Persephone's Daughter

Chapter 2

Ianthe's stomach flutters like the butterflies she so often observed throughout her life. She doesn't know why she feels this way- all she knows is like those butterflies she loves to watch, he makes her feel elated.
All she knows is she's going to see him.
After 16 years of the same thing everyday, it's thrilling to have a change.
Of course, Ianthe loves her life. Helping her aunt cook and clean, make furniture and dresses... but she's lacking.
Spending most of her time out in the meadow and the woods, playing with the animals and reading. It makes her feel like a princess, like the ones she's read about.
But it does get lonely being alone so often.
So when she starts approaching the two disfigured trees and triangle rock, her heart leaps into her throat. This means that just through here, she should be...
There it is.

Ianthe can hear her heart in her ears.

She doesn't know him, or what he's like, but she still wanted to make a good impression. She brushed her curls for once, even if it means that they became frizzy. She picked out one of her favourite dresses, a light blue one that falls just above her knees, with lace on the bottom and a small, white satin bow around her waist.
She even put on shoes.
As she approaches the houses front door, she can't help but admire it. Unlike her house, the slots in the wall seem to have framing... and some sort of clear, see through coating.
They probably don't even have to close the hatch when it becomes cold!
The walls are made out of logs, just like hers, but these ones are more polished, with the same colour throughout.
How did they do that? So much of the same tree!
What makes her the most confused is that while they have electricity and running water, they only have enough for drinking and to power a single lightbulb in the dark hours.
This house, though, is bursting with an artificial, yellow light.
She creeps up to the door, and is amazed as she steps up onto some sort of platform to get to it.
She tentatively knocks, and it echoes throughout the silent woods.
Almost immediately it opens, and she's greeted by a familiar face.

Oh my, does he stop her in her tracks.

He has wavy black hair and bright, strong grey eyes. They're enchanting, thoughtful.
His skin-tone is darker then hers too, a mocha that glows in the colours that come with the early hours. His bone structure is very strong, making him look almost fictional, a drawing that she sometimes sees in her books.
Like a prince....
But a more flavourful one.
"Hello?" He asks, and she feels her tongue dry up.
Why is that?
Maybe I've caught something. She thinks, before bringing herself back to the present.
"I just wanted to visit, since I saw you the other day. I'm sorry I ran off. We don't get many visitors around here."
He looks puzzled, but his eyes glance over her once, and he laughs, realization crossing his face. The sounds feels different coming from him- a sound of pure joy.
"Oh, you! I was wondering why you ran away. But yeah, I'm new here. I'm doing a favour for my family and watching over their cabin during summer break while they're off in Hawaii."
Her smile fades slightly. The confusing words overpower the pounding thought of, but this wasn't here before.
"Hawaii? What is Hawaii?" She asks innocently, wringing her hands.
He laughs again, making her heart skip, but stops once she doesn't join in.
"What, you being serious? Do you not go to school?"
She shakes her head, and he just mutters, "oh."
Her face lights up again as she exclaims, "But it's alright. I'm homeschooled by my aunt. It's a lot of fun. I pick flowers, and I read, and I play with the animals sometimes!"
He can't do anything but awkwardly smile back, and he steps outside to greet the odd stranger. She's unlike anyone he's ever met- she radiates an aura of innocence, of pure ness and happiness. It's intoxicating.
"That sounds nice. Is that all you do? What about siblings, friends?"
She ponders the question, and just shakes her head as if it's obvious.
"Its just me and my aunt. I don't interact with many... We don't get many...any visitors in the woods. And I'm not allowed to go anywhere but the meadow." She watches his face falls into an odd frown, so to cheer him up she reassures him.
"Don't worry, though! I'm very happy here."
He doesn't say anything, but he smiles weakly, his lip upturning slightly. She notices the outline of dimples, just like hers but more pronounced.
"I guess if you're okay with that. But it just seems a bit sad. How old are you?"
Ianthe ponders this for a moment, before shaking her head with a laugh.
"You mean how many winters? 16."
He raises an eyebrow, but she smiles more, thinking his speech is humorous.
"Okay.... well, I've been alive for 17...winters?...so hear me out. Isn't 16 winters a long time to be alone?"
She frowns, and for the first time she seems to be thinking of what he's saying, her eyes travelling off.
"I... I guess it is sad sometimes. But it's not like there's anything else to see."
He crosses his arms over his T-shirt, and tilts his head, burrowing his brow, confusion dawning on him. The print is foreign to her, with symbols and multiple colours she's only ever seen on flowers.
She wishes her dresses looked like that.
She's brought back to reality as she studies his face, questioning his confusion. She thought everybody knew this.
"You know... everywhere is either a forest of a meadow. There's one desert in the whole world. There isn't barely any humans at all."
The boy laughs and puts a light hand on her shoulder, making tingle run through her body.
"Who told you all this?"
She paused.
"My aunt."
He nods his head, and looks away at the trees, processing.
"What is it?" Ianthe asks innocently.
He glances at her and sighs.
"If that's what you were taught, you're gonna have a rough time in the real world. Your aunt probably doesn't want me around too long?"
She's taken aback by his words. How does he know?
She nods.
"Well, that isn't all accurate. She's protecting you from a lot of fun by shielding you." He says, but his laugh is of pity.
"Shielding me from what?" She asks, and he smiles sadly.
"Other people. Friends."
She grows quiet. Is she missing out?
"Well then... would you like to be my... my...friend?"
The word sounds foreign in her mouth, like she's trying to speak another language.
The question throws him off and his eyes widen. But a mischievous grin replaces it fast.
"Of course, but you have to promise to show me your way of life in return for the things I can tell you."
"That would be lovely!"
She basically hops with excitement.
The moment is interrupted as she sees the midway risen sun.
Her eyes widen, and she spins and starts to hurry away.
"Aye, where are you going?" He calls out, as she steps down the wooden stairs.
She turns around confused.
"'Aye?' I am not called that. I am a lady." She says, tilting her head, eyebrow cocked.
"No- I meant... Where are you going?" He questions, and her beautiful smile returns.
"Well, back home. I have to start on lunch."
She turns away again, but before she disappears into the thick brush and greenery, he calls out one last thing.
"My name's Damon."
Before disappearing into the woods again, the beautiful girl from a fairytale doesn't even glance back when she answers.
"Ianthe."

———

Question of the chapter: What do you think about Damon?