nirawu

[nirawu]

"We're cut from the same cloth. My dad used to take me to a bunch of places to learn. I think I was the most boring kid in my class," Nira confesses with a small, breathy laugh. Boring back then, and not exactly thrilling right now; at least they're taking steps to be more chatty with stranger. That never used to be a thing.

"Amara. Pretty name." It's a flippant compliment, but they get distracted briefly by a large ray floating across the nearby tank. "I mean, I'm doing research for a short film idea, so if you have any cool spots in this place that might come up great on a camera -- I'd be forever in your debt."

@amarathegreat

Amara can't help but fight a laugh. "Oh, thank you. Honestly, I think sometimes those reviews can make or break a place... or... person. But yeah I-I think a lot of kids kind of want the fish to be jumping through hoops like it's Sea World. I always liked learning..." Her eyes go first to the hand, then the person holding it out. Finally, she shakes with some formality. "Amara. I'm... I usually work in the back looking after the animals and the tanks, but they have me walking the floor today..." A pause, and then. "Oh! It's nice to meet you, Nira. If you have any questions for me..." She's in 'business mode,' so she can't help herself. @nirawu

[nirawu]

"Oh, no, not even close. My hands are so busted from being dry and overworking," Nira admits, though it's not the most attractive thing to confess. Looking at their hands briefly, she gives a one-shoulder shrug. "Used to be a piercer, actually. And I direct movies -- well, sort of. Both jobs need your hands."

@kcte

“Oh, just simple stuff. You know, nothing too extreme…. at least not on the first few classes.” Kate smiled, giving her shoulders a shrug. It was a genuinely satisifying thought, almost as much as it was hearing that she didn’t want to get on her bad side. She liked to be feared, it was much better and less painful than being loved. “Why are your hands precious? You one of those hand models? Lame.”

@nirawu

[nirawu]

Well, this was unexpected. Nira blinks several times at the woman who seemingly came out of left field. Glancing over at the water they've been nursing for a half hour now, they second guess their answer before clearing her throat.

"Does it matter if I'm not a very good one?"

@beatricexdubois

open starter: @aurorabaystarter

where: Sharky’s/oasis/any bar with live music

After running out on her boyfriend when he asked her to marry him, she couldn’t help but assume that was the end of their relationship, which was something she’d yet to come to terms with. In fact, the mere days she’d be in Aurora Bay, Beatrice had done little more than party, drink, and shop. Anything to take her mind off the very heavy reality that she may have ruined her longest romantic relationship with someone she genuinely loved.

When she spotted a stranger by the bar, she didn’t even hesitate to walk over to them with a smile on her face. “Do you want to dance with me?” She yelled over the music as she set down her drink and held out her hand for the other’s.

[nirawu]

Anna Sawai by Nick Yang

[nirawu]

The joke can't help but make them laugh. Nodding adamantly, Nira plucks a mat out of the bin before returning their attention to Reagan. "Have you ever done this before? I mean, not just here, but yoga in general?"

@reaganmurphy

"Exactly. We can't either of getting injured. I can't stay in bed all day especially with a dead line so that pose can wait a different time." Reagan looked as well, curious of what the ongoing class is up to. "I'm all for that. I'm sure the instructor would understand. If not, I'm making up an excuse."

[nirawu]

Although the medieval comment had been a joke, Nira can feel the tension between her shoulder blades lessen with every sentence Arwen says. Relief floods her system at the idea of an experience that isn't chasing after a pack, but flowing to the beat of her own drum.

"I -- no, touch is fine," they state, holding out their hand to shake her's.

"Nira, by the way. Nice to meet you. And I promise to try. It's been a little while since I've done something that's not about work and more about myself."

@arwengriffiths

Arwen laughed slightly. “No medieval torture poses here,” she said. “I like to keep my sessions somewhat relaxed — I’m here to work with you, not against you.”

She placed her bottle down at the front of the class, mentally taking a headcount. A lot of the people here today she recognised, but some seemed new — including the person in front of her now. It was always nice to see new people turn up to her classes. It was even nicer when they stayed.

“I try to give as many variations as I can,” she expanded. “If you need them, use them — that’s why they’re there. We work with your body.”

“Quick question — some of the people in this class like to be helped into positions. Do you have any aversions to being touched, or any areas I should avoid?”

[nirawu]

"What speaks to you at the moment?" Although both albums in his hands are amazing, Nira isn't about to acclaim one over the other. Picking up their own copy of Talking Heads, they wriggle the package in their hand for emphasis. "Right now, I'm sort of in a classics kick, but I also think it's because the summer screams nostalgia to me."

@nicomackenzie

who: open / @aurorabaystarter where: tidal wave

Nico was no expert on music, nor did he know why he was even trying to look for something. He had a record player and a few records that he enjoyed listening to, but for the most part, he wasn't a collector. Maybe one of these days he'd start collecting albums that he liked, get his mind thinking about something other than hockey. "You know, I never thought I'd be the type to be contemplating starting a record collection, yet here I am." He had a Bowie album in one hand and a Paramore one in the other hand. "Should I start classic or modern?"

[nirawu]

Albeit not the most polished idea, it was something scribbled in a notebook for weeks to ask Santi. A busy man with a lot going on didn't need another business pitch ( not to mention the lack of asking the museum, a habit in which Nira has to shake like a stubborn ketchup bottle at some point ) but years of mentorship and friendship dictate confidence.

And when he says yes, an ease of a smile graces their lips.

"I'd probably have to still get the curator on board," they admit, taking another sip of the concoction.

( Definitely too much agave. )

"How hard can it be to convince an artsy board that booze can make artistic juices flow for some people? It's a stale building. Bay artists deserve their own spotlight even if Los Angeles is a little full, y'know?"

@santiagodeleons

"Only around certain people."

He doubts there's many people who had been in his orbit as of late who would extend the same compliment to him but he takes it from Nira with both hands. It was going to be a good day, he would accept no other alternative.

"Less agave, noted."

Santiago didn't write anything down but he did file it away in his mind, trusting their judgement when it came to taste tests.

"It wouldn't be annoying at all," He assures, the idea instantly one that he can see the merit in. After being open so long, Four Leaf felt like an institution in his own right and Santiago wanted to do what he could to make sure it didn't crossover into feeling archaic. "When were you thinking?"

@nirawu

[nirawu]

"Aeris Flores, always so diligent in his homework," Nira teases with a hint of airiness to their tone. Oftentimes people are met with a much less friendly demeanor, though Nira has been trying their best with the museum gig to be a little less frigid. Piercing was about creating art, focusing on people's minds and perceptions to bring ideas to life.

Touring, however, is just pointing out what people say about their own art. It's somewhat stifling for a person used to working with their hands, but it's also offered a freedom to pick up their camera more to take that creation to film.

"I'm happy to see what you've cooked up in that brain of yours before I start rattling off half-baked ideas."

@aeris-flores

"Alright," Aeris looks either way to spot Nira, and he waves lazily when he does. "We'll go over it when you get here."

He hangs up and buries his phone in his back pocket. He isn't sure if Nira would go for the design his sketched, but henna is temporary. He also made it more intricate than a normal henna, blended floral designs with something more alternative. He has his iPad ready to share what he drew for them. "Hey, what's up? What do you want added? I guess I should show you what I got in my sketch idea so if you want it wiped entirely for something new, I can just focus on your request."

@nirawu

[nirawu]

"Well, hey, that's good. I think I accidentally signed up for a hot yoga session years ago? Scarred me for life," Nira explains casually as they take a brief look at the mats people can borrow for the day. "Not sure if I should be questioning more of my life choices than I already have this year. Crying to 'My Heart Will Go On' is strictly prohibited."

@recklesszoe

"Not most of the time, no," she says with a little smile. Zoe's already got her colorful mat laid out, and is sitting in a neutral half lotus pose while the rest of their class filters in. "They're pretty chill here. It's a good workout, and at the end they even let us lay in silence for 10 minutes at the end, questioning our life choices while beautiful flute music plays." @nirawu

[nirawu]

"I'm used to having abnormal schedules, so trust me. Tuesday's a perfect night," Nira promises as they get comfortable. Although they shouldn't be nervous, it would be a lie if she said it didn't take a whole hour just to settle on something to wear.

"Uh, no, it's not low effort at all. It's probably the first one I've been on for a while, so it's a nice way to ease back into it." With a brief gesture, Nira nods towards Celine. "And you look beautiful in that, by the way."

@celineaargon

closed for: @nirawu location: tejas cantina

"I know Tuesday's is a weird day for a date night, thank you for joining me." Celine said as they slid onto the bar stool. "My schedule has been a total nightmare recently." Taco Tuesday at Tejas was too good to pass up and she was finally able to make some time to ask the Nira after messaging back and forth for a bit. The vibes were casual, but promising and she hoped that this date went just as well. "I hope you don't think it's too low effort."

[nirawu]

closed for: @adrianahqs location: oasis nightclub

"Honestly? I'm a little excited Oasis finally has a few mocktails. Pretty sure I've only come here maybe once or twice since moving to the Bay," Nira jokes as they settle at one of the corner booths. "How has this week been? Shifts going well?"

[nirawu]

closed for: @caleb-majhi where: pit stop

"My hopeful answer is 'the problem is all in your head'," Nira states as they lean against the shop door nervously staring at the beaten-up sedan in question. "But realistically? Probably drove over a nail. How busy does your day look right now?"

[nirawu]

Realizing they'd been setting a bad example, Nira takes a deep inhale, exhale, and shakes off the nerves of trying something new. "Alright, I can guide you. I've been here a few times, just not this particular class. Apparently hot yoga can do a lot for you? But I'm saying apparently in case if we get our asses kicked, in which I promise I'll pay for dinner after. Deal?"

@priyaxdesai

Priya figured that with her thirtieth birthday quickly approaching and thoughts of reapplying for med school and all looming that she needed some zen. So she figured what better way to start than joining a yoga class? Besides, a little extra flexibility wasn't particularly a bad thing...at least that's what she kept telling herself as she pulled up her mass of curls atop her head, watching others nervously. "I've never actually done this before, so honestly it all kinda sounds a little torturous right now.."

[nirawu]

"Wait, there's a pottery studio near here?" This is what they get for not moseying around town enough. Dedicating their whole life to piercing and movies only to then make it about museums and movies -- Nira feels like they missed a step in community. "Is it for beginners, or...? Because I'd be willing to ditch the pain of a backbend for making a bowl or something."

@roxdelrosario

"Backbends? Medieval torture poses? Did I walk into the wrong building?" Roxy mostly definitely had walked into the wrong building, quickly realizing how stupid she was because it was kind of obvious everyone was there for yoga considering so many people were in workout clothes and holding yoga mats. "Crap. I was looking for the pottery studio." She'd lived in Aurora Bay for years now and she'd heard people talk about the pottery studio but she'd never been herself and she wanted to check it out.

@nirawu

[nirawu]

"You've never been to Grounded?" Nira asks with genuine interest. Although she hadn't been here in quite a few months, she'd assumed everyone in the beach town had tried it at least once. Beaches and yoga seem to connect. "They're really nice, but I've never been to a class beyond their 'Help You Sleep' workshops. You kind of just sit in child's pose for an hour, it's kind of amazing."

@justxjuno

“ I’m gonna be honest it’s my first time here, so your guess is as good as mine. “ Juno noted with a small smile. Sure she had done plenty of yoga in the past but she needed to start working on her hobbies aside from her media consumption and writing. “ but judging by everyone’s faces no one seems to be holding a grudge against the teacher so it seems promising? “ @nirawu

[nirawu]

"Hey, don't knock on rabbits. I don't really know what their purpose in life really is, but no one really knows what dragons do, either. At least one's real."

Although dragon feels like wishful thinking, Nira turns in the opposite direction to give the design another look. The dilemma hits: agree to agree or dispute the argument. One spares Declan's feelings. The other... well, they're working on being a little less correct all the time.

"Looks a little like a snout, too -- here." They point slightly further up on the tattoo. "Rabbits don't have snouts."

@declan-jackson

"Dragons are kinda cool, though." Dec turns his arm back and forth, rotating it to see how the design stretches to his inner forearm. Or, at least where it seems it does, because Declan knows it could have been the result of a smudge. "Rabbits, not so much. They're kinda too small and fluffy."

Declan definitely isn't small or fluffy, of anything akin to a bunny rabbit. He points out another spot (smudge?) to them. "See, that looks like a wing! I think you're right about the dragon."

@nirawu