I do not own Big Hero 6. OCs are all I have..
The Creative Arts University group worked hard on their projects over the next weeks. Those that finished gave their brainstorm days to those that hadn't finished, for extra help. Eventually, the last person that needed to finish was Dawn, with her long novel and complex world.
They all sit around the table in the coffee break area. Her map was copied and pinned onto the large bulletin board covering one wall. Notebooks are open on the table with two screens that are connected. One has the outline, the other has her notes and character details overlapping each other.
Dawn sits in front of them with her friends around to help. Fred, Tadashi, and GoGo came as well. Everyone was busy and Hiro had school. Tadashi looks over a few characters.
"I need a name," Dawn states.
"What gender?"
"What species?"
"What's the person like?"
Dawn thinks about the questions. "Boy, he's a Galavan, and he's pretty clumsy. He's the guy they meet in the swamp."
"Swamp person? They aren't Galavan," Lauren states.
"No, but he got lost," Dawn points out, "He's already been in a few chapters and I don't even have a name for him. He's just S3."
"S3? Who's S1 and S2?" Avery asks.
Dawn states, "I already named them, I just didn't want to use the same reference name. It would be confusing. Now, any ideas?"
"How about, Felix?"
"Randy?"
"Ivan?"
"Roland?"
"Harry?"
"I got it!" Dawn types out the name, inserting it to every place where she put down 'S3.'
Tadashi leans over her shoulder and reads what she chose, "..Rolano?" He questions.
"Rol for short," Dawn states.
"..Ah." He stands up straight again and looks at the map. As the outline progresses, there is a string and pins that is set up on the paper and bulletin board. "You guys are very thorough with this process."
"Dawn is a very visual person," Ivy comments, "But all her extra effort works wonders."
Dawn stops typing and stretches. She stands up and moves to the map. "I'm so close.." she mutters to herself. She takes another pin and puts it at the new place, deeper into the swamp. "They are almost to the other side. And when they get there.." she squeals softly, "There's the big climax and the story is over."
"Are you taking a break?" Tadashi asks. Dawn nods. She flexes her hand.
"Cramps," she chuckles. She walks over to the counter along the opposite wall. It has a fridge and a couple pantries of snacks. She takes out a plate and finds some food to fuel up.
"Who would you say is your favorite character that you've ever created?" Fred asks, lounging with two of the legs of his chair off the ground.
The four of the writers gape at him. "That's like.. Like-"
"Asking one of you what your favorite invention is," Hunter finishes for Ivy.
"I have a favorite, Baymax," Tadashi argues.
"But you can't just pick a favorite character," Avery adds in.
"They are all precious babies that I love equally," Dawn says childishly, crossing her arms.
"Oh really?" Tadashi asks.
"Yes, really. I've developed them throughout their stories, so they are all important to the story and to me," Dawn states.
Tadashi looks at her, "I.. see."
Dawn sets her food at the chair and stretches her arms again, interlocking her fingers. "How much longer?" Lauren asks.
"About.. Three chapters, I think," Dawn says, looking at the map.
"This is just the outline though," GoGo says.
"Yeah, but I don't need anymore than that. Through the next month, I'll write it and then have teachers and/or classmates review it. Then I'll start again with the second draft."
"So long.." Fred draws out.
"Yes, but it's worth it."
"Do any of you use outlines too?" GoGo asks. Avery raises his hand. GoGo looks at Lauren.
"I write blog posts, remember? I was the first done."
"I like to think that without an outline, the story takes whatever turn it should, and it surprises me every time," Ivy says. GoGo nods, boringly annoyed at her dreamy look when talking about romance.
"Alright, time to get this done." Dawn sits down, then looks at the group. "..You guys don't have to stay here. I know how late it is."
"Well, don't have to tell me twice. See you at the Institute Tadashi," GoGo calls. Fred stands up.
"GoGo, please!" Fred complains.
"Now Fred. I need to get sleep!" GoGo calls back.
Fred sighs, "She's my ride. You should come by sometime Hunter!" He goes to catch up to his friend.
"Will do!" Hunter calls after him.
"I think I should get some sleep as well. I have that class early tomorrow.." Avery sighs.
"Bye," everyone else calls. He leaves. Dawn gets to work, typing as fast as she thinks up the next part of the outline. She stays on one bullet point and gets a lot of detail in. That's where Hunter stands up and says that he needs to leave as well.
The next to leave is Ivy. She gets a few things from her office and leaves. Lauren helps with the last bit of the string, then packs up the computer she was working on and leaves for the night. Tadashi is the only one left.
"Tadashi, you should get going.." Dawn slurs, "It's late and I'm sure you need to work on Baymax tomorrow."
Tadashi looks at the clock, "I don't think the buses are out this late."
"So..?" Dawn slurs again.
Tadashi sits next to her at the round table, "So, I'll drive you home." Dawn smiles at him, exhausted.
"I'm finishing this tonight," she resolves. She looks back at the screen. She reads the last bullet point, then continues. She takes a bite out of her bagel, licking stray crumbs off her mouth. She drinks the coffee, heavy with creamer, finishing the mug.
"Want some more?" Tadashi asks.
"Yeah, sure," Dawn says, looking over briefly as he picks up the mug. He goes to the coffee machine and fills it up.
"Creamer?"
"Lots."
He finishes the drink and sets it next to her again.
"Thanks," Dawn picks it up and takes a sip. "You know, Tadashi, I may just sleep here. Do you think you can pick me up tomorrow?" She asks.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm almost done. Then I'll go straight to my office and sleep."
Tadashi nods slowly, "Alright. Don't strain yourself," he insists.
"Okay, I won't," Dawn states, looking at him with her starry blue eyes. He smiles and walks out the door. Dawn sighs and looks at the computer. 'You got this Dawn.'
Dawn yawns loudly. The only light in the room is from one of the screens. She shut the other off since she didn't need her notes anymore. She yawns again and types a little more. Then she closes the computer and stands up. She leaves everything where it is and she goes to her office. The moment she lays down on the couch in her room, she's out like a light.
"...Dawn…? … Dawn..? … Are you awake..?"
Dawn stirs in her sleep. Light filters through her eyelids, showing the red veins inside them.
"I'll let you sleep some more..." the voice tells her. She feels a blanket draped along her body, which she forgot the night before. Her chair squeaks as the person sits down on it. They sigh.
Dawn loses track of time and opens her eyes a crack. The light coming from the windows is really bright. She closes her eyes to protect them and rolls over to face the wall. Then she opens her eyes again.
She yawns, sitting up. The blanket falls from her shoulders as she rubs her eyes. Her door opens and she turns to see Tadashi peeking in. "Are you up yet?" He asks. She nods.
"What time is it?"
"Almost two in the afternoon," he states, coming in more, "How'd you do?"
"Huh..?" Dawn asks, standing. Then she remembers the night before. "Oh!" She walks past him, her body registering the energy she acquired through sleep. She doesn't stop until she reaches the table with her computer. She opens it up and looks at the document page.
The End
Tadashi watches Dawn's expression light up as she reads those two words over and over. "I did it.." she says quietly. She looks over the computer and looks at him. "I did it! Yes!" She pumps her fist and dances a little to herself. "It's done! Oh man.. That was so worth it."
"Congratulations," Tadashi says.
Dawn stops and looks around. "Where is everybody?" she asks, "They would all be here right now."
"They are at the café, for the celebration," Tadashi states, "For everyone that completed the assignment. I came to pick you up. If you're up for it."
"Definitely."
Yay! She finished!
One chapter left! Whoo! Almost done!