Before the scuffle could go on any longer, security detail was soon upon the cannoli-covered bat, having noticed Juke's most rude entrance a few minutes prior. Heading the small team was the dalmatian from the entrance, who looked most displeased to see the party crasher. One could almost feel those glaring daggers from beyond those sunglasses. "You."

There was hardly an issued command -- at this point, there was no need. Juke would soon find himself clasped onto by the arms, before so easily being hoisted off the ground by two of the more burly guards that had accompanied their leader. As they proceeded to carry the uninvited slime towards the exit for a Grade-A Bum's Rush, the leader stayed behind, her steely gaze almost examining the two guests.

"My apologies for the disruption caused by that scum, miss... I assure you, he won't be doing that again... If there is anything you would wish for us to accommodate for you, my employer will most surely oblige without hesitation. All you need to do is let me, or another of our fine workers, know. Now, if you'll please excuse me... I need to return to my post. Have a wonderful evening."

And with that, she very quickly made her way back, leaving the two to their own devices as the resort leader made his final preparations for the surprise announcement.

Tracer watched the bat get dragged away, the urge to finish him off must of been strong because she hesitated before turning away to look at the deer. Her face perfectly blank again as she stared at him while he went on about something to do with anger problems. A frown tugged at her features, but it was short lived, she tilted her head up putting her mask of arrogance back on and dropping the now horribly disfigured tray of food he'd offered her into Archers hands.

After which she turned away and headed back into the crowd to avoid any more unwanted attention. Tracer soon found herself at the bar, staring at back lit bottles of liqueur and wine. She leaned on the bar and ordered a drink.

----

It was easier than Jack could have thought to get into the party, with the press passes provided by Mary and some sort of conveniently timed distraction for security. The group walked into the party which seemed to be going back to normal after whatever disruption gave security cause to remove the fella they where dragging out.

"Gotta be honest with you Ember..." She said to the bird as they cleared security and entered the party. "I've never been much for parties. Last time I went to a shindig this big I was 4. It's a hell'ofa lot easier to start a conversation when you'd talk to a flickie if you thought it was paying attention to you."

"You know, he does look familiar to me.", mused the bird as the tapped a gloved finger against her beak. Her eyes looked over him several times as the gears in her brain ran at full speed. After a few moments of outright staring, she managed to place the deer. Instead of bringing her satisfaction the memory made her stomach drop down.

"Ha. Oh this is funny. Okay not funny but oh this isn't good heh. Small world."

The words rushed out in a breath and her disguised voice kept slipping. Ember wore a nervous smile as she stepped behind Mary. "You're the reporter here. You go. I'm going to go and talk up that friendly lookin' gentleman over there.", she muttered as she jerked a thumb over her shoulder without even glancing behind her.

The 'gentleman' in question was a large lizard who looked as though he could use a tree as a toothpick.

___________________________

It was in Terra's honest opinion that this had to be the worst party she had been too. It wasn't the fact that she was currently on duty and was forbidden from drinking. No, it was the fact that she had to dress nice for the guests. It was going to be hard to do her job in a dress reached her knees, even if the slit allowed for freedom of her legs. At least she got away with low heels this time. The only good thing she liked about her outfit was the full skirt that allowed for placement of her trusty gun. All throughout the party she had stayed around her employer as he smoozed up to the guests. The only exciting thing had been some rodent that dropped from the ceiling but that was quickly taken care of.

Glancing at a nearby ornate clock she noticed the time for the speech was at hand. Upon seeing that Vince was deep in discussion with a reporter Terra rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Going up to him, she tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

"Sir", she said in a hushed tone, "it's time for your speech."

The porcupine realized that amidst the celebrations, he had allowed time to slip past him just a little bit, as reminded by his trusted, and well-dressed employee. "Oh. That's right... I appreciate it Terra, thank you." He gave her a smile before leaning close, simply to whisper - "Keep an eye on the crowd. Despite my planning... I'm fairly certain that things may become -quite- eventful in the foreseeable future, keh heh... Just a thought."

Waving away the reporter he was speaking with, the resort owner took his place behind a pedestal on the ballroom's stage. Behind him, the curtain ruffled slightly as employees of all sorts were apparently fumbling about trying to get things in order. Whatever the big surprise was, it was sure to be hidden behind those velvety shrouds...

The DJ, realizing what was happening, took this time to lower the volume on his phat beats to raise awareness amongst the crowd. "Aaaannnnnnnnnnnnd it looks like our most glorious host, ladies and gentlemen, is about to give you all a most awesome surprise! So take your seats, grab your grubs, and imbibe the last of those drinks, 'cause this is sure to be something you all are gonna wanna take a moment to witness! So heeeere he is, the very generous, and most charitable... Viiiiiiiince!"

The lights eventually dimmed all around, leaving but a single spotlight to shine brilliantly upon the porcupine, whose attire for the evening was a most glossy tuxedo, the surface of the material reflecting the light from above without fail. Even the violet tie he wore seemed to bear a radiant sheen. Amidst the applause, Vince simply basked in the attention, a rather toothy smile seemingly stretching from ear to ear. If he wasn't already enjoying himself before, this one event most certainly sealed the deal. Eventually, he raised his two gloved hands to subdue the noise in the ballroom, and soon, the entire room lay silent and still, save for the repeated flashing of the reporters' cameras as they took every moment possible to capture their beloved host's image for their respective media outlets.

"Good evening, my beloved guests! I do hope you are enjoying the party tonight... After all of the help you have given to me in these past few years I've been in business, drawing attention to my location, and spreading wonderful publicity in my stead, this gathering in particular is just my way of showing my appreciation... And, to be certain, there will be others like it, just for you all... But tonight will prove to be one of the more memorable events you will have the privilege of attending here...! For, you see, with all of the chaos swirling around this boxing tournament as of recent, no one person has been permitted to even so much as lay their eyes upon the prize... But, I have a treat for you all! Heh heh... I most certainly do... For you see, my wonderful reporters... My adoring news outlets... Per the graciousness of mine own generosity... I am giving you all a sneak peak of the trophy tonight! So take your pictures, write your notes, and ask your questions -- Your surprise is to lay your eyes upon the most magnificent trophy, that which adorns the mysterious emerald upon its peak! The Chaosol Emerald!"

Upon this announcement, the curtains were immediately raised, and several lights shone down upon the trophy in a most heavenly brilliance - The trophy itself was almost double the size as it had been depicted in the original commercial, easily measuring about three Vinces, to put it crudely. The base was crafted entirely of gold, and the design from the base to the top was composed of a most brilliant amount of crystal, silver rods spiraling upwards around the center before coming to a stop around the gem itself. Emerald-coloured 'wings' spread out majestically from the back, and the Chaosol emerald on its own appeared as though it didn't need the ballroom's spotlights to display its lustrous radiance, seemingly emitting a power on an entirely different level.

And yet, despite being hidden as it had been for the entirety of the event so far, there it was, right there, on display for the whole room to see.

As the flashes and the bewildered chatter increased practically tenfold, the porcupine attempted to resume his speech. "Now, take all of the photographs you need, my lovely guests. If you have -any- questions for me at all, do not be afraid to meet with me on the stage. However, only those per the choosing of my lovely bodyguard --" He gestured to Terra with a smile.. "-- will be permitted to come onto the stage to give me their list of inquiries... So, good luck, and enjoy the view of this magnificent prize... And enjoy the rest of the festivities! Enjoy them to your heart's content... Keh heh heh..."

Vince took a bow before stepping away from the podium, jabbing a pointer finger back over to the DJ, who immediately returned to his most important duties of partying hard. The lights came back on, and the music resumed right where it had left off. The resort owner re-equipped himself with a glass of red wine, taking his place amongst a row of chairs, in the event that some of the reporters would be allowed on-stage to have a tête-à-tête with the porcupine himself...

In the meantime, four heavily-built security guards had now taken their places around the Chaosol Trophy, keeping an eye on just about everyone beyond the stage. Apparently, someone else had taken the post at the front door, because the lovely, canine head of the guards was among the protectors of the trophy as well..

"I certainly hope you know what you're doing, Boss Vince..."

Terra had already taken her position at the stairs leading up to the stage. As the reporters started to crowd against her she waved them back with a fierce look.

"One at a time. Lady move back now.", she growled as a rather pushy lemur attempted to move past her. Finally the crowd got under control for the most part. After a quick pat down of the first person in line to check for anything concealed, she waved him on ahead. One person on the stage at a time. That was the plan.

When Vince first mentioned this hare-brained scheme Terra had to bit her tongue to keep from objecting. To take the grand prize that so many people were striving to get and place it in the middle of a room full of crowded guests was just stupid. In her mind anyways. But after working for her employer she realized that while the plans he thought of seemed brainless they usually worked.

So Terra hoped this would be one of those times.

Jack like everyone else stood gawking at the huge trophy and its large radioactive prize in the middle. More then a little unsettled she hesitated before deciding which way to go. But embers reaction to the deer sold her. Either Ember was completely nuts (which Jack hadn't yet ruled out entirely) or Ember knew that fellow and it wasn't on good terms.

"Lets have a word with him huh?" Jack said looking to Mary a moment. Since Ember was in such a hurry to get away Jack decided to walk up to the deer. "Hi. Pretty big trophy huh?" She asked him as she picked up a plate and took reasonable amounts of food.

-----

The plum llama didn't even move from her bar stool as Vince made his grand announcement. She slung back her drink and spun her stool around after he was already done. She eyed the trophy for a moment, It looked enough like the Chaosol emerald for her to go ahead with her plans of stealing it. She left her stool and paused noticing someone familiar milling around. She couldn't really put her finger on it though. She shrugged it off and approached the line to see Vince and his statue.

Tracer was reminded of department stores and the long lines for pathetic parents to have their kids sit with Santa. Though her mind was on the propagation of lies to children she was starring right into the back of the muddy brown colored bird in front of her.

After waiting a few minutes Tracer decided to try and confirm her suspicions that she may know this bird. She leaned closer to her over her shoulder and simply said. "I hear those rocks are radioactive."