2nd Turn: [Video/Action]

[redjacketthief]

[The video feed opens to a slightly manic grin on the face of the (in)famous thief, Arsene Lupin III. He is dressed in his usual attire of a brilliant red suit jacket and--mysteriously--is carrying a jitte that definitely does not belong to him. The only other thing that seems out of order is his hair which, although hastily shoved into place with the aid of water, appears intent on not staying in its usual slicked back style. That is not what draws the viewer's attention--it's the high energy, mischievous look in his eyes.

The camera wobbles slightly. He's at the fountain, and very obviously walking circles around the perimeter of it. He starts to speak, brandishing the jitte around as he makes his points.]

Good Morning, People of Luceti!! I've been here for a couple of weeks now, and I thought it was high time I made my official introduction to the rest of you. You may have heard mentions of me from a certain Sassy Little Kitten, Mine Fujiko, or from a certain determined Old Man, Inspector Zenigata Koichi--rest assured. I am here now. Any complaints you may have heard about me from them is now, from this day forward, thus alleviated.

Oh, but you'll be wanting my name, won't you? I am the One, the Only, Arsene Lupin III--international man of mischief and connoisseur of fine art and wine!  Ladies, ladies. Take your time. You'll get your turn soon enough!

Now, now. Since we're all trapped in this place, and since I'm sure my reputation has preceeded me, feel free to contact me if you need a partner for a job or just someone to ease your lonliness. I may be a rogue, but I don't bite.

Hard.

[His tone hardens at this point, taking on an edge of knife-like severity. Underneath the mischief in his eyes lies a bold determination and aura of command.]

And, to any unseen and unheard audiences out there who may be listening in, I warn you: I won't stop at anything, I won't be quiet, and I won't make your job easy. I don't know what you were thinking in bringing me here, and I don't think I want to know. Keep in mind, though, that I'm very capable of making your lives miserable.

[He lets the words hang in the air for a lengthy beat, staring hard into the camera. Then, as quickly as it came, the mood vanished.]

Oh. Pops. I think I kinda grabbed your Jitte there. You can have it back when you want it--but I can see why you bring it around some times. It's pretty fun to wave around! [He grins like an idiot as he ends his announcement.]

Comments

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

[Straw Hat? That was new. Still, Lupin remembered Zenigata mentioning something about a comrade in arms that tuned into smoke...

But this Jitte wielding hardass whose name happened to be Smoker? No way was he that guy, right?]

The Inspector is a valued friend of mine too, despite our differences. He's the best there is, and we've allied together more than a few times.

...I don't want anyone else to catch me.

[justicereigns]

Then why would you steal his jitte?

[AWKWARD Pause and shakes his head. Okay maybe a little too familiar to Straw-Hat just there. In a nearly creepy way, so he just won't comment on it.]

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

Ya see? I've got these sticky fingers that sometimes just grab things. And not always jitte either, if you catch my drift. [A rogueish wink--he was not gonna admit his lapse in thinking!]

[justicereigns]

There's no jail in Luceti, but you're making it very tempting to make one, just for you.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

I'd break out of it. Not even inescapable prisons can hold me.

[He grins, not afraid of bragging about his exploits. Surely the man could understand something like that, having the appearance of being a man of law and all.]

[justicereigns]

There's always a first.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

Hey, don't go making assumptions now. You seem to know Pops, so that means you've probably heard things...

[He dropped the grin, all seriousness.]

Which means that you probably know. I can steal anything. In fact, you don't want to go imprisoning me because I'm at work on what might just be the biggest stunt of my life.

[justicereigns]

And how is that incentive?

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

What is the one thing here that everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, holds dearest to their heart?

[justicereigns]

Their friends?

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

[Close, but not quite.]

Liberté, égalité, fraternité [The French accent he fell into continued even has he lapsed back into English.] That is to say...Freedom, equality, and brotherhood. It's the motto of my nation, and indeed a desire that lingers in the hearts of all men and women.

[The accent slips back into something more neutral sounding as he continues]

We have the equality and the brotherhood in this tiny little place, but we lack freedom. Have patience. Give me time.

I can figure out how to give us back freedom.

[justicereigns]

[Stares at briefly and doesn't bother rolling his eyes. Just snorts.]

Right. Good luck with that. [Just a bit sarcastic sounding, yup.]

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

Hey. Don't jump to conclusions so quickly. Remember: I can steal anything!

[justicereigns]

Uh-huh. I'm not impressed.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

You're no fun!

[He lets the words hang for a second before the quietness became uncomfortable again.]

...how is it that you know Pops anyway?

[justicereigns]

I already told you.

Plus we both use jitte and are in the same line of work.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

My question then was 'why do you care.' This time, I was looking to see if you had any warstories you were willing to tell. You seem like a man of law, and the jitte thing isn't too surprising after your commentary.

So, any war stories?

[justicereigns]

War stories from what? Luceti?

Ask someone else about the drafts. They only took me once.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

I wasn't talking literally...

[He had no interest in drafts or fighting anyway. He just wanted out.]

...You're no fun. Maybe I should've stole your jitte instead of Pops'.

[justicereigns]

Touch my jitte and I'll have your head, boy.

[Hilariously, Lupin is probably older than Smoker. Oh well.]

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

If you can catch me!

[Lupin delcares this challenge in a sing song tone, thoroughly enjoying the comparison. He's a frat boy at heart regardless of circumstances]

[justicereigns]

You're not even on my radar.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

[A frown quickly appeared in his features, not pleased with the man's manner.]

I'm Lupin III! Whaddya mean I don't register on your radar!? I stole the Statue of Libterty!!

[He was going to have to steal that jitte now. It would be another thing for him to wave around next time he had an announcement to make.]

[justicereigns]

I don't have a statue of liberty in my world, so that's meaningless to me.

Besides, it's Zenigata's job. If he wants my help he can ask. Otherwise, I'll stay out of it, just as I'd get annoyed if someone interfered with my catches.

[redjacketthief.livejournal.com]

She's on an island in middle of the sea, that Statue. Forty-six meters tall, and made of several tons of copper. I stole her. With hot air balloons.

[Don't ask....just don't.

Lupin's face adopts a cheshire grin, with a touch of predation and more than obvious guile.]

And you...are a piss poor excuse of a lawman, you know that? I'm embarrassed for Pops, if this is the calibur of friend he draws to his side.

[Lupin had right to talk. He'd made enemies pay a thousand fold for hurting the Inspector. He'd do it again and again if he had to.]