#designer's reflection

Designer's Reflection: Starry Sands

Obtained: Starsand Whispers event

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Purple/Sexy

Awakened Suit: Starry Dreams

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Cryptic Prophecy

Chapter 2 - First Miracle

Chapter 3 - Accidental Grace

Chapter 4 - Long Lasting Blessing

Story - summarized

The Gold Stone Tribe has valued ceremony and tradition for years, but Priestess Tess is an oddball. She talks to spirits that people can't see, she's a bit clumsy, and she sleeps in a coffin. But when the tribe faces a harsh drought, the chief's son, Xaidu, has to meet her in the burial place of the Gold Stone Palace.

Tess uses heavy stone tablets to read the future, and she is given a straightforward but vague answer: "Seek life where they live no more."

Xaidu thinks back to all the times he had sought her help before, but it always ended in disaster. He feels this time will be no different.

The priestess knows that Xaidu doesn't believe her, so to prove her point, she leads him outside, all the way to the site of an ancient battle, where one of the great chiefs had died. She insists this is where they need to dig to find water, but the chief's son finds this horribly unorthodox and dangerous.

Tess starts digging anyway, and soon enough, they find water. Xaidu brings up the past times he thought her predictions failed, and she explained that those were misunderstandings, since Xaidu rushed through the results and didn't get the full meaning.

From that day on, he never doubts Tess again.

Connections

-Tess was yawning when she said she was talking with Ulas II. She wasn't being disrespectful, she revealed in her memories for Spirit Whisper that she can communicate with the dead through her dreams.

-Xaidu is not the first time we encounter a POC character. Aeon first met Duka back in Oceanic Reverie, and they were friends until Aeon had to return to the Ark to stop the Ocean of Memories from flooding.

-Ever since she was little, Tess has always been drawn to spirits. She even got to meet Queen Hester in Moonlit Trek after being guided to the ruins of Tumenis.

Fun Facts

-While there are POC characters in the game, the only ones with any character art are Yisu and Hester, both from Wasteland. The tribespeople are described as having dark skin, but we never see them.

-Divination, or fortune-telling, can use any tools at your disposal - even regular playing cards. The key isn't how strong the tools are, but how well you can interpret the tools. Tess has a more open mind than Xaidu, which is why she can more clearly see the message in the tools.

Designer's Reflection: Azure Oath

Obtained: Vol. 3, Ch. 4 workshop

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Dawn Oath

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Training Interlude

Chapter 2 - Danger Detection

Chapter 3 - Departure Ceremony

Story - summarized

War has broken out between Apple and North. Tang Hupo worries about attacks she and her friends from the military academy may face - even though their job is humanitarian and medical aid, there may be an ambush along the snowy mountain paths.

The instructor goes over instructions, but some students want to bring extra supplies or tools. Tang Hupo spots one of these students out of the corner of her eye. She lunges at him, securing any potential threat... he turns out to be safe, just had some extra detonators in case of blockages.

Hupo tries to calm down, but she still worries. This is her group's first big mission, the weather is abysmal, and there's still the threat of attack. When she and her teammates reach the mountain pass, they find a new threat: loose snow and rocks. An avalanche waiting to happen. One wrong move, and the humanitarian aid below would be crushed.

The team tries to warn the others, but the signal is weak due to bad weather. Tang Hupo makes a quick decision like before, but instead of attacking a student, she tells them to propel her down the cliff. It's risky, but it's the only way to warn everyone without causing a landslide.

She makes it in time, startling everyone below. Her bravery and quick thinking earn her the title of squad captain. Her first order as captain: everyone do their best to protect and defend civilians. Her second order: come back for a feast!

Connections

-Tang Hupo has always wanted to go to North after graduating from high school. When she and Chi Xiaolong chat during his memories in Riverside Fireworks, he wants to stay and study at Cloud Capital, but she wanted to meet Zoey.

-Even though the two of them choose different paths, they still support each other's dreams (and continue having feelings for each other). We see Tang Hupo and Chi Xiaolong team up to play an online shooter game during the Frosty Chase event.

-During the battle in Vol. 3, Ch. 4, Tang Hupo gets to meet Zoey, who gave her some tough love: Hupo had lost some of her friends recently, and she was struggling how to continue when she could lose more friends. Zoey approaches her in episode 6 to comfort and encourage her.

Fun Facts

-In the Index, Tang Hupo mentions an item called Thor's Hammer. In Norse mythology, Thor (the god of storms, thunder, and fertility) wielded a magic hammer called Mjolnir, so it's likely that Hupo got a war hammer of her own and named it after the famous one.

Designer's Reflection: Leisurely Time

Obtained: Clear Skies workshop

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Green/Fresh

Awakened Suit: Serene Hours

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Unexpected Holiday

Chapter 2 - Unexpected Scenery

Chapter 3 - Unexpected Encounter

Story - summarized

A landslide prevents the TV partners from getting their film equipment on time. Jiang Beixi insists on spending their downtime going over and over the schedule and script until everything was perfect. Vivian thinks they should just have a vacation. Beixi interprets this as her partner is tired, so she decides to take on all the work herself.

The next day, Beixi heads into town, searching for the perfect angles for the shots she originally had in mind. She's distracted by a vendor selling cute head pieces. The vendor tries to offer a piece as a gift, but Beixi dismisses the gesture and pays for the accessory.

Soon, it gets too hot, and she needs a break in the shade. A little boy approaches her, offering a pair of shoes his family made. She is grateful for the instant relief, but she still insists on paying. After all, she's here on business.

Beixi's next stop is an elderly lady's house who had already agreed to an interview. She isn't sure how to ask about local customs or growing up in town, and the conversation takes an awkward turn. But she still has to finish preparations.

Finally, she asks the old lady for spot recommendations. The elder gladly suggests a market, and Beixi heads over there - Vivian is there, too! They bump into each other at a stall selling bags. Beixi thought that Vivian would ignore the town on her vacation, but Vivian insists that the town has its own charm and they can still experience it, but as tourists, not academics.

For once, Jiang Beixi agrees. She puts her paperwork in the new bag and takes a step back from her job. The equipment isn't even here yet, so why not enjoy the scenery?

Connections

-At first, Jiang Beixi and Vivian did not get along. They first met in Wasteland Impression, but Vivian was expecting to work on a reality show, not a documentary, and Beixi preferred facts to sensationalism. They finally found a compromise in Poem of the Wild, where Vivian presented facts in an energetic and fun way, and Beixi appreciated the spontaneity of filming different nature scenes.

-Jiang Beixi and her sister, Xitong, both have a strong academic background. But whereas Beixi analyzes other cultures, Xitong focuses on preserving traditional Cloud styles - to the point that she will fail any of her students who diverge from tradition, like Chi Xiaoyu in Early Summer Shower. Even in Azure Porcelain, Jiang Xitong demanded every aspect of her presentation steer clear from anything ethereal, modern, or anything that diverged from "true Cloud fashion."

Fun Facts

-Both Vivian and Jiang Beixi have the Fresh Attribute for their solo suits.

-In the UK, Australia, and most English-speaking countries (besides the US and Canada), "holiday" is used to mean "vacation."

Designer's Reflection: Cloud-Water Visitor

Obtained: Grand Obsession hell event

Rarity: UR

Attribute: Green/Fresh

Awakened Suit: Springtime Caller

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - United Fate

Chapter 2 - Hundred Refined Poison

Chapter 3 - Sacrificial Flame

Chapter 4 - Moon Behind Cloud

Chapter 5 - Heart Demon

Story - summarized

In another world, a young boy named Jade grew up in turbulent times. Different sects were at war, and his parents didn't get along. Rather than escape, Jade's father made the family stay, even though it led to his death.

Because Jade's mother was from the Five Poisons Sect, she kept two parasites called Togetherness Poison, which meant if either she or the dad died, the other would follow close behind. The boy was alone when the mother's sect appeared and took him away.

The Five Poisons Sect relied on parasites to infect and control others. Since Jade's mother ran away from them, they decided to make the boy a poison tester. They fed him poisons and let different parasites bite him, tormenting him with agony he'd never felt before.

Only one other boy survived the night. Jade knew that if the elders found them both, that the boys would be put through another deadly "test" until only one remained. So, he convinced the other boy to kill himself.

Morning arrived, and the elders found Jade alive. They brought him to the Chief, who declared that Jade was now the host of the Butterfly Soul Poison, one of two special tokens belonging to the Five Poisons Sect. He became an important figure in the sect, and he was given a new name: Qin Yi.

The Butterfly Soul Poison sometimes caused immense pain, but it helped Qin Yi cultivate his skills faster. In time, the Five Poisons Sect sent him to infiltrate the Tianxuan Sect. His father's sect, which focused on purging the world of all evil.

Yi gained everyone's trust in Tianxuan, and after a few years, he became the successor to the sect leader. But when the Five Poisons ordered Qin Yi to kill the Tianxuan leader, he refused. He explained that killing the leader now would put a target on his head, and it would ruin any hopes the Five Poisons had for revenge.

Only one person saw through his ruse: Aloe, the Witch of the Five Poisons Sect. She possessed the other holy token: the Soulsummon Flute, which could activate any poison, including Qin Yi's.

But he was already crafting a plan to be free of her and the Five Poisons Sect. He just needed to wait for the martial arts tournament coming up.

Connections

-This Reflection is a retelling of Qin Yi's life. As a child, his name was Jade. Even though his mother was alive, he ran away from home (Pollia Mist Silk) and called himself an orphan. He was betrayed by his friend named Monkey, and after he suffered a night in a dark, enclosed space, he betrayed Monkey in turn and never heard from his friend again (Nostalgic Dream). When Jade grew up, he joined the Qin family as their "long-lost heir," Qin Yi (Mind Maze 3), and he became an expert at manipulating people behind the scenes (Flower in the Mirror). But he always wondered who he truly was, and who he would be if he lived a different life (Out the Phoenix Palace).

-In an alternate universe of this story, Chi Xiaoyu becomes Qin Yi's disciple. We meet her during the hell event and practice sword-riding with her. She even has her own Reflection (Virescent Mountain) where she and her cousin, Chi Xiaolong, try to find the hidden location of the tryouts for the Tianxuan Sect.

-Yueniang designed the other suit that premiered with this event: Red Maiden. The chapters switch between Aloe's story in Grand Obsession and Yueniang's process of designing her. He reveals that the whole event is just an elaborate play.

Fun Facts

-Just like Qin Yi with the glowing butterfly, it's possible that Jade's mother was infected with the Togetherness Poison when she was young and that the two red parasites are a physical symbol of the curse.

-Though the Butterfly Soul Poison was called that because of Qin Yi's "birthmark," butterflies also symbolize a transformation of the soul, among beauty, joy, and other traits. You can learn more here.

-Meridians are a part of traditional Chinese medicine. They are points in the body that chi flows through, and if one of them is blocked or out of balance, it can cause sickness and disease. One can restore them through acupuncture and good health. You can learn more here and here.

-The Grand Obsession event is inspired by wuxia and xianxia, genres of Chinese historical fantasy that centers around martial arts, cultivating chi, and a code of honor. Wuxia focuses more on internal strength in martial arts, whereas xianxia explores cultivating powers and becoming an immortal.

Designer's Reflection: Workplace Elegance

Obtained: Vol. 3 prologue workshop

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Blue/Cool

Awakened Suit: Elegant Metropolis

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Falling Petals

Chapter 2 - Encounter

Chapter 3 - Star Admin

Story - summarized

Lolory is having trouble finding work as a model. Even though she won the Starheaven Swan pageant, lots of other winners from other cities have made their way to Ninir Royal City, too, looking for model work.

As she starts to worry, she remembers the Guild director she met on the train ride to the capital. The old lady had an air of elegance around her, even as she worked on daily tasks. She was taken by Lolory's charm and drive, so she offered a spot at the Guild.

Lolory calls her and agrees to try it for a while. She modernizes the admin's uniform and adds some elegant flair of her own, to which the director is impressed. Soon, Lolory is designing clothes, planning events, and even working as a model on the side.

Even in a "normal" workplace, she finds a way for elegance to shine through.

Connections

-Lolory can commiserate with Vivian over not getting their star job at first. Back in Wasteland Impression, Vivian wanted to be a star reporter but was stuck writing articles instead. She finally traveled to Wasteland to join Jiang Beixi on the Miraland Geographic project, where the job wasn't glamorous but was still rewarding.

-Lolory has always marched to the beat of her own drum, including her goth phase in high school (Midnight Elegance) and when she entered a beauty pageant even though her friends didn't like the idea (Daisy's Diary).

-While Ninir values beauty above all else, not every pageant winner gets to become queen. Lilith managed to win everyone's hearts in Voice of Desire by catering to each person's wants and manipulating them to see her as their saving grace.

-The Index shows Lolory's passion for the Guild, as it lets her protect the beauty of Miraland. The Guild isn't the only organization protecting the continent, as Loen reveals in Banquet Undercurrent that he received offers from several organizations seeking his help in protecting Miraland, including the Guild and the Justiciars. Eventually, he chose Savior.

Fun Facts

-Even though Lolory is the Ambassador of Elegance, she has suits in all Attributes except Sexy.

-This suit is very closely similar to Lolory's Guild character art. The main difference is that the artwork gives her a red scarf, whereas the crafted suit has a blue one.

Designer's Reflection: Starlight Variations

Obtained: Starry Night Sonata event

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Green/Fresh

Awakened Suit: Starlight Concerto

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - First Melody

Chapter 2 - First Meet Starlight

Chapter 3 - Meteor's Song

Chapter 4 - Follow the Stars

Story - summarized

Modric is going to the Children's Music Festival in Ninir on behalf of Queen Ophelia. He's looking forward to his trip, and he already has the perfect song picked out: Starlight Variations.

He first learned it from his teacher, Leonid. As a kid, he practiced hard to become as good as his teacher. The lessons became more interesting when Leonid showed him powers he could use with music. Illusions of forests and birds came to life, and he could summon real starlight with a few notes.

Ever since, Modric has sought the power of the stars in all his endeavors. He made good progress, too... until the day his teacher vanished and his father died. The sorrow was too much, and eventually he lost his starlight.

It would be years before he could see those musical stars again, when he finally learned the "memory extraction" song. Even though it's harder to find the starlight in the world, Modric won't give up. He will keep trying until he can summon the Star Sea, until he can see his teacher again.

Connections

-While Modric learned to summon starlight in this Reflection, his greatest show of power came during Astral Sonata. He visited a Pigeon town ravaged by the war, and it's there that he finally mastered the "Swan's Melody" that can summon the Swan constellation and grant his wish.

-Modric shows off his "memory" collection in Journey of Memory. Leonid taught him how to extract memories from people, and he uses this gift to ease his mother's grief at his father's death, and remove Joy's guilt at betraying Nikki.

-This event is the first music event in Shining Nikki, and Ophelia doesn't go to this festival. However, when the second event takes place in Valentine, she shows up alongside Lilith to help put on the show.

-Modric is surprised that Ninir is hosting events after the earthquake. The earthquake is from the Angel/Demon hell event, which wraps up Vol. 1 with the Goddess of Desire possessing Lilith, destroying half of Ninir, and fighting Nikki after the girl unlocks the secret of Leonid's manuscript.

-It's unclear if the little boy who is Modric's student is meant to be Jacob, but he does eventually join Modric on a journey across Miraland. He decides to leave with him after the events of Stellar Scales, and the two of them return to Pigeon in Vol. 3, Ch. 9, during a Blood Bat attack.

-Ophelia sent Modric because, according to him, she doesn't trust anyone around her. That's because Mercury set up his pawns in her court during her coronation in Elves' Elegy. She sees more of their power in First Light of Dawn, where they easily overrule the queen's plans for expanding art and music.

Fun Facts

-Most of Modric's Reflections are about him searching for his teacher. He never gave up trying.

-When you read the Reflection and Modric summons the starlight, a starry ball appears onscreen, lighting up the frame.

-The "Starlight Variations" are based on "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."

Designer's Reflection: Wish of Gardenia

Obtained: Sea of Fantasy Gleam

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Purple/Sexy

Awakened Suit: Affection of Gardenia

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Dessert Contest

Chapter 2 - Price of Delicacy

Chapter 3 - Lovely Gardenia

Story - summarized

A baking contest is coming up, and the café owner suggests that Yuka sign up. She's unsure, but she does like baking, so she agrees to try.

The theme of the contest is "gardenias." Yuka searches for a good cake recipe and starts preparing... until she develops rashes and itching all over. She assumes it's mosquitoes and the hot weather, so she ignores it. Finally, she has a perfect gardenia cake, sweet and fresh.

The redness and itchiness get worse. Jax takes Yuka to the hospital for medicine. Her body feels better, but if she's allergic to the flowers, how can she enter the contest?

The two of them come up with an idea: imitate the flavor with cream. All night, they work hard to make a cream that replicates the light sweetness of the gardenias. By the time the contest begins, they have a solid recipe to follow. Yuka bundles up to protect herself from the flowers and enters her cake.

She doesn't win. But, because of her innovation, she gets a different award: "Best Creation." Now, anyone who's allergic can still enjoy gardenia cake.

Connections

-While they're connected only by the flowers, Loen's Gleaming Vines also involves gardenias. Yuka's main trouble with the flowers is that she's allergic, but for Loen, they're a reminder of his dead friend, Roja.

-Jax and Yuka are DID/OSDD alters that share a body. Jax explains their connection in their shared Reflection, Fairytale Aroma, that after suffering a lot of trauma, Yuka needed someone to rely on, so Jax was "born" during the events in Punk Night to help her keep going. That's why they both are allergic to gardenias.

-Yuka loves to bake. When you help her at the Designer Intel Hub, she thanks you and Nikki for helping with her design by giving you cake. You then have the choice of ordering sweet caramel macchiato or hot cocoa for Nikki to go with it.

Fun Facts

-In Chinese symbology, gardenia flowers are attributed to the eleventh lunar month and represent beauty, wealth, and luck in finding a partner.

-We know from other Reflections that Yuka's dad is dead, but we don't know what happened to her mom. It's possible that she is alive but busy at the shop, but it's more likely that she's gone, too, and that the phone number was disconnected.

Designer's Reflection: Blossoming Impression

Obtained: Nikki's birthday event 2025

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Pink/Sweet

Awakened Suit: Blooming Journey

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Sowing

Chapter 2 - Sprouting

Chapter 3 - Growing Up

Chapter 4 - Harvest

Story - summarized

Long ago, little Nikki and Yoyo wanted to grow a lovely rose bush for their mom's birthday. Every day, they tended to it, giving it enough water and sun, and keeping it free of bugs. It was growing wonderfully - but on their mom's birthday, as the family visited the amusement park, a storm blew in.

The girls wanted to race home to save the rose bush. But when they arrived, it was too late. The bush had wilted. Nikki and Yoyo were inconsolable, but Mom reassured them she still loved the gift, "because of your love for me."

Years later, Nikki is trying to save Miraland, and you and Momo decide to grow a rose bush for her in addition to the magic train ride. However, a storm approaches.

Nikki remembers how devastated she was when the rain destroyed her mom's gift, so she teams up with Marina to make a growth potion that will save the rose bush in her backyard. She waters the plant enough to restore it. When you and Momo return home, she hides from view, enjoying the relief you both feel at seeing the roses.

That night, Momo presents the gift, carrying one in his mouth. Right after the celebration, Nikki sneaks outside and takes a picture of the rose garden with the magic camera from the train ride. She plans on baking rosy desserts as her way of thanking you all for the wonderful birthday!

Connections

-Momo calls your gift "Iron Rose," which is the same name as the styling faction from Love Nikki that she has to fight, but eventually joins in Vol. 2.

-Nikki loves incorporating flowers in her birthday designs. Her very first birthday Reflection, Garden of Time, explores her desire for her own flower garden that she can sketch in (after Aeon and Marina gave her the garden castle), and in Promise of the Wind, she switches from roses to lilies of the valley because they symbolize happiness, and she wanted to remember her time at the resort forever.

Fun Facts

-This is the first birthday outfit to have a Momo accessory.

-Even though we've visited the Ark for preparations for Nikki's birthday, this is the first time actually spending her birthday on the Ark. We board the train that takes us through some of her favorite memories; we also get the magic camera from Aeon and Marina that turns pictures into food.