About that smirk...(spoilers)

[Frederick22]

Not only have you not actually addressed my point that I did not have this theory before (I blatantly said I'd forgotten about Tataru), but you seem more interested in arguing a point and attempting to insult me rather than discussing a theory. So I'll just leave you with a reiteration of my earlier statement:

All we're doing is theorizing. Not bashing people, which you seem set on doing. Coming from an English major who took their psych courses, I'm intimately familiar with foreshadowing as a literary device and confirmation bias. Italicizing terms that you assume I don't know does not make you seem smarter, but it does make you seem rather condescending. Anyway, thank you for your two cents, I did appreciate the conversation.

She never insulted you or tryed to bashing you.

[Cilia]

Not only have you not actually addressed my point that I did not have this theory before (I blatantly said I'd forgotten about Tataru), but you seem more interested in arguing a point and attempting to insult me rather than discussing a theory. So I'll just leave you with a reiteration of my earlier statement:

All we're doing is theorizing. Not bashing people, which you seem set on doing. Coming from an English major who took their psych courses, I'm intimately familiar with foreshadowing as a literary device and confirmation bias. Italicizing terms that you assume I don't know does not make you seem smarter, but it does make you seem rather condescending. Anyway, thank you for your two cents, I did appreciate the conversation.

Apologies if you feel I'm being condescending and arrogant, and that I'm trying to insult you. Never my intention. If I see holes in your theory I will attack them, though. (It's in my nature, for better or worse.)

So you forgot about Tataru's lines and smile until something on Azys Lla reminded you of them(?). What's your point there? She could have only gotten the hides though Monetarist financing or Ascian assistance? Not necessarily - while rare, chimeras do exist off the isle. Gameplay aside, there's no reason to believe chimerical hides can only be obtained on Azys Lla. We fight several during 2.0 (Cutter's Cry, Dhorme Chimera, Gorgimera, Garm in the World of Darkness, and the ones that occasionally pop up from Peisteskin Treasure Maps) so their habitat is not exclusively on Azys Lla.

How she got the money for them, well, that's another question entirely. Aside from her waitressing job in the Forgotten Knight Tataru probably had exclusive access to the Scions' funds post-2.5.5, and I doubt she'd mind splurging a little to outfit her returned friend with spiffy duds. Without knowing how much was in the Scions' bank account, how much she was making as a waitress, and how much chimerical hides go for on in-game markets it's impossible to say for sure she could afford it, but well... she did. Somehow.

What evidence do you have to support Tataru's lines and smile near the end of 2.5.5 being fishy? (Personal feelings and interpretations don't count. See above for the chimerical hides.)

I'm all for theorizing, but if you're going to bring up a theory defend it with evidence.

[Rannie]

You know, she tried her hand at mining for a while that could be where she got the money. She is in the habit of wanting to make money hell Even says they will need money and lots of it to rebuild the scions. So, I wouldn't put it past her to "make" money through farming.

[Frederick22]

At the end of the story Tataru said that the remake the money we need money and lots of it. That would mean that we lack of gil on the scions's founds, and if there is little there left, I dont think she wouldnt use it on an expensive dress. right? e.e

[Rannie]

She also said she had taken up weaving so she made the out fit and either farmed the mats or had enough gil to get the mats. Sometimes it's cheaper to make the end product as to buy it and it could have been her own personal funds that financed the out fit.

[Belhi]

Its worth noting that the how she could get it could be explained by the fact she has been networking for the entire expansion. Everyone from Nobles to the Poor go through the Forgotten Knight and the Hunter's Clan has it as their base of operations. She has been very popular with the patrons. So popular that the Bartender comments that his clients love her and she is even mention by Fortemps Jr as being talked about in social circles as a charming and pretty waitress. Networking gives you access to heaps of things that are hard to get and often can be at huge discounts. That's practically my RL brother's job and I still have no idea how he manages to get the deals he does and find the things he does.

Ironically for all her struggles to find a way to aid the Scions more, Tataru seems to have found her calling.

[MieHanz]

2 ways tataru can get the chimera hide
1. Her waitress job. I suspect that its not just waitressing but also as information broker. Some ppl would pay a lot to get info though. N i agree on tataru being popular might help her to be given rare items as gifts.
2. DoL treasure map anyone?

[Nonsensicles]

Maybe she has connections with Godbert Manderville and got the hide from him? He's always killing chimerae.

Anyway, I have to note something: Tataru is emphatically not as naive and willing to trust as people seem to think. One of the first things we learn about her is that she was chosen as the receptionist for her knack for discerning those of good intent from potential menaces.Just because she's sweet, adorable and tries to keep positive doesn't mean she's a fool.

This also doesn't mean that she's secretly evil, because that skill is something she's quite open about.

[Walluh]

I took the smirk as her planning on just bailing because she still felt useless.

And then that got cut off by everything going south in Ul'dah

[MilesSaintboroguh]

Here's a boring answer:

She's not evil because you can play Triple Triad with her. Evil characters can't be interacted with normally and you'd lose a shot at getting her rare cards if she betrayed you.