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Penacony, the land of the dreams, a place where several people from different planets flock to get away from it all. As if the issues will vanish in reality. They should know that it will forever linger there. Waiting for them. Perhaps, the potential second reason they are folking here, is to endlessly search for their dreams that were buried long ago. Hoping that they are to fulfill it.
Aventurine badly wants to laugh at their expense for contending such ideas. Once the veil has been pierced to see what the families are truly up to. He doesn’t doubt anyone would desire to reside in Penacony a moment longer. However, he needs to focus on the task at hand assigned by Diamond.
He let out a small sigh, lifting himself up from the dreampool. Looking down and being remotely impressed that his clothes aren’t drenched from the water. Turning on the earpiece, there was only silence. It was quite nice. He can get used to this. Perhaps Topaz, his assigned partner for the mission, was occupied doing something- “Are you finally in?”
He spoke too soon.
“Of course I did~ Are you doubting my capabilities, Topaz?” A soft laugh emanated from him when he finished. As there is a silent desire to lower the volume on the earpiece or, more ideally, mute it. But alas, not even his luck can spare him from her for missions.
She groans, “I’m not… Do you want a brief reminder on what you’re doing or not?”
“Nope,” he pops the ‘p’ sound. “I do need you to guide me to the auction house.” He departs from his room, heading down to the hotel’s lobby. Keenly listening to Topaz’s instructions as she guides him through the dreamscape. It was not that far. The auction house was hidden in one the dead ends of the Golden Hour.
He opens the door, taking in the environment surrounding him. Overall, the auction house looked utterly boring in his opinion. Nothing truly extraordinary and very well exaggerated by the people. He has seen similar appearances in his previous missions. The one thing that the auction house had going for it was the very open and lacked windows. “Do you see any one?” She asked.
He scanned the room under his eyes, laid on the only other person in the room. “It’s just a kid.” He answered in a hush tone. “He seems to be a worker here.” The boy had light blue hair that was tied in a ponytail with a black ribbon as he wore a black and blue outfit. He seemed to be busy cleaning the exterior of the glass case with a rag. Not yet noticing the latter’s presence.
“Go ask him about the schedule.”
He hums in agreement then whispers, “Will do. I’m going to mute you now, bye!” He turns off the earpiece before the other stoneheart could utter another word. He is aware that the other stoneheart is going to be upset towards him later. However, that is an issue for his future self.
The blond took a few steps forward, maintaining a good healthy distance from the boy. “Excuse me, do you have any knowledge on the auction that is taking place tonight?”
The shorter stopped what he was doing as he turned around, smiling, “I do! Ask away, I’ll do my best to answer your question.”
“Is there a preview period?”
The boy nods, “There is one happening however it’s not written down on the flyer. It starts at 6 p.m. on the dot! The period lasts for two hours. There is a thirty minute break before the bidding truly starts.”
“Thank you. That is all I needed to know. May you have a good one.”
“You too, mister!” Aventinure waves to the boy as he leaves the auction house. Two hours is all the time he needs to do everything.
| —- [ ♣ | ♦ | ♥ ] —- |
People mingled amongst each other as they viewed the several artifacts displayed for tonight’s auction. Aventurine leisurely walked around the perimeter of the auction house. Feigning interest in the artifacts so he didn’t look suspicious when people came to chat.
The lack of security for this auction is evident. Understandably so as this was an open one. People came and left as they pleased. While the few guards that were present, were really adamant in protecting artifacts that the IPC had no interest in as they have no connections to THEM or the IPC’s history.
A statue displayed in one of the various podiums certainly did catch the thief’s attention. The “price of peace” was the name given to it. The welcoming of a second prosperity since the swarm disaster. This should take no time to steal with the device that was provided for the mission and the use of his cornerstone to escape. A loud static emanated from his ear piece, “Are you ready Aventurine?”
“I think you know the answer to that Topaz.” He quietly murmurs.
He smiles knowing that the latter is rolling her eyes at his comment, “The lights will go in 3…”
He puts his hand inside of his coat.
“2…”
He grabs his pistol grip ready to start a commotion.
“1…”
The lights go out and shots fire. Panic ensues.
As the crowd make their desperate attempts to leave the auction house in the dark. Aventurine places the chip on to the statue as he watches it shrink to the fifth of its size. He snatches it off the podium. Then took his leave through one of the openings.
—
Aventurine was uncertain what possessed him to come back.
He was never the type of person that returns to the crime scene.
Yellow tape was plastered all over the entrance of the auction house. Bloodhounds littered all over the area. He took a step closer near the tape as he looked around, pretending to be concerned.
“Sorry Sir. No one is permitted to go beyond this area. A female Halovian with lopsided short blond hair explained.
“What happened, officer? Why are there so many Bloodhounds here?” Aeons, he hates playing clueless.
“There was a theft that took place in this building. We are still investigating the area for more clues.”
“Is the Golden Hour going to be safe? What if they strike again?”
“The safety of Penacony is our utmost priority, sir. We’ll do our best to stop this before it escalates further.” They better act fast because he has no intention in stopping his antics. He is willing to raise the stakes if it’s necessary.
“Thank you, officer. Hope you’re able to catch this criminal soon.”
“If you see anything suspicious. Please do not hesitate to reach out.” She takes something out of her pocket as she presents it in front of him. It was a card to contract her. He graciously takes it. ‘Assistant Officer Siobhan’ was written on the card along with her number. He begins to open his mouth to thank her, but loses his words when he notices a tall male exiting the auction house.
The man was absolutely stunning.
Everything about the man seemed too good to be true. Red and gold colored eyes that only pop out more due to the red eyeliner, violet wavy locks were adorned by a golden lapel, his gaze gradually lowered. Temptation getting the best of him to admire this person even- “Are you alright sir?”
He snaps out of it, focusing his attention towards the concerned Bloodhound officer.“Ah! Yes, I’m okay! I should get going…Thank you for everything, officer!” He stammers, quickly turning around to leave. He briefly wonders for a moment if he can ask Topaz to obtain more information on him.
| —- [ ♥ | ♥ | ♥ ] —- |
Aventurine lets a couple of days pass for everything to settle down before he’s at it again. He managed to land himself with a museum's tour group. The guide kept going on and on about topics the stoneheart could care less about as he took the opportunity to observe the area while tuning out the guide. For the grand size of the museum, there were few escape routes that he could take in the main area. In addition to the increase of security going to be present at night.
He hadn’t been able to locate the depiction of THEIR ascension during the Dusk Wars that Diamond wants in the museum displayed out in the open. He concluded that it must be in the storage area or the room that’s under maintenance after a bit more walking around with the group. Betting that the painting was located in the former rather than the latter.
A familiar violet haired male catches his attention. The latter was lending against a wall reading the book in his hand. There was no hesitation to leave the tour group to approach the man instead. He put on his best smile for him, “Hello there~.”
The violet haired male flicked his gaze towards him before returning back to his book, “Do you want anything?”
“Not in particular, however, would you mind entertaining my idea for a chat?” He needs to find more information as the violet haired main had no associations with any of the family.
He closes the book he was reading, “I don’t see the harm in idle chatter.”
“Lovely~ Are you enjoying your stay in Penacony? The views here are quite nice.”
“I’m not here for sightseeing.” Aventurine knows that fact very well considering that he was present after the crime was committed.
“What a true shame that you are not able to enjoy your experience here in Penacony.” He sighed to add dramatic effect.
“Not really.”
“You mentioned you’re waiting, are you meeting up with someone?”
“He should be arriving here soon.” He? Perhaps he’s meeting with the chief officer Gallegher to discuss matters…
“I’ll get going then, it was nice talking to you… um…” The realization dawns on him that they never introduced themselves to each other. Seems that the latter noticed as well.
“Ratio. Detective Veritas Ratio, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” The detective extends his hand.
He briefly thinks about how to respond, “Aventurine.” He doesn’t waste any time in accepting the handshake. “I’ll be seeing you around?”
“Certainly.” Aventurine would be concerned if he didn’t.
“Goodbye detective.”
—
He takes careful strides along the grand museum’s roof in the night. According to Topaz, the storage area was located in the back. The means of escape were worse there than in the main building with all windows being set up so high.
Leaning over to have a full view of one of the windows. He summons two of his dice, he places them near the ledge of the window in order to have space to stand. He hops down onto them as he grabs the circular glass cutter from his bag. Once he manages to cut the glass into a circle. He puts it aside as he places his hand behind the glass. So it doesn’t fall the wrong way when he finishes cutting the border.
He steps on to a tall statue that was set near the window and effortlessly makes way down from there. He didn’t need to search for long for what he was looking for. The painting was propped up against one of the shelves. He kneels down, chip in hand, as he places it on the painting.
“Halt,” A familiar voice sternly says. Aventurine was close to stopping, but then smiled behind his mask once he realized who it was. He never expected the detective to be so brazen to point a gun at him.
“My, what a greeting… Hello detective~ I should have known that the Bloodhounds would have had someone stationed here. I didn’t expect it to be you” He activates the chip and the painting shrinks in front of them.
“I recommend ceasing all further actions for this to resolve peacefully, thief.”
“No can do, detective.” He picks up the miniature painting off the floor as he slowly stands up, “I am on a mission I cannot afford to lose. Besides, you don’t seem like the type of person to shoot someone.”
“You’re correct, five points for that thief.” Before Aventurine knew it, the detective’s pistol was thrown towards him colliding with his mask. Knocking off the blonde’s hat off as a result. “I prefer the use of non lethal methods.”
“You just threw your gun at me. How are you going to protect yourself now, detective?”
“It was a fake gun. I normally have this on hand.” The detective pulls out a small gray cylinder that seems to remesle chalk…? “It will have the same amount of voltage as a taser when it comes in contact with you.”
“Very deadly chalk, got it. You are one odd person, detective. I quite like it, it adds to your charm.”
“You are free to blabber more when you’re behind bars.”
“I would prefer not to end there. It’s not my kind of place.” Aventurine quickly retrieves his hat as he bolts away from the detective. Using his ability to summon poker chips to destroy every window in sight as he avoids the chalk being thrown at him. With the help of using the shelves as a boost to help him up. He manages to reach one of the windows to make his escape. In addition to blowing the dear detective a kiss with the price of nearly getting hit by one of the chalks.
| —- [ ♣ | ♣ | ♣ ] —- |
The thief becomes bolder and bolder with his actions as the days go on. Resulting the families to be more determined and frustrated to put this situation to an end.
The latest crime scene was in Sir Whittaker’s estate. Gallegher and he spoke to the Nightingale family head temporarily before they went inside to investigate. Ratio attempted to find the logic behind the break into the head’s house for a small divine amber piece. They did discuss the possibility of the IPCs involvement. However, that would lead to the fact that one of the members from that infamous group managed to snuck in without anyone noticing.
There was a note pinned in the wall by a poker chip that was lodged. It didn’t take much effort to remove the chip as he grabbed the note under it. “ Tomorrow, one final gamble where it all began.” The note stated. Ratio doesn’t believe it for one second, the thief has no reason to reveal his location. There must be something up his sleeve if he is revealing information this easily.
Then he sees it.
There was an additional note along with it that was now on the floor. Ratio bends down to grab it.
…
..
.
“Meet me at Clockie Studios Theme Park at 10 p.m. tomorrow, Detective.”
—
Ratio stares at the entrance of the theme park. There was no one here. A part of him desires to leave the place and inform the rest of the Bloodhounds on the thief’s true location, but the other half couldn’t help but to be curious on where this might lead to. Trap or not he desires to know what the latter has planned.
He lets out a sigh before going further inside towards the center of the theme park.
The thief was nowhere in sight. He should have expected this. The latter must have wanted to waste his time in order to- “I am glad you were finally able to make it detective.” The thief says from behind him.
“How long have you been here?”
“Not for long, I barely arrived. Now detective, are you willing to hear me out on an offer?”
“... Proceed.”
“Lovely, what are your thoughts on joining me?”
“You want me to join the IPC?”
“Not exactly, it’s a faction that is partially related to the IPC due to its funding, but we don’t have full influence. It’s a place where you are able to research freely and trade knowledge amongst each other. Considering you seem interested in learning. It doesn’t seem like a bad offer to you. What do you say, detective?”
“Fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that, detective. You don’t know how happy it makes me to know that you are willing to join.” The thief takes off his mask.
“You’re the-”
“Yes, I’m the person you met from the museum. I was fascinated and tried to see what type of person you were. I truly couldn’t help myself, but to approach you. The powers of a cornerstone is truly fascinating.” Aventurine smiles. “Now detective, are you ready to wake up?” The blond extends his hand towards him.
Ratio stood there frozen in place.
He was uncertain on what to do, but his feet began to have a mind of its own and started to walk towards him. As he cautiously grabbed his hand. “I’m ready.”
“Perfect. Now what we are about to do won’t hurt at all.” The thief takes a step back dragging the detective and him to plummet to the ground.
| —- [ ♠ | ♠ | ♠ ] —- |
Ratio jolted awake as he frantically looked around the area. He was back in reality. He leaned against the dreampool attempting to regain his composer once more. A surge of questions came into his mind: Why did he still approach Aventurine knowing what the latter had planned? Why didn’t he step away? Why didn’t he prevent both of them from-
“Detective~ Would you be so kind as to open the door for me?” A familiar voice asked through the other side of the room. Quickly followed by some light knocks. When did Aventurine know where he was staying? Ratio doesn’t recall giving the thief any information regarding which room he was staying at.
He stood up, cautiously approaching the door and opening it. Aventurine stood there grinning. “How did you know I was staying in this room?”
“It was simply a lucky guess, dear detective. However…” Aventurine grabs his collar, pulling him close till their faces are inches apart. “What do you say, detective? Are you ready to take the deal of a lifetime?”