"It is," she said. "You just cannot see it yet."
Eleanor, beside him, did not question it.
"That sounds promising," she said. "Shall we proceed carefully, or without caution?"
"Without," Lily said immediately. "It is more interesting."
Julian exhaled slightly. He gently took Eleanor’s arm as Lily ran ahead.
"That is not a recommendation I would allow."
"One day will not hurt," Eleanor replied.
Lily had already begun to move, not waiting to see if they would follow. Eleanor did, but Julian did not at first. He remained where he was, watching as the two of them crossed the grass, Lily speaking without pause, Eleanor answering her without interruption. Lily did not check herself. She did not pause to see if she was being permitted. She simply continued, certain of being followed.
And Eleanor did that. She was not guiding, not correcting, not imposing order where there was none. She was simply present.
Julian moved after them.
"Where," he said, once he had caught up, "does this expedition lead?"
"We are finding something," Lily replied.
"What?"
"We do not know yet."
"That is hardly an efficient approach."
Eleanor glanced at him.
"Not everything requires efficiency."
"It usually benefits from it. I prefer it that way."
"Then it is fortunate this one does not require your approval, for it is Lily’s game."
Lily laughed, only to stop herself and looked at him cautiously. Julian did not respond. They continued walking, though the structure of it remained loose. Lily stopped without warning, crouching near the edge of the water.
"This is where it is," she said.
"What is?" Julian asked.
"The thing we are looking for."
"I still do not know what that is."
Eleanor crouched beside her.
"Then we must determine what it is."
Lily leaned closer to the water, studying it as though something might emerge if she waited long enough.
"It might be hiding," she said.
"Then we may be best leaving it."
"You are not helping!"
