Chapter 2:
Madam Pladic brushed Marinessia's long auburn hair. "How you wan' this child?"
"I dun know." Marinessia, held the turtle shell comb in her hands.
Madam Pladic began to twist her hair into an intricate display of curls marking each ringlet with a pearl-capped pin. Allowing the fine curls to trail down her back slightly, she smiled and took out a small case from the drawer behind her.
"What's that?" Marinessia eyed the box of many colors very carefully.
"Makeup." She sighed and began to apply a light shade to her eyelids and lips then with a chuckle she took out a coal pencil and lined her eyes lightly her lips forming into a smile. "Child you look like a princess." Madam Pladic spun her around so she could look in the mirror. "What do yah think?"
"Is that really me?" Marinessia straightened the off the shoulder peasant top pulling it down lightly over her corset.
"Child not so much cleavage. Please, let the boy be able to eat and not drool over you." Madam Pladic fixed it a little higher then helped Marinessia get off the old stool. Getting the rest of her dress, she held it to the floor and helped her slide it up, slipping the straps over her shoulders, Madam Pladic backed away with a smile. Marinessia took the laces and began to lace them up her bodice, Tying them in a bow up the top she spun around and looked at her self in the mirror.
Mr. Pladic looked at Kuja sitting on the edge of the porch. "Ye all right boy?"
"Yes sir. Just thinking tis all. That girl in the shop is she spoken for?"
Mr. Pladic chuckled. "No."
Kuja smiled. "Lovely." Standing off the edge of the porch he walked inside. "Are the ladies ready?"
Marinessia started down the steps towards the dining room her feet touching the ground delicately. "Hello Kirik." She bowed her head slightly.
Kuja stumbled back slightly. "You look lovely." He bowed his head slightly taking her hand.
"Thank you." She blushed, and allowed her self to be lead over to the table. Sitting down next to him she smiled softly. 'He is too mannered for a farmhand.'
"Mr. Pladic, never told me it was you coming to dinner." He smiled his foot rubbing against her leg.
"It was a surprise boy." Mr. Pladic chuckled, dishing out some of the stew to each of them.
"So tell me Kirik, what did you do before working on the farm?"
Kuja froze in his seat. His feathery bangs falling into his face. "I-nothing really just moved a lot."
Marinessia smiled. "Do you have something to hide?"
Kuja looked at her. 'Saw right through it, didn't you?' "Aye, I should tell you all this, you see 6 years ago I was in this accident, I was hurt really badly. I can't remember much before then, just bits and pieces."
"Oh" she looked up at him compassionately. "I am sorry." She rested her hand in his.
Kuja shook his head lightly and looked to her. "Save your compassion, my dear lady. The accident was my fault."
Mr. Pladic let out a cough. "So Marinessia, tell him what ye are planing to do next moon?"
"Oh, I plan on going to medical school." She looked up at him with hope filled eyes.
Kuja smiled softly. "That is a lovely idea, you would make a wonderful doctor."
She blinked her eyes softly. "I would?"
"If half of the doctors were as kind as you, people would be healed instead of dying." He smiled brushing his leg against hers.
After cleaning up the dishes from the table, Kuja and Mr. Pladic walked out front talking idly. "Now boy, remember one thing. She is a delicate soul, coming on to her too fast is not the way to reach her."
"I know. Canaries like her need to learn to coo before they can be courted." Kuja smiled.
"I would compare her more to a dove. "
"Nay someone as modest as her would not adore that sentiment." Kuja placed his hands on his hips and smiled at the old man. "What is Marinessia to you?"
"Ahhh a daughter I never had. Her parents are abusive to her. But she stays with them because she feels that she is impeding on the misses and me if she moved in with us like we have offered. "
Kuja's expression turned dark, as he looked at Mr. Pladic. "I think she will stay the night I will talk her into it."
"Hnn. You can try boy, but she is stubborn."
Kuja narrowed his eyes and started off the property. "I am going to get her a gift." 'I am going to gain her freedom. They will either give it to me, or I will take it. Kheheheh!' He pushed the long silver locks from his face and smiled. "I will only be an half hour at the most."
"Kirik!" Marinessia ran down the steps and on to the porch.
"Go inside my canary. I will be back with a gift for you."
Marinessia bowed her head slightly. Walking back in off the porch. 'Please come back.'
Walking down the path Kuja swiped his hair back and starred at her house. Her parents were inside talking about their little bitch of a daughter. Hearing enough, Kuja knocked on the door lightly. Her father walked to the door rubbing his beard.
"We no lik your kin git' away." The mans speech was slurred and he reeked of booze and cigar smoke.
As he went to close the door Kuja grabbed the door and pushed it wide open. "You will either hear me out willingly or I can make you hear me out."
"Git outta here now you sissy boy!" Marinessia's Father pulled out a long thin knife, like one used for carving.
"Don't make me laugh old man. I survived far worse than a knife wound. I would recommend you think about who or in the eyes of your kind, what you are fighting against." Kuja let out a dark chuckle, his hair turning a pale shade of pink before turning completely red, his feathered bangs falling gently into his face.
"What the fuck are ye?!" The old man scrambled backwards, tossing the knife on to the floor.
"Oh you all forget me so soon. Khehehhe! Do you remember that? Do you remember me Fenris?" Kuja turned his head to the side with a smile. "Or do we have to jog your memory?"
"Shit I thought they killed your ass along time ago..."
"Ohh no no no.. I have just been traveling." Kuja flicked the long ruby colored strands of hair and feathers back.
"So the rumors are true." Fenris looked up at his with shaky eyes, then back down at the floor. "Tell me what you want with that witch child of hers."
Kuja looked down, then over to her mother. She was sitting there in a chair just rocking back and forth. "I want her freedom, Tis all a simple request from me then nothing more from me shall be heard in this city again."
Fenris spat on the floor then looked up to Kuja. "How cheap do ya think she is?"
"Cheap enough for be to kill both of you and leave with her never to return or think about you the choice is yours. The girls freedom, or me pissed?" Kuja shrugged. "You decide."
Fenris got off the floor looking up to Kuja who still stood above him over 6 inches. "Take her. She in't worth much anyway."
"I don't want her for what she is worth." Kuja sighed and started to leave the house his back turned slightly. Fenris while on the floor managed to pick the knife up, threw it forward hitting right above the door. "Not a wise choice.. My my my.. It does look like I am going to have to rid myself of you."
"Pphhhhh." Fenris took another knife form the table and gripped it tightly in his hand. "Come on then Sissy boy." Fenris made a gesture with his hand, then charged in at him running like a maniac.
Kuja stood there bored to death looking at the man running at him, yawning he whispered one word just as he was right near him. "Ultima." As the blast hit him and his wife, Kuja let out a tiny laugh, and shut the door to the house. 'Now to buy my canary a gift.' Looking at the crowd the smoke and flames from the house was attracting, Kuja slid from the group and into the shadows.
On the way back to the house Kuja brushed through his mane with his fingers and smiled. Something about still knowing he had the power to make people shiver made him feel more and more like the old Kuja, he himself loved. With a sigh he creapt back into the farmhouse and let out a long tired sigh.
"Ye back boy? " Mr. Pladic looked over at Marinessia who was seated on a chair drinking a glass full of water.
"Yes sir." Kuja bowed his head slightly.
"Hnn neighbor said there was some kinda accident in town. Did yah manage to check on it?"
"Nay, there was a large crowd. I couldn't get close."
"What block was it?"
"300th" Kuja looked up to him. "It looked like a fire. I couldn't tell from where I was."
"Prolly Fenris settin' his house on fire."
Kuja bit his lip hard. "Don't know."
"Glad their child here with us tonight." Mr. Pladic smiled and winked. "Who knows maybe you young ones might have a lil' ruff-n-tumble fun."
Kuja waved his hand in front of his face with a smile "No no. I am not that way." Mr. Pladic made a hand motion quirking his eyebrows. "No not that either."
Mr. Pladic grabbed his shoulder slightly. "Are ye gay?"
Kuja stumbled and laughed out loud. "No... Just taking my good old time."
Mr. Pladic swiped his brow and walked out to the living room and sat next to Mrs. Pladic. "So, Kirik how about you show Marinessia the lake maybe take a swim then turn in for the night." Mr. Pladic winked slightly then wrapped his arms around Mrs. Pladic.
Marinessia blinked her eyes and turned her head to face him slightly. "I must warn ye, I am not good at swimming."
Kuja smiled. "Don't worry I will hold you."
"Oh will you?" Marinessia narrowed her eyes and started out the door. "First one to the lake is a monkey butt." Marinessia began running before Kuja even got out of the door, her long auburn hair swaying back and forth as she ran ahead of him.
Kuja laughed and walked slowly. 'oh I think she'll like the tail, either that or be freaked out and run away.'
Kuja watched from behind as she tumbled into the grasses. "Gahh!" Marinessia rolled down that large hill then stopped. "That hurt!"
"That is what you get for cheating at races." Kuja chuckled and held out his hand to her. "Take it I will help you up."
Marinessia tugged on his arm pulling him down on to the grass right next to her. "How about I help you down here?"
Kuja blushed lightly and sat up some. "Or we can rest a bit."
"What are you shy of?" Marinessia pressed her self against him lightly. "Has a woman ever showed any interest in you?"
"Yes, right to the point where I say my name and show her my tail."
"Is that what you call it?"
"No it's a tail. Furry and all." Kuja blinked as her hand slid along the back part of his mantle feeling for his tail.
Marinessia smiled as she felt part of the tail. "You are being honest. Now tell me this, is your name Kirik?"
Kuja let out a sigh and looked up at her. "You promise not to scream?" Marinessia nodded her head and put her hands over her mouth. "My name is Ku-"
Marinessia blinked her eyes looking up at him. "Why did you lie?"
"Can I finish please?" Marinessia nodded her head. "My name is Kuja." Kuja let out a sigh and waited for the scream or terrified shake.
"Is that special?" Marinessia laughed. "Seriously I know who you are. I figured it out. Mr. and Mrs. Pladic know too."
"Great there goes moving again." Kuja huffed out.
"No... no. They dun care. " Marinessia leaned against him. "Neither do I."
Madam Pladic brushed Marinessia's long auburn hair. "How you wan' this child?"
"I dun know." Marinessia, held the turtle shell comb in her hands.
Madam Pladic began to twist her hair into an intricate display of curls marking each ringlet with a pearl-capped pin. Allowing the fine curls to trail down her back slightly, she smiled and took out a small case from the drawer behind her.
"What's that?" Marinessia eyed the box of many colors very carefully.
"Makeup." She sighed and began to apply a light shade to her eyelids and lips then with a chuckle she took out a coal pencil and lined her eyes lightly her lips forming into a smile. "Child you look like a princess." Madam Pladic spun her around so she could look in the mirror. "What do yah think?"
"Is that really me?" Marinessia straightened the off the shoulder peasant top pulling it down lightly over her corset.
"Child not so much cleavage. Please, let the boy be able to eat and not drool over you." Madam Pladic fixed it a little higher then helped Marinessia get off the old stool. Getting the rest of her dress, she held it to the floor and helped her slide it up, slipping the straps over her shoulders, Madam Pladic backed away with a smile. Marinessia took the laces and began to lace them up her bodice, Tying them in a bow up the top she spun around and looked at her self in the mirror.
Mr. Pladic looked at Kuja sitting on the edge of the porch. "Ye all right boy?"
"Yes sir. Just thinking tis all. That girl in the shop is she spoken for?"
Mr. Pladic chuckled. "No."
Kuja smiled. "Lovely." Standing off the edge of the porch he walked inside. "Are the ladies ready?"
Marinessia started down the steps towards the dining room her feet touching the ground delicately. "Hello Kirik." She bowed her head slightly.
Kuja stumbled back slightly. "You look lovely." He bowed his head slightly taking her hand.
"Thank you." She blushed, and allowed her self to be lead over to the table. Sitting down next to him she smiled softly. 'He is too mannered for a farmhand.'
"Mr. Pladic, never told me it was you coming to dinner." He smiled his foot rubbing against her leg.
"It was a surprise boy." Mr. Pladic chuckled, dishing out some of the stew to each of them.
"So tell me Kirik, what did you do before working on the farm?"
Kuja froze in his seat. His feathery bangs falling into his face. "I-nothing really just moved a lot."
Marinessia smiled. "Do you have something to hide?"
Kuja looked at her. 'Saw right through it, didn't you?' "Aye, I should tell you all this, you see 6 years ago I was in this accident, I was hurt really badly. I can't remember much before then, just bits and pieces."
"Oh" she looked up at him compassionately. "I am sorry." She rested her hand in his.
Kuja shook his head lightly and looked to her. "Save your compassion, my dear lady. The accident was my fault."
Mr. Pladic let out a cough. "So Marinessia, tell him what ye are planing to do next moon?"
"Oh, I plan on going to medical school." She looked up at him with hope filled eyes.
Kuja smiled softly. "That is a lovely idea, you would make a wonderful doctor."
She blinked her eyes softly. "I would?"
"If half of the doctors were as kind as you, people would be healed instead of dying." He smiled brushing his leg against hers.
After cleaning up the dishes from the table, Kuja and Mr. Pladic walked out front talking idly. "Now boy, remember one thing. She is a delicate soul, coming on to her too fast is not the way to reach her."
"I know. Canaries like her need to learn to coo before they can be courted." Kuja smiled.
"I would compare her more to a dove. "
"Nay someone as modest as her would not adore that sentiment." Kuja placed his hands on his hips and smiled at the old man. "What is Marinessia to you?"
"Ahhh a daughter I never had. Her parents are abusive to her. But she stays with them because she feels that she is impeding on the misses and me if she moved in with us like we have offered. "
Kuja's expression turned dark, as he looked at Mr. Pladic. "I think she will stay the night I will talk her into it."
"Hnn. You can try boy, but she is stubborn."
Kuja narrowed his eyes and started off the property. "I am going to get her a gift." 'I am going to gain her freedom. They will either give it to me, or I will take it. Kheheheh!' He pushed the long silver locks from his face and smiled. "I will only be an half hour at the most."
"Kirik!" Marinessia ran down the steps and on to the porch.
"Go inside my canary. I will be back with a gift for you."
Marinessia bowed her head slightly. Walking back in off the porch. 'Please come back.'
Walking down the path Kuja swiped his hair back and starred at her house. Her parents were inside talking about their little bitch of a daughter. Hearing enough, Kuja knocked on the door lightly. Her father walked to the door rubbing his beard.
"We no lik your kin git' away." The mans speech was slurred and he reeked of booze and cigar smoke.
As he went to close the door Kuja grabbed the door and pushed it wide open. "You will either hear me out willingly or I can make you hear me out."
"Git outta here now you sissy boy!" Marinessia's Father pulled out a long thin knife, like one used for carving.
"Don't make me laugh old man. I survived far worse than a knife wound. I would recommend you think about who or in the eyes of your kind, what you are fighting against." Kuja let out a dark chuckle, his hair turning a pale shade of pink before turning completely red, his feathered bangs falling gently into his face.
"What the fuck are ye?!" The old man scrambled backwards, tossing the knife on to the floor.
"Oh you all forget me so soon. Khehehhe! Do you remember that? Do you remember me Fenris?" Kuja turned his head to the side with a smile. "Or do we have to jog your memory?"
"Shit I thought they killed your ass along time ago..."
"Ohh no no no.. I have just been traveling." Kuja flicked the long ruby colored strands of hair and feathers back.
"So the rumors are true." Fenris looked up at his with shaky eyes, then back down at the floor. "Tell me what you want with that witch child of hers."
Kuja looked down, then over to her mother. She was sitting there in a chair just rocking back and forth. "I want her freedom, Tis all a simple request from me then nothing more from me shall be heard in this city again."
Fenris spat on the floor then looked up to Kuja. "How cheap do ya think she is?"
"Cheap enough for be to kill both of you and leave with her never to return or think about you the choice is yours. The girls freedom, or me pissed?" Kuja shrugged. "You decide."
Fenris got off the floor looking up to Kuja who still stood above him over 6 inches. "Take her. She in't worth much anyway."
"I don't want her for what she is worth." Kuja sighed and started to leave the house his back turned slightly. Fenris while on the floor managed to pick the knife up, threw it forward hitting right above the door. "Not a wise choice.. My my my.. It does look like I am going to have to rid myself of you."
"Pphhhhh." Fenris took another knife form the table and gripped it tightly in his hand. "Come on then Sissy boy." Fenris made a gesture with his hand, then charged in at him running like a maniac.
Kuja stood there bored to death looking at the man running at him, yawning he whispered one word just as he was right near him. "Ultima." As the blast hit him and his wife, Kuja let out a tiny laugh, and shut the door to the house. 'Now to buy my canary a gift.' Looking at the crowd the smoke and flames from the house was attracting, Kuja slid from the group and into the shadows.
On the way back to the house Kuja brushed through his mane with his fingers and smiled. Something about still knowing he had the power to make people shiver made him feel more and more like the old Kuja, he himself loved. With a sigh he creapt back into the farmhouse and let out a long tired sigh.
"Ye back boy? " Mr. Pladic looked over at Marinessia who was seated on a chair drinking a glass full of water.
"Yes sir." Kuja bowed his head slightly.
"Hnn neighbor said there was some kinda accident in town. Did yah manage to check on it?"
"Nay, there was a large crowd. I couldn't get close."
"What block was it?"
"300th" Kuja looked up to him. "It looked like a fire. I couldn't tell from where I was."
"Prolly Fenris settin' his house on fire."
Kuja bit his lip hard. "Don't know."
"Glad their child here with us tonight." Mr. Pladic smiled and winked. "Who knows maybe you young ones might have a lil' ruff-n-tumble fun."
Kuja waved his hand in front of his face with a smile "No no. I am not that way." Mr. Pladic made a hand motion quirking his eyebrows. "No not that either."
Mr. Pladic grabbed his shoulder slightly. "Are ye gay?"
Kuja stumbled and laughed out loud. "No... Just taking my good old time."
Mr. Pladic swiped his brow and walked out to the living room and sat next to Mrs. Pladic. "So, Kirik how about you show Marinessia the lake maybe take a swim then turn in for the night." Mr. Pladic winked slightly then wrapped his arms around Mrs. Pladic.
Marinessia blinked her eyes and turned her head to face him slightly. "I must warn ye, I am not good at swimming."
Kuja smiled. "Don't worry I will hold you."
"Oh will you?" Marinessia narrowed her eyes and started out the door. "First one to the lake is a monkey butt." Marinessia began running before Kuja even got out of the door, her long auburn hair swaying back and forth as she ran ahead of him.
Kuja laughed and walked slowly. 'oh I think she'll like the tail, either that or be freaked out and run away.'
Kuja watched from behind as she tumbled into the grasses. "Gahh!" Marinessia rolled down that large hill then stopped. "That hurt!"
"That is what you get for cheating at races." Kuja chuckled and held out his hand to her. "Take it I will help you up."
Marinessia tugged on his arm pulling him down on to the grass right next to her. "How about I help you down here?"
Kuja blushed lightly and sat up some. "Or we can rest a bit."
"What are you shy of?" Marinessia pressed her self against him lightly. "Has a woman ever showed any interest in you?"
"Yes, right to the point where I say my name and show her my tail."
"Is that what you call it?"
"No it's a tail. Furry and all." Kuja blinked as her hand slid along the back part of his mantle feeling for his tail.
Marinessia smiled as she felt part of the tail. "You are being honest. Now tell me this, is your name Kirik?"
Kuja let out a sigh and looked up at her. "You promise not to scream?" Marinessia nodded her head and put her hands over her mouth. "My name is Ku-"
Marinessia blinked her eyes looking up at him. "Why did you lie?"
"Can I finish please?" Marinessia nodded her head. "My name is Kuja." Kuja let out a sigh and waited for the scream or terrified shake.
"Is that special?" Marinessia laughed. "Seriously I know who you are. I figured it out. Mr. and Mrs. Pladic know too."
"Great there goes moving again." Kuja huffed out.
"No... no. They dun care. " Marinessia leaned against him. "Neither do I."
