fifth stanza: [voice and action]

[existwithoutme]

[Having made her museum and library in collaboration with Reeve, Kuja is suffering from what she considers a terrible side effect. Her beautiful adornments and differences have been stripped from her, and now she resembles a common Genome, plain, fair-haired, and with her tail showing. How humiliating. For the time being, she is only

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[urbanwonderland]

[Though she's long since finished with anything like last minute touches, Reeve has been lingering by the complex, wondering where in all the hells Kuja has gotten to-- ah, there she is. Well, she can be heard, at any rate!

By the time she does make her way to Kuja, she's a little winded. The weight of her-- hopefully temporary new appendages is taking some getting used to. They are handy, though. Both literally and figuratively. Since Reeve now has an extra set of fully functional arms. The perils of construction here in the Gardens.

Reeve had only wanted to stop and give her congratulations in person, but--]

Kuja?
[Reeve has never seen a "common" genome, but she knows difference when she sees it.]
Oh-- you too, I take it?

[existwithoutme]

[Kuja is rather annoyed by her altered appearance, to say the least, her tail puffing up slightly. Her golden tail. She looks like--like Zidane. How terrible.]

Ah, yes. [She takes in Reeve's new arms at once.] We seem to have both been adversely affected. How irritating. I wish there was some way to hasten the end of these effects. The perils of industry! My magic does still function, but I cannot alter my appearance. [Having been turned Trance-red had been better than this.]

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve smiles, but doesn't laugh at "the perils of industry", which takes some doing. She thinks Kuja might take it amiss. Her "collaborator" (really her supervisor, but she doesn't mind so much, at least Kuja is entertaining) seems out of sorts, to say the least.]

Well, don't let it spoil your achievement. Everything looks brilliant, and the side effects should disappear in a few days! Besides, I think you look very nice.

[existwithoutme]

I do not look "very nice", I look like a common, useless, mindless vessel! [In her annoyance, she perhaps says a little more than she means to. She takes a deep breath, steadying herself.]

It is true, my accomplishment is both unstained and beautiful. Most of the others here are of such limited ambition. They make such small things.

[urbanwonderland]

[Though she's a little taken aback, she doesn't show it. Reeve is a bit more used than she'd like to working with temperamental types.]

Well, I think what you've done is quite impressive, in terms of both scale and purpose. You've contributed to the public good-- and that's hardly the work of a mindless vessel.

So, there are others of your kind, on your world?
You are certainly set apart in terms of appearance!

[existwithoutme]

I didn't say I was like a mindless vessel, simply that I resembled one. [Her tail twitches.] I am devoted to the public good. [At least, for the moment.]

Yes, there are others, I suppose. if one can really consider them in the same class as myself. I was always apart.

[urbanwonderland]

That I can believe, Kuja. You certainly are in a class by yourself.
[Reeve has become unexpectedly fond of her mysterious, autocratic friend cum supervisor.]

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to lending reality to your vision. I haven't enjoyed myself so much on a project in some time. Even the extra arms aren't all that bad.
[Reeve chuckles.]

[existwithoutme]

That is very true. [There is no one else like her.]

You're quite welcome, my architect. [She says this quite sincerely, believing that she has done Reeve a favor.] No, I can see how extra appendages would be useful to you. You did quite well. I feel my vision is satisfactorily realized. No project is perfect, of course. Something is always lost between the visionary's dream and the craftsman's reality. [She smiles, and possibly still believes she is being complimentary.]

[urbanwonderland]

[It's a herculean effort for Reeve to keep a straight face. She's used to being talked down to, even to outright verbal abuse, but Kuja-- Kuja's brand of arrogance is refreshingly grand and ornamented, it's hard to mind! She's tempted to give a little bow, so she does.]

Yes, that's a sad reality of the process, I'm afraid.
So, what will you do next? Now that your project is finished? I hope you're not planning a coup.
[Reeve's smile is wry, and she's plainly being flippant.] I wouldn't want you to get into trouble-- where would I get work?

[existwithoutme]

It is indeed. Only the visionary will ever truly see her vision.

As for what's next, I did think of making a theatre. Perhaps.

[She smiles. She does want to undermine the Queen, but not in such a direct and obvious way.] Oh, no, not a coup. I have no desire to rule. I'll have to think of more projects with which to occupy my time. And yours too, perhaps.

[urbanwonderland]

I see! Yes, a theater would follow, thematically speaking. [Reeve smiles, a bit mischievously.] Of course, at home, I wouldn't have the time to devote to side projects-- my services are exclusive by contract and in high demand. But here! Well, we can go as grand as you like.

[existwithoutme]

If only there were enough performers here to make it truly worthwhile. Sometimes I fear the Queen has mostly brought in the chaff, with only a few worthwhile golden grains.

Hm, yes, you're employed by industry rather than artistry, are you not? Do they force you to create eyesores?

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve smiles at the colorful metaphor. Everything about Kuja is colorful, especially now. Feeling unbalanced, Reeve crosses her second set of arms below her breasts.]

Yes, you could say that-- industry and bureaucracy both, actually. But I build beautiful cities, if I do say so myself. Though of course, I do build the occasional military eyesore. Even then, I try to make it aesthetic as well as useful.

I do miss my city. I made her in the middle of the air.
It sounds poetic, which is usually your territory, I know-- but it's only the truth.