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.

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No problem. I'm aware that these things happen. [Spoken like an office manager. A several offices manager. Sliding the small menu along with the unspoken implication that it was his treat, Diluc got down to business right away.]

I understand you've been in contact with Jamie Carter in regards to these transformations as well?

[Jusis gives him a small nod, glancing at the menu given to him.]

I have. His assistance has been of great help.

[When the waiter comes by, he requests some tea and sandwiches. Something light and relatively cheap. Jusis waits until he's gone before resuming their conversation.]

I'm curious to know what your interest is in the matter.

[For Diluc's part he opted to order something similar, just picking coffee over tea. He preferred to have the extra boost.]

Before the Libra app appeared, I thought monstrous transformations were things out of fiction. Now they're suddenly happening every month. I imagine most people would want to have an idea of what to expect when such outrageous changes are brought to the forefront.

[Jusis nods at that. A perfectly reasonable request. He can definitely respect it.]

From what I've been able to gather, the transformations started ever since Willow further tore apart the veil. This does seem to indicate that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better, if that's even possible. We're still unsure if this damage is permanent or if it can be repaired.

I see. I wasn't aware of the timeline of events. My knowledge of Willow and his organization is fairly limited since I didn't receive the app until about a month ago.

[He crossed his arms.]

As I recall, you received it during the same month I did. And your organization the Black Order informed you of what happened?

POKEGO is less of an organization and more of a team of researchers. Willow wished to restore the lost worlds from our memories, no matter how many lives it cost. While many were apprehended for reparations for their deeds, some fled. Those that did died under suspicious circumstances. Those that weren't part of the plot are left picking up the pieces of what Willow had shattered.

[He folds his hands on top of the table. Jusis still looks relaxed, but there's a certain sharpness in his eyes.]

Indeed, they had. Of course, I'm still open to questions about them. However, there is information I'm not at liberty to divulge. The price of speaking too freely is too steep for my liking.

[Diluc bristled upon hearing more detail on what Willow did. It made sense now why the app users saw his name and reacted with hostility. He would as well for such a bastard. It's a wonder with how many people he saw that the man wasn't killed on sight.]

So he brought others down into his selfish plot.

[Surprisingly, there was less anger directed towards Jusis. And the fact that there was a price to speak freely told Diluc more than Jusis would have.]

Does your Order have a price for daring speaking freely? [It was half rhetorical, laced with irritation at the thought.] Regardless of their intent, I have less reason to be suspicious of you than I do of Zodiac for now.

[Regrettably. A pause.]

That being said, there is something I'd like to ask you specifically. [As in, separate from The Black Order.]

[He nods in affirmation of that assessment. At the rhetorical question, the blond smiles thinly.]

They have to keep the less zealous of us on some kind of leash, after all.

[Ah, but now they're at the heart of why they're really here. Jusis raises an eyebrow in mild curiosity.]

Very well. Then I shall answer as myself rather than as a Guardian.

You say that as though you're displeased with them. [Diluc could read between the lines. If anything the dry response gave him points.

Now it was time to see if they'd be kept. He uncrossed his arms, setting one on the table and leaning forward slightly.]

Kreuzen Corp, your family's company, has been expanding well beyond Europe. Any share holder or businessman worth their salt is aware of this. Even in my company the name has come up to replace one's that have been loyal to us for years.

[He leaned back again, crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap.]

You have your own business, but are you involved with Kreuzen?

[Jusis will elect to not reply. That's more than enough as an answer.

As Diluc leans forward, the blond leans back. He crosses his arms casually, though it's clear by his eyes that his attention is fully on the redhead. He's quiet through the explanation and patiently hears him out. After a moment of silence, Jusis shakes his head.]

No. That's the simple answer, at any rate. I'm not set to take over my father's business, nor am I here on behalf of the Kreuzen Corporation. Granted, those are just words and you'd be right to distrust them until proven otherwise. However, I can guarantee you that my father wants nothing to do with me.

[He's the family disappointment, after all. Though he won't tell Diluc that at this time. It's still... Raw, even after all these years away from the man.]

[Diluc offered equal patience, hearing Jusis out on his connection, or apparent lack there of, to his family's company.

It was true. Jusis could say anything and it didn't mean it was how things were. Why would Diluc trust him at face value? But he also wasn't so blind as to miss when someone seemed genuine at a glance. He searched for tells, quirks he could use to call out the deceit and didn't find any.

My father wants nothing to do with me. That tugged at his heart more than it ought to have, even without the full context. It felt wrong. He let silence linger between them for a moment.]

You're right. I have no reason to believe you. [A pause as he uncrossed his legs.] But if you're willing to prove you speak the truth, I do have reason to respect you.

[Jusis seems to relax a little when Diluc says that. It's easy to get a bit defensive when it comes to his family's business. He still hasn't fully processed his feelings on them after over a decade.]

How fortunate that I do have that willingness. Whatever my father's dealings as CEO, they don't reflect my opinions. I'm my own person.

[He nods at Diluc, softening somewhat. Respect was given to him, and it's only fair to return the courtesy.]

That said, I don't agree with how he's running the company. I wish I knew what he was thinking, or what my brother is thinking for that matter, but I have no answers for you.

You are, that's why I asked you separate from your affiliation.

[And yet he felt at odds with Jusis still. On a deeper level he could not bring himself to process right now. As a man whose actions reflected his family name. His father's name and legacy.

... why did he feel like these thoughts were something out of a novel? No, he didn't have the time for this right now.]

My personal opinion can't always come to light to my company, but I'm afraid I don't ever intend to work with Kreuzen. [His word choice seemed to indicate that he felt bad. His tone however? Almost proud in its sheer indifference.] They operate like a monopoly over all products and I won't compromise my beliefs just to potentially increase profit or productivity.

[There's a long moment of silence, and then Jusis chuckles. A rare thing from him outside of Class VII.]

Had I been in your position, I would wholeheartedly agree.

[He hopes his father chokes on his greed and ambition.]

Perhaps one day I'll have the courage to say as such to their faces. If a bit less politely.

[... You know what? That got a smirk out of Diluc. It took courage in its own right to basically admit you want your father's company to fall. Even if in the most passive of ways.]

Ha, someone has to. Unfortunately, I can only be so blunt given my position. I begin a correspondence with "as per my last email," and the aftermath becomes my entire month.

[Jusis shakes his head.]

This sounds depressingly familiar.

[Having finished his sandwiches and tea, the blond gives him a nod.]

I fear I must take my leave. Thank you for reaching out to me, and for the pleasant evening. Should you require me for anything else, feel free to call me. I hope you have a good evening.

[And the sneaky bastard "forgets" the cash he's left on the table to cover both his and Diluc's orders as he leaves.]

Of course. I appreciate you hearing me out.

[He did promise he wouldn't keep Jusis for long. And he got what he needed to get done. Gauging the kind of man Jusis was and parsing how close he was to Kreuzen.

Only time would tell if he's worthy of trust.

... But seeing the stealthily left cash on the table.]

Heh. [Sneaky bastard. Alright, Albarea. If it's games you want to play, he knew them well. Diluc will remember this.]

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