The city was dark that night, a new moon giving no extra light below. At this time all the buildings were closed down, blackened windows watching the empty streets. Shadows ruled now, giving up only the bright spots under the occasional lamppost. Everything was still in this area, save for a small section of the shadow. Even if the shadow that moved could be seen among the others, it moved too fast to be registered as anything over an imagined ghost.
The shadow moved with seeming purpose between buildings, stopping on top of a few for several seconds before proceeding on. Finally the destination came in sight. The shadow grew a little as it's owner touched down in the alley, not one sound being made. A tall figure dressed in black searched both sides of the alleyway, then stepped up the recessed door of the museum. A gloved hand reached out for the security keypad, but paused as the door creaked open a little.
'Already opened?' the shadow asked itself. A closer look at the keypad showed a series of lines, claw marks, on the side. Feline? No time to match to a species; if someone else was already in, then the night's plan might fail. Swiftly and quietly, the figure squeezed through the door, checking the inside. Quiet as the outside. Could be a good sign.
The dark rooms were no trouble for the black figure as it moved from exhibit to exhibit. Cameras swung from their mounted positions, but were easily timed so to avoid detection. At last the shadow slinked into the right room. There in the middle sat a glass case, surrounded by thick display ropes. A quick study of the room showed motion detectors scattered around, assuring one foot inside would set off the alarm. Good thing for the shadow this was taken into account. A high jump to the right and the figure was crouched on the back of a solid chair. A few more short jumps and the shadow was able to cling to a marble pillar next to the case. Black covered legs wrapped around the pillar like a clamp or a lover as the figure bent backwards, getting within easy reaching distance.
Resting inside the case were a pair of red stones, quarter-sized rubies cut into hearts. While not too impressive as some of the more impressive gems, the history of these is what brought the shadow here tonight. Fingers were inches from the case when the silence of the building was shattered by blaring alarms. Not from this room, but one further down. The figure was thinking quickly of the next move when another figure in black darted pass the room.
'Damn' the shadow added to the din of the noise. Letting go of the pillar, the reaching hand was made into a fist. to break the glass. In one fluid motion, the shadowy figure had landed, grabbed the rubies and was running for the exit.. There was at most five minutes before a chance of capture came up, but the black covered body was not worried and would be gone before that chance. But that was not taking into account running into that other shadow. The impact was brief, but enough for each to see the other. Eye met, one set professional, the other with a glimpse of talent, but also fear.
Both stood as one, the shadow that tripped the alarm a little smaller then the other. The taller figure turned towards the exit, intent on letting the other fall behind, but something halted this. A flick of the head and the other shadow followed, matching strides with the more exprienced. As their entrance point came into view, lights came on overhead as shouts started from somewhere behind. The smaller figure suddenly picked up speed, colliding it's shoulder with the door which had started to close. The figures stood in the alley until the taller one pointed to a fire escape. The ladder was up, a 10 foot distance between it and the street. The small shadow never hesitated once the exit was made, leaping on top of a trash container, then to the ladder. The feat took but a few seconds, but enough for the lights of the police to catch up. The shadow at the bottom watched the now confimred feline scramble up the fire escape before preforming it's own exit. Large wings came off the shadow, lifting it into the air. With plenty of seconds left, the shadow settled next to the feline on the roof. Turning from the searching police, the tall shadow's wings once again became part of it, though the other could now make them out wrapped around it's companion's shoulders.
"Next time, rookie, memorize your route in." the feline was advised and tossed a rolled up parchment.
"Also take care of what you take; lucky for you I don't do paintings."
The feline caught it's prize, gave a nod and took off down the other side they came up. The other shadow watched the feline leave before spreading it's wings again and taking off in another direction. Not a bad night, though it would be best to watch for that other thief. As threat or student, they would meet again.