Featherjewel

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A romantic semi-comedy... thingy as experienced by Hilda and Kuja (FFIX)

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Entry #4 - A fatal mixup

"Jun. 13 903.

What is life

Without a flower to walk by

Or without a star to gaze up and guide yourself?

If only I knew what for is a wish

Without another

To travel with.

It looks like Madeen has forgiven me after all. An airship that doesn't need mist to run! In MY backyard! Not to mention Hilda's here too. She doesn't seem too happy though - I'll have to pull my manly charms, and fast, if I wanna get her.

I can't believe she thought I was a girl though. I can't even believe she forgot about me. What a... grrrrr. Oh well. Better than nothing. I'll give her another week, and then I'll... hehehe..."

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Kuja quickly closed the refugee journal as the doorknob turned, then sat on it so that the trespasser would not notice it. "Who in the hell..." he bitterly tried to imagine who would dare disturb him, or how they even got inside his house.

"...kupo. Master Kuja, Garland wishes to speak to you, kupo." The tiny purplish-coloured moogle strugged to open the door, carrying a large holographic device in his paws.

"Mojito, how many times do I have to tell you to KNOCK first?! Gimme that thing," Kuja growled.

"I'm sorry, Master Kuja, kupo. I was just in a hurry. Garland sounds angry, kupo! He wants to know why you haven't been working on your mission, kupo."

Mojito, like Kuja, originally came from Terra. For a few years, a couple dozen moogles lived there, eating the food scraps that the silver dragons would leave behind after their murderous feasts. When Garland finally found out about the 'pests' invading Bran Bal, however, he tried to destroy them all. Hearing about this, Kuja found a lone moogle hiding in a ditch, and decided to carry it off with him to Gaia during his travels (just to get back for Garland's insults to him, he claimed, but Mojito knew Kuja's soft side more than any other living thing). To repay his debt, Mojito did various chores for Kuja in the palace, including the reception of all interplanetary calls from Terra.

"Would you like me to tell him you are not here, kupo?"

Kuja sighed. "No. I'll call him," quietly muttering as he pressed a code on the number pad. A holographic figure in a black coat popped up.

"What the hell have you been doing these past few weeks?" Well, Garland certainly didn't mince words. That could be a good or a bad thing. Kuja shrugged and smiled.

"Nothing."

"WHAT?! Why the hell haven't you been completing your mission? Don't you realize the importance of this operation?" Garland's face was definately glowing bright red by now.

"Naw. S'ok though. Once I repair this airship I'll..."

"...what airship? You forget, I have the Invincible."

"I found a pretty gal with a ship that doesn't need mist to run. She loves me so much she let me have it as long as I spent the rest of eternity beside her." Kuja snickered to himself. Somehow he knew Garland wouldn't know any better.

"Oh really. But do not forget, Kuja, that the tail I gave you wasn't for nothing. As you would say, 'chicks don't dig the tail.'" Bwahahaha. If only Garland knew that the girl had one as well...

"But in any case, Kuja, if I don't see progress from you in one week, I shall come down there myself and FORCE some progress out of you. I'll be calling again in 7 days." The image slowly flickered.

"Wait! I..." Cut off again. The feathery-haired genome mused. Oh well, old G-man was known for his conciseness, not his manners.

"Mojito, you can take this back now." No response. "Mojito?"

Nowhere. Kuja cursed under his breath as he stood up to get back to writing in his journal.

It was gone.

Gone!?! Nowhere to be found. Kuja panicked. What if Mojito was reading it right now? What if he gave it to Mogsam (another rescued Terran moogle living here)? What if he was going to throw it away? What if...

He didn't dare think of the fourth scenario.

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"Kupo! Lady Hilda, I found your missing journal, kupo!" The moogle dusted himself off as he handed it to the prisoner. "It was red with golden edges, right?"

Hilda grinned and examined the blank front. "Yes, indeed it was. Thank you very much, sir Mojito."

"Heehee. I found it in Master Kuja's room, on his bed, kupo. He probably just wanted to read it. I think he kinda has a crush on you, kupo!" Mojito quickly flew off before the lady could utter a word in protest.

Well well well. Who would have thought such a cold blooded man could possibly love another. Hilda fumbled for a quill and opened the journal.

"What the...." This wasn't Hilda's journal. It couldn't be. The writing was completely different. In a whole different language, it seemed. Yet, she had no trouble at all reading the words.

***

Slowly closing the book (having read every last entry and romantic poem a dozen times), Hilda smirked. "Manly charms, hm? Hehehehe..." It had been a while since she knew love. It would be interesting to see how long romance could possibly last, with a villianous street rat and a former regentess together.

"I guess we'll see. I'll give him a week. Then I'll put on some moves myself." Hilda hid the journal under a loose tile on the floor, and went to sleep with a grin on her face.

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Author's notes

So how's that for length? Ehehehe ;) Still not a novel-sized chapter, I know. But I'm trying, trying, trying harder! :P hehe

Also, both Mojito and Mogsam are moogles you can find in the Desert Palace, by the way ;) I did a bit of research. Go me! Imani out.