Chapter Text
Three weeks into Spring of Four, late one evening Jupiter was sitting in one of his office armchairs by the fire drinking a steaming cup of peppermint tea. Enjoying flipping through a book he’d picked up for a bit of light reading from the Gobleian. He heard a familiar knock at the door.
“Come in,” Jupiter called, already knowing who was at the door.
The door opened tentatively. Jupiter turned to greet Morrigan, wondering what she was doing up so late on school night. The reason became apparent at the sight of her shadowy companion that trailed after her into the room. He could feel a slight sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew the appearance of the shadow hound could only mean one thing.
It was time to meet Ezra Squall.
He had been waiting for this ever since Morrigan had finally informed him of her apprenticeship with the infamous Wundersmith. He had insisted on meeting him the next time The Hunt came to collect her for her next lesson. He hadn’t expected to wait so long but better now than never.
“Time?” He asked, redundantly.
“Time.” She answered flatly.
He sighed, putting down his tea and book, joining her at the door to set off to finally meet the infamous Wundersmith.
Jupiter followed them both to the Gossamer bridge. It was one of the most intriguing things he’d ever seen which was saying a lot. He was used to being able to see things via the Gossamer and travelling by the Gossamer train but an entire bridge was made in the Gossamer. It was new and exciting yet somehow also terrifying. They stepped onto the strange creation together.
He could see in the middle of the bridge a man dressed in a monotonous grey suit and leather gloves standing straight backed looking rather bored.
“Ah, Miss Crow –” Squall began as he turned around slowly, his sentence cut short as he caught sight of Jupiter.
“You!” Squall hissed as he narrowed his eyes.
“Hmm, me.” Jupiter greeted through a forced smile and reciprocated narrowed eyes.
“Miss Crow, why is the abominable ginger present?” Squall addressed Morrigan, Jupiter could see the muscles in his face working overtime to keep himself steady.
“I insisted I accompany her to her next lesson after she told me about the illegal contract she signed with you.” Jupiter cut in before Morrigan had a chance to answer.
“Hmm – I see. So what, you thought it would be appropriate to just tag along uninvited?” Squall sneered.
“Well would you have invited me? Also I don’t exactly require your permission. Seeing as I am her guardian and all.” Jupiter replied in his steady but authoritative voice.
“Why on earth would I invite you? –” Squall asked in return.
“That's why I invited myself.” Jupiter insisted smugly.
“Fine! What do you want anyway? You’ve met me now, do you mind leaving now? Miss Crow and I have a lesson to attend to.” Squall asked turning to walk away. “Come Miss Crow.”
“Actually, no I think I’d rather enjoy watching a lesson.” Jupiter disagreed, striding after the grey man.
“Uncle Jove…” Morrigan whined quietly, tugging gently at his sleeve pleadingly.
“Uncle Jove? Well, well. Now isn’t that a development. Fine you may stay, just don’t be annoying. I know how difficult that’ll be for you. Uncle Jove.” Squall smiled in a sweet mocking way as he said the term of endearment.
Jupiter had no idea how to respond to the mocking. Feeling it would be an extremely bad idea to piss off the Wundersmith. He felt like he’d already done enough damage showing up unannounced and forcing his presence on him. He settled on a snide look before miming zipping his mouth shut.
Apparently today’s lesson was returning to the Wunderous Art of Masquerade. Squall had promised to try and teach Morrigan how to turn into a mouse.
Jupiter had not been privy to anything Morrigan had learnt or been learning up until this point so watching the two of them in a lesson together was rather entertaining. Morrigan was focused, asking questions, Squall correcting her and guiding her in a seamless collaboration. He knew this was what Morrigan needed, he couldn’t in good conscience disallow her from continuing, regardless of his own opinions or the teachers reputation and past actions.
This is what she would need to become a proper Wundersmith, he knew she enjoyed the ghostly hours and the lessons at WunSoc but it must be nothing compared to being able to get first hand experience from a living Wundersmith able to guide her properly. He only wanted what was best for Morrigan.
Jupiter watched on, enraptured by their ability to work together barring a few quips and comments here and there.
He was so captivated by the lesson he barely registered when Squall and Morrigan turned to him.
“I hope that was satisfactory for you Uncle Jove.” Squall addressed him indifferently.
“Hmm – What? Oh yes.” Jupiter was at a bit of a loss for words.
“No need for you two to hang around then, off you pop home to your big fancy Hotel.” Squall shooed the both of them in a rather nasty tone on the word hotel.
“Thank you for allowing me to experience one of your lessons; it was rather enlightening.” Jupiter complemented, thanking Squall.
“Hmm, yes. Not that I had a lot of choice. Goodbye.” Squall said leaving them back where he’d met them.
“Mog? Is he always like that?” Jupiter asked, looking at Morrigan.
“What? Squall? Yeah he’s always like that. He used to be worse. He was rather bad today though, I don’t think he likes you very much.” Morrigan explained.
“Hmm, no I rather think he doesn’t. I’m sure it didn’t help showing up unexpectedly.” Jupiter said offhandedly. “It’s late, you should get to bed, you have school tomorrow.” He ushered her off towards her room.
Jupiter made his way back to his study, his tea now cold and his book no longer seemed very interesting. He sat reflecting on the evening's events. He had not expected the Wundersmith to be like that.