The yapping and wailing of dogs continue to haunt the back alleys well past midnight. The unnerving restlessness of this particular night puts Dakota on edge as she stands alone in the dark beneath a diminishing streetlamp. She taps her foot against the pavement while Ningan tinkers with the locks.
"This really is low, Ningan…" she mumbles.
"Shut up and keep your eyes peeled." he orders. "It's gonna be a lot more embarrassing if we get caught and Princess Zelda is forced to bail us out of a prison sentence."
The lock clicks and the door partially opens, restricted by a chain. Ningan slides the chain off the door with ease and slips inside. Dakota lifts her gaze to the moon and prays for a smooth outcome.
The candelabra burns eternally as it hangs from the high ceiling, casting its omnipresent glow over the empty room. Ningan's footsteps are muffled by the rich red carpet as he approaches a vault at the back of the room. The door is bound by steel chains and a lock; a level of security he had not anticipated. Nevertheless, he considers himself a prolific lock-picker.
From his satchel, he retrieves a lantern to enhance his sight. He inserts the point of his dagger into the lock and pokes around. After much fumbling, the lock shifts and the chains clatter on the floor. Ningan winces at the sound and remains perfectly still. When he is absolutely certain the coast is clear, he opens the door and casts his lantern into the dark room.
The room is long and narrow, like a hallowed chamber one might discovering the depths of Hyrule Castle's dungeons. From ceiling to floor, it is packed tightly with treasures of all kinds: picture frames cloaked in grey sheets; mannequins cloaked in vintage aristocratic attire; a dozen wooden chests, each sealed with locks. Ningan grumbles; how long would it take to search each chest?
Fortunately, he had a trick up his sleeve; one inherited from his ancestors that he kept with him at all times. His lucky charm was the Lens of Truth: a Sheikah artefact with the power to perceive beyond the realm of the naked eye: a real treasure that Precious Potts could only dream of beholding.
With the magical lens lifted to his eye, Ningan could see the contents of each of the chests: gold coins, rare amber, and even another white pearl necklace. Unfortunately, no Medallion.
The call of a bird prickles his ears: this is the distress signal that Ningan had instructed Dakota to use should trouble arrive. With the speed of urgency, the ninja pockets the Lens and scampers out of the vault. Voices outside cause his adrenaline to rush. He is no amateur: he must find another exit if he is to escape this place unnoticed.
His eyes dart about the room for any kind of opening. All the windows are situated out of reach, bordering the ceiling. His eyes run along the ceiling to the candelabra, and then back down to the floor. The pile of chains rests by his feet. With the wit of a professional prison-breaker, Ningan grabs the chain and loops it around his arm. Swinging it around like a lasso, he lets go and watches it latch around the candelabra. The glorified ornamental lantern rocks dangerously on its rope as Ningan heaves himself up the chain like a monkey in a tree.
The moonlight shimmers through a nearby window. Ningan braces himself for the daring escape. He wraps the chain around his waist like a harness and takes a leap of faith…