Chapter 5: First Day in Lindblum
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that belongs to Final Fantasy.
Four precious days passed, and Kuja had done what he told himself. Double the amount of what he would usually teach to his puppet. She was not used to the large amount of information on the first day of cramming, but she got more used to it as the following three days came. In a short paragraph as possible Kuja did such in four days:
Kuja taught her battle signals and signs that only he and Gallery would understand, because there maybe some people outside the cave that may know sign language, so Kuja developed a few signs that were not used in books to become signs of only use between Kuja and his puppet. He reviewed a lot for that's also important. There's no point in continuing the lessons if she forgot the last lessons. Gallery on her own time while Kuja rested she learned a few more dishes by herself and had also mastered the famous charred "egg omelet" without the charred part. Kuja and Gallery went outside into the forests and wood a lot for training. There was only one time when Kuja come to a decision to fight Gallery. Of course she lost, but their one time experience against each other gave Kuja the chance to know exactly where her strength lies. Overall the four days were tiring, but the great time sacrifice was well worth it.
Today was the day after the four days of cramming. Kuja was confident that nothing wrong would happen if he brought Gallery. He weighed the cons and pros and thought best she should come. It shall prove to be good experience for her before his plan could be placed into action. Kuja rummaged through his room wardrobe to find any clothing that would give him the perfect disguise, or at least close enough so know one could recognize him. He couldn't decide which was best, because most of the clothing he had inside his wardrobe didn't conceal his hair especially his face. His tail was covered, but what he was worried about was his voice. No matter how flawless his disguise was; his voice will give himself away. He must chance the tone of his voice. Make it more lower and more rustic sounding. Kuja cleared his throat and practiced.
"Now let's see…how about like this," Kuja started.
"How are you my lady?" Kuja asked in the lowest voice possible.
"No…I sound like me still, but in whispers," Kuja said distressed. "Let's try this again. Maybe I should change my speech."
Kuja swallowed and thought for a few minutes and spoke again, "The da'y is kinda beautiful."
He almost wracked his head onto the wardrobe, "To think I must go through this. How is that despicable Zidane ever converse with words that no one can understand?"
Kuja regained control of his temper, and nodded to himself, "I can do it. It's only words. I am not changing myself. I am only helping myself by training myself to become a better actor."
Kuja gave a sigh. He checked himself in the mirror. He stared at the dark shadows of his face created by the hood hovering over his head. It's time to take a quick visit to Lindblum.
Kuja clapped his hands together twice and called his servant.
Kuja offered his hand, "It's time to have a little stroll. Remember everything you see Gallery. Take note of anything that intrigues you."
Kuja stood at the opening of the cave and called for his dragon. The creature swooped down to Kuja and bent its neck and back down for Kuja to get on. Kuja got on first and helped Gallery up. Kuja whispered something in Terra to the dragon and they were off. Gallery stared down and saw mist everywhere.
Kuja noticed her wondering eyes and began to speak, "You were given a soul with the use of the mist, Gallery. Most of the mist is gone now, but there are always plenty of mists floating around on Mist Continent. Even after they liberated a huge amount of the mists."
The puppet girl's eyes gazed down some more and took a sudden hold onto Kuja when the dragon beast leaped into the air to avoid a massive cliff. Wind pushed Kuja's hood back, and struck Gallery by surprise. She closed her eyes to keep from being blinded by the swarming mists and harsh arctic wind. Kuja felt a few extra pounds of weight behind him and turned his neck to see what it was. He saw Gallery holding onto him tight, and his lips tugged into a smile. He reached out to her with his right hand and caressed her hair gently and placed the hood over his head once more. The puppet reopened her eyes softly and slowly when the wind abated. She touched the spot of hair where Kuja stroked and didn't understand why he did that, but she knew it was important in some way she didn't understand.
Lindblum was in sight, and with one word the dragon landed far from the eyes of Lindblum, and dropped Kuja off. Kuja saw one lock of his hair fell loose from the covering of his hood and pushed it back into place delicately. He took Gallery's hand. She gave a hop and almost toppled over Kuja.
Kuja supported her and a hint of amusement could be seen in his eyes. Looks like my puppet might be air sick. The two walked in a line with Kuja in the lead and Gallery close behind. The gates of Lindblum opened wide to admit them. Kuja thought as he breathed in the warm and welcoming air only Lindblum could offer Finally the taste of life. Gallery took steady steps in getting in, her eyes wandered all about Lindblum sites. Even the slightest movement aroused her such as that of a house mouse. She never saw other people before. They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some wore pink dresses, others wore feathery hats, while others still had metal plates and boots on. She watched them all. Pumpkins and squashes on display, red and white trinkets on sell, she observed her surroundings. Perhaps she felt the feeling of curiosity wonder or perhaps she was only copying Kuja's movements. Kuja knew this place well, but so much has changed in his period of time gone. He remembered a few food stands and clothes stands and realized they weren't there anymore, or the same merchants were now replaced with their descendents. He was curious as Gallery if she was even in a speck of curiosity.
Gallery looked up at Kuja suddenly, almost as if she was snapped from a dream when he tapped her kindly on the shoulder.
Kuja spoke, "Let's go Gallery. You can go sight seeing later after we get our supplies."
She nodded, but appeared to be only half listening, because the cries of young girls her age caught her attention, but she looked away from them and entered a food store with her master.
Kuja picked up a few things from each shelf or box, and began placing them into a food bag. He stopped piling his food bag with food when he couldn't hold anymore weight. I knew this would happen. More than one trip must be made to get enough food supplies to last us a month.
Kuja bit his lower lips and shrugged the thought aside. I will come back again today. If not tomorrow, the food I hold now is enough to last us for another five days, but if we eat less than we usually do then perhaps ten days.
The girl at the counter weighed and counted the food Kuja had in his bag and said warmly, "That would be 4200 gils please."
Kuja took a bag of gils out and paid the counter girl. The counter girl bowed and thanked him.
Gallery gawked at the food Kuja held and noticed there were some fruits and vegetable she never saw before. They walked out of the store, and Kuja monitored the clock on a building and said, "Let's go Gallery. We will drop our food back home and then come back some other time."
The puppet girl listened, but did not listen. She eyed the flags hanging on the brick walls. She followed the flags wave from left to right, and from right to left. Kuja liked the fact she was interested, but he didn't want to get out of line of what was to be done at Lindblum, but he thought it through again. He came to give her an experience of outside life, and it wouldn't hurt to have her stay longer, but isn't today enough. Too much of something is also bad. Kuja felt the weight of the bag slowly bring his body down. He whispered to his puppet, "Do not worry Gallery. We will come again. I might bring you to Lindblum later today." On hearing that she had her full attention on Kuja. Together they met up with the dragon and went back to the cave.
I know I haven't been writing for a long time, but I had so many test and exams the last few months. I hope to write more than what you all read so far. I am thankful for all the reviews and comments posted. They are always an inspiration for me to improve or continue to write.