DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Modern/Historical DUC: Durham University Campus DUC: Pub Treasure Hunt

Emma

Emma finishes hers, and nods at Miranda's question. "Ready..." She grinned at Skye. "Big Brown Jug? Okay... let's go!"

They head out in the balmy early evening and using their map, locate the next pub. The streets are not yet busy and their destination is quite close. As they head in, they walk straight into an argument. There are 3 young doctors in white coats with stethoscopes and a young nurse. It is the Medical team from Teeside. One of the 'Doctors' is arguing with what must one of the two organisers, two guys one in black with a black mask and the other the same but in white. The Doctor is the same guy they had seen in the gym earlier and his friend who had also been there was talking to him urgently in a low voice. He shrugs him off turning back to the lad in black.

"I will not drink alcohol. It is against my religion."

"You don't have to but the choice is either forfeit or alcoholic drink. Them's the rules
pal!" He prods the Doctor in the shoulder who straightens up, assuming a martial arts stance.

Looks like things might be kicking off.

Henri

Watching the growing argument between the two, he looks to Levon and Skye to see if they are going to intervene because Henri is by no stretch of his imagination going to stick his nose into this.

Emma

"You entered a pub crawl competition and drinking is..." She shook her head, disregarded the pair, and moved to the organizers drawing attention and hopefully diffusing the situation. "While they sort out, what Forfeit would you like us to pay?"

{Skye}

Em had a really good point, but the protesting doctor was taking a hard line stance. As Emma moved to speak with the organizers and diffuse the situation, Skye followed along with her - acting as a prepared blocker in case there was retaliation. She gave a flick of the hand that she hoped Levon would catch in support.

"Yes, dears." Skye continued to play up the Ms. Scarlet role. "Something less droll than play-acting animals like the last pub." She winked at the black mask.

Levon
He saw Skye's hand signal but was already moving forward. The doctor that didn't want to drink shouldn't have to and Levon couldn't give a crap if they forfeited anything. He still didn't get the meaning of the phrase. While he knew that winning or losing wouldn't impact his life in any way, he was competitive. He wasn't concerned about anyone's feelings.

"I say, good man," he began in his horribly fake British accent. "If the doctor here doesn't want to drink, then so be it. Let him stand aside so that we may be attended to."

Emma

Em smiled at her friends, appreciating the support, mouthing a silent 'thank you' to them before then refocusing her attention on the organizers.

The organiser in white can see that things are getting complicated with the possibility of everything going pear-shaped. Something needs to give.

"I think we can just deduct a point and let the Medics move one."

He nudges his fellow official. "Come on mate." The organiser in black is still glaring at the Doctor who nods to Levon.

"Accepted."

The situation diffuses rapidly and the medical team leave. Once gone. the organisers turn to you, the guy wearing white speaks.

"Sorry about that. Don't let it spoil your evening. Nice costumes by the way! OK, your forfeit is to recite a poem or rhyme. Or, of course to take a drink."

He grins.

Emma

She smiles. A poem. Brill! There was an example that she could think of, of a particular poetic form, and something she doubted the other groups would mimic. "Points for the unexpected type of poem I hope? Here goes, with a classic Japanese poetic flair..."

"Haiku's are silly.
"They don't even have to rhyme.
"Refrigerator."

Haikus were an odd poetic form, hopefully this would be a nice change for the organizers.

Levon

He knew some poetry, much of it vulgar, but his immediate reaction was to dig into his past and so start rapping and out came some Eminem ...

Henri

He secretly smiles once the Doctors have left and get a point deducted for their recalcitrant attitude.
He lets out a laugh at Emma's poem, and adds "That was funny." Levon's rap was not exactly poetry to him, but it sounded cool.

Turning his attention back to the organizers, Henri figures he should try to recite a poem since he drank at the last pub.

"Ok, I remember one from my mother's memorial service." Henri still has all of his mother and fathers funeral documents, photos and service. On the back of the order of service was a poem that he remembers easily and translates it.

"Tomorrow, at dawn, when the countryside turns white,
I leave. You see, I know you are waiting for me.
I will go through the forest, I will go across the mountains.
I cannot stay away from you any longer.

I will walk with my eyes fixed on my thoughts,
Without seeing anything outside, without hearing any noise,
Alone, unknown, back bent, hands crossed,
Sad, and the day for me will be like night.

I will not watch the gold of the falling evening,
Nor the sails in the distance descending towards Harfleur,
And when I arrive, I'll put on your grave
A bouquet of green holly and flowering heather."

Each of the poems get a smattering of applause from the others in the pub. They were wising up that there was some sort of event on, their atttention having been drawn by the argument a few minutes ago.

Miranda smiles softly at Henri.

"That was sad.. but good. I guess that I should get a drink this time so that we spread the alcohol around."

She heads to the bar and buys a schnaps as it takes little effort to down it. But she brings it back to the organisers so they can check her off the list. Just Ian and Skye to go now.

{Skye}

Having had a more than bit of Shakespeare in her studies, Skye was fairly well-versed in poetry and enjoyed hearing the different takes by her friends. Henri's made her a bit misty and so she decided to let a bit of heart out. Clearing her voice, she recited Miss Emily Dickinson:

Wild nights - Wild nights!
Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile - the winds -
To a Heart in port -
Done with the Compass -
Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden -
Ah - the Sea!
Might I but moor - tonight -
In thee!

Again there is a scattering of applause from the local regulars who now look at Ian expectantly.

Yoo hoo Ken

Ian

He steps forward, clearing his throat and glances over at Emma for a moment before starting to recite.

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Miranda leans in close to Emma and whispers in her ear.

"Think that one was for you..."

Again some applause and also a few 'awws' from the audience.

Black and white lean together to confer over scores.

Emma

Emma looks a bit startled, at first by Ian's glance her way. and then by Miranda's comment. Ian had never hinted anything about a romantic feeling towards her. But he was cute. Who knew what the future might hold. As the applause begins she gives him a smile and claps as loudly as anyone.

Henri

He will join clapping his hands with the crowd for each one of them that recites a poem. The diversity of their poems is surprising, and he hopes that will help in getting a better score from their two judges.

Commenting in general he says, "So, drinks down, poems out of the way. I wonder what's next?"

The young man dressed in black hears Henri's question.

"Well immediately you get you card back and an envelope to the next location. Good forfeits."

He grins seemingly having recovered his equilibrium.

He hands both to Henri. The mark is 6. The envelope contains a clue.

Henri

With the next clue in hand he replies, "Thank you sir!" Opening it, he shows it to the others and says, "Here Emma..." She has been their master of directions and will let her figure out where they need to go.

Emma

Emma looks at it and then the others. "It sounds like the Dunn Cow Inn. Which should be... that way, I think." She points in the direction that she believes it is in, and consults her phone just in case. "Yup, that way!"

{Skye}

"Okay - I get to drink in this next place!" There was an excitement in what they were doing. And even with the match tomorrow, Skye felt she could let loose a little. "Kick ass super friends!" She giggled as they headed up the row.

Ian

He falls in next to Emma as they head in the direction of the next location. He glanced over once.

Emma

Emma smiled at Ian, and then chuckled at Skye. "Is this where I tell you... but look what happened to the cook?"