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

[theoverwatchers]

[The dog winks at him.]

Son, I did not make it to retirement age without being very good at my job.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[The dog winked at him. Junpei's mistakes are consistently the best mistakes.]

Is it the kind of thing I have to leave my girlfriend behind for?

[theoverwatchers]

[He wags his tail and nods.]

If you will step aside with me, I will make the search very quick.

Your friends will have to go through the scanner with the rest of the line.

[misanthropicprinciple]

Uh...

[He looks back at Yuuri, Ardyn, and Choromatsu. He's hesitant, of course, but he totally wants to go with the dog. He thinks he might learn something. He's trying to convey this with a slightly hopeful look.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn-as-Gladiolus glanced over at the scanners, gesturing for Junpei to go on ahead.]

Oh, I'm sure that it's fine.

[...he said, hoping that applied to every aspect of the situation and not just the utter bullshit they were carefully crafting.]

Go on ahead, we'll be right there.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He offers two thumbs up, then stands to give Yuuri a quick kiss. Just in case this is the last time ever.]

Thanks, Nad. I'll save you all some seats inside.

[shikosuki]

[ uhhh... well shit ]

Um... will it be okay? You'll be able to find your way back to us, right?

[ yeah sure this is the angle he's going to go with, and lay on his "concerned nii-san" voice super thick in hopes maybe Mr. Nice Dog buys it ]

I told the other folks this already but it's his first time at one of these events - a lot of ours actually - so um...

There's really no way for us all to stick together?

[theoverwatchers]

I will bring him right back, and he can stay with you in the line. He will just walk around the scanner when you get there.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Oh, that's a relief. I mean, unless Man's Best Friend here sniffs him out, in which case, they're probably all fucked. But Junpei nudges Choromatsu with his fist in an encouraging way.]

Besides, like I could lose Nadir even in this crowd.

[scourgingstars]

Very funny. ['Nadir' dropped a hand onto Junpei's head, ruffling his hair. Stay calm, in not so many words.] Not my fault you're so short.

[shikosuki]

W-Well... okay.

[ H-HERE'S HOPING NOTHING BAD HAPPENS WHEN THEY GO THROUGH THE SCANNER THEN....... ]

Thank you for all your help and being so understanding by the way.

[theoverwatchers]

Of course! I am an officer of the law - not a mere security guard.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Junpei lowers his voice.]

Was, ah... Mr. Friendly back there an officer, too?

[theoverwatchers]

[muffled angry british yelling in the distance]

Officer Moses is my partner, yes.

He is very. Dedicated to his job.

[misanthropicprinciple]

I like him already. All right, officer. Lead on.

[theoverwatchers]

[Officer York does Junpei the decency of leading him away from the crowd.]

I did not introduce myself. I am officer York. What is your name or preferred designation?

[misanthropicprinciple]

Hikaru Konno. Thanks for accommodating me, by the way. My friend was right; I haven't been to one of these before.

[theoverwatchers]

[York puts his nose to Junpei's shoes, and then circles around him, slowly sniffing higher and higher.

Then he reaches up on his back paws and sniffs at Junpei's fingers.]

I hope that you and your friends have a good time.

Can you bend down for me? On your knees, please, forelimbs out in front of you.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Has a "Bow chicka wow wow" ever been more appropriate?

Junpei kneels and does as he's asked. God, if anything's gonna get them arrested, it's gonna be his arms, but what else can he do?]

Can I ask a personal question? I mean, I don't want to be rude to an officer of the law, but I'm super curious.