First Sight

This is a scene I have in mind for my "A Rat's Empire" story that won't happen for quite a while, but it depicts the first meeting of two rodents who end up having quite the romance. 

The male is named Paul (haven't decided on a surname for him yet). He is the youngest child of Opal, who is the head cook of Villa DeRatry. Opal's family is large and has relied rather heavily on her employer's generosity to get them by over the years. And then comes the day when she asks Charlotte if her youngest son might be given a landscaping job on the estate. Charlotte agrees, although Steffan, the majordomo, insists Paul be given a proper interview before a decision is made. 

When Paul arrives at the mansion, a place he has never been to, he just so happens to cross paths with Ferin. She immediately tells him he's hired. Unfortunately, Paul is one of those Clueless Chick Magnet types, so he seems completely disinterested in Ferin, and all the pretty young maids who gather at the windows to watch him do yard work. 

But then comes the day when he's out pruning one of the azalea bushes (azaleas are his favorite flower, btw), and he just so happens to look over... right into the most beautiful pair of emerald-green eyes he has ever seen. And it just so happens those eyes belong to a young rat-lady by the name of Azalea.

Fun fact: this pic was inspired by a photo of Audrey Hepburn: www.google.com/search?q=audrey…