The morning brought with it a rare sense of comfort and relaxation. As the sunlight began to break in through the tiny gaps in the tree branches, Laurel almost forgot where she was. She inhales, letting the fresh air and the heat wrap around her senses. She sat up, eyes fully opened as she welcomed the new dawn in the land.

Everything looks normal - clear sky, cool breeze, running waterfall, and singing birds and small animals chipping around. Wait, waterfalls? Laurel blinked twice, rubbed her eyes, and jolted up to scan her surroundings. Her eyes round with mouth agape. She can tell it's still the forest, but there's something different about it. Laurel remembers that there are no waterfalls, rainbow, and glittery things floating around the night before. She guarantees that, so how come she's staring at one right now?

Did I get relocated again? Her mind immediately works its gear. It pieces the new information on what brought her to another location. It's odd. She didn't even know the root of the previous one yet again she's going places. Quite literally.

Laurel took a chance to scavenge the area. Following the waterfall that connects to another river. She walked further, looking for food and information. As for her injured leg, it magically healed. Now she can walk and cartwheel her way to the forest. Laurel would give more thought to her healing ability and question it, but she'll let it go for now. She's more concerned about her current location. Unlike the forest she was in before, the new place emits a different kind of energy. It's quiet. Somehow, majestic, lush, and magical like a fairytale world.

"Daphne?"

Laurel made a full stop when she crossed the river. She wasn't expecting to meet anyone, but whoever they are, Laurel kept her guard up. The voice's friendly and warm, but she's still in unknown territory. Laurel doesn't know what would happen. Cautiously, she turned around, meeting the person across. A woman. Like most of the people she met in Greece, she's wearing a chiton, but something about her seems familiar to Laurel.

"You're back," the new person smiled with a sense of knowing. "I heard father called for you. Have you spoken to him?" Her hand scoops the water from the river. Touching it made the water glow like some magic. The way the woman moves has a sense of gracefully and modesty, something uncommon in her real world.

Curious more than wary, Laurel observes how the other move. Not that she's doing anything special, but something tells her that the woman's not so ordinary. An elite or noble, maybe.

"Is there something wrong?"The woman frowned, noticing Laurel's silence.

"Sorry," she whispered, trying to hide the flush of pink on her cheeks, averting her eyes from the woman. She didn't mean to stare. Just a habit she picked up when meeting new people. It's something that helps her get to know the person more.

"Daphne, are you not feeling well?"

Daphne. That name again. It's the second time someone calls her by that name. The first one may be a coincidence, but the second time maybe something else.

"Pardon me, but I think you got the wrong person. I am not that Daphne you speak off," Laurel answered, causing a deeper frown from the other.

"What are you saying, sister? Has time caught on to you that you've forgotten?"

Oh, the time has messed up, alright. Laurel thought that's why she guarantees that she's not the person they're calling her to be.

"I am telling the truth. I am not Daphne," Laurel responded. She tried to think of something else to prove her point. But no matter what explanation she comes up with, it's borderline impossible. Who believes in time travel anyway? For all she knows, the woman might think of her as crazy.

"Don't be ridiculous, sister," the woman let out a soft giggle, brushing off what Laurel had exclaimed. "Do you think I wouldn't recognize your face? I know we've been doing things our own way, but I've known you since we were little. There's no way I wouldn't know you."

"But I'm-"

A sudden burst from the river interrupted the conversation. Leaves fluttered, and flowers circled them, then a man appeared out of thin air, right in front of Laurel.

"Oh Daphne, daughter of mine, I'm pleased with your return." A gleeful sound from a man who showed up, opening his arms, waiting for a welcoming hug from Laurel.

Cold chills run down Laurel's spine. It's unexpected. Out of surprise, she almost punched the man in the face on reflexes for invading her personal space. Who the hell is this guy?

"Oh father, you're back," the woman addressed the newly arrived. She leaped to the air and moved closer to where Laurel's at. They exchanged greetings, and she listened to her father's complaints. The conversation's not worth mentioning, so Laurel brushes it off.

"Which reminds me, Daphne," the man called, moving his attention to Laurel - who's trying to run away. She's planning to use the conversation time to get out from whatever the others were plotting but failed.

Laurel shifts her head to the man like the name was hers. It's odd because she's been denying the name since she arrived in the land. But somehow, whenever that name resounds, all she can do is respond.

"Oh sweet daughter of mine, such a lovely day to witness your beauty," he greeted in such a poetic pose. He acted like those who dramatically does theater. Somehow it send shivers down Laurel's spine.

Is it necessary, or is this guy on crack? Laurel doubts she'll have an easy way out.

"What could have brought you here, dear father?" The woman - Daphne's sister, Laurel guesses - asked.

"Oh dear daughter, Menippe, I came worried sick to see your beloved sister and daughter of mine." Another dramatic pose with fake tears and all. The man's very artistic in his way of expression. His action was surely unnecessary but expressive at the same time. Somehow Laurel wonders if someone had smacked him on the face for being overly dramatic. She wanted to ask, but it's better not to get involved.

"And so, dear daughter Daphne." He rested both his hands on Laurel's shoulder. "I know I've been busy with other duties, and you've been staying in the mortal realm most of the time, but the time has come. I, your father, Peneus, would dedicate his time to find you a partner. One that would take your hand in marriage."

"What? No!" A small scream escaped Laurel's lips, out of surprise and bewilderment. She wasn't expecting her reaction, but the idea of marriage makes her stomach flip in response. It never crossed her mind in her world. Even now that she's from a different time, all she seeks is freedom and comfort. She has no plan to fall in love nor marry anyone. She'd rather be an old maid than getting tied in the hand of marriage.

"But dear daughter, it's for your sake," Peneus exclaimed, not surprised with his daughter's regusal but her sudden scream. She never raised her voice. Then again, it's a topic he knew she'd argue. His daughter never shows interest in marriage or men in general. She preferred the woods and hunting over settling down and making a family. "Sweet child, don't you wish to see your children? Your siblings have found the one and are now starting a family. You're the only one who hasn't found a partner. I know you can have anyone you wish with your beauty, but you reject anyone who dares to court you or show interest. I thought if I chose, you would be more pleased, but it saddens me how you reject my offer to choose your partner."

Laurel may not have known Daphne, but she appreciates how they have the same views about marriage. It would have been worse if she agreed, especially when they thought of her as Daphne.

"Marriage is not something I desire, great father. I want to live life my way without any chain that binds me. Please let me be free," Laurel answered, pretending to be Daphne. She believed that if the person was here with them, she would oppose marriage as well.

"But Daphne..." Peneus stepped forward, but his daughter took a step back. He's very downhearted in the response.

"I'm sorry." As if on reflex, Laurel runs away.

***

Running is the only thing she's good at. She knows. She tried to change it but couldn't. Even in her world, she's been running away from many things. But it's all she can do to survive.

Laurel didn't know how far she'd come or how long had she been running. When she halts, she is nowhere near the burbling waterfall, nor had found any sign of chase. Laurel surrounds herself with greenery and the rustling leaves. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as the breeze wrapped around her skin like an embrace. She let herself get lost in her environment. Being in the forest calms her down for unknown reasons. It has peculiar energy that pulls and comforts her in many ways. It's welcoming as if she belongs.

Having escaped whatever the marriage talk was, Laurel strolled the forest. Learning about her surroundings and still thinking of ways how to survive and get back to her time. From what she had learned, ancient Greece also believed in destinies and magic. So, there should be some cult or group in charge of those. Still not believing in them, but they might have any idea why she's called to the land.

"Traveller nymph?"

Laurel flinches at the words. The voice came from behind, but turning to face the person made her cringe even more. She sighed before moving closer.

"Kid, didn't I tell you not to call me nymph or whatever nickname you came up with." She flicks his forehead. It's good that she's now back in the forest she first was. The kid could help her.

"Pardon me, nym- Laurel. It's just...you're different from us."

Averting her eyes, Laurel couldn't respond. When she introduced herself as a traveler, the kid might have his doubts already, yet he never said a word. He let it go, and Laurel never confirmed nor denied anything as well. Laurel knows she's not on par with the gods or nymphs the kid adores. She's normal. No way in hell could she have power or magic.

"Are you here to fetch water again?" she asked, changing the subject. Talking more about something she doesn't know how to explain would only lead to confusion.

The kid nodded. "I am. The villagers told me that the river god Peneus came into town to bless the waters. I must collect some for our village."

Peneus? Laurel thought, remembering the man she met not long ago. "Is there something different with the water?" Laurel asked, following the kid who's now heading to the riverbank.

"The god Peneus blesses the rivers, resulting in healing water. It's said to clean the body and help heal diseases. And also helps keep the body to look youthful."

In the modern era, many still believe in the fountain of youth. People still believe in spring water that can heal any sickness. Laurel, however, is realistic. She thinks that none of those exist unless it's the ancient time - which is where she is. Nonetheless, Laurel learned that gods and nymphs have more roles in society. She thought they were only a figure and statues. They might have more tasks than expected.

"Daphne."

A melodic voice stopped the two on their tracks. A beautiful young man decent on their way. His blonde hair blaze like a flame. Face beardless and fair, almost like those of a portrait. He dazzles like the sun and emits a confident and proud figure. A young one whose beauty was like the edge of a very sharp knife, neither muscular nor lanky, but it's toned. He looked divine... like Laurel wasn't even worthy to gaze upon him.

Who is this person? Laurel's eyes glued to the man, trying to remember if she had ever met him. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn't tell until the man spoke.

"Daughter of Peneus; It is for love I pursue you. I am the god Apollo, here to once more win your heart. I came for thee, to be your love-."

"Hell no."

➽───────────────❥