#designer's reflection

New sketchbook with nikki

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.

Man, I love these two so much 💜

Designer's Reflection: Incandescent Star

Obtained: Love in Wintermount SSR event

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Purple/Sexy

Awakened Suit: Nightshade Dream

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Old Scrapbook

Chapter 2 - Young Serena

Chapter 3 - Make Clothing Together

Chapter 4 - New Journey

Story - summarized

Serena and Helz return to her hometown after finishing the fashion show in Wintermount. Her little brother, Mok, is happy to see her, but not Helz. News of the two's relationship had already reached the little Pigeon town, and Mok doesn't want anyone stealing his big sister away.

At the house, Serena finds her old scrapbook, filled with photos and notes of her teen years. In it is a design sketch for a goose-down dress, similar to the one she wore at the Wintermount fashion show. She still regrets not having worn this version of it, though, and not in her hometown.

Helz has a great idea. He recruits Mok to help bring Serena's model dream to life. The two boys gather materials to make the Pigeon-hometown version of the dress, and Serena adjusts the design. She remembers working so hard as a teen to become a model, and she almost gave up. But she had the support of her mom and brother, and now, she has Helz, too.

Once the dress is finished, Serena shows it off for her loved ones. Helz admits after the impromptu show that he wishes he could have given her a dress like this when they first met. She assures him that she loves all his work and values all his support.

Before they return to Apple for work, Mok finally accepts Helz into the family and even invites him back. Serena knows that her two boys will always have her back no matter what.

Connections

-The first time Helz and Serena met was at Goya's studio in Morning Breeze. Helz was an intern and Serena was a model, but both of them left due to poor treatment.

-Helz met Serena's family back in Poetry By The Wind. He knew how much she valued her hometown and family, so he designed a suit for her, to help her remember her roots as she pursued her dreams.

-We actually meet Mok early on, back in Loen's memories for Glittering Date. He wanted to join Loen on adventures, but then got homesick. Loen dropped him off in Lodden at his sister's place.

-This may be the first suit to utilize goose feathers in the design, but it's not the first Reflection to have something to do with geese. Yeeso takes care of a goose named Miss Raphael in Goose's Melody and helps her find the right song to listen to while laying eggs.

Fun Facts

-During the event, Nikki and friends thought Helz was going to propose to Serena with a ring. They were all surprised when he asked her out with a key to his store.

-In the Index, under the last section for the "Profile" page, Thoughts in the Scrapbook, Serena reveals that her scrapbook contains more than just fashion designs and model dreams; she also wrote about her future lover, what he could be like.