In the first 2 parts about the Water Imps, I told about their history and legends about them. Now, it's time to learn more about the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe, Vodyanitsa.
Vodyanitsa was born at a time when the Water Imps had not yet been driven out of Snezhnaya. Her parents were renowned singers even among their own kind, and theaters across Snezhnograd vied for the honor of hosting them. They preferred performing on the stage of their own estate, where they would gather a select audience. As Vodyanitsa grew older, she too began to stage performances throughout Snezhnaya, though in those days, she did not yet perform on grand, luxurious stages. Her songs were sweet and melodic, yet at times, she would startle chance passersby.
One day, Vodyanitsa accompanied a traveling merchant as he walked along the riverbank, hawking his wares. He hauled a cart of toys and hummed a cheerful song, while children ran alongside him, singing along. Years later, long after the merchant had passed away, those children, now grown, returned to the old riverbank to honor his memory. As they laid flowers upon the water, they caught sight of a fish-like fin appearing and disappearing, and heard the faint sounds of that very song from their childhood drifting up from the depths. Instinctively, they joined in the singing, praying that the melody would find its way to their old friend.
ANother time, Vodyanitsa visited an unfinished railway station, where she was captivated by the songs of the workers repairing the trains. After a hard day's labor, as a blizzard set in, the workers put down their tools and sat down for a drink. Vodyanitsa, who had been listening silently all day, suddenly began to sing their song, and surprised workers joined in. And so, the Rusalka wandered across Snezhnaya, observing different people and listening to their songs. In those days, she dreamed of singing amidst the wild, and of singing for all people.
When civil war broke out in Snezhnaya, the Water Imps left Snezhnograd. Although the people had sensed the Fae departure, they were left bewildered when silence fell, and all songs ceased. Life went on, yet a void had opened up within it. Then, suddenly, a song rang out from the Korolevskiy Theatre. Astonished, the people headed toward the entrance, where a Rusalka emerged to announce an upcoming performance. She had not yet sung all her songs, so she chose to remain in Snezhnograd.
While everyone loved the Korolevskiy Theatre Prima Donna’s voice, many began using her performances to advance their own careers. The Rusalka started distributing handwritten, open-ended tickets to her most loyal listeners, granting them entry to concerts at any time. These people, who once hid backstage just to hear her sing, eventually began inviting business partners or boasting of their acquaintance with the Prima Donna. Yet, remembering how it all began, the Water Imp was unwilling to give up those friendships.
When the other Water Imps returned to the unfrozen lake, she remained the sole guardian of her kind’s legacy. The voices of the Water Imps who had once sung at the Korolevskiy Theatre echoed constantly in her mind. She had memorized all their scores and would occasionally step out to sing their songs as the only tribute she could offer. In this way, their songs would never die. As the songs were ancient, few could fully appreciate them, and ticket sales were poor. She tried leveraging her fame to draw an audience, but people came for her renown rather than the music itself.
Over time, Vodyanitsa began to wonder what would become of her, her songs, and the songs of the other Water Imps once she was no longer the Prima Donna. Would the entire Water Imps' legacy simply vanish? Upon hearing their friend's concerns, the Traveler asked Aino to create a special device resembling the microphone around Vodyanitsa’s neck, so that the Rusalka could record all the songs, ensuring they would never be lost.
Interesting facts:
- Vodyanitsa met Odette when Odette dropped a honey throat candy into the Water Imp's cup after the performance.
- The Rusalka buys performance outfits for all the artists she sings with, though she gives them no say in the matter.
- Vodyanitsa’s family has tried many times to convince her to return home, but she refuses, even though she misses them. She believes that people would be sad without the songs of the Water Imps, and that the Water Imps would be sad if their songs were forgotten.
- As a Rusalka, Vodyanitsa possesses exceptionally keen hearing and can pick up conversations and even footsteps from hundreds of meters away.
- The best water for maintaining a Water Imp's tail is in the Court of Fontaine.
- Vodyanitsa loves traveling the world and has visited every country. However, she isn't particularly fond of Natlan because it is too hot there.
- Water Imps can understand the language of Frostfin Whales, and Vodyanitsa has a finwhale friend named Hitova who accompanies her on her travels.
- Like her friend Odette, Vodyanitsa is a member of the "Rokot" organization.
- Vodyanitsa enjoys scaring people or teasing them.
