The End of the Chase

[airlockedmods]

[After several enlightening mishaps and meeting several well-intentioned aliens, the clues from the scavenger hunt have led both teams to the pool on the west side of the building. There are several other aliens milling about, staring up at the windows to try and find the green one.

The last clue has been received. It's time to regroup, find where to go next, and confront the mastermind of this... network-sponsored scavenger hunt.]

Comments

[ratherdoweddings]

Come on, everyone! Let's get up there quickly.

[counting heads and resisting going for one of those frozen drinks they sell out here, it's hot okay]

[kingshaming]

Let's so quickly but calmly... if we bolt surely the other contestants will follow.

[stitch_in_time]

[Following Xander and casually checking to see if any other groups are following them.]

So did the other path make you pay for the clues or was that just us?

[Just. Just to point that out, that that was a thing.]

[kingshaming]

A few things, yes. I had to buy a coffee though it was very... tasty. As well as entry to the costume contest.

[He huffs]

I mean, this IS a promotional event- there had to be a incentive for the businesses to play along I suppose. It is a bit... well, it's clear this is a business venture first and foremost.

[stitch_in_time]

Costume-

[His eyes flick briefly to the second place ribbon. He very carefully says nothing, but fights away a small grin for a second.]

Well, hopefully we're about to recoup any losses and then some. ...Have a jelly-baby.

[Holding out the bag to Xander. You've clearly earned it, kiddo.]

[kingshaming]

Oh-! Thank you.

[Nom]

...before you ask, yes I lost. To a better Xander.

[The Doctor if no one else would get a kick out of that.]

[stitch_in_time]

[He wasn't going to ask, but that gets a small snort.]

Welcome to the long and storied tradition of celebrities losing their own lookalike contests, Xander.

[He pockets the bag of candies.]

....we got those off another me. ...Did yours have one of those holographic masks?

[kingshaming]

No, the contest banned them. But we saw quite a few others who did. Which makes the fact I lost all the more surreal. But to be fair they had a very impressive sword.

... if we could get that technology it might be useful in hiding.

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika sheepishly looks away. It's awkward dressing as your captain's not!dead girlfriend, even if it was a good idea to look like a cosplayer. She raises her voice:]

Let's just get back to the room. We got far enough.

[Then, quieter so the group can hear:]

If they think we're another group giving up, they won't follow us. There, to this elevator.

[kingshaming]

No shame in that.

[Nice and calmly and not looking suspicious at all!]

[cyan_maid]

[Jane's been here, just. Following behind. She hadn't quite caught why everyone is leaving, though, and is giving the others confused looks. What is going on? Why are we leaving the pool?]

[kingshaming]

[Xander puts a hand on her back and tilts his head up towards the windows- the curtain is still gone, but there has to have been SOMETHING there before... or Xander is finally having a stroke with how much he's quirking his eyebrows]

1/2

[cyan_maid]

[Hm? What's the touch for...what are those eyebrows for-]

2/2

[cyan_maid]

[Jane looks up in the proximity of wherever Xander is eyebrow-indicating. You...all think it's up there? For some reason?

...Well, why not, she does believe in you all.]

If you insist...

[kingshaming]

[Sorry Jane... though it kinda looks like a Xander cosplayer is luring a Jane cosplayer up to their room for some kind of inappropriate photoshoot. Please don't ever ever tell him what kinda looks he might be getting.

LET'S JUST GO GET OUR REWARD OKAY]

[cyan_maid]

[LOL SHE'S NOT EVEN THINKING OF THAT RIGHT NOW]

[ratherdoweddings]

[oh no]

[curdle]

[ turning around for some STAGE-WHISPER THREADJACKING ]

Jane!

[ She doesn't mean to sound giddy! She's just so excited her dumb vocabulary pointed her in the right direction, for once, and at the same time so anxious someone else might beat them there, which makes for a very keyed-up Thomasin. ]

It was there. I saw it myself before they drew it back.

[cyan_maid]

[Aaah that is such a strange tone coming from Thomasin, it really is, so Jane just sort of smiles back as she whispers.]

I'm sure! I'm sure, and I believe you - I wouldn't follow if I didn't!

[refusedtoleave]

It sounds like it'd be out of our budget. We might be able to get one, but...

[kingshaming]

True, we have other priorities for now.

[stitch_in_time]

One might be enough. We'll have to see how much they actually cost.

[kingshaming]

It's an investment we should consider. But for now let's see if we're going to have the fuel to leave the planet.

[He smiles slightly, amused as they make their way up to the needed floor]

Here we go...