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“Pictomancy, is it?” Tataru thoughtfully tilted her head. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard of such a thing.”
“It was invented by the Archon Relm.” Krile grunted as she hefted a stack of tomes onto a desk in the Baldesion Annex. “These days, there are very few living practitioners, so I’ve turned to the Noumenon instead.”
“Aha! So you’re looking for historical inspiration.”
“That’s the idea.” Krile opened one of the tomes, wrinkled her nose at the dense blocks of text in an art book, and closed it again. “Though I must confess, I’m not certain where to start.”
Tataru peered over her shoulder “Hmm… well, what if you looked the part?” She pointed to the cover of the book, illustrated with colorful images of the Archon in question. “I think I could whip something like that up. Maybe even try a few variations…different styles, different materials…”
“Are you sure? I know you’ve been swamped with orders now that you’ve got the Warrior of Light advertising your business. I wouldn’t want to impose.”
But Tataru’s eyes gleamed. “If it means getting to see you try my designs on, I’ve all the time in the world!” Then she sheepishly looked away, her voice hesitant. “If, that is, you’re interested…?”
Ah. So that was her goal. Despite becoming an immensely successful businesswoman and a political force to be reckoned with in her own right, the Scion’s former secretary had an ever-humble heart. From the shy eagerness coloring both her posture and her thoughts, she must have been waiting for an opportunity like this for quite some time.
Krile chuckled and put aside her book. “I suppose I have put little thought into my appearance lately. As much as I’ll miss this cloak, I can’t wear it forever.”
Tataru looked curious at that comment, but Krile merely sat back in her chair and stretched. The meaning behind her robe, and the ups and downs of her early life with the Students were not topics she much enjoyed expounding upon. “Very well. In the spirit of attempting something new, I’ll act as your model.”
1. Archon Relm
Krile twirled and posed, judging her reflection in the mirror Tataru had dragged into the Annex. “It truly is the spitting image of that book cover, isn’t it?”
Tataru grinned. “I even matched the paint splatters!”
Indeed, it was a startlingly accurate recreation. So accurate, in fact, that Krile couldn’t help but feel she was standing in shoes she couldn’t hope to fill. Her shoulders slumped. “Mayhap you should try your hand at pictomancy instead of me. The craftsmanship on display here is far better than any I’ve accomplished with my paintings.”
Tataru winced sympathetically. “Trouble controlling your creations?”
“More like a failure of imagination.” Krile shook her head. “I’m sorry. The costume is lovely, but… it just makes me worry I won’t ever measure up.”
“Then let’s try something else!” Tataru narrowed her eyes and stared deep into Krile’s. “Something unique to you…”
2. Eureka!
“Tataru?”
“Yes?”
Krile examined the glowing white lines running down the coat. “Did you get the materials for this from the Isle of Val?”
“You’d be surprised what activities retainers get up to, and what they’re willing to discuss in exchange for a little discretion.” The Scion’s master of blackmail smirked and put a finger to her lips. “Besides, I’m sure those adventurers won’t miss a few bits and bobs they stashed away and haven’t looked at for moons.”
Krile lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. “I did say they could keep what they found in return for their assistance.”
“I’ve seen to it that they’ll be compensated.” Tataru waved away her concerns. “More importantly: what do you think?”
Krile glanced down again and grimaced. “I look like a tree decked out for the Starlight celebration.”
"Hmm, that's no good." Tataru's gaze fell on the new map pinned to the Annex wall, and she nodded to it. "What about something more suitable for what the weather and season will be like in Tural?"
3. Trust Me, You Need a Vacation
"Well, this is certainly less stifling to move around in!" Krile hummed approvingly as she paced back and forth to test the fit of the sandals Tataru had provided.
Like the rest of the outfit, the sandals were lightweight, but sturdier than they first appeared. Krile couldn't even guess at what materials it had taken to craft beachwear imbued with the nearly the same aetheric properties as a typical combat robe.
And Tataru seemed quite pleased with her creation too, though she sighed enviously as she watched. "I've heard the beaches in Tuliyollal are just wonderful this time of year."
"The equal of Costa del Sol, you think?"
"Oh, lots better, if my contacts are to be believed," the accountant cheerfully supplied. "And the price of a waterside room is surprisingly competitive with Gegeruju's offerings - even without factoring in the annoyance of catering to that lech and his tedious tastes."
Leave it to Tataru to have already researched the best and most budget-friendly accommodations. Krile let out an amused snort and made a mental note to get Tataru's advice on the rest of her future itinerary too.
But in the present, she put a finger to her chin with a slight frown. "Still, as nice as this is, I'm not sure how much time we'll have to lounge around and sip drinks by the ocean."
"Nonsense! There's no world ending threat to worry yourself over, is there?" Tataru placed her hand over her heart. "It's been a thrilling year for all of us, so please, take the moment to relax. You deserve it as much as anyone."
"Even so, I can't imagine what the Dawnservant would think were I to appear at his palace dressed as though I expected a beach party." Krile chuckled as she gestured to the swimsuit and shorts. "I'd like to make a more serious first impression, if only for Wuk Lamat's sake."
“This won’t do, then.” Tataru bobbed her arm in a decisive gesture. “Next!”
4. Crawling in My Memories
“This is… unique…” Krile raised an eyebrow as she took in the full effect of the outfit. There was dark and gloomy, and then there was… Tataru’s latest work. “Er… if you don’t mind my asking, what was the inspiration?”
Tataru shyly kicked at the floor. “Well… I know what it’s like to be left behind, on the sidelines. And I know that as difficult as that is for me, it must be so much worse for you! You never complain, even though you’re constantly feeling everyone’s suffering.”
“So it’s inspired by my abilities?” There was something oddly sweet about the idea. Krile couldn’t help but smile underneath the (frankly overdramatic) mask. “While I’ll admit I’ve had more than my fair share of dark days, I’d prefer not to dwell on them. As painful as it may be at times, I choose to see the Echo as a blessing.”
“A blessing…” Tataru’s face suddenly lit up. “I’ve got just the thing!”
5. Chosen of Hydaelyn
“By the Twelve…” Krile gasped as she examined the shimmering blue crystals and faintly glowing blossom. “Tataru, this is exquisite. Is this an Elpis bloom? And…” She closed her eyes and focused on the faint, yet achingly familiar aura the crystals gave off. “I’d know this signature anywhere. These are fragments of the Mothercrystal!”
“Just fragments and dust, I’m afraid. Not even enough to craft into a focus or staff.” Tataru knelt to trace her fingers around one of the larger pieces. “Even if She’s gone now, I like to think some remnant of Her still watches over you and keeps you safe.”
“I can’t wear this.” Krile would not cry. Would not think of that perilous yet wondrous voyage into the Sea, and the knowledge that she had missed her one chance to meet the Goddess face-to-face. So much of her life had been shaped by Hydaelyn’s call. But now she would never hear it again. “Imagine if it got torn, or stained with my paints! It’s irreplaceable.”
“But you do look just lovely in it.” Tataru sighed wistfully. Then she nodded with a serious expression. “Yet you’re quite right. The goal was to craft practice gear for your pictomancy, and this simply isn’t suited for that purpose.”
Krile caught her by the shoulder as the seamstress turned back towards her patterns. “Perhaps for special occasions…”
Tataru beamed. “Of course! Waste not, want not, after all!” A faint blush crept over her cheeks. “Did you have any special occasions in mind…?”
“Well, I do recall a rather fine dining establishment from Estinien’s memories should we ever find ourselves in Ishgard again…”
A Gift from Galuf
Tataru self-consciously wrung her hands together as Krile moved the mirror back into position. “I know the design isn’t the most original, but I did my best.”
Krile pulled the hood up and stepped back to admire herself. There was something about the slight weight of the cartoonish ears settling back into place that just felt right. “I look like me.”
“You like it?” Tataru rushed over to the table and grabbed the final piece of the ensemble. “My contacts in Thavnair finally deciphered the recipe for the paints you wanted, so I’ve got those as well!”
Krile lifted her brush and struck a pose. “You’ve done it again, Tataru.”
The master seamstress shrugged awkwardly. “All I really did was copy most of the pattern from your grandfather’s notes…”
“And that’s why it’s perfect.” Krile looked back and gave her a nod. “He was no more than an amateur craftsman, so I suspect he copied the design wholesale from some popular collection. But he stitched it together himself, and that meant the world to me as a child.”
Tataru’s eyes widened. “So I’m following in the footsteps of a family tradition.”
“That’s right.” Krile set the brush and palette aside so she could take Tataru’s hands. “He might be gone today, but now I have you.”
Once upon a time, Galuf had made Krile’s original cloak with the wish that others would not fear her powers. That she would befriend and be beloved by many.
And what better proof was there that his wish for her had come true, than the woman now standing at Krile’s side?