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

[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]

[motherfucking_ghost]

[Jesus lucian christ it's a talking dog. The weird and wild aliens around here and in line were one thing. Very unusual. But this is a talking dog???

The universe is so weird, guys.]

Ah, yeah, hold on-- [He digs it back out of his pocket and flashes it at the pooch patrol.] I know, I know, I should be wearing it, I keep forgetting to put it on like a dummy.

[theoverwatchers]

[Mmmmm. York gives a cursory sniff, but apparently flashing the badge is good enough. There's no InterGal-specific badge readers here.]

Just clip it onto your belt and that'll be fine. There's too many of your people milling around to keep track of; better safe than sorry.

[stitch_in_time]

Ah, yeah, same, kept losing the little lanyard things.

[Showing his totally-real ID card in its leather carrying case. Hopefully space poodles can't see through psychic illusions.]

[theoverwatchers]

[Doesn't seem that way!]

Maybe they have some more back there? As long as it's visible, you can wear it however you want.

[Go on through! You successfully deceived the small dog! And so soon before his retirement, too.]

[stitch_in_time]

[They're deceiving an innocent poodle of the law. This may be the worst thing the Doctor has ever had to do.]

I'll check on that, thanks!

[And for now tucking the psychic paper's fold-over into his belt.]