IC Inbox

[noblerise]

If contacting his personal number or via Libra:

"You have reached Jusis Albarea. I'm busy. Leave a message."

If contacting his work number:

"You have reached the office of Jusis Albarea, Esquire. I'm not available at this time, so please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you."

Black Order Inbox and Class VII Group Chat for reference.

Comments

[fiddlestick]

Ahah...yeah. I know that well. I'm regularly having to keep my cat curse in check...

[Though since he has SOME dignity when he's not being a useless gay, he does it better than Rean does.

Speaking of...]

I'm not teasing! Today's been a really long day for all of us and I thought you'd like a treat. [....] Just make sure you brush your teeth before you kiss me, okay?

[noblerise]

It's easier to keep it in check so long as I'm not startled.

[Okay, and his protective instincts are lot sharper because of his unicorn side. He's definitely noticed that he's gotten more protective over his team and his loved ones since this curse was inflicted. It'll probably be fine.

Jusis gives Elliot a Look.]

Bold of you to assume I'd let him in this bed if he didn't brush his teeth after eating it.

[motiv8]

[Rean slumps in defeat.]

Of course I'm going to brush my teeth. I'm part-cat, not a monster.

[With a deep sigh, he takes his bowl of chowder and hunk of bread, leaving the tuna be for now. He'll be back for you later, tuna.]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot chuckles as he grabs his own food and drink, finding a chair to sit and eat at]

Just wanted to make sure...

[Anything to avoid tuna breath]

And navigating your kitchen was fine! You have a really nice place, Jusis. Though it's not nearly as fancy as I was expecting...

[noblerise]

Thank you.

[Though, he does look confused for a moment about the fancy comment.]

I can't imagine why I'd want to live somewhere more ostentatious. The manor of my past life was nothing more than an elegant, expensive cage, and the home I had with my father was about the same.

[If not for his duties as Acting-Duke, Jusis is certain his past self would've left the Albarea Mansion far behind.]

I'm much more comfortable living in an apartment, personally. My mother and I used to live in one that was relatively close to my uncle's restaurant.

[motiv8]

Mm... I think Elliot and I are probably used to people with money choosing to live more "ostentatiously," as it were. My parents aren't in the top 1% or anything, but they certainly have money for our area, and now that I'm living on my own, I can definitely say looking back that you can tell. We never really needed all the land or all the space in the house. It was more of a hassle to maintain than anything, really.

[Rean's quiet for a moment.]

Of course... I realize I'm also lucky enough to have a family that, by and large, gets along pretty well. We've had our spats, of course, but it's nothing like how things have been with your father.

[In this life or the past.]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot will nod along with Rean]

Yeah, I still remember how big some of the houses were in our hometown. My family's home was smaller than the Schwarzer household, but it was still bigger than my current place. And you are a lawyer. It's not exactly a profession known for small paychecks...

[Just saying!!]

But...I get it. Considering where you came from, I can't blame you for not wanting anything to do with that lifestyle.

[noblerise]

[Jusis seems fascinated, at least. This is a bit more of their pasts that he's going to treasure learning about. At the comment about his paycheck, Jusis gives a slight shrug.]

Yes and no. I was fortunate enough to have gotten a free ride through university, but not all of my peers were. That being said, I also went into prosecution instead of defense. Had I gone into defense, especially depending on the state, my salary would've been closer to what a teacher makes on average, especially if I worked at the state level.

[It's depressing to think about. That said, he's very aware of the wage disparity between himself, his peers, and probably especially Rean and Elliot, so he does try not to flaunt it if he can at all help it.

Jusis shakes his head, though.]

My relationship with my father may not be ideal, and my relationship with my older brother is still... uncertain, but my mother and uncle more than make up for that. I don't hold any bitter feelings or jealousy over what you have with your families.

[Maybe if he'd been much younger he would've, but he's grown out of those feelings.]

[motiv8]

[Rean sighs a little.]

Yeah... I can't say my parents were all too pleased with what I've decided on, at least in terms of likely compensation. They're still supporting me, and they say they're happy so long as I am, but... I highly doubt Elliot and I are going to be sizing up much any time in the near future.

[They suffer.]

That is true. I know we don't want to get too far into it tonight, but one of the things I saw... I guess some kind of ghost of you was making little drawings of things that made you happy. One of them was a guy in a chef's hat. Am I correct in guessing that's your uncle?

[After all, they've spoken about him before, if briefly, and he's in the photos in here as well.

Also, while waiting for a response, Rean takes a bite of the chowder. Can't let the food get too cold!]

Oh! Elliot, this is really good! Not that I expected any less, but you never cease to amaze.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot also gives a little sigh]

I get your point, but do you really have to use my salary as a bar for being badly paid? I mean, I know it's true but it still stings a little to be reminded of it....

[They truly suffer. Especially considering Elliot choose music teacher so he could have SOME financial stability. Not like his other options were much BETTER unless he somehow got real lucky and made it huge.

He's already asked Jusis about his uncle in the past before, so he won't add anything to that bit, but he will smile at Rean complimenting his chowder]

Aha, thanks Rean. Glad you like it!

[noblerise]

[Jusis gives Elliot an apologetic look.]

I apologize for the reminder.

[He's been taking small bites of chowder and bread as they talk. It's delicious, of course, but he's barely tasting it. Still, Jusis will eat every last bit.

He frowns for a moment in thought. That's unexpected.]

A ghost of me? Interesting... I suppose there's some truth to that, however. Yes, that would've been Uncle Hammond. He owns a restaurant in Düsseldorf, and my mother used to work there as a waitress. When I was a child, I'd often stay with him at the restaurant after school, sometimes with friends.

[motiv8]

[Rean shoots Elliot an apologetic look, as well. Sorry, babe. He'll try to make it up to you later when they're not booked snuggling Jusis?]

Honestly, I don't know exactly what it was, but it was probably the nicest thing we saw in there. [He's not just going to come out and say "I think it was you as a child or something and it was adorable." He's not here to murder Jusis tonight.] Regardless, I'm just happy you do have people like him and your mom in your life, still.

[He glances back to some of the photos, taking a closer look now that he's sitting.]

I know you can't get the whole picture— pun not intended— from photographs, but even just these photos of them have this sort of kindness to them.

mid april; action;

[lapislazily]

[The peach juice has been disposed of, Jusis and the other kidnapping victims are safely returned, and all should be well. Or at least, that's the assumption. Zhongli isn't exactly the guilty conscience type—he's already made it quite clear that none of this was his intention—but Jusis is... a friend, if allowed, and he wants to take care of the people he likes.

He's in a particularly strange spot because he isn't one of Jusis' close friends, he isn't a friend from a past life, and he isn't a coworker who lives with him. Even so... he wants to do everything he can. That's likely earned him a few enemies along the way, but Zhongli would rather people direct their anger at him than at Jusis, especially for how that mission went down.

He isn't sure what to expect when he arrives at the door to Jusis's apartment. No pizza heelies today, he didn't want to risk dropping this huge container of soup or the bouquet of golden peonies and chrysanthemums resting on top. Is he about to get yelled at? Is someone going to punch him? He has no idea. Life sure is interesting.

He raises a hand to the door... hesitates... then knocks politely, and waits.]

[fiddlestick]

Ahah...it's fine.

[Totally fine, all is forgiven! He meanwhile has also been eating his own food as they talk. All the running around the past couple days have built up quite the appetite. And like Rean, he's more than willing to tread carefully and not bring up the stuff in that dungeon too much. Not tonight, when Jusis was tired and everything was so raw]

Oh yeah, I looked up his restaurant on google after you told me about it. Took some tries since I don't speak German, but from the website it looks like a wonderful place! Kinda made me tempted to visit Germany to try it.

[noblerise]

[Jusis appreciates the both of them. At least his memories of his uncle are happier, so he's glad to share them with Rean and Elliot.]

Perhaps someday we can make a trip. I'd be happy to be your translator and tour guide, so to speak. Although, with how long it's been since I was in Düsseldorf, I imagine there've been some changes to the city.

[Still, it's a trip worth considering. He's felt bad that Uncle Hammond has had to travel to America in order to visit him. It'll be a nice change to return the favor by visiting Germany, at the very least.

Jusis looks to the photos on the wall and nods with a small smile.]

Indeed, he'd come to my graduations and competitions when he could. Uncle Hammond tends to be camera shy, though, so I don't have as many pictures of him. He was usually the one taking our photos. You see the one where I'm standing with a woman close to my age? That was from a ballroom dancing competition, and he's quite proud of how that photo came out.

Mid-April | In-Person

[whiteshroud]

[Several days after Jusis has been rescued and had a chance to rest, there'll be a knock on his door. Outside stands Shroud

CRYPTID USPS OPEN UP]

[noblerise]

[Jusis opens the door, in his work clothes this time, and he's slightly surprised to see Shroud. Only slightly. He remembers the discussion they had about after the mission. Can't believe there are technically two cryptid delivery people.]

Shroud. How may I help you?

[The blond sounds about as friendly as he usually does, so there must not be any hard feelings. Right?]

[whiteshroud]

[Jun meanwhile also sounds the same as usual underneath his shroud. He'll hold out a tupperware dish with a cheesecake inside for Jusis to take.]

Just came to deliver this.

[noblerise]

[Jusis isn't going to say no to a visit from Zhongli, all things considered. The older man helped him a great deal in accepting himself. Not to mention, his instincts as a unicorn tend to make him consider all of his team members part of his herd. He's accepted that as part of himself, but it can be an inconvenience when he's not careful.

The blond opens the door, wearing clothes that are casual for Jusis but not so for literally anyone else. He looks like he's stepped out of the front cover of a fashion magazine. Jusis seems a little surprised to see Zhongli here.]

Ah, Zhongli. [Oh, that's quite a bit of stuff he's carrying. Jusis steps aside and opens the door wider.] Please, come in.

[noblerise]

[He takes the tupperware and... well. It's heartwarming in a weird way at how dedicated the guy is to fulfilling a promise like this.]

I greatly appreciate the gift. Would you like to step inside for a moment or would you rather be on your way?

[whiteshroud]

[.....There's an awkward pause as he tries to figure out what's the correct social protocol for this]

If you're busy I rather not bother you.

[noblerise]

[Jusis is quiet as he listens to Velvet open up a little to him. She most likely won't give him much else if he presses, so he won't. Still....]

...I know that words aren't enough in any sense, but I still want to give you my condolences. You have my support should you want it.

[There's not much else he can really say to that without getting a threat for his trouble. However, he can easily make this promise to her.]

I promise. No more secrets of that caliber from now on. I'd... really rather avoid this situation happening again, quite frankly.

[noblerise]

[...How is this guy more awkward than Jusis is?]

No, I'm not busy.

[He'll step aside and open the door wider for Jun to come in.]

Would you like anything to eat or drink?

[whiteshroud]

[.............Yeah this feels like a trap. But he'll step in cautiously]

No thank you. I don't want to spill or get crumbs in my cowl.

[he's learned from that mistake before. ]

[noblerise]

[Jusis definitely gets the sense that this guy thinks he's walking into the lion's den. He can't really blame him, honestly, as he shuts the door behind him.]

Very well.

[The blond heads into the kitchen to put the cheesecake into the fridge.]

Ah, I did want to discuss something with you. I was told that a teenager was dragged into this sordid affair unintentionally. To be clear, I'm not angry at any one particular person for this. I simply wanted to hear what happened from someone who was there after I was taken.