'That's true. Alright, pizza, then...'

Armin absently walked out of the room and ordered a large pizza for them all to share. When done, he returned to the rec room and eased down beside Dianne.

'You alright? Not in pain or anything?'

Dianne: "No. No pain. Just weakness and grogginess. Pretty normal for a sedative."

'Ah, well. You'll be fine after a good night's sleep.'

Armin settled down, absently gazing at the TV, waiting for the pizza. He'd ordered from the same place as before, and really hoped Barnabas wouldn't terrorise them again.

{Dianne snuggles up to him, watching the campy action movie. It was about a lumberjack taking on hordes of the undead with a chainsaw.}

Armin idly rubbed her back with one hand, snickering occasionally at the movie.

'This is why nobody's ever managed to kill you. They weren't using chainsaws.'

{Dianne chuckles as well, enjoying the back rub.}

Dianne: "Yeah. They all use dumb things, like knives, or small caliber weapons."

'Chainsaws honestly sound very effective. You could saw the zombies to pieces.'

Dianne: "Yes. Draugr lose power when they lose biomass. I chainsaw would be exceptionally good to dispatch them. But, no one ever thinks of that."

'People need to think outside the box. If we ever have to fight someone else's draugrs, I'm bringing a chainsaw. Is fire effective? You could use a flamethrower, maybe.'

Dianne: "Only if the fire is hot enough to instantly incinerate them. Otherwise, they'll just run at you while on fire.

Before Armin could respond, the doorbell rang.

'Guess that must be the pizza. Hold on a second...'

He went downstairs to answer the door. The pizza delivery boy was a different one to last time. Maybe the other one had refused to come. Armin thanked him, took the food and began to head back upstairs with it.

{This time, Barnabas did not appear. Dianne waited patiently for Armin to come back. She looked up at him with big eyes when he walked in.}

Dianne: "Food time?"

'Yep.'

Armin comfortably sat down beside her again, opening the box to let the smell of hot pizza waft out. It was a large chicken and mushroom. He peeled off a slice to give to Esme, and another for himself.

{Dianne helped herself to a slice, Relishing the flavor.}

Dianne: "This is a good pizza."

Armin chewed on his slice, barely tasting it, but seeming to enjoy the activity in itself. After eating in companionable silence for a few minutes, he spoke up thoughtfully.

'Hey... earlier, at the prison... when the ward broke and we charged into the room... just for a second, I thought I caught the scent of vampire. Might have been my imagination, but...'

Dianne: "Really? But who in there was a vampire?"

Barnabas: "Oh, that was Jerry's mom. She's a vampire now."

Dianne: "What?"

Armin gazed at the TV without really seeing it, lost in thought.

'Yeah, I guessed that if I /wasn't/ imagining it, it must have been Jerry's mum. The mage who opened the portal obviously wasn't. Hmm, I wonder how that happened?'

Dianne: "Well, that'll be an unpleasant conversation for the old man. Doesn't he hate vampires?"

'I don't know. Maybe he'll kill her,' Armin said, somewhat vindictively. 'He's been responsible for half his family's deaths already, so it wouldn't be a surprise.'

Dianne: "He'd be a real piece of work if he does. He'd have to be pretty heartless to kill the mother of his child after all this time...."

'I wouldn't put it past him... Maybe Jerry's mum hoped to change him for the better, by becoming a vampire herself, so he's forced to confront the fact that not all vampires are evil. Who knows.'

Dianne: "Not my problem...Though I would have appreciated not getting tranqued..."

'Eh, whatever happens, let's just relax for now.'

Esme had eaten as much as she wanted. She licked round her teeth and continued watching the TV. Armin had stopped eating after one slice.

Dianne: "Yes."

{Dianne finished off the pizza, then pulled Armin close, sitting up.}

Dianne: "Can you rub my back later?"

'Of course I can. Whenever you're ready to go up to bed, I'll do it then.'

He snuggled against her, dropping a lazy kiss on her jawline.

Dianne: "Thanks. you're the best."

{Dianne smiles, settling in and watching the movie.}

'I know,' he said slyly. He leaned against her and settled his gaze on the TV, content to just relax there until she decided to go upstairs.

{Dianne stayed for thirty minutes more, before stirring from a light slumber.}

Dianne: "Mmm....Ok...Bedtime..."

'Mmmm?' Armin took a moment to look her over, then Esme, who was already standing up to leave. 'Do you want to walk this time, or shall I carry you?'

Dianne: "I can walk..."

{Standing, she heads for the stairs, switching the tv off.}

The three of them all went up the stairs together. Esme curled up on the end of the bed and fell asleep almost immediately. Armin started changing into his sleepwear.

{Dianne sleepily changed into her sleepwear, then lies down on her front on the bed.}

Dianne: "Have to teach Pythia to fight tomorrow."

Armin lightly clambered up onto the bed.

'Yes. We're going to have some fun with Pythia, and not worry about anything for a little while.'

He started to massage her back and shoulders as he spoke.

{Dianne gives a contented sigh, sinking into the bed.}

Dianne: "Yeah, it's probably going to be funny, but please don't laugh at her. I don't want her to get discouraged..."

Armin smirked. 'I'm not going to laugh at her. Not in /front/ of her, at least. Give me some credit. I'll wait until after we leave before I start making jokes.'

He briefly leaned forwards to kiss the back of her neck, then continued rubbing her back.

{Dianne sucked in a quick breath, picking her head up.}

Dianne: "Hmm...wasn't expecting that...but yeah, don't be too mean to her..."

'I won't.' Armin gave a soft chuckle as he rubbed along her spine. 'Sorry, couldn't help myself. Relax, I won't surprise you with that again.'

Dianne: "It's alright...but next time you decide to surprise me...commit to it..."

{She says, smiling flirtatiously and sinking down.}

'I wasn't planning on starting anything tonight. Not when you got shot by a tranquiliser a few hours ago. Maybe in the morning... I'll surprise you again...'

Smirking, he subsided into silence and continued with his task.

{Dianne simply smiles, giving a growling purr. A few minutes later, she was comfortably asleep .}

Armin yawned, quietly and carefully slipping beneath the blankets. Trying not to disturb her, he settled down to sleep peacefully as well.

(Skip ?)

(Yes, you going first?)

(Yee)

{Early the next morning, Dianne began to get restless. Squirming, she sits up abruptly, breathing heavily.}

Dianne: "Huh....f$&k....unnngh...."

Armin, who had been snuggled against her, fell into the bed when she sat up. He jolted awake with a yelp, looking up at her in a puzzled manner that slowly turned to concern.

'...Eh? You alright...?'

{Dianne rubs her face, then gets up abruptly and heads to the bath.}

Dianne: "...Yeah, I think so...nightmares..."

{Armin could hear the sink running as she rinsed her face with cold water.}

Dianne: "...$h!t...why are they all so vivid?..."

Armin propped himself up slightly on the headboard and gazed after her with concern. He didn't try to follow, but just listened, waiting tensely for her to come back.

{Dianne shuffles back in, rubbing her eyes and looking a little tired.}

Dianne: "Sorry...I...I just needed a minute..."

{She sits back on the bed, wrapping her arms around herself and hunching over a bit.}

'It's alright.' He continued watching her with concern, unsure if he should touch her or not. 'You want to talk about it, or...?'

Dianne: "Yeah...I was...outside my home...The one I shared with Ogden...It was dark inside...I had a deer in my mouth...I...I knew...I knew what awaited me inside...I knew what was there...I didn't want to face it....not again....I don't want to see it anymore...."

{She shudders, gripping herself more tightly.}

'Well, at least you didn't /actually/ see it, did you? And you were aware of what was going on. That's progress.'
He eased down, lying on his back and holding out an arm, inviting her to lie down with him.

'It's OK. You didn't see it. Relax.'

{Dianne looks down at him, then lies down next to him with a weary expression.}

Dianne: "Hold me...Rub my back...Help me take my mind off this..."

Armin pulled her firmly against him, slipping a hand under her nightshirt and softly rubbing her back. He said nothing, just focusing his efforts on helping her settle down.

{Dianne hugs him tightly, focusing entirely on Armin. Slowly, she begins to calm down. Her racing pulse returned to normal and she began to settle in.}

Dianne: "Thank you..."

He kissed the top of her head, briefly pressing his face into her hair.

'Try to get some more sleep if you can... It's early.'

He continued lightly rubbing her back.

Dianne: "Alright...I am tired..."

{Snuggling into him, she settles in to sleep.}

Armin stayed awake until he was sure she was asleep, then dozed off after her.

{Dianne began to stir again, much later and much more gently. She burrows into Armin, mutters uninteligibly, then falls still again.}

Armin shifted a little, waking up slowly. He looked her over to make sure she was alright, then settled down with a quiet yawn. His hand was still resting lightly on her back.

{Dianne looks up at Armin through half open eyes, blinking slowly.}

Dianne: "G'morning...."

'Morning. Are you actually awake or just sleeptalking?' he enquired.

Dianne: "'m awake...no wierd dreams tonight..."

'Yeah... no weird ones...'

He turned his head away to yawn, then snuggled up to her again.

{Dianne pulls him close, settling in.}

Dianne: "Few more minutes won't hurt..."

Armin didn't particularly want to move, but after a minute or two, his phone chimed. He reached backwards and groped on the nightstand for it. Squinting against the light, he read the message and frowned slightly.

'It's from Rex... Says he hasn't slept well lately and wants to know if he could stay over here, just for the weekend.'

Dianne: "Mmmm....course he can...Tell him we'll pick him up this afternoon...after we help Pythia...."

Armin was already texting Rex back before Dianne had even fnished speaking.

'Sounds like he just wants to spend a bit of time around familiar people. I hope his nightmares haven't been too bad... I was worried about leaving him alone so long...'

Dianne: "Y'know, we have the heater now. We could move back after the weekend if you want."

'Mmm, maybe... I'll think on it... I definitely want to be at home for Christmas, at least.'

Dianne: "What time is it?....do we have to get up yet?"

'It's about 11AM... do you want to get up and have breakfast now?'

Dianne: "...Yeah....Let's go..."

{Picking herself up, she shuffles to the dresser and gathers her clothes.}

Armin heaved himself reluctantly out of bed and went into the bathroom to change. Once ready, he went downstairs, where Esme had already gone to await breakfast.

//Hmm... fish grill tonight, I think... the weather seems alright for it...//

{Once she changed, Dianne went down and started to cook.}

Dianne: "So, what did you say to Rex?"

'I said we'd pick him up late in the afternoon. He said he's fine to wait. That's all.'

Dianne: "Ok. Hey, downstairs, in the basement, I have a complete human skeleton posed on a throne. Can you bring it up here, please?"

Armin blinked, trying not to look too startled.

'Well, I'm not /that/ keen on touching someone's skeleton, but I guess so...'

He unenthusiasically left the room.

Dianne: "Thanks, babe."

{Down in the basement, the throne was all the way in the back, past all the sea of riches. Dianne's two guardians were standing idle in the dark corners.}

Armin gingerly traversed the piles of treasure, jumping over objects on occasion, until he reached the throne. With a slight grimace, he grabbed the skeleton by the shoulders and dragged it all the way back.

'I've left it in the foyer,' he said minutes later, returning to Dianne. 'Unless you want it in /here?'/

Dianne: "Foyer's good. Thanks."

{Plates in hand, she kisses his cheek, then heads to the dining room to eat.}

Armin didn't eat anything as usual, but lingered in the doorway, scrolling through old messages, as he patiently waited for them to finish eating.

'I thought we'd have a fish grill at the lake later, if you're up for it. We can bring Rex.'

Dianne: "That sounds lovely. Yes, let's do that."

{Done with her food, Dianne retrieves her coat and purse, walking into the foyer to grab the skeleton.}

Armin trailed after her, getting his shoes and jacket.

'We're going to Pythia's right now?'

Dianne: "Yes. We're picking her up, then driving to Flyn's Gym. It has a room specifically for self defense classes. That should be useful."

'Alright.'

Armin headed outside to the truck, followed by Esme, and jumped in.

{Dianne followed, hopping in and waiting to depart.}

Giving Esme to Dianne, Armin set off on their way. It was a calm Saturday, cold but not freezing, and the sun was shining gently.

Eventually, they arrived outside Pythia's house. 'She doesn't work on weekends, does she? There shouldn't be a line outside then,' said Armin as he jumped out.

Dianne: "No, she doesn't. We should be clear. "

{Dianne walks to the door, knocking.}

Pythia: "Come in."

{Pythia was sitting and reading in the front room. She was dressed in a shirt and sweats with tennis shoes.}

Pythia: "Come to teach me to fight?"

'Yep. Dianne's going to throw you into a pit of draugrs and see how you get on,' Armin joked.

Dianne: "Noooo."

{She says, playfully pushing Armin.}

Dianne: "We're headed for Flyn's gym. I'll teach you basic self defense things. It'll be alright."

Pythia: "Ok. Let's get going, then."

Armin led the way back out to the truck and started to climb in.

'I guess you'll have to sit in the back somewhere. No more seat room up front,' he remarked.

Pythia: "That's fine."

Dianne: "The gym isn't far. Just down the street, Armin."

{Pythia hops in, sitting in the back.}

Armin drove carefully, following Dianne's direction until the gym came into view. When it did, he parked up outside and began to make his way out.

Dianne hopped out and let Pythia out. However, she seemed a tad unsettled.}

Pythia: "Is the...skeletone coming too?"

Dianne: "Yes, he is your sparring partner."

{Raising it, Dianne begins to walk for the door.}

Armin eyed the skeleton, then followed them in after making sure Esme was sticking close to them. He clapped Pythia on the back.

'Come on, it'll be fun.'

{Pythia gives a nervous smile, then heads in after Dianne. Dianne rents the room out for an hour. The clerk behind the counter seemed unsettled by the skeleton, but didn't comment. The room itself was a large space with padded floors.}

Dianne: "Ok, Pythia, let's start with the stance..."

{Dianne seemed to want to take things slow, first teaching Pythia how to stand, how to fall, and how to quickly get back on her feet.}

While Dianne was going over these basic moves, Armin moved to the other end of the room, far enough to not be distracting, and played ball with Esme, who seemed to like the padded room. All the while, he watched Pythia and Dianne out the corner of his vision.

Dianne: "Ok, Pythia, now, you need to know how to throw a punch. You stand like this, and turn with it, putting your body weight behind it. Here, try it."

Pythia: "Oh, um...I-I don't want to hurt you..."

Dianne: "Pythia, I promise it won't hurt me. Just punch my hand, c'mon."

{Pythia proceeds to throw a very pulled punch. It hardly mad a sound as it hit Dianne's hand.}

Dianne: "Pythia, you don't need to hold back. Just give it everything you have."

Armin smirked at Pythia's attempt, but not where they could see it. He understood that this was difficult for her.

//Maybe you'd be better off giving her an inanimate object to punch,// he suggested telepathically to Dianne.

{Hearing Armin, Dianne nods.}

Dianne: "One sec, stay here..."

{Dianne leaves, returning a few minutes later with a rubber punching dummy.}

Dianne: "Here. Punch this as hard as you can. No one will get hurt."

{Pythia takes a few moments to seemingly prepare herself mentally. She takes a few short hops, shakes herself off, then assumes the stance. She swings her fist at it, hitting it with enough force to send it tumbling over. She proceeds to shake her hand, as the impact seems to have hurt her hand a little.}

Pythia: "Oooow....you said no one would get hurt?"

'Hey, that was good,' said Armin. He wondered what Pythia's strength was, being a dragon as she were. 'And yeah, punching people can hurt, depending on where you're hitting them.'

Dianne: "That's why I wear gauntlets...but yeah, that was good."

{Dianne picks up the dummy again.}

Dianne: "Try again. Knock this guy flying."

{Pythia punches it a few more times, knocking the dummy back each time.}

Dianne: "Ok, that's great. Now, let's move on to breaking grips..."

{Dianne proceeds to show Pythia how to break someone's grip on her in various ways. At the end, Dianne instructs the skeleton to try to grab Pythia. Pythia yelps and begins to run from the skeleton in a rather comical fashion.}

Pythia: "No, no, no! Get away!"

Armin chuckled as he threw Esme's ball for her again. She didn't seem very concerned about the walking skeleton. He watched Pythia with amusement.

'Hey, it least it's not a draugr.'

Pythia: "Not helping!"

Dianne: "Stop."

{The skeleton stopped in its tracks. Dianne walks over to Pythia.}

Dianne: "Pythia, please. It's not going to hurt you and it doesn't have much strength. Would you feel better if you just drilled it with me?"

Pythia: "Yes, yes I would."

Armin glanced at the unmoving skeleton, then, as Esme brought her ball back to him, he threw it for her again.

'If anyone needs me for anything, just ask.'

Dianne: "Alright."

{Dianne continues to drill moves with Pythia.}

Dianne: "Ok, now, I'm going to teach you how to trip someone who gets too close."

Pythia: "Oooh....I...I don't want to trip you."

Dianne: "You won't, you'll trip the skeleton."

Pythia: "Why do I need to learn this?"

Dianne: "Because some people are easier to fight or escape from when they're on the ground."

Armin sat down on the padded floor with his back against the wall to observe them.

{Dianne demonstrates on the skeleton, then asks Pythia to try it. Pythia gingerly attempts it, but isn't applying enough force.}

Dianne: "Try a little harder. C'mon, throw him over like you mean it."

{Pythia tries again, but doesn't ground herself properly and tumbles over with the skeleton with a yelp. After panickedly scrambling away from the skeleton, Pythia sits against the wall.}

Pythia: "C-can we take a break?"

Dianne: "Very well..."

{With a sigh, Dianne walks to sit by Armin.}

Armin absently petted Esme's head, then threw her ball across the gym room so she'd be occupied for a few moments. He glanced at Dianne, then Pythia.

'You really don't like that skeleton, huh?' he remarked. 'Not that I really blame you...'

Pythia: "No, not really...It's just...I mean...you realize that used to be a person, right?"

Dianne: "Pythia, I get it, but if I spar with you, you'll hold back out of fear that you'll hurt me. This is something you don't need to worry about hurting."

//We should have kidnapped Crowley and brought him here for her to beat the cra.p out of,// said Armin on a private telepathic link to Dianne.

'Well, I hope you can get past the aversion to hurting people if someone's /really/ attacking you. Otherwise, knowing this stuff won't help much.'

{Dianne smirks at the telepathic message, but does her best to conceal it.}

Pythia: "I know...I just...don't enjoy fighting..."

Dianne: "And you don't have to. All I want is for you to be able to keep yourself safe if someone tries to hurt you."

Pythia: "I know...I just...I need time to get used to this..."

Dianne: "I get that. That's why we'll do this a couple times a week. We'll take it slow."

'And if there's anything that might help you with it, let us know,' said Armin. 'Maybe we could just annoy you to the point where you don't mind hitting us,' he added jokingly.

Pythia: "Heh, no...I just need...to get into the right mindset."

Dianne: "Ok. Our hour is almost up, so why don't we stop for today and pick up fresh tomorrow."

Pythia: "Ok, we'll do this on the weekends. That works."

(posting new room)