needabourbon | [004] [Voice → Video]

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[004] [Voice → Video]

[Voice] [The sound of his journal clicking on is subtle, so subtle that maybe you didn't realize it was even on until he begins talking. His voice more rough than usual and the pouring sound of liquid into a glass is the only ambiance.]

We checked out Goemon's place again. I think we're just assuming the worst... No. The best? That he is out of Luceti. He'll be alright but I'll miss him.

[Video] [All is quiet. Maybe you thought he shut off the journal but he didn't. The sound of glass to a table, then Jigen flips on the video feed. He's quick not to let the screen catch his face as he turns it away. In view now is a scaled replica of Cagliostro... Created entirely from bits of matchsticks. Beside the model you can see a full pack of cigarettes sitting next to a packed ashtray. His glass of bourbon is also beside an almost empty bottle. He turns the camera towards himself now—when was the last time he slept or smoked? Those dark circles look hideous.]

If anyone could bring me more matches, I'd appreciate it... [Pause.] Maybe some bourbon too.

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Wow, Jigen-chan. People said I was busy!!

I'll be over in a jiff--you didn't have to go that far!

I guess I just got carried away...

Bring drinks.

You said it yourself; Goemon's better off if he is back home. This place is hell on all of us, including him...

I'm with you, though. Gonna miss the quiet guy.

[There's the ringing clink of glass meeting glass as Lupin gathers a bottle and glasses--they'll drink, but he has no intention of getting good and drunk tonight. It's not conducive to thinking clearly.]

On my way.

[A nod as he shuts the journal. He'll just be here laying on his bed staring at the Cagliostro model that is currently consuming his work table. The action of closing his eyes is also making him realize how exhausted his body is, though the stress is keeping his mind wide awake.

What hour was this now? Four or five? More? He can't think of a time he's been so deprived and desperate for a cigarette.]

[Once again, the thief doesn't bother with knocking. Su casa es mi casa, he'd make himself at home regardless. With him is a bottle of cognac, given to him by a certain doctor by way of apology...for something. Probably giving bad medical advice.

He sets the bottle down on the alongside the two glasses, and lights a cigarette.]

You look like hell. [He says this patiently, passing off the cigarette to the cool gunman.]

[He takes the cigarette from his friend with a tired hand. Once the butt of the smoke touched his lips he took a long puff from it, even holding it a moment too long before letting it out in a small stream. Immediately he felt the effect on his body and mind... Relaxation.]

I feel like hell. [Not sleeping for almost two days, going a few hours without a smoke and thinking of the past will do that to a man. Possibly any man? Jigen Daisuke for sure.]

[He lights his own, the smoke providing a semblence of normalcy and control in this strange, unpredictable place. Normally he liked unpredictable, but not when there was this much at stake.

Politics.

People dying.

Lupin sighs on the exhale, agreeing whole heartedly.]

Least we're in hell together, huh? Goemon'll be fine. This place was waaay too cooped up for him. It's better for him if he's home.

[Another pull, thoughtful as he studies the model.]

Why Cagliostro?

[He exhales the last of the cigarette in only a few minutes then turns to look over at the model. It feels like an eternity since they had been there yet he could remember almost every detail. Even though he wasn't present for the little events that took place--Jigen couldn't forget the entire story once Lupin told him. He still isn't sure why he remembers so well.]

It was the first place that came to mind... [He reaches to press the cigarette butt into another packed ashtray on his bedside table.] I learned a lot about you while we were there too.

[There undoubtedly were memories of that place. Lupin failed there twice. Technically. The second failure didn't feel like that much of one, though. He smiles a little at the memory, at Clarisse's shy little smile and childish wishes.

He was a thief. Of course he couldn't stay.]

It was a pretty crazy job, huh? You didn't learn that much about me, though. [The fact that he'd be dead if it weren't for his friends never left his mind, though. They were more than partners. They were family.]

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So, Goemon's gone? Damn shame, that.

But geez Jigen, you spent all that time making THAT? Cagliostro, right?

I stayed up all night with this thing. I got so busy with it I didn't realize I used all of my spare matches. I haven't smoked in hours.

Man, Jigen. Thats...tough, for you I know. I can bring some by in a bit if you want.

If you could, that'd be great. [He'll probably have a heart attack if he doesn't smoke soon. Please hurry.]

Sure thing. You still owe me that drink anyway.

[Zenigata AWAY! with a box of matches and that bottle of scotch Lupin left in his place a few days ago]

[The door is slightly ajar to let Zenigata in whenever he arrives. Jigen is seen in the same chair he's probably been sitting in for the last day or two. He's leaning close to the model and it's obvious that he's nitpicking the crap out of the details...

Are those tiny little statues made from glue mixed with old cigarette ashes...?

Probably.]

[Pops barges right on in, tossing a box of matches at Jigen and giving the other man a grin]

Pretty good stuff you got here. But...man you really gotta clean this place up.

[Jigen swiftly catches the matches. In a what seems a single motion, he's pulling a match out to light it. Bringing the flame close to an unlit cigarette between his lips. A few deep breaths of the smoke and he was finally seeming to relax in his seat.

A gentle nod to his inspector comrade.] Thanks.

[He's taking a look around now too. It might have been the first time since he started the project that he's seen the spectrum of the mess that he created.] It's worse than I thought it was. I really need to get out...

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...You've my condolences, Monsieur Jigen. [She's tense, frowning at the feed, tempted to ask when he last ate, or slept, but Lupin would certainly be better equipped for handling Jigen than she.]

[He gives a slight nod though keeps from looking to her. He's already upset with himself that he stayed up all night. It gave him too much time to think about everything else.] Thanks. [He really needs a smoke and maybe an 8 hour nap.]

[A change in subject wouldn't be remiss. She tilts her head faintly, curious.]

Might I ask what the model is to depict? Lupin's I recognize, but this is entirely unfamiliar to me.

[Good call. That was the main reason for him even making it, even though it ended up making him think about more than just Goemon.]

Cagliostro. A castle we once went to. To shorten up the story... We ended up busting an illegal printing press, ruining a wedding, destroying a clock tower, and discovering ancient Roman ruins beneath the castle's lake. [Slight pause, as he smiles a bit.] All to save a girl from some horrible fate.

Have you time and patience enough for a longer version of the story? I am terribly curious and it sounds fascinating.

[There were no lingering doubts left in her mind as to the validity of Lupin's claim on his heritage, but little reminders of his adventures, of the excitement in his world, they serve to cement it all the more.]

[He seems cautious at first. Not very often does he go about telling people about previous missions... It's on his mind though. Maybe talking about it will help him get it out of his head.]

We were in Monaco, pulling a heist on a big-time casino... [He'll spend the next hour or so telling you this story.]

[Adele props the journal up next to her on the sofa, legs tucked under her while she sips from a mug of coffee, listening intently. Every once and awhile she murmurs a soft question, asks a point for clarification if she does not quite understand something, and Jigen is kind enough to elaborate. It is as enthralling as any of Maurice's novels, and she is utterly enraptured by the tale.]

...Fujiko made off with the plates and eventually we got away from Pops to start on another gig. That's how it usually ends anyway. [He takes a long breath in and exhales heavily. The entire time he was working on the model that story was running through his mine. Now that he's actually told someone what he was thinking, he feels relieved.

He smirks to an afterthought.] I made off with a crown, actually. It's back at our place in Japan.

Edited 2012-02-28 03:52 (UTC)