The days leading up to the next trip went by fast enough. Elaine was wondering though on how exactly they were to be traveling to Russia since she had strong suspicions that normal, public travel was out. Descole seemed to confirm this for her but he didn't really tell how they going. Elaine narrowed her ideas down to something that could fly to something involving breaking the law.
But whatever the theories in her mind led to, she actually felt for the first time ever since being kidnapped a sense of excitement when the day to leave came. Maybe it was the fact she hadn't been lucky enough to get any foreign digs and hadn't been abroad for holidays for about four years after a trip to Greece, or maybe it was because so far there was no signs to suggest that the trip in itself led to no suggestion that there would be any harm directly or indirectly done. It could end up just being a simple archaeological dig, which Elaine couldn't really object to. Maybe it would be a little tedious if she ended up having to do nothing but translate, but she didn't let that get her down.
Just as long as it was as tiring as translating the Wall of Norwell had been. She didn't want her hand to fall off thank you very much.
"So, 'ow much further are we?" Elaine asked in the cart. Despite the level of trust developed between her and Descole, he still insisted on her wearing a blindfold during the cart trip. And by insisted, it was more like he tied it around her eyes and slightly slapped her hand away whenever she tried to undo it.
"Not too far now. Just perhaps another half hour. Just be patient."
"And you would know about that, wouldn't you?" Elaine countered sarcastically.
"Of course I would. It just wears away on occasion." Elaine scoffed and leaned back in the seat. It felt like ages since they left and Elaine just wanted to see how they were making the rest of the trip already. The idea of traveling to Russia by horse and cart was amusing but rather idiotic.
"I think you'll actually like the transport. I believe the interior will be to your taste."
"Just as long as it's comfortable and doesn't end up becoming some kind of killing robot or something like some of your inventions, I think I'll be fine."
"Do you really expect that from me?"
"It's you. Why wouldn't I?" questioned Elaine as she turned her head to face Descole. Raising a brow behind the blindfold. "I don't trust you to make something without some sort of destructive edge, and I have to keep this blindfold on whenever we leave the house."
"You may have a point, but I feel more secure my home can't be found if no one but Raymond and I know where it is." Elaine suppressed a snort and just leaned her head back, waiting for the end of this long cart trip.
When the end did come, she wanted to get out already and stretch her legs. Descole however had other plans.
"Stay." He pressed on her shoulder to keep her seated. "I just have to talk with a person or two and then you can get out." She heard him step out. "Don't remove the blindfold, please. I want this to be a surprise for you." Hearing him walk away, Elaine grumbled under her breath but folded her arms, opting to play along with Descole's request. Besides, he did ask nicely for once.
Leaning her head against her fist, Elaine made a few attempts at whistling and failing that, soon switched to humming and light tapping a finger on the seat in tune. It was mostly quiet around her. She heard some small noise here and there and tried to pinpoint the familiarity of it. An airfield perhaps? Yes, the noises did sound similar to the noise expected at airfields of airports. So they were definitely traveling by air at least. That at least narrowed the next way of transport significantly. Probably a plane or copter.
"Elaine?" The sudden grab on her arm made Elaine yelp and jump a little, hitting her head on the ceiling of the cart. "Ow! Merde!" Elaine swore as she rubbed her swore head. She heard Descole chuckle and felt tempted to kick him.
"Not one of your most graceful moments, dear."
"Y-you surprised me!" Elaine said quickly. "So, are we going now?"
"Yes, we are."
"Enfin." Elaine sighed and stepped out of the cart before letting Descole lead her the next few feet before stopping and feeling him go behind her and begin to undo her blindfold. Elaine bit her lip as she felt some anticipation. She shut her eyes when the blindfold came off to ease her eyes to possible sudden light. Opening them, the sight before her was quite interesting.
The airship had a simple but wonderful design. The gondola of the airship was a shining red-orange, with a slight tint of brown on its underbelly, and its propellers sticking up until they were attached to the white blimp. Elaine couldn't help but gawk a little as she took it all in. It was definitely different from most airships. True, she hadn't seen too many airships this close. But those small details weren't too important.
"Impressed?" Recognising Descole's smug tone, Elaine flushed a little as she nervously cleared her throat.
"It's… a very nice airship," Elaine admitted. "So, I guess one of your many talents is flying?"
"… In a way…"
"What do you mean, 'in a way'?" Elaine looked sharply to Descole.
"Well, Raymond usually pilots." Well, that eased one concern of a non-too experienced pilot flying this thing. "But I am capable of taking the wheel now and then. Just not too often."
"Why?" Descole didn't look too keen to answer, but he mumbled something too low for Elaine to hear as he moved quickly to the steps to go inside. Elaine quickly followed after him. "Pardon? Why don't you take the wheel too often?"
"The first time he took the wheel, the ship was in danger of crashing." Raymond answered dryly, appearing from the door. This shot alarm bells in Elaine's mind. Her image of a perfectly safe and pleasant looking airship suddenly dashed against rocks.
"P-pardon?! Is this thing even safe?" Elaine actually took a step back before Descole grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Of course it's safe! It's just… Just…" Descole cringed, not looking too comfortable in the direction this conversation was going.
"It was a few months after we finished the test flights. The master decided to make a few adjustments in the engine room and as a result, one of the engines went out during the next flight. As such, I had to go fix it while master took control." Raymond actually seemed quite pale as he told this rather… 'interesting' tale. He didn't seem any keener on the story then Descole was, though in Descole's case it might have also had something to do with his pride and not just a possible near death experience.
"And… That won't 'appen again?" Elaine asked warily, looking at Descole with uncertainty. Said man just scoffed.
"Of course it won't happen again."
"I believe you said that after the first time." Raymond had just said it loud enough for them to hear before he went inside the ship. Elaine felt some of the excitement leave her, and Descole appeared to have quickly sensed.
"Oh, come now, Elaine. I haven't done anything to the engine room so it's perfectly safe for us to be inside." Elaine was reluctant, but gave in.
"If we do die, I'll make you pay for it," Elaine muttered as she followed Descole inside, said man closing the door after her.
The inside was comfortable looking, spacious and almost seemed more like a cabin a cruise ship. White wall, wooden floors and a cosy, richly purple couch with plenty of space for a small group. Elaine couldn't deny that the design was tasteful as well as giving a comfortable, and slightly homely feel. Raymond was already at the controls on a small deck. Preparing to launch and continue on with the long journey that was expected.
"Skies are clear, so we might make it to Russia by tomorrow, though it may be dark by the time we get there." Descole told Elaine as they sat down on the couch.
"If the beds are as comfortable as this couch, I think I can wait that long." Elaine replied.
"Have you ever flown before?"
"Only once, to Greece." Elaine shrugged. It wasn't a lie. When her family moved to England, they took a ferry across. "It's safe to say that it wasn't as 'igh class as this though."
"Thank you. I designed it myself." Descole smirked.
"Then 'ow come you apparently nearly caused two crashes?" Elaine took on Descole's smirk when it left his face.
"It was only two times."
"I fear there could have been a third if I hadn't stopped him." Elaine giggled a bit as Descole held a hand to his face after Raymond's remark. Moments like these did have an enjoyment to them.
"So, those this ship 'ave a name?" Descole gave a light smile as he tipped his hat.
"This, is the Bostonius, dear."
Remember that one shot idea I had involving Elaine, Descole and Targent? I did it. Called it 'It Could Have Happened' (Not my best named fic). Hope you like :)
Also, I posted another Descole/Elaine picture on my Deviantart account. 'A Little More Descole/Elaine'. Hope you also like :D