It was an unusual night at the Rising Stones. An emergency meeting had forced the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to call for a sleepover, something they hadn't done since their days of humble beginnings. Alphinaud, Y'shtola, Thancred, Urianger, and the others settled into their quarters, unaware of the mischievous scheme brewing in the mind of the Scions' ever-diligent secretary, Tataru Taru.
As the Scions drifted into peaceful slumber, Tataru donned a hooded robe, grabbed a small, enchanted sack filled with a particularly odorous "gift" procured from a nearby goobbue, and began her stealthy mission.
-The Next Morning-
[Alphinaud]
The first rays of dawn filtered into Alphinaud's modest room. He stretched, yawned, and turned his head to see his pillow slightly askew. A foul stench hit his nose, and his eyes snapped open.
"By the Twelve! What in Hydaelyn is that stench?!" he shrieked, flinging the pillow aside to reveal the offending pile of goobbue feces. His hands flew to his nose as he stumbled backward, bumping into the wall.
Alisaie burst into his room moments later, covering her nose. "What in the hells is going on in here? It reeks like... gods, Alphinaud!"
"It's not me!" he protested, pointing at the mess. "Someone's sabotaged me!"
[Y'shtola]
Y'shtola, ever composed, woke to the smell with a slow, deliberate groan. She opened her eyes and immediately sensed something amiss.
"Hmm... curious," she murmured, inspecting the substance under her pillow with a carefully conjured bubble of protective aether around her hand. "Goobbue feces. Fresh. Who would commit such a petty—nay, infantile—act?"
She calmly exited her room, carrying the pile of waste encased in an aetheric sphere, and met Alphinaud and Alisaie in the hallway. "I presume I am not the only victim," she said dryly.
[Thancred]
Thancred's reaction was less measured. He woke up choking and gagging, flailing his limbs as the rancid odor overwhelmed him. His pillow flew across the room, revealing the culprit.
"Seven hells, what is that?!" he bellowed, stumbling out of bed and into the hallway, his hair disheveled and shirtless.
"I'll give you three guesses," he growled at Alphinaud and Alisaie, who were still arguing over the prank.
[Urianger]
Urianger stirred from his slumber, rubbing his eyes groggily. The smell reached his nose, and he sat up with a start.
"'Tis an affront most vile!" he exclaimed. "What uncouth soul hath deemed it fit to befoul my resting place with such… ignoble refuse?"
Urianger carefully wrapped the goobbue excrement in a sheet of parchment as if studying a rare sample. He joined the others in the hallway, holding the parcel at arm's length.
[Alisaie]
Alisaie, who had gone back to check her own quarters, emerged moments later with an expression of utter disgust.
"It's under my pillow too!" she snarled, her fists clenched. "Whoever did this is going to pay! Mark my words!"
As the Scions gathered in the main hall, Tataru appeared, bright-eyed and cheerful, carrying a tray of freshly brewed tea and pastries.
"Good morning, everyone!" she chirped. "You're all up early. Did you sleep well?"
The group stared at her, suspicion dawning on their faces.
"Tataru," Y'shtola began, her voice low and dangerous, "do you have any idea why each of us found a steaming pile of goobbue dung under our pillows this morning?"
Tataru blinked innocently, clasping her hands. "Oh my! That's horrible! Who would do such a thing?"
Thancred leaned closer, narrowing his eyes. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?"
Tataru giggled nervously, backing away slightly. "M-me? Of course not! Why would I—?"
Alisaie pounced, grabbing Tataru by the collar of her robe. "Confess, Tataru! You're the only one who'd think of something this stupid and get away with it!"
Seeing no way out, Tataru raised her hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Alright, alright! You got me! It was a harmless joke, I swear!"
"A joke?!" Alphinaud's voice cracked. "You call this a joke?!"
"Come now, you all needed a laugh," Tataru said, struggling to hold back her laughter. "You're always so serious with your saving-the-world business. Besides, I thought you'd appreciate the creativity!"
The Scions exchanged incredulous looks.
Later that day, Tataru found herself cleaning every nook and cranny of the Rising Stones while under the watchful gaze of Y'shtola. Thancred and Alisaie ensured she scrubbed each room, while Urianger lectured her on the importance of respecting one's companions. Alphinaud sulked in the corner, still lamenting his soiled pride.
As Tataru mopped the floor, she muttered under her breath, "Totally worth it."