Small Victories

[madimpossibledreamer]

(Research so far has indicated that DID tends to manifest very differently for people with the disorder, so some have their alters comment on what they’re doing while others have no idea alters are present. Al’s not wrong about being insulted at the thought that Justin somehow magically called Fendi into being, as it doesn’t work that way and makes light of mental illness.
That being said, it was a Hail Mary from him, so.
1) As a police officer, he’s probably very aware that memories can be highly malleable. Witness statements are not the gold standard of evidence. Science has found that witness statements that are written before being discussed are the most accurate. Discussing the witness statement can actually lead to changing testimony and completely inaccurate recollections of events. Rather than using the book, probably used as a red herring, he probably simply told and retold the story while sitting by Alfendi’s bedside, at which point he internalized it as the truth.
2) He might have had indications that Alfendi’s memory was not always reliable. One of the key points of DID is that it is partially a memory disorder. While the system can share memories, it doesn’t always, and in at least one instance the host, Al, is shown to have no memories at all of a tragic event (Forbodium). Again, from research, DID usually stems from a traumatic childhood, but new alters can and do form at any time, particularly during stressful situations. It’s more likely that Alfendi is adopted but either way before he entered Layton’s care he probably did not have a good time of it. (Either that, or he was kidnapped as a kid or something.)  It’s not always as dramatic as our overly theatrical Inspector would make it out to be. Sometimes it can just look like a sudden mood swing, and for a moody boy, that could easily go undetected. However, it could show up by sometimes being forgetful, so even if Justin had no idea about Alfendi’s mental health, he might have guessed that Alfendi’s memory was more malleable than other people’s. Which might have led to the very interesting situation of: it worked out perfectly for Justin, and also, he’s very, very disturbed by the results.)

Main Points:
Layton Brothers: Mystery Room
Chapter Summary: Alfendi is struggling and gets encouragement from an unexpected source.
Word Count: 540
Rating: teen
Warning: discussion of depression, anxiety, and DID; I've done some research but am not an expert, and also Alfendi  doesn't fully understand his condition yet. 
Spoilers: for the whole of Mystery Room, some reference to Layton's Mystery Journey

          Tick—tock—tick—tock—tick…
          This is pathetic.
          Alfendi forces a deep breath. Of course this would happen. He’s feeling a little depressed, so of course his brain would be bothering him. “You’re not real. Go away.”
          Why don’t you say that a little louder? I don’t think our neighbors heard you.
          Sarcastic and rude as always.
          “Do you have anything helpful to add, or do you just exist to mock me?” he asks, quieter.
          Everyone else is too afraid to do it. That’s what happens when you insist you killed a man in cold blood, over my objections.
          Ah. This again. It’s a never-ending bone of contention for him. He could see insisting that the self-defense was completely justified, even in shooting first, because the man had a gun pointed at him to begin with, but he doesn’t display an ounce of remorse that they’ve killed a man.
          Because we didn’t, and I could prove it, if I could get access to the files…
          The worst part of it is, that’s the whispers of a devil, because it’s tempting. Alfendi’s actually somewhat glad Father is missing, so he doesn’t have to experience having a disappointment as a son. He doesn’t care what happens to him, but he can’t bear the anguish he’d cause his loved ones. He’d already worried Flora and Kat enough. Never mind Uncle Descole’s reaction. If he could prove that their love and affections were not misplaced… But no. Justin had already done so much to try to clear his name, with no success. Especially since Alfendi is not allowed access to the files.
          You don’t need an exorcism, you need therapy. Failing that, at minimum you need self-care. Stop laying there like a corpse. Get dressed, get food.
          Alfendi sighs. He doesn’t feel like doing any of that.
          Sure, it feels infantilizing, like “Look, Father, I managed to tie my shoes.” But if that’s all you can accomplish, it’s still a small victory.
          Alfendi blinks. It’s not like that voice to be supportive, even if it’s in that sarcastic way.
          I could do it myself, but seeing as you won’t give me any sort of control and would prefer to try to make me disappear as thoroughly as Father, I just have to bully you into doing it instead.
          It still sounds like work, though. Work Alfendi doesn’t want to do. He really doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do on days off, whether he’s even supposed to go out much. It works out that he doesn’t want to, finds crowds anxiety-inducing, but…he knows the police are keeping an eye on him, for his own safety and that of other people. At least at work he’s useful.
          Do you want to get ill and get Florence ill? Because with her immune system, it could kill her. Do you really want to add to your body count?
          “That’s not funny.” It’s an effort to speak, but it’s worth telling the voice off.
          I think we still have some Earl Grey.
          It is really very good at this whole temptation thing. But…as much work as making a cuppa is, that might really well be worth it. And there’s always the chance of taking a nice, cooling shower.