Armin followed her up the staircase, glancing at the displayed armour in passing. Esme accompanied him, struggling a little to climb the stairs, but he let her figure it out on her own. He said nothing, just waiting to see more of the house.

{Once Esme caught up, Dianne leads them down the hall. The hall had ornate lights and paintings on the walls. Through the last door on the right was her bedroom. It was a rather large room lavishly decorated with artifacts, gold statues of the divines, cases filled with jewelry, and weapons mounted on the wall. In the center was a large, lavish bed.}

Dianne: "I grabbed a few weapons the first time, but I had leave quick."

Armin stood in the doorway to the bedroom, with Esme curled around his legs, just staring. //...Yep, this is a dragon's lair all right...//

'...So, what are the bringing back this time?' he asked. 'More of the weapons?'

{Dianne pulls down a massive, two handed mace. As she touched it, the edges glowed hot.}

Dianne: "I've collected quite a few powerful artifacts over the centuries. I think we'll need them for the coming conflict."

Armin eyed the mace. 'Well, I'm sure having some powerful weapons around will be a reassurance... is that thing /hot?'/ he added, watching the glow of the mace.

Dianne: "Yes. This is Igneum's Anguish. It's enchanted to become a firery inferno when you swing it. This mace was the weapon of an ancient king, who forged it from the heart of an elemental titan. For a century, he used it on a terrible conquest, burning all in his path."

'That's an interesting history for a weapon... So how did /you/ come across it? Let me guess, you killed the king?'

{Dianne turns with a smirk as she puts it down and wraps it in a cloth.}

Dianne: "One day, Lucci shows up, says that I need to stop a madman from vitrifying the entire continent. Apparently, he wasn't going to stop at a 100 year conquest of the land. But, that's a story for another time."

Armin didn't ask any more about it, instead deciding to step further into the room and look around. Then a thought entered his mind.

'You say we need all these weapons to fight the hunters, but... when exactly are we going to be fighting them? I mean, they can't legally hunt you within the city. Of course, they'll try anyway, but it's not like we're going to be having a huge, direct battle with them - are we?'

Dianne: "I honestly don't know. However, I want to be prepared."

{She then pulls a pike off the wall. The blade looked green and translucent, almost like the blades Barnabas uses.}

Armin nodded and stood beside the bed, watching with mild interest. 'You got any cool swords lying around? If you're bringing back extra weapons, then I'd like something I could use, too.'

Dianne: "I might have something you can use..."

{Walking to another weapon plaque on the wall, Dianne pulls down a medieval style long sword. The blade was a blue metal and hummed slightly when moved.}

Dianne: "This is Witchslayer. This particular long sword has the enchantment of being able to block, redirect, and nullify ranged spells. It takes a bit of skill to use properly, but blocking spells should be simple enough."

Armin looked the blade over, then cautiously stretched out a hand to take it from her, wanting to hold it. 'How does it work? Can you just block spells the same way you'd block other attacks with a sword?'

{Dianne carefully hands the sword to Armin.}

Dianne: "Pretty much. So long as the blade contacts the spell, it should block it. AOE spells can't be properly blocked, however."

Armin took the longsword in his left hand, weighing it, then moving it through the air in a slow imitation of a slash.

'This will be useful if we encounter any spellcasters... I can imagine the hunters might try throwing spells at us from a distance if they can't attack directly...'

Dianne: "Yeah, I'm certain that they'll use spellcasters. Heh, if you had this back in the organization, you would have had an easier time with Ana."

'Yeah, would have been nice to be able to block her whenever she decided to use me for target practice...' Armin muttered, He sat on the edge of the bed to keep watching her with the weapons, resting the Witchslayer across his lap.

{Dianne pulled a handful more weapons off the wall and wrapped each of them in cloth. She then calls the centaurs and hands the weapons to them to be put in the truck.}

Dianne: "Ok, time to go downstairs."

{She then scoops up Esme and heads for the stairs.}

Armin took a final glance around the elaborately decorated room, then followed her downstairs, bringing the sword with him.

{Dianne leads Armin into the basement. Walking down the concrete steps, Dianne hits a switch for the lights. It was also a large space, except it was completely filled with glittering treasures. Gold, silver, gems, statues and idols. There had to be ten times what the pair had retrieved from the crypt. In the dark corners were five draugr. Hulking, fabricated beasts in heavy armor, brandishing all manner of weapons. A pike that threw sparks. A sword that looked so wicked in its curves and sharpness, it appeared as if it were forged in the underworld. A shield of such thickness and width that it seemed impenetrable. A greatsword longer than it wielder. A war hammer, great and bronze, that looked imposing in its size. And, an axe, whose blade glowed as Brightly and hotly as a forge.}

Once again, Armin halted in the entryway, his expression going slack as he absorbed the scene in front of him. Looking over all the gold and treasure, he couldn't even fathom how much it would be worth if converted to squalls. //That's more money than anyone could ever need... Though I'll admit that, as treasure, it looks sort of pretty...//

He eventually took his gaze off the treasure, to spot the draugrs across the room. '...Who are they? Are they just here to guard everything?'

Dianne: "Yup, they guarded my estate while we were away, and they will remain to guard my wealth now. These are some of the best warriors I have at my disposal."

{Wading through the sea of riches, Dianne starts digging through the piles and pulls out a thick, black tower shield. The insignia of the cult is embellished across its front.}

Dianne: "Never thought I'd have to use this. This it the Shrouded Bastion. The only shield capable of completely blocking light magic. If I hide behind this, I'll be safe from their light attacks."

'An anti-light magic shield. Good,' said Armin. 'We don't want a repeat of last time if we can help it...'

Surveying the basement, he noticed Esme attempting to put a small gemstone in her mouth. Hastily, he pulled her jaws open and got the stone out before she choked on it.

Dianne: "Agreed. This is the last thing I needed. Ready to go?"

'Yes. Lead the way.' Armin picked up Esme in his free arm and prepared to leave.

{Hefting the shield, Dianne leads the way back outside. The centaurs were waiting by the truck with the weapons for Armin to unlock it.}

Walking over to the truck, Armin set Esme down, then unlocked the doors. He placed his new sword in the back, then went around to the driver's side.

{Dianne picks up Esme and gets into the car. The centaurs load the weapons into the car and close up the back.}

'So, where now?' said Armin, as he turned on the engine, and Esme settled onto Dianne's lap. 'Home, or do we have anything else to do?'

Dianne: "Home. I need to set up the patrols, then go to the market again. Tomorrow's the last safe day, then it becomes dangerous to walk outside."

Armin nodded, pulling the truck out of the front yard and heading back towards the city.
'The Bloodrazors really are desperate to pursue you this far, into a province where they can't even legally hunt you,' he mused. 'If they were sane, they would have given it up by now and gone away to kill something easier.'

Dianne: "I don't know why they're this persistent...But, they seem hellbent on killing me. Maybe it's the bounty. Maybe they just want the money. But, when we spoke to him, Paxton brought up my past..."

Armin shook his head slightly as he drove.

'I just don't understand why your past would make him so determined to kill you. If you had hurt him, or his family, then I'd understand. Because he's hunting you as if you did something to him personally. But as far as I know, you didn't... Maybe he really is just after the money. But I can't help feeling that he has some other motivation as well.'

{Dianne made a nervous face at that.}

Dianne: "I have hurt some people over the years...He could have been one of them...My anger issues are a serious problem..."

'If you had hurt him somehow, wouldn't he have mentioned it? Or wouldn't you remember doing it?'

Dianne: "Armin, I've hurt so many people over the years, I can't even remember them all......Huh.....Maybe he's got a point...."

{She falls silent, wearing a deeply pensive expression.}

Armin turned to give her a hard look before he had to put his eyes back on the road.

'A point meaning, he's justified in hunting you? No, he isn't. You don't hurt people for no reason anymore. Not that I condone everything you've done, but you're not inherently a bad person. Besides, as long as you're alive, you can use your power to help people. Like by killing Sargon, or that pyromaniac king you mentioned. That's an important reason to keep you alive.'

Dianne: "I know.......I wasn't implying that he's justified, it's just that....I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, and a lot of enemies. Paxton could have tons of reasons for this....and so could a lot of people...I'm just not sure if dealing with Paxton will be the last word..."

'Maybe. But let's deal with the current threat before we start worrying about things that might not even happen,' said Armin with a hint of exasperation. 'You're living peacefully under the king's protection. Eventually, people are going to realise it's not worth the effort trying to kill you. And, eventually, the people you've wronged will probably die of old age, so... there's that.'

Dianne: "Not if they're vampires too..."

{She grumbles. She doesn't say anything after that, continuing to look pensive as they drove.}

Armin shot her a concerned look out of the corner of his eye, but let the subject drop. After a short drive, they entered the city and turned up the street to his house. He parked outside and swiftly climbed out of the truck.

{Dianne gets out with Esme. The centaurs began unloading the weapons and storing them in the basement. She then instructs the centaurs to patrol the immediate area and walks inside. Pugna was still leaning against the wall, wordlessly watching.}

Armin went inside as well, eyeing the centaurs as they carried the weapons through his house into the basement. He hardly noticed Pugna standing guard anymore. 'So, are we supposed to be going to the market next?' he asked, as Esme ran off to look for her toys.

Dianne: "Yeah, we need to make a list and plan for dinners a few days in advance. Once the hunters get here, I can't go outside safely anymore."

'If necessary, the rest of us can go out and get stuff,' said Armin. 'But, it will be safer to get as much as we can now.'

Dianne: "Yeah...I have no idea how long this is going to last for...We'd better be prepared for a long haul...."

{She then starts looking through the kitchen for what they might need.}

'We should get more fruit for Esme,' said Armin, 'but something that will last longer. Maybe some canned fruit...' He surveyed the kitchen curiously. 'I don't need anything, obviously, so you only need to get whatever you and Esme need.'

Dianne: "That's a good idea. And, we're going to need to drive so we can bring it all back...."

{After hastily writing a list, she walks for the door.}

Dianne: "Ready?"

'Yep.' As they walked into the front hall, Armin knocked on the door to Rex's room. 'Hey, Rex? Can you make sure Esme doesn't destroy my house while we go shopping again?'

Rex's reply was inaudible to Dianne, but Armin walked away from his door with a slight smirk.

'OK, let's go,' he said, and headed outside, climbing back into the truck.

{Dianne eyes Armin curiously, getting into the car.}

Dianne: "Rex say something funny?"

'He said, 'You've been spending more time shopping lately than a fifteen-year-old girl',' Armin replied, smoothly pulling the truck out onto the road and setting off towards the market. 'I guess it /is/ kind of unusual for a vampire to go shopping much. But I don't mind.'

{Dianne smirks at that.}

Dianne: "Yeah, he's got a point, but at least it's still less shopping than what Ivy does. Somehow. Speaking of her...."

{She pulls out her phone and texts Ivy.}

>>Hey, Ivy. Can you meet me at Armin's place in about half an hour. There is something important we need to discuss.<<

Armin continued on his way to the shopping district, occasionally humming under his breath. A few minutes later, Ivy replied:

<Is it rly imprtnt? i have a date l8r.>

{Dianne replies with a slightly impatient face.}

>>It's very important.<<

<ok ok, fine, i'll be thre,> Ivy replied.

Armin smirked slightly as he glanced over at Dianne. 'Is she being difficult? I knew she would be. Sure you'd trust her to watch Esme, if it came down to that?'

{Dianne sighs, putting her phone away.}

Dianne: "We don't have a choice, Armin. She's the only one we have to rely on, if Rex won't do it."

Armin's expression sobered. 'Yeah... If you speak to Ivy later, and she doesn't seem to take this seriously, I'll ask Rex. I'm sure he'll agree to do it, if he knows how important Esme's life is to both of us.'

Dianne: "She better take it seriously. If anything happens to Esme while in her care, I will strike her down with leprosy. We'll see how many dates she gets when her nose collapses and her maxilla falls off..."

At that, Armin's expression became faintly disturbed, before he shifted it back to neutrality. 'I'm sure she will. She might be disloyal to her romantic partners, but she can't be heartless enough to not take a kid's life seriously, can she?'

Dianne: "Surely not, but if she is, she will live to regret it..."

Dianne: "Speaking of her romantic partners, she didn't even want to come because she has a date later. If she agrees but brings her man over against my wishes, they will both suffer."

'I'm sure she knows better than to mess with you... Did you actually ask her not to bring the guy over? If you didn't, then she might just consider it.'

Dianne: "I'm going to discuss those details with her once we get back. If she brings the guy this time, I'll just ask him to wait outside."

'Fair enough, I don't really want any contact with Ivy's 'boyfriends' either.'

Armin then arrived at the shopping district. Going into a nearby car park, he found an empty space and pulled up.

'OK, let's get going,' he said, jumping out of the truck.

{Dianne gets out, following Armin and grabbing a cart. Starting in the produce, she begins to gather the items.}

Armin followed, occasionally reaching out towards a shelf to add something to the cart. He got another, slightly larger toy ball for Esme - not wanting her to get bored while they were stuck inside - and some coffee, which he knew Rex would like.

{After stocking up on everything she thought they might need, Dianne starts heading for the checkout. Her cart was positively stacked with food, Enough to last them a few weeks at least.}

Armin eyed the cart with amusement as the cashier started scanning all of their groceries. 'I forgot how much normal people need to survive. Wouldn't you rather be a vampire?' he said jokingly.

{Dianne chuckles at that.}

Dianne: "No. I like being able to taste things. And ibuprofen."

'At least we heal faster than normal people,' said Armin with a grin. 'Pain medicine might not work on me, but at least I won't be incapacitated for a week over a bullet wound...'

{Dianne gives an unamused look.}

Dianne: "Hey. There were other factors involved. My healing was inhibited, remember?"

'I know... the light attack... I probably still heal faster than you, though,' he said with a mischievous grin. 'You should've seen some of the injuries I bounced back from in the organisation.'

The cashier gave them an odd look at the way they were casually discussing bullet wounds, but didn't say anything.

Dianne: "You must have a sad life if all you can brag about is how you recovered from almost dying."

{She says chuckling.}

'It might be sad, but there's definitely something impressive about it, too. I've recovered from a lot. You've probably survived a lot of serious injuries as well.'

While they were talking, the cashier finished scanning their goods. 'That'll be 78.5O,' they said quietly.

{Dianne pays the cashier and starts making her way to the door before continuing.}

Dianne: "Yeah, I've had my fair share of close calls. I've been burned, impailed, stabbed, slashed, broken my limbs, electrocuted, punched, bludgened, and yet I'm still here."

Armin helped carry the shopping outside, and started to walk back to where the truck was.

'That's not surprising. Three thousand years of fighting people, and you're bound to go through a lot. Personally, I don't think there's a bone in my body that I haven't broken at least once - and I've been impaled by a giant spike. Lucky for both of us that we have healing abilities.'

Dianne: "Yes, quite fortunate. How did you end up on a spike?"

{Once she got to the truck, she started to load the groceries on.}

(Posting new roooom)