Hand clamped over your mouth as you pressed yourself further into the table, cowering beneath it as footsteps echoed around the room, the intruder leisurely appraising the decor as though he were viewing a house on the market. The footsteps approached you before fading away periodically, as though he were toying with you. Aventurine knew where you were. He’s let himself into your apartment, heard you scurrying from room to room like a frightened mouse. The door was locked. You had no escape.

“Hmm… dusty shelves, I have to say, but this is a lovely painting. How much was it, hm? Looks to be… possibly the most expensive thing in this apartment. Not bad. Should I take a guess?”