iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

(Hershel stretches his arms in order to rejuvenate his muscles after his weeks of inactivity.) Approval from a nurse would be much appreciated. Thank you, my boy. (He then raises an eyebrow at Luke's remark.) "Their" arrival? By that, you mean...?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Surely I could be of assistance. I know you're concerned for my health, but I assure you I've had more than enough rest.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Luke, I'm not sure I'm fully up to speed here, but you mustn't blame yourself in a time like this. You can only do so much by yourself. (He reaches over to his bedside for his hat and places it on his head, briefly adjusting it for a moment before he's satisfied before he continues.)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Hershel cannot hide the growing concern in his voice. “Descole? Civilians?! What on earth are they trying to do now?” He sits completely upright and begins to push his bed covers aside.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

I’M SO SORRY PAUL I THOUGHT A KISSY WOULD FIX EVERYTHING

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

It was directed at both of you. My apaulogies, Paul.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Now, Randall, don't you think I can handle myself?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Hershel’s borderline horrified expression quickly softens as relief washes over him, his eyes blinking away the tears beginning to form. Through his turbulent emotions, he can’t help but laugh a little. “Ah. That’s the clever boy I know! I underestimated you. Forgive me, Luke.”

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

It would be a pleasure to meet him someday!… Technology is fast advacing, and while computers are a bit outside of my field of knowledge, I wouldn’t be surprised if your human creators could find a way to give you the gift of human sensations to accompany your human intelligence.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Luke, I… (Hershel shifts his gaze to the side for a moment, not wanting to accept what his eyes and ears were telling him.) I’ve seen firsthand how in some realities Targent is capable of ensnaring the people I love, but… I could never imagine you, of all people… Not like this… My dear boy…

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Ngh… That voice… (It sounds familiar, but he can’t match it to any kind of recognizable face as his blurred vision tries to adjust to the man beside him.) Targent ship crashed… Who…

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

(Hershel stirs a bit in his hospital bed, then his eyelids flutter open at the sound of somebody entering the room. He doesn’t even take a moment to try to assess his own injuries, as he quickly locks his sight onto whoever stood before him.) Hmmnh? Again? Now what?…

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Hm? I have a virtual counterpart as well, you say? Very interesting! Perhaps I’ll find a way to meet him someday. As a hologram, do you feel physical sensations when interacting with me? Or does it feel like nothing at all? …Ahem. Forgive my inquisitiveness. I hope it’s not overwhelming.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

While that sounds rather unnatural, I cannot say I'm surprised at this point, given everything else. (He pauses, his face scrunched up in worry.) Nonsense, Claire. No matter what, nothing can take your humanity away from you.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

(Hershel gasps in surprise.) The internet is capable of creating sentient life? That's... incredible! While this certainly isn't my first encounter with artificially created life, I've never met an artificial being originating from the internet! (He is visibly amused, and lets out a small laugh.)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

That certainly explains why I feel so sore... (He sits up.) But... What do you mean you "split" yourself?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Oh? I've met quite a few Claires in the last year, but none quite like this! (Hershel curiously reaches his hand out, confirming Claire's claim as it passes through her fingertips.) How on earth are you able to do that? Are you some sort of projection?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

What on earth happened? All I can remember is being aboard a Targent airship and suddenly feeling faint.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Regardless, whatever happens, I want to believe we’ll be alright in the end. (He offers them both a reassuring squeeze of the hand.)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Personally, I’m taking this with a heavy amount of skepticism. I hardly think any sort of good intentions can justify the violence we’ve faced thus far. I don’t claim to know what’s going on in his head, but something terrible must have happened for him to end up this way…

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

There’s just one last thing I’d like to check to confirm my suspicions. So… Why don’t you remove your sunglasses so that I can properly look you in the eyes, Hershel?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Something has been bothering me since I first laid my eyes on this “Agent Cuckoo” before us. I instantly felt a sense of familiarity with him despite being certain of never meeting him in my life. His voice, stature, knowledge, even his mannerisms were something I’ve witnessed firsthand.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

There’s something he hasn’t been telling us, Claire. It’s clear as day to me now. I’ve thought back to how this “stream” confirms the constant intertwining of our initially parallel realities. In mine, you passed away in a tragic accident. But in yours, you’ve taken up a similar role to my own.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

I don’t consider myself an expert on this “stream”. However, your skyward gaze tells me you’re anticipating something beyond a mere metaphor. [Something was wrong. Even moreso than the situation at hand. It made the hairs on Hershel’s neck stand on end.] (What on earth is this feeling?!)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

(He complies, but grimaces at the sudden threat.) Is this amount of violent force necessary?

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

It took a bit of time, but the word you're looking for is "stream", is it not? A two part puzzle, implementing a Caesar cipher, while the word you're looking for is unscrambled from the missing letters. Why someone like you would expect someone like me to solve this for you has me a bit... puzzled.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Very well. (He hesitantly steps behind the two of them in hopes it will expedite things.)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

(Hershel sighs, and with a moment of hesitation, he walks over to the door and pulls it open.)

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

…I’m fine, I suppose. As fine as one can be in a situation like this.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

His face makes me feel as though I'm staring into a shattered mirror. I don't want to believe it. -Hershel Layton

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

-Layton’s Journal Entry No. 9- As I lie awake at night in our involuntary housing arrangements, I remember that man's face. I don't believe I've ever met him before, but I can't shake the feeling that we have some sort of connection.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Please let us stay nearby. I don’t think he’ll feel any better surrounded by people he doesn’t know.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Desmond, please... They'll only make this more difficult if we try to make this physical.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I only wish I did better to protect them. -Hershel Layton

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

They promised they would not hurt Claire and Desmond, but it didn't take long for them to break that promise. Desmond has only just now woken up after being knocked unconscious by Swift. It seems that we are expected to take residence here until they get what they want from us.

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Professor Hershel Layton @professorlayton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

-Layton’s Journal Entry No. 8- Claire had been telling me of a Targent agent pursuing her in the streets. It appears to have been a precursor to our inevitable capture. After some struggle, Claire, little Desmond and myself have been taken away to The Nest.

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