You open your eyes, and a vast expanse of sky-blue fills you vision. Cotton ball clouds drift by overhead. The ground is soft beneath you, the grass of the meadow acting as nature's own cushion. You breathe in crisp, clean air and shut your eyes again, soaking in the warm embrace of sunlight as it kisses your skin. The air is fragrant, like the world around you had bloomed for the very first time. Or like tea leaves. Mmmmmm.
Opening your eyes, you begin to notice the spots of red dotting the distant landscape. You rise and make your way to the nearest flower. It was the most beautiful shade of red you've ever seen. Twisting the stem around your fingers, you snap the thin tether. Before you're able to inhale its sweet aroma, you hear a voice whisper your name. You quickly spin around to see a woman, kneeling on the ground.
"Hello?" you say gingerly to the mysterious lady. Her back is turned to you. She has long, dark hair that hangs low on her back, like a waterfall of ink cascading down her figure. Woven through various black strands are the red-petaled flowers of the field; their colour matches her red robe. She wears it effortlessly, the neckline slipping off to the side, exposing a shoulder.
Though you call to her, she says nothing in return. You start towards her, careful not to tread on any of the wild flowers. You find yourself picking up the pace, some instinct within is desperate to know the beautiful woman's identity. Only a few feet between the two of you, you pause. Upon closer inspection, you notice the tired slump in her shoulders. Hesitantly, you inch closer, looping around her right.
That's when you notice her face. It's obstructed by a mask, and a very familiar mask at that. The sunlight shimmers off of the golden trim, the ethereal aura sending chills down your spine. It's none other than your own mask. The Red Spirit.
"Hello? Miss?" you say, louder than last time, but she ignores you again. She stays still, only her hair moving in the gentle breeze of the afternoon. It's stark black color contrasts with the colorful scenery.
Before you fully realize your actions, your hand is already reaching out. You brush a strand of silky hair away from the mask, admiring the way the sunlight glints off of the long tress. You slowly snake your hands behind the lady's head, finding the ties that secure the disguise. Holding your breath, you untie the knot, letting the mask slip loose… and...
You wake up.