Armin had burst into the room, fired up with protective fury and intending to throw himself at the Aspect, but the reality of its presence stopped him in his tracks. He halted in the doorway, eyes wide as he looked back at the monster, remembering his last encounter with it. At first, he couldn't bring himself to move. Then he saw Fred out of the corner of his eye, and recklessly edged forwards into the room, baring his fangs in a snarl at the creature.

'You skeletal freak, get the f**k out of my house,' he snarled.

{The Aspect continued to look at Armin. When he bared his fangs at it, the Aspect chuckled, then postured agressively and let out an ear piercing shriek at him.}

Aspect: "MiNe!! AlSo MINE!....I...am.....RiGht...."

{Dianne rushed past Armin and grabbed Frederick, picking him up and hastily rushing back to the door. The Aspect didn't even look at her.}

Fred yelped as Dianne grabbed him, but didn't offer any protest. Armin, meanwhile, flinched at the Aspect's shriek, reeling back a little and wincing. He then stumbled back a step, having to work hard to restrain the terror. His fear for what the Aspect might do to Fred, or anyone else in the house, was the only thing stopping him from simply running away.

{The Aspect looked to Armin, then to Frederick, and stared. It points a boney finger at Fred.}

Aspect: "YOu....You'Re nEw...Are yOu.....ScHemIng?..."

Fred tilted his head, uncertain what to make of this. Not knowing what the Aspect was, he didn't grasp the full depth of the situation, only assuming from Armin and Dianne's reactions that it was serious. '...Excuse me?'

'He's not 'new', you bonehead,' growled Armin shakily. 'He's my son. He's staying with us for a while. Now screw off!'

{The aspect then looks to Dianne.}

Aspect: "...Is it truth?"

Dianne: "W-what he says is true...please don't hurt them..."

{She looked absolutely terrified. She was genuinely frightened by this thing, and it showed quite clearly. Laughing, the Aspect starts to fade away.}

Fred watched the creature critically as it faded away. As it did, he became aware that his heart was still racing weakly. He was scared, but wasn't even sure why. //Undead creatures don't normally bother me... that one was different somehow...//

Armin glanced at Fred to make sure he was unhurt. Then he slowly slid down the doorframe and slumped against it to the floor, breathing heavily and trying not to be sick.

{Dianne seemed to be in a similar state, sliding down the wall with Frederick. Once she reaches the floor, she starts to quietly cry.}

At that, Fred shifted away from her with an uncomfortable expression. He settled by the wall a short distance from them both. 'What in the world was that all about?' he said unhappily.

Armin lifted his head weakly. 'It's basically a death deity... thing... It probably came because it thought you were a threat to Dianne... or something...'

Noticing Dianne, he shifted close to her. 'It's alright, nothing happened, it's gone...' he murmured, as much for his own comfort as hers.

{Dianne looks over at Frederick, still quite upset.}

Dianne: "Frederick...That thing...was literally Death...I don't know what it wanted...I..I guess it was just curious about you?"

'It likes to lurk around and stalk us,' supplied Armin. Hs stared at the altar, a part of him worried that the Aspect would appear from behind him.

Fred rubbed his head. He didn't feel good. 'If that's the kind of thing that happens around here, then I retract my agreement. I'll go back to my own house immediately,' he said coldly.

{Dianne just buried her face in her hands.}

Dianne: "It's not a regular thing..."

Fred just sighed.

Armin was still gazing around the room. '...It might not be a regular thing, but it's never shown up inside my /house/ before. I don't like this. It was bad enough when it showed up in the woods. Now it's getting way too personal.'

{Dianne, finally mustering the will to stand, gets up.}

Dianne: "Frederick, I know that was bad, but...You're still safer here..."

'I beg to differ. I have over twenty people who can be assigned to watch my house, if necessary. And we would rather deal with normal enemies than the literal embodiment of death.'

Dianne: "Frederick, I don't think it wanted to hurt you. Armin, help me out here."

'Are you kidding?' said Armin. 'I don't trust that thing as far as I can throw it. It could do anything. Hell, even you looked terrified.'

Dianne: "Yeah, but damn it, if anyone has a shot to hold that thing back, it would be me. If he goes home, what happens if it follows him?"

'I wouldn't be so sure,' said Frederick. 'You had to practically beg it not to hurt anyone. Besides - it obviously objected to my presence here. Staying surely can't be a good idea after that.'

Armin rubbed his face, looking very stressed and tired. He didn't know whether it was safer to send Fred home or keep him here. He didn't want to make the wrong decision, and be responsible for his son being endangered.

Dianne: "I don't know if it was threatening you, or if it doesn't want you here. I don't even know what it wanted. All I'm saying is, what if you go home, and it follows you there?"

Armin spoke up, his voice hoarse. '...Stay just for tonight. You can go home tomorrow if you want. Just stay tonight. It probably won't come back; it usually doesn't.'

Fred sighed. 'Honestly, I don't feel well enough to move houses again. I'll stay. Now kindly get out of my room so I can sleep.'

Dianne: "Alright...Armin, can you help him back into bed?"

{She seemed quite shacken up. Her voice trembled as she spoke.}

Armin pulled himself to his feet, grabbing Fred and helping him back onto the cot.

'Call me if you see or hear /anything,'/ he said in a low voice. 'Anything unusual at all.'

Frederick started pulling the blanket up higher. 'Go. I will tell you... if anything happens...' he said tiredly.

After inspecting the storeroom a final time, Armin turned to leave. His expression was troubled, and he looked very tense.

{Dianne was leaning against the wall, her forehead against the drywall with a frustrated grimace. She didn't seem to be taking this well.}

Armin barely even noticed Dianne's state, being too lost in his own thoughts. As he walked out, he passed Esme on her way to bed, and decided to follow her. //Better if I stay upstairs. Then I'm closer, just in case...//

The thought trailed off as he sat on the bed, leaning over and running his hands through his hair.

//It's OK... It doesn't normally come back...//

{Dianne pushed off the wall and walked to the bedroom. Wordlessly, she sits next to Armin and pulls him into a tight hug. She wasn't feeling well and just wanted comfort. Any comfort. Seeing the Aspect brought back bad feelings and memories from her past, feelings and memories she would have rather left forgotten.}

Armin took a moment to respond; he was so lost in thought that he almost seemed surprised to find her there. When he did respond, he wrapped his arms around her strongly. He didn't ask if she was alright. He just silently pulled her in, offering what comfort he could.

{Dianne just sits there with him, softly weeping into his shoulder. After about twenty minutes, she loosens her grip.}

Dianne: "...I'm going to bed now...I need to change..."

{She looked tired and forlorn, and her movements had a slow, depressed air to them.}

Armin said nothing, gently letting go of her before standing up and beginning to change into his sleepwear. Esme was already fast asleep on the bed.

//Gods, if something happens to him after I forced him to stay here... No, don't think about that.//

{Once she changed, Dianne lay down on the bed, looking up at Armin. As bad as she felt, she could still see that Armin was also having a hard time.}

Dianne: "Armin, come here..."

Once he was done changing, Armin climbed into the bed beside her, his form tense. He was working hard to avoid panicking, because he knew it wouldn't help.

'...If it comes back while I'm asleep... If it comes back and kills him...'

{Dianne pulls him close, immediately stroking his hair.}

Dianne: "It won't. It won't touch any of you. If it comes back, I'll throw myself into it if I have to. After everything I've done for it, the atrocities, the pain brought into the world in its name, it f%$king owes me this, at least.."

Armin drew in a long, shaky breath. 'Don't put yourself... at too much risk. I don't want you hurt, any more than I want Fred or Rex hurt.' Though he doubted the Aspect would harm Dianne given how valuable she was to it, he still didn't trust the thing in the slightest.

Dianne: "It won't hurt me. It wouldn't dare..."

{With a sigh, Dianne tries to settle down to sleep.}

Seeing that she was ready to sleep, Armin attempted to as well. Though he would not sleep restfully or easily - not when he couldn't stop thinking about the deathly monster standing over his child.

(Do we skip?)

(I think so. Who should start?)

(I'll go.)

---------------

{Early the next morning, Dianne awakens. She could only manage an restless, uneasy slumber, given the events of last night. Finding herself in Armin's embrace, she simply burrows into him and closes her eyes again, not really wanting to get up at all today. She felt terrible, like Frederick hated her, and the Aspect's appearance was somehow her fault. It didn't help that she was also reminded of times in the past she would much rather forget.}

Armin had slept similarly. Scared that he might sleep through something terrible happening, he had kept himself awake for most of the night, only falling asleep a couple of hours ago. When Dianne moved, he cracked his eyes open to observe her.

//Hmm... I ought to get Rex to feed Esme so we can stay in bed all day...//

He started running his hands up and down her back gently, not wanting to disrupt her rest, but also wanting to provide some comfort. He guessed she probably wasn't feeling good, given her tendency to blame herself for things.

{Dianne's tenseness loosened a little as he did that. }

Dianne: "Thank you..."

Armin shifted a little and continued stroking her back. He said nothing for a while, deciding to let her talk if she wanted, but otherwise remain quiet.

He sent out a gentle, questing telepathic thought towards Frederick. He didn't receive much more than a half-asleep mumble in response, but it told him Fred was alive and well, which reassured him slightly.

{Dianne continued to lie there with him, silently letting the back rub soothe her. She wasn't planning on moving until she had to feed Esme.}

As it was still early, it would be a while before Esme woke up wanting food. Eventually, comforted by the knowledge that nothing else had happened during the night, Armin drifted into a light sleep, his movements going still.

{Dianne also fell into a light doze. As bad as she felt about everything, she couldn't help but feel warm and safe in his embrace.}

Much later in the morning, around the time they would normally get up, Armin stirred a little. The stirring slowly turned to whimpering and digging his fingers into Dianne's back, as he seemed to be disturbed by an unnerving dream.

{Feeling his fingers, Dianne opens her eyes. Seeing his distress, she pulls him closer and starts stroking his hair.}

Dianne: "Hey, wake up. It's ok, I'm here, everything's ok."

After a few seconds, Armin managed to pull himself awake. With a groan, he nestled his head against her shoulder, letting his heart rate settle.

'F**king undead creep...'

Dianne: "...I'm sorry you had to see it...I hate when it shows up..."

{She squeezes him tightly, possibly for her own comfort as much his.}

'...At least Fred is OK... I do feel better now that it's morning...'

Trying to shake off the memory of the dream, he shifted to lie on top of her and snuggled close.

'You're kinda concerning me, you know. I hope you're not blaming yourself for that thing showing up.'

Dianne: "I'm not...It's just...Seeing it again...brought back memories and feelings....from a much worse time..."

{She tried to sound ok, but the look on her face betrayed her. Despite trying to smile at him, there was an undertone of sadness.}

Armin lifted his head and regarded her seriously, reading her mood.

'Well, yes, I can imagine... I suppose it's been a long time since you actually saw it like that. But you have to pull yourself together at some point. If there's anything I can do to help, tell me.'

{Dianne let her expression drop, closing her eyes.}

Dianne: "I'll be alright...I just need time...All you can do for me is be there...Eventually, I'll just be too happy with you and Esme to keep feeling sad..."

Armin didn't look reassured by that, thinking there must be a better solution than to just wait. However, he let the matter drop.

'Well, maybe we could go and do something today? Staying occupied would probably help, rather than sitting here dwelling on it...'

Dianne: "Well...Pythia did ask me to make those Rat Boil remedies...we could go out today to gather the ingredients...

'We can do that. Though, I'll have to convince Fred to come with us in the car, so he can still call me telepathically if anything happens.'

Dianne: "You're welcome to try, but I wouldn't be surprised if he never wanted to get anywhere near us ever again..."

{She then burrowed into him, nuzzling into his shoulder.}

'He's my kid, I can force him to come if I want to,' said Armin humorously. Trying to make light of the situation, he joked: 'You know, the Aspect acts like he's your overprotective dad or something. Always showing up to squint at people who he thinks might endanger you. It's annoying.'

{At that, she couldn't help but smile.}

Dianne: "Yeah....And he terrifies the guests...He is like a dad...A really bad one..."

'Aww, he just wants to look out for you. Isn't that sweet?' he said teasingly. 'In all seriousness - it's terrifying when that thing shows up, but nothing terrible has happened yet. I don't trust it, but it's gone - for now, at least - so let's try to relax a bit.'

Dianne: "Yeah...I just need to try to forget...And focus on being here, with you..."

{She settles in with him. She know's she'll have to get up soon, but she wanted to wait until Esme got them up.}

'Glad to know my presence soothes you,' said Armin humorously, but fondly. He kissed the side of her jaw, then nuzzled against her affectionately.

{Dianne seems comfortable enough to fall asleep at this. She starts to doze off under him, but her unconscious face still had an undertone of sadness.}

Armin remained awake, musing silently.

After about half an hour, Esme awoke, stretching and then jumping off the bed without a backward glance. After she left, Armin nudged at Dianne to rouse her.

{Dianne opened her eyes, looking up at Armin.}

Dianne: "Mmmm...Huh?...What's going on?"

'Breakfast,' said Armin. 'Then we're going out to collect those ingredients.'

Dianne: "Right..."

{Sitting up, she rubs her face, trying to wake up.}

Dianne: "I'll go make it."

Armin got out of bed, getting changed and going downstairs. He could tell that Fred was already down there and wanted to see how he was doing.

{Dianne gets dressed as well, heading down the stairs behind Armin. She then heads straight into the kitchen to start cooking.}

Fred was sitting on the couch with a mug of tea. Armin sat beside him, a respectful distance away.

'How'd you get down here?'

'I walked,' said Fred. 'Albeit with some assistance from Rex, but I actually can walk now.'

Armin was quiet for a moment.

'...So... how are you doing? After... you know.'

Fred sipped his tea. 'I'm doing perfectly fine,' he said stiffly. 'Clearly, no serious harm was inflicted on anyone. I will be glad to return home, but I don't mind staying another night if you insist on it.'

It seemed that, after his visible fear last night, Fred was even more keen than usual on keeping his emotions in check. His voice was very calm, almost detached.

{Dianne glanced at Fred from the kitchen, seeing if he was ok. Determining that he was fine, she continues to cook. She comes out of the kitchen a few minutes later with food for her and Esme.}

Armin just gazed out of the window, watching birds fly past. He didn't like how the Aspect's appearance had changed things. Dianne seemed to be having a hard time, and Fred was locking his emotions away. Armin felt like he'd done wrong by convincing Fred to come here, thus causing the Aspect to show up and terrorise him.

{Dianne sat, eating her eggs and potatoes. She was quietly contemplating how to deal with the situation and move forward. She could tell Armin was having as hard a time as she was.}

Dianne: //Keeping myself busy will likely help...I just need to think about something else...//

Dianne: "Armin, once we're done, should we bring Esme with us?"

'When we go out to get the ingredients? I don't see why not. I'm sure she'd appreciate the fresh air. Just as long as we keep an eye on her, and don't let her eat any weird plants or anything.'

Dianne: "Yeah...Don't want a repeat of that damned ice dragon..."

'I don't think there are any wild dragons near the city. Just angry farmers from the looks of it.'

Bored, Armin continued to watch out the window as he waited for everyone to be finished.

Dianne: "Pack what you want to bring. I'll get what I need to gather the ingredients and hold them, along with a lunch for Esme."

{With that, she takes the plates to the kitchen.}

Armin stood, looking at Fred as he did. 'Hey. I was hoping you might come with us - just in case, you know...'

'I don't see any need to,' said Fred coolly. 'I'd rather stay here.'

'And what if that thing shows up--'

'What

(posted too early)

'And what would you and Dianne do if it did? I don't believe it would listen to you. Just go.'

With a quiet sigh, Armin headed off to prepare for departure.

{Dianne quickly got her things gathered, scooped up Esme, and waited at the door.}

Dianne: "We're ready when you are."

Armin went out to start the truck. Once they were all in, he began to head off towards the northern edge of town, where they could drive out into the countryside and woods beyond.

'So, what are some of the things we need for those cures?'

Dianne: "There is a particular type of herb with yellow flowers and a strong, earthen aroma. It likes to grow among the mosses and toadstools. Also, I need the scales of the Mudraker, a common type of fish that likes the shallows. Lastly, I need the fruit of the Goomboogly tree. Reeks like hell, so you can't miss it."

Armin raised his eyebrows at that. 'Alright. I'll park up next to the lake by the woods. You can start looking for those herbs, and I'll see if I can find any of those fish. I might've seen them here before.'

Dianne: "Ok. Also, I thought you were going to force Frederick to come along with us?"

Armin's expression shifted from lighthearted to grim. 'I thought about it. But it's probably best if I don't. Considering what happened last time I made him go somewhere against his wishes...'

Dianne: "Hey, what happened last night wasn't your fault."

{She says, looking concerned.}

Dianne: "There was no way of knowing it would show up."

'I know... Nobody could have predicted that. But I can't help feeling guilty, knowing that the reason the Aspect targeted him was because he moved into our house. He probably would've been fine at home, but I was paranoid enough to make him come here.'

Dianne: "Do you know that? The Aspect isn't exactly logical. For all we know, it would have payed him a visit regardless. Further, when I moved in, it never showed itself to Rex. Why did he get ignored?"

'I don't know. Maybe it just shows up to people at random. Maybe it was drawn to Frederick because he looks like me. Who knows?' Armin gazed ahead at the road as he drove. 'I just don't like it.'

Dianne: "I don't like it either. But, it won't do us any good fussing about it. We'll just keep doing the best we can."

Armin didn't respond to that, but continued driving in relatively peaceful silence.

When they arrived at the lakeside, he stopped the truck. Armin took a moment to survey the area. 'You can take Esme with you while I go to catch fish, if you want,' he said. 'Or just leave her in the car.'

(Posted new room)