Ragnar is working, beating the hell out of some metal in the forge he found in the fort.

Delilah, carrying some supplies to the keep, heard a loud clanging coming from the far end of the bailey. She sets down her boxes and heads to a makeshift forge by the north tower. She peeks her head in. "Rod? Ragnar? You in here?"

Hikaru follows her down that direction, looking around for Rodrick or Ragnar.

Ragnar is smashing a piece of metal between a large sledgehammer and the anvil, a scowl on his face, all while sending splinters and shards flying off in different directions, since the metal is long cold and is breaking instead of moving.

Delilah eyes him for a minute, watching him work. Remembering him teaching her, she finds that odd. She carefully approaches to avoid the flying shards. "Ya... Ya need a hand with the sledge? Or the fire?"

Ragnar turns at the voice, realizing he was lost in thought and just going through the motions. He yells in frustration and throws the sledge against the wall and kicks over the anvil on it's stand. "Damn it... ruined 'nothr piece!"

Delilah holds her arms up a little protectively, her eyes wide. She looks between Hikaru and Ragnar, utterly confused.

Hikaru stares. "Ragnar why are you... Destroying the metal?"

Ragnar looks between Hikaru and Ruby. "I 'as... los' in thought... I guess..." he scowls at the tipped anvil and walks over to the forge and turns it off without cleaning it or slowly cooling it down. (Something Hikaru has NEVER seen him do).

"Ragnar, you're gonna ruin your tools."

"Leftover cultist junk anyways..." he mumbles.

Delilah looks around. It does look rather makeshift. "Hey, maybe if we keep cleanin' this place up, we can make a proper forge here at the keep. We can find a good spot for it... Good tools!" She tries to smile encouragingly.

Hikaru asks quietly, "Ragnar you've been to the shadow realm again haven't you?"

She looks over again, confused.

Ragnar looks at Hikaru, an angry, defensive look in his eye that suddenly drops to a defeated look. "Aye... when th' Paladins ransacked me shop, I snapped. Drug one of em there an' let Stella 'ave 'im..." he hangs his head and sits on the anvil. "Its not th' space or tools, Miss Ruby... I ain't in a good place in me 'ead..."

"Ragnar you know that place is worse for you then seeing my Uncle is for me."

Although completely lost regarding these details, she feels a familiar sinking feeling in her stomach. She comes over and reflexively rubs Ragnar's back comfortingly.

Ragnar flinches at the touch, but relaxes when he sees it's just Ruby. "Aww, why'd I do it? Stup'd... so damn stup'd."

"It's... It's not--" She tries to placate it but... Unable to find the right words, her brain jumps to bits and pieces of information. "Ragnar, who... Who's Stella? What happened?"

"Stella is... uhh... me Varaskun."

Delilah blinks, nodding her head slowly. She looks like she is still lost, but tries to be gentle about it. "Stella. It's a... a nice name."

Hikaru's eyes narrow. "Is that one of the uh..."

"Tha's th' big reptile..."

After a pause, Hikaru chances, "You uh.. want a take walk around the woods?"

"Aye, tha' migh' be a good idear."

Delilah adds quietly, "The western forest is rather nice, especially this time of day."

"Anywhere tha' won' remind me a' tha' place..."

"Sure. Ragnar, have... You eaten anything today? I could fetch some things from the kitchen? Meet you guys out there?"

"I.... 'aven't eaten 'fir a couple a' days."

Delilah blanches. "I-- I'll be right back." She hurries off, pensive.

"Alright let's go Ragnar the forest is waiting."

"Shoul' we go wit' Ruby an' get food? Maybe 'ave a picnic or somthin'?"

"Not A bad idea actually."

Ragnar stands up and walks over to grab a bag, and decides to just leave it. "Lead th' way. I dunno where th' kitch'n is."

He leads Ragnar back through the rooms to the small kitchen which is finally looking a little better than it did. Delilah is distracted, busy putting together a basket of various things. She jumps a little when they walk in. "Oh! Sorry if I was takin' too long."

"Nae, we decided ta' come find 'ye. We be thinkin' abou' goin' ta' picnic somewheres..."

Her eyes light up. "Oh that's a nice idea! Okay, um..." She rummages around for a few extra things. "I think I have everythin' we need. Mr. Karu, you wanna lead the way?"

"Why not then." He leads them outside and in the bright sunlight they find their way to a green clearing in the Western Forest.

Ragnar follows next to Ruby, kicking a rock along as he goes. "Why'd I do it, Hikaru?"

"Same reason I got drunk when I saw cousin."

Delilah listens quietly. A memory tugs at her mind... Rhys saying the shadow realm would try to keep people there. She shivers in the warm sun.

"I wished I ne'er e'en talked ta' tha' stupid paladin... shoulda' jus' walked pas' 'em an' got me stuff..."

Delilah mumbles, "Those Rhenese though... They're not nice. I can't imagine them havin bein' courteous to you."

Hikaru glares. "Damn foreign bastards."

"I shoulda jus' let th' shop blow 'em all up..." Ragnar kicks the rock hard against a tree. "Bu' then again, if I did tha' I wouldn' know it was tha' bastard Führer Wulf Steinhauser tha' gave th' order ta' break inta' me shop..."

Delilah blanches when she hears that. "The... The Fuhrer?"

Hikaru glares. "Damn foreign bastards. Why was he breaking into your shop?"

"Th' paladin said he ordered it cuz' I didn' 'ave em come an' do an inspection, so they charged me wit' illegal manufacturin' a' firearms an' weapons."

"Ridiculous laws and governing..."

She nods in agreement. "Let's set up a shop out here, then. Stick it to em... arm all of Korosvye. Unless I'm misinformed, the Helots don't have those same stupid inspection rules..."

Finding a good sunny spot, Delilah plops down in the grass, just slightly out of breath. She starts piling out the food, gesturing to the others. "Please, take all ya want."

Ragnar nods slowly. "Aye, maybe I ought ta' set up shop 'ere... arm em ta' th' teeth an' take th' figh' ta' them damned Rhens!"

Delilah peels an orange, handing out the slices with a smile. "That's the spirit! Think we can win a war?"

Ragnar snorts, stifling a laugh. "Aye... th' Rhens like ta' use Arc munitions... an' surplus, at tha'... their firearms are junk."

Hikaru gives a emphatic "Trash."

She grins wider, popping an orange slice in her mouth. "Good. Let's give 'em hell."

"I guess one good thing abou' not bein' in Alwyn anymore... no regulations on wha' I 'kin make!" He grins at Hikaru. "Shoul' we fish out th' blueprints 'fir tha' 705mm cannon ye' thought up?"

Hikaru smiles. "Take one of those to Blast em. Ha why not?"

Delilah's eyes grow wide and she almost chokes. "7--705mm?! Wow!"

Ragnar's face nearly splits. "Aye. Hikaru came up wit' it. It kin' punch a hole in damn near anythin'... th' shells are bigger 'n a wa'ermelon..."

The kitsune mumbles through a mouth of food. "Blast a hole bigger than anythin' you could think of."

Ragnar reminisces about a younger Hikaru drawing a cannon. At the time, Ragnar actually took his drawing and made a to-scale blueprint. "An' we 'kin shoot either solid projectiles ta' punch massive holes in somethin' or do explosive rounds an' absa'lutly blow it up."

Delilah's eyes light up. "You guys are somethin' else."

She takes some slices of cured venison and goat cheese out for them. "Though... We may need to be cautious how we present things. The Helots do have a tentative alliance with Rhen... Prolly the only reason they ain't been sacked like Alwyn."

"Only cuz' they ain't armed well enough ta' figh' em..." he grins.

She chuckles. "Specially not after you. They made a poor enemy."

"Quite. We'll blast em."

Delilah lays back on the grass, looking up at the clouds through the pines. "Sure is nice havin' some peace for a while, though. Until then."

"I wonder... ye' r'member when I, well, Rodrick... got hit wit' tha' magic in th' rift an' he coul' see an' 'ear weird things?" He grabs a chunk of bread and shoves a strawberry inside it, taking a bite.

She glances over at him, a concerned glint in her eyes. "Y-yeah? A bit... I'm not sure he told us much what happened... I didn't wanna press em."

Hikaru watches and waits.

"Well... I been thinkin' abou' it. Wha' if I 'as able ta' make some sort a' container tha' 'kin hold tha' sort of energy? Th' stuff runnin' through th' nerves an' whatnot..."

Delilah looks contemplative. She looks at her hand, clenching and unclenching her fingers. "The energy inside us? What is it? Like...a fuel?"

Hikaru gives him a funny look. "Whaddya mean Ragnar?"

"I dunno 'ow ta' explain it... but it looked a lot like yer lightnin' does... so maybe it's storm energy?"

"But.. that stuff is impossible to control. Even with my abilities I just point and hope for the best."

"You--you saw it in you, too?" She looks at Ragnar, curious.

"Aye. I dunno if we 'kin control it, but... maybe store it." A big, mischievous grin comes across his face. "An' maybe we 'kin shoot 'em at th' Rhens..."

Delilah is quiet but looks thoughtful.

"Ha that's an idea though."

Briar Luther wanders throughout the keep grounds, mostly keeping to himself and thinking up ideas and concepts for new business opportunities, trying his best to keep his mind going and distracted. Suddenly, he sees you three walking into the woods with a blanket and basket full of goodies. To his chagrin, his empty stomach refunds that he hasn't eaten in a few hours. He decides to follow after the three of you, and finding the opportune moment, approaches the picnic. "Hey there you three! Have a place for another?"

Delilah quickly sits upright, patting the spot beside where she is at. "Hi Luther! More the merrier!"

Ragnar spies Luther and smiles mischievously, throwing a plum at him. "Hullo there, Luther! Think fast!"

Luther starts but easily catches the plum, taking a bite out of it, and seating himself next to Delilah. He smiles at you Ragnar. "Smart throw there, my good dwarf! How are you all doing today?"

(Roll 19 to catch the plum)

Delilah, relieved things seem to be doing better, leans over to whisper to Hikaru. "I think the fresh air an' sunshine is helpin' him, don't you?"

"Be'er now tha' I'm ou'a me 'ead... been thinkin' too much abou' somethin." He smiles and follows suit, taking a bite out of a plum.

"Mr. Luther, how are you this day?" Hikaru looks up at him, relaxed.

"Ah, well, you know me, always trying to drum up some new scheme to make a good profit." He smiles, a jesting glint in his eye. "No, but I'm fine. Just still trying to process everything, you know?"

Delilah looks sheepishly down at the ground, still feeling guilty for the trouble. She knew it couldn't be helped, but still.

"And that...that contraption! It's a veritable tank on legs!" He says to Ragnar...Luther pauses. "And arms of course. What a piece of wonder! And danger! A real-time killing machine." His eyes grow slightly dark.

"Aye. Rodrick is th' genius behind it. I jus' made th' thermal shield armor platin'... an' don' feel too bad abou' killin' them cultists. They was evil an' killin' people fir' fun."
She nods emphatically to that statement.

"I realize that now, Ragnar. Still I...wish I didn't have to no matter what. He pauses again, turning to Hikaru. "Does it just...grow on you? This whole killing business?"

"Not realleh'... it ne'er gets easier. Ye' jus'... get used ta' it..."

Turning back to Ragnar, he nods in reluctant agreement. "This why I hired capable people like yourselves. Never thought I'd be taking lives myself." He smiles ironically. "No use avoiding getting your hands dirty these days eh?"

"Fair enough statement, Mr. Luther... No need blamin' yourself, can't be helped." Delilah nods.

"It can grow easier. But don't let it. That's when you lose yourself." Hikaru gives him a heavy, knowing look.

She glances over at that, then looks away, munching on some grapes.

"Aye... like Hikaru said. Don' let it get te' tha' poin'..."

Luther swallows hard. "Right, right." He reaches over and takes a bit of dried venison. Work his mouth full, he says "so far, what should we do here at this old castle? Monster of a steal if I've ever seen one. Would've made a great historical site, to say the least!"

"Well, we ought ta' set up a helluva workshop... so Rodrick 'kin make ev'ryone's mech."

"Mech? You mean like Firelord?" Luther's eyes go wide with awe.

"He-- he made everyone sample blueprints as a present. We had a little party up on Dolor." She smiles at Luther.

"Did he now? And you didn't invite meeeeee?!" His smile belies his statement.

"Well I--" she chuckles. "It wasn't until we got there that I realized you were still alive! Was a heck of a time... I think you'd love it, though..."

"You'll love it...!" her eyes grow wide and happy. "W-we have to return the crystals there! You'll get to see it Mr. Luther, if you want to!" She beams. "Just... Gotta get another high altitude airship first..."

"Aye... migh' be able ta' salvage a bit of th' Skyshadow..."

"I do hope that old airship of mine has something still worth salvaging. There's not much here in the Helots to warrant high altitude. Most of their ships are low altitude vessels, as far as I know."

"I wonder if..." Delilah mumbles. She gets a funny look on her face, then shakes her head. "We'll find some way, I'm sure."

They all hear a roar in the distance...

Hikaru's hand immediately goes to his revolvers. "By Tarj...! Now what is it?"

Delilah's eyes go wide and she looks at the others. "W--what was that?"

"Prob'ly tha' Skardün Rhys let through..." Ragnar finishes his plum.

"T..the what?"

"What's...What's a 'Skardün'?"

"Shadow dragon. I got one back in th' shadow realm. Named him Zhatka!" He smiles and grabs a piece of dried venison.

Delilah blanches. "W...wait but... There is one loose in the forest? It sounds... Big." She gulps.

Luther gives him a strange look. "Soooooooo...Does this Skardün mean to stay out here? Will it ahh..." he pauses again, "...harm us?"

"Shouldn'... I mean... I figure Rhys woul' tell it ta' not 'urt 'is friends."

"That's probably for the best." Hikaru mumbles.

Delilah furrows her brow, remembering. "Can... Can Rhys control shadow beasts though? I thought..."

Hikaru chimes in quietly. "Actually it's.. Ragnar can control beasts."

Luther thinks about that. "That's comforting...I suppose. So this Skardün...is from the Shadow Realm? What and where is this place?" He feels slightly silly, feeling as if he's asked this question before.

"I... dunno, realleh. 'S kinda... weird. th' shadow realm is jus' below th' surface ah' this realm."

"Ahhh, I see. I might want to take a gander there one day!"

Delilah looks between them awkwardly, then at Hikaru. She knows this isn't quite the direction of conversation probably the best for Ragnar. "Well, uh..."

Hikaru catches on and immediately changes the subject. "Ragnar what are we gonna do when this is over?" 

"Hunt down yer' bastard of an uncle... an' let im' 'ave wha' he deserves!" Ragnar punches his fist into his other hand, his rough and leathery skin making a very satisfying sound.

"Ahhh rotten apple in the family, eh, Hikaru?"

"Well yeah but I mean... Everything.. when it's all over."

"Oh. 'Opefully se'le down an' enjoy workin' again. Open a big shop like Rodrick always talked abou'... guns 'fir huntin'... mechs 'fir mil'try contracts, potions an' such from Roll'nd... "

He grabs a piece of cheese and takes a big bite. "A nice kitchen 'fir Ruck, an... wha'evr Rhys wants... unless we kin' somehow fix us, bu'.... e'en Nerezza an' Asmodeus said it weren' likely..."

Luther ponders Ragnar's words for a moment. "That would be an interesting wager, my friend. I think I'd like to start going into the amusement park business after all this has blown over."

"Tha' coul' be a great venture!"

"Truly! A wild west park in Dewar would be spectacular, and maybe we could add your company as a sponsor! Just think of it: coasters galore!"

"I coul' make ye' some guns tha' shoot blanks so yer' employees 'kin do shootout skits!"

Luther's eyes go absolutely wide at this. "Of cooooooouuurse! And since you do extensive metalwork, you could dabble into coaster-building: constructing a new-fangled metal coaster!"

Hikaru thinks to himself.

Ragnar smiles coyly, looking at Hikaru. "I'm thinkin' th' first one I design will be called Storm Fox."

Delilah laughs. "Those coasters they have are scary, Mr. Luther."

"Brilliant! Sheer, bloody brilliance, I tell you! Welcome to a whole new world of profit and wealth, my friend, all to deliberately make kids (and adults at that) smile! We'll be the richest men this side of the continent!"

"And I for you will contract with the state (when it's not as harsh and more amicable, of course) to build up land for more shops and shooting/target ranges for your mechs and firearms."

Obviously, Luther is being over-excited about all this.

She leans back, listening to him rave. It felt like the old days again, back in his office. The nostalgia was almost blissful.

Ragnar smiles, thinking about the possibilities. "So, Hikaru... Ruby... wha're yer plans 'fir when this is all done?"

Hikaru glances away, looking out in the woods. "I don't have plans."

Delilah looks contemplative and shy. She nibbles at some jerky. "I... I'm not sure. Maybe... Maybe spend a little time with-- with my mom. Rest from all the travel."

Luther does a double-take. "Wait...your mom? I thought you had no parents?"

She turns red and looks away, too. "I... I may have fibbed that a long time ago. It was to keep her safe. Considering the work I did for ya. I'm sorry, Briar."

He smiles genuinely, if a bit wan. "There's always a good secret with you, says I," He chuckles. "No need to be sorry, Miss Pennington. No need at all."

She blushes more and continues nibbling at her jerky in silence.