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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.
If contacting his work number:
Black Order Inbox and Class VII Group Chat for reference.
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Alright. Just- don't tell Ash, okay? I feel like if he knows Rean's gonna be there ahead of time, he might try driving to Mexico in that RV of his.
[Ash isn't a bad kid. But Ash is real bad at facing his feelings. We all know this.
But Elliot knows that was a diversion, and it's clear Jusis recognized it too. Elliot was never the best the best at direct confrontation when it came to family issues. But he's grown and mature enough to recognize that Jusis is probably right in that this is better dealt with now rather than later]
N-No, I know- and it's not like I'm against meeting Morgan and Fugo outside of school. They're important to you, so I wanna get to know them. Really!
[He is being sincere about that. If these kids were important to Jusis, then they're important to Elliot. Just like how he immediately got attached to the New Class VII, because they were important to Rean]
It's just ... I don't have the easiest time opening up to other people, you know? It's a bad habit, but with most people, I always feel like I gotta work hard to come off as strong, you know? And with Class VII, it's easier for me to relax....so I look forward to spending time with you guys.
I'm just not sure I'm ready to let those two see that side of me. I mean, you all know each other from the Order, but they're still basically strangers to me.
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I won't tell him. I wouldn't want to miss the look on his face for when Rean is suddenly there.
[Not that he's going to fare much better, to be fair, but he has some warning and can prepare... somewhat. That's going to be a lot of feelings Jusis is going to have to face all at once.
The blond is quiet as he listens to Elliot's explanation. He can certainly understand the reluctance to open up to people who are strangers. Or be so vulnerable in front of them. Jusis also can't deny that Fugo and Morgan are, or will be, important to him.
Jusis glances at the door, feeling a sudden and foreign spike of anxiety. That's been getting a little more common lately. He's had to very abruptly change his habits since Fugo started living with him, and there's a constant, niggling worry in his mind of whether he's being good enough as a stable guardian for him. If any of his father's habits have been internalized and are being used subconsciously on the kid. So Jusis worries that he might be using Elliot as a way to put distance between him and Fugo where there shouldn't be.
He bottles that up, though. Puts those feelings and thoughts in a box, storing it away until he can figure it out for himself later. Now is definitely not the time.]
To be entirely fair to you, I didn't know any of our current members until this assignment. I've only known them through their profiles before. So, I do understand the feeling in part, and I also understand that it's still different. We still have that thread connecting us while you don't.
[So, a compromise is in order.]
I'm just fine waiting until you're more comfortable with the idea, Elliot. If you're willing, we can instead have me host a lunch some time while they're out.
[Those kids aren't going to have a normal childhood by any stretch, but Jusis does what he can to help push them into taking what they can get.]
no subject
Elliot doesn't really comment on the part about how well Jusis knows the other Order members, because Jusis saw what he was getting at. it's not a surprised that Jusis didn't know his colleagues well...but a thread was still a thread. It was a lifeline that he lacked with them.
But he does breathe out when Jusis offers a compromise]
Lunch at your place while they're out sounds great to me. Thank you, Jusis. I'm sorry for being difficult.
[ It had taken a lot for him to fess about his own feelings. With most people, he probably would've just kept it bottled up and shove it down.
Now, it's time for a compromise on Elliot's end]
And I really do mean it that I wanna get to know Fugo and Morgan better. So ...how about we go out sometime with them? Go somewhere they'd like.
no subject
Please, you're hardly being difficult about it. It's perfectly reasonable and understandable. The least I could do was meet you halfway.
[The last thing Jusis wants to do is set Elliot up for failure. All of the people involved are too important to him to do any less.
That's an idea, though. Something he'll definitely have to talk with the kids about to see where they'd like to go.]
That sounds like an excellent idea to me. I'll ask them and see where they'd be interested in going, and get back to you once I know.
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[He says that so casually and easily. But yeah openly communicating feelings work, who knew?]
Great! I have a few places in mind if they need ideas.
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I don't even need to see you to know that you're saying that with a straight face. [The blond sighs softly, and then says quietly:] You're... very important to me, too.
[Then he clears his throat and pretends he didn't just fucking say that in such a vulnerable, sincere way. Examine his feelings around this? Surely you jest.]
If you could text me your ideas as a way to jumpstart the conversation, I'd appreciate it.
no subject
Well of course I am! [He's not afraid of feelings! Though...when Jusis says it back, he does a warmness in the chest. Like he's more happy to hear it coming from Jusis specifically] Hehe...I'm really glad.
[He needs a moment to bask before he clears his throat. Anyway-]
Ah- of course! There's the zoo, the amusement park, the mall-- oh and if Ash suggests the Gold Saucer, say no. That's a casino.
no subject
That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind, as I'm certain he's going to suggest it first.
[Those other ideas sound really good, though. There's a sound of Jusis writing it down on a piece of paper.]
Thank you, Elliot. Is there a day and time that's preferable or would you rather wait until we settle on a place first?
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Good. You always have to stay two steps ahead with Ash.
[He's too bright for his own good in some ways.]
Hmm, well spring break is in a couple weeks, so how about then? That should give Morgan enough time to settle in.
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Very true. I can't tell yet if it's going to get worse as he gets older or better.
[He prays to god the answer is better.]
That sounds like a perfect opportunity. Speaking of Morgan, I should make sure his room is actually ready for him. I've kept it clean, but it won't hurt to make sure.
[Considering its original purpose had been to be a guest room.]
no subject
[Enjoy second guessing every interaction you have from here on out!!!]
Oh right, that's a good idea. I'll let you go then- take care Jusis, okay?
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[And he'll hang up, feeling a bit lighter than before the call.]