[The sensation of falling is-- familiar. Comforting? Maybe? But before he can reach for With --indeed, before he's able to verify that With is even there-- Dark finds himself landing in a net of stars. How romantic, he thinks, with a little snort. Whatever this is, the danger is clearly over, and so he takes a few minutes to lie in the net, stretching out, closing his eyes.]

Alright, kid. You're up.

[And he...

... doesn't change. Dark opens his eyes, looks at his hands, suddenly realizing that not only is he still in control, but he also can't hear--] ...Daisuke? [He sits up.] Daisuke! Hey, you lazy bum, wake up!

[... But he doesn't hear Daisuke's voice. Doesn't even sense his presence. And he doesn't know why, or how, or what it means, but...for the first time in a very, very long time, maybe ever, he finds himself alone. Really, truly alone. So he flops back over in the net, this time more frustrated than resigned, and frowns thoughtfully. What the hell does he do now? Besides roll out of the net, of course -- he doesn't seem bothered by some of the weird looks he gets for...seeming to talk to himself. Indeed, if you're a lady of any age, if he sees you making eye contact he'll wink.]

[So it's not just him. Dark watches the skies, watches the nets go up all over the city, but sometimes they're too slow. He can feel it, the sluggish way their magic reacts sometimes. It's annoying as hell. It doesn't take long for him to take matters into his own hands; what is he supposed to do, sit around and watch this nonsense?!]

With!

[The small, bunny-like creature hops up, and as soon as he's in Dark's hands, disappears, as a pair of dark feathered wings carries him up and away. Listen, he may not be able to do whatever kind of star magic these guys are doing, but at least he can do this, right? He soars upward, arms outstretched under a new arrival not fortunate enough to find a net. The catch might not be the most gentle thing ever, but he'll princess carry you down to the ground. If you happen to be a girl, he's going to open his dumb mouth, too.]

A beautiful lady landing right in my arms? Must be my lucky day.

[Listen, I'm...I'm really sorry. About him.]

[Diadem. Interesting name for a hotel, but Dark's not complaining about the treatment. It's the first time in his entire existence that he's been cut loose like this, able to act on his own. No tamer, no rules, no nothing.

...

It's...kinda boring, isn't it?

He peruses the shops for a hot second before settling in at the hotel cafe, a cup of coffee in hand. Mostly, he seems to be people-watching -- now that's a luxury. It takes all sorts, he supposes: people come and go. In his long existence, that has been the constant: people, love, family. Humans don't really change...maybe. For a moment, in the crowd, he thinks he spots spiky red hair, and tenses up a minute, about to speak-- ...but no, he was mistaken.]

Man. It's just not the same without him, huh.

[With, the small, rabbit-like creature who seems to occupy the other seat at the table, mewls a little kyuu, seemingly in agreement.]

["Tonight at 9pm, I'll be taking the "Perle d'Espoir" from Central City Museum of Art. -The Phantom Thief"

Man, it's been ages since he's had to send a calling card himself. Also since he's had to use an alias. Imagine, him, the legendary Phantom Thief Dark, having to use an alias! It's almost insulting.

Anyway, he's not really here to see the art piece on the calling card, he's here to scope out this Jericho Diamond he's heard so much about. ... And maybe start putting some clout into that alias. Geez, how long has it been since no one knew his name? Centuries? Embarrassing.

You'll find him at the museum at various points throughout the day. During the daytime, he's looking at the art, but seems almost as interested in the building itself: looking for exit routes disguised as interest in the architecture. After the museum closes, he's keeping to the shadows, the Perle d'Espoir --a necklace, quite pretty, lined with pearls-- looped around his wrist. He curiously inspects the area surrounding the Jericho Diamond, getting as close to the diamond itself as he feels necessary. There's definitely some kind of power in it -- but what? It's not like anything he's ever seen. Definitely not the work of the Hikari.

A sigh. This place really is totally different, isn't it?]

[you know what to do!]