Naida

A normal day in ancient Greece

Annabeth and Perci walked slowly through the market's winding paths, both exhilarated and wary of this ancient world. Despite the staggering beauty around them, with its sun-drenched stone buildings and vibrant, fragrant stalls, they couldn't forget that they were here by some cosmic mistake—or was it fate? Either way, they'd been thrust into the heart of ancient Greece, surrounded by gods who had no idea who they were or, apparently, where they came from.

"Can you believe this place?" Perci whispered, her eyes darting from a pottery stall to a nearby cluster of women balancing tall jugs on their shoulders.

"Not in the slightest," Annabeth replied, her mind racing as she took in the historical details with awe. "Everything about this place—it's like stepping into a dream or a legend."

The marketplace buzzed with life, filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of a long-lost world. Vendors called out to passersby, offering exotic fruits, leather sandals, and ornately painted ceramics. There were vibrant swathes of fabric, bundles of pungent herbs, and jars of gleaming olive oil displayed in a chaotic but captivating array.

Ahead of them, Perci caught sight of a troupe of dancers, their bare feet kicking up clouds of dust as they spun in flowing tunics. She paused, watching in fascination as they moved in perfect harmony with the flute player, their movements both graceful and wild.

"Hey, look at that," she said, pointing. "They know how to throw a party here."

Annabeth nudged her. "Focus. We can't afford to draw any more attention than we already are."

Perci rolled her eyes. "Relax, Annabeth. We're just two ordinary kids, right? Well, as ordinary as we can be when we're, you know, time-traveling."

They pressed on, exchanging nervous glances with each other every time someone looked at them for too long. Even as they tried to blend in, it was nearly impossible. Their modern features and slight differences in speech set them apart, no matter how hard they tried to fit in.

A few stalls over, Perci's gaze lingered on a small cart loaded with golden figs, olives, and cheese that gleamed in the midday sun. Her stomach growled loudly, drawing a smirk from Annabeth.

"Hunger strikes again," Annabeth teased.

"Hey, we haven't exactly had a real meal since we got here," Perci defended, eyeing the food longingly. She reached out for a small fig, her fingers just brushing its delicate skin when a voice interrupted.

"Allow me."

Both girls turned to see a young man with sun-kissed skin and wavy golden hair, his confident smile directed squarely at Perci. He looked every bit the part of someone who belonged here—more than belonged, really. His presence seemed to amplify the sunlight around him, giving him an otherworldly glow that was impossible to ignore.

"Who...?" Perci began, squinting at him with a confused expression.

The man smiled a little wider, amused by her reaction. "Apollo," he said, with an effortless confidence that made the name sound almost unnecessary. "You know—god of the sun, music, poetry, healing." He shrugged, as though this casual list of divine responsibilities was nothing special.

"Oh," Perci said, still half-distracted by the food. She glanced at Annabeth, who was holding back a grin.

Apollo gestured to the vendor and placed a few bronze coins on the stall, giving the two of them a gallant nod. "Whatever you'd like, it's on me."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, but she wasn't about to refuse the help, especially in ancient Greece, where currency was as strange to them as anything else here. She motioned for Perci to go ahead, and Perci, completely unfazed by Apollo's grand gesture, scooped up some figs and a piece of cheese.