As previously mentioned, Team Gu is deep in Scriptland right now and very close to tying off the end of one of Mission 2's routes. Edits and revisions are on the horizon, but we thought it'd be fun if you got a little snippet of what we've got so far!
We'd like to do one of these every few weeks, so let us know if you would enjoy sneak peeks like this. (Note that many of these conversations will likely be in French, but we have not started the translation process.)
Anyway, in our first excerpt, Lillian has some run-ins with a familiar face or two:
We stroll down towards the manor entrance, Tati recounting a quick bit of gossip for me that she forgot to mention earlier. It’s all amusing, but I’m wilting from the heat by the time we make it to the hedges. I’m so desperate for our lemonade that I nearly miss the figure standing out in front.
A young man in a modest suit paces in front of Madame’s front door, muttering to himself. A familiar young man…with combed brown hair and a confident posture. I gasp and dive into the hedge, yanking Tati along with me.
Lillian: We can’t go in the front!
Even with all of my absences, Tati was aware of the predicament.
Philippe had been calling at Madame’s often hoping to meet with me. It didn’t matter that I had gotten him nearly fired after he spilled every detail to me about a sensitive diplomatic meeting–he was smitten. No matter how many times I sent him away, he came back like a puppy.
Tati: I want to get a look at this fellow.
She peeks her head out just enough to get a glimpse of him and quickly crouches back down.
Tati: Lillian, from what you told me, I thought he’d be beastly. He’s perfectly good looking!
Lillian: His looks are fine. That’s not the problem.
Tati: Was he rude? Boring?
Lillian: No. He’s just…persistent. And I’m not interested.
Tati knits her brow at me.
Lillian: You don’t understand! If he sees me, I’ll have to invite him inside. And if he’s invited inside, the rest of my afternoon is gone.
Tati gives a long defeated exhale.
Tati: Do you want me to distract him while you sneak around the back?
Lillian: You are an intelligent, gorgeous woman and I don’t deserve you.
Tati emerges from the hedge, plucking a leaf from her hair before sauntering down the street. I watch from my hiding place as she strikes up a conversation with Philippe. She cleverly positions herself so that his back is turned to me, allowing me to slink away towards the back of the house.
The garden gate creaks as I lift the latch to let myself in. Somehow, the flowers in the garden have survived the temperatures, though they don’t look particularly happy. Only the dahlias seem to be thriving. A buzzing near my ear makes me start as a large bee floats lazily into view. No doubt the heat has left it feeling irritable. I weave a bit to avoid it, almost as though we are locked in a little dance. It requires enough focus that I fail to mark the person who emerges from the kitchen door. I plough directly into them.
I push myself away from a firm chest and look up to be greeted by a pair of icy blue eyes.
The soft curse leaves his lips before he can stop himself.
Émile: Lillian. Euh, bonjour.
