Chapter 4: New Year's Eve
December 31st, 2020. The fourth day of the cruise and the last day of the year of this wild planet that had been through a lot with society. Many defining moments took place this year. It is time to move on to the present and the future. Bound to the Island of Hawaii, the MS Poseidon of Royal Trident Lines, 165,000 gross tons, 1,250ft long. A floating city, a spaceship, an marine engineering marvel of the 21st century that celebrates the traditional bygone era of the golden age of ocean liners of the first-half of the 20th century. A maritime tradition that still celebrates today.
Sailing on a winter pleasure cruise to the Aloha State with 2,700 odd passengers of large diversities. One could ever dreamed of this ultimate vacation by traveling in style and luxury. The passengers are excited for tonight's events. So far, countries around the world had already struck midnight and fired up their rockets, the State of Hawaii is still counting down, but Poseidon will start a little ahead.
Musicians and Hawaiian dancers performs for the passengers under the sunshine in the lido deck on deck 13. Traditionally and colorfully dressed with many flowers and swaying their arms smoothly. Later an impersonator of Elvis Presley in blue Hawaiian shirt, steps on the stage with a ukulele and started to sing some classics in front of a microphone. The crowd cheers and picked up their cellphones and record live on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or in WhatsApp accounts and send it to their families and friends back home. This early noon party was just the beginning of the New Year's Eve countdown event. Of course, the countdown clock is not yet placed. So let's enjoy this last day of the year, and tomorrow will be a great day for all the guests onboard.
The young lion-man in red trunks holds two plates of sliced pizza towards another young lioness in a green bikini, resting on a wooden steamer chair and protected with sunglasses. This little sight reminds Red in his lifeguard days and the time he met Gwen there in their college days. Gwen saw her boyfriend (secretly engaged) coming with her pizza. Red place it on the small wooden table between the two long chairs.
"I hope you like it —it's Hawaiian pizza." Red said. With the traditional tomato sauce and cheese, the toppings are Canadian bacon and pineapple, love it or hate it.
"Thanks. But you know, it wasn't invented entirely in Hawaii." Gwen stated.
"I know." Said Red and holds his slice and bites it.
"Good huh?" Gwen smirked.
Chewing, chewing, and swallowed. Red weakly smiled. "It's good!"
"Yeah right!" She laughs.
"Okay, you got me. Not the best pizza." Said Red. "You said 'Surprise me', and I did." And stated.
"Without even trying some before you could've surprise me." She said and takes a bite of her slice. After chewing and swallowing, "It's good! I don't know why people hate pineapple on their pizzas."
"I guess your tongue was an exception." He muttered.
One deck above on deck 14, overlooking the lido deck below where the Hawaiian-themed party is held. Clover wander by herself away from Pricilla and do her walking, feeling a little exited about the party today she clutches on the railing and watches the impersonator on stage. Next to her unexpectedly, Isaac was there. The young human that Pricilla is into.
He casually smiles at her, "Hey, Clover. What's up?"
"Not much." She said with a now pretentious smile. "As much I like the King of Rock-and-roll, there's always a jackass that acts like him to entertain us."
"Pretty much."
"So… did you moved to second base with my cuz?"
"I haven't done anything to her." He replied with a chuckle. "I'm more concerned about you and your cuz."
"Why? This is about me and her. Why you're intervening us?"
"I like Pricilla, but I learned how you two were so close back then." He said. "I see you two are just more than cousins…"
"We're like sisters, I know." The beagle-girl interrupts. "She isn't the big sister that I used to know. After graduating from high school, she changed just to fit in, that's when you and your friends appeared. After she made her circle of friends, I made my own space. My own world. I no longer needed her… until she needed me for the first time! This!" She stated. "You know where fucking the song goes, so I don't wanna play it again."
Isaac was overwhelmed but he saved his reactions from going into somewhere. He places his forearms on the rail and said. "That was something, but the damage is done. You're already on this cruise ship, you accepted it because she was begging you, right?"
"Yeah, so she can be closer to you." She again stated. "I have no problem with inter-species couples, but I'm more concerned about hybridism."
"So, you're still mad at her?" Isaac kept his cool and subject.
"I'm not that mad." Clover claimed.
"If you're not mad, then come with us tonight this New Year's Eve. Pricilla wants to make it up for you." He announced. "Don't be by yourself and sleeping alone tonight."
After a beat of thoughts in her mind, Clover finally spoke, "Fine… I'll go." Isaac was about to say 'great!', but… "But an under condition; Go tell Pricilla to stop making fun of me while hanging with you guys." Isaac nodded. She continues, "And second; one of you will donate me a bed, 'cause I'm not sleeping on another night on that flattened sofa-bed. Deal?" She dares.
Isaac with no hesitations of her request, he accepts it. "Deal." They are not even that threatening anyway. They both shakes hands.
Several decks down to deck 6 at aft. The kids' playing room is filled with joy and laughter. Playing board games, video games, or making arts and crafts. Sasha the shepherd dog-boy plays videos games in multiplayer with other ten-year-olds. Judging their accents, some of these kids must be from different places of the United States or European countries. Cute New York accents, Brooklyn, mid-western, western, or adorable British accents. It's really exploring for Sasha to watch and see people from different nations where he cannot get to. Being on a ship is always welcoming to see people from around the world in one place…
…And also, facing gamers from around the world in one place. Sasha never thought they would beat him in person unlike online gameplay. "Dang! You're really that good?" Sasha exclaimed.
"Years of playing since seven." Said a deer-boy from Canada.
"If you play against the teen kids in a tournament convention, you're so toast!" Sasha said.
"Sasha, your father is here to pick you up." One of the nannies running the facility called.
Sasha turned around and turned back to the other fellow kids playing. "See ya, guys!" He stands up and go right before another kid steps in and hold the game controller. Sasha meets up with his father with a small change in appearance. "Hey, Dad! What's with the hair?"
"Just a haircut for the gala tonight." The older shepherd dog-man said.
"What gala?"
"Come on, I'll tell you on the way." The two leave the facility, walking through the corridor of passenger cabins. "Guess what, we got invited to the captain's table this New Year's Eve. I want you to look sharp for tonight." Said Joshua.
"We're dining with the captain!?" The little pup exclaimed.
"Uh-huh, we're partying in the ballroom tonight." He said. "But first, let's go to our stateroom and video chat with your mother."
"Mom should have been here right now if it wasn't for that business trip." Sasha said.
"I know, son." Joshua replied. The father and son reached the elevator sets and steps in one of them. The door closes after a ding.
On the bridge, Officer Nadir enters the state-of-the-art room with so many complicated-looking technology maned by the crew. Captain Whiteford gave the order to Nadir to take charge the bridge over Officer Snowdon. Once there, the polar bear-man stands there in his post. The husky dog-man noticed that Officer Greyson was there a few feet way. Aware of his silly antics, he'll have to private talk to Snowdon.
"Mr. Snowdon." He approaches.
"Yes?" The white bear-man responded.
"I'll take charge here for now and…" He moves a little closer to him to his ear. In a whisper, "Whiteford wants you at his office." Standing back, Snowdon nodded.
"Nadir, what's going on?" Greyson started with small grin.
"None of your business, Grey." He stated with cold tone.
Snowdon, without a word, retires his post, leaving the bridge and walks directly to Captain's quarters. This is kind of unexpected, what would the skipper wants? Snowdon arrived at the door with the small sign of Captain's Quarters. He knocks the door.
"Come in, Mr. Snowdon." Whiteford voice is heard. No hesitations, Snowdon opens the door casually calm.
"You wanted me to see me, Captain?" He spoke when he spotted the bird-man siting behind his desk.
"Yes, have a seat." Whiteford gestured the seat across. Snowdon moves a few steps and sat down. Removing his cap hat and put it on his lap.
The captain's stateroom is like a common passenger suite stateroom, but has an office. Behind the albatross bird-man's desk and seat is a large floor-to-ceiling bay window with the sea in movement. The desk is rather simple with a few personal items; Two picture frames of his wife and children; One of those typical gyroscopic toy models that moves infinity; A small 1:900 scale replica model of the MS Amphitrite of 1968, an old retired liner of Royal Trident Lines since 2009. It was also Whiteford's first ship to command as captain and sailed on her last voyage before she was sent to the scrappers. Snowdon kept in silence while waiting for Whiteford, organizing his things before starting.
He finished, and stared at Snowdon for a short moment. "When did you started working for Royal Trident, Mr. Snowdon?"
He asked a question, Mr. Snowdon. His eyes blinked, "Uhh, since 2014, sir. I used to work in shipping services in the St. Laurent as seaman before I joined here, eh?" He replied. He couldn't help it but let that dialect go.
"Yes, yes, of course, I remember." The albatross-man stands up from his office chair. "You latter joined the maritime academy in London and made it to where you wanted to be. They've honored you the Seaman of the year." Whiteford said.
"Yes, I've been honored to that." Snowdon said.
"Well, it looks like the line will honor you in a more deserving manner." He pulls his black jacket and drew his feathered hand in, picks an envelope out and extents his arm to him. "Congratulations, Mr. Snowdon." He smiles.
Snowdon picks it, takes a look at the envelope. An official Royal Trident delivery message especially to be sent to Oscar Snowdon. With his sharp claw, he tears it open with his index finger. A single folded paper written by the cruise lines' President's own words. Snowdon carefully reads the message… To his utter surprise, this was definitely unexpected.
"They… they want me onboard the Oceanus as Captain this spring!" Just only his eyes widen, he's holding his emotions. He stands up from his seat. "They've promoted me as captain!" He calmly said, a little loud though. Good thing his tail is short, Whiteford cannot see it wagging.
Whiteford chuckles, "I knew you'd be amazed about it."
"This… This is… This is so… I'm so…" Snowdon is loss of words.
"Tell you what, let's celebrate together this New Year's Eve at the ballroom, my treat." Whiteford announced.
"Th-that'd be great, sir! Thank you."
"My pleasure. Dismissed." They shook hands and just in time for Snowdon's short tail to calm down. He turned away to the door and, "Snowdon."
He turned back to him, "Yes?"
"Happy New Year." He hearty smiled.
Snowdon smiles, "Thank you, sir." He closes the door.
Joshua and Sasha's penthouse suite had just been cleaned recently by a stewardess before the two came back. Clean as always. Joshua fetches his laptop from his suitcase under his bed, placed it on the living room table, unfolding, turns it on, connects the ship's free wi-fi onboard. After a little while, Mrs. Parkinson's online.
"Is this on? Joshua?" A female shepherd appeared on screen with a surprising background of the beach, palm trees, beachgoers and surfers.
"Aloha, Claire. How's in Honolulu?"
"Hilo, actually."
"Hi, Mom!" Sasha popped out next to his father.
"Hi, Sasha, how you two been doing?"
"Mom, this ship is amazing! There's like five pools, a rock-climbing wall, lots of food, a magician, and we even took a tour at the engine room!" Sasha enthusiastically said.
"It seems you two are having fun." She said.
"Sure we do." Joshua smiled.
"Well, I just want to tell you both to have a wonderful Happy New Year. I know I won't be with spending it with you two tonight, but I hope you have fun together." She said.
"Same to you, Claire –Happy New Year." Joshua said until he noticed Sasha already left for the bathroom.
"Where he go?" Claire asked.
"Nature calls." Joshua stated.
"You haven't said a word to Sasha about it, have you?" She suddenly said.
"Uh, no. Not yet." Joshua replied. "Do you want to tell him now?"
"No, not now. We'll tell him when you two get here." She said.
Not long, Sasha came back from the bathroom and sits next to his father. "Um, Sasha, stay for a little while with your mom, okay?" Joshua said and stands up from the couch. Before entering the bathroom he glimpses at his son talking happily with his mother at the other end. When will I tell him? Parkinson thought.
The Grand Ballroom is at its preparations for the New Year's Eve event. Located right above the Grand Dining Room, this hidden-like room taking the entire width of the ship of 140 is only for Silver and Golden Card members and to get there is by entering the ballroom's entrance foyer on deck 7, 6 and 5 which consist of staircases to lead you down to the grand entrance of the large room. Rising three decks high of deck 4, 5, and 6 at mid-aft with just occupying two levels; the lower lever which has the multiples tables of different sizes: circulars on the center and squares on both port and starboard sides. It has two tall Christmas trees on each side of the stage; one is red for port (left) and other is green for starboard (right). And as a ballroom, it has a large dance floor for the guess and performers under the crystal chandeliers and glass cover skylight. While the second level of deck six which overlooks above the vast room, it has six tables of poker, three on each side, for the fellow gamblers onboard. On top of it all, two twin elegant staircases gives the grand welcoming of the guests.
Aubrey Quinlivan stands on stage rehearsing for the evening party with other several musicians practicing on stage. Sidney and Foxley watches the horse-woman while they were decorating the tables: table cloths, utensils, plates, glass cups, napkins, etc.
"Must say, Aubrey is getting better." Sidney said. Then he saw the rabbit-woman coming down in a hurry.
"Where are the student orchestra band, they suppose to be rehearsing here." Miss Blake mutters.
"Miss Blake, I heard they were at the theater." Foxley said. "Mr. Collins told them they can practice there." He added.
"Is that true? Well, thank you, Foxley."
"Miss Blake, uh, where are you gonna be this evening?" Sidney asked.
"I'll be hosting at the promenade hall on deck 2. Your friend Lani will be there performing." She said.
"Damn, I would look forward to see her." Said Sidney.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Jennings, but we all have a job to do." Stated Joyce and left.
Sidney turned to the fox-man. "Hey, I've hear Kacy will be serving at the disco lounge. Why they changed her to there?"
"Mr. Peters is badly ill, so Chief sent Miss Fullerton to take his place."
"Ah, I see. She'll have one wild night there." Smiled Jennings. The two stewards chuckled.
Rico Marrero's ocean view stateroom on deck 5 is barely touched by just a solo traveler. The stateroom's single window is covered with curtains. Tired, regretted, not motivated to write a review about the islands nor the ship. The young Hispanic haven't left his stateroom for almost a day. He did have left a few times for breakfast and lunch. Now that diner time will arrive, he would just go again to the buffet restaurant on deck 12. He really wished his little cousin could have come onboard and cheer him up after his lover left him alone this New Year's Eve. What can he do?
The cabin's door knocks, despite that Rico put a 'Do not disturb' sign on the door knob. It could be one of the stewards who will inform him about his next flight from Hilo to New York. He have to figure it out. He stands from his bed, stretches his back, and put some robe on. Through the peephole, he sees a wolf-man waiting. He wonders and opens the door.
"Good afternoon, Rico. How's it going?" Ryder Wolfson greeted. Rico noticed what's looks like he's holding a formal white tux with a clothe hanger covered in transparent sheet.
"Hey, Wolfson, just enjoying my trip." A hint of sarcasm was heard.
"Listen, me and Kale will be at the ballroom tonight and we were wondering if you'd like to come with us. How's that sound?" After short beat of silence. Rico felt rather unsecured, unsure, or being a bother to them. Ryder started, "Come on, Rico, this is the last day of the year and you're going to spend it on loneliness?"
Rico sighed, "You're a good friend, aren't you, Ryder?" He said. "I can see why you won Summers' heart like that. Hah… I guess I should enjoy my bachelorhood while it last before I could move on. There's nothing more I can do about Clara anymore. Not even Tiago." He looks down his crossed arms. After another sigh, he then looks at him. "I'll go, thanks for the offer, Ryder."
"Really? Great! No problem, Rico, just thought I could do something in return after being your best customer." Ryder smiled.
"I guess I can accept your offer." Rico sightly smiled, he looks at the protected tux. "What's with the tux?" Curiously asked.
"Ah, I rented it for Kale to wear it." He replied.
"He didn't brought his own?"
"He does, but I wanted him to wear this one for tonight."
"I see… Well, I'll see you then." Rico said and closed the door.
"Well, that was easy." Said Ryder to himself. "I think."
The sea weather is getting calmer to flatten and the wind getting lighter. Which the passengers were surprised to see the orange ocean like a mirror, a strange ultimate mirage phenomenon to ever been seen before and the sun is making it more dramatically beautiful for the sightseers. The ever last sunset of 2020 to be witness at sea. In the master suite stateroom on deck 12. The two lion couple stay in the living room watching a romantic movie together with Red's left arm around Gwen's shoulders. The movie just ended with its credits rolling.
"You know, this movie is giving me the idea to tell your dad about our proposal." Said Red.
Gwen sighed, "What's your plan?"
"Tell me: When?" Red stated, he moves more closely to her. "I feel a little impatient. Come on, it's New Year's Eve! This is a great day to tell your father."
"Just please, I'll figure it out." Gwen frowned.
The stateroom's door opens, both lions separate from each other when Mr. Kershaw steps in. "Hey, kids, how we doing?"
"We're good." Said Red and rest his left leg on the other knee.
"I hope I didn't interrupted anything."
"It's alright, sir, you didn't startled us." Red assured.
Kershaw walks into the minibar and picks some bottles for a small cocktail. "Russell, do you think it's possible to stop calling me 'sir'? I really feel old when you do that." Lionel said.
"Sure, no problem, Mr. Kershaw." Simple as that.
"You know, I thought we had an agreement here?"
"Oh please, Dad, we're just sitting. People sit." Gwen said.
"Look, honey, I'm not trying to give you guys a hard time, but we have discussed this, you know? Technically, you're still under my roof and sometimes I don't feel comfortable with the two of you in here…"
"Dad, please stop." Gwen interrupts. "Have you seen the size of this cruiser? Don't you think we could find a zillion places to do that thing you think we wanna do if we wanted?"
"Gwendolyn, I'm simply saying…"
"Dad, I'm tired of your patronizing tone… I'm really over it." She stated and walks to the other door to her bedroom. Slamming the door shut.
Red just stand there with a light whistle. Kershaw starts, "Russell, have she ever treated you like this?"
"A few times." Red widely grinned of nervousness.
The orange sea turns to dark-blue this evening, countless of stars bright the night along with the moon. Passengers spends the early evening in other activities, watching talent show, gambling, live music in the jazz club lounge, or shopping in the promenade hall on deck 2. The passengers and crew prepares for one great night to remember. The Rycrofts are tidying things up in their stateroom before going to dinner.
"Jett, can you help me with the zipper on my back?" Stephanie asked while adding a white silk ribbon bow on the back of her hair to match her knee-length white dress.
"I'm busy, Steph." Jett replied. He's still can't figure how to tie a necktie. "Mom, can you help Steph to zipper her?" Jett called out.
"Coming." Said Carolyn in a black and gold dress. "Sylvester, can you help Jett fix his tie?"
"Sure do." Replied Rycroft. "Seriously, son, you should really learn how to tie this."
"It's not easy from where I see." Said Jett.
"I'm surprised we're sitting on the captain's table this evening." Said Carolyn and zipped Stephanie's dress.
"I bet he's just wants an autograph from Jett." Stephanie joked.
"Can we go now?" Jett moaned.
"Are we all ready?" Sylvester said. "Let's get going. The party starts at eight." The four of them left the stateroom to the elevators to deck seven at the foyer.
Few decks down to deck 6 aft, once again the deck is almost deserted at night except for Ryder and Kale with one shiny silver vase. At the very end of the ship's stern. Following Kale's grandfather's will: releasing some ashes into the Pacific Ocean. The two together said a few words before they could begin. Awkward for Ryder because he never met him.
"Are you ready?" The wolf-man said. Kale nodded. With a small shovel he picks some of his grandfather's ashes from the urn and the wind blows it away.
"Feeling proud?" Said Ryder.
"It feels great." Said Kale. "I've never done this before though."
"Never? Then who were the ones who've done this?"
"Mostly my father, he travels more often than I have. He covered most of my grandfather's will." Kale stated.
"Huh… Well, let's go –time to celebrate." Kale smiles and the pair went back inside.
The ballroom is packed up. Guests were guided to their respective tables. Stewards took action in taking orders. The kitchen in full steam. And to keep the guest busy, an orchestra band from a university in Los Angeles plays on stage, crewmen staff dancers dressed in Victorian customs with masks doing the waltz on the dance floor, each one paired with a partner, everyone spinning at the same rhythm. These students playing are really talented thanks to their conductor professor of music class.
The diners listen and watch silently. Sasha yawns at this, "This is boring, Dad." His father then shushed him. They were among who were invited by the captain on his table. Also were the Rycrofts, and Mr. Kershaw once again, Captain Whiteford himself and First Officer Snowdon who is joining tonight, and other fellow passengers. Two empty seats were left in the 12-seat table, the couple have their own plans this evening.
Other neighboring tables were also Portia Matthews and her colleague, Malcolm Robertson with Security Officer Thomas Furlong who's off duty tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell at another table at near port side with other diners with Hotel Manager Nicolas Collins and Dr. Daxner. Ricardo Marrero made it to the invite of Wolfson and Summers this evening party.
The orchestra band ends their last symphony with the dancers pausing their last artistic pose of holding their partner, the diners applauded their grandeur performance. The dancers bowed at their audience and leave gracefully to the twin staircases and waving. The albatross bird-man steps on stage and picks the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, a big round of applause for Professor Tanner and its pupils of Los Angeles Waterfront University." The audience thundered in ovation. The conductor and his students stand up and bow forward. After the claps, Whiteford continues, "Well, good evening ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. I'm Captain Whiteford speaking from the bridge or ought to say the stage." The guests laughed. "Before we could start, I would like to say a few words this evening. In Greek mythology, the ocean has been the cradle of rebirth. Since man emerged from these salty depths we have looked to water as a chance to begin anew. Poseidon… was the god of the sea. He made his home on the ocean floor in a palace of coral and gems. When he was in a good mood, Poseidon created new lands and calmed seas for clear sailing. And so, what better way to celebrate the birth of a new year than borne on the back of the old fellow himself? May you all have clear sailing in the new year and all the years to come." After finishing, guests cheer and applauded. Then up-tempo music started to play. "Ladies and gentlemen, the incomparable… Aubrey!" Whiteford extends his arm and gesturing to the coming singer walking on stage. The brown horse-woman in a sparkling light-blue gown takes over the stage and started to do her job. The empty dance floor quickly started to fill up, everybody started up the mood. The party had just begun.
"Come on, Stephanie! Let's dance!" Sasha cried. Taking Stephanie's hand and jumping.
"Ah! Sasha, wait!" Cried Stephanie.
Just in time for Jett to grab his unoccupied hand. "Go easy on her, she has a boyfriend." Jett smirked. The little dog-boy gave him a mocking tongue in response. The two then disappears in the dancing crowd.
Sylvester laughs, "Your boy is quite the ladies man, doesn't it, Mr. Parkinson?"
Joshua tried to keep it together, "Yeah, I believe he got it from my genes when I used to lure my Claire back in my youth. Still amazes me, actually."
"About Mrs. Parkinson," Carolyn started, "what she do for business?"
"Unlike me, she's co-owner of Aquatic Boutique. She's in Hilo for an opening of a new shop there."
"Aquatic Boutique? That's my daughter's favorite store?"
"Oh yes, they were aiming for young teens alike." Joshua added.
Jett starred at the tall lion-man almost across the rounded table, "Excuse me, sir, by any chance you're Lionel Kershaw? World's greatest firefighter?" Jett asked.
Lionel slightly smiles, "You're looking the right lion, young man."
"So, you are the famous Kershaw. Last time I've heard from you; you were mayor of San Fransisco." Parkinson said.
"Correct, but I'm now retired." Said Kershaw.
"Are you traveling alone, Mr. Kershaw?" Asked Carolyn.
"No, I'm with my daughter and her boyfriend." He replied. "We're just taking a family vacation like you and your kids." Just then Gwen and Red walks towards him. The two aren't wearing anything formal; Gwen in a low collard red shirt and gray skinny pants; and Red in black long-sleeved turtle neck shirt under his black blazer and black jeans. "And speaking of the devil, here they come."
"Hi, Dad. We'll be at the disco place."
"All right, sweetie, have fun…" He lowers his voice, "And please, one more button, okay?"
"The twins? Dad."
"Please?" She obeyed and fix one unbuttoned button.
"Come on, Red, let's go."
The first spicy song ends and the audience cheers and claps, Aubrey speak with the mic, "Ladies and gentlemen, pick up your partner. We're slowing it down. This song got me to the semifinals." The musicians begins to play the next song and the guests huddles closer with their partners, more people are entering in the wooden floor.
Sylvester stands up from his seat and hands his hand to her. "Come here, Carolyn, I know you want to." He said. She smiles and holds his hand and the two went on to the crowd. Leaving Jett alone with the other uninterested diners, he's still waiting for his steak he ordered a while ago.
Stephanie, who is dancing with Sasha, due to his small stature, he's holding the tiger-girl a little rather uncomfortable; his left hand with her hand, but his right hand is not even near on her waist. "What's wrong, Sasha?" Stephanie asked, he was moving uncomfortable.
"I gotta go. Where's the restroom?" He said.
"The restrooms are on the second floor. Take the stairs. Men's room on your left." Stephanie pointed at the forward stairs. Without wasting seconds, Sasha marches directly to the grand staircase to the upper deck. Leaving Stephanie alone on the dance floor. Like Cinderella, but instead, it's the prince who leaves her. With her boyfriend Kent in the Bahamas and she's also on the holidays with her family to Hawaii, there are times that she wants to spend the holidays with her new love interest. It's her first boyfriend and all. They have meet just this single semester and she wants to see him more often as possible. Earlier, she received a message from him in WhatsApp, granting her with best wishes to her and family this New Year's Eve and Nassau had just struck midnight before them. That was really nice of him.
"I see your little partner is having a bathroom break." Said a voice. Just close to her, the polar bear-man came to her with a lending hand. "First Officer Snowdon at your service."
"Sure." She smiles and accepted the offer. She had to admit, it's better than dancing someone under her size. And this one was more prince-like.
"It seemed Stephanie has now a better partner." Sylvester said, continuing slow dancing with Carolyn, in a more romantic manner.
"I actually danced, like, seven boys at the prom back in my high school years." Carolyn said. "I was like the 'backup dancer'." She smiles lovely at Sylvester. "Until you came in the spotlight, and you kindly take me under the lights."
Now Rycroft is blushing, "Oh, you…"
"And you said those three magic words." The tiger-woman leans her head closer to him. "I wanna hear it…" She whispers.
"Say what? Anybody can say 'I love you'."
"Then why you wouldn't say it?"
"It's sounds so corny."
"Oh… Please…?" She please.
"Then I rather show you." He smirkily said, he purrs and nuzzles under her neck, tickling her. Carolyn giggles.
"Oh, how romantic." Said Portia as she was watching the other slow dancers, she's wearing a silk green gown. "This boat is like the Pacific Princess with lots of champagne in one night."
"And you couldn't even get yourself a date tonight." Added Malcolm.
"Humph, it's not my fault that I have to cover my next articles." The blonde woman said. "Besides, there's still a long way. We have, like, two weeks of vacation?"
"Better work fast then. Most of our colleagues already have dates this year."
The two-deck high promenade hall on deck 2 has begun the countdown. A billboard sign with the numbers dropping to zero is placed for everyone can see. Adjacent to the atrium at forward, the entire area is filled to the excitement. The cruise director, as their host of this evening, she stands on a small stage near the tall statue in her dark-blue dress with her name tag on her left, picks up the mic and fearlessly face the vast audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Welcome and welcome to all. This is your cruise director, Joyce Blake. And on behalf of the entire Royal Trident family. We are so glad that you all made it to come and celebrate this extraordinary planet with us this New Year's Eve. Tomorrow, we'll literally start the new year in paradise and style." She said. "Haven't you all thought about that?" The crowd cheered wildly. "To begin this event before the countdown strikes at midnight. We'd like to give our guests a piece of Hawaiian culture before we arrive at the big island." Native music started to play. "Happy New Year, everyone!"
The dancing group appeared at both side from the atrium and met together at entering the hall like a festival parade. The natives sings their language with arms raised in the air as in a tradition of their gods. Following men juggling with fire sticks and one boar-man exhaling fire through it. Lani dances through the parade with many onlookers from the second level of the hall taking pictures cheering with smiles and laughter.
On deck 3 at mid-ship, the disco lounge is running wild like a nocturnal jungle. The dance floor is lighted with colors by sweeping lights and the iconic disco ball shines the entire set. The DJ player, a black jaguar-man painted in fluorescent colors on his fur behind the professional equipment, playing and keeping the music wild.
The ship's magician, Floyd Archer steps on the lounge, looking just sharp as always is. Hitting on the bar area and sights the entire place. "Not bad for a celebration. This is how they want to end their year." He said to himself. Then saw Kacy the waitress. "Yo, Kacy! Martini, okay?"
"Coming right up!" She replied, but she already has a tray with two drinks for the pair nearby. She walks steadily with her mid-high heel shoes of her waitress uniform, not minding the ship's slight movements. Arriving at the pair of lions on the two-seat table, "Here you go, one mojito and one tropical sunrise. Enjoy."
"Thank you, miss." Said Gwen. The Caucasian waitress quickly left them and back to her next order.
"How did Peters handle this much crowd?" She muttered to herself.
"Gwen, have you thought of wearing it?" Red said.
"The ring? I don't have the courage to wear it." Gwen replied.
"Then wear it now. Later, we can announce your father our proposal together." Red said. "How about it? You really need to chill out." Gwen smiles and holds his hand.
The booth tables were fully occupied like VIP reserves. Luckily for the youngsters of seven: Spencer (the bear-man), Christine (the human-girl), Royce (the lynx-man), Isaac (the human-boy), Megan (the cheetah), Pricilla and Clover (the beagle-girls) has one booth for their farewell of the old year. The guys are wearing flashy while the girls looking informally hot. This could be Clover's first time getting out of her shell since for a long time.
"So, Spencer," Megan started, "when we get to Hawaii, what are we gonna do there?"
"At Hilo, we'll be taking a tour to the National Park. We're exploring volcanoes and caves and stuff!" Said Spencer.
"That sounds pretty scary." Said Christine.
"We're not actually seeing lava up close, Christine. We're taking in a more relaxing and explorative way." Assured Isaac.
"This would be better than seeing pine trees in Rhode Island." Said Pricilla. "What do you think, Clover?"
"Green, biodiversity, close to nature? I'm in…" Clover shrugged. No longer mad, no longer distance nor cold. She's releasing well.
"Hey, guys, let's crank up tonight!" Royce cried and drank his whole drink. "Come on, Megan!" He picks her up from her seat.
"Wait! I haven't finished my drink!" Megan cried. Too late and Royce already placed her on the crowded floor.
Back at the ballroom, the music get louder to dance in places around the floor. The cheers and laughters cannot be stopped. Jennings, Foxley and other stewards stopped by in every table to handle New Year's Eve hats and plastic sparkling tiaras to their diners, and small confetti cannons. Midnight it's coming around the corner. A greened-scaled dragon-man steward handles a tiara to Mrs. Maxwell, and Killian a black plastic top hat.
"Well, thank you." The cat-woman smiled and put it on. "How do I look?" To Killian.
"You look sparkling tonight." Maxwell said and puts his plastic top hat on.
"Mrs. Maxwell, I see you have made a full recovery today." Said Dr. Daxner.
"Oh yes, thanks to you." She said.
"I'm sorry about the other day, I'm was just worried about her." Killian declared.
"It's all right, Mr. Maxwell." Said Daxner. "I apology accepted."
"Good thing it wasn't the norovirus." Said Mr. Collins.
At another table, Rico is having fun for the first time since boarding. He really is glad he was invited by Ryder and Kale to assist the event. Like he said before, "Better enjoy my bachelorhood while it last." Earlier his cousin sent him a message from his home country that it struck midnight, he then told him he have to wait until his turn. The three fellow diners in their best tuxedos. Rico curiously asked about their jobs and hobbies, then they both asked about him which was kind of interesting.
"At 23, I started working as travel agent." Said Rico. "So I've been traveling on many cruises around and sailing on the newest ships introduced and write a review about it, best part of my job. I have so many followers."
"You've travel a lot? How many cruises you've been?" Asked Kale.
"I don't know, I lost counting after 15." He stated.
"What matters is that you really been seeing the whole world before you die, right, Rico?" Said Ryder.
"Yeah, that's right." He grinned and take a sip of his drink, no more alcohol for him tonight.
"Rico, are you really leaving when we arrive at Hilo?" Ryder asked.
"Why you're asking? You guys don't need me while traveling."
"You've been behaving like yourself since you came here." Said Ryder. "Just now. Here. I guess you are too easy to live on. I think you were just exaggerating." All of this was courtesy of Kale Summers as psychologist.
Rico looked down his glass of soft drink, "I guess I have exaggerated." After a beat, he sighed. "Tell you what…? I'll tell you my decision before we come to Hilo. Am I clear?"
"Sure, have it your way." Said Ryder.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We have 20 minutes before midnight!" Declared Aubrey on stage. The entire crowd in the ballroom wildly cried.