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“I guess we'll wait.” Y’shtola sighs and taps her jaw with her knuckles before pulling a tome from her robe and carrying on with her research.
“Meralda should be here soon.” Arro confirms, checking his tombstone and replying quickly, lips quirking up into a half smile.
“She should’ve been here already,” Jules rolls their head back to look up at the viera. He raises an eyebrow back, the faint scar across his eye stretching with the expression.
“You know she’s been getting into botany. Lost track of time I bet.”
“The only time she keeps is her Earthly Star.” Jules snipes back, grinning.
“Oh and her Divination, you can’t forget that!” He shoots back, leaning forward a little to talk with her.
Jules is cut off from a remark as a gust of wind blows across and she hides her face in her coat, hissing between her teeth.
Arro’s ears flattens briefly, just until the wind dies down. His gaze lands on Urianger who had gone with the idea most of the Scions had, to be recognizable in his traditional gearset, rather than that which Tataru had created.
“He’s got to be freezing.”
“Mhmm, I spoke with him and he claimed he did not feel it. Although, his teeth were chattering and he couldn’t get the words out fully.”
Arro looks down at her, a small smirk curling across his face.
“Shall we…?” He tilts his head toward Thancred and Jules gives him a wicked grin tail curling behind her.
“Oh, Thancred. . .” Jules simpers, making her way over to him. His face already twisting into annoyance before getting worse as Arro follows.
“And how may I be of service to you two?” His lips twitch up despite the exasperation in his tone.
“How are you handling the weather?” Jules clasps her hands in front of them, swinging slightly. Arro crosses his arms and looks down at him, trying not to look like he's enjoying this too much.
“Adequately.”
“As are we, but notice who isn't?” Arro continues, leaning forward a little and lowering his voice. “Urianger. The poor elezen's teeth keep chattering every time he tries to speak. . .if only someone could offer him a coat. . .”
“If Urianger requires assistance, he knows to ask for it.” Thancred says but his eyes flick across to Urianger, eyebrows furrowing.
“It's such a gentlemanly thing to do.” Jules puts a hand on his bicep, leaning into him. His eyes dart back to Urianger before Jules as they continue. “It's a sweet offer from a paramour. . .”
“We are not-” Thancred starts loudly and then silences himself as the rest of the group looks at him. He gives Arro and Jules a long look before hissing, “we are not paramours!”
“You sure about that? All the visits to the Bookman's Shelves?” Jules teases, grinning at the faint flush across his cheeks.
“Just because he was enjoying himself, didn't mean those pixies weren't taking advantage of him.”
“Oh how chivalrous of you.” Arro's lip twitches as he tries keeping a straight face.
Thancred turns his gaze fully onto Arro, eyebrow raised with a smirk of his own,
“Tell me Arro, how is that, I believe you called him ‘Pretty Gleaner’, doing? You seemed quite eager to check for him when we stopped by the Annex.”
Arro immediately goes scarlet, mouth dropping as he scans the group for who told him. Thancred simply grins, crossing his arms and leaning back. His gaze goes to Jules and he tilts his head.
“Try me, Thancred, I have no one serious to pull that stunt on.” They meet his gaze head on, looking unbothered.
His expression freezes for half a second before he coughs quietly,
“In any case, until Urianger asks, I would not want to offer him what he may not want. Run off and bother someone else. Or better yet, look for that damn Astrologian who's late.”.
Jules sticks their tongue out at him before looping an arm around Arro and pulling him away.
“How does he know about Erenville!” He whines, tail twitching and Jules dutifully refrains from poking it.
“Because you put on a real show when he flirted with you? And every time we're in a place he might be, you want to go to The Last Stand but you never buy anything and come back looking sad.”
Arro gives her a wounded look, eyes big with a pout.
“Oh stop being such a baby. I'm not done messing with Thancred, come along.” Jules practically bounces along to G'raha Tia, Arro following quickly.
“My friends, are you both okay? It's not the most pleasant weather.” He smiles as he looks up, tail flicking happily.
“We're good Raha, you good?” Arro relaxes, easily smiling at him.
“I'm well. Would be happier to get into the building and out of the wind but.” He looks over his shoulder, as if trying to summon the missing member of their group.
“We've all sent her a message.” Jules says quickly, clearly eager to get to their point. “Are you warm enough?”
“Until the wind blows, yes.” He blinks at her. “Why?”
“Urianger is freezing.” Jules tries not to look delighted as G'raha immediately looks at the man, face contorting into a frown.
“Thancred doesn't want to offer his coat, just in case Urianger is fine. He'd rather wait until Urianger asks.” Arro latches onto Jules' train of thought, eyes on the thick scarf G'raha wears.
“I understand Thancred’s reluctance but. . .Urianger is in. . .not a lot of clothing.” G'raha says quietly. Jules glances at Arro, feeling a little bad for pulling on G'raha's worry and she can see it in his eyes too.
“We were wondering, since you're wearing a scarf. .” Arro looks meaningfully at him. G’raha makes a face, hands going up to his scarf.
“I wouldn’t want to step on Thancred’s toes. . I know some people can be ah. A certain way about their partners. . “
“Oh, well Thancred just said there wasn’t anything between them.” Jules says innocently. G’raha’s tail twitches and he looks at her and then Arro and then back again. Realization dawns on his face and he grins.
“Oh? Then I’d be happy to help!” He winks at them and steps around them both before heading to Urianger.
Arro blinks down at Jules,
“I didn’t realize G’raha would be. . uh interested in this?”
“Oh he’s a little bastard.” Jules grins up at him, tail flicking happily. “He’s quite content to play the ‘I’m not involved card’ unless he can get involved but pretend he’s innocent.”
“Huh.” Arro tilts his head, watching G’raha talk animatedly. His eyes wide as he offers his scarf up to Urianger, ears twitching.
“Ah, I could not-”
“My friend, I insist! I'm wearing a coat and while your outfit is quite fetching, I fear it does little for the cold. This is the least I can do and the most I think you'd accept!” G'raha interrupts him, pressing the scarf into Urianger's chest.
“Well, if thee does insist, I will relent.” Urianger smiles a little, body relaxing as he goes to take it.
“And enter Thancred. . “ Arro mumbles and they both turn to look at the gunbreaker. His face is pinched and he strides over.
Urianger and G'raha look across. G'raha greeting him cheerfully whilst Urianger doesn't quite meet his eyes, the scarf in his grip.
The three of them are speaking too quietly for Jules and Arro to make out but they watch as Thancred strips out of his coat and has to rock onto his toes to drape it over Urianger's shoulders.
He tries to remove G'raha's scarf but the miqo'te puts a hand over his, saying something. Whatever it is makes Thancred scowl. Urianger subtly moves G'raha's hand away to squeeze Thancred’s hand with both of his own.
G'raha takes a few steps back, giving the perfect view of Thancred staring up at Urianger, expression softening. He goes to say something but is interrupted by a thick Limsan accent.
“‘M here now! S'ry fer the wait.” Meralda runs across the snow, dirt smeared across her face.
“Didn't even bother to clean up after cutting down trees?” Jules huffs, a little annoyed that the scene they orchestrated is over.
“I thought ye wanted me as soon as? Neva’ happy are ye?” She pulls on Jules’ horn gently before ruffling Arro's hair. She looks around the rest of the group, nose wrinkling. “Wha's wi Urianger's getup?”
“Oh, does it matter? Let's get on with this!” Alisae spins on her heel and charges ahead, Alphinaud making a grab for her and missing, shouting after her as he follows.
“We'll fill you in later Mer,” Jules grins and pats Meralda’s shoulder. “You're both with me so let's go!”
“Oi!” Arro yanks on her arm and runs ahead. Jules squawks and pulls on Mer's hand to chase.
G'raha falls into line with them, giving both meddlers a wide smile and nod, silently promising to fill them in later.