Wanted (ATTN: Azure Blade, Will Open Later)

[Shere Khan]

Scrooge McDuck was the richest and most successful tycoon in all of Calisota, and certainly the richest duck in the world. But Calisota's second wealthiest tycoon was a tiger. A self-made man, Shere Khan started with nothing, raised in a family below the poverty line. But now, he is a tremendously powerful economic force in Epcot City, and if it weren't for his rival for riches, Scrooge McDuck, Epcot City would be his oyster in a delicious half shell.

Night was quickly blanketing the City that Never Rests, and Shere Khan sat in his ludicrously expensive chair, attired in his even more ludicrously expensive Armani-esque business suit. He seated calmly, growing richer by the minute even whilst sitting on his comfortable seat. His paws were locked, and he rested them under his prominent, large chin. His eyes were rarely opened wider than necessary, often giving the impression that he was constantly bored and aloof with most people. The truth is, that impression was factually accurate.

Shere Khan was waiting for someone on this night. He had hired a thief to meet with him. The Azure Blade. His matters were important and private, although the Twin Fangs, as always, were allowed to be in the room if they wished.

The tiger watched the sun gradually set, and the buildings--from the mountainous skyscrapers (although his tower easily surpassed all) to the unremarkable shacks of the peasantry--light up one by one, in preparation for the night.

Shere Khan didn't need to look at his pocket watch to know that the thief was late. At least, according to Shere Khan's expectations. His expectations were always incredibly lofty. His back (and the back of the chair) was turned from his office's door. His office was predictably at the highest room in the tower.

[The Azure Blade]

*The Azure Blade had been late, true...but only because he had to give the E.C.P.D. the slip. He had a small hang up on a mission he was on before he'd been contacted by Khan. The cops even had broadcast his image on a few of the jumbotron television sets around the city....luckily, the graphic depicted onscreen varied somewhat between his actual likeness...as it had a bulbous nose and rather large ears. Half of him was glad the image was incorrect, but another half felt insulted...really, great advancements in technology, but they couldn't get a drawn photo right? He exhales through his lips, slightly annoyed. With that, the man sneaks towards the entrance to Khan Tower, and into an elevator, glancing over the business card he was given, comparing what was written on it to the elevator buttons...the number on the card matched up as the highest number on the elevator, meaning that Mr. Khan's office had to be the very top floor. Pushing a lock of hair that was dipping out of the top of his hood back into place, he pressed the button, patiently waiting for the elevator to reach it's destination.

When the elevator doors opened, the Azure Blade cautiously walked out, the dark and dim surroundings even making the master thief wary. Large jungle plants lined the room, some looking like they were meant to come to life(!) at any moment.*

Okaaaay...this place isn't nearly ominous enough.

*He lightly joked to himself, his hazel hues scanning the room for any sign of movement.*

[Shere Khan]

Being a tiger, Shere Khan was gifted with senses that either rivaled or surpassed the senses of a human. One example would be hearing; Shere Khan could hear the thief he summoned enter his office through the elevator, even though the tiger had his back turned on the man. Shere Khan's ears twitched slightly as he heard the elevator door open, the man step out, and he even heard said man's sarcasm muttered.

When he heard the man approach his desk, Shere Khan turned in his chair. His pose was the same as when he looked over Epcot City; his paws were locked together, under his chin. His half-opened yellow eyes stared squarely into the Azure Blade's visage. He could look anyone into the eye with calmness and superiority.

"I expected you ten minutes ago," he tersely said. He pointed at one of two chairs in front of his desk with his right paw. "Sit."

[The Azure Blade]

*Hearing the sudden voice, the cloaked young man jumped, but managed to regain his cool quickly, clearing his throat, taking a seat.*

Hi! Yes...sorry about that. I would've been here sooner, but the ECPD decided they'd heavily insist on playing cops and robbers with me...and hey, who am I to say no?

*He chuckles lightly in jest...however, realizing his employer probably wasn't that amused with him, immediately stopped, clearing his throat again, looking away sheepishly, quickly trying to change the subject.*

Sorry. Sooo, what exactly is this object you're wanting me to "borrow" for you?

[Shere Khan]

The Azure Blade's assumption that his employer was aloof was correct. As the Blade chuckled, Shere Khan's stare only intensified slightly, his face expressing annoyance without uttering a single word. Fortunately, the Blade cleared his throat and awkwardly changed the subject. Now it was time to get down to business, a move which satisfied the tiger. Cut the nonsense and get straight to the point, that's what Shere Khan liked.

The tycoon's face was still intimidating, but not as much as before. His sultry voice was calm even as he explained illegal orders.

"I want you to 'borrow' the chalice on display in Epcot City's museum, and bring it to me. I have a little matter to settle, and I require that chalice."

Shere Khan smirked. "You will be handsomely rewarded for this job." Once again, the tiger locked his paws together and supported his prominent chin on the paws.

[The Azure Blade]

*The Azure Blade blinks confused. A cup? That's all this guy wanted? Not like he was about to argue to the tiger's face about what he was stealing, but still, it seemed like a pretty small object for a rich guy like Khan. And he'd stolen from that museum once before...was a pretty simple layout there, from what he recalled, anyway. Ah well, easy money was easy money, he guessed. He leans back in his seat, comfortably, an affable grin on his face.*

Hey, Mr. K, you got nothing to worry about. I've been to that place before, and I assure you, I can get that chalice in no time flat.

[Shere Khan]

In Shere Khan's private jungle, a fly landed on a flytrap, before said flytrap trapped and killed it.

"Don't call me Mr. K," Shere Khan tersely said to the thief for hire. After the tiger's minor snap, he reverted to his calm demeanor. "And I will see that you do. Your... assistance is appreciated, Mr. Blade. Now, you may go." The tiger waved his right paw in a 'shoo' manner, towards the office's elevator/door. He smirked all the while.

[The Azure Blade]

*The Azure Blade blinks at the sudden snappy mood of the tiger. He adjusts his hood a bit, standing to leave.*

Okay...got it! Say no more, that goblet--er, chalice is as good as yours. I'm off!

*He heads to the door, glancing sideways at where Khan sat.*

And I thought -I- woke up on the wrong side of bed sometimes...

---

*Later, up high on the roof of the museum, Azure Blade snuck around the shadows, surveying for security, among other things. He was surprised to find none.

Hmm...guards must be away on dinner break. Oh well! At least that makes my job a bit easier.

*He finds a skylight that's ajar nearby, and swinging a rope down, he scales it quickly. Landing as quietly as he can, he scans around until he sees the chalice, resting unassumingly on it's display case stand. He takes out some glass cutting tools, and, with painstakingly gentle handiwork, cuts a hole in the glass, big enough for his hand and the chalice to get through. Once cut, he carefully sets the glass piece down, his hazel gaze focusing on the fancy gold cup. He exhaled...the cup could be set up to trip off an alarm if grabbed..and that meant taking something heavy, smashing a window, and making a run for it. But however painful--or stupid--that sounded, it was the only quick way out of here at the current time. Relax...you can do this!...it's either this or starve! With a quiet "Shink", closing his eyes, he removed the cup from the pedestal. That was it. No alarms? No guards? Wow! He'd vastly underestimated this place. He opens one eye, looking at the chalice, then opened the other and looks around.*

Huh...really? That easy? Well!

*He gave a small laugh and tossed the cup in his hand lightly, placing it in his satchel.*

Nice to know all these heists aren't difficult.

*He turned to climb up the rope.*

[Chief O'Hara]

There came a sound no burglar would be delighted to hear. It was the wailing of sirens from police cars. The ceaseless drone was soft at first, because it was from a great distance. But then it got incrementally louder, and it was all too obvious where it was heading. Hint: it wasn't the local doughnut store. It was somewhere a lot closer to the Azure Blade--the exact same museum he was in.

The cars pulled up to the museum, and out scrambled physically fit policemen (mostly consisting of anthropomorphic dogs). Three policemen barged into the museum's main entrance and ran through every exhibit, working their way to find the criminal. Another cop outside grabbed a megaphone and called out to whoever was attempting to steal the artifact. "We know you're in there! Do not steal anything!"

The police showed up quickly, even though the Azure Blade didn't trip any alarm that he could tell. Too quickly...

[The Azure Blade]

*Luckily, due to the amount of noise the cops made on their way in, Azure Blade was given enough time to dive behind one of the many large, polished marble pillars in the room. Being concealed in shadow, watching the entering cops pour in, he scanned the room for a way out. This -was- odd though...no one had been in the room with him and Khan when they'd made the arrangement...and he'd doubted they'd be smart enough to wire the place...right? Oh well. Wouldn't be the first time he'd have a narrow escape! Keeping hidden within the shadows of the pillars, excising great agility, he worked his way around the building in this fashion, hoping to heck he isn't seen in the process.*

[Chief O'Hara]

"We mean it, Azure Blade!" the policeman with the megaphone shouted from outside of the museum. "Come out with your hands up! You are completely surrounded! What? I shouldn't tell him that? Why, what's he gonna do? Fly away? Oh, wait--is this thing still on?"

Meanwhile, the three dog cops in uniform hastily searched the interiors of the museum, shining their flashlights everywhere. Luck wasn't on the Blade's side tonight; one of the cops managed to spot Azure Blade in his light. The thief was hidding behind a pillar.

"There he is!" he shouted and pointed. "Get him!" He, and the two other cops charged after him, their lights focused on their target.