I make my way downhill. The cliff where the lighthouse and Kivuli's cottage sit is basically the highest point, and I really would've fallen right off in the storm if it hadn't been for the dirt path. I follow it down. It's wet, and I'm still barefoot, but I don't mind. My large gown flutters in the breeze, already stained with dirt and grass. I must look like an awful mess.

A few clouds drift across the blue sky. It's exactly like the sky back home. Maybe a little cleaner and wider without endless buildings blocking the view. In the distance, to the far right are the snow-covered trees where I'd landed. Angry enormous clouds swirl overhead. But they’re only in that part of the sky, and it looks like it’s snowing over there. I stare for a while. Somehow it seems like everything that happened last night was so far away.

The road winds downhill, curving and winding until it gets to a sparse area of trees. Walking downhill is nice. The mud is drying as I go, making it much easier. My thighs are sore, and my feet ache, but I don't mind. You never get fresh air like this in the city. Even our parks are manufactured. I stop to rest every once in a while, stretching my legs, and squatting down to give them a break. Trails of ants cross the dirt. Birds flutter every which way. And dragonflies buzz around me. I want to touch every single one to see what would happen. But they keep their distance.

At the bottom of the hill, right at the start of the woods, there's a stone well sitting where the road splits in two directions. There's a sign with arrows, but the words are too faded to read. I'm glad now I caught sight of the town from the cliff. I know the general direction I have to go. Getting closer, I notice a second sign. This one's not faded. It reads: “Ring twice for evil spirits.”

The well isn't just a well. It was obscured by tree branches when I was coming down the hill, but up close, there's a wooden pole and a system of ropes. Hanging overhead is a large golden bell. It looks chipped and cracked and worn, but I guess it's to alert Kivuli. Maybe she's some kind of protector who hunts down evil spirits to keep people safe? Did someone ring the bell when I fell out of the sky?

I keep walking. The shade of the trees is welcome as I'm sweating like crazy at this point. The shadowy leaves and branches pattern the road, everything swaying in the breeze. The wind smells even more strongly of the ocean now, and I clutch the letter opener tight as I approach the town, keeping it hidden in the gown's pocket.

The woods give way to stumps. Sparse trees surround the area in a crescent moon shape, and the town sits right up against the ocean. It looks shabby. The buildings are squat and short. If it weren't for all the people bustling around, I would've thought it war-torn and deserted.

My palms start sweating. I'm already drenched under my gown; sweat runs down my sides from my armpits. My face must be all red and puffed, and the sun bears down harder with every step I take. Anxiety tickles me all over, turning into a furious itch, and I run a hand through my hair. It's soaked with sweat, and a bunch of strands come away with my fingers, but I try to brush it into a somewhat presentable state.

I try not to think about how much of my scalp must be visible under the glaring sunlight; I wish I had a hat. I wish I had shoes. I wish I had underwear!

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The gown's sticking to me, but it's made of thick material that at least keeps it from turning transparent. It's weird to think that even though I’m in another world, the same anxieties constrict around my throat.

The pleasant walk becomes pressurized. I feel icky now. A little wooden sign reads "Welcome to Blossom Water." The words are faded, the wood weather-beaten and old, but right next to it is another, smaller sign. "Do not feed the Fox Spirit."

Fox spirit? Where? What does a fox spirit look like? I check my surroundings. But it's only sparse trees, and then I'm crossing the threshold into town. It's a brown wooden gate that kind of reminds me of a Tori gate. There are flowers around the two poles and carvings in the wood, but a cold shiver runs down my back as I cross through it.

You ever go someplace and know right away that it's haunted? That something bad happened here? You get a feeling in your stomach. It gets a little more difficult to breathe. It almost feels like when that thing was trying to get into the cottage last night. And even though I'm sweating my ass off and the sun is out and everything is bright, a chill passes through me.

Then the wind blows and warmth caresses my face, and I try to straighten my shoulders. I have a job to do. Pick up Kivuli's groceries and get a new chair for Rhinestone. I can do this. A notification bursts through my thoughts, and it's different from the prompts I'd gotten before. I stumble.

[Job available: Mayor of Blossom Water]

I stop and stare for a good minute. A job? The only job I'd ever had was making boba tea. And the little workshop thing I did in high school teaching computer literacy to the elderly.

So this is why Kivuli said not to accept any quests. I'd thought that was weird. I'm not even sure how I'd accept this. Did this show up for everyone who entered the town? I let the words fade away, and I rub my face. Quests. Stats. Abilities. But why did this town need a mayor? I sigh and decide it’s not my concern. I’ll just ignore it.

The town is much smaller than I thought it’d be. It’s only one Main Street with buildings lining both sides. There are alleys between each building like they're too afraid to touch. At the end of the street, you can turn either left or right onto another, perpendicular road that runs along the shoreline and leads to the harbor.

As I walk down Main Street, trying not to meet anyone's eyes because a bunch of people, mostly bearded, red-faced men in overalls and big hats, keep staring my way. I note the buildings. Blossom Water Tavern. Blossom Water Inn. Blossom Water Market.

They're very creative with naming structure in this town. A foul scent stings my nose. I come across a group of guys passed out in the shade of a little house with only two walls and a roof. The stink of alcohol is strong, and I hold my breath. I can't stand that sickly odor.

I hurry toward the Blossom Water Market, my shoulders hunched despite my best efforts. I keep my head down, arms to my sides. The letter opener is hidden in my oversized sleeve. The market is a short, brick structure. I guess it’s more of a shop. Animal carcasses hang in the window. I don't look too closely at them.

In front of the Market is a large man. A muscular giant of a man with antlers bigger than my arms. He's unloading hefty sacks from a wagon. A horse drinks water from a bucket, waiting patiently.

Except it's not a horse. It's brown and has a mane of dark hair traveling down its back, but instead of horse legs and hooves, it has bird legs and talons. The talons look sharp enough to claw anything into ribbons, and when the creature raises its head, it has the snout and jaws of an alligator. It looks like a weird dinosaur, and water drips from its teeth as it stares at me, unblinking. It knows... it knows I don’t belong here!