Hershel Layton
@formerdetective.bsky.social
Retired detective from Scotland Yard.
[PL AU]
[PL AU]
Awe, I'm glad! I sometimes worry I'll bore people to death with my jabbering, so I'm happy to know it's not so terrible for you.
January 29, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Awe, I'm glad! I sometimes worry I'll bore people to death with my jabbering, so I'm happy to know it's not so terrible for you.
(He hummed softly, walking quietly for a moment, before glancing at her.)
Have I been distracting you from finding a store you'd like to explore?
Have I been distracting you from finding a store you'd like to explore?
January 29, 2026 at 7:46 PM
(He hummed softly, walking quietly for a moment, before glancing at her.)
Have I been distracting you from finding a store you'd like to explore?
Have I been distracting you from finding a store you'd like to explore?
We will, indeed! You have my word. If we can get some photos or bring you with us, that would be even better!
January 29, 2026 at 7:28 PM
We will, indeed! You have my word. If we can get some photos or bring you with us, that would be even better!
Hmm... I suppose we'll make a trip to Dropstone at some point so Vero can see how it's changed. Simon and I can search out our world's Sophia and get to know her!
January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Hmm... I suppose we'll make a trip to Dropstone at some point so Vero can see how it's changed. Simon and I can search out our world's Sophia and get to know her!
Hm... I'm not sure. Our timelines may be separated by more than time itself.
There was a large variety of individuals, including a version of myself that had a very different childhood. It's likely the Sophia here is not you, specifically.
There was a large variety of individuals, including a version of myself that had a very different childhood. It's likely the Sophia here is not you, specifically.
January 29, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Hm... I'm not sure. Our timelines may be separated by more than time itself.
There was a large variety of individuals, including a version of myself that had a very different childhood. It's likely the Sophia here is not you, specifically.
There was a large variety of individuals, including a version of myself that had a very different childhood. It's likely the Sophia here is not you, specifically.
Indeed it does. I have a suspicion that's where his leniency comes from, wanting to make sure she has freedom like we did. We all essentially free roamed the village and came home before dark.
January 29, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Indeed it does. I have a suspicion that's where his leniency comes from, wanting to make sure she has freedom like we did. We all essentially free roamed the village and came home before dark.
He probably doesn't think of it as parenting, but he practically raised his sister. He picked up a little bit back then.
January 29, 2026 at 6:26 PM
He probably doesn't think of it as parenting, but he practically raised his sister. He picked up a little bit back then.
I love him to pieces, my gentle giant. But he definitely needs to learn to put his foot down sooner rather than later. I'll have to coach him.
Though... he didn't stop us when we woke her up. I think he's on the right path, at least.
Though... he didn't stop us when we woke her up. I think he's on the right path, at least.
January 29, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I love him to pieces, my gentle giant. But he definitely needs to learn to put his foot down sooner rather than later. I'll have to coach him.
Though... he didn't stop us when we woke her up. I think he's on the right path, at least.
Though... he didn't stop us when we woke her up. I think he's on the right path, at least.
(He chuckled.)
She may get an allowance to teach her how to save and spend, but it's Simon who's getting a spending limit. I fear he'll fall victim to her puppy eyes every time.
She may get an allowance to teach her how to save and spend, but it's Simon who's getting a spending limit. I fear he'll fall victim to her puppy eyes every time.
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
(He chuckled.)
She may get an allowance to teach her how to save and spend, but it's Simon who's getting a spending limit. I fear he'll fall victim to her puppy eyes every time.
She may get an allowance to teach her how to save and spend, but it's Simon who's getting a spending limit. I fear he'll fall victim to her puppy eyes every time.
We will absolutely do our best to keep from spoiling her. Spending limits will be implemented if necessary.
January 29, 2026 at 5:49 PM
We will absolutely do our best to keep from spoiling her. Spending limits will be implemented if necessary.
(He laughs brightly.)
Simon sold a good number of paintings while in the states, and detective work pays well. We're very stable.
Simon sold a good number of paintings while in the states, and detective work pays well. We're very stable.
January 29, 2026 at 5:44 PM
(He laughs brightly.)
Simon sold a good number of paintings while in the states, and detective work pays well. We're very stable.
Simon sold a good number of paintings while in the states, and detective work pays well. We're very stable.
Sophia, look at this city. Simon's sister owns half of it. And our combined savings?
(He leans over and whispers to her a number well over a million.)
(He leans over and whispers to her a number well over a million.)
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sophia, look at this city. Simon's sister owns half of it. And our combined savings?
(He leans over and whispers to her a number well over a million.)
(He leans over and whispers to her a number well over a million.)
We can hire a tutor and assess her current understanding of the basics and move on from there, shouldn't be too terrible. There's plenty of in home tutors we could hire.
January 29, 2026 at 3:39 PM
We can hire a tutor and assess her current understanding of the basics and move on from there, shouldn't be too terrible. There's plenty of in home tutors we could hire.
Hm, the closest schools are around London, and... she'll likely be behind her peers... it may be best to continue home schooling.
Ooh, and kids can be cruel about illnesses, especially if she needs a wheelchair while a student... home it is.
Ooh, and kids can be cruel about illnesses, especially if she needs a wheelchair while a student... home it is.
January 29, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Hm, the closest schools are around London, and... she'll likely be behind her peers... it may be best to continue home schooling.
Ooh, and kids can be cruel about illnesses, especially if she needs a wheelchair while a student... home it is.
Ooh, and kids can be cruel about illnesses, especially if she needs a wheelchair while a student... home it is.
(He chuckled warmly.)
I'll teach that old dog some new tricks, just you wait. I may not be as good a teacher as my brother, but I like to think I would do well in the profession!
I'll teach that old dog some new tricks, just you wait. I may not be as good a teacher as my brother, but I like to think I would do well in the profession!
January 29, 2026 at 7:28 AM
(He chuckled warmly.)
I'll teach that old dog some new tricks, just you wait. I may not be as good a teacher as my brother, but I like to think I would do well in the profession!
I'll teach that old dog some new tricks, just you wait. I may not be as good a teacher as my brother, but I like to think I would do well in the profession!
Haha, without a doubt she loves him more..! Not only did she meet him first, but he's more lenient than I am. Anyone who lets her get away with stuff is a saint for her.
January 29, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Haha, without a doubt she loves him more..! Not only did she meet him first, but he's more lenient than I am. Anyone who lets her get away with stuff is a saint for her.
That will be a big help, though it sounds harsh, hah...
I love her as she is, there is no doubt. Whatever may come, I will love her as though she is my own.
I love her as she is, there is no doubt. Whatever may come, I will love her as though she is my own.
January 29, 2026 at 7:10 AM
That will be a big help, though it sounds harsh, hah...
I love her as she is, there is no doubt. Whatever may come, I will love her as though she is my own.
I love her as she is, there is no doubt. Whatever may come, I will love her as though she is my own.
Haha, absolutely! It's going to be a bit new to me either way, this age is beyond my realm of expertise, technically. I should be able to manage but we'll have to see.
January 28, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Haha, absolutely! It's going to be a bit new to me either way, this age is beyond my realm of expertise, technically. I should be able to manage but we'll have to see.
Oh, dear, haha..! We'll have to get some safety locks, I suppose. Or keep plenty of baked goods in stock so she doesn't feel the urge.
January 28, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Oh, dear, haha..! We'll have to get some safety locks, I suppose. Or keep plenty of baked goods in stock so she doesn't feel the urge.
Oh, absolutely..! And I'm not much of a cook myself, so if she wants to learn anything, Simon's her teacher.
January 28, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Oh, absolutely..! And I'm not much of a cook myself, so if she wants to learn anything, Simon's her teacher.
Hah, indeed! She seems to enjoy potatoes the most, and onions are an absolute no-go. Most stuff is delicious when seasoned correctly.
January 28, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Hah, indeed! She seems to enjoy potatoes the most, and onions are an absolute no-go. Most stuff is delicious when seasoned correctly.
It's very rare, but yes. Quite alarming.
Well, if nothing else, it makes it very easy to feed her! No meats, as she doesn't like them, and that's about it. Until we find more preferences meal-wise.
Well, if nothing else, it makes it very easy to feed her! No meats, as she doesn't like them, and that's about it. Until we find more preferences meal-wise.
January 28, 2026 at 9:39 PM
It's very rare, but yes. Quite alarming.
Well, if nothing else, it makes it very easy to feed her! No meats, as she doesn't like them, and that's about it. Until we find more preferences meal-wise.
Well, if nothing else, it makes it very easy to feed her! No meats, as she doesn't like them, and that's about it. Until we find more preferences meal-wise.
Depending on the severity, certainly. I've heard of people who are allergic to water or sunlight, it sounds awful.
January 28, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Depending on the severity, certainly. I've heard of people who are allergic to water or sunlight, it sounds awful.
Good, good, I hadn't considered that when we agreed to take her in.
You got lucky there then, having to balance allergies on top of her illness would've been hard work.
You got lucky there then, having to balance allergies on top of her illness would've been hard work.
January 27, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Good, good, I hadn't considered that when we agreed to take her in.
You got lucky there then, having to balance allergies on top of her illness would've been hard work.
You got lucky there then, having to balance allergies on top of her illness would've been hard work.
I hope so as well. I... hope she isn't allergic to cats, now that I think about it..!
January 27, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I hope so as well. I... hope she isn't allergic to cats, now that I think about it..!