New Year's Kiss
Stand-Alone Time-Sensitive Quest.
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements / Rewards
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Part 1
Payton: New Year’s Party! Let’s grab dinner at the fanciest restaurant on the wharf and take a cruise to watch the fireworks!
Payton: Danny! You made it! I’m so excited! Tonight is going to be amazing! #BestNewYearsEver!
Danny: Did you just say a hashtag out loud?
Payton: That’s how excited I am!
Autumn: So what’s on our itinerary?
Payton: We’re going to start by all having dinner at Carlisle’s, the super-fancy restaurant down on the wharf… And then we’ll all take a cruise around the bay on a fancy yacht so we can have a perfect view of the fireworks over the city! It’ll be awesome and romantic! Awesomeantic!
Rewards
Danny: So, should we head out?
Payton: Yeah, we… hmmm. It’s just… are you sure you want to go in that outfit?
Danny: What’s wrong with it?
Payton: Nothing, nothing! It’s just… there’s nothing new about it! And this is a New Year’s Party!
Autumn: She does have a point…
Payton: New Year, new outfit… that’s basically a law!
Part 2
Payton: New Year, new outfit! NEW YEAR, NEW OUTFIT!
Danny: Well? How does this look?
Payton: You look hot, Danny… like… really, really hot…
Autumn: Payton, stop drooling over Danny! Don’t we have a dinner reservation to get to?
Payton: Oh right! Just give me five minutes to do my hair… And my makeup… And my nails… You know what? Make it fifteen minutes…
Rewards
Half an hour later, you and Autumn are still waiting. Julian comes strolling up…
Autumn: Hey, Julian! You’re looking pretty happy…
Julian: I’m pumped for this party… and also, I just got this new cologne. What do you think?
Autumn: Mmmm… you smell really nice, actually… like you’re a lumberjack in a glistening snowy meadow, chopping trees with a rough-hewn axe, your hair blowing gently in the arctic breeze…
Julian: That’s… oddly specific…
Autumn: Right. Sorry. Got carried away. Speaking of which, where’s Payton? We’ve been waiting forever, and dinner’s already started…
Just then, Payton comes running over…
Payton: Hey! I know, I know, sorry I’m late, but I’m ready now! Let’s get to the restaurant! Oh, and Danny… make sure to pick who you want to sit next to!
Part 3
Autumn: Who do you want to sit next to you at dinner?
At the lavish restaurant Carlisle’s, you and your friends sit along a long table. You’re next to Berry and Ashton…
Ashton: Thanks for sitting with us, Danny!
Berry: This place is so nice…
The waiter brings you the menu…
Berry: Oh. Wow.
Danny: Would you judge me if I ordered every appetizer? Because I’m going to order every appetizer.
Time - 2 hours
Berry: I can’t believe 2013 is almost over!
Ashton: 2014, here we come!
Just then, three waiters come to your table carrying trays of food! They deliver dish after dish, and everyone digs in!
Berry: Mmmm… the soft-shelled crab is amazing…
Ashton: And that lobster… oh, that lobster…
Danny: Just too good…
Ashton: So… have you thought about your New Year’s resolution at all, Danny?
Danny: Hmmm… that’s kind of a big question…
Payton: Well, I know what my resolution is… To eat more of these AMAZING tuna rolls! OMG!
She lunges up with excitement, bumping the table! Autumn’s soda spills all over her!
Autumn: Hey!
Payton: Oops! Sorry!
Autumn: It’s okay… I guess… Just pass me some napkins… and some of those tuna rolls!
Payton: Hee hee! Sure thing! As a side-note, does someone at this table smell like a gorgeous, frosty lumberjack?
Rewards
Payton: Oh! I know! Someone should give a toast!
Autumn: What do you say, Danny?
Julian: Speech!
Payton: Speech!
Part 4
Autumn: Speech! Speech! Speech!
Payton: Will you give a toast, Danny?
Julian: Do it!
You stand up and clear your throat…
Danny: Well… okay…
Time - 3 hours
Danny: Ahem… I’d like to just say a few words…
Everyone turns to stare at you…
Danny: I think we can all agree this has been one crazy year. Twelve months ago, everything was so different. We were all strangers. This school didn’t even exist. When I think about everything that’s happened… everything we’ve done… everything we’ve built… it’s utterly incredible. That’s why I’d like you all to raise your glasses as I make a toast to our school! When I got to our school, it was nothing more than an empty plot of land. Well, an empty plot of land with Autumn hanging out in it.
Autumn: Hee hee!
Danny: But together, we’ve built it up into something so much bigger. We’ve forged friendships, found love, fought our rivals, and much, much more. Our school isn’t just our buildings, our land, our decorations. It’s all of us. We built it together, guys. We came together and made something truly, genuinely great. How many people get to say that before they’re 18?
Everyone claps and cheers!
Danny: I don’t know what the next year will bring. I can’t promise it’ll be easy. As our school gets bigger, we’ll face new challenges, deal with new problems, and meet new rivals. But I know, no matter what happens, we’ll make it. And you know why? Because we have each other.
Julian: I’ll toast to that!
Autumn: Me too!
Danny: You guys are amazing. All of you. So long as we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Payton: Woohoo!
Everyone clinks their glasses together in celebration!
Rewards
Danny: Now then… should we head towards this cruise?
Payton: Yep! Let me just grab the tickets…
Payton digs into her purse… and freezes!
Payton: Uh oh… I… may have forgotten the tickets…
Autumn: For real, Payton?!
Payton: I’m sorry! I was just so busy doing my hair and makeup and everything, I forgot!
Autumn: I know, it’s just… you made us late to the restaurant, you spilled the soda all over me, and now this? I wish you’d be more serious sometimes!
Payton: …I’m sorry.
Autumn: Look. It’s okay. We can still buy new ones at the wharf, right?
Danny: Yeah… but we’d better get moving!
Part 5
Julian: Quick! We need to buy tickets for the cruise!
You and your friends buy some tickets and hurry onto the luxurious boat, just before it sails off…
Autumn: Wow… this boat is really nice… look at all the gilded embellishments on the doorways…
Julian: Seriously! It’s like the boat version of a limo! Could you imagine rolling up to Prom in this thing?
Autumn: Hee hee!
Rewards
Payton comes walking over, a stern look on her face…
Payton: Ahem! Attention everyone! I would like to announce my New Year’s resolution! I have decided that I’m going to be much more serious, just like Autumn said!
Autumn: Payton, I didn’t mean it…
Payton: No. You were right. I AM too goofy and careless all the time. But no more! 2014 is the year of a new Payton… a SERIOUS Payton!
Just then a voice comes on the loudspeaker, announcing that the dance floor is open!
Autumn: Come on, Danny! Let’s get out there!
Julian: You coming, Payton?
Payton: Of course! I love dancing! I can’t wait to go totally wild on the dancefloor and— I mean… uh… No. I am not. Dancing is silly and frivolous. As a serious person, I’m going to gaze out at the water and contemplate the nature of reality!
Julian: Is that what you think serious people do?
Autumn: Well… um… Danny! Why don’t you gather some people to go dance?
Part 6
Autumn: Come on! Let’s grab some friends and hit the dance floor!
You, Zayn, Channing, and James all head onto the dance floor as the DJ puts on a pulsing electronic track…
Zayn: Come on, Danny! Let’s cut a rug!
Channing: That’s not a thing people say… at least, not in this century…
James: Heh, whatever! I love this song!
Time - 4 hours
You and your friends all dance together! Julian twirls Autumn, Channing busts out some amazing moves, while Zayn and James demonstrate an unusual hopping dance… The song ends, and a sentimental rendition of Auld Lang Syne comes on. You and your friends step aside…
Danny: Whoo… that was fun, but I’d like to get some air…
Zayn: Seriously…
Danny: Those were some pretty, um, unusual moves on the dance floor there, Zayn…
Zayn: You mean my leading-excellence technique? You see, science has discovered that leading with the right foot is considered more attractive, so I tried to ONLY use my right foot!
Danny: By… just hopping on it?
Zayn: Yup!
Channing: You’re crazy, Zayn! Dancing’s not about being optimal or whatever! It’s about having fun!
James: Yeah… which is why I unleashed my DDR Perfect Attack moveset!
Channing: Argh! So weird! I mean… so… interesting! And different!
Danny: Did you make a New Years resolution to be more open-minded, Channing?
Channing: Maaaaaybe…
Zayn: Well, I resolved to be more outgoing! Like, you know, at a party or whatever. Not that I’ll necessarily be invited…
Channing: Don’t worry, Zayn. I’ll make sure to invite you to my next party!
James: Heh. I resolved to get the number 1 spot in at least a dozen leaderboards! Video game stardom, here I come!
Rewards
You look over and see Autumn standing by the railing, gazing out at the water…
Danny: Thinking about something?
Autumn: Just planning my resolution for the New Year. Art is so personal for me… I have a really hard time putting my work out there for the world to see… But I think I need to start pushing myself to apply to more contests if I’m going to build my art career! So my New Year’s resolution is to apply to at least three art contests before the end of January!
Danny: That sounds like a good plan to me.
Just then, Payton walks over…
Payton: Ahem! I would like to announce, in only the most serious and professional of ways, that the fireworks will be going off soon, and that now is an excellent time to head up to the deck of the ship! If you’d like to have a good view, I would recommend going there now, in an orderly, adult, and mature fashion!
Julian: Yeah, yeah, follow me. I know a great spot to view the fireworks!
Part 7
Julian: Follow me! I know a great spot to see the fireworks!
You, Jeff, and Maddie follow Julian up a ladder to the roof of the captain’s quarters, which gives you a perfect view of the fireworks going off over the city!
Jeff: Oh wow…
Maddie: Those are gorgeous…
A single rocket fires up and explodes in the night sky, bursting into an unfurling flower of lights and colors! Payton and Autumn climb up to join you…
Payton: It’s so sparkly… I mean, uh, so majestic and serious… a real fractal thing-a-ma-jig…
Julian: It’s something all right.
Autumn: So what’s your New Year’s Resolution, Julian?
Julian: Well…
Time - 5 hours
Julian: It’s kinda hard for me to admit, but… lately I’ve just been so busy with sports and the new school and all… I maybe haven’t been the best big brother to my sister Hope that I could’ve been. Next year, I’ll try to be there for her more… you know, be a more supportive big bro, that sort of thing.
Autumn: Aw, Julian, that’s so sweet!
Autumn gently puts her hand on Julian’s shoulder. He looks at her and smiles. Payton sees it and glances away…
Julian: Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get too sappy…
Danny: How about you, Jeff? What’s your resolution?
Jeff: Well, for two years, I’ve wanted to start a book club at this school… this year I think I’m really going to do it!
Maddie: And I’m going to develop a brand-new organizational system! I’ve tried color-coding, alphabetical, and chronological… but never all three at the same time!
Autumn: So what’s your resolution, Danny?
Danny: Well… I think next year I’m going to focus on my academics.
Julian: Oh yeah?
Danny: I just feel like I’ve been so caught up in building up this school, recruiting people, dealing with Hearst and all that… I haven’t really studied as much as I’d like to. Next year, I wanna change that.
Autumn: Good for you, Danny!
Payton: Focusing on academics is a great choice! As a serious person, I approve!
Rewards
Julian: Hey… it’s almost midnight…
Autumn: Aww… is there anything more romantic than a kiss to ring in the New Year?
Julian and Autumn head off towards the bow to join the chanting crowd…
Danny: (Hmm… who should I kiss?)
Part 8
Danny: 10 seconds to midnight! Who am I going to kiss?
You look around and see Berry on the bow of the ship, surrounded by a throng of party-goers…
Danny: Hey! Berry!
Berry: Danny!
You rush towards each other… But just then the crowd surges, blocking you! You lose Berry in the commotion!
Danny: Berry!
The crowd counts down… 10 seconds left…
Time - 10 seconds
You shove through the crowd and grab Berry’s shoulder!
Berry: Danny!
As the clock strikes midnight, you kiss Berry deeply, tenderly… And a final beautiful firework erupts overhead!
Berry: Well… that as a pretty good way to start the new year…
Danny: Just pretty good?
Berry: Fine. It was amazing.
Berry kisses you again.
Rewards
Just then, there’s a sudden lurch. The boat has arrived back at the docks. One arm around Berry, you turn to all your friends…
Danny: Hey, guys! We made a lot of personal resolutions tonight, and those were definitely nice to hear… But I’d like to make a group resolution as well. After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve done… Let’s resolve to stay close, no matter what!
Autumn: Yay! I’m in!
Julian: Me too!
Payton: And me! Friends forever! I mean… uh… friends until we logically part ways… which will inevitably happen… and we should acknowledge that as serious people…
Julian pulls you aside.
Julian: Yeah, okay, this serious Payton thing isn’t working. She’s making herself miserable.
Danny: What do you think we should do?
Julian: I’ve got a pretty crazy idea… but I’ll need a couple people to back me up!
Part 8
Julian: Gather around… I’ve got a great plan to awaken Payton’s wild side…
Julian: Hey! Everyone! Who says we start off the New Year by doing something totally crazy as a group? Something like… this?!
Julian jumps off the edge of the boat into the ocean! He cannonballs into the water with a big splash!
Julian: Come on, everyone! Jump in!
Ashton and Alexandra run after Julian and dive over, splashing into the water!
Ashton: Whooo!
Alexandra: Here I go!
All your other friends join in… all except one.
Payton: …
Time - 10 hours
Your friends swim around in the water alongside the boat, goofing off…
Autumn: Ahhhh! Quit splashing me!
Julian: But it’s so much fun!
Payton stands alone on the railing, watching them!
Payton: …
Julian: Payton, come on in!
Autumn: Yeah, come on, Payton!
Payton: N… no. I shouldn’t… I’m serious now… serious people don’t spontaneously jump off boats…
Danny: Payton, if I can say something… Trying to improve yourself in the new year is a good thing… but it’s also important to be true to yourself. You love partying and having fun and being spontaneous… and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Payton: Are you saying… it’s okay if I jump in the water and splash around? That I’m not a crummy, flakey person who drives you guys crazy?
Danny: Are you kidding?
You turn to the edge of the boat and shout at your friends below…
Danny: Hey guys! Does Payton drive us crazy?
Alexandra: What? No! Payton’s the best!
Julian: Yeah, she’s hilarious!
Autumn: I know I snapped at you, Payton… but I didn’t mean that I wanted you to change! I love you exactly the way you are! If we don’t have our silly, playful Payton, our school would be so boring!
Payton: Awwww… you guys…
Danny: See, Payton? You don’t have to--
Before you can finish your sentence, Payton hurls herself over the railing into the water!
Payton: Woohoo! New Year’s Water Party! Here comes Payton!
Rewards
She lands with a splash, spraying Autumn and Julian! You dive in after her and surface a moment later, laughing…
Danny: #BestNewYearsEver?
Payton: #BestNewYearsEver.
Thank you for coming to this very special New Year’s Party! We hope you have a Happy New Year and stick around to se all the exciting stories we have planned for 2014!
Payton: New Year’s Party! Let’s grab dinner at the fanciest restaurant on the wharf and take a cruise to watch the fireworks!
- Have 2 Flashy and I Know It Outfits
- Spend 10 rings
Payton: Danny! You made it! I’m so excited! Tonight is going to be amazing! #BestNewYearsEver!
Danny: Did you just say a hashtag out loud?
Payton: That’s how excited I am!
Autumn: So what’s on our itinerary?
Payton: We’re going to start by all having dinner at Carlisle’s, the super-fancy restaurant down on the wharf… And then we’ll all take a cruise around the bay on a fancy yacht so we can have a perfect view of the fireworks over the city! It’ll be awesome and romantic! Awesomeantic!
Rewards
- 1000 books
Danny: So, should we head out?
Payton: Yeah, we… hmmm. It’s just… are you sure you want to go in that outfit?
Danny: What’s wrong with it?
Payton: Nothing, nothing! It’s just… there’s nothing new about it! And this is a New Year’s Party!
Autumn: She does have a point…
Payton: New Year, new outfit… that’s basically a law!
Part 2
Payton: New Year, new outfit! NEW YEAR, NEW OUTFIT!
- Change Danny’s outfit
Danny: Well? How does this look?
Payton: You look hot, Danny… like… really, really hot…
Autumn: Payton, stop drooling over Danny! Don’t we have a dinner reservation to get to?
Payton: Oh right! Just give me five minutes to do my hair… And my makeup… And my nails… You know what? Make it fifteen minutes…
Rewards
- 2000 coins
Half an hour later, you and Autumn are still waiting. Julian comes strolling up…
Autumn: Hey, Julian! You’re looking pretty happy…
Julian: I’m pumped for this party… and also, I just got this new cologne. What do you think?
Autumn: Mmmm… you smell really nice, actually… like you’re a lumberjack in a glistening snowy meadow, chopping trees with a rough-hewn axe, your hair blowing gently in the arctic breeze…
Julian: That’s… oddly specific…
Autumn: Right. Sorry. Got carried away. Speaking of which, where’s Payton? We’ve been waiting forever, and dinner’s already started…
Just then, Payton comes running over…
Payton: Hey! I know, I know, sorry I’m late, but I’m ready now! Let’s get to the restaurant! Oh, and Danny… make sure to pick who you want to sit next to!
Part 3
Autumn: Who do you want to sit next to you at dinner?
- A Classmate Except Danny (Berry)
- A Classmate Except Danny (Ashton)
At the lavish restaurant Carlisle’s, you and your friends sit along a long table. You’re next to Berry and Ashton…
Ashton: Thanks for sitting with us, Danny!
Berry: This place is so nice…
The waiter brings you the menu…
Berry: Oh. Wow.
Danny: Would you judge me if I ordered every appetizer? Because I’m going to order every appetizer.
Time - 2 hours
Berry: I can’t believe 2013 is almost over!
Ashton: 2014, here we come!
Just then, three waiters come to your table carrying trays of food! They deliver dish after dish, and everyone digs in!
Berry: Mmmm… the soft-shelled crab is amazing…
Ashton: And that lobster… oh, that lobster…
Danny: Just too good…
Ashton: So… have you thought about your New Year’s resolution at all, Danny?
Danny: Hmmm… that’s kind of a big question…
Payton: Well, I know what my resolution is… To eat more of these AMAZING tuna rolls! OMG!
She lunges up with excitement, bumping the table! Autumn’s soda spills all over her!
Autumn: Hey!
Payton: Oops! Sorry!
Autumn: It’s okay… I guess… Just pass me some napkins… and some of those tuna rolls!
Payton: Hee hee! Sure thing! As a side-note, does someone at this table smell like a gorgeous, frosty lumberjack?
Rewards
- 4000 coins
Payton: Oh! I know! Someone should give a toast!
Autumn: What do you say, Danny?
Julian: Speech!
Payton: Speech!
Part 4
Autumn: Speech! Speech! Speech!
- Danny
Payton: Will you give a toast, Danny?
Julian: Do it!
You stand up and clear your throat…
Danny: Well… okay…
Time - 3 hours
Danny: Ahem… I’d like to just say a few words…
Everyone turns to stare at you…
Danny: I think we can all agree this has been one crazy year. Twelve months ago, everything was so different. We were all strangers. This school didn’t even exist. When I think about everything that’s happened… everything we’ve done… everything we’ve built… it’s utterly incredible. That’s why I’d like you all to raise your glasses as I make a toast to our school! When I got to our school, it was nothing more than an empty plot of land. Well, an empty plot of land with Autumn hanging out in it.
Autumn: Hee hee!
Danny: But together, we’ve built it up into something so much bigger. We’ve forged friendships, found love, fought our rivals, and much, much more. Our school isn’t just our buildings, our land, our decorations. It’s all of us. We built it together, guys. We came together and made something truly, genuinely great. How many people get to say that before they’re 18?
Everyone claps and cheers!
Danny: I don’t know what the next year will bring. I can’t promise it’ll be easy. As our school gets bigger, we’ll face new challenges, deal with new problems, and meet new rivals. But I know, no matter what happens, we’ll make it. And you know why? Because we have each other.
Julian: I’ll toast to that!
Autumn: Me too!
Danny: You guys are amazing. All of you. So long as we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Payton: Woohoo!
Everyone clinks their glasses together in celebration!
Rewards
- 6000 coins
Danny: Now then… should we head towards this cruise?
Payton: Yep! Let me just grab the tickets…
Payton digs into her purse… and freezes!
Payton: Uh oh… I… may have forgotten the tickets…
Autumn: For real, Payton?!
Payton: I’m sorry! I was just so busy doing my hair and makeup and everything, I forgot!
Autumn: I know, it’s just… you made us late to the restaurant, you spilled the soda all over me, and now this? I wish you’d be more serious sometimes!
Payton: …I’m sorry.
Autumn: Look. It’s okay. We can still buy new ones at the wharf, right?
Danny: Yeah… but we’d better get moving!
Part 5
Julian: Quick! We need to buy tickets for the cruise!
- Spend 3000 coins
You and your friends buy some tickets and hurry onto the luxurious boat, just before it sails off…
Autumn: Wow… this boat is really nice… look at all the gilded embellishments on the doorways…
Julian: Seriously! It’s like the boat version of a limo! Could you imagine rolling up to Prom in this thing?
Autumn: Hee hee!
Rewards
- 500 books
Payton comes walking over, a stern look on her face…
Payton: Ahem! Attention everyone! I would like to announce my New Year’s resolution! I have decided that I’m going to be much more serious, just like Autumn said!
Autumn: Payton, I didn’t mean it…
Payton: No. You were right. I AM too goofy and careless all the time. But no more! 2014 is the year of a new Payton… a SERIOUS Payton!
Just then a voice comes on the loudspeaker, announcing that the dance floor is open!
Autumn: Come on, Danny! Let’s get out there!
Julian: You coming, Payton?
Payton: Of course! I love dancing! I can’t wait to go totally wild on the dancefloor and— I mean… uh… No. I am not. Dancing is silly and frivolous. As a serious person, I’m going to gaze out at the water and contemplate the nature of reality!
Julian: Is that what you think serious people do?
Autumn: Well… um… Danny! Why don’t you gather some people to go dance?
Part 6
Autumn: Come on! Let’s grab some friends and hit the dance floor!
- A Nerd Except Danny (Zayn)
- A Cheerleader (Channing)
- A Gamer (James)
You, Zayn, Channing, and James all head onto the dance floor as the DJ puts on a pulsing electronic track…
Zayn: Come on, Danny! Let’s cut a rug!
Channing: That’s not a thing people say… at least, not in this century…
James: Heh, whatever! I love this song!
Time - 4 hours
You and your friends all dance together! Julian twirls Autumn, Channing busts out some amazing moves, while Zayn and James demonstrate an unusual hopping dance… The song ends, and a sentimental rendition of Auld Lang Syne comes on. You and your friends step aside…
Danny: Whoo… that was fun, but I’d like to get some air…
Zayn: Seriously…
Danny: Those were some pretty, um, unusual moves on the dance floor there, Zayn…
Zayn: You mean my leading-excellence technique? You see, science has discovered that leading with the right foot is considered more attractive, so I tried to ONLY use my right foot!
Danny: By… just hopping on it?
Zayn: Yup!
Channing: You’re crazy, Zayn! Dancing’s not about being optimal or whatever! It’s about having fun!
James: Yeah… which is why I unleashed my DDR Perfect Attack moveset!
Channing: Argh! So weird! I mean… so… interesting! And different!
Danny: Did you make a New Years resolution to be more open-minded, Channing?
Channing: Maaaaaybe…
Zayn: Well, I resolved to be more outgoing! Like, you know, at a party or whatever. Not that I’ll necessarily be invited…
Channing: Don’t worry, Zayn. I’ll make sure to invite you to my next party!
James: Heh. I resolved to get the number 1 spot in at least a dozen leaderboards! Video game stardom, here I come!
Rewards
- 8000 coins
You look over and see Autumn standing by the railing, gazing out at the water…
Danny: Thinking about something?
Autumn: Just planning my resolution for the New Year. Art is so personal for me… I have a really hard time putting my work out there for the world to see… But I think I need to start pushing myself to apply to more contests if I’m going to build my art career! So my New Year’s resolution is to apply to at least three art contests before the end of January!
Danny: That sounds like a good plan to me.
Just then, Payton walks over…
Payton: Ahem! I would like to announce, in only the most serious and professional of ways, that the fireworks will be going off soon, and that now is an excellent time to head up to the deck of the ship! If you’d like to have a good view, I would recommend going there now, in an orderly, adult, and mature fashion!
Julian: Yeah, yeah, follow me. I know a great spot to view the fireworks!
Part 7
Julian: Follow me! I know a great spot to see the fireworks!
- Julian
- A Wallflower (Jeff)
- A Student Gov (Maddie)
You, Jeff, and Maddie follow Julian up a ladder to the roof of the captain’s quarters, which gives you a perfect view of the fireworks going off over the city!
Jeff: Oh wow…
Maddie: Those are gorgeous…
A single rocket fires up and explodes in the night sky, bursting into an unfurling flower of lights and colors! Payton and Autumn climb up to join you…
Payton: It’s so sparkly… I mean, uh, so majestic and serious… a real fractal thing-a-ma-jig…
Julian: It’s something all right.
Autumn: So what’s your New Year’s Resolution, Julian?
Julian: Well…
Time - 5 hours
Julian: It’s kinda hard for me to admit, but… lately I’ve just been so busy with sports and the new school and all… I maybe haven’t been the best big brother to my sister Hope that I could’ve been. Next year, I’ll try to be there for her more… you know, be a more supportive big bro, that sort of thing.
Autumn: Aw, Julian, that’s so sweet!
Autumn gently puts her hand on Julian’s shoulder. He looks at her and smiles. Payton sees it and glances away…
Julian: Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get too sappy…
Danny: How about you, Jeff? What’s your resolution?
Jeff: Well, for two years, I’ve wanted to start a book club at this school… this year I think I’m really going to do it!
Maddie: And I’m going to develop a brand-new organizational system! I’ve tried color-coding, alphabetical, and chronological… but never all three at the same time!
Autumn: So what’s your resolution, Danny?
Danny: Well… I think next year I’m going to focus on my academics.
Julian: Oh yeah?
Danny: I just feel like I’ve been so caught up in building up this school, recruiting people, dealing with Hearst and all that… I haven’t really studied as much as I’d like to. Next year, I wanna change that.
Autumn: Good for you, Danny!
Payton: Focusing on academics is a great choice! As a serious person, I approve!
Rewards
- 10,000 coins
Julian: Hey… it’s almost midnight…
Autumn: Aww… is there anything more romantic than a kiss to ring in the New Year?
Julian and Autumn head off towards the bow to join the chanting crowd…
Danny: (Hmm… who should I kiss?)
Part 8
Danny: 10 seconds to midnight! Who am I going to kiss?
- A Classmate Except Danny (Berry)
You look around and see Berry on the bow of the ship, surrounded by a throng of party-goers…
Danny: Hey! Berry!
Berry: Danny!
You rush towards each other… But just then the crowd surges, blocking you! You lose Berry in the commotion!
Danny: Berry!
The crowd counts down… 10 seconds left…
Time - 10 seconds
You shove through the crowd and grab Berry’s shoulder!
Berry: Danny!
As the clock strikes midnight, you kiss Berry deeply, tenderly… And a final beautiful firework erupts overhead!
Berry: Well… that as a pretty good way to start the new year…
Danny: Just pretty good?
Berry: Fine. It was amazing.
Berry kisses you again.
Rewards
- 10 rings
- 10 books
Just then, there’s a sudden lurch. The boat has arrived back at the docks. One arm around Berry, you turn to all your friends…
Danny: Hey, guys! We made a lot of personal resolutions tonight, and those were definitely nice to hear… But I’d like to make a group resolution as well. After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve done… Let’s resolve to stay close, no matter what!
Autumn: Yay! I’m in!
Julian: Me too!
Payton: And me! Friends forever! I mean… uh… friends until we logically part ways… which will inevitably happen… and we should acknowledge that as serious people…
Julian pulls you aside.
Julian: Yeah, okay, this serious Payton thing isn’t working. She’s making herself miserable.
Danny: What do you think we should do?
Julian: I’ve got a pretty crazy idea… but I’ll need a couple people to back me up!
Part 8
Julian: Gather around… I’ve got a great plan to awaken Payton’s wild side…
- Danny
- A Classmate Except Payton and Julian (Ashton)
- A Classmate Except Payton and Julian (Alexandra)
Julian: Hey! Everyone! Who says we start off the New Year by doing something totally crazy as a group? Something like… this?!
Julian jumps off the edge of the boat into the ocean! He cannonballs into the water with a big splash!
Julian: Come on, everyone! Jump in!
Ashton and Alexandra run after Julian and dive over, splashing into the water!
Ashton: Whooo!
Alexandra: Here I go!
All your other friends join in… all except one.
Payton: …
Time - 10 hours
Your friends swim around in the water alongside the boat, goofing off…
Autumn: Ahhhh! Quit splashing me!
Julian: But it’s so much fun!
Payton stands alone on the railing, watching them!
Payton: …
Julian: Payton, come on in!
Autumn: Yeah, come on, Payton!
Payton: N… no. I shouldn’t… I’m serious now… serious people don’t spontaneously jump off boats…
Danny: Payton, if I can say something… Trying to improve yourself in the new year is a good thing… but it’s also important to be true to yourself. You love partying and having fun and being spontaneous… and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Payton: Are you saying… it’s okay if I jump in the water and splash around? That I’m not a crummy, flakey person who drives you guys crazy?
Danny: Are you kidding?
You turn to the edge of the boat and shout at your friends below…
Danny: Hey guys! Does Payton drive us crazy?
Alexandra: What? No! Payton’s the best!
Julian: Yeah, she’s hilarious!
Autumn: I know I snapped at you, Payton… but I didn’t mean that I wanted you to change! I love you exactly the way you are! If we don’t have our silly, playful Payton, our school would be so boring!
Payton: Awwww… you guys…
Danny: See, Payton? You don’t have to--
Before you can finish your sentence, Payton hurls herself over the railing into the water!
Payton: Woohoo! New Year’s Water Party! Here comes Payton!
Rewards
- 50 rings
- 250 books
She lands with a splash, spraying Autumn and Julian! You dive in after her and surface a moment later, laughing…
Danny: #BestNewYearsEver?
Payton: #BestNewYearsEver.
Thank you for coming to this very special New Year’s Party! We hope you have a Happy New Year and stick around to se all the exciting stories we have planned for 2014!