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

[airlockedmods]

[Yeah, it's not locked.]

[ratherdoweddings]

[Takes a deep breath.]

Let's go in.

[Gonna open the door carefully...]

[airlockedmods]

[The interior of the room is unlit, and no one is immediately visible. It looks very much like a smaller, but no less fancy, version of one of your suites.]

[kingshaming]

[Xander doesn't say anything, but flanks the doorway- if there's an attack he'll be ready to fucking running spear a dude

...watch them be all paranoid over nothing tho]

[ratherdoweddings]

[Carefully walks in, checking for traps... or just the light switch.]

[stitch_in_time]

Oh, now doesn't this look inviting...

[Yeah he is being super cautious as he follows Yurika in. He's not using it yet but the sonic's still out, just in case.]

[airlockedmods]

[The light switch is right there on the wall as you walk in, same as the other rooms!

As soon as it's flipped, there's a celebratory horn sound, and green confetti paper rains from somewhere above as a large alien leaps out from behind the corner of the wall.]

TOP O'THE MORNIN' TO YA, LADDIES! My name is SkepticJaycee, and - oh. [On second glance, he's not that large at all. He looks a bit like a bipedal frilled lizard, brown with bright neon green patterns on his flared frill, which is now fluttering back a bit as he peers at the group, the Doctor in particular.] Oh, it's you! Hullo!

[ratherdoweddings]

Whoa! [Yurika flails a little. She stands up and picks confetti out of her Lightning hairdo.] Hello! You're the one running this, right?

[airlockedmods]

Yeah! Well, me 'n the InterGal guys, they've been great - and hey! You guys won! C'mon in, all of you - sheesh, how many of you are there?

[His frill relaxes back against his neck and shoulders as he speaks, making him look rather smaller.

[ratherdoweddings]

Only this many. We've been working together. It's sort of thematic, right, like the eight survivors! That's why eight was one of the clues, after all, right?

[She smiles and bows politely.]

I'm [uh quick look there's a painting of the ocean] Umi! These are my friends.

[airlockedmods]

I didn't put together most of the clues, honestly, that was the network people...

[He trails off for a moment.]

...so, uh, each of you's dressed as a survivor. That's a real great setup!

[cyan_maid]

[The sudden sound makes Jane squeak, and she presses up behind the closest ally in the room. PLEASE KEEP THE LIZARD AWAY OH GOD]

[refusedtoleave]

[Natsuhi jolts back at the horn. That's loud! And this guy is loud too.]

[kingshaming]

[OH HE'S LOUD AND A LIZARD AND SHIT Xander just kinda plasters himself against the wall in shock and makes a sound like a deflating squeaky toy]

[airlockedmods]

OH, hey! Second-place Xander! [He waves a claw.] You're here too, that's...funny...

[He shoots a glance at the Doctor.] Were you all split up?

[kingshaming]

Gods... yes, that's me...

I think some of my soul just left my body

[He's just gonna slide down the way and sit here now]

[airlockedmods]

[Well, he's just turned into the Pirate Xander from before, so he looks quite a bit taller as he leans over.]

Hey, are you okay?

[refusedtoleave]

Who are you!? I think we'd recognize- [Vague gesture at the frill.]

Were you using one of those hard light things!?

[airlockedmods]

Oh, sure! Everyone knew I was part o'this, it's all over Spitter...

[He fiddles with a machine at his wrist and - bam! It's Pirate Xander!]

...if I were just walkin' around as me, it'd be WAY too easy!

[stitch_in_time]

[Yeah, the Doctor might have whipped his screwdriver into position to do... something, as the enthusiastic lizardman jumps from hiding.]

[Once it becomes clearer that they probably aren't about to be teleported to parts unknown for nefarious purposes, he quietly puts away the """prop""" in an inner pocket and straightens his jacket.]

Ah, guess we did get to meet up again. Pulling double-duty, I see.

[airlockedmods]

More like quadruple-duty! This whole thing's kept me runnin' all over the con all day, you've got no idea! It's fun, though!

[He cocks his head, eyes narrowing for a second.] Think I saw all of you around at some point, you've been busy too!

[stitch_in_time]

Ah, well, you know, splitting up to maximize our chances and all that.

[airlockedmods]

Riiiiiight, right-right-right...see, it's just kinda funny! 'Cause your Doctor is really good, but I shook your hand, and you can kinda tell when you touch a hard-light projection, y'know? It's all hot and weird, and you're not wearin' one. Even though you said you were?

[Jaycee flicks his tail towards Xander.]

And he looks really good too, of course he hasn't got one. An' I talked to her at the panel - [Jane.] - 'course, there's always a TON of great cosplays around VGCC, but you're all together, that's...

[His frill spreads a little.] ...oh my god. Did the network send you?

[refusedtoleave]

Does anyone have a torch? ...I don't think we'll be able to reach the switch without going in.

[kingshaming]

...didn't think that far ahead. We may just have to grit our teeth and hope for the best.