{NOVELETTE} A Heist To Remember - Part 03

Alphonse nodded, moving on silent footsteps towards the table. He then realized what Violetta must think of him covered in black leather from head to foot. He lowered his hood exposing his unkempt hair, crooked nose and narrow jaw hoping it would help calm her down slightly.

“Why was that man in here?” Alphonse asked.

“My, my absence from my assigned duties for the day had been noted, apparently.” She gulped audibly. “You didn’t… do anything… bad to him, right?”

“What? No.” Alphonse said incredulously. “We are thieves, not murderers.”

Violetta said nothing. King, was he that scary? He was mediocre in the art of impressing women on his best days, but this was just tragic. Or was she just shaken up because of that pompous prick that just left?

“Do not fret.” Alphonse said, trying to sound like Theo. “These people are draining what remains of our holy city. King knows you are doing the right thing tonight.”

“Y-yes.” Violetta stuttered, looking away. “The right thing…”

Alphonse gave her his most disarming smile. Violetta remained silent. Right, the job.

“So, Madam Violetta. Where are the documents located?”

She looked at him then, face determined. “In the basement.” Violetta said. “In a hidden room, in the basement.”

Well that was easier than he thought, his smile always did seem to put people at ease. “How will I find this hidden room?”

“It’s on the far eastern side. Behind some boxes labeled fragile.”

“I cannot read.”

She gave him a flat look, her posture more relaxed than before. “They contain Alembics and Retorts amongst other alchemical tools.”

“Alchemy boxes, should have said that from the start.” Alphonse said returning his beaming smile. “I have one more question for you, brave madam. Where can I find your lord’s washroom?”

Her eyes finally flickered with light - surprise - at his unexpected question. “P-pardon?”

“I require the location of Alderman Gile’s washroom.”

“Whatever for?”

Alphonse doubted he would actually perform his ritual. Calling cards were great and all, but being locked up in jail meant it didn’t matter how many times you left a calling card, who would call you in jail? He was still tense from the close encounter before, how many of those would he have this night? Still, it wouldn’t hurt to know, he might just take a quick dip if he has the time. “Well, you never know when you have to use the facilities, even while you are robbing someone, eh?”

Violetta stared at him, utterly bemused. “There are several. Um, one is – “

“Ah, forget it.” Alphonse cut her off, raising his hood. “I won’t need it tonight. My friends always said I lacked discipline, tonight’s as good a night as any to work on that.” He gave her a nod, turning.

“W-wait.”

“Yes?” Alphonse turned again.

“Why do you do this? Truly.”

“Because it’s fun?”

The look of utter disgust on her face said more than any rousing speech. “That’s it?”

“Well…” Alphonse hesitated. “Of late, a friend has been putting ideas into my head, weird ideas for a thief. But maybe what I do tonight will actually help some unfortunate souls.”

This seemed to anger the small maid. “Truly? A righteous thief? You claim that stealing from an Alderman, a Descendant of the Saviors, will help the less fortunate?”

“No…” Alphonse admitted. “But my friend does, and he has not let me or mine down thus far. And maybe, just maybe - it will end up helping.”

“Throwing spit and bile at a Descendant cannot help anyone.” Violetta declared.

“King knows leaving things as they are will certainly not help.” Alphonse nodded to her again, and turned his back to leave. “I must go now brave one. I hope you find the Magnum opus.”

Violetta didn’t react to the old saying. It was an alchemist’s salute, a term of endearment. Seeing as how she seemed to hold them in such high regard he hoped it would ease her mind –

Footsteps, quiet but noticeable. Coming up the stairs? It had to be that noble from before. He supposed he had seconds before the prick was at this floor – no time for goodbyes. Alphonse skillfully slithered out the dimly lit room and into the brightly lit hallway. He then quickly turned and entered the closet to his left, sending a silent prayer that his shadows kept him safe.

“I really need to cut down on the wine.” Alphonse heard the noble say. He peeked through the keyhole, the noble was shaking his head climbing up the stairs at the end of the hallway. It seemed like Alphonse’s shadows bought him the precious seconds needed for him to escape undetected.

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

Alphonse stood up, and noticed his smoke bomb was missing from his belt. Did he drop it? How? No if he had dropped it, it would’ve went off right? A slapping sound brought him back, and then another. Was the noble hitting the informant? Did he find the smoke bomb? Alphonse couldn’t help her…

He couldn’t…