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[Jusis nods and walks with Zhongli. He's familiar with the story the older man is talking about, but it's very quickly apparent to him that's not how the story goes. However, that's not the point of it, and so he doesn't call Zhongli out on it. Instead, Jusis listens intently to glean the meaning behind them.]

The artisan sounds like a good man who loved his partner and nightingale above all else.

[...]

But what if the nightingale found the artisan again? Will the artisan protect his son on his own or does the artisan have someone to help him?

I wonder, even so, if he made the right decision.

[He's glad that Jusis seems to understand the point of the story, though. It isn't to say that Hans Christian Andersen was a fucking liar, but more about the bonds between family not always being blood relatives.]

In the past, he had a vast network of people he had forged contracts with. To protect the harbor, and purify the land... but no longer.

[He stops near the pond, and looks out over it.]

I could never sever contact with Xiao. It is because of my unwillingness to abandon him that he has shown himself. Nor could I tell him the truth of what I was doing and who I was with, and so he stumbled unwittingly into the situation with the Spirit Vein. There is no turning back for either of us now—the danger cannot and will not be ignored.

I fear the son has inherited his father's problems.

[He looks at Jusis.]

... And so I turn to you. Xiao is precisely the kind of person they would recruit had they the means, but I cannot let that happen. To be plain: he exists outside of my contract with the Black Order, and because of his association with me, that could put him in danger.

I thought it better at the time to keep his existence hidden, since it had nothing to do with our negotiations. In the end I underestimated my own sentimentality.

[Jusis nods as he listens. Although slightly surprised that Zhongli would turn to Jusis of all people, he can see the logic behind it at least.]

I'll block any and all recruitment attempts made towards him while we're in Kaisou, that much I can promise you.

[He's in no way interested in doing recruitment for the Order. It's perhaps the one order the blond will instantly defy.]

But that just covers recruitment. Do you have other specific requests I can assist with?

[He has no one else in the Order he can contact, and he doesn't dare.]

... Thank you. That means a great deal.

[And that's why Zhongli approached him. That and a few other reasons.]

I can't think of anything else pressing at the moment. It's impossible to erase ink once it's been spilled, so I'll deal with the consequences as they come.

[Though...]

Despite my initial misgivings, it would be beneficial for him to meet others like himself. He's a gentle soul with a troubled past—not an uncommon thing here, as we both know.

[He makes a thoughtful noise.]

If he eventually desires a place of his own, could I impose on you to help him as you helped me? He doesn't have the particular taste that I do, so he wouldn't waste your time. [Though he's... also not sure Xiao will want to move out ever, he wants to keep that option available.]

[Jusis gives him a nod. Though, he does agree that gentle souls with troubled pasts are a dime a dozen, that doesn't make the 'kid's' situation any less sad.]

Of course, I'd be happy to help him if he wishes to have a place to call his home.

[...]

I would also not object to looking out for him when possible. I understand if you would rather I didn't, but it's hard to say from my perspective whether or not he won't try to follow you into the next Spirit Realm that appears.

[Patrizio reminds him of Xiao so much, even though in temperament they are very different.

He gives a soft sigh at Jusis's very apt prediction.]

I trust your intentions. [Jusis has more than proven himself.] An extra set of eyes looking out for him would not go amiss, though he might be less than receptive. I apologize if that ends up being the case.

[Xiao can handle most threats on this plane, but the Spirit Realm? Probably not. But it's no longer Zhongli's place to tell him to stay home. Xiao's made it clear he won't be following those orders anymore.]

[Jusis gives him a small smile.]

I assure you, I'm quite used to people being difficult with me.

[Not that Jusis makes it easy to get along with him.]

You have my word that I'll do my best to help look out for him. With luck, those fears won't come to pass, but I'll be prepared if they do.

[Zhongli chuckles under his breath.]

So I've discovered. [He knows he isn't the easiest person to get along with.] Things would look very different had you not been sent here.

[Zhongli finds him to be perfectly reasonable, but they're cut from similar bolts of cloth, really.]

I'm not sure I could offer anything that would come close to paying such a debt.

[He hates open-ended contracts, but in this case...]

[Neither of them are easy to get along with, which is why there's something of an understanding between each other.]

I'm certain of that, unfortunately.

[Jusis is being forced to confront the fact that the team really does rely on him, not to mention genuinely cares in their own ways. If nothing else, he's going to be more cognizant of it as much as he can.

He gives Zhongli a funny look, though.]

As far as I'm aware, this is a friend asking for help. There's no debt incurred, and I would never ask for anything in return from a friend with so important and personal a matter.

[Perhaps that might come off as cold or challenging, but that's not Jusis' intention. Still... what he adds is spoken a little more softly.]

Even if you weren't a friend, I wouldn't ask for anything in return. I understand that words don't necessarily mean anything, but idea of using your son's safety as leverage over you is abhorrent to me.

[Zhongli has the nerve to look surprised when Jusis says that he hasn't incurred any kind of debt. He knows how monumental that is, and what it means. It reminds him of an arrangement he'd made long ago, in another life. No formal contract, just... friends. He's... visibly relieved.]

You have my gratitude.

[He would never confuse that kindness for coldness on Jusis's part. He knows the heart that burns bright within.]

... If only the Order were made of more people like you.

[Instead he has to deal with people trying to kill him every so often.]

[Jusis sighs at that.]

If only. Still, while I'm here, I'll do everything in my power to help each of you.

[Unless someone sticks their foot in it. That situation makes his help more up in the air, but for anything important like this... He'll do what he can.]

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you, Zhongli. I understand your position is... Difficult, if not delicate, but I'll do what I can for you.

[Considering Zhongli went through his psychological prison, and told him exactly what he needed to hear on order to start breaking the cycle he'd been trapped in... He's more than earned Jusis's respect and friendship.]

[He can see the future of the Black Order, and it threatens to be an unpleasant one unless something is done about it. Jusis is one of those people who sees a problem and finds a way to correct it rather than kicking it down the line. It reminds him of a girl in his old memories, a girl who boldly declared that humanity was fine without gods.

She was right, in that case. And Jusis was, too.]

It's that commitment—that heart—that draws people to your leadership. It may be inconvenient for you at times, but it's a rare quality.

[In a beat or two of silence that follows Jusis's offer, there is a glimpse of serenity and normal life. Some of the parkgoers walk by them on the path, a little boy shouts about birds excitedly, and a pair of dogs bark and chase each other in the grassy field nearby. Zhongli smiles faintly, but it doesn't reach his eyes. There's a profound sadness to it—a nearly-tangible tiredness. Yet he never complains.]

That means more than you know.

[a pause]

Well, I think I've taken up more than enough of your time with my rambling today. I should let you get back to your work.

Edited 2023-05-22 17:25 (UTC)

[Jusis looks to Zhongli, silent for a moment. He's not one to speak of his past life, but....]

It may be an inconvenience and a little uncomfortable, but it's a road that's somewhat familiar to me. Once, I was Acting Duke of the Albarea House. That remembered experience has served me well in this life, and I'm willing to serve in that role again. I'd rather take it up than force someone else into it when they don't want it.

[Just a subtle way to say that he knows Zhongli has every right to take the helm as leader, but also understands that the older man doesn't want it. The reasons behind it aren't his business, and he won't ask. He gets the feeling Zhongli will simply change the topic if he did.

The sadness in Zhongli's eyes are seen by the blond. It's almost familiar. Jusis gives him a nod in acknowledgement.]

Of course, and I've monopolized enough of your time myself. Be safe on your way home.

[Nobility? That... makes so much sense in retrospect. But it's the bit about forcing someone into it who doesn't want it that earns a simple, approving nod. He'd be correct in that assumption that he doesn't want it. Knowing his past was bloody in both worlds, Zhongli has adamantly refused to take another position of true leadership after regaining some of those memories.

But in times of crisis, if Jusis should be out of commission again, he'll offer himself up. It's only right.]

And you as well. Take care, Jusis.

[He turns and starts down the path in the opposite direction. He won't be going home immediately; he wants to walk through the neighborhood first and consider his path forward with Xiao.]

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