Mission Improbable.

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

This particular Shinichi prides himself on stealth. Discreet appearances and exits, undetectable surveillance, shadowing -- there is little about stalking he doesn't know (note: this isn't necessarily a good thing). There's just one thing.

He's not Shinichi any more.

The lack of height is in many ways a plus. Who is going to suspect a seven-year-old of following them? That's if he can avoid truant officers of course. The rest of it, however--

It needs work. And that is precisely what Conan is doing.

It's night. You might be in the library when you hear a strange noise. Have the feeling you're being watched in the kitchen. See something shift just on the edge of your vision as you make your way down the corridors to bed.

Whatever you're doing, you're not alone.

Comments

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"All right." Family names first, he had to remember that. "Any particular reason why you're using the alias?"

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"I've got stuff to do," Conan explains, examining Hakuba with rather more interest. "And being killed would get in the way of that. How did your Shinichi shrink then, if he wasn't poisoned?"

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"He had a run-in with a witch. You were poisoned?"

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"I was a poisoned," Conan agreed. He's thoughtful a second considering Hakuba, before deciding that he may as well, and leans in to sniff the older detective's trouser leg.

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

This one does not smell like seal. He is looking quizzically at Conan though.

"Should I smell like something unusual?"

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"Just checking. How's your leg?"

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"Are there really only two of me in this entire place?"

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"It was the witches thing. You and Kuroba might hang out with them regularly, but for me to be involved lessens the field a bit." Conan starts putting the books back on the shelves he can reach.

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"I suppose that makes sense." 'Hanging out with them' was certainly not the way he would have put it.

He helped, putting up the books that Conan couldn't reach.

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"I'd hope so. Just because I'm shorter doesn't mean I can't still think." Conan puts the last of the books he can back and studies Hakuba thoughtfully. This is a definite improvement over the last. "What were you reading?"

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"The Murder of Rodger Ackroyd." He had never read it before, and it was extremely interesting.

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"Oh!" And Conan is all smiles and enthusiasm. "First time?"

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

He nods. "I haven't ever had much time before for pleasure reading, so I've practically buried myself in detective fiction while I've been here."

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"Who did you start with? Are you working through them author by author or chronologically?" Conan isn't waiting for an answer, he's going straight to Hakuba's chair to scrutinize his reading choices.

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

All Agatha Christie at the moment, and every one of her works. They're organized, not just chronologically, but also by series.

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

Conan studies the piles. If Hakuba has just reached Roger Ackroyd ... "You won't have met Miss Marple yet? Let me know when you do. I want to know if you prefer her or Poirot."

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"Poirot is certainly a character."

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"I always picture him as Megure-keibu," Conan said wryly. "But the personality and the moustache is all wrong. Funny though."

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"I don't believe I've ever met him." Yet another difference.

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"But you know Ran, me, Kaito -- Ran's father? Does he carry over?"

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

He looked startled for a moment. Different world. Things are different.

"There was... an incident when were we just a little older than your apparent age." Not unusual, not in their world. "Eight hundred years of war leaves a lot of orphans."

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

Conan blinks at that. "--Ah." No wonder Hakuba had seemed unwilling to talk about his world with Ran around.

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"Things like that happen. It's just a bit odd, knowing how much is different in other worlds."

[dynamic-brat.livejournal.com]

"You think you're used to it but then something crops up and you realise that something you thought was fact merely assumption." Conan sits down.

[weaponofathief.livejournal.com]

"Relationships, history, even laws of nature. It's probably a good thing, a thing to help with maintaining objectivity."