redjacketthief | 3rd Turn [Action/Video] Between the 20th and the 24th

Current Mood: good
Current Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKWM7se-uYg

Entry tags:

3rd Turn [Action/Video] Between the 20th and the 24th

[The thief Arsene Lupin III is at it again. The video feed opens to him staring good naturedly at the camera, a relatively calm smile on his face as compared to his usual excess in energy. Astute observers wil notice that he has donned a green jacket instead of his usual red, perhaps in a subconscious attempt to match his style with the current mellow and chilly weather.

Just when the smile and stare starts to become a little awkward, he decides to speak:]

Hey, Luceti! Do any of you remember that wierd Horoscope thing that happened just after Thanksgiving? Yeah...I'm still having a little problem left over from that, and I was wondering if some of you could help a guy out.

[The feed shifts so that Lupin is no longer on screen. Instead, the audience is treated to a view of...a veritable mess. In a bedroom in one of the apartments from the Community Houses there is a horde of junk. Literally. Stuffed animals, kitchen ware, paper goods, clothing items, and other miscellany are gathered in the room, with a minor semblence of order. Everything is sorted by type of item and nothing more.

The only notable single item stack is a pile of panties partially hidden from view in a corner.

If anyone who has noticed his random appearances and disappearances from the Barracks within the last few weeks and wondered where he was when he wasn't parked in the trees with his binoculars--this is what he has been doing.]

One of my 'predictions' was that I would inadvertently steal things. Turns out I did; I just don't remember any of it. All of this? Yeah. This was all stolen during that week. I've spent the last month digging everything up.

[He sighs dramatically.] There might still be more too...

I'm not asking you guys to believe me when I say all this, and I'm not trying to show off or brag. I was hoping that you guys could come and look through this stuff and take it off me. I really don't want it.

[The feed flips back to his face, his expression one of complete acceptance. People who didn't know him would never guess that such grand scale theft without memory is out of character for him. He's not a kleptomaniac. He's just constantly hungry for a challenge.]

Another thing. For the people who missed the announcement before, I'm planning on having a Casablanca movie day on Christmas Eve with Fujiko. It seems only good and fair to invite other people, so feel free to drop in if you have no one else to hang out with for Christmas. If someone can help me figure out how to set it up for people to watch through the journals, that'd be awesome.

[Filtered to Ishikawa Goemon XIII]

The Samurai came back unscathed, right? With the memories of much ass kicked that wasn't his own, right?

[Don't mind him. He's trying to make a joke.]

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're doing the usual on Christmas. Wining, dining, Kampai... Oh. We're also having our little meeting then. We kind of had a blizzard when you were gone, and there's really no telling how the weather will be at the end of this week. You might want to come up here early and be prepared to stay, just in case.

[End Filter]

[The feed closes abruptly after this. The thief obviously can't be bothered with showmanship at this point. He'll have the offer to come and 'shop' open from the 20th onward, and the channels are left open to contact him via Journal. He's been rooming with Zenigata in CH 5 for the moment, so any residents are welcome to drop in.

The 24th finds him setting up for Casablanca. If you have the expertise to set it up to stream through the journal, feel free to contact him. Otherwise, drop by Fujiko's place on the top level of CH 5. Don't worry; there will be drinks, and all of the traps have been taken down.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The ronin's voice is low and hoarse with a weariness that inevitably leaks through; however, his delivery is as even as ever.]

I have heard of the weather. [Having nothing to hide, he has opted to present himself in video form as is characteristic of him, looking more or less like himself. Presentable and even poised. But Lupin may observe the strip of medical tape over his forehead, under his bangs, and a small, thin swatch of gauze taped to his chest which is mostly concealed by his hakamashita.]

Where will this meeting be? [An eyebrow rises ever so slightly.] ...In Fujiko's apartment?

Edited 2011-12-19 21:33 (UTC)

[The presence of the bandages was sobering, even for the restless thief. Unlike his companions Jigen, Goemon, and even Fujiko, Lupin had never truely participated in intense combat. He was a master of escape, and would have been shot for desertion within minutes of entering battle had he been military. It wasn't his style. It wasn't him.

Even with this, he could see the toll it had taken on his friend. Their enemies, whomever they were, must be better than good in their skill-set if they can bang the ronin up.

He doesn't comment on it. He hadn't told anyone who hadn't read the announcement of Goemon's assignment. With the possibility of Fujiko being around, discretion was the best option.]

Most likely. I took down all of her traps again during the worst of the storm, and I think I can convince her to take them down again. It would have been in Pops' place...but you saw that mess.

You are invited to watch Casablanca too, even though it's not your favorite film. It just feels like it fits with this place, wierdly.

[He manages a smile, just for the ronin.] Even if you don't want to see it, come anyway. We don't need you alone at the lake on Christmas.

Edited 2011-12-20 00:42 (UTC)

[Truthfully, he wasn't intending to spend it alone - at least, not before tossing back a few glasses like old times and enjoying a peacefully uneventful moment in one another's company.] Zenigata-keibu will be joining us, will he not? [An amused, thoughtful half-smile played his lips.]

Edited 2011-12-20 01:33 (UTC)

He should be. The invite was extended to him, in any case.

[That smile was heartening. Lupin calmed at it, relieved at the small sign that the battle wasn't too hard on his friend.]

Murasaki-chan is too, though I don't know if she'll be drinking with us. She says she's legal to, but that she's never tried it yet...

...I'm not sure I remember how to handle lightweights anymore. [He chuckles, and makes a show of his embarrassment at this admission. His free hand straightens hair that isn't out of place.]

It's wierd. This feels almost normal. [Almost. He wasn't certain how well he liked that.]

[Goemon's expression sobered quickly.]

This may be the most 'normal' it will ever be for some time. [An infinitesimal but telling pause.] Without Jigen. [He reaches just off-screen to grasp a little white ochoko and lift it to his lips, his pinkie delicately extended. ~~When in doubt, pinkie out!~~ He gives the sake an appraising, appreciative sniff before having a sip.

Edited 2011-12-20 04:54 (UTC)

[Lupin had been actively trying not to think of Jigen's absense. The gunman was his oldest partner and best friend; they had a bond. Words didn't exist that would do their friendship justice.

He frowned.] Yeah. It's hard to really be normal without him. Even with him, in this place? These bitty wings are enough a reminder that it can't truely be normal.

[He sighed, feeling the weight of things that he had been trying to shove aside. Goemon was right; Jigen helped to balance both of them.

A small, lopsided smile did appear on his face when he saw Goemon appraising the sake. He knew the drink well enough, but was no expert. It was good enough for Lupin that the ronin approved.]

Edited 2011-12-20 05:23 (UTC)

[He verged on remarking that it was better Jigen was not here and subject to the Malnosso's sick whims - but in the wake of a four day-long battle in a bloody subterranean warzone with the Malnosso never far from his thoughts, he felt they could both do without a bit of a grim discussion, at least for the time being. He was tired, clearly; when his wounds would heal, a visit to the hot springs was in order to soothe his body and mind.]

This is high-quality sake. [Not that he expected anything less - but this happened to be less a casual observation and more a roundabout way of thanking Lupin for the kindly gesture and his good taste.]

Edited 2011-12-20 15:04 (UTC)

[He understood that it was better that Jigen wasn't there with them--it was one of the reasons he was pointedly not thinking about it. The feelings were shoved aside again. This was Christmas, and no time to be dwelling on things that he couldn't easily change.

He cast a curious look at Goemon at his comment.]

There wasn't any sake there when I visited you at the Lake House before. When did you pick it up? Finding high-quality drinks around here can't be easy!

[He frowned over his cup, gazing pointedly at the screen before cutting through perceived bullshittery as effectively as he cut through worthless objects.]

...Who else but you would enter my home and leave this?

Edited 2011-12-20 23:56 (UTC)

[He returns the gaze unflinching, trying to match the intensity of it with his own.]

Goemon. I'm crazy, but do you really think I'm crazy enough to trek down to your place just after a blizzard, digging my way through snow almost as tall as I am, just to leave a bottle of sake for you in your kitchen?

[A quizzical look flashed across his features - had he guessed wrong? - but his moment of doubt was quick to pass, and he stared flatly at Lupin as if to say, are you serious?]

This coming from a man who attempted to launch himself into the sky using a popcorn machine.

[The thought was so ridiculous that he simply couldn't help but break into a chuckle for the first time in what felt like a long time.]

[The serious demeanor cracks at the ronin's reaction. He chuckles himself, grinning at the success of his small scale prank.]

Just wanted to let you know that people were thinking about you, is all. It's good to have you back.

Mn. It is good to breathe fresh air. [And to have returned too, it went without saying. Days and nights spent in semi-darkness, at best, navigating a warren of tunnels reeking of blood had made the ordeal more exhausting than it should have been. He had missed the sun, the feeling of chilly air nipping at his skin.]

[It would be, wouldn't it? His only reference was when he was during his brief conscription into an assassins' guild with Fujiko. Even then, he helped catalyze a rebellion amongst the other unwilling members. It wasn't hopeless. It wasn't mindless fighting for a cause he didn't believe in.]

Enjoy it then, and lets hope there isn't another draft anytime soon.

[Goemon kept his answer to a grim murmur of agreement and drained his cup, his eyes dark in thought as he set it down.

He will hope less for himself and more for the sake of others, particularly for those whom had been unprepared for the bloodshed and would be haunted by it for days to come.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

3rd Turn [Action/Video] Between the 20th and the 24th

Gah, sorry, stupid little mistakes.

[Filter: Video] It's cool.

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

[Filter: Video]

no subject