[video]

[fallen_stage]

A video from a new source comes to life: the view is framed by ledgers within a tastefully appointed study; the subject, a seated young androgynous person turned in mid-conversation toward a mild man.

" - the payments are accounted for? I'd like to know now while I'm doing the finances."

The man gave a bow, obviously a subordinate. "Yes. The first shipment has been set out for testing, last I heard. We have received Her Majesty's first payment in full."

"Excellent. You may go." With a casual wave of their hand, they turned back to their open ledger as the man left.

For a minute or two more, they attended to the ledger, checking columns and occasionally making a mark on the pages. Soon, however, they noticed they were being watched, nudging aside books to grasp the camera. The view shifts, clearly being set on the desk before them, as they fiddle with the device, blue eyes flicking as they read. Soon enough they notice the camera and, with a gasp, turn the video off.

When the video returns, the person is front and center, not a stray hair out of place, their makeup refreshed. With a sweet smile and hands demurely folded, they make their introduction.

"Greetings, community. I hope to become well acquainted, and you may call me Kuja." A deep nod, like a noble addressing their peers, "A most intriguing discovery, for while on the outside this appears to be a common pocket notebook, within is a technology of the like not to be seen on this planet! I hope you may be my gracious hosts as I make my discoveries through this most magnificent book, and that this be a fortuitous start of a long career!"

With that flowery speech, the video ends.

Comments

*evillaughter.wav*

[alldevouringabomination]

[Well, Kirby is no longer in the feed.

That is because he is now materializing from one of the bookshelves behind Kuja! How's that for a loop? Kirby lands more or less gracefully, as though he's done this a few times before.]

Hiiiii~

now i pictured kirby with kefka's laugh

[fallen_stage]

[Wat. Kuja snaps the notebook shut, standing up and turning around, tense. But it is only one person, who isn't hostile, so they relax immediately, surprise giving way to delight.]

Amazing! Kirby, can you really travel to other worlds so easily? Truly a spectacular ability!

[Far from being thrown for a loop, Kuja's practically dancing from excitement. Why, if they can befriend this little one, then so much is possible...]

Kirfka is utterly terrifiying and brilliant. WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE?!

[alldevouringabomination]

[It's easy when you know how, Kuja! It also helps that when doing so you don't take Black Magic to the face

Kirby is of course completely unaware of Kuja's true nature, or what ideas he may have given him. But, it's not as if Kirby hasn't unwittingly helped bas guys out before! Besides, with all the people dropping he's just happy that he can make new friends.

He'll soak up the praise.]

Efoo.

[Kirby, too, has excitement, but for different reasons.]

Oddly cute...

[fallen_stage]

[Still not speaking. Hmm. Kuja kneels down to be closer to Kirby's level. Up close, they can see his body structure better. Nothing like the people they've seen, small and round with large eyes and large feet. Almost a perfect sphere... They itch to know Kirby's inner physiology.]

So, can you bring others along with you, or is it a solitary journey?

First you draw a circle.

[alldevouringabomination]

[Curious, isn't it? What kind of pressures and mutations could result in something like this? It's not well documented, at any rate. Sorry, Kuja's inner scientist.

Kirby draws a picture of a group of people going through a bookshelf, as he found out during his time bodyswitched with Yayoi ignore the handwaving behind the curtain. It doesn't occur to Kirby, however, that bringing Kuja to a certain library may not be the best of ideas...]

Then the abyss within.

[fallen_stage]

[Kuja's curiosity can wait for now. Instead, they're interested in what Kirby is trying to show them. More travel? Kuja's silvery hair falls over their eyes as they tilt their head to look at the picture.]

Do you want to bring me somewhere?

[Well, why not? They had cleared their schedule to look over the books, but those can wait.]


((ooc: a place of fairytale books huh?))

Then draw the eyes.

[alldevouringabomination]

(OOC: Technically, it's an interdimensional hub of sorts that can be used as a worldhop as long as you, or someone with you, knows the Book Code. Kuja in all likelihood won't learn it this thread as pups gaining any method of worldhopping (that they don't already have) is something that needs mod approval.

For this thread, Kuja is so excited he didn't quite catch the Book Code?)

[Kirby thinks for a moment. He didn't plan on playing tour guide as he was just showing Kuja that the Duck isn't just for talking.

He shrugs, then draws a picture of Kuja going to an unspecified place (empathized by a question mark).]

Ooo.

[Where would Kuja like to go?]

Then the flippy flaps

[fallen_stage]

((sounds good!))

[For a childish scribble, it's not a bad likeness. More important is the question mark: just where did Kuja want to go? Clearly nowhere populated, lest they be seen and awkward questions be asked. Then again a little mystic reputation wouldn't hurt.]

Let's see... I know! Would you like to see more of my world, or shall we go to yours?

[Either would work well as a test.]

Add the feet.

[alldevouringabomination]

[Well, if Kuja's offering, why not?]

Vfyu!

[Kirby starts to walk and look about the area, then looks at Kuja, as though he'd like it if Kuja followed.

Is that a clear enough answer?]

a second pair of sideways eyes

[fallen_stage]

[Crystal: Kuja takes a few steps, waiting for Kirby to do... whatever he needed.]

Go on, I'm right behind you.

And then the colour

[alldevouringabomination]

[In that case, Kirby will start to freely explore the place!

It's like bringing a toddler to a toy store, only the toddler has enough sense not to touch and play with anything he comes across, and with Kuja following, it's not like there's going to be serious trouble.]

then a mouth to consume all

[fallen_stage]

[It's a good thing too. some items on display - pottery, statues, paintings - are worth quite a bit. Being a known eccentric helps when passing servants, who don't question an unknown person followed by their employer.

Although it's only a townhouse, there's plenty of rooms to explore. Outside it's dark as night, but bustling with people, for it's actually late morning. Treno wasn't called the "Dark City" for nothing.]

Is there anything in particular you'd like to see? Or might I offer you refreshment?

[Kuja, as ever, a gracious host.]

Presto! It's AAARRRRRRGGHHHIBLEE - *static*

[alldevouringabomination]

[Well, since you asked, Kirby will just go outside, puff up, and fly to a nearby rooftop.

Apparently, the view tells Kirby that this is Las Vegas city has trouble sleeping. For a moment, he'll look as far as the sight will allow.]

join us next time for drawing shoggoths

[fallen_stage]

[Kuja laughs as Kirby floats to the roof, enjoying the scenery. Fortunately Kuja is already known as something of an eccentric, and rooftop travelling ins't all that unusual in larger cities. So Kuja stands with Kirby, heels clicking on the tiles.]

Lovely, isn't it? It's almost always dark in this city, even in the middle of the day like this. Down toward the waterfront is the prettiest architecture; the hillside properties aren't as magnificent, as you can plainly see.

[If Kirby has an eye for such things, he can see that the nearer to the water, the more grand the streets become, while high up on the hills cluster the slums. A city divided by gil.]

Bye bye! *Waves a tentacle*

[alldevouringabomination]

[Huh. This kind of thing is actually new to Kirby, believe it or not. While not every citizen of Dream Land can be King Dedede, the class system stopped there in practice; the Sparkling Stars and the general safety and good dreams of the land ensured that they didn't want for much.

The divide, however... Years of item hunting and secret finding has given Kirby a very good Spot Skill, and apparently in this world water is the most important thing.

Why is this city bathed in darkness, anyway? Several questions float through Kirby's mind as he blatantly cheats at parkour makes use of the rooftops. Perhaps the water itself can provide clues?

Kuja can enjoy more eccentric behavior?]

[fallen_stage]

[Kuja will claim indulging the nephew of a childhood acquaintance, but for now they use magic to float alongside Kirby, finding simple joy in the unusual route through their well-known city.

The water is clustered with more rich homes and the businesses attending to them: cafes, shops, centers of the arts, and other curiosities. Kuja will play tourguide in the meantime.]

Here you'll find the shining jewels of the city, the noble families and the businesses they patronize. I run the King estate's auction house myself, but I imagine you'd find the main Trump Theater or the Opera House more amusing. Or perhaps one of the many restaurants could tempt your palate?

A short play is better for Kuja and the city than a tall meal.

[alldevouringabomination]

[For the sanity and goodwill of everyone involved, Kirby did not catch that last part.

Kirby ponders Kuja's words. Theater and Opera? Well, It's been a while since Kirby could enjoy some of the higher fruits of proper civilization. Why not?]

Trump!

[And there Kuja has it.]

More interesting to write; but kirby isn't much different than a Qu

[fallen_stage]

[A person after their own heart! Kuja glowed at the suggestion, tripping lightly along rooftops toward the right district.]

Yes, an opera might be too long. If I recall correctly, the matinée should be comedy Chocobo's Paradise Lost. I'm sure you'll like it, I've seen it twice already! And the lead actress is so talented - usually she does tragic productions but she's shown such versatility!

Oh. [Kuja stops short, looking at their surroundings.] We should probably descend to the streets and enter in a more congenial manner.

Blue Mage Kirby! As if regular Kirby wasn'thorrifying enough.

[alldevouringabomination]

[Kirby has stumbled upon Kuja's hobby! Never mind that it was Kuja who suggested it in the first place.

After listening, Kirby heeds Kuja, and lands on the street below, as it wouldn't be good to get lost. Because that's the only reason to get in line]

Honestly Qus are pretty much like kirby already: round, cute, devour monsters to take their powers

[fallen_stage]

[Line, what line? Kuja is a regular and generous with their money, so the two can go in at the door and to Kuja's reserved box without fussing about ticket purchases.

As they take their seats, the usher says (croaks, really) the play will begin in fifteen minutes. Looks like they'll have some time to chat.]

Some of the best seats, if I do say so myself. A perfect view of the stage and the audience alike. For to take a box is to be seen as well as see. I'll make excuses for you, don't worry.

And thus fanfic fuel was made this day

[alldevouringabomination]

[What's this? Money has bought special status and privilege over the common person?

Kirby doesn't know that, of course. He thinks nothing of just waltzing in with Kuja.

He looks all around as Kuja speaks, and though Kirby is small and thus unlikely to be seen very much, Kuja is right about the reserved seat. Wow!

Since they have sometime before the play starts, Kirby shall take some liberties and fly up to the ceiling of the box, drinking in the sights. Hey, he's never been to this place before, after all.]

ikr? kirby is your typical ff9 blue mage! but qus are excellent cooks, unlike kirby

[fallen_stage]

[Kuja laughs as Kirby floats, observing the surprise and fascination of the audience at Kirby's abilities. That should be an interesting topic for a while! Kuja feels as much pride for the theater as if they built it themselves.]

A lovely building, is it not? It was built over two hundred years ago, with a renovation fifty years before. To think of all the drama and heartbreak here...

[Kuja ruminates to themselves for a little, as Kirby drinks in the sights. Nobles in the boxes, in the front seats. A mix of commoners in the back and standing room. Many are gathered to witness this lighthearted play, even though it's the middle of the day.]

Be sure not to fall down to the bottom seats, mind. It would be a long trek back.

Unless he gets Cook.

[alldevouringabomination]

[Whoops, he didn't quite mean to show off to people. Was doing so worth the reactions of the people gathered and Kuja's amusement?

Likely not. Oh well, at least he only looks harmless.

Kirby cares little for Kuja's warning, seeing as how he can just fly back up, but seeing as how he has no reason to fall down in the first place, he shall not do so for now.

Kirby touches down on his seat, curiosity sated. He'll stay put for the play itself.]

i like how that's both a kirby ability and quina's trance skill

[fallen_stage]

[Kirby's floating does take some attention from the audience, because who flies about indoors? How gauche. But with kirby's diminutive size, most assume he's a child and grant him leeway; reactions range from amused titters, murmurs about manners, and just ignoring.

Kuja, of course, chuckles to themselves. They look forward to explaining that in the upcoming events.]

Flying really is a useful skill, but best employed outside.

[The lights dim, the low hum from the audience quieting.]

The play is starting; hush and watch.

[Chocobo's Paradise Lost opens with a humble maid longing after the love of the prince. She makes a wish to rise above her station to be close to him, but the hero is turned into a chocobo! The audience roars with laughter as she is chosen as the prince's steed, with the slight prince being carried pickaback. Closer indeed!

Through adventures and mishaps (including one with a dead pepper) and several feathered costume changes as the hero turns different colors, struggling through water and up mountains. Finally the lead is bedecked in gold feathers and finds the Chocobo's Paradise, where she is given a choice: stay as a golden chocobo and have a life of leisure, or return to being the prince's maid.

Her love for the prince outweighing Paradise, the maid returns to being a maid. The prince, seeing this transformation, commends the maid on serving him so well, and after a wedding, the curtain closes on the couple admiring their new child: a boy with golden, feathered hair.]

One copied from the other. MIND = BLOWN

[alldevouringabomination]

[Kirby is a child, so the assumptions of those born from ignorance are actually valid! Imagine that!

Kirby pays no mind to Kuja's comment about flying. It's not like he's using Jet or High Jump or anything like that; he was just floating like a balloon and thus is unlikely to crash into things. But that is neither here nor there, as Kirby does settle for the play.

For the most part, Kirby doesn't make any noise, as he pays much attention to the show. Wow, there's such a thing as crimes against nature a bird that can walk through and over all those kinds of terrain? Even Wheel can't climb walls! He only gets about half of the humour, but that doesn't stop from murmuring his approval a couple times.

Kirby smiles at the ending. The maid got what she wanted after all, like his own experience with NOVA and Marx. The Unfortunate Implications of the prince marrying the maid because she was such a good servant escapes him, but all the same he claps with the audience once the play is over.

All in all, for a child he was remarkably well-behaved.]