Damned Woods

[marixe alcyone]

"Cassandra's so much better for you," Aquaria said. "At least she can help you. That's something I've never managed to do."  

[Cecily D Aria]

"There's one problem with that," Garin said as he pulled her onto his lap, cradling her a bit.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria shook off Garin's embrace and stood up. "How could you ever love someone like me?" she asked. "When I'm the cause of all the pain you feel, when I have an opportunity to save you and don't, how could you ever love someone like that? I need to be alone," she whispered, and braced herself against the wall, tears flowing down her cheeks and dropping onto her thin dress.  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin looked saddened when she pulled away. "I love you... because you love me, bloodlust and all," he said. "And you're so caring that you would do this to yourself. If you didn't love me, then you wouldn't. Is it so bad that I love you back?"  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria's arm dropped limply to her side, and she turned around slowly. "I-it's not bad at all that you love me," she said quietly. "I just wanted to know how you could..." she broke off, took a ragged breath, and threw herself gently into his shoulder, soaking his shirt with fresh tears.  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin hugged her and pulled him onto his lap again. "Aquaria, I love you. I love you so much."  

[marixe alcyone]

"Do you want to see if we can get this demon out of my head, once and for all?" Aquaria aske, pulling back a little. "That is...if Cassandra will still help us. I think she hates me."  

[Cecily D Aria]

"I don't want to think about Cassandra right now," Garin replied, leaning his face in close to hers.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria wrapped her arms around Garin's shoulders, pulling them closer. She laid her head next to his and sat quietly.  

[Cecily D Aria]

"Not when I have such a beautiful woman in my arms," Garin finished and then moved to kiss her.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria kissed him back lightly and stood. "But it will be so much better when Sanvi isn't interrupting..." The truth was, she just wanted to show Cassandra that Garin still loved her.  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin sighed. "Alright, Aquaria, if that's what you want," he said and slowly stood up as well.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria took Garin's hand in her own and walked with him down to Cassandra's library.  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin followed after her, watching her as they did.
Cassandra was still in the library, reading something.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria timidly knocked on Cassandra's door. "Um, Cassandra..?" she asked.