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[bebest]

Zulius

You got Zulius. I'm busy being fabulous. Deposit hot goss here.

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

FROM: SUBJECT: MAXIMA Zulius...would you have time to talk... JUN Actually... I might have an idea... LYCAON Present LYNEY Hello! This is the owner/operator of the Vogue, right? ZEVRAN Your highness. DIARMUID Zulius, my friend. GILGAMESH Once again, I grace you with my sparkling presence. EDWARD Happy 21st! SAMPO Yoooo-hooo. House-visit! GIL Dearest Zulius, best of all the best... VERGIL I do wonder how you can go to sleep and... LYCAON Happy 21st birthday to you yet again. ROSE Zulius, we need to talk. ROSE Fancy a girl’s night? TAKAME Zulius, were you and Vittore still curious as to Gilgamesh's whereabouts? VERGIL & GIL Amor. I felt of all people who needed a message... VENTI Queen Bestie, I'm gonna need some mercy from... GIL Good morning, o shining beacon of Kaisou's culture and sophistication~ EDWARD Do you have one of those blue-and-purple flags... JUN Edward Kenway intended to take on the... ROSE Zulius, are you there? ZHONGLI Zulius, I'm checking in to make sure... VERGIL I have two questions for you. GIL zulius, there's no rest for the wicked... LAPIS hi, sorry that this is a bit out of the blue but DANG HENG Secret Santa TAKAME Zulius? Would it be alright if I brought you something? SHROUD Zulius, owner of the Vogue. ELLIOT & VENTI Zulius, I got a lead on a new actor to fill... EDWARD Mate, you’re good at accessories... VERGIL mi dispiace ZERO Zulius? Are you here today? VERGIL/WOLFWOOD ...Before you say anything... ZERO Something important has come up... VENTI Hey, Zules! I've got some news for you... ASH turnabout's fair play TAKAME unable to work tonight my apologies ROSE Zulius, do you have a moment? TAKAME There is something I wish to ask... RYOUTA zulius! i got some freshly brewed T E A to spill for you!

TO: SUBJECT: AIDES Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay darlings! LYCAON I, your dear sweet Papa... VENTI So hey Bestie, you can now add... VENTI BEST BESTIE??? Please tell me you're okay! VENTI Bestie forever and forever please confirm or deny. WOLFWOOD Happy B-Day Nick! VERGIL Notable day in HISTORY! KNI Hey Sweetie. I know you've been going through it... VASH Hey Sweetie. I know you've been going through it... DANTE Ding dong, this is your local fabulous zebrataur... GIL Soooooooo. What's the game plan here, Pumpkin? VASH Happy B-Day, Bestie! VERGIL Happy B-Day, Boo! DANTE Happy B-DAY Sugar Tits!!! VENTI Happy B-Day Queen Bestie!! VERGIL Baby can I come sleep with you? :( VERGIL Hey Handsome. Nick's worried that... EDWARD EDWARD KENWAY?!!!!!! ROSE Rosey this is NOT funny! VENTI SHOW 👏 ME 👏 THE 👏 RING!! VERGIL Hey so you know how they told us we REEEAAALLY shouldn't make the fae mad at us? ELLIOT Happy B-Day, Elliot! FURINA Hey Sweetie. I haven't seen you at work for a while... VERGIL Happy Valentines Day, Boo! ELLIOT Hey El. Would you do me a favour for three thousand dollars? VERGIL My turn to send you flowers VENTI OMG, Bestie! I have SO much tea... ROSE Ding dong. This is your check-up call... VERGIL H-hey, Vergil. You busy tonight? ZHONGLI & VENTI So hey, FUNNY, FUNNY thing happens to me today! VERGIL Okay, I have been SUPER nice and given you... MOXXIE Hey, Moxx! They've got OUR production of Cats... VENTI Girl, are you Shakespeare??!!!! DANTE So, is your brother just SUPER into painting or... VERGIL New Zhongli tits out statue dropped. xoxo ZHONGLI Hey, Zhongli. Can you do me a solid? ZHONGLI "Dear Zulius, my hottest and most..." ZHONGLI Ding dong Avon calling. ZHONGLI Oh look, it's ME again! ZHONGLI Heeeyyy Gorgeous. You're good at contracts and paperwork... VERGIL Hey Handsome, Madama Butterfly is on tonight VERGIL A gift!! AUGUST Haaaaaay! Takame hit me up... RYOUTA Now I've got some prime tea for YOU! TAKAME Hey you. How're you feeling?

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Comments

[hoshikiri]

[Takame was well aware that he may not be able to do anything should there be a next time. He was not a fool. He was not optimistic in any sense of the word. Always would his mind turn to the worst case scenario, at least then he would never be disappointed. He could prepare for it.

Saying what he did would not change what happened. What may happen in the future.

But he had to. He so, so desperately wanted to hope.

To just convince himself... that he would not fail again. Even better, that there would not have to be an "again."]

Thank you for trusting me. ["... despite what happened" was left unsaid.] Please, if there is anything more you require inform me immediately and I will see it done.

[bebest]

[Zulius can, at least, udnerstand the need for hope. That was a truly terrible experience he never wants to relive. He certainly wouldn't wish it on anyone else, either. None of them can guarantee that, but if all the had to fight it was hope...well, they better bring a truckload of it.]

Natch- I always trust you, Takame, you're family. [Simple as that, no arguments. It is what it is. You don't blame family for things beyond their control. So there.] I will, I promise. If you could make sure the theatre doesn't like...catch fire while I'm resting up, I'd appreciate it.

[Look, he figures if he gives Takame a TASK it might help. He knows how much Takame tends to throw himself into action when he's upset, after all. ]

[hoshikiri]

... [Despite his failure here and how he'd acted in the past when he was kidnapped, Takame was eternally thankful for Zulius being honest every step. Even when referring to Takame as family. Especially so, perhaps.

It was enough that it pulled his own weak smile out. Still, with equal determination he gave Zulius another nod.]

Mm. I will do what I can to keep things in order. [Surely do the same with Cygnus as well, but Zulius didn't need to know how hard Takame would be overworking the next several days to a week until Yusuke and their Pokemon sit on him.

Something else, however, crept into his mind. Another lingering concern. For both his employer and Rose.]

Have... have you been alone this entire time?

[bebest]

[Zulius can, at least, always be counted on to be honest (admittedly sometimes brutally so) - especially when it came to family. That was not something to mess around with. ]

Thanks, Babe. Just a couple days. Week, tops.

[It might be his perfectionism or his rampant need to insert himself in the living, breathing heart of his theatre, but he's definitely underestimating how long his healing process will take.

It's a good thing he doesn't know how much Takame is taking on- there would be words about that, sir. At his question, Zulius shakes his head. ]

Nah. Moxxie's around somewhere. Plus people drop by, I'm popular, y'know? [He jerks a thumb at a literal cask sitting in his kitchen with his name on it.] Ed dropped by that thing of rum from his ship that's probably crawling with 18th-century diseases, but it's the thought that counts and honestly, I'll take my chances given the current vibes I'm dealing with.

[hoshikiri]

[Again, he nodded. He'd go for far further than a week of Zulius needed, but if he insisted that was the time he needed then Takame would comply. He would do whatever it took to make up for not being there.

And you know what Zules isn't told won't hurt him. Takame didn't make a comment on the 18th century rum considering his realm is from an even earlier time than that when compared to this one. But also some of the bentos have citrus and other fruits, he won't get scurvy.]

I see. Good, I am glad. [Takame was relieved he wasn't alone but he went quiet for a moment.]

I am concerned for Rose. I will be with her as much as I am able, but she is still living within the apartments Zodiac provides on her own. I... want to find some way for her to leave or someway she'll not be on her own anymore...

[bebest]

[Zulius appreciates and adores Takame so very much!! He's a good guy and the zebrataur knows he is blessed to have him in his life.

The bentos are truly fortuitous in this trying time.

And ah. That's... worrying. Zulius doesn't like the idea of people being stuck in the Zodiac apartments. He's never stepped hoof in them, but they sound a miserable place, doubly so by trapping the residents into working for Zodiac to earn the roof over their heads. ]

She really needs to get out of there. Everyone does. I do not trust those guys as far as I can throw them. I'd offer her a space here, but I've only got the one bedroom, and I don't think she wants to live on my couch forever.

[Moxxie has his teapot, but he's not about to impose on this friend with another. Hm.]

Well, if she needs a little extra cash to set up a place outside of Zodiac, I can do that for her. Though that won't really fix the alone problem.

[hoshikiri]

Mm. She does... they all do.

[He would still be there himself had Yusuke not insisted he move in after April. He did not expect Zulius to take her in, he didn't expect anything. He just needed to express his concern. He brought a hand to his chest, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

It came out as a soft but frustrated sigh.]

If there was a way I could do something... I will find it. I... I know not how, but I will find some way. And I will stay with her as much as I am able. Or find some way for her to... [He shook his head.]

Ah, forgive me. I do not mean to burden you with more... unknown variables when you've been through so much already.

[bebest]

[Zulius hates this. He wants to help- he LIKES helping the people he loves. If he wasn't held together by spit and hope right now, he'd be gathering his things and marching off to Rose's place. To spend time with her and bring joy where it's lacking. Maybe do a makeover and watch a cheesy romcom. Something. Anything.

But the thought of leaving his apartment leaves a heavy shroud of panic in his chest. He doesn't know how to process everything that happened so he can be okay again and do what he can to help the people who need him.

He hasn't felt this useless in a while.]

S'okay. It means a lot that you're trying. I get it. I'm worried too. I'll give her a call today, check in on her. Maybe in a couple days I can drop by, bring her a cake or...something.

[Can he force the healing process? He's sure there's a wikihow on that. ]

Anyway, it's not a burden if you're looking after your people, Takame. And...just keep me posted on the house thing, okay? I'll help however I can.

[hoshikiri]

[Takame knew he wasn't the sort of person who could bring those positive vibes like Zulius could. He could provide a shoulder to cry on and that was it, nothing else comforting.

He knew he could not do everything, or could barely do anything. It was... frustrating. That was all. He was better at not showing it... no, he was a fool for showing it at all to his already exhausted friend. Again, he shook his head.

And from him came a rare insistence in his tone.]

She will be glad to hear from you... and I understand... but please. [He put a hand on Zulius' shoulder.] You need to rest as well. I will do all that I can for both you and her, but for the moment I must ask that you care for yourself above all else.

[bebest]

[Being able to bring joy to his loved ones' lives- to be able to be a support for them was something Zulius prided himself on. He'd rather know there was a problem there at all, than not realise how bad things had gotten. He categorically would not call Takame a fool for bringing it up.

The insistence in Takame's tone does make his ears perk up, though. He's listening.]

Hah...I'm not the best at that.

[He can take care of himself just fine, but above everyone else? That's where things get...tricky. Self-involved as he is, his empathy tends to get in his own way there, sometimes. But he can see Takame is blatantly worried about him, so he acquiesces, raising his hands in surrender.]

Okay, okay. I'll try on that one, Babe. Thanks...for looking out. Seriously, it means a lot.

[hoshikiri]

Ah. [He suddenly felt very bad for using a tone that was anything other than Neutral with his employer. Zulius regarded him as a friend as well, as family, but there were still parts Takame struggled to shake. He averted eyes for a moment, tail giving a singular flick before calming again.]

I... ["apologize, I spoke out of turn." No, that... surely that would upset him more to hear. Perhaps even anger him.] Mm. I understand.

[Heavens knew Takame was even worse than Zulius in regards to putting himself first.]

Try to rest as much as you can, then.

[bebest]

[Zulius would absolutely not tolerate Takame feeling bad for using any kind of tone with him. Hell, even he would admit he needed it from time to time. Zulius is self-aware enough to know he can be... difficult at times.

Which is to say it's wise Takame didn't apologise for saying what he needed to say.]

I'm gonna eat all this delicious food you got me and lounge on my couch watching a whole season of Drag Race and I shall nary move a muscle. [He makes a crossing motion over his chest.] I promise.

Try...not to stress too much, 'kay?

[hoshikiri]

[Takame would always fold to the more authoritative. He ought to consider himself lucky that such "authority figures" genuinely have his best interests at heart here.

There is a slight tilt of his head at how he keeps hearing about this Drag Race from Zulius among others, if it was a race why would it drag on? Are they racing in Drag? That can't be efficient, they'd get their nice outfits messy. Mysteries, but the fact of the matter was Zulius would relax.

That was all Takame wanted.]

Mm. Alright... if you insist.

[bebest]

[Clearly, this means Zulius will have to sit Takame down so he can get himself a proper edu-gay-tion on the beauty of Drag Race. So he can be informed and blessed. It was Zulius' duty as one of the Cornerstone Gays (in his opinion) of the city.

He pats Takame's arm a lil'.]

I do insist! I insist a whole lot!