9 Innocence

***Correlates with Chapter 9 in One Lie***

As the laughter ended, Margus laid in the grass and peered at the sky, processing what he could of the events that just transpired. 'Stuck with her, eh? Could be worse, she could've been a man.' Stealing a glance at the woman as she bent down to sit beside him, he took the moment to enjoy the view. 'See, could've been a man's ass.'

While Margus was contemplating life, the woman had purposely sat beside him to enjoy the warmth he gave off, or rather, the feeling of warmth. Just like how this field of flowers gave off vibrant soft auras, a feeling of welcome was also what she felt. The field, the forest, the magic therein were all welcoming her. As for him, she couldn't help but find his colors alluring though unusual. From what she noticed, his base aura was gold with constant emerald and royal greens present. From his demeanor, she was able to connect the dots; The greens represented focus, concentration, and generally deep thought; A state in which he always seemed to be in. 'Does he never not think? Or just relax? Jeez...' the girl thought to herself. With his temperament, the shades of these colors would change or other colors would be introduced entirely. His mind was active, and it was all available for her to muse and enjoy. She leaned ever so lightly in his direction, mesmerized by his colors. He had closed his eyes, and as he fell into deep thought, his usual gold and greens shifted.

Looking at her hands, her own aura was that of turquoise, but fragmented; Glimmering, shining, like a diamond. Her thoughts trailed off to the Golden man's sword... His name etched deep into the blade; 'Margus' she thought to herself. The name repeating itself over and over, until she said his name in a whisper, cementing the reality of the man before her. He stirred, opening his left eye to look at her. She froze, as if trapped in a corner. "You would, wouldn't you girl? Everything that is mine, you play with seaming ease." Closing his eye, Margus went back to his realm of thought. The girl felt unease. Did she upset him? Did he want her to leave? What should she do? Again he stirred, this time rising from the comfort of his rest. "You must have a name, no?" He asked, looking at her so deeply, she couldn't help but feel naked in front of him. She moved in discomfort, his eyes following every movement; "Umm.. If I have a name, I don't remember it" she said with a broken smile.

To deflect the subject, she laid herself against the field of flowers as he once did, hoping he wouldn't continue prodding; But a grim look was exposed on his face.

"... Very well... do you know where you are?"

"The forest obviously."

A blood vessel out of frustration grew on Margus's temple.

"No girl, time and place. What year is it, and what Nation do we reside?"

"... I don't remember"

'For fucks sakes,' "Are you lying to me?"

"Is there a reason to lie to you?"

At this point, Margus covered his forehead and right eye with his hand and dragged it downwards covering his mouth, a common gesture of his when annoyed and or frustrated.

"You know not your name, nor whereabouts and time. What is it you do know?" Margus said with a heavy heart.

With her eyes closed, she could still see Margus's aura; The Gold had shifted to greens and a touch of crimson. She registered it as anger and frustration for him.

"You feel... familiar"

She dozed off as she spoke her words, traveling to a realm of heavy sadness. Loss and despair filled every corner of the building she found herself in. She held her breath in fear of the unknown, 'Where am I?'

Taking a step forward, she released her breath, an echo resonated against the walls with every step she took. Her heart felt constricted; squeezed by the very despair of this foreboding place. Memories came to her, unknown whether they were her own or someone else's. Fear striking her, she wanted to run. 'Please stop' she broke into tears. Running and running, down the hallway, bars made of cold iron lined every cell. 'Where am I' she asked over and over. Memories flooding her body, misery and despair etching deeper and deeper into her.

"i'lL fUcKen KiLl yOu wHoRE"

"YoURe nOthINg wItHOut ME"

"bEttER oFf dEad. BETTER OFF DEAD"

"STOP IT!" She screamed. Her body shook, trembling with fear and sweat. She fell to her knees, holding herself desperately.

"You don't belong here, little one."

The voice echoed into her mind. She looked up, a cell in front of her. Within the cell, laid a man in ragged clothing, a shawl shadowing his face. Her breathing slowed, her breath fogging with each breath she took. She peered into the cell, an odd calming sensation weld up inside her. The shadows within seemed as though they were swallowing the entity whole.

"W-who are you?" she asked.

"Just another broken heart, girl. Leave this place, and never return."

The man waved his hand to dismiss her, lifting his head just enough for her too see golden brown eyes peering at her. 'Margus?' she thought to herself. The man's aura was weak, dying; he was so dim, the gold had faded to a pale yellow, no greens dancing or hidden smirk. "Margus!"

"mmhmm" coughed the golden man, yanking her back to reality. Vision all but forgotten. "Now that you have learned my name, you find it amusing to say over and over again?"