"Sir, I can't let you enter back there without a pass--"

And other such typical lines were offered in the hopes of calming this intrusive cat down (like that ever worked). And while it seemed neither of them were terribly eager to get anymore aggressive than that, it didn't offer any kind of solution to the predicament. Ace wanted in, and it was part of the bouncer's job description to keep uninvited guests out, and thus arrived the conflict.

Until Caz, VIP card swinging madly around her neck, came into play. What started as a cautious step forward quickly grew to a brisk pace, and finally a full on sprint for all the two meters left to her destination. Eyes as wide as dinner plates, she called out with a purpose in her voice, "Let him in! Let him in!"

And it was a good thing he did move out of her way, lest there be a very awkward crash between himself and a mole girl hauling butt in his direction.

Ace on the other hand, was more than prepared-- and all too happy-- to catch her in his arms (even if he was very nearly bowled over), and match his embrace with hers. "Tell me it's you," she demanded, as forcefully as her cracking voice could with her face buried in his chest. "Tell me it's really you!"

And what could Ace do but comply? "It's me," he cooed. He smiled, rocking side to side, petting her and stroking her head and doing everything in his power not to just drop to his knees for how grateful he was for this to happen. But, oops, it wasn't enough. All the same, she fell right down with him, further demonstrating her absolute unwillingness to let go.

"It's me," he repeated, his softening voice betraying his strengthening grip. "I'm here."

Rock, wringing his own cramped wrist, soon looked up from where he sat to Jam and smiled tiredly, but sincerely. Though he reached out to wrap an arm around her waist, and lazily lulled his head against her side, he ended up tensing and shooting a darting glance to the source of the ruckus near the backstage door.

Some Capsule Troopers had a similar reaction, and soon closed in cautiously on the scene. For the time being, they watched at a distance, since whatever was going on seemed harmless enough.

Rock meanwhile stood to get a better view. He looked caught between an expression of mild surprise and confusion.

"Didn't expect them back so soon," he mumbled lowly to Jam, watching the spectacle from a distance.

The distraction actually was sufficient to get past the bouncers, just on account of Geoff's confidently-swift walk and good timing. The Capsule Troopers did indeed step in to fill the gap, though, and so there they stood, silently in his way with multi-barreled scatterguns equipped and ready. They didn't look too antsy—not that they had much capacity for showing expression with their faces, but, as for their bodies, they were not yet aiming their weapons, and seemed content just to physically obstruct the walking path while more than a few Egg Gunners and a couple more CTs closed in from all over as backup.

One of the bouncers realized after a quick glance around where he had made his mistake, and quickly moved to grab firmly at one of the hedgehog's arms.

"Listen, we can't let anybody back here without passes!" he protested. "Don't make this difficult!"

"'Ey, you can let'em through," shouted a voice from far across the room; Rock was sauntering their way. His tone didn't have any apparent threat to it, but his something about his slow stride dared all comers, if any even had such a mind to start trouble where there was yet none.

"It's Will Casey," said the nearby "pig guy" with an irritated edge to the wolverine who had by this point known him for a couple weeks, yet had gotten mad at him for forgetting her name less than a few hours after meeting her. He had never gotten up from his seat after the concert. (He had actually been on his phone, as par the course—it seemed he always had someone to call about present happenings.)

Backstage, Jared set a hand on Boogie's shoulder and made way to steer him away, and off toward some nearby motley pile of luggage, as if to collect their personal belongings. He suddenly looked a little uncomfortable, and very interested in getting the little one to a greater distance. Maybe he had some idea of what was happening.

"Yeah, I don't think it's quite like that, actually, lil' guy," he answered under his breath as he picked up a gaudy green suitcase and handed it to the kid, then hefted a small duffel, himself.

Rock meanwhile only stopped once he was closer to Geoff than would be appropriate for any kind of hostile stand-off range, which is to say right on the fringe of personal space, and looked straight at him with the sort of understated smile that only smiled to spite the hedgehog's frown.

"Yeah," he replied plainly, jarring eye contact locked, piercing. "You enjoy the show?" he asked in response. "They've been workin' real hard on it for a long time," he added with the slightest gesture of his head in the general direction of Jam and the others behind him.