A Wintersday Gathering, In Three (And a Bit) Parts
PART ONE
Inside a small wooden room, somewhere behind a tavern in Divinity's Reach, two asura are standing beside a trestle table. One is arranging plates of food with exacting care; the other has her arms folded.
AMBER
Are you sure about this, Darr?
DARR
Absolutely sure. Who doesn't like a party?
AMBER
It's not the party that concerns me. It's--
There's a knock on the outer door, which opens before anyone can answer it. A norn steps inside, shaking snow off her cloak.
ERIN
Brr! I've never seen Divinity's Reach so cold. Anyone would think we're in Hoelbrak!
DARR
You see? People are arriving already. It's going to be a great success.
AMBER
If you say so...
Another knock on the door. Erin answers it, enveloping the newcomer in a snowy hug. There are muffled noises from whoever she's greeting.
CAOLINN
[muffled] Erin! I can't... breathe...
ERIN
Oh! Sorry. Come in! Have some food.
DARR
There's plenty for everyone!
AMBER
Just wait until Erin gets started...
The party-goers converge around the table and start reaching for their favourite delicacies.
ERIN
[Around a mouthful of food] This is really good!
AMBER
Don't sound so surprised.
DARR
[Ignoring Amber] Thank you! I made it all myself. These little berries come all the way from the depths of Orr, and the shrimp--
AMBER
[Looking dubiously at the berries] From Orr?
CAOLINN
I didn't know you could cook.
DARR
Oh, absolutely! I enjoy nothing more than whipping up a few masterpieces in the kitchen. Cooking takes time, you know, and patience, and a good eye for detail, exactly the sort of qualities asura are--
AMBER
And plenty of free time.
Silence falls around the table. Erin, apparently oblivious, continues to eat. Darr goes very pale.
DARR
If you're implying I haven't had much time on set lately--
AMBER
Which you haven't.
DARR
–-by mutual agreement with the producers--
AMBER
You've been sidelined, basically.
DARR
–-and is, I can assure you, only a *temporary* state of affairs.
Another silence falls, this one distinctly strained. Amber puts her half-eaten berry slice back on the table.
AMBER
Well, this is a *great* party.
Erin opens her mouth to speak, but there's a commotion outside the door and it swings open, spilling a crowd of people into the room. There are shouts of greeting and stamping of feet to dislodge snow as the room becomes crowded.
CAOLINN
[To Darr] How many people did you invite?
DARR
[Looking pleased with himself] Well, everyone!
***
PART TWO
A plethora of individuals of all races gather around the table. There are calls for drinks to be poured, and appreciative noises about the provision of food.
DARR
Thank you, thank you! Please, help yourselves!
ERIN
[To Amber] He's not much like his character, is he?
AMBER
Not in the slightest.
Food and drinks are passed round. Another asura approaches Amber and hands her a glass.
AMBER
I haven't seen much of you lately.
ZURRA
Oh, we've been moved to another set.
AMBER
What's it like?
ZURRA
The climate's preferable to anything I've worked in before. The catering's terrible, though.
AMBER
[Nodding] That's what you get for trying to do everything on the cheap.
A human interrupts them, flinging an arm around Amber. He already seems to be half drunk.
BLAISE
Amber! I haven't seen you in months!
AMBER
You were dead, remember?
BLAISE
A minor technicality. I'm sure I'll be back for the big finale.
AMBER
[With raised eyebrows] Really? You're *sure*?
BLAISE
Well, the producers haven't said anything, but how can I not be? I was a major character, you know!
AMBER
Yes, but you're *dead*.
ZURRA
That hasn't stopped Flikk.
FLIKK
[From across the table] Oh, I'm just here for the food.
A charr shoulders her way past Blaise, shrugging off the greeting he tries to give her.
SPARK
[With nods of greeting] Amber. Zurra.
AMBER
Spark! I didn't think you'd be coming.
SPARK
[Belligerently] Why? Because my contract hasn't been renewed?
AMBER
It... hasn't?
SPARK
Of course it hasn't. I thought everyone knew by now.
ZURRA
I knew.
AMBER
I *didn't*. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything. The producers have probably just been busy--
A second charr joins the gathering. He, too, appears drunk.
BLAISE
Weir!
WEIR
Blaise!
AMBER
Where did you come from?
WEIR
[Gestures] Over there somewhere...
SPARK
She meant what are you doing at the party, idiot.
WEIR
You know me –- can't resist a good meal. And this food is excellent.
DARR
[From across the table] Thank you!
AMBER
Don't encourage him.
SPARK
[To Amber] So how are things? Been getting into trouble without me?
AMBER
Um...
SPARK
That's a yes.
AMBER
I suppose so. Don't look at me like that. It hasn't been *that* exciting. You haven't missed anything--
ZURRA
Except Vonn.
AMBER
[Hissed, to Zurra] Will you *shut up*?
SPARK
Who's Vonn?
AMBER
No-one, no-one–-
ZURRA
He's Flikk's son.
SPARK
[Growls across the table] You have a *son*?
FLIKK
How should I know? I'm just here for the food, remember?
AMBER
You see? Flikk only had one scene and he's quite happy--
FLIKK
I'm not sure *happy* is quite the word.
AMBER
[To Flikk] Not. Helping.
SPARK
[Folds arms] You know, I think some of us are getting a poor deal in this production.
AMBER
This isn't really the time or the place for a discussion--
SPARK
[Loudly] A very poor deal. There's been too much attention on a certain *asura* and the rest of us just have to get out of the way.
AMBER
You all knew what you were signing up for--
ZURRA
Actually, I don't think we did. Some of us were distinctly promised larger roles than this.
AMBER
[Nonplussed] You were?
ZURRA
Yes.
BLAISE
Yep.
SPARK
We were.
Silence falls across the room, broken only by someone's loud belch.
AMBER
Erin, that's disgusting.
SPARK
Don't try and change the subject.
AMBER
I wasn't--
SPARK
You were. And I think it's about time a few of us *renegotiated* better terms.
AMBER
You do that--
SPARK
Like now.
Spark reaches into the pocket of her greatcoat and pulls out a pistol, placing it meaningfully on the table beside her.
AMBER
Where did you get *that*?
SPARK
It's mine, of course. I'm an engineer, remember?
AMBER
Well, I know you are in the *story*, but--
SPARK
And the rest of the time, obviously. [Hesitates, suddenly uncertain] You mean, you're *not* a thief?
AMBER
No! I'm an actor from Metrica Province! I don't even own a dagger! And, if I'm being perfectly honest, the sight of blood makes me a little queasy.
BLAISE
Hey, me too!
SPARK
You're not a ranger?
BLAISE
Of course not! I used to be on the stage in Divinity's Reach, until I got a little bit too fond of– [Mimes drinking from a bottle] And I hate cats, too.
SPARK
Oh.
AMBER
Anyone else?
ZURRA
Golem saleswoman.
CAOLINN
Artisan baker.
ERIN
Professional wrestler and occasional life model. Actually, this story hasn't had anywhere near enough chances for me to pose nude--
AMBER
[Clears her throat loudly]
FLIKK
Just here for the food.
Another silence falls. Somewhat guiltily, Spark retrieves her pistol from the table and shoves it back in her pocket.
DARR
[Loudly, and with forced cheer] Well then, if *that's* out of the way... Can I interest anyone in more wine?
#
PART THREE
Somewhat subdued, the party continues, the guests milling around the table. Much of the food is gone, though there's still a great deal of drink being consumed. Weir approaches Amber, even more inebriated than before.
WEIR
This is a great party, don't you think?
AMBER
Spectacular.
WEIR
She doesn't mean it, you know.
AMBER
Mean what?
WEIR
Spark. She's not *really* jealous. She just...
AMBER
Has an abrasive personality?
WEIR
Yeah! Yeah, that's it. She just sorta makes troubles sometimes, without really meaning to.
AMBER
Really. I'd never have noticed.
Spark, who's been brooding in a corner, pushes through the crowd.
SPARK
Shut up, Weir.
WEIR
[Salutes] Yes, sir. Ma'am. Lady engineer.
SPARK
Didn't I tell you to shut up?
WEIR
Sorry.
SPARK
[To Amber] I'm here to apologise.
AMBER
Apologise? You?
SPARK
[Growls] Don't make this harder than it already is. [Takes a deep breath] Weir's an idiot, but he's right about one thing: I'm not jealous.
AMBER
Could have fooled me.
SPARK
Well, I'm not. In fact, I'd never done anything like this before I met you, so I'm... grateful.
AMBER
Grateful?
SPARK
Grateful. For giving me a chance to travel. To be part of your story. And to blow stuff up.
AMBER
You can't have a good story without explosions.
SPARK
Exactly. So, yeah. Thanks.
AMBER
[Graciously] You're very welcome.
Across the room, someone taps a spoon against a glass and everyone turns. Darr is standing on a chair, yet remains only half Erin's height.
DARR
I want to propose a toast--
ERIN
Hear hear!
DARR
–-to old friends and new acquaintances--
ERIN
Hear hear!
DARR
–-and to the spirit of Wintersday--
ERIN
Hear--
CAOLINN
Erin, shh!
DARR
–-which resides in us all. I'm sure that's a sentiment we can all share.
Amber looks at Spark, who raises her glass; they clink their glasses together.
AMBER
To Wintersday.
SPARK
To friends.
AMBER
[Nods] Reluctant friends, maybe.
SPARK
Maybe.
AMBER
And to your contract being renewed. I'll sure you'll be on set again soon.
SPARK
[Hopefully] You think so?
AMBER
[After draining her glass] Absolutely.
#
EPILOGUE
Amber and Erin have left the party and are standing in the snow, looking out over Divinity's Reach.
AMBER
[Grudgingly] That wasn't a bad party after all.
ERIN
[Hiccups] That was... [Hiccups again] The best damn party...
AMBER
How much did you drink?
ERIN
[After a pause] Lots.
AMBER
Can you find your way home?
ERIN
[Another pause] No.
Amber grabs Erin's hand and begins pulling her down the slope. They start to recede into the distance, hidden by the falling snow.
AMBER
Just don't fall over, all right? It'd take a dolyak to carry you, and I'm no dolyak.
ERIN
You'd really suit the ears.
AMBER
What?
ERIN
Dolyak ears. They'd suit you. And the horns--
AMBER
Shut up.
ERIN
And maybe the tail--
AMBER
Shut UP.
ERIN
Have you ever thought about growing your hair? You could have a sort of mane, and then we could strap Wintersday presents to your back and--
Erin is interrupted by the sound of a snowball hitting her, then there's a louder thump as she falls over.
ERIN
[Laughing] I did that thing you told me not to do. [A pause] Amber. Hey, Amber. [Another, longer pause] Amber, are you still there? You're not just going to leave me here, are you?
Erin gets no reply. She continues to call for Amber, her voice becoming more and more distant, as the thickening snowfall finally conceals her from view.
