noblerise | IC Inbox

[Jusis arrives as punctual as ever. He's dressed for the weather with a long, dark green coat and a beige scarf. Once again, he doesn't look at the statue of Morax since the nipple tassels, against all odds, are still there.

The blond has a coffee in hand and he's glad to exchange pleasantries with Elliot. Jusis knows it's going to be a serious conversation, but he takes this bit of warmth happily. It's a few minutes where he doesn't have to think about The Order's latest mission and what that might mean going forward.

He takes a sip of coffee when Elliot says he wants to join The Order. It's not exactly shocking to Jusis, and he thinks he sees the throughline for his boyfriend's reasoning.]

I see why you wanted to talk about this away from Rean and Ash. I'm not against the idea, to be perfectly honest, but I'd like to know your reasons for joining first.

Yeaaaah, I can imagine those two are gonna have some choice words for me when I tell them.

[If Rean was on the app, he'd probably try to volunteer himself instead. And Ash, well... he's going to have to break the news carefully.

Still, part of him is thankful Jusis willing to hear him out instead of shutting him down immediately. Luckily unlike their impulsive leader, Elliot was one to think about things more carefully. ]

Well- don't get me wrong, I don't like or agree with how the Order works right now. Quite the opposite, really.

But... if we want to change things, we need people from both the inside and outside to put in the work. With Zhongli, Eunie, and the kids out of the Order, your outside help is pretty well covered. So I feel like I could be more effective if I was working from the inside.

[He shrugs]

Besides Class VII made a promise to support each other. And I can't help but get the feeling you're going to need that soon.

Edited 2024-01-09 18:29 (UTC)

[Jusis looks a little amused by that.]

I have a feeling that I'll be joining you in the hot water.

[He does listen as Elliot tells him his reasons and they are compelling, to be honest. Jusis has been bleeding Guardians, which on one hand is a good thing. On the other hand, this has been noticed. For this to even work, he's going to need more trustworthy people on his side.]

Your thoughts align with my own. I do need more people I can trust in The Order, specifically for the Kaisou team. Your support on the team will be appreciated. And, admittedly, it'll put my mind more at ease with you joining.

[Jusis sighs softly.]

And... we've been in need of someone with an affinity for healing and water magic. Since Eunie left, I'm the only one who can heal.

Eheh... probably, yeah.

[Look he's not going to deny it. He knows how his other boyfriend and kid are. ]

Y-Yeah, I kinda noticed that when I was spending time with your team last month. They seem like a good crew! But...

...A dedicated healer wouldn't be a bad idea. [They seem like the reckless lot ok]

Plus, it'd be good for me too! There's so many healers on the app, most injuries app users get are dealt with by the time I even sign on.

They're a good crew, yes, but... two of them have the kind of bad luck that defies all reason and sometimes people get hurt from that. Not to mention, almost all of them are dedicated fighters rather than support.

[He pauses.]

... And two of them, from what I've heard, willingly leapt into the mouth of a sea serpent to try hurting it from the inside.

[Elliot deserves to know exactly the kind of reckless he's signing up to be teammates with.]

That is true. I'm honestly impressed by how many healers are on the app. [Jusis gives it a little more thought and then nods.] Alright, if you're willing to join with us, then I'm happy to have you on board. We can fill out the paperwork when you're ready.

Aha... "Bad luck that defies all reason" seems to be a running occurrence for us... so I won't hold it against them.

[You'd think with a name like VII they'd have some luck but no. Not really.]

...Onnnn the other hand, I don't remember us doing anything as bad as THAT, so I'll be sure to keep a close eye. [Jeez what is he signing up for... is this really a good idea? But well, no backing out now. ]

Ha, thanks Jusis. I'll talk to Ash tonight about it, and then I should be ready.

No, but it does sound like something Rean would do if not for the threat of us lecturing him.

[As much as Jusis wants to believe in their boyfriend....

He gives Elliot a small, genuine smile.]

I'll be prepared for my phone to blow up, then. You can use my address instead of yours, if you don't feel comfortable giving that to them.

[He's going to do his best to help keep Elliot's home a safe place, but he also understands that it's ultimately up to his partner.]

[Elliot makes a face]

If Rean did something like jump into a monsters month, he's sleeping on the couch until I'm sure the stench is gone.

[Love can move mountains but it can't rid monster breath

But oh he hadn't thought of the address.]

Ahah... honestly, I think I might take you up on that. I rather keep Rean and Ash separate from this as much as possible.

[At some point, a short while after Blade's post, Fiammetta will be approaching Jusis with a small bag in her mouth that she'll place down near him before taking off.

The bag contains a number of elixirs from Hyrule, a selection of useful items that were purchased in Undertown, and a good luck charm.]

[Jusis doesn't know what he's done to get such a thoughtful son, but gods does he appreciate it. This is going to be a painful one, but he does have an idea to help Blade get out of hot water with The Order. It's just a matter of what Blade decides.]

The bodies are in Kanto, inside the ruins about ten minutes west of the gate.

I know protocol is that we shouldn't touch a crime scene, but this isn't where they were killed. We'll [meaning Jun] bring the bodies out of the Spirit Realm so the authorities can release them to their families. Is there a good place for that?

[Jusis lets out a sigh that's both relieved and tired.]

Place them within the park a safe distance away from the Kanto Gate. I'll make certain that the officers who arrive are ones I trust. They'll still ask you cursory questions, but they won't keep you longer than that.

Did you find any clues to the Labyrinth's whereabouts? Or anything unusual about the bodies or where they were found?

Got it. I'll pass it on.

Based on the demon's M.O., the Labyrinth is most likely in or around Blade's residence. I imagine it won't be hard to find. Blood is his contract price, so it might literally be x marks the spot in that case.

As for the bodies...

Besides being dressed like a bride and groom, they were made to be holding hands when we found them.

This thing has a sick sense of humor.

Understood. I'll check the area with another Guardian to make sure it's safe. Once we've confirmed the Labyrinth is there, we'll get started with the operation. Thank you, you've done good work.

It sounds like a warning to Imbibitor Lunae. Mara seems intent on having both of them while mocking their relationship.

Jun and Maple did all the work. I'm just here to facilitate things.

[Moral support healer.]

Maple was attacked, but he managed to fend Mara off himself. I think the demon is weaker than he's letting on, which is why he picked soft targets.

That's exactly what it is. He's got greed in spades.

... Maple is really important to me. I'm trusting you and your people to not only look after him, but to bring Blade home if at all possible. Maple has already been through hell and back for this stupid blacksmith, and if all this makes him cry again I might be the next one going off the chain.

Understood?

Nonetheless, I thank all three of you.

I shall add 'spineless' to how I describe this parasitic blight, then.

[Heh... Jusis understands this all too well. He and Mikleo are truly a lot alike in this regard.]

Blade is an associate of ours and I've considered him one of my people thanks to his blacksmithing services. I promise you, we will do everything we can to save his life. The aftermath of him coming back will also be personally seen to by me.

Besides, I promised Blade that I would do everything in my power to save him from Mara's Labyrinth. I intend to keep my word.

Anytime.

[They are.]

... Thanks. I know they're in good hands, it's just hard to pass them off to someone else. Even if I know it's better that way.

It sounds like they chose to believe in the promise you made, so I'll believe in it, too.

I would've had the same reluctance had I been in your situation.

I won't let any of you down.

[A lesser man might've been nervous about this responsibility. Instead, Jusis has confidence and an unwillingness to accept anything less than an outcome where Blade comes back alive.]

Should we be worried about that Hathorne?

[A prudent question that Jusis can answer honestly.]

You should. She's one of the zealots in The Order, and highly experienced. Not only that, but she has a reputation of being cold and ruthless. Once she's given a Mission, she makes sure it gets done at any cost.

[He pauses for a beat.]

That being said... for the past year, I've heard that she's gotten worse. Ever since POKEGO fractured, in fact. I'd heard rumors that her brother had been one of the fallen researchers. I'm afraid I don't know much more about it since I interacted with her only twice in my career, and both times I preferred to keep my distance.

Fuck.

[Just. Fuck!]

If I ask "is there anything we can do to get her outta here ASAP", can you even tell me yes or no?

[There's silence for a long moment as Jusis thinks carefully on what he should say.]

All I am allowed to say is to not get in her way. Officially, at least. She's more senior than I am, and she's also in better graces with my superiors. My hands are tied. I'm going to do my best to protect Kaisou's citizens, but I just can't promise much.

Pretty sure that's all we can ask, honestly. Lemme know if we can help you, somehow.

[A beat as he checks the network.]

Unless you're gonna ask us not to provoke her, because I think it's too late for that. Not even the cannibal gave off vibes this bad.

[Jusis can't help scoffing in amusement at that.]

Velvet was far more preferable. Besides, I wouldn't be able to stop people from provoking her even if I could. All I can say is, as far as I'm concerned, she's not a member of my team. She's more like... an auditor.

[That probably tells August all he needs to know about what he suspects the reasons are for Teresa's arrival. At least subtly.]

[Yeah.

Yeah. Fuck.]

Well, I'm pretty sure most of us like your team, so like I said. Lemme know if we can help somehow.

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delivery, sometime after Blade's post

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some time after blade's post; text;

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voice | un: blackbirdtarot | Feb 1st

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