Armin shrugged. 'I know,' he replied, taking another swallow of his wine. 'But I still wanted to thank you guys. Not many monster hunters would willingly team up with a /vampire,/ even a good one. I appreciate you all trusting me enough to let me stay on your side.' He slung an arm around Jerry's shoulders. 'You guys are all awesome,' he said, grinning.

Frederick sighed good-naturedly. 'If you say so. Well, maybe I'll have the chance to improve them now that Sargon's gone and I can do whatever I want.'

{Jerry just chuckles, figuring that Armin's just drunk now.}
"Well, thank you. And thanks for sticking by us, despite the way some of my family and Dianne treated you."

{Titan just smiles with all three heads.}
"Yes, I'm sure you will. However, I'm wondering what's going to happen to his right hand, Ana, now that Sargon's been completely destroyed. I mean, she's all that's left of his regime."

(Btw, no camping trip this Saturday. yay.)

'You're welcome,' said Armin. He patted Jerry on the shoulder before drawing back. 'I don't really care what they all think of me anymore, anyway. At least, Dianne doesn't seem to hate me as much as she used to. I like to think that we've reached a mutual respect and understanding for each other.' He looked into his wine glass and frowned. 'Ugh... I think I drank slightly too much...'

'Dianne will probably do something horrible to her,' said Wendigo, shrugging. 'Like sending her to the darkest, deepest pits of hell. Or maybe she'll just be stuck in that magic rock forever.'

Frederick looked thoughtful. 'Has anyone actually /told/ Ana that Sargon is dead? Does she even know about it?'

{Jerry raises a brow at Armin’s statement.}
“You ok? Getting a little tipsy there?”

Jerry: “And yeah, everyone seems to have warmed up to you now.”

{Titan looks thoughtful.}
“Hmmm...Y’know, I’m not sure. Hey, Dianne!”
{Dianne walks over from the other side of the room.}
Dianne: “Yes, Titan?”
Titan: “Have you told that harlot that we’ve killed her master yet?”
{Dianne tilts her head in thought.}
Dianne: “...Huh. No, actually. Should I do that now?”

Armin waved a hand dismissively, grinning. 'Don't worry, I'll be fine! I've been /way/ more drunk than this before... And yeah, it's nice to be accepted at last. Well, more accepted than I was before.'

Wendigo roared. 'Yes! Do it!' he said, almost laughing. 'I /need/ to see how she reacts to finding out her senpai is finally dead!'

Frederick sighed and sat down in a nearby chair. 'I'm so glad she's stuck in a rock and can't do anything, otherwise she'd probably rip us all apart...'

Jerry: "If you say so. But, a little later, my cousin is going to open up some really expensive liquor he's been saving. I haven't been drinking much because I've been waiting for that. It's preeeetty strong."

{Titan just shrugs.}
"Eh, she was never that tough, let alone strong enough to destroy me and Wendigo."
{Dianne just looks unamused.}
Dianne: "Let's take this outside. I don't want her unholy shrieking to ruin the party."
{With that, she turns and begins to walk out.}

'Expensive liquor? Count me in,' said Armin. 'Normally I'd challenge you to a drinking contest, but since you're a human and all, I'd probably win too easily.'

Frederick got up to follow Dianne, smirking.

- RR

{Jerry just chuckles.}
"Well, that's just a matter of physiology. If we were on even footing, I'd probably win. Still, if you want some later, I'd recommend sobering up a bit first."

{Dianne walks outside to where Wendigo and Titan are. Digging through her purse, she pulls out the stone slab.}
Dianne: "Anastasia, come forth."

'Good idea,' Armin chuckled. 'I'll see you around later, then. I'm going to go outside for a bit. I need some fresh air.'

Immediately, Ana's voice came from the stone. 'What do you want?! Why hasn't anyone spoken to me in so long? Where's Sargon?!'

Wendigo crouched down to get closer to the stone, grinning evilly.

{Dianne just shrugs at the questions.}
"Honestly, I forgot you existed. As for Sargon, well, he's dead. Armin and I killed him earlier today."

{Jerry waves goodbye to Armin as he leaves and walks over to the crowd listening to Magnus.}

Ana was completely silent for about ten seconds. Then she suddenly started shrieking at the top of her voice. 'WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! YOU'RE LYING! YOU MUST BE LYING! MY SARGON WOULD NEVER /EVER/ LOSE TO DISGUSTING, PATHETIC PEOPLE LIKE YOU! NEVER! AND HE PROMISED ME THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE OK! HE /PROMISED!/ SARGON WOULD NEVER LIE TO ME! I KNOW HE'S NOT DEAD! I KNOW IT!'

At that moment, Armin came outside. He heard Ana's screeching and turned to look at the stone slab, his eyes wide with shock.

{Dianne just glares coldly at the stone.}
Dianne: "Bufo!"
{From the building behind her, a draugr pokes its heads out of the window.}
Dianne: "Go bring me Sargon's head from the morgue. If this wench will not hear the truth, then I will show it to her."

Armin approached the stone slab. 'Y'know, I always wondered how you'd react when we finally cut Sargon's head off. Now I know. I'm actually kind of disappointed. You're supposed to be horribly sad that he's dead, but you don't even believe it?'

'HE'S NOT DEAD!' Ana screeched. 'LET ME OUT OF THIS STUPID STONE AND GIVE ME A NEW BODY, AND I'LL FIGHT YOU ALL! I'LL RIP YOU TO PIECES! /NOBODY/ THREATENS MY DARLING SARGON WHILE I'M AROUND!'

{Dianne looks over at Armin before turning back to Ana.}
Dianne: "You are in no position to be making demands. You've lost, your master is dead, and the only fate that awaits you is one of eternal punishment."

{Bufo returned quickly, handing Dianne a sack.}
Dianne: "Maybe this will prove it to you."

'Ooh, I know what you did!' Ana hissed. 'You've found someone who LOOKS like Sargon and killed them so you can trick me into thinking he's dead! But I know better!'

Armin shook his head, looking faintly amused. 'Well, if you love him as much as I think you do, then I'm sure you'll recognise his head straight away.'

{Dianne facepalms and shakes her head at Ana’s notion. Putting the stone down on the street, she reaches into the bag and produces Sargon’s head.}

Dianne: “Look, he’s dead, see? One dead lunatic. Or would you like to see the body as well?”

'THAT'S NOT SARGON!' Ana screeched after a long pause. 'IT'S NOT! HE WOULD /NEVER/ BE DEAD! SARGON IS INVINCIBLE AND COULD /NEVER/ BE DEFEATED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!'

'Is /is/ Sargon,' said Armin. 'And you'll believe it soon enough, because he's never going to come back for you.'

'NOOOO!' Ana howled. 'HE PROMISED ME THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE OK! THIS IS ALL MY FAULT! I COULDN'T PROTECT HIM BECAUSE I WAS STUPID AND GOT MYSELF KILLED AND NOW /HE'S/ DEAD!' She dissolved into hysterical sobbing. 'Oh Sargon, I'm so sorry! I've failed you! You saved my life all those years ago and now I failed to save yours, I'm so sorry...'

Titan: “Wow, this is actually kinda sad...”
{However, there is no sympathy in Dianne’s eyes.}
Dianne: “You’re a fool. He was doomed the moment he decided to go through with this asinine plan. He was doomed, and you went down with him.”

'Eh, I'd probably feel sorry for her if she wasn't the reason I'm dead,' said Wendigo indifferently.

'So, what are we gonna do with her now?' Armin asked, walking over and looking at the stone slab. Ana gave no reaction to him being there, but just continued to sob uncontrollably.

{Titan nods at Wendigo and Dianne shrugs.}
"I guess I'll just send her off to Oblivion now. Not sure what else I could do."

(Yo, I might be late today. Going to see a movie.)

(That's OK! I won't be hosting a proper session today, so we can just continue in this room whenever you're back. I'll write a reply when I have a moment.)

'That's fine with me,' said Armin, shrugging. 'She can burn in hell for all I care. Anyone who likes Sargon in /that/ way deserves to die.'

Wendigo grinned. 'What exactly will happen to her in this 'oblivion'? What's it like over there?'

{Dianne puts a finger to her chin and sighs.}
"Oblivion is...different from hell. It's not where the worst people go, it's where the worst beasts go. Anyone there will be forced to endeavor, infinitely and fruitlessly, to...survive among the most foul of daedra and monsters that history has ever known. Now, death in there isn't true death. You just...regenerate and start the cycle again. Over and over and over for all eternity. It's where I sent my former boss, if he's still in there..."

Everyone was silent for a few seconds following this explanation.

'Huh,' said Wendigo at last. 'Now that I think about it, I wonder if Ana actually deserves that. I mean, she's done some stupid things, like agreeing to serve Sargon, but she's just an idiot. Not some horrifying monster.'

{Dianne raises a brow at Wendigo}
"What would you have me do? Send her to hell? The key difference between the two is that hell was designed to torment, while Oblivion was not."

'I don't know,' said Wendigo. 'It's a hard decision. Also, where's Sargon gonna be? We could put them together, and then Sargon will be forced to live with Ana for all of eternity.' He grinned at the thought.

{Dianne scratches her head.}
"Well, when he died, I didn't influence his path. Hell, probably? You also need to keep in mind that, while I'm able to do these things, my choice isn't always the final say. The divines that govern the next life may decide differently and place her somewhere else."

'Hmm...' Wendigo shrugged. 'Well, I guess you should just throw her wherever you think is best. Even if it's Oblivion. I mean, she might not be there forever if these 'divines' decide to take her out again.'

'I don't care where she goes,' said Armin. 'As long as she can't come back. Honestly, I think she deserves to go to the worst kind of afterlife considering all the trouble she's caused people.'

Dianne: "Don't worry, she's never coming back. It would take a god to resurrect her fully, and if any wannabe necromancers want to try bringing her back as a draugr, I will easily dispatch her. Now, where to send her..."
{Dianne then proceeds to pull out a knife and starts carving a rune circle into the wall.}

Wendigo and Armin watched with some apprehension as Dianne carved the rune circle. 'So, where are you sending her?' said Wendigo after a few moments. 'Also, I hope this weird death ritual thing isn't dangerous.'

{Dianne glances back at the pair, smirking slightly}
"It's not, so long as you don't touch it until I say. If you touch it at the wrong time, you'll be ripped from your body and sent to Oblivion instead."
{Now, this was complete bullsh!t, as the circle could only effect disembodied spirits. But Dianne just wanted to mess with her comrades.}

Armin and Wendigo both took a step backwards from the rune circle, wearing identical horrified expressions. 'Uh, OK, I'm not touching it,' said Wendigo. 'I definitely don't wanna go to Oblivion. Speaking of which, where /will/ I be going?'

{At that, Dianne starts to laugh.}
Dianne: “I’m joking. This circle only affects spirits. The look on your faces is priceless though. Wendigo, I’m not going to force you anywhere. I’m just going to let you go, and you should drift back to wherever you were before.”

'Huh... OK, then,' said Wendigo, though he still kept a good distance back from the rune circle. Apparently he didn't quite trust Dianne when she said it wasn't dangerous. 'That's good.'

{Dianne just laughs and finishes the circle. Picking up Ana, Dianne holds the stone to the center of the circle. }
“Anastasia, for your crimes against the realm, I hereby sentence you to eternal tribulation in Oblivion. Have you any last words?”

Ana, who had been quiet while everyone was talking, suddenly burst out into furious speech. 'Y-you freaks! You destroyed Sargon and I HATE YOU ALL! No matter where you send me, I swear I'll find a way to come back and kill you for what you've done!'

Armin rolled his eyes. 'Heard it all before, Ana. Just shut up; nobody's scared of you.'

{Dianne just smiles darkly.}
“You’re not getting out. Nothing ever does. Oh, by the way, if you meet my old boss Dolorus, tell him Delilah says hi.”

'I'm not scared of all the monsters in there, in case you were wondering!' hissed Ana. 'In fact, I bet most of them will be more scared of /me!/ Go on, send me to Oblivion! I deserve it anyway for failing Sargon!'

{Dianne chuckles.} “Ok, if you insist. By the way, magic doesn’t work well down there. Bye!”
{With that, Dianne puts her hand to the stone and sends Ana to Oblivion. The markings on the stone cease to glow, and Ana’s voice fades into the distance.}
“There, it’s done.”

'Thank god for that, her screeching was starting to hurt my ears,' commented Armin, staring at the stone that Ana had inhabited just moments ago. 'Hmm, I wonder what the first thing she encounters in there will be.'

Wendigo, losing interest now that Ana was gone, walked back to the castle window to watch the party.

(Hmm, we should probably do a timeskip to the next morning soon. I don't mind when, so if there's anything you were planning to do during the party, we can still do that first. Just let me know.)

(I was planning to give Armin an opportunity to challenge Dianne in a drinking contest, but it’s not important. Also, I won’t be able to attend this Saturday, as I have one last field trip. Sorry.)

(Ooh, that could be a pretty fun scene. XD I'm definitely up for doing that if you still want to! We can timeskip afterwards.

Also, don't worry about it. Real life's more important than an RP.)

(Yeah, sure, let’s do that.)

{Dianne just shrugs.}
“I really couldn’t care less. She’ll probably encounter some horrible monster whose name is lost to time, die, regenerate, die again, and so on and so forth.”
{As she walked inside, Jerry and his family were huddled around a table.}
Jerry: “Ok, let’s open this up!”

Frederick walked over to where Jerry's family were. 'What's going on here?' he asked curiously. Armin had also noticed them, and approached the table, grinning.

'Is this what I think it is?' he asked as he got closer. 'Are you finally breaking out the good alcohol?'

{Jerry looks up at Armin, matching his grin.}
"Yup! Two bottles of Akhetian Ale! One Farmside, and one Dragon's Fire." (Different variants, both quite potent, but one more so than the other.)
{Dianne looks over at the bottles, brow raised.}
Dianne: "Hold on, Farmside has a five figure price range, and that Dragon's Fire is from the turn of the century."
Cousin: "Yeah, so?"
Dianne: So the Dragon's Fire is worth seven figures at least. And, given their magical properties and potency, and the alcohol tolerance of humans, this is just a recipe for some very expensive vomit."
Cousin: "We know. We're not going to kill the bottle, and we'll be using the smallest shot glasses known to man. And since when were you a connoisseur of fine liqueurs?"
Dianne: "I know Triticum personally. Besides, I wouldn't be a dragon if I didn't pay attention to things that could get me a lot of gold. I myself have a Dragon's Fire, circa the second age of the great Ferrosian Empire."

(Some context so things are interesting: Triticum is the Akhetian responsible for creating Akhetian Ale. The ale is magically imbued to be potent, but not lethal, so long as you don't chug it. Triticum was fascinated about how people would get together with alcohol and have a good time, so he set out to create the perfect party brew. He understood that most non-humans had an extremely high alcohol tolerance, so he put the potency enchantments so they wouldn't have to drink as much so quickly, a potentially dangerous prospect for anyone. However, he also knew that people could get carried away with alcohol use, and thus created his brews in very limited quantities to discourage addiction. This, coupled with the fact that Triticum's current location is unknown, caused his brews to be extremely valuable and highly sought after. Furthermore, the enchantments prevent the brew from decaying over time, so no matter what era it's from, it will be safe to drink.)

(Lol, lore novel.)

(I like lore novels. XD)

Armin eyed the two bottles curiously while Dianne spoke. Then he said, 'So where did you even get these in the first place if they're so rare and expensive? And are you humans gonna be OK drinking this, even in small amounts?'

{Jerry's cousin just smirks.}
Cousin: "Of course we'll be fine. As for how I got it, well, I have my ways."
Dianne: "Yeah, you probably killed someone and stole it from them."
Cousin: "I did not! Look, I saved a rich dude's life once and he gave me these. Although, I don't think he realized what they were..."
Dianne: "Sure, sure you did. Anyway, I have a proposal."
Cousin: "No, Dianne, I will not marry you."
{Dianne blinks a few times at the response.}
Dianne: "Do I need to break you in half?"
Cousin: "...No, ma'am..."
Dianne: "That's what I thought. Since you all seem so willing to drink wildly expensive liquor, I'll challenge you to a drinking contest. Whoever can drink the most Farmside without passing out or throwing up wins. If I win, I get the bottle of Dragon's Fire. If you win, you get mine. Sound fair?"
Cousin: "No, it does not! You're a bloody dragon, and I'll be lucky if I can down more that two shots!"
Dianne: "Then maybe against two of you?"

A slow grin spread across Armin's face as he heard their conversation. 'A drinking contest, Dianne? I'm up for that. None of the humans would last. I can probably drink as much as you can - probably more.'

Frederick groaned quietly. 'This is going to end really unpleasantly for everyone involved...'

(I'm going to post a new room tonight, so we can continue there when you're back.)