Fokiri Village

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin let out a quiet dry laugh at what she said. He shook his head and stood back against the wall, well away from them.  

[marixe alcyone]

"Aquaria, can Garin give you a hug now?" Sanvi asked gently. "I'll still be here, you'll be fine, he won't hurt you," she said.
Aquaria nodded a little. "Garin..."
Sanvi helped her stand up and walked her over to Garin.  

[Cecily D Aria]

garin looked down when they wanted over. She needed the demon to tell her that he won't hurt her... It was his worst fear. She's scared of him... Maybe she hates him...  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria clung to Sanvi, waiting for Garin to hug her.
Sanvi nodded to Garin and pried Aquaria's arm off her, pushing her gently toward Garin. "Hug her, Garin," Sanvi commanded.  

[Cecily D Aria]

"I don't want to scare her any worse than I already have," Garin replied.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria's eyes were blank as she looked back to Sanvi. What was going on? Where was Garin?
"He's right there, Aquaria," Sanvi said in answer to the girl's silent question.
"Garin," Aquaria whispered. "Where?"  

[Cecily D Aria]

"Aquaria," Garin said, now sounding worried. He slowly lifted his hand and touched her cheek.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria grabbed his hand and blindly followed it to his body. She wrapped her arms around him gently. "Garin!" she exclaimed childishly.
"See? He's there," Sanvi said to Aquaria. "He's there, he loves you, you're fine," she said.  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin slowly lifted his hands and put them on her back.  

[marixe alcyone]

Aquaria hugged Garin tighter when he hugged her back. "Garin. Where were you?" she asked.
Sanvi looked on approvingly. "She wasn't looking for you. She refused to look, she was scared you wouldn't be there," Sanvi explained to Garin.  

[Cecily D Aria]

"What are you talking abut? I was by your side. I'll always be your side if you want me," Garin replied, rubbing her back.  

[marixe alcyone]

"Always," Aquaria repeated. "Always stay. But I couldn't see you before," she said, confused.  

[Cecily D Aria]

"All you have to do is look and I'll be there," Garin promised.  

[marixe alcyone]

"Look.." Aquaria repeated like she had never said the word before. "Look...for Garin?" she asked.
"Yes, love, look for Garin," Sanvi said quietly. "He'll always be there."  

[Cecily D Aria]

Garin forced himself not to react to what Sanvi just said. Aquaria was certainly not her 'love,' she was his. And why was the demon butting into this anyway. She was like a third wheel, ruining the moment.