Madotsuki found herself in a quiet place. Statues of green stone surrounded her. She couldn't decide if it was the shade of bamboo or freshly misted grass. The smell was of the ground after rainfall, and distant melodies drew her focus in multiple directions at once. Walking slowly in the only direction that was obvious in the maze of stone, forward, she carefully navigated a minefield of pebbles and rocks. Each step she took seemed to add another note to the melody, as if the music was from distant beings that she couldn't see exploring the same space.
Perhaps they were just as she was if so, a transient visitor brought here by means of dreaming up an escape.
Just outside of her vision, the stones shifted, changing shape and taking the form of trees, or something somewhat resembling trees. There was a slight breeze, and suddenly the area was alive with movement as all of the stone leaves danced.The melody changed to reflect this, and the further on she went the pebbles and rocks grew into tighter bunches before seemingly merging into stepping stones just big enough for her to stand on.
The stones began to dip down into the ground with each and every step she took, the notes playing out with each step also dying down, as if being wrapped up in the softest cotton. Ground gave way to water, a layer of moss decorating its clear surface. Finding it harder to balance, Madotsuki was relieved of her duty by a wooden bridge. She was unaware of exactly when she stepped onto it. It was barely big enough. Thin, stretching into the distance.
Turtle shells were breaking the surface of the water over the sides of the bridge and the sounds of frogs now echoed about the narrow passageway. Madotsuki had never been to a place like this. She never would.
The wooden bridge grew wider, leading into a clearing. A large, open space, circular in shape, was revealed to her. As she stepped off of the bridge a couple of statues drew her attention. They were almost diabolical looking, and didn't match the almost magical feeling that the space gave her. They almost reminded her of classical paintings of yōkai from the Edo period. The serene sounds of nature suddenly quieted down, and all she could hear was the occasional rustle of stone from the wind.
In the middle of the clearing was a small lake, probably quite big enough to swim in. But she didn't have the slightest inclination to do so. A bit off to the side was a table with two chairs, upon which was a tea set, traditional in make and appearance. In one of the chairs sat a young girl.
Madotsuki stared at the girl for some minutes, trying to deduce her age. She was much younger than her, and her hair was a bright gold. She was pretty, much more pretty than Madotsuki had ever hoped to be.
The sound of the lake's surface being breached made Madotsuki turn to see a being crawling onto dry land, its green skin and rough shell being the most striking features, though the dish on its head and its big black eyes were fair competition. Madotsuki recognized this being as a kappa right away. She held back the urge to bow, instead simple watching the being walk up to the table and take a seat, happily engaging in a tea party with the young girl.
She didn't want to interrupt. The girl was elated to see her friend, the kappa, so Madotsuki simply kept looking around. It seemed the space was a dead end, however. Not the first she had encountered.
Taking a seat by the lake, she wondered if such a thing was a good idea. After all, she could be pulled under, if the kappa had a family. But then again, she did have a way out if need be. She decided to relax, distancing herself from the quiet interaction going on near her.
Staring at the still water, she looked into her eyes, and then through them. Clear, all the way to the bottom. There was a small cave, a sign beside it that read: HOME, and some seaweed. She briefly wondered what it would be like living underwater. The silence, the calm, the isolation. Maybe it would suit her better than her little apartment.
She reached into the water and it didn't ripple. She pulled out her hand, bringing it up to her face as if inspecting a wound.
It was as dry as bones.
Pinch.