Dianne: "Well, what would you have me do? I don't want to encounter her again only to have a repeat of yesterday. There needs to be consequences for this."

'I don't know,' said Armin. 'I just don't want to go around brutally slaughtering everyone who annoys us. How long will that last before people start saying /we're/ the bad ones?' He trailed into silence after that, not knowing what else to say.

{Dianne just sighs, holding him tighter.}

Dianne: "Fine....I won't kill her...but this won't go unanswered, one way or another."

Armin shifted a little and kissed her jaw. 'Thank you... Besides, if she's really so powerful, it might be best not to just attack her. I don't want you to get hurt, if she's a light mage or something.'

Dianne: "I wasn't going to just run at her, I had a plan. I've killed powerful witches before..."

{Smiling at the kiss, she playfully nuzzles his face.}

Armin smiled faintly. 'Yes, but let's not try to kill her unless we really have to... I'm just grateful that we're both back to normal. That's the only thing that matters to me right now.'

He ran his hands up her back and nuzzled her in return, enjoying the familiarity of being close to /her/ instead of himself.

{Dianne looks at the clock on the nightstand, then sighs.}

Dianne: "We should probably get up...Can't spend all day in bed..."

Armin made a small noise of complaint. 'Says who?' he asked, tightening his hold. 'Maybe I don't want to get up.'

{Dianne just chuckles.}

Dianne: "In case you forgot, we still need those cures for Pythia. Also, I need to shower."

Armin finally sighed and drew away.

'Alright. I was just glad to have you back. Wanted to take a moment to enjoy it.'

Dianne: "And I am happy to have you back. If not for the fact that we have chores, I would have taken a longer moment."

{She then gathers her clothes and heads for the bath.}

Armin watched her go with a look of slight disappointment. He then climbed out of bed and headed downstairs. Rex was sitting at the table, drinking coffee, and Esme was waiting for breakfast.

'Back, are you?' Rex commented, noticing the now-normal colour of Armin's eyes.

'Yes. And it seems that no lasting damage was done.'

{As the two were conversing, there was a knock at the door. Opening it would reveal Lucci.}

Armin went to open the door.

'...Alright, what do you want this time?'

Lucci: "Well hello to you too, Armin."

{He states cheerfully.}

Lucci: "I've come to speak with Dianne. Seeing how she's still in the shower, do you mind if I wait for her inside?"

'Alright, come on in.' Armin stepped aside to let Lucci pass, then closed the door. 'Since you only ever show up for obvious reasons, let me guess - this is something about that witch we encountered?'

Lucci: "Yeah, it is. I need to convince Dianne not to kill the old woman. She didn't mean anything by it, she's just a cukoo old lady."

Armin raised his eyebrows. 'Yeah? That's pretty much the exact conversation I had with her earlier this morning. She said she won't kill the old woman.'

Lucci: "Oh? Wonderful. Well then, that brings me to the next order of business. You don't need to go out today for Pythia's cures. I've already taken care of that. "

'OK...' said Armin. 'Great. We won't have to make the kitchen reek again... Where did you get the cures from? You didn't make them yourself, did you?'

Lucci: "No, I bought them from the very witch who played that trick on you. She's actually a talented potion maker."

{By that time, Dianne was out of the shower, coming down the stairs in a blue dress and with wet hair.}

Dianne: "Lucci? What are you doing here?"

'He's here to tell us that we don't need to go ingredient hunting for Pythia again,' said Armin. 'Apparently, the witch can make rat boil cures, and he bought some from her and gave them to Pythia. Though, I can't help wondering if someone that senile can make reliable cures...'

Lucci: "She's not senile, just half mad. Much like you two, life hasn't been the kindest to her."

Dianne: "That doesn't justify what she did."

Lucci: "Perhaps not. However, that's no longer your concern. Her little trick has enraged the Aspect. She is now marked."

Dianne: "What?"

Lucci: "Making you switch bodies violated your pact. Specifically the part where your physical form would be protected from alteration of any kind. However, because it was done without your consent, the Aspect is angry only with her."

'What, there's a pact saying that she can't be transformed? That's weird. Why does the Aspect care about that? And what's the thing planning on doing to the witch now?'

Armin wasn't sure whether to be concerned about Luxia or not. He didn't want her killed for what she'd done, but he certainly wasn't about to try telling the Aspect to leave her alone.

Dianne: "Yeah....when we give ourselves to the deity, we're promised specific things in exchange for our service."

Lucci: "Think of it as benefits in a job."

Dianne: "One of those things was a guarantee that we would be excluded from the ravages of time, that we would have eternal youth."

Lucci: "The actual translation states they will never physically change. This technically counts."

Armin scratched his head. 'Alright, so the Aspect is angry because it didn't like the witch's idea of humour breaking this agreement. What's going to happen now? Is it going to kill her?'

Lucci: "Basically, it feels like Luxia made a fool of him in front of his own acolyte. It won't kill her directly. It will just show up constantly throughout her life, becoming a burden and a blight. He will sabotage her life endeavors, strike her and her loved ones with disease, and, when it's finally time for her to go, he will collect her personally."

'Nice guy,' said Armin sarcastically. 'I'm sure she'll appreciate his company.'

Lucci: "With the fact of her being half mad, she isn't reacting to it the way others would. She thinks the Aspect is a pleasant house guest, despite his behavior."

Dianne: "How long before she realizes that she openly invited a plague through the front door."

Lucci: "Either in a few days, or never. Depends on how far gone she is."

Armin rubbed the back of his head. 'I can't help feeling a bit sorry for her. I mean, I don't like what she did to /us,/ but she doesn't deserve to be tormented forever because of it. HeII, the Aspect is bad enough when it shows up occasionally at our place to hiss cryptic messages at us.'

Dianne: "Well, maybe now she'll learn not to cast spells on complete strangers. Crazy old bat..."

Lucci: "Well, if you decide to be merciful, her assistant, Gail, who has been caught up in all this, will be coming by later, asking that you perform the Ritual of Forgiveness. It might just convince the Aspect to lay off."

'So, other people are getting caught up in this?' said Armin with a hint of concern. 'Maybe we should try to help, then. If not for Luxia's sake, then for the other people close to her, who didn't have any part in spelling us...'

{Dianne was silently contemplating the situation, scratching her chin thoughtfully.}

Dianne: "I will speak to this, Gail, when she arrives. Then, I will decide. Regardless, Luxia must be taught a lesson about responsibility and magic. What she did to us was not ok, and she needs to learn that there are consequences."

Lucci: "She's not a child, you know."

'Yeah, she seems pretty old. Obviously not as old as you, but still old,' said Armin. 'Besides, if she was treating the Aspect like a nice visitor, I think she's too far gone to be taught 'lessons'.'

Dianne: "I know the Aspect. It will get through to you, to make its point. It doesn't take kindly to being ignored...."

{Turning away, Dianne grimaces as she recalls an unpleasant memory.}

Lucci: "Well, you could always stop this before it goes too far?"

'...Well, let's just talk to this Gail when she comes over. Then we'll consider what to do about this,' said Armin, his gaze flicking towards Dianne for a second. 'I know Luxia messed with us, but I'd rather not have other people suffer because of her idiocy.'

Dianne: "...I will consider it..."

{She says, sitting down and looking contemplative.}

Lucci: "And that is all I ask."

Armin glanced around. 'So, we don't need to get ingredients for Pythia anymore? That's fine with me. Maybe I'll go hunting before Gail comes over.'

Dianne: "Alright. Should we all go, get some air?"

Lucci: "Well, I'll just take my leave now. Have a good afternoon, you two."

'You too. Have a nice day doing... whatever it is Akhetians do in their spare time,' said Armin.

As he spoke, Esme walked over and impatiently bit Dianne's ankle. She wanted food.

{As Lucci left, Dianne winced and looked down.}

Dianne: "Ow! Oh, right, breakfast. Come along, Esme, I'll make it right now."

Armin chuckled as Esme scurried off into the kitchen.

'She's so impatient. Alright, you two go and eat. When you're done, we'll head out for some fresh air, and I'll hunt. I feel like I'm drying up from lack of blood.'

{Dianne gives him a concerned glance as she walks into the kitchen.}

Dianne: "Remember, if you pull a repeat of the tavern, I will punch you."

'I know. It's fine; I'm not planning to get into that situation again if I can help it. I just have a dry throat, that's all.' He wandered into the kitchen after her, having nothing to do except watch her cook.

{Humming to herself, Dianne cooks breakfast, taking her and Esme's plates into the living room. She sets Esme's down on the table and begins to eat her own.}

Armin smiled faintly at her humming, leaning on the kitchen doorway to wait for them.

'Just don't start whistling. Whistling is really annoying.'

{Smiling mischievously, she whistles a quick tune before breaking down into laughter.}

Dianne: "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Esme pricked her ears and glanced up at the sound, then resumed eating. Armin just gave a look of amused exasperation.

'Very mature.'

{Dianne simply laughs as she resumes eating.}

Dianne: "Hey, I'm always the serious one. Sometimes, I just need to be playful. Even if it means being a little immature."

Armin walked over to sit on the couch to wait, kissing her head in passing.

'Well, that's good. Maybe you should consider being the silly one more often. It's cute.'

Dianne: "Maybe so."

{After finishing her meal, she stands and stretches.}

Dianne: "Ok, I'm going to go put my armor on. Meet me outside with Esme."

Armin washed up the dishes first, then grabbed Esme and carried her outside to the truck. //Better not go anywhere near the forest that witch was in, just in case...//

{Dianne reappears outside, in her armor. Hopping in, she puts her helmet on the floor and smiles at Armin.}

Dianne: "Ready when you are."

Armin set off into the bustling mid-day traffic. He said nothing as he drove up towards the city edge, contemplating various things.

{Dianne quietly sat with Esme, watching the people and cars outside boredly.}

Armin was careful to avoid the forest where they had been the day before. Instead, he drove around to the other side of the lake, where a small area of woods overlooked the vast, grassy northern plains.

'There might be some deer around here. What are you guys going to do while I hunt?'

Dianne: "We'll just go for a nice walk through the woods, maybe find some more nice pebbles. We won't stray too far."

'Alright. Be careful.'

After climbing out of the car, Armin shifted to his wolf form and quietly loped off, through the woods and towards the plains, in search of prey.

Esme barely watched him go before attempting to wander off on her own.

Dianne: "You too. Happy hunting."

{Dianne made sure to stay close to Esme as she wandered, letting her lead. She also whispered for Barnabas to survey the area for stupid farmers.}

As Armin disappeared through the foliage, Esme continued to wander slightly ahead of her mother. Not towards the woods, but towards an outcrop of rock a short distance away. Once she got close enough, she spread her wings and flew up to the top of the crag. It was almost fifteen feet high. Esme perched on the top, looking rather smug.

Dianne: "Hey, you're getting pretty good at that."

{Putting her helmet on, Dianne climbs up the rock, sitting next to Esme.}

Dianne: "Nice view up here, don't you think?"

Esme squeaked happily. Gazing out over the sunlit plains, her expression became peaceful and contemplative. Her mouth opened, as if she were going to say something, but then it closed again. She just shifted closer to Dianne, leaning against her arm.

{Dianne raised a brow at her gesture, but simply sat still, enjoying Esme's company.}

After a short while, the faint sound of padding dog paws could be heard across the plain. Armin had returned, still in his wolf form, with traces of blood on his jaws. He gazed up at the outcrop.

//Having fun up there?// he said.

Dianne: "Yeah. Just enjoying the view. How was your hunt?"

//Good enough. There were deer.// Armin looked around. //I guess we should start heading back, in case that Gail person comes soon...//

Just then, Esme opened her wings. She attempted to fly off the outcrop; however, she didn't seem quite sure how to bring herself down once she jumped into the air. Finding herself higher than expected, she started to glide uncontrollably towards the lake.

{Dianne watched Esme hop off the outcrop with alarm.}

Dianne: "H-hey! Barnabas, get her before she gets to the water!"

{Barnabas appears behind Esme, grabbing her tail and reeling her in, mid air.}

Barnabas: "Yoink! Gotcha!"

Esme screeched with alarm, twisting around to shoot a fireball at Barnabas in mid-air as he pulled her in.

{Barnabas flickered, as if he phased through it, he would let her go as well. Looking put out, he holds her tightly, supporting her whole weight, slowly sinking towards the ground.}

Barnabas: "Jeez, kiddo, that was unnecessary...."

Esme calmed down once she recognised him, letting him float her back to the ground. Armin began to trot towards the pair.

//That was lucky,// he remarked. //I thought I'd have to jump in.//

{Dianne was running towards them, keeping up with Armin.}

Dianne: "Yeah. Told you the ghoul would be useful."

Esme tried to squirm out of Barnabas's hold as soon as they were on the ground. Armin slowed once he was close. Seeing that Esme wasn't harmed, he seemed very nonchalant about what happened.

{Barnabas released her once she started squirming.}

Dianne: "It was an impressive flight, if not for the fact that she went right towards the lake."

Armin shifted back to human form. 'Give it a bit longer, and she might be flying probably.'

He started to head back to the truck. Esme followed, trying to look like nothing had happened.

{Chuckling slightly, she walks with them to the truck.}

Dianne: "She's a fast learner. I'm proud of her."

Armin climbed into the truck and started the engine. 'Alright, I guess we'd better hurry back now. We have problems to sort out.'

Dianne: "Seems that way. Let's get going."

{Hopping in, she sets Esme on her lap and buckles in.}

They made the drive home in relative quiet. As Armin parked up the truck outside, he sent a telepathic message to Rex.

'...Well, no-one's been over yet, but I'm sure they will be soon. Let's just go in and wait.'

Dianne: "Alright. I need to get out of this armor..."

{Scooping up Esme, she heads inside. After depositing her on the couch, she heads upstairs to change.}

Armin took his shoes off and settled on the couch, having nothing to do except wait for this Gail person to show up. //I wonder if anything can actually make the Aspect leave them alone. You can't even have a normal conversation with that thing; how is anyone supposed to tell it what to do? I guess Dianne thinks she can, and that's the main thing...//

{Dianne reappeared in her blue dress. She then sits on the couch, leaning very slightly on Armin.}

Dianne: "...I wonder who this Gail person is..."

'Luxia's assistant, apparently...' said Armin. 'I don't know what she's /like,/ but if she manages to work with that woman, she's probably either very calm, or just as insane.'

Dianne: "...Why do we always have to deal with the nuts? I would like to meet a decent person at least once..."

'Hey, not everyone we meet is crazy. Billingsly was alright. Well, he was kind of crazy, but at least not in a bad way... Luxia is probably the weirdest person we've met so far.'

Dianne: "I suppose...Was still extremely uncomfortable to be forced to switch bodies..."

Armin shrugged slightly. 'Eh, everything's back to normal now. It sucked, but I'm not going to hold a grudge. Though, you seemed to take it a lot worse than I did.'

Dianne: "Yeah, well...it just felt...wrong. I've been around for a very long time. Then, to suddenly be thrust into this unfamiliar form, with new...feelings and sensations...It just really took me by surprise..."

'Yeah, it was a strange experience if nothing else... Being in your body sucked, and not just because it wasn't mine. I rather like not being able to freeze to death. But, hey, it could've been worse. She could have turned you into a ferret or something.'

Dianne: "I know. If she had, nothing could stay my hand."

{She remarks darkly.}

Dianne: "That is why I am reluctant to help her at all. I hope the Aspect drains her of all joy."

'Yes, but we can't let it endanger other people because of her,' said Armin patiently. 'We can let it slide just this once. If she ever does anything like this to you again... I won't force you not to kill her...'

{Dianne just sighs at this.}

Dianne: "I'm not just going to let this slide. She needs to apologize to us. Formally. And she needs to promise to never cast spells on us without our consent ever again."

'Yeeeaah. Good luck getting any of that out of someone who's obviously loopy.'

Dianne: "Then she needs to go in a home. She's obviously a danger to herself and others. If the Aspect can't get through to her, then I'll put her up in a facility myself and perform the ritual."

Armin eyed her sideways for a moment. 'A danger? Well, we don't know if she's ever actually /hurt/ anyone. We don't even know if putting spells on people is a habit of hers. Maybe we were a special case. Besides, how are you planning to keep her in a home if she's so powerful?'

Dianne: They have homes for elderly witches. They'll take care of her, I guarantee it. And was I, or was I not just threatening her over what she did?"

(Posted new room)