Armin ordered himself a mug of hot chocolate. Afterwards, he just sat there quietly, texting.

{Dianne sat quietly as well, waiting for her food.}

Dianne: "So, what did he say?"

'Nothing unusual. He said to enjoy the rest of our vacation and don't die in a plane crash on the way back.'

Armin put his phone back in his jacket pocket.

'He was on break, but he's going back to teach some class now.'

Dianne: "Alright. I'm surprised how quickly they got him teaching.I thought there should be a longer grace period. Still, I'm glad he's happy with his new job."

'It was quick, but at least it gave him something to do. Rex functions better when he has something meaningful to do, especially if it involves taking care of others. He looks after them instead of focusing on his own problems. That's likely why he never complains about having to watch Esme for us.'

Dianne: "We'll, that's good. I certainly hope it helped with his drinking problem."

'It must have. I don't think he'd have kept the job if he ever showed up drunk.'

Dianne: "True. Are we still going to give him less ale when we drink?"

{As she asked, her food arrived.}

'That ale is potent anyway, so it's probably for the best. I don't want him getting drunk. I mostly just want to get /you/ drunk, so that you'll sing lovely songs at me.'

He said this with a smirk, picking up his mug of hot chocolate and trying some.

{Dianne chuckles at the conjecture.}

Dianne: "If you really want to hear it, I can just sing to you. Have Rex play a nice tune and we'll give it a go."

'Hmm, yeah, I need to get you to sing and play together... that could be great. I was under the impression that you wouldn't, considering you only sung last time because I got you drunk.'

Dianne: "Well, you said you hated whistling, so I wasn't sure how you felt about singing. Glad you enjoyed it."

{She then cuts up Esme's food and starts to eat.}

'Whistling's just an irritating noise. Singing and instruments are fine. I might not have any musical skill myself, but I can appreciate what you two do.'

Armin had ordered no food, but sat there contentedly sipping his drink while they ate.

Dianne: "Alright then. When we get back, we'll talk about collaboration."

Armin grunted in acknowledgement, then lapsed into silence, drinking and watching out the window. He waited to see if she would talk about anything, and if not, he'd just sit quietly until it was time to leave.

{Dianne simply ate quietly until she had finished. Once done, she leans back and stretches.}

Dianne: "Hey, thanks for the back rub last night. I always sleep well after those. Not sure why though."

'Well, it's relaxing. That's enough of a reason... And you're welcome,' said Armin, as he finished his drink and set the mug down.

{Standing, she looks to Esme.}

Dianne: "So, ready to move along?"

Armin pushed back his chair and stood up, waiting for Esme before walking out to the car.

'Alright, just tell me where we need to go.'

{Dianne picks up Esme and gets into the passenger's seat.}

Dianne: "We're looking forr 84675 Rauch Ave. Big marble building with pillars. Can't miss it."

'Alright... Hold on...'

Armin typed the address into his phone and briefly looked at a map before setting off confidently.

{Dianne sat, absently petting Esme as they drove.}

Dianne: "Hey, remember when we first met in the forest, and I sent that draugr after you? With Jerry?"

'What, the draugr that blocked me from coming in while you talked to him? Yeah, I remember that. You threw Jerry into a tree trunk.'

{Dianne smiles sheepishly at that.}

Dianne: "Yeah....I gotta know, you just got assaulted by a zombie and for all you knew, Jerry was about to get murdered. Why did you stay and not run for the hills?"

Armin shrugged slightly as he drove.

'I wanted Sargon and his Loyals dealt with. That's why I was so quick to get with Jerry - because he seemed like he knew what he was doing. And Jerry seemed to think we needed your help. So I guess I was willing to take the chance that you weren't a complete psycho.'

Dianne: "I see. Well, who could have known this would happen? If you were to tell anyone how we first met, they'd never believe we'd eventually end up a couple."

'That's one of the fun things about life. You never know what's going to happen and sometimes, it's the strangest things that do. If Lucci had told you about this in the beginning, you probably would've hit the roof.'

Dianne: "Yeah, I probably would have. Jeeze, I was so strung out...I am grateful that things turned out this way. I am grateful that knowing you has made me a better person. A happier person. And Esme helped a lot too."

'I didn't have high expectations for my life for a long time. Helping to kill Sargon was the only thing I hoped for. Then, after everything, I got you two, and I got Fred and Rex back. Things got better than I could've ever expected.'

Dianne: "Honestly, I never expected to be happy again. I thought I was destined to spend eternity alone. I thought my past would drive away everyone. I have never been happier to be wrong."

'Maybe modern people are a bit more open-minded than those you met in the past. That might explain why none of our friends care that you're a necromancer... Or maybe you just got lucky and found the right people.'

Dianne: "Maybe so. Regardless, I'm glad I didn't leave. I'm also glad that my atrocious behavior didn't drive you away. It still amazes me that you fell in love with me at all."

'Well, I can't really /explain/ that. Somewhere along the line, it just happened. I thought I just saw you as a friend and then... I realised it wasn't that. Not quite.'

Dianne: "We don't need to explain it. It's good enough for me that I have it at all."

'Yes, I'm endlessly grateful that it happened.'

As he turned onto another road, a large marble building came into sight up ahead. He approached it, finding a spot to park.

{Once they were parked, Dianne stepped out with Esme.}

Dianne: "Ok...we have to go to the travel and shipping office..."

Armin hopped out and locked up the car.

'OK, lead the way...' he said, gazing up at the rather impressive-looking building looming above them.

{Dianne walked inside, looking around the spacious halls for the right office. Finding it, she sighs a little, as it has a significant line.}

Dianne: "Well...you can either wait here with me, or take Esme outside to explore while I deal with this. Your call."

Armin scratched his jaw, considering. //If I can get a moment without her... then maybe I could...//

'...Well, I think Esme's going to get bored, and so will I, so I'll just leave you to it. Hopefully it won't be too long.'

He picked up a surprised Esme and placed her on his shoulders.

Dianne: "Alright, I'll call when I'm done."

{Dianne continues to wait boredly in line.}

Armin went outside with Esme.

'C'mon, we're going for a walk.'

He wandered down the streets for a few minutes, before coming across an abandoned warehouse. He gave Esme a sideways look.

'Hey, you think you can fly up there?' He put her down, shifted to his hawk form, and leapt onto the warehouse roof to demonstrate. Esme followed seconds later, just barely managing to get high enough.

With the dragonet busy being proud of herself, Armin lifted his gaze towards the sky.

//Hey, uhh, Lucci? This feels stupid, but I guess you're supposed to know everything that happens. Do you have a minute...?//

{Suddenly, Armin feels a tap on his back.}

Lucci: "What am I, your personal genie? What do you want?"

Armin flinched slightly and spun around, shifting back to human form as he did so.

'Hey, you probably weren't doing anything else.' He gazed at Lucci for a moment without much expression. 'Couldn't have warned us about the hunters, could you?'

Lucci: "I can't interfere too much, or Akhet gets mad at me. I only show up if you're in immediate danger of dying or Dianne losing her sanity. I have to make things count, get it? Now, what is it? Don't know what to get her for Christmas ?"

Armin paused momentarily at the words 'Dianne losing her sanity' but decided not to pursue that topic.

'Yes, pretty much. It's not easy to get gifts for someone who has so much already. I don't want it to be some meaningless lump of treasure. I had an idea, but I wanted to run it by you first. Since it's kind of... a sensitive topic.'

Lucci: "Out with it, then. I need to go visit Triticum after this."

'I got the idea from that statue she has, of Mira. And I thought of getting a little gold jewelled sculpture, depicting Mira and Esme together... Thought it might be sweet... But obviously, I don't want to stir up anything unpleasant.'

{Lucci strokes his chin, thinking a moment.}

Lucci: "Well....It'll make her cry, but not in a bad way...in the years to come, it will be a good way for her to remember both her children in a positive light. Yes, I think that will work. However, let me make it. I can sculpt Mira better than any goldsmith, as I have actually seen her."

Armin considered briefly.

'Alright. I wanted them depicted together on a little gold plinth, with their names written underneath. And maybe gemstones of appropriate colours for the eyes...'

Lucci: "Yes, I think that would be appropriate. I'll give it to you once you get back to Soveriegn. Anything else to ask of me?"

'Not really.' Armin absently scratched his head. 'Actually, one thing. Did you somehow set it up, that we'd be here at the same time as Ardens? Or was it pure coincidence?'

Lucci: "I may have suggested they vacation here, knowing that you'd be here. This old feud needed to finally end. What happened here will go a long way in ending it."

'What, you mean with Biceras? Are you sure about that? She seems a bit less aggressive than before, but I don't see her dropping the grudge anytime soon.'

Lucci: "Give her time. She's very insecure about losing people because of her past. She will eventually realize that Dianne is no longer interested in Ardens."

'If you say so.'

Armin looked out over the street as he stood on the edge of the roof.

'Alright, I think that't all. I'd better start heading back. No cryptic advice or words of wisdom today?'

Lucci: "No, just a caution. Sam isn't done. He will follow you back to Soveriegn. Let Frederick know, and you'll never lose track of him."

'I had a feeling he wasn't done. I'm almost looking forward to it. The old bast.ard doesn't know what he's getting into. Anyway, thanks. I'll make sure everyone knows.'

Lucci: "Don't underestimate him. He's an experienced hunter and he has the Tussock brothers backing him up. They use magic to augment their arsenal."

'Fair. Are they going to use portals to follow us back? I heard all of their portal users were killed or arrested, but maybe that was wrong.'

Lucci: "No. The whole time you've been here, they've been heading there. They'll arrive shortly after you do. So, Frederick can head them off and keep them under observation."

'Alright. I'll make sure Fred knows to watch for them. He'll keep track of them and make sure there are no unexpected ambushes. Anything else?'

Lucci: "No, that's it. Just deal with Sam in a timely manner and keep Dianne from freezing during the winter. If the room temperature isn't high enough during the morning, she may not get up at all."

'Lucci, I'm not going to let the house get /that/ cold. It's fine; I'll get her up in the morning.'

He turned to glance at Lucci.

'I was planning to pay someone to make that statue, but I suppose you wouldn't have any use for money.'

Lucci: "I wouldn't. Keep your money, I'll just get it to you in a few days."

'Alright. I'll see you around, then.'

Glancing at Esme, he shifted to hawk form in preparation to fly off the roof.

Lucci waves to him as he departs, disappearing once he was out of sight.

Armin flew down, waiting for Esme to follow him before shifting back to walk down the street. Retracing his steps, he got back to the city hall. Since Dianne hadn't texted to say she was finished, he waited outside for her, leaning against one of the pillars.

//Well, that's the last of the Christmas gifts sorted. Can't wait to give them to everyone...//

{About twenty minutes later, Dianne texts.}

Dianne: {Done, the line was reaaaly long. I'll meet you outside.}

{A few minutes after that, Dianne appears at the doors.}

Dianne: "Well that took forever..."

Armin looked over to her, stifling a yawn as he put his phone away after reading her text.

'Oh, hello. Finally done? We just went for a walk then came back to wait for you.'

Esme squeaked in greeting.

Dianne: "Yeah, I got us our little passport things so we can ride the plane."

{She then pets Esme in greeting.}

Dianne: "Now, to the airport, to buy our tickets."

Armin, of course, wasn't going to tell her the real reason he'd wanted to talk to Lucci, but as they got into the car, he spoke.

'Oh, hey, Lucci popped up while we were on our walk. He just wanted to warn us that Sam Garvey is planning to follow us back home and have another go. I've texted Fred, who's going to use his people to keep track of the old man.'

Dianne: "Not surprising. That old man is as stubborn and hateful as they come. This time, I'm going to strangle him with the line off his crossbow."

'Can't say I'm looking forward to how Jerry's going to react when his dad comes marching into Sovereign to attack us again,' Armin remarked. 'I hope he isn't forced to choose between his family or his friends...'

Dianne: "Neither am I. I don't want to hurt him by killing his family, but they might not give us a choice..."

'Jerry's intelligent. He's probably already accepted that it might come to this, from the moment his dad sold us out to the Bloodrazors. I don't want to hurt him either, but we have to defend ourselves.'

Dianne: "Yeah. I guess we'll just have to see how this plays out. Any chance Fred could just arrest him and we won't have to kill him?"

'Probably, if he can subdue him. Considering what this guy is like, he might prefer to die fighting than let himself be arrested. We'll have to see what happens.'

Dianne: "I suppose so. He said there was a bounty on your head from the family whose girl you killed, when this all started. I suppose I'll need to track that family down and dispose of them, if they won't stop sending hunters."

Armin grimaced at that.

'I don't exactly blame them for being upset that their daughter got killed...'

Dianne: "What else can we do, Armin? I know it's tragic, but it's them or us at this point. I suppose we could try reaching out, but that might just piss them off more."

'They probably wouldn't listen. And I don't blame them for that, either,' he said darkly. 'They're victims. I'm not going to let them kill me, but killing them is sure as hell going to leave a sour taste.'

{Dianne rubs the back of her head and sighs.}

Dianne: "Let's not think about this now. Come on, let's head to the airport."

Armin didn't reply, but continued on his way to the Alexandria airport. He must have searched up its location while Dianne had been in the city hall, as he never asked her for directions.

(Dianne: "Wait, when did we get in the car?" XD)

{Dianne just watches Armin with concern as they drive.}

Dianne: "Hey, after this business with the airport, let's go do something fun for our last day here. Anything you want."

(I sorta implied them getting in the car when Armin mentioned Lucci. XD)

'...Well, I'll try to think of something. Aren't we supposed to be going out for a fly after this, too?'

(Lol I missed that.)

Dianne: "Oh yeah, let's do that. I'll hold onto Esme when I fly."

Armin fell silent again, seemingly brooding. Eventually, they reached the airport. Both he and Esme gazed at the array of motionless planes parked outside.

'Now, where do we go exactly...'

Dianne: "The main office. This way."

{Hopping off the car with Esme, Dianne approaches a small building on the edge of the runway. The sign on it said "tickets and information"}

Dianne: "Over here."

Armin jumped out of the car in pursuit.

'There had better not be a huge line for plane tickets, too,' he remarked.

Dianne: "Mmm...looks deserted to me. Planes are expensive and low in capacity. Not the most popular transportation option."

{Sure enough, the place was fairly empty. Dianne was able to walk right up to the counter.}

Dianne: "Three tickets for a flight to Vallis. Sovereign City runway."

Clerk: "One-eighty, and passports please."

{Dianne proceeds to pay and present the passports. }

(posting new room)