I was only beginning to ponder on the thoughts of Ismene leaving when I realised I had started to cry softly. Tears began to fill my eyes and swept down my face like a slow river. It was only then when he had revealed himself to me. He was like a glimmering mirage with eyes that shone like the stars in the sky. His whole being seemed unreal. I should have known then that something was off with this whole ordeal, but I was too entranced by him to notice. He was covered in a deep blue tunic with a grey toga draped across it making the rest of his features strike out against the dark colours he was dressed in.

He walked towards me slowly and upon reaching me, asked: "Are you alright?"

His voice was soft and gentle but before I could respond he reached out a hand and wiped my tears away. His hands were strong and smooth against my tear-soaked face. Now finally able to find my voice I responded simply, "I-I'll manage, but thank you."

That was when I looked at him closer. He looked strong, well built, but gentle and kind. His skin was a dark olive with undertones of blue making it seem to glisten in the moon. His hair was like the darkest nights curled like waves on the shore and his eyes were shining like the shimmering sea, a perfect mixture of blue and green. The look in his eyes was one of splendid wonder and curiosity as if he were as in awe of me as I was him.

Speaking once more he asks " What has happened to make such a wondrous beauty as yourself to weep silently in a meadow so late at night?"

A warm glow filled my cheeks at his words but still aware and unsure of him I answered carefully, even with his beauty he was but a stranger to me. "My friend is leaving soon. And I know it's so silly to cry over such a small thing, but she is my closest friend."

I did not want him to know she was my only friend. Something like that would make me seem pathetic and for some unknown reason, I was drawn to please him with my whole being.

He looked at me and I could once more look in his eyes and see the splendid colours that they held within them. He gently grabbed my hand and it was then that I realised something I hadn't before. His rough hands were cold, deathly cold. How I didn't realise this before I know not. He then spoke again in his silk-like voice so softly it was as if he were trying not to startle me away.

"People, though we may want to stay, will leave to find themselves. At those times we may feel forgotten but if it is true friendship then one will not forget so simply the splendid pleasures that two friends had shared."

His words were soft-spoken and full of meaning and I could tell from his voice that he himself had also gone through such a time, only experience could have given him such wise words to utter. It was in his words that I found the comfort I so painfully sought and for that I found myself repeating them in moments I felt weak and forgotten.

For a moment after those words were spoken, there was a solemn silence that filled the air around us. I found myself turning towards him and whispering a short and meaningful thank you to the kind stranger who gave me peace of mind. There we had sat for a moment longer before he got up and reach an outstretched hand toward the branches of the pomegranate tree and took hold of a small plump pomegranate. I myself had dropped mine onto the ground when I had first started to cry but as he picked the pomegranate off from the branches he held it out to me and said " Here, you dropped your other."

Slowly I reached out my hand and took the small pomegranate from his cold hands and took out the small knife once more from my toga. Slicing it open as I had the other I held out the other half to him. He took it and nodded, "Thank you.....?"

I paused for a moment. My name, he wanted my name. But should I give it to him? He is a strange man but he did comfort me. Finally deciding I spoke softly "Meela, and yours?"

The man smiled at me and respond with a simple "Atreo, you have quite the beautiful name. It's quite unique."

Once more I felt my cheeks redden with his words and to cover this I took some of the arils from the halved pomegranate and shoved them into my mouth as daintily as a baby would have, only further embarrassing myself. Suddenly the air was filled with his laughter, so airy and joyful, it sounded like the most splendid music and felt warm and... right. I took a moment to look at his face and found him in such a charming and sweet smile as he laughed. I felt myself smile with him as it felt almost impossible to not. Everything about this felt right, yet we had only just met and it already seems that I'm finding myself falling for him with every second longer I'm near him. Around him, I found this sort of safety that seems so impossible to find. I began to think about him more, Atreo, such a sweet name and such a kind man. I don't think I...

"Well, it looks like it's getting quite late..."

His words broke my thoughts as I look to him, he was looking up to the stars and the moon made his whole face softly glow like a softly fading star. He turned to me and continued, "By chance, would you meet with me again? Here, in the meadow, tomorrow night? Would you promise me that you would come?"His voice was so kind and hopeful that I knew almost immediately what my answer was.

"I promise."