Tag Archives: thread

by

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

“In situations like this you’re suppose the take the rose and place it into your lapel like so.” Kaito chirped playfully and slipped it there himself.

“Now, care to introduce me to your lovely companion?”  He said and clapped his hands. A bouquet of Gardenia’s appeared in his arms and he offered it to Baaya. “Kuroba Kaito, its a pleasure to meet you.”

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The detective looked down at the rose on his person, then turned to watch Kaito continue on as if nothing had happened. Baaya was, of course, charmed by the performance and took the flowers with grace and gratitude. 

“Thank you, Kuroba-kun… it’s been so very long since I last saw you, but I don’t believe that we’ve ever been formally introduced.” The older woman smirked, shifting her glance from Kaito to Hakuba, who stumbled behind them, confused. “I am the young master’s governess and caretaker.”

“Baaya,” Hakuba supplied, finally catching up. “Kuroba-kun, this is Baaya. Baaya, Kuroba-kun.”

“Yes, I know. Won’t you come in?”  

by

For the Love of a Painting || kaitouxjeanne

kaitouxjeanne:

Somewhere, a bell chimed in hall’s grandfather clock, signaling the end of the hour.

Unfortunately, it did not signify the end of the conversation she was currently engaged in. Amidst her chosen circle of eligible bachelors, the experienced woman had singled out the one with the biggest ego and deepest pockets. 

“Oh and you would just love my new yacht…”

Yawn.

"Did I mention my family owns a country club over in Izu? It has a fantastic golf course..”

Groan.

Despite her perfect mask of mild interestedness, well placed “oh, is that so”s and the “how fun”s, her inner self was rolling her eyes so hard that the bored thief could practically feel them snapping from the sockets.

The chimes of the clock didn’t end the conversation for the oblivious young master Jeanne had chosen for tonight, but it did signify the start of a new hour.

It was nearing the time.

Skillfully— a slight touch to his arm, a sidelong glance — she had the young man off to entrance hall because this pretty socialite had just the most terrible headache but she’d feel oh so much better if he’d accompany her? And my, how kind of him to offer his place for rest..

The temptress had him hook, line, and sinker. When he thought she wasn’t looking, a lascivious grin would make way to his face. He thought he had her, the mysterious socialite who’d been a regular in the topics of conversations, especially those of the men. Little did he know, this socialite had purposefully left the room with him in a public way. Eye-catching as she was, more than just a few people would know Jeanne had left with a someone.. 

Pig. Young masters who are just too impressed with their wealth and good looks. His brown eyes aren’t even a nice shade. Dull, unlike.. 

Unlike his. Butterscotch-colored with a sharpness that made her catch her breath and a depth she was terrified of sinking into. Just before the thief and her cover left the grand hall, she had caught those eyes just once more. 

No, she couldn’t. Not now. More like, not ever. Shaking her head, the blonde tried to lose those thoughts of him. The action drew the other’s attention.

“Are you alright?”

As if he really cared. Smoothly taking hold of his arm, Jeanne looked back at the detective with a wink and enigmatic smile before guiding him through the doors and turning to her prey.

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The picture of a lovely, weak girl, Jeanne looked up at him through her eyelashes appealingly. Raising her hand to cover her mouth modestly, a pill was slipped between her fingers. Right on cue, the young master inhaled sharply from her actions and came closer to take her in his arms. 

As the other leaned in for a kiss, she closed her eyes to play along. At the key moment, his mouth was covered and the pill slipped in. Instantly, he slackened, drowsy and disoriented. Letting him fall at her feet, she lifted the phone that she’d nonchalantly swiped from his pockets as he fell. 

“Hello? Is this the Mizukata household? The young master seems to have drank a little too much and….”

With that, the household sent a car. As the person meant to carry the unconscious young master into the car reached them, Jeanne looked once more through her eyelashes. This time, she was a slightly embarrassed and innocent young miss. 

“If you would tell him.. I think he, well, wanted to get to know each other more and I wouldn’t breathe a word if he doesn’t. You see, I’m not supposedto talk to any man without father’s permission but he seemed so nice and I wouldn’t want to complicate things..”

The valet, more than a little acquainted with his employer’s son’s habits, privately thanked the stupid young master hadn’t gotten to this sweet young girl. 

"No, of course not. I’ll let him know when he wakes up. Enjoy the rest of your evening, miss.”

“Oh, thank you! Good evening to you as well.”

Finally, her alibi was complete. With the drug’s effects, the unconscious wouldn’t remember what happened right before passing out. What a pain, really. The thief usually didn’t have to bother, except in the rare cases. Yes, the rare cases.. Hakuba was a rare case. But even he couldn’t touch her with an alibi fortified by that household’s prestige and informal pact to keep their master’s honor — all engineered by her. 

The playful phantom thief couldn’t help that bit of taunting before, though. She wondered, as her rosary necklace let her evening gown transformed into her costume and made her way to her planned entrance point, if he would have been jealous. If she’d manage to make him burn in a different way than when she kissed him.

Would he? Ah well, I think I’m going to make him burn another way just now..

Having reached the entrance point, a white boot lifted.

The new glass ceiling of the museum was placed to have natural light highlight its main piece. It was made of specially tinted glass so as not to let the UV rays harm the painting, the new pride of the museum curator.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though he needed to find something new to take pride in as one phantom thief crashed through the ceiling. Amazingly, defying human capabilities, the thief landed gracefully just a few yards from the painting. 

The ground glittered beneath Jeanne, the glass reflecting the light of the full moon. Interestingly, the glitter matched the spark in the thief’s eyes that could be seen as she straightened up.

“Reincarnated to seal evil born from darkness… Kaitou Jeanne! In the name of Kami-sama, I have appeared.”

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Game start!

Yes, Hakuba had seen her leave, and yes, he had burned. With anger, with jealousy, with something else entirely and he forced a hateful smile as he saw that man lead her from the stage. Play your game, Miss d’Arc… Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see the entirety of your performance. 

He lied to himself, of course. Yes, he wanted to see what she could do; despite his interest in homicide, it seemed that he always collected the most interesting of thieves to deal with. She was certainly one of them, easily in the top three… 

The detective forced himself to relax his posture, hands unclenching from his sides as he went about his work, investigating everyone else on the floor. Soon, soon… 

And a little while later, it was time. The sound of glass with a thundering crescendo – the call of the woman’s voice. Hakuba tensed, muscles coiled, and sprang from the champagne server with fierce focus, weaving through the crowd to get to that painting – the object he was sworn to protect. 

by

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito turned at the voice and found his small content smile grow just a bit more. Hakuba looked … rushed? Was that a red mark on is forehead? The offered hand was new. Tucking the helmet under his arm he reached out to take his hand then at the last minute twisted his wrist and a white rose popped forth. “Thank you for inviting me. Your grounds are amazing.”

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The unexpected turn of events left Hakuba staring at Kaito’s hand, the offered rose, and his own hand just hanging there. What was he supposed to do? He’d never been given a flower before. Was this appropriate? Did he accept it? Was it for him? There was no one else there but Baaya, waiting in the house. The smile faded as Hakuba puzzled over the action, staring, flushed all over again.

White rose, white rose… innocence? What did that imply? 

His gaze travelled from the offering to Kaito’s face, then back down again, so very, very lost and so very suddenly. It had only taken seventeen seconds, give or take a fraction, for all of his good breeding and manners to completely fail him. 

“Ah…” was the only sound that he was able to desperately draw from himself.

“Invite your guest inside, Young Master,” Baaya called from the doorway. “Dinner will be served momentarily.”

Hakuba blinked, looked up at Kaito’s face again, and very slowly lowered his hand in helpless despair. “…Thank you?" 

by

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

The bike purred under him like a large cat. Sleek, black and powerful. The heat from the engine warmed his thighs as he rode on. The manor’s drive was long and, thank the Gods, paved. As he came around to the front he slowed and sat for a minute. He had to admire this place with its elegant style and beautiful grounds. He shifted the bomber’s jacket sleeve up to glance at his watch. Seven minutes to spare. He smiled under the helmet and brought the bike closer and out of the way in case anyone else need to come through. Shutting off its engine he began to pull off the helmet while looking around the front grounds.

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Oh.

Oh. 

Somehow, Hakuba hadn’t known that Kuroba had a motorcycle. Despite all of his research and near-stalking, it hadn’t come up. He found himself staring at the beautiful piece of machinery, letting out a soft breath as the equally beautiful creature dismounted and pulled off his helmet, wild hair waving in the-

“Young Master.” Baaya’s voice came from behind him, startling him from his thoughts. “The door?”

Hakuba blinked at her, eyes wide, fingers fumbling together as he stumbled toward for the knob. “Right! Yes! Of course!” Then he halted, taking a deep breath and reached up to adjust his collar and tie, composing himself.

“A motorcycle… this isn’t your usual type, Young Master…”

The detective glanced at her over his shoulder, lips pinching again, eyes narrowed. “Baaya… I don’t have a ‘usual type,’ if you recall, I haven’t dated in some odd years and this is just my former classmate come to vi-”

“My word, is that Kuroba-kun? He’s grown into quite the handsome young man. Bless me, just look at him.”

Hakuba leaned over to peek out of the side glass again, doing as requested with utter obedience. “…Well. Yes. Yes, he has.” Biting his lip, he looked back at Baaya, suddenly paling at the cheshire grin that greeted him. “….Baaya.”

“Well, go on! Greet your guest, be a good host. You don’t want the Mistress to be disappointed, go go~!”

The older woman pushed at his back and Hakuba, anxious as he was, dug his heels into the marble flooring. Despite the size and weight difference, however, he was no match for his governess, who he thought might have been able to move mountains if so determined. 

Resigned, he straightened up and took another breath before pulling the door open to be wide and inviting, stepping out onto the concrete landing and down the couple of steps to the drive. Right, don’t muck this up…

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He forced the smile that he used for magazines and strode up to him with every bit of confidence that his training could muster, offering a hand to shake. The game was on. “Kuroba-kun! So glad that you could make it!" 

by

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito’s morning had started nearly the same way except at three when he woke from a traditional nightmare. Unable to do his morning run thanks to the promise he made to Hakuba he had gone down stairs to work on cracking safe locks and some of the more minors move to some of the martial arts he knew. That lasted till eight when his stomach demand food or swallow the lock pick wedge in between his teeth. He made a simple light breakfast of fruit, toast and orange juice and read the morning paper.

After he cleaned his dishes he played with Keena a bit and tried to train Shiori who was still not happy with his nest being moved four days earlier. Even the extra treats and scritches didn’t help. He gave up and allowed the dove to pout about the house.

At ten he got dressed into a pair of jeans and a form fitting shirt. Snagging a jacket he went out for a walk and something to kill time till he got to see Hakuba again. During their time apart he really got to think about what had happened and at night … well he really wish he hadn’t gone celibate. There was a lot pent up and four nights to dream. He had shook his head and ignored those feelings again. Hakuba was becoming a friend, someone he really needed and wanted in his life. He didn’t want to tarnish his image like that.

The Blue Parrot, Jii’s last memento to him was silent and dark. He slipped into the back and unlocked the door. The bar was warm and welcoming even in the dark. There were smells of last night and the blood where he cut his finger with a broken bottle marred the usually spotless floor. He had gotten so lost in his thoughts about Hakuba again for the third day and didn’t pay attention when the slick chilled bottled slipped out of his hand. It had knocked against the counter and when he went to catch it ended up with a hand for of Sapporo and glass. 

Walking over it he moved to the underground cellar where the wines were held. He felt a bit bad for taking one from here but he did own Blue now so maybe he could indulge a bit in that expensive wine the detective always liked. Going with his gut he snagged a bottle of Domaine de Santa Duc. Something Jii had picked up in the UK when he had gone. He had no idea if it was good or not. 

When he got back to his house he had an hour and a half. Back up the stairs he went, showered, stood staring at his closet trying to decide between a dark purple button down with silver pin stripes or a powdered blue plaid button down to go under the dove grey v-necked sweater. He went with the blue one and choose a pair of well worn and well loved jeans that was faded in the perfect stress points. He had rolled up the sleeves to the sweater and shirt, banded his wrists with brown leather and black string, put a strip of leather around his throat and a simple silver sapphire faced watch.

 The last of his attire was a simple dark brown leather jack and a sleek black helmet. He placed the wine in a temperature bag and settled that into a canvas back pack. Wallet and phone vanished into his pockets and his keys were snagged off a hook by the door. Quickly and slightly too excited he mounted his bike and started towards Hakuba manor with a half hour to spare.

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Hakuba ended up pacing between the front door to the kitchen, then to the dining room, and back in a wide arc- impressive for an area where all three were connected by the same small stretch of hallway. Baaya laughed, putting a hand on his shoulder to direct him back down the hallway, asking him to fetch the light blue cloth napkins from the supply closet. 

He nodded, hurrying along down the corridor with anxiety nipping at his heels. Kuroba would be there any moment. Any moment. And here he was, fetching linens! What was wrong with the sage, anyway? Hakuba checked his pocket watch as he walked, pace brisk, then looked at his wristwatch, frowning. Only eight minutes remaining… no, seven… seven minutes, thirty two – thirty one, thirty…

The detective pulled the requested napkins from the closet, lips in a pinched frown of irritation. He had more important things to worry about than this, especially when things had already been perfect! Or had they? He considered, looking down at the cloth in his hands. Was light blue really the way to go? It did go with Kid, perhaps, but perhaps white was better… White and blue? He could mix and match, that way-

No! That would give too much away! He’d been entrusted with the secret, had it confirmed, and he was going to KEEP it a secret until his grave, as he had always planned! Furiously, he stuffed the napkins back in the closet and searched for the taupe ones. That was neutral. That was safe. Did he need to change the tablecloth to match? No; it was white. But was that too much like the thief’s billowing cape? 

Sighing, he leaned his head against the shelf in the closet. As if Baaya would know. As if anyone would put it together. As if anyone would even care– it was a stupid dinner. Dinner and drinks with a friend. It wasn’t a big deal. It was silly. Ridiculous. He didn’t even know if Kuroba were really coming and here he was, debating over napkins! 

Groaning, bumped his head again, hefted another sigh, leaned more of his weight on the shelf in despair. Had he still been a child, he’d have crawled into the closet, burrowed behind the towels, and never come out again. It actually did look like a comfortable spot; just the right size and depth for his younger self. Warm, safe, and hidden. If only he were…

“Young Master… I think your guest is nearly here.”

Hakuba pulled himself away from the closet and looked all the way down the hall, forgetting about the napkins entirely. “O-oh! Be right, ah, be right there!”

Closing the closet doors, he hurried back down the hall, almost breathless by the time he reached the front area, pulling back the little sheer curtains from the glass in the entryway to peer out into the drive. Did he look overeager? Perhaps, but surely Kuroba wouldn’t notice. It was just Baaya’s snickering that made him blush. 

“Shhh! Baaya!” Hakuba hissed, watching.

“Young Master… he won’t be able to hear you from here.

He paused. "J-just… hush!" 

by

DATE-O START! || akaikujixyaku

akaikujixyaku:

                    “And you trust me enough to, perhaps, be your privy? You really are well-versed in the art of making a girl like me blush, Hakuba-sama, on top of all else.” Her cheeks would be rosy the whole day, no doubt, but at least, by the moment they were entering, she had settled into a very contented comfort in his presence— fluttering heart just calmed enough to better enjoy the whole of their excursion. (If he didn’t think she would notice his paying for both of their respective fees to enter, he was quite mistaken- she would simply take note of it for later and pay him back indirectly— absolutely dreadful at accepting gifts, she was).

“Literary in the fairy tale sense?— Consider my interest thoroughly piqued!”
                     Was he a writer?
                                          It wouldn’t surprise her in the slightest to find out that he was-  he seemed like a man well-lent to poetry and prose, especially the more beautiful crafts of it. He’d probably studied Yates, and Frost; could be quizzed on Poe to more than relative success…

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                     His gesture and cheer brought a grin to pull at her cheeks even as her thoughts meandered. A chuckle hummed past soft, painted lips. "Tragically, the dinosaurs are a branch of the museum I have failed to frequent as of late- I hope you’ll be able to share with me all of your favorite facts, Hakuba-sama.”

To say that she was enjoying this luck-of-the-draw-date would be an incredible understatement.

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Honestly, were it not for detective work and the promise of raising horses in retirement, Hakuba really might have looked more seriously into writing for his career. He did enjoy journalism, as may have been evident by the continued ruse throughout their date, and the company he kept among writers was certainly some of his most cherished. Emi, of course, being included in that.

“Well, to be honest,” he said, flashing another broad grin with teeth, brows lifting in mock humility. “I don’t know nearly as much about dinosaurs as I do about making beautiful ladies blush, but I do think that they rather resemble something else that I am… or at least was… quite knowledgeable in.”

He led her through the hall, past display and diorama of various species; skeletons and paintings all meticulously maintained and positioned to recreate their supposed environments. And, just before the giant t-rex, he swept his arm out in a grand gesture.

“Tyrannosaurus Rex…. one of my personal favorites. They say that they evolved into various species of bird over time, as I’m sure you’re aware, and may have actually had feathers themselves…” Hakuba then pointed over a group of life-sized model raptors. “Such as those. But my personal theory… and bare with me here, Himura-san…" 

Hakuba leaned in close to her, holding a hand up to keep what he whispered next between them. "I believe that at least a small portion of them, perhaps several, evolved into the dragons of the world.”

Then he held his breath, watching her oh-so-closely for her reaction. 

by

The Meaning of the Monocle

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The dawn of the fourth day, Thursday, March 27th, found one Hakuba Saguru up early to prepare. First it was jogging, which had become a daily ritual without school to get in the way, then a shower, and finally breakfast with tea. Once the newspaper had been scoured, the detective checked all of his messages, called into the station, and prepped his paperwork for next week’s cases over more tea. 

He drove through Tokyo traffic to deliver the case files and stopped for a light lunch with his father, who couldn’t make it, then stopped by a bookshop before finally going to the grocer for some last minute items for the evening. The cook had already begun the roast hours beforehand, but he was going to make dessert himself, for which his fairly particular tastes required personal selection.

Three hours to go. The mansion was spotless, the dining room set, the wine selected and chilled, and the chocolate cake cooling. When Baaya asked what he was going through so much trouble for, he simply shrugged and offered a helpless, “Mum raised me to be a good host, Baaya. That’s all.”

Ten minutes to, Hakuba straightened his tie, looking himself over in the floor-length mirror on the inside of his closet door. He looked fine, of course. He always did. There was nothing to be nervous about; simply meeting a friend for dinner and drinks, something long overdue for classmates. Kuroba had been his only friend, really, and even then they hadn’t been particularly close…  Hakuba sighed, shut the closet door, and nearly tripped over one of his handful of moving boxes scattered about his bedroom floor. 

None of them were packed or sealed except one next to the book case; books were always the easiest to pack as they fit into boxes and stacked so neatly. Even then, he’d had to open and reseal it twice already to get at books he’d wanted to reread in his empty evenings. 

It wasn’t as if he knew where he was going yet, either. For all he knew, he was staying in Ekoda for the foreseeable future. The thought made him wince, but he brushed it off and left the room to begin the trek to the front of the house. He didn’t want to be mussed when his guest arrived, hopefully, right on time… 

by

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito nodded and let his hand fall to his side. “In four days then.”

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Another laugh. “Thursday, March 27th…” Hakuba shook his head and went for the door, letting himself out. “Ja, Kuroba-kun." 

There was a certain thrill in being so informal with his former classmate. Though it raised plenty of red flags, Hakuba felt pleased. For every step forward, they’d taken several back. But still, every venture, even unspoken, couldn’t be taken back, and they had begun to chip away at something… 

Only time would tell exactly what that something was. 

by

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

“I’ll try … Oh, and Hakuba.”  He smiled that lopsided tooth grin and barely brushed his hand over the others. “Thank you.”

At the door, Hakuba slipped his sandals on, barely noticing the hand contact. He glanced down, anyway, then back up at Kaito with a quirking smile of his own. “It was my pleasure, Kuroba-kun. See you soon." 

by

At Any Cost || themoonlightthief

((Debated, then decided to put it all behind a cut, ha ha ha~))

themoonlightthief:

Ragged, shallow breaths were the only thing filling the silence stretching thickly through the dark, cold room – apart from the faint buzzing deep within one of the corners, but Kaito tried not to think about that, pushing the sound to the back of his mind to the very best of his abilities. If he continued listening, if he focused on that—

He choked on a cry, body stiffening and eyes clenching shut. His fingers, smeared with his own blood, dug into his scalp as he pressed himself further against the wall, another whimper and strangled sob leaving his raw throat at the burning electricity flaring through his nerves as he further agitated his wounds.

Stupid stupid stupid

If only he’d said ‘no’, if only he’d listened to that faint voice in the back of his head, if only he hadn’t been so stupid and naive—

Another shiver wracked through his bloodied frame and he knew he was cold and he knew it was bad and he knew he needed help – help please someone I can’t do this I can’t I can’t I can’t someone help me please – but the voices chanting in his mind, over and over

‘Pathetic’

‘Worthless’

‘Stupid’

‘Whore’

was drowning everything else out, numbing his senses of everything but the hollow feeling spreading through his entire being.

Worthless stupid tainted unworthy pathetic idiot naive fool child what’s the point stay why don’t you stay close your eyes it’s fine it doesn’t matter no one cares they shouldn’t why would they just stay it’s better if you just—

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Kaito could hear another buzzing join the first- it was faint, so, so faint and far away – and it sounded once, twice, three, four times, before dying away completely. He knew what it was. He’d heard it a thousand times before and it was enough to make a glimmer of something akin to hope – but it was so incredibly faint, barely visible and there at all unless one knew where and how to look – flicker in his chest along with a cold sense of panic, horror and dread and Kaito slowly opened his eyes, gaze hazily flickering in the direction of where the sound had come.

help me

Never before had Hakuba broken so many traffic laws in one stretch, but he didn’t care. Every time his calls went to voicemail, he added another 3.5 miles per hour to his speed, and it was only his experience and the adrenaline rush that kept him crashing into other cars instead of swerving around them. 

Once on scene, he parked his car – very illegally – as close as he possibly could to the store in question, slapped the ‘official police business’ declaration in the window, and leapt to retrieve his medical field bag. It was then a jog to Conan, who waited at the very edge of the glass store front, staring down any onlookers with extreme prejudice.

It was his presence – the young, innocent child with the death glare – that kept the public mostly at bay. Could they look in on the horrors with a kid there? Especially one intent on snapping if anyone got too close. Not that it didn’t stop them from trying, wanting to lead him away… but, fortunately, Hakuba got there first. 

“He’s with me. Official police business. Please be on your way.” Hakuba’s badge was only a consultant’s, but the seal was legitimate, and worked well enough on the lay person. Heavy duffel over one arm and black police windbreaker on his person, the detective asserted his quasi-authority to take control of the scene. 

Despite his previous statement, Hakuba changed his mind as soon as they found the entry point, glancing into the dark. He heard the rasping breaths, the quiet electric hum, and glanced down at the boy at his side. “Go home, Conan-kun.”

“Like hell." 

Hakuba blinked, brows furrowing at the response. ”…You’ve done your part; I’ll take over.“

"Oi, stop wasting time. Let’s move.”

Conan pushed past Hakuba without another word, leaving the blond to chase after. With a flick of his wrist, he had the flashlight activated on his watch, scanning the area for something, anything – persons, traps, instruments of torture, splashes of blood… 

The tension had them both on edge, and as they ventured further, Hakuba shifted his firearm from left to right hand, ready. He kept watch above, eyes adjusting to the dark while his little companion scoured the floor, both listening, waiting.