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As one of the Five Greatwyrms, Jupiter is no stranger to serious matters needing his attention. As freewheeling as he is, he's not entirely bereft of a sense of responsibility; to be so would be not only an insult to his compatriots and his pactbound companion, but also all of dragonkind. It's a burden he bears proudly, just as he does all things, and he's always eager to help when Euden needs him, whether it be for shapeshifting in battle or even just offering an extra pair of claws, or hands, when needed.
Still, it's all dreadfully boring.
Communal living with humans has never been his style, after all, and he finds it much more personally fulfilling to explore that previously-under examined opportunity. Of course, contact with humans isn't entirely new to him, but even so, those circumstances had been… somewhat special.
While he mulls over how to address this relative blank page in his book of experiences, a thought occurs to him, sudden as a crack of thunder heralding a sunshower. Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice—unless, of course, lightning happens to be your specialty, and Jupiter is sure that what worked once will work again. The vast number of people in the Halidom, and the ways they all intermingle with each other, means there surely must be some sort of intervention he can offer. In other words, though he's only won a single case in his time as a lawyer, he'd like to take the chance to extend his winning streak.
There's just one, small problem, though.
"No, I can't think of anyone causing trouble," Euden says when Jupiter poses the question. "Have you heard something to that effect?"
"No, I was just curious! If there's nothing going on, then fret not, Prince." Jupiter preens a bit, adjusting his hair. "But if you hear of troubles that need to be resolved, don't hesitate to call upon me, understand?"
"Of course." Euden sees Jupiter off with a smile.
It figures this is the one time there isn't some tousle or another happening, Jupiter huffs to himself. He paces, racking his brain. What's been going on lately? Things have more or less reached a fever pitch after the Auspex of the Northern Church was rescued from Satan, but one of the more notable recent arrivals is…
"There you are!"
As soon as Jupiter finds who he's looking for, a particularly devious-looking man, he drapes an arm around his shoulder as though they're acquaintances. Harle gives him a long, scrutinizing stare, and without breaking eye contact lifts Jupiter's hand with his forefinger and thumb as though picking up something undesirable, sliding out from under his arm.
"And how can I help you?" he asks, not even bothering to hide the distaste in his voice. "You are… one of the Greatwyrms, yes?"
"That's me! The one and only Jupiter! Listen…" Jupiter leans in conspiratorially. Harle takes two steps away from him. Ignoring that for the time being, he continues, "I've heard tell of your feats. You're quite the expert at committing crimes, are you not?"
Harle's eyes widen. "Why, wherever did you hear that? Am I not a servant of the Alberian royal family?" When Jupiter laughs in response, he sighs. "What exactly is your aim, then, Greatwyrm?"
"To put it bluntly… I've become quite bored as of late. There's only so much attention that can be lavished upon me, and I'd like to claim some of it… I once tried my hand at the law, and found quite a capable defense attorney inside myself! So, if you could simply…"
"Commit a crime for you?" Harle finishes, sneering. "Allow me to pose to you a question you may find interesting. Though rumors fly quickly and travel wide about me, why is it that I have been permitted to retain my position as the head of the Capital Guard?"
"Um…" Jupiter pauses to think. "That's quite an astute question."
"It is because, simply put, there is not enough proof." Harle's grin widens slightly. "Ah, but you mustn't take this as an admission of guilt, of course."
"So… in other words…"
"Even if I were the kind of man you so discourteously accuse me of being, there is nothing to pin on me. And I shan't provide anyone the opportunity to do so. You cannot defend someone who has yet to be arrested."
Jupiter sighs, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Very well. I take your meaning. Though, if nothing else, this was quite an interesting conversation to have!"
"The feeling is far from mutual. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Jupiter watches him go, not even bothering to dignify him with a goodbye. "What a shrewd man. In that case…" He claps once in delight as a thought occurs to him. "All I've got to do is find someone less shrewd…!"
And so, while leaving out much of the reasoning behind it, Jupiter finds himself standing before Ranzal, axe in hand and an expression on his face in equal skepticism to Harle's, taking him aside and telling him he's got a grand idea.
"Why are you tryin' to drag me into your dumb hobbies?" Ranzal asks. "I've got more important stuff to worry about now, in case you didn't know."
"Oh, I'm aware! I keep very much on top of everything that goes on here, you know." Jupiter flashes him a dazzling smile. "Still, are we not all permitted a bit of good humor now and then?"
Ranzal mulls that over for a bit, but gives in fairly quickly. "You got a point. A little levity could do us all some good. So, what's your idea?"
"Ah, well! It's simple, really. I've heard from a few people that Cleo is making pies today. Wouldn't you like to partake of one while it's still piping hot, Ranzal?"
"'Course I would, but…" Ranzal's eyes narrow. "You tellin' me you can get one for me?"
Jupiter laughs, waving a dismissive hand. "Please! You're more than capable of doing so yourself. Which is why I think you should do it."
"I dunno…" Ranzal grouses. "Last time, she caught me, and I got yelled at somethin' fierce…"
"And that!" Jupiter interrupts, pointing directly between Ranzal's eyes. "Is precisely what I am asking of you! Once it's been established that a crime may have taken place, I will elegantly lift you from accusation's clutches!"
Ranzal's expression goes from skepticism to downright bewilderment. "You wanna play lawyer?"
"Perish the thought! It isn't playing lawyer —I've already got one successful case under my proverbial belt, and a win rate of 100%! I am more than certain that I can continue my streak with you!"
"Your streak… of one."
Jupiter pouts. "When you put it that way, it sounds like I've got no experience!"
"That's because you don't!"
"Well, I've certainly got more than you!"
Ranzal deflates slightly, unexpectedly thrown by Jupiter's correct assessment of the facts, but regains his bluster fairly quickly. "I'm still not about to risk Cleo's wrath just to give you a second shot at it! I ain't that stupid."
"Aren't you?" Jupiter wonders aloud, tilting his head.
"What'd you say, you overgrown chicken?!"
The resulting chase down the Halidom halls is fun, but it's still not quite enough to scratch the itch he's trying to reach. Fortunately, there are so many people at the Halidom that he doesn't have to travel far before catching wind of a conversation that sounds like it might be just what he needs.
"Catherine, I'm really trying my best…"
"And I am saying that you should strive to improve what it is that your best is, Eugene!"
Jupiter peers around the corner, eyes sparkling. It's not quite a crime, but there are things like civil cases, too, so it's better than anything else he's happened upon. "Now, now!" he says, adjusting his glasses in the hopes of looking professional. "What seems to be the problem here, you two?"
Catherine seems startled at the intrusion, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. "I'm simply trying to make Eugene understand that he's worth more than he thinks, so he needs to start pulling his weight!"
Jupiter puts a finger to his chin in thought. "I see, I see… so in other words, you think this guy's totally pathetic?"
Catherine stammers, "Well… it's not like that, exactly…"
"It sure feels like that," Eugene mutters bitterly.
"N-No!" Catherine's hair twirling becomes more frantic. "What I mean to say is…"
"She's just being hard on me again, even after she said she'd try to tone it down a little. It's not like I'm not trying to be more social, you know…"
"A-And I certainly have seen your effort, but please, let me start from the beginning—"
"He needs to man up, right?" Jupiter interjects, and Catherine and Eugene's expressions both sour.
"Will you stop interrupting me?!" Catherine yells, pulling her hand away from her hair and pointing firmly at Jupiter. "You are making this worse! I'm simply trying to express my concern for Eugene, and you're making me out to be some sort of villain! Who even asked you to intervene? You're exactly the kind of man I hate the most!" She huffs, face red, and then comes to a realization all at once, clapping her hand over her mouth and looking down at a small dragon in Eugene's arms, who wiggles just a bit…
"Wow, who would have thought that was Styx the whole time!" Jupiter says, brushing the remains of a vase into a dustpan.
Euden sighs, holding said dustpan. "While I feel I should be scolding you for provoking this kind of incident in the first place, I do also owe you my thanks for helping resolve it, so I'm not quite sure how to speak to you about this."
Jupiter laughs. "Come now! No one was hurt, right?"
"I know." Euden empties the dustpan into a bin. "Still, it was a reckless thing to do, even for you. I've been so busy with everything that's happening that I haven't had much time to speak with you, so could it be that perhaps you felt a little neglected?"
The slight pause before Jupiter snorts mirthfully is more than enough to confirm his suspicions, but out of a desire to keep his pride intact, Euden fondly shakes his head as Jupiter laughs off the accusation.
"I apologize for not being able to entertain you lately, but I'm sure you understand how important it is that we are prepared for what's to come. If it's any consolation, it goes without saying that you're still one of my most treasured friends."
Jupiter feels his eyes crinkle in the corners as he grins despite his own desire to want to seem cool and unbothered. Euden really is one of the most interesting mortals he's ever met. Only Alberius can compare, and even then, Jupiter's not always sure which of the two would win if he tried to discern who between them deserved the coveted first place spot. It's been so rewarding to watch him grow from the naive seventh scion to the one who everyone's pinned their hopes on as the world hurdles toward ruin.
There's truly no greater entertainment Jupiter could have asked for. He'd never say as much, with his dazzling and untouchable image to maintain, but he's sure that if anyone can understand those uncharacteristically serious feelings he keeps nestled beneath his sparkling feathers, it's Euden.
He's also sure Euden will understand when the sound of cloth flapping in the breeze grabs his attention. "Oh! That's the circus tent!" He drops the broom; the room's just about clean, anyway, so it's probably fine if he takes off a little early. "I've always wanted to see them perform. You'll have to excuse me, Prince, we'll catch up later!"
Euden smiles as he watches Jupiter zip off, already eager to find the next interesting thing the Halidom has to offer. He's sure it won't be long before they're cleaning up another mess together, but that's entertaining in its own way, too. He's happy that Jupiter feels the same.
Maybe he's been neglecting himself a bit, too, by not taking a moment to just have fun. He finishes the sweeping, nods to himself as he looks around the room, and then sets the broom to lean against the wall.
Hopefully, there are still seats available, right next to Jupiter.