Kuja

With thousands of twinkling stars glowing against a black sky, the night seemed too fair for Kuja's condition. Something so peaceful and beautiful shouldn't be the backdrop against his pitiful form as he made his way back to the little cabin he called home.

Feet did not drag, yet neither did they move with the same sure gait that otherwise was his and he seemed weary. A simple cure spell had taken care of the worst of the injuries and stopped the bleeding, but the deeper aches and pains would need time to heal. His bruised ribs reminded him of his collision with an old oak tree with each breath, and now and then something seemed to stab him there, sending a jolt of sudden pain that put a hitch in his breath. A pink line created an angry mark through and just below his lower lip where something sharp and unexpected caught him by surprise. His left knee protested weakly with each step, though not as much as the foot that followed it, a gift from a bad landing when he had gone to avoid a particularly nasty attack that would have done him worse. While he thought he was alone, he allowed the slight limp to pronounce itself, offering him some small comfort along his road.

His clothing, marred here and there with dirt, scraped and torn fabric and a darkening blood stain where his bleeding lip had dripped freely until he could take care of it, fared worse. The silks were ruined. They would need replacing later, but for now all he wanted was a long, hot bath and to be rid of it all.

Exasperated with the whole ordeal all over again, Kuja turned his sulking gaze to the east where a grouping of dark clouds showed a faint promise of gloomy weather. He paused in his step, his leg glad for the rest, to watch and see which way they seemed to be drifting. For a small mercy, they were heading toward him, not away from. Something to look forward to after he had locked himself indoors to tend to himself, but it had no hope of putting a smile back on his face.

Kuja turned again, back in the direction he had been walking, and carried on without a sound.

Something had come over him, and for the life of him, he couldn't put a name to the feeling. All he knew was that it was uncomfortable, it hurt, and he didn't like it. It had started while Noctis was gone, beginning in a small, dull space in him, and only gotten progressively worse over the hours. Reading didn't make the feeling go away; he couldn't concentrate on the words on the page. Cleaning didn't help; his hands were active, but his mind wandered. The tea he brewed went cold long before he could finish it, he'd been so lost in his mind.

He had almost resigned himself to the sensation, hoping it would go away on its own the same way it had come to haunt him. Before long, he found himself wandering outside, he told himself to enjoy the breeze and to listen to the sounds of the wind and birds, but his gaze kept wandering to the road leading up to the house.

Watching. Waiting.

11-22-20 - What even is this
11-22-20 - Snuh!

12-7-20 - Christmas decorations

1-20-21 - Kitten Noctis

2-17-21 - Good tarts, very good

3-3-22 - TDM, maybe going back

5-13-19 - Newcomer mingle
5-18-19 - Hanako and the missing doll

House: Ka
Rare Familiar:
Califleur the Oh Leopard
Califleur is a rare beast known as an Oh Leopard, so named because this species can turn into anything that rhymes with 'oh'. Need a leopard made of frozen water for some reason? Snow leopard. Need a ranged weapon? Bow leopard. A leopard on whose back you can play an ancient strategy game? Go leopard. Pretty kitty? Calico leopard -- you get the idea. Califleur herself mixes the energy and pep of a high-school cheerleader with the maternal warmth and old-fashioned sensibilities of a grandmother, with the side benefit that she can make a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies.


Effort Rewards:
April:
+2 favor to his house for the Colormarch
Positive regard from Professor King
Positive regard from Professor Trammel
Begrudging positive regard from Professor Loshakle
Positive wildcard regard

May:
+1 to Research on the Sundered Rewards

Your efforts at studying have resulted in:

+1 to the Colormarch for your House
Positive regard from Professor King
Positive wild regard

For undergoing Research on the Sundered, you have earned (x2):

An Answer. As a question of the research team, and they will give you the best answer they as a collective can provide.

June:
Kuja's efforts to study for the midterms have resulted in:

+1 to the Colormarch for your House.
Positive regard from Professor King.
Positive wildcard regard.

Kuja's efforts to explore have resulted in:

Discovery of: The Ice Creamatorium (Anastara, First Ring)

This Month's Research on the Sundered reward is: A Stupid Power
Miles Prower
You may grow or banish a second tail at will.

July:
+2 to the Colormarch for his House.
Positive wildcard regard x2.

Power regained
Kuja finds himself able to not just glide, but fly! Swooping through the air is effortless to him, and far more pleasant than walking. However, the more Kuja flies, the more he begins to change. Slowly but surely, his hair and tail(s) change towards red-orange, then become long tongues of flame. From there, physical transformations begin to sweep all over him -- he is slowly turning into a phoenix!

To shed this curse, he must avoid flying for exactly as long as he flew, after which the changes will vanish and his gliding will be restored properly.

August:
+2 to the Colormarch for your House.
Positive regard with Professor King.
Positive regard with Professor Loshakle.
Offering of a tutoring position at Wandbringer Academy.

September:
Your efforts at exploring have resulted in:

Discovery of the Dragon Cavern (First Ring, Religious District)

Your efforts at studying Sundering have resulted in:

+1 to the Colormarch for your House.
Positive regard with Professor King.
Positive wildcard regard.

3-31-19 - Sun in the glass chambers