A Remarkable Outing.

Diane gripped the arrow tighter this time. "Now pull back, slowly." Diego said, as he aided her. "What if I miss once more?" Diane inquired as her hands slightly fidgeted, making the arrow to quiver. "You need to have confidence in yourself." Diego stated, his voice calm and reassuring. "That Is another important factor that you must possess. Besides, I still have plenty of arrows. We can just try again." He added, as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Hey you two, I am still single you know." Thaniel lazily stated from where he was. "Shut up." Diego told him coldly. "Your presence alone is nothing but a mere intrusion. The Least you can do is to stay quiet." He added. "You don't have to speak so him so rudely, you know." Diane mumbled. "Don't bother my lady, that husband of yours always had a sassy attitude since wee were kids." Thaniel told her, while gazing at Diego with mocking eyes. Diego sighed. "Anyway, back to business." He said, as he raised Diane's hands a bit higher. "Now, release it." He commanded. "Are you sure?" Diane asked uncertainly, her previous performance still freshly etched in her memory. "Trust me." He added. Diane exhaled a long breath in order to calm her nerves, before releasing the arrow. The arrow immediately flew in a straight trajectory, before hitting the Impala straight on the neck. The force was so intense that the head of the arrow ended up coming out of the other side. The Impala went down immediately, fuitlessly kicking its legs into the air, before the light finally dimmed from its pitiful eyes. It couldn't even let out so much as a bellow, afterall, was the arrow not stuck in its throat?

"Yay, we did it!" Diane exclaimed, while bouncing up and down like a child. "Well done." Diego told her, with a slight smirk. Diane paused to look at him. "What?" He suddenly called out, when he noticed her blue eyes shining mischievously. She ran to him, suddenly jumping into his arms. "Argh.. be careful." Diego groaned, when her weight suddenly pressed into his injured arm. "Sorry, I forgot." Diane said, as she suddenly retracted from the embrace. "It's okay." Diane said, before casting a slight glance at Thaniel. "Thaniel!" She cried out, as she bounded up to him with outstretched arms. "Sorry, Diane not now." Thaniel hurriedly said, holding his one arrow like a javelin, before throwing it. It struck the rib of a certain Impala, which gave a pitiful bellow. The rest of the herd, confused, dazed and infuriated automatically went into stampede mode, sending reverberations into the heart of the earth. "Could you not have made it less obvious." Diego said, as he gazed at Thaniel. "What does It matter to you? It is my kill afterall, Our hunting styles can't be similar to each other." Thaniel retorted. Diane just dazedly at the herd, their moans and bellows combining together and becoming one, their strong hooves continously striking against the mother earth, sending vibrations over ten miles to which Diane and her team stood. "So who is going to get the spoils?" Thaniel suddenly asked. "Who else? You, of course." Diego said without mercy. "Just wait for the stampede to die down first." He added. "I am not that foolish, Raymond." Thaniel said as he smiled menacingly at his 'Friend'. Soon enough, the herd ended up stampeding into another location, leaving behind two pitiful corpses, nearly decimated by the hooves of the herd. "Well, at least it doesn't affect the quality of the meat." Thaniel said upon arrival, poking at one with his index finger. Diego and Diane also arrived at the scene as well. "A pity that they had to die.." She mumbled, as her eyelids began to quiver slightly. "Don't tell me you are going to cry over them, my lady?" Thaniel inquired, as he observed her keenly. "Of course not!" Diane exclaimed, as she stamped her foot. "What do you take me for?" She asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "A great lover of animals." He said, as he touched the arrow which was stuck into one of the impalas neck, yanking it hard. It finally came loose after some time, splattering blood on his clothes as well as on the ground. Some even got on his face as well, causing him to have an abominable appearance. "Here." He said, as he passed the bloody arrow towards Diego, who scowled in response. "What do you possibly intend for me to do with that?" Diego asked, as he stared at the bloody arrow. "Oh, I am sorry, I forgot you were obsessed with cleanliness." He said, as he intended to use his shirt to wipe the bloody arrow. "Thaniel.. your clothes.. That isn't appropriate." Diane said as she watches on in horror, struggling to find the appropriate words. "It is alright my lady, my clothes were already ruined anyway." Thaniel said. But a firm hand gripped his, making him pause his occupations. "Stop, you fool." Diego began. "You are completely misunderstanding my intentions, why don't you keep it?" Diego began. "Why, because your precious weaponry Is ruined?" Thaniel inquired, the distrust clear In His eyes. Diego nearly face palmed. "What I mean to say is, keep it as a memoir. It's not all the time we hang out like this. As a token of our.. Honestly, I don't even know what to call our relationship." He said the latter part in a low tone, because he could feel Diane's eyes upon them both. "Don't worry, out of the numerous enemies you have, I am one of the privileged that can be called your ally." He said with a smile, as he clicked his fingers, and the arrow disappeared. "Where did it go?" Diane finally quipped in. "Home, to my room." Thaniel said. "Your powers are really cool." Diane stated." I know." Thaniel stated, with a smug look on his face.

"So you can not just teleport yourself, but other objects as well?" Diane asked. "Yes." Thaniel replied. "Oh?" Thaniel mumbled, as he observed something from the corner of his eyes. "It seems like this one is still kicking." Thaniel said, as he suddenly clenched his fists. All of a sudden, a black material suddenly appeared, and like a string, wrapped itself around the Impala's neck. The Impala kicked, and bellowed. "If that herd comes back, I swear.." Diego began, with a menacing glare. "Don't worry, they won't come. Afterall, this member of the herd is already a lost cause." Thaniel assured him. At this point, the Impala had already gone stiff due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain. "Why don't you help us teleport it to your house for the mean time, and oh, kindly dress it for us." Diego stated, with a smirk. "Why?" Thaniel asked. "Because we can't possibly be dragging an Impala corpse with us, It will make it seem like we have no class." Diego said, with a shrug of his shoulders."Then loan a carraige or something from the people in charge. This is exactly why they loan out carraiges in order to meet such contigencies." Thaniel expantiated. '"No, the carraige will begin to smell like meat, we couldn't possibly return it like that." Diego pressed on. "Then wash it!" Thaniel exclaimed. "It will take far too long for the servants to wash, I don't intend to pay for any extra dues." Diego added. "That is why we want you to store it for us." He said, as he sported a smile. "Why don't I help you eat it instead." Thaniel said, through gritted teeth." "Well you do have teleportive abilities, you can't possibly expect me and Diane to be dragging one impala corpse with us." Diego added. "So kindly do me this one favor, buddy." Diego said, as he lightly punched Thaniel's arms. "Okay, okay." Thaniel said, as he touched his arm with a light frown. "Just, Don't call me that again." Thaniel said. "Do you think I wanted to?" Diego asked, and both men went back to glaring at each other. Diane sighed. "Your relationship is a truly complicated one." She said, as she interrupted their current occupation. "By the way, you came with a carraige? I thought you teleported." Diane began. "Oh, I was jesting earlier. I can't simply misuse My power like that, and I will have to answer to the crown, as well as.. the council." Thaniel began. "Diane, we should better get going." Diego stated, as he gazed at the sky. "Alright." Diane responded, in a low tone. "I would have given you a hug, but your clothes are covered in blood, so.." She hesitated. "It's alright, my lady." Thaniel stated. "We will meet again, and sooner than you think." Thaniel said, as he elegantly bowed, as both he and both the spoils of the hunt disappeared. "I thought he would remain stubborn to the very end." Diego said with a slight smirk.

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 The couple eventually got home, exhausted and starving. "Maybe when we go hunting next time, we should grab some snacks along with us." Diane said, as her stomach rumbled in protest. "It's because it's your first time, don't worry, you will get used to it." Diegk assured. "So you are not hungry? Not even in the slightest?" She asked him. "Not necessarily." Diego replied. They eventually approached the manor, where Egiel and Lisa were patiently waiting for them. "Welcome back, my lord and our lady." They greeted respectfully. Diego had already slid down from Orion, and was currently helping Diane to climb off Sapphire. "I presume that the rest of the family already had their dinner?" He inquired, after carrying Diane down. "Yes, my lord, approximately an hour ago." Lisa stated. "An hour ago huh.." Diego muttered. "We tried to get back on time but It seems we still ended up being late." Diane asked him, with a slight smile. "Seems like it." Diego replied. "I will take the horses down to the stables now, my Lord." Egiel said, as he grabbed the harnesses of both horses. "Thank you, Egiel. And oh, one more thing, do remember to give them both some water when you get there." Diego said. "You have been a very good boy, Orion." Diane who was in Close proximity with the horses, said, while stroking the majestic black horse, who just snorted in pride. "I will see you tomorrow at the office, my lord." Egiel said, as he bowed and walked away, both horses throttling behind him. "Let's go. I am starving." Diane said, as she impatiently grabbed Diego by the hand, intending to drag him along. "Wait, my lady!" Lisa suddenly called out. "What Is the matter, Lisa?" Diane inquired. "Did my lady get hurt when she was hunting?" Lisa inquired. Diane was perpetuate at first, until she saw the spot that Lisa was busy gazing at. "This.." Diane began, but Diego interfered. "That is My blood, not Diane's." He said frankly. "Are you okay, my lord?" Lisa immediately transferred her concern to him. "I am alright, it's just a slight cut, that is all." He said. "We better get in, it is getting rather chilly." Diego said to his wife. "Okay." Diane agreed. "I will see you in the morning, Lisa." Diego told her. "Of course, my lord. Do have a good rest." She said, as she courtsied.

 "Shouldn't we inform the others that we arrived safely? I won't like the thought of worrying them to death." Diane stated, as they ascended up the staircase. "If they have their medallions with them, they will know that I have arrived." Diego replied. "Besides, I find it discourteous to trouble them with my presence when they are exhausted and probably had a long day." Diego explained. "But." He began, as he glanced at her. "I will just go and say hello just In case." He said, in order to soothe Diane's agitation.

 Theodore Laid on his bed, trying to get some sleep, but the intense pain in his head still assaulted him. He had already taken some painkillers earlier, but they seemed not to be showing any effect. And he couldn't just meet his mother just because of some stupid headache-he was an adult for goodness sake, he ought to be paying more attention to his problems, as an adult. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Coming." He said weakly. He opened the door, only to behold the face of the man who had placed him under all that torture. "I was aware of your presence the moment you stepped into the house." Theodore said, as he stepped out of his room. "Was it still necessary to come see me?" He asked. Diego however did not reply, but stared long and hard at the bedroom door. "I hope I won't find a girl underneath your bed covers, Theodore?" He asked, turning to his cousin, his face stoic. "Diego please." Theodore began, as he placed his hand on his forehead. "Save your jokes for someone's else, they are not even that hilarious." He complained. "I hope you haven't fallen ill?" Diego asked out of concern. Theodore scoffed. "You go to the office everyday, I went just for two consecutive days and yet you think I fell ill? Are we really that different?" Theodore asked, a smile hanging on his lips, before sighing. "Don't worry, I have a headache that is all. I tried some meds but they are not working." He complained. "And I would rather be in bed right now than to stand at the corridors talking you." He added irritatedly. "Alright then, I will let you retire now." Diego said, with a slight nod. "But I will need you in the office tomorrow morning, for the summary." He explained. "Good night then. I will be present first thing.. tommorow." Theodore said, as he tried to stifle a yawn. "And try drinking some lemon water, it should help with that headache of yours." Diego stated.

 Diego walked into the room, only to see Diane munching happily on some snacks. "Sorry." She said, as soon as he came in. "I forgot to keep some for you." She said. "That is fine, I don't like sugary things anyway." Diego said, as he shut the door. "Come sit next to me." Diane said as soon as She finished her meal, patting the bed. Diego lifted his eyebrow, before sitting next to her. "Hand." She said, as she stretched out her palm to him. Diego hesitated for a while, before giving him his injured hand. A small cut, indeed. It ran all the way from his thumb to the little finger. "What do you intend to do?" Diego asked, as he noticed her fiddling with a cotton wool and a bottle. "First aid." She told him curtly. She poured the liquid into the cotton wool, before applying it to his palm. Diego flinched a little, it had been so long since he last felt this sensation that it had become almost unnatural. "Does it burn?" Diane inquired, and without waiting for his reply, began to blow into his hand. The cool breath Emanating from her lips made everything seem surreal. Diego would surely engrave this memory in his heart. "What is that serum, anyway?" Diego asked. "It is ethyl alcohol, I got some in the kitchen when I went downstairs." Diane explained. "Why is there alcohol in the kitchen?" Diego muttered to himself. "Probably for other purposes, but definitely not for cooking." Diane who overhead him replied. Talk about an overly obvious answer. "I think it should be well disinfected now, it doesn't burn anymore, does it?" She inquired. Diego stared at her. "No, it doesn't." He replied. She then brought out a clean bandage, and used it to wrap his hand carefully and gently. "Will you still be able to write like this?' Diane asked him. "I will." Diego replied. "The issue is, it has become even more obvious that I hurt My arm." Diego said. Before his eyes darted to a particular poster which laid on the bed. "Carnival?" He murmured. "Well did you find this?" He asked. "Oh, you noticed. I saw it when we left the conservative." Diane replied. "What is it all about?" Diane inquired. "Nothing much really." Diego began. "Just like any other carnival-there will be dancing, singing, drinking and all of that." He began. "The only different thing is that the participants have to put on. Masks." He added. "Really?" Diane asked her eyes shining. "It sounds fun, can we go?" Diego looked down at his child-like wife. Of course, he nearly forgot, it was only when she met him that she began to experience the real world for herself. "Please.." She added. "No Diane, I am too busy. Besides the carnival is annually, there is still next year." He said, but Diane shook her head. "I might be gone by then. We get to wear masks, so elegant. Which means no one will know your identity, unless if you tell them." Diane said. "Besides, it is at night. You will be done with all of your work by then." Diane pressed on. "It is a carnival that calls for an egalitarian society, Diane. Even commoners are free to be in attendance. And there is no aristocrat or civilian- just mankind. So if anyone misbehaves with you, I won't be able to do anything about it. Do you understand?" Diego asked. 'Please, Diego just this once. After this, I wouldn't bother you anymore." Diane pleaded. "Besides, there is a bonfire, a bonfire! I don't even know what that is?!" She exclaimed. Diego nearly choked-was George Lewis trying to keep his daughter a prisoner, secluded from the rest of the world? Diego sighed. "Alright then. But we will see that bonfire, and head straight back to the manor." Diego stated. Diane gave him a hug. "Thank you!" She exclaimed, her joy evident in her voice. Diego however frowned lightly- his injured hand was once again being suppressed by Diane's body.

 Natsha laid in bed in her room, a frown still obvious over her feautures. No she was not worried about the couple, Diego had come to see her In her room afterall. It was the item In her hand that weighed on her mind. "This idiot.." She muttered as she fiddled with the letter.