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[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]

[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.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe was starting to crack a bit. He was still angry, but his voice was starting to shake. He knew she was right, but he can't just sit passively and do nothing. Mayfield's pushed him too far for that. Something had to be done, and the rest of the town didn't seem interested.]

...

We knew what was going to happen when we went in there, and I know what might happen now. I-I don't care what you say, this is something that needs to be done.

[ex_seventh238]

[...His stubborness will be his undoing--]

Then I will insist on accompanying you. Do you still object, Crowe?

[--in the same vein that it may be hers as well.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He's not always this stubborn, but he believes so strongly in this.]

…I suppose there's not much I could do to object, a-at this point.

[ex_seventh238]

[Good. It'll serve him to get through this.]

I'll hold onto you for that, so please don't try to deceive me. I'll know if you do. [...Not really, but she could hold him in place and knew he was sneaking about. She could use the mystery to her advantage.

The chair creaks as she stands up and walks to him. A quick swoop of her hand, and the sword just seems to have... disappeared, as the weight that held him down completely dissipates. She in reality withdrew the Bible page into her sleeve, but it was definitely too quick for human eyes to follow. By then, her easygoing and occasionally sheepish self has returned.]

I do apologize for holding you down, but you didn't leave me with any other choice. I just wanted you to think this through thoroughly, so if you're absolutely set on doing something so dangerous, then it's only right that you at least get some adult supervision. ...Well, I do have quite a few tricks up in my sleeve, aside from what you've just seen, so I should be helpful too. Thank you for agreeing, Crowe. [Nevermind the fact that she DID more or less bully him into taking her along...]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Since she's been watching him for this long, he'll believe that.

He practically glares at her, for suddenly switching her attitude back to that of the friendly teacher and forcing him into this.]

I'm sure you do.

[ex_seventh238]

[She's unfazed, but does serious up at that.]

Until then, when are you free during the week? I might as well try to help you prepare and teach you a bit of what I know, if you will keep on doing these risky things.

[It should be hard to argue against that - boys his age are all fairly predictable. They want to be strong. they usually wouldn't turn down an offer as such. Granted, she doesn't know, but it's as she's said herself: might as well.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He looks reluctant, but he's curious about what you know, and if it could really help the skills he has already.]

...But I told you, I don't have any supernatural powers.

[ex_seventh238]

You've already been learning martial arts and shooting, correct? I can teach you more advanced material, for starters. You can consider them as enrichment courses, if you're interested. Just know that if you agree, don't expect this to be easy. If you're really that determined, then I definitely won't be cutting you any slacks either.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I also have months of daily fight training from Jecht, my own exercise routines, and other training from home. I already know that this sort of thing is not easy, I've been doing it for a long time.

[ex_seventh238]

[She nods in satisfaction; as long as he's aware.]

I could spar with you to determine your current level. You specialize in stealth too, don't you? There's a few things that you could make to help concealment from what's available in a regular kitchen, but knowing our opponent, small tricks may be useless anyhow. You have to work on your speed first and foremost; finds are useless if you cannot make away with them.

[But she's rambled on enough.] Your answer, Crowe? [He's yet to accept or reject.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I'm already pretty fast. [He is, and he can prove this. Speed and stealth are his specialty - his parents were always so proud of these talents.

He thinks for a moment, and while Ciel can tell he really doesn't want to agree to it, she's right - he can't pass up the opportunity to get more training and get stronger.]

Alright. I accept.

[ex_seventh238]

[He'll find her to be a harsher judge - perhaps the complete opposite method of what she employed in class before. From what she's heard, though, no amount of trying to run away would be successful, and she's aware even as she offers.

Really, the only possible escape upon discovery might be blowing a hole through the wall with brute power, and send another bolt of controlled lightning to propel her charge out of the building like a bullet. She won't hesitate to do that, but she'll definitely keep quiet about it.]

Very well. You know where to find me; you're free to let me know of your availabilities at any time, and I will provide you with a schedule shortly after. Is there anything else that you would like to ask about?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

In the mornings I have my paper route, then school. After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have martial arts. Twice a week I use the shooting gallery. Other than that, I'm available any time.

[Crowe studied for months under Jecht. He's ready for anything now.]

...No.

[ex_seventh238]

[She'll give a faint nod of acknowledgment at his 'no'.]

It sounds like you already have quite a bit to do. How many times per week would you like to see me? We will likely meet in the evening.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I prefer to keep busy.

As often as you would like. If you think I need that much work then I'm up for however much you think I need.

[ex_seventh238]

We'll start with Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the upcoming week, at 7 in the evening behind the Church of Salvation. Once you are familiar with my methods, we can arrange for something more definite. Would that be acceptable? [She's flexible, and this IS to help him. So naturally, it's also all up to him.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He nods.] That's fine.

1/2

[ex_seventh238]

I will see you then.

2/2

[ex_seventh238]

[Points index in air and shakes] In the meanwhile, please make sure to eat properly and rest well! Setting time aside to relax with your friends is important too. If you're too stressed out, you won't perform well at all, so make sure to take care of yourself properly before trying to help everyone else!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe rubs the back of his head and looks a bit lost now, when Ciel says that. He's been trying to figure out what to do relax for almost a year now, but hasn't found much that helps.]

Of course, miss.

[ex_seventh238]

[...

Almost a sulky sigh, before she pulls away.]

Really... I know that I've said harsh things to you just now, and I won't ask you to trust me any more than I already have by having you take me along, but if you need someone to talk to, I'll always be willing to hear you out. Please remember this, okay?

[Ignore the fact that her eyes seem to glow more blue for a moment; just... trying to nudge your subconscious towards that. Remember what she's telling you now and go see her, if you're really down in the dumps and need someone to blab to.