It was just the Professor and Luke who could stop Bronev now. She couldn't really bring herself to leave Descole alone while he was still conscious. Or maybe, she wanted some kind of break from this madness. Was that shellfish of her? She had faith in the Professor to be able to do something, to get through the rest of the chambers until they found Bronev.
What was she thinking? There wouldn't be a break here. She couldn't make herself relax, and even if she did somehow, she could never fully relax.
"Are you still 'urting badly?" Elaine asked, finally breaking their silence.
"The pain's… numbed. A bit," Descole replied. "I'm not going to die though, if that's your concern."
"But the guardians… You said…"
"Well, it's not exactly the first time I've been… mistaken, before." Descole forced a small smirk up to Elaine. "It might also help that this cloak of mine isn't just for dramatic effect." Elaine looked at the cloak and held some of it in her fingers.
"Feels normal to me."
"Considering everything we've seen up to now, I doubt a cloak able to survive damage such as fire would be improbable."
"And was there a time before now that came in use?"
"Not exactly, but I feel my need to be prepared for anything when I took the name Jean Descole came in use."
"Maybe we should look at your back though. Just in case," Elaine suggested. Descole appeared to think it over before nodding.
"Very well. I suppose it couldn't hurt to see if there's much damage." Descole reached up to untie the bow of his cloak. Once undone, it dropped to the floor with a soft thump. Elaine helped Descole to lie on his side. Looking at the cloak, she grimaced as she saw a hole in it big enough for a fist to punch through, the rim of it burned black. Looking to the back of Descole's suit, it looked to be in a similar condition, though the hole was much smaller to the one in the cloak.
"Whatever material you used, that cloak 'as a 'ole in it now."
"I suppose given how our technology would be behind the Azran in most areas, this was probably to be expected," Descole muttered. "My suit?"
"Not in such condition. I'm not sure if you'll replace the jacket or not. It could be fixable, but I'm no tailor," Elaine replied as she pulled the back of the jacket up. There was some burning on his back from where he was hit. It wasn't so bad around the outer edges, looking more like a sunburn. However, as it moved inwards it steadily got worse with blisters on it reached the centre where it appeared he would definitely need treatment. Elaine swallowed.
"It could 'ave been much worse," she murmured. "Much… Much worse."
"How bad is it then? Any veins or bone showing? Skin charred?" Descole questioned.
"No," Elaine replied back. "The centre of it might need to be looked at by Raymond. If not him, by a more experienced medic." Descole slowly eased back onto his back after his suit jacket was pulled down again.
"Not the first time I've been lucky." He looked up at Elaine. "You seem to be taking the truth of everything quite well."
"'Onestly, I'm still unable to get over the shock I do feel about it all. But there are still questions."
"Ask away then. Not like I have much else to hide now," Descole replied.
"All those times you could 'ave killed the Professeur. Why?" Descole sighed.
"Well, in Misthallery when I cornered the Professor and his lackeys, I was hoping they would just run, or at least I could hit one of the close by buildings at the right angle to cause just enough damage to make them stop. You choking me with you handcuffs was far from what I had in mind though," he explained dryly.
"And Ambrosia?" Elaine had to raise a brow there. "You did almost KILL the Professeur there."
"I… I suppose I was just letting my emotions get the better of me. Perhaps during that time I just went insane from being so close, but denied. I just forgot everything." Descole looked up towards Elaine.
"Monte d'Or? Well… As much as I hate to admit it, you were right. I was mostly working off of presumptions there. Even if everything worked out. For a while."
Elaine thought all of this through. It still wasn't excusable for everything he's done. But… They were… Understandable. Sort of.
"I suppose we've given each other plenty of scares today though, yes?" Descole asked with some weak mirth.
"Tch, you're the one who's scared me today. Jumping off buildings, onto moving planes and nearly getting yourself killed," Elaine listed. "The only way I scared you at all was getting shot, and it went through my arm." Elaine glanced to her arm. Some blood had stained the handkerchief but other than that, there was no much else wrong. As far as she knew at least.
Maybe she should get it looked at too. Just in case.
"But at least that gave us another thing in common," Elaine mused. "Getting shot by Bronev during a rescue attempt of a child."
"Not something I would consider a real thing to bond over." Descole grabbed onto Elaine's hand. "If Johanna had looked different, I sometimes fear he would have killed her. Just to spite me."
"What makes you say that?"
"She looks like my mother," Descole answered. "If it wasn't for her having my eyes or her mother's hair colour, she would be almost an exact replica of her."
"So, you think the reason he couldn't kill her was because he looked too much like his wife?"
"That's what I want to believe. I, reluctantly, considered the possibility of a more… 'Disturbing' reason. But Johanna never seemed to show signs of such possibilities being done her, so likely the former idea is more likely."
"Maybe what Emmy told Luke was right. There might still be some level of good in 'im," said Elaine. "It's a long shot though. You 'owever…"
"Don't be stupid," Descole scoffed. "I am hardly anything but a villain."
"You care for your daughter," Elaine said slightly louder. "You planned to rescue 'er once you got your chance, and once you saw it you went for it. And she looked so grateful to be back in your arms when you were on the shores of Lake Kodh. Plus, you saved Luke. Despite 'ow 'e treated you, you risked yourself." Elaine gave him a slight smile that was meant to be teasing. "Face it. Despite it all, you do 'ave a noble and brave personality. They just need their moments in order to shine."
"Whatever helps you sleep in peace."
"There was that advice you gave to Julien," Elaine then added in. "You seemed genuinely anxious to wake the adults of Mosinnia. Or maybe on a subconscious level, you wanted to do through those actions things you weren't able to do in the past."
"Such as…?"
"Well, respectfully, saving your wife and your parents." Elaine expected a snide comment. Instead, he seemed to take all of this into consideration.
"You could be right. I didn't realise you had any interest in psychology."
"Mild at most. A friend let me keep 'er psychology text books after we graduated."
"… You know… You didn't have to stay here with me," said Descole in a gentle tone. "I… As of now, you're free to go. You're no longer my hostage. You can choose what you want to do now, and I won't even try to fight it."
"… Then unless I feel I'm needed, or until you go unconscious, I'm staying 'ere," Elaine said firmly. "I don't want to lose you."
"… Thank you." Descole sounded like he was holding something back. "Thank you, for everything you've done for me up to now." He moved a hand up to her cheek and stroked it softly with his thumb. "You've become so much to me, Elaine."
" I could say the same for you, mon cher," Elaine replied as she reached down to hold onto a hand of his. They looked to one another before Descole slowly pulled her face down towards his until their lips met into a kiss. His sweet smelling cologne almost gave Elaine some comfort then.
After pulling away, Descole gave her what felt like an intent look.
"… I love you."
Elaine's mouth dropped a little at those words. Simple words but yet meant so, so much to her right now. She reached a hand out to cup Descole's cheek, fingers briefly tracing over his jaw.
"Je t'aime aussi," Elaine murmured, before repeating in English, "I love you, also."
Descole gave a small smile. A kind one. Desmond's smile.
"I'm happy to hear that." Descole took Elaine's hand from his cheek and kissed the knuckles of it. "… Stay with me?"
"Pardon?"
"Stay with me?" Descole repeated. "When all this is over, presuming we make it. You and I could explore the world together. Find adventure and solve mysteries when we find them. Over the world in the Bostonius. Unless Layton and friends damaged it beyond repair, but we can make a new ship then. And when we're not exploring, we can be at home. Living together, with Johanna. Raymond as well, of course." Descole paused. He seemed to be imagining itself if his slightly lazy smile was anything to go by.
"Yes… Yes, it's a… It's a wonderful image. A perfect ending for us from this adventure. Isn't it?"
"It… It is," Elaine admitted, a light headed sensation coming to her. She was taken aback by this sudden proposal. It just seemed so… so sudden, and out of nowhere. "I don't know what to say. I mean… My family…"
"You can always call them, and I'm hardly going to stop you visiting them now when we're not seeing the world. Hell, I'll even let you introduce me to them." Descole frowned. "Er, well… Not as Descole obviously. That would be pushing it."
"My job…" Elaine trailed off. Considering with Descole she'd be able to do archaeology work, and never have to worry about signing up for digs or expeditions since it was Descole (illegal trespassing was the least of his crimes after all). There actually wouldn't be any limitations for her then. She could be with Descole and study the field she has loved since she was a child. She had liked being a curator and had made friends at work, but actually doing direct archaeology work was far more appealing than being in an office day after day, waiting for an excavation to show up and wait to see if she got the spot.
"I… Would 'ave to turn in a two weeks' notice, followed by my resignation," Elaine began thoughtfully. Just so nothing stops me from joining you. Your image certainly is more fun than staying in an office and waiting for excavations. Plus, considering I've missed less than three years worth of work, it wouldn't make much difference at this stage."
"I'd make sure you'd never regret it." Descole pushed himself up to kiss her lips briefly before leaning his head against her bosom.
"I… I need a bit more time to decide."
"Take all the time you need." Descole started to sound a little slurred, and Elaine began to panic a little.
"Desmond, are you okay?"
"Just tired," he mumbled. "I… I think I might… Shut my eyes for a moment." Elaine shut her eyes for a moment and waited paitiently.
Soon, the soft sound of him sleeping met her ears. Elaine eased him onto the floor again. On one half of his cloak and pulled the other half over him. She leaned down to briefly kiss his lips and murmured,
"Reste ainsi, mon prince torsadée. Vous avez effectivement méritent."
Elaine stood. One final look to Descole was given before she began to follow the direction both Professor Layton and Luke had travelled. It was time she followed. No matter how much she wished to remain.
So, in order to write the Azran legacy arc, I had to replay the game a second time since the walk though I was using to help me retrace my steps and such is only just past Torrido at the time of this chapter as far as I know. So writing this chapter, I had my game on pause and repeatedly listened to the theme of the Azran Sanctuary again and again (not that it was a bad thing), and who here thinks that that theme would somehow suit this chapter? Because I do!