Tag Archives: kaitouxjeanne

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Yet Another Phantom Thief || closed: whiteknighthakuba

kaitouxjeanne:

Unbothered by his closeness, she nonchalantly glanced around the room. It was filled with people who lived in the world of the wealthy. Designer suits and gowns, jewels, a general atmosphere of pompousness — this was the world she submerged herself in to gain access to a position that could more easily obtain insider information on her targets.

Jeanne looked up at him, noting his practiced touch. She smiled lazily at him and said,

“These circles are rather exclusive.. so you can imagine where invitations go for their events. But yes, I do know many of them. Why do you ask?”

Rather interesting he’s asking about people here.. people of means. Anyone here could get an expensive painting or fifty. So I wonder why he’s investigating this as if it were an /inside/ job.. Let’s steer him away from that line of thought.

Keeping up with the dance effortlessly, she laughed lightly. 

“Surely you don’t think someone here would steal it? It’s far less trouble to buy it from him and these ‘lovely ladies and gentleman’ have deep bank accounts.”

The detective chuckled, steps confident, graceful. As if he’d done this hundreds of times before – which, in truth, he had. “Of course it would be far less trouble… but that’s not really what motivates a thief now, is it?

"Certainly, if someone wanted to, they could buy a painting and sell it for, hopefully, more than they paid… That would be a broker. You could compare it to, say, a person working a regular nine-to-five to earn their paycheck. Alternatively, they could gamble at high stakes. Some people are risk takers. That is how they operate. It’s not so much the money that they’re after… it’s the thrill.”

Hakuba smiled, tilting his head at her. “I know a great number of the people present tonight, but not everyone… and not as well as I’d like for any of them. Any one of them could be one of those risk-takers. It could be someone who has the money – all that they’d ever need, and more – and still chooses to steal. There are so many reasons that  criminal could use to justify their actions… But isn’t that what makes human nature so interesting?”

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Yet Another Phantom Thief || closed: whiteknighthakuba

kaitouxjeanne:

Splash. That was the mental sound of her plans getting thrown out the window into the fountain outside. Oh outside, with its fresh night air without high society fuss and sharp, attractive detectives analyzing her every move. She admitted, he was someone she would not be opposed to spending time with.. The men around her weren’t being very interesting. And the thrill from this game of information exchanging under a veneer of flirting was rather tasty. Jeanne, darling, leave the fun after the job. Even if the job is fun.. especially if the job is fun. 

Yes, the job was fun. But a job still meant work had to be done. And hers was cut out with this calculating detective, who seemed to measure her every move. He was on the job, too. In fact, he was protecting the very painting she planned to steal the next night. And now he’d as much used a pair of cuffs on her with his proposal. The young detective found her suspicious, no question. 

But what if she strengthened that veneer? Why not flirt? The thief could deflect his suspicions if she played a harder flirting game. Granted, she’d look rather interested in him, but would that be so bad? There could be less palatable options.. And I do like my dancing and interesting men.

“I’ve caught your attention, you say? I’m honored,” she said, smiling coyly.

Playfully feigning deep thought at his proposal with her finger placed just under chain, she closed her eyes. When she opened them to look at him, there was a mischievous twinkle in them. 

“Well I suppose I shall have to take responsibility and ask you for a dance. It would be a service to my fellow ladies.” 

Jeanne placed her glass on the empty tray of a passing caterer and held a gloved hand to Hakuba with her eyes still twinkling.

“Shall we?”

With a pull of genuine regret, Hakuba set his own glass of cider on the tray without a single sip for himself. It was a bad idea to drink on the job, but worse to do so when luring a woman. At least, this early on in the game. His being a minor only further complicated things. 

So let go of the alcohol he did, and in turn took Jeanne’s hand with his own, touch gentle, but secure. 

“Of course, my lady." 

Hakuba bowed to her again, this time in a more western, theme-appropriate, and then turned to step out among the other dancers on the ballroom floor.

It was then that, as he moved into position to begin the dance step, that he began to regret wearing the sherlock getup. As flashy as it was for the media, it did add bulk and detracted from his form. A pity, that, when with such a beauty.

…but then, he was on a case. So it didn’t matter anyway. 

He waited until she was close, one of his hands moving for her side, the other keeping her hand, before leaning in to ask, quietly. "Pray tell, miss, how many of these lovely ladies and gentlemen do you know?" 

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Yet Another Phantom Thief || closed: whiteknighthakuba

kaitouxjeanne:

Her eyes widened slightly. Detective. He’s so young though? Ahh, probably another police force kid. Just when you think getting a separate body got you away from one detective’s kid, you run into another. And this one is so composed and rather a bit too familiar with this sort of game. A pity about the detective part, he’s cute. Ah well, it’s best not to play the hunting game when I’m hunting for information. Let’s smooth this off.

“You may use my first name to address me,” she said with a smile as she allowed him to kiss her hand. After he had done so, she squeezed lightly, just barely keeping a grip on the hand that had just held hers. She looked up into his eyes with her violet ones as her smile turned up playfully at sandy-haired young man.

“That beautifully explains the outfit. But it doesn’t quite illuminate on  why you’re keeping away from the ‘joys’ of the party as you seem dressed for the occasion under it.”

She gestured with her other hand to the dance floor people seemed to be gravitating towards. 

“I’m sure the ladies would miss you on the dance floor, if your manners say anything about your dancing.”

Jeanne let go of his hand as gently as she had taken hold of it.

“Why don’t you prevent that sad happening now? I’ll even stay to behold such a noble feat.” 

 If he stays, I’ll observe him. Who knows what this young Sherlock has up his sleeve. Regular lasers and traps she could do, but having a sharp detective on her tail would complicate matters. If not, then it’s about time for me to retire shortly for a stroll — for some less high society air and to go over the mapping of the area. 

So much said in such a short interaction thus far. Hakuba looked from her hand to her face and noted her eyes, wondering if violet and mystery went hand in hand. But as alluring as this Jeanne was, she couldn’t possibly compare to one who wore a matching gaze. 

The informality said so much. Jeanne was friendly. Personable. Someone that he would likely select for companionship at a normal benefit or charity event. But here, on the case, everything about her rose red flags. She was observing him, studying him, just as he did of her. Her flattery and words were persuasive, carefully chosen to spur action. 

But he would not fall prey. He would use her first name, with proper honorifics, but would not extend the same courtesy. He would flirt, but only passively. And until he was certain that she was not a threat, he would use her to garner further information from those around them. 

“Alas, miss Jeanne,” Hakuba replied with a mix of amusement and false regret. “While I can, and do, on occasion, dance… I’m not here to entertain. It’s my duty to gather details and protect what my client has asked me to. And, currently, you’ve captured my attention. So the only way that I’ll move to the dance floor is if you accompany me. I’ll leave the choice to you." 

Yes, all professional. Not self-indulgent at all. 

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Yet Another Phantom Thief || closed: whiteknighthakuba

kaitouxjeanne:

Raising an eyebrow slightly, she smiled at his answer. Seems like someone isn’t lacking in confidence. After coming closer, Jeanne could see he was dressed for the occasion as well as what under his cap. Or handsomeness. Impressive how he achieves that, while being Sherlock Holmes at a high society social function.

“I’m glad you always enjoy yourself. Life must be endlessly interesting for you,” she teased. “As for your question, my name is Jeanne, Jeanne d’Arc. And I’m sure the pleasure is all mine.”

This is definitely not his first high society function. Not with that manner. And the owner is glancing at him, every so often. And every so often, that expression gets more smug.

“May I inquire as to your name, young Sherlock?”

The tease went ignored, as did most of the lady’s more superfluous words as the detective picked through the dialogue, analyzing her tone, mannerism, and glances. Words were cheap in a place like this; body language told it all. 

Still, he bowed to her, opting for the more traditional Japanese style to keep it brief. When he rose, he reached out his hand for one of hers, if permitted.

“Certainly, Jeanne d’Arc. My name is Saguru Hakuba,” he said, moving to kiss her hand, if obtained, skipping over the formality of his middle name entirely. Then, raising his head, coy smirk in place on his lips, added: “Detective." 

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Yet Another Phantom Thief || closed: whiteknighthakuba

kaitouxjeanne:

Rays of moonlight peeked in through the arched windows of the grand ballroom. One could observe all the flowers, fancy dresses, waiters serving appetizers — all the makings of a grand party. Only one detail made it a special party. At the very end of the room, where a stage platform was set up, was a large painting of an idyllic lake scene. Curtains that had been covering it lay to the side after the revealing. One corner of the curtain was caught on the stand the owner used to reveal the painting. However, only one person had made this observation.

Our lone observer was a beautiful blonde with her long hair in an elegant updo and her slender figure emphasized in a floor-length white dress containing a revealing low back. Amidst her friends and admirers, she sipped her cider and gazed at the owner thoughtfully. 

This demon seems bolder than the usual. Having such a large scale party right before the night I announce the heist will be executed? There aren’t even an abnormal number of guards. 

The owner, a man, in addition to the usual characteristic coldness of the eyes of a possession, was looking awfully smug. 

He’s got something, some sort of trump or safety card. But what?

Jeanne scanned the rest of the room slowly. She saw no extra traps, lasers or the like. Her eyes stopped on a young man clad in what appeared to be from the book, “Sherlock Holmes”. 

Well, well. Who’s this? He’s got a competent feel to him and his eyes have a rather sharp expression for a painting-viewing party. He’s not at all dressed either. I suppose I should find out who this fellow is. Charm on~


The girl pardoned herself from the group and picked up another glass of cider from a passing waiter with a nod of thanks. Smoothly, she made her way over to the young Sherlock. When she got to him, Jeanne held out the cider to him with a smile that had charmed many.

“Enjoying the party?”

“Always,” came the answer, smooth and confident with a hint of amicable amusement in his tone. Hakuba took the cider gently, nodding his thanks, and offered a smile of his own in kind. 

Parties like this were something that he was used to. Indeed, it was rare that he went more than a couple of weeks without being dragged to one high society function or the other, particularly when home in London. Far less usual, but still not rare, was attending such a thing for work. He still wore his formals, but underneath the brown cloak and deerstalker cap which, while he acknowledged the impropriety of it, did make him stand apart from the other black suits and ties present. This is what his employer had wanted and, in truth, what he himself desired.

It was far easier to pick him out of a crowd for the lurking paparazzi that way. 

“And yourself, miss- ah, I don’t believe I caught your name. Who, may I ask, do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

She was beautiful, there was no question about that. Although he was on the case, Hakuba was not about to dismiss his own interest.