In the days that did follow Monte d'Or, Elaine could say it was surprising how Descole wasn't usually showing his signs of rage. First day or two, she put it down to tiredness. After that, it became a little concerning. She didn't want to think she should be worried as she had never actually seen him so soon after a loss. But the expectations she had for it still lingered.

Raymond however was able to explain that Descole usually took his anger and frustration out on the causer right when the incident occurs, and that anything left over was used in his motivation the next plan. Considering Descole's behaviour up to now, it did make sense. He could still hold a grudge, and no doubt his grudge against this 'Targent' group and their leader was strong and not likely to just go away anytime soon until Descole did whatever it took to secure vengeance.

The question now was, 'what was Descole's next plan?'

He hadn't given her anything to translate yet. But that didn't mean there was not going to be any. She was certain that as soon as Descole found another Azran artefact or remains or such, he would give them to her to translate. Elaine would probably procrastinate in doing so, even if it wouldn't be as slow as normal.

Descole kept himself occupied in his office most of the days, while Elaine spent her time in the library. They would usually see each other at least once a day. Usually in the parlour in the evenings. There would be some light chat, and Descole would often play a little piano.

It was comfortable, what they had. It was definitely a relationship, Elaine was certain without doubt about that. However, she knew that if there was no relationship, she would be here against her will. She may have grown to consider this place a home of sorts, but the facts were still there. She was originally here as a prisoner. Even if that felt less and less true with each passing day.

It was probably good that whatever she and Descole had, it was going at a slow and steady pace. It was needed for both of them. Elaine to get used to the fact she had grown to care for Descole in a closer way than expected, and Descole to get used to the idea of having someone who was not Lucy by his side.

Yes. Things were going peacefully. Of course it wasn't perfect. But for all spats and fights past, present and future, they seemed to work together well for the time being.

"Elaine?" Elaine woke with a small start and blinked the sleep from her eyes. She had been reading in the library and just shut her eyes for a moment. She hadn't expected to fall asleep like that. She looked up at Descole and wiped some sleep from her eyes.

"Descole? Wh-what time is it?" Elaine asked in a slight mumble.

"About quarter to midnight." He responded. "I figured I may as well wake you up. I doubt the couch is that comfortable of a sleeping spot."

"Could 'ave been a worse way to wake me up I suppose." Elaine sat up straighter from her previous slouch and carefully close the book that had been held loosely in her hands and placed it next to her.

"I suppose shaking you would have been quicker, but then you would just complain about it."

"And justifiable." Elaine retorted back. Descole just hummed before he looked towards the window and took a few steps towards it before stopping.

"It looks pleasant outside." Descole commented. Elaine turned her head to look out the window. It was dark unsurprisingly. But weather-wise, there was no storm, rain, snow or even a sound of strong wind.

"I suppose it is." Elaine agreed. Stretching her arms before standing up to putting her book back on the shelf.

"Care to go out for a walk?" Elaine turned to look at Descole, who was still looking outside. She had never been outside this house for anything other than Descole's reasons, ever. To be given that chance now, even for a short time…

"You're serious?" Elaine questioned, slightly hesitant.

"Of course. I wouldn't have bothered bringing it up if I wasn't." Descole snorted. Elaine huffed slightly and looked back outside again.

"I… Oui. Assuming you don't 'ave anything else in mind, a walk would be nice."

"Good to hear." Turned around and began walking to the door leading to the hall, grabbing Elaine's hand in a light grip and pulled her along with him.

"I can walk just fine. I don't need you to 'old my 'and." Elaine said as she tried to tug her hand away.

"Do I look foolish? I'm not risking you making any escape attempts." Descole retorted as he stopped outside the front door and began to unlock it.

"You don't know I would."

"Neither do I know you won't." he countered, before the door was unlocked and opened, and he tugged Elaine outside with him and shut the door behind him. Elaine grumbled to herself as she looked out to the trees.

"Won't Raymond wonder where we are?"

"I told him I was thinking of walking out tonight anyway, and he'll probably just assume you're somewhere around the house or with me." Descole replied before he walked down the steps from the front door, Elaine coming down with him. He paused at the bottom and looked around, probably deciding on where exactly to go before he began to walk left, where the trees were a bit further away from the house.

"I don't see the need to pull me along like a child."

"You're capable of acting like a child so why not?" Elaine glared at Descole.

"You could just say you wanted to 'old my 'and."

"I'm just keeping you from running away." Descole insisted calmly. Elaine wasn't too convinced though, but she didn't say anymore on the matter.

Elaine never thought until know why she hadn't been more curious about the woods. With everything else happening though, she supposed she just never let herself stare out at the trees from her bedroom window and wonder about them. While she had yet to see any nocturnal mammal scurrying about to find food or shelter, the hoot of a distant owl could be heard along with a few caws of crows. With there barely being any light apart from the moon, the walk was a bit more eerie then probably intended.

"So, 'ave you always lived 'ere?" Elaine asked. "You know, when you left your family? Went to college and had Lucy?"

"No," Descole replied, though a bit hesitant. "I lived in a small flat for a short time during my first year. About halfway through I got an inheritance from my deceased adoptive parents and lived in their house until I finished my studies. I bought a bigger home after that for Lucy and I."

"Adoptive?" Elaine asked with interest. "I thought you said your father was still alive though?"

"It's… A bit complicated." Descole answered, a light sneer on his face as he said it. 'Bit complicated' was likely an understatement. "I… don't really like to talk about it. Maybe someday, but certainly not now."

"Desole. So, er… What 'appened then?"

"Johanna was taken," Descole replied. "I couldn't live in the same house after that incident. Certainly couldn't considering my currently less than pleasant acquaintanceship with the law. So I looked for a more secluded home under a false name, and… Well, here we are." Descole said, gesturing around them. Elaine looked around them and after a moment or so, she asked,

"So, do you come out to these woods often?"

"Not enough to be considered a habit. But I do like to walk out here sometimes." Descole paused their walk. "It's peaceful… Sometimes, I need moments like these I think." Elaine didn't say anything, not having a comment in mind to make. They began walking again. "… It's a shame there's no river or lake nearby," he mused. "It probably would have look splendid tonight."

"Well, the trees are nice," Elaine commented as she glanced at a few. "And I really adore that wonderful forest smell."

"It is quite refreshing. Nice and crisp."

They continued their light chat, enjoying the current, unspoiled weather. However, tiny drops of water started to come down though the high tree branches, and Descole scowled as he dragged Elaine towards one of the trees as the drops became heavier and heavier.

"Drat! I was so sure it wasn't going to rain!" Elaine kept a comment to herself about he was certain about other things that didn't pan out too well.

"So what do we do? Stay 'ere or run back to the 'ouse?" Elaine asked. While the branches over them were keeping a majority of the rain off of them, the occasional change of wind direction did start getting them wet every so often.

"I can't say for certain." Descole muttered. "If this turns into a thunderstorm, we'll have no choice but to run back, otherwise we'll have to wait here for a while and see if anything changes." Elaine gave an uncertain look towards the sky. It didn't look like it would ease anytime soon. The cold didn't do much to raise spirits either.

"… It may be best if we just run." Descole muttered after some time. His impatience winning over as he untied his cloak from around his neck and held it over himself and Elaine. "Grab onto my arm, and prepare to run."

Elaine didn't need to be told twice and quickly gripped onto his arm. No sooner had she did Descole break into a run, Elaine nearly stumbling and having to put extra effort into moving her legs to keep up with Descole's speed. It was a wonder she hadn't tripped over anything and that there were no accidents.

While Descole's cloak did provide some degree of shelter, the wind had worked against them and as such, by the time they arrived at the front doors of his home, they were soaked to the bone.

"M-Master?!" Raymond actually looked a little shocked when he came into the hall and found Descole and Elaine wet from the rain. Clothes clinging to their bodies and Elaine's hair clinging to her neck as she quickly moved up the stairs. Mumbling about taking a hot bath as she rubbed her freezing arms. Descole looked more nonchalant however.

"Just a little damp, Raymond."