Endless Winter (ES Book 2) Act 2, Scene 5 - A New Year Dawns
Title: Endless Winter
Main Pairings: Estela x Ian (M!MC), Jake x Alyssa (F!MC)
Other Pairings: Craig x Zahra, Grace x Aleister, Michelle x Quinn, Diego x Varyyn
Genre: Full Rewrite
Rating: PG-13 for swearing, violence, alcohol, and sexuality
Summary: It's New Year's Eve on La Huerta, and the Catalysts are determined to make the most of it.
Previous Scene: Any Port in a Storm
Masterlist: Link
INT. ELYSIAN LODGE RESORT - LOBBY
Several hours later, the sun is just beginning to set outside the windows of the Elysian Lodge’s expansive lobby, which has been completely transformed into an ornate party room, complete with marked-out dance floor in the center of the area. A series of tables laden with food have been set up near the walls, with a haphazard arrangement of various candles scattered around. Craig, dressed in a tight-fitting dress shirt and tie, leads Furball around the room as the little fox freeze a series of impromptu “ice coolers” around the bottles of champagne and other drinks scattered about.
CRAIG: Nice job, little guy!
FURBALL (proudly): Mrrrrrffff!
Raj emerges from the kitchen, dressed in a suit and tie with an apron over it, bringing another food-laden tray out into the lobby. Quinn follows close behind with a tray of desserts, a similar apron to Raj covering her ornate blue dress.
QUINN: Where should I put these?
RAJ: Over here is good!
He indicates a table, and she sets her tray down. Raj looks down at one of the fruit trays and frowns.
RAJ: Hey… has someone been eating all the strawberries?
CRAIG: Don’t look at me… but I think I spotted Alyssa usin’ some strawberries to practice her Time Lord stuff.
RAJ: Aww… (brightens) Ah, never mind! Good for her. If I know anything, it’s that the Time Twins are gonna be the key to getting us out of this place. Besides, there’s still a bunch more fresh strawberries in the kitchen fridge!
FURBALL (excitedly): Ffrrrruuulll!
A few of the Vaanti trickle in, all wearing haphazard mismatches of formalwear. Varyyn, dressed impeccably in a suit and tie, accompanies them.
VARYYN: Hello, Centaurus. I am told today is your people’s New Year celebration. I thank you for inviting us.
Varyyn bows deeply. Raj blushes and laughs.
RAJ: No need to be so formal, Varyyn! You invited us to your festival the other day, the least we can do is return the favor!
Michelle and Ian enter the lobby, chatting animatedly about school. Michelle is wearing a sparkling golden dress, while Ian is dressed in a black tuxedo with matching bowtie.
MICHELLE: --so I think you’d only need one more bio elective if you already finished Genetics and Ecology. And the MCAT, of course, but I’m pretty sure you can take that anytime…
Michelle’s voice trails off as she sees the newly redecorated lobby. Behind her, Sean and Grace walk in, chatting excitedly to one another.
MICHELLE: Wow! Look at this place; Raj, you did all this?
Raj turns and grins broadly at her.
RAJ: Yep! With plenty of help, of course. Quinn here was--
He stops abruptly when he turns and sees Quinn is no longer in the lobby. He frowns, puzzled.
RAJ: …Uh, Quinn was right here a minute ago. Huh.
IAN: This place looks amazing! Perfect for a Raj party!
RAJ: Haha, thanks!
ALYSSA (O.S.): Alright, let’s get this thing started!
Alyssa strides confidently into the lobby, wearing a long white dress with a plunging neckline. Michelle looks her up and down approvingly.
MICHELLE: Wow. Looking good, Alyssa!
ALYSSA: Thanks, Michelle! You too!
Alyssa frowns as she looks around the room, evidently searching for something.
RAJ: Hey, Alyssa, everything okay?
ALYSSA: Yeah, I’m fine, just.. y’seen Top Gun anywhere?
It takes Raj a moment to realize who she is referring to.
RAJ: Oh, you mean Jake? Actually, I haven’t seen him since--
A sudden commotion from the top of the lobby stairs draws Raj’s (and everyone else’s) attention. Emerging from the second-floor hallway, Jake, Estela, Quinn, Diego, Aleister, and Zahra stand on the landing, all fully done-up and impeccably dressed. Alyssa, Ian, Michelle, Varyyn, Grace, and Craig all stare open-mouthed at the sight of their respective significant others, completely lost for words. Estela frowns.
ESTELA: What? What are you all looking at?
RAJ: Hey, there you all are! Come and join the party!
All of them descend the staircase, though Estela is blushing heavily as she does so. She doesn’t look entirely comfortable in her formal dress. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she beelines immediately for Ian.
IAN (stunned): I… uh. You. Wow.
ESTELA (shyly): I… I know Raj wanted us to dress up for New Year’s, but I never… really went to big parties or anything. Is this right?
Ian smiles warmly at her as he takes her hand in his.
IAN: More than right. Wow. Uh... I actually can’t even think of any other words right now.
In spite of herself, Estela giggles.
ESTELA: You… uh, you’re looking pretty good yourself.
Ian blushes heavily. Near the back of the room, Raj plugs his phone into the stereo system, but nothing happens. He frowns.
RAJ (frustrated): Damn, and here I thought this would work…
Craig and Zahra approach him.
CRAIG: Man, can’t believe it’s been a whole year already.
ZAHRA (frowning): …It hasn’t. We skipped six months, remember?
CRAIG: Oh. Right. Duh. I knew that!
ZAHRA: Raj, y’need some help?
RAJ: Yeah, I’m tryin’ to get the music working, but…
Zahra takes his phone in her hands and fiddles with it for a few moments. Before long, party music starts playing through the whole resort.
RAJ: Awesome! Thanks, my dudes!
CRAIG: Anytime!
ZAHRA: Craig, you didn’t do anything.
CRAIG: What? Naw, I… uh…
Any retort he may have had is cut short when he looks back at her in her formal dress. Craig can only stare open-mouthed.
ZAHRA: Huh. Guess there may be perks to dressin’ up like this after all…
Zahra playfully reaches out a finger and closes Craig’s mouth for him. Near one of the tables, Jake pours himself a glass of whiskey and raises it into the air.
JAKE: So! Who’s up for a toast?
ALYSSA: Personally, I can’t believe I’m still sober. Drink, please!
ESTELA: What are we having?
Jake grins and glances toward Ian.
JAKE: Why don’t we let Hero Boy pick?
IAN (surprised): I… what?!
ALYSSA (smirks): You heard him, “Hero Boy.”
Ian looks nervously at the assortment of drinks laid out on the table, feeling put on the spot.
IAN: I, uh…
Alyssa nudges him, glancing meaningfully toward the glass of whiskey in Jake’s hand.
IAN: Alright, how about this one?
He grabs a similar glass to Jake and pours himself some whiskey as well, then pours two more glasses for Alyssa and Estela. Estela takes a sniff of her glass and frowns.
ESTELA: What is this? It smells like sawdust.
JAKE: Trust me, there’s an art to whiskey. Now, the key to appreciating it is--
ESTELA: Getting it over with. Cheers.
She clinks her glass against Ian’s and throws back the whiskey. She winces.
ESTELA: It burns.
IAN: That bad, huh? Sorry, I--
ESTELA: Pour me another.
JAKE: Looks like Dragon Rage’s a fan, y’all.
Ian pours Estela another shot of whiskey as the four of them clink glasses and toast to the new year. In another area of the party, Varyyn and a few of his Vaanti warriors sip their own drinks as they chat with Diego, Lila, Raj, and Quinn.
VARYYN: It is interesting that your people count your years. You say this year is…?
DIEGO: Well, in a few more hours, it’s about to be 2018.
RAJ: Y’know what Varyyn here needs? One of those party sunglasses with the year on ‘em. Then he’ll never forget!
He, Quinn, Lila, and Diego burst into laughter. Diego claps Varyyn’s shoulder and pulls him into a hug.
DIEGO: Varyyn, I know you probably don’t get it right now, but we will take a picture next year while wearing those, okay?
VARYYN (warmly): I trust your judgement, my light.
Diego and Varyyn snuggle into one another as Quinn glances wistfully across the room. The camera follows her gaze to where Michelle stands chatting idly with a few of the others…
Some time later, the sun has set and most of the Catalysts are noticeably tipsier than they were previously. Several of the Vaanti warriors excitedly clink glasses of whiskey together with a triumphant cheer, then all down their drinks in one shot as Zahra looks on approvingly after downing her own glass.
ZAHRA: Doin’ great, guys! Now this is a New Year’s party!
Behind her, Aleister takes a seat at the grand piano as Michelle stands beside him. The others all crowd around. Aleister begins to play Auld Lang Syne.
MICHELLE (singing): Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never come to mind…
Aleister accompanies her, infusing each note with a delicate, classical touch. A few people sniff back tears, including Quinn and Grace.
MICHELLE (singing): For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne…
Alyssa looks pensively up toward the ceiling while Jake wraps an arm around her. Estela and Ian look deep into one another’s eyes. Raj sniffs back a tear. As Michelle begins the final part of the song, Quinn stands up and joins her:
MICHELLE AND QUINN (singing): We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne!
Everyone bursts into applause. Aleister stands and takes a formal bow. Quinn and Michelle look at one another; Michelle is the first to blush and look away. Jake walks up and claps Aleister on the back.
JAKE: Nice job, Schroeder. Didn’t think you had it in you.
ALEISTER: Ah. You are most welcome. I did enjoy that quite--
RAJ: Whoa! Everyone, hold up! I almost forgot; we still gotta sing “Happy Birthday!”
Everyone looks back at Raj. He grins broadly and gestures to the crowd.
RAJ: Dunno if I mentioned it to everyone yet, but with the skip forward in time, we missed a bunch of birthdays! Including Aleister, and the Time Twins here! …Not to mention myself, of course!
He steps between Alyssa and Ian, pulling them both into a group hug.
RAJ: Anybody else we missed? Who’s had a birthday between… uh…
GRACE: June 6th and December 26th!
Aleister, Michelle, Craig, Quinn, Estela, Zahra, Raj himself, and the Czasa twins all raise their hands.
RAJ: Alright, cool! Aleister, if you don’t mind?
He gestures to the piano. Aleister nods and takes his seat once again at the keys.
DIEGO: Are we even allowed to sing it? I heard it was copyrighted--
CRAIG: Who’s gonna stop us, bro? Unless… (completely seriously) Dude, does Rourke own the rights to Happy Birthday? That’d be his most evil plan yet!
Zahra shakes her head and sighs. Aleister begins to play, and everyone else starts singing along, with the Vaanti catching on after the first few bars…
EVERYONE (singing): Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear…
A variety of names are all shouted out at once. Ian makes a point to sing Estela’s name rather than his own, and she likewise sings his name in return. They both smile warmly at one another.
RAJ (excitedly): Dudes, that was flawless! Best birthday song ever!
CRAIG: Ha! Take that, Rourke!
Everyone applauds and hugs one another after the song. Lila stands off to one side, glancing around at the others with a strange expression on her face. She glances around furtively for a moment, then quietly slips upstairs as the others continue celebrating.
SEAN (shouting): Hey! Don’t forget, it’s only a few minutes ‘til midnight!
Everyone startles at this pronouncement, glancing at various clocks… which all show completely different times. Sean shrugs.
SEAN: Well… as close as I can tell, anyway. Who knows on this island?
ALYSSA (laughing): Fair enough. Alright, let’s do this!
RAJ: Craig, you ready for our master surprise?
CRAIG: You know it!
Craig and Raj lead the others up onto the roof of the Elysian Lodge. A large crate full of red flares has been set against one edge of the roof; Craig rushes toward it excitedly with a lighter in his hand.
MICHELLE (worriedly): Uh… guys?
JAKE: Are those flares?
Craig stops and turns around, grinning broadly.
CRAIG: Yup! One of those commando dudes dropped ‘em! Me and Raj thought--
JAKE (fiercely): Don’t you dare light those--
RAJ: Aww, c’mon, don’t ruin our fun! I’d have thought you’d be all about this! What’s the harm in--
Estela crosses her arms and steps closer to Raj, glaring angrily.
ESTELA: So, right now, we’re hiding from a death squad of highly trained, well-armed mercenaries… and your plan is to shoot off a bunch of flares directly over our location.
She holds her death glare on the two of them. There is an awkward silence before Craig and Raj finally glance at each other, both clearly embarrassed.
CRAIG: Okay, when you put it like that…
RAJ: Sorry guys. No fireworks this year.
Raj looks down dejectedly and starts heading toward the stairs, when suddenly:
GRACE: Wait! Look!
Everyone follows her gaze off toward a distant mountain range, where the sky is lighting up in beautiful, otherworldly colors. Jake and Alyssa exchange a shocked glance: the colors are identical to those they had seen during their first day on La Huerta, back at the airstrip.
SEAN: What is that?!
VARYYN: Ah, the Lights of Vaanu. Among our people, they are believed to be a sign of good fortune to come.
JAKE: Dunno about y’all, but I’d say we could definitely use some good fortune right about now.
Raj shrugs.
RAJ: Well, it’s not fireworks, but it’s close enough for me! Fifteen seconds ‘til midnight!
Everyone starts looking around at one another, most of them pairing off: Alyssa with Jake, Aleister with Grace, Craig with Zahra, Diego with Varyyn, and two of the Vaanti with one another. Quinn looks as though she is about to approach Michelle, but shies away at the last minute. Ian nods toward Estela, who approaches him. Ian starts to turn away, when Alyssa not-so-subtly kicks him with her heel, pushing him back toward Estela.
IAN (annoyed): ‘Lyss!
He bumps into Estela, who awkwardly catches him in her arms.
ESTELA: Oh! …Hey.
IAN (awkwardly): …Hey.
Everyone else starts counting down from ten. Ian scratches the back of his neck and glances away from Estela. Alyssa shoots him an “are you kidding me?” glance, while Diego raises his eyebrows so far that they nearly vanish into his hairline. Ian sighs and nods in acknowledgement, then takes a deep breath.
EVERYONE: Five… four… three…
Estela steps close, the brilliant otherworldly lights reflecting in her deep brown eyes as she and Ian gaze at one another.
ESTELA: I…
EVERYONE: Two… one… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The other couples all pull one another into New Year’s kisses as those who are single celebrate in their own ways. Ian starts to hesitate, then relents and pulls Estela into a deep kiss. When they part, Estela smiles up at him.
ESTELA (laughs): I almost thought I would have to do everything myself. Again.
IAN (laughs): Guess I just thought… I was worried you might not want--
He is interrupted by Estela pulling him back in for another kiss. Elsewhere, near the rooftop jacuzzi, Diego and Varyyn sit side-by-side, just breaking apart from their own midnight kiss.
VARYYN: This tradition of yours. Kissing at midnight.
DIEGO (awkwardly): Well, it’s not exactly my tradition--
VARYYN (warmly): I enjoy it quite a lot. Does it apply only to midnight?
DIEGO: Well, uh, if you’re asking if we can kiss again… I won’t say no.
VARYYN (ecstatic): Wonderful! Then, may I…?
Diego nods, and he and Varyyn kiss once more. In the background, Raj can be seen nodding at the two of them, and Craig groans and hands over some cash. Elsewhere, Jake and Alyssa stand hand-in-hand, gazing off at the multicolored lights.
JAKE: Looks familiar, huh?
ALYSSA: How could I forget? That was kind of a big day for me. Y’know.
JAKE: Why, ‘cuz you met me?
ALYSSA (teasingly): Don’t get too excited, Top Gun. A lot more happened than just that.
JAKE: Alright, answer this: were you really looking at those lights the whole time?
ALYSSA: I--
She laughs and rolls her eyes in tacit admission that her attention had indeed been elsewhere at the time. Jake wraps his arms around her and pulls her in close.
ALYSSA: What do you say we take this somewhere else?
JAKE: What were you thinkin’, Princess?
ALYSSA: Somewhere with a bed, if you know what I mean…?
JAKE: I am never gonna say no to that. Lead on.
Alyssa takes him by the hand and leads him back downstairs. As the night continues on, several other couples do the same. Diego and Varyyn are on their way toward the stairs when Diego stops for a moment near where Ian and Estela are sitting.
DIEGO: Go ahead, Varyyn, I’ll catch up. I’ve just gotta check on something first.
Varyyn nods and continues down the stairs. Diego approaches Ian and Estela, resting a hand on the former’s shoulder.
IAN: What’s up?
DIEGO: Can I talk to you for a sec?
IAN: Uh… sure?
Ian gives Estela an apologetic look, and she nods in response. Diego leads him over to a secluded area of the rooftop and lowers his voice.
DIEGO: You know the night’s not over yet, right?
IAN (genuinely confused): What?
DIEGO: Ian! Seriously! Surely you noticed the other couples heading off, right? Me included?
IAN: Yes… and?
Diego seems to be fighting the urge to facepalm.
DIEGO: You. Estela. Do I need to say anything more?
IAN (nervously): Okay, I get what you’re saying, but… where would we even go? It’s not like the lobby is exactly private, and--
DIEGO: This is a hotel, Ian! Are you kidding right now? All the bedrooms you could possibly want! Just go find one!
IAN (laughs): Alright, alright. I’ll ask her. You know, she might say ‘no’--
DIEGO: With how she’s been looking at you all this time? If she says ‘no,’ I’ll literally eat my shoe. Not even kidding. (sighs) Just ask her, would you?
IAN: Will do, Diego. And thanks for the push.
DIEGO (shrugs): What can I say? It’s kinda my job.
He nods at Ian, then turns to rejoin Varyyn and head back downstairs. Ian steels himself, then heads back toward Estela.
ESTELA: What was that all about?
IAN (awkwardly): Diego. He, uh, not-so-subtly hinted that… we should… y’know, ‘find a bedroom.’
ESTELA (coyly): Oh? And what did you think about that?
Ian scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.
IAN: Well, uh… if you said ‘no,’ I’d definitely understand--
ESTELA (genuinely confused): …Why would I say ‘no?’
IAN: Dunno, guess I just thought--
She holds a finger up to his lips and smiles.
ESTELA: You think too much.
With a wink, she takes him by the hand and leads him downstairs…
_______________________
Note: If anyone was wondering, Ian was born at 11:59 PM December 31st, 1995, and Alyssa was born at 12:01 AM January 1st, 1996.
Next: The Fourteenth Vaalta (Coming soon!)
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