Hershel Layton
@formerdetective.bsky.social
Retired detective from Scotland Yard.
[PL AU]
[PL AU]
It can be hard to make studying fun, honestly, but I know Si will try his best.
(He settled her on the couch beside the fireplace and started a fire rather quickly.)
(He settled her on the couch beside the fireplace and started a fire rather quickly.)
December 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM
It can be hard to make studying fun, honestly, but I know Si will try his best.
(He settled her on the couch beside the fireplace and started a fire rather quickly.)
(He settled her on the couch beside the fireplace and started a fire rather quickly.)
Oh, I think he meant he was going to use the stars to teach you about money in some way, though I'm not sure how he'll do that.
December 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Oh, I think he meant he was going to use the stars to teach you about money in some way, though I'm not sure how he'll do that.
I thought you were interested in learning how money worked?
(He moved to pick her up gently.)
Did I get that wrong?
(He moved to pick her up gently.)
Did I get that wrong?
December 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I thought you were interested in learning how money worked?
(He moved to pick her up gently.)
Did I get that wrong?
(He moved to pick her up gently.)
Did I get that wrong?
(He smiled softly.)
Now, why don't we go start a fire in the fireplace and get warmed up while you learn about money?
Now, why don't we go start a fire in the fireplace and get warmed up while you learn about money?
December 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
(He smiled softly.)
Now, why don't we go start a fire in the fireplace and get warmed up while you learn about money?
Now, why don't we go start a fire in the fireplace and get warmed up while you learn about money?
I'm sorry that it's upsetting... I wish I could say how long it will take him to feel better about it.
Mostly because I was a dad already. I still won't watch as you change, but I don't mind helping.
Mostly because I was a dad already. I still won't watch as you change, but I don't mind helping.
December 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I'm sorry that it's upsetting... I wish I could say how long it will take him to feel better about it.
Mostly because I was a dad already. I still won't watch as you change, but I don't mind helping.
Mostly because I was a dad already. I still won't watch as you change, but I don't mind helping.
You're doing a spectacular job. We just need to respect his boundary until he feels more comfortable changing it.
December 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
You're doing a spectacular job. We just need to respect his boundary until he feels more comfortable changing it.
You'll see what I mean someday.
And I understand, absolutely. Ted and I felt the same way about our Ma and Pa. It just takes time to reach that point.
With how close you two already are, I'm sure it won't be too long.
And I understand, absolutely. Ted and I felt the same way about our Ma and Pa. It just takes time to reach that point.
With how close you two already are, I'm sure it won't be too long.
December 2, 2025 at 8:23 AM
You'll see what I mean someday.
And I understand, absolutely. Ted and I felt the same way about our Ma and Pa. It just takes time to reach that point.
With how close you two already are, I'm sure it won't be too long.
And I understand, absolutely. Ted and I felt the same way about our Ma and Pa. It just takes time to reach that point.
With how close you two already are, I'm sure it won't be too long.
It is nice, until the middle of a heat wave in the summer.
But do you see what I mean..? He's not trying to be cruel, just drawing a line in the sand, at least for now. He may get more comfortable as time goes on.
But do you see what I mean..? He's not trying to be cruel, just drawing a line in the sand, at least for now. He may get more comfortable as time goes on.
December 2, 2025 at 7:58 AM
It is nice, until the middle of a heat wave in the summer.
But do you see what I mean..? He's not trying to be cruel, just drawing a line in the sand, at least for now. He may get more comfortable as time goes on.
But do you see what I mean..? He's not trying to be cruel, just drawing a line in the sand, at least for now. He may get more comfortable as time goes on.
(Despite his willingness to help, he does glance away out of habit.)
Most men I know would sleep in at most a pair of shorts. I would know..! When it's just me and Si, that's what I tend to do!
Doesn't help that he's like a giant space heater all on his own.
Most men I know would sleep in at most a pair of shorts. I would know..! When it's just me and Si, that's what I tend to do!
Doesn't help that he's like a giant space heater all on his own.
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 AM
(Despite his willingness to help, he does glance away out of habit.)
Most men I know would sleep in at most a pair of shorts. I would know..! When it's just me and Si, that's what I tend to do!
Doesn't help that he's like a giant space heater all on his own.
Most men I know would sleep in at most a pair of shorts. I would know..! When it's just me and Si, that's what I tend to do!
Doesn't help that he's like a giant space heater all on his own.
Some people are just... a bit more reserved when it comes to seeing non-relatives in their undergarments, and being seen in their own.
I'll tell you a little secret - even with just me around, Simon rarely sleeps without a shirt and long pants. He's a bit prudish.
I'll tell you a little secret - even with just me around, Simon rarely sleeps without a shirt and long pants. He's a bit prudish.
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Some people are just... a bit more reserved when it comes to seeing non-relatives in their undergarments, and being seen in their own.
I'll tell you a little secret - even with just me around, Simon rarely sleeps without a shirt and long pants. He's a bit prudish.
I'll tell you a little secret - even with just me around, Simon rarely sleeps without a shirt and long pants. He's a bit prudish.
(He knelt before her, tugging the tights off gently. His voice was soft.)
Don't worry, it's nothing bad against you, my dear.
Don't worry, it's nothing bad against you, my dear.
December 2, 2025 at 7:28 AM
(He knelt before her, tugging the tights off gently. His voice was soft.)
Don't worry, it's nothing bad against you, my dear.
Don't worry, it's nothing bad against you, my dear.
I think it's because you two aren't related biologically. Some people just aren't as comfortable with it, and that's okay.
(He shooed Simon out.)
Go, if you insist. I can help her.
(He shooed Simon out.)
Go, if you insist. I can help her.
December 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I think it's because you two aren't related biologically. Some people just aren't as comfortable with it, and that's okay.
(He shooed Simon out.)
Go, if you insist. I can help her.
(He shooed Simon out.)
Go, if you insist. I can help her.
Well, it's quite late in the season, and I'm sure that water wasn't warm either. Plus, wet clothes just keep the cold in.
(He nudged his way into the house.)
(He nudged his way into the house.)
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Well, it's quite late in the season, and I'm sure that water wasn't warm either. Plus, wet clothes just keep the cold in.
(He nudged his way into the house.)
(He nudged his way into the house.)
Yes, that does happen as well, it gets stronger as you get older and gets weaker as you get even older than that.
Humans are very strange.
(He laid his head on top of hers, hoping to warm her up a tiny bit.)
Humans are very strange.
(He laid his head on top of hers, hoping to warm her up a tiny bit.)
December 2, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Yes, that does happen as well, it gets stronger as you get older and gets weaker as you get even older than that.
Humans are very strange.
(He laid his head on top of hers, hoping to warm her up a tiny bit.)
Humans are very strange.
(He laid his head on top of hers, hoping to warm her up a tiny bit.)
It does! The more you live, the more your body is exposed to and can make the stuff that makes you feel better.
(He didn't mind either way, carrying her without complaint.)
(He didn't mind either way, carrying her without complaint.)
December 2, 2025 at 6:13 AM
It does! The more you live, the more your body is exposed to and can make the stuff that makes you feel better.
(He didn't mind either way, carrying her without complaint.)
(He didn't mind either way, carrying her without complaint.)
Okay, I'll take that to heart!
I'll be okay, I've got 40 years of an immune system built up! But I appreciate the concern.
(Simon stood as the two began to return to the house.)
I'll be okay, I've got 40 years of an immune system built up! But I appreciate the concern.
(Simon stood as the two began to return to the house.)
December 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Okay, I'll take that to heart!
I'll be okay, I've got 40 years of an immune system built up! But I appreciate the concern.
(Simon stood as the two began to return to the house.)
I'll be okay, I've got 40 years of an immune system built up! But I appreciate the concern.
(Simon stood as the two began to return to the house.)
Your personal autonomy is very important to me..! You should always have full control of when people touch you, even for things like hugs or help.
Oh, and don't worry, I'll dry just fine, hehe!
Oh, and don't worry, I'll dry just fine, hehe!
December 1, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Your personal autonomy is very important to me..! You should always have full control of when people touch you, even for things like hugs or help.
Oh, and don't worry, I'll dry just fine, hehe!
Oh, and don't worry, I'll dry just fine, hehe!
Ah, I gotcha—
(He scooped her up carefully.)
Just wanted to have your permission first. But yes, ingesting germs is the easiest way to get sick.
Thankfully, falling into a well-kept pond is a good way to build an immune system..!
(He scooped her up carefully.)
Just wanted to have your permission first. But yes, ingesting germs is the easiest way to get sick.
Thankfully, falling into a well-kept pond is a good way to build an immune system..!
December 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Ah, I gotcha—
(He scooped her up carefully.)
Just wanted to have your permission first. But yes, ingesting germs is the easiest way to get sick.
Thankfully, falling into a well-kept pond is a good way to build an immune system..!
(He scooped her up carefully.)
Just wanted to have your permission first. But yes, ingesting germs is the easiest way to get sick.
Thankfully, falling into a well-kept pond is a good way to build an immune system..!
Well, if it's not clean, the germs will get you, especially because it was in your mouth.
But we'll get you cleaned up in no time. Ready to go?
But we'll get you cleaned up in no time. Ready to go?
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Well, if it's not clean, the germs will get you, especially because it was in your mouth.
But we'll get you cleaned up in no time. Ready to go?
But we'll get you cleaned up in no time. Ready to go?
(They simultaneously grabbed for her arms, pulling her back out.)
Goodness..!! Are you alright? Did you inhale any water??
Goodness..!! Are you alright? Did you inhale any water??
December 1, 2025 at 9:50 PM
(They simultaneously grabbed for her arms, pulling her back out.)
Goodness..!! Are you alright? Did you inhale any water??
Goodness..!! Are you alright? Did you inhale any water??
You're always free to move around if you'd like.
*There is no way she slept in the snow and was fine. Frostbite???*
But if you're ready, we can head to the house again and start your coin lesson!
*There is no way she slept in the snow and was fine. Frostbite???*
But if you're ready, we can head to the house again and start your coin lesson!
December 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
You're always free to move around if you'd like.
*There is no way she slept in the snow and was fine. Frostbite???*
But if you're ready, we can head to the house again and start your coin lesson!
*There is no way she slept in the snow and was fine. Frostbite???*
But if you're ready, we can head to the house again and start your coin lesson!
Goodness..! I suppose I'll have to see it to believe it, but that's good to know.
If we do, we'll set up something comfortable for you, okay? Not quite a full bed, but perhaps some blankets?
If we do, we'll set up something comfortable for you, okay? Not quite a full bed, but perhaps some blankets?
December 1, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Goodness..! I suppose I'll have to see it to believe it, but that's good to know.
If we do, we'll set up something comfortable for you, okay? Not quite a full bed, but perhaps some blankets?
If we do, we'll set up something comfortable for you, okay? Not quite a full bed, but perhaps some blankets?
Mmm... I will have to check the weather. It's nice now but it could rain overnight and I don't want you to get sick.
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Mmm... I will have to check the weather. It's nice now but it could rain overnight and I don't want you to get sick.
Hm, maybe! Would you like to head back to the house then?
December 1, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Hm, maybe! Would you like to head back to the house then?
Mhm!
... that is odd... in a community as friendly as they sound, where is everyone?
... that is odd... in a community as friendly as they sound, where is everyone?
December 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Mhm!
... that is odd... in a community as friendly as they sound, where is everyone?
... that is odd... in a community as friendly as they sound, where is everyone?