Aava: "Awww. That is cute. But, it's probably a good thing that she eats. She's so tuckered out, she's probably going to want bedtime right after dinner."

Just then, there was a distant knock at the front door. Armin quietly got up. 'I'll be right back...'

He headed out, returning a couple of minutes later with the pizza boxes. He opened one to let Esme choose a slice, then reached over and started nudging Dianne in an attempt to rouse her.

'C'mon, food.'

{Dianne stirs, sitting up with bleary eyes.}

Dianne: "Mmmmm......food...gimmie..."

{Leaning over, she takes a slice and starts eating. Aava begins eating as well, very much enjoying the food.}

Armin smirked slightly and helped himself to a slice, leaving the rest for the people who actually needed food.

'How about we celebrate tomorrow, if everyone's feeling up to it?' he suggested.

Aava: "Sure, what do you suggest?"

Dianne: "Yes, I think we should. This is a great thing we've done today."

'First, we have one hell of a lie-in. I'm not getting up early,' said Armin. 'You can pick something for us to do in the afternoon. Then, for the evening, I suggest that we get some Akhetian Ale over here and drink. More than last time.'

Aava: "A lie in, huh? Can I stay in your bed tonight? I feel a lot safer next to Dianne. And yeah, more ale. That stuff is great."

Armin raised his eyebrows with a look of surprise.

'Weeeell... I guess you can, just for tonight... If Dianne doesn't mind. This isn't going to be a regular thing though, alright?' he said warningly.

Dianne: "I don't mind..."

Aava: "Yeah, I know. Just this one time."

{Dianne gets another slice, contemplating tomorrow.}

Armin yawned, watching the TV as it murmured quietly in the background. He said nothing for a while, waiting for everyone to be done eating.

{After a few minutes, both of them finished off the pizza. Dianne leans back, looking content.}

Dianne: "That was great..."

Aava: "Pizza is so good. Food has gotten so much better since my day."

'I guess, despite all the confusion from being warped into the future, there are benefits to it,' Armin observed. He leaned into Dianne, dropping a brief, casual kiss on the side of her head. 'Just let me know when you want to go upstairs.'

Dianne: "In a few minutes...just stay with me..."

{Dianne snuggles up to him, closing her eyes. Aava settles back, watching the tv quietly.}

Armin settled back, pulled her head against his chest, and looped one arm around her so he could stroke her back. With a contented hum, he resumed watching the TV, enjoying the familiarity of the situation and her warm presence.
.
//How about that? No matter what life throws at us, we always seem to come out top...//

{Dianne immediately fell asleep, purring softly. She meant to tell Armin she was ready to go up, but she fell asleep too quick.}

Armin let her lie undisturbed for a few minutes. Then, ceasing the massage, he got his arms under her with some difficulty, and lifted her with him as he stood.
.
'Alright, I think we're going to bed... Aava, turn the TV off for me.'

{Aava turns off the tv and follows them up. Dianne is completely asleep, blissfully comfortable in Armin's hold.}

Armin laboriously climbed the stairs and deposited Dianne onto the bed as softly as he could. He glanced at Aava.
.
'Need to change out of these jeans. Go ahead and get in if you're ready.' He then slipped off to the bathroom.

Aava: "Alrighty."

{Aava climbs in, wedging herself against Dianne's right side. Settling in, she starts to drift off.}

Armin returned shortly, wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Esme had also curled up on the end of the bed in her usual spot. Armin climbd in by Dianne's other side, pulling the blankets over them as he snuggled up to her.
.
//This is kind of weird...//

{Dianne was peacefully asleep, comfortably between the two people who trusts the most.}

7Skip?)

The seven is a typo.

(do you want to go or shall I?)

(You go, Dianne's not waking up first.)

----
.
The following morning was sunny and cold; not a cloud drifted across the sky. In Dianne's room, however, it was comfortably dim and quiet. It was unlikely that anyone would wake up early.
.
It was well past 11AM when Armin stirred. His fingers clenched over the fabric of Dianne's shirt, slightly digging into the skin beneath, and his face twitched into an expression of discomfort. He was having a nightmare, though not a particularly violent one.

{Dianne stirred a little at this, wrapping her arms around him and snuggling in. She was too tired to wake, but subconsciously wanted comfort. Aava didn't even stir.}

Armin seemed to ease when he felt her arms go around him. He settled down, burying his head between her neck and shoulder.
.
Another half-hour passed. Esme awoke, eyed the three of them with something like disappointment, then got up and left to entertain herself.
.
Finally, Armin awoke. Lifting his head, he surveyed his companions, then stretched and flopped back onto Dianne. 'Yep, this is still weird...' he mumbled.

{Dianne stirs, cracking her eyes open. They were back to red.}

Dianne: "Wa's weird?...."

Aava: "...Yeah...what's wrong?.."}

'...I just woke up and for a second I thought some weird threesome happened last night...' he stated. He looked and sounded like he was still half-asleep.

{At that, Dianne snorts in amusement and starts laughing. Aava picks her head up.}

Aava: "I mean...If you two want to, I'm totally down."

Dianne: "Noooo....no threesomes..."

'No, sorry... I don't do threesomes...'
.
Armin buried his head in her neck again, staying close to escape the cold.

{Dianne wraps her arms around him, patting his back.}

Dianne: "I only take on one intimate partner...To take another would be infidelity..."

Aava: "Oh, you guys are no fun..."

'You do realise the threesome would involve me, right?' said Armin, his voice a bit muffled. 'I don't think you're interested in any involvement with me.'

Aava: "That is true, I wouldn't. And I'm willing to guess that you wouldn't want to be involved with me. So, the only logical course of action would be that we double team Dianne."

'That might be too much for her, she can barely handle me on my own,' said Armin with sly amusement.

Aava: "Would still be fun."

Dianne: "Ok, that's enough. No threesome, no double teaming. I only mess around with Armin, that's it."

'I didn't want to do it,' said Armin. 'It's a very private and intimate thing to me. Something to be shared between two people, and 'two people' does not include the raunchy elf.'

{Aava simply laughs maniacally. Dianne chuckles al little as well.}

Aava: "Ok, ok. I get it, you two are very close. Now that I'm uncursed, I just need to go find a partner of my own and stop bugging you two with my sinful implications."

'That might be a good idea...' said Armin, snuggling into Dianne and lightly nipping her neck. 'Just don't try anything with Ivy... Other than that, do what you want.'

Aava: "Ivy? Why not Ivy?"

Dianne: "She's...just not of sound character. She will 100% cheat on you, gossip about your intimate tendencies with anyone who will listen, and will likely move on without so much as a how do you do."

Aava: "Got it...What about Pythia, she's kinda cute."

'I have no idea about Pythia,' said Armin, privately thinking it would be hilarious if Aava tried flirting with her. 'She is a workaholic though. Always busy.'

Dianne: "Also, she miiiight have eyes for Ryder right now. Not that Ryder seems to feel the same way about her."

Aava: "Aww, drat."

Dianne: "Don't worry, there are plenty of pretty girls in this city. I'm sure at least one would be willing to give you a chance."

Armin briefly turned his head away to yawn, then snuggled closer to Dianne, draping an arm across her abdomen. 'If you want a partner, whether it's something serious or short-term, you'll find something eventually. Most people do.'

Aava: "Well, now that there's no risk of me turning into a bloodthirsty monster, yeah, I think I will."

{She then snuggles into Dianne's other side, putting her arm just above Armin's.}

Dianne: "Yes...Also, you get to decide how we celebrate today."

Armin squinted at Aava when she mimicked him, but said nothing on it.
.
'Yeah, let us know if there's anything in particular you want to do.'

{Aava just gives him a sly smile.}

Aava: "Acually, I don't know. What do people of this age do to celebrate?"

'That depends what you're into... We could go riding, or we could go to the shopping district and let you buy whatever you want, or we could... I don't know, really. Anyone got other suggestions?'

Aava: "Ooh, let's go shopping. Dalton ruined that coat Jerry gave me and I want one of my own, along with some other stuff."

Dianne: "Sounds great. That's what we'll do."

'And after dinner, we'll get the ale,' said Armin. 'Because getting drunk, while not the most mature way to celebrate, is definitely one of the funniest.'

Aava: "Oh, yeah, definitely. We're totally doing that."

Dianne: "We're going to need to stop by your place, Armin. I need to get more, and something else."

'Oh, really? What else?' he enquired, still comfortably snuggled against her.

Aava: "Cuter outfits. Some more comfortable clothes. We just kind of grabbed whatever the first time, and these...jeans, as they're called, don't fit me well."

Dianne: "Yeah, we'll take more time now that you're not cursed."

Armin grunted in acknowledgement.
.
'I guess we'd better get up, then. Esme's probably going to come back and incinerate the bed if we don't feed her. Aava, can you get up and get out first?'

{Aava looks at him quizzically.}

Aava: "Weird request, but alright..."

{Getting up, Aava heads for her bedroom.}

Once she was gone, Armin rolled over, positioned himself above Dianne, and gave her a lengthy kiss, wrapping a hand around the back of her neck.

{Dianne gives a surprised noise, then closed her eyes and gripped him tightly. She smiled when she felt the hand on the back of her neck.}

Dianne: "...Oooh...you want me real bad...."

'That'd be nice, but I don't think we have time for anything right now,' he said regretfully. 'You've got to eat.' However, he took a moment to just gaze down at her lovingly.

{Dianne matched his loving look.}

Dianne: "Tonight, before the ale, meet me in the shower. You'll get your chance."

'Alright, m'lady.'
.
He nipped under her jaw a couple of times, deliberately aiming for a sensitive spot, then rolled away and started to get dressed.

{Dianne sucks in a quick breath before sitting up and looking at him, amused.}

Dianne: "Tease."

{Getting up, she gets dressed and heads downstairs.}

Armin followed her down, dressed in his usual jeans, white shirt and leather jacket. Wandering into the kitchen, he started making himself some coffee just for something to do.

{Dianne began cooking pancakes. Aava watches her curiously.}

Aava: "What are these?"

Dianne: "Pancakes. Trust me, you're going to love them."

{After they were finished, Dianne takes the food into the dining room.}

Dianne: "Esme. here, sweetie."

Esme bounded after her, leaping onto a chair and beginning to devour her food.
.
'You didn't even have pancakes 500 years ago?' said Armin with surprise. 'I thought pancakes were a pretty old thing. What was everyone eating in your time?'

Aava: "I lived in a village of wood elves. We ate mostly deer and goomboogly fruit. After I joined the rebellion, the army rations weren't much better."

{Aava takes a bite of her pancakes, her face immediately lighting up.}

Aava: "Wow, these are great!"

Dianne: "Here, have some syrup."

Armin smirked slightly at Aava's predictable reaction. Sipping his coffee, he lounged in the kitchen doorway.
.
'Goomboogly fruit? That thing that smells like rotting carcasses? Ew.'

Aava: "Yes, it does. Which is why you have to boil it first, to get the smell out. Then you mash the fruit up into a pulp and eat that. It was kind of bland."

{Aava continues to eat her breakfast, happily enjoying it.}

Armin wrinkled his nose. 'Still... I'll pass on trying that. Geez, sounds like you and Dianne have that in common. Growing up eating crap.'

Aava: "Meh, the deer wasn't that bad. Dianne, What cr@p did you grow up eating?"

Dianne: "Slag rats and Ferrosian sulphur snails."

Aava: "Gross."

'You know, with all of the odd situations we get into, it doesn't seem impossible that you'll end up having to eat a snail again someday,' said Armin with amusement.

Dianne: "You know what, Armin, I think I'd rather die."

Aava: "Aw, you don't really mean that. I'm sure they'd taste a lot better properly prepared."

{She says, grinning mischievously.}

Dianne: "Did you know that some cultures eat araneos?"

'I know some cultures eat normal spiders, so it's not hard to imagine. Araneos must have a lot more meat... But, I'm going to pass on that too,' he said with a slight shiver.

Dianne: "Who knows, with all the odd situations we end up in, you may one day have some on your plate."

{She says, grinning mischievously. Aava finishes eating, looking between the couple.}

'Ah, but I don't need to eat. What if we end up somewhere one day and the only available food is snails? Are you going to eat me instead?' he said jokingly.

Dianne: "Don't tempt me. But in all honesty, I'd probably just fast for the duration we're there."

Aava: "Hopefully, that never happens."

Smirking slightly, Armin went to wash up his coffee mug, then returned and looked around at everyone.
.
'Well then, if you're all done, how about we go out?'

Dianne: "Yes, let's go. Just let me grab my coat."

Aava: "Yeah, I'll get the jacket Fred gave me."

{Getting ready, they make their way out to the truck.}

Dianne: "To the shopping district!"

Armin took off as soon as everyone was buckled in, rolling down the country lane.
.
'I'm planning to buy a normal car soon. We can finally make use of that seat we bought for Esme last year,' he said. 'I could teach you two to drive, too, if you're interested.'

Dianne: "Yeah, I ought to learn."

Aava: "Yeah, I want to drive!"

Armin chuckled at Aava's enthusiasm.
.
'Thinking of getting an automatic, because I'm lazy... And it will be a lot easier to learn with, especially for Aava. Just give me a couple of weeks to find something nice.'

Dianne: "No problem, we have no shortage of money."

Aava: "We're you this rich when I knew you?"

Dianne: "Yes, but my money was all hidden. I couldn't retrieve it until I found a place to settle down."

'I guess you never settled in one place for very long?' said Armin as he waited in a traffic jam near the shopping district.

Dianne: "No. Evereywhere I went, trouble tended to follow. Wasn't until Shacklestone that I really stayed in one place."

Aava: "That's terrible. I had a home too. Until the Gorlians showed up. And then I got cursed. I hope to call this place home."

'You can,' said Armin absently. He turned down into the district and found a space to park. 'Alright, you two go wherever you want. I'll follow.'

Dianne: "Alright, let's go see what we can find."

Aava: "Yeah, shopping time!"
{Aava gets off, happily heading for the storefronts.}

(Unless you had something planned while they shopped, I was hoping we could do something with Luxia real quick.)

(Nope, nothing. What do you want to do?)

(Death has something to say. In broad daylight. Set the scene in their shop?)

----
.
In the apothecary shop, it was another quiet day. People would generally wander in, look around with interest, and then leave without buying anything. There had been no visitors for the last few hours, however. Luxia was bumbling around the store, moving items on shelves, putting new things up, and so on. She was moving more slowly and crookedly than usual. The last few days of magic use had left her tired.

{As Luxia went about her day, there was the sudden feeling of dread. In the wall, a hole opened up, and out crawled the Aspect of Death.}

Aspect: "LuxIa!"

Luxia turned, holding an enchanted spoon in one hand and a roll of toilet paper with pictures of Kynigos on it in the other.
.
'Grandma's a little busy right now, Bob,' she chastised him, frowning. 'Now, what do you require?'

(I guess that toilet paper roll shows how she feels about that deity.)

{The aspect walks up to Luxia, producing a teapot. It was old and ornate, the outside lined with lapis lazuli and jade.}

Aspect: "...TeA anD CruMpeTs?"

Luxia looked at the teapot, then at the Aspect, then at the toilet paper. With a creaky smile, she put the paper back in the window.
.
'Why, Bob, where did you even learn those words?'

Aspect: "I am oLdeR thAn the UniVerSe...I kNoW all wOrDs..."

{The Aspect motions to the still open portal.}

Aspect: "LeT uS gO...."

Luxia walked to the door and flipped the 'OPEN' sign so that it now read 'GO TO BED'. She then stepped through the portal, still holding the spoon, which she had forgotten about. She didn't seem particularly concerned by what was going on.

{The Aspect leads her into his dimension. The floor was covered in dense ground cover, with spiders, newts, and all manner of critters. The Aspect led her to a table with four chairs and set with tea and crumpets. Sitting at the table, the Aspect motions for her to sit, pouring out the beverages.}

Luxia skirted around the floor creatures, trying not to step on any, and then sat down. A tremulous hand closed around the teacup, lifting it slowly.
.
'Lovely weather here, isn't it? Now what do I owe you besides the dubious pleasure of my company?' she said, taking a sip at the end.

{The sky was dark and starry, and the air was still. Mangrove trees framed the horizon.}

Aspect: "ThAnk yOu for HelpInG hEr...ShE MeAnS mUcH to DiaGonAl..."

'Her... Her... Oh, you mean /her!'/ said Luxia triumphantly. 'Aava. Or Aardvark, as I prefer to think. Well, I was offered a vast sum to help her, but it was more than that, I suppose. Knowing the poor girl was forced to become a mindless creature, I had to help her.'

Aspect: "Kynigos wAs BeiNg...UnReaSonAble...Aava dId nOT dESeRve suCh tOrmEnt...YoU dId WeLl..."

{The tea was a sweet lemon zinger, and the crumpets were very good.}

Luxia smiled, with a touch of sadness, and ate one of the crumpets.
.
'Glad everyone came out OK in the end. Sad, what happened to her. Very unfortunate,' she mumbled.

Aspect: "WelL...Kynigos cOulD have lEt LuCci telL DIaNNe yeARP's aGo...BuT hE rEfUsed...He'S nEedLesslY CruEl..."

{As they sat, there was the shadow of something flying above them. It was a large, winged serpent with bone garlands and red feathers. He had the same eyes as Dianne, grinning down at the pair.}

Aspect: "DolOrus...JoIn us..."

Dolorus: "Invited company, did you, Death? And who is this?"

Luxia gazed up at the great serpent with bright-eyed interest.
.
'Hello, hello. Luxia Paledawn, along with some middle names that are irrelevant. How do you do, hmm? I think I may know who you are.'

Dolorus: "I am Dolorus. A pleasure to meet you."

{Dolorus lands by the table, coiling and folding his wings.}

Dolorus: "Do you? Has Delilah mentioned me?"

'Oh, I doubt it. But I know a little bit about history.'
.
She absentmindedly stirred her cooling tea with the spoon she held, and steam began to rise from it again.
.
'Very bad boy, you were. Killed a lot of people without reason. Though it's irrelevant now.'

Dolorus: "Yes, I did. I got a little confused, but it all worked out. Now, this world has two of its strongest guardians, unbound by Divine limitations. Your world is much better for it."

Aspect: "YeEeSSsSsssSs....UnfOrtUnaTe...But nEceSsaRy..."

Luxia cackled. 'Perhaps so.'
.
She finished her tea and delicately set the cup down in front of her.

Dolorus: "Well, you and Chuckles here seem to get along. Odd, given the prank you played on his acolyte. It's rare to find someone he respects enough to invite to afternoon tea."

'Oh, the prank? That was very funny, and I'm very disappointed with how he reacted. But still, thank you for the tea, Bob.'

Aspect: "TeA anD CruMpEtssss..."

Dolorus: "Yes, it was very funny. But, perhaps not as funny as this..."

{From the misty mangroves came another figure. Kynigos. He was currently in the form of a werewolf, dressed in white robes, and an elaborate head dress. The headgear depicted the moon, held up over what was meant to be the horizon. He did not seem happy.}

Kynigos: "Death, you meddling swine! How dare you get your acolyte mixed up in my affairs!"

Death: "It wAs hEr FrIeNd bEfOre sHe waS yoUr business! You gOt HeR iNvOlvEd?!"

Luxia rested her head on her hands and watched with amusement. 'Dear, dear. It's not that big a deal. So you wanted to torment a helpless girl; there are other fish in the sea.'

{Kynigos does a double take, noticing Luxia.}

Kynigos: "What the-!? Who is this?! What mortal would desicrate the realm of the Divines with their presence?!"

Death: "She iS my GuEst. ShE Is wElcOmE in my DomAin."

Kynigos: "Wait, I know you! /You/ gave /his/ acolyte passage!"

'Oh yes I did!' Luxia cackled. 'What ya gonna do about it? I'm glad to have helped them.'

{Kynigos gives Luxia a withering look.}

Kynigos: "Such a shame, that you're glad to have helped them, when your own niece's pleas for help fell on deaf ears."

Luxia's expression became disappointed and she pointed a finger at Kynigos.
.
'My niece hid what she was going through, poor soul. Yes, I was oblivious, but at least I didn't deliberately ignore her like my dear coworkers! Now enough about her.'

Dolorus: "Yeah. By the way, all her coworkers that are currently dead are in some form of hell. Pathalogos was preeeety peeved about that little incident."

{He says with a twisted grin.}

Death: "WhY aRe yoU mAd?"

Kynigos: "Why am I mad? Because the girl affronted me by taking the necklace, meant only for my most loyal. She needed to suffer my wrath."

Dolorus: "But, how could she have affronted you, when she didn't even know what it was?"

Kynigos: "My cult used to have a presence in every city. I am very displeased that so many have forgotten me."

{Death snorts at that, swatting a hand dismissively.}

Death: "PeTtY MuTt...YoUr fAlLinG oUt oF FavOur wAS YoUr oWn fAulT. We aRe DivIne. We dO nOt nEed FolOweRs in The mIllIons...JuSt eNouGh To KeEp a hOld..."

'If you want more followers then perhaps you should think about being nicer to people!' cried Luxia, jabbing her finger at Kynigos for emphasis. 'Look how nice this one is. He invited me for tea and thanked me for saving Dianne's friend. You should be more like him.'

{Kynigos sputters, bewildered.}

Kynigos: "Nice!? NICE!? He's literally death! He takes /everybody/ once their time is up! Men, women, and children!"

Death: "ThAt's mY JoB, D!CkhEaD! THaT's HoW LiFe staYs bAlAnCed!"

Dolorus: "And yet, he's still nicer to spend time with than the God of the Hunt, who's actually supposed to include comradery. Where's your compassion, Huntmaster?"

(Kynigos givea me the vibes of a petulant younger sibling upset that his older brothers get more attention)
.
Luxia nibbled on one of the cold crumpets, watching the deities argue with the expression of someone watching a mildly interesting sports match.

(Lmao yeah. He a salty boi.)

Kynigos: "I can be nice."

Dolorus: "Well, you missed your chance, bud! Aava already hates you and your entire fan base. If you had a scrap of mercy in you, you would have cured her yourself."

Death: "WhAt dO yOu ExpEct fRoM a SeconDary GoD?!"

Kynigos: "You really going to bring that up right now?"

Luxia chortled quietly. 'Secondary god? Dear me. You /really/ aren't liked, are you, Kynigos?'

Dolorus: "For his actions in recent centuries, the majority of the deities aren't happy with him. First he makes that ridiculous war with the vampires, and changes his doctrine to include some pretty racist things regarding them, which causes him to lose influence. Then, when his followers dwindle, and a poor, unsuspecting child of clan Ironwood finds his necklace, he shoves all the blame on her instead of doing the responsible thing and helping her. You will find that the primary gods are significantly more reasonable."

Kynigos: "Now listen here, snake! I might not be an aspect of one of your universal "pillars of reality", but I am still very much an important part of this world!"

Luxia only seemed to find Kynigos's mood entertaining. 'Calm down, Kynigos, I'm sure you're very important,' she said soothingly. 'But, to put it lightly, you f*cked up.' She put her half-eaten crumpet back on the plate.

Kynigos: "Who are you to judge me, mortal? I do as I see fit. I am divine."

Dolorus: "Well, you're acting pretty mortal like right now, so I think she's right to criticize."

Death: "If wE wEre aLl as PetTy aS yOu, ReaLity wOuld hAve UnravEled EonS Ago..."

Luxia began to stand up slowly, joints cracking.
.
'Well, this is lovely, but I have a shop and many, many wares to attend to. So if you lot don't need me, I think I'll be going home.'

Death: "ThAnK yOU aGaIn...We sHouLd do tHiS aGaIn somEtIme. BrinG yOuR GuArDiaN neXt TimE."

{Death stands to see her out.}

Dolorus: "Lovely to meet you, Luxia. Do take care, and tell Delilah I said hi."

'Yes, yes, of course. Well, have a wonderful day, all of you.'
.
Smiling, she creakily made her way back to the portal.

{Death shows her back through the portal, remaining behind. Once Luxia gets through, the portal closes.}

When Luxia came through, Gail was standing in the shop, staring at where the portal had been.
.
'Thank god, where were you?'
.
'Talking to the gods,' said Luxia breezily. 'They're so nice. Bob invited me for tea!'
.
'BOB? That thing that terrorised us and killed the next door neighbour?!'
.
'Don't judge so quickly, Abigail. He really isn't that bad a chap. Certainly nicer than Kynigos, the dear, deluded fellow.'

(Should we skip back to the others when they're done shopping?)

(XDDD Poor Gail. Should we skip back to the shopping group?)

(Oh, Uh, yeah. XD I'll start.)

{After a few hours of shopping, Aava hops in the truck with bags of goods. She got mostly clothing that she liked, along with thick coats and sweaters for the winter. With a bag of snacks in her hand, she sits in the back. Dianne gets into the passenger's seat with Esme.}

Dianne: "Ok, to your place, Armin. We need a barrel of ale."

Armin set off. He had gotten bored of shopping nearly an hour ago and was quite pleased to be leaving now. He glanced back at Aava's array of bags.
.
'You sure you've got enough? I think there were one or two things left in the store that you didn't buy,' he said with playful sarcasm.

Aava: "Yes, I'm good."

{She says, laughing.}

Aava: "I love these patterns they got. Much more colorful than the drab brown and green back home."

Dianne: "Good, I'm glad. Something to match your bubbly personality."

Armin chuckled and continued on to his house. It didn't take more than a few minutes to get there. Parking up in the driveway, he swiftly jumped out and approached the front door. Before he could knock, it opened to reveal Rex. He was wearing a green sweater and a white-and-green striped tie, looking like he had just come back from work.
.
'I was told you were coming over for the ale. Come in, then.' He sounded much more settled than the last time they'd seen him.

{Dianne walks in, smiling at him. Aava seems a little nervous.}

Dianne: "Hello, Rex. Have a good day at work?"

'Good enough. Nobody decided to smuggle any firecrackers or marijuana into the building today.'
.
He looked them over as they walked inside. Armin slung an arm around his neck in a brief, casual hug in passing.
.
'I'm glad you're doing alright.'

Aava: "Firecrackers? And mari-what now?"

Dianne: "I'll explain it later."

{Dianne walks down into the basement, ordering a guardian to carry a barrel of ale to the truck. Aava just kind of stands in the corner awkwardly.}

Armin stayed up in the hall with Aava. Rex walked to the basement entrance, looking down. He looked like he was trying to muster the nerve to do something.
.
'Actually. Dianne. Could I have a brief word with you? Upstairs, maybe?'

{Dianne stops and looks at him, a little surprised.}

Dianne: "Um, sure. Guardian, take this to he truck."

{Walking up the stairs, she follows Rex wherever he wanted to talk.}

Rex went up to the second floor and stopped near the door to Armin's room. He awkwardly messed with his tie while he thought.
.
'I just wanted to say... I shouldn't be blaming you for Armin being in danger. It seems you really do care about him. It's just unfortunate that he fell for someone as trouble-prone as he is. I realised that it's wrong of me to use you as an outlet for my fear, and I'll try not to let it happen again.'

{Dianne looks a little bewildered at this.}

Dianne: "Thank you, Rex, that couldn't have been easy. Armin and I protect each other, because we are trouble prone. I would never do anything to put him in extra danger."

'He would get into trouble regardless of your presence, so I suppose, this way, he at least has someone to help him. I'm sure I'll still panic every time he's in danger, but I'll try not to direct it at you.'
.
Rex didn't look at her as he spoke, seeming awkward about the whole thing.

Dianne: "And that's all I ask. Armin and I are very happy together."

{Dianne gently pats his shoulder.}

Dianne: "You're a good friend to both of us."

Rex tensed slightly when she touched his shoulder, as he hadn't seen it coming. He looked back at her with the faintest hint of a smile.
.
'Well... Thank you. Just keep taking care of him like you are. Now that he's not living with me, he'll need your company even more. Ridiculous clingy old man.'

{Dianne chuckles at this.}

Dianne: "Oh, I know. Remember what we had to do, just to buy him a Christmas present? And don't worry, he'll probably want to move back here after winter."

'He might. That would be a nice change, having him here more.'
.
Rex fell silent, done talking but unsure how to end the conversation. He lingered for a second and then started to head back downstairs.

{Dianne simply smiles, walking into the store room. She retrieves Aava's hair beads that Lucci gave her, then walks downstairs.}

Aava: "Wha-hey! Those are my hair beads!"

Dianne: "Lucci gave them to me, I think to give them back to you."

{Aava accepts them and puts them on.}

Aava: "My mom made me these...I thought I lost them forever.."

Armin eyed Rex as he came downstairs, perhaps exchanging a moment of silent communication. He then turned to Dianne and Aava.
.
'I wonder if Lucci was trying to give you a hint that she was still alive by giving you those,' he mused.

Dianne: "Maybe. I never would have guessed."

Aava: "I'm just happy you found me. I'm finally free."

Dianne: "Aava, see the urn ins the back of the truck full of gold? That's my payment to you for the horn you found in Alacria. The horn will go to Luxia as part of her payment.l

Guessing that they were done here, Armin pulled Rex into a more lengthy hug, then let go and started to head outside to the truck.
.
'That looks like a lot of gold... No wonder people hunt the dragons for those horns.'

Dianne: "Yes. Lots of nasty types looking for an easy score. However, if people come around asking about my species, please don't tell them."

Aava: "Yeah, you got enough trouble as it is."

Armin waited until everyone was in, and Rex had closed the front door behind them, before setting off.
.
'I guess you'd better give Luxia that horn as soon as possible, then.'

Dianne: "I'll get it to her tomorrow. Today, we rest and celebrate."

Aava: "Yeah, she can wait."

Armin just chuckled. When they got back to Dianne's house, he glanced over his shoulder at Aava.
.
'Are you alright carrying all your things upstairs, or do you want a hand?'

Aava: "A hand would be appreciated."

Dianne: "Sure. You bought a lot of stuff."

{Dianne hops out, a bag in one hand and Esme in the other.}

Armin picked up two bags and climbed out. Getting into the warmth of the house, he headed upstairs to put the bags in Aava's room.

{Dianne deposits Aava's goods into her room, letting Esme down at the same time.}

Aava: "Alright. Time to put this all away."

Dianne: "I was so exhausted last night I didn't get a chance to shower. I'll leave you to it, Aava."

Aava: "Ok."

{As Aava began to go through her things, Dianne steps out into the hall.}

Armin glanced back at Aava as she went through her purchases, then slipped out as well, hoping she wouldn't mind being left alone for a short while.
.
'So... shower?'

{Once they were out of earshot, Dianne pulls him into a passionate kiss.}

Dianne: "Shower."

Armin pulled back from the kiss, smirking, and made his way to the bathroom. Locking the door, he turned on the shower to let the water heat up, then hung up his jacket on a wall hook and started disrobing. 'Aava's going to know,' he said slyly.

{Dianne carelessly dumps her coat on the floor, then pulls off her shirt.}

Dianne: "I know. I don't care."

{Finished with disrobing, she steps into the cubicle.}

Armin followed, ducking under the cascade of water, kissing her, then drawing back just slightly.
.
'So, how do you want to do this today?' he asked, mouth close to hers.

Dianne: "Hmmmm. Well, it's been a stressful couple of days, especially for you. I think I'll help you relax..."

{She then resumes kissing him, already nudging him towards the wall.}

He hummed contentedly and let her push him, his back thumping into the wall. His fangs lightly nipped her jawline.
.
'Go for it. Be rough. I want to feel you.'

{With a low growl, Dianne holds him against the wall, sharply nipping her way down his neck. She caressed him with her hands, slowly moving to grab his wrists.}

Armin responded immediately, leaning his head back to give her easier access, tensing at a few of her bites. As she was about to grab his wrists, he shifted them and mischievously ran his hands up the insides of her thighs.

{Dianne gasps at the suddenness of his actions, stiffening and leaning forward. She then looks at him, both amused and annoyed.}

Dianne: "Why you....Such a tease."

{Grabbing his hands away from her, she forces them behind his back, pushing him from behind into the wall. She then bites the back of his neck, more roughly than before.}

Armin arched his back slightly, muscles tightening. His hands, held behind him, curled into fists.
.
'...Ooooh, I think I pissed off the dragon...' he said slyly, his voice both amused and slightly unsteady.

{Breathing unstably, she grins at him, one hand holding his wrists, the other digging her nails into his back.}

Dianne: "Oh, you did..."

{Biting him roughly between his neck and shoulder, she claws down his back.}

Armin jerked, letting out a noise halfway between a groan and a cry, louder than most of the sounds she usually heard from him. His shoulders stiffened and his breathing became ragged.
.
'... Don't stop...'

{Chuckling, she whispers right into his ear.}

Dianne: "Oooh, never heard that one before..."

{Scraping her teeth down the back of his neck, she drags her nails down his side and leg.}

Armin sunk his fangs into his lip at the same time as feeling her teeth on his neck. His breathing was getting more erratic.
.
//Bite into the side of my neck,// he growled telepathically. //Hard.//

Dianne: "As you wish."

{Dianne does exactly that, biting into the side of his neck, hard enough for her incisors to draw a small amount of blood.}

Dianne: //Damn, I should have brought the thoughtstone rings in with us...//

Armin closed his eyes tightly, a quiet whimper escaping him. The bite hovered right on the edge of being painful, but he seemed to enjoy the intense feeling.
.
'...OK... Need a quick break before we carry on... Or this will end up being disappointing for you...'

{Chuckling, Dianne releases him.}

Dianne: "Yes, very well. I love seeing you enjoy yourself."

Armin turned around, absently stretching his arms and wrists. He took a moment to compose himself, then leaned into her.
.
'Mm, that was good...' he murmured against her neck. 'Can't help but find it exciting when you decide to go feral dragon mode on me.'

{Dianne hugs him, welcoming his presence and stroking his hair.}

Dianne: "Trust me, that wasn't feral. Feral, wouldn't have stopped. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, nonetheless."

Armin growled in agreement. Shifting slightly, he nipped her neck and slowly trailed a hand down her abdomen.
.
'You want to finish up?'

{Dianne grins at him, tensing slightly in anticipation.}

Dianne: "Absolutely. I believe it's your move."

(Skip?)

----
.
Some time later, Armin was settling in the rec room with the TV on, just waiting for Dianne to bring in some dinner. The decanter of ale stood off to the side along with several glasses, ready for them to drink afterwards. Armin was rather blissfully relaxed, lazing on the bean bag. Dianne's bite wound was still visible in the side of his neck.

{At this time, Aava was sitting on the opposite side of the bean bag from him, smirking knowingly.}

Aava: "So...Dianne's a biter, huh? Makes sense."

Armin glanced at her, then looked back at the TV and shrugged. 'She's a dragon, so it's not uncommon. And apparently the dragons of ancient times were pretty savage in comparison to modern ones.'

{Aava nods, looking back to the tv.}

Aava: "Hot. I bet you're totally into it, being a vampire and all."

{Dianne was in the kitchen, making pan fried fish with squash and baked potatoes.}

Esme was in the kitchen as well, watching Dianne cook, her sharp eyes taking everything in.
.
'I don't think I would have let her bite me hard enough to draw blood if I wasn't,' said Armin dryly.

Aava: "Heh, yeah, I guess not."
{Seeming to let the subject drop, Aava continues to watch the tv. It was a documentary on some distant mountains and the dragon tribes that call it home.}

Aava: "Thanks again for, you know, helping me get uncursed."

'No problem. I'm glad to help. I hope that, in spite of me 'stealing' your love interest, we can be friends.'

Aava: "Of course we can. You basically helped save my life. You may have Dianne, but I still want to be friends."

'Well, good.'
.
With a faint, contented smile, Armin settled back more comfortably to watch the TV and wait.

{Aava falls silent as well, watching the tv. After a short while, Dianne walks in with the food on a cart.}

Dianne: "Pythia called me, said she has time to do Aava's checkup tomorrow. 2pm.

Aava: "Ok, if she thinks it's important."

Armin took some food for himself and put some more down for Esme, glancing at Aava as he did so.
.
'Wonder what Pythia thinks she's looking for. She seems fine other than the scars and scrawniness. Thanks for the food, by the way.'

Dianne: "Aw, thanks, sweetie."

{Dianne and Aava take their food.}

Dianne: "She's apparently concerned that she could be malnourished. She's quite clearly underweight."

Aava: "Although, to be fair, I never weighed much."

'You'll probably be doing better after a few months of proper food. It sounds like you weren't eating that well even before getting cursed, thanks to army rations.'
.
Esme started devouring her food while Armin dug around with his knife and fork, focusing mostly on the fish.

Aava: "They weren't the best, but they kept me alive."

Dianne: "Dry venison, heavy crackers, stale bread. I hardly call that nourishment. Armin's right, I'll try to give you a healthy, balanced diet. You should be good after a few months."

{Shrugging, Aava tears into her fish.}

Armin ate in peaceful silence for a few minutes, preferring to enjoy his fish rather than talk. When he'd finished everything except a few scraps of potato and squash, he set the plate aside.

{After a few minutes, Dianne and Aava had finished with their meals. Aava then glances at the ale in the corner.}

Aava: "So...Are we going to drink that ale or....?

'Absolutely,' said Armin with a smirk.
.
He took the decanter and poured a generous measure into everyone's glasses before passing them around.
.
'There you go. There's plenty left for refills if you want more.'

Aava: "Splendid."

{Without preamble, Aava takes a generous sip, blinking afterward.}

Aava: "Whoo! That's smooth!"

Dianne: "Aaaand, she's already drunk."

{She says, chuckling.}

Armin drank a mouthful of ale, smirking. It didn't make him cough like it once had. 'Let her. It'll be funny.'

Dianne: "Fine, but you get to carry her to her bed after."

Aava: "I'll be fiiiiine. Relax, we are celebrating after all."

{Aava continues to enjoy her drink. Dianne drinks hers, albeit, at a slower rate.}

Armin was going rather fast. He drank about half of his ale before speaking again.
.
'So, why don't we talk about that last drinking contest we had? You know, at Triticum's tavern, where I /won?'/ he said smugly.

{Dianne simply rolls her eyes.}

Dianne: "Oh, please, you /barely/ won that. And you couldn't even stand after."

Aava: "Mmmmmyuuuuup....sounds about right."

'Alright... then how about the first one? That was nearly a year before we got together. You got drunk off your ass and called me handsome.' Armin grinned, already getting loose-tongued. 'Even then, you liked me...'

{Dianne couldn't help but chuckle.}

Dianne: "Alright, yes, I thought you were good looking, even as far back as then....but even as far back as then, you would always gravitate towards me. I think you liked me too...."

Aava: "A year ago, I was a bloodthirsty monster....I would have rather been at that party..."

'I'm not sure. But I definitely wanted to get closer to you.'
.
Armin reached over and clapped Aava on the shoulder.
.
'Don't dwell on that. You're free now, and you've got a lifetime of parties to go to. Have all the fun you want.'

{Aava chuckes, raising her glass, then sipping it.}

Aava: "Oh, yeah, now, I can have aaaallll the fun I want! And what do you mean, you "definitely" wanted to get closer to her? You just wanted to get up her dress...Don't liiieee...."

{She subsides into laughter, very clearly drunk now.}

'That wasn't really on my mind at the time. I just wanted a friend. If I was attracted to her then it was very much a subconscious thing.'
.
Armin reclined back on the beanbag, propping himself up on one arm and sipping his ale.
.
'Damn, you reeaally can't handle your liquor, huh?' he said, smirking.

{Aava smiles drunkenly, wavering a bit.}

Aava: "Aaaarmiiiin, I weigh 80 pounds and fourty of those are alllll hair. Of coooouuurse I'm going to get drunk faaaaast..."

Dianne: "...maybe this was a mistake..."

'I don't know, it's kind of funny. Although... I don't want her to make herself sick...' Armin squinted at Aava. 'Hey, do you think you've had enough?'

{Aava drains the last of her ale, grining goofily.}

Aava: "Nnoooow I've had enough....Mmmm....You don't seem as drunk."

Dianne: "Well, I am comfortably tipsy..."

{Reaching over, Dianne refills her glass.}

Armin grinned, waiting for her to refill, then grabbing the container from her hand so he could do the same. 'We'll keep going. It feels wrong that you're in this state and we're still coherent...'

Dianne: "Yeah, we're going to regret this tomorrow..."

{She says, taking a generous sip.}

Aava: "Heeheehee....Armin, you're soooo lucky...How did you get her to fall for you?"

'I dunno... I keep asking her that. I guess I was so dashing and handsome, carrying her out of a hunter attack and facing them down to save her, that she couldn't resist,' said Armin, with a woozy grin, head tilting to one side.

{Dianne chuckles at that, wavering slightly.}

Dianne: "Ya want to know what it was, Armin? Why I fell in love with you? Because you made me feel safe. And loved. Like I could trust you to always watch out for me. All of these, qualities my previous romantic partners lacked."

'Awwww...' Armin momentarily put his glass on the floor, then grasped her by the collar and pulled her in for a spontaneous kiss.

{Smiling drunkenly, Dianne wraps her free arm around Armin and tries to avoid spilling the remainder of her drink as they kiss.}

Aava: "Ooooooooh, spicy! C'mon, Armin, kiss her like you mean it!"

Armin nearly laughed into the kiss when he heard Aava's drunken exclamation beside them, barely audible over the buzzing in his head. He held the kiss for a moment, then nipped Dianne's bottom lip with his fangs and drew away.

Dianne:"Heheh...That was a pretty good kiss..."

{She says, taking another sip.}

Aava: "I'm happy he's so good to you. But if he ever screws up, I'm totally going to steal you away."

Dianne: "Noooo....He's not going to screw up... I love him..."

'Bet you're hoping...' Armin slurred, eyeing Aava as he picked up his drink and took another mouthful. He leaned against Dianne's side for support.

Aava: "Heeey, noooo....I'm glad she's happy...I'm just saying...I like her too..."

Dianne: "Sweetheart. You'll find your own Dianne someday.... I promise..."

'Of cooouurse... You can love more than one person in your life. I have... Just give it time, make friends, and someday... One of those friends might be more...'

Aava: "Yeah...I just hope they can look past all these scars...."

Dianne: "Don't even worry about it. You'll find someone who loves you for you."

{Scooting over, Aava leans into Dianne, hugging her tightly.}

Armin tipped the last bit of his ale down his throat blinked slowly, then put the glass down. He fell against Dianne's other side, looking woozy.
.
'Heheheh... You two are cute friends... It's nice that you have each other...'

Dianne: "Yeah..A bit like what you have with Rex..."

{She says, closing her eyes and enjoying their company.}

Aava: "You mean that intense, scary vampire guy?... I mean, he did let Armin hug him earlier...but I don't like him much..."

'He's had a rough life... He's a bit like Dianne when you met her.'
.
Armin nuzzled Dianne's shoulder.
.
'He can be very sweet with me... But you might not ever see that side of him...'

Aava: "Oh...Would a back rub help?.."

Dianne: "Doubtful...He doesn't like being touched..."

Aava: "Ok...Just sayin'...You just kind of melt when I rub your back, maybe he just needs one too..."

'He was raised by someone who beat him,' said Armin bluntly. 'It takes a lot of trust for him to enjoy having his back touched.'
.
He slid a hand under Dianne's shirt and lazily rubbed her back.
.
'This one, though...'

Aava: "Oh...That's...horrible...."

{Dianne smiles, not opening her eyes.}

Dianne: "The people in this room are the only people I'm comfortable with touching me. Everyone else, who isn't a healer of some sort, gets their arms broken..."

'Kinda surprised you let Aava do it after only knowing her for, what, a week or two? You must've really needed it at that point.'

Aava: "Actually, I was technically a healer..."

Dianne: "I really did need it...I hadn't slept for almost a week....I felt like shiiiiit...."

Aava: "You looked like sh!t. I needed to get you to sleep somehow, and fast..."

'Now... You sleep fine most nights...' Armin remarked. 'Which I'm very thankful for...'

Dianne: "As am I...I missed peaceful sleep..."

Aava: "Yeah...You waking up in the middle of the night...screaming bloody murder...Wasn't fun for any of us..."

'Much more fun for you than her, though,' said Armin. 'At least you didn't have to see what she was dreaming about...'

Aava: "If I had...I probably wouldn't sleep either..."

{Dianne, seeming to grow drowsy, nuzzles into Armin, then settles in.}

Dianne: "...Not fun...Haunting tragedy..."

Armin pulled her closer, rubbing her back. 'It's alright. Everything's fine now.'
.
He briefly wondered how they were going to get upstairs when all three of them could hardly move, but he decided it wasn't worth worrying about.

{Dianne lies with him for a moment, before lifting her head.}

Dianne: "...Mmm....Tired now...Let's go to bed..."

Aava: "...I don't think I can stay upright right now..."

'I can stand...' said Armin. He demonstrated by getting up, swaying and using the TV as a crutch. He stood there for a moment, blinking and stabilising himself. 'I could carry Aava upstairs... But I'm not sure about Dianne... She weighs so muuuch...'

Dianne: "I can waaaaalk..."

{Dianne attempts to get up, sways, then falls over with a loud thud.}

Dianne: "...Ow..."

Armin rubbed his face and winced. //Yyyyep. We miiiight have gone overboard.//
.
'Stay here,' he told Dianne. 'I'll come back in a minute to help you up the stairs.'
.
Gingerly, he started to scoop up Aava with the intention of carrying her away.

{Dianne simply nods in a crumpled heap. Aava wraps her arms around him, making no objection to being carried away.}

Armin laboriously carried Aava to her bedroom. She weighed nothing to him, but his head was swimming and his balance was destroyed by the alcohol. After he put her down, he filled a glass of water and left it on the bedside cabinet.
.
'Drink that when you wake up. You're probably gonna have one hell of a hangover.'

Aava: "Yeah, probably....totally worth it..."

{Lying on her side, she starts to drift off.}

Armin quietly closed the door on the way out, and then plodded back to the rec room.
.
'Lead the way, Esme,' he said encouragingly and watched the fledgling scamper off. Squatting down, he pulled Dianne's arm around his neck and started dragging her upright. 'Can you please... try to walk... I can't carry you right now..'

Dianne: "Yeah, I got it..."

{Dianne does her best to stand and walk with him, stumbling a little on the steps.}

Dianne: "Next time....I won't drink so much...I can carry all of you..."

'Yeah... You're the oldest one here, so you should be the responsible one...:
.
They ascended the stairs slowly. Armin, already dizzy and drowsy from helping Aava, stumbled more frequently as they neared the top, starting to slump down.

Dianne: "But I don't want the responsibility...."

{She says chuckling. As Armin slumps, Dianne starts pulling him up.}

Dianne: "C'mon, don't give up on me now..."

{She then starts helping him to the bedroom.}

Armin hobbled along, trying not to hinder her. Once the bed was within reach, he fell onto it. After stripping down, he seemingly couldn't find the will to change into his nightclothes, and proceeded to collapse under the blankets in his underwear with a grunt.

{Dianne lay on the bed as well, not seeming to be willing to change either. She pulls her clothes off, settling next to Armin in her knickers.}

Dianne: "Goodnight....let's not drink so much next time...."

'Mm...mmmaybe...'
.
Armin was only vaguely aware of his surroundings by then. Slumping against Dianne, he closed his eyes and was asleep within a minute.

{Dianne fell asleep quickly after, snuggled against him for warmth.}

(Skip?)

(Yeah, who goes first?)

(I'll go.)

{Late the next morning, Dianne stirs, feeling a massive headache. Groaning, she flops on her side, feeling rather ill.}

Dianne: "Ugh....The worst part of drinking..."

Armin started to come back to life, roused by her voice and movement. He didn't open his eyes, but rolled onto his front and pressed his forehead against a cooler part of the pillow.
.
//I feel sick,// he said telepathically.

Dianne: "...Join the club...."

{Dianne remained motionless, her head pounding and nausea creeping up.}

Dianne: "What time is it?"

'Do I look like I care what time it is?' Armin croaked. However, he did pick up his phone, check the time, the toss it aside. 'It's about 11.'
.
He then slumped back down, breathing in the slow and deliberate way of someone trying not to throw up.

Dianne: "Aava has an appointment at two...I need to pay Luxia...We got a busy day..."

{Outside was the sound of Aava hurriedly opening the door, then running for the bathroom.}

Dianne: "...Poor girl must feel worse than the both of us..."

'That's not surprising... She's only an elf... And we've got plenty of time to get to her appointment. We can visit Luxia afterwards.'
.
Clearly not capable of getting up at this time, he rolled over and snuggled up to Dianne, vaguely aware that she wasn't wearing as much as usual, but feeling far too sick to take advantage of this.

{Dianne looks down at herself as Armin snuggles into her.}

Dianne: "Huh...I must have really been drunk...I never sleep in my knickers..."

'You must do in the summer, surely,' he objected. 'Or you'd overheat.'

Dianne: "...Would you believe me if I said I still get cold on summer nights?..."

{She asks, slowly but innocently.}

'No, you don't,' said Armin. 'There's no way you could. It gets /uncomfortably/ warm on some summer nights.'

Dianne: "Armin, Vallis is a much colder climate than Ferros. I still find summer nights either comfortable or slightly chilly. How hot is uncomfortably warm?"

'If it's over 20 degrees Celsius at night, then I'm not going to be sleeping in clothes... You might not need to, either, now that you have me to leech body heat from.'

Dianne: "Doubtful. But, I guess we'll see..."

{Shivering slightly, she rolls over and hugs him tightly.}

Dianne: "...My head hurts too much to get up..."

'Just stay put for a while. No rush.'
.
He kissed her neck and then snuggled in, keeping his eyes closed to help his symptoms ease faster.
.
'...My head hurts like hell too...'

{Dianne falls still, snuggled up to him. After about an hour, she stirs again.}

Dianne: "Ok, we need to get up now..."

Armin groaned unenthusiastically, burying his face in her neck. 'Don't want to... Feel like crap...' In reality, he felt better than an hour ago, but still poor enough to make getting up sound unappealing.

Dianne: "Yeah, I feel like crap too, but damn it, we can't stay in bed all day..."

{Dianne sits up, then immediately sways.}

Dianne: "Damn it....did that too fast..."

Armin opened his eyes to watch her with concern. Groaning, he propped himself up on one elbow, rubbed his face, and tried to muster the will to move. 'Be careful...'

Dianne: "...I'll be fine...just give me a second..."

{She gets up, a little unsteadily, and starts gathering her clothes.}

Dianne: "...There..."

Armin stayed still for a moment, then slowly pushed himself up, sat on the edge of the bed, and started pulling his clothes on. Once he was done, he felt slightly better.
.
//I think I just need to get up and walk...// Reluctantly, he stood up and started to hobble out of the room.

{Once Dianne was dressed, she walked out to check on Aava. Knocking, she enters.}

Dianne: "Aava?"

Aava: "....Uuuugh..."

{Aava was sprawled on her back, looking sick and pale.}

Aava: "...I can't stand...my head hurts...light hurts..."

Dianne: "Come on, I need to get you downstairs..."

Armin paused in the doorway, eyeing her. //Yeah, that was definitely too much alcohol for her... Should have stopped her before it went that far...//

{Dianne helped her up, dressed, and carried her downstairs. Dianne deposited her on a chair in the dining room, giving her water and an ibuprophen.}

Dianne: "Here. Sit and drink this, I'll give you something to eat."

{Dianne walks into the kitchen, sighing and rubbing her face.}

Dianne: "...Pythia's going to kill us..."

Armin went to the sink and poured out a glass of cold water, which he sipped at slowly.
.
'She might. But, we were kind of celebrating the fact that we saved your friend from a lifelong curse, which I'd say is kind of a big deal.'

Dianne: "You get to try to justify it to her...Yeah, we were, but...we did know she was really unhealthy to begin with..."

{Waking to the stove, she begins cooking.}

Armin leaned over the sink, eyes closed, drinking his water. 'I'm not expecting her to be impressed. And I'll take some of the blame, since I suggested drinking. Still, we didn't force Aava to get drunk; she can make her own decisions.'

Dianne: "Maybe...But we did pour her a lot..."

{Dianne stops a moment to get herself some water, drinking it.}

Dianne: "What's done is done. we'll just go with it."

Armin grunted in agreement. In the dining room, Esme walked over to Aava's chair. With an inquisitive growl, she nudged her spiked head gently against Aava's leg, trying to get a response.

{Aava was leaning back, eyes closed. She stirred when Esme nudged her, looking down at the baby dragon.}

Aava: "...Oh...Hello...Esme, was it?"

Esme gave an affirmative chirp. She moved to nudge and nuzzle Aava's hand like a cat. She could tell that everybody was feeling unwell and wanted to cheer them up somehow.

(posting new room)