iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Ah, no, just... old toys that I stopped working on. I'll be quick..! (He waves as he scurries off to collect the schematics.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

(He chuckles, then remembers the voids request.) Ah, I'll go get those schematics... it shouldn't be long.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Indeed, especially the Angela of the timeline he'd fallen into. She had lost her brother, Felix, and... he was informed of his death, of which it seems he is also an exception. Now, he's my fiance..!

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Oh, no, we certainly don't test on anyone but ourselves. This machine, though, Simon tested it first. He was the one who conceptualized the idea as well.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

(He glanced down, hoping this might distract the void. He did indeed have the schematics, but of course, he's uneager to share. His heart does ache at the reference, then his brow furrows slightly, wondering if it meant the Detragiant.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

(He worries at his lip for a moment before speaking up.) Wh... what do you need them for..?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Mm, s'good... love you... (His eye drifted closed as his hand shifted slightly, gripping hers just barely.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

(The contact made his hand twitch reflexively, and he cracked an eye open ever so slightly. He sounded barely awake.) Mmh... you 'kay, bug..?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

(He mumbled something unintelligible before scooting closer. Simon sighed softly, smiling at the two.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

(He seemed to he dozing lightly, lying on his stomach with his face turned to the back door.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

(He sticks his tongue out childishly at Descole before startling at the Void's response.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

(He looks down into the basement pitifully, observing the two.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

(He deflates slightly, practically giving up immediately.) I'm going to have to rebuild that...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I— well, now isn't the best time— I just got visited by a void version of our brother?? And now I am very sure it knows how we cross the stream—

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Wh— (His heart stops for a moment, almost certain the machine's location is compromised now.) He's running errands— why are you here? Just to spend time with him??

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(He sighed softly, relieved.) What was all that about..? ... perhaps we should further minimize the visits for a bit...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(He takes a steadying breath, the buzz leaving him on edge. What was this creature? What would it do if it found Vero out of her time? Would it take her back? Would it kill her..?)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

No, it's just me. Simon's out at the moment.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(He grumbles again, then turns his head away.) I'll leave the next check-in to you two...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Sorry, it... probably doesn't help that I look like your Desmond... it might be throwing things off. *Whatever those... things might be.*

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Mmh... I'm not much of a parent anymore, am I..?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(His voice is muffled through the padding.) Had to go and open my stupid mouth... called her "the girl who bruises easily" like a fucking moron...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(He nods, walking stiffly back into the house. He sets the plate of now cold food on the coffee table before dropping face first into the couch.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(It takes him a moment to realize what he said, and he deflates further.) I... god, I'm sorry... I just— ... (He stood, backing away a step.) I-I'm sorry—

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

(He falls quiet for a moment.) ... this time it felt like our fault, even if it wasn't... because, to us, it feels like it should've been obvious the shaking, bumping roller coaster wouldn't be good for the girl who bruises easily...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

You shouldn't have to deal with all of this... hardships should come in adulthood if they insist on coming by at all... you shouldn't have to worry about any of this...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

You do make me happy, even though I worry. These aren't opposites, sweetheart. (He deflated slightly.) I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

But I don't want you to be anyone else... who would learn Latin to teach me about the stars?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

No, you don't. Bad sleep is easy to fix, sweetheart, it's okay. It really is. You make me so, so happy...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(He reaches a hand out in case he needs to catch it.) Are you alright? You seem unsteady.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(His heart broke a little as he heard her sobs. He knelt in front of her quietly.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

It's fine... I think I've gotten rusty with parenting... but I know Vero is very different from Fiona, so things that worked for her won't work for Vero. (He took the plate and carried it out to the garden quietly.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Reheated food is better than nothing... (He sat up and set her blanket aside.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

... do we still have that plate of her dinner last night?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(He groaned, frustrated and upset.) Do you have any suggestions..?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

She can't exactly tell me to not struggle to sleep, whereas we could've told her it wasn't safe to ride the roller coaster. (He draped an arm over his eyes with a sigh.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(He watched her rush to the tree before pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes.) God, I can't do anything without her blaming herself...

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(He offered her his hand.) Dwelling on it will only make you anxious, and trying to prevent it in the future will likely be a fruitless effort. Focus on what you can do now to make it better, okay?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I'm not unwell, sweetheart, not yet. I just need to catch up on my sleep. And don't start blaming yourself for my body refusing to rest. I could see you were fine, the doctors were nearby, but my body made the decision for me. It'll be okay.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I can't say for sure. I assume you mean something other than my brother, of course. (He smiles softly.) I appreciate that. We'll continue being respectful and mindful of the stream, and keep our crossing as minimal as possible.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

We can move to the bed, if you want? That way we can all be together if you want. If you don't though, that's fine.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

She is, indeed, even before our time. Seems the Molentary Express had a passage through the stream on the tracks. It may be gone now though.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

(He reached forward to catch her.) Easy, bug..! No more bumped heads for a bit, alright? Why don't you lay with me and read, and I'll let myself sleep, okay?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Oh, it's— (He blinked at the blanket, surprised.) Goodness, right this moment?

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

At one point, I had to cross to collect Simon after he paid the other Angela a visit. While I was there, we met Sophia Herzen. She had passed through a different spot in the stream, and it turns out she's very friendly and fun.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I see... I'll have to keep that in mind then. (Anxiety twisted in his gut, terrified the being before him would take all he had. But he kept his expression smooth, by sheer force of will.)

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Mm, some... my body didn't really want to let me rest... even though I knew you were safe and just resting.

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Hershel Layton @formerdetective.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Some, but they were much more focused on technology. (He just listened quietly after a while, the weariness of the night pulling at him.)

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