It had been just over a week since that night at the Golden Fleece. Henri and Miranda had been out a couple of times and were getting on well but since the Martial Arts lists went up, the team were heavily involved in practice sessions, taking up much of everyone's spare time. The team had been named as Levon, Guy, Skye and Miranda. Guy is a fierce competitor and his skills were on par with Levon's.
Henri, Ian and Emma had signed up as part of the 'supporters team' giving them a place on the coach along with about 5 others, either friends of the team or maybe some who fancied a jolly. Plus there was Mr Harding, Ben the physio and Miss Beech who would be there for the girls.
The competition will start on the Sunday with the first round qualifiers, then Monday would be the semi-finals with the finals on Wednesday, travelling back to York on the Thursday. Accommodation would be provided by Durham in shared rooms in the visitors block, girls in the west wing, boys in the east. Food in the canteen was available free of charge during their stay, competitors and supporters alike.
This is the first time that York have been included in the this competition, something Mr Harding had campaigned for. So their team will only be known by reputation. The other 3 participating universities are obviously Durham, the hosts, Newcastle and Tesside.
Everyone is gathered with luggage in the south car park as the 16 seater minibus pulls into view.
She had one hell of a hangover the day after the Golden Fleece. "Friggin' worth it..." She had mumbled the next day at practice as the hits numbed the heartache that singing hadn't. But the week had gone quickly and now they were ready to take one the world again - this time on the mats.
The minibus pulled into view, and Skye clearly made her statement with a laugh. "I'm not driving this time."
Emma was on the coach with the other supporters, wearing school colors, and completely ready to cheer her friends, and the other team members, on to victory. Somehow, though, she suspected the cheer of, We can't be beat, taste our feet, was going to catch on. But who knows? It just might!
Levon He approached the minibus slightly tardy and saw the others waiting there. "Yeah, I ain't driving this thing either. I still can't figure out which way to look when I'm crossing the street," the kid from Harlem New York added to Skye's declaration. "Do we have a backup plan for when this thing dies on us?" he asks as he glances about the bus with a skeptical frown.
He is somewhat late and has to quick march across the car park to the bus where everyone is waiting to board. Dressed in his usual black leather jacket underneath he is wearing a dark red crewneck shirt hanging loose over black jeggings. Spotting Miranda early, he approaches from the other side of the minibus and using other people standing around as cover he slips to her side in hoping to gently surprise her he says slightly out of breath, "Salut!" Whether or not he surprises Miranda, he flashes a smile and adds, "You're looking beautiful today..."
Guy was good and Levon knew it. More than a few of his kicks and punches have landed and they did not tickle. That made Guy a good sparring partner. Although they were a team, during competition, it was a one-on-one event.
"I'm looking forward to kicking your ass!" he said lovially.
Miranda had been looking for Henri but not in the direction he came from. She manages a "Hi" before he pays his compliment, making her blush. To cover up she puts her bag down by the driver.
"Come on.." she threads an arm through Henri's "Let's get on the bus and find a good seat."
Guy looks at Levon and stares.
"Not if I kick yours first."
But it doesn't sound that jovial.
Mr Harding calls out. "Last two are just on their way." He points to two figures in the distance. "Let's get boarded."
She'd packed as efficiently as their last outing, so Skye tossed the overnight bag for the storage part of the coach but kept her backpack. She slid next to Emma and giggled, "Varsity style is back it seems! You look fantastic!"
Skye herself had toned down her own look for a change, opting for a simple tartan skirt in the school colors and a black crop top. She grinned at Ian, "Oh, we love trouble."
He follows along with Miranda, dropping off his small backpack too for the driver to store, and letting her enter first. Quickly spotting a pair of seats two rows back from the drivers side, he points and says, "Let's sit here", and will defer to her in taking the window seat.
Emma smiled at Skye. "Me? You look like you are going to take name... on and off the mat!" She gave her friend a wink. Clearly Emma had decided to try and start match-making again. And this time Skye might be the one she tried to match up.
Finally the luggage is stowed, everyone has settled into a seat and they are off! As they travel further north, closer to their last terrifying adventure, this time they can appreciate the beauty of the north east of England. Stark in places, wild but with a beauty of its own. And this time it is summer. so against a backdrop of blue skies, small puffy white clouds and sunshine.
The mood in the bus is cheerful, an undercurrent of excitement even from those not competing as people feel they are escaping the studying and even having a small holiday!
There is a fair amount of traffic on the major dual carriageway of the A1 but no real holdups or accidents so about an hour and three quarters after setting off, they are entering the city of Durham.
She could tell that Emma was conspiring for something, but Skye laughed and switched subjects. Throughout the trip they giggled and kept comparing fashion notes and bits of celeb gossip from May's Met Ball and what Simbarashe Cha from The NY Times was shooting in streetwear versus what was happening in London, Paris, and Singapore.
And then, of course, there were the latest music trends they all had to share and what they were hoping to be when they all grew up. Phew! One hundred minutes just flew by!
As they drew closer to Durham, Skye began to focus on more than the holiday. She was there to win. But, she did share some mock-ups of her competition gi.
"Of course I need to have a bit of my own flare out there - despite the official guidelines" She nudged Emma and the others gathered around. "I even brought needle and thread to finish them off. Which one do you think gang? Oh, and the red belt is just me fantasizing to be at the top levels."
Getting out to see some place different is always exciting, and the company is especially nice sitting beside him. Hearing Skye, he asks in general, "Thought a black belt is the top level?"
"You're right - for most disciplines you have the different degrees of blackbelt at the top." Skye nodded almost sagely. "And the red belt is often a pre-black stage --- I had mine in Taekwondo back in high school. But a red belt can also recognize a grandmaster. Jiu-jitsu follows that path - and I've been concentrating more in that discipline as of late.
"Just don't tell my eomeoni! She'd not be pleased I'm not wholly focused on the traditional Korean arts." The young woman laughed, but kept a very serious look.
"Well I think red is just your color, and your improvements look fantastic!" Emma grinned at her friend. It looked like she would have to take potential match-making behind the scenes, but that was okay. It gave Skye some plausible deniability.
"Eomeoni...my mother -- in Korean." Skye laughed. "I won't tell yours either...yet." She slyly nodded towards Miranda and giggled.
"Now!" Switching direction of conversation, as she was wont to do, "Emma says I need to wear red for my date with her..match-up!" It was a silly half-second pause, and Skye hugged her friend teasingly and lovingly. "We'll be crafty."
He gives a bit of a sad smile and gently squeezes back when Miranda surprises him as she slips his hand into his, and quietly says to Miranda, "No chance for Skye to get back at me. My mom died shortly after I was born." Not wanting to be so maudlin he adds in a more conspiratorial tone, "But, my older sister is quite the gossip. Better not tell her that though."
Miranda squeezes his hand again as he mentions his Mom. And adds "I'm good with that" when he mentions his sister.
It is a good atmosphere on the bus. Everyone is upbeat and interested.
Then the bus pulls up outside of what must be a college block. Mr Harding stands, holding onto the back of a seat as the bus is still moving, though you can tell he has good balance.
"Right. We are here. This will be where we stay for the next few days. So I want everyone to get off the bus once it stops and retrieve your luggage. Make sure you don't leave anything on the bus, perhaps you could do a last minute check Miss Beech?"
She nods and smiles at him.
As the bus comes to a standstill he gets off and a girl who had been waiting on the pavement steps up to him to confirm they are the York contingent.
"Hi I'm Hilary" she says brightly. "I'm your liaison at Durham. I'm here to see you settled in and answer any questions you may have."
It's nice to finally arrive, as Henri steps off the bus and wanders a bit to stretch his legs while waiting for the driver to pull out everyone's luggage.
Feeling a bit thirsty and hungry he asks Hilary, "Where's the best place for food?"
He's been quiet for most of the ride, but as he gets off the bus carrying his bag he drops it and start doing some stretches to loosen up a bit after the ride.
"Food's a good idea. I'm hungry too."
He grins at the sight of the clingy girl, Miranda as she grabbed hold of Henri. Levon was happy that his friend met someone. Maybe it'll work out for him.
"To the cafeteria!" he says to Hilary. "By the way, I'm Levon" he adds.
"Sounds like we need to speed up the settling in. Don't they feed you at York?"
She chuckles, looking around to assess progress.
"Mr Harding, if you could take the male contingent? You have 4 rooms on the top floor, all 2 bed, 11 to 14, all overlooking the front. I'll take the ladies to the other wing, also top floor front, rooms 11 to 13 as one has 3 beds. Keys are in the door with spares."
"OK girls, if you follow me."
She leads the way in and up the stairs which are opposite the glass entrance doors commenting..
"These are never locked so I'd advise that you keep your rooms locked at night and when you are out."
Heading upstairs, you can see she is light on her feet and fairly fit. She points Mr Harding to the left and leads the girls to the right.
"Bathrooms are marked on the doors. Here we go. The first room is the one with the extra bed, the next two have 2 each. You'll need to decide who shares with who."
"I'm heading to Lucky 13!" She smiled like it was witty and challenging, but Skye simply didn't want to deal with traffic going back and forth in front of her room.
Miranda looks disappointed and glances at Emma, sure that they would share. She had been hoping to share with them in the room for 3 but perhaps they don't want her. So she waits to see what others do.
She caught the look from Miranda to Emma. If there was one thing that Skye had learned over the extra years schooling from her peers, was to be aware of moods and responses. It was something that she hoped would help her in the music biz - though she kicked herself for not anticipating better.
"But you know..." She paused dramatically right before passing room 1, "based on my luck it would be the room with the ghost! Hell with that!" Skye pulled Emma and Miranda in behind her."Besides -- we need to know all the deets on you and Henri!"
He laughs with Emma's outburst for "amazing chips", and silently hopes the food will live up to Hilary's review. Grabbing his backpack he is ready to go, walking alongside Miranda. Reaching the top of the stairs, he will say, "Miranda, I guess once we get rooms sorted out, let's meet up at the cafeteria, ok?"
Then following Mr. Harding to the left he looks to the other guys and asks just as Levon disappears into the closest room, "Who's going where...?" As he is not sure if Mr. Harding has room assignments or if it is up to them on who is sharing a room.
"Completely okay with me- especially if we get a room with ghosts..." She smiles and gives a look at Skye. "Seriously though, I think it would be fun. Sort of a girl's weekend... with lots of kicking for some of you." Emma's grasp of mixed martial arts was clearly limited.
Apparently there is no room assignments, so he looks to Ian, gives a sleight shrug, and quickly says, "Sure, let's grab this room together." The last thing he wants is to share a room with Mr. Harding. Henri does not have a grudge against Harding, it is just that he knows little about the man, and would rather share a room with someone he knows better. With a quick decision made to share a room with Ian, Henri drops his backpack at the foot of one of the two beds and stretches out on it, testing out to see how comfortable it is.
On the boys side, the two friends Sam and Geoff take a room. Ross moves into Levon's room asking "Am I OK in here or is this bed already taken?" And Guy moves into the last room. If Ross is acceptable to Levon it looks like My Harding will be sharing with Guy.
On the girls side, Skye, Emma and Miranda take the first room. It is a little cramped with the extra bed in the middle. Janina and Penny grab the second room leaving Beech and Miss Beech together which may seem appropriate.
Hilary is with the girls.
"Everyone ready for the cafeteria? You can leave your stuff in your room but I would suggest locking it. There are 2 keys for each room. Then we'll collect the lads and be on our way."
Hilary smiles, she has the makings of an air hostess the way she is dealing with everyone, or perhaps a tour guide?
When Ross walks into the room Levon had chosen and asks if it's okay for him to take the other bed, Levon sniffs the air and squints his eye before letting his smile appear. "You don't stink so I guess it's fine. I'm Levon. I'm from NEW York."
She giggled at Emma's comment. It was exactly what Skye needed to release the stress and anxiety of the last few months -- some silliness and ass-kicking. She looked around the room and plopped down on the center bed. It didn't have a lot of bounce, but it would be fine.
"No secrets in tight quarters, as my dad would say." Skye nudged Miranda teasingly with her booted foot before Hillary popped back in the room.
"No third key for us?" She cocked her head and asked the hostess as they headed out.
Emma takes the bed off to the right side of the room, and stowed her stuff quickly, making sure it was out of the way for everyone else. As Skye asked about the key, she looked at the other two. "You two take the keys. If something happens and I need to come back here alone, I can always ask the bursar."
Besides, Em doubted she would be without one or the other of her roommates during the trip.
"Oh....we'll be attached at the hip, Em. No worries." Skye laughed as she locked down her own gear in her military-style duffle.
"Now let's go raise some hell in Durham and check-out the competition!" She locked up the dorm behind them all and tossed the other key to Miranda. "Catch!"
Getting out of the bed and back to his feet With a bit of a disappointed look on his face, he says to Ian, "Well, not the most comfortable, but it will do."
Henri will grab his iPad out of his backpack, grabs one of the keys, and adds, "Well, let's go Ian, and see what everyone else is up to..."
"Shakespeare? Hmmm. That's a rapper, right?" he snickered. "Nah. That's cool. Ain't to far from here, right?"
"I needed a change in scenery but didn't feel like learning another language," he replied to Ross when asked about why he came to the UK. "And I guess I'm competing. I just hope to hold my own."
"Raising hell? Demonic summoning? Sounds fun!" Emma says with a laugh. Still it would be nice to get out and have an interesting time of things. Durham would not know what hit them, in the matches and outside!
"You must be confusing me with Wednesday Addams." Skye looped arms with Emma and gestured for Miranda to catch-up. "Well, we do shop at the same boo-tique!"
**Oh. We are going to own this town.** She didn't want to get too cocksure about it...but she was getting excited before reminding herself, **and why did eomeoni always use the formal phrase? Don't be a dick, remember...eolin-i.**
As the visitors started to emerge, Hilary gathered them together a the top of the stairs.
"Cafeteria next, yes? And I also need to tell you of an event we have planned for tonight which will help you to learn your way around Durham. Just a bit of fun."
She smiles broadly.
Mr Harding steps forward.
"Sounds great Hilary. Is there somewhere the team could have a practice session this afternoon?"
"I'll check and see if I can book you a session in the gym."
She smiles at the teacher who has obviously not forgotten what they are here for.
She laughed at the boo-tique joke. Skye definitely got her sense of humor. Or maybe she was the one who got Skye's... whichever way it was, it worked. And then they were told of an event to help them learn their way around Durham. "It sounds a bit like speed-dating the town. Now- that might be fun, a scavenger kiss-hunt." DOubtful it would be that, but if it was... definitely possibilities.
"We can talk as we go. Wouldn't want to deprive you hungry lot of food any longer than necessary."
Henri feels Miranda's hand slip into his.
Hilary continues.
"This event will be in the evening so shouldn't interfere with your training practice if I can get you a slot."
She leads the group out of the building and turns right on the path.
"Not sure what I call it but it is a sort of treasure hunt but with no treasure." She chuckles. "Clues are given that, if worked out correctly, lead you to a pub. In that pub are some Durham students who have the next clue. They are likely to require something from you in order to provide the next clue. You need to form teams minimum 3, maximum 6, in order to participate. We've run them before and they are quite a lot of fun."
As they move down the sloping path, she points out a single storey building, an elongate hexagon shape containing quite a lot of glass.
"That's the cafeteria. I have a pass for each of you that will entitle you to free meals."
She hands these out.
"Don't lose them, they also have my number on them if you need me. I'll leave you now and go sort out your gym session hopefully. Enjoy lunch."
A quick thanks and a smile to Hilary, Henri takes the cafeteria pass and slips it into his inside jacket pocket. Then turning to Miranda he asks, "So who should we team up with?"
They would be just at the limit, if they want to form one team with Levon, Ian, Skye, and Emma.
Miranda looks over at Skye and Emma with a raised eyebrow. Then grins as she realises that with Ian and Levon they would be just 6. Perfect! She is the outsider here though, so better if one of the others suggests it.
"We're definitely the team! Even with Levon!" Skye shot an easily blockable punch towards her New York friend. "But...West Coast is still Best Coast." She jibed. "But - time to officially welcome Miranda as part of The Gang!
Then, for no apparent reason, Skye added giggling. "Ian - you may kiss the girl now!"
Skye's punch is easily blockable but he grabbed her arm, turned his body and using her inertia with a judo move, dropped her to the ground but cradled her head so it wouldn't hit pavement.
There, on the ground over her, Levon moved close and said, "Girl. You're trouble!" before letting go and jumping back to his feet, lending Skye a hand up.
Admittedly, she was surprised with Levon's take-down move and statement. Skye wondered if he really was still upset with her for pulling away from what could have been a relationship. Then again, perhaps he was simply right. As she got to her feet, she patted Levon's face gently with a softened look and response.
"I'm trying to be better." Skye smiled, thankfully distracted by Emma and Ian's enthusiasm for a kiss. She really was trying to be better - and didn't want to be baited any further. "I believe, then, it is the Lady's choice."
He is not a typical "kiss-happy" Frenchman, so he is quite nonplussed with Skye's suggestion for Ian to kiss Miranda. Henri still has Miranda's hand in his and she will obviously feel his rigidity in letting go if she does disengage to take a kiss from whomever she wants.
Levon He said nothing but smiled back at Skye and shot her back a playful wink. He was pretty sure that the wink would get under her skin more than the take down did.
Hilary had left them to their own devices with the cafeteria just ahead of them. They enter the building which is light and airy inside like a massive greenhouse.
There is lots of choice. A large self service salad area, a counter serving hot meals such as a tuna pasta bake, chicken pie, chips, beef casserole. Another area with snacks including sandwiches, crisps, yoghurts, fruit.
The noise level hits them as they enter. The acoustics accentuating the sounds. It is lunch time and busy.
She had gotten hungry, but in the cacophony stopped short after the entrance trying to decide the best balance of foods for competition. "It's a pity there isn't a sushi selection," Skye muttered to Em.
"I don't want anything that will make me too sluggish on the mat." She explained absently then laughed. "Salad it is - and let's see if we can find some proteins that aren't covered in English sauce."
He can't stop his own blush when Miranda kisses him in front of everyone. His relationship with Miranda is only into its second week and Henri still has occasional anxiety about how well it is going. For now, he manages to hide it with a smile and announces, “Ok Miranda, your officially inducted into our group.” He gives her hand an assuring squeeze before releasing it and adds, “Now let’s see about some lunch!” Moving in, he will get in line to grab a plate and head over to the snack area to grab a sandwich, some crisps and a green apple.
Emma shakes her head at her friend, Skye might not want something saucy, but she definitely did. "Since I am not going to be tossed around any time soon... that chicken bake looks divine! But, Skye, it looks like they have some sandwiches over there... or maybe some other choices are just hiding around. I mean the team here will have similar food ideas, right?"
Skye made do with what was there, separating herself from her friends that dove into the standard college fare. Honestly, she realized, it wasn't much different from the cafeteria fare at her undergrad dorm.
"Salmon, salad, some fruit," she voiced, just to be clear. "Oh...salmon and...bacon - that's good!" It was a pretty immense salad when she was done, but it would do. Skye counted out the calorie and protein estimates. "Need some carbs too..."
She laughed at Levon's exclamation, but added as she noshed on her own meal. "Not likely here in Britain anymore. But I had it a few times growing up in Japan. It was thinly sliced, almost like sashimi..."
They notice Hilary move to Mr Harding who is seated at a nearby table.
"I have booked you a 2 hour slot starting at 2.30 this afternoon for your training. Here is a map of the campus. I've marked the gym in red. Hope that's OK?"
Mr Harding smiles at her.
"Thanks Hilary. Perfect. You are looking after us very well."
As she waves and leaves, he goes back to eating his salad and roll.
Catching the scrap of conversation from Hilary, Skye notes that their schedule is filling up. "Bit of a walk after eating. Practice 230 to 430. More food. And then off to find pub clues!"
He stops eating his sandwich and washes it down with a gulp of water before looking at Skye with a bit of an incredulous look. "Ugh, you actually ate horse meat?" Just the though of eating horse meat almost, but not quite, puts him off from picking up his sandwich again to take another bite.
He is not sure if Levon is being rhetorical or not, but either way he makes an ugly face as he tries not to think about eating horse or snails. Looking to Levon and then to Skye, he says to them with a smile, "Honestly, I think you're trying to make me spew."
It was a funny realization that being a few years older, and having travelled more extensively than the others --- **Uprooted and plopped down in the middle of a military stockade more like it!** She thought with only a bit of bitterness --- that some experiences didn't shock her as much.
"Ha!" Skye laughed at Henri's reaction. "Then I better not list out all the other crazy things I've eaten -- like scorpion and sea horses! Crunchy!" She giggled with a bit of a cackle.
Em shakes her head. "You would think snails would be worse, but really if they are done right... I kind of enjoy them. Not sure I would like sea horses though. They look too cute to eat. Snails, definitely not cute, so they are on the menu." Emma was not a hugely picky eater, and had tried a few things, but sea horse? While she might try it, one day, she would not go out of her way to find a place that served it either.
"I'll take your word for it," he said dryly to Skye as he took a bite from his sandwich.
Then he wiped his face with his sleeve and said to Henri, "Nope. I ain't tryin to make my team mate blow chunks, but if you feel like you must, turn away from me first."
"No worries Levon. I'm good, but lets talk instead about this pub scavenger hunt. I wonder how many other teams we're going up against? Hilary didn't mention if there was any prize for being first to complete did she?"
She'd finished up and was ready for the next adventure or fight - whichever came first. "Okay. What's next? Walking off some of our food before practice?" Skye leaned over to Em and Miranda.
Hi it's Hilary. Gym is booked for competitors from 2.30 to 4.30. Mr Harding has a campus map. And there are seats for observers if desired. Tonight, after you have eaten, can you all meet up outside the cafeteria where we will explain the rules and provide you with maps and the first clue? The team that make it to the end with the most points wins. How you gain points will become clear but it wouldn't go amiss to turn up in fancy dress. Good luck! 🍀
"Shopping does count as..." Emma stops as her phone, and that of the others, chimes. "Well sounds like our evening is booked, but we definitely need time to fit in some shopping along the way!" Fancy dress? She had an outfit or two that might work.
With his phone in hand with a concerned look, he says, "Yes. I definitely did not pack anything fancy either. There must be someplace where we could rent a suit at least?"
Henri does not have the sort of cash to just buy a fancy suit at whim. Quietly talking to his phone he says, "Hey Siri. Where is nearest suit rentals?"
He hadn't pack a suit either as he hadn't had any idea that this trip would require such. He had a nice pair of slack and a button up shirt at least. Perhaps that would do.
"Wonderful idea, Miranda! I am sure we could all find something retro, or interesting, even if it was just something to spruce up what we brought with us."
Rather than getting directions, he will check each of the three businesses websites (if they have one). Henri will be looking to see which one might offer some unique clothing at reasonable prices.
It's fun to see a bit of the excitement and anxiety of getting dressed up. For her part, Skye is excited to see what she can find for herself to play with. She leans over to Levon,
"I'm sure we can find something that might fit..." She laughed. "And is better than a t-shirt. Em, what do you think. It's not like going through London-town, but we can apply a bit of the fancy rock style here? This is still a university town."
She started humming Macklemore's "Thrift Shop"
Quote
I'm gonna pop some tags Only got twenty dollars in my pocket I'm, I'm, I'm huntin', lookin' for a come up This is fucking awesome...
[Sorry I thought I'd posted earlier in the week...]
Mr Harding comes over to their table. He is smiling.
"Hi everyone. Everything OK? I assume you will all be joining in the event tonight. Maybe one team?"
He looks around those at the table.
"Myself, Miss Beech, Ben and his local girlfriend, Lorna are entering. Sounds like a lot of fun. And we are hoping that Lorna and Ben's local knowledge might give us an edge."
He chuckles. He is a good teacher and supportive but as they all know, he has a competitive spirit.
"So I'll see at least some of you at 2.30 then? Here's is where the gym is located."
Emma grins at Skye. "Oh I think shopping of any sort is a wonderful way to pass the time. And a store to buy treasures of someone's past? I am definitely in for that. Who knows, maybe we will find outfits enchanted to enamor anyone who looks at us? Or, at the very least, something chic and mysteriously vintage."
When asked by Mr. Harding if they were entering, Emma nodded. "Count on us!"
He is not much of a clothes shopper and since all of the shops he has found so far are just selling regular suits, the closest one will probably be the one he will go to. While not sure just how long it will take for him to get to a store and back he asks Mr. Harding, "Will you guys be actually sparring in practice, or is it more of just warm-up exercises?"
The sparring might be fun to watch, otherwise he will probably just spend time walking around to get to know the area before the evening events.
"Mister Harding - do we have any intelligence on the match-ups?" Skye piped up, remembering why they were actually here. "I'd be happy to beat Levon as usual.." She grinned and made a motion with her fingers towards her friend as if to say, *I've got my eyes on you....**.
"Because they'll be different styles and body-types to handle here, it'd be good to do a little practice that way - without giving away too many of our tricks." It made perfect sense to her.
"And maybe it'll help with my femme mystérieuse look tonight." She made the same eyes on you look towards Emma.
"Oh you will look smashing, no matter what we find, Skye!" Emma had a few ideas already swirling in her imagination, it was just to see what was available to them when they all went shopping.
Keeping silly, she made a dramatic jazz hands gesture and blushed slightly. But, Skye figured that she'd given Mr. Harding an assignment -- coaches liked that. And that they didn't really need to figure it out here.
"So - we'll see you at the gym at 230, Mister Harding." She rose and started to gather the team. "But there are some major psi ops missions at hand and working off lunch. So shopping it is! Em is now in charge!"
[OOC: actually realized that we could lift a little burden from Gypsy and write silly stuff about shopping before heading back. Mina you should lead. [evil giggles]]
"The format I've been told is a knock out competition, well two. Females in one, males in the other.. so you are safe Levon."
He grins.
"And Ben and I have already decided to scout out the opposition, you guys can probably help there. I believe others may also be sparring in the gym. There will be a draw at the beginning so we don't know who you will face until we start."
Finishing the last bit of his lunch, Henri is ready to get going with finding a cheap jacket and slacks. Looking at the directions to the nearest place for suits on his phone he asks the women, "So where are going for clothes?"
He turns his phone over to point to where the place he is going on his map, and says, "I'm going here, so don't know if the shops you're interested in are close by?"
Emma looks at the others. "Sounds like the best bet? Ready now, or shall we look around here first?" Personally Em was ready to do a little retail relaxation.
Levon "I'm ready whenever. Ain't got no plans but to hang with you guys and maybe spar a bit if we had time. I'm relying on you ladies to dress me up."
When everyone is done lunch, he will slip his phone back into his jacket pocket, nods to Emma, and says, "Let's get to this market." Henri wants to find a decent jacket and slacks without spending too much time just shopping.
They leave the canteen as a group and head into town, finding the market area easily with use of phones. Real Fancy is a small shop front tucked away in a corner but that is deceptive as the shop extends quite a way back. There are 3 people serving as they enter, all moving towards you as their only potential customers right now. The shop is cluttered, racks of costumes take up much of the floor space with each of the side walls shelved and containing hats, belts, scarves, masks and many other items. At the back is a long counter and a door behind.
"Hi there. You all together? What are you looking for?"
The guy is in his twenties, dark with a moustache and wearing a pirate hat. The two girls are a similar age, one has a vampire mask, the other a halo.
They were a rag-tag-gaggle of friends as they poured into the shop. Skye grinned as they entered and whispered to Em holding her arm, "It's more beautiful than Christmas!" She had to laugh when they received so much attention, but it was Skye who spoke up first.
"Yes. We're in town for a competition at Durham. They've invited us to a "fancy" event this eve." Skye naturally started to edge towards the girl in the vampire mask. "Curious if you know anything about it - we're ready for glam up for _anything_."
"Hmmm." Skye turned to Em for the consultation. "There is a power to a themed team - but also we could come off looking like assholes...my dad loved the movie Dodgeball -- but said 'never look like a Globo-gym purple dildo...'"
Skye actually blushed with that. "Oh my gawd. Sorry. It's the life.. as they say."
He is not sure if everyone should stick to the same theme, but he would be willing to at least try to pair up with whatever Miranda wants. For the moment, he will just ask, "Is what we see here all you have or you have a catalog we can browse?"
"We don't have a catalogue but we do have some stuff in the back. Let your imaginations run riot. Tell us your ideas. Let's see what we can come up with."
The angel adds.
"Themes can be cool. We can do pirates, undead, heaven and hell, vikings and lots more."
Em thinks for a moment. "Skye, themed but not pushing it... We could do a loose theme? Famous actors from the past, or maybe characters in movies? Something that would be recognizable in a group, but not over the top? Famous fictional detectives..." Emma shakes her head. "Let's just go look and see what our imaginations could come up with?"
"I guess that's a "hard No" to sparkly red hot pants and matching Kinky Boots to show off your legs?" Skye teased the big man before turning back to Em. "Hmmm. I like the characters in movies - any suggestions for a group this big?"
"Clue? Lots of characters in that one with some distinctive outfits." Emma thought about some of her favorite movies, "But it might be easier to keep it to a type of character across a few movies. I think it might depend on what they have. I mean, we could decide on a movie and the outfits just might not match." So, see the outfits, and then try to coble a theme from them? That seemed like a good idea.
"Oh. I think Clue would be fantastic! And it twists our little mystery reputation." Skye turned to the Pirate. "We wanted classy. Can you make it happen? There are lots of characters to choose from for both the boys and the girls..." She began to list each movie character:
"Let's see..there's * Mrs. Peacock * Wadsworth the Butler * Mrs. White * Professor Plum * Mr. Green * Colonel Musterd * Miss Scarlet - dibs! unless you want her Em.... * Yvette the Maid * Mr. Boddy even!
She looked at Emma with a bit of incredulity that they seemed to be the only ones to have seen the zany movie. "We'll watch it when we get back home. It's like Agatha Christie goes a bit campy. All the same type of cliched characters." Skye explained. "Unless you really are jonesing to be Thor. We would have to find you a blonde wig." She grinned.
"Agatha who?" he asked, having never heard of her.
ooc: I started playing in a FTF D&D game last week. I'm sitting at the table and players were describing their PCs. One young woman (20-ish) said her PC's name was (something like) Zeddenathrial "but call me Zed". I said, "Zed is Dead". She responded "Huh?" I said "From Pulp Fiction". She said "Huh?". I said "The Quentin Tarantino movie". She said "Quentin who?". I felt very old.
He knows the board game but never saw the movie. Looking at the pictures he sort of likes the pipe as a prop so he speaks up, "I'll go with Professor Plum..."
"Me... I would go for Mrs. White or Mrs. Peacock... preferably Mrs. Peacock, but I am flexible. HHmm with that like maybe I should go for Scarlet. Ladies? Which ones do you want, and I will pick from the leftovers."
While waiting for the staff to outfit them with their choices, Henri does a quick search on his phone and finds the old movie trailer to get a sense of the characters. "Found a movie trailer, if anyone wants to check it out. Sure is an old one..."
"Classic masterpiece, not old." She says that with a smile and does her best not to do the dialogue along with the actors on the trailer while it is playing. One of her favorite movies growing up. It's a matter of life after death, now that he's dead, I have a life, Emma mouths along with Mrs. White.
He laughs at Emma's comment and says, "Hey, any movie made before I was born, I say is old."
A quick glance over his shoulder to see Miranda and Henri cheekily adds to her, "Picking the professor, guess if I play in character, can I stare at your breasts?"
[OOC: LOL I just realized I had gotten distracted by work and the new Star Trek story. Completely loved everyone's responses! Especially the writers that don't know the references!]
{Skye}
"Yum." She giggled and loved Em's Mrs. White. "It seems we have things set. And, sorry hon, we'll all stare at Miranda's breasts... in the least like Sophia did Jayne. Look it up." Skye turned to the staff.
"Okay. I assume you can make it happen?" She was imperious and impatient.
The pirate, the angel and the vampire girl all get their heads together and start gathering items, continually referring to angel's phone for the pictures. A few items are swapped to fit but eventually they have costumes approximating their choices.
The angel produces hangers and the costumes are arranged on them, the vampire writes on carbon pads, attaching the inventory top copy to the hanger whilst the copy goes into the till. Pirate covers each hanger with a polythene bag and seals it at the bottom, before turning to the group.
"That'll be £20 each plus £10 refundable deposit on each costume. How would you like to pay?"
"Why don't I take this one," she says, pretending that she did not notice Miranda's reaction. Her father had money, and thanks to the interviews and things, she had a tidy amount of her own. "One of you can buy me dinner sometime to make up for it."
"Trust me, I am sure. I'm looking forward to having a good time, and I'm not going to be bashed about soon. So I think it is the least I can do!" Emma wanted to downplay things, it was obvious money might be a bit tight in some areas. "Consider this my contribution to team spirit! Besides, I love this concept a lot, and I think everyone will look quite amazing in these outfits. Don't you Henri?"
Emma handed over her card to be charged, before any other concerns were voiced. If this was the nudge it took to get Henri and Miranda together, it was worth it.
He is quite shocked by Emma's generosity too. Henri slowly returns his wallet that was half-way out of his jacket pocket to pay for his own costume, and replies to Emma with a surprised smile, "Merci beaucoup! Yes, I think we shall all look our best for later tonight."
Turning to Miranda, he quietly says her, "Hope, I didn't embarrass you too much there." Then gently taking her hand, he gives her a wink and a playful smile while his eyes try to give her the impression that her breasts are truly worth ogling over.
Once Emma finishes the transaction and they all have their costumes in hand, he asks the fighters, "Now that we got our costumes, guess you have a practice to get to?"
"Thank you, Em." She gave her friend a little hug. "I'll buy your drinks tonight." She was happy that they had a plan and a look. It was going to be a fun evening. But now, more fun getting to beat on Leon a bit. "YES! Practice!"
"But I will buy the dinners. Or at least Father will." he said with a chuckle. "I haven't run up the card enough recently. He will think I am up to something."
"Oh. Miranda, you underestimate yourself. I won't allow that." Skye chided her team mate. "You are both a work in progress and a masterpiece. You know I only roll with Royalty - so straighten that crown and fight like a Goddess!" She grinned at the hype-up. She'd been reading Robin Arzon's latest motivational book to get out of her funk of late. The older girl wasn't sure if her new English friend thought all that was too American - but Skye figured it wouldn't hurt.
She nods at Ian, accepting his dinner decision. When Miranda hugged her, Emma hugged back. Today was going well, and hopefully better than well for Henri later tonight!
As Skye bolstered Miranda's esteem, she discretely gave her friend a thumbs up.
"And I don't root and toot for anyone less than awesome... so you all must be amazing!"
The group leave the shop with their hired costumes feeling much more prepared for the evening. They head for their accommodation to leave their costumes safe. Levon, Skye and Miranda also grab their gear and head for the gym's changing rooms, one for guys, one for gals.
[OOC Is everyone else going to watch or do you have other plans?)
There is tiered seating on either side of the gym which is already laid out with mats.
Coming out of the changing room, Skye felt good to be back in her go. It was a way to maintain focus and a calm mindset. She had kept with the traditional white, though had started to play with the idea of switching up to black for competition. A little style and badassery. Though that gave her an idea for fun in practice today. Levon had been goading her all day. Rather than fall for it, she simply needed to get him riled up. She'd play defense until then.
Skye waved at her friends watching in the stands and then began to do some light stretching. It wasn't long before Levon and Miranda joined her on the mats. "Stretch. Kata. Then light sparring?" Skye took over - though both she and Levon were equals in the dojo.
After dropping off his costume in his room, he will casually walk over to the gym while also familiarizing himself with the campus. Entering the gym he scans the seating areas to find Ian and Emma already here. With a small wave of his right hand he says to both, "Hey guys! Anything started yet?"
He changed quickly at the gym and immediately started stretching and warming up. Soon he was on the mat with Skye and Miranda. Skye was already giving orders, which he was fine with. He was going to concentrate on practicing all his moves, kicks and punches. He never concentrated on what others would do, his focus was totally on the precision of his actions.
When he was ready, he bowed at Skye first to invite her to spar with him. The way he figured it, Miranda would benefit by watching the two of them first. He knew Skye well but had never sparred with Miranda and he was curious to see how she fought.
Once Skye rose from her bow and raised her arms to fight he moved in with a few jabs and a roundhouse kick to the side of her head. She would be ready for the first blows. It was just starting.
Levon had already focused in and was calm. That was great, but meant she'd need to change tactics. His first moves were testing his range and her basic responses. She weaved through the jabs and ducked under the roundhouse. His biggest advantage over her was his length. Her best moves were going to be quick and to the side with her counters.
As she ducked, she took an underneath swipe to his standing leg with hers as she spun to the side. It wasn't meant to bring him down - just off balance to look for a stronger advantage.
He let his guard down for a moment and Skye unleashed a new move. Good for her! She decoyed a roundhouse and he didn't notice her sweep. That landed him on his rump but also focused him. It wouldn't happen again. After he got to his feet, he wouldn't drop again. In the second round Levon landed several punches and kicks and put Skye on the defensive and he ended up with the win. The rubber match was a good one but it ended with Skye on her back with Levon on top of her. He had taken advantage of his size and strength to put her there and felt a little like a cheater for doing that. It was an advantage of genetics not skill. As he held her down, his face mere inches from hers, he whispered, "Aren't you happy I ate some tic tacs?" before releasing her and offering her his hand.
"Minty fresh," she grimaced as she accepted his hand and lift up. It had been fun, but she felt her advantages giving way as he pressed close in to her.
"Again." Skye challenged Levon. This time she hoped to surprise him with aggressively cutting the distance between them first. She landed a quick punch to the side and went for the grapple take down.
Thwump! Thump!
She wasn't sure if the counter punch or the floor hit her first. Fortunately the expletive came out more as a frustrated growl than what Skye said. She sat there a moment then had to laugh.
"Poor choice there!" She pouted playfully and looked up at the well-built man. "Now don't get smug - you still have to beat the boys team. I'll have more chances at you, my friend."
Levon "I'm counting on it," he said. "Yeah, that guy Guy looks like he'll put up a good fight, but you never know until you're on the mat with someone." Levon grabbed a towel, wiped the first bead of sweat from his forehead and said, "Let's see that sweep of yours. I need to work on my footwork to counter that move."
This was how they trained. When something worked for one of them, they worked with the other on how to defend that. It worked both ways. Skye was smaller but used speed and leverage to her advantage. She was a good person to train with.
She is almost reluctant to make the suggestion. The last thing she wants is to show herself up, especially with Henri watching. But she does need the practice. Only way to get better, especially against more skilled opponents.
"When you have recovered Skye, maybe we could have a go?"
She mouths to Henri. 'Wish me luck'
My Harding
Mr Harding seems content to let them sort themselves out.
"And I can take on Levon. We might be physically more matched."
He grins at Levon, knowing he would likely have to work hard to beat him. Levon was his best fighter and he had high hopes for him in the competition.
She watched intently, not exactly seeing the appeal, but definitely appreciating the techniques. Emma had started her self defense training, but this group took it too a whole new level.
He waves at Miranda with a smile and says, "You got it Miranda! Kick some ass."
Watching Levon and Skye's fight, he is doubly impressed with both of their skills in martial arts, clapping for both at the end of each of their bouts.
[ooc: are fighters from the other colleges sparring on different mats at the same time?]
She'd brushed herself off and straightened the gi as Mr. Harding suggested the next rounds. Skye smiled at Miranda - adding, "We must always be ready, right?"
Skye made her way to the mat and bowed opposite of her teammate. "Osu." Immediately, she struck an aggressive grappling move to test Miranda's strength and reactions.
Miranda tightens her belt, bows and takes a defensive stand but is not ready for the ferocity of Skye's attack. She finds herself flat on her back. She smiles ruefully and clambers to her feet, determined to do better.
[OOC Second bout is more even but Skye's experience will win the day, third bout is closer still but Skye will prevail.]
Perhaps she was fighting aggressively to release a bit of energy, but Skye hoped that it would inspire some new tactical thoughts with Miranda. The girl was definitely getting better and after the final bout Skye reached down to help the lesser experienced fighter up to her feet.
"Love it! You almost had me in that last one." The American smiled enthusiastically. "Most women won't fight that intensely for competition - but can you see where you can pivot between the aggression and the patience? You picked up on the sweep I gave Levon and countered brilliantly. Excellent." Skye stood back and bowed.
He was indeed watching with high interest to see who would win between Miranda and Skye. While Henri does not know how scoring works for these fights, seeing Miranda being knocked down in each bout leaves him feeling slightly defeated too. Still not wanting to show it, he says with a thumbs up to her, "Hey Miranda, good fight! You got some wicked moves there!"
Henri will get up from his spot in the bleachers When it seems that both are finished, and will walk over to Miranda and Skye. Henri remembers something about not wearing footwear on the sparing mats in the few gyms he has been in, so he will stop short of actually stepping on the mat and will ask in a more conversational level, "You ok Miranda? Can I get you anything?"
All the while he is silently thinking to himself that he is a dead man if he ever pisses her off after watching her fight.
It was cute to watch Henri and Miranda. It made Skye's heart pang a little bit. She really wanted to fall in love, it had just been so hard over the last few months. So lot's of falling in and out of lust.
**Get out of your head, girl!** She shook it off and looked around - catching sight of and wondering who the guys were in the stands that Miranda saw. Skye probably needed a shower too, but found a spot next to Em to watch the final bout between Levon and Mr. Harding.
He follows Miranda's look over his shoulder to see the two new comers, but does not give them any more thought, returning his eyes to Miranda and says, "You got it mon amour." Walking back to where Emma, Ian and Skye are, he says, "Just grabbing a tea from machine in the foyer for Miranda, anyone want something?"
"I'm good. Water and Nuun here." Skye nodded. She was curious about the two men - and wondering if one was going to a competitor. But, the young woman reasoned that she couldn't worry about it for now. It had been a solid practice, and now they had a party to attend!
ooc: I'm sorta back. Let's get this bout going! Levon
He walks to the ring and waits for Mr. Harding to join him there. Skye was good but he knew her. Whether or not Mr Harding had skills, he was an unknown and that meant a greater need for concentration and caution. A good fighter would have good, solid strategies and technique. What separated great fighters from good ones was the ability to anticipate the next sequence of moves.
When Mr. Harding was set, Levon bowed and readied himself for the action.
He returns from the foyer with a cup of tea in hand for Miranda, sitting back down with the others just in time to watch Levon going up against Mr. Harding. “Any bets going on? I’d give a pound for Levon winning.”
He first approached defensively. The first jab from his opponent would give him momentum to use against him. It ended up with him trying to parry the jab with the purpose of positioning himself in a balanced position to make the real attacks and still maintain his defense. The first retaliation was a side kick but then he continued to whirl into a massive roundhouse with his right heal and when that landed he continued into a leg sweep that would end with a straight punch to either the chest or face, which ever Harding left exposed. Levon Fighting Mr Harding Neptune rolled 1d4,1d4,1d4 and got 2, 4, 4
Levon Two aces! Neptune rolled 1d4,1d4 and got 4, 1
Mr Harding was generally good, certainly on par with Levon but on this occasion he was performing like a beginner. Probably Miranda could have beaten him in this mode. Their teacher seems distracted as if he has something else on his mind, and physically he does nor perform well either. The bout was quick, humiliating even, and a surprise to Levon, Skye and Miranda who knew his ability.
"Good performance Levon. On that form you should do well. Got to go. See you tonight."
He waves goodbye to everyone and hurries from the room.
"That was odd. You aren't that good." Skye nodded in response. "He was very distracted. Maybe a hot date? But there's something more." She looked around, as if for clues, but didn't spend long on it. "Well...we have our own party to get ready for - and we both stink."
Levon "We passed the locker rooms when we came in. I think I'll shower here. I would ask you to join me, but I think there are separate locker rooms for men and women," he says to Skye and Miranda with a wink.
"Ha!" She laughed at Levon as she walked back towards the women's lockers - of which she had used upon arrival. "Not even in a drought! Dream on big boy." Skye blew him a teasing kiss. They were still get dressed in their costumes back at the dorms, so it didn't take long for her clean the workout off. When she got back out she asked the girls, "Do we have time to do our hair right, or just fake it for this party?"
Em looked at the time. "As long as we are not going for anything intricate, I think we have enough time for hair and makeup. We are going to look smashing tonight!"
"Of course, darling!" She looped her arm with Em's laughed as they left the gym back to the dorms. "And perhaps we'll solve another murder - or be the murderess with the candlestick in the library!"
[OOC: Gypsy - did you want to start us off elsewhere?]
"If I have to choose, I would rather be in the audience tossing popped corn at the screen." Emma grins at her friend. "Murderers come to bad ends. Unless you have a good fall-guy."
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18618.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18643.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18644.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18645.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18646.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18647.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18897.png)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18898.png)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18899.png)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/medium/18923.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/medium/19010.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/19107.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/gallery/725/full/18613.jpg)
Welcome back! ]
]
