Experience with Merimei
The people of Merimei Village will sooner die than break their routines. The exceptions to this rule are the children of the village. Youth is an important phase in development, after all. It is a time for experiences and experimentation to form a better sense of self to advise what a person does later on in life. This all changes once a child reaches the age of 20, regarded in the village as the age of maturity.
Visitors of Merimei will usually leave with good impressions. The villagers are not unwelcoming, though they mostly keep to themselves. Many even refer to it as a sanctuary where time seems to have paused its endless march to rest for a while. More observant visitors might notice something a little more peculiar: the residents seem to live in a loop. If they are left undisturbed, they will rigidly run through the same schedule each day, as if operated by clockwork.
“They’re all a little broken, if you ask me” a young man behind the hotel counter conspicuously whispers to an inquisitive traveller.
“‘Broken’ seems a little harsh, doesn’t it?” the traveller retorts. “Sure, it’s a little strange, but what harm is living by routine? Goodness knows I envy them with how I’ve been living these days.”
The young man furrows his eyebrows, attempting to remain composed despite having had this conversation with half of all the hotel’s guests. “Well, I certainly won’t be putting up with it much longer. As soon as I have enough funds to escape, I’ll be right on the road with you.”
The traveller leans in for a moment, inspecting what she can see of the man from behind the desk. Unprepared for an evaluation, the man subconsciously attempts to stand a little taller. With a satisfied nod, she extends a gloved hand over the counter in invitation. “Well, it’s not easy going, but best of luck to you… Sorry, your name?”
The young man reaches out to shake the traveller’s hand and is surprised by the firmness of the gesture that follows. “Shell Lisena. I’ll be here if you need anything.”
The face before him suddenly brightens slightly, “Oh? What have they been telling you?”
The two look at each other for a long moment, waiting for the other to react. Finally, the traveller broke the silence with a satisfied laugh, “Nevermind! Thanks, Shell. I’ll see you around.”
Just as Shell is about to turn his attention back to cleaning the shelves behind the counter, the front door clatters open. Right on schedule. An older woman approaches the counter, thumping her cane rhythmically against the floor. Just before Shell could no longer see her slouched form behind the counter, she stops and peers expectantly at him.
“Well, is it that time already? Back for round… how many is this again?” Shell pauses dramatically to rapidly count on his fingers.
Before he can reach 13, the old woman closes her eyes and gently shakes her head. “I don’t see why this is so difficult for you. Everyone does their little rebellion, but few have been quite this stubborn.”
“You’re the expert when it comes to stubborn, that’s for sure. Why do you and everyone else stick so religiously to the words of someone you’ve never even met?” Shell snipes back, folding his arms in defiance.
“Those words are a warning for foolish people such as yourselves. You know very well of the curse upon those born in Merimei village.” Despite no longer walking, the old woman continues to thump her cane against the floor to enunciate her words. “I never planned for arguing with you like this to be part of my routine. You had your time to grow up, but if you keep on like this, you’ll be throwing your life away.”
Shell’s gaze rises to the high ceiling of the hotel’s lobby, as if seeking divine patience. Only after allowing the silence to uncomfortably settle between the two does the old woman speak, “I’m not telling you to stay here in the village. Go, if that is what will satisfy you, but know that none who are born here have ever outrun the curse. At least here you will be living with people who understand your routine and will help you see it through.”
“Thanks for the reminder, Granny. I’ve made up my mind, but I’ll be careful if it will put your mind at ease.” Shell responds swiftly, attempting to close the conversation.
The old woman gives a slow nod before thumping her cane against the floor twice more, as if adjourning a meeting. Once the front door finally comes to rest with no sign of being immediately disturbed, Shell runs a hand through his hair. It was just starting to get too long, but he was waiting until closer to his departure to get it cut. In just one more week, he would have the money he needed to set off.
