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Something was amiss lately, but U'rahn couldn't quite put his finger on it. Tataru seemed to be giving him quite the cold shoulder as of late. Sure, he got cheap market-bought leather on her last fetch request instead of making the journey back to Ul'Dah and grabbing her order from the Weaving Guild, but he saved her a ton of Gil and she had to know how sick Aetheryte travel made him by now.
As he waited for dinner, the lion-tailed Seeker crossed his arms and thought on it further. "It's been weeks, surely she can't still be mad?"
Dinner arriving, he sat up, stomach growling as the Lalafell sat out plates in front of everyone. He salivated as he watched Esteninen get a large fried squid, a mutual favorite, Raha with his favorite double-decker cheeseburger. Y'shtola received a dark-leaved salad and his favorite mix of cranberries, feta, and pecans on top. Violet received her usual liquid dinner, a dark rich whisky, though it seemed Tataru was sure to give her a small plate of savory steak tips. Beside him, Jannie was presented with a fragrant and creamy potato soup, his favorite from Ishgard...and finally, when Tataru waddled up to him, he was given three Chocobo-shaped nuggets and a small dollop of cheesy noodles on the side.
"Ah...umm...Tataru?"
"Yes, dearest U'rahn," she answered sweetly.
The man went cold, having never heard words so honeyed sound like a threat. Looking up, he swallowed, all eyes on him, Esteninen raising his brow as if daring him to say something.
"Were you not going to thank Tataru for your wonderful meal," Y'shtola asked, sprinkling a raspberry vinaigrette atop of her salad before flicking her eyes in his direction.
"If looks could kill," he thought to himself before picking up a nugget. "O-oh. I was just gonna ask if there's any ketchup to go with it. But yes, it's a fine meal...all my favorites are here...and...these nuggets are definitely the best..."
Violet took a sip of her drink and then pursed her lips. "That's quite an insult to be asking for extra sauce. Are you saying that she didn't season your meal to perfection," the Hyur taunted.
"Are you U'rahn? I worked very hard you know. As hard as you do on your adventures."
"Really? Ah, well... Never mind me. Giddyap Chocobo," he laughed nervously before trotting the nugget into his mouth then swallowing the dry piece of breaded meat.
"Good boy," Y'shtola and Violet praised in tandem.
Tataru smiled then hummed to herself as she took her seat at the head of the table, having a Sagoli Sand Bream grilled to absolute perfection upon her plate. His meal was long finished before the others and as his fellow Scions chatted among each other, he was left only with a growling stomach for company. Looking to G'raha, his eyes widened, ears perking as he watched the hefty cheeseburger be slowly chomped away. He licked his lips a bit then tilted his head down, hoping the other would take the hint. Their eyes met and G'raha moved to sit his burger down, taking a knife to it.
"Thank you bro!" U'rahn cried gratefully in his head until watching the Scion freeze up. Following his eyes, he found Jannie shaking her head at him. Crestfallen, he watched G'raha return to eating the split burger, his fellow Tia avoiding eye contact.
Dinner soon passed and a pot of coffee was passed around. Starving, U'rahn filled his water mug as opposed to the proper ceramic cup offered, not daring complain.
"Well everyone, now that supper is finished I'd like to present you all with my latest endeavor," she sang. "If you all would take a look under your seats, you'll find presents for you all."
U'rahn blinked then felt under his chair with his tail, finding that he'd not been left out of this. He was cautious though, lifting his box up onto his lap. The Miqo'te watched as everyone unwrapped their boxes. "The winter comes soon and I wanted to be sure we were well prepared. Please, try them on and let me see if they fit. Boys first," Tataru continued to sing as the Scions pulled out fine sets of fitted leathers for each of them.
Hopping up, U'rahn joined the men behind a provided screen, tail flicking about curiously as he opened up his own. Resting inside he found a leather jacket in his favorite shade of red with black bottoms. Not sending anything amiss, he quickly flung them on, hurrying back to show his gratitude and hopefully earn himself a spot back in Tataru's good graces.
"Well don't you look sharp U'rahn," she sang. "Give us a spin."
The Miqo'te nodded then tugged on the lapels of his jacket with a spin. "I thought you wouldn't ask. As you can see ladies, Tataru has outfitted me me with her best work yet," he praised, spinning in his socks while lifting his tail to show off his goods before stopping cold as he returned to face them. "Was that....a breeze?"
The women roared with laughter at the table while behind him Esteninen snickered and G'raha covered his mouth somewhere between laughing and being flustered.
"Oh certainly fine indeed Little Lion. Though, for one who fancies himself a bard, I am surprised you do not know staple apparel when you see it," Y'shtola laughed, running Violet's back as the woman nearly choked.
"By the Fury boy, where are your smalls," Esteninen breathed out, chucking the lad his discarded pants to cover his rear.
"They are...quite nice though," G'raha added in a small voice.
"T-Tataru," U'rahn yowled, voice cracking, furthering his wish for Thal to incinerate him on the spot.
The Lalafell simply hummed and nursed her coffee with both hands, drinking deep before turning to smile at him
"Do you not like them, dear? I fashioned them with leather you brought back for me and simply had to work with what I was given."