nashiramods: (Default)
Stars of the Nashira Mods ([personal profile] nashiramods) wrote in [community profile] thenashira2025-06-03 08:47 pm

Game Update: May II 2377

Weather & Recap ⭐︎ By Daylight ⭐︎ By Starlight

🎶 Recommended Listening: Transformers Prime Main Theme - Brian Tyler

may ii 2377
EPISODE 2: Bathhouse Blitz! Save the Black Cat and the Golden Butterfly!
May 17 - May 24

Weather: Chalra City is enjoying a balmy and sunny late spring with some light rain here and there. The inland breeze from the nearby beaches brings a cool touch and the promise of summer, and flowering forsythia adds splashes of bright yellow to many parts of the city. The highs for the month average around 72°F/22°C, with lows around 50°F/10°C.
Star Suite: The Library has been unlocked! Every Nova Knight will also recover a memory from their past life. More details in the post below.
Recap: In Episode 1, you successfully investigated and foiled your very first plot by the enemy! After Nautis identified the high-end complicated-patterns fashion craze around the Dan Flashes boutique as originating from the Harbingers, the Nova Knights did some thorough investigating and then, in their first serious battle since the night at Lucky Stars, defeated Dan Flashes himself. You can find the previous month's event log here.

You can see what the Harbingers themselves are up to in the aftermath of the event in the Episode 1 Harbingers Gaiden! Mostly a lot of bickering, but they're now aware of the threat posed by the Nova Knights, and they're already making plans to eliminate them.

BY DAYLIGHT
⭐︎ Now that Dan Flashes is out of business, a new business has taken over the space — so quickly, in fact, that it doesn't seem like it was ever vacant at all. There's now a frozen yogurt joint in its place called FroYo Better Believe It!. The only thing Nautis finds suspicious about it is the fact that people like frozen yogurt at all.

⭐︎ Shelley Lustre, art teacher at Everwave Academy, has announced that he'll be holding an art contest for the students. The theme: hidden beauty. Given his already very polarizing personality and deep fondness for seashell-studded sculpture, this promises to be a very...divisive competition.

⭐︎ Public bathhouses are a staple in Chalra City, and they're no exception to the march toward modernization. Newer public baths are bigger and boast much more amenities than their more traditional counterparts, which is precisely why the historic Golden Butterfly Bathhouse is at risk of going out of business! Run by Granny Chocho, whose family has been operating this bathhouse for the last two hundred years, the Golden Butterfly is located right around where the red-light district and the most historic part of the city intersect. But what the Golden Butterfly lacks in fancy amenities, it makes up for with its historic charm, attentive service, and hard-scrubbed cleanliness — which is exactly what its faithful regulars have been trying to spread the word about.

If you pass through that part of town this week, you might meet some customers and even Granny Chocho herself handing out flyers to try and recruit new customers — and if you bring the flyer with you, you get 50% off your entry fee. Not a bad deal, especially if you like quiet and simple! It might be worth checking out, though you'd have to enter as a civilian.

At the end of the week, though, the flyers are a little different — now they're offering a discount on the new scented bath salts the Golden Butterfly is selling! You're not familiar with the brand — a pearl in a stylized oyster shell, bearing the text Seaside Lustre — but they're being advertised as being great for both relaxation and rejuvenation. Apparently, you can have it all!

BY STARLIGHT
⭐︎ Recovered Memory: In the couple of days following the Dan Flashes fight, everyone will recover a memory from their past life — specifically, their final moments in the fight against the Abyss. More than just the dying wish, this is a full memory of whatever last conversation, fight, or whatever they had before dying in the final battle aboard the Nashira. You're not required to, but you're welcome to detail the contents of your character's memory in the thread for recovered memories below. You can also keep track of your character's past life memories with our handy-dandy info page template!

⭐︎ Hideout Status: As a result of everyone's tidying efforts earlier in the month, it's actually pretty nice in here now! There's a big sectional couch for lounging around, at the very least. It's even starting to feel kind of homey.

Another fruit of your labor is that a new part of the crashed ship has become available: you can now access the Library, a modest-sized room with floor-to-ceiling shelves, every last one of them packed with books. Magic books! Much like a modern tablet but with actual pages, these individual books can hold a wealth of magically-stored information and recall what you wish to learn on its pages. Naturally, none of these books are in the local language, but in standard Hassalean. That's not a problem for you guys, though — perhaps due to your recently recovered memories, you all discover that you also have the ability to speak and read Hassalean, as though you simply downloaded the knowledge into your brain. Neat!

If you'd like to have your character peruse the library, you can reply to the thread below to have the mod roll for what they find.

There's also a small hydroponic garden along one corner, though nothing is currently planted in it.

⭐︎ The Rewards page has been updated with the next Star Suite upgrade: the next room to unlock is the Aquarium, and the reward will be a Silver-level Star Suite power. Save up those SP!

⭐︎ Intel: Thanks to the missions earlier in May, you all know quite a lot more than you started! To recap: you now know that one of the Harbingers is named Prince Shellustria, and his magic is of the Glamour domain.

You also learned that the data Nautis needs to locate the Star Map fragments was stored in the soul of the ship's mascot, a black cat named Niangniang with whom Nautis does not seem to have been on good terms. Nevertheless, she's definitely been reincarnated on Earth too, so you'll need to find this cat so Nautis can retrieve the necessary data. Apparently recovering data from someone's soul is a perfectly safe, painless process, but the way she emphasizes these points makes you feel like maybe she hopes something bad happens to this cat. Anyway, she's working on a means of tracking down this elusive mascot, so she'll get back to you with more info later!

⭐︎ The Fate of Nova Zenith: Late at night on May 17, everyone receives an uncharacteristically subdued update from Nautis. Apparently Nova Zenith read through some books in the library about what was known to the Hassaleans about the Abyss and decided to investigate on his own — and ran afoul of Prince Shellustria himself. Unfortunately, Nova Zenith was outmatched on his own, and before Nautis could summon any backup, he was overpowered by Shellustria and claimed by the Abyss. He isn't dead, but captive, and he can be saved if they defeat the Abyss — but all the same, the loss of the oldest member of their group will doubtless rock the rest of the Nova Knights.
parillegal: (001)

[personal profile] parillegal 2025-06-22 09:29 am (UTC)(link)
Maya might be pretty short in comparison, but she has such a presence, striding through the place with purpose. Luckily everyone who is already here to work knows Maya well by now and don't seem disturbed at all.

"Did you get a lock yet? You can just pick whatever locker's empty— or else we can stick your stuff in my locker until you're ready to go."
theriflespiral: (deflecting)

[personal profile] theriflespiral 2025-06-22 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
"I wasn't even sure Mother would approve me working for the House until a few days ago. I don't even have a costume together or anything." Not to say she hasn't made a stir with the mid-class courtesan wear she came in with last time.

"But... I do have a lock, of sorts, yes." The thing is ludicrous. Very chonky. "Not even sure if it'll fit in the locker..."
avemortis: (らしく)

[personal profile] avemortis 2025-06-22 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
It's not Taki's comfortable rhythm, but she always has been inclined to just go with the flow, and so her playing becomes more rigid in turn, becoming less expressive, less natural. Her tiny voice starts to falter, and just as she takes a breath to continue, her hand slips and she hits a shrill discordant note before her pick falls to the floor with a small clatter. She seems to freeze on the spot, so taken aback that she doesn’t know what to do it stare down at her guitar.
theriflespiral: (shock)

[personal profile] theriflespiral 2025-06-22 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
Neos watches it happen in real time and can come to only one conclusion:

"I... I'm sorry. I clearly wasn't keeping rhythm properly." She picks up the pick and hands it back to Nova Mortis. "It... It was very pretty. Thank you. For letting me listen, and try to accompany you."
parillegal: (070)

[personal profile] parillegal 2025-06-22 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
ok! give me like 20 mins or less! (‘-‘*ゞ

Maya doesn't really mind the curtness. She's had to deal with worse things said in sweeter tones her whole life. At least Hope is pretty clear about their intent.

talk to you soon!

With that, Maya's off to the races. She throws on something fairly plain just because it's quick, a light-woven lavender sweater over a long, formless dress, like she's just going grocery shopping. Easier to avoid Morgan's interest that way, despite the bright orange socks she wears under the ensemble.

She walks the first block away from the Kurain House— and then picks up her skirt a bit, starting to jog the rest of the way. Still, by the time she's a block away from the theater, she slows back down to a walk.

Because Maya is cool, casual, and definitely didn't run here just to save money on taking any kind of transportation, though thanks to her efforts she's made it there well under that 20 minute timeline. She starts fishing out her phone to contact Hope, but looks around too, in case she can see them before calling.
avemortis: (散ることしか)

[personal profile] avemortis 2025-06-22 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
She shakes her head. Whatever anyone else said, it wasn't that easy to learn guitar. She'd just devoted herself to it, that was all.

"I practice. Every day."
wood_sorrel: (鮮やかな世界があるんだと知った)

[personal profile] wood_sorrel 2025-06-22 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Maomao makes a noise in the affirmative, falling into step next to Natalia.

"Especially when you're used to using mostly non-native or otherwise unusually found ingredients." Maomao rubs her chin. "You know, it probably wouldn't hurt to introduce my old man to your mother. He's spent time abroad and he's pretty knowledgeable, and he could probably tell her what to avoid and what to look out for when using locally made remedies.

It is clear from her tone of voice that this is the one person in the world Maomao actually truly respects.
fibrillate: (the last time that you recall)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2025-06-22 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"How do you..."

They didn't want to be this direct going into this conversation. This had all been for Mutsumi's benefit, right? That was what they'd wanted to begin with. But now they're here seeking... comfort, advice, whatever. From someone a decade younger than them. Pathetic.

"How do you find the motivation? How do you keep going for that long?"
theriflespiral: (notice)

[personal profile] theriflespiral 2025-06-23 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah. Yes, that would likely do wonderfully, though I am sure she does not have the breadth of knowledge that your father does." Lenya deserved her own time to talk with people, especially with Sergey about to head off to kindergarten soon.

The packet of bath salt is quietly forgotten in the little locker where it now waits in Natalia's pocket. "... Thank you, for this."
fibrillate: (no one's from here no one my dear)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2025-06-23 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
Hope recognizes Maya easily; who could miss her, right? Dressed like that and looking like she's just recovered from a relay race everywhere she goes. Hope looks almost like they fit in with the world around them when they pull their chunky headphones off their ears and give a meek little wave in Maya's direction. (It's the same gamer tee and the same ripped jeans and the same everything that they wear when they're off the clock and don't care anymore.)

"Hey," they say, eloquently, as they walk towards Maya with the sounds of Afterglow bleeding through the speakers. They shove their hands back into the pockets of their jeans and give Maya the worst attempt at a smile that they think they've managed all week. (At this distance, it's clear their eyes are brown. Contact lenses are too much effort right now.) "Sorry about the way I was typing at you. I feel like..." A weak laugh. "Complete garbage. And I was on a losing streak, so that wasn't helping either."
nashiranpcs: (shellustria)

[personal profile] nashiranpcs 2025-06-23 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmm..." Shelley gives the painting a serious look. "I think they would work best in the background. It'll add a little subtlety. Let the primary subject shine with the elegant use of glitter paint."
parillegal: (060)

[personal profile] parillegal 2025-06-23 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Maya catches sight of Hope and lights up, stashing her phone in the pocket of her dress. Out of habit she gives a quick bow in greeting, but a brow creases as Hope's apology hits her ears. She doesn't need it, herself. She With her head tilted to the side she offers;

"Aw, thanks for looking out, but it's cool. That's why I'm here, anyway!"

All of a sudden, she puts on a coy smile, leaning forward, clearly teasing.

"See, I talked to the apothecary the other day and it turns out the best cure for the blues is to hang out with the one and only Maya Fey. Well, basically with any friend, but even better that it's me."

She doesn't... actually believe that, of course, but if making a joke of herself gives her the chance to maybe disarm someone, it's always worth the effort.
avemortis: (しあわせで)

[personal profile] avemortis 2025-06-24 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
Nova Mortis shakes her head, quite firmly for once.

"You were perfect. I'm the one who messed up."

She's...not sure she knows how to process what she's feeling right now. Maybe it was a mistake to play that song, to bring back memories too close. She isn't afraid of Natalia, but she feels suddenly overwhelmed. It's too much.
She stands up abruptly, clutching her guitar to her chest. 

"I need to go."
avemortis: (しあわせで)

[personal profile] avemortis 2025-06-24 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
Nova Mortis looks down at her guitar. Her voice is barely a whisper.

"Because it's mine."

Everything else gets chalked up to her celebrity parents, even things she doesn't want credit for. This alone belongs to her, and only her.
wood_sorrel: (応えていくその度に)

[personal profile] wood_sorrel 2025-06-24 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
"They might have more in common than you think," Maomao says, looking thoughtful. She stows her shoes and personal effects in the locker, then heads towards the women's bath. "My old man's always interesting in broadening his scope of knowledge, and I'm sure your mother could teach him a lot."

Maybe also a possible business opportunity? Sorry, Natalia, she's always considering that angle.
theriflespiral: (comfort)

[personal profile] theriflespiral 2025-06-24 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
"... perfection is not necessarily good play." But. She nods.

And as Mortis clutches her guitar to her chest, she quietly pockets the pick. "... Go, then."

What is she even feeling right now? ... Ah. Of course. More nothing. Just... Hollowness.

She stares at the ceiling as Mortis leaves.
theriflespiral: (concentration)

[personal profile] theriflespiral 2025-06-24 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
She's familiar with searching out business opportunities. Hell, that's why she actually took the hostess job. She's not sure about her parents' finances, but surely they must be having trouble making rent if Lenya's doing all these side hustles and Father's off on a fishing boat for a week or two at a time? "Well, she does tend to muddle through somehow. I'll find out soon enough."

She has yet to deposit or cash her first weeks' pay. A state of affairs that would annoy Grams, to be sure, but better to know where that money needs to go before spending it.

As opposed to Maomao's openness in the womens' baths, Natalia's mostly curled up to hide the extent of her bruising.
fibrillate: (someone who looks a lot like you)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2025-06-24 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, dammit. That is disarming. Hope hits Maya with a look of the tiniest skepticism before it cracks their face into a smile and a laugh. "The apothecary told you all that?"

They don't really have a clever way to follow that up, but it does make them feel a little less miserable, and that's kind of the goal, right? Besides, Maya is going to all these lengths to try to cheer them up in the first place. It would be rude to not show some kind of effort. (Fake it 'til you make it, right?)

"Well, I hope this movie's dumb enough to push everything out for a while. You like action movies?" they ask, realizing how little they know about Maya. "You kind of struck me as... either an artsier person or a die-hard comedy fan. Maybe both at once."
fibrillate: (no one's from here no one my dear)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2025-06-24 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
So simple, and yet it cuts right through them. (Didn't they recognize Mutsumi's parents' names in the roster? Someone else like them, then. Maybe.) They go quiet again, idly picking at their guitar, making atonal patterns without any sense of purpose to them. And then they look back up, and they ask one of many questions that's constricting around their heart.

"What's that like? To have something that's yours."
avemortis: (♦︎ それを喜び)

[personal profile] avemortis 2025-06-26 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Her hand closes around the neck of her guitar, part possession, part comfort.

"...Safe."
snizier: (pic#17235694)

[personal profile] snizier 2025-06-26 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Jamil wouldn't describe an everyday photo of a lamp as dazzling, but okay, sure. He looks from the canvas to the photo a few times, then back to Shelley, taking great care not to let his resentment show on his face. It's so there, though.

"Perhaps if you could give me an example of what I could do differently? Or provide some other form of inspiration?" Maybe he'll just tell Jamil how to do the assignment directly if he asks the right way.
fibrillate: (quick now quick take our picture)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2025-06-26 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"That sounds nice."

They don't like being so quiet, but they don't know what else to say for a moment. Their thoughts don't exactly spiral; they've always kind of been there, and it's more like... Mutsumi's words are pulling scenery to the foreground. They tighten their hand around the neck of the guitar and it just feels like a guitar.

"I've never had anything like that. I still don't." Too much? It's probably okay. "Nothing I do ever really feels safe," they say for the second time this month. Great work, Asteria. Carassia. Whoever.
istandwithmycancelledwife: (our entire bodies)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2025-06-28 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"I can sing and drum at the same time!" he announces happily. He looks back at Crescent -- and then looks around for Crescent, like a confused dog. "Do you wanna play with us too?"
istandwithmycancelledwife: (Default)

[personal profile] istandwithmycancelledwife 2025-06-28 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Ohhhh." Kalim nods eagerly. "Yeah, that makes sense!"

Or, well, apparently it does to him!

He's going to sequin the shit out of this. I hope you're pleased with yourself, Shelley.
snizier: (101)

[personal profile] snizier 2025-06-28 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Flatly:

"No."

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