The journey itself was probably faster than how the competitors were getting to Ambrosia. But Elaine was still bored and had gotten tired with waiting and doing nothing and so sat down on the floor, with her back against the side of Descole's chair. With nothing said by the man, Elaine assumed he either didn't care or just didn't notice. Either way, she was not going to stand for who knows how long.
Elaine also must have been more tired than she had expected because there was a complete blank in her memory caused by her falling asleep. A sleep that was only broken when a foot began nudging her waist sharply. She groaned as she opened her eyes and blinked once or twice before looking up at Descole, though Elaine didn't react immediately to whatever it is he wanted of her as a part of her was still partially asleep.
"Well? Are you going to just sit there or do I have to carry you?" Elaine wasn't sure what made her more annoyed. The question itself or the mocking tone.
"I can walk myself, thank you." Elaine spat as she pushed herself up and noticed that several of the henchmen were already leaving through the exit. "So we're at Ambrosia?"
"Yes, so you can stop lazing about and move."
"Fine! It's getting stuffy in 'ere anyway." Elaine muttered before she made her way to the hatch to get out.
They were on a beach, different from the one she and Descole had arrived at when she was here last time. Probably on the other side of the island for all she knew. While most the henchmen were already making their way ahead (Some staying behind to move the Detragon), Elaine stayed on the beach and squinted her eyes as she just barely saw something sticking out amongst the trees. The dark night probably wasn't helping much either. It looked like the top of a, castle maybe? If they had been on the other side of the island, it probably wouldn't have been seen. But it was still odd. While she may not have fully explored this island, the castle still seemed like it would be out of place.
"Trying to admiring my castle?" Elaine mentally sighed as she closed her eyes. Of course, only Descole would have gone to the trouble of making a castle.
"No. I'm wondering where you get the money to throw around for all of this." Elaine retorted as she folded her arms. She had hoped it would have shown her agitation or disdain, and not how cold she was in this night time air.
"Ah, a man such as myself has his ways."
"What? Deals on the black market?"
"Sometimes." Elaine looked sharply at Descole in shock as he said that so calmly, Raymond standing diligently by his side. Descole seemed incredibly entertained by Elaine's face.
"I… I was just kidding." Descole smirked as he leaned closer to Elaine.
"Maybe I was too~." Elaine scowled and stepped away, wanting her own privacy in her personal space. She only noticed now that Charles was nowhere to be seen. He probably wandered off to join any other wolves that were on this island.
"So we're going to your castle then?"
"In a bit." Descole murmured as he looked out to the sea. He seemed so relaxed as he looked on. Then a tiny smile came to his face. A genuinely kind smile. Perhaps he was recalling a memory from the past?
"Raymond, go on ahead. We'll be coming along shortly."
"Yes, Master." Raymond gave a small bow of his head before he went towards the woods to head towards the castle. Elaine was a bit unsure what to do herself. Descole made it sound like both him and herself were staying here until further notice, but there wasn't too much to back that up with.
"Have you ever seen a beach so beautiful, Ms. Hawthorne?" The questioned seemed out of nowhere, and Elaine considered not responding but decided against it.
"I… I suppose not." Elaine responded. "I'm guessing the same for you?"
"There was one place," Descole admitted. "But I think it only seems that way in my mind because…" He just trailed off.
"… Because…"
"… It doesn't matter now." Descole muttered. "It's all in the past. Just memories. I just can't tell if they're memories I want or not." Elaine frowned, not having a response to give. Descole possibly said more than he would have liked and probably wouldn't go into more detail if she asked.
"The, um… Stars look nice 'ere." Elaine commented weakly. Trying to make some attempt at conversation.
"They do." Descole agreed as he looked up. "Did you know stars come in different colours, depending on their age?"
"No."
"Well they do. New stars tend to be a variety of colour, but usually are seen as blue since the colour stands out more, though they tend to die off after a few hundred billion years. The red ones tend to stay around much longer."
"I see. I usually just try to find constellations if I'm looking at them." Elaine said.
"Such as, say… Andromeda?" Descole pointed in what to some would have been a random piece of sky but Elaine could make out the pattern meant to represent the Greek mythological figure.
"Oui," Elaine agreed. "And perhaps… Boötes." Elaine added, pointing at another constellation.
"Puppis." Descole noted another and Elaine looked in the direction he was pointing, having never heard of that one. It looked a bit like a zigzag like with two triangles attached.
"I didn't think you were so interested in astrology." Elaine mused, looking at Descole. Said man chuckled and looked back to her.
"I would consider myself a very multitalented person with various interests. And I never imagined you as having any interest in stars either."
"I wouldn't be an expert. I just remember some that my grandfather pointed out to me when I was young." Elaine admitted. Descole gave a small nod before looking up at the stars.
"… Do you believe in an afterlife of any kind, Ms. Hawthorne?"
"Why are you asking?" Elaine asked, giving him a weary look.
"Just answer my question. Do you, or do you not?"
"… I like to believe there is."
"And do you believe the souls of our departed watch, and are willing to forgive?"
"That's a bit of a stra-."
"Just answer the question!" Descole snapped.
"… I 'onestly couldn't say. I don't really think that far ahead."
"I suppose it is a bit of a depressing subject." Elaine's curiosity rose though. Those questions just seemed personal. Not so much towards her but Descole. She wanted to ask him a question but he was already talking.
"Let's go. It will be hours before the contestants make it here so there's no point staying out here and doing nothing." Descole grabbed Elaine's hand and began leading her towards the forest, towards a castle she would soon see to be ominous and dark.
The inside of the castle, or rather the part of the castle they were in, was rather elegant albeit a bit simple compared to what Descole was probably use to but the paintings probably made up for that. But Elaine found herself led into a living room, with open doors leading to a small balcony and an ice bucket with wine and a few wine glasses. Elaine just went over to the balcony to look out at the sea. The scenery did look lovely here. Splendid really. She could imagine herself coming here on her free will.
She ignored the sound of the wine glass being opened. But she was still surprised when she saw a wine glass held out to her by Descole, already holding one himself.
"I thought since you were more or less well behaved today, the puppy could have an extra treat before bedtime." Elaine grumbled under her breath as she accepted the glass.
"Stop calling me puppy."
"I could, but I think we both know that will never happen."
"So is being a, 'good puppy', really your reason to give me wine?"
"Of course. What other reason would I need?" Descole scoffed before taking a small sip. "You didn't cause trouble, so you get an award. I am capable of generosity you know."
"When you get what you want, like a spoiled brat."
"You really should watch your tongue. Who knows where it may end up?" Elaine didn't respond. All she could do was enjoy the taste of this wine (Which was delicious) and see what happened next. It was still cold, her light clothing not helping. But she didn't shiver. Either the cold was starting to numb her enough not to feel it, or she just kept her body stiff as possible.
However, the feeling of heavy fabric draped over her shoulders was soon felt and Elaine glanced down to see Descole's cloak on her. She looked over to the masked man who was just simply staring out to sea.
"Be careful not to get wine on it. I want it back later." That was all he said. Elaine held the cloak tighter around her, allowing her body to feel the warmth provided by it. She also noticed something else. There was a faint whiff of some kind of cologne coming from near the neck of the cloak. She could tell what exactly it smelled of though. Something herby, maybe?
Elaine brought the cloak tighter around her, trying not to smile.
Okay, so I meant to say this earlier, but my memory is so great that I completely forgot to. I did a picture and profile of Elaine on my Deviantart account. The link to my Deviantart account is in my profile and you should have no trouble finding our poor protagonist :)