the-real-emmy-altava:

Yes!  And, ah, it is!  It’s absolutely thrilling!  You don’t know the half of it, Mr. Foley.

The professor always receives summons to go solve some of the most humungous mysteries, and I always get to accompany him!  There’s no rush like completing some of the biggest puzzles ever, I’ll have you know.  Lends life an air of accomplishment and excitement.

(Clarence found a most cheerful grin indeed as he listened to Emmy relay the sheer excitement of being on cases with the Professor - ah, it all sounded quite the adventure, didn’t it? Seemed like the ‘Professor’ got into as much puzzling happenings as Hendel herself had that one time he’d ‘partnered’ up with her: from using a pocket-watch to stop a raging machine about to destroy London from him saving her while in disguise from a pack of goons whom had cornered her and Lucy Triton…it had been all rather a roller-coaster of happenings from what he’d seen. 

Putting aside the heart-breaking farewells which he’d rather not have had to do, it had been just as the madam described “Hershel’s” exploits to be - a thrill and a pleasure, and though Clarence had feared the time he’d had to say goodbye…he’d treasured every moment of it all the more due to that. Maybe he could ask Hendel if he could accompany her on more cases some time? That would be most exciting! Inner thoughts aside, he nodded vigoruously, saying:)

Oh yes, I agree that would be a unique thrill, miss Emmy - to solve great mysteries laid hidden for so long - to save folk due to it - ah, I can only imagine it all. Perhaps one day I can hope to have exciting exploits such as those - you’re very lucky.

(He was quite getting to like miss Emmy, in their chat together. Seemed they were very much alike in how much they enjoyed the excitement of puzzles - it was sort of like…talking to an awesome older sibling you never had.)

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman)

chelmey:

Erm…hello sir…
You look a tad familiar…

Have I seen you somewhere?

(Clarence was currently in the midst of gazing restlessly into the window of a shop  - inwardly wondering what to get some of the many new friends he has met so far for Christmas, though he supposes he is under no ‘obligation’ to get anyone anything: it just seems the gentlemanly, right thing to do and besides. Isn’t Christmas a time when those who are familiar and unfamiliar can all get together and just enjoy the season - the spirit of giving? Lord knows he wasn’t expecting to even see another Christmas at all, so…he feels he owes it to enjoy it and be in much of the ‘feeling’ of the season as he can. 

However, his gaze moved away from the window at hearing a gruff-sounding tone address him with some surprise - he turning to see a face that looked remarkably like the madam inspector’s, only different. Goodness - this couldn’t be ‘another version’ of Inspector Chelsea, could it? His mild surprise aside and realizing he’d lifted a hand to his mouth, Clarence lowered the hand apologetically, saying:)

You seem quite familiar yourself to me, good sir.

But I don’t believe you and I have ever met, per say.

That aside, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Clarence F-

(He suddenly realizes that saying his last name to the inspector might cause a fair bit of shock and horror, so decides against revealing it right now, changing his sentence to a- )

…F-freezing out here today, isn’t it?

Okay, that was a terrible attempt at covering it up, but he’d rather not shock anyone else about ‘himself’ this year.)

thegildedapple:

“Dr. Allen gets a bit… upset, when Claire is mentioned.”

“I guess the one you met wasn’t mine, then… I still haven’t found him.”

Ah…yes. I noted that.

But given all that has happened, I understand his sadness. His anguish - a lot of things chanced to transpire that hurt many. Though I am unsure if it is the same for ‘your time’.

Well, perhaps I can keep an eye out for him and inform you if I spot him, yes? No doubt you would greatly enjoy meeting up with him again.

(Clarence tried to smile cheerily despite the sad subject being like weights bringing his relievetly pelased mood down with a thud in his heart, then taking another slow, deliberate, sip of the tea he had.)

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

thegildedapple:

“It does make sense… wait.”

“You’ve seen Dr. Allen?  I- well, I can’t believe you’re unharmed.  I mean… I know that my Dr. Allen and the other one aren’t that dissimilar…”

…?

But why on earth would I be harmed? The Dimitri I met seemed a level-headed sort of fellow and didn’t seem anywhere near wishing to do me harm, even if I did feel a bit terrible for reminding him of the good friend he had lost…

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

thegildedapple:

“…It probably isn’t.  He’s been this way for as long as I’ve known him.”

{Flora took a long sip of her own tea, thinking on what Clarence has said.  He really is pleasant company, even given how she’s acted to him already.}

“You know, you don’t act anything like Claire.”

Ah. I see. That is another ‘difference’ between our confusing ’ different timelines’, I do suppose.

(He perked up in curiosity at that last statement, before musing:)

I think I might know why, too.

Say the whole ‘timeline’ of London is a tree, and all the different ‘universes’ are branches. My ‘branch’ of universe comes off a from a main branch, according to a man I met called Mister Dimitri…I act a lot like the Claire ‘he’ knows there and could pass as a double for her, apparently.

However, I think that your ‘timeline’ is on a different main branch entirely, which is the reason why myself and ‘that’ Claire don’t have much in common at all.

Which, to keep it brief, means that I’m a ‘double of a double’, if that makes sense.

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

thegildedapple:

“Yes, but… sometimes it’s a bit lonely.”

“I mean… I know he cares, but… he doesn’t act like it, sometimes.  Is- is your Professor the same way?”

Hm. At first, I admit…it seemed like that when I first saw her again.

(Clarence closed his eyes, remembering when he’d first walked past his beloved in disguise in the ‘Future London’ place Clover made.)

It seemed that she’d closed herself off completely from showing any sort of emotions, and I was a bit scared, to be honest, though I don’t find myself getting scared often. Scared that the Hendel I knew had been buried and lost forever, and there was nothing I could do for her.

But as time went on, I was relieved to find that she hadn’t changed. Not really. She still was as forward with how much she cared as ever, it just took her a bit of time to show it, which…I can understand with all that went on. Perhaps the same is true for your professor…

(He took a long sip of his own tea after musing that.)

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

thegildedapple:

“Yes… I agree completely.  And I’m glad that I have someone to share it with…”

“The Professor takes his tea alone, after all.”

Hm…I suppose that’s a constant thing no matter what ‘universe’ it is. Hendel seemed to - before the ‘incident’ - like taking her tea by herself, too. I’m not sure if that is different now, though…

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

thegildedapple:

{He’s not reacting at all… how boring.  Flora lets his leg free, tucking her own ankles primly back beneath her chair and straightening up again, suddenly every inch a perfect English Lady.}

“Of course, Mister Foley… I would so hate it if you didn’t enjoy teatime… the Professor says that tea is the most important time of the day.”

Ah yes, indeed it is. To stop a moment and reflect of things in the calming tones of the wonderful beverage is quite lovely…

(Source: bespectacled-gentleman, via puzzlingheiress)

alia-sait:

Alia slowly put her hand on his, pushing it off and twining her fingers with his.

“Y-you don’t know how-how much t-this means to-to me…”

She suddenly hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder sleepily.

“T-thank you… A-and, please, c-call me A-Alia…”

Oh, of course, Alia. Also…I’m glad I could assist you. If there’s anything else you need, just let me know.

alia-sait:

“N-no, thank y-you.”

Woodland padded over to the box and began purring, pushing it’s nose into his lover’s cheek. The mother licked the tom’s cheek and Alia giggled at the sight, walking to Clarence’s side.

“I… I w-wonder when d-daddy will-will come… He-he almost c-caught me a-again, on-once…”

She shuddered, hugging herself tightly.

“I-I’m sorry…”

…Don’t worry, young madam.

(Clarence extends a kindly arm to the lass to place it on her shoulder, a determined look behind his glasses.)

I may lead everyone to believe that I cannot defend myself, but…that only makes it more a surprise when I prove I can do so.

If he tries to get you…he’ll have to go through me first.