Elaine had to admit to herself that the next few weeks were rather good if she did say so herself. While she did still keep some sort of guard up, she was actually becoming quite fond of Descole's visits. He was good for conversation and while he was a bit… frustrating at times, he still gave her company and seemed very interested in her work. True, there was still that Spectre business to carrying on, but it had yet to come anywhere near the dig site so Elaine was going to accept that blessing. She did feel sorry for the people in town who had lost their homes of course, but they seemed to be getting some sort of assistance from friends and family so that eased some of the guilt she felt.

But when she was leaving the market after buying some food, she heard one or two people mention something about a person having arrived in town. Possibly to solve the mystery. Of course, Elaine was happy to hear this and was glad to hear that something was finally being done. But it wasn't just this that caught her attention. One person mentioned the name Layton and Elaine felt some excitement. She had heard of the archaeology professor from Gressenheller University and had read an archaeological article he had published about a year ago, and had enjoyed it greatly. It might have just been a person who coincidently had the last name Layton, but Elaine wasn't going to let that get to her.

After the other archaeologists left, it seemed that the joy Elaine had of being on the excavation had dwindled greatly. But the fact she was able to continue on by herself (for now at least), with some company from Descole and news that Professor Layton was possibly in town made her feel as happy as the day she first stepped into Misthallery.

"Doesn't it ever get 'ot under for you? Under all those clothes?" Descole was back at the site and Elaine had already poured their tea out for them. She had found it strange that Descole would dress the way he did. It surely couldn't have been comfortable under that cloak and boa in this weather. True, England didn't have the best weather, but it was fairly warm and just around the beginning of summer. Descole just scoffed as he accepted his cup.

"I am quite fine, Ms. Hawthorne. Thank you for the concern, but it's pointless in this case."

"I'd probably drop dead if I had to wear all that now." Elaine said before mussing, "I wouldn't really think you were a scientist in all that. More like some sort of actor." Descole's chuckle was light, and sounded as if there was a hidden joke somewhere.

"While I'm not an actor by trade, I do have some acting skills. Amazing skills I must admit."

"Oh?" Elaine raised an eyebrow. It just seemed to Elaine that he was trying to pull a very bad joke. "Can I see then?"

"Perhaps another time."

'Yes, of course.' Elaine thought to herself. Say you have acting skills but don't even try to prove it. She then went to ask the question that has been on her mind.

"I've 'eard that a Monsieur 'Layton' was in town. I was just wondering if you would know if this was Professeur Layton? From Gressenheller Université?" Descole didn't respond immediately at first. It was hard to tell what exactly he was thinking since he never seemed to ever remove the mask. It made Elaine wonder if they actually knew each other.

"I... I believe it is Professor Layton." Descole responded.

"Do you know 'im?" The masked man looked up at Elaine sharply and she quickly added, "It's just that you paused before answering so it just made me wonder..."

"I do know him if you must know. But I prefer not to talk about it at all." Elaine raised an eyebrow but other then that, she said nothing else. It was clear this man kept certain things close to his chest and this was one of them.

"What time is it?" Elaine quickly looked at her wrist watch. A simple silver one she got on her seventeenth birthday from her father.

"Er, almost quarter to one."

"I must be going then." Descole mumbled as he quickly stood up. "There's something I have to attend to."

"Sure, sure." Elaine waved it off. It was never a surprise when Descole had to leave out of the blue. It was just something she was use to now. "It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise." After that, he made his leave in quick steps, leaving Elaine to continue on with her work. To continue digging in one of the caves with a trowel in hand. Not particularly giving a second thought for the mud clinging to her pants. They were already dirty anyway so what difference did a little more make? However, the faint sound of metal against hard rock made Elaine stop for a moment. Did she find something? It might have just been a rock, but just in case...

Elaine dropped the trowel and began digging up some of the earth with her bare hands until she found something that seemed stuck in the ground. Something that was a much lighter colour then the rest of the ground. Licking her dry lips, Elaine took the trowel back up and began using it to dig around the mystery object. Making hesitant movements to see if it was something worthwhile.

It was a thick slab of rock around the size of Elaine's hand and looked jagged at the bottom of it. It looked like it could have been a tablet of some sort, and Elaine new this was possibly something to be excited for and quickly stood up after stabbing the trowel in the ground to mark where she left off, and then felt the rock for any sort of engraving that might not be noticeable in this lighting. She a disheartened feeling came to her when she felt none, but she quickly went outside on the off chance there might be something painted on.

But any hope she had was dashed when she saw it was just another plain rock. Scowling, Elaine threw the rock back int he cave making a small echo heard faintly as she went back to where the tents were to get a drink of water. Times like these almost made her wish she had left as well, but alas her stubborn nature wouldn't allow that. She then began to mutter to herself in her native French.

"Maybe I should go to the library again. Maybe look at some other books there." Elaine tapped her fingers on the folding table as she thought that over before glancing to the tent where other books on loan from the local library were. "Or maybe there might be something I missed in one of the books."

It seemed worthwhile to look and see if anything could be found. It' not like there was much else to loose at this stage. And considering she would eventually be at a point where she would have to leave or risk losing her job at the museum, it felt like it would be better then nothing.

So after browsing through the small collection and picking one that she couldn't recall reading herself (or at least recently), she began reading through it to see if there was anything about the town that may give her a clue as to where the Golden Garden was. After all, it wasn't too far fetched the site was in the wrong place. It certainly wouldn't be the first time it happened.

Reading through the book, she recalled why she might not have looked at it thoroughly if any at all. It seemed to focus mainly on myths. While Elaine wasn't normally one to brush off anything that could be related to her work (after all, myths would have to have some basis somewhere in shape and form, and had to have a reason for being created), she just seemed to focus more on anything factual she could find during this dig. In retrospect, it was a bit of a mistake to put it lightly. But she wasn't going to put herself down for it.

She did however find some mildly interesting stories. One of them involving a girl playing a magical flute that could summon a creature. Likely the specter that was apparently the cause of destruction in Misthallery. Elaine began to think this over. Having no belief in such superstitious things, she hadn't paid much notice to what people had said exactly about all that was happening, but she thought back to try and remember what she could. She could faintly recall someone mentioning a tune being played around the time of these attacks. Possibly a flute though it was impossible to pinpoint the direction it came from. Thinking over the story and current events, the Frenchwoman began to wonder if by some possibility there really was a ghost.

"... Non. Non, just nonsense." Elaine muttered to herself as she flipped through the pages. Trying to find something else that could be of use. But there was nothing else to be found in it. She shut the book and leaned her elbows on the table as she clasped her hands together, and tried to think of something else. Thinking on it now, she recalled that there were some books that couldn't be removed from the library because of how old they were. The excavation team had the intention of visiting regularly before the Specter attacks so what harm could looking now do?

"Excuse me, miss?" Elaine inwardly sighed as she stood up. She just wanted to try and make some sort of progress. Turning in the direction of the voice, she saw a beady eyed man around her own age dressed in a brown coat over an orange shirt with a brown top hat to match. There was also a young boy wearing a blue cap with him who Elaine could faintly remember seeing from a picture at the mayor's house when she and a colleague had visited to retrieve some maps of the area. What was his name again? Ah oui, Luke.

"Can I 'elp you Monsieur?" Elaine asked politely. She may as well since she had no proper excuse to be rude.

"Sorry, but we were just passing by and I wanted to have a quick look at the excavation site before we continued on." Well, he was certainly more polite then Descole was in comparison if Elaine was honest.

"Well, there isn't much to show I'm afraid." Elaine explained. "We 'aven't found much that could give even a clue to the Golden Garden, and ever since this 'Specter' nonsense started the rest of my colleagues 'ave left!"

"Oh? So you're doing the work alone then? Miss...?"

"Hawthorne. Elaine Hawthorne." Elaine filled in. "And oui, they've left. Either scared or just given up on finding the Garden."

"And you haven't?"

"I'm too stubborn to leave." Elaine answered with a faint smile. "I'm determined to find this place. Just a gut feeling, you know?"

"Yes, I can remember that feeling too whenever I manage to go to archaeological digs." The man mused.

"Oh?" Elaine mentally grinned to herself, as she had a fairly good idea who this was.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you wouldn't 'appen to be Professeur Layton, would you?" The surprised look on his face was enough for an answer, but hearing him confirm it really gave her a sense of accomplishment.

"Well, yes I am. Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier."

"Non, it's no trouble." Elaine said, her mood perking up a bit. "When I was in town earlier I 'eard someone mention the name Layton and I thought it might 'ave been you. I read your article on the Babylonians last year and I found it very interesting. The writing was très bon if I do say so myself." The professor gave a small chuckle, seemingly flattered.

"Well, thank you for the compliment. Has there been any other difficulties here?"

The talk was pleasant and while Luke stayed mostly quiet as the adults talked, he did manage to get some words in as well. Of course, they did have to leave and continue on with their investigation. But Elaine had no troubles with this since she had her own work to do as well. Plus if solving the mystery could bring back at least some of the other archaeologists, that would be a plus for her.

Having some company with Descole and meeting Professor Layton, it lifted Elaine's spirits and made her almost optimistic. Optimistic that perhaps she could probably do something worthwhile here.

But right now, she would do a little more digging. Then the town's library awaited her.