Innocent

~1~Azalea (uh-ZAY-lee-ah)

My eyes search the shopping center, the heart of the city. I finally found what I was looking for; tall, pale skin, blond hair, nice clothes, and a full pouch of coins. I slowly walk closer to him from behind, I can hear the jingling of the coins, 20 at least.

I let my dark green hair fall in front of my face to hide the scars and to show an act of fake innocence. I begin to jog up behind him, I pass by his side, my arm slightly scraping against his pouch, and I let my hand slide inside with ease. After I have recovered some of the coins I purposely trip in front of him. Reaching my hand out to grab his shirt to steady myself and slip my hand in to retrieve more coins.

I learned a while ago to not feel bad for doing what I do best, it's for my survival. I quickly learned how to survive on the streets of Ashenreach, now I'm the best thief in the kingdom. I guess that's what happens after being alone for the past 8 years. The hardest thing to learn is to not take too much, you must limit your greed or else you will get caught. When I see the children on the streets, I don't even flinch as the ones that get caught are carried to the tree in the town square to be whipped. I made the mistake of trying to help, once, only once did it take to whip the last bit of the soul beneath this mask, I'm hollow inside, empty of all emotion. Yes, I can change the mask, I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm innocent, that doesn't change the fact that I am dead inside.

I walk away from the boy.

I go through my routine and manage to get a few more useful things for us when I see a small red flash in the corner of my eye. I roll my eyes as I change direction. I walk down the alleyway leading to where the dangerous people hang around. I see the flash of red again, I follow the little red heading in the direction of the corner, stupid, I think. I stride silently as always, my hand already at the sheath of my dagger. I quietly pull the blade from its place on my right thigh hidden under my second layer of fabric, I watch as the girl realizes she was heading in the wrong direction. As soon as she turns her head to return to the town square I force her against the wall with my blade to her neck before she can yelp with shock.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I ask in a low growl.

I watch her eyes soften as she looks up at me, "Oh hey Nyx, what brings you to these parts of town?" she says.

"What the fuck Prim, have I taught you nothing?" I sigh, return my blade to its proper place and say, "Did you just see how easy it was to get a knife to your neck? One, I have told you so many times not to come to this alley. Two, I have told you to always check your surroundings. Three, you are supposed to be out on the streets hustling some money. Am I right, Primrose?" I say drawing out her name to add emphasis.

"I was heading towards our alley?" she says it as though it were a question.

"Our alley is on the opposite side of town." I deadpan. "Listen, you are 10 years old, you're young and innocent, use that to your advantage. You need to learn how to survive at a young age, some don't have the advantage of having someone to help them."

"You are telling me that you are helping me survive by faking illnesses and pretending I'm a psychic? Also I am not innocent, I have killed many people. I don't need your help Nyx, I'm almost 11. I've been out here for 3 years. I think I'm fine."

"Ok, leave." she looks startled I didnt care, yelp that's what happens after years of torture. "Just know, when you manage to stay alive that you learned that all from me." with that I turn and leave the alley just as silently as I came.

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I am walking home, at least to what I call home right after the sun sets, this is when I'm in my natural element. I guess dear old dad chose the correct middle name after all, Nyx, the goddess of nightfall, when the most formidable things happen.

I see a quick movement in the corner of my eye, interesting, it's not Prim, I calculate to myself. I subtly redirect towards the forest on the outskirts of town. Once I get to the forest I climb a tree with the expertise of an assassin. Now I sit here on a tree branch while my leg dangle off. I hear the breathing of a person. Hah, I think, nice try.

"Do you need something from me or do you always follow women around this late at night?" I say trying to hide my same accent as soon as I can see the figure of the person in my vision.

I watch as he slowly inclines his head to find me sitting in the tree, "Ahh, I just wanted to make sure one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen makes her way home safely." he says as I jump down.

"Well, I'm quite alright." he follows as I make my way back to town.

"Just making sure, darling."

"Don't call me darling" I say sternly.

"What shall I call you?"

"That does not concern you." I bite back.

"Darling it is." he says casually.

"Azalea" I say.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Why did I tell him my name?

"Azalea" he says quietly as though testing it out on his tongue. "You mean you were named after spring time?"

"No, I was named for my beauty."

"You must be pretty," he inquires.

"You haven't seen me in daylight." I say as I take advantage of him being distracted and slip away.

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A/N

Thank you so much for reading. I will most likey have inconsistent updates but I will try my best.