The time spent in the cavern was perhaps one of the more enjoyable moments of work in the last two and a half plus years, which involved Desco… Desmond. There was also only so much work that could be possibly done to progress. But progress was progress regardless of how much. Plus with little sign of Targent even being in the country, or any other sort of worry that stemmed from Desmond's schemes, Elaine could say she hadn't felt as pressured as she could have been.

"Well, from what we've been able to find we can at least determine that the girl has been here for at least 1.2 million years," Desmond said on night. As much work as possible done and food eaten, there was some time to talk before sleep was absolutely needed as they sat on their sleeping bags. The ice being the only source of light apart from the lanterns when they had been on previously. "And since we have yet to get even a fragment of that ice chipped off, I think it's fair enough to say that it is definitely not normal, and she may have been frozen for a reason."

"Maybe she 'ad some kind of illness and they didn't 'ave a cure then so they froze until one was found?" Elaine suggested.

"It's… possible, I suppose," Desmond admitted. "I wouldn't say it's a strong theory, but I suppose since we can't say when she was frozen, we can't just assume they had the answer to every single illness possible." Looking to the frozen girl, he raised a brow. "Though, if your theory was correct, we would still have to ask why she was frozen in a cave."

"The ecosystem for Azran was different around 'er time. It couldn't be far off to say that this area 'ere was completely back then."

"Maybe, but I'd still like a stronger theory."

"So picky," Elaine muttered. She was never picky with theories unless they just seemed so unrealistic or had a more rational explanation. "Okay. 'Ow about… Some kind of science experiment? The Azrans were said to 'ave been technologically advanced. Maybe this was some kind of experiment? Or an accident even?" Desmond drummed his fingers on the ground as he hummed lightly to himself.

"I… The former would be a bit more realistic I think since the surface of the ice seems to be almost, perfectly flat." Desmond put a hand to his chin. "Or perhaps, she was frozen sometime shortly before the Azrans died out. We don't know how it happened, but they must have had some time before their extinction to perhaps freeze some of their own for safety."

"Wouldn't we 'ave seen others then? If not, couldn't someone else 'ave found them?" Desmond frowned.

"Yes. I suppose you're right." Giving a slightly annoyed sigh, he took off his glasses to rub his face briefly. "Everything will be clear once we get her out. I can't say for certain what will happen, but we'll just have to adapt to it quickly."

"What if it turns out this is some kind of major joke from the Azrans?" Elaine asked dryly. "Sometimes the simplest answers are the answers, non?" Desmond scowled lightly at this.

"If that is the case, it would be the most awful joke I've ever heard."

"I take you've never really listened to your own jokes then?"

"My jokes are funny!"

"They don't make me laugh."

"But they could. I even thought up a new one this morning."

"Please don't. I don't want anymore," Elaine groaned. Ever since Desmond tried that first 'joke' about the medical student every few days or so, Desmond would tell a new joke he came up with in order to get her to laugh.

Needless to say, they were quite hard to put up with.

"It's a good one." Desmond was almost giving a pout and Elaine sighed. No harm in humouring him.

"Alright, let's 'ear it then." Desmond smiled and sat up a little straighter.

"Okay. So a farmer is reading the paper one morning and finds an interesting article. In it, it states that cows that are treated in a certain way can in fact, it can in effect the taste of the milk. Since he is a dairy farmer with plenty of cows, he sees this as a good opportunity to make a profit for the farm.

"The farmer believes that if the cows are given the best treatment possible, it will make their milk the best. So he decides to test with one cow first. He picks his favourite one and begins to give her the best treatment possible. The farmer bought the most expensive hay he good buy that was even imported, gave her daily baths and treats and even dressed her up a little in ribbons, hats and bells.

"Finally, the day of milking came. The farmer is excited and as soon as his favourite cow is milked, he gives it to his wife so she can be the first one to taste it. 'How does it taste?' asks the farmer. The wife replied, 'It's spoiled.'"

"… Are you sure these are meant to be jokes, and not just boring stories?" Elaine asked, holding back a cringe from her face. She was willing to at least try and lessen the blow this time. Desmond huffed.

"As if your jokes would be any better."

"My funniest ones sound funnier when said en francais," Elaine said dryly. "And they would still be funnier than your jokes."

"So I'm guessing even pretending to enjoy them won't work?"

"No. If anything, they are a lesser example of your capabilities of evil." Desmond raised an eyebrow here, not like that was a realistic example.

"A bit of an over exaggeration, don't you think?"

"If it is, I'm sure I can be forgiven." Desmond rolled his eyes, but the subject was dropped. The tinkling water from the ceiling into the pools of water echoed out. It had a relaxing effect, though it also made the chamber feel emptier then it was.

"… I think it would be best to send a letter to letter to Layton now."

"But won't 'e recognise you? You did mention knowing him at Misthallery."

"If he hasn't recognised me by now, he never will unless I spell it out for him."

"And you won't?"

"I'd rather not." Desmond looked away. "Though, I might. Hardly now though." Desmond looked back to Elaine. "Tomorrow, I'd like you to write the letter to Layton. I'll look over it and add details of travel and contact, and then we'll have Raymond post it."

"Look over it?" Elaine asked aloud. "Afraid I'll add something incriminating?"

"Not necessarily, but it can't hurt," was the only response given as Desmond checked his pocket watch briefly. "It's getting late. We may as well get to sleep now."

"Oui. It gets a bit chillier at night anyway," Elaine commented as she slipped into her sleeping bag.

"That's what you get for wearing a light shirt and sandals."

"This coming from the person who's wearing a suit?" Desmond paused at this.

"… Touché, but I'm still better dressed then you."

"I wear shoes outside and it's warmer 'ere when it's not night," Elaine grumbled as she zipped herself in, appreciating the warmth the bed substitute provided. Halfway zipped, Elaine looked back to Desmond. "I'll write that letter tomorrow. But I want to write one to my famille as well." Desmond tightened his lips at this. At first, Elaine figured he was going to disagree and they would end up having at the least a small argument. Unexpectedly however, he nodded.

"Alright. That sounds fair enough. But I want to look over that letter as well before sending it."

"What, I can't be trusted to write to my family?" Elaine's eyes narrowed.

"It's not that, I just wanted to make sure you don't slip something."

"In other words, you really don't trust what I'll write no matter who it's for. Well fine. I'll write my letters and shove them in front of you. I'll even write them both in English, just for you, you lousy nosey-!"

"I'm nosey?" Desmond repeated, glaring. "You're the one who went into my office, tried to find out about my personal life, and I'm the nosey one?"

"I… I…" Elaine's lip was quivering, not able to come up with a reasonable enough response, As much as she didn't want to think it, Desmond did have a point. Said man smirked, seeing his triumph. "St-stop smirking like that!" Elaine had aimed to jab her finger in his chest, but in her haste she ended up poking his stomach. He tightened his jaw and sounded like he was suppressing some sort of sound. Elaine stared for a moment.

"… Desmond? Are… Are you ticklish there?"

"No!" Desmond said this a little too quickly and Elaine couldn't stop herself from grinning.

"You are~."

"I am not!"

"Yes. You. Are," Elaine chirped, poking his stomach for each word as Desmond tried to suppress some form of laughter. After a few more pokes, he gave a low, shaky chuckle and tried to push Elaine's hands away. But Elaine was determined and continued her poking regardless. Desmond's shaky laughter got a bit louder and Elaine couldn't stop herself from smiling if she wanted too as she soon moved onto full on tickling.

Desmond broke out into full laughter and tried to push Elaine away, but the tickling sensation seemed to weaken his strength temporally.

"Stop! Stop, stop!"

"Make me!"

Elaine felt fairly smug about this, enjoying the tiny power she briefly had over Desmond. She only wished she discovered it sooner while he was dressed as Descole. That would have certainly been interesting.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Desmond seemed to gain the strength to push Elaine to the ground, and held her arms down as he breathed to catch his breath.

"I… I really shouldn't be letting you get away with this. But it's late." Breathing back to normal, Desmond let go of her and went back into his own sleeping bag.

"It doesn't mean I won't catch you some other time."