Stolen ((For yaoifann))

[Kaido]

In the time of yesterday. When noblemen and the wealthy rule the lands. There was a kingdom. Where the people were friendly and the crops were always in season. This kingdom was called Goldstones. Many come far and wide to the see the lands beauty and to see the king. Who know one ever saw, but heard that he was a kind hearten man. Only those with power were allowed to speak with him. Some question him, but others thought that as long as he was fair to his people. Then that's good enough for them. Since this kingdom was large. They broke it down into four different parts. Each with a unique name. North side was Purple hero. To the east was White angels. South was copper nail and west was called Black alley.

Many do not go to the west for that's were most thieves and bandits live. Not not all of them were bad. Some steal from those who steal from others while others were as bad as many people thought. Known to the king, the bandits actually formed a Guild. People hired them to steal or the gather info. The job spread to those who thought different. That part of town was also known as the the city's dump. For most of the people living there were poor. That was one of the main reasons for that they started the Guild.

From in it there was a top thief, no one knew his real name or where he came from, but There wasn't a job that he wouldn't take on. From getting info on other kingdoms to kidnapping. The name they have given him was Shadow Panther. Like the king the leader of the guild was unknown. Only the Black panther knew what he or she looked like. He also handed the jobs to the others if they were requested.

Right now he was at the palace. For he took on a job. It seems that the king had received a gift from of the neighboring kingdoms. One which the client wanted for themselves and was willing to hire the best to get it for him. It was a gem that it worth more then all of the noble families. He had sneak inside and took out a few guards on the way. Going to the lower parts of the castle. To the treasure room. He had to be quick for it was going to be displayed later that evening for a royal gathering.

In a blink of an eye. He had got in, grabbed the stone, put it in a sack and got out. By the time he got out. It was already to late. The guards went into panic and ran around like headless chickens. They an outside to spot anyone that might look out of the ordinary. One of them actually spotted Shadow panther and give out the order to follow him. They chased him around, but they him somewhere in the White angel section and give up the search.

Sighing with relief. The thief looked into his bag to see the gem. It shined even in the shadows of the alley way. It was a pink diamond. One of the biggest that he had ever seen. To think that this stone was worth a lot. He wanted to keep it to himself. For he needed it for his ow reason. But the client is willing to pay a lot so he will give to him instead. With that, sticking to the dark parts of the city, he makes his way back home.

[Chance]

Keanu sighed. The guards had created such an uproar during the heist. Nobles scattered about the court, the queen retreated to her guarded chamber, the king paced furiously before his dais. Keanu sat anxiously in the eastmost tower, gazing out upon White Angels, the prestigious, noble sector of his future kingdom.

Prince Keanu had ordered the heist. He was the mysterious client financing Shadow Panther's theft. And the Pink Diamond, the rarest, most beautiful gem of all, would be his. When he ruled, he would display the jewel proudly around his neck, willing all to gaze at his wealth and power which the Diamond would undoubtedly represent.

And that would be soon...

The assassination plot on his father and mother, king an queen, was already hatched. All he needed was the proper man. The correct assassin to carry out the deed. Surely Shadow Panther could do it? Keanu would ask him when next they met to exchange gold for Diamond...

[Kaido]

Less the a half hour later. The Black panther had returned to Black alley. Since the request was a written one. He had never saw who he or she looked like. All he knew was that he had to steal the Pink Diamond for him and to meet him at Ware wolf pub. That's where he had always meets his clients. There was a room upstairs of the pub to do such business. Since the guild ran in the pub, but underground. He starts walking on the main streets. All calm, but still had his famous black fur cloak on. With the hood over his head such in case. It was warm, but also light. This was the reason why he was given the name.

Inside the pub, it was lively. Many of the people who lived here where sitting around. Getting drunk, yet laughing and smiling. Music was playing in the background. Some of the folk were dancing to the beat. Always a pair, thinking that they were in the upper class at some short of ball. He would never understand. They should be grateful for what they have or so he thinks. As he heads for the stairs. He tells the cook of the place. An old man who was bald on the top but was in pretty good shape. That he will be using the top floor and to make sure that no one bothers him. Also that he expects someone of high class to come and to send him on up if he asks for him. The cook nodded and went onto his business.

The top floor was rather nice. It had some nice wall hangings and some other goods that the guild bandits had stole in the past. Like a boars head staring at you the moment you reach the top of the stairs. The seating were nice and plush. Good to sit on after a good days job. It was a little dark in the room. Since the windows were shut by nailed boards. So he lit a few candles to make it brighter. Once he had a seat, he pulled his hood down. Reviling his smooth coco brown color skin. His silky onyx hair and his stunning sky blue eyes.

When the prince made his request he was told to met at the pub and ask for the thief's name. As Black Panther waited for him. He took the gem out from his sack to look at it one more time. It was 15 years ago when they discover this gem and know that they don't come by. This stone was the must have stone for royalty. Even they have a hard time getting their hands on it. With this stone being worth a lot and that any thief want it for their own. Why did he look so hurt and in pain when he looked at it?

[Chance]

Prince Keanu had some trouble slipping out of the palace unnoticed. His nearly constant detail of guards was quite challenging to get past. After several failed excuses, Keanu finally used his royal authority to dismiss them. It was getting close to nightfall and he was running out of time. After his command, they had no choice but to obey him. Finally, he thought, they're gone.

He dressed modestly; he was to be in modest company, no need to look overly fanciful. A simple white tunic and black riding pants as well as his riding boots. Throwing a thick, red cloak - he was forced to use red since it was the only cloak he had that didn't have the Royal Seal on it - he headed out to the stables. There, he belted on his sheathed rapier - he was going to a rather dangerous part of the kingdom after all - and had the groom saddle up his horse, Vixen.

With a slap of the reins, he was out. Galloping past the guards at the palace gates always gave him a sense of liberation, but instead of letting the wind blow in his face and hair like usual, he hid under the hood of his cloak. Discretion and secrecy were vital.

Entering Black Alley, he trotted quickly past everday thieves and beggars, people who looked and stared at him in wonderment. All of them had the same burning question: What was this man, obviously high in status, doing in Black Alley?

It wasn't long until he reached his destination: the dreaded pub. It was a squalid, dank affair, almost dilapidated. But it was nice for Black Alley standards. The normal riffraff floated in and out of the hovel and everyone smelled profusely of alcohol. Keanu dismounted and tied his steed to a nearby post. No one would dare steal such a fine creature for it would be such a stand out in Black Alley, detection would be immediate, and punishment...severe.

Prince Keanu entered the establishment, his hood still pulled up tight and the hem swirling ominously about his ankles. He was here for business. That apparent fact kept the drunkards at bay, they dared not intervene on his trip. As soon as his black riding boots clicked on the floor upon entrance, the bartender was at his side.

"Right this way, my Lord," the man spoke, guiding the Prince towards a staircase towards the back of the bar.

Keanu mumbled his thanks and passed the barkeep a quick pence for a tip. He began to slowly ascend the stairs...his boots thumping with every step...

[Kaido]

Hearing the steps of the prince coming up. The thief pulled back his hood to hide his face, so he may never recognize by him if they were to ever meet up outside their contract. He also put the gem away into his sack once again. For when hiring him he always ask to be pay half of the fee first and pay for the second when it was over. It was the money first and the object second. Unlike most thieves in Black Alley, Black Panther was honest to his word. There wasn't one time that he broke his client's trust. Until hired for a job that involves them. Then he double cross. It his way for making this life work for him.

Then he got the signal from the staff at the pub. From the far right corner was a sculpture of what looked like a black panther. Sitting on all fours looking proud From afar it looks pricey, but normal. However there was something else to it. For there was a pipe connected to it that lead tot he kitchen. When he was up here and someone was looking for him. They would light a fire and it will travel up. Making the panther's eyes glow a creepy yellow glow. Slow flickers meant that a client was on the way, fast flickers meant that the royal guards or somebody was looking for him and solid meant the boss was looking for him.

He stood up and waited for the Prince to come up. For even if he wanted to keep it for himself. He also wanted to get rid of it. Sure if he kept for awhile it might go up in value, but it left a bad taste in his mouth. For many people actually know the truth of how people acquired such a beauty. For those who did know, didn't care. Which it why he hate the higher class people. So it was actually hard for him to work for them, but there was something he needed to do and it costs a lot of money to do. If he could find another way, he would of. Yet luck was never on his side other then doing the jobs right. All to do now is wait.

[Chance]

A strong feeling entered Prince Keanu's body as he neared the top of the staircase. The feeling felt good; therefore, he judged it as a positive omen. When his boots reached the final stair, he exhaled sharply and thrust himself into the room with confidence.

It was the nicest room of the bar. Hand-me-down decor such as mounted animals and shabby wallhangings crowded the second-story abode. Furniture was sparse but what was there was nice; obviously this room was for the dealings of the infamous guild that ran this entire pub. It was fashioned to somewhat impress, to appease visually the visitor, the client.

Keanu smiled when he thought of how the guild favored themselves a secret. As if the Royal Court did not know of this place? Of this guild? No, most of the Court's dealings went on around here. Keanu's parents and relatives and fellow nobles and royals frequented the guild's prestigious handymen - the thieves-for-hire. The Royals let this place exist because it served them well. Jewels, treasure, deeds, and other such valuables were stolen by this guild and then bought by the Court. In fact, the King himself had achieved most of his riches by financing thefts for this guild and reaping the benefits. Needless to say, the Court was a corrupt and secretive business.

But regardless of the decor, of the furniture, of the apparent back-alley dealings that went on here, there was but one focus Keanu had: Black Panther.

The fabled Thief Lord was standing before him, the infamous cloak shrouded his face. Keanu could see the sack - and the Pink Diamond's obvious, heavy, blunt shape within it - and he stared at it greedily; his prize was so close. "So you succeeded?" he hissed questioningly.

[Kaido]

The Black Panther watch the prince carefully. As he had reached the top step. Seeing him take a quick look around of the place. Knowing that it isn't the palace, but they make do with what they had. It's not like he lives here. It just a place of business. Like right now. He walked a little closer to him, but with still some space between them just in case the prince had any funny ideas. You could never trust the noblemen or so he thinks.

When asked he is was successful to his request. He grabbed the sack which was tied around his waist and gently place it in his hand. There was no doubt about it. It was the pink diamond from the royal family. However he only let out out for awhile for him to look before putting it back in the sack. "...It will be yours. When I get the rest of my fee. If you fail to pay, then this gem will become the guilds." he told him. His voice was different. For it sounded a little feminine for a guy, but the pitch was right to not mistake him for an actually girl.

[Chance]

Keanu kept his hood up - no need to reveal himself too quickly. He watched hungrily as the Pink Diamond was revealed to him and then once again shoved away in the sack. He wanted it desperately. The gold he'd brought along as the final payment felt weightless in the bag tied to his waist. It was nothing compared to the Pink Diamond.

So, he happily traded it over. The bag of gold swiftly left his hands and the sack containing the Pink Diamond entered his possession in mere seconds. It felt glorious...so distracted was the Prince that he failed to noticed that he'd kept hold of Black Panther's hand...

[Kaido]

Seeing the bag of gold. He nodded his head and handed the pink diamond over to the prince. Still having no idea who he was. Since like him, he to was wearing a hood to cover his face. Something that was smart in this part of the kingdom. For if anyone knew who he really was, he would be in danger. Having the gold in his hand. Hie tied it to his waist with one hand. Something he learned from the boss. Now maybe...maybe he could use the money to good use. Use it for the reason that he started this job.

As he was about to put the other hand down. He notice that the prince hand it in a firm grip. This puzzled the thief. for he had the diamond, it wasn't fake or anything. He was one of the rare bandits who had some honor and kept his word. So why wasn't he letting go. "Sir. I can't assure you that that is the real pink diamond. I keep my word." he told him sounding clam, but he was still confused. Yet deep down the feel of the fellow's hand was warm. Something you don't feel here everyday. Then he notice that his heart was beating a little faster then normal. Thinking that it must be a sign that he was going to attack. "If you have no farther business here. Please let go and get out. You are not my only client." he said still clam, but a hint of nervous was in his voice.

[Chance]

"Apologies," Keanu immediately dropped the thief's hand. "I...I don't know what came over me. Of course this is the real Diamond; your reputation precedes you, Black Panther, I would never think it was a fake." The Prince's face reddened and he thanked the stars that his hood still shrouded his face in darkness. Prince Keanu swiftly redrew his hands into the billowy sleeves of his cloak, hiding them, too. Why did his heart suddenly beat with quickened paliptations? The deal was done; the Diamond was his. No need to worry any more.

"I'll be leaving now. Thank you kindly for your services. I'll contact you again for future jobs; I have many in mind for you." The Prince had suddenly decided to evacuate the building because he heard the nearby trumpets of Royal Guards. He could not be seen in such a place, his reputation and therefore word would be compromised. Besides, he had no doubts that the Guard were looking for the Diamond. His father would surely be on a rage now. His wrath would stretch to all ends of the kingdom. No one would be free of the vengeful punishment the King would dole out for the loss of his Diamond...

Keanu turned to leave the upper room, his heart still thundering...he wondered if the Black Panther had noticed his sudden anxiety.