Whatever Descole was planning, Elaine hoped to God it would be worth it. Had her cousin not been secretly dating Henry Ledore, then Elaine would have thought by now that posing as Madeline would be easy enough. But it seemed that luck was against her a bit. Thankfully she was able to get away with just giving Henry a small peck or two and the occasional hug. But Elaine still felt certain that if karma existed, it was punishing Descole through herself. Either that or Elaine had done something to deserve this that she had forgotten.
Hopefully she would get more details on what exactly was going to happen. She had already found a note in Madeline's house when she arrived there that evening, telling her to go to one of the warehouses in the more seldom visited parts of town (or at least seldom visited by people who didn't work around that area) that night. Elaine assumed it might have had something to do with her telling Madeline that Randall was alive, but she supposed there might have been other reasons.
Elaine looked over the warehouses wearily as she tried to think which one to look in first. Descole should have been more specific and told her which warehouse. But no. He just said to come here. He probably wanted to see her get frustrated before making a sudden appearance. Either that or just figure out which one he was in. If that was the case, Elaine just felt like strangling him the moment she found him.
"Good to see my puppy came." Elaine scowled and turned around. The prick probably did want to make a sudden appearance.
"Don't 'ave too much choice, do I? And stop calling me puppy!"
"I don't have to do what you say." Descole replied. "That isn't how it works between us." Elaine huffed.
"So are we going to the warehouse or not?"
"Impatient, aren't we?" Descole said as he began to lead Elaine.
"No. Just want to know exactly what your plan is already."
"Eager to know?"
"I just want to know how bad things will be this time." Elaine muttered as she held her arms around herself. The specific warehouse wasn't too far away though it was a little more separated from the other warehouses.
"So, are you renting this building?" Elaine asked as they entered through a side door.
"You don't need to concern yourself about that."
"Well is there a reason you…" Elaine trailed off when she heard a faint horse neigh. As her eyes adjusted to the lighting, she soon spotted a small group of about ten horses. They were in good condition, and looked to be fairly calm with being in the building.
"'Orses?" Elaine questioned. "What the 'ell are you planning? First that material for the amusement park and now 'orses? It doesn't make any sense."
"Think of it all as part of a series of magic tricks." Elaine gave Descole a look before looking back to the horses. "Magic tricks? I didn't think you were attempting to be a magician now. Though your clothes would fit the part."
"No, I won't be performing these tricks." Descole said. "That will be Randall's job."
"Of course. 'Ow could I forget you were using 'im?" Elaine muttered. "So 'e's coming 'ere then?"
"He should be arriving here shortly."
"So what now? Going to show off that you can ride 'orses?" Elaine asked, intending it to be a slight joke.
"Anyone can have basic horse riding skills. It's nothing too greatly special."
"I must have missed a lesson at some point since I can't." Elaine commented as she looked at the closest horse to them.
"Maybe if we get a chance when we're finished in this town I'll give you a lesson?" Descole mused as he walked over to one of the horses and rubbed its neck.
"If that's supposed to be a way to make this up to me, it's going to take more than a 'orse riding lesson." scoffed Elaine.
"We'll see."
"Back to the main topic," Elaine began as she tentatively move towards Descole and the beige horse. "What exactly do you 'ave in minds for these tricks?"
"I could tell you, but it might ruin the surprise." Descole shot her a smirk. "And that wouldn't do, now would it?" Elaine rolled her eyes. "Has there been any sign of the Mask of Order in the Ledore mansion?"
"I 'aven't seen it, and I can't exactly ask 'Enry about it without raising suspicion."
"I suppose he isn't going to hide it in his home. Have you tried his office in the Reunion Inn?"
"I was only in there twice, but I didn't see it."
"What about the fake Mask of Chaos?" Descole brought up. A bit of an odd thing to ask about now, but Elaine replied,
"I think it's locked away in a safe. Angela mentioned plans to put it on display in the Art Gallery for the eighteenth year anniversary."
"I see." Descole appeared thoughtful as he began stroking the horse's neck again. "Perhaps after the first 'miracle', they might try to hide the fake mask." Descole glanced at Elaine briefly. "Be a good puppy dear, and get that mask and bring it to me the first chance you get."
"Why would you want a fake mask, Dessy?" Descolestopped stroking the horse and slowly looked to Elaine.
"I'm sorry, what did you call me?"
"Dessy," Elaine responded. "If you're going to insist on calling me puppy, then I get to call you a childish nickname!"
"… My nickname was more creative."
"And you're capable of being childish." Elaine countered. A light smirk came to her face when Descole scowled.
"I am NOT childish, and I'll thank you not to repeat that."
An all but silently creaking of the metal door opening could just be about heard. Elaine looked sharply behind at the sudden noise and was a little un-eased when she saw a tanned man with a bushy mess of thick red hair around her age glance around wearily. Descole didn't seem too bothered though.
"Glad you could make it, Mr. Ascot." The man's eyes quickly landed on them. Elaine was slightly at eased knowing it was just Randall, but the circumstances of the meeting kept some tension.
"Sorry if I'm late. But you're directions were too great. Or easy to read."
"Can't blame him there." Elaine mumbled quietly. The fact that she had been able to make out Descole's handwriting at all was something to be considered amazing considering how his handwriting was just so… Atrocious wasn't the right word. Too extreme. But his capital 'b's' looked like the number thirteen, and it was a little hard to tell his 'y's' from his 'j's'.
"The night is still young." was all Descole said. If he was annoyed by Randall and Elaine's comments, he didn't show it. "Stay here and don't try to eavesdrop." Descole muttered as he passed by Elaine towards Randall. Elaine huffed and looked to the horse Descole had been petting. Hesitantly she moved her hand towards it slowly to pet it, but her hand was only halfway there when the horses trotted away from her.
"Sure. You'll let Descole pet you, but not me." Elaine grumbled bitterly to herself. You would think it would be the other way around, but nope. Descole just happens to be that bloody special with horses.
Whatever Descole was talking about with Randall seemed fairly hushed to her ears. No doubt mostly on Descole's part rather than Randall. During which Elaine just sat on a box with a bored expression, trying to keep herself entertained by making up humorous conversations between the horses in her mind. Making up scenarios like the one horse was cheating on his wife and having an affair while another were discussing which human in the room was the weirdest.
"Elaine." Elaine jumped and looked up at Descole.
"Do you always 'ave to surprise me?"
"Maybe not, but your surprised expression is rather nice." Elaine glared as she stood up.
"So where's Randall? Are we finished 'ere already?"
"Not quite," he replied. "He still has to put on his new attire."
"New attire?" How did Descole manage to make something so innocent sounding from a normal person's mouth sound so concerning and worrying? "And, what exactly is this 'new attire'?"
"Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?" Elaine past Descole to see Randall walking out from behind some boxes, looking at his clothes with some slight questioning. Wearing a spotless white suit with matching top hat with a type of veil that hid his hair. The only things to stand out were the lilac cravat and cane, and the mask he was currently holding. Likely to be worn later on.
The Mask of Chaos.
"It's the perfect disguise. Trust me." Descole assured him. Elaine bit her lip as she lingered her gaze on the mask with some discretion. She couldn't deny it. While she hated having been kidnapped by Descole, she did seem to get a type of VIP pass to certain archaeological sites and artefacts that archaeologists would kill for. And to see the Mask of Chaos…
"I suppose as long as Henry pays for what he's done to me, that's all that matters." Randall clenched his fists at the mention of Henry, as Descole discretely pressed the back of his foot onto Elaine's toes. The message was clear. 'Don't say anything. Don't even think it.'
"But of course. We wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case. Unfortunate as it may be." Randall gave a small smile to Descole. A grateful one.
"I suppose I owe you my gratitude then. And for helping me remember. Though one or two things are still a bit of a black blur."
"I'm sure they'll come back with time." Descole waved it off, appearing like he didn't want Randall to worry about it. That probably was true, but it could have just been for the benefit of himself.
"The first miracle will be next week, yes?"
"Yes. Along the main street. I'll have some people waiting in the alleyways so you should spot them."
"I'll be sure to be there. Thank you again, Descole. Elaine." Randall gave a nod to them each before he turned to leave. Halfway towards the door, he began to twirl the cane in his hand and whistling a cheerful tune to himself. Elaine looked up at Descole.
"You told 'im my name?"
"I just felt it right for him to know that you were my little insider for the Ledores and that he should be careful not to target you unless otherwise instructed."
"So you told 'im about-."
"Don't worry yourself about what he does or doesn't know. It's pointless." Descole took out his pocket watch briefly to check the time. "It's getting late. I may as well escort you home now."
"Escort me? 'Ow old do you think I am?" Elaine huffed. "I can walk back to Madeline's 'ome myself, merci beaucoup." Descole gave her an amused look and Elaine gritted her teeth for a moment. "You… You got lucky those times! And cheated! They don't count!"
"And you say I'm childish?" Descole questioned dryly.
"Oui! A childish garçon!"
"Well I'm still walking you back." Descole scoffed as he grabbed Elaine's hand. "It wouldn't be very gentlemanly for me to let a young lady walk by herself."
"Since when were you a gentleman?"
"I think you'll find that I am a very capable gentleman." Descole began walking, and pulled Elaine along with him lightly. "Now come along, puppy." Elaine went along, but not before spatting as her cheeks flushed,
"Fine, Dessy."