"Just think of it," Marco smirked as the helicopter descended. "The romantic music…the atmosphere…"
"Yeah, I'm thinking of it," Rachel watched it land.
"Really?"
"Yeah. And I'm also thinking of how you'd never expect me to sneak up and-"
"Knock it off, you two," Jake snapped.
"Playing Cassie?" joked Marco.
"I'd better." Jake was uncharacteristically angry. "She's flown the coop."
(Or not. She's coming back, with…something else,) Tobias reported.
"Jake, you've got competition," Marco laughed.
Meanwhile, Rachel's mom noticed Visser Three. (What's that…creature?)
(Visser Three, we don't like him.) Cassie explained. (But the ones on the field are the ones we're going to sue.)
Aliens, morphing powers, or not, nothing got between Rachel's mother and a good lawsuit. (Okay, so this is class-action? Violation of dignity?)
(Um, I guess. You can take over.)
(Cassie?) Tobias fluttered over in worry. (Who are you with?)
(Rachel's mom.) It was a mark of his flight skill that he didn't immediately panic and plummet. Even so, he barely cleared the ground before hovering back up.
(Rachel?) he privately called. No response. (Rachel!) He flew in a tight loop around Marco, grazing Rachel's hair.
"Oh. Yeah. What?"
(Cassie says it's your mom she's flying with.)
"Haha."
"Is this an example of human humor? More? Less?"
(It's real!) Tobias pressed. Before anyone could reply, the helicopter landed at the fifty-yard line. The Chee produced a hologram of canines exiting and playing The Hey Song: Rock and Roll Part II.
(Hey, can I talk to anyone with this telepathy?) Rachel's mom asked eagerly.
(Um, yeah, but don't start up a chat with Visser Three.)
(I won't. Hey! Rachel! It's me! )
"Who?" Marco asked, taking a step closer to Rachel. A step too close.
(I knew there were injuries in this game,) Cassie landed, (but not before they even started!)