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?"