'Of course. We already decided on Alexandria. For some reason, enemies really like destroying my jackets. And I'd be happy to go hunting with you too.'

Dianne: Alright then. It's a date."

{Smiling fondly, she looks about the room.}

Dianne: "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to get out now."

'Alright, give me a minute.'

He climbed out of the bath, then eyed the tub, with its high sides.

'Lifting you out is going to be harder than getting you in... Do you think you could stand just for a second, so I can pick you up without having to bend so far?' He leaned over the tub so she could use him as support if needed.

Dianne: "Yeah, I can manage."

{Grabbing onto him, she hefts herself to her feet, Leaning rather heavily onto him.}

With a grunt of effort, Armin lifted her out of the bath. He then set her down, handing her a large bath towel to dry off. After draining the water from the tub, he grabbed another towel and started vigorously scrubbing his hair dry.

{Accepting the towel with a mutter of thanks, she proceeds to dry herself off. Once she was adequately dry, she then started drying her hair with the towel.}

Armin pulled his towel around himself like a cloak. 'All the clothes are in the bedroom... hold on, I'll bring your stuff in for you...'

He proceeded to leave the room and walk across the upper landing in his towel, returning a minute later with both of their needed garments.

Dianne: "Great, thanks."

{Taking her garments from Armin, she proceeds to dress herself.}

Armin got dressed as well, wearing his usual comfortable sleepwear. He seemed more drowsy now, standing there with eyes half-closed. When Dianne was ready, he picked her up and began to carry her to the bedroom. Esme was already sleeping on the bed when they got in.

{Dianne also seemed tired, closing her eyes as Armin carried her. Once they were both in bed, she immediately snuggled up to Armin, wrapping her arms around him.}

Dianne: "Hold me..."

Armin hummed quietly in response, hugging her and pulling her close. He didn't say anything, just closing his eyes and enjoying the cosy atmosphere.

{With a contented sigh, she dozed off almost immediately.}

(Shall we skip to morning?)

(Yes, who goes?)

(I'll go this time.)

----

Around 9AM the next morning, Armin awoke, from an unusually pleasant dream in which he'd been flying over the northern plains in hawk form, on a warm and peaceful afternoon. He woke gently, blinking down at Dianne before closing his eyes again.

//Soon... soon, we can go flying like that again.//

{She stirred slightly, snuggling closer, before settling down again. Opening her eyes, she looks at Armin.}

Dianne: "Good morning..."

'Morning...' said Armin, his eyes still closed. 'How do you feel today?'

Dianne: "...A bit better...too tired to get up right now..."

{Closing her eyes again, she nuzzles into his shoulder.}

Dianne: "Maybe later..."

'That's fine. It's quite early, still.' He squeezed her slightly, then started absently rubbing her back while he held her. 'And I'm not going anywhere.'

Dianne: "Good...keep rubbing my back..."

{She seemed to fall asleep after that, too comfortable to move.}

Armin continued quietly rubbing her back until he was sure she was asleep. After that, he drifted back off to sleep himself, undisturbed.

{A few hours later, Dianne stirred again, opening here eyes drowsily.}

Dianne: "Crowley's species are carrion eaters...don't let him kiss you..."

{And with that, she closes her eyes again and snuggles into Armin.}

Armin stirred awake at that, blinking confusedly as he wondered if he'd imagined what he just heard. Shrugging it off, he wrapped his arms more tightly around Dianne and kissed her forehead. //Hmm, I'd have expected her to be less exhausted by now, but oh well... I guess there's nothing to do but wait...//

{Dianne opens her eyes again a few minutes later.}

Dianne: "Mmmmm....I'm hungry now....."

Armin shifted slightly. 'You're always either hungry or sleeping, typical dragon,' he said jokingly.

Dianne: "Heheheh...yeah...not like you're much better..."

{She says teasingly.}

Dianne: "I wonder what Rex will make today."

'He could probably make whatever you want, as long as we have the ingredients for it...'

Armin let out a vast yawn as he spoke, showing his fangs. He continued to lie back comfortably, stubbornly holding onto her.

Dianne: "...So, are we going to go eat or.....what?...."

He sighed. 'Yeah...' He let go of her and got out of bed, handing her her clothes before starting to get dressed himself.

{Sitting up with ease, Dianne quickly gets dressed. She seems a bit more energetic today.}

Dianne: "Too bad we don't have an open balcony or something. I woul like to get some air or something.."

(How much longer is it going to take before Dianne is recovered?)

Armin shrugged. 'We could always go out in the car. We could go outside the city and drive through the country, with the windows down. The air's fresh out there.'

(Oh, about three days. You want to just skip to that morning?)

(Yeah, go ahead. There's kinda not much to do right now.)

(Alright. I'll get on that.)

-----------Three days later-------------

{Dianne awakens around 10 am, stirring, finding herself comfortably settled in Armin's embrace. She felt much better today than she had in the past week. However, she elects to stay in Armin's grasp until he awakens. Settling in, she waits for him to wake up.}

Armin stirred around twenty minutes later. He woke up, but was very comfortable. Mumbling an almost incoherent 'Morning', he put his head against the front of her shoulder with a long, contented breath, not opening his eyes.

Dianne: "Good morning, sweetheart."

{She says cheerily.}

Dianne: "What would you like to do today?"

'Why do you sound so... awake...' Armin muttered drowsily. 'And not half-dead like you usually do...?' He shifted a bit to look up at her, squinting against the light.

{Armin is met with Dianne's smiling face. Her eyes are now back to their usual color.}

Dianne: "Oh, it's probably just because I'm feeling much better today, and I really want to go do things outside. Like flying and hunting."

Armin eyed her for a moment, taking in the sight of her red and black eyes. He smiled faintly.

'Well, I'm glad you're better now... Flying and hunting sounds good.'

He then gave a small yawn and proceeded to roll on top of her, settling down comfortably, knowing full well that she was capable of freeing herself this time.

{Chuckling, she wraps her arms around him and kisses his neck.}

Dianne: "I know you don't like mornings so take all the time you need. Rest if you need it."

Armin squirmed slightly at the neck kiss, but responded in a normal tone.

'Oh, I'll get up in a minute. I'd like to go outside too. Try not to get hit by light magic anytime soon, will you? I know you're not very good at that, but try,' he said teasingly.

Dianne: "Very funny. I doubt that'll happen again anytime soon, so we should be ok."

{Still holding onto him, she snuggles into him, content to wait until he was ready to move.}

After about five minutes, Armin shifted and pulled himself upright. Blinking, he started looking in the closet for something to wear. Esme lifted her head and quietly surveyed them both.

{Getting up as well, Dianne gets her clothes and walks to the bath to change. Once done, she heads downstairs.}

Downstairs, Rex had started making eggs for breakfast, not aware that Dianne was better now. Armin, once dressed, followed her down, chased by a playful Esme. He sat on the couch, and she jumped onto his lap, nudging at him.

{Dianne walks right into the kitchen, observing Rex cooking.}

Dianne: "Good morning, Rex."

'Morning,' said Rex. Then he did a double take, glancing back at Dianne. 'Oh. You're walking now, not being carried around by our mutual friend,' he observed dryly.

Dianne: "Yep. I'm feeling much better now. Armin and I are going out after breakfast to get some exercise. You're welcome to join us if you want."

'I might,' said Rex, watching the eggs. 'Since Armin's blood supply expired, mine did too. I could use a hunt. If you two wouldn't prefer to be alone, of course.'

Dianne: "No, I think he'd very much like to have you along. You should come with us."

'Well, alright then. I'll come.' Rex calmly continued making the food. 'We can take turns making breakfast from now on, if you like. I don't mind cooking.'

Dianne: "Sure. I don't mind at all."

{Walking out into the living room, she sits next to Armin.}

Dianne: "Rex is coming with us today. He needs blood as well. While we're out, we might as well take him for that guitar as well."

'Yes, let's do that. I've been meaning to since before Alicia attacked you,' said Armin. 'We can all go fly together... then hit the guitar store... sounds like a nice afternoon.'

Dianne: "It does. I also need a new phone. Why is it that every time someone tries to kill me, the always destroy something of mine? First my coat and jacket, then my phone."

'Well, at least you're rolling in money, so it's not hard to replace the things you lose,' said Armin lightly. 'So, how are we going to get to Alexandria this time? I seem to remember it took a few days to fly there. Will we fly again, or use Titan and the truck?'

Dianne: "Titan and the truck. I'm not camping the whole way there again."

'Sounds fine. Maybe once we get into the city itself, I can drive us,' said Armin, grinning. 'I won't pass up an opportunity to drive that thing.'

As they talked, Rex came in with breakfast for Dianne and Esme. He hadn't made anything for himself or Armin.

Dianne: "Yeah, beats walking."

{She says chuckling. Aceepting her food with a grunt of thanks, she starts eating.}

Armin sat quietly while the others ate their breakfast, gazing out the window. He was eager to go outside and fly, after not being out much for a few days.

{After a few minutes, Dianne finishes. Taking her plate to the kitchen, she calls out to Armin and Rex.}

Dianne: "I'm going to pack a lunch for Esme. Get anything you want to bring with us ready."

Armin and Rex immediately headed off to get ready. Rex came out of his room wearing a warm trench coat and black boots, while Armin emerged wearing a blue fleece jacket and sneakers. They waited in the front hall for Dianne and Esme to join them.

'Is that Akhetian thing going to follow us the whole way?' Rex muttered.

'I don't know. Maybe,' said Armin. 'He did before. Not that he'll be any good at protecting us if something happens.'

Pugna: "I heard that, jacka$$!"

{Dianne walks to the front hall and hands Armin Esme's lunch.}

Dianne: "Hey, sweetie, do you have a jacket I can borrow? All mine were destroyed..."

'Sorry, no,' said Armin, ignoring Pugna from outside. 'This is all I have left. My old one, and the one from Alexandria, were both destroyed. I'll give you this one if it's too cold outside.'

Esme hopped and skipped around everyone's ankles, seeming excited.

{Dianne took a moment to think.}

Dianne: "No, I'll be fine. Let's go."

{She then scoops up Esme and heads out the door, towards the truck.}

Armin climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine. Not wanting to sit in the back of the truck, Rex shifted to raven form and clambered up onto the back of Armin's seat.

'Alright, let's roll,' said Armin once everyone was in. He trundled off down the road, seeming quite happy to drive the truck.

{Dianne happily sat in the passenger's seat with Esme, watching the city go by in the window.}

Dianne: "So, where are we going to hunt?"

Armin pointed in a vaguely northern direction as he navigated the busy streets. 'Onto the plains, but not too close to Bloodwater Lake... If we go east a little, there's forest, and if we go west a little, there's mountains. Take your pick.'

Dianne: "Let's go for the forest. I feel like deer today..."

'There's probably plenty of them.' Armin headed for the forest outside the city. He was being careful not to go near the edge of the lake, where he had last hunted and subsequently run into Death's Aspect.

'Huh, I don't think I've ever seen you hunt before. On our trip, you always sent the draugrs to do it.'

Dianne: "Yeah, I was being lazy. Fair warning, I'm a messy eater."

{She looks out to the forest with interest.}

Dianne: "Barnabas will stay with Esme while we're out there."

'I'll leave the window open a little so she can breathe the air. It smells nice out here.'

Having driven off the road, Armin parked just outside the forest, before the trees got too dense to admit the truck. After cracking the window, he climbed out and locked up the doors.

{Dianne gets out and deposits Esme on the seat.}

Dianne: "We'll be back soon, ok, sweetheart? Just stay here for now."

{She then closes the door, looking to Armin.}

Dianne: "Ready?"

Esme whined and pressed her ears back, gazing longingly out into the trees.

Armin nodded, scanning the area. 'Let's shift and get up in the air. I hope you're good at sneaking up on deer. If we're lucky, we might come across a whole pack.'

{Chuckling, she shifts and takes to the skies. The wind from her takeoff rocks the truck a bit.}

Dianne: "Try to keep up!"

Armin shifted to hawk form and leapt into the sky in pursuit, ascending quickly and sweeping over the forest. He kept pace easily, his speed close to hers. However, he decided to stay a short way behind her to watch where she went.

{Swiftly gliding over the treetops, she watches the woods below, looking for deer to ambush.}

As they flew, a gap in the treetops showed a large clearing where several deer were gathered together. When Armin noticed them, he silently glided a bit lower, watching their every move. They didn't seem to have noticed him or Dianne yet.

{Seeing the deer, Dianne flies upward. Once at a proper altitude, she enters a steep nose dive, headed right for the clearing.}

The deer became aware of Dianne when she was about sixty feet above them. In a panic, they started to scatter, attempting to run into the thicker trees.

{By that point, Dianne was going to fast for the deer to go far, swooping into the clearing, she grabs two deer right off the ground, holding them in her hind feet. Laughing maniacally, she just barely clears the tree line, gliding right above the forest, slowing down.}

As Dianne made her strike, Armin dove down into the forest and attacked a smaller deer that had already fled into the trees. Shifting to wolf form, he killed it with a bite to the neck. He then dragged the deer through the trees, towards the spot where Dianne had landed.

Rex had lagged behind a little, too busy watching them hunt to catch anything himself.

{Dianne had landed a short distance away, in another clearing. She was lying on her belly, with one deer still grasped in her hind foot, struggling fruitlessly. Dianne had pinned the other under her fore paws, and was devouring it.}

Armin dragged his kill to a spot about thirty feet from Dianne, eyeing the deer she was tearing into. Then, still in wolf form, he bit deep into his deer's throat and started to hungrily suck its blood.

Rex hovered above the clearing in raven form. //Two deer? Quite a lot, don't you think?// he remarked to Dianne.

Dianne: "No. I normally eat four in one sitting."

{She replied, looking up at Rex while licking the blood off her muzzle.}

Dianne: "You didn't catch anything?"

//I'm going further afield to look for rabbits. Or birds,// Rex replied. //I don't like the taste of deer blood.//

With that, he swooped off towards the lake edge to hunt something else. Armin glanced up briefly, then returned to his prey.

Dianne: "Eh, more for me."

{Having finished with the first deer, she reaches around and gets the second one in her jaws, brutally crushing it to death in her teeth.}

After drinking a good amount of the blood from his kill, Armin stood up, swaying slightly at the rush of power. He looked over at Dianne.

//You can have this one, too, if you want more,// he offered. //The meat goes to waste otherwise.//

Dianne: "Thanks, hon'."

{Walking over with the bloody carcass of the deer in her mouth, she pulls his deer over and continues eating.}

Armin paced around in a circle, seeming restless. He then took off running through the forest, seemingly for no reason other than to burn off energy.

Moments later, Rex came flying back, smelling faintly of duck. He landed on a nearby tree branch and sat quietly.

{Eyeing Armin with concern, Dianne continues with her meal. Once finished, she looks around for Armin.}

Dianne: "Armin? Where'd you go?"

The forest around Dianne was completely silent. Then suddenly, Armin erupted from the undergrowth in wolf form, ambushing her. Yipping playfully, he sprung at her and nipped at her foreleg.

//Hah! Caught you.//

{Dianne just blinked at Armin, then smiled widely.}

Dianne: "Yes, you got me."

{With a quick, smooth motion, she grabs him up in her fore paw.}

Dianne: "But now, I have you."

(Posting new room)