The Hunter and The Thief

[Questor]

The car was nothing fancy, no 100000 dollar sports car. It was comfortable and had the power and speed to get one out of trouble should one need it."Oh I can drive quite well, just I don't have a licence to." he chuckled. "Well no real one, just a fake one for if I have to show an ID somewhere" The joys of living off the grid so to speak. He pulled away from the terminal building of the private air strip and then out onto the streets. Getting onto the highway he headed north some and got off the highway and into the suburbs. "Well I told you what I was going to do, what about you?" he asked. "You could always come with me you know. Though I would have to ask you not to say anything about who my contacts are and forget you ever seen them."


He finally pulled into the driveway of a nice looking house that was kind of large. Larger then your normal homes around. The gate in the stone wall around it opened and he drove the car up to park in front of the Garage. The gate closed by itself behind them. Getting out of the car he went up to the front door and unlocked it and turned on a light. "Come on in." he told her. Inside the living room was large with comfortable furniture. To the left was a hallway that went back to three large bedrooms and a bathroom, It was situated between tow of the bathrooms and the Master bedroom had its own. In these rooms were beds, dressers plush rugs on the hardwood floors, and some simple paintings on the walls. To the right in the living room was a staircase theat went up to the second floor. Straight ahead from where they were was an arch way that lead into a beautiful kitchen. On the table was boxes of various food stuff and a note. "When I go to one of my places, I call ahead and have someone buy and bring food over. The Freezer and refrig should have the perishables in it. Make yourself at home. If you are tired, feel free to use one of the bedrooms."


He looked at the stairs and sighed. "Well guess it has been long enough. Come one. Guess I will show you another side of me." He took her up stairs where there was two more bedrooms and a bath but also a large room that had a very special door with a lock that could only be open with hand scanner. He placed his hand on the screen and it lit up and scanned his hand. Not only his finger prints but his entire palm print. Inside the room was work benches and tools and equipment to make fake IDs, Passports and the like. But also there were a number of paintings. He went to one and began putting into a wooden box made to fit over it. "A Rembrant stolen by the Nazis during WWII. Took it form some rich dude that bought it on the black market. He probably knew it had been stolen. He sure never had it out where people could see it. Will be dropping by the museum of art later and dropping this off. I always leave a note to have them find the owner and return it to them. I leave it up to the museum to find the owner and make the deal to keep it there and put it on display." he waved his hand to the others there, "these are the same. Stolen from the Jews and others, sold again and again through the years privately. When I find one I bring it here so after a time I try to get it to the owners through the museum." he chuckled. "Quite anonomous. of course."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Of course he didn't have a license. Why would that fact even surprise her? She looked at the car warily before getting into the passenger side of the vehicle. Dante seemed to know his way around vehicles of any sort. At least that's what she had gathered. Still, he did have a nice car and he was being rather accommodating. Perhaps she should give him a break. She glanced over at him as he asked her about her plans. "I was planning on doing a bit of footwork. Asking civilians what they saw, sneak into the crime scene and look for evidence. I can't go as myself so I suppose I am stuck in this wig for awhile." When he offered for her to come along with him, she quirked an eyebrow. She hadn't expected him to gift her with such information not when technically she was still a hunter. "Well, I can't really report anything now can I? Not without incriminating myself at least. It might prove to be more fruitful than my approach though, so I guess I will join you."


He had a lovely home. Though she wasn't one for extravagance, she could recognize the beauty in the walls. As he motioned her inside, she realized that the inside was even more lavish. Celeste had seen many big beautiful mansions that people showed off both as a child and as a hunter. Often the people who hired her were rich snobs who flaunted their money thinking it was a means to an end in every situation. But she didn't get the feeling Dante shared those tastes. "Thank you for all the hospitality although I am starting to feel like I owe you." Always working alone and communicating merely through personal visits made the bluenette forget about the rewards of having a partner. It allowed you to be more relaxed during missions. She had grown so accustomed to the tension that the lack thereof seemed foreign and unreal. Sitting her things down, she heard him speak.


A different side of him? As they walked up the stairs, she quirked an eyebrow unsure of what to expect. There was a great deal of security protecting this room, seemingly excessive. As she entered in behind him, it was then that she realized how much like Robin Hood, Dante was. Many of these items were priceless, things that could not be recreated. Upon hearing his explanation to this room, Celeste's eyes widened. He took them anonymously to the museums? She had no doubt that he could acquire such valuables but she hadn't pegged him as such a good samaritan. "My, Robin Hood indeed. This is magnificent I must say. The good you do continues to supersede your thievery." Well, a thief was still a thief even with good intentions but if nothing else, this was an admirable act. She heard rumours in passing that items had been turning up in museums mysteriously after being lost for extended periods of time. It would seem that the mystery was solved.

 

[Questor]

"Robin Hood eh. Well he was the prince of thieves back then wasn't he?" he chuckled. "Well you could say I take after him somewhat. These pieces of art, do not need to be stuck away in a room somewhere for an individual to look at and admire his wealth. Everyone that is an art lover needs to be able to see such works. I have the talent and skills, so why not. I don't think of it as stealing, not these. I think of it as recoverying stolen art and returning it to the rightful owneer, or their decendentes. Like this piece here. It was stolen by the Nazi's during WWII. It is going back to the LUV in Paris where it belongs. I have done extensive research on the items I recover. I don't steal the art that is honestly bought or sold. The rest of these are going to various museums around the world, in hopes of finding the rightful owner and having them gift the museums with the art for display to the public."


He was a thief, but one with morales. He had begun to become a thief after the accident. After he discovered his abilities, he began as an agent in the OSS. Some of his information had helped save lives. After the War he found that his skills came in handy stealing things. Yes he had become a thief to steal and keep the stuff. But later he saw those that lacked the basics and had begun to give his ill gotten gains to them. That is when he found the orphanage and fell in love with all the children. They were the future of man and he decided to help them make it in the world, hoping they would make it a better place.


"Later tonight we will go to the Exotic. It is a club owned by someone I know that has a hand on the pulse of the city. He should know something if any one does. But I must have your word that what you see and hear remains between us. No reports to the Vatican or the Order or to this Hatter. The information we find out that you can send, but not where you got it."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

"Art is something to be admired not to collect dust. Often people buy them to show off their wealth rather than the painting," she said recalling her own encounters with art. "Returning them to their rightful owners through the museum seems far more plausible." Celeste shrugged her shoulders. She was a bit more interested in the fact that he went through so much trouble to protect this little secret of his. It seemed admirable outwardly but it was still considered thievery. But stealing from those who gathered these pieces through illegal means wasn't a bad thing. It would seem that things were not as cut and dry as she was led to believe. Even her mentor's words had suggested that things are not black and white. But thinking wasn't allotted as a Hunter. You were to follow orders not question why. She mentally sighed. It wasn't as if her views were swayed but she had unconsciously become more openminded to the world around her.


Upon hearing his next words, she frowned. Club? She hated the concept of those places. The music was loud, the people were gyrating and drinking turned into unnecessary fighting. "I promise," she said with an agitated sigh, "There is not a soul who would believe I actually set foot in that sort of place anyhow." It was her understanding that most clubs were places owned by vampires. They used them as a cover to invite people into their coven as new vampires or just to feed on the easily compelled. She grimaced. It was not as if she could go in with her crossbow and shoot up the place. Hell, sneaking weapons into a club was not a good idea in general. In fact, that was where some of her dread lay. Without her crossbow or daggers, she didn't feel whole.


"I suppose I should leave all my toys here then," she said shrugging. "Although, I am severely lacking in club wear. I try to stay away from such.... social places." Celeste was far better at being a Hunter than she was being a person. She was one track minded, only focusing on things like finding and eliminating her targets. "What sort of person is your friend?" She said crossing her arms. Her weariness had yet to subside but with little else to go on, she would endure until she found the answers she was seeking.

 

[Questor]

Dante chuckled. "What kine of person is he?" he thought for a moment. "Well he is a player, he likes his women and he likes to party." he told her, "But he has learned to control his urge for hunting to get his bloodl. All he wants to do is live a life that is free from being hunted. It might be illegal but he runs a blood bank so he does not have to feed on humans. Nor do any that have come to work for him or have come to him for protection. You will have to admit that it is a lot better then having a bunch of them draining people for it. Many that come to him and are like him have stories of how they came to be. Most were unwilling victims and now have no way to be what they were once. So I am glad you have given your word. These people deserve a chance to live."


He was taking a big chance taking her to the Club. He knew that. But it seemed she was trusting him so he would trust her as well. Leaving his vault, he placed the painting in its container into the trunk of the car and said, "Choose a room and put your things in it. Most of what you would carry would not be welcomed at the club, but take what you feel comfortable with. We are just visiting, not there to partake in the festivities. What we wear, well no one would really care. It is not one of those places where you get all dressed up to go." The sun was going down so his friends club would be opening and the fun beginning.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste listened intently to Dante describe his friend. He sounded like a good guy well as good a guy you could be as a blood sucker. She wouldn't judge because he was a vampire but she hoped he kept the illegal activity to a minimum. It was just as risky for her to be seen there especially since she was supposed to be on vacation. She would do nothing, it was not as if she were on orders. Shrugging her shoulders, she spoke, "I see no reason to try and fix what isn't broken. I can simply omit and ignore what I have seen." Her job was to take out enemies who posed a threat to the natural order of things. People who wanted to hurt, pillage and destroy humanity. If these vampires found a way to live without harming others, then she had no reason to attack.


She headed back down the stairs and decided to take the middle room on the right. It had a decent view and it allowed for her privacy without isolation. Picking up her things, Celeste put them in the room. Looking at her arsenal, she grimaced. Typically, she carried her two daggers, the crossbow and her katana. They were only going to a club. She looked at the gift given to her from Martha. It would be unwise to carry everything she has. Sighing, she dug further into her bag. Pulling out a couple of small knives, she tucked two in each of her boots. The bluenette closed the door to her room and looked at Dante. "You have done a lot so far. Is there anything I could do?"

 

[Questor]

"What can you do?" he smiled. "Try not to get us killed." he chuckled. He went back out to the car and as soon as Celeste was in he took off to the club. It was in a decent part of the city and had a number of people arriving and entering. It was a popular place not only for the abnormals but for humans as well. Good music, dancing, drinking and meeting people and having fun was a big draw. He parked the car and moved with Celeste to the door. The man at the door was an abnormal, not a vamp or lycan but another type. He was strong, well built and took no shit from anyone. When he saw Dante he smiled. "Evening Sir. Been a while since you were here. Go right in." Others were made to wait so Dante and Celeste could enter the club.


It was already in full swing. The music was playing and people were dancing and drinking. People were sitting around tables talking and drinking as well as up at the bar. A well dressed man was walking about the place shaking hands with some people, kissing women on the cheeks and hugging them, and letting his hands roam about places. He then looked around and saw Dante. He moved through the crowd to Dante and shook his hand. "Ah my friend, it is so good to see you again." he then looked over at Celeste and then at Dante.


Dante could see in his eyes what he was about to say. "She is not here hunting. She has given her word to me not to say anything about what she sees here. We are here after information and I think you can help us."


He looked again at Celeste and nodded. "My office. More private." He lead the way up to his office that over looked the floor below. "What can I do for you my friend?"


"The originals." Dante said and Carlos turned and looked at him. "Yes we have heard about them being back in action."


"Don't mess with them, they are trouble. Everyone is scared of what they are up to." He sat down at his desk and waved to the private stock booze on a table. "Help yourself." He again looked at Celeste. "I know you. Even with the wig, I know who you are. Even you are no match for them. Especially Anubis."


"What are they up to?" Dante asked.


"Not sure but it no good. They are gathering vampires and lycans from all over the country. The lycans recall their ancestral heritage and loyalty to Anubis. Those that don't have been murdered." He scribbled down an address. "It will take an army to take him and the others down. Have no idea of where the others are though." he handed him the paper. "Your funeral if you go there though."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste looked around casually as they entered the club. Definitely not a place she would come to for recreation. The music was too loud, the number of perfumes mixing burned her nose and the coquettish women allowing men to use them made her sick. She could not understand the thrill of being in such a place. As Dante approached his friend, she found herself hiding the disgust prominent in her mind at his vulgar display of affection. Definitely not someone she would associate with. The look on his face when he saw her made her smirk. The weariness in his eyes was flattering and she didn't even have her crossbow pointed at him.


At the man's signal, they followed him below the establishment to an underground office. Celeste leaned against the wall as the two men spoke. The man's look was short of terrified at the mention of the originals. If Anubis struck fear intothe hearts of his own kind, then his presence didn't bode well for humanity. When the man addressed her, she looked up at him shaking her head. "Perhaps I am or perhaps I am not but his power is not something I can simply ignore. He needs to be erradicated." It was not up for discussion and she was no more discouraged now than she was when she opened the door. It was a truly rare occasion, for one person to give her a challenge and given what she had learned Anubis would be her biggest challenge yet. As Dante continued on, she listened intently. Without being apart of his newly indicted children, it would seem nearly impossible to find out what exactly this Anubis was up to.


If he was so powerful why did he even need the support of his brethren? It seemed like everyone was recycling the same information but there was no progress in the plans of these originals. So either the fear was so deep rooted into the abnormals that they won't speak or their plan was not in motion as of yet. As the man gave Dante the address, she thought about his words. This man truly feared the power of this abnormal. As a hunter, she often fought against groups of abnormals rather than just an individual werewolf or vampire. She took out entire clans with little more than her weapons to back her. It was hard to believe that one creature was stronger than a clan of abnormals. "Thank you for your cooperation. We aren't planning to rush in foolishly though and I made a promise I intend to keep." She said glancing at Dante. They hadn't learned much but at least they had a place to start.

 

[Questor]

Dante saw the look on Celeste's face and the way Carlos looked when he talked about the originals. He was scared and he didn't look as if he liked the idea of one of them being in the city. Part of that was the idea that if they caused enough trouble, the Church would send in lots of hunters and that would not be good for him or any of his friends. He looked at Celeste. "You will not be able to do this alone. No matter what you have done before, this one will not be taken down by a single hunter. Where is your team?" he asked. Knowing that he could keep his people out of the way and safe.


Dante said, "No team. She is here to find him and those with him and then figure out what to do." They would probably need a small army of hunters if Anubis was as powerful as they made him to be. "Warn everyone, have them lay low and keep their eyes and ears open and let you know anything that might be happening." With the address in hand he made for the door.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Dante continued to control the conversation. Celeste just leaned back and listened. There was no need for her to address the vampire, since Dante seemed to have all the answers. She could hear the worry in the man's voice as he spoke and that in itself was enough to put her slightly on edge. The power of every abnormal, newborn or not, was not something to be taken lightly. Especially one like this man, who had many friends. She sighed as the conversation reached an end. She nodded at the man. "Thank you for your cooperation." She said coolly. They hadn't learned much but an address was more than enough to steer them in the right direction. She followed Dante out of the club. "So, where is this place?" She asked.

 

[Questor]

"Warehouse district." he told her. He guessed if you wanted to have a place where no one was poking around that would be a good place. "So what was your impression of Carlos. Think he knows more then he is telling?" That was one reason he wanted her to be with him. She might be able to tell if he was lying or holding something back. "He is a friend, but after all he is a vampire and might be influenced by one more powerful then him." Dante was no fool, and he wanted to make sure his friend was not sending them into a trap. They reached the car and again they were off driving back to the house so she could pick up what ever she was going to require before they went to the address on the paper.


He had all that he required from Joe. The twin pistols and the Katana was all he would require. He was no good with throwing knives or crossbows, so what he had was good, even though he didn't like guns, he could use them. He waited for her to collect her toys so they could get going. "What do you think he will have with him?"

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste looked over at Dante and sighed. "Carlos seemed like a coward. Someone who is easily pressured by one who is stronger than him. I think he was lying and that he knows more than he let on. The fear in his eyes was uncanny to someone who worried for their own skin. This is a trap. But that's my opinion." She said slowly. As they headed back to the car, she realized that Dante was cautious. It was a good quality to have in both lines of work. From what she could tell, it was well warranted in the case of Carlos. She often found that fear outweighed friendship so she rarely trusted anyone.


When they arrived back at the house, she gathered her favorite toy, her crossbow and decided that now was as good a time as any to try out the gear given to her by Martha. Strapping her daggers to her back, she walked out of her room towards Dante. "Well, if he is as powerful as they say, he will probably have several guards. Abnormals rarely fight with weapons but I wouldn't put it past them to have guns and blades." She sighed. Walking into a trap was normal in her line of work but with these originals it was hard to say what could happen. Celeste looked over at Dante. "The warehouse district huh? No doubt an ambush. We should be on our guard."

 

[Questor]

Dante chuckled. "I knew there was a good reason I took you along." he grinned. "A second set of eyes and ears always comes in handy when dealing with some one as scared as Carlos was. He was indeed shaken and that was something that Dante knew was not Carlos. He had survived his share of hunters, both church and others and didn't scare to easily. But this original had him shaking in his boots. "So we don't go in the front door, or any way they think we will come in. We will have to go in a very differnt way, one they would not expect, though it is going to hurt like a bitch, well for me anyways." he told her.


The drive to the Warehouse district was not to long and very uneventful. He parked well away from where they were going so that their presence was not going to be noticed. It was by foot from there on and once they were like a warehouse away from the one they were going to, he began climbing up to the roof and moving forward till the other building came in sight. He helped Celeste where it was necessary, his strength coming in handy to pull her up with one arm hanging on and the other holding her hand, till she could get a grip on the building and pull herself up all the way. Now the real fun began. Trying to locate the guards.

 

[Questor]

bump

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste smirked. "I am glad that I was of use to you." She had been searching for a way to pay back his kindness during this trip. If using her natural analytical skills helped, then she would owe him no favors. She hated being indebted to people. The only person she was owed was Mad Hatter, her mentor but right now was not the time to be thinking of such trivial matters. She was still surprised he had so readily believed her words. Perhaps it was her reputation, but something told her it could be an inkling of trust forming. "They will probably block all the obvious entrances but vents and air shafts might be an option. Assuming at least one of us can fit in there."


As they reached the warehouse, she noted that there were guards on both the front and back entrances. What surprised her was that the roof they stood on was unguarded. Did they not expect an aerial attack? Or were they narrowing down their options so it would be easy to trap them? She frowned. Her instincts told her to be cautious. "I see a two guards at the entrances of the back and front of the warehouse. I also sense something on the roof but I don't think it sees us. We should tread carefully. I suspect they are trying to corner us to one path." She glanced at him as she continued to survey the area, "What do you suggest? This is more your specialty."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste smirked. "I am glad that I was of use to you." She had been searching for a way to pay back his kindness during this trip. If using her natural analytical skills helped, then she would owe him no favors. She hated being indebted to people. The only person she was owed was Mad Hatter, her mentor but right now was not the time to be thinking of such trivial matters. She was still surprised he had so readily believed her words. Perhaps it was her reputation, but something told her it could be an inkling of trust forming. "They will probably block all the obvious entrances but vents and air shafts might be an option. Assuming at least one of us can fit in there."


As they reached the warehouse, she noted that there were guards on both the front and back entrances. What surprised her was that the roof they stood on was unguarded. Did they not expect an aerial attack? Or were they narrowing down their options so it would be easy to trap them? She frowned. Her instincts told her to be cautious. "I see a two guards at the entrances of the back and front of the warehouse. I also sense something on the roof but I don't think it sees us. We should tread carefully. I suspect they are trying to corner us to one path." She glanced at him as she continued to survey the area, "What do you suggest? This is more your specialty."

 

[Questor]

Dante surveyed the roof of the warehouse that the Original was in. He finally saw the lone guard. "Lycan. In his huge and ugly form. He is a big one to. " he whispered and pointed to where a couple of the roof top air handing units were almost together. he was in between them. "Probably don't think to much of having people drop in from above. Something like an aircraft flying over and people jumping out over the city would be a bit to noticeable and the cops would be all over the place. But they have one there just in case." he looked the roof over. There was only one spot that was hidden from the Lycan's view.


"This is going to hurt." he mumbled and said to Celeste. "Hold on tight. This is going to be a bit strange to you and your stomach might not feel to good. But believe me, I am going to be hurting worse." He put an arm about her and gritted his teeth. Doing it by himself was not a problem. But he had tried it with someone before and it hurt when he came out at the other end. What he called a blink seemed to warp space some so all he had to do was take a step and he was where he wanted to be. But taking some one else along seemed to put a strain on every muscle in his body and the pain was almost unbearable when he finished the Blink. He took a deep breath and Blinked. One second they were on the roof top of the warehouse facing the other one and the next they were on the one with the Original in it. Dante dropped to his knees gritting his teeth in pain as it seemed a thousand needles were puncturing his body. He also felt a bit dizzy. But they were on the roof and hidden from the Lycan.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

"This still seems strange almost too easy." She commented. Celeste was weary of the low security of the warehouse. She was currently playing with two different scenarios, neither of them were looking well for them. One thought was that his power was so great that he needn't bother with many guards. The other was that this trap was very elaborate. The original was planning to corner them for his advantage. She took a deep breath as she began to focus. They needed to get in and out, alive and this original was fearsome. No, she wasn't afraid, in fact the woman was a bit excited. She rarely fought against creatures that were strong enough to thwart her. Still, her mission was to gather information and that took precedence. Exhaling, she looked at him. "One, should be easy."


As he began to mumble, she looked at him strangely. What was he talking about? Celeste looked at him wide eyes as they began to move. Was this how he had escaped her line of vision? She didn't have time to think about it. Once they reached the rooftop, she immediately fell to her hands and knees, nauseous. She gasped for air. The world was moving a bit faster than she remembered. What happened? She hadn't seen him do anything and yet they were across the roof. It was difficult to regain her composure. Knowing they needed to be silent, she resisted the urge to cough and gag. Still, She could barely stop the world from spinning. The dizziness passed quickly but her stomach still felt unsettled. Her eyes trailed to him. His words rang true as she could see he was suffering from this as well. "What...what the hell was that?" She whispered as she felt less disoriented. That was by far, the worse ride she had ever taken. This was almost as bad as riding an airplane.