Details

Personality

Aesthetic

plot

Before the SULTANATE

N/A (Fill this in later lol)

job at the sultanate

Having trained so long with a gunblade, and with their reputation as such a coldblooded monster, their renown was reaching the lips of high profile assassination targets by means of sturdy protection from those who would otherwise harm them. From criminal overlords to government officials, the name Tatayo Tayo was often spoken with respect and out of necessity, uttered soon before concerns like "do we really need to go that far", or "is the situation that dire?" When word reached the Immortal Flames that there would be an attempt at the Sultanas life, it was clear. The situation called for drastic measure and in no uncertain terms. Tatayo was summoned to the Chamber of Rule on official business and offered the high honor of protecting Ms. Nanamo Ul Namo, the Sultana of Ul'dah. Tatayo accepted without hesitation.

Tatayo took the job very seriously, but could not deny the first time they'd seen her grace in person, it was a like a dream. Her visage stole the breath from their lungs and the attention from their mind. It was a stranglehold they could only shake when they weren't in her presence, which is why they much preferred standing guard just outside whatever office she was needed in. Tatayo felt much more confident in their job performance if they could avoid those obnoxious desires.

The few times they were stationed next to Her Grace, she would always try to strike up conversation, asking about Tatayo's interesting armour, and their peculiar gunblade, which must have been several times taller than themself. Tatayo kept their answers brief for the most part, but it was clear to anyone they always wanted to discuss their ridiculous uniform. The two actually had quite a bit to say to each other about fashion, which came as a shock to the Sultana, albeit a pleasant one. These distractions were equally nagging on Tatayo's perfectionist complex, and among whisperings that they and the Sultana were getting sweet on eachother, Tatayos resolve to distance themself from Her Grace grew stronger.

death of the sultanate

The news had spread to Tatayo by way of panic and unrest when Nanamo was found unconscious in her chamber. The medical staff couldn't call it any other way. She'd been poisoned. Several Immortal Flames captains were already being accused of being involved and Raubahn, the champion primarily tasked with guarding her, was missing. Thoughts immediately began flooding Tatayos head. They weren't even given time to grieve. All they could think about was how other people would see this. They were an outsider, they would be accused immediately, and perhaps given the severity of the situation, wouldn't even be given a fair trial. Even if they could be proven innocent, the people of Ul'dah would never trust them after this. They had to flee. 

Dubiously disguised, Tatayo boarded an airship to the Shroud and wandered to Gyr Albania where they took the very first available ship to Kugane. No one would find them here. No one would think to look. After spending what precious few gil they had on an inn room, they were finally able to process what had occurred over the last few days. They broke down and cried softly on the inn room floor until they slipped into an uneasy slumber.

The next morning, they mindlessly wandered the streets of Kugane, half of their mind coming to terms with their love having died without them there beside them, the other half busy trying to figure out the best road to sleep on, considering they hadn't the money to stay another night at an establishment. The market stalls had these paper awnings over each desk to keep the vendors shady during sunny days. Tatayo had considered these might keep them drying if it rains, but won't do anything about the chilling cold. They were so broken, they were completely unaware of how long they had been staring at an awning over a blacksmiths stall. A queerly dressed Lalafell woman had been standing behind them for a moment, and asked if they were looking at the artisan blade on display there. Tatayo plainly declined, but the little woman still kept talking, explaining how things here are pricier than "back home" but "leagues higher in quality, so it's worth it". Most of her ramblings went in one ear and out the other. Tatayo had wanted to respond to every single point, but their mouth wouldn't move. They just stared blankly at the young woman, eyeing her tattoos and watching her ears flop expressively, at a loss. Eventually she had introduced herself as Shishiro Sol Shiro. Apparently the "sol" held no significance, but she liked it because it "made her sound like royalty or something". Tatayo wouldn't say as much, but they agreed. It reminded them of Her Grace. Their one-sided conversation persisted until Shishiro eventually asked if they wanted a job. Tatayo accepted, showing no more emotion than what they had previously.

Tatayo was lead back to a Tavern in Shirogane, a residential borough off the shore of Kugane, where he met a colorful cast of other Miqo'te, heading a much more bland group of various other mercenaries of various backgrounds. Tatayo learned their previous leader had went MIA, leaving Shishiro in charge, and the whole tavern in need of new protection. The job was a unique deal. Instead of working every day for money, Tatayo simply had to show up for meetings, attend the occasional hunt, and in return, they would have lodging and food without having to pay for it. Although the lodging included was a spare bed in a spare bedroom across the hall from Shishiro - who liked her music late and loud - it meant they could be certain they would not die alone in an alley.

Tatayo's arrangement with the tavern proprietor had gone on for some time, and while the thrill of luxuries had alluded them and their empty coinpurse for the duration of their stay, it offered them the time and mental capacity to grieve for their love the way they wanted to all along. They kept a portrait of her on their night stand and never failed to absentmindedly fix an unbroken gaze on it before drifting off to sleep. Not only had no one come looking for them to atone for a crime they didn't commit, but news of the Sultana hadn't reached Kugane at all. At least, if it didn, no one seemed particularly concerned with it. This also meant when it was revealed that the Sultana was still alive in Ul'dah and recovering from a strange toxin, that, too, had alluded Kugane's inhabitants, including Tatayo, who was still very much as a loss for what to do without her.

PRay return to the sultanate

Two years came and went, and the collective known as NYAH, typically found lodging in the tavern with Tatayo, were out in Coerthas helping their young Warrior of Light end a domestic conflict. Tatayo had more time on their hands than they knew what to do with. It was getting lonely, and they'd considered going back to Ul'dah. The chances of them getting recognized were slim to none, and on the off chance they were convicted of this crime they didn't commit, they considered any punishment a just one for having abandoned their responsibilities so easily, an action of theirs that weighed heavily on their conscience these two long years. One night, in the stillness of the early hours, Tatayo left the tavern, leaving behind all the possessions they had borrowed, including their portrait of the Sultana. 

The trip back had taken several days. Tensions rising between territories Tatayo couldn't be bothered to remember had made sea fare difficult, and the trek from Gyr Abania to Gridania aside was a grueling one. Once in Ul'dah, Tatayo wasn't quiet sure what to do. They were exhausted, but hadn't been working for coin, so couldn't afford an inn. Their bunk in the guards tower was surely off limits to them at this point. They found themselves standing before the hallway leading to Nanamo's old chambers in the Chamber of Rule at the heart of the city. They couldn't elaborate even to themselves as to why they came here. Maybe to chance a guards glance and see if they were seized on sight, maybe to chance an encounter with the new defacto ruler. Maybe they just wanted to see where their love had been last she were among the living. Sure enough, an altercasion had broke out with a guard who was all too familiar with their cowardice. They were interrupted by none other than Nanamo Ul'Namo, who was simply fed up with the ruckus, but was stopped short upon seeing Tatayo. She demanded the guard release them immediately and invited them into her chambers.  

Once alone, Tatayo couldn't contain their tears, and began visibly trembling. Through a shaking voice, they confessed how they've felt all this time, how much they've missed Her Grace, and how hard it's been going all this time thinking she was dead. Nanamo could only offer so much in way of comfort, and ended up embracing her trembling friend. Once closer than they'd ever been before, Nanamo insists they stay the night in the palace. After a bath and a meal fit for a monarch, Tatayo found that same warmth and comfort from their earlier embrace under the Sultana's sheets that night. The next morning, Tatayo offered their eternal loyalty if returned to the Sultana's guard in their prior position. Nanamo acted coy at first, insisting the other guards wouldn't be as easy to forgive their transgressions, but then warmed up by informing them that she already had, and that if all Tatayo wanted was a place at her side, that she could provide that easily. That Tatayo's position was hand-picked to begin with, and that a place at her side was all she wanted for them, too.

The following weeks were spent catching up, and Tatayo slowly relearning how to feel again, after the years of torture they'd just endured.