noblerise | IC Inbox

IC Inbox

If contacting his personal number or via Libra:

"You have reached Jusis Albarea. I'm busy. Leave a message."

If contacting his work number:

"You have reached the office of Jusis Albarea, Esquire. I'm not available at this time, so please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you."

Black Order Inbox and Class VII Group Chat for reference.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Fortunately, Jusis is done with his conversation with Elliot. He's splashed some water on his face to make sure he's regained his composure, which is still fairly evident when he's approached by Fugo. He's in the kitchen, making a pot of tea.

The concern on the teen's face makes him pause.]

Yes, Fugo? Is something the matter?

I mean, there's the whole situation. I think that qualifies as something being the matter.

[He sighs softly, but shakes his head.]

But... I just wanted to check on you. I know this has to be rough on you, too.

[He falters a bit there, clearly wanting to say more, but not sure what.]

[...Oh. Oh. Jusis really isn't expecting this, but maybe he's been underestimating Fugo a little. Either that or he's slipping, though he's far more inclined to give credit to the teen's perception. The blond man crosses his arms, leaning with his back against the counter.]

Thank you, Fugo. I apologize if I've been worrying you lately.

[Still... he should be honest. If he's not, then how can he expect Fugo to be honest in turn?]

I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with them assigning Morgan to Kaisou, especially when they hadn't even taken the time to give me more advanced notice. Also.... [Jusis hesitates a little.] We may have to be proactive in making sure Morgan doesn't accidentally say more than is safe. I can certainly smooth over any bumps in the road, but... just in case.

[Honestly, even just that gets him to relax a little, and it makes whatever other words he wanted to say simply die in his throat. Though, in this case, it's not a bad thing.]

You have, a little, but I don't think you need to apologize for that.

[But he falls quiet as he listens to Jusis, and stays quiet until the man's finished.]

... I'm not comfortable with it, either. Something about all this sits wrong with me. And... it's not fair of the higher-ups to push all of this on you. [He takes a deep breath.] And to tell you the truth, Morgan potentially saying too much is exactly what I was afraid of. Should I be the one to have a word with him about it?

[Jusis supposes that's fair. It's only been maybe two months at most by now, and it already feels like they're treading water out here.]

I can't argue that point, but it's either that or let Velvet take the responsibility instead. That seems more unfair in my eyes.

[The poor woman's not anywhere near ready to emotionally handle all these kids relying on her to be a responsible adult. Jusis bets she's only hanging on by her unresolved anger and revenge scheme, at least for now. He's not about to put that burden on her, no matter how they get under each other's skin at times.]

I think it might be best if he heard it this first time from you. If it's coming from me, it'll sound more like I'm scolding him rather than giving a reminder. If he needs another reminder, I'll take over from there.

Yeah, no, I-- I was definitely not suggesting that. God.

["Velvet" and "responsibility" hardly belong in the same sentence. He knows Jusis is pretty much the only one fit to be responsible at this point in time. He's the only one with his shit together sufficiently enough to handle it. It sucks, but it is what it is, and there's nothing either one of them can do about it.

That's still not going to stop Fugo from lingering on how unfair it all was, but it's something he can push aside for now. Especially with the talk of Morgan, anyway.]

Yeah. I'll talk to him. Just... maybe not right now. I think I might be a little too volatile at the moment.

[At least he's self-aware.]

[At least they're in agreement.

Jusis looks at him for a second before nodding.]

Very well. Take your time and I'll keep an eye on his post. [He does soften a little bit before asking:] How are you doing?

[He nods.]

All of the recent Order stuff has me a little frazzled and a little angry, but besides that... I'm okay, I think.

[...]

I think I like it better here.

Understandable, but I'm glad to hear you're okay.

[Jusis is a little surprised by that, but, on thinking about it, he finds himself agreeing.]

Quite frankly, I think I agree with that sentiment.

[A beat.]

Wait, really, you do?

[He gives Fugo a nod.]

I can honestly say that I'm happier here than where I was. A large part of that is due to finding Elliot and Rean, two close friends from my past life. And I couldn't ask for a better team to be assigned to Kaisou with.

[Jusis might go grey young, but he wouldn't trade any of his teammates for anyone else. They're a weird family, and one he treasures.]

[Those words seem to strike something in Fugo a little, and the teen smiles--albeit a bit shyly.]

Yeah. I couldn't ask for a better team, either.

[He's quiet for a moment or two after that, but then...

... Excuse him, he just. Needs to hug Jusis.]

[Jusis is taken by surprise when he's hugged, but he gets over it quickly. He returns the hug, tightly, trying to make sure Fugo knows that he does sincerely care about him.]

I know I don't say this... Often enough, but, for what it's worth, I'm proud of you.

[... God, he feels like he could cry a little. He's not going to, but he could.

(He's tearing up a bit, though.)

He tightens his own hug a little.]

I... thank you, sir.

[Jusis can definitely understand the feeling. He's already decided that he's not going to be like his father. No child deserves that, and he wants the cycle to end there. Whatever support he can give to Fugo, he will.

For now, he'll simply keep hugging the kid until Fugo is ready to let go. Jusis might not know how to really be a parent, but he understands the importance of the kid being the one to back away first. At least, that's what it felt like in his own childhood when his mom or uncle hugged him.]

[... He'll let himself linger a bit longer in the hug before he pulls back, a small smile on his face.]

It... it means a lot to me. Thank you.

[Jusis pulls back as Fugo does, and gives him a small smile in return.]

It's simply the truth. But you're welcome.

[He ruffles the teen's hair gently, but certainly affectionately.]

Now, let's make sure we have everything ready for Morgan to move in.

[He'll definitely be hitting the grocery store tomorrow after work to have enough food for three instead of two.]

I'll go ahead and take care of what I can. You were making tea, weren't you?

[He doesn't want to take Jusis away from that!!

Or at least, he doesn't want to take him away from that more than he already has, whoops.]

You should try to relax a little for now.

[Jusis doesn't seem at all bothered by it. Fugo is definitely more important than his tea.]

Very well, but I'm not going to make you do all of it. There'll be a cup waiting for you, too, if you want one.

Right, right...

[He smiles sheepishly and nods.]

I would. Thanks.

[He smiles.]

Then one will be waiting.

[Jusis gently gestures in a shooing motion.]

Go on, then. And thank you for the help.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject