Hello people! This is my late update. I would like to inform anyone who reads any of my stories that I will be doing a lot of late updates. I have too much homework and tons of other things that I have to be working on too. It's not that fun. But don't worry, I'll be updating. Oh yeah, and you might have to wait quite some time for some as I've hit a roadblock. Relax, though. I'm trying my hardest.
Anyways, enjoy, as always! And remember, none of the stuff in this story is meant to be real. If it is, then it's a coincidence. And I apologize for it.
.:|Silver|:.
Streets, [Somewhere in Rome, Italy]
The redhead walked down the streets, blue eyes glinting as they swept over to the boy next to him. The other boy was a quiet blond whose violet eyes were fixed on his phone.
"Hey, Matt?"
Matthew looked up, eyes widening slightly before glancing around quickly. No one had noticed them. At least, not yet.
"I told you, its David," he hissed quietly, pushing his glasses up his nose and returning his gaze to the phone, but not before a questioning glance at Alfred. And indeed, it was Alfred. The teenager was dressed in the casual clothes, a pair of shorts, converse and a loose t-shirt, and was wearing contacts instead of his glasses. Alfred huffed a slightly amused noise before rolling his eyes.
"Fine, David. Did you find anything for us? Rome is boring," he said. An old lady selling flowers gave him a glare. Obviously an Italian if she was so touchy about her city being called boring. Alfred attempted a charming smile. It didn't work on her. She was probably about to do something such as give him the finger, when a bunch of pretty Italian girls walked by, one of them giving a lascivious wink to the American teen as she walked by. Another swatted his Canadian brother on the ass. Matthew jumped, face bursting into heat as he gaped after the leaving girls. Alfred pouted. The old lady cackled.
"Aw man, you got a butt slap. So not fair, dude," mumbled Alfred as he continued walking, making sure to drag his brother with himself. The blond finally shut his mouth and blinked a couple of times, his wide eyes reducing in size.
"What in the name of maple was that? That's not normal!" he gasped. Alfred rolled his eyes again.
"Whatever dude. They probably just liked your ass. So, find anything?"
"Alfred! You cant just say things like that! And yes, as a matter of fact. I did find something."
"Are you going to tell me?"
"Not until we get some ice cream. I think I'm starting to blister from the heat."
Alfred sighed and led Matthew to the nearest Gelato shop, which happened to be surrounded by three others, and shoved him in, sighing with relief as the air conditioner blasted them with cool air. The Italian manning the counter looked away from the news with interest.
"Ciao. What would you like?" he asked cheerfully, glancing back at the television. Both his customers also turned to the television.
"Can you turn the volume up?" asked Alfred just as Matthew asked for a lemon ice cream. The man turned the volume up and gave Matthew his ice cream before leaning on the counter to watch the news.
"…the diamonds that were meant to be put on display today were stolen. Pink diamonds, worth an estimated 18 million euros were not found from their case in the morning. Along with the diamonds, six rubies, also to be auctioned away, were also stolen. Our correspondent, Marco, is on the scene of crime. Marco, what can you tell us about the heist?"
"…Yes, hello Alicia. I am currently at Di Vargas Auction house and in front of the case where the diamonds were stolen. As you can see, Captain America was the one who stole the diamonds. But, the police revealed that after a thorough searching, they found a card stuck on back of the glass case, and also discovered stolen rubies. (Here the camera zoomed in on the back of the glass case to show a card taped to it.) And they have confirmed that the ruby theft, and maybe the diamonds as well, were carried out in the presence of Tinker. Tinker, one on the top of the line in his passion, is the one who left the card there with a note to the police that warned them of something happening in Rome. The police have cautioned the…"
The news carried on and a jingle of the door indicated that the customers had left the shop. The Italian man working the counter cast a curious glance around before fixing his gaze on the television.
Hotel Room Number 203 [Rome, Italy]
Alfred sighed, stretching his legs out on the bed and pushing his glasses up his nose as he focused on his iPhone.
"Get the map yet, Mattie?" he asked, cutting through the low hum of the air conditioner and the two laptops his brother was manning. The Canadian looked up from his work and blinked before returning to the screens.
"Its not as easy as it seems, Al. And I don't see you helping."
"You don't need help, dude. You're, like, skilled."
"As much as I love the compliment, a little aid would be appreciated."
There was a silence as neither moved from their positions and kept working. Then Alfred reached across to grab the hotel phone and dial the staff for some room service.
"Hello? Yeah, could you send up lunch? Room 203. Thanks." Putting the receiver down, and still keeping his eyes glued to the screen of his phone, Alfred grinned.
"Got you some brain food, man. Need anything else?" Matthew groaned.
"When I said help, I meant you actually doing some active research."
"I am doing some active research. But it's on Tinker. You know, the dude who stole my diamonds."
"Alfred, I thought we decided on leaving him alone."
"But he stole from me!"
Both the brothers looked up from their respective screens and rolled their eyes at each other. They were interrupted as the bell rang. Alfred leaped up and rushed towards the door, throwing it open and taking the food from the lady, flashing her a quick smile. Slamming the door shut, he set the tray next to his brother and hummed as he went back to his phone. Matthew opened one of the bowls on the table, letting the delicious smell of fish fill the air. Picking up his fork idly and stabbing it through a piece of fish and tomatoes, sticking it into his mouth with a hum. The blond American glanced at the food before taking up another fork and scooping some of the fish into his mouth too.
"S' good," he mumbled through the fish in his mouth. Violet eyes glanced away from the laptop with a grin.
"I know, eh? Anyways here, I got where you're going tonight. Il Vuoto. It's a painting exhibition that is going to be happening tonight. The hall is located on the outskirts of the city. They're selling the painting, De Fantasie, by the Dutch Painter Abel Jansen. There's going to be a descriptive viewing, followed by a few words from the painter himself and then dinner. If you're going to get that painting, you'll have to get it during the dinner itself. There's going to be a guard shift that'll happen at that time, and the painting will be left alone for about fifteen minutes. I'll take the time to distract the cameras but you'll have to do the work. Tu comprends?"
"Don't go all French on me, dude. But yeah, I get it. Go in, steal painting, get the hell out. You do the rest."
"Lovely how much faith you have in me."
"That's me. Am I getting a map?"
"Mmmhmm." The Canadian handed the other blond a map and gave a grin, glancing over the edges of his glasses.
"Cheers mate," he said in the most Australian sounding accent he could. Alfred gave him a surprised look but grinned too.
"Ta."
Il Vuoto, Exhibition Hall [Rome, Italy]
There was a gentle undulation in the murmurs from the crowd as the people made their way to the main room where the viewing was to be held.
Crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, casting a brilliant glow on the lushly carpeted floor and security guards stood on the higher levels of Il Vuoto. Well-dressed waiters moved through the crowd with ease, serving tall flutes of champagne and crystal glasses of wine. Someone walked past with a plate of bruschetta.
Blue eyes surveyed the crowd with interest before flicking to the stage. Onstage stood a Dutchman, apparently getting ready to give a speech on the painting.
"That's Abel Jansen, the painter. It's his painting. I give you two minutes before his speech starts. Turn right, walk straight. You'll see a corridor. Go down it. The guards will be changing duties, so you'll have to be careful that ones leaving don't notice you. After that the rest will be easy. You'll see the painting just down the corridor," instructed Matthew from the Bluetooth connected to the American's ear. It was well hidden and practically undetectable.
"Where are you anyways, bro?" asked Alfred quietly, flashing a charming smile at a girl watching him, running a hand through his flaming hair. She winked and turned away to continue talking to her friends.
"At the bar. There's this really interesting French guy here. It's been so long since I last exercised my French."
"Enjoying?"
"Definitely. Oh, he's here. Keep an ear out for me."
"Of course."
Alfred mingled with the crowd, making aimless chatter with some people, flirting with others, and mainly biding his time. He noticed Abel shift in his stance and blinked. Probably the speech about to start.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen-"
Yup, the speech. As soon as the Dutchman had begun to speak, his Canadian brother's voice sounded in his ear.
"Right now would be a good time," hissed the Canadian voice. Alfred chucked and slowly drifted away, faking some excuse about the bathroom to get away from a particularly clingy woman.
Feet echoing slightly on the marble floor, the American rushed towards the corridor his brother had told him, red hair glinting in the lights. There were some noises up ahead, which turned out to be one of the guards leaving. Alfred pressed himself against the wall, waiting for the guard to pass by. Once the Italian man was gone, he quickly moved into the room that held the painting.
The room was rather bland compared to the rest of the building, with its beige walls and dimmed lighting. In the middle of the wall sat a painting, lit from underneath. The light cast odd shadows on the artwork, making it seem all the more intriguing and enigmatic. Blue eyes roved the canvas before making note of the alarms on the painting. It was a frankly alarming amount (pun not intended).
"Al? I'm in the bathrooms. Did you get there? Can you describe what's there?"
"Yeah. I think they've got those fancy art sensor things. I think there's a tag somewhere in the frame of the painting and a vibration sensor. And there's a pressure sensor behind the painting," said the American quickly and efficiently. There was a short silence from the other end before the Canadian spoke.
"Firstly, it's not a 'pressure sensor'. It's a highly sensitive-"
"Dude. I've got nine minutes left or something."
"Give me a second. I'm hacking into the sensors the tag is connected with to make sure there'll be no alerting anyone. And…just…give…me…une…aha! Okay, the camera is getting a loop, the alarm is deactivated and I've managed to make sure the 'vibration sensor' won't give any strange readings. Can you do anything about the pressure sensor?"
"I don't know. I haven't dealt with one before." Alfred moved across the marble quickly, studying the painting. There was a pressure sensor attached to the frame, which was in turn attached to the wall. Any change in the force and the pressure sensor would send off readings straight to any device it was connected to.
"Dude, I don't know what to do," hissed Alfred quietly, taking out a small, yet sharp, knife out of his pocket, slipping it's blade out and turning it over in his hands, glancing over his shoulder once. There was a great sigh from the other side.
"Alfred, Alfred, Alfred. What would you do without me?"
"Get done faster?"
"And get caught. Can you take a picture of the sensor and send it to me?"
"Give me a second."
There was a brief flash of light as the camera took a picture. A moment later there was a groan from the blue-tooth.
"Alright there, bro? Not taking a shit are you?"
"Shut up. This is going to be hard. Listen carefully." Matthew gave quick detailed descriptions of the piece of technology and then on how to dismantle it. Following the instruction was a bit harder, but it got done quickly. Slitting the painting out of its frame, Alfred rolled it up and hurried out. Getting past the new guard was easy. He was more focused on making sure no one could see the pin stain on his pants than on concentrating on the people. Alfred slipped past him quietly, shoving the painting at his brother once he was close enough. Matthew, in turn, stuffed the painting his bag, casting a wary glance around before grabbing Alfred's arm.
"Come on. We're going."
"Awesome."
As they wound their way through the crowd, a flamboyant looking man with long blond hair paused in front of them, waving a hand at Matthew eagerly.
"Where are you going, mon p'tit? I thought you were staying," said the man in a low and growling French accent. Alfred flashed a charming smile at the man.
"Hello. Matthew isn't feeling that well, we were just heading home," he fibbed, casting a quick glance at his now red-haired brother. They both almost looked like twins. (And that actor…you know, the one who played Ron in Harry Potter. Alfred wanted a wand Matthew disagreed. Vehemently.) The Frenchman cast a – surprisingly – knowing look which vanished as instantly as it was there. Alfred wondered if he imagined it.
"Ah, the poor thing! He must have the stomach bug. It is going all around, I heard!" he said dramatically, patting the young Canadian on the head and giving him a kiss to the cheek before striding away.
"Au revoir, Mathieu. J'espère que tu te portes mieux," he called out as he parted. The Canadian watched the blond leave and mumbled something in return, grabbing Alfred by the arm and shoving him in the direction of the exit.
They both left.
Streets, [Somewhere in Rome, Italy]
Alfred shoved his hands into his pockets, humming as he watched people hurry by. Matthew shifted the bag from his left shoulder to his right, eyes filled with thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Alfred asked, glancing over at his brother. Violet eyes met blue.
"Nothing. Just about this painting. I wonder…"
"Yeah?"
"Nothing. It was probably nothing." They both were abruptly yanked out of their thoughts as a man ran by, banging into the surprised Canadian. Matthew let out a yelp, clutching the bag on his shoulder tighter. Another man chased the first one, banging into the Canadian again and shouting back an apology before continuing to swear at the man that had run by. Matthew straightened, patting the bag to make sure the painting was safe. It was. Alfred snorted and cursed the figures that had run by before glancing at his brother.
"Is it okay?"
"Your concern for me is astounding."
"Is it okay?"
"Yeah."
Hotel Room Number 203, [Rome, Italy]
Alfred collapsed on his bed, letting out a huge sigh.
"Aw dude, that was pretty epic," he said, lifting his head to grin and tossing his wg away. Matthew was already running his hands through his own blond hair, mussing it up.
"You were right. That wig is itchy," he mused, before grinning and opening the bag to check their prize. The roll of paper was pulled out and opened. Matthew let out a disbelieving noise.
"Alfred?"
"Yeah?"
"This is not De Fantasie."
They both looked at the painting together. It was a painting of the Mona Lisa with a huge smile on her face (really, it was a 'U' painted in red) and an eyebrow raised.
"Dude…the Mona Lisa doesn't have eyebrows!" gasped out Alfred. Matthew face palmed.
"And you don't see the huge ass smile? Who changed the painting?"
Their question was answered soon enough. A line in white caught their attention.
"Keep trying! Tinker." A heart at the end of the message.
"Not again."
Francis' parting comment: I hope you get better soon!
Well? What do you think? Was it good? Bad? Please review! (And you're free to message me whenever if you want to just talk.)
.:|Silver|:.