That morning, Orion was decided to tell Daphne's father that he no longer held any interest in marrying his daughter. He knew that the rejection for a young girl like Daphne would be painful. Even before telling Daphne's father about his intentions, Orion felt guilty. From the start, he looked down at the Athenian traditions, the very same traditions that forced him into a voluntary exile in Alexandria. However, his stay in Athens made him want to look for one of those women of his home town, famous for their independence and intelligence, boldness and initiative. It was Orion's desire to find a woman who could make him smile, help him, tend him, love him. Not that a woman could be an equal: they were weaker and more stupid, Aristotle had already proved that. What annoyed Orion was the endless submissiveness of the Egyptian, Phoenician and Roman women.<br/><br/>Indeed, much had changed since the good old days of Athens, when freedom was the rule - even women enjoyed some refractory freedom. Never had Orion actually seen those days, no one alive had seen them. Since Alexander the Great conquered Asia and Egypt, the importation of Eastern habits molded society in a way that dramatically differed from those days when Aristotle, Parmenides or Heraklion described the beauty and independence of the women. Orion recalled a writing by Plutarch:<br/><br/><em>"Why are you Athenian women the only ones who can rule men?<br/>Because we are also the only ones who give birth to men", replied Leonida's wife.</em><br/><br/>The lovely Daphne could have been one of those women. Deep inside, in the brief meetings with her, Orion wanted to see her spirit: she seemed to be a bird in a cage, willing to fly high, but somehow restrained to her environmental conditions. He tried to push Daphne harder: under her father's eyes, Daphne was always brought down. Whenever she smiled, her father gazed at her angrily. Whenever she sighed, her father reprimanded her. Whenever she wanted to speak for longer, her father interrupted her. Orion even tried to interfere in vain: there was no point arguing with the one who believed to be Daphne's owner. He wished to have more time: maybe he could free that bird and teach her how to fly. The winds would change soon and his ship had to continue his journey to Alexandria.<br/><br/>Little did Orion know that the winds would actually blow him into a completely opposite direction.<br/><br/>Unexpected.<br/><br/>Unknown.<br/><br/>Unlimited.<br/><br/>Entertained with his thoughts, Orion did not pay attention to his way. Walking among the stalls, he saw an old fountain, made of white marble, worn out due to the constant usage: next to the fountain, there she was, Daphne. To his greatest surprise, the young girl was held in the arms by another woman, more mature in appearance, no less gorgeous though. As he approached them, Orion could recognize that other blonde: it was the same girl who was in the harbor in the same day Orion left his past behind, fifteen years ago. Her beauty embodied the last image Orion had on Athens, the image he kept for himself as the only one remembering.<br/><br/>The Fates did not smile twice in the same day. That was a Zeus' blessing. It would be a sin to ignore it.<br/><br/>Taking a deep breath, Orion walked towards the two women impersonating mythological nymphs. As he approached them, it became clear that their touches, their gazes, their moves were far more intimate than those of two friends. Happiness was painted in Daphne's face: for a moment, Orion envied that he had never managed to see such a bright smile from Daphne's lips. In that very same moment, he promised to himself that within days, Daphne would be smiling as beautifully as she was in that occasion. All Orion needed was time.<br/><br/>Before getting too close, Orion grabbed two scarlet roses from a stall and threw a couple of Drachms for the seller. He was ready to break the magic moment Daphne was enjoying with the female stranger and Orion knew the responsibility it meant. Whatever Daphne's reaction would be, Orion was ready to make it positive. Thinking carefully about the words, he finally reached the two. Wearing a smile that Daphne had never seen before during his visits to her house, full of life and non-bureaucratic enthusiasm, Orion bowed respectfully, throwing a kind gaze at the female stranger, meant to apologize for his interruption.<br/><br/><strong>"Greetings, Daphne. I am sure that this rose is not richer than any of the gift I have given to you"</strong>, Orion handed the rose to her,<strong> "but I am sure it has been the gift given with the greatest happiness"</strong>. A moment of silence followed. How would she react? Before Orion could be seen as unkind or lacking proper ways, his eyes locked on the stranger's .<strong>"And for you, my lady, another rose..."</strong>, Orion paused briefly, selecting the words carefully. Should he tell stranger that her image was Athens all these years? That would sound too strange, specially for Daphne, whom Orion really needed to conquer to prove his masculinity. There would be other occasions.<strong>"for being the friend of Daphne"</strong>.