Scenario:Auld Lang Syne 2018 - New Year's Puppy Playdate

Auld Lang Syne 2018 - New Year's Puppy Playdate

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Vajra: It's time. Shall we kick things off?

Pholia: Absolutely! You've all worked hard this year—you've earned a night of hearty celebration!

Vajra & Pholia: Cheers!

4 Fellas: Cheers!

Cheeerrrs!
Cheers!

Cheers.

Wulf: Cheers...

Renie: ...

As the days shorten toward year's end, a group of friends gathers to raise a glass.

Pholia: Haha... Our long-awaited New Year's party by dog lovers, for dog lovers is about to begin!

Bai Ze: Sovereign, how many times must I reiterate that I am not a dog?

Pholia: Don't split hairs. You could easily be a dog, if you didn't speak.

Buddy: Rarf!

Camaro: Bow-wow!
Lick, lick, slurp.

Buddy: Whine, whine...

Flesselles: Haha! Looks like you made a friend, Camaro!

Vajra: I'm so happy we could get so many dogs and dog lovers together in one place! Right, Gar?

Garjana: ...

Vajra, the year spirit, arranged this party officially to celebrate the past year.

In the end, however, it's turned into more of a canine playdate.

Barawa: Hahaha! I never imagined I'd have the chance to knock back a drink with the year spirit!

Barawa: Buddy here has saved my bacon more often this year than usual...

Barawa: I deduced that must be by the good offices of the year of the Dog's guardian. I've been meaning to thank you!

Buddy: Ruff!

Flesselles: Thanks to Camaro's efforts, I've had a great year of hunting too! Thank you, Vajra!

Vajra: I can't take credit. Your canine friends are looking out for you thanks to the strong bonds you share.

Vajra: I owe just as much to Gar for all his help this year. Thank you, Gar.

Garjana: ...

Flesselles: Haha, the year spirit thinks you're great too, Camaro.

Camaro: Bow!

Skull: My partner here hasn't been slackin' either!

???: Awoo!

Eustace: Hey. What's the Odajumoki's North Husky wolf dog doing here?

Skull: I wasn't gonna leave home without 'im, you fluff-brained ferret!

Skull: Hehe, I kept him hidden in my room this whole time!

Skull: I named him Skull Jr.! And he's a certified genius!

Skull: Of course, he's not quite up to my level!

Eustace: Nothing to write home about then.

Skull: What'd you say! You're gonna eat your words, fleabag. Watch this!

Skull holds out his thumb and forefinger in the shape of a gun. At this signal, Skull Jr. springs to his feet.

Skull: Here goes, Skull Jr.!

Skull: Blam!

Skull Jr.: Awooo...

Skull Jr. keels over on the spot.

Skull Jr.: Pant, pant, pant.

Lying where he fell, Skull Jr. thumps his tail against the floor in an obvious plea for approval.

Skull: Theeere's my good boy! What a good puppy you are! That was slick as a penguin's backside, buddy!

Eustace: Well, well...

Skull: Hahaha! How d'ya like us now! For a genius like me, this was a walk in the dark!

Eustace: You mean a walk in the park.

Skull Jr.: Awoo!

Eustace: ...!

Eustace: ...
You're a good boy.

Barawa: That was quite the convincing performance, Skull Jr.! Bravo!

Barawa: Haha... My Buddy is quite the clever pup himself. Even indoors, he can retrieve any ball I...

As he speaks, Barawa roots through the inside pockets of his coat, looking for his dog's ball.

Barawa: Hm... Eh? Now... where's it gone?

Buddy: Rarf!

Buddy appears at Barawa's feet with a small ball in his mouth.

Barawa: So that's where it was!

Barawa: As you can see, anything I drop, this canny canine snaps up and returns to me.

Skull: Whoa, nice trick! Returning lost items is a pretty sweet—

Skull: Wait, though. Didn't you say somethin' about throwin' a ball?

Skull: Well, whatever! He's one hell of a partner!

Renie watches from the far corner of the room, a bored expression on her face. She sighs.

Renie: This is dumb.

Wulf: Renie...

Renie: Humph.

Vane: Hehe, the snacks have arrived! Get 'em while they're hot!

Vane swoops into the room bearing a tray laden with food. He sets plate after plate onto the dinner table.

Pholia: What an enticing aroma! I usually think of dried foods to accompany alcohol, but these dishes should pair even better!

Bai Ze: Please, Vane, you are also a guest. Be seated.

Vane: Real nice of you! But I just put some noodles on to boil, so I'll take you up on that once they're done!

Vajra: New Year's soba noodles? I can't wait!

Vane: You're Wulf and Renie, right? Whaddya think of my cooking?

Renie: Wouldn't know. Haven't had any.

Vane: Gotcha! Well, if you get the urge, dig right in!

Vane bustles back into the kitchen.

Renie: Sigh...

Wulf: Is it that bad?

Renie: You're not a dog. I don't understand why we were invited.

Pholia: Don't be so particular! Perky ears and fluffy fur are dog enough for me!

Renie: Whoa... Don't sneak up on me like that...

Pholia: Have no fear. There's plenty of juice too. Drink your fill!

Bai Ze: Wulf, could I tempt you with a cup of warm sake?

Wulf: Yeah... Sounds good.

Pholia and Bai Ze pour juice and sake for their respective guests.

Pholia: Well then, everyone, please raise your glasses.

Pholia: A toast!

Wulf & Bai Ze: Cheers.

Renie: ...

Wulf: Renie.

Renie: Glug, glug.

Renie knocks back her juice, then rises to her feet and heads for the door.

Renie: I'm sleepy. I'll be in my room.

Wulf: Renie...

Wulf: I'm sorry. I dragged her along because I wanted to offer my thanks to the year spirit.

Pholia: Nothing to worry about. No doubt the late hour is responsible for her mood.

Pholia: Are you sure you shouldn't accompany her? On a chilly night such as this, she will miss your fluffy fur.

Wulf: Thank you for your consideration.

Barawa: Hic... Blurp...

Pholia: Hm?

Pholia looks around to find that Barawa has collapsed onto the table and overturned a sake bottle with his elbow.

Flesselles: Aah, Barawa! You're covered in sake!

Vajra: Here are some dishcloths! I'll help sop it up!

Barawa: Hic... Brrap...
I know... I know, Sarya!

Barawa: I'm a fraud... Without Buddy I couldn't even man the lost and found... I have less deductive prowess than a dog...

Skull: Dammit! I'm a genius! How dare they call me Hollow-Skull!

Eustace: How did this one end up plastered too?

Vajra: That's odd... I didn't think Skull's drink was alcoholic.

Flesselles: Do you think the scent of all that spilled sake was what did it?

Skull: Besides, don't you think it's weird? These two words are too close together! Genius and jiminy... Gin and juice... No...

Skull: Jinx! Genius and jinx! One slip of the tongue and you're there! You dig?

Eustace: Not even slightly.

Barawa: Hear, hear! You and I are simpatico, Skull! Every dog has his day!

Skull: You said a mouthful! And this dog can learn lotsa tricks! You better believe it!

Barawa: When will my dog day come? My detective agency is so quiet you can hear your hair grow... And Sarya's always in a temper...

Skull: Yeah! Why do people love Skull Jr. so much more than Skull Classic? I'm just as smart as he is!

Barawa: Sniffle... It's a cruel world...

Skull: You ain't lyin'...

Barawa: Skull!

Skull: Barawa!

Barawa: Let's come back as dogs in our next lives!

Skull: Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!

Barawa & Skull: Aaahhh, you get me!

Barawa and Skull fling their arms around one another and shed manly tears.

Flesselles: Wow... I don't... really have a handle on the situation, but they seem to understand each other!

Eustace: Sigh... Idiots.

Pholia: Good grief... It seems they've both been keeping quite a lot inside.

Pholia: We're meant to be sending off the old year, so let it all out!

Barawa: Whimper... Damn it!

Barawa pours himself another drink and downs it in a single swig. It seems to revive him.

Barawa: I can do it if I try! And I can try if I do it! Do you hear me, Chat Noooiiirrr!

Skull: Yeah, yeah, yeeaah! I am a genius! I'll show ya!

Pholia: Go on, whinge! Bellyache! He who vents the loudest wins!

Vajra: I'll join you! Let's face that sea of troubles!

Barawa: And by opposing, end them! Come, Skull! We take arms!

Skull: Got no idea what you're talkin' about, but let's party!

Auld Lang Syne 2018 - New Year's Puppy Playdate: Scene 2

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Barawa: Blurble... I'mmunna do it...

Skull: Geeeniuuusss... Zzz... Zzz...

After unleashing their discontent like two dams bursting, Barawa and Skull fall into contented slumber.

Their respective canine companions curl up beside them to keep them warm.

Vajra: Oof... That was almost as intense as cleansing Kleshas.

Pholia: Well, as long as they're feeling better!

Pholia gives a huge yawn and stretches out, pillowing her head on Bai Ze's belly.

Pholia: I think I've overindulged a little myself. I'm going to rest my eyes for a bit.

Bai Ze: Sovereign, you are one of the hosts of this celebration.

Pholia: I know that. I'll only put my head down... for a moment...

Unable to resist sleep's siren call any longer, Pholia lets her heavy eyelids close. Before long her soft breathing joins her companions' snores.

Flesselles: It's gone all quiet all of a sudden.

Eustace: Finally, some peace.

With a faint smile, Eustace stirs the ice in his glass with one finger, then takes a sip.

The fleeting calm is interrupted by Vane returning from the kitchen.

Vane: Sorry to keep ya waiting! Here's that New Year's soba!

Vane: Huh? Wahahaha! Don't they look cute all tuckered out!

Flesselles: Sorry... They all had a bit too much to drink...

Vane: Don't sweat it! The soba took longer'n I expected. I'll just save their portions for later.

Vane: Man, though, I'm kinda jealous. They look so cozy with those big dogs for pillows. I wish I had one.

Vane sets a steaming bowl of noodles before each of the conscious diners.

Vajra: Oooh! Looks delicious!

Vane: Haha, right? Be careful though and don't burn yourself—they're hot!

Flesselles: Thank you!
Slurp, slurp... Chew, chew...

Flesselles: Mmm! Delicious!

Eustace: This broth is excellent.

Vajra: It warms you right up! I could eat a whole pot!

Pholia: Sniff, sniff...
Do I smell...

Bai Ze: Rouse yourself, Sovereign. We should partake while the noodles are hot.

Vajra: Sharing noodles with friends is the perfect way to send off the old year!

Flesselles: You know, I've been wondering...

Flesselles: How was your year, Vajra?

Vajra: Hm? Me?

Flesselles: Yes! After all, you're the year spirit! You should take center stage!

Flesselles: I'd love to hear some of your stories. That is, if you don't mind...

Vane: Now that you mention it, so would I! How about it, Vajra?

Vajra: Sure! There are a few things I'd like to get off my chest!

Vajra thinks back over the past year and begins her tale.

She was surprised at just how many people visited the Canine Temple in order to see her in her capacity as year spirit.

From disciplining poorly-behaved visitors with Garjana, to offering prayers of good health and protection to the devout—and receiving their heartfelt gratitude.

Many worshippers brought their dogs, and Vajra played with them all. Over and over again she was moved by people's warmth and kindness.

The guests gathered around the table listen with rapt attention to her stories.

Vajra: It was my first time serving as the year spirit, so I was nervous at the start.

Vajra: But with the support of the other Divine Generals and all of our friends, it turned out to be a fine year.

Vajra: Of course, I never could have done it without Gar by my side!

Vajra grins and digs her fingers into Garjana's ruff to give him a thorough rub.

Vajra: All that's left is to pray that the year comes safely to a close without another overflow of Kleshas.

Flesselles: I was so moved by your stories... Thank you for sharing them!

Pholia: Haha... I can think of no more fitting end to this evening's revelry.

Eustace: Agreed.

Vajra: All I did was reminisce a little, but I'm glad you enjoyed hearing it!

The rest of the night passes in pleasant conversation, with Vajra as the center of attention.

Wulf: Huff... Slurp, slurp...

Renie: Ss... lurp...

Back in their quarters, Wulf and Renie quietly enjoy the noodles Vane delivered.

Wulf: So this is New Year's soba... It's good.

Renie: I'm only eating it because you looked like you didn't want to eat alone. I don't care what it tastes like.

Wulf: I see.

Wulf: Thanks, Renie.

Renie: ...

Wulf: Let's stick together this year too, Renie.

Renie: Why would we change now?

Renie buries her face in Wulf's fur, and he wraps her in a warm hug.

Pholia: Well... I wonder what next year will bring.

Bai Ze: I look forward to finding out, Sovereign.

Flesselles: No matter what happens, I'll be fine as long as I have you, Camaro!

Camaro: Bow-wow!

Skull Jr.: Awoo?

Eustace: ...

Eustace: Skull is a moron who needs a lot of looking after. That's where you come in, boy.

Vajra: Ehehe. Here's to another year of friendship, eh, Gar?

Garjana: ...

The night wears on toward a peaceful close.

Over their New Year's noodles, the assembled dog lovers reflect on the past year and cast their minds forward to the next.