Returning - Tataru
Intro chapter | Thancred | Urianger | Y’shtola | Alphinaud, Estinien
Warrior of Light & Tataru Taru
Takes place during Endwalker, just after the end of 6.0. This is a series of vignettes on each of the Scions’ relationships with my Warrior of Light, Moro’a as he’s recovering after the end of the Final Days.
CW for mentions of serious injury
The usual buzz that surrounded the Agora had died down by the time Tataru at last finished her project. Gently cleaning the leather cords with a soft cloth, she held the charm against the light for a final appraisal, allowing herself a small smile of satisfaction as the blood pearls sparkled amongst the darker green crystals like morning rays on seawater. There we go.
With a loud huff, the lalafell rose from the table she’d been hunched over, sparing a moment to stretch her sore arms and rest her sore eyes. It really, really shouldn’t have taken this long! She was supposed to have had the whole evening for this, only she’d been interrupted by a shipment of Hannish cloths arriving a day earlier than scheduled, then delayed further when Varsarudh discovered the delivery was a half-dozen mommes short on silks. By the time she was able to return to the table the sun had long set, and her hands had raced against the bells without pause, led on by anxious urgency.
“Tataru?” Varsarudh poked her head around a pile of boxes that formed the end of a makeshift wall, peering into the corner Tataru had made for herself. The au ra had stopped by more than once, careful not to interrupt her colleague but determined to check on her all the same. “It’s just past the tenth bell. Do you want anything from the Last Stand?”
“Is that the time?” Tataru shot up from her chair, nearly knocking over the lantern she’d brought to the table for her work. Sure enough, the chronometer’s hands pointed at seven minutes past ten. “Visiting hours end at eleven – I have to go there before it gets too late!” she exclaimed in dismay. “I was so caught up in finishing, I didn’t notice…” Tataru rummaged around the table, looking for the square of paper where she’d scribbled down directions to the Physis Technon. “I’ll try to come back before closing time, but in the event that I cannot, can I trouble you and Mehdjina to close the shop without me? I’m sorry for the hassle…”
“We will be fine. I know how much this means to you.” Varsarudh cast Tataru a reassuring smile as she held something towards her. It was a small box with an accompanying lid, already lined with soft velveteen. “Here, I thought to prepare this for the charm – so that there’s no risk of damaging it on your way there. I have taken care to disinfect the box as well.”
“Oh…” A surge of emotion rose in Tataru, and tears already threatened to spill from her eyes, but she held fast; it wouldn’t do anyone any good to cry now. “Thank you so, so much!” She accepted the box from Varsarudh, gently placing the charm inside and closing the lid. “I’ll make it up to the both of you!” she promised.
Tataru walked as fast as she could without breaking into a run, the box held tightly in both hands as she thanked the Twelve for the scarcely-occupied streets. She would not have slowed even if they were bustling with people; she’d endured far worse on the tightly-packed streets of Ul’dah and Revenant’s Toll.
When Tataru found the building, wedged between several others in a rather clustered corner of the city, her resolve wavered as she stood before the tall, twin doors, and her heart felt tight in her chest. What if they didn’t let in visitors this late? Would they even allow visitors? The Scions had been informed that Moro’a had been moved to one of the facility’s recovery wards – meaning his condition was no longer critical – but they’d stressed that there was a long way to go before he was fully healed. They had every right to refuse her.
Perhaps that was it: the fear of what she might see when she stepped into that recovery room, or that Moro’a was in such a bad way that she wouldn’t be able to. Tataru knew of the struggles of battle, of injuries and death, for the Scions had weathered all these and more during the course of their endeavours. But she’d always observed it from behind the table, or within the safety of the Waking Sands or the Rising Stones. The closeness of this was…overwhelming.
Don’t give up on Moro’a now, Tataru! she scolded herself, shaking her head. Not when he’s made it this far. Gathering herself, she pushed through the doors and made for the reception desk with a determined stride. She held on as she spoke to the staff and navigated their reluctance with all the tact and graceful persuasion her years in business had taught her. It would be a swift visit, yes; the box and the charm inside had been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected so as to pose no threat to the patients. When she and the charm were at last allowed through, she held fast still as a staff member led her through corridors and stairs, before at last arriving before Ward Beta, Room 1-1-3.
The moment she entered the room, however, she couldn’t help but gasp at the sight before her. So many machines! All huddled about the bed, as though in vigil for the man they surrounded. Beeping and whirring quietly, they were more than slightly eerie with their incomprehensible screens and their many blinking lights, not unlike the ones in Castrum Meridianum, and she was deeply glad for the bright lanterns that lit the room.
She couldn’t yet see Moro’a clearly from where she stood, which gave her some time to steel herself.
As Tataru approached the bed, she felt her face involuntarily contort with worry and anguish as the full extent of Moro’a’s condition came into view. There wasn’t much to see, which was just as well – a thin blanket concealed most of his body, and most of his exposed arms and face had been carefully bandaged. Tataru swallowed hard as she stood before the miqo’te, watching his chest rise and fall with slow, weak breaths; that nearly-serene expression of unconsciousness on his face.
Seven turns of the sun had passed since the Scions brought the Final Days to a close. Oh, how she’d raced down towards Scholar’s Harbour with Krile, filled with such relief and excitement at their return! And how swiftly their elation had been replaced with terror as only Thancred had emerged from the Ragnarok, shouting for medical aid. Krile had immediately rushed into the ship, leaving Tataru to turn back and call for help.
Tears had begun to spill down her cheeks, and she chased them away with her elbow. “Oh, Moro’a,” she said softly. Gingerly, she placed her box onto the bedside table between them, opening the lid and gently lifting the corded charm from within.
“I know I’ve given you charms like this before,” she continued, through the warbling of her throat. “And that it’s far from a guaranteed power. It hasn’t always worked…and mayhaps it’s merely a flight of fancy. But even so, if only to show the conviction of my wishes!” She placed the charm next to Moro’a, tucking it slightly beneath his pillow. Against the off-white sheets, the blood pearls shimmered beautifully in the light. “So please,” she prayed. “Please, return to us as soon as you can.”
Tataru remained there for a while, unsure of what else she could say. At last she sighed, picking up the box and holding it close to her chest. “I should be going,” she said. “Take care, Moro’a. I hope you’ll be awake the next time we meet.”
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