~September 20, 2024~

September winds blowed angrily past the Cottage's windows, sweeping past the glass panels.

Outside, a furious storm was letting of it's steam.

At mist all of this chaos, a Wizard appeared. The storm didn't seem to faze him and he stood there, seemingly welcoming the rain. Within seconds, his black robes were soaked to the core. He staggered forward, heading for the front door.

Once he reached his destination, he knocked several times before deciding to bang at the door. He figured he wouldn't be heard over the storm.

Darien flopped out of bed, literally, and somehow propelled himself along the floor to the stairs. He heaved himself up using the stairrail and stomped down the stairs.

"...Early...Wassit, bloomin airwaid?!" He opened the door and swore.

"Bloody hell, cold....What do you think-..." His sentance trailed off into nothing.

Diana woke just about the same time Darien did but she decided to wear a robe before going down the stairs.

---

Lighting struck.

Nicolas stood on the other side of the door, looking as if the Knight Bus just hit him... several times. He remained silent and simply stood there as Darien opened the door.

"Ba...Wa...You...here...uh?...hi?..nash." Darien noticed Nick's...odd state and moved aside.

"I guess you'd better come in..."

Nicolas came in, still in his odd state.

Diana saw Darien let him in and was glad. She half-expected him to let Nick stay out there in the storm.

"Nicolas... what are you doing here?" She saw that he was soaking. "Wait a minute I'll get you a towel." Diana went for a detour to the bathroom and grabbed a towel.

She approached Nicolas. "What did Amy -" As she neared him, she saw his solemn expression. "What happened?"

Darien shut the door, glancing round carefully as he did so...

He turned and watched Nick, waiting for his response.

He took the towel tentatively. "... Amy's dead."

Darien froze.

"...Are they both...?" The twins were dead?!

Darien didn't move, thoughts confused.

"What? But..." Diana whimpered out. She looked at Darien and he seemed to be as confused as she was.

Nicolas seemed to be somewhere else when he spoke. "... Everything was going perfectly... just as I planned... dios mio she looked gorgeous... then someone started to attack Aiden... Amy didn't know where he was... then just like that she told me he was gone... and just like that... so was she..."

"...I'm...I'm sorry." Darien stayed where he was, leaning against the door.

He was unsure what to do.

"Oh Nick..." Diana sighed as she hugged him. Nicolas didn't really receive the hug, however he didn't push her away.

Diana sensed Darien's discomfort. "Darien, why don't you go find Nick something he could change in to?"

"Sure." Darien almost ran to the stairs.

He sat on his bed and disgested the news.

Waving his wand, clothes appeared out of the wardrobe and he began to ponder his task.

What would fit Nick?

"I don't know what to do..." Nicolas said his voice strained. "She's gone..."

Diana didn't know what to say to that so she just kept on hugging him.

Darien finally selected a pair of tracksuit bottoms (navy blue) and a plain white shirt.

"...Got the clothes!" He held them out to Nick...uncertain.

Nicolas was silent, thoughtful. Diana detached herself from him and look the clothes Darien offered. "Thanks Darien." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and whispered, "Could you make us some tea?"

"Sure." Darien headed to the kitchen.

He wasn't good at the whole...comforting thing.

"Nick..." Diana said softly. "Why don't you change into some dry clothes? You'll catch a cold." She offered him the dry clothes.

Diana bit her lip slightly. She didn't think Nick really cared much about catching a cold. But to her surprise Nick held the clothes, just as he held the towel. He walked, somewhat robotically to the bathroom.

Darien began making tea, glancing back in time to see Nick head to the bathroom.

He turned back to the kettle and waved his wand, heating the water within it. He dumped teabags in three mugs and waited for the water to boil...

Diana went in after Darien and sat on a nearby stood.

"Oh Darien, this is awful." Her voice was somber.

"I know." Darien's voice betrayed his otherwise emotionless face.

He put a hand on her shoulder.

"...He...He could stay here I guess, until he's...better."

"Could he?" Diana asked. "I mean, I know you and him don't really get along that well but.. are you okay with it?"

"I know...but...I guess I can overlook that..."

Darien shook his head. "He may be my enemy-ish, but...seeing him like that...like a robot, a shadow of who he was..."

He closed his eyes. "He's...just...different. And...Hey, who knows, maybe argueing with me will bring him back?" His fake grin didn't stretch to his eyes.

"Thank you Darien," Diana went up and kissed him.

Darien kissed her back, and wrapped his arms around her. "'S'okay."

Then the kettle whistled. He waved his wand and it began pouring the hot water into the three mugs, teaspoons poised, ready to stir.

"I love magic." He muttered.

Diana sighed. "I hope Nick's okay..."

As if on cue, Nicolas appeared, that same solemn look never leaving his features. But at least his clothes were dryer now.

Diana immediately detached herself from Darien and went up to Nick. "Nicolas... why don't you stay with us for awhile?"

"I..." Nicolas looked at her surprised for a moment, as if seeing her for the first time. "I... no. I'll be fine."

"No Nicolas, please, I insist. We have an extra room and it gets awfully lonely in that big old mansion..." Diana said.

"I don't want to impose on you two." Nicolas said firmly.

"No it's fine... really." Diana looked at Darien for some help. She didn't want him to be alone. It might give him some rather... unpleasant ideas.