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

[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?

[ratherdoweddings]

We're definitely not affiliated with the network. Thanks a lot, though! It's very nice of you.

[h e l p]

[kingshaming]

[Xander stands up, his heart finally calming down. In fact he looks... a little terrifyingly stonefaced.

And starts rolling up his sleeves. Are we going to have to silence a lizard? He doesn't want to, he's a very nice fellow but...]

[ratherdoweddings]

[Sorry, Yurika's gonna put a hand on Xander's arm and frown at him. Listen to the person who got into a war thinking she was fighting alien lizards.]

[kingshaming]

[He nods, but doesn't back away. If worse comes to this he WILL make sure the network doesn't find them.

...but he'll give Yurika the chance to smooth things over first]

[airlockedmods]

[aaaaaaaaAAAAAA]

Oh my GOD, it really is you, isn't it? [Jaycee doesn't seem quite sure what to do with all his limbs, and for a second he flails in a tight little circle by the bed, frill flaring out as far as it can go and claws scrabbling against the carpeting.] Aaaaaaaa, play it cool, play it cool, you're a minor Internet celebrity - oh my god, I'm such a big fan you have no idea, it's an honor!

[can he shake your hand]

[kingshaming]

[His scary face kinda breaks at that- like the cafe alien before him Xander just... can't handle this kind of attention with any grace or dignity]

O-oh... well...

[Save him. Any thoughts of bunnies is useless since he just pictures Jaycee swallowing them whole like a snake]

[airlockedmods]

Aaaaaa, an' there's me doing my Pirate Xander costume at you! How embarrassing...I'm glad we didn't give ya the cosplay win, though, that's really for the fans an' not the actors, no offense.

[kingshaming]

No, no... it's fine. It was... an enlightening experience.

[ratherdoweddings]

[...sure????????]

It's nice to meet you! I know you're really popular yourself. [well, she can figure, anyway.] I wasn't lying when I said the network didn't send us, but they probably do suspect we're here, so we wanted to keep a bit of a low profile. Don't want to ruin the game, right?

[not lying, just not endangering themselves either!!!]

[airlockedmods]

Oh-ho, off the rails, are ya? Y'know, I always thought it had to be hard on ya - how're you supposed to get more work with them keepin' you all locked away on some big secret thing? Unless you're gonna be on the next season or somethin'?

[wink wink nudge nudge]

[cyan_maid]

[...Well I guess she doesn't have to keep trying to pretend she's Belgian]

P-Please...please don't...d-don't tell anyone it's us, please...

[airlockedmods]

Oh - oh, hey. [He has no idea how old she is for whatever species she might be, but he waves his claws at her in a sudden fluster.] It's fine! It's okay, I'm not gonna tell anyone. You guys can just sit here with me n' wait for the winners! No fan mobs or anythin'!

[airlockedmods]

[Jaycee makes a high-pitched squealing noise in the back of his throat, one that's quickly cut off.]

Are you sure? 'Cause I could see them doin' that, y'know? Oh god, am I bein' punked?

[cyan_maid]

...N...No...just...smart fans...

[Her voice is way too tinny and freaked out to really lay on the Belgian but it sounds enough like the girl Jaycee met earlier that it might not arouse suspicion...]

[airlockedmods]

'Cause if I'm bein' punked, the jig is up!

[..........

...nothing happens.]

[stitch_in_time]

[There's a second where he almost reaches for the psychic paper, cover stories building in hus head... but no.]

[If nothing else, he draws the line at actually claiming affiliation with InterGal7.]

If you're being punked, it's not by us.

[airlockedmods]

Nah, it's by them, isn't it? Oh, wouldn't that be perfect, what a treat for all the fans this's already been and NOW -

[stitch_in_time]

It's pretty definitely by the studio, yeah. But, ah- we'd actually sort of prefer if we could keep a bit of a low profile, like Yurika said.

[Do they tell him. They might need to tell him.]

[airlockedmods]

Oh - is it just a special surprise for me 'n the actual contest winner?

[curdle]

Please, speak not of this. It would, um, it--

[ Tina Belcher groan ]

It should spoil the surprise!

[refusedtoleave]

What are you talking about!?

[Screeching.]