The Minka
They walk side by side on the dirt road for what seems like a while. Perhaps it is half an hour, perhaps only ten minutes, but the road elongates before them in that silence punctured only by loud birds in the canopy and frogs croaking in a bog hidden to their left. Dirt kicks up by their shoes, dusty and drying. This land was due for a spell of rain. Mercifully, heaving and dark clouds on the horizon rumbled with contractions, anticipations of the impending delivery of water, lifeblood to the earth. Hanako sends a gentle smile to Váli as she consoles her. Her gaze is grateful, but pained. It’s hard for her to lie to her, though she might desire it so as not to worry her faithful friend. She reaches for Váli, arm crossing over herself, fingers clasping over her own gently clenched around the fabric of her sleeve. Tourmaline meets Coraline, glistening together in shared exhaustion and shared hope. Not much further now, thankfully. “I…m-must admit…it has been…difficult, to see everyone this way,” She speaks softly, turning to the right down a smaller road that narrows up a gradual hill, “I had…I had hoped that, someone, a-a-anyone…might recognize me…but…” Hanako’s voice trails into silence, the answer in and of itself. Before falling into further melancholy, Hanako rallies and squeezes Váli’s hand gratefully. “But you did. You recognized me…and I am so happy you did.” Her hands hover away to brush aside some overgrown branches on the rapidly narrowing path, pushing them gently so that she and her friend might dip under their reach. A few feet in, they clear, and standing before them atop a slight hill is the promised Minka. The tall triangle of its roof sweeps up into the sky at one angle, then descends sharply on the other side. Its steep roof is covered in a patchy layer of thatch that has seen one too many storms to remain intact, but with summer on the horizon, materials will soon be in abundant supply for its repair. The grounds, once kept neatly trimmed and organized, stretched with unruly vines, weeds, and plants. In their own wild way, they are beautiful, bearing tangled clusters of flowers in a myriad of hues. Trees hang with overbearing poise around the gardens, cloaking it in blessed shade. The wind rustles through their leaves and the forest around them sways contentedly. Before it was forgotten, this Minka and its grounds were likely a thing of beauty: the oasis for a family of farmers and their modest flock. Soft memories coat its walls, whispering with gentle hum. Hanako floats up the faded path towards the wide entrance to the Minka, shaded by a long and large overhang of roof. The doors to its main room are of simple bamboo, wooden slats with patterned holes and rice paper weathered and torn with age. It’s archaic, but possesses the hints of wabi-sabi that give that which is worn and humble a great dignity. She turns around while still marked by the sunshine, hands lacing behind her back sheepishly. “It, isn’t much, b-but…the roof…does not leak in the rain…most of the time…- th-there is a w-water pump for the bath, a-and a well for.. cooking and cleaning n-nearby…” She twirls a lock of pink hair in her finger absentmindedly, “I…purified it, so it sh-should be safe to u-use the well for drinking water…” Her lips purse, “It has…several rooms… I s-still only have one futon, b-but you may use it... I do not mind…s-sleeping in the bath…” Hanako holds herself gently, glancing away, “I have felt…very t-tired lately…a-and soaking overnight has helped me.” @freezingclawsofasgard
