As the tail of her prayer came to a close, Menthe fell quiet. Sweet, subtle songs of the forest swirled around her, Aphrodite's answer to her call no doubt. Peaking through the clouds for the first time all day, sun beams dappled the bracken at her toes, and the weight of the journey levitated from her squared shoulders. Her green gaze closed, breathing in the atmosphere around her. Just like the Gods to check in on their favorite creation so readily, building her a secret garden oasis within the confines of the woods.

As soon as she began to relish in it's beauty, another smell wafted through, and Menthe found herself pulled from her own mind and brought into reality. Thank you, Aphrodite.. she murmured to the stones, rising with ears pricked to investigate the scent that she picked up on. The river nymph turned, standing before the altar and gazing out upon the forest. 

Somewhere along the treeline flashed fire, but no smell of smoke tainted it's striking color. Menthe's gaze narrowed down the way, a careful few steps forward. Had the Goddess sent her a prize? A material reward for her devotion and triumphs? She could only assume so... As she slunk quietly through the woods the clouds pulled the suns glow behind their cover, and beneath them left a man the same color as it's beams. 

Deductive reasoning was her strong suit, so she would never admit the flicker of hope that swirled in her belly. A low, friendly boof sounded from the shadows, and Menthe stepped forward to reveal herself, posture neutral. 

Had Aphrodite sent her a God of her own?

Anticipation built it's home in the air that stilled around them, sitting like pointed stones floating throughout the clearing. One single breathe dared to send them flying at her chest, but she released her lungs softly and inhaled as normally, hope prickling the fur by her cheeks. 

The green of the ocean met the hues of the forest as their eyes glossed one another's. Menthe's crown dipped forward in respectful greeting as he acknowledged her, still clinging to the idea of gift from Aphrodite... but his voice... Her head raised and she looked over him again. He was the color of the sun, she'd seen him herself when he arrived afterall, but the booming, demanding voices that she had been raised to believe in... didn't feel fulfilled here. 

Disappointment bred seedlings through her chest, though she knew better than think that a God could be delivered here for her. But, if it were to happen, it would of course be for her. 

Hi, She returned, with a bit more suspicion laced to her tone, I'm just passing through, do you need something? Her interest in his presence was now less in awe and more in general politeness, in case he was a God, but that dream was fading slowly.

It was not plain english, but Menthe had enough sense to put it all together. Find who? She asked, a bit softer than her previous question had been laced. If her puzzle pieces could fit together perfect enough, it could have maybe been Aphrodite -- sending him here to find her. Perhaps the moons of travel had washed away her own sea salt scent, it had been ages since Menthe had anyone describe it to her anyway. 

Teetering between something that bordered not PC and something that was a story for a pup, Menthe took a quick glance up and down this man as she contemplated her answer. It was a fine line that her conscious danced upon, but she almost found his almost silent nature and friendliness more intriguing than not. I am Menthe, Came the river nymph's response before she turned it back on him Do you have a name? 

She continued to eye him carefully, ears pointed forward and tail still behind her. She was as neutral as one could hope to be meeting a stranger, even with his most non-threatening nature. Are you from around here? She'd follow after he answered -- if he answered -- before daring to sit back. Her trust in Aphrodite, even if this was not a God, was luring her kindness.