FAN FIC: Professor Layton Meets His Match Part 1 (genderbend)
Title: Professor Layton Meets His Match (1/??)
Rating: G
Characters: Professor Layton, Luke, Flora, Don Paolo…and their genderbended counterparts!! *dies!*
Summary: One of Don Paolo's devices causes a dimensional rift that catches everyone by surprise.
Author Notes: I blame this entirely on the Layton anon fan works meme. I thought I'd start posting it here instead, as it's growing into quite the beast. I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO WE HAVE TO BLAME FOR THIS IDEA. And by blame I mean love. Well, I love them for it (I'm writing it after all, I'd better!). 2/3s of this was already posted at the anon meme, but the last 1/3 is new.
"Professor--what is this?" Luke asked, the hint of panic in his voice as he sat across from his doppelganger apparent.
But not quite a doppelganger, for though this doppelganger had Luke's eyes, and face, and hair color, there was no mistaking that the vision that laid across from him--likewise sprawled on the ground for having run into Luke while rounding the corner--was, in fact, a girl.
"How curious," Layton said, and was surprised to hear his voice echoed, though in a higher pitch. He looked up, and came face to face with his own double, likewise female. She had the appearance of having run just around the corner herself, though she gathered herself quickly.
"Extraordinary," they echoed again, and blinking, fell silent again.
"Madam," he offered, touching the brim of his top hat.
She blinked again, but smiled graciously. "Sir," she offered in return, giving a little bow of her head.
Regardless of the oddity of the situation, even when down the rabbit hole, one's manners should not be forgotten. "Forgive my rudeness; I am Professor Hershel Layton," he offered.
Her hand fluttered to her mouth in her surprise. "My goodness. This really is quite strange," she said. "Forgive MY rudeness, Professor, but you see--I am Professor Layton. Professor Hendel Layton."
"Hey, what'cha think you're doing, running around corners like that without looking!" Luke demanded, coming back to his senses after the dreadful shock.
"Me! Why, you ran into me!" the girl declared angrily as she got to her feet.
"Luke--"
"Lucy--"
"--a gentleman--"
"--a lady--"
"--is never surly, or contrary," the two Laytons reprimanded gently.
"Sorry, professor," the two apologized.
"But see, what IS going on here?" Luke asked.
"Well, it appears Luke, that Don Paolo's device is some sort of multi-dimensional gateway, and that flash must have been the opening of a portal between two such dimensions; ours, and theirs."
"And we must have crossed. Ah, but these surroundings are familiar--did you enter our world, or did we enter yours?" the female Professor wondered aloud. "Though I'm certain that would be easy enough to solve."
"But Donna Paola, Professor, she'll get away!" the young Lucy complained.
"That is true; if we were the ones that crossed over, she did as well, as we were chasing after her," the female professor said, frowning slightly.
"Donna Paola? We were just chasing after our own Don Paolo when my young assistant ran into yours," Layton explained.
"Oh dear. Two of them, running about?" the female professor said, her eyebrow raised under the brim of her white, wide-brimmed hat.
"Agreed, madam, it would be most disastrous if they should meet, and join forces."
"Well then, regardless of if this is my world or yours, we must stop them, sir!" the female professor declared. "I believe ours ran in that direction."
"As did ours. After you, madam?"
"Thank you. And please, sir, call me Hendel."
"Thank you--and please, call me Hershel."
"Very well--now come, Lucy, before they get away!"
And Hendel was off, Lucy close on her heels.
"Well, come Luke," Hershel said, and followed her.
~*~
Despite the combined brilliance of the two Professors, they could not find Don Paolo and Donna Paola--the trail of the two mad scientists had run cold. And once back in the abandoned factory where the device was housed, they agreed it was far too risky to attempt to send anyone back from whence they came until several important questions were answered.
"After all, it would be most unfortunate if we sent the wrong pair back, or ended up in a world that was entirely different," Hendel had reasoned calmly. "We simply must gather more information before we just assume we know the solution."
The first clue was when the climbed into Layton's car. Even though there was no clutter in it to give the game away, there was a slight hint of difference in it's scent of it that made Hendel fall quiet and made the young Lucy sniff about in a most un-ladylike manner.
"Professor," Lucy had whispered to her Professor. "It doesn't smell like you."
And indeed, where as Hendel smelled faintly of clean soap and lavender, the inside of the car lacked any hint of such a scent.
"Well then, we have our first clue," the Professor has declared, quite bravely. But she fell into quiet contemplation as she was offered the front passenger side, and as she sat throughout the car ride. In the backseat, Luke and Lucy avoided looking at each other.
Driving away, none noticed the shadowy figure that watched them from the safety of one of the factory's dark doorways.
~*~
"Well…I believe we now know without a doubt," Hendel said plainly as they stood in the hallway of the Professor's house.
And it was indeed Hershel Layton's house, and not Hendel's. It was obvious from lack of flowers planted in the front of the house, to the difference in the rugs in the hallway and sitting room, to the curtains on the windows, to the pillows on the sofa, to the sofa and furniture itself.
"May I take your coat and hat?" Hershel asked, and Hendel obliged with a mummer of thanks.
"Professor, where ever did you--oh!"
A young girl had run from the back rooms, and stared at the guests in her shock. But she remembered her manners in time. "Excuse me, I didn't know the Professor was bringing back guests," she muttered as she gave a little curtsey.
"Hardly your fault, Flora. Luke and I had no idea we were bringing back guests when we left," Hershel offered as he hung up his own coat and hat on the hat rack near the door. Hendel smiled at his attempt to lighten the heaviness of the situation. "Flora, I'd like you to meet Professor Hendel Layton and her assistant, Lucy."
Flora could not hide her confusion. "I'm sorry, Professor, but…is she your sister? But even--" Flora fell silent, and looked to Hershel, eyes desperate for the explanation.
"It's quite a story to tell, one that requires some tea before we begin," Hershel gently said. "If you ladies would have a seat?"
"Yes, some tea would be just the thing," Hendel said, grateful. "Come Lucy."
Hershel motioned for Luke and Flora to follow him into the kitchen, leaving the other two some time to gather their thoughts.
Hendel walked absently towards the corner of the room that would have housed her chair, but paused when she realized the leather armchair was most certainly not hers. She sat on the plain sofa instead, and patted the cushion next to her for Lucy to join her. "Well, this is turning out to be quite the adventure, isn't it Lucy," Hendel began.
"It's like home, but--" Lucy began, and paused.
"Indeed," Hendel agreed, smiling wanly.
Lucy fell silent for a moment. "Well, it certainly looks like he's got as many books as you do, Professor."
"That it does," Hendel agreed, looking around the sitting room of her doppelganger.
Lucy gave a little hrumph. "Though it's not nearly as nicely decorated as home," she sniffed.
Hendel stifled a chuckle. "That's a very rude thing to say as a guest--I think it's very nicely decorated," she said.
"Home's lighter and nicer, and it's got all your lovely lace," Lucy said, snobbishly.
Hendel took a breath to reprimand Lucy once more, but a sudden scream from the kitchen caused Hendel to leap to her feet. "Professor, Professor, there was someone in the window!" she could hear the girl, Flora, cry.
"Stay here, Lucy," Hendel ordered, and she was quick across the sitting room and out the front door, back into the night air.
She had rounded the corner of the house as Hershel called her name from the front door. In the darkness, she should see a dark shape under the kitchen window, poised as if ready to run.
"Stay right where you are!" she ordered fiercely, and was surprised when the figure obeyed.
But she was more surprised when the figure turned, the light from the kitchen window catching his face.
"Professor," the boy said, both in relief and chagrin.
Hendel froze in her tracks, and stared at her young ward. Hershel caught up to her side, and gasped in surprise himself.
"Oh, Florin," she finally sighed the long suffering sigh of a child's guardian. "You'd better come inside."
~*~
After some introductions, explanations, dinner and tea, it was proving to be tricky finding everyone a suitable place to rest for the night.
"Perhaps if Florin sleeps down here, on the sofa?" Hendel wondered aloud over her cup of tea. "And if you bring down the cot from the attic space Lucy could sleep on that--"
"You are our guests. Luke and I will sleep down here--"
"That is very kind of you, Hershel, but we really couldn't impose--"
"But it would give Florin Luke's bed, and you and Lucy could have mine."
"It really isn't--"
"Please, I insist. A gentleman always thinks of a lady's needs."
"Well--if you insist," Hendel said, a small smile in the corner of her mouth. "Thank you; though it really isn't necessary."
"Then that should settle it; Luke and I shall sleep down here, Florin shall have Luke's room, you and Lucy shall have mine, and Flora needn't move at all," Hershel declared. "You know, this reminds me of a puzzle--"
"--where you have to sit five brothers at a dinner table?" Hendel asked.
"Indeed! Or--"
But he was interrupted by the call of the clock as it chimed ten.
It was with some unease that they rose from their seats in the sitting room--there was much to do before they could turn in for the night, and the strangeness of the situation still rested heavily on them all. Sheets were pulled out from the bottom of a trunk, the cot from the attic space was fetched by the boys, beds were remade and things made as cozy as they could be. There was only one bathroom in the house, at the top of the stairs. It was a long time before everyone had their turn.
Florin was given a spare pair of Hershel's pajamas; Hendel hid her smile behind her hand at how large they were on him. Lucy was given a spare pair of Luke's, and they fit her like a glove. Flora shyly offered Hendel her hairbrush; she thanked her kindly, and used it to brush out her own long hair, and Lucy's short locks.
Once things had finally settled down, Hershel went upstairs to wish them good night. The door to his bedroom was closed, but he could see the light's illumination escaping through the bottom of the door. He knocked gently, and waited.
The door opened, and Hendel's small face appeared. She smiled, and tucked a strand her of loose hair behind her ear. He had offered her one of his spare pajamas, but she had politely declined; now she pulled the edge of the afghan that had been at the foot of his bed over her shoulder, hiding the strap of her white chemise.
In the hallway's light he could catch the gleam of a gold chain around her neck, and he found himself fascinated by it. It seemed a symbol of the depth of their differences, for all they appeared to be the same person. Of course she might wear jewelry. Had she bought it herself? Had someone given it to her, as a gift? Her parents? (He pondered for a moment the image of his parents, their genders switched--oh dear.) A friend? A beau?
How else did their identical selves differ due to the difference of their gender?
"I wanted to wish you good night," Hershel began.
"And I wish to give you my apologies," she sighed.
"Apologies? What for?" he asked.
She pushed the errant strand of hair back behind her ear. "For all this fuss," she said plainly.
"Nonsense, it's no fuss at all," he was quick to reassure her. "Think of it more as a rare opportunity!"
And she did smile earnestly at that, and chuckled. "Of course; how I could I forget that there is always more than one way to see a situation," she admitted. "Well then; thank you, Hershel. And good night."
He gave a little nod of his head, but as he was turning to go he stopped. Not out pity but promise, he caught her eye one last time and spoke. "We will find how to return you to your home," he assured her.
Hendel thanked him once more, and waited until he had made his way down the stairs to close the door. She shook her head to clear it of it's thoughts. The situation was absurd, and the hour was late; sleep was needed. Tomorrow, tomorrow she could begin to solve this insanity.
She laid the afghan back down on the foot of the bed, and stood there for a moment. Lucy was curled with her back to her, already fallen asleep; surprising, in the circumstances. She could only hope sleep would come so quickly.
She sighed, and closing the bed lamp, got into the bed. It was in the same position as hers was at home, the headboard along the same wall, facing the same door; and yet so different from hers her impulse was to pause. She shook her head again, and tried not to think about it.
Lucy wasted little time; as soon as Hendel's head hit the pillow, Lucy turned and clasped onto her arm, pulling herself close. "Will we find a way back home?" Lucy asked in the dark, sounding miserable as she hugged her Professor's arm tighter.
"Oh, Lucy; I thought you were asleep," Hendel sighed, but she opened her arms wider and let Lucy snuggle closer. She stroked Lucy's hair gently, and stared at the dark ceiling above. "Ever puzzle has an answer. We need only to find the solution."
Lucy seemed assured by this, because she spoke no more, and finally drifted off to sleep.
Part Two
AUTHOR'S WHAT NOT: So, after writing this last bit, I really, really really really REALLY want someone to draw Hendel brushing Lucy's hair. DON'T ASK ME WHY CAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GOOD REASON BESIDES IT'S KILLING ME WITH IT'S CUTE.
Rating: G
Characters: Professor Layton, Luke, Flora, Don Paolo…and their genderbended counterparts!! *dies!*
Summary: One of Don Paolo's devices causes a dimensional rift that catches everyone by surprise.
Author Notes: I blame this entirely on the Layton anon fan works meme. I thought I'd start posting it here instead, as it's growing into quite the beast. I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO WE HAVE TO BLAME FOR THIS IDEA. And by blame I mean love. Well, I love them for it (I'm writing it after all, I'd better!). 2/3s of this was already posted at the anon meme, but the last 1/3 is new.
"Professor--what is this?" Luke asked, the hint of panic in his voice as he sat across from his doppelganger apparent.
But not quite a doppelganger, for though this doppelganger had Luke's eyes, and face, and hair color, there was no mistaking that the vision that laid across from him--likewise sprawled on the ground for having run into Luke while rounding the corner--was, in fact, a girl.
"How curious," Layton said, and was surprised to hear his voice echoed, though in a higher pitch. He looked up, and came face to face with his own double, likewise female. She had the appearance of having run just around the corner herself, though she gathered herself quickly.
"Extraordinary," they echoed again, and blinking, fell silent again.
"Madam," he offered, touching the brim of his top hat.
She blinked again, but smiled graciously. "Sir," she offered in return, giving a little bow of her head.
Regardless of the oddity of the situation, even when down the rabbit hole, one's manners should not be forgotten. "Forgive my rudeness; I am Professor Hershel Layton," he offered.
Her hand fluttered to her mouth in her surprise. "My goodness. This really is quite strange," she said. "Forgive MY rudeness, Professor, but you see--I am Professor Layton. Professor Hendel Layton."
"Hey, what'cha think you're doing, running around corners like that without looking!" Luke demanded, coming back to his senses after the dreadful shock.
"Me! Why, you ran into me!" the girl declared angrily as she got to her feet.
"Luke--"
"Lucy--"
"--a gentleman--"
"--a lady--"
"--is never surly, or contrary," the two Laytons reprimanded gently.
"Sorry, professor," the two apologized.
"But see, what IS going on here?" Luke asked.
"Well, it appears Luke, that Don Paolo's device is some sort of multi-dimensional gateway, and that flash must have been the opening of a portal between two such dimensions; ours, and theirs."
"And we must have crossed. Ah, but these surroundings are familiar--did you enter our world, or did we enter yours?" the female Professor wondered aloud. "Though I'm certain that would be easy enough to solve."
"But Donna Paola, Professor, she'll get away!" the young Lucy complained.
"That is true; if we were the ones that crossed over, she did as well, as we were chasing after her," the female professor said, frowning slightly.
"Donna Paola? We were just chasing after our own Don Paolo when my young assistant ran into yours," Layton explained.
"Oh dear. Two of them, running about?" the female professor said, her eyebrow raised under the brim of her white, wide-brimmed hat.
"Agreed, madam, it would be most disastrous if they should meet, and join forces."
"Well then, regardless of if this is my world or yours, we must stop them, sir!" the female professor declared. "I believe ours ran in that direction."
"As did ours. After you, madam?"
"Thank you. And please, sir, call me Hendel."
"Thank you--and please, call me Hershel."
"Very well--now come, Lucy, before they get away!"
And Hendel was off, Lucy close on her heels.
"Well, come Luke," Hershel said, and followed her.
~*~
Despite the combined brilliance of the two Professors, they could not find Don Paolo and Donna Paola--the trail of the two mad scientists had run cold. And once back in the abandoned factory where the device was housed, they agreed it was far too risky to attempt to send anyone back from whence they came until several important questions were answered.
"After all, it would be most unfortunate if we sent the wrong pair back, or ended up in a world that was entirely different," Hendel had reasoned calmly. "We simply must gather more information before we just assume we know the solution."
The first clue was when the climbed into Layton's car. Even though there was no clutter in it to give the game away, there was a slight hint of difference in it's scent of it that made Hendel fall quiet and made the young Lucy sniff about in a most un-ladylike manner.
"Professor," Lucy had whispered to her Professor. "It doesn't smell like you."
And indeed, where as Hendel smelled faintly of clean soap and lavender, the inside of the car lacked any hint of such a scent.
"Well then, we have our first clue," the Professor has declared, quite bravely. But she fell into quiet contemplation as she was offered the front passenger side, and as she sat throughout the car ride. In the backseat, Luke and Lucy avoided looking at each other.
Driving away, none noticed the shadowy figure that watched them from the safety of one of the factory's dark doorways.
~*~
"Well…I believe we now know without a doubt," Hendel said plainly as they stood in the hallway of the Professor's house.
And it was indeed Hershel Layton's house, and not Hendel's. It was obvious from lack of flowers planted in the front of the house, to the difference in the rugs in the hallway and sitting room, to the curtains on the windows, to the pillows on the sofa, to the sofa and furniture itself.
"May I take your coat and hat?" Hershel asked, and Hendel obliged with a mummer of thanks.
"Professor, where ever did you--oh!"
A young girl had run from the back rooms, and stared at the guests in her shock. But she remembered her manners in time. "Excuse me, I didn't know the Professor was bringing back guests," she muttered as she gave a little curtsey.
"Hardly your fault, Flora. Luke and I had no idea we were bringing back guests when we left," Hershel offered as he hung up his own coat and hat on the hat rack near the door. Hendel smiled at his attempt to lighten the heaviness of the situation. "Flora, I'd like you to meet Professor Hendel Layton and her assistant, Lucy."
Flora could not hide her confusion. "I'm sorry, Professor, but…is she your sister? But even--" Flora fell silent, and looked to Hershel, eyes desperate for the explanation.
"It's quite a story to tell, one that requires some tea before we begin," Hershel gently said. "If you ladies would have a seat?"
"Yes, some tea would be just the thing," Hendel said, grateful. "Come Lucy."
Hershel motioned for Luke and Flora to follow him into the kitchen, leaving the other two some time to gather their thoughts.
Hendel walked absently towards the corner of the room that would have housed her chair, but paused when she realized the leather armchair was most certainly not hers. She sat on the plain sofa instead, and patted the cushion next to her for Lucy to join her. "Well, this is turning out to be quite the adventure, isn't it Lucy," Hendel began.
"It's like home, but--" Lucy began, and paused.
"Indeed," Hendel agreed, smiling wanly.
Lucy fell silent for a moment. "Well, it certainly looks like he's got as many books as you do, Professor."
"That it does," Hendel agreed, looking around the sitting room of her doppelganger.
Lucy gave a little hrumph. "Though it's not nearly as nicely decorated as home," she sniffed.
Hendel stifled a chuckle. "That's a very rude thing to say as a guest--I think it's very nicely decorated," she said.
"Home's lighter and nicer, and it's got all your lovely lace," Lucy said, snobbishly.
Hendel took a breath to reprimand Lucy once more, but a sudden scream from the kitchen caused Hendel to leap to her feet. "Professor, Professor, there was someone in the window!" she could hear the girl, Flora, cry.
"Stay here, Lucy," Hendel ordered, and she was quick across the sitting room and out the front door, back into the night air.
She had rounded the corner of the house as Hershel called her name from the front door. In the darkness, she should see a dark shape under the kitchen window, poised as if ready to run.
"Stay right where you are!" she ordered fiercely, and was surprised when the figure obeyed.
But she was more surprised when the figure turned, the light from the kitchen window catching his face.
"Professor," the boy said, both in relief and chagrin.
Hendel froze in her tracks, and stared at her young ward. Hershel caught up to her side, and gasped in surprise himself.
"Oh, Florin," she finally sighed the long suffering sigh of a child's guardian. "You'd better come inside."
~*~
After some introductions, explanations, dinner and tea, it was proving to be tricky finding everyone a suitable place to rest for the night.
"Perhaps if Florin sleeps down here, on the sofa?" Hendel wondered aloud over her cup of tea. "And if you bring down the cot from the attic space Lucy could sleep on that--"
"You are our guests. Luke and I will sleep down here--"
"That is very kind of you, Hershel, but we really couldn't impose--"
"But it would give Florin Luke's bed, and you and Lucy could have mine."
"It really isn't--"
"Please, I insist. A gentleman always thinks of a lady's needs."
"Well--if you insist," Hendel said, a small smile in the corner of her mouth. "Thank you; though it really isn't necessary."
"Then that should settle it; Luke and I shall sleep down here, Florin shall have Luke's room, you and Lucy shall have mine, and Flora needn't move at all," Hershel declared. "You know, this reminds me of a puzzle--"
"--where you have to sit five brothers at a dinner table?" Hendel asked.
"Indeed! Or--"
But he was interrupted by the call of the clock as it chimed ten.
It was with some unease that they rose from their seats in the sitting room--there was much to do before they could turn in for the night, and the strangeness of the situation still rested heavily on them all. Sheets were pulled out from the bottom of a trunk, the cot from the attic space was fetched by the boys, beds were remade and things made as cozy as they could be. There was only one bathroom in the house, at the top of the stairs. It was a long time before everyone had their turn.
Florin was given a spare pair of Hershel's pajamas; Hendel hid her smile behind her hand at how large they were on him. Lucy was given a spare pair of Luke's, and they fit her like a glove. Flora shyly offered Hendel her hairbrush; she thanked her kindly, and used it to brush out her own long hair, and Lucy's short locks.
Once things had finally settled down, Hershel went upstairs to wish them good night. The door to his bedroom was closed, but he could see the light's illumination escaping through the bottom of the door. He knocked gently, and waited.
The door opened, and Hendel's small face appeared. She smiled, and tucked a strand her of loose hair behind her ear. He had offered her one of his spare pajamas, but she had politely declined; now she pulled the edge of the afghan that had been at the foot of his bed over her shoulder, hiding the strap of her white chemise.
In the hallway's light he could catch the gleam of a gold chain around her neck, and he found himself fascinated by it. It seemed a symbol of the depth of their differences, for all they appeared to be the same person. Of course she might wear jewelry. Had she bought it herself? Had someone given it to her, as a gift? Her parents? (He pondered for a moment the image of his parents, their genders switched--oh dear.) A friend? A beau?
How else did their identical selves differ due to the difference of their gender?
"I wanted to wish you good night," Hershel began.
"And I wish to give you my apologies," she sighed.
"Apologies? What for?" he asked.
She pushed the errant strand of hair back behind her ear. "For all this fuss," she said plainly.
"Nonsense, it's no fuss at all," he was quick to reassure her. "Think of it more as a rare opportunity!"
And she did smile earnestly at that, and chuckled. "Of course; how I could I forget that there is always more than one way to see a situation," she admitted. "Well then; thank you, Hershel. And good night."
He gave a little nod of his head, but as he was turning to go he stopped. Not out pity but promise, he caught her eye one last time and spoke. "We will find how to return you to your home," he assured her.
Hendel thanked him once more, and waited until he had made his way down the stairs to close the door. She shook her head to clear it of it's thoughts. The situation was absurd, and the hour was late; sleep was needed. Tomorrow, tomorrow she could begin to solve this insanity.
She laid the afghan back down on the foot of the bed, and stood there for a moment. Lucy was curled with her back to her, already fallen asleep; surprising, in the circumstances. She could only hope sleep would come so quickly.
She sighed, and closing the bed lamp, got into the bed. It was in the same position as hers was at home, the headboard along the same wall, facing the same door; and yet so different from hers her impulse was to pause. She shook her head again, and tried not to think about it.
Lucy wasted little time; as soon as Hendel's head hit the pillow, Lucy turned and clasped onto her arm, pulling herself close. "Will we find a way back home?" Lucy asked in the dark, sounding miserable as she hugged her Professor's arm tighter.
"Oh, Lucy; I thought you were asleep," Hendel sighed, but she opened her arms wider and let Lucy snuggle closer. She stroked Lucy's hair gently, and stared at the dark ceiling above. "Ever puzzle has an answer. We need only to find the solution."
Lucy seemed assured by this, because she spoke no more, and finally drifted off to sleep.
Part Two
AUTHOR'S WHAT NOT: So, after writing this last bit, I really, really really really REALLY want someone to draw Hendel brushing Lucy's hair. DON'T ASK ME WHY CAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GOOD REASON BESIDES IT'S KILLING ME WITH IT'S CUTE.