Snezhnayan Lore. Water Imps. Part III: Vodyanitsa
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.