kaitouxjeanne:

Mentally keeping track of where his hand was, she laughed and said, “How kind of you to say so, but you give me far too much credit. I am but a simple girl who likes her fun.“

Keeping her violet eyes on his dark brown ones, she smiled sweetly at him. Well almost sweet; if there wasn’t a subtle, wicked and playful gleam in her eyes. Jeanne let her gloved hand slide slowly from his shoulder to just before his elbow, feeling a hint of the strength in his arm despite the many layers. Oh, nice. 

"Perhaps my goal is to attract just the one?”

Vaguely, she heard the number come to an end. The orchestra conductor announced that they would be taking a break and the other dancers began to disperse around them. Well this was.. interesting. 

Jeanne herself took a step away from Hakuba, just slightly out of reach. She gave him a teasing smile that was almost wistful.

“Though tonight seems not the night. The dance was lovely, and I thank you for your company. I mustn’t keep you any longer, but perhaps I could if we were to meet again.. Though I suppose one can only hope." 

Such a shameless tease.  He liked that very much.

Hakuba smiled as he watched her step away, taking the hint at present, filing away all of the information he’d gathered for later. 

"For both of our sake, I hope that we do meet again very soon, Miss Jeanne." 

The detective bowed, sweeping and gentile, before straightening up. The smirk that he wore after was not unlike a hound who’d just discovered the trick the fox used to get into the hen house. All he had to do was bide his time. But did he really know something, or was he merely being coy? 

Instead of delaying further, he nodded once, and moved to return to the outside ring of the room… path headed for the painting.

kaitouxjeanne:

Oh my. That felt a little more pleasant than expected. Looks like young Sherlock is pretty good at this game.

Whether it was the alcohol earlier, their exchange, the exertion from dancing, or whatever excuse besides him having an effect on her, a very faint pink rose crept into her cheeks. Feeling the soft heat from her face, she turned her head during a twirl to look once again at the balcony in longing. Why is this dance floor so cursedly far away from the balcony?

Shaking her head at herself mentally, Jeanne looked back towards him with a playful smile. “Yes, questionable. What with your young Sherlock appearance and how you’ve managed receive my vague compliment without appearing conceited and direct it back towards me. Bravo, by the way.“

It looked as though she needed to stick it out during this dance. Not that she was complaining — it was fun to talk to the charming young man. A suspicious one, too. However, it didn’t seem he was particularly suspicious of her.. More at ease, she once again stepped in closer than the dance asked and looked up at him with a wicked grin this time.

"Hmm.. so I’m like everyone but a ‘darling’ nonetheless. How fun, you’re like this dance — twirling away the partner and bringing her close. And equally practiced at both arts.”

The compliments pleased the detective, who kept up the smile, the dance, and his exuberant confidence with ease and finesse. Hakuba liked that wicked grin of Jeanne’s; it made her far more interesting than the rest of the patrons on the dance floor, though he knew that he could not keep his attention on her forever. Doing so would likely upset his client, even though he was learning so, so much about this mysterious woman and the others around her in doing so.

“Miss Jeanne, you’re truly a master of imagery. I’m glad to hear that my efforts are effective, but you must know that it only betrays your intellect. I dare say that there are only a handful of people in this room that could compare to your observational skills and quick turn of phrase." 

His hand pulled against the small of her back again, gently, before sliding to her hip. 

"If you’re not careful, you’re certain to attract an entourage of admirers… but perhaps that is your goal.”

“

kaitouxjeanne:

Perceptive. In the past, the police had ever only gone so far as to investigate those who had a known grudge against the owners of her targets. In fact, the only attention she got from the police in these instances was an appreciative glance or two due to her appearance — if she even allowed herself to be seen by them. But young Sherlock here was living up to the name by suspecting virtually anyone and everyone. Including, of course, her.

Inwardly, the blonde groaned. The prospects are just looking better and better.. When it seemed he wasn’t looking, she shot a longing glance to the balcony. Slipping away from events for air outside on the balcony or from a stroll in the gardens of an event venue was common practice for her.

And the idea of getting as much air as possible between them seemed to becoming a wiser plan with every passing moment. As attractive and charming as the detective was, Jeanne would rather not have him coming on to her — at least, not her identity. Cough. Sharpen up, you’re still information-hunting. Not entertainment-hunting.

Eyes wide with mock reproach, she said, “My, you wound me. To think that I am suspect, if that is indeed what you’re implying.”

The look was wiped as she smiled dazzlingly at him. “I am guilty, however, with the risk of overfilling my closet and..” Here she stepped closer than the dance required to, smiling impishly up to him.

”..I suppose, speaking to questionable, attractive men?” 

“Questionable?” Hakuba asked, giving his own charming smile – a lopsided, playful smirk. The closer she got, the more focus the detective gave her, one hand moving to the small of her back to hold her there against him, where she’d put herself. “Oh, come now… Attractive, yes, but that is only to compliment your beauty.”

Wait, she didn’t want him to come onto her? Oops.

The detective pulled her through the next steps of the dance, sweeping along the marbled floors with precision and poise. Away from the balcony.

“And, please… everyone is a suspect; it’s hardly anything personal, my darling." 

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. 

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." 

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.