//Well, this could be entertaining,// Armin mused.

'It will be useful for you to learn some basic defence skills. Even if you're not planning on fighting anything, you never know when Crowley or some other hooligan might show up...'

Dianne: "Yeah. Just what you need to keep yourself safe."

Pythia: "That's probably for the best."

{She then invites the next patient in. A man with a sprained ankle.}

Pythia: "Jeeze, I should really specify, emergencies only. No insignificant booboos..."

Man: "But this really does hurt!"

Armin looked on with a bit of amusement at this.

'I forget how much normal people aren't used to injuries. Speaking as someone who's had some pretty gruesome injuries, if I sprained an ankle, it definitely wouldn't be worth pestering the healers over,' he murmured.

Dianne: "These are simple townsfolk, Armin."

{Dianne whispers to Armin.}

Dianne: "Any pain for them is an inconvenience."

'Well, Pythis, should we leave you to your work? We'll probably see you again soon, for dinner. Or combat practice.'

Who dis?

Pythia: "Yeah. I should really give this my full attention. But, thanks for stopping by. Don't be a stranger, it does get lonely here."

Dianne: "Of course. We'll come over in a few days."

'We'll be around. Look after yourself.'

Taking a last sweeping look around the room, Armin headed for the door, avoiding the queue of people just outside.

{Dianne followed him out, waving goodbye to Pythia.}

Dianne: "Hey, wasn't a car supposed to pick us up?"

As if on cue, right when she said that, a white car came trundling down the road and stopped by the gate.

'I think that's it,' said Armin. When they got closer, they'd see that the car was driven by Owel.

'Good afternoon, You're going to Jerry's place, correct?'

Dianne: "Yes. Hello, Owel, how are you today?"

'Well enough. And you both seem to be doing well too.'

Armin climbed into the back seat this time, rolling down the window.

'I think it's normally Ryder who chauffeurs people,' said Owel, 'but he's still sleeping off what happened this morning.'

{Dianne sits in the back seat next to him.}

Dianne: "Yeah, I heard about that. He got hurt chasing the Tussock Brothers. Fred said he was ok."

'Oh yes, he's fine. Thankfully, Fred cares more about his friends and allies than getting the kill, so to speak. He wouldn't have willingly sent Ryder to his death.'

Once they were in, Owel set off down the road.

Dianne: "That's good. No perp is worth your life. If they show up again, I'll deal with them."

'I want a shot at them too,' said Armin.

'I'm sure you two could handle them,' said Owel. 'They might not come back, though.'

Dianne: "If they're smart, they won't. But if they do, I'll take first shot. They want you, not me, remember?"

'I'm not worried. They won't kill me so easily, and I know you won't let them drag me off.'

Dianne: "Then we'll take them on together. If they show up again. If not, then great. We don't need to get our hands dirty."

'Of course. No need to go hunting them down, but if they set foot in this city again... We'll show them,' said Armin with a look of confident satisfaction.

Owel smiled faintly at their exchange as she drove.

{Dianne smiles, pulling him over and kissing him on the cheek.}

Dianne: "Yes. We'll show them alright."

Armin smiled, momentarily closing his eyes as she kissed him.

'Hey, Owel, where's the kid?' he asked as he settled back into his seat.

'Oh, went off to explore the city. He's an independent boy.'

Dianne: "Well, there's a lot to see here. So long as he stays safe. Anywhere in particular he wanted to see?"

'He vaguely mentioned going to some venue where a band is playing later. Among other things. He really just wanted to look around, I think. He's never been here before.'

Dianne: "No? This his first Christmas with you in a long time?"

'Oh, no. The two of us have lived together in Alexandria for most of his life. Then, Fred contacted me to say that he needed help with some things, so I flew over here. Warden chose to stay behind, at home, and get some independent life experience.'

Dianne: "Oh. Well, a bit of independent life is important. How is it that you know Frederick?"

'He helped me out, a long time ago, and I felt I owed him a favour or two.'

'Well, that's not cryptic at all...' Armin remarked.

'Well, it's a very long story.'

Dianne: "Well, perhaps you'll tell us sometime? Unless, of course, it's too personal."

'I don't mind telling you. But we're almost at Jerry's house, so not now. Maybe on the way back, if I can drive slowly enough.'

Dianne: "Alright. If you don't finish by the time we get home, you can come in for tea."

'Goodness, what hospitality. Yes, I think we should do that.'

Approaching Jerry's place, Owel carefully parked up at the side of the road.

{Dianne hops out, walking up the stairs to his door.}

Dianne: "Jerry?"

Jerry: "Come in."

{Dianne opens the door. All three of them would immediately recognize the scent of hard liquor. Walking into his office would reveal a rather sad looking Jerry pouring Jack into a shot glass.}

Jerry: "What are you guys doing here?"

Armin pulled a bit of a face as the scent of alcohol shot up his nose.

'We needed to come over to see how you're doing.' He eyed the bottle and shot glass. 'How long have you been drinking that for?'

Jerry: "Oh...Half an hour..."

Dianne: "We came because we were concerned about you. Clearly, our concern was for the best..."

{Dianne gently takes the bottle from him, nudging him to put the glass down.}

Dianne: "Are you ok?"

Jerry: "...No..."

Owel had chosen not to intrude, hanging back by the car.

Armin looked Jerry over with obvious concern. He didn't recall ever seeing him drink out of stress before. He hoped it wouldn't become a habit.

'You want to talk about it?' he said. 'We can't necessarily fix everything, but still...'

{Jerry seemed rather upset. Neither Dianne or Armin had ever seen him this broken up.}

Jerry: "Well, I went down there to the jail, to see what the hell got into them, and they just...they wouldn't work with me...they kept saying crazy things about vampires and how they were in the right, despite being the ones sitting in a cell! They think they're getting out, but I know they're not, and...I'm scared... I don't know what the courts will decide, I don't know what the king is going to do...I just wish they never came here..."

Armin listened with a somewhat grim, contemplative expression.

'...Well, I'd say they deserve whatever happens to them, but I don't think that's any help to you... They're /not/ in the right, and they brought this upon themselves. You've tried your best to talk them out of it. Nobody can say you didn't try to save them.'

{Jerry doesn't look very reassured by this, resting his head on his folded arms, face down. Dianne rubs his back in a comforting manner.}

Dianne: "I'm sorry things turned out this way. It's not fair to you, but this was never something you could control. They all chose to do this. You did the best you could. Look, if you're really worried about the sentence.... I can talk to the king, maybe make it a bit less severe."

Armin raised his eyebrows slightly at this, but didn't comment on it.

'I know it's rough. You're young, you look up to people, then you grow up and realise your role models are actually shitty people. Worse when it's family. They're not worth a thing. They're lucky you even chose to speak to them after what they've done.'

Jerry: "I don't even know what to do about all this..."

Dianne: "There's nothing you can do, Jerry. This is on them, not you."

Jerry: "...I could have done more..."

Dianne: "No, no you couldn't have. You're not responsible for their mistakes."

'It's not your job to stop them from doing anything stupid. I know they're your family, but you tried. And they were too stubborn to listen.'

{Jerry doesn't offer a reply, just keeping his head down. Dianne just looks deeply concerned.}

Dianne: "Hey, look, it's going to be ok. Everything is going to work out."

Armin wasn't sure what to say that he hadn't already said. He was concerned about Jerry's mood and made a mental note to ask Ivy to stay with him if she could.

{Dianne wasn't sure what to do either. She wasn't sure if leaving him was a good idea.}

Dianne: "Jerry, I know it's hard. We're here for you. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."

'Yeah, just let me know. We'll do whatever we can to help.' Armin briefly patted Jerry's shoulder.

Jerry: "I appreciate that. Really, I do. But...I think I just need to be alone right now..."

{Dianne nods in understanding.}

Dianne: "Alright. Just call if you need anything."

Armin eyed Jerry, along with the bottle of drink, dubiously.

'If you say so. We'd better go, then.'

Jerry: "Yeah, yeah....I'll be alright..."

Dianne: "Hey, don't drink too much of this stuff, huh? We're worried about you.

Jerry: "Dianne, I've gotten along fine on my own for years. I'll be alright."

Getting the feeling that Jerry really wanted to be left alone, Armin obligingly turned towards the door in preparation to leave.

'Just because you've always managed on your own doesn't mean you can't accept help. And it doesn't mean I won't come back and kick your ass if you do something stupid. Just look after yourself.'

{Jerry glowers at Armin, while Dianne grabs Armin by the sleeve and walks him out.}

Dianne: "Like I said, call if you need anything."

{Once they get outside, Dianne whispers to Armin.}

Dianne: "What the hell?! That did not help."

'Nor is him drinking himself into a blackout the moment we leave,' Armin replied, pulling his arm out of her grasp. 'Anyway, what did I say wrong?'

Dianne: "Threatening people isn't going to help them, especially when they're in a vulnerable position like this. I don't want him to get black out drunk either, but threatening to beat him up isn't great."

'I didn't /literally/ mean I was going to do that. I was just trying to make a point, that I don't want him endangering himself by getting drunk and doing something stupid. I don't trust him in that mood. I've never seen him like that before.'

Dianne: "Well that was a sh!tty way to make your point. Look, let's call Ivy, explain the situation, and ask she keep an eye on him."

'You can call her, if you're so much better with words than I am.'

He started to walk off in the direction of the car, his expression pensive.

{Dianne watches him walk away, looking slightly so frustrated with his attitude. Following slowly, she dials Ivy.}

It took a few moments for Ivy to pick up. When she did, she sounded slightly distracted. The rumble of lots of voices in the background could be heard.

'Yes, what is it?'

Dianne: "Hey, Ivy? It's Dianne. Did you hear what happened this morning? With Jerry's family and the hunters?"

'What? No. I've been out since this morning. What happened? His family showed up and started trying to murder people, I presume?'

Dianne: "Yeah, to make a long story short, they all got arrested but two. Couple named the Tussock Brothers. Jerry's having a really hard time of things, considering that they're his family and all. Could you maybe keep an eye on him throughout the day? We're all kinda worried about him."

'Oh... Yes, fine. I'll come back as soon as I can.' Ivy's tone carried a hint of disappointment at having to leave her friends, but it was mostly just concern and resignation.

Dianne: "I hate to thrust this on you but...We're concerned, and you see him the most,"

'Yes, yes, I understand... I'd rather not have anything bad happen to him, and I suppose nobody else can do it... I just need to grab a lift from someone, and I'll be back.'

Dianne: "Thank you, Ivy. I appreciate this. Just...fair warning...he might be drinking when you get there."

Ivy huffed. 'Really?! So I have to babysit him when he gets wasted? That's /just/ how I wanted to spend my afternoon.'

Dianne: "I'll make it up to you. Making sure he doesn't hurt himself is the primary concern."

'Well, fine. I already said I'd be there, I'm not going back on that.'

Ivy then hung up and went to find someone to give her a ride.

{Dianne sighs, looking at her phone. She then walks back to the car.}

Dianne: "Ok, Ivy agreed to help."

'That's good...' said Armin. He climbed into the car.

Owel had been waiting patiently for them, the window cracked open so she could listen to Dianne's side of the phone conversation. //Frederick, can you have one or two people near Jerry's house? Just as a precaution, he's not doing too well,// she said to the relay.

{Once they got in, Dianne turns to Armin.}

Dianne: "Armin, I didn't mean to insinuate that you don't communicate things well. I just didn't think you threatening him was going to help. I get that you're worried about him, so am I. He's not Rex. Threatening him with violence isn't going to help."

'I know. It's just concerning what he might do in that state. It's not like when Rex gets drunk - he's /human,/ anything could happen. I was never going to hurt him, I was just trying to... verbally knock some sense into him, I suppose? But I guess there's nothing we can do.'

Dianne: "It's going to be ok. He's a smart guy, I don't think he'll hurt himself."

Armin lapsed into silence, gazing out of his window, as Owel started up the car.

'Right, do you two have anywhere else you need to be before heading on home?'

Dianne: "The market and the craft store. But, if you have your own things to do, we can just go to the market, then home."

'Oh no, it's quite alright.'

She started to drive to the main shopping district. It was nowhere near as large or extravagant as Alexandria's, but it would have what they needed.

Dianne: "Got any ideas for dinner, Armin?"

{She asks as the drove.}

'Mhm... maybe something we don't have often. Something with chicken, or pork, maybe. You seem to like pork.'

Dianne: "I do like pork...Ok, let's get a ham, make some mashed potatoes with it and steamed vegetables for Esme. Sound good?"

'Sure, that sounds good. I think Esme will like it.'

'Still have a taste for that?' Owel inquired.

'Not really. Just fish, mostly.'

'Aah. Yes, I heard you grew up in a fishing village. That's not surprising.'

Dianne: "Yeah. He won't eat anything I cook unless I cook his favorite. He's picky like that."

{She says, jokingly.}

Armin chuckled. 'No, I eat it even if it tastes like cardboard. Besides, sometimes just having a warm meal is nice, regardless of the taste.'

'Yes, I think it's also a social thing. It's a part of human culture to sit down and eat together, and we still enjoy doing that,' said Owel.

Dianne: "It is nice. Makes things feel...homely. Just sitting down with everyone, enjoying a nice meal, and just talking."

'Yeah,' said Armin, a little wistfully. 'It's nice to have that comfortable, home feeling again. I haven't had it in a long time.'

Dianne: "Neither have I. I've missed it so. Much nicer to sit with family then to be surrounded by my enemies..."

Moments later, Owel drove into the shopping area. It wasn't too crowded, but there were a fair few people wandering around.

'I'm going to go into the grocery store and get some things,' she said as they parked. 'Get whatever you need. I'll be waiting at the car when you return.'

Dianne: "Alright. Armin, let's go."

{Hopping out, she headed to the store.}

Armin swiftly followed her, pointing out the store called Margaret's Crafts in the corner. It seemed to cater to a wide variety of hobbies.

'I think you can get clay in there.'

Dianne: "Ok, I'll get that, then we'll hit the grocery store."

{She proceeds to walk for the craft store.}

Inside, it was quiet, with just a few customers milling about browsing the shelves. There were labelled sections for things like painting, claywork, sewing, knitting, and other crafts. Armin gazed over everything with an air of curiosity. //Seems like the kind of place Janet would have liked,// he thought.

{Dianne walks over to the sculpting section, finding a large brick of clay. As she picked it up, she notices a table with open clay for people to make stuff in the store.}

Dianne: "Hey, check this out."

{She picks up some clay, molding it into the shape of a small person. Whispering into it, she places it down. It then springs to life, dancing about with its carved smiling face.}

Armin gazed down at her handiwork, mouth twitching into a quiet grin.

'That's cute. It's not actually sentient, though, right?'

Dianne: "No. It's me making it move, basically. It's a little difficult to explain, but it doesn't think."

'That's probably for the best. I can't wait to see Esme's reaction to that.'

Armin picked up a chunk of clay, wanting to try making something. He squished it around aimlessly for a moment, before moulding it into the rough shape of a horse.

{Dianne taps the horse on the head, also causing it to become animated.}

Dianne: "Make whatever you want, and I can make it dance."

Armin glanced around to make sure nobody was paying too much attention. Then he carefully shaped some more clay into a small dragon.

'Is this something you get taught in the cult? Oh yes, what a dark and terrifying skill,' he said teasingly.

Dianne: "It's more of a side effect. Traditional necromancers study for years just to accomplish this. I just kind of get it for free."

{She touches the dragon, causing it to come to life, looking around curiously.}

Dianne: "This is the step before raising bodies with force of will."

Armin watched the little man, horse, and dragon moving around. 'Could you theoretically do this with a giant piece of clay? Like a real-sized horse to ride on, or a clay knight to attack people?'

Dianne: Theoretically, yes. However, clay is very, very weak. and water soluble. At that point, I might as well enchant automatons."

'Yeah, I don't think soldiers made out of this stuff would be very useful for anything. Except amusing the opposition. How much of this do you want to buy?'

Dianne: "Just this brick. It's just for Esme really."
{Picking up the package, she surveys the store.}

Dianne: "Ready?"

'Yeah, let's pay for this, then go and get the food.'

Armin glanced around the store once more, but restrained the impulse to buy things just because they looked interesting. He wasn't really the crafting type, anyway.

{Dianne takes her clay and heads to the front register As she left, the clay creations fall still. She pays for her things and walks out the doors.}

(posting new room)