Nienique

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, 
 

"Tell me your story," she demands, her voice echoing with a strange mixture of curiosity and wisdom.

Gwenyth Itari, with her long, almost black hair and a unique white wisp of hair -which come from missing pigments - framing her face, sits before the old hag, her eyes wide with innocence and curiosity.

Gwenyth shifted uncomfortably on the worn cushion as she began her tale for the old hag. "I come from a humble village," she started, her voice soft but steady. "My days were filled with chores, tending to our farm and helping my family in any way I could."

Inside the family home, Gwenyth took on responsibilities such as cooking meals over the open flame, mending clothes and linens, and keeping the dwelling clean and tidy. She would often assist her mother in preparing meals from scratch, using ingredients sourced from their own land. In the evenings, she would help her family gather around the hearth, where they would share stories and laughter before retiring for the night.

The old hag listened intently as Gwenyth continued, recounting her childhood adventures and the lessons she learned along the way. "I must admit," Gwenyth confessed with a sheepish smile, "I never quite understood the need for proper footwear or dressing warmly. I always felt more at home barefoot in the fields, and I thought my constant movement would keep me warm enough, even on the coldest mornings."

Despite the demands of her daily chores, Gwenyth approached each task with diligence and a cheerful spirit, finding joy in the simple pleasures of village life and the satisfaction of contributing to her family's well-being.

As Gwenyth spoke, memories of her family and friends flooded her mind, filling her with a bittersweet nostalgia. "But despite my shortcomings," she concluded, her voice tinged with gratitude, "my family and friends always stood by me, supporting me on this journey of mine." As she finished her story, Gwenyth met the old hag's gaze, wondering what wisdom the mysterious woman held in store for her.

Despite her diligence in household chores, Gwenyth sometimes lacked understanding in certain matters, like the importance of wearing proper footwear or dressing appropriately. She often preferred to walk barefoot through the fields, feeling more connected to the earth, even though her parents would scold her for it. Despite their repeated reminders, Gwenyth's stubbornness on these matters remained unchanged.

The old hag nodded knowingly, her gaze filled with a mixture of understanding and curiosity. "Your journey has only just begun, Gwenyth Itari," she murmured, her voice echoing with ancient wisdom. "But fear not, for the challenges you face will only serve to strengthen you."

With a gentle smile, the old hag extended a weathered hand towards Gwenyth. "Go forth with courage and an open heart," she whispered, " for the world outside these swampy lands holds both wonders and dangers beyond your imagination. Embrace every moment, for it is in the unknown that true growth awaits."

As Gwenyth rose to leave the tent, a sense of anticipation filled her chest, mingled with a newfound resolve. With the old hag's words echoing in her mind, she stepped out into the dim town, ready to embark on the next chapter of her journey, eager to discover what the future held in store.

[My mothertongue is german, so I hope you can overlook some mistakes I may have made ^^')