(Untitled)

[clockworkclanks]

There's a shuddering boom from the lobby; the mansion trembles in the wake of the noise and the jarring -thud-. In the centre of it all is a mysterious capsule, looking like it might have been a diving bell at one point before it was modified, wires and strange mechanics attached to the top and sides. The marble under it is cracked, and sparks

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[timelordtantei]

This Hakuba had come running at the age-old sound of something crashing, and wasn't disappointed. He winced slightly at the sparks, and then at the explosive door, but was grinning as the dirty figure came out of the machine.

"Now that's what I call impressive," he said, hands in the pockets of the brown suit he'd found in his dressing room. "Shame about the door, though," he added almost as an afterthought.

[clockworkclanks]

The figure finishes coughing, shoving his goggles back on his head with a wild grin. He doesn't seem to care that he looks like a revese panda.

"Hah! I-did-it! That'llshowhim!" There's a midly deranged chuckle, Hakuba rubbing his hands together as he tosses a steaming hunk of metal to one side - the remains of the impromptu gun he used to blow the door open. He then realises he has company, blinking at Hakuba for a moment, some of the manic energy dissapating.

"Alternate dimensions! Even better than I expected!"

[timelordtantei]

Perhaps luckily, Saguru didn't seem to mind the manic energy or deranged chuckle. He laughs a bit himself, recognising that voice - and the eyes, even if they're not exactly his eyes any more, a shade too light for that - if nothing else.

"Not exactly. But I think that a multidimensional nexus seemingly focused on converging parrallel timelines in the form of alternate versions of ourselves and the people we know - I suppose it comes close enough. Care to tell me what you were aiming at?"

He's not moving closer just yet. It's still cooling down.

[clockworkclanks]

"Alternate dimensions are seperate but similar - always before I've been breaking through to parallel dimensions - I realise the difference between definitions is a fine one but - thought it would be interesting to see, and Kid CHALLENGED ME and I had to prove him wrong."

Saguru is gesturing as he talks, illuminating his words with broad sweeping arcs, a gesture of frustration when he mentions Kid. He's also walking towards Hakuba, stripping a glove off as he finishes and offering his hand to the other him.

"Saguru Hakuba. Tell me, what is the defining characteristics of your alternate?"

[timelordtantei]

This Saguru takes the offered hand, shakes it.

"Saguru Hakuba. Time Lord. In training, sort of. Which basically means an alien - half alien, in my case - time traveller. And this place gathers people from all kinds of dimensions, so don't be surprised if you see Kid looking unfamiliar, or any number of versions of people you know."

He's still grinning, looking very pleased. And curious. He hasn't seen a him like this before.

[clockworkclanks]

"Oh, an alien! From an alternate planet, rather than an alternate dimension..." Saguru peers at Hakuba thoughtfully, his interest sparked, though he does seem calmer than his previously manic state. "...I'd love to take a look at your biology sometime." Then he grins, and rubs his hands. "I would also love to see a Kid. He will be so upset that I've outdone him."

[timelordtantei]

"Not... not exactly. Unless you're not from Earth. And while I'm sure you'd find it fascinating, I'll have to decline on the biology research." Saguru is now unwittingly copying his alternate's expression, leaning forward to look at him carefully. Then, without warning, he straightened up, smile back on his face. "Anything in particular that your Kid does? Apart from compete with you, of course."

[clockworkclanks]

"Thieves things in a completely outlandish manner. Though I'm sure yours does, too. Tell me, has he tried to steal Castle Wulfenbach yet? Because if he hasn't, I suggest you be on the lookout for that." Saguru isn't too upset at the declination of research; biological science never was his strong suit...Though perhaps some DNA samples to take home...

[timelordtantei]

"He does, and... no. He hasn't. I think I'd know if he'd tried. My version of the Kaitou Kid tends to lean towards smaller targets - specifically, gemstones." A castle. That wasn't something he'd been expecting. "He did once attend for a theft announced in his name by an imposter where he forewent the treasure because it turned out that the whole place was made of gold, however. He hasn't stolen anything larger than his head since I chained the bronze statue he'd targeted at my second heist to the floor." DNA samples would probably not be forthcoming. If nothing else, the Doctors would not be impressed. Either of them.

[clockworkclanks]

"Chained... How plebian. Couldn't you have thought up something a little more... inventive?" Hakuba looks unhappy at the uncreativity of his counterpart. "Say, a deep hole with spring-loaded sides, tripwires, whirling knife blades driven by water power, broken glass and scorpions? I mean, I know it wouldn't catch him, but he'd certianly be distracted enough for you to hit him with the laser-cannon."

[timelordtantei]

"For one thing, it was only my second meeting with him. For another, we were both much younger. Last but not least, what you've just described is both too complex for use inside a museum, and he also would have somehow made his way past all of it. Not to mention the fact that laser-cannons aren't in Earth's reppetoire of technological advancements just yet.

A thought struck him. "Exactly which year is it where you're from, anyway?"

[clockworkclanks]

"Oh, it's 1987-- Did you say he tried to steal from a museum? Good lord, he's more insane than I thought he was." Hakuba rakes a hand through his hair, letting off a little cloud of dust, looking very hassled.

[timelordtantei]

"19-1987?! With technology like that? I... well. My home period is 2010. Japan. Although I suppose that an alternate universe or history, even a parallel dimension, in fact, could account for the differences in our worlds. And yes, he does tend to surprise us all with how insane he truly is from time to time. Just when you thought you were finally used to it. But then again, in my world, museums are just buildings, and their security systems are limited. It might be different where you're from."

[clockworkclanks]

"...Since they contain a vast amount of treasures, even the safe, public museums are theft-proof twice over. The privately owned ones are deathtraps," explains Hakuba. "That's interesting, though. Where I hail from, Japan is a closed country. I was sent to Europa after-- well." He trails off, with an embarassed half-shrug, expecting Hakuba to know of the incident he's not speaking of.

[timelordtantei]

"I see... that is somewhat different to where I come from. And also, Japan is a commercialised country, with a rather large tourist trade. I'm still at school there, and I do detective work in my free time." He raised an eyebrow at the trailing off. "And if you expect me to know about your life simply because I also happen to be a version of yourself, you're mistaken. Alternates don't work like that in the Mansion." His tone suggests curiosity, however.

[clockworkclanks]

"A detective? How... odd." He's rather amused by the prospect, and pleased. It seems something suitable, after all. And detectives normally chase thieves.

"Yes, yes, I simply assumed - erroneously, I realise now - that you'd left England for the same reasons I did." Hakuba's going to dodge the question for as long as he can. It's not one of his proudest moments.