'I do feel better. I'll feel entirely better once we've taken care of Paxton, but this helps.'

Dianne: "Well, I'm glad to hear that. That's exactly what I wanted. We'll deal with him soon."

{She takes a moment to consider something.}

Dianne: "Y'know, about me pushing your buttons, I honestly just made a few lucky guesses. I really didn't know what you liked."

'Well, yeah. I figured that. It's not like you could have actually known. But you did a good job of guessing.' He yawned, absentmindedly slipping a hand under the back of her shirt and pausing when he felt several faint, raised lines. 'Huh, I really scratched up your back...'

{Dianne just shrugs at that.}

Dianne: "I wouldn't worry about that. I bit up your neck, you scratched up my back. I didn't mind, and neither did you.

'Eh, true...'

He gazed contemplatively up at the ceiling, comfortable with the relaxed atmosphere, musing over the events of the night before.

{Closing her eyes, she settles in, resting her head on his chest and absently brushing her hand across his abdome. She was quite content with the situation and more than happy to doze with him.}

Armin yawned again, wrapping an arm around her and slowly drifting off. He felt completely at peace; even the threat of the hunters seemed almost insignificant in that moment.

After quite some time, he jolted awake to hear Rex's voice echoing in his head. //Esme just came downstairs. Looking for food, I suppose. Are you two ever getting up?//

Blinking, he gently nudged at Dianne. 'C'mon, we have to get up and feed the baby dragon.'

{Dianne stirs, yawning widely.}

Dianne: "Right...Odd, she normally bugs us personally...."

{Getting up, she heads for the bath, grabbing her unmentionables off the bed post in the process.}

Armin reluctantly pulled himself upright, sitting on the edge of the bed and surveying the room. After a while, he threw on a loose shirt and old jeans, then slowly began to walk downstairs. //Why'd Esme not wake us up?// he asked telepathically.

//How would I know?// Rex returned. //Maybe she just didn't want to disturb you, or maybe she was trying to be independent and find her own food. Who knows.//

{After a quick shower, Dianne walks down the stairs, in a blue dress. She walks into the kitchen, looking for Esme.}

Dianne: "Esme? Are you hungry?"

Esme was investigating the kitchen, watched over by Rex, who was leaning against the counter, drinking coffee. He glanced briefly at Dianne, but didn't say anything. Esme, however, chirped in affirmation.

After Dianne entered the kitchen, Armin followed her, looking to get himself some blood.

{Dianne starts cooking breakfast, humming to herself. She certainly seemed to be in a pleasant mood.}

Dianne: "Wait, where's Ivy? She still in the basement?"

'She came up for breakfast about an hour ago,' said Rex.

'Yeah, I can smell her in here,' said Armin, taking a blood bottle from the cupboard and sipping it. 'I guess she ate early to avoid running into us.'

Rex then glanced at Dianne, seeming perplexed by her cheerful demeanour. Then he eyed Armin, and understanding dawned on his face. Smirking, he continued drinking his coffee without remark.

{Dianne, completely unaware of Rex's realization, continued with the task at hand.}

Dianne: "Huh...She must be taking it all kind of hard...Any word on Jerry?"

'No texts or telepathic messages have come in,' said Rex, his tone completely level despite his smirk. 'Which I suppose means he's alright.'

'Yeah, I'm sure they'd tell us if he was in a bad way,' said Armin, between sips of blood. 'He's probably still just resting at Fred's place. Nothing new to report.'

Dianne: "True enough."

{Finishing the food, she takes her and Esme's plate into the living room, beckoning her to follow.}

Esme trotted after Dianne, eagerly accepting her share of the food. Armin put his bottle away and followed. He'd noticed Rex's expression, and was aware that the other vampire knew what had happened last night; however, he chose not to comment. He went into the living room and sat on the couch, gazing thoughtfully through the window.

{Dianne sat and ate quietly. She was content with eating in silence.}

(Is there anything specific we should be doing today?)

{Nope. My next planned attack is in like a day or two. Any suggestions?}

(Hmm. For today, we could skip to evening, and I might have Rex interact with Dianne then, since they haven't spoken much and I want to do more with him.)

(Ok, let's do that. How should we start that off?)

(I'll set it up.)

----

After a rather uneventful day, Armin got up from the couch. They'd just had dinner, with Ivy reappearing to accept some food before retreating into the basement again. Esme was sitting in the kitchen, gazing boredly out at the twilight sky.

'I think I'm gonna go take a shower...' he said to Dianne. 'We can head to bed afterwards, if you want.'

Dianne: "Alright. It is getting late...."

{Stretching, she leans back into the couch.}

Dianne: "I'll go up once you're out."

Armin nodded. As he walked past her, he paused to lean down and give her a brief, affectionate kiss on the cheek. He then turned and headed upstairs to the bathroom.

As he left, Rex emerged from the kitchen, holding a mug of coffee and watching Armin go, seemingly waiting for him to be out of earshot.

{Diannesmiles at the kiss, watching him go. She then turns her attention to Rex.}

Dianne: "Hello, Rex. You look like you have something to say."

Rex didn't respond. He slowly walked over and sat on the couch, with his coffee, as far from her as he could get.

'I wanted to hate you,' he said out of the blue. 'When you came back from your expedition with Armin, I wanted to hate you for putting him in danger. Especially when I learned that him being close to you makes him a target for those hunters who are after you.'

{Dianne blinks a few times at that, her expression becoming puzzled.}

Dianne: ".....Ok....are you telling me this for a reason, or are you just venting at me?"

'I don't know. I don't know where I'm going with this. But I just wanted to say that I /don't/ hate you. I wanted to - up until the moment when I realised how much he's in love with you.' Rex took a sip of his coffee. 'Look, don't let him die, but don't /you/ die, either. I think it would destroy him.'

{Dianne nods, secretly relieved that Rex didn't intend to lay into her.}

Dianne: "I understand. Don't worry, we're going to look after each other. I won't let him die, and I'll survive for him. And Rex...to hear that you don't hate me....it means a lot to me....I honestly thought you would always loathe me, so....thank you."

Rex gave a faint, crooked smile, mostly hidden under his mustache.

'If things were even slightly different, I /would/ hate you,' he said gruffly. 'But... in Shacklestone... I knew Armin for eighty years, and I've never seen him as genuinely happy as when he's with you. And I'm not going to interfere with that.'

Dianne: "I see. You should know, I'm the happiest I've been in a very long time. I'm not going to screw this up for either of us. Again, thank you."

'You're welcome,' Rex replied. 'I'm not going to get sentimental here, but I think I'm happy for you both. You don't seem like a terrible person. And Armin obviously sees the good in you.'

He subsided into silence, drinking his coffee and staring into space.

{Dianne nods and becomes silent as well. She was glad to hear that Rex approved of her, given how close he and Armin seemed to be.}

Dianne: "Actually, Rex, I wanted to ask. How are you getting along with Esme? Armin told me you were good with kids, so I was just curious if you engaged with her at all."

'I like her well enough. She's pleasant company. Quiet, but curious - like a lot of young children. It's odd that she never speaks, but she seems like a nice kid, not an annoying brat, for which I'm thankful.'

Dianne: "That's god to hear. Yeah, I guess she's just still too young to speak. I speak to her when I can. That's the way kids normally pick it up...Yeah, I'm gald she's not a brat..."

Rex's expression was musing. 'She seems intelligent enough to talk. If she doesn't anytime soon, then I'd suggest she has some form of selective mutism. I met students in my class like that. They would speak very rarely, and never in the presence of people they didn't know well enough. Maybe she can talk, but doesn't want to.'

Dianne: "You think so? That's troubling...Maybe I should take her to a doctor after this is all over..."

'If you're concerned about it, then yes, I suppose. She could just be stubborn about starting to talk, so don't worry too much. I'd give her a little more time.'

Dianne: "Alright, I'll just wait and see. Mira was talking after a year, so maybe...."

{She blinks a little, as she remembers her past daughter.}

Rex gave her a sideways look. Armin had mentioned in passing that Dianne once had another child, but hadn't gone into detail about what had happened to her.

'It varies between children. And species,' he said after a slight pause. 'But yes, I'd wait until she's around that age.'

Dianne: "That's true. No point in worrying about it now...that has yet to come."

{With that, she falls into silent contemplation.}

Upstairs, the sound of the shower running switched off, indicating that Armin would be out soon. Rex started to get to his feet.

'Well, enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm glad I could dispel your concerns about me loathing you.' Unable to resist the urge to tease, he added: 'By the way, I know what you and Armin were doing last night. I must say, you're very bold to do that in a house with three other people in it.'

{At that, Dianne blushed heavily, her expression shifting to surprise, then embarrassment. Sighing heavily, she stands.}

Dianne: "It was my scent on him that gave it away, wasn't it? Bold? I live here too, you know. I should be able to spend some intimate time with my partner, should we want to...without prying eyes or snarky sneers...."

Rex chuckled. 'Come on, I'm just messing with you. I knew because of the scent and the way he was acting. Also, nobody except me knows - Ivy being in the basement, likely doesn't suspect a thing. I apologise for knowing, but it was hard not to figure it out... Like I said, I'm happy that you two are happy together.'

{Dianne smiles a little at that.}
Dianne: "Ok, ok....And thank you again, not only for being supportive, but also for being respectful. Unlike Ivy, I know you won't spread this information to every living being in a hundred mile radius."

'Of course. I would gain absolutely nothing from that.' Rex drained the last of his half-cold coffee, glancing at her with not quite a smile, but a look of acceptance. 'This is your home, and he loves you, so you're perfectly entitled to do what you like without fear of someone being disrespectful.'

Dianne: "Coming from you, Rex, that means a lot."

{She pauses, looking over at the stairs.}
Dianne: "I'm going to get ready for bed. Have a good night, Rex."

'Goodnight,' Rex replied. He glanced over at the kitchen. 'Esme's out there doing something. If she doesn't follow you immediately, I'll keep an eye on her until she does.'

Upstairs, the bathroom door opened as Armin came out.

Dianne: "I appreciate that. I'll see you tomorrow."

{With that, she heads upstairs, passing Armin on the way to the bath.}

Armin was wearing a fresh shirt and pair of shorts, obviously ready for bed, and smelled faintly of citrus. He glanced at Dianne as she passed, then headed into the bedroom and settled down, lying on his front as he waited for her to come out.

{Dianne emerged a few minutes later, dressed in a similar fashion to Armin. Walking over to the bed, she lies on her side, facing Armin and smiling sleepily at him.}

Armin shifted over and snuggled into her arms, enjoying the warmth and the feeling of being close to her. 'You want to wait until Esme comes up?' he asked, nuzzling under her jaw. 'I know you don't like sleeping without her here.'

{Dianne readily embraces him, tensing a little at his nuzzle.}

Dianne: "Yes....I want her near me....She'll probably get bored soon and come up...."

{Hugging him tightly, she kisses his forehead.}

Armin smiled happily at the kiss. After a moment, he returned it by kissing the underside of her jaw, that being one of the only things he could reach without moving.

'Yeah, she probably won't be long... I imagine she's just pestering Rex or something...'

{Dianne chuckles at that, enjoying the sensation.}

Dianne: "Yeah, she's a very bold child, not afraid to demand things....like food, or attention..."

Armin hummed in agreement. 'I imagine she'll be pretty tough when she's older. A fighter. Not the sort of person to mess with. A bit like you.'

Smiling, eyes half-closed, he affectionately nuzzled into the same spot as before.

{Dianne smiles. sighing in contentment.}

Dianne: "Well...if there's one thing I can impart to her....it's to always stand up for yourself....and to not take crap from other people...."

{She then starts kissing him down the side of his face. Without adjusting, she can only reach his jaw line.}

Armin let her kiss him as far as she could reach, then shifted upwards so he was slightly higher on the bed than her. 'Well, not taking cra.p from anyone is something you're very good at...' he murmured close to her ear. 'I find it very admirable.'

{Finding herself in this new position, Dianne kisses Armin down his cheek and on his neck, just under his jaw.}

Dianne: "Mmm...yeah? I'm flattered....Anything else....you find admirable about me?"

Armin's eyes narrowed further. Being so close to him, she would likely be able to feel his pulse quickening.

'Admirable? Lots of things. How you've survived so long. How much you know. How confident you are, no matter what we're up against. Your strength - honestly, I have no problem with you being stronger than me.'

{Dianne felt his pulse quicken, but continued to kiss his neck.}

Dianne: "That's a relief.....most dragons would hate that I'm stronger than them....Hey.....I know we can't go the whole way if Esme's coming in soon, but....Just let me know when to stop, ok?"

Armin didn't answer immediately. He had a brief telepathic exchange with Rex.

'...Apparently Esme is doing stuff in Rex's room. She might be a while... Rex said he'll warn me before she comes up... Don't stop yet...'

Dianne: "...Ok..."

{She proceeds to kiss and playfully nip his neck, slowly working her way down. She start to breathe more deeply as she goes along.}

Armin closed his eyes, biting his lower lip. Pushing his hands under the edges of her shirt, he slowly trailed them down her sides, scratching his nails across her ribs when she nipped at him. His breathing was becoming rough, but he was otherwise quiet.

{Dianne lets out a low growl, shuddering slightly. Her breathing quickened and became shallow. She bit down a little harder, slipping her hand into his shirt, splaying her hand across his chest.}

Armin drew in a sharp breath when he felt her bite down harder, reflexively digging his nails into her ribs in response. He shifted a little so he was lying on his back instead of mostly on his side.

{Dianne gives out a quiet groan, repositioning to be above him. She starts moving up his neck again, nipping just under his jaw and tightening her grip,}

Letting out a quiet whimper, he grabbed her under the jaw and tilted her head up higher, kissing her almost roughly. His breathing was ragged by that point, and he was really hoping that Rex could keep Esme occupied for a while.

{She seemed to really like that, as she responded with a surprised and contented, "Oh", and proceeded to grab him roughly, hold him closer, and roll onto her back with him.}

Dianne: "Yeah....Keep doing that..."

(Maybe we should skip before this gets out of hand? XDD)

(Hmm yeah, I guess we should just leave them to it. XD
I also need to post a new room because this one is dying.)

(Yes. One more assault is needed.)