In the late night lamplight in her basement mini-theatre, Ruby sighed and swept back her cool-grey hair. If she hadn't been born with it, it would have probably turned that shade from the stress of her efforts in Alexandria.

"Who'd have thought it'd be such a dang pain tryin' to get a lil' theatre opened?" She groaned in dismay, not caring that talking to yourself was said to be a sign of madness.

Because frankly she was thinking she had passed madness long ago just having this idea. It had been two weeks since Tantalus had accidentally left her behind. Two weeks since she had decided maybe it was a good time to branch out on her own and follow her main passion of acting... with a little assistance from thieving to draw up extra funds. But the actress and aspiring theatre owner had encountered hurdle after hurdle just trying to get the place ready, and it had felt like far longer than just a fortnight she'd been toiling at the effort.

Sure, a bartender buddy was mulling over switching professions but he was still on the fence. And there was the issue of actors. Right now she had herself, and there were only so many one woman plays audiences would tolerate in a row, so that was a road she wouldn't wander down. Plus, with the Alexandrian Army off doing some crazy thing (They'd apparently been about to invade Burmecia or something?!), there weren't that many folks around in the first place....

'Guess ah gotta go out and scout again tomorrow... or hold auditions or somethin'. Ain't like an actor's just gonna walk in the door...' She thought, standing up to make her way to the inn.

However, before she could extinguish the lamp, a shape did walk in the door, surprising her to the point she blurted aloud:

"You wouldn't happen ta be an actor would ya?"

The man paused, and shook his silver-haired head.

"Not by trade, I am afraid, I walk the path of the player on a different stage. Would you be Ruby, by chance?"

"Uh, yep! That's me!" She replied.

Well, not an actor, but maybe someone useful if he was looking for her by name?

"An associate of Zidane Tribal?"

Or someone pissed at her Tantalus friends. Great.

"Yeah, but if it's somethin' he did, ah ain't taking responsibility for it, and if ya wanna know where he is ah ain't got a clue neither," She sighed.

"Oh, it's not what he did, dear lady, it's what he will do. He's loyal to friends, yes? Helping if they're in a predicament?"

"When he can, ah guess. Listen, mister, ah don't wanna be rude, but ah didn't catch yer name and I'm really not sure where yer goin' with this..."

The man smirked.

"How rude of me. My name is Kuja... And as for where I'm going, well, I overheard your statement about your woes starting this endeavour. I have a possible solution to that matter, one of mutual benefit to us both."

"Oh? Yah do?" Ruby perked up, as the man waved his hand.

Too late she realised there was a scent of ozone in the air, the leaking of mana. She wasn't that experienced with spellcasting either outgoing or receiving, but her eyes widened in surprise nonetheless as she caught up with events. But it was too late. The Confuse spell had struck, and those wide eyes wavered and blinked in bewilderment, the grey-haired actress wobbling on her feet.

"Wha... wuz tha...."

She felt light headed, and heavy-limbed, but not like she was falling asleep. It was like she'd taken a few too many shots of moonshine or whisky, but unlike times she'd been in such a state before, she didn't even have a pleasant buzz or the delight of having drunk Baku or Blank or some other fool under the table.

"That was a Confuse spell, Ruby. It muddles the senses, makes you uncertain of things. And rather suggestible too..."

"Does it? Ah... that makes sense..."

"Why don't you come a little closer..."

She felt that was a good idea, as shaky as she was on her feet.

"Okay...."

She walked over to the man, this Kuja... He kind of looked a little like Zidane in some ways, the facial structure....

"Now, you're maybe starting to feel a little better? The effects don't last too long, not with such a weak dose. But would you like it to end a little sooner?"

"Sure... Don't like this at all," Ruby agreed.

"Then place this circlet on," Kuja said, offering up a simple iron headband.

"What'll it do..."

"End the confusion. End all your worries... Doesn't that sound good, Ruby?"

She nodded, and took it, slipping it on past her blue bandanna... and gasped as the cool iron touched her skin with a sparking sensation.

The electricity and coldness seemed to dive right into her mind. The fog of the confusion was indeed fading, but with it came a moment of clarity, a moment as she stood there, eyes wide once more, mouth open, and completely still in body. As in her mind, time was undergoing a paradox. Freezing, speeding up, slowing, back, forth.... She saw her memories flashing past, saw lights and spirals in the air before her eyes. She felt herself, her mind, being pushed deep into her brain. Felt her thoughts going blank, and tried to resist.

"Nnn.. no.... Ah can't...."

"Ah, you're strong-minded, it seems. But none are strong enough to truly overcome the Slave Crown when in place. It will be a few seconds more at most I wager...."

For Ruby, in that vortex of bewilderment, under siege in her own head, she felt the seconds rush on and also drag on. But her vision became tunnelled, distant. The cruel smile on Kuja's face grew further and further away, until it seemed he stood a mile away... and then there was a ping, another jolt of cold electricity into her brain, and for half a second she floated behind herself, seeing the back of her head looking at Kuja, and then there was the rush of her consciousness dragging itself back into her head.... And burying itself deeply as the Slave Crown defeated her resistance.

Kuja recognised the signs, as her eyes, twitching in resistance, finally stilled and took on a blank stare. She was under.

"Ruby, can you hear me?"

"Yes, ah can...." She said, a monotone speech pattern but retaining her accent.

"Very good. Now, listen closely. I am your new master. You shall obey my every word. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mah master..."

"Good... Now, I must confess you do have a certain charm to yourself. Rather a pretty thing for a mere Gaian human... Does this please you, this compliment?"

"It does, master," Ruby said in the same flat tone as before.

"Very good. Now, follow me, Ruby. I have a task of considerable importance for you."

Obedient to her master, she followed, as he led her out of the city and to the waiting shape of a silver dragon. He climbed on the creature's back, ordering her to sit behind him. She did so, grasping her master's hips as the dragon took of heading northwards

***

After a few hours over the dark seas in silence, land neared, a desert. Here, the landscape was bathed in the brilliant glow of Gaia's blue moon, the shadows tinted purple by the faint efforts of the Red Moon. The sands below looked like a different type of sea, the dunes frozen waves and the blue-glow like calm waters. The dragon descended into a cavern in a mountainside.

"Dismount from the dragon, Ruby, and follow me," he commanded, and she obeyed.

Still with blank eyes, she followed as her master entered his domain, his Desert Palace. Normally in such a place her eyes would have looked upon the beauty and splendour. She had sought to be an actress as her main role in life, but she had been a thief too, and the value of what was on display here, just a few trinkets, must have been astronomical.

But of course, she did not have such thoughts. The Ruby that could have had them was buried deep, screaming silently, as her body was under the control of an empty entity answering to her name, but not truly her. The Ruby that followed ignored everything but the order to walk in the footsteps of her master.

Eventually, they reached a lavishly decorated sanctum. With a wave, Kuja lit the fireplace and candles, illuminating the spacious chamber.

"Now, my dear, it is time to get you prepared. Someday soon, Zidane shall come to this place. And he shall see you by my side, my loyal pet. And you shall be dressed accordingly. The first step in this task for you, is to strip. Remove your clothing slowly, in the order I command. Do you understand?"

Ruby nodded.

"Yes, master."

"Excellent. First, your bandana..."

She reached to her head, untying the blue headdress, gloved fingers moving with a delicate patience, before she pulled the cloth away, freeing her hair completely. Her cool grey locks now hung long and loose, cascading down the back of her head and now reaching to her hips.

"Toss it into the fire, and then, remove your skirt."

With an uncaring movement the blue cloth flew into the flames and was consumed to ashes in seconds. Ruby however didn't even watch as it burned, moving her hands slowly to her skirt. She undid the belt holding the asymmetrical teal garment, and slid it down her legs, over her white tights. As it reached her knees, Kuja spoke.

"Freeze there," He commanded, and she obeyed.

She stood there, bending down, hands at her knees, and pushing her rear outwards. Kuja went behind his pet, admiring the tight opaque stockings that clung to her pert behind, and the hint of something blue below. He reached over and pulled the hemline of the tights away, admiring the tight blue cotton that lay below, her panties. He also breathed in her scent, a rosy perfume on her neck tinged with a little sea salt from the flight, before releasing the tights and walking in front of her.

"Hmm, perhaps a different floral scent for you later, lavender, perhaps... but continue," he commanded, and she finished sliding the skirt down.

He looked her over, her ample bosom in her tight blouse, and her smooth long legs encased still in the white tights, as well as the underlying blue panties that they partially concealed.

"...Toss the skirt in the fire, and remove your gloves," He commanded.

She obeyed, the fire roaring as the skirt was incinerated, and her hands were freed from the fine silken white of her gloves.

"Pause," came a command, as Kuja took her right hand, now gloveless.

"Well manicured nails, and such smooth skin on your hands. Perhaps we shall need new gloves to protect them. But for now, burn your old ones."

They were tossed in, the while silk and the brown ribbons turning to vibrant orange as they vanished in a flash.

Ruby stood awaiting her next command, as Kuja studied her again, reaching to the brown choker on her neck.

"This here... we shall replace it with something far finer. Remove it and burn it."

The order was obeyed, the leather becoming more fuel for the fire.

Kuja looked her over, and decided now, her shoes would go.

"Take them off, and send them to follow the rest. I shall give you slippers of silver instead."

Ruby, as always, obeyed, and Kuja pondered the next move.

"...Your blouse. Remove it, and burn it."

Slowly, she reached behind herself, undoing the laces that held the blouse tight. Her chest no longer straining against it, she slid the garment off over her head, cool-grey hair shifting aside as she rendered herself almost naked above the waist, just a small simple blue bra holding her modesty for now, and not very well. Her barely contained breasts jiggled as the blouse met a fiery end, and despite the raging flames the cool air of the night flight and the chill still present in the palace meant her nipples below the blue cotton were poking up proudly.

"Now... your tights. Slower than before."

Kuja went behind, watching as Ruby began her task, sliding the white tights down inch by inch, freeing her cotton blue panties, and her smooth pale legs. He admired the tightly clinging blue, went around the front to enjoy her chest wobble as she slid the tights down and breathed, and then finally, she slid them off totally, her bare feet now on the cold floor as the white cotton was burnt up.

He studied his pet, down to her underwear. Such smooth skin, she clearly took some care of it. He ran a hand up her leg, and gave a command.

"Respond with pleasure to my touch. Shudder as my fingers glide over you."

She did so, quivering and trembling as he felt the human's smooth curves. That this made her chest jiggle in the slightly too small bra again was a bonus.

"Respond vocally as I touch your more intimate areas," Kuja commanded, as he ran his hands over her rear.

She gave a squeak-like moan, and Kuja found it amusing.

"Are you part Burmecian my dear? That sounded more like a rat than a human!"

"I-I am human, master," Ruby stammered a reply, then gave a gasp as her master's hands reached her chest, cupping her bosom.

"...Remove the bra now, and send it away."

She moved her hands behind herself, unhooking it, and letting her breasts finally escape. They sat firm, tipped by the still hard nipples, while the bra went into the fire.

"And now, my pet, let me complete your task. A gift from your master..."

He looked at the panties for a moment, simple cotton covering her up, the plainest of briefs. He took them at the hips, Ruby cooing in pleasure at his touch, as he slid them down her legs, revealing her womanhood below a neatly trimmed set of hairs a slightly darker shade than her head.

He slid the panties down and off, looking at them for one moment, before they too went into the flames. His pet stood naked before him.

"Excellent. Soon, you will be bathed, and perfumed. You shall be cleansed from head to toe, and then given a scent befitting your beauty. And then your new attire... Silver slippers. A choker of gold. And your other clothing, it shall not conceal your form. A golden chain at your waist, holding up a white silken loincloth. Bangles of bronze on your wrists, silver chains leading to your hips. And on your chest, white silk again to cover up slightly, with a single precious stone nestled between your breasts. A ruby, of course... Almost concealed. A hidden gem, like yourself."

He smirked, envisioning his pets new costume, and the inevitable reaction of fury Zidane would have to see his Tantalus comrade rendered into nothing more than a living accessory. He wanted the monkey angry, wanted him to make mistakes. It would be no fun otherwise. And maybe when he conquered Gaia totally, he could find other pets to join Ruby.

Ruby, for her part, just stood there and awaited her master's orders, only one deeply buried part of her yelling and wailing in anguish and rage at what she had become thanks to the Slave Crown.