'Sorry, just messing around. Hey, like I said, I'm not the dragon. Just because I don't get it, doesn't mean it's not worthwhile to you. I don't care as long as you don't start filling our house with treasure.'

He started to head out of the storeroom, leaving Esme with her collection.

{Dianne stands and follows him out.}

Dianne: "Ok...I guess your basement is enough..."

{She says mischievously.}

Dianne: "Rex doesn't seem to mind all the riches."

'Seems like it. Well, nor do I, as long as they're not filling every room.'

Armin glanced at the basement hatch down the stairs.

'Speaking of the basement, we should have a few drinks tonight. It's been a busy few days.'

Dianne: "I agree. We could both use a nice, relaxing evening. Now, what to make for dinner that would go good with the ale..."

'I'll leave that up to you,' said Armin. 'You know more about food and cooking than I do.'

As they went down the stairs, they would see Rex by the front door, seemingly getting ready to go out.

Dianne: "Yeah...I'm thinking pasta and meatballs....and squash... Oh, going out for some air, Rex?"

{Dianne asks cheerfully.}

Armin nodded in acknowledgement at the dinner idea.

Rex turned to look at her as he put his boots on. 'I need to hunt,' he explained. 'You can all come too, if you'd like some fresh air. Unless you were wanting to stay at home this afternoon?'

{Dianne momentarily considers the request.}

Dianne: "I think it could be nice. What do you think, Armin?"

'I guess so. Why not?' said Armin agreeably. 'We could go for a flight together. I know you like it when you get to actually be a dragon.'

Dianne: "Yeah. Alright, I'll get Esme and put my armor on. Meet you outside."

{With that, she heads upstairs.}

Rex stepped outside, followed by Armin once he got his shoes on, to wait for Dianne.

'...Well, I think I'll fly ahead,' Rex said. 'There's no need to ride in that clunky truck of yours if I don't have to.'

'Hey, don't insult my truck. That thing was a lifesaver on more than one occasion.'

{A few minutes later, Dianne appears in full armor, with Esme in her arms.}
Dianne: "Ok, let's go."

'I'll be somewhere around Bloodwater Lake...' Rex muttered, before shifting into his raven form and taking off.

Armin climbed into the truck and waited until Dianne and Esme were in, before setting off keenly in pursuit. 'You really need to get a winter coat so you can stop wearing armour everywhere...'

Dianne: "Alexandria. Next week. Won't you be coming?"

{She asks, chuckling.}

'Of course. I almost forgot it was next week, what with everything that's been going on...' Armin mused. 'What things do you think we can do there, besides shopping for clothes?'

Dianne: "It's a big city. I'm sure we'll find plenty to do. What would you be interested in doing?"

'I don't know...' Armin considered for a minute. 'I suppose I just want to see what it has to offer. It's a very different place to both Shacklestone and Sovereign. I don't really know what to even /expect/ to find there.'

Dianne: "Who knows? It's very non-human friendly. I'm not sure of everything they could have."

'Yeah, they refused to honour the bounty when Paxton's psycho army was chasing us, so we know they're decent. Well, I definitely want to check out anything thats looks fun. Nice bars, arcades, amusement parks maybe...'

Dianne: "Well, I know they have plenty of those. It will be nice to spend the week there, and just relax on a...family vacation of sorts..."

'Yes, and we can send pictures of all the shops and attractions back home to Ivy,' said Armin slyly. 'She'll love them.'

{Dianne makes an evil smile.}

Dianne: "Oh, yes. I think she'd love to see all the fun we have. While sitting alone at home."

'Hope nobody else gets jealous of our trip,' Armin remarked. 'Though, Jerry, Pythia, and Fred all seem like they've never taken a break in their lives, so I suppose they won't care.'

Dianne: "Yeah, it seems that way. Speaking of which, have you heard from Jerry? I haven't heard anything from him in a while."

'No, not for quite a while, actually. I guess he's busy, but... maybe we should briefly stop by his place on the way back, just to see how he and Ivy are doing?'

Dianne: "Yeah, let's do that. I hope they're doing ok."

Armin lulled into silence after that, content to enjoy the drive. They left the main city and headed out towards the northern plains. When they eventually came near the edge of Bloodwater Lake, Armin parked the truck and looked around. There were no other people in sight.

'...This is the same lakeside where the Aspect ambushed me that one time... Doesn't feel as ominous in the daylight, though.'

Dianne: "True. Although, the name "Bloodwater", doesn't really help..."

Armin climbed out of the truck, slowly stepping nearer to the lake.

'I want to fly... Maybe you could bring Esme with us if you carry her?'

Dianne: "Seems like a good idea."

{Getting out, Dianne beckons Esme to follow. Backing up a short distance, she shifts to dragon form and stretches.}

Dianne: "Alright. Here, Esme."

Esme cocked her head curiously before walking over, looking up at the enormous dragon.

Armin shifted to hawk form, standing on the grass and stretching out his wings in preparation for takeoff.

{Dianne stretches her neck down to nuzzle Esme, before gently picking her up in her hands. With a few powerful wing beats, she takes to the skies.}

Esme gave a delighted chirp as they blasted off into the sky, excitedly watching the land and lake rush past below them.

Armin took flight after Dianne did, swiftly catching up to her. He looped and dove around, showing off his hawk agility. He was also on the lookout for Rex, but the other vampire seemed to be quite far away, probably hunting across the lake.

{Dianne kept a firm but gentle grip on Esme as they flew. She began to fly around the perimeter of the lake, enjoying feeling of the wind under her wings.}

Esme was clearly loving this, her eyes wide as she watched the lake rush by, imagining that she was flying herself.

Armin was quiet for a few minutes, just enjoying the cool, fresh air and the feeling of flight. Then he darted up next to Dianne.

//Do a loop. I dare you,// he goaded playfully.

{Dianne looks at Armin quizzically.}

Dianne: "Why? What could I possibly hope to accomplish?"

//Accomplish? It wouldn't accomplish anything. I just wanted to know if you were capable of it,// he replied in a nonchalant tone.

Dianne: "Of course I'm capable of it, but why would I want to do one? For your personal enjoyment?"

//Well, if you want to put it like that... I guess so?// He ruffled his feathers in something similar to a shrug. //Never mind, then.//

Esme was paying no attention to the one-sided conversation, peering past Dianne's arms to look at the view.

{Dianne just sighs at this.}

Dianne: "Very well..."

{Gaining a bit of altitude, she starts to speed up. All at once, she performs the maneuver, slowing down once it was completed.}

Dianne: "There. Satisfied?"

Esme yelped when they suddenly went upside-down, then just put on a puzzled expression. Armin, who had moved away slightly to avoid being hit by a wing or tail, came back over.

//Yes, it was impressive,// he replied. //I honestly didn't think you could do that.//

{Dianne chuckles a little.}

Dianne: "Hey, I may be big, but I'm more maneuverable than I look."

//Yes, I didn't think a heavy, overgrown winged lizard could be manouverable,// said Armin slyly. He continued flying alongside her, drinking in the scenery.

{Rolling her eyes, Dianne continues to fly in silence, enjoying the view.}

They flew around quietly for a while. Eventually, Armin spotted a raven standing near the lake edge. He darted over, finding Rex busy lapping up blood from a dead rabbit. A second rabbit lay discarded on the ground behind him.

//I'm done,// said Rex, to the group in general. //We can all go home if you're ready.//

{Dianne stops, flying in place as she looks down at the scene.}

Dianne: "Alright. Armin, are you ready?"

Rex took to the air, leaving the dead rabbits behind. Flying with renewed energy, he set off across the lake.

//Yeah, we should go,// said Armin. //If we want to stop by Jerry's place on the way back.//

Dianne: "Agreed."

{Turning around, she starts to fly back to the truck.}

Dianne: "Ivy will likely be there. Be ready to get annoyed."

//Oh, I'm fully expecting it.//

Flying slightly ahead, Armin landed, shifted back, and unlocked the truck. Rex opted to fly the rest of the way back, leaving them behind.

{Dianne lands, gently putting Esme down. Shifting back, she scoops Esme back up and sits in the passenger's seat.}

Dianne: "Alright, let's get going."

Once they were inside the truck, Esme shook herself and gazed around as if she were surprised to be back on land.

Armin briskly set off, leaving the peaceful lakeside behind and returning to the city.

'Now, where is his place again...?'

Dianne: "On Fifth and Clydesdale, I think..."

{She was absently petting Esme as she sat on her lap.}

Armin hummed thoughtfully and turnud down a different street, looking around at all the buildings as he drove. Eventually, he slowed down. 'Oh... I have a feeling that might be it.'

Right there was Jerry's place, and outside it stood Ivy, who was saying goodbye to a brown-haired girl about her age. When the girl left, Ivy glanced up. Her eyes narrowed when she recognised Armin's truck parking up.

{Leaving her helmet in the car, Dianne steps out onto the sidewalk, taking Esme into her arms.}

Dianne: "Hello, Ivy. Is Jerry around?"

'Oh, he's probably just inside, working as usual...' said Ivy dismissively. She eyed Dianne and Esme, then her gaze slid to Armin as he climbed out. 'Haven't seen any of you around recently. Been busy?'

Dianne: "Yeah. Just some business with Pythia, and a bit of a mishap with a local witch...nothing too exciting. How about you? Keeping yourself occupied?"

'Oh, I'm doing what I can... Life hasn't been the most exciting lately... But maybe boring is a good thing, compared to dealing with those hunters.'

Dianne: "Agreed. Fightng for one's life is never pleasant...Anyway, we're just here to visit Jerry, make sure he's doing ok."

'Well, I won't keep you...'

She continued to eye Armin and Dianne rather intently. Ignoring her, Armin stepped past, heading up to the house.

{Dianne then walks into the building.}

Dianne: "Jerry?"

Jerry: "In here..."

{Jerry was sitting in his office, looking over a file. He looks up when Dianne walks in.}

Jerry: "Hello, Dianne. And Esme. How's everything? Another horde of bloodthirsty hunters after you?"

Esme squirmed in Dianne's grasp, stretching her neck out to sniff at the file Jerry was reading.

'Eh, not yet,' said Armin, stopping in the doorway and curiously surveying the office. 'We were just on our way back from somewhere, and figured we'd drop in and make sure you're still alive. Dianne kept mentioning how we hadn't heard from you in ages.'

{Jerry looks at them, slightly amused.}

Jerry: "That's nice. But if that's true, why are you armor clad?"

{Dianne responds while trying to hold Esme back.}

Dianne: "Because all of my coats got ruined, and this is the last piece of insulated apparel I have."

Jerry: "Really, Armin, your girlfriend is freezing and instead of buying her a nice new coat, you let her walk around in that?"

{He says mischievously.}

'She's got more money than me; she could easily buy herself one,' said Armin nonchalantly. 'Anyway, I need one too. But we're both waiting until we go back to Alexandria to buy new stuff. They have a much nicer choice over there.'

He glanced over his shoulder to ensure Ivy was nowhere in the immediate vicinity before he said that.

Jerry: "Armin, surely you've learned by now that Dragons will hoard their wealth even to the point of self detriment. Oh, taking another trip to Alexandria, huh? Better make it soon, it's almost winter."

Dianne: "Yes, we're going next week, to beat the snow."

Jerry: "Very well. Well, you can see that I am fine. I'm just keeping busy with cases, trying to ignore the fact that my family are psychos..."

Armin's expression changed upon hearing that. 'Wait, what are your family doing? Not trying to sell us out to more hunter groups, are they?'

Jerry: "Oh, no. I'm just coming to terms with the fact that they sold you out the first time. It's just....hard, y'kow? To think the people who raised me could...act like this..."

{Dianne's expression becomes a little solemn as she remains quiet.}

'Oh.' Armin scratched his jaw, uncertain what to say either. 'That does suck, and it's not fair on you. But it's not like /all/ of them are horrible racists. Some of them are OK, from what I remember.'

Jerry: "Yeah, my uncle Steve wants nothing to do with them, and Eliza's getting ostracized for her crush on you. Bob and Sarah are currently separated over it, and Grandpa has just washed his hands of it, saying we have a hard job, but he didn't raise no racists...I miss the old days, when it was clear who the bad guy was, and none of this grey area crap..."

Dianne: "....I'm sorry to hear that...Look, if you need anything...."

Jerry: "I appreciate the concern, but I'll get through it...no need to further burden yourselves with my issues...you two already have enough to worry about."

'Just because people keep assaulting us doesn't mean we have to ignore everyone else's problems. I doubt there's much we can actually do to help with this, given that it's about /your/ family - but like she said, if you need anything, let us know. I'm sure Ivy's of no help.'

Esme was sitting quietly by then, peering around curiously.

{Jerry just nods at the proposition.}

Jerry: "Thanks, guys....That means a lot."

Dianne: "We mean it. Anything at all, just ask."

Armin reached over and clapped Jerry on the shoulder. 'Yeah, just let us know. Also... about Eliza... I don't suppose you've told her about this?'

He gestured vaguely at himself and Dianne.

{Jerry looks between the pair.}

Jerry: "Uh, no. I haven't spoken to her in a while. Next time we talk, I'll be sure to mention it."

Dianne: "That would be for the best."

Jerry: "Yeah...after she hears, I doubt she'll threaten your union."

'I just don't want her to come here one day and find out for herself,' said Armin. He then grimaced slightly. 'Actually, I just don't want to have to reject her.'

'Wimp,' came a muttered voice from behind Armin. Ivy had re-entered the house.

Dianne: "Excuse me, Ivy?l

Jerry: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Ivy ignored Dianne's comment.

'So, Eliza /still/ likes him after not seeing him in over a year? That's a very enduring crush...'

Jerry: "Well, he made a good impression..."

Dianne: "A good impression?"

Jerry: "Yeah, apparently, when Armin stayed by her bedside after she got shot, she thought it meant something more...But don't worry, I'll handle this in a way that doesn't require breaking spines."

Dianne: "Relax, Jerry, I understand. No one's getting their spine broken."

Armin looked mildly discomfited by Jerry's words.

'Hey, she was a friend, who nearly died, and I was concerned. I would have sat by /your/ bedside when you were shot, if I'd been there at the time. That doesn't mean I'm in love with you.'

{At that, Jerry snickers.}

Jerry: "Point taken. I get it, friends and allies mean a lot to you. I'll take care of it, don't worry."

'Thanks. I appreciate that.'

Armin glanced around the office.

'Well, I guess we should probably go and leave you to your work...'

Jerry: "Hold on, one last thing."

{Getting up, he heads upstairs. He comes back with a thick winter coat and hands it to Dianne.}

Jerry: "Here. For your trip. It's going to be awfully cold up there, and you don't want to be scaring people with that armor."

Dianne: "Oh...Thank you, Jerry."

Armin eyed the coat Jerry brought out. 'Where did that come from? Was it yours?'

Jerry: "Of course it's mine. I'm a very well equipped person, I have everything."

Dianne: "I'll give it back once we get back. But, thank you again."

'Yeah, she'll give it back if she doesn't manage to get it torn up first,' said Armin slyly.

{Dianne just rolls her eyes and shoves Armin playfully.}

Jerry: "If it gets a little torn up, don't worry about it. I'd rather you survive than it."

Dianne: "Of course. But, it won't. We're just spending a week in the friendliest city in the region, what could go wrong?"

'I don't know, but I'd still never use that phrase in reference to us,' said Armin with amusement.

'Wait a minute, 'trip'?' said Ivy suspiciously. 'Where, exactly, are you two running off to?'

Dianne: "What do you care, Ivy?"

{Dianne asks, turning to look at her.}

Dianne: "We're just taking a break from all the people trying to kill us?"

Ivy scoffed. 'Really? Last time you and him went on a trip together, you ended up nearly /dying,/ and we ended up in a war against those hunters!'

'Yeah, well...' said Armin. 'We're not travelling anywhere near as far this time. We'll be back in like a week and a half.'

Dianne: "Yeah. Are you worried about us, Ivy? And here I thought you didn't like us."

'I'm not /completely/ heartless,' said Ivy. 'I do /try/ to care about my allies, even when those allies mock me at every turn. Besides, I'd rather you don't bring back another horde of hunters.'

Dianne: "I promise we won't bring back any trouble."

Jerry: "Good. Besides, the types that would try anything generally won't hang around Alexandria."

Ivy narrowed her eyes. 'Oh, /Alexandria,/ is it? That one with all the big shopping districts and expensive things?'

'Yeah, and it's none of your business. You're not coming,' said Armin. He started to shift backwards towards the doorway. //Dammit, Jerry, I didn't want her to find out where we're going.//

{Jerry makes a quizzical face, hearing Armin's telepathy.}

Jerry: "Oh....Well, you should have told me sooner."

{He mumbles.}

Dianne: "Yeah, you wouldn't like it, Ivy. Besides, the traveling arrangements aren't exactly five star."

'What travelling arrangements?'

'You'd be sitting in a cramped military truck with us and Esme, while being flown by Titan, and sleeping in blankets on a metal floor,' said Armin.

'Oh,' said Ivy, looking a bit dejected. 'Well... I'll find a way to get there myself someday...'

Dianne: "Sorry, Ivy, but we'd like some time to ourselves."

Jerry: "Ivy, if you really want to go, there are travel services that can help. Or you could drive. It would take several days, but it would be a fun roadtrip."

'Mhm, maybe...' said Ivy thoughtfully.

Armin glanced around. 'Well, anyway, I guess we should go home. It's not long until dinner time, and I'd like a drink.'

{Jerry nods, waving goodbye.}

Jerry: "Alright, see you guys later. Stay safe out there, eh?"

Dianne: "We will Jerry. Same to you."

'Look after yourself,' said Armin. 'And remember to text us if you need anything.'

Ivy decided to follow them as they left Jerry's office, peering at them intently, especially Armin.

{Dianne looks over her shoulder at Ivy as they left.}

Dianne: "Something on your mind, Ivy?"

(Posting new room)