noblerise | IC Inbox

[He listens to the old man as he thinks aloud. After a while, Jusis gives him a nod.]

Until you know freedom in truth, and how to live with his dogma without hurting yourself with it. Perhaps that's the lesson he's trying to impart. Though I can't claim to know the mind of a god, let alone the person he'd been in that life, with how much focus you've put into protecting people... I simply can't imagine that he wouldn't try to protect his future incarnation as well.

[He's silent for a minute. He can't disagree, really. His own thought process had plodded along this trajectory before. The nature of freedom was an ever elusive thing for him, difficult to quantify, like feelings of friendship in a contract. It just doesn't work. It's the opposite of his very nature.]

... I accepted that position not for want of power or resources, but for the sake of my people. Liyue had a very lengthy past; most of it was turbulent and untenable, even in brief moments of peace. Gods and abominations allied and attacked each other on a whim. They tore the battlefield apart and killed countless people in the process, heedless and uncaring of the suffering they inflicted to humanity.

Those desperate souls looked to me for protection. Though I was far from the divinity they deserved, I knew that no one else would be able to help them if I faltered. I couldn't disappoint them, and I couldn't let that era of gods and monsters continue unabated.

I walked alongside the people of Liyue for thousands of years. The fondness I felt for them then—for humanity—is not so easily ignored.

[He may be the one who parts the chaos and brings order, but the root of all he has ever done in service of others... is love.]

I was born and raised as a human in this life. It feels so distant now, but you've reminded me that duty to protect would have applied to myself as well.

[Jusis crosses his arms as he listens. At least in this, he's been able to help Zhongli gain a different perspective and hopefully some closure.]

Sometimes, a different pair of eyes on a situation can give you the view you've been missing. I'm glad I could help in my own small way.

[He smiles slightly.]

Should you find yourself with divinity again, you'll still be welcome in my home for tea and conversation. Though, I hope you don't expect to be free from my honest thoughts even as a god in full.

[Jusis has a healthy amount of respect for a god, but it still isn't enough for him to curb his honest opinion if they're open to it. Which Zhongli, unfortunately/fortunately, is.]

[He doesn't expect to get treated differently by Jusis if he should get his divinity back, but having the confirmation is nice... and a little funny. He chuckles warmly.]

I wouldn't ask for anything else. The thought of being worshiped is strange to me in this life; I would much rather have friends and family than devotees.

[That's kind of what the tradeoff was, now that he thinks about it.]

Hey, it's August Villareal from the app. Jun's told me what's up, and I'd like it if you could keep me in the loop. I promised his dad I'd help keep him out of that hellhole and I plan on doing that.

[Ah. Jusis should've expected that this would happen. Oh, well, it's a poorly-kept secret and that's alright. The more people with eyes on the Krusnik escapees, the better.]

Hello, August. I'd be happy to keep you in the loop. Quite frankly, depending on what my investigation turns up, I may be obligated to give a Libra-wide warning. We have at least three known escapees from that hellhole, and I'm not about to let any of them be without protection.

Yeah, no kidding. [Three?! What the fuck did he miss.] I'm starting to guess at what the Zodiac people were talking about earlier this month. Fuck.

So am I. Hopefully, the one who tried is under a nasty curse right now for the trouble. You do have my word that I'll do everything in my power to not just turn up this information, but to also keep those three safe.

[Jun, Zero, and Ash can all hold their own in a fight, but that doesn't mean they won't freeze or do something unintentional as a trauma response.]

I believe you.

[The Order may suck but Jusis is alright.]

I won't say anything unless you need to do a Libra-wide alert. I'd offer to help--I have some shadow hopping abilities--but if I got hurt Jun might fucking snap, and I don't think we want that right now.

[Jusis doesn't give a fuck about The Order's reputation, but he'll be damned if he compromises his morals for them any more than he already has.]

For now, keep it to those who you trust that are close to Jun. He'll need your support and protection. My investigation will take time, and I don't want him in danger in the meanwhile.

You got it. Thanks.

You shall have that, certainly.

[Jusis definitely gets the sense that Zhongli prefers to have people speak their minds freely. He's had that sense for a while, but it's different when one considers the fact that the brunet was once a god.]

Is there anything else you wished to discuss with me?

[He smiles a little, enough to make the corners of his eyes crinkle for a moment.]

No, that is all. Thank you for hearing my request.

[He gets to his feet.]

We shall see this through, wherever it ends.

Edited (syntax) 2023-07-27 02:14 (UTC)

[Jusis returns the smile.]

You're welcome. I'll keep you informed as best I can.

[He stands as well to escort Zhongli to the door like the polite man his mom raised him to be.]

Indeed we shall. At the very least, we will have give it our all to change things.

Hello Jusis Albarea, I hope you are well.

I would like to formally request the Black Order covers the medical and counseling expenses for Takame Kesi, Vergil Vittore, and Rose. Also, I'd also request a payment reimbursement to Zero to cover the wages she lost while she was unable to work at her job at the Vogue.

Finally, Nicholas D. Wolfwood requires a new pair of shoes. I had to destroy his only pair during the mission.

Jusis. Do you have a minute?

I'm doing as well as I can be. I hope the same can be said for you, Jun.

I'll be sure to put in for that coverage immediately. I'll reach out to each of them privately in regards to this. As for Zero, I will need to speak with Zulius first, but I'll ensure that she's fairly compensated for her lost wages.

Understood. Rest assured, his shoes will be replaced.

[Jusis will have to do some gymnastics in order to get The Black Order to cover shoes, but he can do it.]

I always have time for you, Zero. What's on your mind?

[She pauses, but this is pretty normal. She talks like someone who takes a moment to find her words, because she does.]

I... have been thinking about the future. Krusnik took everything from me, and we have taken everything from them, as is our due. Does that include my own records?

Though it matters little whether you recovered anything or not, it would help me to know what they knew.

My mother should have a grave.

Alright, I appreciate that. And make sure it's a pair that'll last for awhile, I suspect he's the type to wear one outfit until it wears out.

[Considering he's never seen Wolfwood out of that suit and all. There's a pause]

...Also, I wanted to thank you. Were it not for your precautions, Krusnik might've gotten away with more than it did.

[There's no actual text in the message. Just a result of a specific part of her findings from Krusnik's files.

Specifically that mention who has provided them with funding and subjects in the past.

"Kinsley's Kids Home" in England among those listed. In another sent file, there are several subjects with the same last name with notes on what has been done to them, if they are living or deceased, where they currently reside.

All with no text accompanying it. All having Eunie's last name.]

[Yeah, Jusis is patient as he waits for her to find her words. This whole ordeal has been... harrowing.]

I took everything they had for physical and digital files. I'm certain that your records are in there.

[Ah....]

... You're right. She should. If you're okay with it, when she does have one... would you mind if I paid my respects as well?

[His patience is, as always, appreciated.]

I would see them, if you have them.

[This takes her by surprise, but...]

I would not mind. She died at the laboratory, which is somewhere in England. The files likely have the location.

I am not... well-suited to things like this... It seems like the right thing to do.

It's done.

[Attached are two pictures. The first is of restored saddle and tack, the leather looking almost brand new, and a set of horseshoes. The second is of a fine silver and emerald rapier laid out on a table as well as a matching scabbard. All of these items have been crafted to Jusis' specifications.]

I still need my gas forge installed as well as electricity. Do you know of anyone on the app who would be able to help with that?

[Just from the pictures alone, Jusis can admire the skill and passion that Blade has put into these projects. However, he wants to be thorough. He'll need to test how the rapier feels in his hand.]

I would recommend you talking to Varian. I imagine he'd find that a challenging enough project. Just don't let his age fool you. He's created a portal that brought dinosaurs into the modern day once before.

That being said, I would like to test how the rapier feels, if you don't mind. Once I've determined that, I'll let you know my final verdict.

[Granted, he has his verdict right now, but... again. He wants to be thorough. He won't disrespect a master craftsman by looks alone.]

IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

voice

voice

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Un: Shroud | August, after the Krusnik takedown | Text

voice; un: 000000; mid august

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

mid august, text; un: eunietheboss

no subject

no subject

text; un: blade

no subject