Characters: U'rahn Nuhn and Family, @biot08 's Nyx Blackmoon
Rating: G for Gentleman
Notes: Thank you to biot8 for letting me pilot Nyx and helping Nyx's lines and editing! Borrowed a bit from FFVIII
"Aww! She's so cute!!!"
U'rahn crossed his arms and nodded as the Drake women praised his Starlight gift from Nyx. "Naturally," he boasted, "Nyx is an amazing crafter and a wiz with technology. She enjoyed what we made too…I think. She's really the best."
The tribe looked onto U'rahn, nodding, eating up his charmed gaze as his mind wandered to his friend. Embarrassed , he chuckled then rubbed at his nose, ears perking as he heard a familiar scoff.
"Got something to say U'khuba," the warrior challenged.
"You're a child."
"Excuse me!?"
"I said, you're a child," U'khuba repeated, pushing at the bridge of his glasses. "An exchange of dolls? Sledding. Cocoa. Blanket fort. All the machinations of a boy attempting romance."
"I recall you pitching in, U'khuba," U'napa pointed out, ears folding back in annoyance.
"I couldn't let our tribe be represented by such poor craftsmanship. We now, more than ever, need to be seen as our own economy in Thanalan," he protested.
"Yes, I'm sure your dear Lolorito would be oh so disillusioned by the Drake's one-time venture into toy making," U'ralka responded wryly as she passed through.
As the huntresses laughed, the tightening of leather cut through, U'rahn clenching both fists while grinding his teeth.
"I'm not a child. I'm a man! And a Nuhn of this tribe," he declared, beating his palm against his chest as he glowered to his smug cousin, "I'm going to show Nyx all the maturity and romance I have on my honor as a Drake!"
"Hear hear," the ladies cheered. U'khuba left to roll his eyes.
"Speaking of being a Nuhn," U'goromuli sang, hopping up to hug U'rahn's neck from behind, "Don't forrrget about us here!"
The warrior swallowed, cheeks turning a shade darker as he rolled his eyes away and scratched at his cheek. " 'Course I'm not gonna forrrget about you. But I gotta go see the Post Moogle!"
Hastily he turned tail towards the door, letting U'goromuli hang off him until she let go and landed behind him with a little huff. As U'rahn arriving at his destination, he looked to the Moogle, and crossed his arms.
"What can I do you for, kupo?"
"I gotta letter for you to write. No funny business. Just as I say, got it?"
"Fire away, Kupo."
Nodding, U'rahn scratched his chin hairs, thinking for a moment before nodding rapidly.
"Got it! Ready?"
Dear Ms. Blackmoon, is that too formal?
I wish to invite you to escort you on an evening out to one of Limsa Lominsa 's finest dining establishments on the eve of Heavensturn. It will be a night of food, music, and dance. No, I won't be singing. Just write the letter. Anyroad, where was I. Right! Please meet me at The Bismark at 2100 hours on the last day of the year. We should dress formally.
Best,
Rahn
That sounded mature right? Hey! Stop writing now!
-Post Moogle General as dictated by U'rahn "Nuhn"
U'rahn cracked his knuckles as the letter disappeared into the aether, eye twitching as he looked down at the Moogle, "You little…"
"M-Mail for U'rahn Nuhn, K-Kupo!"
"That was fast," U'rahn said, blinking a bit as the letter appeared in the red bag. Taking it, he quickly opened it, eyes wide with delight as he read over the singular word.
Acknowledged.
"Heck yeah," he cheered, pumping up into air while the Post Moogle quickly snuck off behind him before the Nuhn could remember his annoyance. "I gotta take care of reservations…and get a suit!"
And with that, U'rahn made all the arrangements, accepting just a bit of help from the ladies and his father until the big day came about.
—
"I…I look like one of those big birds mom had in her etchings from Thavnair," U'rahn half screamed as he looked at himself in the mirror, U'odh behind him looking proud of his son in the turquoise and green suit with ruffles on the chest.
"This was the latest thing when I was a lad. Your motherrr said I looked sharp in it. It was great for dancing in, she was quite the performer," the man mused nostalgically with a rub of his beard.
"The same mom we couldn't remember for six years? That mom," the young man panicked, "I don't think you've got it all back old man. There's no way you pulled this off!"
"Peacock," U'tykha sounded out beside the mirror, lost in thought.
U'rahn jumped, ears and tail high as he looked down and patted at his groin. "What are you on about!? I thought you were saying my little Nuhn was showin'!"
His father and U'khuba snickered from behind while U'thyka shook his head, "The bird you're talking about. You look like a peacock," he explained, "It's in Uncles’ books."
"I guess it's what I got. Nyx won't care though. It's about spending time together, yeah?"
"Rrright," U'odh agreed.
"Absolutely not! You're not leaving this hut like that! Let alone this village!! Take it off! Now," U'khuba ordered.
"I gotta go! I don't have time for your pettiness, U'khuba."
"I'm going to fix this mess," his cousin hissed, slamming his weaver kit on the table, "Meanwhile, get some grey pigment and create some dye."
U'rahn looked on warily then kicked off his shoes before dressing down to his smalls, letting his cousin seize the outfit and start to tear and stitch things. Huffing, the Nuhn fished out his alchemist gloves and grinder then got to work as instructed, plopping himself on the ground with the bowl nested in his bare legs, tongue between his lips as he started to roll the mortar around rapidly until he made a fine powder.
After a few minutes, U'khuba stood and flopped out the garment, letting the ruffles fall away, revealing a much more sleek and trim fit. Standing, U'rahn offered the dye over and let his cousin coat the garment in it before walking out to the stream to soak. U'rahn in his smalls garnered a few whistles from the ladies, sending him into a bit of a pose mode while U'khuba rolled his eyes then slapped the wet dyed clothes over the other's head.
"Dry them and get out of here," the Miqo'te ordered while cleaning off his glasses on his vest.
"Ah, thanks."
Wet, U'rahn grumbled then slung the wet clothes off him before whistling for his drake, "Sandy! C'mere!"
Wiggling over, his faithful drake bumped into his stomach and let out an affectionate hiss, whacking U'khuba with his tail as he wandered back to the hut.
"Good boy," U'rahn praised, scratching at the soft under scales before stepping back spread eagle, each piece of the suit draped over his arms, "Dry me off."
Wobbling with excitement, the Drake stepped back then let out a steady small flame from its maw, blasting the Nuhn with a heated gust. Closing his eyes, U'rahn waited until he felt the fabric stiffen and crease. His companion tapped out of fire power, tilted his head and watched as the Miqo'te hopped around, tugging up the right pants leg before skipping back into the crisp shirt and jacket.
"Thanks! I'll have dad get you an extra big marmot steak tonight," he called out before heading back inside to present himself back to his father and cousins.
"Good? Khuba made me look sharp. You must secrrretly admire me cousin, makin' me look so good," U'rahn praised.
"If you're courting outside the tribe, the more chances there are of you finding yourself away…leaving leadership to someone much more focused on the tribe."
"Yeah, yeah. Doesn't make you a Nuhn," U'rahn chuckled.
"Enough barbs," U'odh gruffed, pointing to the chronometer, "You need to be leaving, son."
"Ah! Heck! Thanks pops," the younger Nuhn breathed out before hurrying to the counter and grabbing some mint from a small potted plant.
With that, he blipped to the Limsan Aetheryte plaza before running to the edge of the white stone, spitting out the mint before his stomach turned too much. Once his breath was caught, he hurried to the upper decks, pushing through the crowds of excited people ready for the big event being set up at the Aftcastle. Arriving at The Bismark, he swallowed, then headed to the lower fancier level where he was greeted by a young woman in a suit, "Happy Heavensturn, name?"
"U'rahn Nuhn."
"Ah, a pleasure, sir. And your expected guest? I can only seat you once both parties have arrived.
The Miqo'te 's head swiveled about, not spotting his date.
"Oh. Well, she…she's surprisingly late."
"Very well. If you'd step aside until she arrives sir…"
"Y-Yeah."
U'rahn's ears folded as he was ushered aside. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he shuffled over to a small aquarium and sighed, forehead resting against the glass.
"I hope she didn't leave cause I'm a little late," he mumbled to himself as he followed a yellow tang with his finger.
Gazing through the glass, he watched as fish scattered, eventually finding a familiar set of mismatched eyes staring blankly back at him from the other side. Smiling softly, he ran his hand back through his hair then breathed upon the glass, drawing a little heart on the glass.
"Rahn, I am late for our evening. I was detained by a classified engagement," she announced from the other side of the tank.
"Ah. That's okay! I'm just glad you're here."
U'rahn walked to the edge of the aquarium in tandem with his date, meeting her at the end. He swallowed, feeling himself heat up as she rounded the corner in her Doman dress. Stepping back, he took a deep breath then held out his hand with a little bow.
"Ms. Blackmoon, may I take you to our table."
"There are instructions to wait to be seated, Rahn," the woman stated, taking his hand.
"Well, right, but…," he started, staring at her palm in his for a moment before quietly returning to the podium, "My date has arrived."
The waitress nodded then looked to Nyx, ears perking in surprise, "Oh. Well, yes. Right this way, I suppose. I am C’thkya, and will be personally seeing to you tonight.
With that, the hostess led them through to their destination, passing by the more crowded seating and up to a semi-private table for two upon a deck that overlooked the harbor, a bottle of champagne already chilling in an ice bucket beside it. U'rahn whistled as he gazed out into the sea, the sun threatening to dip below the horizon any second.
"Have you ever seen such a view," he asked, hand lightly squeezing hers.
"I have seen Limsa Lominsa's sunsets many times."
"Yeah, but, isn't it…kinda more beautiful cause….y'know…we're seeing it togetherrr?"
The waitress rolled her eyes behind them as she laid out their menus, U'rahn expectantly looking to Nyx, free hand covering his mouth a bit from the escaped purr.
"It has not changed aesthetically with our combined presence; however, this is a unique shared experience, having not traveled here together prior."
The Seeker perked up a bit from her words, seeming rather excited by them, much to their waitress's confusion, "We have our normal array of entrées available this evening, though our master culinarian has prepared a special menu for the esteemed friends of Mr. Erick Gage. Would you like me to prepare the champagne?"
"Let me," U'rahn offered, letting go of Nyx's hand carefully before trotting over to lift the bottle, leaving his date to examine the menu.
Tugging on the cork, U'rahn gave a little twist while their waitress lightly put up her hand in protest before the bottle loudly went 'POP'. The Nuhn’s head flung back as he let out a small scream while bubbly overflowed out of its neck and over his fist. Wincing, he snapped his attention to the running fluids and poured them into their flutes before stumbling back and rubbing his eye.
“Sir!”
“Are you alright Rahn?”
“I-I’ll be f-fine,” he weakly assured them, wincing a bit before showing off his blackened eye.
“You have sustained an injury,” Nyx commented.
“It’s fine, promise.”
“Sir…I really think…” C’thkya started.
“We should order! Me too! Let’s see,” U’rahn interjected, holding his menu up to hide his face.
He swallowed, already a poor reader with two unswollen eyes. Scanning the menu, he stifled a whimper, unable to make heads or tails before peeping over to Nyx as she stared at him from across the table. “So uh, what are you getting?”
“I would like the The Ruby Sea Bhoot Pepper Curry.”
“That sounds kinda good! Two of those please.”
C’thkya looked between the two a bit nervously then gave a bow before heading out to give the order.
“Huh? Think I said something weird,” he asked Nyx.
“I believe her reaction was to our willingness to consume a bhoot pepper.”
“Eh? I eat peppers all the time.”
“A bhoot pepper registers 2.5 Million S’coville Tia Heat Units, the highest in Eorzea.”
“Sounds like a challenge! I can handle it if you can!”
"My tolerance for flavour and culinary experience is broader than that of many others. I recommend caution if you try this."
“My mom was Thavnarian and my father is from Southern Thanala. I grew up eating peppers off the vine.”
Nyx stared for a moment then shook her head, “The blood pepper and dragon peppers you may have encountered do not have the same SHUs as that of the bhoot pepper.”
“I got this. Nothin’s to spicy for a-” he started, feeling the purr of ‘herrro’ rise in his throat, “Gentleman.”
His date nodded then let him start on one of his stories, U’rahn calmly taking care to not exaggerate himself, for once. Timing his story well, the violently red seafood curry was placed before them, squid carved into little decorative rabbits. The Nuhn’s mouth watered as he stared at it, stomach growling a bit loudly while across from him Nyx quietly took efficient bites. For whatever reason, he forgot his date’s usual lack of emotive tells and took her usual silence for quiet enjoyment. With a hearty spoonful, he took a large bite.
He wondered if he’d somehow licked Ifrit himself, eyes watering as every nerve on his tongue screamed from the spice, nearly burying the subtle buttery taste of the fish it covered. Eyes watering, he swallowed while reaching for his glass, C’thkya coughing to hide her amusement.
“Does it displease you, Rahn?”
“No. It’s. Fine,” he breathed out after downing his flute of champagne, “Miss! Could you possibly bring me a glass of milk.”
“Right away, Master U’rahn.”
Shaking, he took another bite, not wanting to seem fussy about the food. He began to sweat as the heat radiated through him, every bite a little battle. Despite the discomfort, the underlying melody of seafood, coconut, and various vegetables were rather pleasing and he did his best to enjoy them. Their attentive hostess, realizing his pain, kept the milk flagon flowing to ease his suffering, letting out a little sigh each time he struggled down a bite.
“Perhaps you’d like the dessert you ordered,” C’thkya finally offered, U’rahn starting to mechanically scrape the bottom of the bowl.
“Please,” the Miqo’te managed to whisper while Nyx studied his flushed, sweaty face.
Nodding, the woman disappeared again, leaving the two alone. Unable to easily converse, silence quickly grew between them and lingered. U’rhan’s ears drooped, realizing he tended to monopolize so much of their conversations, on some level, knowing she did need prompts that he seldom offered. Straightening up, he looked on to his date then managed a small smile.
“It’s…hard to talk…tongue hurts…But, are you enjoying yourself so far?”
Nyx nodded, “You have provided amusing expressions for me this evening.”
“I tend to do that a lot for you.”
“Correct.”
“...”
“...”
“I’m used to…babbling. Tell me…something about yourself.”
“What do you wish to know?”
“What, uh, what do you like?”
“I enjoy new experiences.”
“That’s good. I hope…I’m doing that… Giving good new experiences.”
` “You are. I enjoy the experiences you provide.”
U’rahn flushed, heart skipping as he looked on. “Yeah? I’d really like to give you more…”
As the words left him, C’thkya arrived, letting him shyly retreat into them for a moment. Having placed an order before, a small chocolate mousse cake was set before them in the shape of a heart, layered with white vanilla cream. Taking from his date’s aesthetic palette, the heart was mismatched, one side topped with the chocolate, the other the vanilla. With a little bow, the young woman left them with two spoons.
Picking up a utensil, U’rahn sliced into the cake then held it out toward Nyx. “Ah, here.”
“I am able to feed myself, Rahn. I do not need assistance.”
“Well, yeah…But, it’s kinda sweet to do this? Something a couple might do?”
Nyx stared, then leaned forward to take the offered bite. The life nearly left his body, taking the simple acknowledgment of his gesture and running with it in his mind. In turn, he was offered his own bite, which he eagerly latched on to. Red faced, he leaned back, savoring the bite before looking across to Nyx.
“How was it?”
“Cool. Smooth. Sweet.”
“Yeah…it was,” he mused sheepishly, leaning on the table and taking another bite before perking his ears, “Oh. You meant the cake didn’t you.”
“Correct.”
“I see…” he mused, watching her quietly with a small smile on his face.
Soon they finished the desert, leaving U’rahn to leave a hefty bag of gil on the table. Cooled down from dinner, he stood, then offered his hand again, “Shall we move on to the next part of our evening?”
“We can, Rahn.”
Nodding, he laced their fingers together then watched her rise from the seat before escorting her to the lower openair deck turned dance floor for the evening. Below, couples danced merrily, celebrating the pending turn of the year together. Hearing a familiar tune, he smiled then excitedly wandered out to the floor with Nyx to follow. Finding himself, he beamed at her, fluttering his ears before bashfully rubbing the back of his head.
“Are you wishing to dance this waltz, Rahn?”
“Well…yeah, but I don’t know the moves necessarily…My mom tried to teach me when I was a little sprout, but my tail was kinda long for my body at the time…”
“I’ve seen you dance around your room.”
“Y-You were watching that!?”
“You have given me an open invitation to make myself comfortable in your quarters.”
“I did…didn’t I…I see. Well, that’s not the same kind of dance! I’m not sure about this fancy stuff,” he mumbled, ears lowering.
“Your intention was still to dance with me this evening, Rahn?”
“Well…yeah.”
“Then I shall assist you.”
With that, she tugged Rahn along by the hand to a more open space. Flushing, he let her put his palm on her waist and then felt them sway. Ignoring the eyes on them, he stumbled a bit, letting her lead before nervously stumbling into her. He grinned bashfully, letting her push him upright and reposition his hands to puppet him into the basic steps, soon pushing him back into a fan position and return him to closed, once more sending them colliding together as he lost his footing. Embarrassed, he looked for an escape, turning to take a few steps away before finding Nyx taking his hand once more and side stepping around him in time with the rest of the patrons. Getting the rhythm, he mirrored her movements, getting the hang of it.
Though clumsily bumping into others at times, he managed to get into the swing of it, spinning Nyx with a smile, watching her glide away then back into his arms. The waltz winding down, he managed to pivot and fan her away all on his own before pulling her close into his arms as the lights around them dimmed.
Soon, fireworks exploded above as the bells tolled, ushering in the new year. Boyish awe lit up across U’rahn’s face as he watched the carefully rabbit-shaped explosions explode overhead, light glittering across his face. Turning to find Nyx’s gaze upon him, as always, he smiled softly then stroked his palm over the pale half of her cheek before closing his eyes and embracing her finally. The kiss returned, he flushed then held her tight, others around them celebrating with their own confetti poppers before breaking into song together.
Laughing softly, he stroked a palm over her ear then closed his eyes, “Nyx, I’ve always kinda had to make myself the center of attention to get people to look at me…your eyes though, they’re kinda always on me, even when I’m not really doing anything. I feel like you see me in a way I want to be seen…in a genuine way.”
“You are genuinely interesting to watch, Rahn.”
“I am?”
“Yes. You are full of expression. Of note, you also spend an above average time looking at me. Many avoid doing so.”
“Well, of course I do…I…I think you’re beautiful. And you’re smarrrt, and insightful…”
“Thank you, Rahn.”
U’rahn smiled, feeling Nyx’s head rest against his chest as they swayed together. His tail curled as he melted with happiness. Sighing, he hummed along with the rest of the crowd to their new year’s tidings, secretly wishing for the moment to last for a while longer.
Rhalgr is seemingly only worshipped by Ala Mhigans.
A Nunh who is also Chieftain makes for unhappy aspiring mothers.
“Miracle cures” are rampant, even in a world of magic and alchemy.
U tribe hunters crop their tails as penance for failure (or perhaps for having accepted help from an outsider)
Amaljina & Sons Mineral Concern (yes, the same one who tried to kill the man who tried to start his own rival mining company) is also trying to uncover Allagan technology.
Just a few lore tidbits I discovered while levelling an alt today.
Wherein Tiergan goes to figure out what the actual in-game NPCs say about the U-Tribe that contradicts SE’s own Lore. :V
I went off to do the quest-chain @sharksister mentioned that involves the U Tribe and here is the NPC dialogue. I skipped most of Arenvald’s dialogue because it’s mostly him saying “I think the U-Tribe could help us, but they only respect badassery and I can’t fight for shit.”
The main writer for these quests definitely did not get the whole “Nunh status does not equate to leadership within a tribe, and in fact, very few nunh ever become leaders.“
Especially when you speak to one of the other Tia who seems pretty convinced he’s going to be the next Nunh if he beats up his Tia rival
THAT SAID.
From all of this, it should be pretty obvious that the U Tribe places a LOT of value on strength and combat prowess. One of the first things you hear from Arenvald, the NPC who first sends you out to do this is that the “U respect strength above all.” The tribe consists entirely of badass huntresses who you’re not even permitted to fullly rescue because they’d rather fight their own way out or die.
I’d say that U’odh became a leader despite his nunh status for the reason many people mentioned: He defeated fucking Titan. Destroying a primal probably got him some MASSIVE acclaim in the tribe, and seeing as he’s often described as incredibly smart - he was probably intelligent enough to use that to his advantage and become a leader.
Another thing to note is that even though he talks a big game about how the ‘word of the nunh is law’ - he doesn’t quite act like he has the level of power he says he does.
Notice how U’odh really wants to help you, but specifically does not because the rest of his tribe could give less than two shits about you and your problems. His tribe doesn’t know you. They don’t see why they should help. So he refuses to help you out. He doesn’t change his mind and offer to help until AFTER the rest of the tribe changes their mind and literally gathers in front of his building to talk about how awesome you are.
Raubahn, Merlwyb, Aymeric, or Kan E Senna don’t have to stop to see if the majority of their city-state or even the majority of their Grand Companies/Temple Knights are onboard with their decision before they make one. They just do it and know that their people will go with it because they’re in charge.
This says to me that U’odh’s position as leader is not an ironclad one established just because he has the title of nunh. He became one because of his status as a god-killer, was smart enough to turn that acclaim into political power, and then was smart enough again NOT to ignore the wants and desires of an entire tribe of warrior women who would rather die than let a stranger rescue them in a way that doesn’t enable them to fight for their own freedom themselves.
In conclusion: ...I really, really wish SE gave us more miqo’te lore that really delves into their culture and doesn’t revolve around how they get around to fucking each other. :|
