Cameron in the Paperverse: Wouagi and the Rainbow Pools

“Are you sure?” I asked once again as I studied the small gift bag the Wouagan merchant called Elodie was very politely insisting I accept for free. 

 

“Yes, I’m very sure. On the house. Get it? Because we’re on the roof?” When I didn’t laugh right away, the merchant cleared her throat awkwardly. “Ahem. Yes, anyway. Please, take it. If you head south of the village, you’ll find a hut surrounded by a series of small pools. It’s very private and completely free. Just talk to the attendants in the hut, and they’ll lead you to a nice, little place where you can try out all of these lovely samples.”

 

I narrowed my eyes slightly. I didn’t mean to be so suspicious, but most free things aren’t really free. “Okay. Can I ask why you’re being… so pointedly nice?”

 

Elodie’s lovely smile twitched. “Are you… are you going to make me say it? Sweetheart, it’s humid here, and whatever species you are, you’re getting a little… you need a bath, okay?”

 

I felt my face heat up by a few degrees and knew I must have flushed bright red. “Understood. Valid. I’m human, by the way. Sooo, south, you said? Do those salamanders, uhm, bite?”

 

She smiled, relieved. “Yes, south. And those little salamanders don’t bite at all. I doubt you’d even feel it if they did. Most of them are more afraid of you than you are of them. The others just want whatever food you’re carrying.”

 

I finally accepted the pale blue bag. There were a total of three waxed paper packets inside.

 

“All of my items are formulated specially to interact with the local Rainbow Pools,” Elodie told me proudly. “This is a selection of soap, shampoo, and lotion. You’ll smell like all the freshest Wouagan flora for days. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

 

“Well, thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll go try these out right now,” I promised.

 

I climbed down to the dock below her home and turned right at the next intersection, angling my way south. This was my second day in the Wouagan village, and the shops had only opened for the day an hour ago. I couldn’t help but keep my eyes glued to the roofs of the stilted homes, eagerly searching out all the strange and interesting things the merchants and craftsmen here sold.

 

Unfortunately, I was a little too focused on the shops and not paying attention to where I was going. I literally ran into a Paperdemon built like a brick wall and fell backwards. I landed hard on my backside, and the tan-skinned Wouagan burst into laughter. They tossed the pale hair out of their face and offered me a hand.

 

“I’m so sorry,” I rushed as they hauled me to my feet. “That was completely my fault. Sorry about that!”

 

“No problem, strange creature. I’m Lux.”

 

“I’m Cameron. I’m a human? I’ve gathered that you guys don’t see a lot of those around here.”

 

They laughed again, and I caught sight of their sharp teeth and fangs. Slung over their shoulder they carried a massive trap made of metal and wood and thick, woven rope.

 

“Wow, that’s one heck of a trap. What do you catch with that?” I asked.

 

“King salamanders,” Lux said. “Their tails and heavy strides damage my crops.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What kind of crops?”

 

Lux remained silent, a weird sharp smile on their face. I blinked. They blinked. I looked longingly at the path beyond them.

 

“Want to help me catch one?” Lux asked finally.

 

“Oh, man, I wish I could. I’m running a very important errand for a merchant, though. High priority. Soooo… good luck? I’ll just be on my way.”

 

“You keep an eye out for those king salamanders on your errands, you hear me? Stay out of the Rainbow Pools for your own safety. I’ll never go back in those waters, Chief. Y'know the thing about a king salamander - he's got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eyes.” Lux warned, their voice suddenly tense and serious.

 

“I… will remember that,” I said. Trying to laugh it off, I added, “I think you’re going to need a bigger trap.”

 

Lux seemed to consider it seriously. “Might not be a bad idea. Well, good day to you!”

 

With that, they continued off to the north, and I seized my opportunity to get far away from them. I tried not to let the idea of king salamanders bury itself in my brain, but by the time I reached the hut I was convinced I’d be eaten before the end of the day.

 

A cheery attendant greeted me. “Hello there and welcome! Are you interested in a nice, quiet soak?”

 

“I think I’m interested, but I have a question. Someone may have mentioned something to me about… giant king salamanders?”

 

The attendant sighed heavily. “Let me guess. You met a crazy local by the name of Lux?”

 

“Yes,” I confirmed.

 

“Lux is… something else. I’ve heard that every village has one, you know? I promise, you will not encounter any giant salamanders in the pools here. That bag you have there - a selection of soaps from Elodie’s shop! She’s one of our finest herbalists. Let me get you settled somewhere. You’re in for a treat.”

 

I took a deep, steadying breath and nodded. “Yeah, sounds great. A quiet bath with no giant lizards. Nooo dangerous animals of any kind.”

 

“Exactly,” the attendant said as she beckoned me to follow. The docks were far less wide here, and the surrounding vegetation thickened. Even though I could tell that many of the pools dotting the area were only five or six feet away from one another, the mixture of trees and fronds and bushes and wild grasses shielded the other patrons from prying eyes.

 

“Here we are,” my guide said as we paused at an empty pool. She handed me a towel. “Take all the time you like. Just drop off the towel as you leave, alright?”

 

I nodded. “Thank you so much!”

 

I stepped off of the dock and onto the mossy bank of the rainbow pool. Although darker here than on the path, what little light that managed to pierce the vegetation reflected from the shimmering rainbow pool and danced within the small space. Once I was sure I was alone, I slipped off my clothes and hung them from a thick branch so they could air out while I bathed.

 

“Just don’t think about the mucus,” I told myself. Which then, of course, reminded me to think about nothing but the fact that I was going to wade into still water saturated with salamander mucus. “No, really. It’s awesome. It’s not gross at all. Super relaxing.” 

 

I dipped a foot into the pool, and my worries dissolved instantly. The water felt as smooth as silk and a perfect sort of cool that was refreshing without being uncomfortably cold. I slipped into the pool and let myself float. The sounds of nature whispered around me - the soft hum of the swamp replacing the bustle of the nearby village. For a long time I rested, just floated without a thought in my head.

 

Eventually I reached for Elodie’s gift bag and opened the first soap. The scent reminded me of some of the best tropical smells from my homeworld: bamboo and papaya and fresh rain. The loose powder foamed into suds as soon as it touched the water. I lathered up and felt four days of grime rinsing away. The shampoo smelled of jasmine and cedarwood and left my hair so soft and clean.

 

I could stay here forever. This was one of those simple pleasures I’d experienced so rarely before - the chance to exist, to breathe, and to cleanse in a quiet, beautiful place. Memories of concrete and litter and pollution and a city that smelled like a wet sewer rat in the rain tugged at my mind, but they were easily dismissed. That place must have been the dream, the nightmare discarded upon waking in this perfect reality.

 

My stomach rumbled after a long time, and I remembered that I’d planned to travel back to the Parchment Imp Inn today to look for work. I decided I could afford a small meal before I left. I pulled myself from the pool and toweled off. My clothes had taken on the scent of the surrounding flora and the soaps I’d used, and I couldn’t help but smile as I pulled them on.

 

Elodie had been correct - I needed a bath. Everything felt better now, as if I’d washed away grime from my brain as well as my body. I returned my towel to the attendant and meandered back to the village. I gave Elodie my heartfelt thanks and then purchased a bowl of rice and fish and berries for dinner. Shortly after sunset I portalled back to my new home.

 

“I hope to visit Wouagi again someday. 10/10, would recommend.” ~ Cameron