----

Hours later, at around 2AM, Armin was comfortably sleeping beside Dianne. Then, quite suddenly, he seemed to become restless, instinctively lifting his head and scenting the air.

//...Something's not... quite right...//

{Dianne stirred slightly, not opening her eyes.}

Dianne: "Hmmmm....What?....."

{She mumbles tiredly.}

Armin blinked rapidly to try and wake himself up. '...I just need to go check on something. You can stay asleep.' He patted her shoulder, then swung himself out of bed and headed for the door. Esme was too deeply asleep to notice anything.

{She settled back into the bed, quickly drifting off again.}

Armin quietly went downstairs, senses alert for any sign of a disturbance. As he reached the dark living room, he was hit by the smell of Rex mixed with alcohol.

'Rex...?' he said warily.

Rex was sitting on the couch, gripping a glass of some drink. As Armin entered, he looked up, blinking and struggling to focus.

'What're you doing here?' he slurred. 'I didn' call for you.'

'I came because I knew something was going on. I've been keeping my eye on you since this morning,' said Armin grimly. 'Why are you drinking?'

'Leave me alone,' Rex grumbled, swaying. 'I need /some/ way to drown out the memories, don't I?'

'You could've talked to me. I'm always glad to help you. You know that.'

'It's not your problem. You're happy now, with your... money and your... girlfriend... I won't ruin your happiness... Won't drag you down with me...'

(Will continue, this is a novel post)

Armin didn't look impressed. 'So what? You thought I just wouldn't want to talk to you anymore? Is that it?'

Then he recognised the smell of what Rex was drinking.

'Hold on, is that /Akhetian Ale?/ Did you forget how strong that stuff is?'

He tried to grab the glass, but Rex swiftly drained the contents. 'I said, leave me alone,' he growled. 'It's none... of your business...'

'Why are you so determined to ruin your own life? Sargon's gone, you've got me, you've got a home, you can be happy - or do you just /enjoy/ being miserable? What do you even want? Pity?'

Rex drunkenly lunged at him. Armin easily dodged, but accidentally knocked over a chair in the process, producing a loud crash.

(That's all)

{At the crash, Dianne jolts awake.}

Dianne: "What the hell?!"

{Jumping out of bed, she orders Barnabas to stay with Esme, then goes to investigate.}

Dianne: "What's going on down there?"

{She calls from the top of the stairs.}

Armin slowly pulled the chair upright, his gaze flickering towards Dianne's voice.

'It's OK. It's just me and Rex,' he called back. 'He's had a bit too much to drink.'

'Like heeeeeII,' Rex slurred. 'I can drink what I want... Who are you... my mother?'

{Muttering angrily, Dianne walks down the stairs and into the room.}

Dianne: "Rex, you know you shouldn't be drinking. What is this? Why are you doing this?"

'Staaay ouuut of it...' growled Rex.

'I want to know the answer, too, actually,' said Armin, folding his arms. 'You finally have a chance to be happy. So why are you doing this?'

'Happy?' Rex scoffed. 'Maybe the death of Saaargon was enough to make /you/ happy, but me? There's no point in me trying to be happy. I'll always have these memories, these dam.n nightmares... nothing... is enough...'

He trailed off into incoherent mumbling.

{At that, Dianne sighs.}

Dianne: "Rex...I get it...the nightmares suck....the regret, the reliving the worst times of your life nightly....take it from someone who's spent the last two thousand years drifting and hiding from their own regret, this isn't the way to fix this...You can overcome this...you can be happy again..."

Rex squinted at Dianne, struggling to listen, much less comprehend.

'...So you're saying that since /you/ overcame some cra.p, I should be able to as well?' he grumbled. 'That just makes me a failure. Sometimes, I'm happy, but then everything comes rushing back to ruin it - like the universe doesn't /want/ me to be happy.'

Dianne: 'Rex, that's not what I'm saying at all....The memories coming back does not make you a failure, and it's not some divine intervention either...It's all just you. The solution to every problem is within itself. You just need some help, that's all. We're here for you."

'Heh.... Maybe you're right... Must be nice... to be that optimistic...'

Rex swayed, his speech fumbling as the effects of the potent ale caught up with him. Armin stepped forwards and firmly pulled him into a hug. Rex didn't flinch from his touch, but gripped him unsteadily as Armin held him upright.

'You'll feel better in the morning,' said Armin soothingly. 'We'll talk more then.'

Dianne: "Yes, you should get some sleep. You're just drunk, that's all..."

Rex mumbled something in response. A moment later, he sagged in Armin's grasp. Armin shifted a bit to support his weight, holding him protectively.

'...Well, he passed out... Probably for the best...'

Dianne: "Probably...Jeeze, I guess I'll have to have the guardians posted in the basement to keep him from potentially hurting himself with the ale..."

'Yeah. Honestly, I didn't think he'd go that far. It's been a few months since he relapsed like that. He'll get better - he always does - but it's hard to watch.'

Armin easily picked up Rex, who was very much unconscious, and started to carry him back to his room.

Dianne: "Maybe...maybe we shoud consider taking him to rehab, or something....This is troubling..."

{Dianne followed Armin back to Rex's room.}

'I don't think he'd ever agree to go. And I'm not going to force him...'

Armin kicked open the door and carried Rex into the room, depositing him on the bed.

'...If it's any consolation, he's improved a lot since our Shacklestone days... he kinda scared me back then sometimes.'

Dianne: "I suppose...I still think we should keep it in mind...Maybe even have Lucci talk to him...That guy's annoying, but he makes a half decent shrink..."

'Maybe. Though I can't see him opening up to /Lucci,/ someone he doesn't know, when he's barely been open with anyone his whole life.'

After making sure Rex was as comfortable as possible, Armin quietly left the room, glancing back as he left.

{Dianne follows Armin out.}

Dianne: "True...Lucci has....historically.....taken the forms of those we love, in order to get through to people...but, that might just freak him out..."

Armin scratched his jaw, pausing for a moment before starting up the stairs.

'That sounds a bit manipulative... But I guess if it works, it works... I'm honestly not sure who he'd take the form of, when it comes to Rex. And yeah, it might just disturb him anyway.'

Dianne: "Yeah...Probably a bad idea..."

{She follows him up the stairs. Once they get back to the bedroom, Dianne lies back down on the bed.}

Dianne: "...He worries me....I don't want him being drunk and beligerant around Esme..."

'He wasn't around her,' said Armin as he lay down, shifting around and trying to get comfortable. 'She's up here, safe and with no idea what's going on. He doesn't typically get drunk in the daytime, either, so don't worry too much.'

{Sighing, she snuggles up to Armin, resting her head on his chest.}

Dianne: "That's true...It's too late at night to be worrying about this..."

'Yeah. We'll just see how he's doing in the morning.' Armin sighed, then grumbled, 'I was relaxed before, now I'm wide awake because of that...'

Dianne: "...Sorry to hear that...would me stroking your hair help?..."

'Yeah... if you don't mind... I don't want to keep you awake too long.'

Dianne: "Babe, I would /never/ mind doing this for you...Come here, sweetheart..."

{Pulling Armin into her arms, she starts to gently stroke his hair.}

Dianne: "Rex is going to be just fine....He'll get through it, and we'll help him do it..."

Armin snuggled up to her, trying to get as close as possible. He let out a long breath of enjoyment. 'I know... He has these moments, but he'll be alright... He got through the worst parts of his life...'

{Dianne says nothing, continuing to stroke his hair. As time goes on, her hand motion slows as she starts to fall back asleep.}

Armin was still awake when he felt her drifting off, but he didn't disturb her. He just let himself relax in her arms until, after a while, he fell asleep as well.

(Skip?)

(Yes, you go,)

----

Around midmorning, Armin awoke, feeling both relaxed and faintly uneasy. Not opening his eyes, he sent out a gently questioning telepathic thought towards Rex, and was met with a tired grumble in response. //Well, at least he's awake and coherent...//

Not willing to get up so early, he just lay in Dianne's embrace and let his mind wander.

{Dianne did not wake for a few hours more. Stirring slightly, she opens her eyes to look at Armin.}

Dianne: "Good morning....."

Armin had dozed off by then. Blinking, he glanced up to see she was awake, then affectionately kissed her cheek and snuggled down again.

'Morning... so... errands today... you need to send Pythia some money for me, and I need to take Rex to get a guitar, if he's feeling up to it...'

{Dianne hugs him tighter, getting comfortable.}

Dianne: "Yep...I'll have to go to the bank to exchange more gold and make the transfer...If he wants the guitar, send me the bill....I don't mind paying for it."

'You have way too much money, so yes, you can pay,' said Armin humorously. 'If we have time later this afternoon, maybe we could go flying again... I want to hunt a little... drinking preserved stuff all the time isn't very good for vampire instincts.'

Dianne: "Sure...If we can find the time...That sounds lovely...."

{Despite the conversation, she seems to be falling back asleep.}

Armin smirked a little, nuzzling under her jaw. 'You sure you want to go back to sleep? It is getting a little late...'

{Dianne stirred awake at that, blinking rapidly.}

Dianne: "Alright, I'm up....Yeah, we have a lot to do today..."

{Sitting up, she starts trying to rou

*Rouse herself from her drowsiness.}

Armin propped himself up on his elbow, eyeing her with a mixture of amusement and concern. 'Are you tired because we were woken up in the middle of the night?'

Dianne: "Yeah, probably...it was pretty late."

{Standing up, she gathers her clothes.}

Dianne: "I'll be fine, though. I just needed a minute to wake up."

'If you're sure...' Yawning, Armin got to his feet and absently starting pulling his jeans and shirt on. 'I'm gonna go and check on Rex, so I'll meet you downstairs.' He started to head out, followed by an alert Esme.

{Dianne nods, heading to the bath to get dressed. After a few minutes, she emerges and heads down the stairs, into the kitchen.}

Armin went downstairs, finding Rex on the couch with a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper. He looked quite calm and normal, albeit a little paler than usual. Armin stood behind the couch, looking down at him and waiting expectantly.

'I'm alright,' Rex grunted after a few moments. 'Just hungover.'

'Good to hear. Look, we're taking you somewhere later, if you feel up to going out.'

Curiosity sparked in Rex's eyes. 'Where?'

'Eh, you'll see.'

{Dianne boiled eggs for breakfast, coming out of the kitchen with two bowlfuls and a plate of assorted fruit. Putting Esme's share on the table, Dianne sits on the couch with hers, remaining silent.}

Esme jumped up onto the table to begin eating. Halfway through the meal, Rex spoke up gruffly.

'Sorry for last night. You probably think I'm insane, but I'm fine now. I just had an unusually vivid dream and didn't want to think afterwards.'

{Dianne sighs, putting down her bowl of eggs.}

Dianne: "That's ok, Rex. I have nightmares too, sometimes. However, I hope that this is the last time you decide to get drunk, and lunge at Armin."

'Can't promise anything,' said Rex. 'But I'll try my best.'

'If you have a nightmare like that again, wake me up,' said Armin. 'I don't mind coming downstairs at 2AM to sit here and talk to you. It'll be just like the old days. Also, I don't hold a grudge for you lunging at me. We've both done worse...'

{Dianne glances warily between Armin and Rex.}

Dianne: "It really isn't an issue if you come wake us up when you're having a hard time, Rex. I'd rather you do that instead of getting violently drunk."

Rex opened his mouth to protest that he wasn't violent, then just sighed quietly. 'Yes, fine, I'll talk to you next time. I don't want this to happen again either, you know. Sometimes it's just difficult to control.'

'Good,' said Armin, wrapping one arm around Rex and pulling him against his side in a brief, but sincere hug.

{Picking her egg bowl back up, Dianne continues to eat.}

Dianne: "Yes, we're here to help you. We're your friends, and we care about you."

Rex said nothing, letting Armin hug him and then returning to his newspaper, looking like he wasn't sure what to feel. Armin gazed out the window, silent as he contemplated various things.

{Once Dianne finished her meal, she returned her bowl to the kitchen and headed down to the basement. Digging through the urns, she gathered up a hefty amount of gold and headed back upstairs.}

Dianne: "Well, I'm off to the bank. I'll be back."

Armin nodded, and got up to follow her to the door. 'Be careful. This is the first time any of us are going out alone since the hunter thing started. I know they're gone now, but stay alert anyway.' He gave her a brief goodbye hug.

{Dianne returned the hug.}

Dianne: "Of course. I'll have Barnabas with me. I'll call when I'm on my way back."

{Kissing him on the forehead, Dianne sets off.}

(So, should she come back ok, or bruised and bloody, with green eyes instead of red?)

(I can't quite tell whether you're being serious about that or not. XD)

(I am being serious. Alicia is still in play. XD Another thing we could do is have Armin encounter her when Dianne isn't around, so she can throw some shade at him, and maybe provide some background to her motivation.)

(Armin finding Alicia sounds interesting. I can arrange for him to go out without Dianne so he can encounter her.
Or, if Dianne gets attacked by her, then Armin would probably go out looking for her for revenge. XD It all depends how you want to set it up.)

(Ok, I think I'll skip forward to Dianne coming home injured, then we could have Armin go out later. What do you think?)

(Alrighty, go ahead.)

--------

{About an hour and a half had passed since Dianne left. No phone call had come through, despite her saying that she would call. All at once, She bursts through the door, carrying with her the scent of blood.}

Dianne: "Armin?!"

{She stumbled through the hall, trailing blood. She had painful slashes on her back and arms, and her knuckles were bloodied. She was breathing heavily from exhaustion.}

Armin was standing in the living room, fully dressed, looking like he'd been about to go out and search for her. When she burst in, his head snapped up, expression shifting to alarm and anger. Not anger at her, but at whoever was responsible.

'What?' he said, hurrying over and grabbing onto her for support. 'What the heII happened?!' he snarled.

Dianne: "Alicia...Alicia ambushed me...as I was leaving the bank... She broke my phone...I...."

{With a pained expression, her legs give way, and she slumps forward into him.}

Dianne: "Sorry....Sorry....I'm ok...Just...got a little light headed..."

Armin caught hold of her, then scooped her up and carried her over to the couch, carefully sitting her down.

'Alicia? That light mage? Why the hell is she still after you? She's got no reason to!' he exclaimed. He started to look over her wounds, checking their severity.

{Dianne grimaces as she's set down. The cuts aren't very deep, but the flesh around them look burned, as if she was cut with a very hot blade.}

Dianne: "I don't know....she probably holds a grudge....Pugna was there when I was attacked....he, Barnabas, and I killed her brother when they attacked..."

(Hold on, does that mean her brother was killed just now, or did that happen at some earlier point?)

(Just now, but it was purposely unclear.)

'Yeah, well, you obviously killed him in self-defence,' said Armin grimly, half-distracted by her injuries. 'She doesn't have any right to hold grudges when he brought his death upon himself... Should we go find Pythia? These cuts don't look deep, but still...'

{Dianne nods in response. Her movements are slowing as the adrenaline wears off, and she's turning a little pale.}

Dianne: "Yes....Gods, that hurts..."

Armin nodded. Bending down, he picked her up and began to carry her outside to the car. //Rex, I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Esme,// he said, knowing that if Rex had an important job to do, he wouldn't get drunk tonight.

'You weren't hit by any light magic, were you?' he asked as he settled her into the car. 'Alicia is a light mage...'

{Dianne opens her eyes and looks at him. Her eyes are green.}

Dianne: "Yeah...but not too much...I think I'll be ok...."

Armin glanced at her with concern, then started the engine and drove off noisily down the road.

'How the hell did Alicia survive if Barnabas and Pugna were there too? In fact, how did you get hurt at all? Pugna must be more useless than I thought,' he muttered darkly.

(Will post a new room in a little while, wait to reply until I do.)

Pugna: "Hey! They warped on top of her with magic portals!"

Dianne: "Without the shrouded bastion, we couldn't avoid the attack..."