"So, I'm guessing he was too busy to visit peu vieux moi?" Elaine asked Raymond. It was the evening the eighteenth anniversary celebrations of Monte d'Or. She had gotten back to Madeline's from the Ledore home not too long ago, and found Raymond waiting not too far away and let the Scottish butler inside and, at her insistence, made them both tea.

"He did have to go over details for other plans." replied Raymond.

"Not surprising I suppose. It is 'im." Elaine mused as she twirled one of her fingers in the hair of the blonde wig now on the table. "Is the first miracle supposed to be tonight? It'd be nice to know if I should bother going out or not. I 'ave a bit of a 'eadache so I might stay in. But I supposed I can just take tablets." Elaine gave a small shrug.

"I think it is. Compared to the others I know of, it's perhaps the most simple."

"It's 'ard to imagine Descole doing anything simple." Elaine sipped some tea. She thought carefully over her next question before asking,

"Raymond, if you don't mind me asking, is there… Any particular reason you're so loyal to Descole? I doubt it's just because he pays well." Elaine gave a tiny smile with the last sentence as she intended it as a mild joke. Raymond gave a small smile back.

"Well, you're certainly right there. While I can't necessarily agree with his… methods, he isn't always the way he portrays himself. During those times, I sometimes think that's how my son could have been like."

"You 'ad a son?" Elaine couldn't hide her surprise. She usually talked more with Descole then Raymond (which was a bit odd now that Elaine thought about it. One would think that with Descole being her kidnapper that it would be the other way round), so it was a bit odd to try and fathom even what his life could have been before Descole.

"Sadly, no. I was never even married. Never did find the right girl."

"I'm sorry to 'ear that."

"Don't worry. Sometimes, these things just happen. And it's 'ardly the end of the world for me."

"True," Elaine agreed. "So, you basically see Descole as a sort of son?"

"That would be it, yes." Elaine hesitated again before asking,

"And… 'Ow was Descole when Lucy and Johanna were around?"

"… He was happy. His mind didn't seem anyway close to where it is now. But losing Lucy and then Johanna, it made him… I think bitter is the most gentle way to put it." Elaine repressed a snort. "Though, if you don't mind me saying, you do seem to have some kind effect on him. He seems to enjoy your company, even if he doesn't say it aloud."

"That's understandable. And if by some chance, anything does become… official, between Descole and I…"

"I wouldn't have a problem if that's what you're wondering," Raymond said. "I'm certain Lucy would be happy as well." Raymond looked to the clock on the wall and stood up. "Thank you for the tea, but I should be going now. But first, the master wanted me to give you this. Its plans needed on your part for the next miracle and I think if involves the art gallery." Descole had taken a blank envelope and handed it to Elaine.

"I'll look at it before I go to bed." Elaine mumbled. Taking the letter and putting inside the suit jacket.

Elaine still wasn't sure if she had really wanted to go, but the tablets she had taken for her headache had eased the pain enough for it to be nothing more but a nearly numb feeling. So, putting the wig back on, she decided she may as well go out and see what the celebrations were like.

They were definitely worth attending, Elaine decided after about half an hour of attendance. Bright, cheerful colours and lights standing out against the darkened sky, children's laughter towards clowns and the rather delicious smells wafting out from restaurants and cafés. Elaine also felt tempted to buy one of the costumes, or at least a masquerade mask.

Elaine was pretty much letting herself relax. With no sign that either of the Ledores would be attending, she felt she could let her guard down just enough. With the carnival parade in full swing, why shouldn't she try to enjoy herself? She did deserve a small reward… Sort of.

Elaine had been around the merchant district though when it happened. When the joy and cheer would then turn to panic and chaos.

There had been a bright flash of light in the sky, brighter than the rest. At first, Elaine decided it wasn't anything to think about. But then, one by one, people started to point out a figure standing dangerously on the ledge of one of the buildings. The white suite and Mask of Chaos alone made it clear to Elaine that Randall was here to play his role as the Masked Gentleman.

"Greetings, Monte d'Or," he called out in a flamboyant manner, waving his hand. "I do hope everyone is enjoying themselves on this little city's anniversary. And I want to show my appreciation the only way I know how~." A few people gave a few murmurs, possibly figuring this to be a surprise form of entertainment. Elaine imagined that Randall himself was grinning as he tapped his cane twice on the ledge, clicking his fingers on the second tap.

Without warning, the lights began to grow incredibly bright. Brighter than before and startling everyone including Elaine, and forcing nearly everyone to try and cover their eyes from the intensity. But even then it was hard not to be temporally blinded by the lights strength.

Just as quickly as the lights came, they soon lost their strength. No doubt a relief to most. Though Elaine was still blinking her eyes like most. Still seeing spots.

Neigh!

Elaine looked to her side and gave a sharp gasp of shock as she stepped back. She didn't recall the horse being there before. Especially one wearing a hat and scarf. There were gasps of shock and sounds of panic beginning to grow. Looking around her quickly, Elaine saw more horses, some wearing some article of clothing of some sort. The horses didn't look too happy either and seemed equally scared by the crowds. One or two kicking their feet up.

"Where happened?!"

"Where did the horses come from?!"

"My God, he turned them to horses!"

These were some of the cries Elaine heard and she quickly glanced to the ground around the horses. There were things on the ground such as handbags, hats and some pieces of paper. All the evidence seemed to point to the direction of the suggestion that was quickly becoming established as fact. The Masked Gentleman had turned several crowds' people into horses.

"Such a splendid trick, don't you all think?" Elaine had to admit, Randall really was getting into his role quite well. "But don't worry, dear people. This is not the last. I'll be back again for another one of my miracles, thanks to my Mask of Chaos! Until next time, I bid you all, adieu!" He retracted the cane and discretely hid it before folding his arms behind himself and casually leaned forward. Keeping his body straight until he began falling.

Elaine watched in horror along with everyone else. Had Randall gone mad?! What on earth was he doing?!"

But about halfway down to earth, something rather… unexpected happened. White wings, the kinds you would possibly associate with an angle came from his back, and before he could hit the ground, he glided over the crowds, doing a few loop-de-loops to show off before flying away into the nights. Leaving behind a disturbed yet strangely mesmerized crowd. The neighs of the horses slowly brought people back to remember the problem of people having been turned into horses, and panic began to grow again.

Elaine was frozen to the spot, only moving when the horse that had been next to her began to gallop away. She was uncertain what to do. Should she stay and wait for something else to happen, or should she call Henry and Angela to let them know what happened? Though that call might be a bit difficult. 'Allo, Monsieur Ledore a masked man wearing the Mask of Chaos just appeared and turned several crowds' people into horses. What should we do?'

It would possibly be funny later in the future, but not so much now.

Thinking on it, Elaine decided she had to call Henry. Madeline would have done it so that was something worth keeping in mind. Elaine managed to weave herself past people and the occasional startled horse. During the walk back to Madeline's house, Elaine slowly but surely began to calm down just enough for her to put things into perspective.

The horses were clearly the ones she had seen in the warehouse she had been in with Descole. As for how they replaced crowd members, Elaine felt that the only explanation was that the horses were hidden somewhere and when the lights were bright, they were let loose. Perhaps they were in the alleys? They were dark and not likely to be looked at when there was a carnival going on. It made logical sense.

Arriving back at Madeline's, Elaine felt shaken again but quickly composed herself and went to the phone. She felt thankful that Madeline left a notebook of phone numbers next to it. After finding and dialling the number, Elaine waited until she heard Henry's voice.

"Hello?"

"'Enry, there's a problem with the carnival at the market district."

Hope Elaine's view of the first 'miracle' was good for you guys :)

Also, remember when I said I had that idea of a Teacher!Elaine/Student!Descole fic? I'm still working on it, albeit it's kinda at a standstill at the moment, but I've had another one shot idea.

Death!Descole/Dying!Elaine! Basically, Descole's the Grim Reaper and Elaine is a dying person (ain't that cheerful and heatwarming? :D). Descole however gives Elaine an alternative. Death, or marrying him. Which would you choose? The idea just sort of came to me, whatcha think? :)