Delilah is walking down the bridge to Gravesford carrying a large satchel over her shoulder. Clinking glass can be heard rattling inside. She whistles a little tune as she goes, enjoying the lukewarm sunshine.
Delilah makes her way to Penna's alchemy shop, a funny little building with herbs drying outside. She drops off the satchel at the door with a note attached. "New supplies for our consignment Thank you for your services! -DR" She then walks through town a bit, enjoying the change of scenery.
Hikaru had spent the day among some farmhands helping to board up the stables and fill them with hay to keep the animals warm for the winter. He wanders into town now, his Wuxian garb marking him, making him stand out.
Passing around the market square and about to head back, Delilah spots her friend. She almost does a double-take, surprised at his attire. But she smiles and waves. "Hiya, fancy seeing you out here. Speaking with the builders again?"
"Mostly just helping them really. Their stables needed to be repaired or their animals wouldn't last the winter."
"Oh! Well that's... wonderful you were able to help them! You really are winning their hearts, aren't ya?" She smirks, a little taken aback by his response.
He smirks back. "I'm going to win this time Delilah. Kotowari is going to die."
They walk at a comfortable pace. "You will. He doesn't stand a chance against ya." She eyes his clothes again, and the look on his face. "You seem in a good mood today, Hikaru. And a bit... different." she tugs playfully at his sleeve.
He thinks about this. "I feel different. Is different... Bad?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Not sure if I'm one to talk. But...it looks good on you. It suits you." She stares off thoughtfully like she's recalling something. "You always return to who you are, right? To 'emblazon yourself' on the world?"
She shrugs. "Maybe this is you, too. And that's okay. The clothes and the attitude. As long as you're true to yourself that's what matters. At least... that's what some sly fellow told me once." She smirks.
He smiles back. He seems almost happy.
Delilah nudges him playfully. "You're a kind fellow."
They pass over the bridge and head back to the forest road. She lights up a bit. "I dropped off some of those enhancement potions to the alchemist here--the ones we found from the cultists. They seem to work wonders! I'm hoping she can sell 'em for us... Would be nice to have some fresh income."
"Not a bad idea." He reaches over and takes her hand. "Do you think this will end well?"
She shyly gives his hand a gentle squeeze. "This battle? I... I hope so. I truly do." She looks down at the pine needles as they walk. "What do you think?"
"I dunno. But I feel like everything hinges on it."
She nods, and almost whispers. "I am scared, Hikaru. But I... I just keep pushing it away. Today is a good day, after all. And this is nice." Her cheeks turn a little red. "Even if it doesn't end well, I'll be happy having shared a few sweet moments like this. And if it does end well, then..." She considers her words, "then maybe there will be more happy days."
"Happy days for everyone liberated from Kotowari, and for us..." She looks suddenly embarrassed, "I mean... For you, and... and I, I mean, and the rest of... rest of the others. Rod and Miss Mella and..." She turns away mumbling, her ears red.
He turns bright red and turns away too. "Happy days..."
Delilah awkwardly tries to spark up a different conversation, knowing they still have quite a walk. "So uh... What's next on your agenda when we get back to the castle?"
"Checking on the builders probably. Maybe work on their sharpshooting.
She nods, "That sounds good! When I left they were finishing up a patch on the western wall... At least a temporary fix to stabilize it."
"They're doing better than I expected."
"They are. Real repairs will take much more time. And money. But," she smiles, "They wanna keep Kotowari's sticky hands out of their towns... their country. They are as dedicated as we are at this point."
"If we can convince them of their own confidence as a nation it could become even easier to bring them in."
"Absolutely. Confidence can be as powerful as a bullet, sometimes."
"And that's what we need. Without that.. we're as good as lost."
Delilah looks contemplative. "Is what we are doing enough? How do you think one would breed confidence as a nation, Hikaru?"
"Teach them to be self aware, self dependent. We may try pushing the working caste a little more. That might upset the barons but there are more laborers than there are nobles."
"That's fair. This Bedegar fellow Willoughby referred to sounds the nearest, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the surrounding towns are part of his retinue. Perhaps he would be interested in an alliance..."
"Hey Hikaru? I've been thinking..."
"Yeah?"
"Well Kotowari... His troops are probably coming from Wuxia right? It doesn't sound like they're stationed here in the Helots?" She gives him a shrewd smile.
"Right?"
"They need to get here... Likely in an airship. If we can keep them from routing and returning to him..." She smiles wider. "We could deal that bastard another blow by taking a ship or two. And either re-outfit 'em, or... Keep it for sneakin' back into his complex."
"Guerrilla warfare at it's finest."
She beams at him.
"You blasted genius."
She laughs, rubbing her head. "I just figured, we need an airship anyways... Saves us some coin, hurts him, now AND later, perhaps... Kind of a double win for us."
"Where is their landing platform?"
"I'm not sure... Perhaps we can have some fellows out as scouts, tracking where he lands. Willoughby might have a good idea where?" She shrugs. "And maybe we could even take the ships by surprise, once the soldiers are off 'em. I'm sure Kotowari's general will be clever enough that it won't be nearby... He wouldn't want to make this country think he's really attacking them. He's just here for us... Do you know how to get in touch with Willoughby?"
"Actually, this might be just the thing to build confidence in the builders."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well you and Rhys have been teaching them stealth. And Rhys and I have taught them tracking. Maybe we should let them find it. They're ready they just need a solid win."
She contemplates that for a moment. "Yeah... Yeah! That'd be a confidence booster for 'em, alright. That's a fantastic idea!"
"Let's go tell them now."
"Sure! We'll make that stop number one when we get back."
***
The two return to the castle without much trouble. The air begins to feel damp and chill, like rain--or even snow--could very well be on it's way.
As they arrive, they meet with the others and then the builders, explaining the new strategy. Delilah lets Hikaru explain the details for the most part, his eagerness and care of the counter-strike more than apparent. Hikaru is animated and his drive is infectious. The group seem excited to prove their worth and are up to the task. Delilah can't help but grin at his enthusiasm. She adds a comment here or there, but is content to listen to his speech.
As the group of laborers leaves the makeshift meeting table, she pats his shoulder with a chuckle. "You really are a natural at this! I'm sure their excitement will spread through the rest of 'em."
"Let's hope so. Balgor bless their travels..." He grins darkly.
She looks a little nervous, but she smiles sheepishly now. "I mighta put some coin in his altar on the way out to town today... Just... We can use all the blessings we can get, right?"
"We really can. This is a war in fact."
She nods with a bit more seriousness. "Well, your box is getting full even after just a few days."
"Did..." She looks contemplative again. "Did your dad ever fight in any wars? In Wuxia? I really don't know much of their history, I'm afraid."
"My dad had a standing peace time army, but he was a pacifist. Mostly they just helped build things. My brother was even more so. But then they died for their pacifism."
Delilah sits back in her seat, rubbing her hands as she thinks about that. "Pacifism isn't a terrible ideal though. Not... Not always. Did your uncle just disagree with it? Is that why he..." she trails off.
"My uncle thought my father was weak. But also that my father was tainted because he married a kitsune and had half breed children."
"I see... It's a shame he, and people like him, fail to see the strength in those good, wholesome things." She shakes her head. "Evil will ultimately undo itself in time. Soon enough."
"Hopefully not before I undo him first."
"Of course... His evil created a force of nature in you that will be his demise." She gives a wan smile.
"I'm glad your parents met... I'm glad I could meet you because of the happiness they found together. Despite the circumstances."
"They were happy. He needs to pay for that."
"He will."
She leans forward and looks at the battle plans they crudely drew up. Resting her hand on her temple, she flips the parchment over and begins sketching out a map of Wuxia. "I'll talk with that... Harahoshi fellow later. Find out what Kotowari is up to. He seems to have his hand in a lot of pots right now..."
"He always does."
She looks at him, then at the paper, and slowly sets down the charcoal stick. "We can work on strategy later. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not really. I've been a little... Dogged in my chase."
She smirks. "I had a feelin'... Its hard to have an appetite right now. Wait here a sec."
Delilah hurries off and back again a few minutes later, a full satchel over her shoulder and her hair tied back. "Fancy some more exercise?"
"Sure why not."
Delilah leads the way back into the forest. After several minutes (and passing a few markers she'd scratched on the trees), she stops at a large pine. There seems to be pitons nailed at regular intervals up the trunk.
Flashing him a smile, she hops up and climbs about 20 feet, slipping just a little on the sap. "Up this way," she calls behind her.
Surprised he climbs up behind her, not sure of what they're doing.
Delilah steadily leads the way, and after several minutes they come out to an upper canopy--a small, crude platform built around it. "I found this place yesterday evenin'. I have vague memories of hearin' cultists in the trees when they carried me in. Musta been using these."
She points up with a smile, and the last few steps break through the top. They can see for miles across the swaying pines.
"Well I'll be. Didn't even know this was here."
"It's a rather nice place to get away, if'n ya ever need to."
He stares out over the treeline thoughtfully. "I've never really looked at the forest before."
She nods quietly, taking it in. "It's peaceful."
She rubs her hand on his back. "Thanks for joinin' me to see it."
"I've been in them. I've hunted in them. But I never really looked AT them. It is peaceful."
"Can you imagine what wintertime is gonna to be like?"She grins. "All the snow up here... It'll be so pretty. It makes me almost look forward to winter now."
"Last time I saw winter it was frigid cold. But we were further north."
She laughs, "Well hopefully anywhere we go isn't as cold as when we were in Osonor."
"That. Was. Cold. Too cold."
"Yeah... I couldn't imagine stayin' there longer than we did. Maybe once all this is done, the elves can come back? I know the Rhen don't like em, but... Maybe."
"Maybe Wuxia could be like that."
"That... Would be nice." Delilah smirks at him. "You thinkin' of what you can make of it, once Kotowari's gone?"
"Maybe... Just a little."
She's quiet, thinking about that. Enjoying the moment together. "I look forward to that."
She slips down to the platform below them, pulling out some boxes of rice and broth. "Hungry?"
He hears his stomach growl loudly and clears his throat. "I might be."
She smiles, passing him a dish. "The other Wuxians were working in the kitchens earlier. I thought you'd be excited to have some food from home, so.. I put in a special request." Pulling out some other parcels, she hands him his lunch. It smells fantastic.
"Thanks Delilah. I haven't eaten something like this in a long time."
"They had what they needed in the pantry. We just used some wood pigeons. They grow pretty big around here. Plus," she grins, "I was excited to try it."
"It's pretty good. It feels nostalgic."
She beams at him. "So what was your favorite game as a kid? Aside from protecting your friends in fights..." Delilah chuckles, taking a bite of cutlet.
"Kagome Kagome was fun. Snagging candy from the kitchen for my friends was also fun. What about you?"
"My brother and I would always play cops and robbers... It was fun out in the fields and foothills. Lots of places to hide. He'd always seem to find me, though." She looks happy, remembering. "How do you play Kagome Kagome?"
"A bunch of kids stand in a circle around a blindfolded kid, an oni, link hands and spin saying,
"Kagome Kagome / The bird in the basket/cage,
When, oh when will it come out
In the night of dawn
The crane and turtle slipped
Who is behind you now?"
"Then the kid guesses who's behind him."
Delilah lights up. "That sounds delightful! I bet ya did well. You seem to have a very keen sense of hearin'."
"I may or may not have had an advantage..."
She giggles and gives Hikaru a teasing look. "Just a little. Can't seem to hide from you."
"That's cuz I make it a point to find you!"
She snickers and passes him a flask of juice. "I enjoy it. Er... When we play. Good practice."
Delilah takes a drink herself, a mischievous look in her eyes. "Maybe you won't find me tonight... Who knows."
"we'll see about that Miss Delilah! I've got more than my ears."
"Wanna make a bet? I'm feelin' mighty confident."
"Sure what's the wager?"
"I'll see if Armella can up a red flag out in the southern forest..." She pulls out Arabella's old bandanna. "First one to capture it without being caught wins. Or... You catch the other person, you win."
"If I find it--or you--first... You try makin' a meal for everyone." She laughs, "I don't remember ever seein' you cook before."
"Deal!"
"What if you win? By some miracle?" Delilah laughs.
"If by some miracle I can smell you out or hear you with my superior hearing or I see you and catch you, then you..." He falters for a second, "come visit me in Wuxia after this is all over."
She looks at Hikaru thoughtfully. She seems happy. "It's a deal."
***
It's evening, twilight has just fallen way to darkness and the moon has yet to show. The dark is chilly, not yet bitter with cold, but no longer inviting, reminding the world that summer and life has worn out the world's warm welcome. Armella has placed Hikaru and Delilah at undisclosed random locations at edge of the woods, so as to remain fair and somewhere within lies the red flag. There's just enough light left that neither will Delilah nor Hikaru get the advantage of sight.
Delilah stretches, testing her nimbleness in the clothes she procured from the castle coat room. All mottled gray and black, they fit relatively well. 'Bless the souls who lost them,' she thinks. Pulling her cloak tighter with a hood over her red hair, Delilah hopes to blend in and make the least noise possible. She sets off, scanning for a trail. (16 stealth to stay hidden in the shadows, 7 perception to find tracks geez my rolls are low).
(18 stealth and 22 survival for tracking >] and I uh... May have gotten a nat 20 on perception...) Hikaru looks around, in his element in the shadows. He sniffs the air and crouches low listening carefully and stalks close to the ground.
He races across the ground, slinking and darting straight for her sounds and smell.
(14 stealth with adv... 10 perception, 6 survival... I need to plan a different tactic.. Lol...23 deception) Realizing she's not fairing very well, having stumbled through a thick patch of foliage and making a great deal of noise, she pulls out some powder and flings it in among the branches where she might be tracked. She goes a bit further in hoping to lead a looping trail around to the southern forest.
(darn! 22 insight) He follows closely until the track suddenly misleads him. He feels frustrated and puts his ears up listening for her and hears her snapping twigs as she walks. He lets out a small growl and moves towards her. (26 perception)
(Nat 1)
(Snoooort.... You fall asleep for 4 rounds..)
Hikaru falls over dead to the world and snores.
(26 stealth.. Finally. XD 8, 6, 26, 16... For investigation... Lol. I just took 4 rolls for it. So I'm at 2/3 successes now >D)
Delilah hears Hikaru following her, knowing he would. She turns just in time to see him stagger through the bushes and fall. She smirks. "Sweet dreams..." Throwing caution to the wind she rushes through the brush, finally finding Armella's tracks. She rushes along, hoping to find the bandanna before Hikaru wakes up.
(So uh..26 perception) He gets up and takes off running in the direction he hears her in.
(Mwahaha.. 21 investigation, but.. 5 survival). Delilah spots something red hanging up in a tree, far over her head. 'Of course Armella would hang it up high, darn it all...' she mumbles, struggling to find a way up to reach it.
(perception 20, acrobatics 19) Hikaru vaults himself up into the trees racing in her direction.
(7 acrobatics) Delilah jumps up to reach it but just misses.
(22 intimidate) "Deliiiiilaaaahhhh." He echoes his voice across the forest.
Delilah hears his voice and panics, hesitating her jump to reach the bandanna. It barely brushes her fingertips. She looks around for something to use to reach it instead. "Dang it, Armella!"
(nat 20 stealth) He moves like a ghost through the tree and snags the bandanna silently. She looks up and sees the bandanna, blinks and it's gone. Then from behind her,
"Hey there Delilah."
She grumbles. "Hey there Hikaruuuu..." Turning to look at him, she has an amused pout on her face. "I totally found it first though...!"
He drops the bandanna on her face. "To be fair I also found you first. I just hadn't caught you."
She cracks a huge grin, pulling the bandanna off. "Have a nice nap?"
He grimaces. "It was.. unexpected"
"You look like you needed one today..." she chuckles, pushing the bandanna in his hands.
"maybe a power nap was all I needed to get the bandanna!"
Delilah pouts again, trying not to laugh.
"But now you owe me a.....a visit in Wuxia."
Failing to keep a straight face, she shakes her head. "Yes, of course. You win fair and square. I'll be happy to... to visit you in Wuxia." Delilah looks shyly at him and says, "I kinda hoped and planned to anyway..."
She gets a funny expression. "You keep hesitating about it. Did... you think I wouldn't want to?" (15 insight?)
"Well... To be honest that's not what I wanted to wager."
"Oh..." She gives him a coy smile. "Well... since it was what was bet... I'll gladly still visit your home. I'd like to see these places you talk about from when you were a child. A promise is a promise, after all." Delilah grins. "Though, now I'm curious. You're usually not so shy about speakin' your mind..." she teases him.
"Well I wanted to ask if you wanted to travel the world after this is over. Together."
She blinks, taking in what he's asking. "You mean... Just, enjoyin' it like normal folk would?"
"Yeah just like.. normal folk."
She laughs, realizing how that sounded. "No, no I meant, not slayin' monsters, fighting devils, pilferin' lost relics from dragons..." Giving him a long look, she kind of blushes.
"I know.. I know what you meant. Like... Normal folk."
Delilah sits down on a fallen tree, pulling back the hood of her cloak. "...That sounds peaceful. Together."
She grins and rests her chin on her hand. Her eyes look playful. "Too bad you didn't bet that, huh?"
"I'm sure you have other people you'd like to be around..."
Delilah chuckles a little. "I'm not really the social butterfly that I portrayed Ruby as. My list of friends is short, and who I trust is... even shorter."
"What I mean is..." she fiddles with her cloak a bit. "I'm rather fond of your offer."
Hikaru turns red and pulls his hat down over his eyes.
Delilah finds his shyness rather endearing. She stands and approaches him. "Well then, that doesn't have to be a wager."
She brushes her fingers against her lips and presses them on the top his hat, a playful, genuine gesture. Something she remembered doing as a child with her family. She gets rather embarrassed and walks past him, starting to head back.
"It's a promise... A promise we'll both stay safe until then."
Hikaru splutters and stutters, stumbling over sounds and words. He's much redder than before.
"So..." Delilah pauses. She sounds rather somber now. "Let's do our best. I... I don't want to lose you." She looks over her shoulder.
He stands, his whole body trembling with fear and takes her wrist. "It's a promise."
He looks incredibly shy, and the amount of exertion required to be this honest is almost more than his body can take. But he somehow remains standing.
Her heart jumps a bit. She doesn't pull away from his grip; she just looks up at him. She can feel him shaking.
"H-hey. It'll... It'll be alright. Right as rain." She smiles reassuringly.She says it for both their sakes... unsure if she's referring to the battles ahead or something else entirely.