Elaine was never certain that Descole would actually come back. At first, she tried to convince herself that it had been some sort of dream, or that lack of sleep had caused a brief moment of hallucination. But it seemed too eerie to have been that. So for a short time, Elaine had kept her guard up but as the days went on it slowly ebbed way.
She decided that Descole wasn't coming back and at most was just trying some sort of scare tactic. And Elaine being Elaine, she wasn't one who would let herself get scared easy. Her papa had always told her to stand up for herself and that was what she would do if she had to.
But with the lack of appearances, it just seemed like he wouldn't appear. Just to be sure, Elaine tried staying up as late as she could and getting up just as early. Though they both seemed to counteract one another. But Elaine continued on with her work. Trying to find something that would prove this effort was not in vain or if there wasn't a Golden Garden then at least there could be something that was just as valuable.
"Another busy day?" Elaine had just left one of the caves, with dirt on her sore hands and caked under her nails as she carried a shovel over her shoulder. So seeing Descole calmly sitting at one of the folding tables with his hands together and leg crossed over the other. How long exactly he was there for, Elaine didn't care or even wanted to know now that she thought of it. But that didn't stop her shocked appearance.
"What the… What are you doing 'ere?!"
"I did say I would come and visit, didn't I?" Descole asked, sounding fairly casual about it as he smiled. He then stood up and walked over to Elaine and looked at her. Elaine thought he was looking for something before he stated quite bluntly,
"You got some dirt on your face." Elaine narrowed her eyes a bit and walked past him.
"I've been working. What do you expect?" she retorted as dropped the shovel near one of the tents. It wasn't exactly the right tool to use during a dig, but when you're trying to dig through a cavern you don't have much of a choice and just have to hope you don't break anything.
Descole wasn't lying when he pointed out the dirt on Elaine's face. In fact, it was all around it, with some even clinging to the short sleeved dark brown jacket she was wearing along with her trousers. Thankfully none of it touched her short, pale blue scarf. It was a nice scarf and her favourite colour and accessory.
At least the dirt on her face could be cleaned off now. The rest would have to wait.
"So what exactly are you here for?" Elaine mumbled as she took her choppy cut brown hair out of its pony tail and let it free around her shoulders.
"Is it truly harmful to just have a chat?" Descole asked, tilting his head to the side as Elaine made her way back to the table.
"Considering you're a masked stranger who could be a murderer for all I know, possibly."
"But we're not strangers, are we. We have met before after all."
"Only once. I doubt we could even be considered acquaintances." Retorted Elaine
"Then we are acquaintances." Elaine stared at him, wondering if he was purposely trying to make her angry or upset for some sort of game of his. But she kept her cool, and calmly asked,
"Then take off your mask."
"That isn't going to happen." Descole stated immediately. "If I wanted my face known would I be wearing it in the first place?" Begrudgingly, Elaine had to agree.
"… I suppose not."
"Exactly."
There was silence then, and Elaine began to feel uncomfortable. While she wasn't completely devoid of social contact, going into the town now and then to get some food and necessities or to use a phone to call her colleagues to update them on progress (when there was any), it had still been a while since there was anyone else at the excavation site to talk to who seemed to have interest in the work. So to try and find something to do and avoid having to awkwardly start a conversation, she went to get the teapot heated to make some tea.
"I'll have mine with just a little milk." Descole told her. Elaine raised an eyebrow towards him but didn't say anything. Being taught to stand up for herself as well as manners were a bit conflicted here but she decided she may as well give him some tea.
"I don't 'ave any milk." Elaine told him. "I don't usually have any in mine so I don't buy it often." Whatever Descole was feeling from this, the Frenchwoman wasn't sure. But the masked man did give a tiny sigh.
"Then make sure to have some next time then."
"Maybe if you want it so bad, you can bring it yourself."
"Not a very polite thing to say." Descole commented in a dry tone, with Elaine giving a small huff in return.
"Neither is assuming I'm making tea for you and saying to get milk when you may or may not come again." Elaine wasn't too sure what she had expected after that. But she didn't expect to hear Descole chuckle.
"Very quick to think of something witty, aren't you?" he mused. Elaine felt her lips curl into a small smile as she took two cups out of a box.
"So I've been told often." Elaine replied. "Ma famille say that combined with my apparent stubbornness, I'll end up dead."
"I can see what they mean, considering current events here and your refusal to leave."
"And is that a bad thing to you?" Descole was thinking over his answer, and for a moment he almost seemed hesitant to Elaine.
"I'll admit that finding you was… unexpected, to put it lightly," Descole began, "But I don't think I can say it's anything negative. For the moment at least."
"What? Afraid I'll turn on you or something?" Descole gave Elaine a slightly sardonic smirk before answering,
"That's the least of my worries, I assure you."
When the tea was ready, she poured them each a cup and sat down across from Descole, carefully keeping an eye on him. On the off chance he may try something.
"So how has the dig been going?" Descole asked after taking his first sip.
"Nothing too fascinating." Elaine replied. "I figured I'd try digging through one of the few caverns that hasn't been flooded yet. Not too much progress in digging it out, and I'm not too comfortable using dynamite." Truthfully, Elaine had never wanted to bring dynamite to begin with. Unfortunately, it did make creating caves to dig through a lot easier.
"Unfortunate," commented Descole in a dry tone. "But, these things do take time. I suppose. But I suppose as long as this 'Specter' doesn't come here then that should be good. Yes?"
"I suppose so. Not sure what will 'appen if it does though."
"I'm sure it won't."
"'Ow are you so sure?" Descole supped his tea, not looking too bothered.
"It seems to go for more populated areas. You're here alone so I think as long as you stay here and continue your work, there should be no need to fear a thing." Elaine wasn't so why, but that just seemed to stick out to her. The words themselves made sense but it was just... She wasn't sure what she could say really.
"Ms. Hawthorne?" Elaine's shoulders gave a little jump. Descole seemed a little irritated, his mouth in a small scowl. "I was asking if you had any contact with any of your colleagues lately."
"Pardon," Elaine mumbled back. "I just... 'Ad something on my mind." Elaine cleared her throat an decided on a question to ask.
"So where exactly are you staying?" Elaine asked.
"I don't think you really need to know."
"Well, is there anything else that you're doing 'ere that you 'aven't said yet?"
"Personal matters." Descole said simply. "That's all you need to be aware of." Elaine only inwardly sighed as added more tea to her cup. She still wasn't entirely sure whether it would be worth keeping her guard up with Descole. Most people probably would have tried to dance around the question, but Descole just stepped right over it and refused to give an actual answer.
All she could do now really was continue this little chat and try to not give away too much.
From there on, she would have to work with what she was given.
Okay, so I'm glad to see there's been a couple views here. That makes me happy :) Also, if it's okay, I'd like some reviews too. I'm not going to hold the story hostage or anything if I don't. I just like to know what people think. I'm guessing it is at the very least, readable since there are two followers at the the time of writing this. Either way, thanks.