Najuma's Dialogue

Oh, uhm... hi. I'm Najuma.

I work with my dad in the mines. Or, at least, I used to before he said it was too dangerous.

Not that I meant to complain to a complete stranger. S-sorry.

It's... nice to meet you?

...

Auni's always going on about wanting to leave the valley

Sometimes I don't understand that kid...

His family is EAGER to teach him their trade.

So I don't get what the problem is.

I finally caved into Auni’s Bug Scouts, and it ended up being way more fun than I thought.

He gave me some smoke bombs to tinker with, and I think I can make them twenty percent more effective at catching mantises!

I try to avoid Auni when I’m working because he’s soooo distracting.

But there was one time he wouldn’t leave me alone. He just had to deliver a carrot to me!

Tish said he might have a crush on me. Ew!

But it turns out, he was delivering it for my dad who just trying to make sure I was eating right.

Ugh! Dad keeps telling me it isn’t safe for me to go into the mines.

But how do I learn proper safety techniques if he doesn’t even let me try!!!!

... I'm not really used to getting company.

I generally keep to myself.

The other townsfolk are a bit scared of me on account of the fact I tend to set stuff on fire a lot.

I guess I don't really blame them.

You know, I never went to school for making explosives.

My mom taught me the basics and the rest of the ideas just came to me, I guess.

You might want to stand back.

I’m working on my latest invention and I’m not entirely sure this thing is stable.

Hmm... good question.

I’ll let you guess. What do you think it does?

I made a timed explosives system for last year’s Midsummer pageant.

That way all the pyrotechnics are in an automated loop. This year, they won’t even need me!

There was this one time I was trying to work on this new explosive.

But I couldn't find my goggles anywhere!

I had to resort to asking my dad for help. Sheesh, that was embarrassing.

He tracked them down though! That thieving chapaa didn't know what hit him!

Sometimes I get tempted to make something like the stuff I see in the ruins.

The ancient Humans had so many cool inventions!

But they ALL required Flow to work. And I am not ABOUT to get my butt hunted down by the Order.

I have way too much stuff I want to accomplish before I die than to risk that.

Right now I’m working on a new kind of firework.

One that sings a song when it gets detonated.

You wanna see how it works?

I’m so tired of people being weird about my leg! It doesn’t mean I’m useless!

I get it. They’re just concerned about me. Like, sometimes the stump will hurt, or I’ll feel like I still have my old one.

Even on good days, it’s a lot of work to maintain a prosthetic, even just putting it on and taking it off.

But I want everyone to know I’m not afraid of hard work! The leg is proof, see?

I mined and smelted every piece of ore in my leg.

It feels more like my leg than the one I was born with sometimes.

My dad and I used to be so close, but ever since my mom died, he's been way too overprotective.

I mean, I get why he doesn't want anything bad to happen to me.

But the way I see it, if you're always worried about the bad things in life, you'll never get to enjoy the good stuff either.

I don't really have a "best friend" in town. I'm not really into labels.

But I like going in town to visit Jel and Tish. They both have such cool things in their shops.

And...they talk to me like a grown up, unlike everybody else around here.

If you want... I'll let you in on a little secret. My goggles are actually magnifying glasses.

The highest setting lets me see things so small they can't be detected with the naked eye.

I've been reading about the volcanic activity on the Phoenix moon. Pretty fascinating stuff!

Ugh...three different Humans asked me what happened to my leg today...

Why does everybody have to focus on that!

I wish for once, somebody would just compliment me on how cool my new one is!

My dad doesn't want me to go into the mines. Says they're too dangerous.

He also says the exact same thing about the Elderwoods.

But the mines are just fine! I bet the woods are, too! They're just woods! That are old!

I've been working on this really cool combustion powered glider.

It lets you fly like a Silverwing. I call it... the mechanical Silverwing.

Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm an inventor, not a namer. Okay?

I still haven't figured out the timed release mechanism on this thing, but I'm sure it'll come together any day now.

Jina once told me the research suggests that ancient Humans never had Paths. I can't wrap my head around it.

Without a Path, how can you be sure you have a way to help other people?

Flow is super pretty.

It's such a shame it's so, y'know, illegal. I'd love to learn to work with it more.

I thought I saw a monster around here once when I was little, but my dad convinced me it was just the shadows playing tricks on me.

Not gonna lie. The whole "Humans appearing out of nowhere" situation kinda gives me the heebie jeebies.

I mean, you guys are kinda like zombies.

But, creepy stuff can also be cool.

I'm drawing an idea I have for a balloon that floats in the sky when you heat the air underneath it.

Everyone assumes because we're the only kids in town, Auni and I must be besties. But it's really not like that.

Auni...talks too much for my taste.

I don't know. He's an okay kid. We're just not really close.

What's the Inn like at night?

They don't let kids my age in after hours.

Besides, I don't like the funny looks I get when I go in there.

He's too polite to say anything, but I think Ashura's afraid I'm gonna blow the place up.

I've seen you around mining, and you've got skill!

I mean, you could definitely use more practice to get to my level.

But for someone less than a year old, you're not doing too shabby.

(yawn)

I was up pretty late reading about how the ancient Humans used to have this never ending flame called Phoenix Fire.

You wouldn't happen to know about that would you?

Today I'm feeling kinda "meh" with a side of "bleh." Like most days...

I know you're probably curious about what happened with my mom...

I...don't really like to talk about that. If that's okay I'd rather not.

I find all kinds of weird stuff from the Human era in the mines.

One time I even found an old Galdur head.

I've been looking for the body ever since.

I'd love to get that thing up and running again...

If you wonder why I'm always reading the same book...

It's because Caleri kind of banned me from the library after I almost blew the place up.

I'm kinda in a bad mood...my dad talked to me today about declaring a different Path.

He more than anyone should know there's no going back once I've already declared.

After all, he's the one who gave me my ceremonial pick!

You know, an inventor's job is to make stuff to help people! Maybe I could help you out one day...

I've been experimenting with my fireworks lately...

The ore you add to the powder changes how it works. And the amount matters too.

Making fireworks might not be something super serious or anything, but it's a pretty exact science.

In fact, I'm way better at math and chemistry than my dad.

Don't get me wrong, I love my dad...

...but living AND working with him can be a little much, ya know?

I find it's important to always carve out a little "me" time.

So I can work on my own projects or just relax!

Can I tell you a secret?

Don't tell my dad! But after the funeral, I snuck out to check the cave-in where my mom died.

It was mostly rubble, but I found something. It was real beat up, but I knew it was the pin my dad gave her when they first fell in love.

At first, I thought maybe I should bring it to him, but then I decided it was better to leave it there.

I hope it's still there for him to find one day. I think it'd help.

I hope I'll get to go to the Maji Market. Apparently, my mom used to go to a night market in Bahari City all the time.

She said people would bring stuff from all over. It's a perfect place to inspire new inventions!

I declared my Path as a miner last year.

I can't wait until my apprenticeship is over and I can join the family business for real.

That is... IF will let me.

Do you ever fight with any of your family like I fight with my dad?

It is way too early... or did I stay up too late?

But you know, sometimes you get a brilliant idea and you just have to write it down.

And then it takes a couple more hours to draw it accurately...

I know my dad needs to get up early for work, but I sure wish he would be quieter about it.

Sleep deprivation is bad for a growing brain!

Sure... I'm usually in bed at this hour, but I got up to work on a new invention.

I guess when inspiration strikes, it strikes.

My dad said you were pretty good at fishing.

It's not for me. Way too much waiting around, doing nothing!

But you're my friend, so I want to help you out as much as I can!

Have you seen the Dawnrays? I hear they're super rare fish that only come out at this hour, great for a fisher like you!

I like waking up early to listen to the cicadas. I find them really relaxing.

Do you want to join me and listen for a bit?

Every day, by the time the sun goes down, I am always so, so, so hungry!

When I was little, my mom always had an apple ready for me, just in case.

My dad sometimes had nuts, but I think it was just leftover chapaa bait. He'll never admit that, though.

I can't wait for dinner! Using this much brainpower requires a lot of energy!

I'd love to show you my new firework, but it's too loud. My dad'll be so mad if he catches me out this late.

But what do you think of these sketches? I'm working on a new shoe that'll let me sneak in and out of the house whenever I want!

My dad might not like when I'm up late, but I just love the lantern bugs!

I think it's one of the best things about living in Bahari Bay.

Auni wanted me to catch one for him, but I think they're so much prettier when they get to fly wherever they want.

I know any good Majiri is supposed to favor Luna, in reverence to the Dragon and all that.

But, come on, Ignis is constantly on fire.

If that isn't hotter than molten iron, I don't know what is.

I feel like my mind works better at night. Like I'm always coming up with fresh ideas. You know?

Or, uhm. Maybe you don't.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I must've woke you, didn't I?

I...I didn't know anyone would be around. Sorry.

It's a real scorcher today.

That's why I like to be down in the mine. Where it's nice n' cool...

Sometimes, my mom would go into the mines to look for Flowstones.

My Dad didn't like it. He thought it was more dangerous than looking for regular ol' copper and flint.

Never stopped my mom, though! She even brought me a pebble once that was filled with Flow. It was so pretty!

Don't tell anyone, but I keep it in my pocket when I need a bit of good luck.

I know me and my dad will be okay eventually.

We always are.

I just wish I could get him to trust me.

I'm glad we're friends. Things could get a bit lonely before you Humans came along...

My mom was an amazing person.

She had no fear...of anything.

If something was dangerous it meant she wanted to learn how to control it.

She never ran away from her fears. I think that's what made her an amazing demolitionist.

Wow, it feels like I can tell you anything. My mom listened to all my ideas when I was a kid.

Pretty sure my dad was only pretending to listen. He still gets a glazed look in his eyes if I say the word, "blueprints."

It's fine. I mean, I was a kid, so I’m sure a lot of what I said wasn’t exactly interesting.

But my mom said listening to me inspired her to develop a new kind of dynamite that she ended up using almost every day.

Can you believe it? I was an inventor already, and I didn't even know it!

Yeah... I don't really do the whole best friend thing.

But if I did, you'd definitely be mine.

My mom liked watching the sunrise. She was right.

It totally feels like coming out of a long day's work in the mines and seeing the light again.

My dad doesn't understand that, though. He just thinks of it as a time to wake up.

I usually get self conscious about complaining around people. But not you. You actually listen.

I like that.

I-I'm not really in the mood. Me and my dad got into a fight. But I don't really feel like talking about it...

Sorry to bug you about this, but have you talked to my dad yet?

I feel really useless right now and I HATE feeling useless.

So did you ever find those "super-powered evil ghost bugs"?

Let me know if you find more. I still want to see if I can make an essence firework.

Eshe keeps coming over here to check on our cart... It makes me kind of nervous.

Before news of the Maji Market came out, Auni kept sending me letters saying something really big was coming up.

He acted like it was a huge secret that only he knew about.

...But I already knew about it because the mayor accidentally told my dad about it after having too much to drink.

He's told my dad all sorts of juicy secrets... some that he really didn’t need to know.

I don’t come down to the village very often...

It’s a pretty far walk from my house, and there’s usually not much for me to do here unless there’s an event like this.

I have to say, the Maji Market turned out nicer than I thought... Too bad it’s only here for a while.

My dad was complaining all day about having to come to the Maji Market tonight. I basically had to drag him all the way here from Bahari.

He did seem more willing to go after I reminded him you would be here.

The sweets Delaila’s selling look really good... I asked my dad if I could have some, and he said they’d make my teeth rot.

Badruu invited me to join him, Auni, and Sifuu for hotpot later... Should I go?

That Chapaa Chase game looks fun. I don't know if I'd be fast enough to catch any of them, but it'd be nice to try, anyway.

You know who would be good at it, though? Auni. All he does is run around all day.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen him catch anything...

I got up extra early today to make extra fireworks for the Maji Market tonight, just in case we run out.

I might've made too many... Oh well. My dad's going to be the one carrying them, so he'll figure it out.