Chapter Text
Lana turned the paper in her hand over and over absentmindedly.
“We hereby invite thee to a most wondrous occasion... a Banquet held in the honor of the Warrior of Light, along side the Scions of the Seventh Dawn…etc.”
When Tataru had used the emergency linkpearl earlier in the day, Lana had thought something dire was happening back in Mor Dhona. The scions as an organization may have been disbanded, but Tataru stuck around the Rising Stones doing whatever it was she did. So of course Lana had thought of the worst case scenario and taken the first opportunity she had to teleport back. What awaited her once arriving however, was not danger in a way she was accustomed to.
Tataru, along with several members of the Eorzean & Eastern Alliances, had spent the last three months organizing a surprise banquet of sorts. Upon reading the invitation, which to their credit was very well made, Lana promptly attempted to teleport back out and away from whatever nonsense she was being sucked into.
“Wait! You can’t just leave! We’ve worked so hard to put this all together for you! Months of planning, organizing, think of the money we’ve spent! Lana pleeeaaseee!” Tataru pleaded.
It wasn’t that Lana was ungrateful. It wasn’t that she was trying to avoid anyone. It was simply she wasn’t one for the spotlight right now. And given the recent opening in her never ending schedule, she was determined to stay as far away from center stage as possible.
And yet, here she was, waiting in Tataru’s dressing room, having been convinced it would be fun. “Everyone will be there!” Tataru said. “I already made some outfits for you to pick from!” she bolstered. “The rest of the scions have already agreed on going! Even Estinien!” She smirked. Lana quickly changed her tune after that.
Though the more Tataru went down some of the guest list, Lana felt a mixture of unease and comfort. A perfect blend of way too many people to be comfortable and all of her favorites around to keep her sane.
“Now Tataru, when you say it’s a banquet do you mean a proper one where I will be locked to a dinner table all night, or will it be a bit more of a party in nature? I do like to roam and hide as I please.” Lana called out to the lalafell just beyond the partition. Lana had taken a seat next to a table covered in different jewelry and fabrics. She wondered if she should start picking up different fabrics on her journeys for her friend.
Tataru called from around the partition, “Oh it wouldn’t be any fun if we were all stuck in our seats! No not at all. There will be a short ceremony of course, and yes you and the scions will have a special seating arrangement. But once that is done there will be dancing and conversation all around! Oh I do think it’ll be a lovely night! As long as things go as planned of course…” she paused a moment. “Oh but we’ve been working so hard on this so I just know it all go off with a hitch!”
Lana couldn’t help but smile. For all of Tataru’s hard work, Lana suddenly felt a responsibility to behave. If it would make her friend happy, then Lana could squeeze into a fancy dress for a single night. She wondered if Tataru also made the others’ outfits. She found herself drifting in thought. Could she get Tataru to tell her of what Estinien would be wearing? Would that be too terribly obvious of her?
She was clutching at crumbs about him. They had parted ways a while back, on good terms as it was, but she felt as though she left him with the wrong impression on leaving. She loved him terribly, but there were still things she needed to look into and find out on her own. She knew he would follow her anywhere, but she didn’t want to burden him again. Lana had already shoehorned herself in Thavnair, determined to stick to his side. But if anything she couldn’t tell if he was cross with her being there or there was something else bothering him. She wished she wasn’t so bad at bringing her words out, her thoughts were always stuck in that big head of hers.
Some Warrior of light I am. Can kick down numerous primals and evil threats to the realm, but gods forbid I ever have to say what I’m truly thinking when it matters.
“Okay! Time to pick! Come here, come here!” Tataru poked her head around the partition, waving frantically. Lana pulled herself from her thoughts and walked around to meet Tataru.
Two outfits were lovingly placed on mannequins; a stylish dark red suit on the left and a subtle yet beautiful light blue gown with a high neck line on the right.
“By the Twelve, Tataru, they’re wonderful. You made both of these for me?” Lana asked in awe. She approached the suit, running her hand down the sleeve. She mimicked the same for the gown. Both were soft, yet sturdy. No doubt Tataru had taken into account any rough housing that could happen. These garments were not armor, but she could tell there would be more protection gained from these than normal formal wear.
Tataru beamed, “I wasn’t sure which you’d be more comfortable in, so I made both a suit and a gown. Of course they are both yours to keep as well. Who knows what other fancy events or tasks you might get up to in the future!”
Lana felt the gown once again as she studied the train of it. “Well if you keep this handy-work up, you’ll have every diplomat and high-standing person from here to Othard commissioning wears from you.” She smiled.