queenofheartsrp | second stanza [video]

second stanza [video]

[Kuja is dressed in her usual garb, and the tail which was evident when she first arrived seems to have disappeared. She offers the Vine a bow. It is a bow without a particularly respectful air, more a dramatic gesture than anything else.]

Now that I have been here for some few days, I've decided to make the attempt to discover whether there are others here like me. Not of my kind, as I sincerely doubt that could be the case, but of a similar bent.

I am a poet, and an actress of no small renown, and I wish to know if there other artists here, like myself. Painters, sculptors, writers, or perhaps musicians? Even a patron of the arts. It would be a great pleasure to discuss aesthetics, as well as the passion and wonder of creation, with like-minded individuals. We might collaborate, combine our talents to reach ever more lofty creative heights. I don't doubt that this Garden would benefit from a stage performance, a concert, or a gallery.

[She pauses, and it is a practiced pause.] Relatedly, I have been browsing in the library, and there I found many volumes of verse. Having read them all, I am curious--does anyone possess more such books? This is a rare and most likely unique opportunity for a poet such as myself: to read verses from another world.

[As a side note, some may find that the library's collection of poetry has mysteriously decreased, as Kuja has ~~stolen~~ borrowed a large number of the books.]

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There is a romance in dedication. True devotion is an ever-burning fire, and what could be more beautiful than a flame that never dies? Defiant in the face of wind and water. Some single-mindedness is necessary for any artist.

I would not count making pies. [On this point, Kuja has no doubts, but she nods at Zenobia's next words.] One must make the attempt, or one will never know what talents lie hidden within.

What would you paint, on your canvas? [Her tone sounds condescending, but that could be intentional or accidental.]

[This woman is strange, but Zenobia finds her to be quite awesome.] Yes! What a beautiful idea! Burning, creative passion! I like it!

Yes, well, I wasn't really serious about the pies.

Hmm... I'd like to be able to paint people, [Women.] to capture their beauty on canvas. [Their sexiness.] That might be too difficult to start with, though, so maybe I should start smaller.

An artist's soul must always burn with the desire to create.

[Kuja waves a hand, airily.] Of course you weren't, but I do not jest when it comes to such crucial matters.

Ridiculous. I see you do not yet understand. Art has nothing to do with "starting small". Follow your passion, as if it were a beacon. You will most likely fail and fail again--perhaps nothing but failure awaits you-- [Kuja is not exactly optimistic when it comes to others' talents.] --but a true artist fights against her limits and does not acknowledge defeat.

If that is your wish, you should find yourself a model.

So... I should just go for it and try drawing women right away. Follow my passion. Okay, I think I can do that! Never give up and keep trying!

You're probably busy, right? Otherwise... would you be willing to model for me?

There is no reason to delay, if that is your preferred subject. [Kuja reconsiders her inspirational speech.] But if you should ultimately prove to have no talent, and the artist's fire does not truly animate your soul, it could be best to save the world the eyesore of your work and give it up. I myself cannot stand shoddy craftsmanship. [She would think nothing of burning a painting she disliked to ash.] I would be pleased to offer my critique and judge your work.

Although my aesthetic appeal is great, I am more a critic than a model. However, I am not currently occupied. I can sit for you.

Well, then I guess the best I can do is make something and then we can find out if I should keep going or stop altogether, right? [Even if she has no "artist's fire," getting to hang out with this sexy cultured new person is reward enough.]

I'll make a canvas, a brush, and some paints with the magic dirt, then we'll meet somewhere and I'll paint you. And you can tell me if I have any talent at all. How's that?

That may be the wisest course of action. [It might not be the best idea to allow one's artistic hopes to depend on Kuja's judgment, but Kuja certainly thinks it is.]

Very well, that plan of action is acceptable to me. [This social interaction is already a little tiresome, but she will attempt to sustain it.] Do not fear; I never hesitate to speak my mind.

I am currently near the lake.

Okay! Sounds like a plan, then! [Unfortunately, Zenobia will do just that. Kuja sounds like an expert to her, and if Kuja says that Zenobia does or doesn't possess what it takes to be an artist, she sees no reason to doubt it.]

I shall gather the supplies and meet you by the lake, then. This means a lot to me, Kuja! [She smiles before signing off.]

[She appears by the lake some time afterwards, with a canvas, a stand, several jars of paint, and a somewhat crude looking brush.]

[As she sees Zenobia approaching, Kuja looks up from her volume of poetry with a faint smile that some might read as condescending. Instead of sitting on the earth, she is floating in the air, easily, perhaps showing off a bit, though it does protect her robes from grass and dirt. She floats down to the ground.]

Good afternoon. I see you've assembled your materials. [At the sight of that brush, she thinks perhaps she should have been responsible for assembling the materials, but no matter. It's not that important to her.

She studies Zenobia's wing again, now that she is seeing it in person.] An extraordinary appendage. What is your lineage?

Yes. Hopefully these will do. I don't know much about these things.

Oh. I'm half-demon. I hope that's not upsetting. There are some who are put off by that.

They should be good enough. You are a beginner, and it is for the purpose of practice. There is no need to overcomplicate your equipment.

Hm? Oh no, why should I mind? I myself am not even half human. There is not so much as a drop of humanity in me. [If she is referring to the double meaning of "humanity", she keeps it to herself.] It makes no difference to me, though I am interested in the great variety of life and living creatures. Has it a use, this wing? It is a lovely thing. [Kuja can be very fond of what others might consider monstrous.]

Oh, great! [She sets up and positions the canvas.]

It offends a lot of people in my world. I like your outlook, though. More people should think like that.

I can move the wing [She demonstrates.] and can use the horn on the end as a weapon in a pinch. But that's about it.

[Kuja smiles innocently, as if she had not recently been of the mind that the "great variety of life and living creatures" should all be obliterated. Some part of her still--but no. She hides the restlessness she feels, focusing on the matter at hand.]

People are easily offended. [It makes them easy to manipulate.]

Ah, I wondered if you might fly. I myself do not need wings to fly, so it is possible that someone might fly with one wing.

[She watches Zenobia's preparations critically, but without comment.] What pose would you prefer I adopt? I can remain still indefinitely, but I will not sit or kneel.

Yes, people can be really rash with their decisions.

Unfortunately, I cannot fly without the aid of magic. And I've lost my magic abilities. ...Though when I could "fly" it was actually closer to long, controlled jumps than anything.

[Zenobia finishes preparations.] How about a pose that conveys confidence and grandeur?

They are so quick to judge, and then to act on their judgment. It is far wiser to take one's time and come to understand a situation.

What a pity. [If Kuja sounds insincere, it's largely because she has difficulty feeling any pity whatsoever.] I am more a glider than a long distance flier. I had dragons that served as my mounts.

[She approves of this pose choice.] For me, there is nothing simpler. [Kuja rises and strikes a pose (http://foxaloxa.laleeloo.com/rp.html/kuja-ff9-1605852f2.jpg).]

Yes, that's it, exactly. People jump to conclusions way too easily.

Dragons!? Wow. They are very rare on my world. Thought to be almost extinct or maybe just hiding really well. But I'm guessing that they'd be pretty easy to find, given their size.

Oooh! That is a really good pose! I'll get started.

[Zenobia works quickly, perhaps even too quickly, moving the brush against the canvas with a look of raw excitement on her face. She slows down after a few minutes, however, working on details, and its clear that her excitement has given way to self-doubt. She eventually reaches a stopping point, frowning.] I don't think I've come close to capturing your beauty at all...

An incorrect conclusion may lead to tragedy. [It is still difficult for her to admit that she was incorrect, but--she had been, and all the tragedy that had followed had been her fault.]

[She is pleased, however, to impress.] They are hardly common on my world, but I had a fleet of them. Beautiful creatures, silver and shining. I can control beasts, after a fashion, though it depends on the beast in question.

Of course.

[Kuja regards Zenobia dubiously. If even an amateur does not think she has succeeded, Kuja is not very hopeful that the result will be pleasing to the eye.] Beauty can be difficult for the untrained eye and hand to capture. You are finished?

A fleet of dragons?! It must have been a beautiful and magnificent sight!

Yes... here is what I painted. [Zenobia turns the canvas around for Kuja to see. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/hazardswake/isthatkujaidontknow.png)]

It was indeed. [Probably not to the people being attacked by the dragons, but Kuja certainly thought so. She smiles, a trifle wistfully.] If you could have seen them in flight, it would have stolen the breath from your body.

[Kuja considers the canvas, in silence at first. A flame flickers along the end of one of her fingers, but no, she will not destroy it. That isn't in line with her new way of thinking.] It has no sense of--color, of depth, of motion, of form. Of anything. Assuredly not of beauty.

At least you're in no danger of being labeled a prodigy. So you will escape the pressure of being called upon to outdo yourself.

[Zenobia sighs.] I wonder if I'll ever see anything as grand as that.

[Even though she expected a negative reaction, she still looks a little stunned at Kuja's analysis.] I... guess I just don't have the creative spark or whatever is needed.

Y-yeah, that's a good thing, at least. Less pressure is good. It's probably for the best that I find this out now.

[Ah, she can see she's been too harsh. How to proceed?

What would Zidane do in a situation like this? He probably would have been encouraging from the start, but then, Zidane is nothing like her. He would have befriended everyone already.]

While your talent will likely never be a raging flame, you might yet coax an ember or two to glow.

Yes, if there is no pressure, you can paint for enjoyment, and you need not worry overmuch if your art is pleasing to the eye. [Things done merely for enjoyment are more hobbies than art in her opinion, but she can make this concession.]

Really? You don't have to sugar-coat things if you think I don't have any potential. But if I do have some...even just a little... I guess I could keep practicing.

If I won't be able to produce art that's nice to look at, it almost feels like it defeats the purpose of painting. Sure, it's somewhat relaxing to do, but I want to make something pretty to look at as well.

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second stanza [video]

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Kinda acciedentally dropped this thread. Is it okay to continue? Sorry.

It's cool, no problem! I love backtagging.

Thanks! :DDDDDD

My pleasure!

Ooops, wrong character >.<;;

<3

^____^

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