noblerise | IC Inbox

I will. Once I have more of an idea of Teresa's motives, I'll let you know.

[It's the best Jusis can do at the moment.]

[ Since Jusis was so kind as to let Lapis know his birthday, and there's no way she would keep this information to herself, the resident shadow couple have decided to have something delivered to his office. Considering all the... everything that's happened and Lapis being out of commission for a bit, hopefully it being a few days late won't be an issue.

And they've made sure to write that it's from them on the tag on the giftbox. Inside is a small cake wrapped neatly, and two gifts. One of them is a mug with a picture of a unicorn and the words "A boss like neigh other." written along the side, picked out by Lapis.

The other is a blu-ray copy of The Last Unicorn, picked out by Jinwoo.

There's also a little card tucked in too (also with a unicorn on it), written in neat cursive: ]

Sorry this is a few days late, we hope you were still able to join your day. Happy late birthday, Jusis!

Lapis & Jinwoo x

[Memories have fallen back into place for Diarmuid. And with them solidifying his sense of duty. While both his and Waver's mana needed to readjust to this world, beginning a correspondence wasn't strenuous in any way.

And given what loomed over them with the Black Order... what it may mean for his friends. This was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Thus did Jusis receive a message from a name he may have only seen once or twice.]

Jusis Albarea.

This is Diarmuid ua Duibhne. We have yet to be in direct contact and for the unprompted message I ask that you pardon me. However, I will get straight to the point.

The reason I contact you now is because I would like to speak with you in person regarding the Black Order and recent developments in a neutral location of your choosing. I give you my word that my intent is solely to ask a few questions.

I've spoken with colleagues of yours within the Black Order's Kaisou team. Lapis De Fiore and Hinoki Ayato. If you doubt my sincerity, they will vouch for me as the word of a knight's honor from a man you do not know will only reach so far.

Do you find these terms acceptable?

[Jusis doesn't mind at all that it's a bit late. Honestly, it's a miracle that he's remembered his birthday this year. He loves the gifts, though, and that mug is absolutely going to be used while he's at work in the office. He sends a text to Lapis.]

Thank you for the gifts and the cake. The mug is certainly going to get some use at the office. Please pass along my gratitude to Jinwoo as well.

[This is an unusual text to get out of the blue, but Jusis is used to it. The Order tends to do that a lot to him. He reads over the text from Diarmuid and considers the terms carefully. In the end, it doesn't hurt to collaborate with the Libra users since he feels that he has a good relationship with them for the most part.]

I would be happy to speak with you further on recent developments and answer any questions you have to the best of my ability. If you're amenable, I would recommend Kami State Park or Blue Fish Park at around 2 o'clock for this discussion. I trust your honor since you seem to have a companionship with Ayato and Lapis.

Is this acceptable for you?

[At least Diarmuid was the last person to drop a surprise kid onto him.]

I accept these terms. At 2 o'clock you will find me waiting for you in Kami State Park. Thank you for agreeing to the short notice meeting.

[Indeed, probably slightly earlier than 2, the rather unique and striking Diarmuid was in the park ready and waiting to finally meet with Jusis. Finding his way somewhere relatively remote as to not draw attention as he is wont to do whether he wanted to or not.]

[Jusis arrives at Kami State Park a couple minutes earlier than 2 as well. Both of them clearly have the same mindset for punctuality. It's not difficult to locate Diarmuid and he walks leisurely over to him. Despite how casual the walk is, there's an alertness in his eyes that says he's prepared for a serious and detailed conversation.]

Diarmuid, correct? Or do you have a preferred way for me to refer to you as?

[An alertness Diarmuid noted immediately. Habit made him go out in public with sunglasses on, but for the sake of this conversation he removed them and stowed them in the pocket of his coat. That same look was reflected at Jusis.]

Diarmuid is perfectly fine, I am not one to stand on ceremony. I'm honored to finally speak with you in person, Jusis. Though if there is another way you would prefer I refer to you as, by all means let me know. I'll gladly adjust.

[Not a ceremonious man, but certainly one to never skip on pleasantries. He's noted much about Jusis in the past half year through word of mouth and his own announcements and organization.]

But again, I will to get to the point. I've asked this of both Ayato and Lapis and have heard Zhongli's stance on it as well. First, I would like to hear your current opinion of the Black Order. Nothing that will risk your team to confess, naturally.

[A pause, contemplative.]

Second, should you find this agreeable. I would know more of Guardian Teresa Hathorne and what her being stationed here means for the Libra app users. ["If she will threaten their safety is sitting openly" between the lines.]

I do not expect to hear anything more than you can say without risk.

[He isn't one for voice often, but Jusis should know that this in his inbox means Ayato has something pretty important for him.]

Jusis, a word. Several, in fact. [It's not an accusatory tone, but one that clearly states that he's not pleased with this development at all, and the aftermath of Teresa speaking to them on the Black Order's network.]

If you've the time to spare, please let me know when you're available to meet.

[Shit has exploded and he's already trying to think of the best ways to make sure Teresa doesn't tear the team apart from each other.]

[After obtaining the love potion and safely securing it in a couple safety containers, Elliot decided his best bet was to bring it over to Jusis to deal with. Seemed responsible, and gave him an excuse to see his boyfriend.

So after sending Jusis a quick text, he heads over there. When he pulls into the driveway, he notices there are moogles... standing outside the door. One of them is using their small wings to lift themselves high enough to ring the doorbell, while the others notice Elliot's approach and excitedly start to speak among themselves.

Well. That's weird. Elliot will get out of the car and slowly approach, trying to figure out just what is going on]

[Jusis doesn't even suspect a thing when he hears the doorbell. When he opens the door, he's shocked to see the Moogles there. One of the little weirdos takes out a trumpet from nowhere and loudly blasts a few notes out before the delivery Moogle starts talking.]

Congratulations on your purchase, kupo! The shopkeeper at the Goodwill has stated that the stars have aligned for you to join your partners in holy mogtrimony, kupo!

[There are the sounds of party poppers going off and a spontaneous shower of confetti and glitter falls from the heavens... somehow. They then present to him on a satin pillow a set of wedding rings. Three of them.]

...Excuse me?

[Elliot stops dead when he hears that the moogle says. Did he just say--]

W-What?!

[Either oblivious or ignoring Elliot's shock, a couple of the moogles run over, grab Elliot by the hand, and drag him over. For tiny guys, they are surprisingly strong. Or Elliot is just that easy to drag around. It's a mystery]

Oh good he came just as the stars foretold, kupo! We at mognet are proud to be at this present moment! Now if you'd just sign here, kupo--

[The moogle not holding the rings will hold up a clipboard with a delivery waiver for Jusis to sign. Elliot meanwhile looks very bewildered]

Just what on earth is going on?!

Edited 2024-02-04 23:09 (UTC)

[Jusis is starting to hate the Seer bullshit, and he is a Seer. He just. Didn't see this one coming. At all.

He takes the delivery waiver and actually reads through it, just in case it's doubling as a marriage certificate somehow.]

I don't know. I haven't even stepped foot inside that Goodwill since I saw that one of the items there passed on lycanthropy.

[Probably a very reasonable reaction, all things considered, but still. Here they are. He glares at the little Moogle before them after signing the delivery waiver, not finding anything exceptionally out of the ordinary with it.]

Is this legally binding?

Well I only go there to get instruments...

[What. He's a dragon. He can't NOT go grab more instruments whenever they pop up

As Jusis signs the document, they'll take it. They will fly over to Elliot to sign with a "you too!" Elliot is bewildered for a moment, but he's stunned enough to just do what the yelling moogle tells him]

Sure is! We took an online course and everything, kupo! [The moogle will hold up the ring box] Congratulations, Kupo!

[The last moogle, who hasn't done anything yet, will now take the chance to throw some confetti and blow a noise maker]

That's... fair. I did not realize the Goodwill had instruments.

[He's not about to question Elliot's obsession since there really hasn't been much of a change. Other than the sheer amount of instruments his boyfriend has gotten since getting dragon'd.

Jusis... takes the ring box automatically. He opens it up and then immediately closes it the second he sees that they are genuine wedding rings.]

Now kiss, kupo!

[Oh, there's a strong temptation to turn these furry winged bat things into high-speed softballs. Instead of an answer, Jusis simply puts his hand on Elliot's shoulder and teleports them inside the house. The blond then immediately deadbolts the door locked.]

... My apologies, Elliot.

[He's blatantly ignoring the little fuckers booing and hissing outside the door. A couple of them are hovering at the windows trying to get a peek inside.]

I wasn't expecting... any of that today. The "stars" seem to communicate more with that Goodwill manager more than they do me.

[Elliot could go on about the instruments, but honestly he at least can recognize now's not the time for it. Instead, unable to see what's in the box, he's taken aback by the moogle telling them to kiss]

Kiss--??

[Why would they be asking that?? No matter, as suddenly he gets teleported away. He makes a squawk sound of surprise until he realizes he's just inside Jusis's home. Oh. right. He can teleport. ]

It's fine- [he says automatically] I just came by to drop off that potion-- what exactly is going on here? Do you know?

[The teleportation magic is a thing that Jusis is eternally grateful for every day of his life. That being said, the inevitable question does get a small, rare blush from him.]

Well... that would be....

[Hrk, suddenly he wishes he could teleport away from this situation, but. It's fine. It's fine! They're both adults and it's. Going. To. Be. Fine.

Probably.

Jusis sighs.]

The Moogles were delivering a set of wedding rings. Apparently, one of the employees at the Goodwill decided that "the stars" have decreed... marriage... for the three of us. And I believe they may have sneakily made us sign for a marriage license as well.

[Elliot listens. Then his eyes go very wide.

And then he stares, his mouth agape. Trying to process what Jusis just said. He looks at the box in Jusis's hand, then back to Jusis. No way Jusis would be the type to pull a prank like this. So this means...

...

... ]

What in the fuck?

[Oh, it's a bad sign when Elliot goes quiet.

It's even worse when he actually drops the F Bomb. Jusis opens the box like he's handling an explosive. Inside are a set of silver rings innocently sitting there on the black velvet cushion. They're real. And they're magical. In a literal and metaphorical sense.]

For the record, I don't know if this is legally binding or not, but....

[He pauses.]

... What do you think of this?

[A quiet Elliot was a worrisome Elliot alright. Craigs weren't exactly known for their quiet disposition. he was mostly lost in thought, trying to process the truck he just got hit with. Marriage. M a r r i a g e.

Jusis's question snaps him out a little of it at least]

W-What do I think?

[He glances at the rings, feeling like he's suddenly been handed a live explosive. ]

I-I don't know! [He holds up his hands in surrender] Look, I'm someone who needs like 30 minutes minimum to decide what I want to order for dinner. I thought we had at least five years to think over the m-marriage question, so this is a little sudden-

Gah- [He's rambling. He can tell he's fumbling this]

I mean, to be clear, I do love you and hoped we'd spend our lives together, but--

[He trails off into a noise of anxiety. He's doing great here]

[💧

Honestly, this is going about as well as Jusis expected. He doesn't really know what to do with the rings without making it look bad, so he just... awkwardly... keeps the box in hand. If he could throw this thing out the window without it looking like he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life with the people he loves, he would.]

I'm still willing to wait until we all feel ready to take that step, I promise. You and Rean both make me happy, indescribably so, and I know I'd be even happier to spend the rest of my life with you. And that's why I'm fine with this not being an... immediate change in our relationship if we're not ready to commit to it. [A beat of silence.] Especially when this is being dictated by a sentient, furry softball with bat wings.

[Oh thank god he didn't accidentally crush his boyfriend (husbands?) heart. He breathes out, or rather remembers to breath.]

Jusis...

[He is about to try to respond when one of the moogles taps on a window and yells through it]

You need to kiss, kupo!

[Elliot gives a heavy sigh]

I reaaaally don't like those guys.

[The moment is ruined by a Moogle. Jusis glares at the offending creature before turning away from them. He almost says something as well, but then the Moogles begin to chant:]

Kiss, kiss, fall in love, kupo!

[Jusis looks deadly calm by this turn of events, which is probably more frightening.]

I will give them sixty seconds before I call Zhongli to take care of them.

[He doubts these creatures are immune to the psychic damage of a millennia-old dragon who doesn't know when to shut the fuck up.]

[GOD he hates these moogles. Elliot's looking around for a curtain or something he can pull to block the window.]

-- What?

N-No! Surely we don't need to call him! Do you really want to break it to your really old and traditionalist relative we got eloped by moogles?

I could tell him that we weren't told this would happen when signing for delivery, and there was no prior consultation before signage.

[It's not like that's inaccurate, but also the poor Moogles. Maybe.]

... Do you think they'll follow us if we leave?

[The answer is an immediate:]

Of COURSE we'll follow, kupo!

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