11917/Alleviation of Boredom

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Alleviation of Boredom
Date of Scene: 05 August 2020
Location: Abandoned Warehouse, West Side, Burnley
Synopsis: Thieves thieve from the thieves who thieved from the museum.
Cast of Characters: Phobos, Double Dare




Phobos has posed:
    Gotham. Why is it that all roads end up leading to Gotham? It is never as fun as Manhattan. Never as enjoyable as Metropolis. What does Gotham have going for it beyond... Gargoyles? Is that what those things are?
    The life of a young deity is so difficult. So very difficult. Especially when given a task that's much easier to say than to do.
    Just ask Alexander Aaron as he crouches upon the old church crenelation, resting a foot upon the edge of the roof and leeeeaning out across the abyss, trying to get a good look at the warehouse that seems like it could double for a recycling center what with all the broken bottles and shattered glass on the floor and shoved into the corners.
    "They stole my stuff. Go get it back, boy!" His voice is low, quiet, but distinctly deeper than his normal voice, almost mockingly comically so.
    But then he answers in a normal tone of voice, "Sure thing, pops. I'll just go search three whole cities for your garbage you stole a few centuries ago."
    But that's all he allows himself as he drops over the side, crawling almost like a chameleon and garbed in a black skin-tight suit. Impossible to see unless one had night vision.
    Which the men inside the warehouse do not have. A dozen of them it seems, all wearing their weapons in the open, all with nasty thuggee-like blades on their hips. All of them watching and listening to a man standing in the back of a pickup truck who seems to be pontificating at them about something. While behind them is a table set up with those rather precious looking golden and silver relics left there in places of what might be considered honor with how many decorations are placed around each item.

Double Dare has posed:
Their night had started out the usual way. Their peformance went off without a hitch. That led to a night of boredom stretching out before them. After a bit of time in the gym, they had opted to head out and see what the rooftops might have to offer. They were in their yellow and black two-piece costumes with matching yellow thigh high leggings/boots that were made for their career as aerialists in the circus. They had added their little masks, sort of cat like with little ears at the top, in matching colors to their costumes.

This was their element, running wild across the rooftops, leaping into the open air betweeen buildings just to catch a flagpole and fling themselves back upwards in acrobatic leaps and tumbles. Their balance was perfect, using the smallest of ledges then leaping across a street to the next roof and continuing their free run. It was exhilirating, exciting, the duo racing one another yet at times working in tandem to get past an obstacle that might be too much for one person.

It was during their run they heard it. Sirens. Nearby and heading down the next street. Without a single word, they turned and followed the path toward The Met. A leap across an alley then the taller of the women paused, backtracking to the edge of the roof and peeking down. This caused the shorter woman with the long braid down her back to stop as well, coming back.

Two men, crouching behind a dumpster. Something clutched in their arms. Then the men were running the opposite direction from where the police were going. A glance between the two women on the rooftop and a decision was made. They turned and followed the pair, staying high above and not revealing their presence. Finally! Something interesting!

The trip had been long but they found themselves in Gotham City, finding entry through a broken window at the upper end of the warehouse, creeping across the rafters with ease to watch the goings-on.

Phobos has posed:
    Was it worth the trip? Who is to say. Though that gleam of gold and that glow of silver from beneath might well speak of such. It had been such a chase, rushing through the city and then hanging upon the train that led them through one to another until they found them here. After all the effort they put into this really they had /earned/ the rights to those items whatever they were. Those people down there owed it to them clearly.
    Even though in that warehouse they would hear the voice of the all bald man in he back of that pickup truck speaking to those people, speaking at length to those open vacant looking citizens who just watch with rapt attention. And it was clear the bald man was enjoying it.
    "We may have been abandoned! And we may have served masters that were not worthy of our devotion! But that changes tonight! For you, my spirit brethren. You will witness our transition from being beholden to a dead pantheon and finally we shall embrace the rapture of a new victorious master!"
    Such were the words of the man, even as those twelve cultists just nodded slowly, swaying in rapt attentiveness. While small sticks of incense burned around those four items on the table. A bracelet was there, golden with a single opal. A dagger in a silver sheath was wreathed in holly. A necklace of gilded sea shells seemed to fend off the ill efforts of time looking brilliant and new set there on the table. And the last piece was a small carving of a woman's face in profile, marble and set next to the dagger.
    All so lovely, and all so ill tended to considering those people seem entirely taken with themselves, the jerks.

Double Dare has posed:
The pair of women in the rafters exchange a glance. A 'conversation' takes place. The twist of an eyebrow, the uptick of the corner of a mouth, the faintest of nods. They were in accord.

Obviously, the goods were stolen. They wouldn't have been acting that way were that not the case. If anyone would know, it was this duo. After all, thievery was their game. Literally. It was all a game for them, something to alleviate boredom and capture their attention. A thrill that got the blood pumping in their veins.

Since the group was so busy listening to the pontificating follicley challenged one, there was nothing to stop them. It was a matter of moments and the pair were above the table. They shifted, the larger of the women moving to wrap her legs around the beam then hanging below it then reached up to grasp the ankles of the other woman. Very slowly, the other woman moved off the beam, holding on to the anchor person. Then she uncurled until she was hanging down below.

An extension of her arms and she was able to hook the bracelet. It was slipped onto a wrist. The necklace was captured and a few twists of the wrist, it was caught there by the bracelet. The other two items she grabbed in her hands then came the hard part.

A tightening of her core and she lifted her torso up, grasping the arms of the other woman and climbing up her like she was a rope. When she was back atop the beam, she tucked the other two items into her boot, into a special pocket there for just such things. Then she used her legs to help pull up the second woman and they were on their way, back to that window they had come in.

The entire thing took less than a minute.

Back out to the rooftop and they gave each other a wild, feral grin, then they were off, dashing across the roof intending to make their getaway. A glint of metal at the wrist of the smaller one might give away that the items Phobos was tracking had been liberated.

Phobos has posed:
    Inside the warehouse the voice was now heard outside, the window they had opened allowing some of his words to reach the greater neighborhood area. They could hear him building up to a crescendo, as those dozen voices of the cultists within started to lend their strength as he shouted something and they responding with a resounding, "YES!"
    Then they heard him shout, "And when will we do this thing!"
    "NOW!"
    "NO, Soon!"
    "SOON!"
    But then the voice rises another octave as he shouts, "YOU FOOLS! THE ARTIFACTS!"
    And within there's the rush and sound of shuffling footsteps, quick movement, glances hurled this way and that. And perhaps one might catch sight of a silhouette at that window as they make their departure. But could any of them be fast enough to catch them?
    Doubtful.
    So they are able to rush off and away, a clean escape. So easy. So very very easy.

Double Dare has posed:
It was almost disappointing. They actually paused as they heard the commotion. Another glance as they considered then a negative motion of the head and they were off, running and racing the wind once again.

The temptation to confront the people had been there but it had been a long trip on a train and they did have to be at rehearsals in the morning for the show. So they couldn't really afford to be out the entire night, if they wanted to be at their best. It would be a matter of finding a train heading back to NYC and then clinging to it as they had for the trip here. Great for a workout, not great for time management.

Once they were sure they had lost the original thieves, they found a spot near a train track and considered their options for the trip home.

Phobos has posed:
    It was difficult to tail them. They were fast and nimble, and they chose their path across the rooftops with an utter ease that would make almost anyone trailing them have to give up after the second or third miraculous leap that one could only reasonably make when they had a partner to help catch or throw.
    At first, when Alexander shadowed after them, he tried to keep far enough away and back to observe. But then he had to close, just to be able to keep up and get some hint as to their path and which way they would choose. The way they moved was amazing, so limber and graceful...
    And after one moment when he had caught Margot in profile as she stopped to help her sister climb over the side of a wall, he had to stop as well if only to perhaps take an instant to realize what he was witnessing.
    Girls. That much was evident. Aerialists. That much was shown. Thieves? That much was clear. But why?
    A shake of his head was given. What did it matter? All that mattered was catching that loot and getting it back to his father.
    Still...
    It took him twelve minutes to find a good ambush spot as he was able to get ahead of them slightly. He stopped, prepped. Made ready to strike from the shadows...
    They had rushed right past, he left his trap unsprung. A scowl was given to himself. He shouldn've taken action. Dammit. This next one, this would be the one.
    Only that next ambush point he took up, hiding upon the top of a water tower and... nope. They ran on past. It wasn't until they reached that point to wait at the train tracks, catching their breath that they'd likely hear him then.
    It first was the crunch of gravel under a white sneaker. Enough to draw a glance for them to look across the way to see that blond haired youth with the wry smile upon his lips. Handsome of features with that shock of blond hair and that black suit that clung to the subtle lines and contours of his athletic body. He bit his lower lip, smiled, and then said simply...
    "Hello."

Double Dare has posed:
At the sound of the crunch, both women's heads snap that direction as they rise to a standing position. They each fall into a position that will allow them to react if he moves in a threatening way. The careful observer would note the taller woman, with the heavier musculature, had gathered a handful of that gravel into her hand on the way up.

The lenses of their maskes actually reacted to the expressions beneath them, narrowing a bit to show that they were watching him very closely. At first, their lips are pressed into hard lines. Then the younger one smirked.

" 'allo." The accent is there, not horribly heavy but enough to guess she might be from either Quebec or France. Maybe even Louisiana in the States but hard to tell from a single word.

A crunch of gravel as she began to move away from the taller woman, getting herself positioned a little away from him. The bracelet and necklace were still wrapped around her left wrist, over her glove.

Now the taller one spoke. "People on rooftops are not to be trusted, oui?" Definitely French for their original language. Origin still difficult to pinpoint for most people though.

"We should know," the smaller added with a soft laugh.

Phobos has posed:
    "I imagine not..." The young Olympian smiles to them, bright blue and green eyes flitting from one to the other. He doesn't move, doesn't change stance, perhaps even holds his hands up slightly as if to show he's holding no weapon nor up to no good. Yet his smile is amused for some reason as he tells them, "But then again, I'm not the ones wearing a mask."
    Which is true, he is not.
    But he takes a deep breath, smiles, and says. "I would like to, however, ask you a favor." A look toward Aliki as she sidles to the side and he murmurs, "And hope you'll trust me enough to hear me out?"
    Which, after he says that he looks across the way toward Margot, as if seeing if she might be alright with this as well.
    Then he elaborates. "You see, those things you have. Belong to my family. And my dad... he's asked me to bring them back. I'd like to. Cuz if I don't he'll spend the next few months kvetching. And... well it'll stink."

Double Dare has posed:
"Non, you are lying." That came from the taller one. She grinned a bit as she gave a negative shake of her head.

"This belonged to them." The smaller pointed toward the direction they had come from. "Possession is nine tenths of the law. They stole it from a museum."

The second woman took over the conversation, as though the two women shared a brain. "Before them, the museum owned it. Not your Papa." The distinct accent on the syllables showing she was not even close to American.

Back to the younger and smaller. She ticked things off finger by finger. "Your Papa. Museum. Bad Thieves. And now us. So we own them. Tell your Papa we are very sorry."

A laugh from the larger. "Sorry, not sorry."

Phobos has posed:
    "Well," His head tilts to he side, "Ee-ye-yeah, I mean you're right. It was their's after they stole it from the museum, which my dad donated it. But I think you can..."
    But he stops explaining as he gets the most grumpy looking twist to his mouth and furrow to his brow that might almost look intimidating if he had more gravitas. For now, though, it just looks kind of cute in a Eeyore sort of way.
    "Hrmf."
    But then he steps forwards, gravel crunching and yet footsteps light as he says, "How about... you give them back, and I... I dunno, get you something cool you want and then we can all be happy and this doesn't have to get ugly?"
    Oh there it is, the first hint of a threat. Assuredly they had to know he wasn't all sweetness, innocence, and light. Yet he maintains trying to at least reach some middle ground.
    "Alright?"

Double Dare has posed:
Now he gets a laugh from both women. They have positioned themselves apart, at angles from him. He won't be able to engage both of them at once. He'll be forced to choose who he is going to attack, should he make his threat a reality.

"Adorable." It was the French pronunciation. It was also in stereo. Both women said it at the same time then burst out laughing. They never looked at each other. Not a glance. Their eyes remained on him at all times.

"We can get anything we want when we want it."

"We do not need to make deals."

"Though it is sweet of you to offer."

Back and forth, one after the other in perfect balance. It might give someone an impression of telepathy between the pair.

There is a rumble starting to be heard, the train coming for the station. It has to slow as it approaches but there is not a scheduled stop at this time of night. It is on the second track out, meaning there is quite a distance to it. The single light blazes ahead of it as it approaches.

"I do not think you can be ugly," the taller woman says.

The younger grins again. "Too pretty to be ugly. Give the smile again. It was much better than idle threats."

Phobos has posed:
    Oh that just tears it. They'll see his features twist up again, nose crinkling as his lips twist and as quick as that they can read the subtle shift of body language, the change from such casual repartee, that easy-going back and forth. Now he shifts gears as he says lightly, "Thanks so much for that compliment, Tweedle-Dee."
    And if Margot might well register that comment sent her way as the casual snipe that it is, he abruptly shifts to the side and slices a foot across the gravelly surface of that rooftop at the back of Aliki's ankle, trying to break her balance abruptly and take her down...
    Even as he continues that spin to blur back around and bring him head on with Margot. A tension tightening in his frame as he gathers himself and then darts at her with a blur of motion, fist snapping out and then his knee, trying to strike quick and hard to make this fight into a fight with little warning...
    And end it just as fast.

Double Dare has posed:
As he shifts his stance, they both are moving as well. His foot slices where an ankle had been just a moment ago. She was already moving. Away from him.

That left him facing Margot, the taller of the pair, the stronger, her red hair cut quite short. As he closes, she is tensing her body. The swing of a fist and she bends in a way to simply avoid it that most people could not do while maintaining their balance. Then his knee is coming up and she is uncoiling. Her body springs into the air and she puts a foot /on/ his knee, to help propel her even higher and further. Over his head, somersaulting, landing on her feet in a dead run.

Both sisters are moving away from him toward the edge of the building. The train is passing, almost gone though as they both leap out into the nothingness.

Somehow, they catch the very last car in the train, each rolling to a landing atop the auto carrier car's flat top. The ended up in a crouch facing back toward the roof.

"Adieu!"

"Parting is such sorrow!"

"One last smile?" the pleading tone from the younger as they both raised hands to their lips and blew kisses his direction as the train carried them back toward NYC with their ill gotten gains.

Phobos has posed:
    It was a rush of movement, miraculous gymnastic endeavours, smooth graceful twists in the air and then they were rushing across the rooftops with him fast in pursuit. They leapt...
    And it was extraordinary to see them flipping through the air as if not a care was had in the world, both landing light upon the back of that train and then...
    Their voices lifted hurling such comments his way that at first they'll see him shaking his head...
    And then that smile as he's laughing and waving in return, one hand lifted in the air as he knows when he's been beaten.
    "Au revoir!" He calls after them, caught up in the moment and waving as he stands on his tip toes. Oh he knows what grief he'll get from his father later for this failure. But he can't help but feeling happy in that moment if only for the amusement given.
    And then he murmurs quietly to himself, "Until next time."