(no subject)

[stalking_horse]

[And somewhere in the jungle, there is a wandering detective in a drab tan suit, currently following something that might be a path, and might be a game trail, but should at least go somewhere sooner or later. His current mission: See if there's signs of other human life!
He may have been wandering off the beaten path for a while now.]

[While he can do quite a bit if he finds tracks in the trail itself ... wilderness tracking is not his strong suit; city boy is a city boy.]

[Besides that, he's weathering it rather well, if coping via resigned indignation.]

[Disturb/flag down/attempt to stalk/get tracked, stumbled across, or found?]

Comments

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Hornet's next, Hakuba-niisan? [Had Hakuba made the connections as well? He was a bit more interested in finding out that.]

If there's a pattern, it's so large or complex, it's hard to figure out. [So prompt there. Crossing his arms, frowning a bit.] Even for worlds. At times it's just one person from one world and there's there times it's bursts. Or just stranglers coming in. Some people come and go multiple times. Abilities are all different. Personalities as well. I can't seem to find anything that's truly 'consistent.' The best I can find is there does seem to be at least something a bit odd about their life, but even that's not one hundred percent.

[stalking_horse]

The heists aren't random - he's running a search pattern, and someone else is after whatever he's after. He's been shot at repeatedly, and whoever it is, they're professional, and far too good at disappearing. [As offhand as he is about it? It Bothers Him. You do not shoot at His Thief.] I don't doubt that they'd show no mercy to anyone in their path - even a child.


Perhaps a specific common thread isn't the solution? If one were collecting people for some kind of research on other worlds, a varied sample set would be more useful for getting an overview than just collecting a certain type of person. It's also possible the culprit is acting on whims - motivated by curiosity, or amusement. Also, it may mean they don't have complete control over whatever they're using; perhaps there are things they're looking for, but their methods are iffy on fine control, or maybe they don't even know who they'll be bringing per se when they activate it. I'd guess that it doesn't seem hostile; no-one I've run into seemed especially harried or panicked, unless there's things I haven't encountered or heard of that are more dangerous.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[For a moment, he looks confused. And with months to perfect his acting, he makes himself look like he was just realizing it.] So that's why he returns things! If he's looking for something and being a weirdly noble guy anyway, he'd return anything he wasn't looking for, right? [And then worry. Of course, he had sources to find out about the snipers, but he wasn't pressing his luck of having a 'kid' know it.] And whose shooting at him?! They'd ruin the heists like that!

[Silent a few moments.] I have thought it might be a psychological experiment. See if people are capable of meeting other dimensions without it being really bad. Like some sci fi movies where aliens test how Earthlings react to them before official contact.

As for danger...that's...relative.

[stalking_horse]

Well, they're after whatever he's after, right? [Hands in pockets, but fairly calm and good-natured about it all, even a bright kid is going to miss things now and then right?] "Ruining the heists" is the point - they want to get it before he does, and if he gets it, I'd wager he's going to make it disappear far out of their reach. [He's just... staring off into space thoughtfully for a minute.] I suspect they've been part of this Kid's motives all along, really.

[And snapping back to the matter more immediately at hand-] That's a possibility. If what they're using is too inexact, it may even just be testing it out, and seeing who and what is out there.

Oh? [Interested - this could change quite a bit of the theories!] What sort of "relative"?

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[Mental note to warn Kaito Hakuba has definitely made the connections. If only because he's seen how Kaito's reacted to a detective rattling off his motive.] ...I guess he would have to have a reason. It does seem kind of weird he'd do it just for fun, all things considered. I guess I never thought of it like that. [Of course he did, but a little kid can be distracted by fun thing.]

That too. If it really is random. But then it begs the question of why someone end up back several times and then that strange event which is supposedly yearly.

Sometimes it's bad and sometimes it's not. There's events. Thing that happen to everyone that's strange. I don't know how to explain some of them and some seem similar to others worlds. But the relative thing...

Well, the first one I went through, it was a truth telling event. Of course, for someone whose honest and everything, it's not too bad. The same for people who are the only ones from their world since secrets are usually relative. For someone with a lot of secrets and/or a lot of people from home, however....it can be horrible.

[stalking_horse]

[Shrug; your cover is serving you well.] Well, there's fewer clues why the original Kid started it all; it may very well have just been a game for him. [Or well, mostly - but then, the "there's been more than one Kid" theory has to've come up in news or something before, and he knows he's referenced it in interviews, so maybe it's not odd that Conan didn't blink at the reference.]

Hmm. That does make this more interesting; the events have to serve some kind of a purpose, whether it's some kind of test or amusement. Some of them might also be glitches in the system - something not working properly, depending on how this place works. Perhaps the events that match up to someone else's world are some kind of quirk where this space gets adjusted to match one captive or another, whether intentionally or accidentally?

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[Luckily the physically impossible thing is on his side.] So you thought that too, Hakuba-niisan? [He's referenced to a few people the idea, so he can't play dumb there.] He always seemed too young whenever I got close, so I thought he might be the second one or something like that. I wasn't sure if anyone else thought that too.

That could be possible. There might even be a place where people can't lie. Others might be harder to pinpoint though...

But I don't think it could be a pure 'glitch.' While most are random, some are not. Like around Valentines, there's usually some sort of lovey-dovey sort of thing. And it seems Halloween has traumatized a few people.

[stalking_horse]

[Indeed it is.] Actually third, I think; there's a lull period, then a handful of heists where "Kid" wore a mask and was less flamboyant, then suddenly the shorter, most recent one shows up - I suspect the original Kid may've been dead for a while now. The current one is my age - or close to it. [Wry eyeroll on that one. Not coming out and saying he knows who it us, but...]

Mmm, if there's different sorts of "events", they wouldn't all be the same thing. [and a pause as he's thinking over what Conan's said...] So who or what ever is responsible is apparently attempting to commemorate Earth holidays somehow?

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

He did? [He didn't go quite THAT much into detail. Might explain how Kaito got involved then if he wasn't approached directly.] I was thinking that too...mostly cause of how he acted later. Most adults don't like to acknowledge I might be good until a long while later. But people like you, Shinichi-niichan, and Hattori-niichan were pretty accepting, so I was wondering if Kid was around there too. I wouldn't know anything else beyond that for his identity though. [Notes that eyeroll. So maybe it wasn't so much not knowing as nothing solid.]

Other than the 'yearly' ones, it seems events are usually pretty unique. Some repeat, but there are some that only happened once. And there's usually a few per month. [Nods.] That seems to be it. It's part of why people think this Island is on a version of Earth.

[stalking_horse]

[There's a distracted look and ... well ... congratulations, this is something he's obsessed over.] Well ... the original just suddenly stopped. Whoever took over, they were wearing a mask, and likely not as skilled at it; as if someone were trying to make it look like Kid was still active. The current one first showed up on a specific heist, almost as if he were taking over; I think that the one with the mask was a friend or accomplice, probably trying to muddy the waters - if Kid were still there, he wouldn't need to fake Kid's activity, unless there was someone they needed to fool; the new Kid is young enough to be the original's son, and would've only been a child when that happened. Considering that he didn't narrow his search pattern until after the first time he got shot at, we can assume they knew something was seriously wrong, that the accomplice may've been trying to make it look like Kid was still active to protect the child and lure the killers, then this one took over that mission, but they didn't know anything too specific until they actually succeeded at getting their enemies' attention.
[And once he's snapped out of the obsessive lecture, the rest of the statement sinks in.] That's quite true. Also, his face under the monocle's the same as his face when one of his disguises gets ripped off; that, his height, and a few other clues, and well...it narrows down fast. Also he'd be a fool not to mind a child like you - he plays in people's expectations, and most people don't expect much out of children. Principle behind the Baker Street Irregulars, and all that.

On a version of Earth, or subject to someone's distorted perception of Earth. Do most of the captives seem to be from some Earth-version, from what you've seen?

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

We know he has assistance. And if one is an old man, it wouldn't be hard to think he was the original's assistants, right? What case was he first shot at?

And it'd be weird if he had on a mask under a mask all the time. Not impossible, but it does seem unlikely, right? [Such an innocent, chipper smile.] He's definitely a good people person. Harder to catch a kid by surprise with weird stuff too. I think he realized that really fast too.

Most people are from a version of Earth. Not EVERYONE, but most people.

[stalking_horse]

That's what I'd thought about his main accomplice, too. And, it would be the sapphire, Blue Birthday; not too long after that, there was a heist where he called off his intentions, but showed up anyway, interfering with them... the Red Tear, belonging to the Hopper magician troupe.

He's a magician, and that more than a criminal; he has to be good with the crowd. [Aww. Aren't you the most adorable little detective-terrier.] Kids don't have as many established assumptions and expectations, is the trick, so you're more likely to notice things an adult might dismiss out of hand as "unlikely".

Then either this is a version of Earth and whatever they're messing with accesses other Earths easier, or their intent is other versions of Earth; or this is something different, and either by intent or happenstance, Earth is the easiest target for them to study.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[Bingo. He suspected something big then, but it's so nice to get some confirmation from someone who knows more about specifics.] So they still went for the Red Tear even though he wasn't? So they're definitely looking for the jewel then...

[Just admires his niichans and has a bit of talent. Clearly that's all.] Yeah, that's right! [Nods.] People don't think about kids usually, but he would so he wouldn't fall for the usual tricks. I think it's why he's so fun. I can be of help and he doesn't just blow me off.

It could be either of those. Unfortunately, I don't have enough information to make any calls. Neither does anyone else as far as I can find. Kaito-niisan and Kazuha-neechan go with two of their friends to explore some of the more dangerous areas for anything, but even they haven't found anything.

[stalking_horse]

[Nodding] And he spent much of that time protecting the troupe; it's likely there would've been a few dead if not for his intervention.

Well, even when it's dead serious, he still manages to make it look like he's playing it as a game. It's probably a good thing, too, that he's minding your presence. [And then he's studying Conan more seriously] Conan-kun? Weren't you there for the Crystal Mother heist?


Hmph. I suppose whatever their intentions, they're not willing or able to make clear, direct contact. [Thoughtful moment] I wonder if Kaito would cope with one more? It can't hurt to have an extra set of eyes on those expeditions. [And no, he's not that worried about talking to Kazuha, even with his ... special relationship with Hattori.]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

He is the type of guy to do that. [Pause.] But Hakuba-niisan, if it's a jewel they're both after...if it was just wealth, then any jewel would do. And even if someone updates their security after Kid returns the jewel, the people can still try to take it. So that would mean the reason they're after the jewel isn't just wealth...what could the jewel be or do that makes it so valuable to them? [He honestly had no idea WHAT the jewel could do. Since Kaito and he hadn't admitted it 'directly,' he hadn't gotten the answer to that particular question.]

Probably. It might make everyone less worried about me since I wouldn't be put into something that might be dangerous by being young, which is pretty nice too. [Pauses.] Yes, I was. But I never encountered Kid. I knew he was on board because I saw Nakamori-keibu. Ran-neechan always pulled me away before I could try and interfere with the heist. I'm surprised anyone knew I was there. Did the prince mention it?

No, they can. There was an 'image of the Island' that talked to people briefly. It was gone before I could talk to it though.

...probably. I've convinced Tear-neesan and Crow-niisan to let me try and help. I could get into places they couldn't, after all. [Everyone has a special relationship with Hattori.]

[stalking_horse]

Ah-heh. [Sheepish grin] I can't say we have a clue why whatever jewel they're looking for is so unusual, or why they wouldn't know it on a few basic notes, that they all need to go checking every large jewel with a checkered history like this.

Mnn, yes, it did end up going on record; I don't know how much of the usual post-heist paperwork, confusion, and getting everyone's stories on record you get subjected to. [Studying Conan thoughtfully again] You were lucky for that intervention; that was one of the heists shots were fired at. [And a small, uncomfortable pause; something about this is obv. bothering him.] You do know to stay out of their way if they show up, yes? Fall back and not be in the thick of the heist?


Well, that's interesting. Do we have a description of it?

I'd be interested in helping with that. Of course, it does depend on how well Kaito takes my interest; for some reason, he seems a touch high strung about me. [Oh look. Small predatory-amused grin and obv. some kind of semi-private joke there.]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

You have one. It has to do with the lunar cycle. Since Kid only ever returns it after a Full Moon, there has to be something about it. But with just that, without knowing the relation, it isn't much. [And he really didn't get what the moon would do. What, did the high tide do something or was it like a lunar flower?]

Uncle usually drags Ran-neechan and me away when he no longer needs to be there. The most is I give whatever statement I can and maybe answer some reporters' questions if they're around. [And at the question, there's a pause. Of course he knew about the shooting. He took out one of the assassins himself, after all.] ...I saw a suspicious man. It seemed like he was listening at the door when I was talking to Prince Phillip. I thought he was Kid at first, but Ran-neechan pulled me away before I could look. But it seemed too obvious for Kid, so it did seem strange.

I've never encountered them, so I never knew a heist could be dangerous unless there was a fake around. [A lie, but it was true. Besides that time, he never encountered anyone who might possibly be a sniper. So that man and woman were part of that third party?] I would act like I do when there's a murderer around though. [Because he would.]

I can describe him. But it was in the air and very...weird.

[And curious kid look here because why would he be suspicious of Kaito? No reason whatsoever, nope.] Oh? Is he high strung around you like Hattori-niichan was around you?

((OOC: Ah, and so you know, any specials wherein Conan would know what Kid looks like isn't part of the 'canon.' So the movies with Kid are out and the most recent OVA.))

[stalking_horse]

Same problem here. All I can think of is, there's some stones known to change color depending on the type of light they're under; alexandrites will look like entirely different stones depending on if they're under sunlight, or under artificial light. But, I haven't heard of any where there's a special difference with moonlight, nor do I have a guess why it'd be worth so much specific trouble on that alone.

[Flat frown.] That probably was a brush with one of them. [Act like if there's a murder = give chase, right? :| ] A word of advice on "acting like you would with any other murderer"? Don't. These aren't normal members of society that just snapped, or went morally bankrupt over some catalyst; these are people who make their living by killing, and chasing them like you would any other will only get you dead, and possibly people around you that might count as witnesses. Also ... Promise me that you won't go talking about that aspect of the case.


[Though, the comparison to Heiji gets a laugh.] Not like Heiji, no - there's no competition, he just doesn't like me for some strange reason. I think he's still agitated about being treated as a suspect... [And Saguru is as innocent as driven through a few mudholes snow.]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

That's what gets me. There might be something. Some plants have acted odd depending on the solar and lunar cycle, but even if a stone did something, and only after a full moon...what could it do beyond pure wealth that they'd kill for?

[Oh, Hakuba, if you only knew. If you only knew.] Of course not! It's not like all the cases are always just one time murderer. [He came across crimes far too frequently for that.] I'm not going to mention people shooting at Kid to other people. Besides, they might not let me go, and it's not THAT often if we haven't been warned off already. And it's not like I go looking for trouble or anything. Just sometimes a kid can only manage something an adult can't and I want to help in that case.

[Quirks an eyebrow.] Heiji, Hakuba-niisan? And I think he was more annoyed you misjudged him for being hotblooded. [Shrugs.] And what do you mean, suspect?

[stalking_horse]

Unfortunately, I think we'd need more information to tell that. [Well, there is the part where "The ones that get the most attention are the ones with stories about curses and weird folklore", buuuttt...]

But how often do you deal with organized crime and career criminals? [Pointed look. Oh if only again, eh?] There's a big difference in psychology and behavior. They won't react like the murderers you're used to confronting, and they will be shooting to kill.
And besides all of that even - groups like that hate being pointed out more than anything. If you say something, they will move - I haven't even said anything myself to anyone because with how little I have, all I'd be doing is drawing a target on my back.

[Oh hush he was just in London.] There was that. [Shrug; he really doesn't have anything against Hattori...] Suspect as in he's been off and on of the Kaitou Kid suspect list. He'd probably be under more serious investigation, if not for times like the heist he spent handcuffed to me... [No clue why Kaito's high-strung about him, not at aaaaalllll.]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Yeah. [Sighs. One day, he was going to find a way to get Kaito to give a straight forward answer about it.]

.... [A long silence.] It was...really only because of chance and I was set to safety as soon as possible. But I saw enough to understand that, Hakuba-niisan. And while they've never had any idea to actually target ME, it's not like people haven't tried to kill me ever. [Conan lifted his shirt a bit, showing an obvious bullet wound on his stomach before letting it go again.] Murderers are all different, depending on motive. It's kind of obvious an Organization would be different too. [Oh, he knew the risks. He knew them well. It was why he wasn't worried about Kaito knowing that Conan=Shinichi. He was already in the same situation anyway.] Though maybe that's why we haven't been told. They haven't wanted attention and the police don't want them to realize?

[What? He likes to tease.] Hattoi-niichan hates to be misjudged on his detective skills. He really hates it when people think his success is because of his father too. But you saw how good he was on his own, right? So hopefully it won't be so bad next time.

[A look of AWE.] You think he's Kid?! I suppose the age and being a magician...but there has to be more? But he's a fan of Kid. Wouldn't he think of it more as a complim- [A pause and then a thoughtful frown.] Oh...unless it was that...

[stalking_horse]

[...For once, less of the "little kid" act for a change was a very good thing to do, although there's a small wince at the bullet wound.] That's part of it. Nakamori-keibu knows, I'm sure, and half the Task Force, but ... any change in routine or mention would risk notice.
Do be careful, though. I'm not trying to be a pain, I just don't want to see you end up on a casualty list. [Calmed down from the Straightface of Doom though!]

Likely not. Hattori-san's perfectly intelligent, and I think all of us have our moments where we've acted on impulse.

[Oh heh heh heh.] The age, being a magician, family history, some other things. [Why no, he's not suddenly truncating the list of details and evidence that makes him sure Kaito's Kid.]
...Unless? [You have him curious now, what you're thinking.]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[Kind of a blank look at the wince. It was kind of traumatic, the whole event was just...bad during that time. Almost dying, making the kids realize mortality, and disappointing Ran. Well, it was better just to brush those emotions away.] They probably do. After all, even if people think they might be bumblers, they've never chased Kid themselves to know that really is what he does to everyone. [Even if it was kind of funny, he knew the officers well enough from his times at those heists to know they were certainly competent enough. It was just Kid's way.]

[Snickers.] Oh, he's very impulsive. He's the only one who might deny it. But he's very aware too and knows more or less what's around him even rushing in.

What you said, family history. If he WAS Kid, logically the person he succeeded would be his father. A talented magician and all. To have someone accuse his father of being a criminal, even a criminal he admires, it might still be insulting and might be why you get on his nerves. [A pause.] ...but it seems doubtful of Kid ever being Kuroba Toichi.

[stalking_horse]

You're quite right in that - they're perfectly intelligent officers, just ... Kid. I know I haven't come off unscathed in that, myself. [Solve fifty major cases and get one string of reporters with pictures of you grumpily handcuffed to a rooftop door-handle with your own handcuffs...]

[small nod] In some ways I'd imagine the impulsive streak might work in his favor; since it might mean people thinking he's not paying attention simply because he's reacting so loudly. [Which, yes, impulsive, but then, who actually remembered to leave some clue so that help could get out to that island?]

Mmmmn. I didn't look into him as a suspect without researching Toichi as well, even though it's much harder to work much with what's essentially a cold case. I suppose one could argue that Kudo, being on close terms with Kuroba Toichi, would've caught on if he were Kid, but ... [Shrug and a lazy handwave-gesture at the two of them; just look at the current generation and the relatively amiable relationship Kid has with the cops etc. after him...] If that's the case, it's reasonable enough for him to be ruffled, but, sometimes ruffled feelings can't be helped if you're going to address all possibilities and gather evidence to find the truth.
[And a small deadpan addition] He's also called me a stalker more than once.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

That's probably why the less frequent detectives don't suffer. Since Kid is their main focus, they look the worse. But it is hard to resist the fun of a heist when I get the chance, so I think I understand where they're coming from.

[Nods.] Though I don't think that's intentional. It's just how he is, but when he has a troublesome fault, he learns pretty quick to correct it. [At least two of those things where Kudo was 'perfect' and he wasn't was pretty quick. He never did talk to him about a few others, but then again, those WERE with the best of intentions.] And he was the reason we got off the Island anyway.

Exactly. Since Kuroba Toichi taught Yukiko-obachan, and Kudo-ojisan is the best detective I've ever met. [He just BARELY hid his annoyance at admitting that. He was good, but he knew his father was better than him and any other brilliant detective. Of course, he also knew his parents would probably have no problem in keeping that secret if they wanted too. Then again, his father DID miss the truth about Sharon Vineyard...]

[Well, either way, it was about pointing out a reasonable reason for Kaito being high strung.] I'm going to guess that's why he always has such an annoyed look about detectives. He's not a detective and you're talking about his father. [Shrugs.] And you really can't blame him for being defensive as well as ruffled and not care as much about that truth. Especially since all the danger is hidden.

.... [Yeah, he's gonna laugh at the stalker comment.]