melodiesofeternity | [Open] Not quite a palace in the desert, but...

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[Open] Not quite a palace in the desert, but...

Who: Kuja, all who accept the invitation
When: October 3rd, 6:00 PM
Where: Yun’Ashia
What: Kuja’s invited a host of people to his home because it’s traditional to do so when moving in.
Warnings/Notes: Alcohol, Dragons, Cats, Excessive amounts of Kuja

It is, ultimately, just a house. If he’s being honest, it’s not a fantastic house. Part of him rails against the fact that there are no stained glass windows, no flying buttresses, not a single marble statue or ornate candelabra in sight. It’s a small house in a rural community, not a lavish palace in the middle of nowhere, or an ornate manor surrounded by walls, in the public eye but unreachable. The furniture is not at all his tempo, taken from a store where he’d had to assemble most of it himself with impossible-to-understand instructions, and the ‘quaint little barn, perfect for the aspiring chocobo rancher’ has turned out to be little more than a shed- he’s going to have to pay someone to build something decent instead, he knows. There’s a million things wrong with it. He should hate it.

But- and this is, in his mind, the important thing. It’s his. Uniquely his, and there’ll be time for improvement later. Kuja looks out on the grounds, at a dragon dozing in the grass, stupid mutt of a cat curled up on her back- he’d been terrified Opalescence couldn’t be trusted around Orichalcon, but he’d been proven wrong on that front, thankfully-
”Hey, Boss?” The moogle’s voice cuts through his thoughts, and he turns to look quizzically at Mojito.

“Hm? I was miles away, Mojito, what is it?”

The moogle sets a box on the counter, an assortment of bottles that Kuja for the life of him still hasn’t worked out how in the world the moogle manages to carry; he’s certainly never seen where Mojito actually keeps them. ”Nothin’, it’s just a quarter to four and you said to remind you. You, uh. You okay with this many people bein’ at your house, Boss?”

Ah. Of course. “Nonsense. This is what people do. Besides, it’s basic networking. And they’ll mostly be on the lawn, anyway. It’s not as though I’ve invited a pack of animals. Short of everyone taking leave of their senses, what’s the worst that could happen?”

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The first of the pack didn't take very long to arrive. Sure, Mocha tried to convince him to arrive 'fashionably late', but Red only did that on breakfast meetings and only because he was such a heavy sleeper. Besides, Red was more the type for 'stylish entrance' than 'late entrance.'

At least, that's what the airship seemed to suggest, dipping in for a quick glide over the house with the roar of engines. It seemed almost sheepish in comparison when it finally settled onto the ground a short distance away. Oh well; the convenience of living in an airship made up for the hassle of parking it.

Still took him a modest walk to make it to the front door, package tucked under his arm. "What'd I miss?"

Well, Kuja certainly can't fault Red for the entrance. It's not a dragon, but an airship is as good as any other entrance from the air. "Miss? Oh, not much. It's... been a while since we last spoke. My apologies for how I reacted to... our conversation. At any rate, do come in. Oh, and don't leave anything shiny out if you intend to keep it. Orichalcon steals things."

Rather than late, fashionably or otherwise, Apple had insisted that Snow White arrive to a party on time. He hadn't really been focused enough to argue about it. He was more preoccupied that this was the first time he'd seen Kuja since going to the Dream Width with the other man -- and he was still invited to such a gathering as this.

A housewarming, in Yun'Ashia of all places. They were practically neighbors.

Still, "neighbors" was a loose term considering the wide spread of housing over so much land in the area. Loathe to sweat, Snow White managed to hitch a ride with someone's wagon rather than walk -- well, more accurately, Apple persuaded the driver to let them ride along. Snow White was a little distracted to be especially charming, even if the ride wasn't bumpy and the chocobos didn't smell funny. He passed the driver a few gil as they pulled up to the house.

"Hello, Mr. Kuja!" Apple chirped from where she was holding a wrapped gift that was almost her own height.

Edited 2018-10-06 04:49 (UTC)

Admittedly... he hadn't expected Snow White to respond. If he had to bet, he'd have put the other man as most likely of the three to respond to the invitation. "Ah, Snow White. I'll be honest, I didn't expect you'd reply favorably. Still... glad to see you join me. Do you live in Yun'Ashia, then? I'd hardly expect you to ride by land from another city..."

The door is open, of course, leading into a small house. "Not as large as I'd like, of course, but I don't have to share it unless I particularly want to, and there's plenty of space. Red, I don't believe you've met Snow White. He..." Kuja pauses. "We shared a house in Sen Riqueax."

"Old roomie, got it." Red just offers up a brief, casual wave. "Guess you both are livin' by yourselves, now. Wouldja believe I never had the chance before I came here?"

At least Red has the courtesy to wipe his feet on the doormat, though whether it was courtesy or some bizarre atavistic instinct made manifest was anyone's guess. He's quick to gawk at the insides of the place, steadying his chew-bone with his free hand as he breaks into a grin. Seemed like a nice place; roomier than an airship, anyway.

"Too small? What, were you hopin' for a theater and an ice cream shop built into it?"

The third to arrive, somewhat surprisingly, is... Frisk. Somehow, the twelve year-old child managed to make it to Bumfuck Nowhere, that signature shit-eating grin on their face as they open the door. A party was a party, after all, and they had a feeling that Kuja threw amazing parties. Plus, he seemed like a pretty cool guy overall.

The first thing that's apparent is that Frisk has taken Kuja's fashion advice to heart. Unlike in the mines, their current outfit doesn't scream "city slicker," and instead somehow blends in with both the small populace of the community and the flora surrounding it. The second thing that's apparent is that they have champagne of a very fine vintage delicately carried in a velvet-laden basket in one hand, and two rods in the other. They're both obviously high-quality, but one is for black magic, and the other white. "Heyo. Sorry, didn't bother wrapping the rods since it'd be pretty freakin' obvious what they are even if did smother them in festive paper."

Snow White carefully lowered himself down to the ground from where he'd sat while juggling a round tray. "Actually, I..."

I live with the first girl I've ever liked and the rest of her weird family that I try to avoid.

"Yes. Alone." It wasn't entirely a lie; he did live in the guesthouse on the property. "But living with Kuja wasn't so bad."

"Snow White made you a pie!" Apple continued, excited. "And this is for -- !"

That was about the time Frisk arrived with his truly magical gift. Apple deflated a little. "... you." She hadn't thought to bring wands. Maybe she should have. Her gift was only a blender. But new houses still needed blenders, right?

Edited 2018-10-07 03:26 (UTC)

"A shame. By 'not as large as I'd like', I only mean it's not what I'm used to. But it's mine, and that's the important bit. That, and it has the room I need for a dragon and the kleptomaniacal little demon that's been shedding all over my- Ah, Frisk. Glad you could join-oh!" Those are indeed some very well-crafted rods. He even forgets the platitudes about specifically saying gifts are not necessary. Of course, he'll have to coordinate outfits around these, now. Hmmm.

"Ah. The gesture is appreciated, both of you. I don't actually know that I've ever tried something so simple as an apple pie. I look forward to it."

Edited 2018-10-07 03:30 (UTC)

It isn't long after the first twelve-year old shows up that the second does. "Greetings," Chara says as they enter, a book held under their arm. After their talk in the mines, Chara had thought Kuja might be interested in a book on art history. It seemed to be something the man had an interested in, so hopefully it'd suffice. Chara wasn't exactly used to house warmings.

"Hey, it looks pretty comfy here." Their eyes look around the house, observing it. It's a bit smaller than they would have thought someone as grandiose as Kuja would have gone for, but still pretty nice.

Kuja is, briefly, mildly unsettled by seeing Frisk and Chara in the same place- it's eerie how similar they look, in a way that reminds him unpleasantly of the genomes in Bran Bal-

And he still hasn't figured out what to call either one, which infuriates him because apparently that is how this feels. Would it be rude at this point to just be blunt and ask? Bah.

"I hope so. I confess it was chosen more for needs related to... well." He gestures out the window, where Opalescence, sensing observation, stretches languidly in the grass and begins to preen her feathers. "Otherwise I would have simply looked for something in Sparks Golsaucia."

Klonoa slowly stretches backwards, and then to the sides, standing in front of the door. Eesh, today was kind of rough. Normally it's not that hard, but the heavy lifting wasn't exactly what he was expecting to have to do. Still, limbering a bit, and the fatigue is gone, reaching up to open the door and take a peek inside.

"Hello?" Calls the fluffy-eared one at the door, before stepping inside to take a look around. This place sure is fancy. All the housing in this world seems pretty extravagant.

"Kuja?" He calls out, wearing a jacket, pants, and a big collar around his neck... except he seems like he's forgotten to replace his headgear since he's wearing a blue scrubs cap that looks like a double-cheese wheel pattern's been sewn into it.

"I can't tell which you're showing off more, Kuja: your new home or your dragon."

The fox teases, dismounting her chocobo and making her way inside with the basket hanging from her arm. Matilda's convinced Kuja's a wine and cheese sort of guy and decided to dish out the extra gil to help him get settled in..or at the very least, help keep the housewarming party going a tiny bit.

"Both look great, by the way."

"Klonoa, you actually came. I thought... well. Doesn't matter, do come in. We're probably going to move into the back once more people start arriving, I don't have enough room by a long shot." He pauses, turning to look as Matilda steps in. This is way more people than he'd ever thought would come. Oh dear.

"Isn't she marvelous? Hello, Matilda."

Simple? Snow White frowned. Apple had convinced him to make the crust himself... Was this what he sounded like to other people?

Well, shit.

Taking a deep breath, Snow White accepted that he had to give Kuja a pass since they were both equally haughty, conscious of it or not. And as weird as all the animal people were... it was kind of nice to recognize Klonoa. Snow White didn't know any of these other people.

"I'm surprised you invited... children...." he noted, placing the pie on the kitchen counter. Where did such tiny people get champagne? Snow White decided Frisk probably stole it.

"If there is anything I have learned, Snow White," Kuja says nonchalantly, taking a wineglass from Mojito's counter. "It's that age is no indicator whatsoever of level of competency. Two of the most powerful mages I ever knew were both under the age of ten."

Papyrus took a bit longer to show up than the others. Why? Well, the plates of spaghetti he's somehow balancing seem a pretty fair indicator. Sure, he could have stored them in his pockets like he normally does, but dang it. This was a party! And what better way to make an entrance than with fresh plates of delicious food? It was a brilliant plan.

Well, another factor may have been the overall sights and sounds. And the dragon catching his eye for a moment or two. But! His loud, shrill voice should be impossible to miss as he speaks up.

"I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, COME BEARING A FEAST!!! SO! I HOPE YOU ENJOY! ...ONCE YOU ACTUALLY START EATING, OF COURSE." His smile's about as crooked as a skeleton's can get. A tad sheepish.

Admittedly, his last talk with Kuja was a bit... touchy, but hopefully this one will do better!

"What he said," Red finally piped up after his contribution- a little something Mocha called... avocado-focaccia tartine or something like that- was put down on the first flat surface he could find in the kitchen. Dusting his hands, he returned to the vestibule... just in time to see the vulpine arrival. "Back in--WHUH?!"

His bone tumbles from his mouth at the sight, but- while it takes him a few seconds of midair fumbling- he's at least able to keep it from hitting the ground. After that it's just an owlish, blinking stare.

Did another Caninu make their way here?!

"...I, uh..."

Oh thank God, the loudest set of bones in Vaikuntha showed up to break up the moment. Papyrus and Kuja in the same room? This was going to get interesting. "...You two know each other?"

Frisk smiles widely when Chara comes in, but before they can properly greet their friend/alternate universe sibling Snow White pukes arrogance all over the conversation. Now, Kuja was at least classy and polite about his ego, but... damn. Frisk just can't resist baiting Snow White further, with the disdain practically dripping from the word "children."

But before they can enact any mischief, Papyrus arrives, and any thoughts of messing with Snow White in a maybe-not-so-benevolent way scatter like... sheepish sheep. "Hey, Pap!" they chirp, quickly snatching back the hand that was about to pickpocket something from Snow. "Did you figure out how to replicate Scientific Spaghetti yet-ti?"

Suddenly the local population of Kuja's kitchen seems to be increasing exponentially as more people show up. And there's Papyrus. Oh. Right. He... invited Papyrus. Well it would've been rude not to, but now he's brought... pasta. Massive amounts of pasta. Oh dear. "Ah. Yes, we actually met shortly after I was recovered. I... was not quite in the best of moods at the time, for which I apologize, but we've crossed paths a few times since." He pauses, considering.
"I fear I may go mad from the revelation, but what, pray, is 'Scientific Spaghetti'."

It's no surprise to see Kuja be this popular. While having this many people around can leave her tense, Matilda has to admit that these people seem alright. Having a few friends among this crowd helps, including the well timed arrival of Papyrus!

Before she can also question the skeleton about any scientific spaghetti, Tilly can't help notice the canine nearby eyeing her, leaving the girl brushing her hair with her fingers. Is...is he checking her out?

"Uhh...hi..."

Nailed it.

"ONLY THE MOST INCREDIBLE CULINARY FEAT OF OUR GENERATION!!!" He would gesture with it, but that risks splattering sauce. And that would not be good. So he'll have to settle for another gigantic grin. Not that he ever has a shortage of those.

"NOT ONLY IS IT SPECIFICALLY ENGINEERED TO HAVE A SUPERIOR TASTE, BUT IT ENHANCES YOUR COOLNESS! MAY MAKE YOU TALLER AND ALSO CAN GRANT LASER VISION FOR A SHORT TIME!"

He looks down at the plates, slumping. "UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S BEEN RATHER DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE HERE, SO I'VE MOSTLY STUCK TO EXPERIMENTS WITH HEALING ITEMS. FOR NOW."

"You!" For one of the few times in his long life, Snow White was speechless. He pointed at Papyrus, mouth somewhat agape as he tried to remember why he knew this loud spaghetti skeleton. "My dream!"

It hadn't been a dream, though... Ugh and that just brought up embarrassing memories. Not of his childhood, but of Dylas. Gross.

The spaghetti, at least, was intriguing. Snow White hadn't heard of anything magical about it, but Vaikuntha seemed to change the rules about what was "normal."

"Are you a Gourmand?" he asked. Maybe Papyrus just needed an extra hand. Belatedly, he realized someone should probably help relieve the skelly of his 'ghetti, and while he usually would push that onto someone else... he wanted to examine the noodles for himself. He took one of the large plates from Papyrus and placed it carefully on the table.

Kuja watches these exchanges with an air of slowly-increasing panic. He also makes a quiet note not to touch anything that Papyrus brought. "Well. It's becoming quite crowded in here, so perhaps if we move out back I have a few tables set up with shade if you would like-"

Klonoa steps over to the enormous near-vat levels of spaghetti, looking quite impress and displaying remarkable restraint in ensuring that his ears don't fall into any of the dishes.

"Ah.. were we supposed to bring you something? ..Sorry, Kuja. I don't think I really have anything on me right now."

He says, before smiling. "Can we see the dragon, though? What did you say their name was again?"

Kuja waves his hand dismissively. "I did specifically say that bringing gifts wasn't necessary. I certainly wasn't about to put that in the invitation if I didn't mean it."

He steps outside, onto the back lawn, where rented tables and chairs are collected under a gazebo, providing shade. "I could hardly stop you from seeing her. She does catch the eye, doesn't she?" Indeed, the silver-white of the dragon's scales is more or less impossible to miss against green grass. "I decided on Opalescence. I think it... fits her. Honestly, this is the most relaxed I've seen her since we got back. I think the move away from the city has done some good..."

"A GOURMAND, A CHEMIST, AND A MAGITEK KNIGHT! SUFFICE IT TO SAY, I'M A SKELETON WITH MANY-" Oh. Help! That's good. He smiles in return. "AH, THANK YOU. AND YES, I AGREE THAT MOVING SEEMS... PRACTICAL. ESPECIALLY IF DRAGONS ARE INVOLVED!"

So, with his one plate, he points dramatically with his free hand, before following Kuja's lead. Just give him a moment as he observes the dragon. Very different from the ones he's accustomed to. More bestial, for sure.

Matilda would offer to help carry the...enormous amounts of pasta, but Papyrus seems to have that much under control. It has the fox softly laughing to herself as they start making their way outside. It was a comfortable looking place, she had to admit; Tilly wouldn't mind a place like this.

Naturally, her attention does focus on dear Opalescence, who seems to be savoring all of the attention and praise. The look of intrigue on the girl's face is obvious; it's been a while since she was in the presence of another dragon, shapeshifted or otherwise.

"How long have you two known each other?"

Kuja glances over at the dozing dragon, thinking back. "It's been... more than twenty years, I think. Silver Dragons are... magical constructs. Not dissimilar to Eidolons; originally she was just 'Silver Dragon', a magical servant to... do what I needed."

He sighs. "Now, of course, things are... different. She's all I really have left of Gaia."

Klonoa steps closer to the dragon, and sits down a little ways away from her head, tilting his own to look at her. "She.. sure is a lot bigger than I expected." The only time he's met a dragon before now, well, he was a lot taller than him, sure, but this is just... huge.

...Actually, he's started to get reminded of Leorina. For some reason, in more than just the physical way.

One crimson eye opens to glare at Klonoa, before closing again, the dragon apparently satisfied that the furry creature in front of it is not a threat. It's probably almost comical, a clearly-predatory flying animal the size of a small car, curled up with a cat in the grass, but there she is, seemingly unbothered by Klonoa's proximity.

Kuja, for his part, sets about the arduous task of herding the crowd and ensuring the food is set out where it can be easily reached. "Alright, well. Everyone, I think we are indeed all here, so by all means, acquire a plate and a drink. And don't be stingy about it, I haven't nearly enough room in my larder for all this."

"Not with that much spaghetti," Snow White quipped, trying to imagine where it would even go. Even if there was room, one man surely couldn't eat that much spaghetti alone. Those were noodles of loneliness.

That said, when he did serve himself he made sure to take some of Papyrus' offering. Something made by the efforts of a Gourmand and a Chemist (he wasn't sure how Magitek Knight would improve the flavor) was intriguing. It could even influence him to take up the Chemist job himself.

"I'm glad you named her." Snow White watched the silver dragon nap in the sun. "Opalescence suits her."

Out of morbid curiosity and the desire to not look like an ass in polite company, Kuja... does indeed sample the dreaded noodles.

At that quiet comment, he finds himself... smiling, in spite of it all. "It does suit her, doesn't it? I was terrified she'd react to Orichalcon like... well, like a large apex predator typically responds to small, furry animals, but they've been getting along famously..."

Klonoa smiles at the dragon, and at the cat, before standing up again to return to Kuja now that he's got a good look at her. "She's very pretty." He says, getting together a plate of spaghetti. Don't mind if he does! He's very hungry.

"So... Kuja..? If that was a memory, then... what happened to her after it was over?" He asks, thankfully not asking the question excessively loud.

Kuja pauses. Does Klonoa mean the 'first time around'? "I... I do not know. I didn't stay around to check. She was... quite dead, at that point. Unless you mean after we left the memory, in which case the Curti Center people became very upset with me because they didn't have accommodations available for a dragon. I tried taking her out for a flight every day, but it was clear she hated the paddock they scrounged for her. That's why I moved out here. That, and I do enjoy my privacy. I didn't have anything in particular against the other residents, but this is much better, I think."

"You had to take Opalescence into consideration...and I think she really appreciates it. She looks so comfortable out here, where she can stretch her wings..."

Matilda can't help regarding the silver dragon with a smile, seemingly content with the other's relaxation. She pushes some of her hair aside and returns to the table of food, particularly aiming for one of the wine bottles she brought with her.

"I'm glad this change is working out for both of you."

"It makes Yun'Ashia less boring," Snow White noted with a smile. He'd been thinking of leaving to pursue something more glamorous, perhaps in Lavode... But when he saw Kuja's invitation to a place nearby, it changed his mind.

"Snow White was really excited to come see you!" Apple blurted out, thoroughly enjoying Papyrus' noodles.

Snow White blushed. "Apple!"

"Well it's not the most stylish of places to live, but at least somebody with a sense of decor lives here. I haven't the foggiest what I'm going to do long-term with this place, but we'll burn that bridge as we come to it, I suppose."

Experimentally, Kuja samples the noodles as well. Admittedly... not nearly as awful as he was expecting.

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[Open] Not quite a palace in the desert, but...

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Sorry for the late tag in

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