Ask Some Questions, Get Some Answers (?)

[airlockedmods]

[The Stardust Nebula is a large cloud, sprawling pink and purple across the dark void of space as you approach. There are no planets here, not even a planetoid, but that hardly means it’s devoid of life. Kip will easily be able to navigate to the place in question, a small collection of interconnected spaceports orbiting near the edge of one of the nebula’s hazy, rose-tinted tendrils. Floating signs hooked to these advertise “AIRLOCKED! Q&A”, with arrows leading towards what appears to be a convention center. A dome encloses the area, much like the one around the Fantasy Sweet, but there does not appear to be any kind of security restrictions on the port; it will open as soon as any ship pulls up to it.

Inside, there aren’t too many inconspicuous places to park your weird flotilla of offensively-shaped ships. You may just have to settle for the back of the docks, behind a large news van or something like that, and consider not sticking around the entire time. Getting inside was a quick process, so you shouldn’t have any trouble doing it again, especially with a military navigator staying with the ship. A line has already formed in front of the entrance, at least partially due to the scanners flanking the door. A large weirdly baby-faced alien in some type of uniform is standing there, apparently manning the machine, checking peoples’ belongings, and generally directing them. There’s an unfamiliar symbol on their uniform, clearly not the InterGal 7 logo. Despite being alone, they seem to be handling the line fairly efficiently - even if they occasionally appear to intentionally loom over some of the smaller aliens attempting to enter. There are a few cosplayers among the crowd, of course, but this time the majority are in plainclothes.

Some people are skipping this line and walking around to the back of the building. They’re all wearing or carrying badges, which do have the InterGal 7 logo on them.

For the moment, no one seems to have taken notice of your arrival.]

Comments

[misanthropicprinciple]

Did I say I was joking?

[He shifts up onto his toes to see if he can get a better look at any of them. Hey, curious fans get to be curious, you know?]

If any of them are interns, I bet they're desperate just to be spoken to as a human being. Or an alien being. Whatever, you know what I mean, just say 'hello' and they'll probably melt in your hand.

[airlockedmods]

[Speaking of probable interns, there's someone passing by carrying a drink holder full of coffee cups. She's got a badge clipped to her belt.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

[Oh no she's blonde, and cute, and it's a tossup between whether she looks like Tex Allison? she's just bored and stressed to half death or will just dump scalding hot coffee on his head. She's perfect.

Wait no the flirting is supposed to be an act, right? Shit. Failed step one.

Church steps away from Junpei-in-disguise to hopefully be more than meets the eye, tugging off his shades and deepening his voice.]

Hey beautiful, d'you like your coffee like me--tall, dark, and strong?

[nobody. not a single god damn person. has ever suggested he's good at flirting.]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Whether this mission succeeds or fails and they all go to TV jail, Junpei is already 100% satisfied with his Meet & Greet experience.

Also, he can't breathe. He's dying. He's dead. He's a ghost.]

[airlockedmods]

Uh - ha ha, what?

[The intern hesitates, glancing towards the building, then slows to a halt. Her laughter sounds a little nervous, but she's smiling.

Now that she's not moving, the Doctor can probably get a better look at her badge. It's a fairly simple affair anyway: just the InterGal 7 logo, the word EMPLOYEE, and a thin bar code at the bottom. No company photo, lucky you.]

[stitch_in_time]

[Yup, definitely taking note of that badge. Thank you sunglasses for allowing him to do this with looking like he's staring.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

Sorry--sorry, [he puts his hands up, apologetic, but not backing down] that was too strong. I came on too strong there. I do that. I can't help it when I see a gorgeous woman around.

[airlockedmods]

You took me by surprise, that's all. [She laughs again, less nervously this time.] I'm not used to getting abruptly hit on by strangers while working.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Really? That surprises the hell out of me. Maybe it's cuz you give off a vibe of, like, too busy and cool to need any man or woman or, whatever, in her life.

Are you working, though? I mean, carrying coffee around, like--oh, oh do you work for...? [He sidles a little closer, ostensibly so that he's not blocking up the walkway for other people, and makes a motion toward the Q&A.]

[airlockedmods]

Now you're flattering me. [Not that she's complaining, not yet.]

Mmhmm. [She looks particularly pleased here, her eyes glittering a little.] Who did you think all this coffee was for?

[motherfucking_ghost]

You, your buddies, I dunno, you could've been one of us nerds and need a caffeine boost to stand in line. But you work behind the scenes! That's just--wow, I'm amazed I even got your attention. I'm not gonna be that annoying guy that asks for any spoilers, I promise. I'm just gonna keep flattering, if that's okay with you.

[airlockedmods]

Well, I'm not about to say no to more flattery from one of the prettiest men in this nebula. [wink.] Everyone inside can wait a few minutes for their fix.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Now who's a flatterer? Mmm, where do I begin--hotter than a fresh steaming cup of coffee? Radiant like a thousand stars? Eyes like trouble and a mouth to back it up?

Ooo, I know, let's take a selfie, I'll plug my number into your phone, call me up when you're free and we can grab a drink? [Anything to get him close enough to touching range without being a creep!]

[stitch_in_time]

[The Doctor is ostensibly not paying attention, not being part of this group, and absolutely swearing he can never let Church and Captain Jack meet.]

[scourgingstars]

[he's so sorry on church's behalf]

[airlockedmods]

And there he goes, laying it on thick as blurpleberry syrup. [But she's still smiling and happy to soak up every bit of attention he's dishing out.] But I think I have a little time for coffee after this is finished.

[motherfucking_ghost]

I can lay it on even thicker if you want. [Eyebrow waggle~ (what the fuck's a blurpleberry)

But since she's not reaching for a phone--he...has no idea if there are even physical phones this far in the future, do people take selfies anymore, is duckface banned on 16 planets and punishable on 39 more--he'll put on an overdramatic play act at her suggestion that she'll actually have time. When in doubt, go for the laugh.]

Oh, but the radiant goddess of beverages can make time for lowly me! My heart doth quiver, my legs, they quake! Alas, I swoon at the thought of-- [And here he goes, with the fake swoon, dramatic as hell, leaning as though he expects her to catch him with one hand, but only goes so far, because, see, it's a gag--but then he accidentally-on-purpose loses his balance and flails against her, avoiding coffee directly but having to lean heavily on her for balance--like for example, one hand by her hip to oh so cleverly, hopefully, unclip her badge without notice, palming it.

When he 'regains his balance', he pulls his hands away sharply, feigning embarrassment and shoving the badge in his back pocket.]

Oh my god I am so sorry! Are you okay?? Did you spill anything? I guess my balance is all out of whack around pretty girls, I...wow, that shows me to stop laying it on so thick...

[scourgingstars]

[leviathan's fucking tailfin]

[he doesn't know if that was the stupidest or most brilliant damn thing he's ever seen]

[stitch_in_time]

[This is somehow the stupidest and most brilliant deception he's seen in 900 years of time and space.]

[airlockedmods]

Wah-! [She rather skillfully avoids dumping several cups of hot coffee on his head through some impressive flexibility and, lucky for Church, she seems too stunned by what just happened to immediately notice her missing badge.]

Y e a h, I'm good. [But judging by the sound of her voice the mood has been thoroughly broken.] Sooo I have to get back to work but- [She reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a black marker. After uncapping it with her teeth, she takes Church's hand and scribbles something on his palm before shooting him a wink and hurrying away with a soft click click of her heels.]

[stitch_in_time]

[After the intern is safely out of earshot-]

...I refuse to believe that worked.

[Still, he flips the psychic paper back open, now showing a copy of the IG7 employee badge.]

Let's get a move on before we're later than we already are, yeah?

[theoverwatchers]

[It looks like the security agent who was manning the back door is returning to his station around this exact time!]

There you are again! Long line at the coffee shop? I'm sure they won't mind, hurry along now. [York trots up to sit next to the door, nodding at the intern as she vanishes inside. He just watched her go out, after all - but not you two. The dog's ears prick a little.] May I see your badges, sirs?

[Lying to a little dog, you monsters]

[scourgingstars]

[by the fucking six, this is his life now.]

[ratherdoweddings]

[why]

[cyan_maid]

[wow ardyn this is the one you chose]