----

After they were done in the shower, they started to head back to the bedroom. Armin, now in his usual sleep wear, flopped onto the bed with a slight yawn, propping himself up on one elbow. His eyes were half-closed in drowsy contentment.

Esme was in the room by then, deeply asleep.

{Dianne followed him in, a sleepy, yet quite satisfied expression on her face. She lies down on the bed with Armin, looking him over.}

Dianne: "If I recall correctly, I need to give you a back rub."

'As long as you're not too tired... that would be appreciated,' said Armin. He rolled over onto his front, resting his head on his arms. 'Just be a bit careful. I think my back is pretty scratched up in some places,' he added with amusement.

Dianne: "Oh, right. Yeah, sorry about that..."

{Positioning herself above him, she slips her hands under his shirt and starts slowly and carefully massaging his back.}

Dianne: "How's that?"

Armin let out a long breath in response. '...Mhm... Yeah, that's good...' His muscles loosened and he closed his eyes contentedly.

{Dianne chuckles as she massages his back.}

Dianne: "Now do you see why I like these so much? They're extremely relaxing."

'They are. I haven't had one in a long time.' He made a contented noise, relaxing further into the bed.

Dianne: "Well, now you've peaked my interest. Who was the last person to give you one?"

'Uh...' He tried to think. 'I think it was Tabitha... she was a friend of mine back in Shacklestone... before it got too dangerous for her to be associated with me. She was human, and Sargon didn't like it... That was about fifty years ago.'

{Dianne starts to move down his back, with slow and practiced motions.}

Dianne: "I see...I'm sure she was a pleasant person..."

Armin's breathing settled into a slow rhythm as he relaxed.

'Yes, though I only knew her for a few months before I decided it was too risky... I was brought into a hospital after a building collapsed on me. Tabitha was the only medic willing to go near a vampire. I was so lonely back then, that even after I recovered, I stayed in contact with her... I sure as heII don't miss those times...'

Dianne: "I understand. Well, you're not lonely anymore."

{She leans forward to kiss the back of his neck, then resumes the massage.}

Dianne: "A building collapsed on you. That's rough..."

'Yeah... that was... interesting...' Armin muttered drowsily. 'I don't remember exactly what happened. Slight amnesia. But it took almost a month to fully recover, even with vampire healing...'

Dianne: "Ouch...too bad you didn't have Pythia back then...Probably would have saved you time...and pain..."

'Yep... probably...'

Armin was quiet for a few moments, simply dozing and enjoying the massage. After a while, he spoke again, his voice even more drowsy-sounding.

'...Since you asked me... who was the last person to do this for me... could I possibly ask you the same question?'

{Dianne lets out a long breath, thinking back.}

Dianne: "I believe her name was Aava. It was a very long time ago, and the circumstances under which that happened, well...it's a long story..."

'I don't mind a long story...' Armin replied. 'Though, if you don't want to tell it... that's fine, too... I'll respect that.'

Dianne: "I wouldn't mind telling it...I'm just a bit tired now...I'd probably fall asleep halfway through it."

'Fair enough.' Armin shifted a bit, cracking open one eye. 'Come down here. I'd rather fall asleep next to you.'

{Smirking, Dianne ceases her massage and lies down with Armin, snuggling up to him.}

Dianne: "Goodnight, amateotl..."

Already half-asleep, Armin drowsily burrowed into her, as if he were trying to get as close as possible.

'Night...'

(Do we skip? If so, I'm going to do something small with Pythia at Fred's house first. Would that be ok?"

(Yep, go ahead.)

-----

{In the early hours of the next morning, Pythia was disturbed by series of loud bangs on the front door. Getting up groggily, she heads over.}

Pythia: "I'm coming....jeez, can't a healer ever sleep in this city?..."

{Opening the door, she's met with the sight of a dozen frightened people, all afflicted with the Rat Boils.}

Pythia: "...You've got to be kidding me..."

Fred was fast asleep in his room. Like his father, he seemingly disliked being awake too early in the morning, and therefore was blissfully unaware of all the patients outside his house.

Ryder, however, was lounging by the door in dragon form as usual. 'Yeah, there's a lot of them. Seems to be some kind of boil outbreak around here.'

Pythia: "Yup...that sucks...Excuse me for a minute..."

{Pythia walks back inside and gets her phone. She then sends a text to Dianne. Her phone dings and buzzes loudly on the nightstand, causing her to stir, frowning.}

Dianne: "Mmmmmm...who's texting me this early?"

Armin stirred, but only managed to achieve partial consciousness. Snuggled up to Dianne, he didn't even open his eyes. 'Who'sat?...' he mumbled.

{Reaching over to the phone, she takes it and reads the message.}

Dianne: "..It's Pythia...She wants me to make her cures for Rat boils...something about a major outbreak...Whatever, it's too early for that...and too cold.."

{Putting her phone back, she burrows into Armin, hiding under the blankets. She very quickly falls back asleep.}

Pythia: "Damn it, Dianne....I know you just read it and went back to sleep..."

{She grumbles, staring at the "read" notification.}

Armin was practically asleep again by the time Dianne spoke. He subconsciously wrapped his arms around her, seeking the extra warmth as he dozed off.

Ryder gazed at the line of infected people waiting outside. //Yup, Pythia's got her work cut out for her. I'm surprised she doesn't ask for payment. I mean, what sane person would do all this for free?//

{With a sigh, Pythia gets dressed and walks to the front door, inviting the first one inside.}

Pythia: "Alright, you, let's go."

(I leave the rest to you, as far as when the stake man appears. Whether before or after Dianne and Armin wake up.)

(I think I'll have the stake man show up around midday, since I want to be sure Fred is awake at the time. We'll get Dianne and Armin up first, then I'll jump to that.)

----

Much later in the morning, Armin was very slowly beginning to wake up. However, all he did was cuddle closer to Dianne, trying to keep her warm.

//Hmm... Wonder what we could do today? Maybe go for a walk, or hunt... I could use some more blood...// He vaguely remembered Pythia's text, but having been half-asleep at the time, he wasn't sure if he'd dreamed it or not.

{Dianne stirred slightly, but she just huddled closer, enjoying the warmth and closeness.}

Dianne: "Mmmmm.....Morning..."

Armin tugged the blanket up a little higher, absently stroking one hand along her back. He was extremely comfortable and unwilling to move, though he knew it was getting late.

'Morning, adorable little dragon...' he said humorously.

Dianne: "...Heheheh...I like that..."

{Looking up, she playfully nips his neck.}

Dianne: "So...what are we going to do today?"

Armin tensed slightly, then hugged her closer, pulling her head against his chest.

'Mhm... I don't know... Too sleepy and comfortable to think about that right now...'

{Dianne happily settles in his grasp.}

Dianne: "Mhm...we'll worry about that later."

Humming contentedly, he slid both hands under the back of her shirt and started slowly rubbing her back as he held her against him.

'I'm so glad you don't like getting up early... Because I don't think I ever could... It's nice to just stay here with you.'

{Dianne hums contentedly at that.}

Dianne: "..I used to get up early out of necessity...and insomnia...I much prefer this...Never leave me..."

'I'm not going anywhere. As long as you never stop liking me.'

Dianne: "...Armin...I'm the happiest I've ever been...I don't see myself ever not liking you..."

{Smiling, Dianne starts to doze off entirely.}

Armin let her sleep, a warm feeling of fondness in his chest.

About forty minutes later, Esme got up and, without even bothering to try and rouse her parents, let herself out the room. Armin watched her leave, then hummed and nudged Dianne, trying to wake her up gently.

{Dianne stirred a bit, opening her eyes sleepily.}

Dianne: "Huh....Wha'ssssshappenin?......"

'Just wondering if you're hungry yet. It's pretty late, and Esme already left...' He lightly ran his nails down her back, not sure whether to be amused or concerned by her drowsiness.

{Dianne tensed in response, waking up a bit more.}

Dianne: "Oh...yeah, I'm hungry...I'm just really comfortable..."

'I could make you less comfortable, if that would help?' said Armin jokingly. He lightly ran his fingers along her side in a tickling motion.

{Dianne just eyes Armin, amused.}

Dianne: "I'm not ticklish....you'll have to try harder than that to make me uncomfortable..."

'Oh, c'mon...' Armin complained. 'You can't just leave me responsible for making sure we get up at a reasonable time. I hate it just as much as you do.'

{Laughing, Dianne sits up.}

Dianne: "Alright, alright. To be honest, I think your bad habits are rubbing off on me."

'I suspected that. Once it gets colder, I don't think either of us are going to be able to get up.'

Armin remained lying there, looking up at her as he tried to muster the will to get up as well.

{Getting up, Dianne gathers her clothes, then eyes Armin.}

Dianne: "Hey, need some help?"

Armin eyed her back. 'Yes, please. If /you're/ gonna be a pain about getting up in the morning, then so can I,' he said, with a slight eyebrow raise and a look of amusement.

Dianne: "Heheheh...If that's what you want."

{Chucklng, she walks over and easily hoists him over her shoulder, proceeding to walk out of the bedroom.}

Armin let out a grunt as he was suddenly picked up.

'Alright, I'm out of bed. Can you let me down so I can go get my clothes?' he asked.

Dianne: "Ok, here."

{She sets him on his feet, then proceeds to walk into the bath.}

Dianne: "I'll be right out."

Armin smiled faintly and headed back into the bedroom to get changed. Downstairs, he could hear the gentle twang of guitar strings as Rex played something quiet, slow, and strangely ominous.

(I might just jump to Fred's house now. Would that be alright?)

(Go right on ahead.)

----

Early in the afternoon, in an alleyway near Fred's house, an unfamiliar man lurked. He was a vampire with black hair, a blue trench coat, and a fancy-looking hat adorned with feathers. He surveyed the house up ahead.

//I heard that he was living with a healer... There are many sick people waiting outside... It must be it...//

The man withdrew a knife and, without hesitation, stabbed himself in the shoulder. Tossing the knife away and clutching the wound, he ran up to Fred's house.

'Move aside! Let me up the front! I've been attacked! I'm bleeding!'

{Luck would just so have it tha Pythia had just finished with her current patient when the man approached. She was at the door, ready to invite the next person in.}

Pythia: "Oh my. Ryder, let that one in next. Sir, come this way please."

Ryder watched curiously as the man entered the house, holding his shoulder and limping for dramatic effect. 'Thank you,' he said as he followed Pythia into her work area. 'There are some hooligans in this city, that's for sure.'

Pythia: "Believe me, I know..."

{She then directs the man to sit down while she gets the antibiotics.}

Pythia: "So, how did this happen?"

'Oh, well, I was just on my way somewhere, walking down an alleyway, when three suspicious figures jumped out of nowhere. I suspect they might be crazed vampire hunters, like those Bloodrazor people I heard about.'

{Pythia gives a very concerned look at that.}

Pythia: "There are still hunters in the city? This won't do...I'll have to warn Dianne before she ends up here again...please remove your trench coat so I may clean the wound.".

The vampire obliged, taking off his long coat and very carefully putting it down beside him. 'Well, I assume they were hunters. They attacked me for no reason except that I was there.'

While they were talking, Fred, hearing the conversation, entered Pythia's workspace. 'Was that something about hunters again?'

Pythia: "Yes, this man was attacked, and he has reason to believe that they were hunters."

{Mixing some of the antibiotics with a torrent of water, Pythia begins to clean the man's wound.}

The man didn't even wince. Looking up at Fred, a stab of hatred and disgust went through him. //Yes, that's it... the one I remember from Shacklestone City... The one who led the raid on my friends...// However, he was a good enough actor to not make his feelings obvious.

'Well, that's concerning,' said Fred. 'I'l deploy the telepathic relay again, to scout the city. A party of violent hunters won't go unnoticed for long.'

{Putting her hand over the wound, Pythia heals him, almost instantaneously.}

Pythia: "Yes, and do make sure to tell Dianne and Armin. I don't want them getting ambushed again. Well, sir, you're all better now,"

The man stood up, nodding in thanks. He carefully put his trench coat back on. 'I'll be on my way, then. Thank you very much. I'd advise against going out, especially near Dovetail Avenue.'

Fred was looking faintly preoccupied, gazing at the vampire with an odd expression. It was like Fred recognised him from somewhere, but couldn't recall where.

Pythia: "Of course. Stay safe out there. Ryder, let the next one in, please."

{Pythia was completely unaware of who the man was, or what his true motives were.}

The man started to leave. However, as he turned away, a wicked, vengeful smile curled up his face. With vampiric reflexes, he whipped a long, thin object from his trench coat. It was a sharpened wooden stake about a foot long.

Spinning around, he plunged the stake through Fred's chest, then leapt back, leaving it embedded there. He had been aiming for the heart, but missed, stabbing a bit lower than intended. Nonetheless, Fred reeled, his mouth opening in surprise before he began to fall forwards.

{Pythia let out a scream at that, momentarily stunned at the abrupt brutality.}

Pythia: "FREDERICK!!"

(Rip Fred. Armin will be very unhappy about this. XD)

(He will indeed. XD)

From outside came an enraged dragon roar. The man was advancing menacingly on Fred, when Ryder burst into the room in human form. Abruptly, the man fled, throwing himself straight through the window and smashing it.

'Pythia!' said Ryder sharply. 'Get that stake out, he'll be fine as long as you get it out quickly. Please - I have to go after that guy.'

He then proceeded to leap out the window in pursuit. Fred was slumped against the wall, white with shock as blood oozed from around the stake in his chest.

{Coming back to her senses, she quickly goes to Fred and pulls the stake out and hurriedly tosses it away. Putting her hands over the wound, she starts to heal him.}

Pythia: "Y-you'll be ok. Justices stay with me, Fred!"

*Just

Fred's shallow breathing eased as the stab wound was healed. However, he continued to sit there, muscles trembling.

'...I know who he is...' he murmured, his voice thoughtful and extremely weak. He then slumped sideways, passing out. It seemed that being stabbed with a wooden stake had lingering effects even Pythia's magic couldn't cure.

Pythia: "Fred?! Fred?!"

{Pythia picks Fred up and carries him to his bed. Grabbing her phone, she starts to text Dianne.}

Pythia: >>Fred's been attacked by a lunatic, please call me as soon as you get this!<<

{Dianne's phone was on the table, while Dianne was cleaning up after breakfast.}

Dianne: "Armin, can you see who that is?"

(I love scaring Pythia. XD)

Armin regarded Dianne's phone as it buzzed on the table. Then he grabbed it and checked the newest message. Immediately, his expression shifted from relaxation, to outright alarm.

'Sh.it!' Without waiting for Dianne, he hit Pythia's number and started speaking as soon as she picked up. 'What's this about Fred being attacked? Is he OK?'

(Lol, poor girl. XD)

{Pythia picks up as soon as the phone rang.}

Pythia: "Armin? Uh, h-he....he got stabbed by a stake. I healed him, but he lost consciousness. I'm keeping an eye on him but Ryder went to chase the guy who did it. I don't know if there are others or, or.....I'm just scared..."

(Gonna post a new room)