Welcome to Vegas Quadrant Culture-Con!

[airlockedmods]

[After a hopefully restful night in the luxurious quarters of their suite, the hotel is abuzz with activity once again bright and early.

The Doctor and his group (Thomasin, Yurika, and Togami) found a lead that InterGal7 has a booth in the Dealer's hall, while Xander and his group (Jamie, Jane, and Natsuhi) have a lead to follow about a panel.

In scanning through the schedules and the TV advertisements, it becomes clear that while there are two separate "paths" to the scavenger hunt, in order to maximize the chances of winning both must be completed. The deadline is in the evening. It'll make the group as a whole a lot less conspicuous to split up, plus to maximize the chances of getting both paths completed.

With great Temerity, onward!]

Comments

[refusedtoleave]

[She doesn't say anything. But she does alternate between watching Jamie and lobster.

Because crustaceans are kinda scary. It's how they move brrrr...]

[airlockedmods]

[The first thing upon approaching the booth is that there is a. Giant. Fuckoff. Spider. Sitting serenely behind the booth, humming to herself. The eight limbs translate roughly to four arms and four legs, and right now two arms are occupied with holding out a hank of black silk, while the other two knit with it.

Also there are plushies everywhere on this booth, arranged by size. The biggest is a Wilson plush that's 35 credits and probably about the same size as the real deal (bigger than the replicas that were found on the Temerity). In the middle range (15 credits) are plushies of Shadow, Toby, the Griffin, Xander's cabbit, Jane's slimebeast, and literally every plushie that came out of the benefactors' hold including the gekiganger, chocobo, moogle, and carbuncle plushes. Four of the spider's eight eyes glance at the four survivors and the prints, bag of jelly babies, and season 3 pamphlet.]

Oh, my darlings, I bet I know why you're here.

[imnotfat]

You do? Then let's see what you have to offer.

[After the slightly awkward encounter with the alien giving jelly babies, at least Togami didn't get on this spider's face to ask for the stuff. At least Togami doesn't seem too worried about the fact this is a giant spider]

[airlockedmods]

Hmmm. You tell me: What's black and red all over?

[Other than her. But she's not for sale (unless someone wants to fuck the spider lady). She gestures over her wares with one of her arms.]

[cyan_maid]

I see!

[Oh dear lord how many of these people are "dressed up" with light-hard projections what the heckie]

Maybe we both try, next year! Will be looking forhward to it!

[ratherdoweddings]

I'd say that would be Shadow-kun, wouldn't it?

[kingshaming]

It is a very charming pair indeed.

[Xander, having been listening in, chimes in before leaning over to Jane]

I suppose that means we can't enter either, but there's no harm in watching, right? The winner would certainly have the most flair...

[cyan_maid]

[She nods and hums in reply to Xander. Gonna go find this flair-tastic person at the contest for sure...and hopefully not be roped into upsetting photoshoots. But she doesn't dare speak a word of this aloud until she's certain the alien and their...small childlike lobster companion part ways from them.]

[airlockedmods]

[Lady Arachnea reaches behind her and pulls a Shadow plush with a tag hanging off of him from one of the boxes behind her.]

He'll be 15 credits, my dear.

[airlockedmods]

Oh - my goodness, what a fantastic Xander! We'll certainly see you both there - and maybe bring your friend, too? You don't see many Season 1 Jamies anymore!

[But for having apparently seen Jamie back there, they make no effort to approach him, just waggle a hand in a wave and head off again.]

[cyan_maid]

[................oh god.]

...Maybe...I should take Jamie back into the gift shop.

[kingshaming]

... maybe wise. If you wish Natsuhi and I can continue on. Especially if he is likely to get attention...

[airlockedmods]

[Probs make another toplevel for that, whoever ends up going.]

[kingshaming]

[Onwards to the cosplay contest! Xander just prays they don't have to win to get the clue- because while they aren't ACTUALLY wearing hardlight cosplays, if they admit that they might be outed as the real thing.]

Be on the look out for a collaborator with flair. That may mean a con worker or a costumer.

[stitch_in_time]

[Is the Doctor the only one handling their funds? Probably not, but he'll pay for the Shadow plush anyway.]

Impressive selection, really.

[cyan_maid]

If he hears "Season One Jamie" and sees someone else with one of those hard light projection thingies looking like a dead friend, he's not going to be okay and shit is most certainly going to hit the fan. But then again, it's probably going to be tough on you, too.

[But there are unfortunately two sad men and only one actual Jane Crocker.]

Just...if you need us, you'll know where to find us, and if you find anything...again, I'll be sure to not wander far. Those pirate hats were a lot of fun.

[kingshaming]

I can handle myself in that regard... do not wander far. It looks to be nearing the goal.

[airlockedmods]

Why, thank you. I also can take commissions, if you would like.

[Commission a plush TARDIS, Doctor. Do it.

She passes him the plush.]

[stitch_in_time]

[He's not that despera-okay, he'll think about it.]

Well, we're takin' our time browsing for now, but I'll definitely keep you in mind, Lady Arachnea.

[So let's take a look at Yet Another Fake Shadow, here. What's up with it, besides presumably being much less suitable as a potential chassis for CECE. Anything on the tag?]

[cyan_maid]

[A firm nod.]

We won't. Good luck.

[airlockedmods]

[Well, the cosplay meetup happens a little before the contest proper, just to give everybody a chance to get the pictures they want. That means there's more than a few hard-light projection cosplayers around, people who look exactly like dead and living characters alike.

This isn't to say they're all trying to be precisely the same. The Jamie, Bolton, and Max in magical girl outfits, for example. Just in case you were wondering how Bolton looked in heels. It's better than some, though, who seem to be pairing off into victim and culprit pairs (or trios) to take some truly unfortunately-posed pictures.

If anyone's taking charge around here, it may be the pirate Xander near the front of the room. He's got an organized line for photo ops. With a flashy coat like that, topped off with a pair of cat ears, who wouldn't want one?]

[airlockedmods]

This is the last clue, well done to you, now go and find the water blue
On tower tall, with sunny sheen, then find you thus a pane of green.

[stitch_in_time]

Take a look at this.

[Showing the poem to everyone else, and reading it aloud for Thomasin's benefit.]

So... a green window near water inside a yellow tower...

[This is all very Brian Jaques, by the way, with a lot less uncomfortable race subtext.]

A swimming pool, maybe?

[And checking the map again, looking for any notable towers or highrises nearby. Especially if there's anything indicating a pool or fountain or... he doesn't know, a decorative space-duck pond.]

1/2

[kingshaming]

[ Dusk Dragon be a fence around me]

[kingshaming]

[ANYWAYS, that pirate Xander seems the best bet, as he fulfills both meanings of collaborator AND is very dandy indeed. Though the combo of the two costumes give Xander a odd mix of amusement and sadness he can't quite put a name to.

Either way, time to get in line]