Christopher
Tabula was not often one to meddle in alleys outside his own, so to speak. His ideal world was being able to sit back in his own home and work, creating his tech and sending it off to whatever gang or villain wished to make use of it. But the world was not always ideal, and sometimes hard times called for hard choices. *That* Was why Tabula was out on a warm Saturday night, sober while most his age would be out drinking with friends. He didn't look quite like himself though, that would be the effect of the stimulant he had taken not long after leaving his apartment in the waterfront district. He was sporting the look of a man he had spoken with at length a few days prior, an older gentleman with salt and pepper colored hair, brown eyes, a kind face, and a shorter build than Tabula himself.

If one thing was certain, Tabula did not want to get *Caught* Pulling a job like this. Not only could it get him arrested but it could very easily lose him work and standing with the various gangs he had built up a reputation with within New London. So alongside his physical disguise the young man would also don dark clothing, a hoodie large enough to hide his frame and a mask to hide his identity. No point in going in un-disguised even if his appearance was different, that would just raise suspicion. Tabula had also purchased a variety of different items over the past week that would help with breaking into a store such as this without arising too much immediate suspicion. Lockpicks, Glass Cutters, and an amount of zip-ties to lock up anyone who may be staying overnight. He also carried a wooden baseball bat with him, just in case he couldn't make it out before anyone came to catch him.

For now however Tabula would be appearing to nap on a bench close to the store, keeping an eye on the place to make sure both the store and street was empty before he made his move.
Eric
The disguised cape 'napped' on the bench with his target clear in view. The ever uncaring people of New London passing by without a second thought. Tabula had been waiting on the bench for about 45 minutes when the light inside the shop flickered off.

Moments later a man stepped out of the nearby alley and walked over to the entrance, pulling down a metallic shutter before locking it in place. He gave the shutter a shove before walking away down the street. Two minutes later he vanished from view and Tabula found themselves alone on a bench in front of Lusture Jewellers.
Christopher
As the echo of footsteps ring out across the brick walkway Tabula's face distorts into a vulpine smile, something that may fit his normal appearance but looks much out of place on this older man's face. He slowly rises from his bench resting place and retrieves the bag that lay upon the floor at his feet. Making sure the coast was clear Tabula would slowly approach the alley, figuring the shutter in front of the door would make too much noise.

Once inside the alleyway Tabula would begin his work, searching around for the door the shop owner had used to exit into the alleyway. He made sure to stay as quiet as he could, stepping quietly and not jostling around his bag. Assuming he found a doorway in the alleyway or back of the building Tabula would first test to see if the door was unlocked and he was lucky, but would quickly resort to his lockpick if it was locked.
Eric
As Tabula entered the alleyway the soft patter of rain could be heard as grey clouds moved overhead concealing the faint moon above. Save for a few dumpsters the alley was clear of anything of note. Starting on the second story of the buildings either side there were windows although they were all dark most with blinds lowered.

It wasn't difficult for Tabula to find the door he had expected to be here. It wasn't the prettiest of doors but it did look sturdy, the entire thing was made of some kind of painted metal. On the front of the door was a sign reading 'You're on Camera, Smile!' and looking to the top right of the door there was indded a cctv camera. The way it was angled though meant it wouldn't see anyone until the approached the door proper.
Christopher
*"Rain, great. I was hoping for a nice walk home."*

The voice that came from Tabula's mouth was not his own, rather it was the gruff voice of an older man, very fitting for the form he had taken for this job. Ignoring the rain Tabula approached the door with a casual swagger and eyed the sign on the door cautiously, though after reading the short message he lets out a snort. 

*'Like that'll stop me'*

Tabula smiles at his own thought before flipping a rather vulgar gesture with his hand towards the camera and getting to work with his lock-pick seeing as the door was sturdy and wouldn't break under the power of his bat. He worked quickly, though not enough to lose focus on what was directly ahead of him. Hopefully being out this late at night wouldn't attract other capes, *Then* He would be royally screwed.
Eric
Seemingly confident in himself Tabula got to work taking out his lockpick and quickly trying his best to open the door. As he worked on the door the rain grew heavier and heavier. After a little bit of effort the lock turned in the door, the way now open for Tabula. As the metal door creaked open the sky let out a low rumble as a flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky. 

That flash of light temporarily lit the dark interior for a moment. A small room with a with a chair and desk on one end, a kettle and microwave on a counter at the other. Two doors lead out room on the opposite wall from the exterior door.
Christopher
The dark interior of the building wasn't surprising to Tabula, why would they bother to keep a little old light on for someone like him? That did not put him completely out of a plan though, as a criminal should always be prepared for not being able to see. From his pocket Tabula draws and lights up a flashlight to get a better look around the interior of the room he's in, though it is in a rushed manner.

*'Don't have long to get out before hero response, five minutes tops? Figure that's the safe amount.'*

With a quiet sigh the disguised villain makes his way towards the door most likely to lead into the front of the shop, where all of the good stuff would be. As he comes up to the door he first tries to simply open it, thinking there may be a chance it is left unlocked since the outer doors are locked at night. If that doesn't work however he will then attempt to kick the door in, not wanting to waste time on lockpicking again. Then if that doesn't work, finally, he will put the flashlight in the crook of his neck and begin to lockpick the door.
Eric
Walking up to the door Tabula finds instead of an actual lock there is a simply latch system. Twisting the knob allows the door to easily swing open revealling the man room of the store. A positive feast of jewels and jewellery arrayed in dozens of display cases. The aforementioned cases were arrayed in a U shape with tall glass panels separating the staff area, where Tabula was, from the public area. The only way through was another door on a latch.

From the cursory glance with his flashlight it was easy to tell that there were at least thousands of pounds worth of jewels in this store, probably far more if they were real.
Christopher
Below the balaclava that covered his face Tabula's squinting face morphed into a dastardly vulpine grin. *This* Was the prize he was after, the prize he would need to work quickly for if he wanted any hope of getting use out of. For but a moment his mind occupies with thoughts of all the tech he could create with a payload like this, how much more money could be made from that tech. The thought fills the currently greying man's face with joy.

With that in mind Tabula gets to work, flipping out his glass cutters to gain access to his payload. A degree of unease spreads through his mind in how much time he had before he could safely leave the store, and if there was some random cape running around hoping to make him their first arrest. With a small degree of urgency Tabula starts to cut open the glass shells that separate him from the jewelry, and assuming he can get past the glass he begins to shove the valuables into his bag, not staying for longer than five minutes.
Eric
Stepping into the room Tabula's eyes are drawn to a display case that is actually in against the wall in the staff side of the desk. Clearly to keep it further away from customers prying hands, this is where the most valuable prizes would be.

As he began to use the glass cutter to get through the display case glass the door shut with a click. As he worked on the glass Tabula could see what looked like an absolute treasure trove, 3 necklaces each laced with different coloured gems with a large coloured gem as the centre pieces. On the left a large green gem, on the right a deep black gem and in the centre a sapphire of the deepest blue.

Also in the cabinet were five rings, four silver bands and one gold. The gold had a bright, pure white diamond. The four silver each had a different gem, one deep purple, another vibrant pink, a deep red and last but not least a dark green. With one final motion the glass between the jewels and tabula was no more.
Christopher
While most would be overtaken by the sight of such riches within their grasp, Tabula was not so motivated by greed. The sound of the door he had just entered through shutting felt almost like a bullet through the skull.

*'Fuck- Why didn't I!? Ugh, need to leave as soon as possible, not going to waste time taking the less valuable stuff with no exit.'*

The villain huffed to himself as he reached into the now 'unlocked' cabinet to collect his prizes, shoving the necklaces and rings into his bag to keep them from sight. Taking one last final sweep over the cabinet Tabula turns to face his next problem... Escape.

The shutters from the front entrance only covered the door, perhaps with enough force he could destroy the windows. With that plan though he would also need to break through the glass that blocked him from the rest of the store. More time that he didn't have to waste, but...

*'It would be quicker than trying to figure out this latch door, wouldn't it?'*

Tabula let out a long dramatic sigh to himself before making sure his backpack with the valuables in it was secure and picking up the wooden baseball bat he had brought along in case of a situation like this. With as much effort as he could put out he got to work on smashing the first set of glass walls that separated him from getting out the building, before moving on to the second set.
Eric
Grabbing his loot Tabula turns and begins his task of smashing through the glass. The first swing simply bounced harmlessly off the glass, it was clearly toughened to prevent this sort of thing. That being said it was clearly not the highest quality has after several more swings cracks began to form and soon enough the sound of shattered glass falling to the ground.

A fortunate benefit from it being such tough glass was the fact when it did break it seemed to break away in rather blunt shards making moving through it fairly safe. Moving through the now accessible area Tabula could see the weather outside had grown far more intense. The downpour limiting visibility out of the store. Lifting his bat ready to swing at the exterior windows Tabula would spot something that gave him pause.

Across the street a dark robed figure stood in the rain with their back towards Tabula. They held an Umbrella yet despite the rain they weren't using it, instead resting it on their shoulder.
Christopher
For only a moment a look of *'oh fuck'* Came over Tabula's face. It wasn't exactly fear, he was far too self confident for that, more of a sense of unease. This could very easily turn into a bad situation. So rather than rushing out like a madman he considered his options.

*'I think... All I can really do is either fight, or talk my way out of this. Perhaps a bribe... No, most hero types wouldn't take it. Perhaps pulling on their heartstrings would allow me to get out of this... If not then plan B will have to be fighting. Lovely.'*

After deciding on his route of approach Tabula begun to take on a defeated posture, slouching and making it a whole 'child caught in the act' show. He motioned for the figure to come along and open up the shop, or perhaps take him through the glass. But if they do not approach or cannot get him out the man will eventually break the glass himself and walk out into the rain.
Eric
As Tabula did that most rare of activities, thinking, the robed figure seemed to turn around. Slowly they approached the store front. Once Tabula motioned for them to join him they opened the umbrella, the unreasonably large umbrella that concealed their entire body with just a slight crouch. The door shook suddenly and then a feminine voice could be heard behind him.

"*Well old man, I don't usually approve of crime in any form but you looked down on your luck. I have to say you picked a pretty bad place to rob you know that right?*"

The cape stepped into view looking in Tabula's direction. His direction, notably she wasn't looking at him. More past him than anything else.

"*Were you aware this is a favoured location of several of the Top Hat's higher ups?*"
Christopher
Tabula's eyes widened at the disappearance of the cape, had they figured he wasn't worth it? Or maybe they hadn't been a hero after all? Both theories didn't fill the tinker with hope... Tabula just hoped that the cape wasn't going to attack without letting him 'explain himself'.

Then what felt like the entire building shook with a gale force wind, easily enough to send someone flying away. Yet nothing on the outside seemed to have been affected by it. Unfortunately the 'wind' had occupied too much of his attention and Tabula had yet to realize that he was no longer alone in the store.

The sound of this cape's voice genuinely surprised Tabula and made him jump forwards in shock, landing against the 'glass' of the exterior of the shop.

*"Th-the Top Hats? No... No I didn't know."*

At least *That* Was genuine. Tabula didn't indeed know this shop belonged to that gang, but in the end it made it all the more sweeter that he was stealing from one of his future rivals, or at least rivals of the group he is part of. Outwards Tabula puts on the best show of horror and surprise he can, before continuing.

*"I know I shouldn't have done it... Maybe this is just the final nail in my coffin."*

Tabula pauses for a moment, no reason not to be just a little dramatic if he has to convince this hero after all.

*"Not long ago I got diagnosed with Huntington's Disease... I can't work anymore and my husband barely earns enough to support our family, much less pay for my medication. I hate feeling so useless, sitting around all day just waiting to die. So when I saw this place... Well I assume you can piece together the rest."*

Another long pause before-

*"I- I can give it back. But please... Don't arrest me. I don't want some of my family's final memories of me to be tainted like this."*
Eric
The girl laughs, her voice somehow unnatural. The echo's of her giggles were disturbing in an almost indescribable manner.

"*Oh don't you worry mister, I have no interest in arrest you for stealing from criminals when there is much larger criminals available to grab."

Her hand darted out, at first pointing past Tabula before being quickly readjusted towards him.

"*That is why you are going to help me catch some actual villains. I'm going to disappear and then you will make as much of a mess of your escape as possible. Trip the alarms, do flee quickly, make sure you get the Top Hat cape to reveal themselves. At which point you can run and I'll grab them. If you try to run before hand I'll just arrest you instead. Understood?*"