Chapter 15: Troubled Towns
In which Radolph's new life is relayed
Eight months later
Ralph the Reckless was how they called him. Ralph, formerly known as Radolph, takes pride in this name. In just a few months he has become a senior leader at the Ultimate Outdoors Experience —unfortunately two previous leaders had died accidental deaths— which organizes various outdoors activities, from tree-throwing to mudslinging to very dangerous, almost forbidden, extreme survival tours. Ralph had read his own letter a while after he had crossed the town line and had had a good laugh out of it. What an absurd, fantastical, amazing story that was. It fitted in perfectly with the dagger he carried with him which read Radolph. Ralph doesn't believe in fairy tales. He believes in creating one's own destiny.
At daytime, a popular group leader with an immense knowledge of terrain and survival tactics, at night-time, a just as popular militia leader with persuasive powers and a growing supply of weapons. Ralph the Reckless is on a roll. He has ambitions and no conscience to speak of to stop him pursuing said ambitions. Ralph has many plans for the survival centre, which coincidently provides an excellent cover for certain large orders of dynamite and other unsavoury weapons. The centre has a shooting range and the dynamite is part of the Mining Experience Tour, so all is above board.
The town he currently resides in is a small one, with a small town mentality. It took him a while to gain people's trust, but now he's a valued member of the community. The more squeaky clean folks are thrilled with his good work at the UOE, whereas the less virtuous townies are happy with his leadership of the militia. Ralph may put their town on the map.
In Storybrooke, a lot had changed as well. Emma was involved in a power struggle with the Blue Fairy. Fairy dust had been found and so her power had increased even more. Emma's own powers had steadily grown as well. Mary Margaret and David were not happy with the situation at all but were increasingly forced to pick a side, as was the rest of the town. Emma could not believe that her parents might actually favour the other woman, but they did share much history. David had been somewhat sickly since his ordeal and the continuing conflict did not help.
Regina and Rumple had developed their relationship. They were not so much mentor and protégé, but equals this time around. For Belle this was not acceptable. Her jealousy had increased and she had begun to hate Regina again. She was not the only one… Daniel had rekindled his relationship with Regina but only because she was an all-powerful stalker, or so he thought… He despised her, she revolted him. Her magic made her look just like her mother. Regina was blind to his feelings; she had been overjoyed when her stalking had the desired outcome and did not notice the veiled hate in his eyes and the resentment in his tone.
This particular situation had led to an unlikely friendship between Belle and Daniel. He felt cheated into a new sort of life, a life he never wanted and didn't know the first thing about. Belle was becoming a guide in this strange new world. Daniel wanted to find a way back to the Enchanted Forest, away from all this, and she was happy to help. He could desperately use her assistance and both of them enjoyed complaining about their partners. The harp still effected them, but Cora had forgotten to mention vital information to Regina.
Ralph likes the control and power he has over this small town. But he wants more. He would like to be mayor or governor or, well.. maybe president is a bit much…. Ralph wants it all and soon. He has recently looked into bringing more expertise into his militia. He has put adverts in papers, on the net, searching for various weapon experts, but also speech writers and people with political power. If he runs, he'll be running independent. The politics are relatively unknown to him, as well as, some of the more powerful weaponry. His favourite used to be just a simple rifle, but not anymore.
A letter he received, old fashioned, just like himself as he increasingly notices, provides him with just such an expert. A man often on the wrong side of the law might be just what he needs. The young man sounds savvy and seems to know his way around various issues that might arise. For some reason he feels a strange connection to this man. Totally ridiculous, of course, but there you have it. He had invited him to come round for a job interview. Tomorrow he would meet him, this interesting man, who seemed out of place yet more adapted than he himself. Why he feels so extraordinary he doesn't know, nor why he senses this odd attraction to a man he has never met before.