Kuja hadn't planned on keeping Hilda around- scare her, perhaps. Make it easier to dump her somewhere and move on with the airship. But, she wasn't a delicate being like the rest of the royals; she was strong willed and willing to put up a fight. It both intrigued him, and annoyed him. She was a thorn, in the grand scheme of things. One he couldn't just pluck out- it needed careful maneuvering.

Leaving her in his palace wasn't the plan, or the ideal place, but then. He couldn't exactly bring her to Treno either. There were people who would recognize her instantly, no matter what he could try to cover it up. So, to keep his own plans from falling apart should she be able to outwit him, he'd simply locked her away, and made sure she couldn't.

Oh he'd bragged about them, complained about his own problems to his captive audience as theatrically as his emotions needed to get them out. And yet, he never heard from any of the mages that Hilda had complained about it. Never gotten annoyed that he'd ranted and raved. Here she was, ever the noble, welcoming him home and admitting that she was thinking about him.

His ego beamed at that, but his mind was confused. She clearly feared him, Kuja assumed she probably hated him, honestly. Not that she showed any signs of that, but if he was bested the was she had been, he would probably hate the person who had done it as well.

"Thinking about me?" He made his way over, eyeing the shelves. He didn't like walking- the ground was dirty, and it was a chore to wait for his things to be cleaned. But Kuja made sure the palace was spotless, so he could avoid a mess. "I'm flattered... Do any of these books catch your interest? I know you don't know Terran, but I could see if I could find time to write out basics, so you might read one or two." And so he could remove anything on Genomes that might be found in the library- he'd taken a few from Garland to help him understand and create the Black Mages.

Joshua would have sworn he was alone, but the voice that spoke up made it clear that he had grossly misjudged on that front. Twinside was a fairly populated city but most people still stayed within the bounds of the city walls when night fell. It was just safer there, and there was little a noble hated more than being unsafe.

He knew Jote would eventually come and find him and scold him for wandering out into the night, but the city air always felt so suffocating to him. And with how bright the starts were shining tonight, he had found himself wanting to have at least a few moments where he could stare up at them in the quiet.

Joshua turned, staring at the woman for a moment before offering her a short bow. "Forgive me. I didn't hear your approach." He could not see any handmaidens with her, but that didn't mean he could assume she came here alone.

Shivan didn't often leave the Velvet Fang. Not because he couldn't, but because he really had no reason to. Treno was a dangerous city to wander around in no matter when you did it, with card tournaments, people coming to see the sights, or participate in the auctions. It was always one thing or another happening. Finding peace and quiet in the city outside of ones own home was nearly impossible.

But, there were a few spots that could be found. Near the waterfront the nobles tended to flock in crowds, chatting amongst themselves in lower tones. It was easy for the smaller figure to slip through the crowd with barely a glance their way, only a hand checking to make sure their wallets were still in place.

Turning off the path, Shivan slowed a little. Gone was his usual flowing outfits, replaced with a simple tight fitting pair of pants, a dress shirt, and a corset vest. His long curly hair was up in a high ponytail, not left down around his shoulders. The only noticeable give away was the signature purple lips.

He didn't slow because he was out of the crowds however. Shivan moved towards the sound of music up ahead- his favourite spot to sit in Treno was just up ahead. A small corner of the town that wasn't busy, where he'd bring a book and curl up to hear the sounds of the waterfront and muted chatter. But music was never a part of it.

Soft Initimacy

Being tucked away on the resort had done wonders for Kuja's health. Physical and mental, the genome had finally started to be more open and was less temperamental than he had been in his palace. He would let his tail uncurl around Hilda, the silver appendage often showing his emotions.

Like right now. The two were in a greenhouse, tending to a section that was just for Kuja. In the past he would have waved it off and sent someone else to do it. Now, the genome watched with rapt attention and focus as Hilda guided his hands with her own as the first of the seeds were planted into the soil. She's already shown him a few times with other sections, but every few seeds he would ask another question: How deep, the type of seed, if it needed to be farther or closer to another plant.

In all honesty, Kuja was just soaking up all the time he could. Like the water that disappeared into the ground, Kuja sucked up the teaching and the attention that came with it, as Hilda patiently sat back and watched him finish with the handful of flower seeds he had. They'd come up and make a fine bouquet- now he just had to find someone to show him how to make one without Hilda's knowledge so he could surprise her with fresh flowers.

Kuja was furious, when he returned to the desert palace. Garland had attacked Alexandria, and then he had been the one harmed in the attack. The man hadn't even cared- like he was a discardable toy that had been broken, he'd been tossed aside. As if he was worthless. Him.

Like a cat licking his wounds he'd retreated to his room, snapping at any of the black mages that tried to come near him or offer help. As if he needed any support as he let his white robes fall from his shoulders, tail lashing with his anger as he hung it up and fell into the bed, pulling the blankets over his torso.

With his back to the door he didn't hear it open, only bared his teeth in frustration. "I thought I told you all to leave me be." He snarled, looking over his shoulder and pausing. Kuja wasn't met with a black mage, but with... Hilda. He had assumed that with him weakened she would take the chance to escape and run off. It was clear enough that the black mages wouldn't be able to stop him, and in his weakened state, he didn't have a high chance to do so either.

"Maybe there might be. Sometimes smalltime merchants hang around the camp when travel is busy." Soleil said as he stepped off and landed softly on the ground next to her. Then he'd start walking ahead down the path that curved. Large trunked trees blocking the view. At least until they'd reach the bend. Then the area opened up.

Just down a slope was the campsite. Which was more akin to a small village of multicolored tents spread around packed earth from decades of trampling feet and carts. There were at least twenty some odd people there now.

He'd turn his attention back to Hilda. Unable to help but to look fondly at her. He hardly ever saw her outside of her usual royal garb.

"There really aren't too many surprises. Besides seeing the splendor of my home over the ledge at the edge of camp." He'd point out towards where wooden railings lined where the flat ground o the camp dropped dramatically into a valley wall. Below would be his home.

However, it was hard too really call it a city since the buildings themselves were just the hollowed out massive scarletwood trees that grew there. Taller than any castle known.

"It's not really a surprise per se, since its known that Ardor isn't very fond of modern technology, but it can still be a shock over just how stuck in the past this place is. It's why I brought you here first, so you can get some of the cultural clothing. You can think of it as a souvenir to take home." He'd peer back at her with a smile.

said by karlach || @a-regal-witch

"Doesn't really matter who's idea it was, now does it. Where is your sense of adventure, my lady? You did want to see where I'm from." Soleil said with a wide cheeky grin. Ruby eyes shining with mischief.

He wasn't dressed in his usual knight's attire, but in the garb of a traveler— but the type for traversing the mountains.

He paused from where he was knelt, on a large scarletwood trunk of a fallen tree. He held his hand out to her in offer to help her up and over. His smile softened as he thought about the fact that not everyone was accustomed to traveling the stark mountainside that was his homeland.

send 🎂 for my muse's reaction to yours giving them a birthday gift/cake (specify gift if you wish). || @a-regal-witch

The shield had already found a home on the wall of his room. Along the wall with others of his prized possessions. Nestled with the heirloom sword and shield he inherited from his grandfather, and a few other old or decorative weapons he liked to collect. He smiled fondly as he gently brushed his fingers over the emblem emblazoned across its surface.

No, this one wouldn't see battle. He didn't want to see such a lovely gift tarnished.

The note sat folded on his desk, and the veil was tucked in the front pocket of his coat. The faint smell of perfume still in the air. His smile only grew wider as he took a step back to turn towards the door. He had a job to do, to protect and serve his 'shield maiden'. She had quite the sense of humor. But so did he.