redjacketthief | 5th Turn [Video/Action] Forward Dated to the 26th

[It's late at night that the video feed opens. The thief is there, not remembering proper camera etiquette again, with a finger held up to his smiling lips. "Be quiet," he seems to be asking. Not that it would save him.

While he's requesting quiet, he himself is haphazardly humming a soft, haunting melody, the title of which he will swear to the day that he dies that he doesn't know. For a man who hasn't spoken to God in years, his humming is strangely reverent.

The viewers soon realize why.

The thief removes himself from the video feed, presenting a scale replica of a cathedral that some may recognize as the forever incomplete Sagrada Familia, the magnum opus of the deceased architect, Gaudi. Done up entirely in matchsticks and glue, and delicately standing on the coffee table in front of Lupin's zebra print sofa, it is but a faint echo of the original's majesty.

Astute observers will notice something different about it--it doesn't look as incomplete as it is in real life. The thief comes back into view, smiling.

There are secrets lingering just beneath the surface of his gaze. He will say nothing that will indicate what, though.]

Beautiful, isn't it. Been feeling a little nostalgic, for some reason. I thought the Old Man would appreciate it.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

You said it yourself, he catches other criminals too.

Yea, I doubt that too. We'll figure it out. Y'know, or they'll send us home whenever their done. Either way, we just gotta make the best of it and accept that its the way of things. I think thats how the old man managed all those years.

....Is that one of those ships what travel to the stars, Lupin?

[made entirely out of matchsticks? YOU HAVE TIME ON YOUR HANDS LUPIN.]

Ah~ But, like how the Familia was Gaudi, the architect's, masterwork and preserving its secrets was my mentor's, catching me and keeping me in prison will be Pops'.

I've helped him catch a few of those criminals too. See? I'm not all bad~

[Acceptance of a cage was always a hard thing for Lupin, as Zenigata would well know. He considers these words, though--perhaps Pops understood that facet of the Old Man better than Lupin. He was, after all, the man who gave everything for the sake of his duty.]

We'll figure it out, Pops. I want my return to be by my hands, and not against my will. We'll make it humiliating for them too--how does that sound?

This counts as a hobby? I was just bored~

[He only has this time because of a few nasty debacles he's had over the last month. It was either do something with his hands, or disobey doctor's orders and risk unwilling sedation and/or bondage.]

Nope, Jack. Sorry. It's a cathedral--one that's unfinished in my world. It's funny, they've been working on it for over a century, and will likely be working on it for at least another century if they don't get their act together.

Or if they don't accidentally destroy it.

It's called the Sagrada Familia, and it's pretty special for me.

Edited 2012-02-25 14:38 (UTC)

[HNNNNNGH HOW DOES HE TALK TO LUPIN.]

....A-ah...I see...

...

It is...a shame...to be bored....

[Ugh, why is this so hard.]

...But you certainly made something amazing because of it.

[Another socially awkward person? He's been meeting a lot of those lately...]

This little thing? Thanks. It's nothing compared to the original though...

You know, you don't need to be nervous. I'm pretty nice, trained not to bite people and everything.

[akjf;ajk;ajk;a WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO HIM........]

---!!!

[He is sobbing mentally with his face in his hands.]

Y-yes...the original...it is...superb... Although it is..unfinished...when I last saw it.

[sobsobsob]

Oh? You're familiar with the Familia too? That's cool! I caught a glimpse of what Gaudi's dream was supposed to be, once. Only for a few minutes. I know models based off of the plans they managed to save exist, but...

I just wanted to do this myself.

Sounds like our worlds are similar. Arsene Lupin III, nice talking to you. What's your name?

[He's trying not to hyperventilate here. Give him a moment.]

Ho-

..Ja-

...

[Oh god, what name does he even give. /sobbing He's been doing better about being honest with people here, but it's still weird.]

...The Familia is a famous site. There are few unfamiliar with it where I am from. Your model is in excellent taste.

[HNNNNNGH.]

...It is an honor to meet you, Lupin-san.

[There is an unnecessarily long pause here as he considers what name to give.]

...My name is Japan.

Ah thanks~ Not everyone is familiar with Spanish architecture, even if it is a World Heritage Site. Thanks for the compliment, Ja--

[Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up there~!

He was talking to this guy, who liked models and knew his world.

He called himself Japan~]

[Lupin bursts out laughing at the strangeness. It was a wierd handle, to be sure!]

Cute~ What's your real name--that's a little off putting for a nickname. I've been living in Japan on and off for the last several years!

[Oh my god, Lupin is laughing at him.

Lupin. Is laughing at him.

Laughing.

At his name. Japan wants to crawl into a hole and die now, please.]

If you wish to be proper, my name is Nipponkoku in my native tongue. Jipangu is a name from other lands.

...Perhaps I should have given my human name...

[He wasn't laughing at the poor guy, just at the absurdity. He calms down at the further explanation, but it dosn't help.]

Wait. What?

[Please enlighten the poor man further--he's out of his depth here.]

Edited 2012-02-25 15:09 (UTC)

...

[Sigh.]

I suppose the best answer would be... Ah... [Actually, what is the best answer? He pauses as he considers. He's never really had to explain it before.]

I am the country of Japan. But I am separate from the land itself. I am...the physical personification of all that the Japanese culture and national identity embodies....?

Whoa, whoa. Wait--

That's the craziest thing I've heard here yet.

[But, for a man who believes in tangible fact, he had no choice but to believe that which he observed. Why would the kid lie to him, anyway?

...he's a liar himself, so he suspects everyone of attempting the same on him at some point. Still...]

But, you know? We have guys made of smoke here, and people with powers on par of gods...

It's an honor meeting you too.

...Once there were more of us here. Nations, I mean...It wasn't so strange...

[He...misses that, but he won't say it. He's pretty deadpan so it probably just sounds like he's giving away facts to support his 'I'm not crazy, please don't think I'm crazy' appeal.

Still, it's nice to have some people just swallow the truth and semi-accept it.]

The honor is mine, Lupin-san. You are a celebrity in my country. ... As I'm sure you know.

[It's strange in general, for a guy whose brushes with the supernatural are uncommon, and limited to hints usually. There were a few exceptions, but every rule has exceptions.]

I'm a celebrity everywhere I go. Greatest Thief of the Century and everything. It's pretty fun~

Your exploits are well documented, yes. I have seen your accomplices here. It is.

...

Fascinating.

Yep. Even my grandfather wasn't one to shy away from publicity. It's all a part of being a gentleman thief, really.

And most of my whole crew is here, though Goemon's been missing for a bit. I'm thinking I'll go check out the Lake House again one of these days, to check up on him. It's just not easy trekking down there with all of this ice.

Yes...France-san would tell me stories about him.

[Goemon... Japan is just sinking into his couch, staring at the book.]

If...Lupin-san needs assistance, please let me know.

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