When Elaine had finished for the day at the Ledores, she made her way briskly to the Reunion Inn, though was careful not to draw attention to herself. That could just lead to problems. Papers were clenched by her tightly in such a way it was almost a wonder her nails didn't dig through the paper to leave small holes.
The reception of the hotel was fairly busy with people just arriving that evening. Probably due to the start of celebrations. From what Elaine learned, the eighteenth anniversary of Monte d'Or was not too far away and the amount of tourists were going to increase, no doubt about that. But right now, her thoughts were focused solely on her cousin and Henry Ledore.
Arriving at the room, Elaine knocked on the door. Trying not to knock so anxiously.
"Descole, it's me so open the door." Elaine demanded as she glanced side to side briefly. It was a minute or two, but the door eventually opened with Descole blocking Elaine's view of the inside of the room.
"So did he sign it?"
"Yes, 'e signed the damn thing," Elaine muttered as she slapped the papers against Descole's chest. "Now let me in. I got to ask Madeline something." Descole took the papers calmly and stepped to the side to allow Elaine in. If he was a bit surprise by Elaine's tone, he didn't show it.
"Merci." Elaine walked by and went straight towards her cousin.
Descole hadn't allowed Elaine to see her cousin for the two weeks, so she had been concerned for the state Madeline would be in. But she seemed in good condition thankfully. A little shadows under her eyes and her hair was messier then Madeline would have allowed. But Descole seemed to be feeding her at the very least and there was no physical signs of abuse,
"Madie, there's something I got to ask," Elaine spoke, low in French to try and not be understood by Descole, as she took the gag out of Madeline's mouth. "And you have to be bloody honest." Madeline looked up at Elaine, a worried look in her eyes.
"What?"
"Why did Henry Ledore kiss 'Madeline Béze'?" Madeline cringed a bit. If Elaine had to guess, Madeline probably felt caught in a corner. There was no way to actually lie to Elaine. She inhaled calmly and glanced towards Descole briefly who didn't seem to be paying attention before she whispered back,
"I… I know it looks… Unfavourable towards Henry and I, but I can explain." Madeline sighed. "Henry and I, are together. But," Madeline put emphasis on this to keep Elaine from interrupting. "He's not cheating on Angela because they're not even together."
"… What?" Elaine felt the possible rant that had been in her mind suddenly shatter. Madeline sighed.
"It was after Henry's friend and Angela's boyfriend, Randall, went missing. Angela's parents were trying to get her to marry Alphonse Dalston, and Henry wanted to keep that from happening so Randall could still have her so Henry arranged a fake marriage for them."
"Se-seriously?" Madeline nodded.
"According to Angela, they've always been close. Almost like brothers. Henry was a servant in Randall's house, but Randall treated him like he would any other person. That's what sealed their friendship." Elaine let all of this new information wash over her before asking, "so, what about you and Monsieur Ledore? How did you…?" Madeline gave a faint smile.
"About three years now. Maybe a couple months more. Of course we didn't show it out in public, and I was okay with that, and still am."
"So, you're willing to wait then? Until Randall appears? Assuming, you can be together then." Madeline nodded. There was no once of hesitation from her.
"If Henry is willing to wait for a friend, and Angela for a lost love. Then I'm willing to wait for a friend I've never met."
"I see," Elaine murmured. "How come you never told mum and dad? Or Philippe and I?"
"Didn't want to take any chances," Madeline admitted. "There were already one or two mumblings on how close I was to Henry, even before we were together. I didn't want to accidently ruin his name and lifework. … Henry… Still, thinks you're me, right?"
"Yes," Elaine confirmed. "And that kiss was only a peck at most so nothing to worry about. Not, too much at least." Madeline gave a light sigh.
"Well, that's… Sort if nice to hear." Elaine silently clicked her tongue. She had to tell Madeline about Randall. She had to give her some kind of hope.
"You… Might not be waiting too long to be with Henry openly."
"Huh? What are you…?"
"He's alive." Elaine spoke quickly. "I don't know too much, but Descole found Randall and apparently he has amnesia."
"What?!" Madeline seemed more alert now. "Are you sure?! Are you certain?!"
"I wouldn't say it if I wasn't."
"And that's as much as you'll know." The new voice was so sudden it startled both women. The hadn't heard or noticed Descole move behind Elaine as they were too absorbed in their conversation, and because of this didn't have much time to react to Descole pinching Madeline's shoulder to make her unconscious.
"'Ey!"
"You shouldn't have said anything." Descole said, as a small scowl became noticeable across his face.
"That doesn't give you the right to just do that!" Elaine snapped, snatching the damn blonde wig off her head. "Madeline 'as a right to know and if I can give 'er some reason to 'ave even some mild 'ope, then I'll give it!" Elaine was glaring as Descole scoffed and walked back to the couch. "And 'ow can you be so sure on what we were talking about anyway?"
"I told you before I know some French," Descole said dryly as he sat down, and began pouring tea from a teapot on the coffee table into a teacup. "I know enough to understand that the marriage is fake and that I've unfortunately placed you in an awkward position."
"Awkward position?" Elaine repeated.
"I.." Descole paused before he (slightly surprisingly) poured a second cup. "I still can't say exactly say where my emotions stand with you, Elaine. But having heard that Ledore had hugged and kissed you, even if believing you for your cousin, well… Quite frankly, I don't like that. At all. In fact, it makes me annoyed to put it lightly."
"Well you've no one to blame but yourself for that one." Elaine folded her arms.
"No need to be so cruel." Descole muttered before holding a cup up to Elaine. She stared at it for a moment before taking it and sitting on the far edge of the couch. She took a tiny sip from it and asked,
"So was Raymond 'ere to make this, or did you order it?"
"I ordered it. Why?" The questioning tone was clear.
"I figured it 'ad to be one or the other," Elaine shrugged lightly. "It probably would 'ave been awful if you made it." Descole huffed but didn't make any comment. Not that Elaine was complaining.
"… Your parents are fine." Elaine looked up at Descole sharply. "I called them yesterday, as Madeline. They're obviously upset over your second kidnapping. Philippe however has convinced them to go abroad for a little while. He told them you wouldn't want them to be miserable."
"… Where are they going?"
"I believe they're going to visit relatives back in France next month. For two months I think." Descole replied.
"Good," Elaine murmured. "They shouldn't worry about me."
"You make it sound as if you don't have any value."
"I just don't want them to worry is all," Elaine said. "Not like they can do anything for me right now." Elaine took another sip of tea. "So, 'ave you met Randall yet?"
"I have, and I plan to go over details with him again soon. I might even let you meet him. Provided that you can keep quiet about 'certain' details of course." Elaine pursed her lips. The next moment or two were silent, until Elaine asked,
"I 'ave two questions."
"What would they be?"
"What… What exactly is it like to be a parent?" Descole tensed. Elaine was beginning to second guess her question when Descole asked,
"Is there a reason for that question?"
"I'm curious. I, uh… Kinda, always wanted to be a mother." Elaine admitted, shifting in her seat a little awkwardly.
"And you never asked your own parents because…?"
"There could be bias." Elaine deadpanned. Descole didn't say a word at first but after giving a tiny nod he spoke.
"I can't really speak for everyone, but I… Johanna made me happy. She was all I had left of Lucy so that might have been a small influence. I'm not saying it was a perfect paradise, but seeing her grow up… Hearing her first words…" Descole gave a small sigh. "For the years I had her, Johanna was the most wonderful thing I had, and depending on my self-control, I might end up killing the ones who stole her." Descole gave a small cough. "Your second question?"
"What did Johanna look like?" Descole frowned briefly but it quickly vanished.
"She… Johanna was pretty as her mother was beautiful. She resembled my mother a bit though. At least, I thought so. But with Lucy's hair colour and my… and my eyes." Elaine had noted the brief pause before Descole mentioned the eyes.
"Why the interest?"
"Well… You intruded in my parents' 'ome, stalked my brother and kidnapped my cousin. I think I'm justified to a few personal questions." Elaine replied back quickly. That was the first explanation she could come up with. Descole gave a small hum. But the subject was then moved away from.
"… If it makes you feel any better, I was planning on a situation where you would be kidnapped during this." Descole said. "But considering the relation between Madeline and Ledore, I think I might make it happen a bit earlier then intended." Descole put his cup down. "Was there any sign of the Mask of Order in the Ledore mansion?"
"Not that I could tell."
"He probably has it hidden." Descole muttered. The silence that had once been around them was slightly broken when the faint echoes of music could be heard several floors downstairs.
"Must be the orchestra playing." Elaine noted as she took out her grey eye contacts, feeling more relaxed without them on. "The sound good."
"… Good enough to dance to?"
"Mm?" Elaine looked as Descole stood up before he took her hand and pulled her up and led to where there was some more space in the room.
"I think a little dance could be a good way to start making things up to you."
"While my cousin's knocked out on floor against the wall?" Elaine questioned with a raised brow.
"I never did say it would be perfect." Descole brought one of Elaine's hands to his shoulder and held the other before he wrapped his free hand around her waist. He had a slightly playful smirk as he looked at Elaine. "Shall we dance, m'lady?"
"Only if you can actually dance." Elaine countered right before Descole began to move in a simple waltz.
"I think you'll find one of my many talents is being able to dance quite well," Descole said, or rather bragged. "I'm happy to see you're able to keep up."
"Merci. I've been told I 'ave a good sense of rhythm when it comes to dance." Elaine said as she kept up with Descole with ease, trying not to smile so much as they began to dance the evening away.
Elaine didn't want to, but she was enjoying herself. The closeness to Descole was slightly comforting and warm, and he was a fairly good dancer. But with the reason she was here to begin with, she felt it wrong of her to enjoy herself. She shouldn't be going along with this, but she was.
But then again, a little dancing can't hurt.
How bad am I? I've been meaning to mention it for ages, but my memory sucks. Basically, I found a Descole/OC base, and so I decided to draw Elaine in. It's on my deviant art account under the name, 'A Little Descole/Elaine'. Enjoy! ... Hopefully.