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Festival de l’Expédition

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Lucien: There you are! You can’t hide from us, you know. Like I said, mourning’s best done with friends.
Catherine: Lucien.
Lucien: What? It is. Grieving alone is the worst.
Catherine: Where’s mine?
Lucien: Santé, les amis!
Catherine: Santé!
Gustave: Yeah– Yeah, yeah, no, I could use a drink.
Catherine: Five tables this year, you see that? Told you we’d beat the 34s. Even Maelle showed up, and she hates these things. Wanna go take a look?
Gustave: Uh, I don’t– Maybe later. I’ll catch up. I’m okay. I’m okay. You go.
Lucien: Yeah. Time for a refill anyway.
Catherine: There’s an “excess of wine” again. Thank your sister for her generosity.
Lucien: Oh, and try to enjoy yourself. Don’t drink alone, you weirdo!
Gustave: Yeah, right. Enjoy myself. I should check on Maelle, she’s probably alone, as usual. Let’s at least check on Maelle and my apprentices.


Gustave: I knew I’d find you here. Having second thoughts about the Expedition?
Maelle: Please. I’m more ready to go than you are.
Gustave: Yeah, I know.
Maelle:
Gustave: I know we’ve been over this, but as your guardian, I need to say this one more time. The rest of us only have a year left, but you’ve got nine good years before your Gommage. You don’t need to leave yet. It’s a lot of risk.
Maelle: One year out there’s better than nine years in here.
Gustave: I know you think that but–
Maelle: If anyone should stay, it’s you. You have friends and family who want you here–
Gustave: So do you–
Maelle: No, I don’t.
Gustave: Emma thinks of you as family–
Maelle: Lumière’s not my home. Not the way it is for you. Besides, this way I can keep an eye on you for Emma.
Gustave: Right, ‘cause she needs eyes everywhere.
Maelle: Shush. You’re lucky you have a sister who cares.
Gustave: Doubly lucky, since now I have two.
Maelle: Alright, enough chit chat. C’mon, old man, let’s have a duel.
Gustave: “Old man?”
Maelle: You’re pretty much the oldest man in Lumière, now, non? C’mon. This time, I’m not messing around! Hope your Lumina Converter works better than your duelling.
Gustave: Yes.


Gustave: Not bad for the oldest man in Lumière, eh?
Maelle: Congratulations, you beat a teenager. Take this token as your well deserved prize. Don’t get too drunk tonight, okay?
Gustave: Hmmm, where are my scallywag apprentices? I promised to find them at the festival.
Maelle: Ah, Emma’s here. Your sister’s going to be looking for you.
Gustave: Our beloved Chief Councillor. Yeah, I should go talk to her.


Jules: Wow, so many Expeditioners! So cool!

Gustave gives Jules the uniform that his father made for him.

Jules: That’s… He made that overnight? Dad… Damn, now I feel stupid for fighting with him… Dad…
Gustave:
Jules: You take it.
Gustave: What?
Jules: I’m not sure I’ll ever use it. Maybe I’ll go blind like my father, or maybe another expedition will succeed. I want to support the Expedition now. Take it. It may be useful to you.
Gustave:
Jules: It’s ok. I don’t need the uniform to know my dad’s with me.
Gustave: Thanks.


Michel: Come, let’s play some cards.
Gustave: No way. Everyone knows you cheat.
Michel: That’s just what sore losers say. Come now, you gonna be a little cautious mouse with the Paintress too?
Gustave: “Cautious” is good. Keeps you alive.
Michel: Meh. We’re EXPEDITIONERS. Stay smart, yes, but be BOLD, eh? You can’t win if you don’t play.
Gustave: Money’s no good out there anyway. Why’re you trying to fleece me?
Michel: ‘Cause winning is fun.


Seba: Gustave! Come drink with me!
Gustave: I’m pacing myself tonight.
Seba: Oh, you’re so boring. It’s our last night! Who knows when we’ll be back.
Gustave: I like that you say “when” and not “if.”
Seba: What can I say? I’m an optimist. Or an idiot. Depends on who you ask.


Tom: Hey, Gustave, check out the new Pictos I made!
Gustave: Looks a bit rough. You sure it works?
Tom: I’ve been working on this for months. It’s my personal masterpiece.
Gustave: Your personal masterpiece seems a little… unorthodox.
Tom: It’s dead useful, trust me. C’mon, give it a whirl.
Gustave: Sure, why not…
Tom: Great. I’ll trade it for one token.
Gustave: Call it morbid curiosity. Here. Your token.
Tom: You won’t regret it. Probably.


Gustave: Hey, Amandine, having fun?
Amandine: Oh, hey, handsome, perfect timing. I’m styling everyone before we ship out. Gotta look sharp when we hit the Paintress, eh?
Gustave: Certainly important. Can you style me up too?
Amandine: On it. Just bring me a token first.
Gustave: Let’s see what you got.

Amandine tries to experiment with Gustave’s hair. It’s looking good.

Amandine: Voilà! Looking very fine indeed. You’ll die with a gorgeous head of hair.


Antoine: Gustave, just the man I wanted to see.
Gustave: You want a rematch, don’t you?
Antoine: It’s my last chance, isn’t it?
Gustave: After tomorrow, you’ll be the undisputed expert on Expedition history.
Antoine: That’s tomorrow. What about today?
Gustave: Who am I to deny you. Fire away.
Antoine: How many years ago was the Fracture?
Gustave: You’re kidding, this is your question?
Antoine: Yes. When did our world break apart and our luminous city get thrown into the middle of the ocean? When was the Fracture?
Gustave: 67 years ago.
Antoine: Brilliant. I concede. You are the undisputed expert on Lumieran History.
Gustave: What are you talking about? Every child knows this. The Monolith’s essentially a reverse calendar, counting down since the Fracture happened in Year 100.
Antoine: All right, fine, another one then. Which was the first expedition to depart for the continent?
Gustave: Expedition Zero.
Antoine: Correct. That still annoys me. They left in Year 100. They should be called Expedition 100. Makes no sense. Lumière will be long gone before the Monolith hits zero. Alright, last one. Get it right and maybe I’ll give you a token. What is a “Lumina?”
Gustave: Abilities you internalise by using a Pictos in battle after enough times.
Antoine: Well done, well done.
Gustave: Not really, I mean, I created the Lumina Converter… So…?
Antoine: Ahem. I hereby officially end our feud. With your departure, Lumière loses a brilliant light. And a… good friend.
Gustave: You big softie.
Antoine: Alright, alright, here’s a token, go spend it on something.


Colette: Hello there, Gustave. Perhaps one of these artefacts may prove useful to your mission?
Gustave: Colette, you’ve been holding out on us. What are these?
Colette: Relics from before the Fracture, passed down through the generations. The Council deemed them trinkets, but I think otherwise.
Gustave: That’s kind of you to share.
Colette: I may not be able to join the Expedition, but I’d still like to help. One token is all I ask.
Gustave: Ah. I should’ve known.
Gustave: Yes, I’m curious, here’s a token.
Colette: Take good care of it. Godspeed.


Gustave: These are yours?
Sciel: You gonna lecture ME on drinking?
Gustave: I wouldn’t dare. Just calculating how much it’ll hurt to catch up.
Sciel: You can start now. Here, let’s have a toast. To Sophie. Who was always… unapologetically Sophie. My fierce and loving friend.
Gustave: To Soph. Seriously, though, this is gonna hurt tomorrow.
Sciel: Mmmm. “Tomorrow comes” but I ain’t here yet. I’m not crossing the sea sober.
Gustave: Sober’s better than deathly hungover.
Sciel: No, not for that.
Gustave: Ah.
Sciel: Go have some drinks.


Gustave: Commander.
Alan: Gustave. Saw you with Sophie. You talked?
Gustave: Yeah. I– Yeah. Where’s your daughter?
Alan: Léona’s upset. Doesn’t want to see me.
Gustave: Shit.
Alan: It’s ok. She doesn’t need to understand. As long as she gets to live.
Gustave: Yeah.
Alan: I’m counting on you.
Gustave: No pressure.
Alan: Oh, no. LOTS of pressure. You and Lune and your Lumina tech. That’s our edge.
Gustave: I’m– Thanks, but– That’s not– Everyone has a role. Lucien, Tristan, Catherine. And YOU. You made us into a– We have a really good team, thanks to you. That’s our edge.
Alan: “Tomorrow comes,” my friend.
Gustave: Doesn’t it always.


Jérôme: Think there’s other survivor out there?
Gustave: Doubtful. We would’ve seen signs.
Jérôme: But not impossible. Maybe if they have Shield Domes. But they would’ve been overrun by Nevrons before they could be any.
Gustave: We were lucky the Fracture dropped us out here. Bought us time to get our defences up.
Jérôme: I dunno. People are resourceful. And Nevrons can’t be everywhere. I’m betting on human ingenuity.
Gustave: I like that.


Gustave: You came.
Lucie: I wasn’t sure if I should.
Gustave: You’ve been avoiding us. You didn’t have to.
Lucie: Mm. I heard Seba filled my spot. After I left.
Gustave: Yeah.
Lucie: D’you think I’m a coward for staying?
Gustave: Do you?
Lucie: Not anymore. Not all of us can change the world. Some of us can only change ourselves.
Gustave: Meaning what? Make yourself accept the unacceptable? Make believe that happiness is… this?
Lucie: More like… rediscover. Happiness. One Gommage left. Maybe contentment is the highest form of happiness.
Gustave: It makes me sad to hear you talk like this. The Paintress stole so many things, including your capacity to dream.
Lucie: No, you misunderstand. My mind is where I can be free. She can’t touch me there. This is my final act of defiance. Just like the Expedition is yours.
Gustave: If you say so.


Tristan: I just finished calibrating the Lumina Converter. We can launch test runs as soon as we land.
Gustave: Perfect.
Tristan: Hey. Does Lune seem preoccupied to you? She’s been distant lately.
Gustave: Well. It’s Lune.
Tristan: Mm. This feels different.
Gustave: I haven’t noticed anything, but you know her better. Have you talked to her?
Tristan: Nah, she doesn’t like people prying. I’ve known her since we were six. She hates personal questions.
Gustave: Ah right, you were both apprenticed to her parents.
Tristan: Yeaahh. Let’s just say, they ran a tight ship.
Gustave: Mmm. I can imagine.


Bastien: Ready for tomorrow?
Gustave: Yeah– Been ready. What about you? Heard you were elected “Commander 32.” Congrats.
Bastien: I’ve already claimed Alan’s office. It’s got a nicer view than mine.
Gustave: A view of the Paintress? You’re sicker than I thought.
Bastien: She won’t be there for long.
Gustave: Mmmm. If we– If we fail though…
Bastien: “When one falls, we continue.” We’ll pick up, and we’ll push on. But I know. We will meet again.


Gustave: I can’t believe you’re working right now.
Lune: Mm. Tristan dragged me here.
Gustave: Is that the final spot? It’s amazing you triangulated Expedition Zero’s landing site.
Lune: Theoretically. I extrapolated from the archives, but… it was 67 years ago. So much of the landscape has changed.
Gustave: I trust your calculations.
Lune: Thanks.
Gustave: It’s a good strategy, retracing their steps. They’re the only expedition with any survivors, and they made it to the Monolith so…
Lune: Assuming the records are correct, my calculations are correct, that they left clear markers, that the road conditions haven’t changed–
Gustave: You need a drink.
Lune: Go away, Gustave.


Gustave: Hey.
Catherine: Hey yourself. You ok? Wanna talk about it?
Gustave: Yeah, umm. Actually, no.
Catherine: That’s ok.
Gustave: What about you? You say goodbye to Derrick?
Catherine: Oh, that was over ages ago.
Gustave: Oh. Sorry–
Catherine: Eh.
Gustave: –I really thought you guys would work out.
Catherine: It’s for the best. I need full focus on the Expedition. And our team. We’re all we have.
Gustave: Yeah, we’re all we have.


Lucien: Glass of wine? Or a hug?
Gustave: Keep your sweat to yourself.
Lucien: Bring Gustave a glass of wine!
Gustave: Who, exactly, are you talking to? They cut servers from the budget years ago.
Lucien: Ah. The ultimate indignity. A farewell party where we serve ourselves. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere.
Gustave: Mmmm. I’m betting you’ve got another bottle stashed in your coat somewhere. You gonna share?
Lucien: You wound me. But yes, in fact, I do have a bottle. “Always be prepared.” Or was it “Always bring backup?” Eh. Same difference.
Gustave: Right.
Lucien: And I AM prepared! Prepared to live. AND. Prepared to die.
Gustave: You’re such an idiot.
Lucien: Hey. Heyheyheyheyhey. We’ve got your Lumina Converter, yeah? I. BELIEVE. I’m ready for my Lumina!
Gustave: Yeah, well, we’ve only tested it here. Who knows what we’ll meet on the main continent. We’ll need more field-testing once we land.
Lucien: Don’t worry, buddy. I’ve got you covered.
Gustave: Great. Thanks, buddy.


Alexandre: Gustave! We got something for you. For your field notes. So when you come back, you can tell us EVERYTHING. They’ll definitely want that for the Museum! The complete record of the Expedition that DESTROYED the Paintress!
Guillaume: Oh, and if you find journals from the other Expeditions, make sure you save them for us!
Gustave: I shall faithfully record ALL of our adventures. Every strange and wondrous thing.
Alexandre: And Nevrons!
Gustave: I can do that. And in return, do you solemnly promise to take care of the Shield Dome while I’m gone? I’m entrusting you with the safety of Lumière.
Alexandre: I promise.
Guillaume: Promise!
Gustave: Adrien?
Adrien: I’ll use everything you taught us, Monsieur G.
Alexandre: Oh, hey, Gustave, your sister’s here!
Gustave: Yeah, I have to go talk to her. Take care of each other.


Gustave: My darling sister has arrived, she’ll kill me if I don’t say goodbye. The Chief Councilor honours us with her presence. What? You still mad I’m going?
Emma: This is the definition of a fool’s quest, and my brother’s not usually a fool.
Gustave: I’ve heard you say otherwise.
Emma: You and I both know the political complexities that necessitate the Expedition. It’s vital for morale, but it’s a bloodless guillotine, is what it is–
Gustave: You should put that in your speech. Very motivating. They might just find a guillotine for you too.
Emma: There are so many things you can contribute to HERE, in Lumière. That’ll have a REAL impact.
Gustave: Em. You’re doing great work– Really. Getting things ready for the Last Generation– You’ve got it well in-hand here. Let me do my part, out there, and win us a chance to LIVE.
Emma: We’re never going to see each other again.
Gustave: You’re so busy anyway. I barely see you–
Emma: Just take care of Maelle, ok? I can’t believe you’re letting her go with you.
Gustave: Me? You’re her guardian too. You stop her.
Emma: We’re her guardians, not her jailers. She really wants off this island.
Gustave: Don’t you have a speech to give?
Emma: You mean the one you so kindly wrote to me?
Gustave: Just suggestions! I thought it might help you understand–
Emma: I do. Understand. I just– Anyway. Yeah, time for my speech.


Proceed to Emma’s speech? This will conclude the festival, and Expedition 33 will depart.

Emma: Expeditioners. The Sword of Lumière. We honour your dedication. We do not take for granted that you dedicate your final year of life to keeping hope alive for all of Lumière. Some of you are leaving to change the world. Others to discover the secrets of our universe. Some to protect loved ones. Others to find meaning in our all-too-short lives. As you sail into the unknown, know that Lumière stands with you. When you battle the Paintress, know that Lumière fights with you. Let the stones of her Monolith crumble. Let her body lie at the end of the world, unable to paint another death. Let the stars no longer be hidden by her oppressive silhouette. Let the world once again watch the sun rise without the shadow of her cursed figure. May the wind of renewal take you to the ends of the earth. Tomorrow comes. Thanks to you, Expedition 33.

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