Chapter Text
It's a warm day, smack dab in spring. Everything around you is in bloom, flowers and various plants sporadically cascading over the land. This spot is where you come to escape from your mother. She's yet to discover this spot you call your own. It is your oasis, free of friendly nymphs and overbearing (but well-meaning) goddesses.
Something shifts in the air. Maybe it was a breeze or slightly off scent that alerted you to the new presence. You turn your head, hand falling from the bluebells to rest on your lap. "Hello?" you prompt. No one answers at first, and you relax. It could have been a nymph passing by.
"That's a pretty flower."
The new voice surprises you. Who could have bothered to hunt you down? It's no one you recognize by voice alone. Gathering your basketful of flowers, you stand and turn.
"Sorry," the..being rubs the back of their neck sheepishly. "Did I startle you?"
"A little," you admit. "Not many know about this area." Taking your time, you observe the being. There is a sedated aura around them, but you can sense they are no mortal. Some sort of god, then. They bare no wings nor message scroll, and with the blue fabric of their toga and black cloak, you'd bargain they're some form of night god. Maybe Dusk?
"What may I call you?" The stranger asks.
"Kore," you say. It isn't your favorite.
The stranger's head raises in surprise. "Kore? As in maiden?"
"Yes."
Their head tilts, "It doesn't suit you." You laugh, refreshed by the blunt opinion of this strange god.
"It doesn't," you agree, "I'm afraid I don't recognize you. What may I call you?" The figure pauses for a moment. It is hard to tell their emotions since that cloak of theirs blocks all of their form.
"Whatever you wish to." Odd, but not the oddest thing you've experienced in your (relatively) short lifespan.
"Hmmm.. how about Anise?" you ask.
"...Anise."
Ah, well, sounds like that isn't to their liking. You hurry to explain. "Well, Anise reminds me of licorice? It sounds dumb when I say it out loud," you clap a hand on your neck and ignore the sweat gathered there. With eyes cast to the ground, you barely notice the jerk of the stranger's shoulders and head.
"No. Anise it is."
You smile and lean against the trunk of a lumbering oak tree. "Cool. What brings you to my paradise, Anise?"
Anise shrugs. "Looking for somewhere quiet... it's peaceful up here."
You nod and look at the beauty surrounding you. "Yeah, I come here when I need to get away from it all."
"What troubles a pretty nymph like you?" Anise asks. There is no flirtation nor malice in their tone. Just confusion. You chuckle a little too loudly.
"I am no nymph. Although, I am flattered."
Anise sighs, "My mistake then. Someone once told me that there were only nymphs in this area. It is just like my brother to say that."
You shrug and admire a butterfly fluttering by. "There are quite a few of Nymphs around, true." What you don't mention is that you suspect where said brother has been. The work of nymphs is not always that of chastity. Not that you care. Much. Some gods are awfully persistent in their chase of nymphs... it saddens you.
That's how you end up peacefully lounging in your oasis with a cloaked god for almost an hour. You chat about various things, most of which is about you. They provide information about their likes and dislikes. They have an interesting view of life. The sun starts to set before long.
"I must go," says Anise. "I haven't lingered in the mortal realm for so long in ages."
"Ah," you say understandingly, "duty calls. Thank you for the company." Anise stands with grace. Their back is to you, and they stand a pace away. You can see the hesitation in the tension of their back.
"May I see you again?" They ask.
You smile, "Sure! I'll be around since I do the whole spring thing."
"I look forward to it," Anise says with, dare you to say, a pleasant tone.
"Farew- Oh, they're gone." You stare at the empty forest for a long moment before heading home. Anise had disappeared in the blink of an eye. How curious.
___
Your mother worries over you when you return, as usual. Sleep comes easily after such a good day. It gets boring around here with the tight leash you're kept on. The thought of meeting Anise again sparks hope within you.
It's not like you get out much to meet any gods not personally invited by your mother. She only lets you talk to those she deems safe. It's annoying. That night you dream of city streets and someone in a cloak. A breeze rustles the cloak, and it flies back, revealing the blurred 'face' of Anise.
The dream ends abruptly. You don't know what they look like. It's only natural that your brain doesn't know how to fill in their features. Even while knowing that, disappointment still lingers.