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[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

[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.]

[stalking_horse]

Heh. Reputation holes aside, most of the Task Force seems perfectly happy with the work; it's certainly not boring, and as long as Certain Other People aren't showing up, it's not like they're in danger of the person they're pursuing harming them. [Truism about heists: if anyone gets hurt, it's mostly likely to be Kid himself.] I've heard a few say that if Kid ever seems to be reconsidering his nonviolence, they'd retire.

[Aww. Cute little detective ego.] It's always possible that Kudo would have reasons to not want to catch Kid; after all, while the normal logic would be for a detective to always go out of their way to pin down a criminal, Kid has never been a threat to anyone, and they've always had the habit of meddling with worse criminals. I think no matter who the original Kid was, Kudo probably had a good idea of their identity, with as long as he was on the case.

Ah-heh. I suppose not? Still, I've come a bit far with the case to just give up and walk away, and I haven't been bothering him about it that badly for a while. [Because even Saguru can admit that dear god, when he first transferred into Ekoda...]

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

There never seems to be a lack of energy, so they must. [That also seemed to be another thing about Kid.] That'd understandable. Kid and violence just seemed...wrong. I don't think I could even believe it's the same Kid if he did start to act violent.

You sound like you've been thinking about it a lot. Do you think there are detectives who know the truth? [Though now he was going to have to ask his father about this. At least get a hint or something if he did knew. He might have missed considering he missed...]

[And with that train a thought, a frown formed on his face. Seeming without any reason. It did seem...odd that a strange woman was near someone like that. But it was a thought for another time and the frown was gone a moment later.]

Of course not. Just be careful if you REALLY think it. Since nothing is solid and everything. Oh! And if you try to get him to admit it here, don't do it in front of Kazuha-neechan, Ran-neechan, or Tear-niisan. Maybe not Crow-niisan, but he might think it's a joke. The girls are really scary though and might get annoyed at you too. [And he didn't want Kazuha or Ran to suspect a thing. Tear knew, but she was possibly close enough to those two in personality type it'd be risky to exclude her.]

[stalking_horse]

Mmmm...I'd imagine it would take - quite a disaster, to put enough of a dent in him for him to consider it, and honestly, he seems more like the sort to self-destruct than to lash out if something horrible enough did happen. Although I doubt I'd be there to see it if things went that wrong... [And with that morbid aside over-]

Possibly. Outside of the Task Force, there don't seem to be many that're so heavily involved in it besides myself. There was one Interpol agent that may've caught on, from what I heard, but... [That memory gets a distasteful frown; the whole case was nasty business.]
... [But it's not quite enough of a distraction to miss that.] Something wrong?

I'll be careful. Most of our class stopped paying attention, but I know better [now] than to start something serious for no reason. [This doesn't mean he won't backhandedly tease Kaito.] And honestly, if I were to try another confrontation here, I'd be avoiding dragging other people into it; no reason to drag the girls in - although as long as none of them have a mop, I think I'll be alright.

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

...he would. Someone who represses everything and puts on a brave face... [He has a rather worried look on his face. Cause now that he's thinking about it, it makes him kind of worry about Kaito.]

Yeah. Well, Jiroki-ojisan is starting to get pretty involved. [Pauses.] That agent that died...? [It stuck out to him. The one heist where someone died and he wasn't there.]

...it's nothing. [Shakes his head.] Just something I remembered Shinichi-niichan mentioning once.

Good. They're really defensive of their friends and Ran-neechan and Kazuha-neechan are really scary. Tear-niisan...well, the Pow Hammer is just weird. [S-so very weird.] ...mop?

[stalking_horse]

[You wouldn't be the only one that worries about him sometimes. :| ]

He is - I don't know him very well, he didn't strike me as the type to be going out of his way to investigate possible suspects or be trying to find Kid "out of uniform", so to speak; he seems more intent on beating Kid at his own game. [Not that there's anything wrong with that.]
...Yes. Nasty business all around, that incident. [And another round of "nothing solid but-"...]

Is it something that might be useful? [What happens when you dangle possible information in front of a detective?]

[Half-nervous laugh; really that's business as usual.] Mop. Nakamori-san's weapon of choice. I haven't had her bring it to bear on me yet, but I have been threatened. I'm sure you could ask Kaito about it, he's seen more of it than I have... and while we're on "scary girls", I think if I've managed to avoid getting Nakamori-san or Koizumi after me, I'm managing something.

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

[Really, we worry too much about criminals.]

Well...true. But I think a lot of people go for that first. It's almost weird to think of him as having a secret identity at times. [Luckily he hadn't thought Kaito was Kid right away or he might have had a problem with that.]

...did something else happen?

[Right. He should know better. Conan shrugs.] I don't think so. Just how the other student Kudo-obasan trained with other Kuroba Toichi gave him the creeps. [It wouldn't matter. Sharon Vineyard was 'dead,' after all.]

Oh. I haven't heard a lot about Nakamori-neechan. I just know she was here for a while and she's Nakamori-keibu's daughter and Kaito-niichan's good friend. Whose Koizumi?

[stalking_horse]

[Only the special ones.]

I suspect it's part of how he plans things; as spectacular as his heists are, I doubt many people think much about the image of Kid when he's not Kid.

Just the whole, Nightmare business. I wasn't there for most of it, but... [frown] There's several things that weren't right about that case.

Oh? [Really should know better, you have his distinct interest now.] Did he say much about that other student, or why they bothered him?

Koizumi is another classmate of ours. She's... [Well, "witch" might get him disbelieved...] terrifying. [And muttered-]And he calls me a stalker...

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

[True.]

...probably. [A hand goes to the back of his head.] He's good at blending into the crowds. During the Teleportation heist, he had the card gun at the back of my head when he was distracting me to plant a bug. No one noticed at all and it was hard to spot him even if he only had a second to get some distance.

Really? Odd that it's not known. Kid usually likes to have the entire truth revealed when a murder has happened. Other than his identity, of course.

[Shakes his head.] Not really. Said he just didn't like the woman. Doesn't matter much though. She died a few years ago.

[Raises an eyebrow.] Really? More so than others? And what about stalkers?

[stalking_horse]

[Nodding] He's a magician - half of it is learning to predict and control where people's attention is.

...It wasn't a murder. It was an accident. But... [frowning more] Eh. There's things I wonder about, but there's no evidence, and if it is right, then I would understand why Kid wouldn't have gone out of his way to drag the truth out. In some ways, it's enough that someone was trying to blackmail Kid to do their bidding, if not planning on killing him.

Even so - [Sigh] I almost wish I could ask him some questions on that; if something was up, it could still be relevant. [And as much as he'd like to press that one, if there was something up, Shinichi not telling Conan much would've likely been for the kid's own safety...] [[[<--You know at some later date this is going to come back to haunt you]]]

Yes. Nakamori-san will blow up for a while, maybe chase Kaito with a mop, and then calm down and everything will be normal. Koizumi does not blow up, she plots. And repays with interest. And she's very ... possessive. [Saguru respects Koizumi and gets along with her! ...she still scares him.]