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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lupin, if only you knew. Those Malnosso guys are just pure evil. Hell, just last week they made us think the goddamn MOON was gonna crash down on our heads and kill us all. Don't underestimate the fucked up shit they can do. Ditching Jigen...well...thats small potatoes.

[Not much longer till they make it to town]

[The moon? Lupin almost does a double takem but decides to just roll with it. There was so much absurdity already in his day that hearing news of the moon crashing from orbit didn't sound too crazy. At least, that was scientifically possible. Zenigata standing right there before him...not so much.]

That sounds pretty nasty. I've not even been here for a full day, and already I don't like this place. I take it your survival has something to do with these...Malnosso or whatever you're talking about?

And thanks for the warning, Zenigata. Seriously. Thats...very useful to me.

Somethin' like that. The Malnosso are the freaks who put us here, put up the damn barrier that keeps us in too. And somehow they made it so it dampens people's superpowers or something.

[a pause]

Yea, I said superpowers. My best buddy here is a cop from another world who can turn into smoke. From what Fujiko's told me, that barrier keeps GODS in. The old kind, Zeus, Thor, Amaterasu. That sorta stuff we learned about in grade school.

[Finally, a smile as they make it to town]

But now that your here. Well, maybe we can figure a way outta this mess together, eh? I mean hell, I remember the time you stole the Statue of Liberty, and that big ol' statue of Christ in Rio. I bet if we put our noodles together, we'll come up with somethin'

[That smile grows broader as the thief takes in the information. There it was, a challenge, stated boldly to his face. He chuckled, and clapped the old cop on the shoulder.]

You know me too well, Inspector. Really, you do. If I didn't know you so well, I'd be thinking that this was all insane, that I was dreaming or something. But, you know...you know...

This sounds like a good challenge. And then, once we're out, you can go back to arresting me like you always do. Just, you have to give me time. I may be Lupin III, but I'm not a miracle worker. I need more information...

And, wouldn't it be obvious even for me to pull something like this? They sound like a tricky bunch, so we're gonna have to be trickier.

[He pauses.]

From what you're saying, it sounds like Fujiko knows things. I'm gonna want to find her. Goemon too--that Zantetsuken of his, if he has it, is going to be useful. Pity Jigen's not here, but you not arresting me will be handy.

Give me a few weeks, Pops. I don't know anything here, and I need to think this through. If they can throw a moon at everyone, who knows what else they can do?

[Zenigata laughs a bit]

You never change, do you? We'll see.

[But who knows. Zenigata's thoughts are interrupted by arriving in town]

Well, here we are.

[Lupin surveyed his surroundings, taking in the old fashioned atmosphere and storybook village appearance. It...wasn't quite what he expected, but it oddly seemed to fit with what he heard from Zenigata and his further assumptions.]

It's...quaint.

[He scowled playfully at the inspector.]

Looks boring!

[Zenigata just laughs and heads towards the shops]

It is boring, up until the moon falls from the sky.

[The words clicked. Lupin couldn't help but join in laughing with the inspector.]

Yeah. I guess you're right on that one, Pops.

Well, here we are. [Zenigata motions to the clothing shop]

Go get yourself a jacket.

[Lupin studies the store, lightly bouncing on the balls of his feet in an effort to keep in motion, to keep warm. He glancs at Zenigata, curious, and continues to puff on that cigarette.

He frowns.]

It's not like you th advocate theft, Pops. That is, unless you have some money here to buy me a new wardrobe. I can pay you back later; I have that much decency, at least.

Money doesn't apply here, Lupin. What good is it in a place where people come from a buncha different worlds, with all sorts of different kinds of money?

It ain't stealing anyway, it's YOUR jacket. Seems those Malnosso bastards drop it off in a shop. Found my badge and ID in there myself.

[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.