laytondressing | (no subject)

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[Roulette is still around, of course.

(barring a... minor gap in his presence)

He's just calmly sipping a cup of tea in one of the restaurants close to the lobby. Most of the people here are, to his knowledge, from worlds like his own. So, he thinks, let them come, so that he might see the differences between his world and the others like it. And as for those from worlds unlike his?

Well. If Tyrannus is truly lost to him, what's a (former, while he's here) prime minister to do but find a new project to occupy his time?]

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In this place, multiple versions of people are drawn from multiple worlds. Tyrannus is the Clive from my world.

[Definitely some shared qualities, yes. Like the irrational jealousy.]

If I'm correct, I must admit he's also the Clive who's rather monopolised the Layton I believe to be from your own world.

So you're... not Layton?

Or not my Layton, anyway.

[That's only been the point that Roulette's been trying to get across for the past five minutes.]

Well, this could be a really bizarre attempt to get me to leave you alone. But after all you did to get me to work for you, I doubt that you'd want that. Especially considering all the stuff I could leak to the rebels.

But then you disappearing at all was bizarre as well...

[He frowns.]

If you can show me "my Layton" then I might believe you.

[Oh, fabulous. He's going to have to put up with Twister on top of everything else.]

On the condition that you'll give me the pleasure of sharing lunch with me after you've spoken to him.

Share lunch with you?

[Layton never offers to share lunch with him. Because that would involve Clive being at a table where there are probably other influential people who are important to the government and Layton can't have Clive messing that up.]

Now I know you're either not Monocle or crazy.

[Ahahahaha you think he's going to let you out in public. Like, ever.]

Share lunch with me, yes. I'll take you to see Twister, and then we'll eat together.

Yes?

In that order?

[Petrel kind of doesn't want to do it in that order.]

I would prefer for you to believe what I say before we dine together. If seeing Twister is what you require for that, then so be it.

Yeah, but if "Twister" is the Layton you claim is my own, then he's not going to want me to have dinner with you after he sees me.

Given that he's snatched Tyrannus out from my grasp, I don't intend to let him steal away another. And it's rather an uneven trade, besides that. I'll allow him to keep Tyrannus - a superior version of yourself - and make do with bettering you.

A superior version of myself?

How dare you!

If you think that I'm going to dine with you now then you're much mistaken. My Layton will claim me back, because he knows I'm the best and that no imitation Clive could be good enough.

[Roulette stands calmly, setting his tea down.

And then he shoots forward, grabbing Petrel by the wrist.]

I don't remember giving you a choice.

[He screams, tugging away as best he can. Which pretty much only results in giving himself a Chinese burn.]

Let go of me!

When my Layton finds out how you've been handling me he'll send you and your Clive packing!

Twister has claimed Tyrannus as his own. He will not want you.

I, on the other hand, am willing to... make do.

[Keeping his grip tight, he starts out of the cafe, heading for the elevator.]

[Petrel digs his heels into the ground, trying to bring them to a halt.]

M-my Layton's not like that... He'd never give me up for... for...

What's so great about your Clive anyway?

He's better trained.

[Nice try, Petrel. He just puts more force into it, dragging him along.]

[The force just trips Petrel up and makes him slam into Roulette's back. But that doesn't stop him from talking.]

If my Layton wanted me trained better then he would have done it better. He wants me with some fight in me. Apparently it makes me fun.

He gets that from Tyrannus in the form of an obsession with knives. And yet the boy is still better trained than you.

[Hissing a little to himself, Roulette gives up on that and instead picks Petrel up, slinging him over one shoulder and gripping his legs to prevent him from kicking.]

[How did you know that kicking was the first thing on him mind? Very well, he'll just have to make do with pummeling whatever part of you he can get his fists on.]

Put me down, you... you cur! Dammit, Monocle, this is not at all funny!

[He's had worse done to his back, Petrel, his Clive is Tyrannus. He'll just carry on marching to the elevator, backing into it once he gets there and hitting the button for his floor.]

I'm not making any jokes.

[After it becomes apparent that this isn't working, Petrel reduces himself to simply staring at the wall and breathing heavy and deliberate breaths.]

You're wrong about my Layton, he'll want me back!

Perhaps he will. So long as he keeps Tyrannus, however, you're all mine.

[He steps out of the elevator once it reaches the floor, heading for his room.

He's looking forward to better educating Petrel.]

Look, I think we have a common goal here, Mono-Double.

You want your Clive back, I want my Layton back. Surely there's a more logical way to do this.

No. Tyrannus has been... sullied by his hand.

I'll have you instead.

But if that other Clive has been sullied by his hand or whatever, then I'm more than dead to you. His hand has been on me way more than it's been on anyone else.

[He says that with too much pride.]

Hmm. You clearly don't know all that much about his activities here.

But regardless. In your case, I rather think I can... better you. In Tyrannus's case, Twister has ruined him.