imaginarymods | NPC Inbox.

[Shout out to Lion indeed, the real MVP.]

They's good for me!

So, so, tell me, did you like that so far? Are you a bard, too?

[Fellow bards just know this kind of thing!]

[ The word Bard hits her brain in a way that feels like fizzing orange sherbert and although she's almost one hundred percent sure she's never even used the word before in her life, as far as she remembers, Honoka suddenly finds herself nodding. ]

I think so, yeah! I mean, it just kinda feels right. You know?

But anyway – it's sounding real good so far! It's really fun, it has a lot of– [ She sort of gestures helplessly with her hands, trying to get across something she doesn't have the exact words for. ] A lotta energy, I think! That's super important.

[Niely's tail wags really fast!]

I'm so glad! Hey, um, I know you kinda just got here. But maybe, um, I can help you find the rest of your friends, and then we could hang out!

I could show you my beat machine, and we could make something together!

[ Her smile turns even sunnier and that happy orange-sherbet fizz fills her chest this time – the cheery excitement that comes with realizing you've made a new friend. ]

Yeah! For sure! [ she pumps her fists excitedly. ] Whatever the heck I do or don't remember, music's like the one thing I'm super good at! I'm totally down!

[ Bonding Roll: 1d20, no dc: 17.

Niely gives Honoka a broad smile. They help Honoka to the Cabanas that day, and once Honoka's all settled, they even offer a tour around the island. But true to their promise, they spend a whole day together with Honoka making music. They show Honoka the magitech drum machine they have and even encourage Honoka to make a song with them, showing her how the different repeating pattern buttons on the drum machine work. They tell Honoka about their dream of being a performer and traveling all of Faerun, telling them stories about Baisla.

As the night draws in, Niely brings up a request.]

You're really good at this, you know.

Hey, do you think, before you guys leave, do you wanna perform a song together?

Huh? A song?

[ It's been a wonderful day – being surrounded by music has made Honoka feel so much more like herself. She can't even explain why, she just knows somewhere deep in her gut or even deeper that it's true.

So being asked to perform a song with Niely – that should make her really happy, right?

So why does she suddenly feel so sad? ]

Uh... yeah. That'd be really fun! I...

[ And then she trails off, her expression suddenly distinctly Bothered. ]

Huh.

[It's not hard for Niely to notice! Rolling the goldfish's bowl-ball between their hands gently as the little fish floats happily, they tilt their head like the curious dog they are.]

What's wrong, Honoka?

Did you remember something?

I... dunno. Maybe. I think?

[ She folds her arms across her chest and furrows her brow. There's that feeling again, of having a word on the very tip of her tongue, but the more she pushes to try and remember what it was, the further away it slips. ]

It's just, when you said about singing a song together... I really was like, super, majorly excited about it! I was! But then all of a sudden, I kind of thought... wasn't there somebody else I was supposed to sing a song with? Or um– actually, maybe I was supposed to be singing for them.

And I don't know why, but... thinking about it made me feel really sad all of a sudden.

[For some reason, Niely looks very sad, too. It might just be the puppydog eyes.]

Well... even if you can't remember them,

[They twitch their nose a little, trying to think of what might be most helpful to say, holding their fish's little orb tight.]

Maybe they'll hear you, one day, if you keep performing.

Maybe there's a way a song could be played... everywhere, you know?

... yeah. [ And then, with a little more enthusiasm; ] Yeah!

[ Honoka pumps her fists, trying to hype herself up a little... or at least make herself feel a bit less sad. It... sort of works. ]

That's the awesome thing about being a Bard. It means your music really is as magic as it feels! I've just gotta work my butt off and I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out. And I bet when I hit on just the right song, it'll all come rushing back!

[When Honoka seems to try to cheer up, Niely's tail begins to wag.]

Yeah! That's right!

Hey, what if you perform for me, right now? Your first performance in Baisla!

[Even the goldfish in Niely's bowl seems exited about this, fluttering its fins.]

We can call it paying me back for our introduction!

[They laugh.]

Oh wow, for real?

[ She giggles, looking a little closer to her usual Honoka self. ]

I can sure give it a try... it won't be as good without the music, but I'll make up for it!

Yeah! I'd really like that, Honoka.

[They start to giggle, holding up the fish in that glass orb, who's doing flips in the water.]

I think he's all for it, too.

[ At last, Honoka laughs properly, sunny and bright. ]

Okay, okay! Then I definitely can't disappoint you! Just–

[ She looks around for a moment, and then dashes back a few steps so she's got all the room she needs to actually perform. Then she picks her spot and takes a deep breath. ]

Just watch me!

[ And with that, Honoka starts to perform. She doesn't even have to think of what song to sing – it just comes flowing out of her. And it's strange because she doesn't know this song, even though she does know this song, this dance, this whole performance.

There's something here. Just under the surface, too far for her to reach just yet but so close she's brushing it with the very tips of her fingers. She'll be able to reach it eventually.

She just has to keep trying. ]

[Niely watches, enraptured with Honoka's simple performance. If the smile on their face wasn't enough, the way their tail wags gives it all away.

By the end of Honoka's performance, they're already cheering for Honoka and clapping.

But for some reason, they're crying, too.]

Honoka! That was great!

[It's only then that they notice their own tears, and, surprised, wipe them away with a little laugh. If they think it's weird, they don't comment on it, trying to barrel past.]

Are you sure you're not already a famous bard?

[ Honoka laughs, pleased and bashful and scratches the back of her head. ]

Uh! Not as far as I know, I guess. I don't feel famous, I don't think? So probably not.

[ Whatever 'famous' is supposed to feel like, anyway. ]

I'm just super glad you enjoyed it!

Yeah, I did...

[Niely can't help the spread of their smile.]

I'm sorry if this sounds weird? But..

It's like I was always waiting to hear your voice.

[Hm, that feels a little awkward to say to a new friend, they suppose, and they rush to cover—]

I mean, a voice like yours? It was just really good!

I think even Mango agrees!

[Niely holds up the glass orb full of happy fish to show that. Well. The fish does at least visibly seem happy.... But is that different than normal.]

[ She goes very pink, a bashful mix of exertion and delight and gives Niely her biggest, sunniest grin yet. ]

Oh, jeez! Maybe I am totally famous then, and I just forgot. What do you think? Am I Faerun's next top idol?

[ She giggles to herself, because SOMEONE has to laugh at Honoka's jokes, and then directs her attention to Mango. She can't speak fish, but she'll direct a message with, uh, Message anyway. ]

And I'm really glad you liked it too!

[ Upon receiving the message, the fish starts to swim around in a circle. Maybe he's looking for where it came from? After a moment, though, he seems to understand it's from Honoka. ]

Oh! Hail and well met, talented maiden! I, Bo Didley, greatly appreciate all your cool singing stuff!

[Niely can't hear the whisper from Honoka and 'Bo Didley's' shared message, and carries on.]

You might just be! If it isn't me next.

[A challenging little smile, and Niely's tail is set a-waggin'.]

[

Hm. ]

... Um. I'm sorry, I know we're having a goofy moment right now but. Your fish just talked to me?!

[ She really sent a telepathic message to the fish and didn't expect a response, huh ]

H-Huh?

[Niely looks down, then holds up the ball between them to observe.]

Oh, Mango... I know he can talk, but I never really understand what he's tryin' to say.

You tried to message him, right?

[Niely's ear even twitches. They're a bard themself, after all!]

Yeah, yeah, yeah! I kinda just did it as a joke, but he really talked back to me!

[ This seriously might be the wildest thing that's happened to her in Faerun so far. ]

Have you ever tried that before?

[Niely can't help but giggle.]

Yeah, I have! But he's got a really short memory.

[Niely lifts up the orb to look from other angles.]

He's told me like, three names, and says he's a really strong fighter, but he's not very big...

I guess he is a goldfish...

[ womp womp. ]

He called himself "Bo Didley" just now. Has he used that one before?

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