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Maelle: If you’re gonna give someone flowers, you should probably do it BEFORE they wither and die.
Gustave: What, the flower? Or Sophie?
Maelle: Ooh, dark. Sophie would approve. Hey, you said it, not me. The others are waiting for you, you’re supposed to be helping with the festival.
Gustave: With what? Putting three tables? They’ll manage.
Maelle: Ah. You underestimate Lumière’s enthusiasm for the Expedition. There’s at least FIVE tables.
Gustave: Marvellous.
Maelle: Have you tried throwing with your other arm instead? If you could hit the Paintress directly, that would actually be useful.
Gustave: You know, hobbies don’t always have to be useful. I’m enjoying the uselessness of today, and readying my usefulness for tomorrow. And soon, we’ll get to do a lot more than throw rocks.
Maelle: That’s what all the other expeditions said too.
Gustave: Heyheyhey. You know, you know they gave their lives to lay the trail for us, right?
Maelle: Yeah, I know, sorry.
Gustave: Yeah.
Maelle: You still got a flower to give, no?
Gustave: Yes, yes. It’s just… I’m not sure how to start. After four years apart, what do I say to her, on the day of her Gommage.
Maelle: You’re asking ME? I dunno, sun’s about to set, so… be direct? “Hey Soph-been a while. Could we–”
Maelle: All right, let’s go. I’ll accompany you there. Are you… ready to see her again?
Gustave: Yeah, been ready.
Maelle: I set up these grapple shortcuts. Nice, huh? Don’t tell your sister, though. I sort of “borrowed” the hooks from the Expedition Academy. Wish I had them when I was working as a courier… Come on, Gustave, speed up a bit. Sophie will have already gommaged by the time you’ve arrived.
Gustave: Maelle.
Maelle: I can’t believe Sophie already turned 33… She looks so much younger than you.
Gustave: Thanks.
Maelle: She’s popular, I’m sure she already has a necklace full of flowers.
Gustave: Hm. I can imagine.
Maelle: Hmm…
Gustave: What?
Maelle: You look tense.
Gustave: Yeah, I, hum… Yeah.
Maelle: I know what you need! A little duel!
Gustave: No.
Maelle: Come on, it’ll loosen you up. You can’t go and see Sophie all sombre and tense.
Gustave: Hmmm…
Maelle: And… if you win, I’ll give you something you can use with your Lumina Converter.
Gustave: Alright, you’re on.
Maelle: Yes!
Maelle: You won! Now, don’t you feel better? I see your smile. All right, now let’s go find Sophie. I saw her near the red and white tree.
Gustave: Yeah.
Maelle: Oh, the Plaza is lively. Why people like to celebrate the Gommage is still a mystery to me, but, oh, well. The red and white tree… I’ve always found it beautiful. I don’t really understand. You and Sophie broke up so long ago. But clearly, you never got over her. Why’d you wait until today to say something? It’s a bit late, isn’t it? Sophie is down there.
Gustave: Yeah, I know.
Maelle: I… Good luck. I’ll be here for you if things… don’t go as planned.
Gustave: Thanks.
Maelle: Come on, she’s down there. It’s your moment.
Sophie: …the last few days meant everything.
Gustave: …Could we talk?
Sophie: Gustave. I love you all.
Gustave: For your, um– If there’s room…
Sophie: There’s always room.
Gustave: You know, I’m sorry that…
Sophie: I missed you–
Gustave: I missed you too.
Sophie: You don’t need to– (laugh) Okay.
Gustave: You go.
Sophie: No, you.
Gustave: You, uh– You know how I fell. I– I wish things had been– You know… I often think– Another path, you know… Another future–
Sophie: Still can’t finish your sentences, can you?
Gustave: Yeah, that hasn’t changed…
Sophie: I missed that. I never faulted you for wanting to believe. You’re fighting. To change things. I understand, I just… In a “different world”, right?
Gustave: We’ll break the cycle. So She can’t steal anyone else’s future.
Sophie: Stubborn people change the world. And you are the most stubborn person I know. Thank you. Walk me to the harbour?
Gustave: Yes.
Tiffanie: Oh, hi, Sophie. So Gustave really did come, huh?
Sophie: Hm, yeah, he did.
Tiffanie: I knew he would.
Sophie: Shh, he might hear us.
Tiffanie: You’re a lucky one, you know.
Sophie: I know that…
Tiffanie: But he is too.
Sophie: Looks like you still have a lot of flowers left.
Tiffanie: Well, there are less and less people to buy them… I just wish you didn’t have to wear one.
Sophie: Tiffanie…
Tiffanie: I should finish cleaning up here and join everyone at the harbour. See you.
Sophie: See you…
Gustave: I can’t imagine what you’re going through…
Sophie: I’m fine.
Gustave: (sceptical grunt)
Sophie: I’m FINE. I’ve lived 33 good years. Look around. We’ve had our whole lives to prepare. We’re all fine. Mostly.
Gustave: I’m not fine.
Sophie: You will be.
People have gathered here, on their way to the harbour. Reuniting… one last time…
Marie: Oh… Sophie.
Sophie: Marie…
Marie: Your flowers… I didn’t know about… I thought you were younger. And yet you didn’t have children…
Sophie: I’m not having this conversation with you again. Not today.
Marie: Do you care so little about the future of Lumière? How can you be so selfish?
Sophie: I’m not selfish enough to bring others into our doomed world. I know we are not many to think like this now… And it destroyed my relationship with the person I loved the most. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to spend this moment with him. And you should cherish this moment with your daughter.
Marie: … Sorry… See you at the harbour.
Sophie: Good luck, Marie.
Cyril: Ah, the scintillating Sophie! You’re as gorgeous as always!
Sophie: Cyril, you flatterer. Need some help with your writing again?
Cyril: Beautiful and perceptive, per usual. See, I’m preparing the headline for tomorrow, and who could write it better than someone who celebrates her special day today!
Sophie: Hm, true. So, what will the article be about?
Cyril: Actually…
Sophie: You don’t know?
Cyril: Well…
Sophie: You really are lazy.
Cyril: Help me again, Sophie, please. My boss will kill me…
Sophie: Sure, let me think of a headline…
Sophie: Expedition 33 shall be the destined journey.
Cyril: A headline about the Expedition… That’s bold. Nobody really cares about them anymore after their constant failures. But that would make a wonderful underdog story. Okay, now I’m inspired. You really are a divine being, Sophie.
Sophie: Don’t forget to credit me.
Cyril: I would never… Thank you for all these times.
Sophie: It’s always been a pleasure, my friend. Take care of yourself.
Cyril: Yeah…
Estelle: Hey, you. You seem like a woman with exquisite taste. I just finished my sculpture to the legendary Esquie. This may be my life’s finest work, yet not a single soul seems to care. How could I make it better?
Sophie: Perhaps you could paint it? Add some colours?
Estelle: Paint it? Hmm… Brilliant. I knew you were the right person to ask. Thank you for your insight!
Sophie: You’re most welcome.
Estelle: I shall get to work tomorrow. I see you’re wearing flowers. What’s your name?
Sophie: Sophie.
Estelle: Sophie, as a thank you, I shall chisel your name onto the statue.
Sophie: Oh, you don’t have to.
Estelle: But I will.
People who are about to Gommage leave their furniture. So the others may use them.
Sophie: (examine)
Sophie and Gustave examine the stuff left behind.
Gustave: We can use that.
The rest is better left for future generations.
Ulysse: My Gestral costume is the best! Hey, madame, do you think the Gestrals really exist?
Sophie: Of course they do!
Ulysse: That’s what I think too. The others laugh, but I know they’re real. One day, I will meet one. Even if it means joining an Expedition! I’ll raise a Gestral army and we’ll crush the Paintress! And me and my little brother will live with the Gestrals and they’ll be our new family. We’re tired of the orphanage… If the legends are true, they really like to fight. That’s why I’m training everyday by beating up my little brother!
Sophie: That’s… Yeah. You would make a great Gestral.
Ulysse: Thanks!
Richard: Oh, Sophie, what a lovely smell.
Sophie: Thank you, Richard.
Richard: I could recognize it from miles away. It’s good you’re here, Sophie. I have a favor to ask of you.
Sophie: Anything for my beloved sewing teacher.
Richard: I… We are of the same cohort. Today is my Gommage. And… My son and I had a fight last night. He said he wants to join the Expedition… He wants to waste the last years of his life. I… I didn’t want that for him. I used to think it was a bad choice, but today, I no longer do. I know I made a mistake. I tried to impose my views on him when he is much braver than I will ever be. So I sewed a special uniforme for him as my last gift. Could you bring it to him?
Sophie: Of course. I’ll bring it to Jules.
Richard: He won’t join the Gommage ceremony, but he will be at the Expedition Festival tonight for sure. Oh, but you…
Sophie: Don’t worry, I’ll ask Gustave.
Richard: Gustave? Are you back together?
Sophie: For this moment… Maybe.
Richard: I’m glad… He is a good person.
Sophie: Yes, he is…
Richard: Thanks to both of you. And see you.
Sophie: See you.
Eloise: Hm…
Sophie: Is something wrong?
Eloise: The Expeditions… What a joke.
Sophie: …
Eloise: All they do is leave us here to die. They’re just escaping.
Sophie: You know their goal is to save us all, right?
Eloise: Yeah, that’s what my father told me last year. Before he left for Expedition 34. And here we are again this year. We could have spent one more year together instead of wasting it away…
Sophie: Your father fought to offer you a better future…
Eloise: I have no future. I know it and I’ve accepted it. We’re doomed.
Sophie: You never know, this Expedition might be different. There are some special people in this one.
Eloise: Yeah, right…
Sophie: Gustave? Why don’t you show her some of your fighting skills to prove her wrong?
Eloise: That’s… This guy is strong…
Sophie: They all train their Pictos skills very hard to save us all. And so did your father.
Eloise: Then, madam, why didn’t you join?
Sophie: Me? I’m content with my life. I know what I can and cannot change. Or maybe… Because I was afraid.
Eloise: … Do you think… I should join the Expedition?
Sophie: My friend Sciel always says, do your best, either it works or it doesn’t. Live your life as you want.
Eloise: I… I don’t want to have regrets… I don’t have that much time…
Sophie: When the time comes, you’ll make the right decision. I’m sure.
Eloise: Thank you. Now I think I know… Give this to your boyfriend, my father gave it to me, but it might be more useful for him.
They are trying to recruit for future Expeditions. The number of people volunteering is going down every year…
Raphaël: Why does Manon keep saying “death comes to us all?”
Gustave: You haven’t heard that before?
Raphaël: No?
Gustave: Unofficial Expedition motto. You never heard Lucien say it either? It’s one of his favourites.
Raphaël: I think he prefers “We’re already dead. You’re just catching up.”
Gustave: Yeah, I’ve heard that one recently.
Raphaël: I dunno, kinda nice in a way, having a “deadline.” Forces you to prioritise. It’s a bit freeing as we get closer to the end.
Gustave: You can really find the silver lining in everything, can’t you?
Raphaël: No, it’s just– Things don’t always work out the way we want. No use getting upset, ya know? Use what we can. Leave what we can’t.
Gustave: Hmm…
The Flower market. People are buying flowers for their loved ones, before they Gommage.
Ophélie: Hi, Gustave. You’re back. Did you want to pick out a different flower?
Gustave: No, the one you suggested earlier was perfect.
Ophélie: I’m glad. These garlands are our last farewell. I want them all to feel special. I have a garland saved for you, too. But it’s not a farewell garland. It will be a welcome home garland. Good luck… My friend.
Gustave: Thanks, Ophélie.
Sophie: Oh, Lune’s playing. You two would make a cute couple.
Gustave: If you say so.
Sophie: Or maybe… Something already happened, huh?
Gustave: …
Maxime: You really think you’re doing something, eh? Out there?
Gustave: Maxime. You’re drunk.
Maxime: None of you ever come back. You go and you take our resources and you waste it all. On a fucked up hero adrenaline fantasy. And still, SHE kills us.
Gustave: You should go home. Where’s your daughter?
Maxime: Where do you THINK? Mourning her mother. On the ANNIVERSARY of her death. Of all their deaths.
Gustave: Then maybe you should be with her.
Maxime: I can’t. I can’t look at her. She’s just another reminder that nothing we do matters. Nothing. We hope and we “persevere” and still they die. They all die and we can’t stop it. We can’t save them. We bring another generation into this world just so they can watch us die before they’re even old enough to understand why.
Gustave: That’s why we’re going. We CAN save them. With our Lumina tech, the Paintress–
Maxime: THE PAINTRESS. What, what’s a scrawny shit like YOU gonna do to THE PAINTRESS. Eh? “We’re already dead. You’re just catching up.”
Gustave: Maxime.
Maxime: Forget it. “Bon voyage.”
A perfectly normal trash can. It is indeed a perfectly normal trash can. Nothing special to see here, just a trash can. Once again, a perfectly normal–
Trash-can Man: Hey you! You’ve been here for quite a while now! Can you leave? I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I turned 33 today, can you believe my luck? Why would my parents choose the worst time… But I have a strategy. If I hide inside here, the Paintress won’t think of Gommaging me. I’ve been hiding for six months now. So leave and don’t tell anyone I’m here! Ow! What’s that? It’s hurting my ass. Maybe you can use it? Move on, the Paintress must not know I’m here.
Nicolas: Hm… This lady truly is exquisite.
Sophie: In love?
Nicolas: Not quite. I am only in love with her art. My inspiration has been quite lacking recently. Nobody buys paintings anymore… Just because she is called The Paintress doesn’t mean painting is evil.
Sophie: Your canvas seems quite empty.
Nicolas: I need inspiration… But you… I can see you’re in love. With this fine gentleman, I suppose.
Sophie: We broke up.
Nicolas: That is of no consequence in the matters of love. But it is this passion I so fiercely desire in my painting. I know, how about showing me a dance of love and sorrow? I am also the official painter of the Opera. Will you help me? If you inspire me, you may become the main painting of Lumière’s Opera.
Sophie: Yes.
Nicolas: Fantastic. You may start. Here, gorgeous lady, take this paintbrush and show me your wrath.
Sophie: Okay, I guess.
Nicolas: Come on! Dodge your lady’s beautiful moves! That was splendid. One more time. Sublime! One last time! That was splendid! Splendid! I was so enthralled that I completed the painting in an instant.
Sophie: It’s nice… to know something of us will remain in the world after today. Thank you.
Nicolas: It is I who should thank you. It was a moving dance. I will propose it for the new Opera painting we have to do this year.
Sophie: I feel it wasn’t that impressive, but… okay.
Nicolas: Love will always be impressive. Also, take this as a gesture of appreciation. I see your “not boyfriend” is an Expeditioner. It may prove useful.
Sophie: Sometimes I feel sorry for her.
Gustave: Who, the– The Paintress??
Sophie: Look at her. She looks… sad. Maybe she’s a prisoner too. Stuck in the same cycle with us. Silly, huh?
Gustave: Only you could choose empathy at a moment like this.
Sophie: It’s one of the few choices I can make.
Gustave: I couldn’t do it.
Sophie: It’s ok. You don’t have to.
The Gommage is starting soon. Like every year, everyone is gathering at the harbour. Waiting for her to paint a new number.
Mielle: Oh, hi, Sophie.
Sophie: Oh? Mielle? I didn’t expect to see you here.
Mielle: I’m volunteering to help guide children who are losing their parents to the orphanage. Those who were not registered for foster families…
Sophie: How kind of you.
Mielle: I guess I can relate…
Sophie: Take care during the Expedition. Gustave told me a lot of wonderful things about you.
Mielle: About you too. I always told him you two should never have broken up.
Sophie: Look at these orphans, that’s… That’s where we disagreed. But I have hope that you and Gustave will change things, so no one has to go through this impossible choice again.
Mielle: Yeah… Let’s hope we will.
Sophie: See you.
Mielle: In the next life.
Florian: The Paintress is going to punish you! You blasphemers. The Gommage is our fault! We brought this upon ourselves. Because we dared to defy her!
Gustave: Another one of these Paintress worshippers. Best to ignore him.
A weird mime is standing here.
Sophie: Uh, hello?
The mime reacts. It attacks!
Sophie: Gustave, help! That’s… That was close. Thanks, Gustave. Did someone build this? There is something on its body.
Gustave destroyed the weird mime.
Henri: You’d have to be crazy to use Pictos on your own body.
Sophie: Why? Aren’t you enjoying the show?
Henri: Nah, the show’s great, but etching chroma onto your skin? oof, that’s brutal. And just for a dance? I’ll stick to painting Pictos on my machines, I’m not cuckoo enough to put them on my body.
Sophie: Could be useful though, the Expeditions rely on them quite heavily.
Henri: Eh, they’re crazy too. But at least, you can remove Pictos pretty easily if you change your mind.
People have gathered for the Gommage. The Paintress will soon wake.
Victor: Mate, I wish I was going with ya! If we could just send a bigger force. Get ALL of Lumière to just throw EVERYTHING we got at the bloody Paintress. Ahhh, but my brother would kill me. His number’s up soon, and I’m guardian for his kid.
Gustave: Uncle Victor. Suits you.
Victor: But Maelle! Quite the ballsy one, eh? No looking back for her. Bet she can’t wait to get outta here
Gustave: Not much hesitation on her part.
Victor: Nah, hesitation was never her style.
The people on the dock are the ones who won’t gommage. They are here to show their solidarity for those wearing flowers.
Sophie: I’ve always loved the Harbour.
The Paintress will awaken soon. And the Gommage will start. Sophie and Gustave move towards the harbour.
Sophie: I see your apprentices.
Alexandre: Gustave! Gustave!
Gustave: What–
Guillaume: Here. Sophie asked us to bring you your coat.
Alexandre: We sewed up the sleeves so you don’t have to keep rolling it up.
Gustave: You guys know how to sew?
Alexandre: Sophie helped us. Turns out, it’s not that hard! You really shoulda done this ages ago.
Gustave: You did this?
Sophie: Gentlemen, that was supposed to be between us, yeah? I wanted to do something. For you.
Gustave: Soph. Thanks, guys, this is– This is great. Thank you.
Alexandre: See you at the festival?
Guillaume: Don’t leave without saying goodbye.
Gustave: Yeah, of course not. What? I know that face.
Sophie: You mean a lot to them. I can tell.
Gustave: Yeah, they mean a lot to me too. Legacy can take many forms, right?
Sophie: Yeah.
Gustave: You taught me that.
Sophie: Hm. Right.
Gustave: Why?
Sophie: I… wanted to see you wearing it.
Gustave: Oh, you like uniforms now?
Sophie: This too is your legacy.
Gustave: In a way, it’s yours too.
Gustave: I’m here.
Sophie: I know. I know.