... I don't know how this is going to work, exactly. People aren't exactly supposed to come back from that sort of thing, and the time difference...
[ in the end, he can't help but fret, a heavy sigh escaping him on the exhale. still, his expression is gentle as he lets himself glance over his shoulder towards Ludger. ]
But— well, if I'd said no at this point it'd simply be cruel, wouldn't it?
Besides. I told you, didn't I? It's not so bad, going along with a little brother's whims. I might not have been able to before, but I'd like to spare you this particular heartache if I can.
[ he did say he remembered his time half-transformed in bits and pieces. that does mean he remembers what was said to him then, too. ]
[ ah, yes, the would-have-been fate of any kresnik taken to canaan: missing with no body as proof for those at Spirius to present as evidence of their deaths. small conveniences now. if someone in particular objects maybe they can just argue that they've literally zero precedent for soul bridges before this, who's to say this isn't how it works. ]
... of course. If that's what you'd like. Though, I really don't know what I'm going to do with that kind of time. Not even keeping me on call for any emergencies?
[ baffling. an unknown concept. that was how it used to be, after all— even on his days off he was on call for emergent situations, and while you've plenty of your own time while on the run you're always looking over your shoulder. meanwhile... ]
Are you at least going to pay me for all the PTO I've accrued, or you going to hold out on reinstating me just to make sure I take that vacation you're insisting on?
[ no one's completed a Trial before - maybe Origin is more benevolent than all the stories imply. Ludger is certainly fine presenting that argument to the baffled Kresnik descendants. it's not like he has any compunctions about creatively reinterpreting events to them.
at the question, he can't help but slant a vaguely suspicious look Julius's way. hmmmm, is this his way of avoiding thinking or his need to be helpful...? ]
I can, though I can't imagine how many emergencies there will be with the Fractured Dimensions gone. And most monsters aren't tough enough that they can't be handled by other parties.
[ maybe someone else can finally make use of the job boards, now that Ludger doesn't have quite the need to monopolize them anymore. ]
Well, I'd hate for you to have to use all your caches up. But wouldn't paying you for all the PTO count as "cashing you out"? If you want to retire early so bad, I don't have an issue with that...
[ he's teasing. he knows Julius would rather die, given their entire conversation up to this point. ]
[ why are you analyzing his motivations for something he's trying to half joke about (and apparently not really succeeding in). is he really that bad. is this what Ludger thinks of him now. that's just a little ... ]
Not all of it at once? ... How long are you putting me on [ medical leave ] vacation for that you can even joke about that?
[ oh, that's a dangerous smile. used to be that only meant the threat of Eggplant For Dinner, but now... ]
You're the one who just said for it to not be used all at once, or else have it count as cashing me out...
[ are you really going to put him on. six months of leave. what, is ludger going to ship him out to some remote rieze maxian temple somewhere for those six months. ]
downright reasonable? maybe he shouldn't say anything in case ludger starts thinking he started too low. ]
... sure. Come to think of it, I'll probably end up laying low for most of it anyway. At least until the charges are properly sorted.
[ though given the amount of NPCs that were ready to cry foul play and underhanded dealings, 'no way there's no way julius did what they're accusing him of', already even when the charges were fresh, well. that might or might not take too long. ]
Ah, to be able to show my face in public again somewhere that isn't Duval, a fractured dimension, or somewhere in the remote outskirts of Rieze Maxia. What a thought.
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chromatized) wrote2025-11-08 06:32 pm
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[ it'd be too easy to sweep under the rug if that happened. ]
... So you'll come back? With me? You'll keep living?
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[ in the end, he can't help but fret, a heavy sigh escaping him on the exhale. still, his expression is gentle as he lets himself glance over his shoulder towards Ludger. ]
But— well, if I'd said no at this point it'd simply be cruel, wouldn't it?
Besides. I told you, didn't I? It's not so bad, going along with a little brother's whims. I might not have been able to before, but I'd like to spare you this particular heartache if I can.
[ he did say he remembered his time half-transformed in bits and pieces. that does mean he remembers what was said to him then, too. ]
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[ it's fine, surely. while Spirius might know about Julius's "passing", has anything official been declared? i say No. ]
Thank you. This is... I'm really glad you'll still be in my, and Elle's lives. [ ... ] You still have to take a vacation, though.
[ there's no escaping Medical Leave ]
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... of course. If that's what you'd like. Though, I really don't know what I'm going to do with that kind of time. Not even keeping me on call for any emergencies?
[ baffling. an unknown concept. that was how it used to be, after all— even on his days off he was on call for emergent situations, and while you've plenty of your own time while on the run you're always looking over your shoulder. meanwhile... ]
Are you at least going to pay me for all the PTO I've accrued, or you going to hold out on reinstating me just to make sure I take that vacation you're insisting on?
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at the question, he can't help but slant a vaguely suspicious look Julius's way. hmmmm, is this his way of avoiding thinking or his need to be helpful...? ]
I can, though I can't imagine how many emergencies there will be with the Fractured Dimensions gone. And most monsters aren't tough enough that they can't be handled by other parties.
[ maybe someone else can finally make use of the job boards, now that Ludger doesn't have quite the need to monopolize them anymore. ]
Well, I'd hate for you to have to use all your caches up. But wouldn't paying you for all the PTO count as "cashing you out"? If you want to retire early so bad, I don't have an issue with that...
[ he's teasing. he knows Julius would rather die, given their entire conversation up to this point. ]
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Not all of it at once? ... How long are you putting me on [ medical leave ] vacation for that you can even joke about that?
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I mean, you're the one who accrued... what, 6 months? Of PTO? Seems to me like you're the one that's behind on using your leave.
[ it's somewhere around there. he thinks. probably. ]
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You're the one who just said for it to not be used all at once, or else have it count as cashing me out...
[ are you really going to put him on. six months of leave. what, is ludger going to ship him out to some remote rieze maxian temple somewhere for those six months. ]
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Let's start with two weeks, how about that?
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downright reasonable? maybe he shouldn't say anything in case ludger starts thinking he started too low. ]
... sure. Come to think of it, I'll probably end up laying low for most of it anyway. At least until the charges are properly sorted.
[ though given the amount of NPCs that were ready to cry foul play and underhanded dealings, 'no way there's no way julius did what they're accusing him of', already even when the charges were fresh, well. that might or might not take too long. ]
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It shouldn't take too long. Please look forward to your cleared name.
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Ah, to be able to show my face in public again somewhere that isn't Duval, a fractured dimension, or somewhere in the remote outskirts of Rieze Maxia. What a thought.