{Dianne sighs and closes her eyes.}

Dianne: "I know...it's frightening to me as well...But, I just don't know what I can do about it...what are we supposed to do? It's not fair..."

'...I don't like that you never told me about this... Every time it came to our house, it could have killed someone, and I wouldn't have even known it might happen. If I'd found Rex dead after one of its visits, that would have been a massive shock...'

{Dianne lifts her head and tilts it quizzically.}

Dianne: "Hold on, I did mention it. Back at the tavern when I was interviewing Billingsly. I thought you already knew that?"

'It's clear that I /didn't/ know that... That interview lasted hours; I can't remember everything you said.'

{Dianne rubs the back of her head, looking a bit embarrassed.}

Dianne: "Well...crap...guess what they say about making assumptions is true...But look, I wasn't willingly withholding that info. I honestly thought you already knew."

Armin just stared ahead at the TV, with a dead-eyed, unfocused gaze.

'...I'm getting Rex to move out. I can't stop the Aspect killing me or Esme when it shows up, but at least I can stop /him/ falling victim to it...'

Dianne: "Armin, wait..."

{Just then, there was a knock at the door.}

Lucci: "O-ho ho K, let's not let misinformation run your lives off the rails here, partner."

'Oh, f**k off, Lucci,' said Armin unhappily, still staring lifelessly at the TV. 'I didn't ask for an interruption.'

Lucci: "And yet, you needed one."

{He says, appearing inside.}

Lucci: "Everyone just relax, ok? The people you love are in a lot less danger than you think."

(Lucci is like an annoying life coach, that appears randomly to give you unwanted advice. XD)

'Oh, yeah? You've got some clever answer to all of this, I'm assuming? Go on, then, explain.'

(XD)

{Lucci sits down across from the couple.}

Lucci: "Armin, the anomalous effect of killing people may be a real danger, however, Death can also choose specific people to not die. 'Cause, y'know, it's literally death. That protection is always extended to you, Dianne, and Esme. You because Death sees you as her guardian, Dianne because she's his acolyte, and Esme because she's Dianne's daughter. You three are always safe from this effect."

Armin narrowed his eyes. 'Yeah, and what about everyone else? I don't hear you mentioning Rex; he doesn't matter to the Aspect, so he won't be protected.'

Lucci: "They'll all be fine due to one simple fact. The Aspect currently has no interest in them. You have to be within 500 feet to possibly experience the effect, and the possibility of it ocurring is already slim. Just keep Rex from hitting the hooch, and he'll be ignored, ok?"

'That doesn't help. If Rex isn't under the same protection as us, then he's in danger of dying every time the Aspect shows up. This house isn't 500 feet long, in case you hadn't noticed.' Armin squinted slightly. 'You're starting to confuse me with these explanations. When the Aspect kills people with reality instability, is it involuntary, or not?'

Lucci: "It is random and involuntary. However, whenever it's around, it extends to you three complete immortality, to null the effect out. I know the house is small, but what I'm saying is it has no reason to come here. Rex can't be in danger if there is no Aspect."

'Are you kidding? That thing shows up every week, for some reason or another. It's completely unpredictable.'

Lucci: "No, it was predictable. The Aspect can't just show up whenever it wants. It will, however, show up when someone's messing with his acolyte's well-being. In the case of Luxia breaking the pact, and Rex's drunken rage threatening the people in this household. Now, I know what you're thinking, what about Frederick? Frederick's indifferent, emotionless attitude made him suspicious, so he came to check it out. Seeing the Fred is no threat, he will never bother the boy again."

Armin snorted. 'Sure. And it could choose to show up again anytime it wants. Whenever a 'suspicious' guest enters our house, or something happens that it disagrees with. We can't always know what will provoke it to show up.'

Lucci: "So, do you always accept suspicious people into your home? How about this. The next time the Aspect wants to show up, I will personally keep Rex, and everyone else outside of its range, ok? You won't lose anyone to it. Sound good?"

Armin sighed a little. 'If you can, then fine. I guess having to do that beats living in constant fear of finding people I care about dead.'

Lucci: "Then it's settled. See, you've got nothing to worry about. I know it's scary, but you're not working alone against this."

{Dianne had remained silent through all of this. She just had the same worried, deeply contemplative look the whole time.}

'Great,' said Armin unenthusiastically. 'Thanks. I appreciate the help. If you haven't got anything else to say, I think I might just head to bed now.'

Lucci: "Just one question. Why are you so obviously upset still? I just told you everything is going to be fine. Do you not believe me?"

'Not entirely. Because I don't trust that thing as far as I can throw it. And because I'm damn terrified of losing people. I've lost so many friends... and family... And if Rex starts drinking again, the Aspect is going to kill him no matter what. Even you won't be able to stop it. I /can't/ lose anyone else.'

Lucci: "Y'know, for as many times as I've warned you about that, I'm a bit surprised you haven't told him about that. I'm pretty sure he'd think twice about drinking if he knew. Anyway, I'll leave you two alone now. Don't worry, you won't lose anybody. Have a good night."

{And with that, he leaves.}

Armin gave Lucci a hard look as he left. Expression shifting to weariness and concern, he got up and started to head upstairs without saying anything.

{Getting up, Dianne followed him. She had her own worries and concerns, but decided that, for the sake of everyone, she was going to push that aside and just be there for Armin. She wouldn't be much help if she was falling apart too. }

Esme trailed after them, sniffing the air curiously as she passed the place Lucci had been.

Upon getting to the bedroom, Armin changed into his sleepwear and flopped onto the bed. He wanted to believe Lucci would keep them safe, but he couldn't help being afraid. Of the Aspect's strange behaviour, of Rex relapsing, and of not being able to help the people he loved. After losing so many people in the past, he couldn't help but fear the worst outcomes.

{Dianne changed along with him and climbed into bed with him. She then pulls him close, embracing him from behind and stroking his hair.}

Dianne: "Everything's going to be fine. We're ok."

{She says softly.}

Armin closed his eyes, trying to relax in her arms and push away the morbid thoughts.

'It had better be... If I lose Rex... Or Fred, or Esme, or you... I'm freakin' done...'

Dianne: "That won't happen. I'll make sure of it.."

{Letting out a sigh, she starts to settle in.}

Armin fell silent, guessing that she just wanted to sleep. He made an effort to relax as well, slowly drifting into an uneasy slumber.

(I kinda want to throw the Aspect at luxia again)

(You can if you want, but she'll just treat it like a pleasant nice visitor again. XD)

(I know, he'll be so annoyed. XD)

(Should I set a scene for their shop then?)

(Yes, please.)

----

That night, Luxia's shop lay still and quiet, much like it had been the night before. Upstairs, where Gail's room was, rock music could be heard faintly through the ceiling. Downstairs, Luxia sat behind the counter, muttering to herself as she chopped herbs for potions.

{Suddenly, just like the previous night, there was an air of dread. All the critters in the shop began to flee, and another portal was opening up in the floor, in front of Luxia .}

Upstairs, the music abruptly cut out. Gail seemed to have recognised the Aspect's presence. Luxia barely faltered in her chopping.

'Bob, if you want tea, you'll just have to wait till I'm finished, alright? Grandma's busy.'

{The Aspect crawled out of its hole, creeping closer to Luxia. Once it got to her, it loomed over her, staring at her wordlessly. As it stood there, Luxia's chopped herbs withered and decayed into dust.}

Luxia slowly lifted her head to gaze up at the Aspect, blinking. She then pointed at it accusingly.

'Really, Bob, do you know how long it took to gather all of those herbs?' she said, sounding only mildly annoyed. 'Silly boy. Keep your nose where it belongs. Well, if you had a nose.' She then cackled madly.

{The Aspect then screeches in her face, sweeping everything off the countertop in rage.}

Aspect: "You dOn't gEt To igNoRe Me!"

'Oh, honestly, you're worse than a child at kindergarten. Come now, Bob, nobody is ignoring you. But, you really ought to work on your anger issues. There's a very good therapist up the road; I suggest checking them out.' Luxia nodded wisely, hardly seeming concerned by the screeching and mess.

{The Aspect seemed to become confused. It couldn't understand why Luxia wasn't afraid. Why she wouldn't give it the respect it demanded. So, it decided to try a different approach. It walks to the center of the room, throws back its head and shrieks. At this, all organic matter in the store, excluding Luxia, Gail, and the wooden boards and frame. decays into nothing. All of Luxia's stock has just been destroyed.}

There was a series of clatters and thumping footsteps, before Gail opened a door and poked her head in.

'Oh, geez, no f**king way,' she exclaimed, not going any further into the shop room.

Luxia gazed around at where the herbs, plants, potions and other stock had just been. Her expression darkened a little, but her demeanour was more like a very disappointed grandmother, than a person fearing for their life.

'Why, you menace! You're lucky that nice man bought so many rat boil cures from us last night. We have enough money to last a loooong time. But destroying my supplies is very rude and I expected better of you.'

{The Aspect just laughs, then turns his attention to Gail.}

Aspect: "Hahahahaha.......YoU! CoMe HeRE!"

Gail muttered a swear and slammed the door, running back up the stairs. Though protective of Luxia, she'd decided that Luxia was much more capable of defending herself than she herself was.

Luxia cast a light-based magic ward over the door. 'Now, now, good sir, there's no need for that.'

Aspect: "HahAhaHahHAAAaaahh..........PATHETIC!"

{Walking over to the ward, the Aspect digs its fingers into it. With a violent pull, it shatters the ward, then starts trying the knob.}

Luxia tutted. Meanwhile, Gail had run upstairs, into her bedroom, and shut the door behind her.

'Come now, Bob,' said Luxia. 'It's getting late and I'm sure all of us are past our bedtime. Why don't you run along now, and stop this silly tantrum?'

{The Aspect looks to Luxia with as much of a sneer as it could make.}

Aspect: "YoU hIdE bEhInd yOur shAtTereD MiND, buT yOu CannOt hIde fRom meeee...."

{It then starts carving something into the door. Once it finished, it began to melt into a red pool of putrid liquid.}

Aspect: "YoU cAn'T pRoteCt hEr....You CoUldn't eVen ProTect NebUlaaaa...."

Luxia put her hand to her chin in a 'thinking' gesture. 'Aah, you know of her, then...' she mumbled. 'Strange, strange... Though, perhaps not so strange... Is it my fault that she was transformed? Well, I certainly played my role, but others were just as much to blame...'

She trailed off at that point, continuing to mutter incoherent words while staring into space. If the Aspect's words affected her at all, they only served to make her retreat further into her own mind.

{Now a puddle, the Aspect's aura dissappear. This time, the pathogen left behind is magic leprosy.}

Luxia slowly sat back down in her rocking chair, suddenly seeming older and more fragile than before. However, all she did was mutter.

The tentative sound of footfalls came on the stairs. 'Is the f**king thing gone yet?!' Gail yelled through the closed door.

'Language, Abigail. And yes. There's also nasty disease-causing stuff in here again, but don't worry, I can probably heal it.'

'Damn you!' Gail snapped. 'If we don't manage to get this creep off our backs, we're dead!' She then seemingly clattered back upstairs to her room.

{Carved into the door was the mark of the cult. A skull with flowers growing out of it, and the words in Ferrosian, "From death, life, then death again."}

(Should we skip here?)

(Yeah, who starts?)

(I'll go.)

----

The next morning dawned cool and overcast. Armin appeared to be peacefully asleep in Dianne's embrace, despite the stress and fear of the day before.

{Dianne opened her eyes, feeling the cold of the morning. Shivering slightly, she snuggles into him, settling back down.}

Dianne: //I hope he feels better...he seemed pretty distraught...Man, he really doesn't trust Lucci...//

After a while, Armin became slightly restless. His expression shifted to a look of unease as he gripped reflexively onto Dianne's arms. He didn't say anything, but whimpered quietly as he continued to sleep.

{Dianne stirred at the sensation of Armin's fingers digging into her arms. Waking up, she starts to gently nudge him and stroke his head.}

Dianne: "Wake up. It's ok, we're ok."

Armin opened his eyes, looking momentarily confused before his expression cleared. He turned over to face her, then burrowed into her.

'Urgh, good morning...'

{Dianne pulls him in, holding him tightly.}

Dianne: "Good morning, sweetheart. Are you ok? Seemed like you were having a nightmare..."

'Eh... Just some vague thing involving the Aspect. It wasn't the worst it could've been. I don't even remember it too clearly...'

He let out a long breath and closed his eyes again, slowly relaxing against her.

{She continued to stroke his hair as she lay there with him.}

Dianne: "Alright, so long as you're ok..."

'Mhmm...'

Armin lay there with a vaguely pensive look for a few minutes, trying not to fall back to sleep.

'So, what about you? Doing OK? I don't imagine you're worried about the Aspect, but...'

Dianne: "Honestly...no. I feel like my presence in this city is inadvertently hurting people....sure, I didn't call the Aspect, but he's still showing up because of me...."

'You seem pretty keen on blaming yourself for everything... Look, I hate the dam.n Aspect. I don't like that we have an evil entity stalking us and endangering everyone we're close to. But you're not responsible for that thing's demented behaviour. You can't get rid of it, or make it leave people alone...'

Dianne: "Be that as it may, if I wasn't here, neither would it. That's the reality I can't get around. I like what we have here, I'm very happy with you and Esme, so I'm not leaving...I just need to come to terms with the fact that the Aspect may always be there..."

'That's the reality of it... That thing is always going to be around, terrorising anyone who gets close to us... I mean, it stalked Fred for no reason except that it was /curious./ And I'm scared as all heII that it's going to decide Rex isn't worth keeping alive... But eh, what can we do... Worrying about what it's going to do next won't help anyone.'

Dianne: "I suppose..."

{She proceeds to rest her head between his neck and shoulder.}

Dianne: "I'll also try not to blame myself for things I can't control...guess all we can do is our best with whatever comes next..."

Armin slowly ran his hand up her back, then down, then up again. The simple repetitive motion seemed rather calming to him.

'I always did prefer to take things as they come. It's hard when you're afraid of something that could have such lethal consequences. But, let's just live in the moment, do what we can to prevent it, and stop worrying over what hasn't happened yet.'

{Dianne didn't respond. She simply nuzzled into his neck, settling into a comfortable position.}

Armin tensed a little, then let out a long breath. He was fully awake after their conversation, but at Dianne's silence, he decided to just lie there quietly as well.

{Falling asleep again rather quickly, Dianne begins to stir a little. Rolling over with Armin, she ends up on top of him, unintentionally settling her weight on him.}

Armin snapped his eyes open as the air was forcibly knocked out of his lungs. Unable to draw breath, he had to use telepathy, while nudging at her arm. //Oww, move over!//

Dianne: "Eh? Wha?"

{She wakes up, quickly realizing what was happening.}

Dianne: "Oh, sorry..."

{Rolling off, she sits up in the bed.}

Dianne: "......Guess I ought to get up now...."

Armin rolled onto his front, resting his head on his arms and watching her out the corner of his eye.

'And then what? Do we have anything to do today?...'

Dianne: "I need to prepare for the ritual....And I need to talk to the king..."

Armin remained lying there, reluctant to get up.

'What do you need to talk to the King about?'

Dianne: "I need to convince him to fund Pythia's operations...Poor thing hasn't the heart to charge people as much as is necessary to run that place..."

'Oh, yeah... Well, considering how much she's been helping his citizens with all the disease and accidents that seem to happen around here, I'm sure he wouldn't object to giving her money.'

Dianne: "True...However, I need to present her case in a calm and professional mannner. Can't rely on fear to get me everything."

'You'll do fine. Just try not to make any deadly threats at him, and there's no reason he'd refuse.'

He pulled himself up a little, and affectionately kissed her cheek.

{Dianne smiles at the gesture, then gets up out of bed.}

Dianne: "Thanks, honey. I appreciate the emotional support."

Yawning a bit, Armin clambered out of bed, grabbed his clothes, and headed for the shower. Esme had already gone downstairs to wait for food.

{Dianne changes in the bedroom, then walks downstairs to start making breakfast.}

(Shall we skip to later, when stuff might be going on?)

(Yeah, after breakfast, Dianne's going to ask for a ride to her house, to get the ritual stuff ready. Then, she'll need to go to the palace to make an appointment, or maybe the king has walk ins?)

(Alright, we'll skip to after breakfast.
And, I think she'll be able to just go into the palace and ask to see the king. He's scared of her, so he's not going to keep her waiting.)

(Lmao ok, I'll start.)

{A little while later, Dianne had finished breakfast. Putting her plate away, she then approaches Armin. }

Dianne: "Hey, do you mind driving me to my house on the plains? Everything I need for the ritual is there."

Armin had been in the kitchen, talking quietly to Rex about the Aspect and how important it was for him to stop drinking. When Dianne came in, Rex startled, then quietly slid out of the room without saying anything.

'Yeah, I'll drive you up there,' said Armin, letting him go. He started to head towards the front door. 'We'd better get this ritual done as soon as we can.'

Dianne: "I know. It has to be done at night, so tonight seems good. I just need to get everything ready."

{She follows him to the front door before looking behind her.}

Dianne: "Is Rex ok? He ran away as soon as I entered the room."

Armin waited until they got outside and shut the door before replying.

'He's OK. I just had to talk to him about... well, why it's so important that he can't keep sneaking drinks behind my back. It's about life and death, now. I might have alarmed him, but at least he might take his wellbeing seriously now...'

Dianne: "I guess so. But, even before all this, he seemed...jumpy. I patted him on the shoulder once and he flinched like he was expecting me to slug him or something."

'It's not something he only does around you. He's just easily startled. And he doesn't really do well with being touched... especially touching him suddenly, without warning, like you did.' Armin climbed into the truck and buckled himself in.