"This one's sweet," Emmy commented as she held up a pink jacket with crossed red criss-crossed lines as she held it up in front of Aurora in front of the mirror. Elaine hummed and shuck her head. She and Emmy were still in the clothes shop after nearly fifteen minutes, trying to find something good for Aurora. Professor Layton and Luke had decided to wait outside. Elaine couldn't really blame them. While it could be fun to shop for clothes with friends, it could be pretty at times. Sometimes the collection available be taken into account. At least in Elaine's opinion.
"The pink is nice, but I think the lines ruin it." Emmy tilted her head as she looked at Aurora's reflection.
"You may have a point. What do you think, Aurora?" Aurora looked a little surprised by Emmy's question, and a little unsure how to answer.
"I… I think I agree with you both. Though I think I'll be happy with whatever you both pick," Aurora answered.
"It doesn't exactly work if you don't like it," Elaine pointed out before looking through another rack and picking out a deep violet tank top, and held it up for Emmy to inspect. "This maybe?"
"It looks a bit too dark, honestly," Emmy said.
"I think I actually prefer the lighter colour clothes," Aurora brought up.
"Okay, something lighter then." Elaine scanned the clothes on the racks she was looking at. A few light and pale coloured tops caught her eyes, but Emmy was the first to spot something.
"I think this will look nice," Emmy chirped as she held up a peach coloured top. Elaine looked at it and nodded in approval.
"Oui, I think it'll look perfect on you Aurora. And I think…" Elaine trailed off as her eyes moved elsewhere and quickly took down a pair of light green shorts. "These will go well with it too."
"If you're certain," Aurora said. She did seem to like what Elaine and Emmy had picked out so far if her face was anything to judge.
"Good. Now just try them on in the changing room over there, and Elaine and I will look for some shoes," Emmy said as she handed both items of clothing to Aurora and directed her to the changing room. Once that was done, she looked to Elaine. "So, any shoes in mind?"
"I think simple would be best," Elaine suggested. "Maybe some tennis shoes or sandles."
"Welll…" Emmy wandered over to the shoes and looked over them before picking out a pair of simple black trainers. "I think these will do. White socks ought to work with these and the clothes."
"Indeed," Elaine agreed. "Maybe a little accessory too, perhaps?"
"Couldn't hurt," Emmy agreed as she looked around before spotting the accessories and walked over to them followed by Elaine. "So, what to pick, what to pick?"
"'Ow about… this?" Elaine suggested as she picked out a blue grey ribbon. "It can be practical to tie up 'er 'air, and it matches 'er eyes."
"Perfect," Emmy nodded. "We'll just wait for her to get changed into what she has."
"We'll be done before you know it."
"So, while we're alone… Are you sure there isn't even a little spark between you and Professor Sycamore?" Emmy teased. Elaine briefly considered maybe playing along a little, but decided for the moment to play innocent.
"I 'onestly 'ave no idea what you're talking about," Elaine brushed it off. "Whatever signals you're getting to this supposed 'spark', you may need to fix your receiver to get a clearer image of them."
"He doesn't seem the type to just let anyone hold his daughter. Especially after so long apart." Emmy may have had a small point there. "And you two do seem… Closer than one would expect." Damn it, were they obvious?
"We did spend time together in that cave before you, Professeur Layton and Luke showed up. We were able to get along. Besides, aren't there more important things then my love life to worry about?" Elaine asked in a dry tone.
"Doesn't mean I can't tease you a little," Emmy joked. Elaine couldn't help but smile a little. Emmy did have a likable personality, and Elaine's only regret was that they had only met three years previous and had so little time to talk to one another, in between investigations and kidnappings.
"Just be careful, or I'll 'ave to use my kick boxing skills on you." Emmy snorted at that.
"I would win hands down."
"Mmm." Elaine thought it over. "You are physically strong in your arms and legs from what I've 'eard. My strength may focus on my legs, but that doesn't mean I don't stand a chance against you. I just need to think it through carefully if we do ever fight."
"If we get the chance, we could always spar," Emmy suggested. "A friendly little match."
"Then I look forward to it."
"I'm ready." Both women looked to the dressing room Aurora had gone to and saw her in her new clothes. As both women suspected, Aurora did look good in her new clothes, and they did suit her well.
"You look nice. Now here are some shoes and socks," Emmy said, handing over the trainers and a pair of socks she had grabbed. "Once you have them on, we'll work on your hair."
"Um… Okay." After Aurora put on said socks and trainers, Elaine began fixing the young girl's hair. Working with it until she found a style that worked. Just a simple high ponytail with some hair sticking out in front of the girl's forehead.
"I think we did a good job." Emmy grinned. "Maybe if archaeology and being an assistant doesn't work out for us, we could consider working together in fashion."
"Interesting choice, but I think I don't appreciate fashion enough to make it a career choice."
"Do I, really look okay?" Aurora asked, observing herself in the mirror. "Won't this make me stick out more?"
"It might look a bit to you, but trust us when we say you look good," Emmy assured before picking up Aurora's dress from the changing room. "Now we just have to pay and we can start buying some food for the trip!"
Aurora appeared to gain a bit more confidence in her new attire by Emmy's words. Made better when Professor Layton and Luke agreed after they paid and left the boutique. She even seemed a bit more comfortable around people with her new clothes.
Food shopping itself hadn't been tedious. They bought enough supplies to last them for long enough until they would have to buy more which would probably be about… Two or three trips, maybe?
"You really didn't have to carry the bags, Elaine," said Professor Layton, raising a brow at the bags Elaine had insisted on carrying for them containing supplies. Elaine just shrugged.
"I don't mind. I've carried bags of tools, books and paper for archaeology. I think I can 'andle carrying food." Plus carrying bags for that lazy Desmond helped too.
"But-."
"I know you're trying to be polite, and so am I," Elaine cut across. "So just accept it."
"We have everything we need anyway," Emmy said as she scanned through the list. "So I think it's safe to say we're ready to return to the Bostonius now." Emmy looked across the street and surprise took her face. "Wait, isn't that-."
A literal blur went by, the running figure almost unrecognisable, before heading towards an alleyway. But Elaine managed to pick up the word 'Targent' and tensed. She knew Targent would be looking for them to catch Aurora, but could they honestly have found them this soon?
"Wow, Inspector Grosky was running faster than ever," Luke remarked in wonder. Ah. Elaine thought something about the blur was familiar. "I wonder who he was chasing down that alley."
"Maybe some of us should go after 'im," Elaine suggested. "I can take all of these bags to the Bostonius for us."
"Yes, that would probably be a good idea," Professor Layton agreed. "We'll meet you back at the ship as soon as possible."
Was it bad of Elaine to make that suggestion? It didn't feel too bad. If a fight did breakout, holding bags of food would just look plain ridiculous and get in the way. Besides, Emmy could probably handle whatever trouble Grosky was running after. And it couldn't hurt to try and give Desmond the head's up about the mention of Targent here. It might be worthwhile.
Back at the Bostonius, Desmond was already outside, holding onto Johanna's hand as he talked to her. Walking towards them, Elaine assumed it the conversation was something to do with the Bostonius, and as she got within hearing distance it seemed to be just the case.
"… Will the ship be okay? Raymond said you nearly caused it to crash twice and attempted a third.
"He was over exaggerating," Desmond assured. Not sounding too convincing to Elaine's ears. Desmond then looked behind his shoulders to see Elaine and smiled briefly before frowning. "Good to see you, Elaine. Though, may I enquire as to why the others…"
"Chased after Inspector Grosky. 'E was chasing after someone and I offered to bring the bags back while they went after him."
"Who was 'e chasing?" Desmond asked, his frown deepening.
"'E was yelling about Targent, and there's been a robbery at the museum." Desmond immediately looked to Johanna and said,
"Could you wait inside for a minute? Elaine and I just need to talk in private for a moment."
"Yes, papa." Johanna nodded and went inside the Bostonius. Assured she was out of earshot, Desmond looked to Elaine with narrowed eyes.
"Do you think Targent could have been behind it?"
"I don't think it would be too surprising. Aurora said she sensed something there and we thought it could 'ave been Azran artefacts," Elaine replied. "And since Inspector Grosky is apparently looking for at least one person apart of Targent, I believe it would be justifiable to believe them to be connected."
"I wonder if they're on to Bloom," Desmond wondered and Elaine inwardly groaned. She had forgotten all about Bloom.
"Maybe not Bloom, but maybe aware of some sort of mole in Scotland Yard. I can't believe I didn't remember him. We should tell the Professeur as soon as-."
"No, no," Desmond cut across. "I… think it might be best if for the moment, you keep quiet about that."
"Why? There's no reason not to."
"I know, but how much can words alone prove anything? Would Layton and his friends believe you? More than likely. But then we have to consider the rest of Scotland Yard. Bloom is considered a prodigy there as well as a spy. He's earned some degree of respect and coming from you alone with just words, it would be hard to prove anything." It… made some sense. There was some logic to it. To hear from a curator/archaeologist who's been kidnapped twice, and even went to therapy (even if it was reluctant) before she was kidnapped the second time, that someone like Bloom was a traitorous rat… It didn't paint too well in her favour.
"And what if 'e sees me? 'E might still be bitter about the severe kicking I gave 'im back at Monte d'Or." Elaine smirked a little at the memory. Such a good time that was.
"As long as you're not alone, he can't do anything or say anything without incriminating himself," Desmond pointed out. "The most we can do for now is see what happens, and if Layton does somehow end up investigating the museum theft, it could end up leading to Bloom. He'll be arrested and we won't have to say anything else." Elaine raised a brow at that. Putting the bags down, she folded her arms.
"The way you say it all almost makes it sound like I'm supposedly 'elpless." Desmond groaned and pinched his nose.
"I'm not saying you're helpless, I'm just trying to be realistic and cautious. I'll admit what I suggested might be over thinking it. But we can't exactly take chances, especially now." Elaine still had a brow raised.
"I still don't like the way you said it. And it still doesn't explain why I shouldn't tell the Professeur." Desmond sighed, and conceded.
"Elaine, just… If you get a chance to bring it up, without having to be asked too many questions, then I suppose there wouldn't be too much trouble in telling them."
"Now you're just making it sound like I need your permission to do anything."
"You're trying to be difficult with me, aren't you?"
"Maybe," Elaine said before picking up the bags again and shoving some in one hand into a slightly surprised Desmond's. "But you can make yourself useful and not have someone carry things for you for once."