It was night time as Elaine sat in the library. She wasn't reading, but was instead sitting on the couch as she stared at the flames in the lit fireplace. It had been a few days since they came back from the Wall of Norwell and it still seemed uncertain as to what Descole planned to do next. She had asked him, but he just told her she would see sooner or later. Though after overhearing his talk with Raymond, she had a feeling that he wasn't so sure himself what to do currently.
Elaine didn't bother looking to the door when she heard it creak open. It seemed a bit pointless since it was nearly obvious who it was.
"No book?" Descole questioned as he walked in.
"Not much in a reading mood." Elaine grumbled. "Why are you 'ere? Shouldn't you be planning or something along those lines?"
"I do take breaks you know." Descole scoffed. "I'm just taking mine now before bed."
"And what 'ave you come up with in that study of your's?"
"I don't think that is any of your concern. Both planning and what I do in my office." Descole responded as he wondered to one of the shelves and scanned the books for something that peaked his interest.
"Doesn't mean I can't wonder."
"Wondering's caused by curiosity which leads to death."
"Some crimes do that as well." Descole turned his head sharply towards Elaine. Scowling.
"And sometimes they're caused by orders not being fully carried out." Elaine winced a bit at that spat. It felt like a strong jab to her omission of Song of the Sun, something she didn't think he would bring up again. It was nearly a year and a half ago now. Elaine had looked away during these thoughts and when she looked back, Descole was already sitting in an armchair close by and reading his book of choice.
"What are you reading?"
"Does it really matter to you?"
"I'm just asking."
"It still isn't much of your business."
"Someone got off on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Elaine grumbled. "Something keep you awake or something last night?" Descole looked up at Elaine, his fingers digging into his book slightly.
"Not necessarily. I've just been… Thinking a lot."
"Some sort of plan?"
"That too, but something else." Descole muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose before looking down at his book again. "A truly… Irksome thought."
"One that you don't plan to talk about with me."
"Ah. So you are capable of keeping your nose out of other people's business."
"Of course I am! I just… Maybe got a little too curious once or twice." Elaine retorted.
"Such as when you broke into my office? Or tried to look into Lucy?" Descole's tone alone almost seemed to dare Elaine to say something stupid.
"I never broke into your office!" Elaine snapped. "It's not my fault if you left the door open and carelessly left a book on the floor!"
"Maybe I overlooked shutting the door behind me properly but damn it woman, you should have known better!"
"Well I couldn't exactly get the chance to apologise when you just show up out of nowhere, grab me roughly and then act like nothing happened."
"Oh, I didn't grab you that hard."
"You left a bruise!"
"You still shouldn't have been in my office."
"Fine, I'm sorry then!" Elaine may as well have threw up her hands. The only thing that seemed to save her dignity was the frustration in her voice. At least, Elaine thought it saved her dignity. Truthfully she had wanted to apologise for those things but hadn't exactly found a way to do it without looking weak or pathetic or even submissive and passive towards Descole. Hopefully her tone would be a good solution as well as the cause for her to apologise now. "I'm sorry about the office incident, the Ambrosia Seal and trying to find out about Lucy. I'm sorry for being so, 'difficult'!" Elaine glared at the masked man. He looked up at her from his book, and for a moment looked indifferent. But slowly, he began to smirk.
"About time you apologised. It's rude of you to have kept me waiting this long." Elaine's mouth gapped before she caught herself and gritted her teeth.
"I think if anything, you the one who owes ME an apology! What you've done is worser then anything I've done! Maybe that one lie made you 'ave that childish fit at Ambrosia, but damn it you've done worse!"
"Can you even name them!? You need facts to back accusations up with!"
"You kidnapped me. Twice now, and three times if you count 'olding me 'ostage on that Spectre-bot in Misthallery!" Elaine sneered. "The times where you 'ave physically abused me are worth mentioning as well, I think. And then there's the more serious stuff you've done outside of moi!"
"Alright, you're upset. I understand." Descole grumbled as he rubbed his temples. "I'll apologise later. But now, can you please be quiet?" Elaine however, was already full swing into her rant. No end seemingly in sight.
"You kidnapped other people and 'eld them 'ostage! Either using them as leverage or for your own selfish wants! You threatened lives to the point where the fact that you 'aven't killed anyone yet as far as I know is a miracle that could be 'eld in the standards of a divine intervention of sorts! Not even children are safe near you! God knows 'ow that poor petite fille, Nina dealt with the aftereffects. And let's not forget that if you 'adn't contacted Mr. Whistler to begin with, 'e may not 'ave ever ended up in jail!
"And what exactly is it all for in the end?" Letting all of this out, Elaine seemed to have had a small snap. She must have otherwise she would have noticed that Descole's hands were fighting against the urge to slam his book closed. "Eternal glory? Fame? The only thing you'll be famous for is all the 'arm you've brought to people! And sooner or later, you'll end up in jail with no one to blame but yourself!
"But perhaps jail would be a safer place for you then outside? I recall overhearing Philippe mumble something about 'im finding the perfect 'iding spot for what remains of your body after 'e's through with you so-!"
Elaine's rant had begun to ramble a bit. She had been too caught up in her words to notice Descole slam his book shut and stand up before walking towards her and grabbing her shoulders.
"Will you just be quiet, woman?!"
After that, Elaine was about to speak back. A comment already in mind. But it was soon forgotten when Elaine's lips were frozen in shock as Descole pressed his own against her. At first, seeming to just be an erratic move to make her stop her rant. Elaine's eyes had widened in shock. She never expected anything like this to happen and not even the slight tickles of the feathers from his boa could make Elaine snap out of her stunned trance, or the rather pleasant (albeit it, faint) smelling cologne coming from him.
She slowly came back to reality though when for a brief moment she felt a dab of tongue against her lower lip. Brief because as soon as Descole did it, her pulled away as quick as lightning.
He seemed shocked. Horrified even. His hands seemed to shake a bit as he let go of Elaine and quickly stood up, backing a step or two away.
"No… I… I can't replace…" That was all Elaine could understand from Descole's incoherent mumblings. He swallowed thickly before he said in a voice just barely heard, "That never happened. Forget about it, and never mention it again."
Descole quickly left the room. Almost slamming the door behind him. Glancing down, Elaine noticed her own hands trembling slightly. She swallowed before holding one hand to her lips.
Who was more confused? Herself, or Descole?
Originally I considered bringing back Charles the wolf. But I couldn't really imagine the wolf staying by Descole's side up to Azran Legacy.