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The smell of burnt chocolate and nuts permeated the small cottage. Splatters of goo had begun to harden on the counters while everything had a light dusting of sugar on it. The blonde viera stood straight and brushed away any loose hair, smearing even more mess on her body without realizing. Taking a deep steading breath before lifting the warm pan and pouring the still liquid chocolate into the mold. It didn’t look as smooth or glossy as the book but hopefully it would work. Before cleaning up any spills she grabbed the chopped hazelnuts and sprinkled them in so they’d harden into the bar.
Finally, she let out an exhausted breath, praying to the Twelve that the fifth time was the charm. After 3 attempts and nearly starting a fire yesterday she hoped that Tataru would be able to give some advice. After the conversation just seemed to frustrate the Viera more, Tataru simply offered to come make it for her.
Savannah was determined to make it herself, this was important after all… but didn’t mind having someone to help prevent another fire, or make sure she didn’t mix up the salt and sugar again. After removing part of the design, no longer attempting to make a caramel filling, the first attempt of the day had gone a bit better. It had only gotten a little burned and Savvy thought adding more sugar and cream would help fix that but it only made it worse.
This last one had to work, she’d finally gotten it into the mold and it only needed to cool. There wouldn’t be enough time for a sixth attempt. Tataru, pink hair tied back in a nice ponytail, mostly free from the mess, stepped onto her stool to inspect the final step.
“It looks good, I told you it would work better to just keep it simple.” Tataru’s warm, sympathetic, smile betrayed her thoughts. Savvy could hardly make toast but wanted to make a complex chocolate bar for her very first attempt. It was very like her to jump in head first without thinking.
“Go wash up, I’ll deal with the mess.”
Savvy opened her eyes to see the absolute state of her kitchen “No I can do-”
“Please, go take a wash and relax. You’ve been at this for two whole days. A little cleaning is nothing for me.” She grinned, after maintaining the Rising Stones and her own shops, this wasn’t going to take long. It would take ages if Savvy was involved though. “Besides, you have to be ready for tonight, right?”
The viera nodded, a pink tint rising to her face as she remembered that it was only a few bells left. Cheerly bouncing off to the washroom to clean off the sugar and chocolate that decorated her face. It was even worse than she thought with bits of mess in her hair as well. While soaking she hoped for success, even if it wasn’t exactly what she wanted originally. Wanting the bar to be pretty colors with a nice filling, but the caramell always turned out super crunchy. And of course his favorite had to be dark chocolate so coloring it hadn’t turned out good.
Letting out a nervous huff before stepping out of the wash and continuing her day. Tataru was a miracle worker as always with how much cleaner the house already looked.
The time was upon them sooner than expected. Savvy looked her normal beautiful and overly excited self while removing the bar from the cooler. The top of the mold looked much neater than Savvy remembered. Tataru gently removed the bar and looked satisfied that it had hardened.
“It looks a bit… foggy?” Savvy’s ears drooped in disappointment. Most of the ones she saw were always shiny and couldn’t help but wonder what she did wrong this time.”
“It’s fine.” The lalafell smiled reassuringly as she gently wrapped the bar in pretty pink paper. “It takes time and proper temperatures to make it look glossy like that. We just skipped it, I promise it’s still alright.”
“You’re sure” big emerald eyes pleaded with the smaller woman while she took the wrapped present.
“Yes, it’s going to be fine.” Tataru said a bit more firmly this time. It’s not like he’d even notice or care how it looked. She was just worrying too much.
Even though she initially still had time to spar, the blonde somehow ended up in a rush to leave or risk being late. Easily distracted as always.
…
Savvy checked several times to make sure the bar was still in her bag while walking through Limsa. The seasonal air is made even colder by the ocean breeze. Adjusting her scarf higher she continued to suffer the chilly weather while searching for the meeting place.
The upper decks were a bit less crowded and it wasn’t long before she spotted him. Long auburn hair neatly braided down his back, wearing just a black turtleneck with sleeves that didn’t even fully cover his arms, and some normal pants. Not even a light jacket, how could he stand this cold? Inverted yellow eyes turned to look directed at her like he knew she was there. Warmth flooded her cheeks with a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was hardly the first time they’ve seen each other.
“Rhai!” waving as if he hadn’t already spotted her.
Watching her every move as she approached with a subtle expression of fondness on his face. Eyes searching, always analyzing, reading the girl like an open book.
Before she could speak he asked “What is it you want to share with me?”
Her eyes furrowed in a deep pout as some of the wind was taken from her sails. She hadn’t mentioned getting him anything or even wanting to do anything with him besides just meet and spend some time together. He couldn’t even say “Hi” before getting to the point? He’d been in La noscea doing research for several days
Seeing the dejected look on the blonde's face he realized what he did. He’d make efforts to show more attention to her and not just trying to solve the puzzle of the conversation.
“Apologies… “ stepping forward and trying to start again. “Hello, Savannah.” Slowly leaning in to give a greeting peck on the lips.
Savvy couldn’t help as all her excitement was revitalized, his lips so warm that she didn’t want to pull away. Practically hopping up and down when they pulled away, “I got you something!”
“Mhmm” was all he said with a slight upturn to the corner of his mouth. He knew her all too well and knew whatever was exciting her wouldn’t remain a secret for very long.
Digging into the bag she pulled out a thin pink rectangle “Or more… I made you something.”
That caused a slight prick of nervousness to crawl up X’rhai’s spine. She was talented when it came to painting and art but anything else she would try her hand at would result in bizarre failures or outlandish events. Remembering the time she accidentally turned herself into a dwarf bunny.
“Tataru helped me.” she continued quickly, aware that many people weren’t enthusiastic about trying her concoctions. Nervously holding out the gift to him. Tataru tested it to make sure everything was alright but what if something else went wrong.
The red-head viera cautiously took the pink bar, ears straight at attention while opening the wrapping. Inside was a chocolate bar like any other, if a bit messier looking. It was a dark color with nuts embedded into it.
She looked at him expectantly as he snapped off one of the squares, mentally preparing before putting it in his mouth. His hesitation was unfounded as it tasted fine, a bit sweeter than most of the dark chocolates he enjoyed, but not overpowering like expected. The hazelnuts added a lot, all in all it was very serviceable.
“Tis very nice… thank you.”
Big emerald eyes sparkled “Really?” it was extremely rare for him to enjoy her cooking, much less eat more than one bite of it.
He offered the bar to her “Did you not taste it yourself?”
Scrunching her face as she pulled away, unwilling to eat it “You like it so bitter… it was hard to tell so I had Tataru test it.”
It was a relief to hear that Tataru had such a big hand in the whole process. Knowing Savvy she would have burned down the house if left on her own.
“It’s very nice of you…” he stood, awkwardly just holding the gift.”
“Aren't you going to eat it?” Was he lying? Maybe it wasn’t good.
“One is more than enough at a time.” gently wrapping up the rest. It would make for a nice treat on occasion. “Besides, we’re meant to get food soon, yes?”
The blonde nodded excitedly, almost forgetting the second half of this little date, quickly wrapping her arm around his and walking.
“Can I ask what all this is about now?” the redhead asked while she dragged him across Limsa.
The blonde suddenly stopped and looked up in confusion “...Rhai… its your nameday isn’t it?” feeling nervous again, wondering if she’d gotten the date wrong even after double checking with X’rhun.
He looked equally confused as he tried to remember what day it was. Pinched brow raised as he realized “Oh… I guess it is… I’m sorry.”
His girlfriend set up a whole date to take him on and he didn’t even remember his own nameday.
Savvy chuckled, not surprised that he had forgotten something like that. “Don't apologize, just let me take you out.” once more pulling him along.
“You don't have to go through the effort-” fingers placed firmly on his lips to prevent him from speaking.
“You were fine when you thought it was just me wanting a date but now it’s an issue because I want to celebrate you. No complaining… please, I really want to do this for you.” a small sadness crossing her face “We… didn’t get to celebrate it much, not since our first summer with the Scions.”
X’rhai just nodded, agreeing to keep his thoughts to himself for now. Not being entirely comfortable with people spending their energies on him. But there was no winning this argument with her.