redjacketthief | 1st Turn: [Accidental Voice/Action]

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1st Turn: [Accidental Voice/Action]

[There is a man in the woods. His hair is a mess, and his clothes are way too plain for his liking. Residents would recognize him as a new feather--he just thinks he had way, way too many drinks the night before.

Somehow he lost his jacket.

And his shoes.

And his composure.

His only clue was that book he found--that annoying book. It wasn't useful at all.

Arsene Lupin III throws that book to the ground, swearing. It lands open, with its pages in the dirt.]

Aagh...this isn't working. [There's a shuffle of pages--he's kicked the book.] Guess I gotta regroup. Eeegh. Woods, Lupin. Think!

Looks like walking north isn't enough. [He starts pacing] And without a map...aa, this is really annoying. [The pacing stops--he has an idea.]

HEY!! IS THERE ANYONE AROUND HERE!? WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!

[Because shouting is such a productive idea...at least he feels a little better.]

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[Lupin stares at Zenigata for a long beat, wanting to disbelieve. He doesn't find it in himself to do so. Instead, he just shakes his head.]

Makes sense...but that kinda puts me out of a day job, Pops. And these Malnosso-whatevers having our stuff is more than a little creepy.

[He listens, regardless, and enters to retrieve 'his' effects.]

[Zenigata waits outside, leaning casually up against a building]

Geez, having that guy around...man.

[While he waits, he casually starts humming a catchy jazz tune...]

[Lupin is...surprised, for a word. He didn't expect to find his stuff literally in there, but there they were. He grabs them without thought--khaki pants, blue button up, yellow tie, red jacket...yep. They were his. The fit was perfect and everything.

He slips his leather shoes on in haste, momentarily thankful for the small comforts in life. He is tying his tie and straightening his hair again when he returns.]

Pops. This is just too wierd.

[Zenigata just nods]

Yep. Your tellin' me. Woke up this morning expecting to go for a walk in the woods, and I come back with you in tow. It really is a strange little town though.

[There's a wry smile.] You say that like it's a bad thing! And here I thought you were happy to see me.

[He pauses a beat for dramatic effect, and straightens his jacket. He thinks about his next words, and maintains a serious tone when he speaks.]

Seriously though, I hope you don't expect me to work miracles. I don't know much of anything, what tools I have available, and I don't even have my Walther.

I'm just a theif, nothing more. [And just a man. He knew that he couldn't work with nothing, even if the information that escape was impossible was a tempting challenge. That's all it was to him--a tempting challenge.]

Nah, I don't expect miracles from anybody. I've seen gods flub up escapes here, y'know?

[Then he leans in close, whispering]

But I do think we can make things just a bit harder for these Malnosso bastards.

[Stands back up]

Oh, and your Walther may be in the weapon's shop. Found my cuffs and piece there, m'self.

First my clothes, now my Walther? These surprises don't end...

[The words were mild, but there was mischief in his eyes. He still didn't fully understand everything, but it looked like Zenigata had something planned and had been waiting for the right moment...or his appearance.

He still wanted food, and his gun would be a nice advantage. It looked like Zenigata had a lot more that he wanted to say--they could pick eachother's brains once everything was settled.]

Then lets get a move on. I'm hungry.

[To the weapons shop! ZENIGATA MARCH!]

[Direct, and to the point. Lupin felt better already. He grinned.]

Lead the way, Pops!

[Its not far at all. Hey look! a weapons shop]

Get your Walther, then lets get inside.

You don't need to tell me twice!

[Lupin grabbed his Walther and holster--he would don in properly later. For now, he tucked his piece in the back of his waistband. He didn't want to take his jacket off for anything.

He met with Zenigata.]

Okay, let's go!

...And Pops? It looks like you still have things you want to talk about.

[Oh Lupin, there is ALWAYS more to say in this shithole is what he wants to say, but he bites his tongue]

There is. I think its best you get a rundown of the place and get your questions outta the way. But I wanna do it indoors, where its not so damn cold y'know? Hope you don't mind Italian.

[Not long later, they are sliding into a booth at the local pizzeria, Azip.]

What'll ya have? Its all good here.

You pick.

[It was his first thought. He was passed the point of caring what he ate, he just wanted food.

Lupin leaned back in his seat, surprised at the small wonder of finding just an average streetside pizzeria in such a wierd place. It it weren't for the wings and the book, he might have believed he was in any city of the US--they all were basically the same.]

Anyway... give me the rundown, would ya? Luceti...it feels like it belongs in an arcade game.

[It probably was. But Zenigata sitting there looking as serious as any day on the job and the pain in his fingers as they readjusted to the heat reminded him once again that he wasn't dreaming.]

[Zenigata nods and walks up to the counter, placing an order before returning with a couple of warm cups of tea. He slides one over to the thief before taking a sip from his own]

Give it 10 minutes.

[He drinks again, exhaling sharply before giving Lupin a look.]

Told you before. Luceti is...a really weird place. Its some sort of alternate reality that sucks people in. There are people from...hell...everywhere. Some things aren't even people. There've been talking ponies, giant wolves, and even people from comic books. I don't know whats up with the barrier, but the Malnosso put it up. It makes superpowers weaker, which I guess doesn't affect us much but something good ta know.

[a pause]

Any specific questions? I can keep goin' but if you want something more specific tell me.

[Lupin also drinks the tea, grateful for the warmth it brought him. He held up a hand when Zenigata made his offer.]

I can read most all of that in this book, right? Talking ponies...well, that's no wierder than these wings and gods, right? Though the super power weakening effect is interesting...

[That wasn't his point. He levels his gaze on the inspector.]

It sounded like you had other things you wanted to say.

[Zenigata nods]

Yea, most of it you can figure out in the book.

[Zenigata returns his rival's look and speaks in a more...quiet tone]

But yea, I think there is more to say. The book doesn't really talk about how crazy the experiments here are. Hell, they are just fucked up, in ways you can't even imagine. But those Malnosso bastards recently...well...they recently started recruiting folks who live here to go on missions for 'em. Even offering rewards for doing it. Sometimes its nothing, sometimes its going out beyond the barrier and doing things like spying and fighting. I was thinking 'bout taking them up on the offer. Maybe use that time to do some puttin' together means to fight back. I mean, if nothing else, I say we, meaning you, me, Fujiko, and Goemon and other folks we can trust, and at least do somethin' to tell 'em we ain't just playthings.

Clever, clever Pops...

You know? That's not a terrible idea.

[He gives the inspector a mischievous, almost cocky smile, and matches his tone.]

It's nice seeing that people haven't been sitting still. I'll tell you what, we're gonna need to get together, all four of us, and put our noodles together and come up with something.

How does that sound?

[Zenigata nods]

It sounds....[Suddenly Pizza!] Oh, thanks! [Zenigata smiles at the server]

Eat up! Hope you don't mind salami and bacon.

[Zenigata eats a bit, but bends in]

It sounds like the best plan we got. Could get us all turned 3 inches tall or something for a week, but if we can inconvenience them even the slightest...well...that'd suit me just fine.

[Salami and bacon...that works!

Lupin dug in greedily, not caring if the meats on there clashed a little with his idea of pizza. It was greasy, and delicious.]

Awesome! [he spoke between bites.] Looks like we have the beginnings of a plan, then.

[Zenigata tucks in himself]

Absolutely. Fujiko lives near me, and Goemon out by the lake house. You and I should pay 'em a visit later this week.

Can and will do.

Tell me, Pops. How are the living arrangements here anyway? Do we at least have the comforts of home?

[He didn't ask where he would be staying. He figured on crashing on Zenigata's floor in the worst case scenario.]

For the most part, yea. There are some houses, and apartments set up. Goemon lives out in a hut by the lake, Jigen used to room with 'em. Fujiko's been here a while, she has an apartment like me. Theres plenty of space if you wanted an apartment.

Nifty.

...You know. I think I'll think about finding a place to stay in later. I still need to see Fujiko and Goemon, and still need to learn more. Gotta get the lay of the land, figure things out. Usual stuff, I guess.

[Zenigata nods and stands up]

Well then, if you'll excuse me. I'm heading back out to look for New Feathers. Sorta my job around here now. Just bug me in the journal if ya need something.

[He walks off, turning just before he exits Azip]

Oh, and Lupin. Try not to get yourself into too much trouble.

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