'Good morning,' said Rex. Esme began tearing into her breakfast.

'So, do you want to go out somewhere after this and spar?' Armin asked. 'We could go to the park, maybe. Fresh air for Esme, too.'

Dianne: "Sure. We'll leave once breakfast is done."

{With that, she begins eating.}

'Sparring?' said Rex, a faint hint of wariness in his voice. '...I'll go with you, if you don't mind.'

Dianne: "Alright. I understand your weariness, but I promise you, there won't be a repeat of last time."

Rex didn't reply. He knew that circumstances had changed since last time, but unlike Armin, he didn't have a reason to trust Dianne completely, so he couldn't help being afraid.

Armin boredly watched the TV while he waited for them to finish eating.

{After a few minutes, Dianne finished eating. Taking her plate to the kitchen, she speaks up.}

Dianne: "Let me change into something I can move around more comfortably in. Take Esme and meet me outside."

Armin nodded, getting up. Moving briskly, he put his shoes on and grabbed Esme, heading out to wait in the truck. Rex accompanied him, but opted to fly above the truck in raven form. Armin leaned back in the front seat, gazing out the windshield as he waited.

{After a few minutes, Dianne appears wearing pants and a tank top. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she had boots on. Hopping into the truck, she smiles at Armin.}

Dianne: "Alright, let's go."

Armin glanced at her, then started the truck and headed off. It was a sunny day; cool, breezy, and smelling of autumn.

'You look nice like that,' he said, shooting her a casual, flirtatious grin before returning his eyes to the road, heading for the big park.

{Dianne gives him an amused grin.}

Dianne: "Thanks. Maybe I should dress casually like this more often."

'Maybe. It suits you.' Humming quietly, Armin continued to drive. When they arrived at their destination, he parked up and gazed out of the window. The park looked rather quiet today.

'Not too many people around to worry about what we're doing. That's good.'

Dianne: "Yes, that's very good."

{Scooping up Esme, Dianne hops out of the car.}

Locking up the truck, Armin sauntered in through the park gates, taking deep breaths of the cool air. The only people in sight were a few by the lakeside, walking their dogs. Rex glided overhead, surveying the landscape.

{Dianne heads for a small patch of trees near the edge of the park, making sure to stay away from the lake.}

Dianne: "Ok, how do you want to do this?"

Armin turned to face her, keeping several feet back and contemplating.

'Well, you're the one who called my punch on Crowley 'trash tier', so... tell me what you think I should have done differently. Tell me some tricks I can use for hand-to-hand fights. Then maybe we'll see how we fare against each other.'

Dianne: "Ok, well, here's the thing. You're fast. Really fast. When he was reeling from your punch, that was your chance to follow up. You grab his snout and the scruff of his neck, and slam your knee into his throat. You just kind of punched him and backed off."

'Yeeaah, that's true... I guess I expected the first hit to knock him out, so I didn't think to follow it up. I'll make sure I remember that next time.'

Dianne: "Here's a rule of thumb, until they're dead on the floor, don't let up. And even then, it doesn't hurt to double tap."

'Fair enough,' said Armin. 'Especially for people like Crowley. He never seems to go down. Anything else?'

Dianne: "That's all I have for now."

{Putting Esme down, she looks up at Rex.}

Dianne: "Hey, Rex, keep an eye on Esme for us, would you?"

//I'll be keeping an eye on all of you,// Rex replied. He flew down and shifted back to human form, sitting down on a fallen tree. Esme wandered around him, searching for small rocks.

Armin shifted his stance, watching Dianne attentively. He hadn't really sparred like this before, only with weapons, so he was curious to see how it would go down.

{Dianne looks over at Armin, wearing a contemplative expression.}

Dianne: "Maybe we shouldn't just outright attac each other. What's likely to happen is that I'll destroy you, then you'll get mad, then Rex will get worried...Why don't we just drill some grappling techniques. That seems to be your weakest point..."

Armin looked rather put out, dropping his battle-ready stance. '...OK then... What does that involve?'

Dianne: "I'll just show you things like how to break someone's grip on you, and some submission holds. Simple stuff that will help you the next time you decide to punch someone stronger than you."

{She says, chuckling.}

'Alright... Go on, then...' Armin seemed less enthusiastic about this now, but paid close attention, knowing he could pick up something important.

Dianne: "Ok, let's start with your stance: When you grapple with someone, your footing is essential. Put your non dominant foot back and turn it outward, like this, and put your dominant foot forward."

Armin shifted, pushing his right foot slightly forwards and adjusting his left foot to mirror her stance. 'Like that?'

Dianne: "Yes. This stance will give the most stability. Here."

{She approaches Armin and assumes the stance.}

Dianne: "Now, I'm going to grab you, like this. Now what you have to do is is cut in with your arms..."

{She proceeds to show Armin various ways to break grips and get out of holds. She was careful to not be too rough with him.}

Armin followed along with all the techniques she showed him, not saying much throughout, but trying to remember everything. On the fallen log in the distance, Rex sat quietly, watching Esme as she scavenged around.

Dianne: "Very good. Now come here."

{Dianne then grabs onto his collar.}

Dianne: "Now break free."

He paused briefly to contemplate his move instead of instinctively reacting. He used one of the techniques she had just shown him to break free. Then, he immediately followed it up by grabbing her collar and throwing a lightning-fast punch at her head, too fast for her to dodge. He didn't actually let the punch land, but his fist swung centimetres past her face.

Dianne: "Good, n-"

{Dianne stopped abruptly when Armin swung at her. after it went by, she siezed up and fell backwards onto the grass. Despite the punch not landing, she was so surprised that she briefly didn't know what to do.}

Dianne: "D-did you just swing at me?"

Armin cocked his head, looking down at her with no small amount of surprise. That was clearly not the reaction he would have expected.

'I thought I'd seize the inititive and try doing a follow-up, to see if I could be fast enough. What's the matter? It didn't even touch you.'

Dianne: "I know...I just was /really/ not expecting that. It's fine, let's keep going."

{Standing up, she comes in again. This time, she grabs his wrists}

Dianne: "Alright, break my grip."

Armin jolted with surprise, then freed himself again and stepped backwards. This time, he refrained from throwing any hits at her in retaliation.

'This could be useful. Better than having to shift every time to get away...'

Dianne: "That's exactly what I was going for. Good, good. See what you did there? See how you turned the thin part of your wrist towards the thumb and twisted out of my grip? The thumb is the weakest part of a one handed grip. That's why that works. Now, let's try this..."

{She moves into a low stance and wraps her arms around Armin's abdomen, like she was trying to get him on his back.}

Dianne: "How would you get out of this?"

Armin squinted uncertainly, not remembering anything about this when she'd been showing him techniques. 'Well, I could shift or just punch you, but I assume you have a better method?'

Dianne: "Yes, I do. Assume a wide stance, then move back, as if you were going to sit in a chair."

Frowning slightly, he attempted to mimic this, not quite sure how what she was describing was going to help.

{Surprisingly, what she said to do, worked.}

Dianne: "There you go. Here, last one, then break."

{Coming in once again, she starts to put him in a head lock.}

Dianne: "Ok, how do you get out of this one?"

Armin grunted. 'I don't know... normally I'd just shift...' He tucked his leg around hers and tipped his weight backwards, trying to unbalance her.

{She falls back with a grunt, pulling him down with her. Despite having him in a headlock, she's not actually strangling him.}

Dianne: "Ok, but, I still have a hold on you. Grab my arm, then pull it down and away from yourself. Then, slip out."

Armin did as she suggested, pulling her arm out of the way and twisting himself free. He rolled swiftly to his feet.

'OK, that was good. Though, if you were using your full strength, I doubt I'd be able to do that.'

{One Armin was free, she picks herself up.}

Dianne: "Yeah, but it should be fine against other people. Also, with people stronger than you, you want to grab their arm before they can lock it."

'Alright...' Armin glanced briefly at Rex, who was keeping an eye on Esme to ensure she didn't wander too far. He didn't seem concerned, having seen that they weren't getting violent. 'OK, anything else?'

Dianne: "Yes, but, let's break for now..."

{She then starts walking back to Rex and Esme.}

Dianne: "Tell me, did you honestly just want to have an all out sparring match against me? You seemed disappointed when I told you we weren't doing that."

'Well, not exactly... I'm grateful for you taking the time to instruct me. I learned a lot more this way. I guess it just bothers me a little to see you reconsider sparring with me because you knew you'd destroy me. I don't like remembering how weak I am. Not because I'm self-conscious, but because I feel helpless to protect my friends and family. You have the power to defend those you care about. I don't.'

Dianne: "Don't sell yourself short. I may have eons of combat experience over you, but there are instances where there are people we can't fight, but you can. Alicia for instance. You're not helpless. Together, we can take on anything."

Armin leaned his back against a tree, watching Esme skipping through the grass.

'I guess so... This didn't bother me as much in the past. I'm not sure why it does now. Probably because I didn't often face powerful enemies back in Shacklestone, so I'm only now realising how outclassed I am by everything. Except Alicia.'

Dianne: "You're not outclassed. You're just...still learning, that's all...And I'm happy to teach you how to fight."

{She leans forward and kisses his cheek, trying to reassure him.}

Armin's expression softened fractionally at the kiss.

'I'm grateful for that. It's just frustrating. There were so many times where you nearly died because I couldn't do anything... Although, that time Alicia attacked you, I probably /could/ have helped... But of course, that was the one time I wasn't there...'

Dianne: "Armin, Agamidae was not your fault. No one could have seen that coming. Same thing with the araneos. When Paxton stabbed me, that was my own sloppiness. Sometimes, there's nothing that can be done. Enough with expecting the impossible from yourself."

Armin slowly ran a hand through his hair. 'Fine... I won't dwell on that anymore.'

Dianne: "Thank you."

{She proceeds to briefly hug him.}

Dianne: "It worries me to see you worry."

'Ah, but that's why we're together. So we can perpetually worry each other,' he said with a faint grin. He continued to lean against the tree, briefly enjoying the peacefulness of the park.

Dianne: "Heh, very funny."

{She stands next to him, watching Esme play, content to wait a few minutes before resuming the sparring.}

After a short while, Armin shifted and pushed himself upright. 'Alright, let's get on with whatever else you wanted to show me.'

Dianne: "Ok, let's go."

{She walks with him a short ways, then continues.}

Dianne: "Now, I might as well show you submission holds. Here, if someone grabs you like this..."

{She proceeds to show Armin a variety of arm and leg bars, along with the best way to break and dislocate each.}

Armin absorbed everything she showed him as best as he could. 'OK, that could be useful...'

Dianne: "Alright....hmmm....remind me next time to bring a skeleton for you to practice on..."

{Dianne then looks to Rex, seemingly contemplating.}

Dianne: "I think that's enough for today...You think rex would want to learn any of this stuff?"

Armin relaxed his stance, rolling his shoulders. He briefly glanced at Rex as well. 'Hmm...'

'I have been watching,' Rex replied, having overheard. 'I'm sure I picked up something. Though I'd rather not get involved in this kind of thing. I'd much rather shoot people.'

Dianne: "Alright. I can't help with that. I'm a mediocre marksman at best...Reckon we head back home?"

'Hm, that's kind of surprising,' Armin mused, picking up Esme and setting her on his shoulder. He began to walk back to the gates, Rex trailing behind the group. 'I always assumed that, at your age, you'd pretty much mastered every weapon.'

Dianne: "Meh. Guns just barely came onto the scene. I'll master them later. I have, however, mastered melee weapons. Swords and junk. I'm likely a better swordsman than you."

'You don't have to defend that. It's obvious that you're better than me,' said Armin, shooting her a sideways glance. 'And you clearly manage fine without guns.'

Getting back to the truck, he climbed in with Esme, while Rex shifted to bird form and flew off.

Dianne: "True, true. But, I just want you to know, I love you regardless."

{Getting into the passenger's seat, she leans across and kisses him.}

Dianne: "No matter what, you will always be my amateotl."

Armin smiled faintly as he started the truck. 'Love you too. I don't care if we have a massive gap in fighting experience - or, heII, a massive age gap. I love you because of who you are.'

{Dianne smiles fondly at him as they got on their way.}

Dianne: "I'm not sure you know just how happy it makes me to hear that."

Armin didn't reply, but looked content as they set off into the city. All in all, he was happy with how the afternoon's events had gone.

//Rex didn't feel the need to step in even once. He looked pretty relaxed over there with Esme. Maybe he's starting to trust Dianne. Well... probably not trust her personally, but trust her not to murder me, at least...//

(If there isn't anything in particular you want to do today, should we skip to evening? The thing I planned with Fred won't happen until tomorrow at least.)

(Yeah, let's skip. Next thing I wanted to do was the day after next. Who wants to go?)

(You start!)

(Alrighty!)

{Later that evening, Dianne had just made dinner, and was sitting on the couch, watching a movie, per their usual routine. Tonight, Dianne had made steaks with steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes. She was eating contentedly, watching the action hero on the screen blast bad guys with a lever action rifle.}

Armin was slowly and contentedly eating his dinner, watching the TV. Rex was absent that evening.

'Y'know what would be interesting?' he said, following a period of silence. 'A movie where the hero loses and the villains win. You don't really see that much. Everyone knows the villains are meant to lose, so you can always guess how these movies will end.'

Dianne: "I suppose it could be. But, these are cheesy action movies from a decade ago. You're unlikely to find that here. Try the horror genre. You might get there."

'I haven't watched much horror. Maybe there is something like that if I look hard enough.'

Armin subsided into silence once again, content to focus on his food and the movie. Esme, as usual, was spellbound.

{Dianne remained quiet as well, enjoying her food. However, she looks around when she realizes that someone's missing.}

Dianne: "Hey, where's Rex tonight?"

'Mhmm...' Armin sent out a questioning telepathic thought. 'In his room, doing computer stuff... I guess he just wants some time alone tonight. He's been hanging out with us a lot more than he did when you first came.'

Dianne: "True. So long as he's ok, and not depressed or something. Y'know, I've heard him play some of his guitar lately. He's not half bad."

'Yes, it's a little surprising. I don't think he's played since we were in with Sargon's lot, so I assumed he'd be very out of practice, but he seems to be picking it up again quickly. It's nice to hear.'

Dianne: "Yes, it's quite pleasant. I'm glad we got him that guitar."

{At that, she falls silent. Having finished her meal, she comfortably leans back into the couch.}

Armin and Esme finished eating shortly afterwards, and Armin got up to take everyone's plates into the kitchen. He then returned to the couch and leaned sideways, lazily flopping against Dianne's shoulder. 'Hey, you think you could give me a back rub before we sleep?'

{Dianne raises a brow in surprise.}

Dianne: "Sure, I'd be happy to. I'll do that after I shower in a bit."

{Wrapping her arms around him, she starts to kiss his face and nuzzle him.}

He gave a contented growl, leaning more heavily against her shoulder. He stayed put for a moment, then shifted a little and tilted his head, kissing her on the lips in an affectionate gesture.

{Dianne closes her eyes, holding him tightly as they kiss. She then starts to move down to his neck, kissing him there affectionately.}

Armin leaned his head back with a quick inhale. In response, he scraped both sets of nails all the way down her back, not hard enough to leave marks, but enough to be felt.

'...Probably shouldn't do anything here... we're not exactly alone,' he pointed out in a murmured tone.

{Dianne tenses at the sensation, breathing more deeply.}

Dianne: "True...How about I go take that shower...and you come along with me?"

'Yeah...' Armin pulled himself upright, then started to get off the couch. 'You'll have to leave Barnabas to guard Esme, in case Rex is busy...'

Dianne: "Barnabas?"

Barnabas: "Yeah, I got it. Try not to be too loud, eh, lovebirds?"

{With Barnabas appearing on the couch, Dianne gets up and heads for the bath.}

Armin looked half-amused, half-exasperated at Barnabas's remark, but made no comment. Wasting no time, he accompanied Dianne upstairs to the shower, shutting the room door safely behind them.

{Once inside, Dianne unties her hair and starts to disrobe, turning on the shower in the process.}

Armin swiftly disrobed and hopped into the shower before Dianne was finished. He leaned against the wall, smirking faintly, running his gaze over her as he waited for her to join him.

{Having finished, she smirks at him, stepping into the shower.}

Dianne: "Hey there. Enjoying the view?"

'Yup. You were taking so long, I figured I'd just enjoy it.'

He shifted forwards, putting himself more directly under the spray of water. He playfully nudged her back against the wall, kissing her and lightly biting her lip, being careful as always with his sharp fangs.

{Chucking, she welcomes the kiss, wrapping her arms around him.}

Dianne: "Well, sorry I kept you waiting..."

{Moving down, she starts to playfully nip just under his jawline, carressing his sides with her hands.}

Smirking, Armin tilted his head back. He splayed his hands across her lower back, reflexively digging his nails into her spine when she nipped him.

'...This might not... be the moment... for random questions... but I'm curious... Is this kind of thing better as a dragon, or as a human?...'

Dianne: "Well....It's a little different...there's a lot less caressing....there's no kissing....but there's a lot more biting and scratching....and the, erm....hardware for it...it's a bit different."

'Figures... I was just curious, since I don't do anything in alternate forms...'

Shifting slightly, he nuzzled affectionately along her jawline, keeping his hands against her back.

{Dianne leans her head back, digging her fingers into his sides.}

Dianne: "I've only done it in my other form....a handful of times...I tend to use this one...less of a space constraint..."

When she leaned her head back, he took advantage of it to lightly nip and bite underneath her jaw, closing his eyes briefly at the touch.

'Yup... sounds a lot more convenient...'

{Dianne tenses at that, her breathing becoming heavy. She lets out a pleased growl, moving her hands up to rake down his back.}

Armin sucked in a quick breath in response, pushing her back slightly harder against the wall of the shower. He nuzzled a bit lower, lightly sinking his teeth into the muscle between her neck and shoulder, his breath coming out ragged.

{Dianne's breathing matched Armin's, as she squirmed in his grip. She continued to claw at his back, arching her back as she was pinned against the wall.}

Armin smirked slightly at her reactions, before digging his teeth into that spot again and growling softly. He pulled her closer against him, not noticing the slight pain of her clawing up his back.

'...You want to... move things along?...' he suggested.

(I can't do any more than that, so you can either write one last post, or just skip there. XD)

(Eh, I'll write one more.)

Dianne: "Yeah...good idea..."

{She replies between breaths. Her face was flushed as she stood there, tightly gripping onto her partner.}

(And, we skip. What's next?)

(We'll skip to them going to bed. I'll post a new room first.)