h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*notices steam rising from the mouth of the cave, but mistakes it for smoke*

*grabs a bucket of water and throws it into the cave*



I've saved me Matt from a scorching!

[ooc]
Okay, it's been 29 years since the first World Poohsticks Championship started @ Day's Lock on the River Thames. This year, they had to forego the competition because:

"2013 - 30th Annual Championships - The event was due to be held on 24 March but had to be postponed as the flow was too heavy for the safety boat"

Folks, we can't just ~NOT~ finish this thread. THE WORLD is depending on US to host--most likely--the only Poohsticks Competition available to the public! We ~have~ to be the ones to stand in the gap, to be the ones who provide a bridge (so to speak) for the next generation of Poohstick contestants, so the Art, the Skill, and the Merriment isn't lost. So...let's stop stopping, and get our rears in gear, by chronicling the most stupendous event the Atelier has presented for the benefit of mankind (and all other sentient beings)! Rally your characters, devise a few suitable plot twists, be sure to use vivid imagery in your Postings, and let's get on with the Poohsticks Competition!
[\ooc]

B4someoneaccusesmeofbeingacheerleaderindisguise

*Is quietly dozing (which here means snoring like a chain saw) when he is awoken (which here means instantly jerked from his dreams) by the arrival of an external stimulus (which here means a bucket of water in the face). Stands up (which here means leaps straight up, hits head on branch and falls down approximately on his feet). Looks around (which here means directs a murderous glare in all directions.*

Spplthsst!

*wanders back to the beach, oblivious to the upset she has left behind*


I wonder who own this bucket. Nice of them to leave it close to hand


*throws her Matt over her shoulder and whistles - rather out of tune*

{B4 takes another sip of his Long Island Iced Tea and sighs with content. He sets it in the armrest cup holder of the deck chair wherein he's lounging. He fidgets with the world-renowned Pooh Stick the Bear entrusted to his care. He flips it in the air; he twirls it like a baton; he makes it "walk" along his dexterous fingers as he manipulates it. He whips it behind his back, over his head, and it circumscribes a parabolic arc, dropping neatly back into his grasp.}

Oh, yeah! ~This~ one will do nicely; very nicely indeed. Good balance; just enough secondary branch sprigs to catch the current; slim enough to cut through the water at a good clip; and it just ~feels~ like it's destined to be a winner. {He spends a few moments ruminating.} If this one puts me out front and I win, what the heck can I do to thank that Bear? I'm gonna hafta give this some more thought...

{He notices Auntie Giggles emerging from the forested area where he'd met the Bear. She's carrying a bucket and it swings in her hands easily, as if it is empty. He surmises she brought it along to build sand castles and, perhaps, the mat slung over her shoulders is a ground cover for her to kneel upon as she works. He hoists up his drink in his non-Pooh-Stick-holding hand and gives her a nod in salutation.}

Hey, Auntie Giggles! Did you get a flyer or a program that states when the Pooh Sticks Competition should kick off? I missed the memo...

B4westartseeingmoreregularinteractionsinthestoryline2roundoutthelastofthistale

*El Squid de Castilla says (soto voce) over his shoulder: *

Mi amigo Azul, I do not think these Merpeople have the heart of warriors, at least not like you or I.

*he turns and scans their number, speaking over his other shoulder*

They have not chosen a champion for the duel I have proposed.

*he swings his sword back-and-forth, then points to one of the Merpeople clutching a triton*

You, Señor, have the look of a guerrero. Will you accept the challenge?

*he leans back against the Pie Monster, nudges him, and winks*

*catches sight of motion by B4*

*is mesmerized by STICK*

{B4 notes the she-wolf eyeing the Pooh Stick he’s juggling. [Don’t ask how he knows it’s a she-wolf. The explanation is too long and convoluted, and has something to do with a fortnight’s adventure in a remote little town named after a utensil, in Washington state.] He gives a slight shrug, recognizing an audience when he sees it. He tosses the stick straight up into the air, giving it a longitudinal spin, and it comes back down to land upright on the back of his hand. He balances it for several seconds, then flips his hand, lets it jump, and it lands in his open palm, again balancing upright. He flips it once more and it hops to the backside of his other hand. Another flip (with a sideways slide) of this hand, and the twig does a cartwheel onto his head, standing on end. B4 takes his time to rise from the lounger, picking up his drink with care, and stands with the stick still balanced. He walks toward the wolf, undulating his neck to keep the twig up there. Once he’s within a few paces, he bows, lets the twig drop into his free hand, and looks the wolf in the eyes. [Again, he’s not afraid of wolves, because of the afore-mentioned adventure.] }

Care to play a game of Fetch?

B4thefloatinggameturnsintosomethingcompletelydifferent

*watches the STICK as it comes closer, bringing the person* [ooc][/ooc]

*keeping eyes on STICK lowers front, raises rear*

*puppy bark*

{B4 hefts the Pooh Stick, judges the windage, picks a spot a fair distance done the strand, and lets fly the special twig…}

B4thesecondaryquestsovershadowthemaingame

*grab*



*drop*

*play posture, puppy bark*

{B4 picks up the Pooh Stick and searches for the next target, even farther out.}
All right, pup, get ready to RUN!
{He flings the special twig in such a way it spins--and actually becomes more aerodynamic, with more loft and distance--and it describes and arcing Frisbee™-like trajectory that takes it past Nosebagbadger’s nose, over Auntie Giggles’ mat-covered shoulder, past Lil as she relaxes, and thumps off the side of one of the pie carts.}

B4wefindallmannerofotherdiversionsB4thePoohSticksCompetition

*jumps as STICK comes flying over her Matt *


Careful!


... And I can't remember what time the race was to start


*shrugs as she swings the bucket*

*jumps up and *

*feet pounding, sand spraying, goes past nbb, though not as closely as STICK*

*focusing on STICK, doesn't see swinging bucket (sees Auntie, swerves to barely miss main body)*

*bucket just happens to be at the right height and angle for a wolf head to insert itself at speed*

[ooc] Oo, Flamedancer's gonna be mad at me--no way dignity can be salvaged I'm pretty sure, according to the Laws of Continuity, that it's up to lil as to what Flamedancer's head going into the bucket does to lil. Am I right?[/ooc]

'Well', what an interesting turn of events! Everything else I've engaged in so far 'pails' by comparison. 'Water' the two of them going to do in this situation? Auntie Giggles could be compliant to the LoC, or she could 'bucket'. The only thing I could suggest is bringing in a team of consultants. I know a couple who has experience in these matters; names are Jack, and Jill. Should I 'wring' them up, or would that be considered 'pour' etiquette to try to change the scenario?

B4iamcrownedbutNOTasifiwasRoyalty

*Taken by surprise as flamedancer rushes passed*


*Finds herself tumbling over her Matt and landing in a heap*


Who let 'dogs' on the beach without a leash?


*Watches as the 'dog' begins to throw the bucket into the air and snatching it up again*

*flinches back from a closely thrown stick and glares at the offending parties*

okay all, take up your sticks and follow me, make sure they follow all rules - as before, I shall tell you what these are when I figure them out

[ooc]Argh! Now I have to rethink my whole plan for the lil-loses-grip-on-bucket scenario Flamedancer's head was *stuck*, darn it[/ooc]