Appointments

[redjacketthief]

This is the mailbox of your's truely, Arsene Lupin III. I take it that you've come here because you want to talk to me or make some kind of plan. Whatever it is, I'l gladly listen, but I need your name, date, time, and the best way to get back to you. Sorry I missed you, and I'll get back to you soon, okay?


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May 21st, early evening.

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin's not one to boobytrap his home, unlike his girlfriend. He is, however, in and contemplating the merits of Azzip versus Seventh Heaven for dinner.]

In other news I fail at all the things.

[quicktoanger]

I didn't feel anything from the door, but as I considered the doorway I frowned. I thought I heard something in there. Quiet, subtle, not activity of any kind, but there was definitely somebody.

Dammit. I'd thought he'd be out.

Well, there was always another option. I sighed, then knocked on the door, hoping he was at least marginally more co-operative than Jack would be.

its one of those weeks.

[redjacketthief]

[The knocking is unexpected, but not enough to draw Lupin too far from his work. He sets down his drafts for the necessary components of his master scheme and, not bothering to remove his glasses or straighten his tie (saying nothing about donning his jacket), shuffles quickly over to the door.

He stands just on the other side if it, but doesn't open it.]

Who's there?

[quicktoanger]

"Avon Lady. Can I interest you in some of our latest offers?"

... Sue me, I was feeling testy. I like my jacket. It's a good jacket.

[redjacketthief]

Oh, I'm sorry. My husband said that I wasn't allowed to buy any more lipstick this month!

[He grinned when he recognized the voice, and cracked the door open enough to peek through.]

What do you want, Dresden? I'm a little busy right now. [He knew very well the why of Harry's visit, but didn't want to show his entire hand.

[quicktoanger]

"Perhaps I could interest you in some fine accessories, then? Shoes? Purses?"

I smiled my sweetest smile at him, innocent as can be.

"Coats?"

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin's smile is equally sweet and apologetic.]

I'm pretty sure that Avon Ladies don't sell coats.

[quicktoanger]

"Well, what can I say, we're branching out."

I dropped the smile, frowning down at him- carefully avoiding eye contact, of course.

"Just tell me nobody stole it from you."

[redjacketthief]

Do you really think I'll let another thief steal off of me? I'm not the Greatest Thief of the Century for nothing!

[quicktoanger]

I chuckled.

"Fair enough, but I think John Marcone would disagree with that."

Also, I was pretty sure Molly could have snuck in, grabbed the jacket, and come back out without him even knowing, but I wasn't gonna say that. Partly because it was bad form, but mostly because it wasn't my place to talk about Molly's magic.

"So. How would I go about convincing you to part with it?"

[redjacketthief]

He's obviously never stolen Christ the Redeemer.

[Lupin grins.]

...that depends. How badly do you want it?

[quicktoanger]

"... Damn. Mine stole the Shroud of Turin, but that's pretty good."

I scowled.

"But yeah. That coat's pretty important to me. A gift from my ex-girlfriend. Mother of my daughter. Was going to marry her, before she got turned into a vampire."

I let that sink in for a moment, then added,

"You might say it has a little sentimental value."

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin didn't bother hiding his frown--he had come to like the jacket, in the twisted way that a thief likes a garment that he can't even fit into properly. The words don't pass over his head, however, and eventually he sighs heavily.

The door opens wider, but he still stands in the opening.]

Fine. What's in it for me?

[quicktoanger]

"... What do you want?"

I shrugged.

"I'm a wizard. Pretty good at enchantments and the like, not bad at raw spellwork. Could even set up some rudimentary wards, if I had something physical to focus it on?"

[redjacketthief]

...the last time I met a man who called himself a wizard, he levitated by setting up glass panes and shot fire from his hands with cleverly hidden flame throwers.

[That was back home, but even in Luceti the only wizard he encountered blew up his kitchen making candy.]

[quicktoanger]

"You live upstairs from Luke Skywalker, man."

[redjacketthief]

But he's a Jedi~

[quicktoanger]

"... Yeah, I can see how that's a little more realistic than a wizard"

[redjacketthief]

You try having the Malnosso screw with your world anchor and give you the memories of living and fighting alongside him one day. Seriously.

Shits kinda cool~

[quicktoanger]

"... Seriously? Are you talking about back in April? Because they stuck me in the freaking Napoleonic Wars. And made me kind of a wuss."

Well. Blackstone did apparently maintain the suicidally chivalrous tendencies.

Lucky me.

"Point is, with all of the crap you live with on a day-to-day basis, how can wizards possibly be the step too far? Wizards are practically normal compared to some of the stuff here. The Hulk lives here, for crying out loud."

[redjacketthief]

Hey, don't go dissing the Hulk--he and I are buddies now!

[Kinda. Shooting him at Third Party troops via trebuchet counts as friendship, right?]

I'm just saying that I've never met a real wizard that was still reasonable. When all you see is hacks in your world and a bunch of socially awkward people here, it doesn't make for good relations.]

[quicktoanger]

"You're friends with the Hulk?"

... Moving right along, then.

"Anyway, look, what would I have to do to prove it to you? Conjure a fireball? Read your aura? Gimme a for-instance, I'll see what I can do with it."

[redjacketthief]

...how about you pick? I have no idea what you can do.

[quicktoanger]

"I don't know what you'll believe. I've had people see me spew fireballs from the end of a staff, and they told me I did it with a hidden flamethrower. Hell, even people I saved from vampires insist that I just shot a gang member hopped up on PCP.",

I thought about it for a moment. Fire was too likely to cause property damage, without my blasting rod. Soulgaze would probably get the point across, but was... kind of personal, and not in a good way. Force effects might hurt the guy.

Which left one option. I held out my arms in a suitably dramatic pose, and intoned-

"Ventas"

A light breeze began to blow down the hall, and as I poured my will and power into the spell, the breeze became stronger, until soon a rather impressive wind was rushing down the hall, and through the thief's open door. My hair whipped across my face, and I had to admit, I wished I had the duster on just for the badass visual.

I'm a man of relatively few thrills. Sue me.

I lowered my arms and allowed the spell, and the winds, to fade.

"Well, what are the ratings from the judges?"

[redjacketthief]

Daisy can do the same with Filial Magic.

[It was Lupin's first thought, although he had to admit he was a little impressed by it. The coat was a bargaining chip now, and had value-he didn't want to lose it that quickly.]