60

[perfectsymmetry]

[Crowe's talents lie in being stealthy and sneaky. As much as he wants to leave his thieving ways behind him, he's also always glad to be able to use his skills for good. Not only is it good to keep them sharp, he liked doing it. It was fun. Exciting. An adrenaline rush!

After speaking with King Frederick, and his partners in crime Kay and Zidane, the next target of investigation in Mayfield was the Milkman. First move was to monitor his actions. After that, time to move on to the Dairy, which was always locked. The Milkman always seemed to just appear and disappear into thin air when doing his deliveries, so the first step was to see how he did what he did.

Crowe knew that this could be even more hazardous to his health (and his sanity) than the City Hall investigation. If the Milkman was really tied that closely with Lucy Smith, this could be real trouble, for everyone. But he knew this is what they needed to do. If they didn't move forward, keep trying to find answers, than they were as good as the drones placidly living their empty lives here. Something had to be done, and if it was up to him, so be it.

Starting Saturday, and going through the upcoming week, Crowe is up before dawn. No one will notice as no one should see him unless they were truly trying to. He stays hidden in shadows and around corners, behind trees and buildings, following the Milkman and his delivery route. He started when the Milkman approached his own street, Williams, and followed him from there, hopefully on to the Dairy once he was done his deliveries. He wouldn't approach or try to enter the building - not yet. More observation was needed. While incredibly stealthy, Crowe didn't have any powers or abilities to hide or protect himself like many others in town. He had nothing but his skills and wits to keep him hidden, and while Crowe was never the most confident of people, he was sure he could do this without being followed.

He hoped, anyway. If he got caught, Kay and Zidane might still be able to get away with it. That's why it was important to work independently this time around.]


[Action 2: this weekend during the afternoon:

Crowe's out and about with his camera again! So many new people have rolled into town, that he had a lot of catching up to do. After talking to Lucas about this project again, he realized how important it was to have something like a photo gallery He already had two rolls of film's worth of photos of his friends and acquaintances from around Mayfield, and planned to take as many more as he could. You'll find Crowe today snapping photos of passersby, or scenes at the park. He'll also be stopping his friends and anyone who doesn't look like a drone, to see if you'd like to pose for a picture for his collection! Occasionally he'll take out his recently regained iPhone and snap a photo with it. While he was glad to have it back, there also wasn't too much else he could do with it in Mayfield.

He'll also be wandering around the stores downtown, looking at some of the displays that are already up for Valentine's Day. It seemed like Christmas was just yesterday. Time moved fast in this town. He'll be lingering outside the windows of gift shops and the bakery, looking thoughtful. Feel free to bug him any time he's out!]

Comments

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[And as long as she doesn't pry, he's good.]

Ah, yes, thank you. I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?

[ex_seventh238]

[Funny you should say that......... '3']

Not at all. So what were you doing outside back there? It's good that you're an early riser, but this weather is definitely not good enough to be loafing around!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He looks away, down at his cup, and fiddles with it.]

No, I'm not slacking, I promise. I'm... investigating.

[ex_seventh238]

Investigating? So that would explain why you were sneaking around, as if you were up to no good. May I ask what it's about, Crowe? [She doesn't lose her relaxed demeanor, but she knows well enough that this might be driving up to something important.

Also, no drone in sight. That's always good to notice - and keep in mind to watch out for.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe looks around to make sure no one's listening, and keeps his voice low.]

Um, the Milkman. But I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone? I don't want too many people involved.

[Not just for their safety, but his own instincts as a thief prefer it too.]

1/2

[ex_seventh238]

[Her mannerisms remain casual, as if they were still talking about something completely mundane.]

Is that so? That does explain it, if you put it that way.

2/2

[ex_seventh238]

[Her shoulders are still slumped in relaxation, but she does lean forward a bit and her eyes grow serious.] Of course, but this is just as dangerous for you. What exactly are you trying to do, and what are you hoping to find?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He bites his lip for a moment, thinking, but then looks Ciel in the eyes, quite seriously.]

I know that. After City Hall, I know that better than anyone. But... people just aren't proactive enough here. We need information. The dairy is always locked 24/7, and I want to know where he comes and goes from.

[ex_seventh238]

[...

She realizes that it must have taken some courage of his part to confess this. Maybe she can let drop a few hints of her own, in that case...]

I see, so that's why you've been at this for 3 days now. Are you planning to do all this alone?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He was about to answer her question, when he stops and raises an eyebrow.]


...how do you know I've been at it that long?

[ex_seventh238]

[To which she replies with a perfectly natural and warm smile.] I have my ways. I need to stay on top of things too, to make sure that boys like you don't attempt unreasonable and reckless stunts again. [It's not unreasonable to start doubting that your teacher isn't a muggle normal person, though.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[She has "her ways"? What was she talking about?]

Oh. I-I had no idea anyone could have spotted me. Miss Ciel, I appreciate that you're trying to look out for me, but I heardly think I'm being unreasonable or reckless. I know what I'm doing, and I'm doing it for the benefit of everyone in town.

[ex_seventh238]

I can understand that, but I do think that you're being reckless and unreasonable, by trying to do this alone. There's no way that I could talk you out of this, is there Crowe?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-It's easier if I woke alone, honestly. A-And I'm sorry, but no. This is something I need to do.

[ex_seventh238]

I thought as much... So it really can't be helped. [And just like her words, she really... didn't sound like she minded at all.]

Do you have any special abilities, Crowe? Superhuman powers, I mean.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but it's not like I don't understand what I'm getting into or how dangerous this is. But if it gets us one step closer to figuring this place out, then I'm willing to take that chance.

[He actually frowns at that. It's an unusual sight on Crowe's face.] No, I don't. But I have other skills to help me along.

[ex_seventh238]

You don't have to apologize to me, I already said that I understood. If anything, you should be ready to apologize to the people who will worry for you and be sad that you may get hurt again, even if death is only temporary in this town. [She's quite serious with that line, too.]

If you really believe it, then I won't say more about that. In that case, may I come with you?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He thinks on that a moment, frown fading. There were a lot of people who were upset with him last time.]

...I hope that they'll understand why I'm doing this, then.

I prefer doing this myself, if that's okay. I can report into you though, if I find out anything interesting.

[ex_seventh238]

Good intentions can only carry you so far. Just know that meaningless sacrifices aren't helpful; they're just selfish.

[Shakes head.] If I can't stop you, then I must come with you. Are you worried?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He looks stunned for a moment before actually turning angry.]

Meaningless and selfish? I'm trying to gather information! Ciel, I... I've been here for 11 months already, and I've had enough. People aren't doing anything to figure this place out, and I can't just sit around and let this place keep torturing myself and my friends! I don't care how dangerous it is, this is something I need to do.

[He stands up.] I can handle this on my own.

[With that, he goes to leave.]

[ex_seventh238]

...Goodness. Getting this worked up just proves that I can't let you leave.

[She doesn't move from where she's sitting and her tone remains the same, but she doesn't turn around to watch him leave. Crowe, however, despite having stood up to make his way towards the exit, will suddenly find it impossible for him to take another step; his feet are somehow nailed to to the ground. If he turns around, he'll see a sword behind him planted into the floor, with the tip of the cross-shaped blade piercing nothing but his own shadow and the wooden surface.

He can try to pull with all his strength; nothing will happen, and he won't succeed in getting his feet to budge]

If you fail, it's just more pain upon you and your friends. You're not considering the impact that it may bring to others and yourself, and even if you're aware, you're outright ignoring them. Isn't that selfish, for the very reason that you're trying to be selfless?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He could hardly believe what he was seeing. But then again, he felt like he shouldn't be surprised. No one in this town was what they seemed, and his pleasant teacher having strange powers doesn't shock him as much as he thought it would.]

If I fail, then I try again! Why don't you get this!? Do you expect me to just sit here and let the town continue what they're doing? How is me wanting to help the people here being selfish! This is ridiculous. Let me go!

[ex_seventh238]

[More power to him.]

Not until you calm down, Crowe Calleo. Your anger is already distorting your common sense. I'm not criticizing you for your beliefs, but informing you of what it brings. Can you not even make that distinction?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I'm doing what I can in order to help people. I-If my friends can't understand that... [He just shakes his head. He doesn't know how to finish that statement.] Just because I'm young, o-or don't have any super powers, doesn't mean I can't make a difference!

[ex_seventh238]

[She'll finally turn around to look at him with serious eyes. ...It's a look that doesn't seem to entirely fit with her image - or at least, the image that she always had before.]

You can't help others if you can't help yourself. Incompetent good intentions will only lead to tragedy. What you've done at the City Halls was daring, but the results have proven this. There was also Christmas.

[She stops there. She may be speaking harshly, but it's not her intention to be cruel - only to dump a bucket of cold water on his head so that he would think of his situation more thoroughly.]