Revons Plus Grand
Chapter 25
Avranches Is Worlds Away
The X-11, as designed by the Hartmann sisters, was busy gathering data and updates on the forces of the Islamic State, who have been confirmed by intelligence on the other side in Karlsland and Baltland, to target Paris Saint-Germain Football Club and its leadership. The Karibuchi sisters were recording new documentation on the ongoing recruitment efforts in Seine-Saint-Denis. Hikari was back to being her regular self in terms of appearance and gender and spent time monitoring the X-11's surveillance efforts as it relayed new data that helped forces in the west kill one of its deputies to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
As the Karibuchis continued to report on new Islamic State developments to the Brave Witches training for battle on the other side, Georgette Lemare and Sadako Shimohara were busy doing regular, civilian work in catering to the women's team, who looked to resume their winning ways against EA Guingamp.
"Jose, Sada, alors?" asked Benoit Rousseau to the two girls watching the players practice at the Stade Georges Lefevre in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Camp des Loges.
"Mr. Benoit!" Georgette exclaimed. "What brings you here?"
"The men will be face Avranches next in the Coupe de France. We think we will need to bring our strongest lineup possible to deliver a clear statement to Guingamp. Since this is your home region, Georgette, Mr. Nasser asked if you and Sadako can accompany them."
"We will," she replied. "Normandy is my home, and I want to see Caen again."
"You get your wish. You will have to report to the team bus after training on Wednesday and ride with us to Caen. You know where to report and when, as indicated in this document," said Benoit, handing the two girls the written details. "Hang on to it and study it."
"Yes sir," they both said.
"Good, now back to your usual work. I expect the ladies should be fine today." He then left the stadium to return to his activities with the Association.
"Expect?" Sadako asked Jose.
"I think he has another thing coming." Paris's ladies built on their effort against Bayern Munich with a comprehensive 3-0 lead on EA Guingamp but they allowed the visitors to claw back and make it 3-3 at full time. While their league hopes were all but finished, their chance for payback against Barcelona was a main focus, as was Saint-Etienne.
Benoit returned after the ladies went back to the change rooms to cool down. "What happened? I thought the ladies were going to be fine today."
"If you think this team will beat Barcelona, I'm afraid this club is going to be in your nightmares all summer," Sadako said with a Gallic shrug.
"I suspected that the girls were hung over from beating Bayern. That's something I am against," Jose added. "I want Mr. Patrice to read the riot act on them because I feel that their future with this team could be in the balance. Lyon will most likely win the league again."
"This is Groundhog Day for the ladies. They should feel bad about this."
"And it's a good thing we are just focused on addressing the men this week," said Georgette. "I want to slap the sense out of Shirley but I am not allowed to, even in private."
"It's great to hear that you are being professional about this and showing restraint," said Benoit. "I will need to be more realistic about the assessment of the players the next time they are in action. Well, that's it from me. Go ahead and wrap it up, then. Thank you for your work, as usual."
"Yes, sir," they both said, bowing before heading off to clean up the change rooms before taking the Mr. Sami's shuttle back to the apartment. This was the training scheduled for the men and women.
Men's team
Monday, April 3rd 2017
Training session closed to media
Tuesday, April 4th 2017
Training session closed to media
01:30 PM: Press conference with Unai Emery (live on PSG TV) - Ooredoo Training Centre
Wednesday, April 5th 2017 - Stade Michel d'Ornano (Caen)
09:05 PM: US Avranches MSM - Paris Saint-Germain
Coupe de France - Quarter-final
Thursday, April 6th 2017
No training session
Friday, April 7th 2017
Training session closed to media
Saturday, April 8th 2017 - Ooredoo Training Centre
11:00 AM: Press conference with Unai Emery (live on PSG TV)
01:30 PM: Training session opened to media for first 15 minutes
Sunday, April 9th 2017 - Parc des Princes
09:00 PM: Paris Saint-Germain - EA Guingamp
Ligue 1 - Week 32
Women's team
Monday, April 3rd 2017
Training session closed to media
Tuesday, April 4th 2017
Training session closed to media
Wednesday, April 5th 2017
Training session closed to media
Thursday, April 6th 2017
Training session closed to media
Friday, April 7th 2017
Training session closed to media
Saturday, April 8th 2017
Training session closed to media
Sunday, April 9th 2017
Training session closed to media
"Ugh, why do you like to fondle me so hard?" moaned Jose as the two of them snuggled in the nude under the sheets later that night. "I keep unloading when you do that. They're not THAT big, you know."
"Ufufu, but you enjoy it, right?" Sadako purred, her tongue flicking on Georgette's left ear before she breathed on it, triggering a loud meowing noise followed by a purr.
"Yeah but it tingles and leaves me sticky, please stop!"
"No." Another bite.
"NYYAAAAAAAN!" meowed Jose, flashing a fang before she collapsed and fell asleep.
"Curiosity kills cats, you know," moaned Sadako as she fell asleep, her hands cupping Georgette's cleavage as if she knew of nothing else to comfort her.
Georgette and Sadako were on a team bus to Caen, rolling down the motorway after loading their supplies, the shuttle radiant with the club's signature livery. "Avranches is truly worlds away, as your song parody goes," said Jose, yawning. "I had too good of a sleep. Being next to you can do that, you know?"
"Mmm-hmmm, and I would like to do some shopping before we head to the stadium," she replied.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Some chocolate, cheese, other nice food from here..."
"You can just go to Carrefour for that, silly, we have to do work tonight!"
"Awwww."
"And, I have to give this trophy to the Avranches players." She pointed to a trophy in the shape of a gold cup. It wasn't too heavy but it wasn't too light either.
"What's that?"
"This was a trophy that my mother gave me when I was younger. She also was a good cook and made some very good cheese that won awards. I decided that I wanted to make use of this trophy and give this to the players irrespective of the outcome."
"What's the name of the trophy?"
"The Coupe Georgette Lemare. A permanent trophy that commemorates this contest," Jose said, blushing.
Sadako laughed. "Dear me, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, I get it that they are from the same part of the country as Barenton, but, a consolation trophy? You are too nice to everyone, Jose."
"I have to do what's right." As the day started to wind down, the trophy was placed in a box in the change room of PSG to be brought out by Georgette later on after the match. For the time being, she and Sadako prepared the quarters for the players, who rolled in an hour later. As the players got dressed in their warmup gear, the two of them took photos of the stadium.
"This is quite a nice venue," said Sadako noticing the fans filing in. "Avranches brought all their could for this one." Soon enough, the match was underway and the visitors got off to a shaky start. "What feistiness from the hosts," Sadako said, eating a sandwich on a baguette with pommes frites.
Jose was also eating a sandwich, albeit a slightly bigger one. "Give them time. Eventually, they will figure them out." Hatem Ben Arfa would lead the way with a brace in the 35th and 53rd minutes. Lucas Moura was a key provider and he got on the score sheet 56 minutes in. Javier Pastore slammed the door shut in the 82nd minute for a 4-0 win.
Even goalkeeper Anthony Beuve for Avraches saluted Javier's wonderful chip goal. He knew very well that they were mere amateurs against a team of iron-clad professionals and the outcome was no longer in doubt. As both teams returned to the change rooms, Georgette took her cup and asked the liaison for Avranches if she could come in to speak to them.
"Ahem, gentlemen?" asked Georgette to the Avranches players. "My name is Georgette Lemare, a citizen of Barenton, near Avranches. I work for the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, but I want to personally congratulate you on a job well done getting this far in the Coupe de France. There is no shame in losing to the defending champions, as they will be tested by a far superior opponent in AS Monaco in the next round.
"There are far more important things for you brave men to worry about. Your day jobs, your families, your partners and in some instances, the children. Be mindful of the company you keep and do good for those you love and be safe. With that in mind, please accept this commemorative trophy as a symbol of this once-in-a-lifetime encounter between my team and yours. Merci beaucoup!"
Sylvestre Guyonnet came in to accept the trophy. "My name is Sylvestre Guyonnet of US Avranches," he said. "On behalf of our club and the commune of Avranches, we humbly accept this trophy as a symbol of your gratitude and your support for grassroots football. Merci." Applause all around as Georgette gave Sylvestre a hug.
"With that, I will be on my way. Take care and farewell," she said.
"Allez!" said the Avranches players as they applauded with Georgette taking her leave.
"That was an ordeal," said Sadako as they were on the team bus back to Paris. "Did they like the cup?"
"That will be in their club archives for a long time, a symbol of their commitment to playing without fear and with a belief in doing good for their community," Jose replied. "I am just content that now we can focus on more important matters."
"Like what?"
"This report that I received from Hikari and Takami. It says that they have instructed the forces against ISIS to move out to Egypt to intercept some anticipate attacks on the Coptic Christians there according to the data gathered from the X-11."
"What?"
"Palm Sunday is coming up. High holy days for the Catholic community and it looks like a big battle will be coming on Good Friday as well if things turn sour."
"Do our guys have to head to the chamber?"
"Not yet. They are banking on the Western forces to hold firm for now, since they feel that the real attacks will come in May."
"Ohhh." Sadako sighed. "What a world we live in..."
PSG would go on to defeat EA Guingamp 4-0 but the stage would be set for a big test on Friday against Angers SCO away. No traveling support means a massive home field advantage for Angers. But with the hosts 12th in the league, signs suggested it would be straightforward nonetheless for Paris. Football, as the story goes, has its quirks and checks and balances. And Avranches was worlds away.
END CHAPTER 25