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It was her! It was her!

It was her It was her It was her!

It! Was! Her!

The Phantom Jackal.

She moved with a grace that was far beyond any mortal woman he had ever met. A jackal, mature of age, with all the grace of divinity and majesty. Her hips swayed left and right, her fur was golden-brown, her snout was elegant and sleek, her jet-black hair was tamed into a regal bun while curly bangs hung over the right side of her face, and her stature was staggering. The voice she spoke with was charming as well, sounding like a knowledgeable duchess as she spoke of ages gone.

History. That was her trade. She taught history. How apt.

And then there was him. In almost all aspects of life, he had no doubts that he was richer than her. He had more wealth, more land, more riches. Even his future was set with nothing but success before him! But when it comes to being spiritually wealthy... when it comes to living a rich life... he knew he was far, far, far poorer than her.

His name was Johannes Goethe. Or just 'Johann' to those who knew him. Compared to her, you'd be forgiven for thinking he was a mere peon in her presence. At the very least, he was one of her many students. Whereas she was a jackal, he was a human. Whereas she was tall, he was short. Whereas she had fetching black-hair that was as jubilant as the night sky, he had ginger hair shaped into a bowl cut. Whereas he had blue eyes behind circular-rimmed glasses, she had majestic purple eyes that shined like a queen's diamonds. And while she wore a face that was confident, beguiling, and powerful, he sat there dumbfounded because of one simple reason.

It. Was. Her.

Nesica Wilds. To everyone who knew the jackal, she was a beautiful, talented, and intelligent historian. Working as a teacher, it was her duty to guide the young minds of her classroom into the beauty of history, and everything it could teach them. But that's not why she had Johann so enthralled. There was another reason; a more personal reason. A reason that made his heart race with equal parts passion... and desire.

As he gazed up at Nesica, memories began replaying in his head as clear as day. It happened a few weeks ago: His mother threw a large gala for her business partners and colleagues, furthering her social life and building up a stronger connection with those she deemed necessary. While the party did serve a function, it was partially to fuel his mother's already inflated ego.

But that's not what is important. What's important is what happened after the party. After the guests had departed and his estate had been cleaned, it was just Johann alone at home. He was planning on enjoying books in his home's private library, when the power went off. Annoyed, he left to check on his home's power room... where he ran into her.

The Phantom Jackal.

She was a mysterious and infamous criminal. A dashing thief, Phantom Jackal had the uncanny ability to steal anything from anywhere. Priceless jewels, historic artifacts, millions of riches; all were absconded with without her victims even realizing it. Like, well, a phantom, Phantom Jackal effortlessly disarmed even the mightiest of security and defenses to steal the treasures of those she deemed necessary. Kings, queens, politicians, even ancient tombs; all had been perfectly purloined by the proficient pilferer. How she did it, no one knew, but it made her into somewhat of a controversial celebrity.

But Johann saw her as someone – some_thing_ – else. He did not see her as a thief, at least, not the same thief who had stolen his family's priceless crystal. Instead, he saw her as the woman who stole his heart.

Bleh... sounds so corny... so cliché... so... cringe...

And yet... it was no less true.

Johann had no idea if he'd ever see Phantom Jackal again. He was sure she'd vanish into the night with his family's priceless jewel, never to be seen again. But now as he sat in this classroom, gazing towards the jackal teaching his class, he knew this was no longer true. Phantom Jackal was here with him now, and her name was--

“M-M-Miss Wilds...?” said Johann, causing the jackal at the front of the class to tilt her head at him.

“Mm-hm? Yes, Mr. Goethe?”

“I...!”

But that's all he could say. His voice got caught in his throat as he gazed into Nesica's beautiful purple eyes, struggling to confirm that, yes, this was real. The mask may have been gone, her need for theatrics may have been replaced with a teacher's grace, and her hair may have been done up into that bun, but everything else was the same.

She had returned...

“Mr. Goethe,” said Nesica, “If you don't have anything to say, please do not interrupt class. Any questions you have can be saved for later.”

“I... hn... y-yes... I... understand...” Johann replied through mutters.

As if he could pay attention to class when the love of his life was teaching it! That's a lot easier said than done! Wait... does this count as having a crush on his teacher? He's never had a crush on a teacher before. Waaaaaaait... does that count if he's already had sex with said teacher? Then again, you don't have sex with someone you don't have a slight crush on...

Bah! This was an emotional rollercoaster! Johann couldn't focus on anything Nesica was teaching! It was 'Egyptians this' and 'Etruscans that'! He heard so many things about ancient civilization politics, ancient civilization customs, ancient civilization trade routes, and – of course, ancient civilization treasures.

But all of it – all of it! – went right over his head. Johann remained completely engulfed by Nesica, watching her move, listening to her speak, and letting not one moment go to waste. And he swore – he swore – that she stole glances at him at every moment she could, as if goading him to finally speak out, and say that which they both knew was true already.

BING! BONG! BONG! BING!

“Oh. Would you look at the time,” said Nesica, her ears perching as she heard the bell ring out, “Time truly flies when you're learning of the ancient world. Remember class, we'll be picking up tomorrow about the first meeting of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, and Julius Caesar of Rome. Do be sure to read your textbooks of the given materials on the pages I provided throughout class!”

Around him, Johann heard his class collect their things and begin to leave, unaware of the inner war their classmate was having. It wasn't until the class was empty that he finally stood up. His eyes – his bright, blue eyes – were completely transfixed on Nesica. The jackal had sat down upon her desk, one leg crossed over the other, while both hands sat at her sides. Purple eyes a glow, she wore this vivacious and alluring smile, beckoning Johann closer without saying a word. She wasn't even moving, save for the subtle swaying of her tail, and the occasional twitches of her ears.

“Mr. Goethe...?” said Nesica, still smiling as Johann approached her.

“Mi-M-Miss... Miss Wilds...?” he said, making her tilt her head up at him.

“Mm-hm? Is there something on your mind, Mr. Goethe?”

“I...!”

Dammit! Why the hell was this so hard! Johann was a Goethe! Do you know how many conversations he's forced to have that he just autopilots through with skill? But here, now, the words failed to leave his mouth. He just looked at her, looking like a dear caught in headlights. And Nesica? Nesica just looked at him, still giving that alluring smile as she tilted her head to the side.

“Mr. Goethe, if you don't have anything to say, please, do not waste your, nor my, time,” said the jackal as she faced her desk to grab some paper off of it, “You're an intelligent young man. You should have the confidence to say what is on your mind.”

“Aaahh...”

Johann palmed his head and groaned into his hand, while his eyes continued staring at Nesica. He knew this situation required tact, he just didn't know what to ask first, or how to ask it. The question on his mind was simple: Was she, or was she not Phantom Jackal? He was sure he knew the answer, but he still wanted that confirmation.

So...

“Miss Wilds...” he mumbled, before taking a deep breath, “A couple of weeks ago, my mother threw a party at our estate. I have to know... you were there, right? We talked while gazing at the Chameleon Crystal... right?”

“Oh, yes, I was there,” said Nesica with a charming chuckle, “Quite a beautiful crystal you owned, and a lovely conversation we shared. A shame to hear that it was stolen by that devious thief, Phantom Jackal. To think she overcame your home's defenses. I'm just happy that you weren't hurt during the whole kerfuffle.”

“I was... asleep when she stole it,” Johann lied as he gazed briefly to the side, “I didn't hear a thing.”

“Mm-hm. Sure.”

Nesica's words – though simple – were telling. Johann even flinched and pulled back, while the jackal turned to face him. Standing up from off her desk, she pulled her hand over and placed it upon her student's cheek. He stiffened up, his cheeks turning red and his body fidgeting in place, while her hand gently dragged up his curved cheek, coming to the glasses he wore. She then pushed them up, fixing his glasses on his face, before pulling back.

“You should run along to your next class... Johannes.”

Johann jolted in place. She called him 'Johannes'. To most people, that meant nothing. To Johann himself, it meant everything. Only one person called him Johannes often, and that was Phantom Jackal. And when Nesica called him Johannes, he swore he heard the dashing thief's voice.

“R... right...” he said whilst stepping back, “Th-thank you for... um... c-confirming something for me, Miss Wilds...”

“Ufufufufu... no problem.”

…

He did not see her for the rest of the day. Not to say he didn't attempt to see her. Every chance he got, he rushed past her class to see if the vivacious jackal could be spotted and spoken to. But, no, her classroom door was locked, and the lights remained off. He didn't see her in the halls, in the library, or even at the courtyard during lunch period. It was like the jackal vanished.

She was really living up to her name, wasn't she?

On one hand, it frustrated Johann. He wanted to talk to her, to come to terms with what happened, and what they did weeks ago. On the other hand, a part of him was happy he did not see her. Going by what happened earlier in the classroom, if he did see her again, he'd be reduced to a babbling mess all over again!

Dammit. This was confusing. A part of him wanted to confront Nesica in a personal area, and get answers about what happened weeks ago. However, another part of him adored the mystery of who the Phantom Jackal was, and whether or not he’d ever see her again. At least he took solace in the fact that if she was his teacher, then they’d be seeing each other more often… right?

Hmm...

Usually, Johann was focused when it came to his studies. He wasn't a studious looking fellow for no reason; the young man adored reading books! Sticking his nose into a textbook and gaining new information was genuinely fun for him... as insane as that is to hear.

But now as he sat at his desk with his text book open, he found his blue eyes gazing lazily out of the window in front of him. School had been hours ago, even though it all felt like a blur. He came home, was greeted by his servants, had dinner with his servants, then retreated to his bedroom for the day. His mother was nowhere to be seen or heard... of course.

Not that he minded. Not that he minded anything. Right now, his thoughts were dominated by a certain jackal, wondering how he was going to confront her. He wanted, no, he needed to talk to her. He needed to just be stuck, one-on-one, and get information from her about what they did those weeks ago... and whether a relationship could sprout between them.

Gah... he felt so childish looking for such a thing. A relationship? How could he hope for a relationship with a woman like her? She was an infamous thief! A criminal! A fugitive even! Her exploits were so daring, so extreme, that she had the FBI, MI6, Chinese Intelligence, and every other investigation agency you could think of! Why would she waste her time on a spoiled rich kid?

Just thinking about it was enough to give him a headache, and that made studying next to impossible. He read words... and almost instantly forgot them as he came to think about Phantom Jackal again. Maybe he should go and get something to drink to clear his mind of things?

Well... he stood up to do just that, removing himself from his desk and turning around...

Swoosh...

Where he heard something fly by his window.

Johann spun around, alerted and confused. Was that a bird? Walking up to the window to confirm, he gazed out through it to see nothing but the night sky of his manor staring back at him. Wait... were birds even active at this time of night? Maybe it was a bat. Oh well...

Johann turned around again, facing his door. And just like last time...

Swoosh...

Okay, if once was a coincidence, then twice was a pattern... or something like that.

Spinning around again, Johann faced his window and walked up to it, pushing aside his desk so that he could grab the window's latch. Moving it up, he pushed his window open, where he was blasted in the face by a gust of wind. It nearly knocked him back – it even skewed his glasses – but he remained perched at the window as he stared out through it, searching for the cause of that sound. Not that he needed to search for long.

The Goethe estate was a grand and sprawling place, one that has played home and host to generation after generation of Goethes. Not only did it cover a large amount of area in terms of perimeter, but also in height, with several buildings stretching stories high. And on one such structure – a tower that once was used as an observatory (yes, they had an observatory!) - there stood the silhouette of a woman.

Even from this distance and in the night, he could see the wavering of her tailcoat... as well as the glow of her black and gold domino mask. And with the moon at her back, a silver light showered upon her body, making her appear that much more radiant... and that much more haunting. Like a true phantom, this specter of a woman leaped off of the structure she stood upon... and seemingly flew forward.

Johann's voice got caught in his throat as he stared at the woman, watching her approach him with her arms stretched out. It was just in the nick of time that he ducked down, collapsing to the floor while the woman flew overhead and landed on the ground. Behind him, he heard her tuck and roll safely upon the ground, before coming to a halt.

Johann sat up and turned around. Resting on his bed, one hand propping up her head while the other hand sat on her hip was... Phantom Jackal. Her purple eyes gazed at him from behind the domino mask she wore, and this familiar alluring smile sat on her lips, all as she radiated this air of cool and grace that made it seem like she had always been there. And all Johann could do was stare at her, mouth agape, glasses skewed, and ginger hair messy after his fall to the floor.

And he remained that way for a few moments too long. A minute? Maybe two minutes? With each passing moment, Phantom Jackal remained in place, smiling at him, while he struggled to even stand. Eventually, he gained the power to stand. Then he stepped forward. And another step forward. And another step forward... before collapsing upon the bed before her.

“Phantom...?”

“Ufufufufufu! Guten Abend... Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as she suddenly sprang up, sitting now before him as her smile curled into a grin, and her purple eyes gazed down upon him, “How have your weeks been without me?”

“My weeks!?” he repeated as he climbed atop the bed to join her, “They've been--! You've been--! I've been--! I...! Haaah...”

What should he do? He wanted to grab her! He wanted to hug her! He wanted to kiss her! But he didn't know if he was allowed to do any of that! All the while she sat there, smiling down upon him, her purple eyes glowing behind that golden mask of hers while her tail swayed subtly from side to side. Everything she did – or in this case, didn't do – was all so magnetizing, so attractive! He just couldn't stop his body from gaining energy, causing him to launch himself forward into her arms.

“Whoa!? Johannes! Ufufufufu! So bold of you!” said Phantom Jackal as Johann practically tackled her to the bed.

She didn't fight him off, even as his hands fell beside her head, pinning him to her mattress. Instead, she grinned at him, while those fetching purple eyes stared into his blue ones. She was so sexy, so confident, while his cheeks were an intense red. She didn't hesitate, and neither did he. The moment his face started drifting forward.

“Nmmm~”

“Mmmmm...”

Their lips met in a kiss. It was soft and chaste – just lips on lips – but it was filled with the desperation of a young man who wanted to share as much time with his lover as he could. This soft kiss was followed by another, and another. None of which broke tongue, but all of which were powerful in their own right. And after a second or two, Johann pulled back, no longer as excited as he was before, but no less overjoyed.

“Phantom... you've... come back...” he whispered, “I... I was thinking I'd never see you again?”

“Ufufufufufu! An understandable feeling to have, Johannes. Many who see me, only see me once,” she replied, “So for you to see me twice... ufufufufu! Quite the lucky and charming young man you are, Johannes.”

“I... I can't believe this is happening...” he whispered whilst staring aside, “I... I couldn't stop thinking about you these past few weeks. If only I could get in contact with you, and...” he tilted his head up at her, “Actually, now that you're here... I have to ask...”

“Ufufufu! Questions? For me?” said Phantom Jackal with a flourish of her hand, “Ask away, Johannes.”

“Are you... is your name Nesica? Nesica Wilds?”

“Nesica? Nesica Wilds?” said Phantom Jackal as she rested her finger atop her chin and took a thoughtful pose, “Hmmm... hmmm... hmmmmmmmm...” she then looked at him, dropped her finger, and grinned, “Nope! Doesn't ring a bell at all. But you?”

Pulling up her hand, she placed it upon Johann's cheek... and gave him a pinch.

“Ow!”

“How dare you? You sit with a woman – a woman you claim to think about day in and day out – yet you bring up the name of another woman while in her presence? Huff! Time and time again, I am proven correct: Johannes von Goethe is a pervert! You need punishment!”

“S-sorry...” he mumbled as she pulled her fingers from his cheeks, “I just... there's a teacher at my academy who is... very similar to you. I was thinking that... m-maybe...” he shook his head, “N-never mind... forget I brought it up. I apologize.”

“Ufufufufu! Good. You should always apologize to the woman you claim to love when you make a mistake, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as she pulled back, and crossed one leg over the other, “May I admit something to you now, Johannes?”

“Y-yes! Anything!” he said... almost too desperately.

“I too thought about you day in and day out during the week,” said the thief as she rested upon the bed, her arms crossed above her head and her leg gently resting over the other, while an alluring smile rested on her gold-colored lips, “I could not stop thinking about the young man who desperately threw himself at me, and made a stunning declaration of love and marriage to the likes of me.”

Ugh! Here was Phantom Jackal, resting on his bed in such a sexy and sensual pose. But did she have to remind him of the fact that he hastily blurted out a marriage proposal while they were having sex!? He nearly banished something so embarrassing from his head!

“Did... did I really say that…?” he mumbled whilst gazing to the side, his cheeks red, “I don't... I'm not sure I remember...”

“Ufufufufufu! But I remember,” said Phantom Jackal as she leaned upwards once again, “And Phantom Jackal always captures the treasures that she sets her eyes upon. However... I have never been treasured by someone else in a romantic sense, and never someone so eager to please such as you. Sooooo...”

Reaching down, she placed her hand upon Johann's cheek, gently stroking it. He tensed up in her touch, and nuzzled his cheek against her gloved fingers, while getting lost in her mesmerizing purple eyes.

“You wish to marry me, right, Johannes?” said Phantom, “Well... how do you propose to an infamous thief such as I? Do you buy some common band from some jewelry store, get on one knee, and propose? That would seem basic, would you not agree? But knowing someone like you – someone so rich and powerful – you could get a more extravagant ring, could you not? But is there a ring extravagant enough for me that could prove your love? I wouldn't say such a ring could be purchased, would you not agree? No, what I need is something... priceless.”

“Something... priceless...?” Johann repeated, causing Phantom to nod.

“Oh yes. Something priceless,” she repeated, “You see, Johannes, I've been thinking about my next major performance. For this performance, I realize it would be in my best interests to have a partner. And what better partner than the young man who claims to love me? A young man who wishes to marry me. A young man who wishes to spend the rest of his life with me: Phantom Jackal.”

“M... me...?” Johann said as he pointed at himself.

“Ufufufufufu! Whomsoever else could I be speaking of?” said Phantom Jackal as she crossed her arms beneath her chest, “I don't know of any other strapping young men who make daring marriage proposals. Do you? Ufufufufu!”

“I... wh...” he shook his head, “What are you talking about, Phantom...?”

“Aaaah. Forsooth! Perhaps the so-called love of my life – the man who wishes to wed someone such as I – may not be the brightest diamond in the sky. Such a shame. Here I was hoping he could aid me with my performance and prove his love to me. For shame!”

“Grrrgh! Okay, I get it!” Johann growled, causing Phantom Jackal to chuckle, “You... want me to help you steal something...? Is that what you're getting at?”

“Ufufufufufu! 'Stealing' is such a belittling term for one of my performances. We need something stronger! Like a caper! Or a mystery! Or – in this case – a heist! Ufufufufufu!”

“A... heist...” Johann mumbled, before scooting a few inches closer, “What are you...? What are you talking about, Phantom...?”

“Ufufufufu...! I have spent many days studying up on you and the rest of your family,” said the jackal as she drew in closer, “And I so adore how decisive and dedicated you are. Whenever an issue arrives, you do your best to resolve said issue. Ufufufufufu! Such faithfulness!”

“Phantom...” Johann mumbled, “Do... you want me to... hah... you want me to help you perform a heist?”

“Ab-so-lute-ly, Johannes!” said Phantom as her purple eyes slid sharper around his frame, “I need the help of my would-be fiance to abscond with a beautiful jewel. Would you be daring, courageous, and suave enough to help me on my mission?”

“I... uhh...”

Johann blushed, while feeling a combination of apprehension and embarrassment. Her request sounded absolutely insane. A heist? She wanted his help to steal something? What good could he do for someone like her? She's stolen a plethora of treasures along her infamous career!

“Why me...?” said Johann as he pointed at himself, “This... this has to be a joke, right? I'd just... hold you back.”

“Oh Johannes. I appreciate your humility,” said Phantom Jackal as she stroked her hand down his cheek, “But I also feel like you sell yourself short. You are a Goethe, no? Your family did not gain power through mere luck and fortune, did it? I studied your family extensively when I pulled the Chameleon Crystal Caper, so I'm very well aware of how perceptive and brutal your family can be. All we need to do is change your perceptions. After a fair bit of training, you'll make a dashing thief in your own right! Ufufufufufufu!”

“Training? Th-thief...?” Johann shook his head, “You...! You haven't even told me what it is you want to steal.”

“Oh? Did I not? Ufufufufu! It would seem it escaped my mind,” said Phantom Jackal as she reached her hand into the pocket of her tailcoat, “Allow me~”

Fwip!

With a flourish of her hand, Phantom Jackal produced a smartphone. Only, it was far more high-tech than any smartphone Johann had ever seen. He eyed it up and down, watching as the jackal's fingers stroked along the screen, tapping a button, and--

Gweaam!

Before his eyes, Phantom's smartphone produced the 3-D image of a diamond carved with the emerald shape. But with this being a recreation of the gem and not the genuine article, it was hard to get a true idea of what the diamond actually looked like.

“Wonderful, isn't it?” said Phantom as she flaunted the jewel before Johann, “This beautiful thing is known as the Hoarfrost Hambergite. It was found within mines beneath the Kunlun Mountains, and allegedly contains essence from Shangri-La itself. Due to its shape and carving, it is believed that it must have been forged by a legendary diamond cutter. Or so the story goes, ufufufufufu!”

“Is this... aahn... is this what your heist is planned around...?” asked Johann as he stared away from the 3-D image and looked towards Phantom's face.

“Ufufufufufu! Of course, Johannes. The Hoarfrost Hambergite is the stage for my next grand performance! It shall be known as... the Hoarfrost Hambergite Heist! Ufufufufufufufufufu! Brilliant, is it not? And this will be my first performance alongside my handsome and talented partner. Assuming, of course, he has the courage to join me in my show.”

Johann's ears rang at the sound of Phantom Jackal's voice. When he looked up towards her masked face, he saw her smile back down upon him. And that smile grew wider and wider, ever so steadily, as if she could read his mind.

Was he brave enough to do it? Was he brave enough to help her pull off a heist? Oh, sorry, a 'performance'? The thought of it was frightening. Never in his life had he performed a crime! Yet here was this sexy and vivacious jackal, goading him to do something absolutely insane.

He wanted to say 'no'. He was begging himself to say 'no'. Him? A thief? Of all the people in the world, she wanted him as his thieving partner!? Was she insane? Or was he insane for even entertaining the thought of it!

Something like this was stupid. And thrilling. And awesome. And adventurous. But still so stupid. Yet... he wouldn't be doing it alone, would he? He'd be doing it with her, the woman he claimed to love... as insane as that is to hear.

No. No. No no no. NO!!! This was the stupidest thing he could ever possibly consider! But he was still considering it. And as he considered it, Phantom Jackal looked down upon him with a smile on her face, her tail swaying side to side, and this beautiful glow in her purple eyes.

He swallowed his spit.

“Where is it...?”

Phantom Jackal's smile grew wider.

“The Hoarfrost Hambergite has been traveling across the world,” she explained, “First starting in museums in China, then traveling to Russia, from Russia to India, India to Europe, Europe to the UK, and now it's arrived here in America. Currently, the Hoarfrost Hambergite is being held in a place known as Debeers Museum. You've heard of that, haven't you?”

“Y-yes...” Johann answered, “My family has delivered the Chameleon Crystal to Debeers Museum in the past for exhibit. That is... until you stole it, of course...”

“Ufufufufufu!”

As her taunting giggles filled the air, Phantom Jackal tapped her phone again. Before Johann's eyes, the image of the Hoarfrost Hambergite changed, becoming instead a large building with a wide perimeter. This was Debeers Museum for the Arts; he could recognize it from having visited it several times in the past. A majestic building, it had an elegant architecture that wouldn't look out of place in ancient Rome with its standing pillars and divine statues.

Bringing over her finger yet again, Phantom Jackal tapped the 3-D recreation of Debeers Museum, causing it to zoom in. Upon doing so, Johann was given an incredibly detailed view of the building's hallways, with marked locations and areas of interest. It was so deep and so intricate, that he was even told the locations of ventilation shafts.

“How did...?” he whispered whilst gawking at the 3-D image.

“Ufufufufu! Such talents are necessary for a world-class thief as myself,” said Phantom Jackal, “Ever since learning that the Hoarfrost Hambergite would be arriving at Debeers Museum, I've been spending my time meticulously scanning the building with both my eyes and my tools, allowing me to replicate this 3-D image to absolute perfection! This has been a performance that is two years in the planning! Ufufufufufu! This may be my only chance to steal the Hoarfrost Hambergite, and I will not let this opportunity pass me by. So...” she tilted her head, “Won't you help me, my darling fiance?”

“Gh...!”

She was... manipulating him, wasn't she? Johann was not so stupid as to not realize this as being the case. But... maybe he was so whipped that he didn't care. When her purple eyes stared into his blue ones, and that alluring smile adorned her gold-colored lips, he felt trapped. How could he possibly deny her of all people?

“Are you sure...?” Johann asked as he scooted closer to Phantom Jackal, looking up at her, and watching that alluring smile curl into a fang-flashing grin.

“Of course I'm sure,” she replied, “Johanness... ufufufu... you may help me with my greatest performance ever~ Mmmff~”

Her lips met his, taking him in a kiss. Johann stiffened up upon feeling her... but was quick to melt. His heart began racing in his chest, pounding with a desire that he hadn't felt since the night he and Phantom Jackal first met. And for several more moments, they remained pressed together, before she pulled back and grinned at him.

“Oh Johannes... my perverted fiance,” she said, “A mere kiss is enough to excite him so. Ufufufufufu!”

“I... I don't know how I'm supposed to help you with your... uh... 'performance'... but...” he nodded in an affirmative manner, “I'll do my best.”

“Ufufufufufu! Oh, I know! You'd always do your best!” Phantom Jackal replied as she again stroked her hand down her cheek, “The Hoarfrost Hambergite will be delivered to Debeers Museum one month from now. It will then remain at its exhibit for two weeks, before being taken to its next location. This will be our one and only chance to pull off this heist. So...” she stood up tall on his bed, “I think it's time we begin your training.”

“My... training...?” Johann repeated, “Wh-what do you mean by that...?”

“Unfortunately, as you are now, I'm afraid you'd only get in my way,” Phantom Jackal claimed, “But that's okay! In order to help me with my latest performance, we'll just have to increase your best! And the only way to 'increase' your best, is by old fashion training. Fortunately, I've already honed my body to the apex of physical fortitude, allowing me to perform all of my death-defying shows with ease. As I already know all the steps needed to hone one’s body, we'll have to do the same for you. It'll take us a month, yes... but I will be very thorough in your practice~ Ufufufufufu~”

Johann's face turned pale and his heart dropped. What was once exciting suddenly grew terrifying and anxiety inducing as he realized that he'd have to work very hard to pull off this 'performance'. If there was ever a moment to say 'no' and back out, it was now.

But that smile. That damned, devious smile. That smile from her gold-colored lips, and the glow in her purple eyes. He was sure she could make him do anything with that face alone.

“Um... uh... wh-what kind of training will I need...?”

Phantom Jackal smiled.

…

Oftentimes – whether he realizes it or not – Johann bemoaned the fact that his mother was almost never there. She was a businesswoman, and a highly competitive businesswoman at that. Any time spent not making deals or sales, was time spent wasting money, and Ms. Goethe refuses to waste money. It made for a rather absentee mother, with Johann spending a majority of his time alongside the servants who work at his estate.

That all changed at night however, for the Goethe family did not employ any servants who worked overnight. Doubly so since being robbed by the striking and mysterious Phantom Jackal. When the Chameleon Crystal was stolen from them, his mother's already paranoid nature exploded to unfathomable degrees! He was surprised she didn't have police guards stand sentry over their home 24/7.

She'd do it if she could get away with it...

But in this time when they no longer had servants to look over the halls, she inadvertently gave them the perfect opportunity to practice. Made even better since the Goethe estate had their own in-house gym, one that was large enough to put other gyms out of business if they so willed it.

Johann was no stranger to physical activities. In his youth, his mother put him into a variety of sporting clubs. Tennis, golf, volleyball, even martial arts training were just a handful of clubs he had been put into during his youth. It blessed him with a fit body despite his shorter frame. Though if he were to be honest, he preferred the quiet halls of his library to the rambunctious walls of a gym or stadium.

They entered into the family gym together, with the lights coming on to illuminate the wide variety of workout equipment they owned. From rows of treadmills, to weightlifting machines of various styles and sizes, to even an indoor jungle gym in the corner that was meant to help heighten one's acrobatic skills; there was nothing lacking within the Goethe gym. Phantom Jackal even gasped in awe, before shifting her gaze around to face Johann.

“Are you ready, Johannes?” she asked with that charming smirk on her lips, “Because we're going to be very exhaustive in your training. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be a thieving pro! Ufufufufufu!”

“Aah...”

The mere thought of his training caused his demeanor to perform a complete 180. While he was excited before, he was sure that excitement was mostly brought upon by his passion for her. But now that he stood in the family gym, he realized how serious this situation was.

There was no turning back now.

Phantom Jackal herself began walking forward, approaching the jungle gym and all of its equipment. From poles meant for climbing upon, to horizontal bars one could easily swing from, this was a high-class gym meant for high-class workout sessions. In his youth, Johann remembered reading in the center of the jungle gym as opposed to climbing it. Phantom Jackal however would grab its bars and tug on them, checking how sturdy it all was.

Until her lips curled into a grin.

“Hah!”

Fwoosh!

With a sudden leap, Phantom Jackal took the air. Eyes wide, Johann watched as she grabbed upon one of the horizontal bars above her, where she began swinging from bar to bar. Her body was the absolute apex of skill, with her gracefully bounding through the air like a wild monkey in a forest. The dashing thief easily flipped and careened over bars, dodging them like a phantom shifting through walls. She'd then grab a sideways leaning bar, spin around it, and launch herself over towards another bar, before landing safely atop it. And after a few seconds of deft climbing that almost made her look like a blur, Phantom Jackal appeared at the top of the jungle gym, where she stood tall and proud with a grin on her lips, and her fists on her hips.

She looked down upon Johann, who remained stunned by her impressive showing. And after basking in the gaze of her would-be partner, the dashing thief hunkered down, and performed another leap which sent her flying through the air... and landing safely on the ground before him.

“Ooof... such fun!” said Phantom Jackal as she approached her lover, her eyes locked upon him, “Come now, Johannes! We must begin your training in earnest!”

“How... um... how are we supposed to do this...?” he asked, cheeks turning redder the closer he drew, “A-are you even sure about this? You just...! I just watched you twirl through the air with such grace...! I could never do that, and certainly not in only a month's time before your 'performance'! How could I possibly close the gap between us?”

“Ufufufufu~ there is only one way to find out~” Phantom Jackal replied as she approached him closer, her hips swaying from side to side, “Let us begin our training, Johannes!”

“Oh dear. I... I should... change into more appropriate workout clothes...”

…

When it comes to matters of physical activities, Johann was no slouch. As stated before, he was a member of several sport activities in his youth, having been put into those clubs by his mother. But, of course, those were years ago. And while he still maintained a firm and fit body after all these years, there's a remarkable difference between working out for tennis, and working out for pulling off a heist! Learning how to properly serve a tennis ball doesn't naturally equate to learning how to sneak through ventilation shafts, or how to swing from scaffolding!

Drained. Johann felt drained. His body was weak in several areas, sore from his toes, to his fingertips, and everywhere in between. He had no clue it was possible to be this sore! He could barely move his body! And the sweat – the sweat! – he had never been so sweaty in his life!

Phantom Jackal was beautiful, vivacious, and oh so mysterious. But she was one hell of a drill sergeant.

“Having fun, Johannes?”

The young man laid there in the center of the gym, his body rumbling with aches and pains while he looked up towards the illustrious goddess above him. She had her fists on her hips and a grin on her lips, as if not so subtly enjoying the torment she put him through. So desperately he wanted to reach up and smack that smug smile off her face... but he was too weak to do even that.

“You're cruel, Phantom...” he mumbled, making her laugh.

“Sometimes to strengthen something, we must break it down, and reforge it into something new!” she explained, “That's what we're doing now. Reforging you into something new. Ufufufufufufu!”

“Does it have to be so... painful?”

“Ufufufufufufu!”

Phantom's laughter was a small comfort to the pain he felt. All he could do was work his head over just a little bit to look her in her masked eyes. She bent over, her eyes squinting at him as her smile grew more alluring, before reaching down to pick him up into her strong and capable arms.

“Ufufufu... I think we've had enough training for today, Johannes,” she said as she began carrying him off, “And you've done an amazing job honing your body. I can see the dedication in your eyes. You truly want to help me with my performance! And that makes me so happy! Ufufufufufu!”

“Really...? An amazing job...? Dedication...?” he replied before falling slack into her arms, “I don't know about that... I feel like a wet blanket...”

“Ufufufufu!”

Her laughter filled the air as she pulled him out of the gym. Gazing up at Phantom Jackal, Johann watched as the halls of his home passed by while the dashing thief carried him in her strong arms. While he could barely move, she performed all of her actions without breaking a sweat. That's on top of climbing up to her family's conservatory, and leaping to his window beforehand. Just how much energy did she have?

Eventually they returned to his bedroom, entering inside. Johann thought Phantom Jackal was going to lay him upon his bed. Instead, they entered his bathroom.

“Wh-what...?” he said, astonished.

Flicking the lights on with the use of her tail, Phantom Jackal revealed the clean and porcelain walls of his bathroom. Everything had a minimalist design, with a white and black coloration, a shower stall, a bathtub, and a rectangular sink. Oh, yes, and the mirror too, which reflected Johann's stunned face.

“Sit right here, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as she sat him on the toilet.

“P-Phantom...” he mumbled back, “I'm fine. I... ngh... I don't need your help with something like this. I can stand, just... nghh!”

Well, that could've gone better. The moment he tried to stand up on his own with the use of the nearby sink, his legs almost immediately gave out on him, causing him to collapse. Sooooo... maybe he was a lot weaker than he thought.

She found it amusing, what with the 'Ufufufufufus!' she gave out following his stumbles. But instead of teasing him about it, Phantom Jackal realigned his glasses upon his face, before spinning around to face the bathtub.

“You spend all this time alone within this estate that's as big as a castle,” the dashing thief commented as she turned the knobs of the shower, “So sad. So unfortunate. So lonely. I can understand now why you were so quick to extend a marriage proposal to the fantastic thief who stole your heart. Ufufufufu!”

“It's... ah... not that serious...” Johann mumbled back as he gazed to the side, “I'm used to it. I can't cry about this if it happens so often. My mother's almost never here, so there's no use crying over spilled milk.”

Spriiittz!

“There's nothing wrong with feeling lonely, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as the bathtub began filling up with water, “In fact, I'd argue it would be childish of you to ignore your emotions when they grow overwhelming. There are times where even the best of us rely on others for aid,” turning around, she faced Johannes whilst leaning on the bathtub's edge, “No one is an island, Johannes.”

“I... aah...” he shook his head, “That's easy for you to say. You're a world-class thief. You've stolen plenty of treasure by yourself. Saying that no one's an island coming from you almost seems... hypocritical.”

“Ufufufufufufu! I'm not ignorant to that!” Phantom laughed, “But even I know when I need help. I'm asking you for your help, am I not?”

“I...? Weeeeell...”

Blushing, Johann stared to the side, while the dashing thief laughed some more. That cut to an end when she stood up and walked over, grabbing him by his wrists. With a soft tug, she pulled him up onto his weak feet, with his legs wobbling to barely keep himself upright. But with her there to prop him up, he remained standing... even if he did tilt over...

Plop!

And land his face right between her breasts.

Johann grumbled. The leotard Phantom Jackal wore was both formfitting and scandalous. The way it clung to her curvy and athletic body left little to the imagination, while the bodice of it lifted and supported her breasts with a glorious amount of cleavage. This plunging cleavage descended all the way down to her navel, acting almost like a window to her body beneath.

Embraced against Phantom Jakal, Johann worked his gaze up as best he could to look her in the eyes. Naturally, he saw her smile back down upon him. Dropping her hands down, she began brushing them along his body, squeezing and hugging him close. He was so entranced by the jackal he was with, he didn't realize it when she started removing his clothes.

First went his shorts, which were pulled down his legs. Then came his shirt, which was pulled off his body. Before he knew it, he was completely naked. And yet – through all of it – he could not bring his gaze away from Phantom Jackal's purple eyes. Even when she spun him around several times he remained transfixed on her masked face. How could he look away when she never looked away from him?

“Ufufufufufufufu!”

Push!

“Gh!?”

Splaash

“Aah!?”

And then Phantom Jackal pushed him, sending Johann careening over the edge of the bathtub, and landing into the warm waters within. He scrambled and quickly pulled his head up from under the water, gasping for breath while the dashing thief laughed and giggled. He wanted to shout and yell at her for humiliating him in such a way, but when he looked up...

“Fwah!”

Fwoosh!

Phantom Jackal threw up her hands. And with them went her clothes. Eyes wide, Johann watched as her leotard, tail coat, even the tights she was wearing, were all magically removed from her body like they were not there in the first place. All he saw was the black blur of her clothes obscuring his view briefly, which were then replaced by the sight of her naked body.

Johann had seen it before, and had fantasized about it during the past few weeks. But seeing it right here and right now, was like seeing it for the first time all over again. Phantom Jackal's figure was immaculate, her body carved from years of hard work and training. She had some musculature here and there, but it was more like the muscles you'd see on a spry gymnast as opposed to some musclebound bodybuilder. Phantom Jackal even stood on the tips of her toes, causing her fit and perky breasts to bounce upon her chest, and attract his eyes.

And her mask? Heh. Her mask remained on her face, almost as if it was glued there.

Before Johann could say a word outside of eeps and gasps, Phantom Jackal reached her leg over the bathtub's edge, and stepped inside. The young man gasped as he pulled back, pressing his back up against the wall of the basin behind him. She meanwhile giggled... before sinking down until the waters came up to her chest.

“Aaaaaaaah...! Much more comfortable,” said Phantom Jackal as she relaxed in the tub with her arms resting on the tub's edge, her head tipped back and chest pushed out, “So this is the bathtub of a rich prince like Johannes. I could imagine worse.”

“I... uh... I...!” Johannes mumbled back, sinking in the tub until the water came up to just the bottom of his nose.

This was so odd. A few weeks ago they were having sex in his family's courtyard. Now he couldn't even take the time to look at her as they bathed together. All that bravado he had earlier was gone.

And Phantom Jackal noticed this.

Blinking at him again and smiling with those alluring lips of hers, the dashing thief shifted herself. Closer and closer she moved across the tub, crawling towards him like a feline in the wild about to pounce. With each second the distance between them shortened, before her face was just a scant few inches away from Johann's. And as he sat there, his body overshadowed by hers, all he could ask was--

“Why me?”

And Phantom Jackal giggled.

“You don't ask such a question of a thief, Johannes,” she replied, “When a thief – especially one such as I – decides to take something, all you can do is prepare and hope that they fail,” she moved in closer, “But me? Ufufufufu! I already know...” she moved in even closer, “That you are mine,” even closer, “All miinnneeee~ Nnnnmmm~~~”

“Mmmmm...”

Her lips pressed to Johannes' taking him into a kiss. His eyes were quick to close as he was pushed against the wall of the tub behind him. This wasn't like their kiss on his bed before; this kiss was quick to turn deep. Phantom Jackal pushed her tongue into his awaiting mouth, where she ground it against his. He began melting upon the feeling and taste of her tongue, which also energized him to dance and grind his tongue back alongside hers. Before he knew it, he had pulled up his arms, wrapping them around her neck and placing a hand to the back of her head, holding her in place as their kissing went on and on.

There were moments where their lips parted, just so they could breathe. And by 'they' it was primarily 'he'. He didn't have the stamina nor the lung capacity she had, something she took advantage of. The kisses she gave seemed to have the sole purpose of stealing his breath away, something she gleefully did over and over and over again.

Heh heh... stealing his breath away. She truly was a thief.

Amid their kisses, her hand dragged down his body. She stroked him like she'd stroke her precious jewels, touching him with the appropriate amount of reverence she’d have when handling something that needed to be treasured. Those fingers of hers were deft enough to unlock even the strongest of locks, so feeling them against his flesh made Johann melt further and further.

He moaned into her mouth as they continued their kiss, while her hands came down to between his legs. There, having stiffened to near maximum length, was his throbbing penis. It jumped and jostled between his legs, radiating with an incredible heat that made the water seem to steam.

Grip!

“Nghh!?”

Johann's eyes grew wide as Phantom Jackal wrapped her hands around his cock. Gently, she began pumping her hand back and forth, stroking his length off, and sending waves through the young man's body. Their lips separating with a loud and lewd 'Pop~', Johann leaned back against the basin of the tub, moaning deeply as his cock was pleasured.

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, the smooth pads of Phantom Jackal's palm stroked along his length. She kept the pace slow and gentle, letting him feel every inch of her hand. The way it squeezed the taut skin of his dick, running along the pulsating veins, traveling up to the throbbing glands, and then back down again.

There was a strength to Phantom Jackal's handjob. Slow and gentle though it was, earthquakes of pleasure were sent racing through Johann's body. Shamelessly, he let his mouth split open, moaning aloud. The sound of his cute voice crying out in pleasure was like music to the dashing thief's ears, and caused her to double the speed of her handjob.

Splash! Splash! Splash!

The water around them grew somewhat turbulent as more and more pleasure traveled through Johann's body. He himself was moaning and panting, his eyes closed shut as he remained open to Phantom Jackal's ministrations.

As one hand stroked his dick off, her other hand patted the back of his head, gently scratching his scalp in a loving manner. At the same time, she started drifting closer and closer, eventually hovering her breast right above his head, and--

Plap!

“Mmm?”

Johann's eyes grew wide as his mouth was stuffed. Plugged between his lips was one of Phantom Jackal's perky nipples. Her tan-colored nipple sat on his tongue, tasting... refined... elegant... powerful... befitting the flavor of a dashing thief like her. It also brought with it a warmth that drew more moans from him, even caused him to bite his teeth down softly upon her teeth.

“Nngghh~ Oh Johannes~” Phantom Jackal moaned, “I can feel that Goethe greed of yours~ Ufufufufufufu~!”

Yes, that Goethe greed. It was embedded within his blood, whether he wanted to admit to it or not. And that Goethe greed drove him to bite and nibble upon Phantom Jackal's nipple, suckling on him with this hunger and desire that was unmatched. His endless suckling coaxed moans from her gold-colored lips, and caused her to arch her back, pushing more of her teat into his awaiting maw.

“Keep sucking, Johannes~” she said amid moans, “Aaahnn~~~ and I'll handle things downstairs~”

Splash! Splash! Splash!

Johann's dick jumped more and more between her legs, his balls drawing close to his body. His orgasm was building, like he had a volcano between his legs that was about to erupt. Phantom Jackal felt it, as the endless throbbing in his penis was damn-near irresistible. A throaty groan left her lips and she squeezed Johann closer, while her hand picked up the pace.

Faster. Faster. Faster! Johann bit harder into her nipple, groaning into her bosom, and thrusting upwards with his hips. His mounting pleasure had finally reached its zenith, and both he and Phantom Jackal could feel it. Performing twists alongside her downward thrusts, the dashing thief worked his dick over more and more, feeling his balls tighten up against his body, and finally...

“MMMMFFFF!!!”

“Aaaaahhh~~~!”

Squirt! Squirt! Squiiirrt!

Even while muffled by the waters of the tub, Johann's orgasm was still audible. It coaxed a lustful gasp of awe from Phantom Jackal's lips, who looked down towards his crotch. Through the clear waters of the tub, his cum slowly oozed to the surface, being so thick and white and gelatinous. Bringing up her hand, the dashing thief scooped up some of his cum, brought it to her lips, and...

“Lick! Lick! Lick! Mmmmmm~~~”

With a dazed look in his eye, Johann pulled away from Phantom's nipple, bridges of spit hanging from his lips to her areola. His chest heaved up and down from heavy breaths, while his cock continued throbbing between his thighs. A few more thick spurts of spunk floated to the top of the tub, while he remained dazed. Until he looked up at his lover, who stared down upon him with a smile on her lips.

“Ufufufufu. Thieves don't normally 'give' things to people,” said Phantom Jackal, “But for you, Johannes, I'll gladly shower you with gifts. Especially for your amazing practice today. All for our upcoming performance.”

“Phantom...” he whispered.

“Ufufufufu. Don't worry about it, Johannes,” said the jackal as she leaned forward, “Just keep doing your best. Chu~”

Her lips pressed to his in another kiss, one that quelled him. This kiss was followed by another and another, with Johann melting against the bathtub, sinking down until the waters came to his chin. It felt like he was sinking into another world, drifting into a realm of pleasant dreams. The darkness began to overtake him... followed by the rush of water.

“GAH!?”

SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH!!!

Alerted, Johann launched himself up, pulling his head up from above the waters of the tub. He sank so low that his body jerked himself up awake! What? Why hadn't Phantom Jackal helped him? Did she want to see him freak out like that!?

Wait... Phantom Jackal? Where was she?

Leaning up further in his tub, Johannes looked around in search of the dashing thief, where he saw nothing. His bathroom was devoid of anyone else save for him, which further confused him.

“Phantom...?” he said as he leaned up in the tub, standing above the water, “Phantom? Where are you? Are you here? Where'd you... go...?”

Climbing out of his tub, he stood on wobbling legs, before grabbing a nearby towel. After drying himself off, he exited into his bedroom, where he still saw nothing. It was as if Phantom Jackal vanished into thin air. Even her clothing was no longer here!

Confused, Johann continued looking around in circles... before feeling a cold gust of air brush along him. Turning around, he faced his window, where saw it was slightly ajar... and that a letter had been stuck under its glass. Approaching his window, he pulled out the letter, reading it.

See you tomorrow~

And to sign it off, instead of using a signature, this letter used a golden kiss mark.

Once, twice, thrice, Johann ran his eyes over the letter, reading those three words like they were a poem in need of deciphering. Like last time, a part of him questioned if this was real. If the woman who he knew as Phantom Jackal was real. And just like last time, thinking about her brought a warm smile to his face, and he hugged the letter close.

Yes. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

…

So this is how Johann's days would go. He'd go to school, learning from various teachers... as well as try to figure out if Phantom Jackal and Nesica Wilds were the same person. Then his nights would be spent at the family's gym, working with the dashing thief to hone his body... as well as his mind.

Being a world-class thief was proving to be difficult. He knew it would be difficult – all those acrobatics Phantom Jackal performed weren't for show – but he didn't realize how difficult it would be. The hours spent learning techniques and tactics he's never needed to know before, such as moving stealthily, performing great leaps, or maintaining balance. And he did it all under the watchful eye of Phantom Jackal.

She was a perfectionist, and she demanded nothing but perfection from him. To her, this 'performance' was to be the greatest performance of her life! And for him, this 'performance' was important, because without it, he wouldn't be worthy enough to wed the dashing thief.

The Hoarfrost Hambergite. He was going to hold that jewel in his hand, get on one knee, and propose to Phantom Jackal with it.

Was it insane? Yes! Yes it was! He still didn't even know who Phantom Jackal was beneath her mask, despite his assumptions to her true identity. But that didn't change the fact that he genuinely desired her. There was a palpable passion from the young man; anyone with eyes could see it. The way his face brightened up when he looked at her, or how he so desperately performed his practice to get even the slightest bit of praise from her. It was clear he was a young man in love...

And she knew it.

But love can push someone but so far. While Johann adored getting praise whenever his practice went well, that didn't change the fact that his body was absolutely drained when it was all said and done. The number of times he needed to be carried off by Phantom Jackal to his bedroom could not be counted on one hand.

He didn't mind the post workout bathing he received. It was like cheese that makes eating terribly made broccoli that much easier to bear.

But as time went on, and as Johann's body grew stronger and more athletic, he came to realize that these were the easier lessons. The harder lessons?

The harder lessons...

The harder lessons came with memorizing the heist, and the hundreds, if not thousands of ways things could go wrong. And things could certainly go wrong.

“You've come far, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal.

He turned to face her, a cold bottle of water in his hand as he leaned against a nearby bar machine for support. He'd just finished running his body ragged with a plethora of flips and twirls, and the last thing he wanted to do was stand. But when he gazed over, he saw Phantom Jackal laying casually upon the surface of a weightlifting machine, her purple eyes staring at him from behind her mask, and this alluring smile on her gold-colored lips.

“Have I...?” he replied whilst stumbling his way closer... before collapsing upon the weightlifting machine before her, “Because... ghh... I still feel drained...”

“Ufufufufufu! Don't think like that, Johannes,” said the dashing thief as she placed her hand upon his cheek, gently brushing him, “Show confidence with yourself. You're so much more... mff... firmer than you were before. I'm happy your mother had you participate in all of those sports clubs in your youth. It made training you that much easier! Ufufufufufu!”

“Gggh... you're far crueler than any of the coaches I had in my youth...”

“Ufufufufufu! So cruel of you, Johannes! So cruel of you!” she replied, before leaning upright to sit before him, “After three weeks of training, I'd say today marks the end of your athletics training! You'll need to spend the last week or so resting up for our big performance, Johannes! Ufufufufufu!”

“This is... it...?” he said, eyes brightening up, “I don't have to... perform all these twirls anymore?”

“Ufufufu! Not exactly,” said Phantom Jackal with a shake of her head, “If our performance together goes well, you'll need to keep your body in tip-top shape for our later performances. Buuuuuut, let me not steal diamonds that have yet to be cut. We're focusing on the Hoarfrost Hambergite Heist, no? Then let us focus on it.”

“The heist... yeah... we still haven't gone over what to do in the actual heist,” said Johann, “All you've done is put me through the wringer. I still don't know how we're supposed to steal the Hoarfrost Hambergite.”

“Ufufufufu. Well, while you've been honing your body, I've been planning our heist thoroughly. Which is why I have brought two of these!”

Fwip!

From Phantom Jackal's tailcoat, she pulled out two tickets. Two tickets to the Hoarfrost Hambergite exhibit at the Debeers Museum, that is. The tickets were artistic, with a red, white, and gold coloration that gave off a regal and high-class vibe.

“These are...” said Johann as his eyes grew wide.

“Mm-hm! Tickets to Debeers,” she confirmed, “I bought two tickets to Debeers Museum so that we can investigate the inside of the exhibit during the Hoarfrost Hambergite's stay. My 3-D model was created weeks ago, so it will be out of date with the exhibit and its enhancements to protect the diamond. We'll need to work together in order to upgrade my model, and create a more thorough plan for our performance. Ufufufufufu! So exciting!”

So exciting? So exciting indeed! But not for the reasons Phantom Jackal may have been thinking.

Johann was no idiot. Quite the opposite in fact; he had some of the greatest teachers in the world to tutor him! So when he saw those tickets to Debeers Museum, specifically two tickets, his mind immediately pivoted to one specific thought.

If Phantom Jackal had two tickets, then one ticket was for him, and the second ticket was clearly for her. Which means, he would finally – finally – get to see her true identity. After all, she wouldn't go to the museum wearing her mask, leotard and tailcoat, would she? Weeeeell... if she could get away with it, probably.

The realization that he'd get to see how she looked beneath the mask caused his mind to race with a flurry of thoughts. Those thoughts painted a smile on his face as his eyes closed shut, imagining her without her mask. Phantom Jackal tilted her head.

“Johannes?” she cooed, “Are you thinking about something? Ufufufufufu!”

“N-nothing important,” he replied, hoping to not hint at his inner thoughts, “So... uh... you bought two tickets to Debeers... so... when do we go...?”

“Ufufufufu! Excited, aren't you?” she commented whilst gently dragging her hand along his cheek and chin, “Settle down, Johannes, settle down. We must save that excitement for our performance! But... I am happy to see how eager you are to start our investigation,” she raised the two tickets, flashing them in his face, “These are scheduled for Saturday at 7PM. That shouldn't be too problematic for you, going by your schedule. Ufufufu! You will arrive at 7PM, not sooner, not later, where you will meet up with my other partner.”

“O-other partner...?”

Johann tensed up upon hearing that. Wasn't he going to meet her? And... ‘other partner’? Who the hell were they!? He was her partner, right? Specifically, the way she called him her partner, 'partner' could be used interchangeably with 'lover', which they were! So to hear that she had another 'partner' implied to him that she had another lover!

But, no, no, he was jumping to conclusions. For all he knew her 'other partner' was just how she referred to her true identity. He highly doubted she was just going to tell him he was going to see her without her mask on. She was going to let the mystery of her identity kill him before she willingly unveiled it.

At least, that's what Johann was telling himself.

“That won't be a problem, will it, Johannes?” asked Phantom Jackal, her tone teasing as if she knew the dilemma she put him through with her usage of the words 'other partner'.

“N-no...! Not at all. Not. At. All.”

“Ufufufufu! That's good to hear~” reclining upon the weightlifting machine she laid upon, Phantom rested her hands beneath her head and pushed out her chest, “Before then, let me explain to you what you and my other partner will do at the museum. You will go to the exhibit containing the Hoarfrost Hambergite, where it should be contained in its own chamber separate from other exhibits. I want you to scan the room it's located in very thoroughly, being sure to take pictures of any ventilation shafts, hallways, skylights, and anything else of importance.”

“With my phone?” Johann asked, to which she shook her head.

“No, no, no! Not with your phone!” she replied before reaching her hand into her tailcoat's pocket, “With one of these~”

Swip!

From out of her pocket, Phantom Jackal pulled out... a pair of shades? They were inconspicuous, with its tinted lens, rectangular frame, and metal grips. Johann reached out for the shades, only for the dashing thief to pull them away and giggle teasingly.

“Nuh-uh-uh! Ufufufufufufu! You'll get your own pair when you arrive at Debeers. My other partner will give you your own pair. For, you see, these are a special pair of shades, Johannes~ It's equipped with high-tech lenses that will allow it to do a variety of things. Take high-quality pictures, record videos of up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, it can even shift one's vision to utilities such as infrared and night vision, among others...” she tilted her head at him as she laid her shades on her face, “Maybe I should use these bad boys to look at your room with blacklight vision! Ufufufufufu! I wonder what kind of mysteries I'd uncover with such a thing.”

“B-b-blacklight...?” Johann repeated, “I... uh... I... I don't think... I don't think that'll be... uh... n-necessary...” she looked away, blushing furiously, before looking back at her, “How did you get shades like these? This is amazing.”

“Ufufufufufu! A thief never reveals her secrets, Johannes,” she said as she removed the shades from her face and folded them, “Do not worry about such things. They aren't what's important now. No, for you...” gracefully, she stood upright again, sitting before Johann, “I think it's important for you to start resting for our upcoming performance. Remember, make it to Debeers Museum at 7PM. No sooner, no later. There you will meet up with my other partner, go to the Hoarfrost Hambergite exhibit, and scan the location. Understood, Johannes?”

“I...” he nodded, “Yes, I understand.”

“Good!” said Phantom Jackal as she launched up onto her feet, causing Johann to pull back, “Then don't be late, Johannes~~~!”

With a flourish of her hand, the dashing thief pointed her palm up towards the ceiling of their gym. Suddenly from the wrist of her gloved hand, a thin metal wire was launched out with a subtle sounding 'Thwip!' It flew up towards the roof up high, embedding itself into its surface next to the gym's skylight. Attached to a metal beam, the powerful wire started to retract, causing Phantom Jackal to fly up towards the ceiling at near sonic speeds.

“Goooooood niiiiiiiiiiight Jooooohhhaaaaannneeeeessss!!!”

Eyes wide and mouth agape, Johann watched Phantom Jackal make her escape, astonished by her grace and skill. With great ease, the dashing thief vaulted over the scaffolding she attached herself too, where she swung around it before easily kicking through the skylight, escaping into the night sky.

Johann remained sitting there, astonished by what he saw... before his heart began racing at what was to come. Saturday. On Saturday at 7PM, he and Phantom Jackal's 'other partner' were going to meet up at Debeers Museum, where they'd investigate the Hoarfrost Hambergite's exhibit to help map out its location. And while excited by this, Johann was more excited by the idea of finally seeing Phantom Jackal's true self.

He knew her game. He knew whoever it was he met, that she'd claim she wasn't the Phantom Jackal. But he knew that wouldn't be the case. He also had more than a small suspicion of who he was going to see come Saturday.

But, patience... patience... patience... he was going to wait and steady himself for the eventual day, no matter how excited he was. But for now... he was just going to sit here, and wait for the energy in his body to return.

And she didn't even give him a goodbye kiss to make it all better. So cruel.

…

Debeers Museum! Have you ever wanted to feel rich? Have you ever wanted to feel what it was like to be a king or queen? A grand duke or duchess? A sultan of a distant land, one who surrounds themselves in gold and jewelry? Then look no further than the opulent halls of Debeers Museum. For when you stand in here, then you too – if only for a moment – can experience what avarice is all about.

Unless, of course, your name is Johannes von Goethe. In which case, standing in Debeers Museum is no different from standing in your family's own museum. Because, yes, of course the Goethe's have their own museum.

But you already know that.

Like the ticket he held in his hand, Debeers Museum had a red, white, and gold color scheme that oozed opulence. The rugs were red, the halls and columns were white, and there were golden bars and frames that lined almost everything. Even the curtains seemed to shimmer as if gold had been laced into their red trim!

Debeers Museum didn't hold anything of significant historical worth. There were no paintings created by skilled virtuosos over centuries ago, nor were their busts created by talented craftsmen. No, no, no! Leave all that artsy crap to other museums that hold actual cultural value! Instead, everything at Debeers Museum was worth more than some nations' entire GDP! From diamonds cut by diamond cutters of renowned skill, to crowns that have rested on the heads of sovereigns over nations that no longer exist, everything in Debeers Museum was almost too expensive to even look at!

And all Johann did was go...

“Meh...”

He lived in opulence! Why would he need to try and experience what it's like to be alongside kings and queens, when he's actually stood alongside kings and queens in his life? To him, all of this jewelry was akin to going to someone's house and comparing their video game collection to his own. That's something that middle-class families do, right?

Meh...

He stood there, rubbing idly at the band around his wrist that acted as his ticket. After giving his ticket to the receptionist and going through the usual song and dance, he was given this high-tech wrist band which would act as his 'keys' through the museum, while also activating terminals which would give historical context to whatever display he was gazing at. Probably something along the lines of 'This rich explorer from the 15th century decided to pillage the ancient burial grounds of some indigenous race, stealing their goods in the name of 'God' or whatever, where it ended up in our distinguished ownership'.

Ya'know, that kinda crap...

But even with these thoughts in mind, Johann couldn't stop himself from being excited. It was just a little before 7PM, being 6:55PM to be exact. He arrived ten minutes ago, and thanks to his ticket, was capable of getting his wristband far sooner than anyone else. Being Johannes von Goethe didn't hurt things either.

Here in the museum's lobby, he waited for the arrival of Phantom Jackal's 'other partner'. In his mind, it caused no end of speculation through the days leading up to Saturday. Of all the ways he imagined how the dashing thief could look without her mask on, the image always came back the same.

And those thoughts were soon confirmed.

Click...! Click...! Click...!

“Ufufufufufu! Guten Abend... Johannes.”

Never had he heard a voice that was so familiar.

Johann pulled his head up towards the woman in front of him. He saw Nesica staring back down at him. His history teacher was wearing a shimmering red dress, one with a split at the side, clung close to her body to flaunt her curves, and sporting an ample amount of cleavage. She looked more like she was going to a gala of some sort, not a high-class museum. Not that Johann was any better with his red and black suit and tie.

But clothing was not what was important, not now at least. What was important was who was looking at. Nesica Wilds, his history teacher, stood before him. The same purple eyes, the same jet-black hair done up in a regal bun, the same gold-colored lips.

The same smile.

If she was wearing that domino mask, he'd have no doubts in his mind he'd be seeing Phantom Jackal herself.

“Miss Wilds...” Johann mumbled, causing the jackal in front of him to give a mirthful giggle.

“Ufufufufu! When our 'confidant' said I'd be meeting you of all people, I thought she was lying,” said Nesica with a shake of her head, “But when I thought about it some more, I realized she was right. You too were visited by her only a few weeks before I started teaching you, no? So that made you the bold man who desired her romantically.”

“Bold man...?” Johann repeated, before shaking his head, “Gah...! Saying it like that sounds so... silly,” he tilted his head up at her, “So... you're our... uh... confidant's 'other partner'?”

“Ufufufufu. That seems to be the case,” said Nesica, “Though I prefer the term 'assistant'. We work together, since our 'confidant' rarely likes to show her face in daylight. Still... to be alone with you at Debeers Museum. It's like I'm going on a date with one of my students! Oh! So scandalous! Ufufufufufufu!”

“D-don't say it like that,” Johann said with a blush, “Gah...”

“Ufufufufu! No further need to dillydally,” she extended her hand towards him, “Let us go, Johannes. I wish to see the Hoarfrost Hambergite in all of its glory. As well as the other decadent displays they have in their elegant exhibits.”

“Yes. Yes. Let's go.”

Despite some apprehension, Johann reached out and grabbed Nesica's hand, taking it into his own. And together – hand in hand – the duo began heading down into the museum proper. At this time of day – being around 7PM – the museum was alight with a number of people, a majority of which being families enjoying the treasures of decadence. And while Debeers may not be the largest museum around, it certainly had an excess of decadence.

Each hall was his own monument to treasures that date back centuries. There was a hall for various necklaces that have adorned the necks of rich women worldwide. There was a hall dedicated to opulent clothing worn by sovereigns. There was even a hall reserved for items like canes. CANES!!! Not one aspect of riches was ignored here. The only thing Debeers Museum was missing were stacks of money and bars of gold behind glass cases.

Oh... actually... never mind that. There were stacks of money and gold bars behind gold cases on display! At the very least, the money was from countries that no longer exist, and therefore hold no monetary value, but still...

“Impressive, isn't it?” said Nesica as they walked through the halls of riches, “So many necklaces... so many diamonds... so much gold... ufufufufufufu! Oftentimes, I wonder why our 'confidant' only sets her sights on certain targets,” she shifted her gaze down and over towards Johann, “Do you have any ideas, Johannes?”

“Me? Weeeelll...” he mumbled back whilst tapping his chin, “I think... uh... I think it has something to do with our confidant's taste. Sure, she could... uh... procure any number of items on display here, but for as rich as gold is, it's still... gold. Same for diamonds and jewels. I think our confidant doesn't care for something so... common. She wants something unique. Something that only she can have...”

“Ufufufufufu... well said...” Nesica remarked as she squeezed his hand tight, “Ah... look... here's the Hoarfrost Hambergite display.”

Nesica wouldn't have needed to tell Johann this. The large crowd was evidence enough that they had arrived.

The duo entered into a chamber, one that was octagonal in shape. Red curtains hung from the ceilings, columns wrapped around the room symmetrically, there were guardrails installed that funneled guests into a circular path, and in the center of it all, resting on a raised platform, was the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

It sat behind a glass display case, and was raised up high so that people could see it better. But from this distance, with all the people in the way, no one could see the priceless diamond. You'd have to get closer if you wanted any worthwhile view of it.

“The star attraction,” said Nesica as she tugged upon Johann's hand, “Everyone's surrounding it closely. Ufufufufufu... we have to get to work, but... no one said we couldn't enjoy the Hoarfrost Hambergite's beauty of our own, right? Ufufufufufu! Oh! I almost forgot...”

Reaching into her pocket, Nesica pulled out... a pair of shades. They were inconspicuous, with tinted lenses, a rectangular frame, and metal grips. These were the same shades that Phantom Jackal showed him the other day.

“Here you go,” said the jackal as she gave them to him, “The lights are very bright in here, aren't they? We don't want you getting blind, do we? Ufufufufufu!”

“Th-thank you, Miss Wilds...” Johann mumbled as he placed the shades upon his face, “It is bright in here...”

With her not so subtle command, Johann fixed the shades on his face and began looking around. He didn't know how these were supposed to work, just that they had the capability of taking photos, recording videos, and a variety of other things he probably wasn't going to use. Thankfully, Nesica pulled her hand over, where she tapped a hidden button on his shades, causing it to begin buzzing.

A thin stream of static traveled over his shades, almost like he was looking through a TV screen and not the lenses of glasses. Figuring that meant that they were recording, he began looking up and around at their surroundings. The lenses traveled over the ceiling, traveled along the walls, and stared at the entrances and exits, recording all of them for a more thorough examination later. Meanwhile, he and Nesica got in line to view the Hoarfrost Hambergite more closely.

“So... uh... do you mind me asking... uh... how did you and our 'confidant' get in contact with one another?” he asked whilst looking up at her.

“Ufufufufu! I'm surprised it took you this long to ask,” said Nesica, her tail wagging and ears perking up, “Let's just say that... we've known each other longer than we've known anyone else. You could say that... we've been attached since childhood. No... even before that. Almost like we've shared the same womb.”

Who says stuff like that? Sure, Nesica had proven herself a rather dramatic orator when it comes to her style of teaching, but claiming that she and Phantom Jackal shared the same womb was a bit extreme, wasn't it? Almost as if she was not-so-subtly telling him that, yes, she and Phantom Jackal were indeed the same person!

At least, that's how he was interpreting her words. Sooner or later, he was going to learn her true identity. If they were going to be lovers, then she'd have to reveal her identity sometime, right? Then again, she is rather dramatic... maybe she would keep the mask on 24/7 when they were being private.

What's worse, her wearing the mask or him not minding if she wore the mask?

“Oh! Oh! Our turn is next, Johannes,” said Nesica as she pushed him forward, “Make sure to get good photos of the Hoarfrost Hambergite. I'll be sure to do the same! Ufufufufufu!”

Johann nodded and then looked up. Before them was the raised display case of the Hoarfrost Hambergite, lifted high so that all could gaze upon its radiance and splendor. Johann had an idea of what the jewel would look like thanks to Phantom Jackal's 3-D image, and also after looking up the hambergite himself on his off time. But they all paled in comparison to the true beauty of the Hoarfrost Hambergite when seen in person.

It was beautifully carved with the emerald shape and had this shimmering color that transitioned between shades of clear, silver, and pure whites. Almost like the frost that covers plants on a cold, winter morning. And when the light pierced through the crystal's surface, it shot out rainbow rays that made the hambergite appear even more radiant, even more splendorous.

Johann's face grew alight in awe of the Hoarfrost Hambergite, while Nesica gave a mirthful giggle. She then tugged at his hand, pulling him a smidgen closer.

“Take all the time enjoying it, Johannes,” said Nesica, “It will not be here for much longer~”

To the uninitiated, Nesica was commenting on the limited time the Hoarfrost Hambergite was going to be at Debeers Museum. To Johann, she cemented the fact that he was going to help steal this treasure of beauty. It made his heart pick up as he began having second thoughts. Maybe he was stupid for even going through this in the first place! But there was no going back now.

Before the end of the week, the Hoarfrost Hambergite would be theirs.

“Make sure you record ev-eerr-yyyy-thiiinnngg~” said Nesica, “We have to make sure we're very thorough with our investigation, Johannes. Nothing less but the best~”

“Y-yeah... n-nothing less but the... best...”

…

The rest of the night was a blur for Johannes. He remembered walking around and enjoying the museum with Nesica, but he couldn't really remember anything specific about it either. Just seeing gold, diamonds, and treasures beyond one's wildest beliefs.

But how could he focus on any of that when he couldn't get out of his head the oncoming 'performance'? All he could see was the brilliance of the Hoarfrost Hambergite in his head... and how – sooner rather than later – he would be holding it in his hands. The hambergite was priceless. So priceless that not even he could hope to buy it with his near infinite wealth. To think that – somehow – they'd steal it from Debeers Museum was staggering.

And frightening.

Johann was no fool. As the son of a rich CEO and businesswoman, he knew he'd probably do his fair share of illegal things when it came to the oncoming quest of making more money. But there, it felt distant. Like, sure, he may perform some corporate espionage here and there, and may write up some skivvy contracts, and may break NDAs every now and then, but those were high-class crimes.

But this? This? This felt all too... raw. Phantom Jackal may call them all performances, but robbery is still robbery; nothing changes that. And he was going to aid and abet high-stakes robbery.

Imagine the headlines if he gets caught. 'JOHANNES GOETHE, FUTURE HEIR OF GOETHE FOUNDATION, FOUND ATTEMPTING TO STEAL THE PRICELESS HOARFROST HAMBERGITE!!!' Yeah, it would be something inflammatory like that! And if that got out, his family and his mother's reputation would be ruined!

That's... actually not a bad sounding thing, really. Bleh...

It was hard dealing with all these thoughts in his head. Maybe that's why he just laid there, resting on his bed and staring up at the ceiling, awaiting her eventual arrival. On his desk nearby were the pair of shades he had been given to record Debeers Museum. All the information he had gained that was crucial to Phantom Jackal's performance, was nestled within those high-tech lenses.

If he were to, let's say, break those shades... would her performance be brought to an end?

Nothing more than intrusive thoughts. Even at his most bold, he wouldn't break those shades. Why is that? Because he didn't want to upset Phantom Jackal? Because he feared retaliation for it? Or was it because – on some level – he wanted this? As conflicted as he was about stealing the Hoarfrost Hambergite, he couldn't stop another – and a non insignificant – side of him wanted to steal the jewel.

Ultimately, Johann relented, and remained laying on his bed. Gazing up to the ceiling overhead, he awaited her eventual arrival, knowing it was sooner rather than later. And 'sooner' was now.

Johann's finger twitched. His training with Phantom Jackal had blessed him with more than just elite athleticism and gymnast skill. Somehow, he had this... feeling. He could tell when eyes were on him, watching him, spying on him, and it caused his finger to twitch. Raising up from his bed, he gazed at his finger as it curled like a silent alarm, before turning to face his window.

There was no fear on his end, no hesitation. He just got up, walked towards his window, and opened it up. Standing there on his family's conservatory, her fists on her hips and this powerful grin on her lips, was Phantom Jackal. She didn't delay, she didn't make an announcement, in fact, she didn't make a single sound. She just leaped from the conservatory's rooftop like she was about to dive into a pool, despite the fact that there was nothing beneath her than solid brick and stone. But Johann didn't gasp or scream, he just turned around.

Tip... Tap...

And right on time, a pair of heeled feet landed on his window seal. He spun around quickly. Phantom Jackal was there, carrying with her – of all things – a case. It was black, angular, and looked big enough to fit a person inside of it. Really, it looked more like a casket than a case!

“Guten Abend, mein Liebling~” said the dashing thief, causing Johann to stagger.

“L-Liebling...?” he repeated, before shaking his head, “P-Phantom Jackal... d-don't say something like that...”

“Why is that?” she asked while walking forward, her smirk spreading upon her lips, “Are you not my darling? You proposed to me, no? So of course my darling fiance would be my... ufufufu... darling! Ufufufufufufufu!”

Johann blushed more and more, his eyes closing shut as he began gripping a curly tuft of his hair. He wanted to say something, but the words got choked in his throat. What would he even say? His answer came when he gazed at the case she was carrying around.

“Wh-what's that...?” he asked, shifting the topic, “What are you... carrying...?”

“Oh? Ufufufufufu! Thiiiiisss?” she replied as she pulled the casket over, and placed it on the floor with a loud 'Thud!' “This is... well... ufufufufu... think of it as my gift to you, Johannes! Ufufufufufu!”

“G-gift...?” he repeated as he reached out for the case, “What kind of gift...?”

But before he could even touch it...

“Nuh-uh-uh!” said Phantom Jackal as she pulled the case away, swinging it with casual ease despite how large it was, “Not yet, Johannes! I must first see if you were an obedient boy,” she tilted her head at him, “My shades. You used them, correct?”

“I... did...” he replied as he looked at the shades on his desk, “They're right there.”

“Marvelous~”

Phantom Jackal waltzed over towards the shades, swiping them up into her hands. Her purple eyes scanned them from left to right, before turning to face Johann with that trademark smile on her gold-colored lips.

“So... met my other partner, did you not?” asked the dashing thief, her tail swaying left and right.

“Your other partner...” he mumbled, before tensing up, “Y-y-you mean... Miss Wilds... right?” he approached her, “Earlier, when I asked if you were Nesica, you scolded me for speaking of other women! You even pretended not to know her!”

“Ufufufufufufu! Did I?” replied Phantom Jackal with a shake of her head, “I don't remember making such a claim. Or maybe...” she tilted her head at him, “Maybe I met Nesica Wilds after our training began? I did not know her then, but I know her now~”

That was such a lie, it hurt! As if he'd believe something so unbelievable! He met Nesica after he asked her about it? But she and Nesica happen to look exactly alike!? He was okay with admitting that – maybe – beneath that mask, Phantom Jackal did not look like Nesica. He was not okay with admitting that there was a chance that Phantom Jackal met Nesica after their training started! And his teacher was 100% okay with helping a notorious thief and her student steal a priceless jewel!

But...

But he knew the truth. He knew that this was just Phantom Jackal toying with him. He knew that no matter what he asked, she wouldn't give him a straight answer, not about this. He knew it... so he didn't push the issue anymore.

“Okay... fine...” Johann mumbled, “You met Nesica after our training started. I'll... accept that...”

“Ufufufufu! Thank you, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as she patted his head, “Now then…” walking over towards his bed, she placed her casket down upon his mattress, “Are you ready, Johannes? Ready to receive my gift? Ufufufufu! Be sure to thank me properly! You must always thank your lover when she graciously gives you something.”

Johann tilted his head at her, more curious than before. A part of him wondered if this was a joke. Her last 'gift' was a handjob and a kiss in a bathtub that nearly drowned him! And while he didn't mind sexual favors, he didn't really think of them as 'gifts'... especially if they end with his head underwater.

So what was in this case? A prostitute? A body? A machine that would slap him like a fool? That last one sounded the most accurate.

Ultimately, Johann took a deep breath and placed his hand on the case's side. There were numerous latches resting upon this case, guiding Johann to undo them with his thumb. Each latch triggered a satisfying 'Thwik!' noise which echoed through the bedroom. And when he undid all the latches... he paused.

Briefly, Johann looked over towards Phantom Jackal. She stared back at him, a fang-flashing grin on her lips.

“Go ahead, Johannes~” she said, her voice melodious, “Open. It. Up~”

With one final deep breath, Johann faced the casket, gave an affirmative nod... and pulled it open.

There wasn't a prostitute. There wasn't a dead body. There wasn't a machine that would slap him silly. Instead, resting in this casket was... a suit. A silver-white, suit. Specifically, it was a shimmering sequin tailcoat, one whose reverse side was black. Beneath it laid a gray vest, and beneath that laid a pure-white shirt. The slacks too were silver-white sequin, and shimmered as if they reflected the radiance of the sun off it. And the shoes were white and silver suede shoes, ones that no doubt made a satisfying 'Click!' noise whenever he walked.

But somehow, despite the undeniably beauty and craftsmanship of the ensemble, it all paled in comparison to what laid at top: a silver-white hat with a black stripe running through its midpoint... and a domino mask. A domino mask that wasn't too dissimilar to the one Phantom Jackal wore, but instead of being black and gold, it was silver and white.

This suit – this attire – and the mask that accompanied it; it was all perfect for Johann. The same height, the same size, the same... everything! Even the mask would perfectly fit on his face, and no matter how active he got, that mask would never fall off.

“What...?” said Johann as he palmed at the suit inside the case, “What is this...?”

“This? Ufufufufufu! This is your uniform,” Phantom Jackal answered, “Don't you remember all those times where you were too tired to move, and you just laid there all weak and defenseless like a newborn pup? Ufufufufu! Sometimes you were even sleeping like one! Well, I took that time to perfectly measure you up. Your hips, your waist, your bust, and everywhere in between. I got your measurements down to a 'T', and created the perfect uniform for you. And now I dub you... the Phantom Lover~! Ufufufufufufufufufu!”

On one hand, that's kinda creepy, right? During those moments where he passed out after training, she took her time to measure him? Thoroughly? What else did she do when he couldn't defend himself!? Did she steal anything else from his home?

On the other hand...

“Phantom... Lover...?” he repeated as he looked up at her, “Th... that's going to be my codename?”

“Ufufufufufu! Of course!” said Phantom Jackal as she tossed up her hair, “That is the name I bestowed upon you. When this mask adorns your face, you will transform! No longer shall you be Johannes von Goethe, the proud son of the Goethe family! You shall become Phantom Lover! Dashing thief who snatches hearts as masterfully as you snatch gold! However, 'tis I who holds your heart in meine hands! Ufufufufufufufu!”

Phantom Lover: A dashing thief who snatches hearts as masterfully as he snatches gold. At first, he disliked the name... but Phantom Jackal sold it skillfully. Still, he didn't like the 'Phantom' part of 'Phantom Lover'. Not that it wasn't cool, but more because it was repetitious. She was Phantom Jackal, no? And he tended to call her 'Phantom' for shorthand anyway. He needed something so he didn't get confused between her codename and his codename. So...

“May I make an... alteration, Phantom Jackal?” Johann asked, making her tilt her head at him.

“An alteration...?” she asked, “You do not like the name 'Phantom Lover'? You want something else?”

“N-not exactly,” he said as he shook his head, “Just a slight change... instead of being known as the Phantom Lover... rather... can I be the Silver Lover?”

“The... Silver Lover...?”

Phantom's eyes grew wide at the name. It bounced around in her head again and again and again. So she repeated it to herself, again and again and again. Silver Lover. Silver Lover. Silver Lover.

It had this... tang to it. Something about the way it rolled off the tongue just felt... perfect.

Silver. Lover.

While Phantom Jackal disliked the fact that her codename was being vetoed... she couldn't deny that 'Silver Lover' was a far superior title to 'Phantom Lover'. It went so well with Johann's would-be uniform, and the silver helped denote the fact that he was her #2.

#2 in terms of position... but #1 in her heart...

“Ufufufufu! Then it is decided, Johannes~” said Phantom Jackal as she approached him, “Or... should I say... Silver Lover~”

When that name left her lips, Johann jolted in place. It's one thing to say Silver Lover when spitballing possible codenames. It's something else entirely to hear Silver Lover be used in relation to him.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Phantom Jackal silenced him by grabbing the mask out of the casket. Turning around to face Johann, she approached him with her hips swaying from side to side, and her tail wagging behind her. She then bent over... and placed the mask gently upon his face. A warm sigh left his lips as the mask slid on his head, obscuring his identity. The jackal then moved out of his way, allowing him to gaze into his reflection.

Who was this young man he stared at? Where was that ginger-haired rich brat? What happened to Johannes von Goethe? He was gone. Even while wearing his pajamas, Johann felt like a completely different person because of this silver and white mask. Phantom Jackal was right; then this mask fell upon his face, he transformed.

He was now Silver Lover!

All throughout the day – hell, all throughout their training! – Johann questioned if he was capable of pulling off this 'performance'. He desperately wanted to get out of this situation; to send Phantom Jackal away, and let his life return to normal. But because of his love, lust, and attraction to the dashing thief, he went along with her criminal antics.

Well... no more!

Johannes von Goethe can be a rich brat. Silver Lover will be a dashing thief!

“How does it feel?” Phantom Jackal's voice whispered as she placed her hand upon his shoulders, squeezing them, “Do you feel... bold? Do you feel... empowered?”

“I feel...” he replied, before swallowing his spit, “I feel amazing...”

“Ufufufufufu! Exactly. That's exactly how I feel every night of every day~”

Silver Lover turned, facing Phantom Jackal, who stared back down at him with a grin on her lips. He stepped closer, increasing the space between them by just thaaaaaaat much... before leaning up to press his lips to hers in a kiss. She gleefully kissed back, her hands sliding down his back to fall on his butt, while his hands wrapped around her waist as well.

For several moments they stood there, lips to lips, kissing casually as their tongues swiveled and danced with one another. Phantom Jackal was a superior kisser; Silver Lover had no doubts in his mind of that. She could lead him on and on and on, and he'd still desire, no, he'd still need more. So when she pulled away, breaking their kiss with an audible 'Pop!' he shuddered.

“Already living up to your name, I see~” the dashing thief commented, “Ufufufufufu~ You'll make for an amazing partner. I look forward to our first performance together. It will be a show for the ages~”

“Our first... performance...” Silver Lover repeated, before swallowing his lips, “Oh... Oh! R-right...!” he then tensed up, his eyes sweeping over towards the case continuing the rest of his uniform, “Our performance... what's it going to be like? We haven't made any plans yet.”

“Ufufufufu... I find that dedication of yours attractive!” said Phantom Jackal as she walked up behind him, “You are right; are yet to make any plans. That's why I came here. Not just to procure the shades from you, but to formulate the arrangement of our performance. And like all good performances, there will be three acts! The setup! The confrontation! The resolution! Ufufufufufufu! Although... I'd say we've already handled Act 1, wouldn't you?”

Act 1: The Setup. Yes, they've already done that. All the training, him and Nesica scanning the museum and its exhibits, and now her giving him his uniform. That was all the setup. Now they had to move onto the confrontation, which would be the act of stealing the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

All that training, all that working out, all of everything... it was finally going to come to fruition.

“Are you ready, Silver Lover?”

When she said that – when she spoke his codename – a tremble ricocheted through his body. Now more than ever, he felt emboldened and empowered. No... he felt alive. As happy as he was with his family's riches, Johann was still a man trapped by his bloodline's influence. At times, he wondered if people saw him, or if people saw a walking, talking bank account.

Johann was already used to wearing masks in order to navigate the many circles of life he is a part of. But right here, right now, with full irony, the mask he wore felt liberating.

“Yes,” said Silver Lover, a grin adorning his lips, “I'm ready.”

“Ufufufufufu! Then let us not delay any further! Let's watch the recording through your shades. We'll go over the plan during~”

…

Stop me if you've heard it before, but...

It was a dark and stormy night...

KRACK-KAAAAWWWWW!!!

A surge of thunderous lightning coursed through the air, illuminating the rain-drenched city beneath it with a flash. In an instant, all manner of nightly creatures and men were revealed before the eyes of others, frozen in place like a paused frame on a movie. Trash on the streets, cars driving to and fro, people walking left and right...

And two figures standing perched on a nearby rooftop.

Wind and rain billowed around them, nearly knocking one of them off of their feet, while the other stood tall and erect. Umbrella in hand, the confident figure used it to defend them and their ally from the rain pouring above, while their gaze remained focused on the building in front of them.

Debeers Museum for the Arts. Within its regal halls sat priceless jewels and artifacts that date back centuries. Some have rested on the heads and bodies of kings and queens, others worn by dictators and totalitarians. All had stories to tell etched within every fiber of gold, every glistening diamond, every shimmering jewel.

But, honestly, who even cares? Who even remembers the names of the sovereigns of dead nations who once wore the crowns in this museum? You could read the plaques provided for hours that detail names and locations, and forget almost all of it as soon as you exit the museum. But you wouldn't forget that one diamond. That one rock that stood beyond all the others.

The Hoarfrost Hambergite. It will be theirs.

Phantom Jackal stood perched on a nearby rooftop, umbrella in hand and a smile on her face as her purple eyes gazed down upon the opulent building in front of her. She was seemingly unaffected by nature, like a sturdy metal pole planted into concrete. No shaking, no swaying; only her hair and clothing were affected by the force of wind.

The same could not be said for her partner.

He stumbled, struggling to stand straight as rain and wind battered his body. Had it not been for her umbrella, he would have been drenched, or maybe worse. Perhaps at some point, he would have been blown off the rooftop, had it not been for her.

This was crazy. This was insane. This was exhilarating. Why was he up here? On a rooftop, in a storm, overlooking Debeers Museum. Had you told him his life would have taken this turn just two months ago, he would have hired people to bludgeon you into the street.

That's only a slight exaggeration.

But he was here, and no amount of wistful thinking would change that. Did he even want it to change? As horrified as he was – and don't get it twisted, he was absolutely petrified – he could not deny the fact that his blood was on fire! He felt every pinch of rain strike his skin, felt the wind as it buffeted him. He could feel the concrete building beneath his feet, could feel the rumbling of cars for miles around, and could even feel every fiber of the clothing he wore.

He felt... alive.

Silver Lover clutched upon his silver hat, tipping it down to help block the rain. His figure stood next to Phantom Jackal's, living up to his name and color. His silver body radiated in the darkness of the thunderstorm, and his tailcoat billowed in the wind. If someone were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him, they'd think he was some indifferent specter with how he seemed unaffected by the storm. If only they knew how he struggled to stand.

“Phantom...” Silver Lover whispered, “How... long are we going to stand here...?”

“Ufufufufu! Don't be so impatient, Silver Lover,” she replied with a coy smile, “We scheduled our performance for this time specifically. 2 AM in the morning. Not a minute earlier, not a minute later. And right now...” she tilted her head down at him, “It is 1:58 AM. Two minutes too soon.”

“Ugh...”

He was convinced she was doing this to drag out his suffering. Still, Silver Lover pushed out his chest and prepared himself for the challenge. Seconds ticked on into seconds, and then a minute passed. Seconds then ticked on into seconds, and finally, another minute passed.

It was now 2 AM.

Without need to check a clock, Phantom Jackal straightened herself up. Pointing her umbrella forward, she took aim for the rooftop of Debeers Museum, and pulled a secret trigger on her parasol's handle.

Thwip!

From the tip of the umbrella, she launched out a harpoon, one which pierced the air with ease. The spear embedded itself into the surface of Debeers Museum, as a metal wire connected the harpoon to the rest of the umbrella. Placing it down, Phantom Jackal hooked the parasol into the rooftop they stood upon, then took a step forward.

“This way, Silver Lover,” she said as she put her foot upon the thin metal wire, “Debeers – and the Hoarfrost Hambergite – awaits!”

From behind his mask, Silver Lover's blue eyes grew wide. Phantom Jackal wasn't using a grappling hook or anything like that. She just placed her hands on her hips, and began walking along the thin metal wire like she was walking on solid ground. Even as the wind blew against her, and the rain pelted her face and fur, she remained completely unfazed, like this was a normal Saturday stroll on a calm, sunny morning.

And she expected him to follow her!?

Silver Lover came thiiiiiis close to pulling the ginger hair from his head. They had trained for this, yes, but there's a difference between practicing something, and actually putting that something into use. There was also a massive difference between balancing along a thin wire within his family's gym, where a drop was only a few feet to a yard, and balancing along a thin wire above a street with cars as a storm blows, where the drop could kill him!

Silver Lover didn't believe himself. This was absolutely insane! But when he looked up, he saw Phantom Jackal continue her walk along the wire, her hips swaying left and right with beautiful and sensual strides. She eventually arrived at the rooftop of Debeers, where she turned to face him, a smile on her face.

Now it's your turn.

He couldn't hear her say it, but he saw her lips move, and knew that's what he said. She was both his corrupter, and her greatest support. While he was frightened of failure, he was more frightened of failing her.

So Silver Lover took a deep, deep, deeeeeep breath... huuuuuuuuuuufff...! Exhaled... fuuuuuuuuuuuh...

And took a step forward.

His foot met the thin metal wire of Phantom Jackal's harpoon, sending out a 'Twang!' noise that made his heart plummet. Even his face turned pale with horror, but the mask he wore helped him maintain a small amount of modesty. Instead of turning away and cutting this off, he took another step upon the metal wire, leaving the rooftop completely. The wind struck him left to right, and the rain pelted him like pebbles, but somehow, he maintained balance with this thin wire.

Step. After step. After step. Twang. After twang. After twang. Silver Lover precariously balanced himself upon the wire, walking across it like a trapeze artist on his first real performance. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind assaulted him with a multitude of unfortunate ends that could befall him. But – somehow – he didn't lose his balance, didn't fall over. Sure, his stride may not have been as flawless as Phantom Jackal's, but so long as he didn't fall, it didn't matter.

Silver Lover watched as the cars beneath him drove left and right, their lights streaking through rain and wind. It wasn't the sights that scared him the most, but the sounds. Honking horns, screeching tires, puddles being splashed; it all bounced into his ears. But it was what came above that horrified him the most.

KRACK-THWAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Silver Lover froze in place. Behind Phantom Jackal and coursing through the skies was a wicked bolt of lightning. It writhed through the heavens like a snake, surging and cackling, before vanishing just as suddenly as it appeared. And like a block of ice, he froze up, his eyes wide and body shivering. He was halfway through the walk, when he felt reality strike him like an eighteen wheeler truck.

What was he doing here? This was insane! He could die!

These worrisome thoughts caused his heart rate to spike to such a level, he feared he'd have a heart attack! His adrenaline too began pumping, telling him to escape this situation as fast as he could! But with this rush of fear, his body began losing balance! If he didn't get a hold of himself, he would tumble to the streets below; tumble to his assured death.

But...

Almost there...

Silver Lover looked up. On the other end of the wire was Phantom Jackal. And like before, even though he could not hear her, he could read her lips. And on her lips she said...

Almost there...

So Silver Lover took a deep, deep breath. His chest puffed up, his body was reinvigorated, and his mind found peace and solace. Exhaling just as slowly, he continued walking upon the wire, clearing the rest of the distance, and arriving at Debeer's rooftop. And upon setting foot on solid ground...

“Guh!”

He fell forward, landing into Phantom Jackal's arms. She held him up, keeping him on his feet, and gazing down upon him with a smile on her face. He wanted to say something, mostly shout at her for how insane this was. But when he looked up at that smile, and gazed into those purple eyes of hers, Silver Lover felt warm.

“Ufufufufu... good job... my argent darling~”

And like before, Silver Lover felt bolstered by her words.

“We have... a performance to carry out,” he replied whilst straightening up, and puffing out his chest, “We shouldn't leave our guests waiting.”

“Ufufufufufufu! Well said, Silver Lover, well said!” Phantom Jackal replied, “This way~!”

Taking lead point once again, Phantom Jackal began guiding Silver Lover towards the location of the Hoarfrost Hambergite. The duo leaped over various rooftop objects, like guardrails and air conditioning units, eventually arriving at their destination. A domed skylight that overlooked the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

At least, there was supposed to be a domed skylight that looked over the Hoarfrost Hambergite. Instead, they came face to face with a giant metal wall. It blocked off the hambergite, protecting it from would-be thieves. Silver Lover tilted his head in surprise, but Phantom Jackal remained indifferent.

“That wasn't there before...” Silver Lover whispered, to which his partner shrugged her shoulders.

“They beefed up their defenses,” Phantom Jackal commented, “As to be expected. The Hoarfrost Hambergite is in the middle of its stay here at Debeers Museum. It will be leaving next week, so they don't want to risk someone sneaking inside and stealing it. Unfortunately for them... ufufufufu...” she flashed Silver Lover a grin, “They are totally unprepared for the likes of us~”

Turning away, Phantom Jackal began rushing for a ventilation shaft that extended up towards the ceiling. Silver Lover followed, watching as the dashing thief produced a multi-use tool from her pocket. He thought it was a screwdriver, and that she'd use it to unscrew the grate defending the ventilation shaft. Instead...

Zeeaaaam!

A white-hot laser shot out from her tool, which she used to cut the grate off the shaft completely. Silver Lover's jaw dropped at the sight of her tool, while Phantom Jackal turned it off and stuffed it back into her tailcoat.

“Where do you get this stuff...?” he asked, to which she chuckled.

“Ufufufufu! Jealous that you don't have your own?” Phantom Jackal asked in a teasing manner, “Ufufufufu! Do not worry about it, Silver Lover, you'll get your own tools soon. First, you must prove you are worthy to have them!”

'Prove he was worthy to have them'? What the hell did that mean!? Was he not worthy enough when he, ya'know, tightrope walked above a busy city street in the middle of a storm!? Without a balance bar to help him!? Gosh! The nerve!

Phantom Jackal – seemingly aware of how he felt – giggled as she pulled away the grate, letting it hit the ground with a weighty 'Dung!!!'. She then grabbed upon the ventilation shaft and vaulted herself inside, vanishing into its mouth. Silver Lover lingered behind for a few moments, before taking a deep breath, grabbing the ventilation shaft, and vaulting himself inside as well.

They had practiced crawling through ventilation shafts at his home gym. Phantom Jackal – somehow – quickly made a makeshift shaft for him to crawl through using cardboard boxes she fashioned together at sonic speeds. How she did it, he'd never know, but it made a good facsimile to what he was expected to do during their performance. Still...

Like the tightrope before, there's a difference between crawling through 'ventilation shafts' at home, and crawling through an actual ventilation shaft at the museum. First off, the metal. Cardboard is mostly soft, so it wasn't a pain when he actually moved his head up, and struck it against the ceiling. Here in the ventilation shaft however...

Clang!

“Ouch! Nggh!”

He'd strike his head against a ledge by accident every now and then, causing pain to race through him. It's like his hat wasn't even there! The metal shaft also sent pain through his knees and elbows as he crawled through the tunnel, drawing scrapes on his flesh through his clothing. At least said clothing wasn't torn and split; he'd be mortified if his first performance caused his outfit to be ruined!

Ugh... Phantom Jackal was beginning to infect his mind...

Speaking of...

Silver Lover's gaze moved up. In front of him, swaying left and right, was Phantom Jackal's shapely ass. Unlike him – who wore slacks – the dashing thief wore only her leotard. She always wore that leotard! And that leotard was very flattering to her backside. The size of her butt, the shape of it, its contours; nothing was hidden from his gaze. Sure, her tailcoat would occasionally fall over her butt, but her tail remained up, so it would be pushed aside anyway! Even the stockings that clung to her legs helped draw attention to her ass!

“Hmm...”

“Hm? Is something wrong, Silver Lover?” Phantom Jackal whispered, her tone playful as they continued crawling through the vents.

“I'm... fine...” he whispered back.

“Good! Ufufufufu...! Because we've arrived at our destination...”

She scooted forward a tiny bit, before turning around to face him. Between them was another grating, one that showed the darkness-drenched yet elegant hall of the museum beneath them. From the looks of things, there were no guards around, but that wasn't guaranteed.

“This is...” Silver Lover mumbled.

“Ufufufu! Yes, it is,” Phantom Jackal whispered back, “You know what to do, right?”

Silver Lover took a deep breath... and then nodded. One could say that his trapeze walk across the street was a death-defying trick. What he was doing now was honest breaking and entering. It was time for their performance to start in earnest.

Reaching into his sequin tailcoat, Silver Lover pulled out a multi-use tool of his own. But instead of being high-tech and capable of shooting out lasers, his tool was more... down to earth. Pulling out a screwdriver, he slid it into a screw in the grating, and slowly began twisting it so as to not make a sound.

“When I'm done...” he whispered, “You want me to meet you at the Hoarfrost Hambergite's display, right?”

Silver Lover gained no answer. He looked up. Phantom Jackal was already gone. How did she do that? She escaped so quickly down the ventilation shaft, and she did so without making a sound! And she did it in the time it took for him to pull out his tool and begin unscrewing these nuts! Damn, she was really good!

Well, now was not the time to focus on her; he had his own job to do.

With expert skill, Silver Lover quickly and silently undid the nuts on the grate, making it grow loose. He then just as slowly and quietly moved the crate aside, being sure not to make a sound. Without the grate in the way, he could now descend into the hall, but he stopped himself. Instead, he reached into his tailcoat once again, pulling out... a mirror. Bringing up the mirror, he positioned it in such a way that he reflected the hallway directly beneath the ventilation shaft, allowing him to gaze through it.

Where he saw no one.

Good.

Stuffing his mirror back into pocket, Silver Lover pulled out a thin metal wire from his cuffs, where he attached it to the ventilation shaft above him. It stuck to the metal tunnel like glue, allowing him to rappel into the hallway safely, without anyone around.

Tip... Tap...

When his feet touched down upon the hall, Silver Lover felt the weight of his duty descend upon his shoulders yet again. It felt like he was trying to constantly avoid the realization of the situation, but no longer. If tightrope walking over a busy street in the middle of a storm wasn't enough to stick it in his head how serious this situation was, then – somehow – standing within Debeers Museum proper was.

Silver Lover took a deep breath, then turned to face the corridor he stood in. There were some lights on, but most of the hall was covered in darkness and shadows. At any moment, a night guard could appear with his flashlight in hand, so he needed to move, now.

Remembering his training with Phantom Jackal, Silver Lover moved quickly, quietly, and kept his head down. He remembered the first times attempting to do so under her watchful eye, and how strict she was if he messed up at all. If he made so much as a 'Tap...' she forced him to do it again. Perhaps remaining silent around a human would be easy, but not with her sensitive jackal ears!

Her rigorous guidance had born fruit, however. Silver Lover darted through the shadows like a silver spector, making a noise that only a mouse could hear. Uh... an actual, like, feral mouse. Not a mouse beastkin who could possibly be guarding at night.

An important distinction to make.

Head tipped down, Silver Lover's eyes constantly cut from left and right, frantically scanning his location for any guards. He was on the second floor of Debeers, with a nearby banister that would allow a person to gaze down upon the first floor. It too was covered in darkness, but one could see the cones of multiple flashlights streak left and right. The night guards were in full force to protect the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

Ugh... couldn't they just use laser trip wires like his family did? Then again, it's not like that stopped Phantom Jackal beforehand. Speaking of...

Silver Lover looked up. On the other side of the room, separated by the pit between them, was Phantom Jackal. Whereas he struggled to move quickly and quietly, with a few wonky movements here and there, she carried herself with expert grace and style. Leaps, bounds, pirouettes, twirls, spins; the dashing thief performed all these actions with poise and precision, and she did it all without making a sound. Silver Lover's jaw dropped at her performance, where he saw her smirk back at him, even with the distance between them.

What was she doing? Taunting him? Teasing him? Or was she trying to build him up? Much like before on the tightrope, Silver Lover felt inspired by Phantom Jackal. Sure, he struggled to match her grace and stride, but he didn't need to. He just needed to put on a good performance of his own.

A performance. A performance. A performance, a performance, a performance. A performance.

A performance!

He understood it now! He understood why she called them that! This wasn't a heist pulled off by common thugs! This was a performance put on by two dashing thieves! It's like the difference between a street performer putting on magical acts for random passerbies, and true magicians putting on death-defying acts for a stacked coliseum!

He understood it now...

Silver Lover perked up, his movements no longer as wonky as before. While trepidation still pumped through some of his veins, confidence pumped through even more of them. He looked forward again, steeling himself as he headed towards his destination. There was just one slight problem.

A night guard stood in front of him...

He was an older man, a deer from the looks of it. A flashlight in his hand, he yawned lazily as he walked down the corridor, unaware of the young man standing in front of him. Silver Lover himself locked up, while his mind thought back to his training on how to get out of this situation. He had been trained before in self-defense, and Phantom Jackal had even given him some basic level martial arts training if he were to get into an altercation. Both were tools he did not want to use if he could avoid it. But how did he avoid this guard? Wait, there was a display right next to him, one that had some king's crown hiding within its glass case. Quickly he darted behind it, hiding behind the display and growing deathly quiet.

The night guard – completely unaware of Silver Lover's existence – walked past the display case... only to stop. He stood there for several moments, his flashlight dangling in the air, before an exasperated groan left his lips.

“Fuck...” mumbled the deer, “My path is... this way... ugh...”

The guard then turned, facing the hallway to his left. Scooting over silently, Silver Lover huddled himself behind the display case to hide from the guard's view, who remained unaware of him as he shifted course. But as he walked by, Silver Lover looked at him, gazing at his waist... and the badge that dangled off of his waist.

Said badge showed his face and name – his name was Jack Donner, by the way. But more importantly, the badge acted as a security card, allowing him to enter into areas of the museum barred from civilians. Silver Lover did not have a card on him, but he'd need one for where he was going.

“Crap...” he whispered, to which the deer's ears perked up.

“Wh-what?”

The guard quickly swiveled around, pointing his flashlight at the display case Silver Lover hid behind.

He saw nothing.

Eyebrow raised, he flicked his flashlight side to side, where he continued to see nothing. He swore he heard something though... but... all he saw was a king's crown gazing back at him.

“Gah... you're losing your mind, Jack...” he mumbled to himself as he turned back around, “Ugh...”

Continuing along his walk, the night guard entered deeper into the exhibit. In this hall were nothing but busts and statues, all of which sat behind glass cases, and all of which were wearing extravagant jewelry. Golden necklaces, opulent crowns, diamond rings; all and more could be found in this exhibit.

Not that the guard cared. He remained focused on walking down the hall. Or, well, 'focused' was a bit misleading. It was more accurate to say he was 'partially paying attention to his surroundings, because nothing happens in Debeers, and it's insane to think someone would actually try to rob the place!' Yeah. That was more accurate!

It was also perfect for Silver Lover.

From bust to bust, and display to display, the charming thief moved as quickly and as silently as the shadows around him. His heart was racing, but it was not adrenaline that pumped through his veins. He was so focused, so locked in, that he had perfect control over his body. Silver Lover didn't even need to think about his training with Phantom Jackal; it was like he was completely in sync with his instincts.

“Haaah...”

“Hm?”

The night guard stopped and turned around. Snapping his light upon a display, he once more saw... nothing. Head tilted to the side, he pondered if his mind was playing tricks on him. He swore he heard something else again, but he saw nothing. Should he investigate?

Naaaaawwwww...

Debeers had this aura about it that made everything feel dangerous. Like the millions of dollars worth of gold on display was secretly cursed, and were all being haunted by malevolent spirits. There was also the idea that – maybe, juuuuuuuust maybe – there would be people crazy enough to try and rob Debeers Museum.

Crazy, right? Absolutely insane... right?

The night guard shook his head again and turned around, prepared to continue along his path. But...

Tack tack taaaacccckkk...

“Hm?”

The guard's gaze snapped down, and so too did his flashlight. Rolling along the floor was... a... pen? It rolled and rolled and rolled, eventually stopping when it hit the base of another display case. Eyebrow raised, the guard walked over towards the pen and picked it up, checking it. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the pen; it was just your basic pen with blue ink.

“What the...?” he mumbled as he faced the direction the pen rolled out from.

It emerged from the side of another exhibit; something displaying a queen's jewels. Investigating further, the guard walked behind the feminine bust, only to find... nothing. Perhaps the pen had been left by a guest, and it just... rolled out from behind the display? That was possible, and it's not like he saw someone here now who shouldn't be here. Maybe it was left by another guard. This path was walked by several other guards throughout the night, so it was possible.

Maybe he was insane for even thinking about this at all. It's just a stupid pen; nothing more, nothing less!

“Ugh...” mumbled the guard as he turned around, “I am not being paid enough for this...”

Continuing along his path, the guard exited the exhibit of royal jewels and turned around the corner, vanishing into the night along with his flashlight. But if he were to pay attention, he'd realize he was just a few ounces lighter. Not a lot, but something was definitely missing from his person.

Silver Lover slipped from around the corner of a display case holding silver swords. Gazing into the direction the night guard walked down, he made sure the guard was gone, before pulling back and revealing the security badge that was hung around his finger.

The pen was a distraction, one the guard fell for perfectly. And in that distraction, Silver Lover used his newly curated skills to swipe his security badge off of his person. And he did it all with a smile on his face.

Damn. He would've never thought he was capable of doing such a thing in his past. But this night was filled with a lot of things he never thought he'd do. Tightrope over a busy street, sneak into a museum through its ventilation shaft, plan to rob a priceless jewel; these were the things he'd only read about in a fantastic book!

Now he was living that fantastic book.

With the security badge around his finger, Silver Lover dashed out of the exhibit, heading towards his destination. When he returned to the main hall of the museum, he no longer saw Phantom Jackal. She was probably waiting for him to do his side of the job.

So he rushed through the museum, coming to an area that was unlike the rest of the museum. Instead of being opulent halls with red rugs and near golden stone, it was a hallway of out of place gray concrete walls and floors. The only thing that barred entry from the hallway were a few movable blocks with 'NO ENTRY' signs on them.

Naturally, Silver Lover slipped into the area, ignoring the blockades. His feet brought him to a pair of doors at the back of the maintenance hall, one which needed a security badge in order to get into. All he needed to do was tap the badge against the sensor on the wall...

Click!

And the door was unlocked.

The surveillance room. Almost like every surveillance room in every movie he had ever seen, it was a dark room with TV screens on a massive monitor, with each screen representing one of the hundreds of cameras that dot the museum. There was a lone chair here... but it was empty. Seems as if the guard on duty had left earlier. That's good; Silver Lover was prepared to knock him out if need be, but he didn't really want to.

Darting up towards the surveillance room's mainframe, Silver Lover produced a thumb drive from his tailcoat, and plugged it inside. He then rushed towards the computer's keyboard, where he furiously typed upon it. Navigating from one file to another, he searched through the machine for... Camera #319. Why Camera #319?

Because that's the camera that watched over the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

It showed everything: the diamond itself, the display it was locked in, and the guards who walked on patrol. If either he or Phantom Jackal were to walk past the camera, it would alert the guards. So he needed to make sure they didn't think anything was suspicious. How did he do that?

Easy.

With the apps provided on his USB, Silver Lover opened up – of all things – a movie editor. Simple, yes, but he didn't need theatrics for something so mundane. He then plugged into the editor a file belonging to Camera #319, being one of its recordings from earlier that night. For several hours, there was nothing; just the Hoarfrost Hambergite sitting in its display. So all Silver Lover needed to do was copy that recording, edit it into a perfect loop, and then load it into Camera #319's feed, so that when the surveillance guard returned, they'd think nothing was out of the ordinary.

For others, it may take them some time. For Silver Lover, it took him five minutes top. Even more training from Phantom Jackal; she did not want to wait any longer than necessary. He didn't either.

After loading up the looping feed into Camera #319, Silver Lover was quick to remove the USB from the mainframe. After properly ejecting it first, of course!

USB in hand, the charming thief quickly rushed for the door... only to hear it open up. Without saying a word, he darted to the side, hiding behind the back of the door right as it opened and a guard walked inside.

“Bleh,” mumbled the guard – some big, burly bear, “Why do they have me standing at the surveillance room? I'd rather be anywhere else... ugh...”

Completely unaware of Silver Lover, he walked back to his chair and sat down in it while resting his coffee mug on the table. He then relaxed into his chair and stared up the hundreds of camera screens, not realizing something was amiss. Before the door behind him could close, Silver Lover slipped through it, exiting back into the maintenance hall.

“Phew...” he whispered to himself, “Mein Herz rast.”

Shaking off his apprehension, Silver Lover rushed back down the maintenance hall, returning to the museum proper. Next stop, the Hoarfrost Hambergite!

…

She was darkness given form. A shapeless creature drenched in shadows, one that moved in such a way, that you'd think she was made of water, or vapor. From outstretched shadow to outstretched shadow, she did not hide in them, but fuse with them, become one with them. It mattered not if even the sun pierced through the skylight to illuminate the chamber; she'd hide within even the smallest patch of shadows and find a way to vanish completely.

This was the skill of the Phantom Jackal.

The chamber containing the Hoarfrost Hambergite was small and octagonal in shape, with red curtains hanging from the ceilings. Above it all was a skylight that had been covered, blocking the view of the storming skies outside. Not that it was an issue for the likes of her.

Before Phantom Jackal, raised on a platform and hidden behind a glass display case, was the Hoarfrost Hambergite. The banisters and guardrails that would usher people to see the diamond in an orderly fashion, had all been moved aside for space, opening the room up for someone to casually stand in it. But the dashing thief was not so stupid as to think she could just walk up to the Hoarfrost Hambergite and steal it.

A smirk on her lips, she raised her hand to the mask she wore, and tapped it on its side.

Bweaam...

The shades Phantom Jackal gave Johann before were incredible feats of technological engineering. They could take high-quality pictures, record videos up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, and could even alter one's vision to see in infrared and night vision. So of course, it is only natural that Phantom Jackal's own mask could do the same thing.

The lenses of her mask shifted, allowing her eyes to see through a blacklight vision. In doing so, she could see the red lines of trip wire lasers darting all throughout the chamber. They went left, they went right, they went up, they went down, they went in diagonal lines, they went in every direction possible, creating a net that was nearly impossible to slip through.

But 'nearly' impossible is not the same as being actually impossible. And Phantom Jackal was going to prove it.

She stood straight, her hands pointed upwards similar to the tree pose in yoga. Her eyes then closed shut, and she performed a few hops in place, as if loosening her body up for a startling performance. A startling performance for no one...

But him.

Her first step was simple. A simple walk over a laser that she passed by mere inches. Her second step however was more like a pirouette in a ballet presentation. Phantom Jackal performed a dramatic pivot, one that sent her leg careening over other lasers without triggering one of them. She then stepped over several other lasers, before performing a leap with both legs stretched out, and her hands doing likewise. All of which dodged lasers as if they weren't there.

And, really, they might as well have not been there to the naked eye.

For no one else has black light vision. No one else could see her death-defying performance, as she gracefully dodged lasers without triggering a single one. No one else... but Silver Lover.

He stood at the entrance to the Hoarfrost Hambergite display, eyes wide and mouth agape. While he knew his mask had the same capabilities as hers, he had not yet activated any of his enhanced visions, meaning all he saw was Phantom Jackal alone in this room, performing leaps and bounds with the same if not superior grace to that of a skilled ballet dancer.

Spins, twirls, whirls, leaps; she did it all without breaking a sweat. And with one leap, she launched herself through a small gap in the air, dodging those invisible trip lasers by mere centimeters.

“Fwah!”

And it all stopped as she landed before the Hoarfrost Hambergite. Arms extended out and chest pushed up, the Phantom Jackal stood before the priceless jewel with a glint in her purple eyes, and a devious smile on her face. All that separated her from her prize was a thin glass case.

Now then...

From her tailcoat, Phantom Jackal pulled out that multipurpose tool she had before. Placing her thumb to the back of it, she caused a claw-like extension to emerge from the front of it, which she then placed upon the glass. Shortly after...

Zeeeeeeeeaaaaam...!

The white-hot shot out from her tool again, with the claws gripping into the surface of the glass. With the claws embedded into the surface of the glass case, she kept the display fitted in place, allowing her beam to cut through the glass without accidentally triggering any sensors or alarms. But in order to do this well, she had to do this slowly.

So she did it. She did it slowly. Phantom Jackal took her time cutting through the glass case with this smirk on her face, and her hips swaying left and right playfully. Silver Lover meanwhile watched her with eyes unflinching. Was this why she called her heists 'performances'? Because she was always performing as if eyes were on her? It left him confused and curious.

Silver Lover would've stepped forward, but he knew better than to do so. Even when Phantom Jackal appeared playful, she was being serious. He figured there were invisible trip lasers strewn about the place, and that she had skillfully navigated through them all. Not wanting to trigger any himself, he remained standing at the entrance to the exhibit.

There was just one small problem.

Flashlights. Down the hall, Silver Lover saw flashlights. His mouth gaped at the sight of their cones coming closer, and he gawked in horror. Phantom Jackal meanwhile continued humming about casually, as if nothing was amiss.

Crap! Shoot! Shit! Oh verdammt! He needed to distract them so they don't catch Phantom Jackal while she swipes the Hoarfrost Hambergite. But how the hell did he do that without revealing himself!? Think, Silver Lover! Think! This was a performance, right? And he was like the magician's assistant, right? When said magician – in this case, Phantom Jackal – is busy, he has to keep the crowd entertained until her return!

Wait. A magician? Magic doesn't exist! But magicians don't use magic; they use sleight of hand! It's all an illusion as they play tricks on their audience! That's all he needed to do! Like that night guard before, he'd play tricks on these two walking closer.

Gripping his hand, Silver Lover took a step back. And then another step. And another step. Eventually, he faded away with the darkness.

“So... do you ever think about stealing stuff from the museum yourself?”

“Dude. It's literally our job to not steal anything.”

Two guards – one a human, one a horse, both burly – walked down the hall with their flashlights locked forward. The horse appeared bored and exhausted, while his human partner appeared more jovial and jokey.

“I'm just saying,” said the human, “It's a loooooot of gold and diamonds. I'm sure Debeers wouldn't notice it if a few just went... poof...”

“Tch, yeah right,” the horse mumbled back, “You see all those historians who manage the museum? They'd notice if one coin of gold is misaligned, let alone missing...” he shook his head, “Now drop it. We gotta check up on the Hoarfrost hamburger...”

“Uh... it's the Hoarfrost Hambergite...”

“Tch... whatever...”

The duo continued walking down the hall, heading towards the Hoarfrost Hambergite's exhibit... only to stop. Their flashlights caught light of something; something reflective... something silver.

It was a hat. A silver-white hat. A silver-white hat with a black stripe running around it.

Confused, the horse guard crouched down to grab the hat... only for it to suddenly float away as if picked up by a ghost of wind... or by a ghost. He then straightened up, before glancing at his partner, who stared back at him with a look of equal confusion.

“What the hell...?” the human mumbled as they both watched the hat fly into the opposite direction of the Hoarfrost Hambergite.

“Shit...! Call Ted. Tell 'em we found a hat...” he horse ordered with a shake of his head, “Maybe it was left by a guest...”

“Yeah, sure thing,” the human replied as his hand dropped to his waist, “I'll call him up on the ra... di... o...? Hm?”

“The hell's the hang up?” asked the horse as he pointed his flashlight towards the hat, which had fallen back on the floor.

“Uh... I uh...” mumbled the human as he spun around a few times, “I... shit... I swore I had the radio on me... did I... leave it at the lounge?” he shook his head, “L-let me see your radio, Hector...”

“For... fuck's sake...” mumbled the horse as he palmed for his radio, “I might as well call... them... my... self...?”

Eyebrow raised, the horse looked down at his hip. His radio was gone. Recoiling in confusion, he gazed at his hip, then his partner's hip, then back down to his hip, before turning around as if it had fallen off of his person. But, nope; it's like he didn't have his radio on him at all.

“What the hell...?” he whispered.

“Um... Hect...?”

“Wh-what is it...?”

“L... look up...”

Together, the two gazed into the direction of the hat again. A figure stood there, one whose body was a ghostly white. This figure reached over to grab its hat, before turning to face the two night guards. It then stood there for a few seconds too long, before sliding away around the corner as if floating instead of walking.

The two guards stood there, mouths agape and eyes wide from what they saw. Instinctively, they reached for their radios to call for backup, only to remember that they did not have their radios. Instead, they thought about turning around and calling for help, but...

Skrrrtch!

Hector? You and John? Are you there?

They heard a radio go off in the distance. The horse's radio.

“You...? You heard that, r-right...?” the human mumbled.

“I... sh-shit!”

Shaking his head, the horse rushed down the hall in chase of the hat and the mysterious figure that picked it up. The human followed behind him, with the two pounding through the corridor to catch a glimpse of this possible phantom. But when they entered this hall – a hall filled with ancient treasures from Japan – they saw no sight nor sound of their intruder.

That is until...

Skrrrtch!

Hector, answer me. I swear, if John is bothering you, I'll gut him myself.

The two turned, their flashlights pointed forward. Standing there, illuminated as it gazed at the twin radios in its hand, was that strange white figure they saw before. It stood in place almost completely rigid, gazing down to the radios in hand... before slowly turning to face the two guards. For a moment, their eyes met the eyes of this apparition.

They were pure white.

Swoooosh...

Like before, the phantom figure slid on the floor backwards, disappearing from view. The two guards were quick to give chase, where they entered into one of the museum's many maintenance halls.

Only to realize it was a dead-end.

Confused, the horse flinched, only to feel a tap at his shoulder.

“Uh... H-Hector...” said the human beside him.

“Wh-what...?” the horse replied, a cold sweat breaking down his brow.

The horse turned around. Standing there, facing them fully was the white figure they chased. It stood still at the entrance to the maintenance hall, its body completely still. The human opened his mouth to say something, but the apparition suddenly shot upwards. Gasping in shock and fear, the two watched as the specter hovered up and towards them. They couldn't even cry out in terror before--

Kick! Kick!

“GUH!?”

“AGH!?”

The specter's feet slammed into their chests, knocking them both back in unison. Their flashlights were knocked clean from their hands as they fell into... a broom closet? It was large enough to fit two people in it, but that's about it. It was then that they realized in the darkness that they had been tricked. They followed this specter into the broom closet, and now as they scrambled to get up to their feet.

“Heh...”

The two night guards looked up, and they realized something. It wasn't a ghost they were chasing. It was a young man in a sequin silver-white suit, one with a hat on his head and a mask on his face. And as he stood there with a glint in his blue eyes, a cocky grin appeared on his lips, followed by a bow, like he was an actor at the end of a play. The two night guards shouted at him and attempted to get back up to their feet, but...

SLAM!

The door slammed shut on them, followed by the 'Click!' of a lock.

Silver Lover pulled back, gazing at the door while the night guard's key swung around on his finger. He was still grinning, but his heart was racing a mile a minute. For a moment there, it was like he was having an out of body experience. Someone was in control of him; someone else led those two guards on, swung from those maintenance scaffolding up above, and kicked them both into that broom closet. Now that 'someone else' had left, returning him to normal.

But, no, that wasn't 'someone else'. That was him; it had always been him.

It was Silver Lover.

Exhaling deeply, he walked backwards, while the two guards bashed against the doors in an attempt to escape it. Victory pumped through his veins instead of blood... only for abject horror to wash down his spine when he heard...

“Where do you think you're going...?”

Silver Lover's face turned as pale as the clothing he wore. But then his blood stopped pumping as fast as it once was, and he let out a deep breath. Fuuuuuh. After thinking about the voice for longer than a second, he turned around and faced the entrance to the maintenance hall.

Phantom Jackal was standing there.

“Phan--!” Silver Lover cried out, before covering his mouth, silencing himself, “Phantom...! Did you...”

“What? Get it?” the dashing thief replied, “I don't know... did I?”

Before Silver Lover could say another word, Phantom Jackal performed a flourish with her hand... and revealed a crystal sitting between her thumb and index finger. Her charming assistant's eyes grew wide as he bore witness to a beautifully carved diamond in the emerald shape. It shimmered with colors that transitioned between shades of clear, silver, and pure whites; almost like the frost that covers plants on a cold, winter morning. And when the light struck it – no matter how dark – the crystal shot out rainbow rays that made it appear even more radiant. Even more splendorous.

Yes, this was it. This was the Hoarfrost Hambergite!

“You... got it...?” Silver Lover said, making Phantom Jackal tilt her head.

“What? Did you doubt my capabilities?” she replied in a teasing manner, “None of my performances have failed, Silver Lover. And none of my performances will ever fail. Ufufufufu~” she then clinched her hand, causing the Hoarfrost Hambergite to vanish, “And now, it is time we made our grand escape. Are you ready, Silver Lover?”

He opened his mouth to speak... only to close it and shake his head. It was a rhetorical question; they both knew that. The stance she had, the glow in her purple eyes, and glint off of her gilded mask, all painted the portrait of a true phantom, instead of a flesh and blood woman.

And yet, this phantom still wrapped her arm around his waist, and pulled him in close with her superior strength. He groaned as he grabbed her back, embracing her... and smiling up at her. She smiled back at Silver Lover, giggled too, before pointing her hand towards the ceiling.

Thwip!

From the wrist of her gloved hand, a thin metal wire launched out, and embedded itself into the ceiling overhead. Phantom Jackal then gripped the wire as well as Silver Lover, using it to pull herself and her assistant upwards. The two would land on scaffolding overhead, where they gazed down upon their performance... before vanishing into the dark.

…

The Hoarfrost Hambergite. This priceless jewel that dated back centuries, now rested in his hand. And as he held it, a certain thought came to mind.

“It's so... small...”

Silver Lover gazed at the Hoarfrost, while his other hand pulled off his hat and then his mask, returning him to being Johannes von Goethe. Blue eyes wide, he continued gazing at the priceless treasure; twisting and turning it as he checked it from a variety of angles. He was so enamored by the jewel, he didn't care that they had returned to his bedroom, as opposed to going to Phantom Jackal's vault, or wherever it is she lived.

He really wanted to know what kind of place she called home.

That is until Phantom Jackal walked up, her heels 'Clicking!' against the floor. Within the reflection of the priceless jewel, he saw his lover look down upon the Hoarfrost Hambergite with that trademark smirk on her lips. That is until his eyes settled in, and he realized she wasn't looking at the diamond, she was looking at him.

“For your first performance, Johannes,” said Phantom Jackal as she sat beside him, “You did fantastically! Ufufufufufufufufu! I would say I'm proud of you, but pride is a sin, and I'm not sinful. Besides, I feel like 'proud' is too weak a word to describe how I feel about your performance! Ufufufufu!”

On one hand 'pride is a sin'? She's a thief! Why should she care about something being sinful or not?

On the other hand...

Knowing that she was proud of him was such a boon to Johann's spirit, that it couldn't be described in words. No, even more than that. She was so proud of him, that 'proud' couldn't encapsulate the full breadth of her feelings. It caused this kooky and somewhat bashful smile to spread on his lips; a look that was far unfitting for someone like Silver Lover.

“I can't believe we did that,” said Johann as he looked up at her, “We actually... stole the Hoarfrost Hambergite from Debeers...” he shook his head, “I can't believe it...”

“Ufufufu~ believe it, Johannes, believe it,” Phantom Jackal whispered as she placed her hands on his cheeks, “You and fantastical job. The way you handled yourself alone against those night guards was majestic. How you led them astray, and vaulted over the scaffolding, before kicking them into that broom closet was phenomenal! You did it all without me needing to be there.”

“I...! You saw that...?” Johann mumbled as he shook his head, “I don't know... it felt like... for a moment there, I had been possessed by someone else.”

“Ufufufu... that's how I feel every time I perform a heist,” said the dashing thief as she tilted her head at him, “When I crawl up buildings, zip from my grappling hook, and successfully swipe a priceless diamond. It's like... ufufufu... the spirit of the Phantom Jackal fully embodies me.”

The spirit of the Phantom Jackal embodies her, huh? Yeah, that's what he'd say. The Silver Lover fully embodied him, giving him the abilities needed to trick those guards. In turn, that gave Phantom Jackal the time needed to swipe the Hoarfrost Hambergite without anyone being any wiser.

“Tell me... when you successfully outfoxed those two guards... did your blood pump?” asked Phantom Jackal as her purple eyes glowed in his direction, “Did it feel... good?”

“Good...? N-no...” Johann shook his head, “It felt amazing. It felt exhilarating. It was the second greatest thing I had ever experienced in my life! I... I don't think I've ever felt so... in control before. I can still feel myself tremble...”

“Ufufufufu~ you said it was the... second greatest thing you have ever experienced?”

Johann turned, facing Phantom Jackal. She had shifted, moving upon all fours like a beast stalking her prey. Her purple eyes gazed at him from behind her gilded mask, and a mischievous smile adorned her gold-colored lips. Closer and closer she crawled, her ears twitching and tail swaying side to side, while the position of her body caused her shapely breasts to sway upon her chest. Cheeks turning red, Johann swallowed his spit, his eyes running up and down her voluptuous body, while his brain struggled to catch up with itself.

“If our performance was only the second greatest thing you have ever experienced... then... what is the first?” Phantom Jackal asked.

Johann's chest swelled as he took in a deep breath... before exhaling softly.

“Making love to you...” he answered.

Phantom Jackal giggled.

“Good choice... mmm~”

And her lips moved in, pressing to his in a sumptuous kiss.

Johann's eyes closed shut as he felt the familiar press of Phantom Jackal's lips, and the familiar taste of her tongue. She was slow, dancing her tongue about with his tongue, the two trading soft moans as the dashing thief crawled upon her charming lover. Her body loomed atop his, her hands clutching his hands and pinning him to the mattress below, while her head tilted to deepen the kiss further.

Slowly raising his own hands, Johann slid them under Phantom Jackal's tailcoat, gripping her hips tight. With a strong tug, he pulled her in close, bringing her body flush against his, and causing a playful giggle to leave her kissing lips. She eventually pulled back, her tongue hanging out, and causing her clear saliva to ooze into his mouth like syrup.

“Taste good?” she asked, her lips curling into a smirk.

“Hnn... y-yes...” Phantom Jackal replied, making her giggle.

“Good to hear... Silver Lover~” she replied, “Then... let's keep going~”

Sitting upright on Johann's waist, Phantom Jackal pulled her hands through her tailcoat's sleeves... and allowed it to drop off her shoulders. Her voluptuous and athletic body was fully revealed to her lover, with only her skin-tight leotard in the way acting as clothing. And with how tight and revealing it was, could you really call it 'clothing'?

Probably not...

Bringing up his hands, Johann placed them upon Phantom Jackal's hips, feeling how taut and shapely her body was. She giggled in return, her body swaying left and right with the same predatory grace as a reptile, while her hands sat atop his, increasing his grip.

“More~” she whispered sultrily, “Treasure my body... as much as I treasure you~”

Johann said not a word, instead nodding and bringing his hands up. They traced up Phantom Jackal's illustrious sides, before coming up to her busty and pompous chest. With a tight grip, he squeezed her breasts through her leotard's top, coaxing a giggling cry of pleasure to leave her lips.

“Aaahh~ that's it~” she moaned, her ears and tail twitching, “More, Johannes, more~”

And 'more' she got. Johann's fingers gripped, groped, and kneaded Phantom Jackal's tits through her leotard, lifting and squeezing them, while rolling them around and around and around. Her breasts were like the rest of her body; perfect for her alluring body. They weren't just big and shapely, but they were also soft, with just the perfect amount of firmness to them. Johann couldn't just imagine squeezing these breasts, but could imagine snuggling up against them for hours upon hours.

Maybe even days. In fact...

Plap!

“Oh~! Ufufufufufufu~!”

Without warning or hesitation, Johann dove his face in, burring his head between Phantom Jackal's tits. Her furry bosom surrounded his head, being so warm and comforting. Hugging his hands around her waist, Johann hugged her even closer, squeezing her body against his, and drawing more groans from her lips.

“Oh... Johannes,” she cooed, her hand resting on the back of his head as she tangled her fingers into his hair, “Keep going~ Aah~”

And how.

He snuggled against her tits, squeezed against them, kissing, licked, and nibbled upon them. All the while, Phantom Jackal gyrated her hips atop his waist, feeling the lump in his pants. Taunting giggles would escape her lips every now and then, only to be broken by moans of desire and hunger that filled his bedroom. Johann himself has moved back, separating himself from her as he found his new target.

His hands traveled up her stomach, coming to a stop at the bodice of her leotard. It gripped her breasts like cups, lifting and supporting her bosom, while covering her chest_._ Johann's chest swelled as he took a deep breath, and he swallowed his spit... before pulling that bodice down.

Plop-Plop!

“Ufufufufufu~”

There, revealed to him was Phantom Jackal's shapely breasts... and her tan-colored nipples. They were so hard, so perky, and they curved upwards with this youthful contour and shape. Just seeing them made his chest swell, and caused him to pant with hunger. He couldn't take it anymore!

“Nmmph!”

“OH~!”

Johann latched upon Phantom Jackal's perky nipple, biting juuuuuust hard enough on her to send pleasure racing straight to her brain. Locking up like she was frozen by a block of ice, the dashing thief clinched her teeth and gave a groan, while her fingers grooved through her lover's ginger hair. With an even tighter grip than before, she embraced him fully against her tits, while her head tipped back as she gave out a throaty cry of ecstasy.

Johann's suckling echoed through his bedroom. Up, down, side to side, his tongue lashed at her nipple, while muffled moans of hunger left his pursed lips. Spit and drool would bubble from the creases of his lips and streak down her tits, glistening in the light of his bedroom., while her taste danced on his tongue.

And his fingers began to dance elsewhere.

Johann's hands slithered towards Phantom Jackal's back, embracing her close so that he could push more of her bosom into his maw. But then his hands began to tug and pull upon the zipper of her leotard. Slowly he pulled it down, sending a low 'Zzziiiiiiiiiip...' through his bedroom. Her zipper traveled all the way down to her tail before finally coming to a halt.

Pulling back, Johann gazed up at Phantom Jackal, who looked back with her lips curled into that alluring smirk of hers. She continued holding onto him, but did nothing to stop him as he began pulling her leotard from her body.

Phantom Jackal's body was absolute perfection. Honed through years of athletic training, her body had the perfect amount of muscle atop her illustrious physique. Her strong legs, her shapely hips, her narrow waist, her curvaceous bosom; hers was a figure one could not get from luck alone. Whenever he saw it, Johann was stricken with awe... and lust.

“I'm not going anywhere, Johannes,” Phantom Jackal whispered as she placed her hand on his chest, pushing him against his mattress, “Ufufufufu~ let me pamper you... for such a job well done~”

Pamper... him?

That word, pamper, danced around in Johann's head... while Phantom Jackal slid down. Her talented fingers streaked down his body, brushing along his sides and hips as she came to be level with his pants. His slacks did a poor job defending him; his length could visibly be seen pulsating beneath. It was long, thick, and filled with the vitality of a virile young man. In the dashing thief's eyes, it was an impressive treasure in its own right.

All it needed was to be freed from its chest.

With deft and nimble movements, Phantom Jackal undid Johann's belt buckle, followed by his pants' button, and lastly his zipper. Like her leotard before, that 'Ziiiiiiiip...!' echoed low and long through his silent bedroom, ringing into Johann's ears as he felt his pants grow loose. It was followed shortly by...

Fwip!

His cock emerged from between his legs, standing tall like a pillar all its own. Heat radiated off of his member, veins ran down its sides, his glands throbbed with such need, and a pearl of precum oozed at the tip. Phantom Jackal's eyes grew wide and she giggled with awe as her eyes locked upon the thick tip of his length.

“So big~ All for me~” she whispered before pursing her lips, and-- “Chu~”

She planted a kiss upon his cock, making it throb. Strands of sticky precum hung from her lips to his dick's head, stretching and stretching, but never breaking. She moved in again shortly after, placing another kiss on his cock, and another kiss, and another kiss. Moans drifted from Johann's lips as the dashing thief peppered his length with kisses and worships, the touch sending jolts racing up and down his body. Her mouth then split open, showing off her wide row of teeth, where her tongue slid out, and began swirling around his cock.

“Mmmmmm~~~”

Erotic moans left Phantom Jackal's lips as Johann's virile young taste danced on her tongue. Spit from her tongue mixed with his precum, with the both of them oozing down his length and leaving it glistening in the light of his bedroom. Eyes closed shut, the dashing thief remained focused on her fellatio, eventually resting his cock upon her tongue as her head descended down.

“Nmmmm~~”

“Oh...! Guh!”

Phantom Jackal's mouth latched upon his cock fully, wrapping around him. Johann's length was trapped in her moist maw, feeling heat and spit on all sides. It oozed upon his length, lathering him, and completely covering him in her essence. The dashing thief then began moving down, her head bobbing upon his penis as erotic and playful moans left her lips.

“Mm~ Nmmm~ Mmm~ Mmmm!” then came the... “Nmm~ Slurp! Nmmm~! Slurrrp! Mmmmm~~~! Slurrrp!”

“Guh!? P-Phantom! Auh!”

The slurping around his cock wasn't just audible, he felt it too. The tight pressure of her lips, the way her cheeks sunk in, the vacuum seal of her sucks; it all sent pleasure racing throughout his body. Johann fell back in his bed, moaning as his cock pulsed within Phantom Jackal's mouth, while her tongue swirled and whirled around his throbbing spire.

His taste was even spicier now. In a way, it was like she was tasting the adrenaline and salt from their earlier performance. She could taste how he felt when tight walking above that busy street, or sneaking through the vents of the museum, or successfully sneaking into the surveillance room in order to loop the footage. But above all, she could taste how his body felt when outsmarting those two guards.

And the taste was phenomenal.

Phantom Jackal's throat rumbled around Johann's cock as his taste infiltrated her mind, poking and tugging at her pleasure centers. The same could be said for her lover, who was an endless bevy of moans that filled out the room louder and louder. He panted, he groaned, he cried out her name, all with shameless ecstasy. Even in her mouth, her tongue continued teasing his length, until she felt it pulse.

He was about to unleash his seed. He needed to unleash his seed. But she stopped and pulled back, drawing her lips off his cock with a loud and lewd--

Pop!

“Ufufufufufufu~!”

Spit oozed down his cock, leaving him panting as he rested on his bed. Bringing his head up, he gazed down his body towards his member, watching as Phantom Jackal rose herself... and angled his cock with her tits.

“Ufufufufu~ not yet, Johannes,” she cooed, “Not... yet...”

Plap!

“Auhh!”

Phantom Jackal descended down, swallowing his cock between her breasts. Johann groaned as he felt the fur, warmth, and firmness of her bosom cradle his member, followed by the squeeeezzzzinnng. The dashing thief clinched and clamped her breasts tighter around his length, holding him absolutely hostage as his dick poked through the valley that is her cleavage.

Up and down, Phantom Jackal began moving, grinding her tits along his member. Pleasure raced up and throughout Johann, who leaned back on the bed and gave a groan that filled the air. Phantom's ears twitched; his moans sounded so cute!

Over and over again, the dashing thief squeezed and groped her breasts around Johann's cock. His hips would buck, thrusting his spit-covered cock through her tits and lathering them in his precum, but he remained mostly still as her paizuri continued. Whether it be in acts of thievery or acts of sex, Phantom Jackal's skill was unparalleled.

She looked up at Johann, watching and reading his every reaction as her titfuck pleased him. The throbbing in his penis felt less like flesh and blood, and more like iron and lava. Through all the layers of skin and cartilage, she could feel a rising within his balls. His orgasm was coming faster and faster, so she increased the speed and pressure of her titfuck to match him.

“D-dammit,” Johann groaned as he pushed his fingers through his ginger hair, “I caaan't...! Nggh...! Gghh... Guh!?”

SPURT!

“Oh-hoooh ~~! Johannneesss~~~!”

Cum! It shot out of Johann's dick like an erupting geyser, launching high enough to strike Phantom Jackal's chin, before falling and sprinkling upon her busty tits. The dashing thief's chuckles shifted into a throaty groan as she felt his seed seep into her flesh and fur, weighing heavily upon her. She then tipped her head back and gave a final moan... before leaning forward. Mouth splitting open, her tongue slithered out, licking upon the head of Johann's cock to clean away the final bits of seed.

Oh. So salty. So thick. So virile. So good~

Johann laid there, panting and breathing as he watched Phantom Jackal rise up. Cum oozed down her tits, hanging together like bridges of lust, while her purple eyes gazed through her mask towards his face.

“Fantastic, Johannes,” she claimed, “You truly live up to your family's status. Ufufufu~ And yet...” she then began crawling up towards Johann's face, her purple eyes as sharp as knives, and mouth baring its fangs, “I am not yet satisfied. Allow me to... nmmm~”

“Mmmm...”

Their lips met, the two entering into a kiss. Despite having just cum through her tits, Johann felt empowered by Phantom Jackal's kiss. He leaned up against her, deepening the kiss on his end, and causing their tongues to begin grinding and sliding against one in earnest. Moans rose up and reverberated through his throat as their kiss continued on and on, the air broken with occasional 'Smacks!' and 'Chus!' which seemed louder than the thunder which echoed outside. Johann wanted it to go on forever...

But...

“Chu!”

Phantom Jackal pulled away, breaking their kiss with only a bridge of spittle hanging between them. Johann looked up at her, gripping her tight. But she giggled and shook her head, before pulling away. On all fours, the dashing thief crawled upon his bed, where she eventually reached his bedpost.

Gah... this leotard... even with it unzipped, it was still in the way. So obnoxious. Welp, Phantom Jackal gripped it, and...

Fwoosh!

Like before in his bathroom, all the dashing thief did was throw up her hands... and her clothing was pulled from her body as well. Johann pulled back. Gone was her leotard and her tailcoat, with only her heels on her feet, her tights on her legs, her gloves on her hands, and – of course – her mask on her face.

Looking over her shoulder towards her lover, Phantom Jackal flashed him a smile, before shaking her hips side to side, taunting him with her body.

“C'mon, Johannes~” she cooed, “Come claim your reward~! Ufufufufufu!”

And to cap off her offer, Phantom Jackal reached back, pulled up her hand, and--

SMACK!

Her ass wobbled from side to side upon striking her butt, making Johann tense up in place. The hunger he felt exploded upon the sight of Phantom Jackal presenting herself like a fine slab of meat. Closer and closer he pulled, where he placed his hands upon the dashing thief's backside. She groaned under his touch and then giggled, before wiggling her hips once more.

Rrrrrrriip! Teeeeaaaarr!

“Aaaah~~~!”

It was lust. At least, that's what he would claim later if Phantom Jackal were to show annoyance with him. In reality, Johann had no idea why he did what he did. It might have been lust, but it also might have been instinct, but it also also might not have even been a thought that traveled through his head. He just... did it.

He ripped a hole in Phantom Jackal's pantyhose.

Beneath her tights, there was nothing blocking the view of her glistening pussy. He saw the thin layers of jet-black fur which flanked her pink cunt, and he saw the nectar that oozed from it, causing her pink folds to glow in the light of his bedroom. And there was the smell; this powerful odor that flowed to his nose and nearly drowned him.

Johann drifted in closer and closer, his mouth hanging open as spit oozed upon his tongue. That hunger would not be satiated, not until he placed his lips to her pussy, and...

“Nmm!”

“Ohh~!”

Ate. Her. OUT!

Phantom Jackal's back arched up as Johann's mouth latched upon her pussy. Nails digging into the bedpost, the dashing thief's head tipped up to the ceiling as she felt her lover's tongue slide in and throughout her pussy. Her tight walls were spread apart by his greedy tongue, which was quick to lick and scoop up as much of her honey as he possibly could.

“Oh... oh mein susser Geliebter~” Phantom Jackal moaned, her hips gently rocking side to side.

She swayed upon Johann's tongue, who moaned into her body as her taste drugged his mind. It flowed into her cunt, and then coursed throughout the rest of her body, making her ears twitch and causing her tail to jolt upwards. More and more she spoke in German, flaunting how fluent she was in his native tongue... and how undeniably erotic it was hearing her. He didn't know what was better; the sounds she made, or the taste she gave.

He just knew he wanted more!

“Nmmph!”

“Oh~!?”

Johann moved in, pressing his face more against Phantom Jackal's cunt, and thrusting his tongue as deep into her tight pussy as it could go. From the tips of her toes to the tips of her ears, every fiber of fur on her body straightened up like she'd been shocked by a bolt of lightning. If there was one thing Johann proved during their training together, it's that he was a startlingly fast learner. And now he was using those skills to overwhelm her pussy.

In and out, in and out, in and out, his tongue darted like a snake trying to capture its prey. It even writhed about within her cunt, grinding against her tight walls, and prodding the various areas within that made her quake with pleasure. Phantom Jackal's moans grew sweet and her voice high-pitched as she felt him tease her, and she scratched more lines into his bedpost. Just a bit more. Fuck she was so wet for him!

And yet...

Johann stopped.

Pulling away from Phantom Jackal's cunt, he breathed hoarsely, like he'd just finished running around a track. Blue eyes glazed with lust, he pulled back to get a better view of the dashing thief's pussy, and her ass as a whole. His hand drifted over, landing upon her butt, where he squeezed and kneaded her. His fingers sank into her pliable posterior, while more moans of passion left her lips.

“So gut~” Phantom Jackal moaned, causing Johann to look up.

He stared at the back of her head, watching as she turned to look over her shoulder towards him. Her purple eyes glowed from behind her mask, and her lips curled into a smirk. All of it taunted him further, causing him to rise up on his knees and crawl towards her...

Tap...

Where his throbbing cock pressed against her thigh.

Johann looked down, his mouth agape as he gazed at his cock. Amid his cunnilingus, his dick returned to maximum length, where it now arched upwards, hung without any need for someone to touch him. It throbbed with need, pressing against Phantom Jackal's inner thigh as he slowly moved up.

The heat from her cunt resonated even when he wasn't touching her. Just hovering his dick next to her pussy was enough to make him groan. Likewise for her, as the dashing thief could feel the heat radiate off of his cock. Just like when she titfucked him, it was like he had a molten rod of steel hanging between his legs as opposed to flesh and blood.

“Mach es,” Phantom Jackal moaned, “Steck deinen Schwanz rein und fick mich~”

Johann nodded. With one hand on her ass and hip to hold her in place, his other hand grabbed his cock, and angled it with her snatch. The first touches of his dick's head sent groans through the both of them, and made Phantom Jackal shudder. He took his time with her, grinding the head of his dick against her pussy, watching it tense and grip at his invasive member. Finally came the pushing.

Slllllliiiiiiiiidddeeeeeee!

“Nngghh ~~~! Guuuuhhh~~~!”

“Aaaaahh...!”

Johann's dick delved into Phantom Jackal's cunt, penetrating and pushing apart her pussy's partitions, and widening her out with his impressive length. Her back arched and her head tipped up, her mouth agape as her tongue slid out, while he kept pushing. Pleasure raced and coursed through her body and straight to her mind, reminding her of what she experienced that night when they first met.

Pure ecstasy.

Phantom Jackal could steal every treasure in every vault in every country throughout the world. But none of it would equate to the priceless treasure she had in Johann in this moment.

Pat...

And – finally – he came to a stop. His hips pressed to her butt, as he buried his cock down to the root. There was nowhere left to go, nothing left to do. They sat there, bound to one another, pleasure dominating their every thought. But – somewhere in all the ecstasy – Johann pulled his hips back with a sordid 'Sssssllliiiideee!'.

And then he pushed back in.

PAT!

“Ngh!”

“Guh~~!”

He then slid back. And then he pushed back in again.

PAT!

“HAH!”

“AAUH~!”

And then he slid back again... and he pushed back in again, again!

PAT!

“HUF!”

“HAAUH~! JOHANNES~!”

And so on, and so forth.

PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT!

His body was a well-oiled machine, moving flawlessly as he slammed his dick in and out of her pussy. Her ass clapped and flattened against his pelvis, sending quakes through her pliable backside which shook from her butt all the way to her head. Raising both hands, Phantom Jackal placed them both upon the bed's post, bracing herself against it while Johann continued thrusting into her.

Waves were sent racing throughout her body, causing her busty breasts to sway about on her chest. His thrusts were so great, her tits started to strike the bottom of her chin!

And Johann was only getting faster!

PATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

“AAH~! HAH~! AUHH ~~! HAAH! AAF~! AAAUHH~~!”

Phantom Jackal's pants and moans echoed through the bedroom, mixing with the endless 'PATS!' of their bodies as Johann's dick continued thrusting into her greedy cunt. She could feel it rising already; the trembles in her folds that said her orgasm was imminent. From his greedy cunnilingus to his overbearing thrusting, he wasn't sparing her in the least bit.

And Johann?

Even in his lust-addled state, he had enough wherewithal to admire the beauty of Phantom Jackal's body. The curves of her butt, the narrowness of her waist, the sensual shape of her back; she had a voluptuous physique that was enhanced by her athleticism and grace. And he was the one man in the world blessed enough to feel her wonderful cunt wrap around his dick.

Johann leaned over as both hands gripped upon Phantom Jackal's shapely hips. Holding herself in place, his hips picked up the pace even harder, fucking her hard enough to make the bed beneath them jump up and down relentlessly. Even some objects on his nearby desk began to rattle as the young man put the full weight of his body into those hip swings!

His grip was strong, as if refusing to let Phantom Jackal escape. All she could do was moan, groan, and push her hips back against him, meeting his every thrust. Her hips would even softly gyrate, putting a slight downward twist on his cock that sent rumbles racing through the both of them. Pussy juices slathered his cock, causing drips of syrup and precum to stain both of their thighs and even the bed beneath them.

But for as hard as they were going – and they were going fucking hard – Johann still wasn't pleased. Maybe Phantom Jackal was infecting him; he found himself growing greedier and greedier with each passing second. And what he was greedy for – what he desired the most – was on the other side.

Phantom Jackal's butt was perfect. But...

Flip!

“Ah!?”

He'd say the portrait wasn't complete without her face being visible.

Johann was a surprisingly strong young man. Strong enough to flip Phantom Jackal over upon her back. She looked up at him, purple eyes wide behind her gilded mask, and her chest heaving up and down. His cock was still buried in her pussy, but he wasn't moving. He just sat there, his blue eyes scrambling up and down her body, drinking in the view of her form as he panted desperately.

Time seemed to stop for them, almost as if Johann's brain needed to reboot after flipping Phantom Jackal over. She tilted her head at him, reading the slight confusion on his face, where this saucy grin appeared on her lips. Raising her hands, she laid them above her head, posing as her jet-black hair fanned around her head like a model in a lavish photo shoot.

“Johannes~” she whispered, “Come to me, Johannes~ Nmmm... Make love to me, Johannes~~”

A shudder raced through Johann's body at the sound of her words. Reaching down, he grabbed her thighs tight, where he spread her legs apart and pushed them open. A groan of ecstasy left Phantom Jackal's mouth as he seized control over her body, and the head of his cock delved deeper. Their hips met with a soft 'Pat...' and the dashing thief leaned back with a groan.

“Ah yes~” she moaned, her voice barely above a whisper.

Back and forth, Johann's hips began to move, driving his dick into Phantom Jacka's cunt. His speed was slow yet rhythmic, and the power of his body was strong. How strong? Strong enough to send quakes racing through her body. The dashing thief's breasts began to bounce and twirl in circles as the impacts sent rumbles through her form. Eventually her mouth split open, letting out another groan of ecstasy.

“Aaauuuughhh~~~!”

PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT!

Johann's eyes remained locked on Phantom Jackal as he drove his dick in and out of her, watching and reading her every reaction as his cock pounded into her pussy. Even with that mask on her face, her expressions was a symphony of sights and sounds. Just seeing her writhe and contort with pleasure made him double down.

Releasing his hold on her thighs, he allowed Phantom Jackal's legs to drop, where she draped them on his hips. In return, he placed his hands down upon the sides of her body, pinning her in place while his thrusting hips grew even faster.

PATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

Phantom Jackal felt it. She felt all of it. She felt his cock scrape and run along the tight walls of her greedy pussy. Each thrust was like having a metal rod piston in and out of her cunt with reckless abandon. And each thrust sent endless waves throughout her athletic body. Her breasts bounced against one another as well as her chin, her hair fluttered up and down, even her ass clapped against his waist!

But it was her face that he couldn't look away from. How her eyes closed shut, and how she'd recoil whilst biting into her lip. And then how her eyes would open, gazing up at him with lust and desire within them, while her mouth gaped and her tongue hung out. The panting, the moaning, the groaning, it all mixed together, creating this orgasmic orchestra that filled his ears.

“Almost there~” she whispered breathless, “Ngghhh~ almost fucking there...! Haaahh~ Johannes~ Johaanneeesss~~~” reaching up, she wrapped her hands around his head and neck, hugging him close to the point that their noses were touching, “Make me cum. Make me cum!

Johann nodded. No more holding back. With her legs draped... no...

Clinch!

“Guh!”

With her limber legs locked around his waist, Johann knew he could not escape. Not that he was even thinking about it. He was going to rut Phantom Jackal. He was going to rut her deep. And he wasn't going to stop until he pumped the full contents of his balls inside of her greedy pussy!

Flesh met fur met the bed beneath him as he pounded his cock in and out of Phantom Jackal's pussy. She felt it almost immediately; the sheer desperation he had in making sure he ruined her cunt. Her pussy throbbed, twitched, and gripped at his dick, almost refusing to let go. At the same time, her mouth hung open – wider and wider – as high-pitched moans left her lips.

“Oooh~! Hoooohh~! Johaaanneeessss ~~~!” she moaned, “Deeper~! Deeepeeeerrrr~~~!”

“Ngghh! Almost there...!” he groaned back as his cock began throbbing crazily, “Almost there!”

“Make me cum! Make me cum! Make me cum!” Phantom Jackal repeated over and over again, “Makemecummakemecummakemecum!!! Make! Me!” SQUUUUUIIIIRRRTTT!!! “CUUUUUUUMMMM ~~~!! AAAAH-HAAAAHHH~~~!”

She came first? She came first! He made her cum first!

Around Johannes' dick, Phantom Jackal had a powerful squirting orgasm. Her juices exploded around his dick, staining his length, his balls, and his thighs below. But that's not to say Johann was going to be undone. When he felt her cum, and when he felt her pussy become the tightest it had ever become...

“NNGGHHH!!!”

GLORP! GLOOORP! GLOOORP!

Johann's dick undulated within Phantom Jackal's pussy, unleashing his thick, hot, potent, virile seed. It flooded her fertile pussy, rushing to stain every inch of her cunt, her womb, her... everything! And she felt it. She felt every pint of spunk he tanked into her, and it made her howl with pleasure.

“OOOOOOOUUUUUHHHHHH ~~~~!”

Phantom Jackal's eyes twitched, and steam visibly radiated off of her body. She was fucked. Well and thoroughly fucked. And now his cum swam around within her womb, bubbling like broth in soup. Johann's mouth split open as he breathed heavily, his mind taking a few moments to catch up with himself following their tryst.

He pulled back – slowly – drawing his softening length from her spent pussy. It scraped along her tight walls, pulling cum out of her pussy with an audible 'Schlop!'. And as seed oozed down to stain his mattress beneath them, he looked up towards Phantom Jackal.

She was panting, her mouth open, her tongue hanging out, her purple eyes glazed over with light tears and lust. Without a word, Johann moved in closer... and closer... and closer still... until...

“Nmm...”

“Mmmph...”

Their lips met in a kiss, swapping spit, trading moans, and dancing tongues. It was slower than the kisses they shared before, being more passionate and needy. When they pulled away, a bridge of spittle hung between them, and they gazed into each other's eyes.

Johann said not a word. Neither did Phantom Jackal, though a smirk appeared on her lips. Purple eyes running along his panting face, she could see the desperation and curiosity that he emitted. So as his cum soaked her fertile fields, she said,

“You have a question, Johannes?” she asked as she laid her hands down beside her head, her body open for him.

“I... do...” he whispered as he looked at her face... as he looked at her mask, “Can I... see you without your mask on...?”

“My... mask...?” she repeated playfully, her finger poking her gold-colored lip, “Hmm... quite the curious request. You want to see what the dashing, the alluring, and the striking Phantom Jackal looks like without her mask? Hmm... normally, I'd deny such a bold request. However... ufufufufu... you are my Silver Lover, and I know what you look like beneath your mask. So... it is only right that I extend the same offer to you...” she gestured inward with her head, “Go ahead. Remove my mask. Expose me to thine eyes.”

Johann's eyes locked on her mask, his heart rate quickening, and his chest swelling as he breathed in and out. The offer was right there for him; she was letting him remove her mask! Finally, all the questions he had would be revealed; he'd finally know who Phantom Jackal was! She wasn't even removing the mask herself; she was letting him do it. The ultimate show of trust in him.

All he needed to do was remove her mask.

His hands drifted forward. Closer. Closer. Closer...

“But beware...” Phantom Jackal suddenly said, causing him to stop, “A mask once removed, cannot be returned. Knowledge once gained cannot be unlearned,” she tilted her head at him, “When you remove my mask – if you remove my mask – whatever mysteries or secrets you cling to, will no longer be mysteries or secrets. It will only be one thing: Truth.”

Johann stopped, his fingers hovering mere inches from her mask. Phantom Jackal's words danced in his ears, asking him if he was ready to learn the truth of her identity. Maybe it wasn't Nesica beneath this mask. Maybe it was someone else.

Maybe... maybe not... there was only one way to find out.

Johann's hands moved down... and he grabbed her mask.

…

Five hours. Five hours later. Five long hours.

Five long hours of no one realizing that the Hoarfrost Hambergite had been stolen.

Five long hours of those two guards being trapped in the broom closet. They were let out safely, by the way. In fact, they were found sleeping after struggling all night. It was rather sweet.

Anyway.

It wasn't until the sun rose above the rain-drenched city, and the museum curator did her morning rounds did she realize that the Hoarfrost Hambergite was missing. She walked inside, gazed around... and then her jaw dropped in complete surprise.

What followed next was a complete sweep of the museum. From left to right, not one area of the building was left unexplored. But there was nothing to find. The Hoarfrost Hambergite was gone, missing, vanished into thin air. And all that replaced it...

Was a letter.

It sat in the same display case as the Hoarfrost Hambergite, resting on the same exact stand it once rested upon. And on its smooth, opulent surface, written in gold ink was a letter.

To Debeers Museum. You have been visited by the dashing, the alluring, the striking, Phantom Jackal!

And the charming, suave, and handsome, Silver Lover!

And to sign it off, instead of using a signature, this letter used a golden kiss mark...

And a silver flower.