noblerise | IC Inbox

[Poor Jusis, being very left out of this very disturbing loop. She hears Jusis trying to give the rationale, but really it's Eizen giving his true name that helps calm her. She remembers how carefully Malak guard that name. She never even got to find out Laphicet's.

Her stance becomes noticeably less aggressive as she lets herself relax a little]

...It really is you. [She lets herself breath out] What the hell.

[SHE NEEDS A DRINK THERES BEEN TOO MANY DRAMATIC REVELATIONS]

[Elliot listens. Being the empathetic person he is, he looks genuinely sad as he listens to that story. Even if he wasn't the biggest fan of Zhongli, to have a past like that...]

What a sad story...I had no idea.

[In truth, it's not like he really knew Zhongli that well. Most of what he knew was through stories of others. ]

What do you guys plan to do?

[He wants to believe that Jusis has been forming some kind of plan. There's no way Jusis would hear that kind of situation and just shrug it off]

[ it's enough at least, and some of the tension drains from eizen's shoulders as velvet's stance shifts. if she had attacked he could have easily met her blow for blow, but he's glad at the very least that she hadn't. he looks over to jusis apologetically, there is a lot they have to report but that will certainly have to wait. ]

I don't know, but we can figure it all out later. You want to tell me what's going on here?

[ he thinks he has an idea, knowing what was unveiled during the events of that horrid cabin, but he wants to be certain. ]

Question for you.

Let's say hypothetically I was making an array of wind-aspected weapons for use in the protection of the city by the Black Order and its allies. I can imbue them myself, but it takes a lot of energy, so I want to supplement that with a lower-level enchantment. That requires more expensive reagents.

Is this something you could find the budget for? I can dip into my own funds for this, but I thought I'd run it by you first.

[This is just Jusis's life, now, isn't it?]

In this hypothetical scenario, we would have the budget for such materials. You would send the invoice to Ayato for approval in this scenario.

[It is. Sorry.]

Understood. It's a good thing that this scenario is hypothetical, and has absolutely no chance of being relevant at any point in the near future.

In less hypothetical news, I'm drafting a plan to lure out my demon so you guys can kill it. It might involve making a pact with a god to agitate it. Timeline isn't set in stone, but it won't be for a few weeks at least.

Edited 2023-10-16 23:22 (UTC)

[Being the PROFESSIONAL he is, Jun will send a text to update Jusis because well let's be real even if Zhongli is technically the client, Jusis is the one handling the finances and the logistics]

This is Shroud.

The voyage has been going well and we're currently still making good time. The Captain knows what he's doing and morale on the ship is good.

However there was an incident I feel you should be aware of that I only recently became aware of. The night before we set sail, Zhongli and Neuvillette met up to discuss matters and the situation became violent. I don't know the full details, but Zhongli suffered what I assume is a stab wound from Neuvillette.

I doubt Zhongli would be interested in pressing charges, but I think you can agree that this situation is getting out of control.

[As Jusis reads this text, he suddenly feels... very tired. Maybe taking the whole month off in December isn't a bad idea after all. Still, the headaches and complications are worth Zhongli's freedom.]

This is excellent news. I appreciate the update, Shroud.

That said, this news about their violent dispute is worrying. I doubt that the stubborn man will take any sort of offer of help in this situation. If anything, he might downplay it as "deserving what was coming."

[He's going to strangle this old lizard, he swears.]

I'll take this time to think on a course of action and what options we have available to us. Regardless of Zhongli's personal feelings, if this continues, the lives of the people here will be at stake and that's not a price I'm willing to pay.

[Take that time off Jusis. You have more than earned it. ]

Yes, he said something along those lines when I spoke with him about the matter. I think to him, convincing himself he's "guilty" of something he's not is easier than dealing with grief.

I understand and you have my agreement. As I've told Zhongli, while I'm under contract to assist him with Azhdaha, he is not the God I serve. Should either of them seek to revive the divine wars of Teyvat's past in this world in a way that may harm others, I may intervene with more than just words.

[JUST. PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.]

I'm beginning to suspect I understand how you feel whenever surprise invoices are sent from what seems like the ether.

[Is he talking about Blade's invoice or something else? Who knows, it doesn't matter.]

Jusis. Is there a chance you may be available in person sometime?

[There's been a lot on his mind, recently.]

Hey Jusis.

I'm sorry, I know you have a lot on your plate so I feel bad bothering you but....well, uh...

You know that blacksmith you hired? He kinda, maybe.... made a Soldat with my student.

Just thought you'd like to know! Love you, stay safe.

[Jusis gets this voicemail, and will take a moment to get somewhere safe to go back into human form so he can take a listen. It's from Elliot so it's gotta be important.

There's a resounding echo of:]

Blade did what?!

[He will then call Elliot back after he's had a few seconds to regain his composure!]

Thank you, Elliot. I'll have a talk with him when we're not in crisis.

[The Black Order already has two gods, if not more. They do not also need mechs.]

I love you as well. You and Rean stay safe.

[Poor Jusis. Elliot feels bad contacting about this]

Yeaah, about that. I think it might be a good idea to contact him before that. Apparently he's planning to use the current crisis to test it out, and according to Varian he said he put a "a LOT" of rockets on it.

Which, given the usual amount of explosives that Varian puts on much more mundane items .... it might mean Blade's getting into a machine with enough firepower to host a city's Fourth of July firework show.

[There's a pause.]

I'll be shocked if Blade doesn't become a full fledged member of The Order with how unhinged and reckless his ideas are.

[That sure says something, doesn't it?]

I'll see if I can catch up to the arrogant fool. At least you'll know if I got there in time by the presence or absence of an explosion.

He does sure seem to fit right in with the Order, can't argue that.

[Sorry Jusis, but your coworkers are insane]

Alright, good luck. If I'm not with the patrols I'll be sticking near Cygnus if you need healing or a pillow to scream into.

Albarea, sorry to bother you, but Takame and I stumbled across an odd mutual development. Have you had anything peculiar happen recently, perhaps involving a headache?

Hm, is that so? I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific about which particular headache. I seem to have acquired a third recently.

[Ardyn is the replacement Zhongli. This seems to be about right, though. Jusis can't work here without at least one immortal headache brought to life.]

Edited 2023-11-21 18:39 (UTC)

I did notice that--deepest condolences for whatever flaming trainwreck Zhongli's attracted now.

More specifically we found we'd developed an odd ability we find ourselves theorizing may have root in April's incident. It may also be an astonishing coincidence, so I thought I might ask if you had accidentally summoned any peculiar specters as of late.

Edited (I'M SORRY I CAN'T SPELL ON MY PHONE) 2023-11-21 18:44 (UTC)

Jusis—it’s Leon. The Order sent me, I just got in day before yesterday. Did they tell you I was coming or is this a surprise?

[Jusis has just gotten the email around five minutes before Leon calls him. This has happened so often that he's certain someone is being passive aggressive with him. At least there haven't been anymore surprise kids.]

Hello, Leon. I just got the email notification of your reassignment only a few minutes ago.

Allow me to give you a belated welcome to the Kaisou team. I hope the ride over here was uneventful.

Christ, they’re slacking. The flight was uneventful, thanks. I would’ve checked in earlier, but the jet lag and the sudden memory dump about Zhongli and Eunie kinda threw me off-balance.

…I won’t tell the higher-ups about them. I swear. They’re happier than I ever saw them before.

[A cough.] Anyway, besides that, I was also gonna offer my services as a private eye. You’re a lawyer, and I need a steady income source that doesn’t come from a secret organization that used to have a dragon in the basement.

[There's a pause at that.]

... That's more than understandable, but you say that when you arrived you suddenly remembered certain people? Did that happen before or after Libra had been downloaded onto your phone?

I have no doubt you'll keep it between us.

[GOD. Jusis wants to get a shot of whiskey after that reminder.]

Understandable. As it happens, I'd love to employ your services. There's been a need for a good private detective at my workplace. I'll send you a direct line to submit your resume, and you can put down my name as the one who recommended you.

After. I didn’t remember them until I’d gotten on the app.

I will. [They’re too blackmail-happy for his tastes. He won’t breathe a word.]

All right, got it. I’ll start putting my resumé together. [A beat.] Just as soon as I can find my laptop in this mess. [He should’ve hired movers.]

[Elliot knew this was a conversation he didn't want recorded by the phones, so he asked Jusis to meet him at the Zhongli statue. He left his own phone at the house, hidden away in a spot he knew Rean and Ash wouldn't be prone to look.

It's cold out. Winter's fully set. The sidewalks around the statue have been shoveled, but no one is lingering outside for very long. Elliot sits at the foot of the statue. He's wrapped up in a winter coat and gear, while nursing a cup of hot tea. He waits for Jusis to arrive, and gives his usual warm pleasantries. But once those are over... he'll cut to why he called him out here]

So... I've been doing a lot of thinking. And... I think it'd be a good idea for me to join the Order.

IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

text; un: blade

no subject

no subject

un: Shroud | text

no subject

no subject

sometime in october; un: tsubaki, text

un: ecraig | voice

1/2 not quite here

2/2 Voice! :)

no subject

no subject

no subject

un: silverrose; 10/22ish

no subject

no subject

voice | un: theprofessional

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Action | 1/9