first stanza [video]

[existwithoutme]

[The Vine opens on a curious scene. Something has transpired in the new arrival area. A broad swath of garden has been destroyed. The scarred area is not huge, but it is not insignificant. It's not immediately clear what the cause was, but smoke is rising from the ground, and three large bears have gathered to deal with the problem

Comments

[made_of_science]

Oh dear, Miss! You must be more careful; Her Highness is very particular that her gardens should not be harmed.

[existwithoutme]

[Kuja turns toward the mirror quickly.] Must I? Be careful? If this "Highness" is the one who brought me here, then it is she who should be more careful, for this-- [She waves a hand toward the scorched earth and the bears.] --was her doing, as it was a side effect of my displacement. I will not take the blame for another's incaution.

I have absolutely no desire to wreak wanton devastation upon the foliage, my dear. What a wasted effort that would be.

[Her gaze sharpens.] And who are you to speak for Her Majesty?

[made_of_science]

Still, I hear that punishments are doled out without concern for actual fault, here... The rules, though few, are quite ironclad.

Oh, I could not dare to speak for her- I simply pass along what I've learned from our fellow prisoners. Ah, but I should introduce myself, shouldn't I? [She curtseys] I am Vitalia Ruiz Asención.

[existwithoutme]

I fear no punishment. These beasts have informed me that my actions have been understood, though they were displeased with me. [She glances at the bears, a little scornfully.] So perhaps you have been misinformed.

Another prisoner, I see. Are there many here? [In a way, she is quite used to being a prisoner, but the thought of having a new prison to escape from, and so soon, is frustrating.] What are these rules you speak of?

[Kuja gives a slight bow, as she is trying, for once, to be polite.] I am Kuja.

[made_of_science]

Perhaps so... or else, there may be some leeway for new arrivals.

There seem to be quite a lot of young ladies here, yes. I don't believe a census has been taken, but I should estimate... perhaps a hundred or so. It's difficult to tell, as the population does fluctuate.

It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Miss Kuja.

Ah, the rules! There should have been a cat bearing a scroll nearby when you arrived...

[existwithoutme]

That might be so. It does not concern me, as I have no intention of causing any more such damage. As I said, it was a side effect that was in no way my fault. [This is true, in a sense.]

[The idea of interacting with so many is not a particularly pleasant prospect.] What is her reason for creating this population?

A cat? [Kuja ponders.] It may have been startled by the blast. I have seen nothing but these creatures. [She indicates the bears again.] I have little desire to go chasing after cats in the undergrowth. You may tell me of these rules. Also, where might I find more suitable raiment? [She doesn't like this white garment at all.]

[made_of_science]

[She nods, totally understanding this.] Rather unfortunate, that is.

I don't rightly understand, myself... I'm told she seems interested in... having us marry one another, but I still can't ascertain a reason for two ladies to marry. It makes little sense.

Oh, well... hm... what were they...? [She racks her brain for a moment, trying to root out information that isn't plant-related.] We are not to attack one another, or any creatures that aren't normally prey... We are, of course, not to cause destruction in the Gardens... and we are to come to Her Highness's aid when called, though I can't say I've ever seen such a thing happen.

[existwithoutme]

[Kuja laughs at the sheer absurdity of it.] I most certainly will not be doing any marrying. How very foolish. Male or female, I'm hardly interested in such matters. [She shakes her head.]

Simple enough rules. I have no desire to harm others, and no need to slaughter any prey. I don't feel much inclined to go to the queen's aid, so I hope such a situation will not arise. I have had enough of queens and their whims. Though she may have brought me to this stage, I will not dance for her. My strings have been cut and cannot be pulled.

And where did you obtain your clothing? I have no desire to spend another instant dressed in a child's nightgown.

[made_of_science]

It certainly does seem strange, doesn't it? Why, she hasn't even obtained permission from Papi, so I certainly couldn't do anything of the sort, were I even to find someone here to interest me. I'm sure her plan cannot work, and yet we haven't been freed.

You were a servant before?

Oh! Do forgive me! My mind wandered... your clothing and any items you might carry should be somewhere nearby. Er... unless you happened to... destroy them accidentally...

[existwithoutme]

I need no permission, but I have no such desire. If her stated purpose is true, she is a regent of great idiocy, though regents are often so. Perhaps the she is mad, or deceitful, or both.

Hm, a servant? [Kuja frowns. Her tail twitches again.] No, I had occasion to work with a queen, but I did not serve her. I serve no one. I mean to say that I will not serve this queen, either.

The affected area was open, and I saw none of my possessions there, so that is unlikely. [She would not search for cats, but her clothing is another matter. She disappears into the bushes.] Ah, here. [There is a pause. At some point, Kuja makes an irritated noise, having discovered that the spell disguising her tail has been broken, but she reapplies it at once. When she reappears she is dressed in her her usual clothing, though her tail is now absent.] Much better. At least I am now spared that indignity.

[made_of_science]

[WHOA that is a different outfit there.]

Er... is- is that all of it?!

[existwithoutme]

[Kuja glances down at herself, but all seems quite usual to her.] Yes, these are all my things.

It is unfortunate I do not have one of my dragons with me, but it cannot be helped. [She pauses. How odd. She does feel a certain--fondness--at the thought of her dragons. Perhaps there is something that can be done about that.] Are there many monsters here? Dragons, perhaps, or even--Eidolons? [As she asks the question, she knows it might be unwise to consider such matters, but it is only a question after all, and not an action. She should be familiar with the fauna of her new habitat. It is not as if she needs Eidolons any longer.]

[made_of_science]

But your... your midsection...

And... what happened to your tail?! [aaaaa what is going on here aaaaa]

Monsters? No, I don't believe so... I've seen neither dragons nor spirits here.

[existwithoutme]

I assure you, this garb is the height of fashion where I am from. [Kuja smooths her fingers over the white robe at her hips.] Even in Treno, where silk flows like water, you could find no one more perfectly dressed.

[However, she scowls at the mention of her tail. She does not need to disguise it to hide her identity, if this place is so far from home, and yet-- How distasteful, how animal it is. She cannot yet conquer her vanity.] I have no tail. That was an aberration.

[She takes the news about dragons and spirits calmly. It may be best to be away from that temptation.] No matter. I do not need them. I am self-sufficient.

[made_of_science]

Isn't it... drafty? [She has trouble with this whole "less modesty than her" thing.]

I'm sure I've never seen such an aberration on the Vine before... Its movements were quite in keeping with the normal motions of a tail.

Well, that is good, then. It would certainly be poor manners of Her Highness to keep us captive and then deprive us of things we need!

[existwithoutme]

I am not troubled by drafts. They have no effect on me. [She says this haughtily. She's not some weak human, to worry about such things.]

[She frowns again.] There are many phenomena that defy explanation. Perhaps someone was playing a trick on me.

Her Highness has already displayed poor manners and lack of breeding in herding us into this enclosure as though we were her livestock.