everywhere. There was no way I could hide forever.

“Professor Sycamore?” I called him.

“Yes?”

“We may have a problem. My name may not be the same, but Un-Um-Bronev, will recognize me in a second. He’s everywhere!”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan. Come back to camp.”

“Alright.”

Chapter 7

I paced as I waited for Emmy to return. When she did, I smiled.

“I have a plan that just might work. They currently know you as a photographer, but NOT as a reporter.”

“What are you saying?”

“By disguising as someone different, you can be a totally unrecognizable person to them, someone they can trust…We must make an excuse, however, for the departure of the photographer. But you can cover as both. Therefore, you can record, photograph, and report all of your findings without raising suspicions.”

I smirked proudly.

Emmy raised a brow.

“You really thought this out, didn’t you?”

“But of course! You know a plan must be made thoroughly and quickly in drastic times like this. That man will NEVER lay a hand on Windy Valley as long as I live.”

Emmy and Randall exchanged glances.

I brought out a suitcase.

“Here, you’ll need this.”

Emmy opened it and found wigs and various outfits. She tried to hold back a laugh, but Randall laughed immediately.

“Do you carry this around everywhere?”

I crossed my arms.

“When this saves such a historical land, you will regret making fun.”

Randall sobered.

Emmy left and put on a stylish wig and professional clothes. She applied makeup, put on her camera bag, and walked out.

“Well?”

“The look is unrecognizable. But, you will need to change your voice.”

“What?!”

“Miss Altava, they will see right through this if you sound exactly the same.”

Emmy sighed and nodded.

“Do you think they’ll be suspicious about a reporter showing up?”

“Not at all. If you claim you’re there to spread their name and fame, they won’t care about anything but that.”

………………………………

Soon, I returned to the camp. I found a guy waiting at the entrance.

“Oh, um, I don’t believe I know you, Miss.”

“Emiliana Albertson. I’m the reporter.”

“Oh, a reporter. Come right this way! Mr. Bronev is excited to report our certain success to everyone.”

“Of course. I will be sure to capture it all.”

“Thank you, Miss Albertson.”

I walked over to Uncle Bronev, and something felt…wrong. He hurt so many people, yet he feels like a father to me. Tears filled my eyes unexpectedly as it all sank in as to what I was doing. I wasn’t helping him secretly this time. I was truly going against him. Could I do this? Desmond and Randall had no issues, but were they as close? Desmond was his actual son though! I fought back my rising emotions.

“Mr. Bronev, what are your plans for the beginning of this investigation? And what do you hope to find in Windy Valley?”

“Oh, gems, maybe the cure to all illnesses! They say a plant grows there with such an ability. “

“Oh? And what do you plan to do with this if you find it?”

A temporary sadness flashed in his eyes. But then he recovered and turned back on his “performance appearance”.

“Sell it for money. “

“Oh, I see. You probably could make a grand amount off of it.”

“Of course! I could make a fortune if I make people fight for it.”

I nodded.

“Tomorrow we begin digging.”

“I see.”

Later, I returned to the camp.

“I have news, but nothing you’ll be pleased about.”

“Well, considering your mission, I didn’t exactly expect to be pleased about it.”

“He’s looking for…the flower. And his intentions are to sell it for a fortune. He also plans to start digging tomorrow.”

Desmond jumped up, anger flaming in his eyes.

“How DARE he?! Sell it for a fortune!!! Does he not have anything better to do?! That flower could save lives! People he cares about! Oh, but wait, he doesn’t care about anyone but himself!”

“Professor Sycamore, wait!”

Desmond sighed.

“Please, Miss Altava, I need a moment.”

He left for the room he was staying in.

……………………….

I picked up my watch chain and opened the clasped picture of Molly. I remembered a particular conversation…

…………………………..

“Molly, I’ve discovered something!”

“Oh? What is it?”

I grinned.

“There’s a flower in Windy Valley, a sort of special herb, that can cure just about any illness. Oh, Honey! If I can find it, perhaps we can prove the doctors wrong!”

Molly glowed with happiness.

“Really? Oh, that’s wonderful!”

I took her hand.

“I’ll find it, Sweetheart. You’ll be well again.”

……………………..

I blinked back tears as I looked at the photo and recalled how I’d failed to find it. And now some jerk wanted to ruin it by selling it for mere dollars. That flower, once found, needed to be left alone.

“Mr. Sycamore?”

I opened the door.

“Miss Altava.”

“I know you’re upset, but Uncle-….uh…Bronev, may not be as heartless as you think.”

“Oh really?” I asked sarcastically.

“Really. For a moment, when I asked what he would do with the flower, he looked sad.”

“Hmph! That makes no sense to me.”

“Do you think maybe he was….thinking of your mother?”

I froze, sadness washing over me. Again.

“Of course not.” I grumbled.

“You saw what he did when the Azran lights occurred…”

“We will not speak of that. Anyways, we must come up with a plan to stop them from digging tomorrow. The only way is for us to disguise and act as workers. WE can volunteer to go in. We’ll work from there.”

“A good plan….does this involve more wigs?” She smiled.

“Perhaps.” I smiled back.

The next day, Randall and I, in proper disguises, went to the work field. We were, after some encouragement to the bosses, assigned to go in.

“First step down. Now, let’s see what we can do.” I said as Randall and I left for Windy Valley.

Chapter 8

Randall and I walked up the steep mountain side.The wind took on an icy, clean feeling and smell, and the higher we climbed up, the stronger it got. Once again, I regretted not wearing my boa. At last, we reached the land that meant so much to me. The emerald-green grass was as a soft as a carpet, and the trees made a lovely shade over most of the valley, together forming a roof. Due to that, in the past, Molly and I would sit during the rain showers completely protected by the trees, but watched as the rain would splash onto the leaves. The wind would carry the wet mist and spray us at times, and Molly would laugh. Flowers sprinkled about the valley in beautiful bold colors. They always stood out against the rich green surroundings. And then I saw the patch of violets. Molly’s favorite flower.

“You alright?” Randall asked.

“But of course. Why wouldn’t I be? So far, our plan to save Windy Valley is working.”

“You were rather quiet and looked sad.”

“I’m just fine.”

“Alright then.”

We went off into the forest. I pondered as to what we were supposed to find. Part of the plan was simply to take the place of the other explorers so they wouldn’t destroy the place in their search. That part was a success. The other was to hopefully find a way to persuade them into believing this was a lost cause and there was nothing worth looking for. But how? And then again, they may doubt our skills and send someone else! Perhaps we should find, or at least say we found something. But what? And what if they still send others? This would not do.

We went on and found a tunnel, which turned out to be a dead end. How could we stop those terrible people from coming here and taking more from me?

“I found something!”

I froze and then spun around.

Randall was excitedly waving something small that glittered in the sunlight. I went over and looked closer.

“It appears to be some kind of stone. With proper cleaning I can take a better look at it.”

“Right. Do you think this will help us?”

“I’m not sure what it’s worth is yet. But as their hope is to find a flower, I’m not sure of that either. Besides, if the stone is worth anything, that may lead them here for a whole other reason.”

“Ah, that is a good point.” He looked at the dusty, dirt-coated stone.

We stood for awhile as the icy, roaring winds swept through the land continuously.

“Ohh, these are perfect for Angela!”

*snip*

I whipped around, and there sat several of the beautiful violets in Randall’s hands. Holding back my irritation, I said,

“In the future, please do not mess with those.”

“Oh. Sorry. I thought they were just growing here.”

“Molly and I planted those long ago.”

“So they’re a reminder of her…I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s alright.”

I glanced at the flower and suddenly had an idea.

“I’ve thought of something.”

“Oh?”

“The violets. What if we took one and said it’s the flower they’re looking for?”

“That’s lying, for one thing. And secondly, wouldn’t they want tested proof?”

“I suppose it is a lie but…if they get their hands on the real flower…”

“And the proof?”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t know about this. This doesn’t seem like the best solution. As far as both good plan-making and because of having to lie about it.”

I acquired one of the flowers and we went back down the mountain.

“By having the flower, they’ll have no need to go up at all!” I announced triumphantly.

“That is a good point.” Randall agreed but lacked his normal enthusiasm.

………………….

I was sitting at the desk, still searching for the documents whenever I could, when the door opened.

“I thought I might find you here.”

I looked up. Uncle Bronev.

“We need you to be outside in 20 minutes for that update we mentioned. Understood?”

“Of course.” I offered a shaky smile.

He tilted his head slightly.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, thank you. Just busy trying to get used to my new job here.”

I attempted to laugh it off.

“I see.”

I went outside 10 minutes later to set up, positioned the camera, grabbed the mic, and headed over.

“Today our search team has an update for everyone as to how the investigation of Windy Valley is going!”

“Yes, so far we have sent two of our search party up the mountain to find the herbal flower. They should-“

“We’re back!!!”

I whipped around, as did the others, in time to see Randall and Desmond coming down with a flower in hand. My jaw dropped. That fast? They hadn’t been gone that long at all!

“We have the herbal flower everyone!”

“That…..that’s amazing! Uncle Bronev isn’t that-“

I froze. I let it slip. No. No no no! This wasn’t happening!

But as I feared, all eyes went on me.

Chapter 9

“So you’re Emmy.”

I was sitting in the office across from Uncle Bronev.

“Yes…”

“What is going on here? Why are you interviewing and reporting for my team under a false identity?”

I was trying to decide what to do. Had he changed? Did he know what he was doing was wrong? I decided to take the chance.

“Uncle Bronev, you CAN’T sell that flower for a bunch of money! That flower is important! It needs to be cared for properly or at least be brought to a place that will tend to it. A billion people would pay you millions for it, but not many will care for it right. They’re blinded by the fame they will receive if they have it. Think about the dreadfully ill who could use that flower so badly, Uncle!”

He listened with a serious frown.

“This means a lot to you.”

“It does.”

“And why is my son in on this?”

I gulped.

“Well…He wants the flower to be safe too. And he wanted to help be apart of that. You see, Uncle, what the team is doing is wrong. Or was wrong. By going after the flower for money and fame won’t do any good. Now that the flower is safe, it should just be brought to a proper place. We don’t need to put that out there everywhere.”

“I’m not so sure…

“Please, Uncle. Don’t let the scavengers get this news out there. I want the flower to be safe first!”

“Alright…”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

He smiled.

………….

“I still think you should tell the truth about the flower. This isn’t right!”

“It’s safest this way for now. We’ll tell the truth when the right time comes.”

I sat down with a satisfied smile. But something didn’t feel right. While I spoke with great ease and confidence on this matter, I also wondered deep down if this was right.

“I’m not so sure that’s a wise plan. I mean, when people find out, what will that mean for us?”

My instinct was to reply “make a run for it”, but that version of me was long gone.

As the night appeared and lingered, I began to worry and question what I’d done. That plan was very much like one I’d have put together in the past. Though perhaps my motives were better this time, it was still full of deceit and sneaking. Randall may have been right. But what now? We might get arrested for this.

……………..

I walked back to the campsite early the next morning, excited to share my news with Professor Sycamore and Randall. Uncle Bronev had been remarkably understanding and cooperative, so I was eager to tell the others. I also wanted to see the flower for myself. I hadn’t gotten a chance with all of the chaos yesterday.

I opened the door and found Professor Sycamore staring at a framed picture with a sad, faraway look in his eyes. I’d seen him look like that at times, but the second anyone was caught noticing, he hardened instantly. I never knew what caused it, but never dared ask either.

“Good morning, Professor Sycamore! I have great news! Is Randall around?”

“He’s on the phone with Angela while cooking breakfast outside.”

“Ah. In that case, can I speak with you first?”

With a last look at the picture, which he turned face-down on the table beside him, he nodded.

“Uncle Bronev and I talked last night after what all happened, and he has agreed to calling off the publicity of the flower! He understands the dangers that could cause and the value of it.”

“And why should I trust him?”

“I really think he’s changed!”

“For that matter, why should I trust you? You worked with him knowing who he really was!”

“Professor Sycamore, please, I really think he’s had a change of heart. I wanted to help you and him to see the truth. Please understand!”

He sat silently staring at his clasped hands for a moment.

“Actually, um, another reason I came is to see the flower.”

Professor Sycamore jumped up and went pale. He turned abruptly for the door.

“Professor Sycamore, what’s wrong?”

He went quite pale. His color turned grayish and his breathing became labored. He clutched his chest, cried out, and collapsed. I screamed and ran to him. Randall raced in with a spatula and phone still in hand.

“What is going on?! Did you kick him or something?!”

“What?! No! I don’t know what happened. Call 911!”

Chapter 10

“Hershel.”

I grasped at the dark fog around me. Pain throbbed in my head and I could make no sense of anything. Then at last I opened my eyes, and there stood Molly. She was in Windy Valley before the violet field, holding her hand out to me.

“No, Molly. I can’t. I…failed.”

“Hershel, the flower is for everyone. To help people get well. It isn’t ours alone. You must share it with everyone.”

She walked up and grasped my hands.

“Promise me you’ll stop holding onto it.”

“Molly…I wanted it to save you.”

“That may be so, but that’s not a concern now. You must save those that you can.”

I met her eyes and grasped her hands.

“I’ll do it.”

She gave her glowing smile, and then Windy Valley, and Molly, disappeared. I woke up to an ice-cold cloth being laid on my head.

“W-What? Molly….?”

“It’s Randall. Not Molly.”

“Leave him alone.”

I opened my eyes to find Emmy and Randall standing there.

“Are you alright?”

“I…I think so.”

“The doctor said you hit your head pretty hard and had a panic attack.”

“I need to confess something.”

“Chum, you’re hurt, but you’re not dying.” Randall remarked.

“That has nothing to do with it. The flower…it’s…we…we didn’t find it. I lied so Bronev wouldn’t look for it any longer.”

“WHAT?!” Emmy shrieked.

Randall gave her a look and motioned with a tilt of his head toward the bed.

“I had no idea. So that’s why you acted that way when I shared the news…”

“I shouldn’t have done that. There were better ways I’m sure…But I plan to tell everyone as soon as I can.”

Emmy nodded, letting this all sink in.

..…………….

A FEW DAYS LATER

………………

A large crowd gathered before Professor Sycamore and Randall, who stood on the very stage Uncle Bronev had used to make his announcements and meetings with the search crews. He tapped the microphone and then began.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming. I’m ashamed to admit that the hero you’ve all made me out to be for finding the flower….is untrue. In fact, I’m quite the opposite. I lied. I never found the flower. I didn’t want anyone to find it that would use it for fame and money. So I made that up to end the search.”

Shocked gasps and horrified expressions filled the crowd, and I saw Professor Sycamore wince.

Then, I saw Uncle Bronev walk up. At first, I feared what would happen.

“I have something to admit too. I wanted that flower for the wrong reason. I was the very person my son here just described. I wanted that flower for the money and fame it would give me. Though stealing is never a good idea, we both made mistakes on this matter. So, I’m sorry, too. However, if you are all willing, I would like to continue the search. But this time, if we find it, I’d like to send it to a natural medicinal hospital to put it to proper use.”

Applause roared and Professor Sycamore’s jaw dropped.

“You really want to do that?” he asked.

“I do. Son, you highlighted the fact that my motives were all wrong too. I hope you’ll join us on this new search.”

“I will. Thank you.” He shook Uncle’s hand after a hard swallow.

………………

After much discussion, with my father’s help, new search teams were grouped together. A hospital that had been researching the flower’s medicinal use for many years also sent men and supplies to help us on our search. Randall and I helped look for the flower, and Emmy reported the investigation and announced the new promises of what would happen when and if it was found.

One day, after a very long day of searching, I smelled a sweet, floral scent I’d never before encountered. Then, after gently moving some dirt aside in a little tree gathering spot, I lifted the prettiest violet I’d ever seen.

“I believe I’ve found it!!!”

Everyone gathered around, and it was confirmed that it was in fact the longed for herbal flower. The plant was brought to the hospital at once, and celebration began as well. Many tried to give me honors and full credit for the discovery, but I shook my head.

“Thank God for the provision of it and leading us to it, not me.”

After a month passed, extractions from the flower were being tested and small doses were already being used at the hospital. I sat on my balcony and smiled. My father and I had become a bit closer since the search, and the flower I dreamed of finding was found at last. I looked at the framed photo of Molly and Adele beside me. Somehow, I had a feeling they were celebrating too in Heaven. I smiled as the sky melted together in glowing pastel rivers as the sun set. Though the day may be ending, my new journey, as a new man, was just beginning.

��…………………

I flew my plane out thinking a short trip around town in the air would feel like a lovely close to the long months of journeying. Uncle Bronev and I were close again like we once were, and the flower was being put to wonderful use after all. I think we all learned valuable lessons from this trip, and God has blessed us with new life lessons and the flower to help others. I waved at Professor Sycamore, who was sitting on his balcony, and he waved back. I wonder what journey we will all encounter next?

I smiled to myself as a I swiftly navigated the bright yellow plane through the sky. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.

The End.

#plbigbang24 #professor layton big bang 2024 #desmond sycamore #emmy altava #randall ascot #leon bronev #fanfic

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kukurykunapatyku · 9 months ago

Text

Sometimes what you were looking for was in your pocket all along

After coming back to work after Unwound Future, Hershel discovers someone broke into his office. Together with Flora, they set on a journey to uncover this new mystery! On the way, he might just discover how strained their relationship really grew. Also on Ao3

Chapter 1

Notes:

This work is part of Layton Big Bang, so here's wonderful co-creators! The artworks were made by: Polysaurus: twitter, tumblr Angie_creations: carrd, intagram, bsky, twitter The puzzles were designed by Louise: tumblr

Flora would never not be amazed at how quickly people could shake off and rebuild after disasters. It wasn't even a week after Fake London rose from underground and brought destruction to the neighborhood. She saw the rubble, the fire, she heard the screams... And yet, it seemed the city already moved forward, leaving the tragedy in the past.

Moments like this were when she felt the most like a village girl.

Following the city's example, she cast her eyes down and tried to block it out of her mind.

She found professor Layton in front of his closed office doors, furiously searching through his suitcase. He lifted his head at the sound of her footsteps.

"Ah, Flora, is there any chance you have seen-"

She reached her hand forward, the tinkling of two metal keys hopefully hiding the snort she let out at his expression.

"You left them on the desk, professor."

He chuckled good-naturedly and took the keys.

"Thank you dear. I will left my head there one day."

Inside, the office was as clean as it was on a normal day. It still meant 'pretty messy' but it was like recent events had no affect on the University. Flora supposed that was good. It meant classes would start soon.

Absorbed in looking around the room, it took her a moment to notice that Layton stopped, his eyes fixated near the desk. With furrowed forehead he put the bag away on the floor and knelt near it.

"Is there something wrong?"

He shook his head.

"Not really. It's just... Yes, it's probably nothing."

"What?" She ventured closer and craned her neck over the spot professor was so focused on. "It looks like just some dirt."

"Yes, as I said, it's probably nothing."

"There''s more over there. And here!" She followed the trail. "There's something on the windowsill too."

Behind her Layton tensed.

"Oh. is there a lot of it?"

"Hm? Not really, I think we can clean it up in a blink of an eye."

"Ah. Could you open the widow please? The room seems a bit stuffy."

Flora reached for the bolt. Her hand hovered over the lock for a few seconds before opening. Then she turned to the professor with a concerned look.

"Professor, shouldn't it be locked before? The bolt was busted."

"Indeed it should." Layton closed the gap between them and looked down at the drying mud two stories below. "It seems an unexpected guest visited the office in my absence."

"No!" Flora gasped. She turned around and started pacing around the room, eyeing the furniture. "Did something got stolen? Maybe they were looking for something." She slapped her hands on the desk and shot scattered papers suspicious look. "Does anything seem out of place or moved, professor?"

Layton played with the trim of his hat, looking embarrassed. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know."

"Oh. Right," Flora deflated. "So, what are we supposed to do now?"

"Well, it can't hurt to ask around. Maybe somebody saw something." He stepped back and closed the window. "You can come home dear, thank you for the keys."

Flora furiously shook her head.

"It will be rather boring. Really, I insist-"

"Please professor, I can help!"

Layton scratched his neck.

"Well... If you're sure. Let's go then."

An hour of going around the campus later, Flora had to admit that it was, indeed, pretty boring. The only thing they managed to discover was that yesterday someone was asking about Professor Layton, but any triumph she felt when they first learned that disappeared when it turned out no one bothered to ask stranger for name or even remembered what they looked like.

"Really unassuming, I must say," one of the doctors answered. "He wouldn't look out of place in a lecture hall."

She let out the sigh as they approached the janitor working near main hall. After exchanging pleasantries, professor asked the question they were there for.

"No, I don't think anyone was looking for you sir, at least not when I was working."

Flora tried to look not too disappointed. A dead end again, what a bad luck!

To her surprise, professor just nodded, like it was exactly what he was expecting.

"I see. Well, I've got another question, if you don't mind. In the past few days, did you notice anyone passing by that you didn't recognize?"

Janitor scratched his beard in thought.

"My my, was there?" Then he hit his fist on the open palm. "Oh right, there was someone! He looked like an academics so I figured out he was just new. He left in the hurry but dropped this." He showed professor folded piece of paper. "It seemed important so I didn't threw it away. I would have returned it but he already disappeared by the time I noticed."

Professor took it from his hand, opened and looked it over. Flora could see the moment his eyes shined at what he saw inside. Could it actually help them?

"Ah, thank you. Would it bother you if I took it? I'll make sure to return it next time I see him."

"Bother? Not at all, you'll be making me favor!" The bearded man smiled and weaved his hand.

Satisfied, Layton tipped his hat and turned back to his office.

Flora followed him. I wonder when he would even notice I'm not there if I didn't. She quickly shut down this train of thought. It wasn't fair, she knew it; they were at the tip of the mystery, it's no wonder he got distracted by new clue.

Still, the thought remained, fermenting at the back of her head.

"Professor, what's that? Is it important?"

Hershel startled, suddenly reminded he wasn't alone and looked up from the paper. A weave of embarrassment washed over him at the sight of Flora's expectant face.

"I don't know yet; it does seem like it could be useful." He cleared his throat and started reading the handwritten poem:

Two days before the next Moon Four days before the Sun When under the morning sky The tall sibling stares down to Earth And the small one up at the western star Remember these words, you can count on them during Your journey: {Courage Will Be All} There one remains In the third Rainstorm of the first Chapter

"Unless our stranger fancies himself a poet, there is a possibility he wrote this for a reason, and that could help us discover why he was here. However, I'm at loss at to what it could be about."

"Maybe he wrote this as a reminder which train he was supposed to catch?"

Hershel glanced at Flora. "Oh? And what makes you think that, dear?"

She giggled and pointed at the side of the note visible to her. He furrowed his brow and flipped the paper. Then he let out small puff of laughter as well. The poem was written at the back of a train schedule from nearby station. He was so engrossed in trying to make sense of the strange words, that he didn't even looked it over properly. Maybe recent events affected him more than he'd like to admit.

"Well done, Flora; that should make solving our mystery a lot easier. Actually," he leaned forward and handed her the note, "since you discovered arguably the most important part of the puzzle, would you like to give it a try?"

With a bit of hesitation Hershel couldn't guess the source of, Flora took the paper and read it herself.

"I think we can look at it like an elaborate train ticket. What information should be there then, dear?"

Flora put one finger on her chin and started listing.

"Well, it needs to say when the train leaves, like day and hour." She turned the page. "There are a lot of trains that leave at the same time, so also the number?"

She looked up and saw Layton nodding at her approvingly. She returned to the puzzle. Recognizing what she needed was all well and good, but what's next? Maybe she should focus on the numbers first.

Two days before the next Moon, Four days before the Sun. That seemed to be the best place to look for a date. Moon and Sun are the point of reference, so they must point at some days. Moon and Sun... Days... Moon day... Sun day...

Flora almost jumped. Of course! She quickly counted. Two days from Monday, four days from Sunday, it must be Wednesday. She puffed with pride. One thing done!

The girl grabbed the next part with renewed energy. Under morning sky meant it's before 12 am, that much was clear. So the next paragraphs should show exact hour. On the Wednesday schedule the only morning trains were leaving at 3:45, 6:00, 8:15 and 10:30. The tall sibling stares down to Earth, and the small one up at the western star; how does it connect? Two siblings, one tall and one small, pointing the time. Flora furrowed her brows; it felt as if the answer was just around the corner...

Sudden melodic clang broke her out of her thoughts. Flora glanced where the sound came from and saw the clock on the academy tower. Was it 2pm already? The clock face showed... It showed... It showed!

Two siblings, there were right there! Long arrow pointing to the Earth, short arrow at the west - she threw away most trains, leaving only those leaving on 8:15 and 10:30. Out of the two of them 10:30 seemed better, but Flora didn't count out 8:15 just yet; the looks could be deceiving after all.

There were two trains on 10:30 and two more on 8:15. She looked at the examples; what made them different from each other? The train numbers: YJ7423, BB2011 and NP9694, SD2005.

Remember these words, you can count on them during Your journey: {Courage Will Be All}.

"Courage will be all," she murmured. "How's that a clue?"

"Well, one could say we can't count on our friend to be clear, can we?"

She startled, almost forgetting why she was solving the puzzle in the first place. Layton smiled at her and Flora realized he tried to make a joke, so she snickered.

Count... Maybe that's what those words meant? C-o-u-r-a-g-e w-i-l-l b-e a-l-l; 7423, it fitted perfectly with only one train, that couldn't be a coincidence. She looked at the paper again and felt her eyes sparkle. Your journey: {Courage Will Be All}. YJ7423. The whole name was there, in one verse! Clever!

With a warm smile she wondered if Layton noticed it before her and was trying to give her a clue as a pun.

"I think I got it," she said instead. "He left on Wednesday, at 10:30am, on a train with YJ7423 as a number. That's what we need, right?"

"I think that's correct my dear! But say, what the last line could be referring to?

Any doubt that he already knew the answer evaporated. Third rainstorm in first chapter... What was missing?

"Could it be his seat? That's something he would need to know too, right?"

Layton smiled and patted her shoulder. "I think so too. Great job, dear."

Flora puffed with pride.

"It's great we followed the same train of thought then, professor."

She watched with delight as he slowly blinked and then brought hand to his face, muffling a snort. He reached his hand forward, wordlessly asking for the note.

The laugh died in Hershel's throat when he glanced at the schedule again. His eyes slipped off the correct train and glued themselves to the name few rows below it: Froenborg.

Name less significant on its own than what it was connected to. With a wave of memories of frozen secrets, flying golems and slender hand reaching for a handshake in a ice-cold cave, suddenly Hershel knew where he saw that writing style before. And with that, the other puzzle pieces fell into place.

"Did yo hear me, professor? Are we going to look for them?"

He twitched, mentally chastising himself for losing focus.

"Ah. No, I don't... It's not necessary, really."

She frowned.

"Are we giving this to the police then?"

This time the answer came to him quicker. "No. There's no need to involve them."

"So how are we supposed to catch them? Who knows what they were doing in your office!"

"Don't worry. I'm sure he really just wanted to find me. The approach was not ideal, but I'm sure there was no ill will involved."

"How can you know that? There could- wait. Professor." She looked at him with wide eyes. "You know who it is already?"

"It's only a hunch, dear. But I think it could be-" he stopped. Who was it? Desmond Sycamore, Jean Descole? Hershel? "My brother. It could be my brother."

"You have a brother?"

"Yes, though we're not close."

He looked down. Flora was watching him with an expression that brought to mind hungry chicks demanding a meal. Only good manners were stopping her from bombarding him with questions. Hershel sighed.

"I'll make us some tea. It's a long story," he said, maybe trying to buy himself time. Flora patiently waited for the water to boil up, though Hershel could hear her thrumming fingers on her knees.

Two clean cups out of drawer, one spoon of his favourite blend in each and sugar cubes on the plate. Hot water slowly pouring, with more care than the task really required. There was something calming about the flow; clear line from the tip of the kettle to the cup. No place for uncertainty, for statements that contradict each other and yet are no less truthful.

He could just tell the story as it was. Descole's rampage in Clark's hometown, the kidnappings, the fights, the deceptions, but something stopped him.

She's still a child, she doesn't need to hear it. This isn't a tale appropriate for a young lady, he thought.

I don't want her to hate him, said more honest part of himself.

"We grew up separately, so I really met him only about two years ago."

Flora took the cup from him. "That's the same time you met Luke."

"...Yes. I got a letter from Luke's father asking me for help. As it turned out, he got tangled into conflict with a particular archaeologist about nearby Azran site. It turned quite heated and we bid him a bitter farewell. Luck has it, I run into the man a few times after that, though we were usually at odds. Then, one day, he send for me. To be honest, I didn't know it was the same person; he used an alias. Apparently going against each other gave him an appreciation for my knowledge in the field, and he wanted my help with his recent breakthrough.

"I accepted. It was truly a one-of-a-kind discovery and it garnered a lot of unwanted attention from less than savoury individuals. The research made us work together for some time, so we get to know each other better. You can imagine my surprise when it turned out that not only was he my nemesis of a sort, but also a brother I lost so far back I could barely remember it."

He stirred his drink, watching sugar dissolve. He never told Flora what happened inside the Azran sanctuary

"And after that... I would like to say that we ended our partnership on amicable terms, but that's not quite true. There was a lot going on around that time and we didn't get to have proper goodbyes before we parted ways. Until today, that was last I heard of him, to the point where I was wondering if he's even still alive. So this," he tapped the note on the table," comes as a surprise."

Hershel took a sip. "He probably was looking for me, and when he realized I wasn't at work, he broke into my office to search for clues."

"Is that why you don't want to report it? Because he was just worried about you?"

Hershel smiled. "I'm not sure of his motives but it's an option."

"And you don't want to talk to him?"

"Excuse me?"

"It's just." Flora fidgeted with cup's ear. "You just said you didn't get to have proper goodbyes, so I thought you wanted to, but you also said that we shouldn't be looking for him."

"It's not that I don't want to per se, but he clearly came in secret. And if he wanted to talk he would've left me a message. I'm respecting his wishes."

"But he did come here, so he must've want to meet you, right? Maybe that note was a message, and he just lost it before he could hide it in your office?"

"He would've just written new one."

"Maybe he got scared by the mess. I don't think you would have read this note if he left it there. But now you found it! Doesn't that mean something?"

Hershel didn't answer at first, turning the argument around in his head. The more he thought about, the more he found himself agreeing. With embarrassment, he had to admit that it was possible that he could miss any message left there.

Still, even thought it was sound idea, he couldn't help but feel it was more of a convenient excuse. It has been three years since the last time he saw Descole and the rugged edges of what more should be said stole a lot of sleep from him. He did want to see him. He wanted to talk. He wanted to know why. Why any of this? Why like that?

"Fine," he said. "Let's look for him. But, you have to listen to everything I say, dear."

Flora jumped up with stars in her eyes. "Really? Amazing! I'll start preparing right away!" she said, grabbed her bag and sprinted towards the door.

Hershel waited for her steps on the staircase to fade away before he plopped down on his chair and sighed.

He hoped he wasn't making a big mistake.

#Sometimes what you were looking for was in your pocket all along #Professor Layton Big Bang 2024 #professor layton #hershel layton #flora reinhold #jean descole #fanfiction #my stufff #professor layton big bang #katsu writes

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