[He'd toiled long enough with waiting, plotting, and thinking about Luceti in general and his personal situation specifically that week. The Malnosso were being more confusing than ever--Smoker and Fujiko returning in the same week, right after six weeks of having people disappear one by one?? Strange. Wierd. Confusing.
This, on top of realizing that he needed to buckle down and actually get serious for once, made for a very moderately frustrated thief.
Lupin knew what he needed to do, however. Smoker had a point in their conversation, simple and direct: people would get hurt regardless of whether he told them or not, and would likely get hurt worse if he didn't tell people.
It was the complete antithesis of his M.O. He operated on not telling people, on keeping people in the dark...but this wasn't just a simple heist he was planning.
It was tantamount to war.
He dons mask upon emotional mask when he enters Zenigata's apartment after dark, bottle of whiskey in hand. While he didn't plan on drinking himself, he had a feeling that the Inspector would appreciate the gesture. Alcohol always had a way of loosening people up.
If he was going to actually open up to his eternal rival, it was going to be on his terms. He'd lose this time if it erupted into a chase, and would lose no matter what if it came to Judo-throws.
...there was no reason for him to be this nervous. He knew this. It didn't help.]
[Zenigata had been just sitting at his kitchen table, quietly reading a detective novel he'd picked up from the library. It had been a long day, and his shack for Lupin had been coming along nicely. In front of him, a bowl of noodles was steaming next to a coffee mug. The dinner of champions
In front of him were strewn various plans, blueprints, and several religious texts as well. Clearly, the old man was planning something.
When he heard the door open, he turned. He hadn't been expecting anyone, least of all Lupin III. The thief had brought whiskey. That meant that he was either really upset, or he wanted something. Probably both...]
It has been a weird week, yea. C'mon in. I'll have a round with you.
[Uncomfortably perceptive there, Pops. Lupin smiles at this, regardless of his discomfort, and seats himself across from the Inspector. He slides the bottle of whiskey across the table--a friendly gesture, but also a shield.]
What, I'm not allowed to come down and have a few drinks with my favorite law dog ever? [Not that he intended on drinking much if anything himself...
His eyes light on the drawings, plans, and texts, brows raising in curiosity. Hark! A distraction!]
[He's an old hand at this, and you forget how well he knows you. He's the reason you constantly have to come up with new tricks, remember?]
You can, sure. Company is nice. [He puts a bookmark in his novel, setting it down while taking a swig of coffee]
Yea. More construction. Apparently there's a god here with no shrine. I'm planning on making one, because that bothers me. Even if it's not home, Moro deserves something. Hell, I didn't even know she was here until the other day...
I don't think its so much a secret as it is that she just doesn't come into town much. Its a wolf god. I...don't know much about her, but I'd wager she was brought here by the Malnosso same as us. I just can't stand the thought of her being forgotten. Thats a cruel thing for a god, y'know?
I don't know what's good for gods or not, Pops. I haven't been a believer in any for a long time. 'Course, Fujiko did say that there were gods here...maybe you're right that your Moro was brought here by our kind benefactors.
[Of course. No more stalling. Lupin braces his feet agains the table and tilts his chair back, balancing on only the rear legs and lounging Jigen-style. He sighs--Pops would see through his ploy, no doubt. He always did.]
Thanks for the shack too, Pops. Really. I'd have helped more...[but when it hurt to laugh, nailing boards together tended to pose a problem.] I noticed Cap's back, really. Impressive too--who'da thunk he'd make such a hot gal?
[Zenigata chuckles a bit. He'd wondered how long it would take Lupin to thank him for the workshop. His mauling by Daisy definitely had kept him out of action too]
Yea, its not really a problem. I just needed somethin' to work on. But, thats not what you came here to say. Quit stalling. Out with it. I know you were talking to Smoker. Err...Smokette. What do ya want?
Smoker. Cap'. [Not Smokette. That just sounded lame. He looks at the ceiling instead of the Inspector. Maybe if he just goes into vagaries...]
Nothing much. Recent events have taught me that I should probably think about focusing on more than just making all of my toys, is all. [Especially since he only had half a clip, since he had no inflatable decoys, and wasn't all that great in a bare handed fist fight. The possibility of training with Smoker might also help him blow off some of his excess energy, so he didn't blow up something else out of carelessness.]
[It was wierd for Lupin to even ask, but he had to admit the same. There were people, many people who could do things that Lupin couldn't; it was why his best work was always with a team. His gaze leveled on Zenigata, second thoughts being shoved aside for the moment. This was no harder than stealing Egyptian artifacts from museums. It was easier, even.
My blessing? Why on earth would you need that, Lupin? Since when have you cared what I think, anyway? Haha. If you wanna learn how to fight, be my guest. I'll even help you if you want.
[Zenigata shrugs. He's trained with Smoker a little bit. Its the super-powers that really set the two of them apart, after all. He's not really too keen on teaching Lupin how to fight, anyway]
Then yea, you got my blessing. Saves me the trouble of worrying about hurting you worse. Just be careful. Fighting isn't fun and games, you know?
[Lupin wasn't too keep on asking, for his part. Secrecy was his game; he didn't like violating that, especially with his known rival. He laughs shortly at Zenigata's words--their sentiments were the same.]
You don't need to worry about hurting me, Pops. I always get away, remember? Joking aside, though, I know it's not a game. [Why else would he go to someone who was almost a stranger istead of anyone from his world?]
There's gonna come a time when we're all caught off guard. I don't trust the Malnosso to not do that. When it comes? We're all gonna need to be well rounded.
[You'd go to an outsider for a number of reasons...of course]
I agree with you. That meeting Ginia set up. That was a step in the right direction. But it isn't gonna be enough. Neighborhood watches? Increasing crew size on a 17th century warship? What the hell's that gonna do.
You're right. We are gonna have to look after ourselves I think. These kids, magical as they are, hardly give us older types the time of day. May as well learn to defend ourselves.
Yeah, us old guys are out numbered, and those of us without mad fighting skills, or cool powers, or magic are even more so. That kid I fought in the tunnels? Over ten years my junior. Trained fighter.
What the hell is up with these worlds, Pops? I thought ours was a mess!
But our thinking is the same here. I've always been a crap fighter compared even to Jigen. I'm good at running. Running won't take me far here. I figure...so long as I have time, why not? It's not like we can go anywhere.
Man, I don't know Lupin. Talking to some folks, you'd think we had it easy. No evil empires, sorceror kings, or sci-fi bullshit like that. Hell, some of these kids come straight outta manga I read as a kid.
What we need ta do is learn how to get superpowers or something. But till we figure that out, yea, you train with Smoker.
I don't care much for learning to have superpowers, Pops. I just want to be able to face-to-face with some of these guys is all. You have a point, though
Thanks. Could you keep this on the down-low? I don't want more people than those who need to know finding out early on.
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