Scenario:Nezha - Tradition No More
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Tradition No More
(Captain) invites Nezha to an antique market on the island. While shopping, the warrior god eyes the various wares for sale and discovers a peculiar yukata. The shopkeeper informs the group that, although the garment was meant to be worn to a certain festival, there are no traces of it ever having been used. Nezha contemplates purchasing the yukata and ultimately decides to buy the beautiful, albeit strange, garb.
With the Grandcypher in need of some supplies, (Captain) and the crew make a quick stop at a nearby island.
As the crew members gradually disembark the airship, (Captain) takes a quick moment to visit Nezha's quarters.
Lyria: Nezha! Do you have a second?
Nezha not in crew
At Lyria's behest, the striking warrior steps out of his room.
A primal beast by the name of Nezha, he and (Captain)'s crew had made acquaintance with one another during an incident involving a certain island's ancient battlefield.
Consequently, Nezha occasionally visits the Grandcypher and assists with requests as needed.
Nezha: I can spare a moment, though I thought today was intended to be a day off. Have we received some kind of last minute request?
Lyria: No, nothing like that! I just heard there's a special event in town and thought you'd be interested.
Lyria pulls out a flyer and hands it to Nezha. He mulls over its contents in silent contemplation.
Nezha: An antique market? If I'm not mistaken, this would be where you would get your hands on items of ages past, no?
Lyria: That's right! It looks like they're auctioning old furniture, clothes, books, and all sorts of other things!
Vyrn: You like to scavenge shops for old books, don't ya?
Vyrn: Figuring that, we wanted to invite you to join us!
Nezha: I see... So there could be artifacts dating back to the War...
Nezha: Intriguing. I was engulfed in battle at the time, so I had no spare attention to direct elsewhere.
Nezha: But if I'm able to lay my eyes on some of those manuscripts, I might see the War from a new perspective. Allow me to join you.
Vyrn: Then it's decided! Let's get goin'!
(Captain) and the gang disembark the airship and make their way toward the city center, the very place where the festivities are being held.
Nezha: What a lively area. It appears these antiques have garnered much attention.
Vyrn: Well, they're sellin' gemstones and other rare goodies after all.
Vyrn: I mean, look at that vase over there! You don't see something of that shape and color every day!
Nezha: Hm... That looks like a vase made for floral arrangements. I've actually taken an interest in the art recently.
Nezha: Perhaps I should buy this strange vessel for my own research.
Vyrn: C'mon now! Another hobby? I guess that's fine and all, but you've gotta to be runnin' out of room to put all these things, right?
Nezha: Fair point. As large as the Grandcypher is, there are a large number of us there...
Nezha: Well, if I run out of space, I'll simply store it in Medusa's room.
Lyria: Ahaha. I'm not so sure she would just let you do that...
Nezha: Do you think so? Come to think of it, she's been buying lots of new clothes, accessories, and whatnot lately.
Nezha: In that case, I'll ask Baal or Satyr for their unused space.
Nezha: That sword... Its craftsmanship looks familiar.
Nezha: I recall the skydwellers wielding such weapons during the War.
Lyria: But wouldn't that mean the sword is hundreds of years old? It's in such good condition!
Nezha: Indeed. They must have cared for their weapons well, even during battle. Mind if I take a look at the blade?
Nezha: Let's see... It looks to be in good shape for how thin it is. Whoever wielded this weapon must have been a very skilled fighter.
Lyria: Wow, Nezha! You can tell that much just from looking? Amazing!
Nezha: I'm not called the warrior god for nothing. One look is all I need to determine its user's mastery.
Nezha: How I wish to have crossed blades with such an expert swordsman...
Listening to Nezha's enlightening quips regarding all the different wares, (Captain) and the rest make their way around the market.
Just as the warrior god is about to unleash a fresh round of facts, a certain item catches his eye.
Nezha: What is this again? A yukata?
Nezha picks up the garment and holds it in his hands.
Lyria: Well, it looks like an outfit you'd tie up at the front, so it sure does look like one!
Lyria: Something's a bit off, though. It seems... different somehow.
Shopkeeper: Welcome! I see this yukata has caught your attention. An excellent choice, I must say.
Nezha: It's strikingly similar to garments I've seen before. Would you tell me more of its origins?
Shopkeeper: Well, you see, this yukata here was made over a century ago—woven from a very special material at a very special place!
Shopkeeper: It's easier to maneuver in than other yukata. I believe it was originally made to be worn by sword dancers for some kind of festival.
Nezha: Fascinating. A dress for festivals, huh? No wonder they struck me as formal wear.
Shopkeeper: Ah, yes. It might be worth mentioning that this yukata has likely never even been worn before.
As if on cue, the shopkeeper unfolds the outfit in front of (Captain) and the gang for them all to see.
Shopkeeper: There are far too few blemishes for how old it is. It's almost as if an arm has not once passed through its sleeves.
Nezha: Never worn despite being specifically made for festivals? Is it perhaps defective?
Shopkeeper: No, no. That's not it at all. If anything, it's the exact opposite! The fabric and threads are of the highest quality, and its stitching is like nothing I've seen before.
Shopkeeper: When this yukata found its way into my hands, it even came with a manual on how to properly care for and wear it!
Nezha: A manual? If that's the case, then perhaps it was simply too wonderful an article of clothing to be worn.
Shopkeeper: Bingo! Whoever owned this before either thought it would be a waste to wear such fine garb, or encountered something that prevented them from donning it themselves.
Shopkeeper: In any case, it'd be devastating to let this brilliant masterpiece sit and rot away!
Nezha: So that's how it is... A piece of clothing unable to fulfill its sole purpose...
Nezha: That would make for a pitiful yukata indeed.
Nezha pauses, then turns toward (Captain).
Nezha: All right, (Captain). I've decided. I will buy this yukata.
Nezha: I'll make sure it meets an end befitting of its status. Mark my words.
Shopkeeper: Music to my ears. I'd be more than happy to ring it up for you.
Shopkeeper: An esteemed skyfarer such as yourself will surely make the most of this fine garment.
Shopkeeper: If you'd like to try it on, take it over to the clothes store down the road. They have a spare dressing room.
Nezha: I see. I think I'll take you up on that offer.
Nezha: One moment. I'll be back as soon as I'm done changing.
Nezha's Voice: Sorry for holding you all up. So? How do I look?
Vyrn: Wow! You look great! Now that's what I call a clean fit!
Lyria: Ah, that accessory looks like the one you usually carry around, Nezha.
Lyria: How do I put it? I've never seen you in a yukata before, but it's still a very Nezha look! I love it!
Nezha: I agree. It seems to fit me perfectly.
Nezha: Perhaps I'd go so far as to say that I was destined to don this outfit.
Shopkeeper: Well, I'll be! Aren't you quite the looker! That yukata couldn't ask for a better owner!
Shopkeeper: My dear skyfarer, why don't you attend a festival or two in those gorgeous robes? Have yourself a little fun, y'know?
Nezha: A fair proposition. The yukata was made to be worn at festivals after all.
Nezha: I'll put some thought into what occasion would best fit such attire.
Having made his purchase, Nezha accompanies the crew as they make their way around a few more interesting shops.
But throughout the remainder of the trip, the only thoughts filling Nezha's mind were those of the yukata.