Two Man River

Content Warning: Blood and Gore

Jul 1 2028 - Day 2801

James sits at the Owsla Desk and continues on some paperwork regarding the tourney, he is deliberately hiding a pink wax-sealed letter under the tourney documentation. A member of the military side of House Lapin comes into Sable’s Office and Quarters and speaks with her, James is looking up and looking patient for the conversation to end between the pair.   James: Sargent, don’t let this message leave your sight and deliver it to Gwen.
Sargent: Yes Captain.
  The Sargent leaves the room. Much later on, James is sitting at his desk in his Owsla Quarters, he gets up and fetches another chair he places it behind and towards himself. He gets back to work, on some important-looking plans.   An hour later a knock can be heard from the other side of the door.   Gwen: You wanted to see me, Captain?
James: Ah Gwen good to see you, take a seat.
  James gets up and turns around to face her. Both facing each other, James begins.   James: How do you feel things are going with Sable, recently with what’s happening?
Gwen: [surprised]I am a little surprised you are asking me, Captain.
James: Don’t be, with the rumours of how useless we have been, how do you feel about Sable leading the House?
Gwen: Apart from her being …
  James interrupts   James: Gwen apart from that, Sable is alive that's all that matters, while she lives, she is fit to lead this house.
Gwen: Why bring me in?
James: Because Sable has suffered, two assassination attempts and I am not fully on board with her playing it safe act. That’s why I am the one around her the most.
  Gwen nods.   Gwen: Captain, you haven't asked my question.
James: Because Kit and Tempest are together and I know he is up to something and I don’t like it.
  Gwen nods a little uncertain.   James: Gwen, if Sable dies, who will take her place?
Gwen: Pride, Pride will be the Chief Rabbit, of House Lapin, James
James: Exactly, my fealties are not made with Pride yet.
Gwen: What are you saying, Captain?
James: I’m saying that Pride needs to be more experienced in life before taking the throne
Gwen: That sounds like treason to me James.
James: To me, it sounds pragmatic. It is not treason until she dies and she lives currently.
  Gwen nods.   Gwen: What's the plan then, Captain?
James: After The Battle for The Warren, where was I in The Celebrating Hall?
Gwen: You were with Sable then Nik.
James: Right, Nik wrote me written orders, which Sable was happy for me to follow them.
James: We are going to make sure Gala, is not harmed, we need him alive.
James: I have these sealed orders if you like to give them to the espionage corps.
  Gwen agrees and takes the sealed message of orders.   James: And Gwen, our goal, is Gala to be alive whether that be in a cell or not.
  Gwen looks back at James and nods and hides the message before going through the hardwood door.

Jul 5 2028 - Day 2805

Based on GoT Lore Video - For Her Own Good   James is working at his desk in his quarters working on some documentation on the trade of coffee beans.   He hears a knock at the door and rotated his chair around and says come in. A person wearing a spy’s garp with pink accents, I hope they wear something more inconspicuous when on duty James thinks.   Spy: I have a message from the field, Captain.
James: Good, I look forward to reading it.
  The spy shakes his head and James gets the hint. Opening the black paper with pinkish silver writing, he reads. Finishing he nods.   James: Thank you for the message.
  The spy nods and heads back to their department in The Warren. James spots a member of House Lapin go past his door as the spy leaves.   James: Member, can you knock on Gwen’s door and say the Captain wants to see them?
  The member nods and closes the Captain’s door.   Moments later the door is opened again by Gwen.   Gwen: You wanted to see me, Captain?
James: Ah! Good, Gwen. Come on in.
James: Yes, I’m just checking in to see how things are going.
Gwen: Well, the tome rotation schedule seems to be proceeding nicely.
Gwen: And no new assassination attempts on Sable-rah.
Gwen: So pretty well, I guess.
James: Where do you stand on Lord Galakrond?
Gwen: I don’t trust him, Captain. Commander Kitoypoy did the math.
Gwen: The only one who could have poisoned her chilli was him, or us. I know we didn’t so…?
  James sighs.   James: Gwen, Sable and Nikolas gave me a directive. A directive without an end date.
James: They told me to try and look after her children if I could.
James: I’ve been doing my best to do that.
James: From the directive I gave to the espionage corps, to keep the forgelings out of trouble.
  James sighs and shows the message on black paper.   James: Kit did the same to guard against him. The two groups ran into each other and thought that they had been countermanded
James: I think Sable might belt us for this.
Gwen: James, you don’t really think Sable is going to do that?
James: No just what my father said, [he puts on a jokey male authoritative tone]Now son if do something wrong and can’t put it right you should expect corporal.
James: Of course not, Gwen, we will be in her bad books for a bit and will have to play it safe for a while.
  Gwen nods and continues talking about her concerns about Sable.   Gwen: I find myself wondering, is Sable-rah still fit to lead?
  James sighs.   Gwen: Captain, I’m Owsla because I’m here to protect the best interests of House Lapin. Do you think we need a change in leadership?
James: I don’t think so personally, but my loyalty is to Sable, while she is alive, she is fit to lead. She is the beacon of hope for Lapin, I don't think I could support what your suggesting.
Gwen: Even if it was for her own good?
James: What do you mean?
Gwen: The strain of leading the House and The Iron Tome, has been wearing her down.
Gwen: It's making her a target. Maybe if she had fewer responsibilities on her plate, she would be happier and healthier. I don’t know.
Gwen: Understand, Captain, that I mean no disloyalty. I love Sable. You know that. I love House Lapin, too.
James: I don't think I should be having this conversation, Gwen, for security reasons.
James: I appreciate your candour, Gwen. Thanks for coming to speak with me.
James: As you were.
Gwen: Yes, Captain. Thank you.

Jul 19 2028 - Day 2819

Based on GoT Lore Video - Sable Chews Out the Owsla   James is sitting at his desk in his Owsla Quarters and is working on some documentation regarding some trade within Lapin’s territory. Taking him off guard, there is an urgent knock at his door.   Sable: [Fustrated]Captain, meet with me in the Wardroom with the other Owsla.
  James calls back.   James: Will do Sable.
  James can hear Sable move to Kitoypoy’s door and do the same. James leaves his quarters and heads to the Wardroom with the other Owsla and Sable.   Once they get to the Wardroom, they sit in their designated seats.   Sable: [serious]ok good you’re all here, let’s get started.
James: [anxious]What’s this house leader?
Sable: [Serious]So, I’ve been arguing with House Meles for several days now.
Sable: [stern]Do I have to explain why?
Kitoypoy: No Sable-rah.
Sable: [annoyed]May I ask just what the hell, the two of you were thinking?
James: [Professional]You asked me to look after your children, House Leader. I’m trying to do that. And Darth Nikolas asked me to do that, as well.
  James shows the message from Meles, showing a mint green wax seal and a badger as its sigil symbol.   Kitoypoy: And I have an oath to protect you, Gala is our number one suspect. I have gone through all the records. I know who had access. It was either him or us - and I know where we were.
  They discuss matters further about DMStrech.   Sable addresses Kitoypoy.   Sable: You have no business, going around bearing open accusations about the Heir of a Great House.
Sable:[Serious]Now, not only am I having a massive family quarrel, we’re in the middle of a diplomatic incident. Thank you.
Kitoypoy: Well, I am sorry, Sable-rah. You’re right I wasn’t thinking.
  Sable accepts his apology.   Sable: And while we’re on that subject, James, what is your job?
James: My job is to protect you, House Leader.
Sable: [stern]That’s right. Your job is to protect me, the Chief Rabbit. The Leader of House Lapin.
Sable: It is not to protect the children of House Meles, whether they’re my children or not. I said to keep an eye on them if you could. Yes. I didn't ask you to choose their security over mine.
  What have I landed myself into this time, at least it was actually my fault this time James thinks.   Sable: Thing is Kit is also right. Right now Gala is the primary suspect in my poisoning. How I feel about that is immaterial. You should be working with Kit, not against him.
  James looks down and up again and addresses Sable James: You’re right, House Leader. I’m sorry, Sable.
Sable: [stern]And James genetics or not, Pride is my oldest living son and my heir. Determining the succession is my Job, not yours.
Sable: [caring]I appreciate that you like Gala, clearly I do too, but he is a were badger, but you have to be a wererabbit to become the Chief Rabbit. That law is old as the house.
  Kit continues to talk about house politics.

Jul 20 2028 - Day 2820

Sitting at the Owsla Desk, James feels and looks tense, as he shakily moves paperwork around the desk as he processes it.   James: [nervous]I have a few ideas on how to increase our military knowledge, House Leader.
Sable: [frustrated]Can it wait Captain.
  James gives the affirmative and gets up to prepare a few items for the Wardroom. Once he swops with Gwen, he goes down to the lapin library for books on Litromancy, finding the books he withdraws them in his name.

Jul 21 2028 - Day 2821

James confides in Sable that he has ideas and requires both of them to be in the Wardroom. Swapping with Kitoypoy, James informs him that if Gala shows up he should be locked in a cell if he turns up, not executed.   James comes into the Wardroom holding two brown cloth-bound books no thicker than 2 inches thick. Following him is Sable. They reach the table and sit in their designated seats.   Sable: What’s this about James?
James: Sable, from your discussion with Moon, we still don’t know how I got teleported from Washington State to Japan.
James: I thought I might give us an edge in the next Word War. If we know how I got to Japan in the first place.
Sable: That would be a good idea but you’re forgetting one thing, James.
James: What would that be, House Leader?
Sable: [stern]If I must remind you, not just there is a tourney but also of your little stunt with House Meles.
  Sable’s eyes narrow.   James: Well, with the tourney, this is why I plan to go on this trip. If you haven't noticed Sable I have not written much not as I did last July. I also plan to go to House Meles to pay for my crimes.
James: I’m telling you this because you can alert House Meles of my arrival.
Sable: Not that I would normally feel like I have to say this to you, seeing what you have done for Lapin, but what you did makes me wonder about your motivations.
James: This is why I have prepared to show you two things in the hope of showing you my motivations to your house, Sable.
  James goes over to the wall and picks up a sheet of 1-meter square wood with a black lined circle on it. Referring to the books he draws the necessary runes and a portal almost like a TV screen opens up.     Sable: While I understand the sentiment James, that‘s before your stunt. What else do you have?
James: Oh, fine.
  The screen goes down.   James gets up from where he was and changes the runes.   James: How about sideways and in the future?
    Sable: Well, that was touching and shows me your point.
  James nods.   Sable: I’m a little curious, what happens to that timeline’s version of James?
  James makes an “if you are so sure” facial expression.     Sable: I see your point and it's rather sad how that way James had to live.
Sable: Did they really have to do that to him, though?
James: it’s better than what they would have done in centuries past.
  Sable sighs.   Sable: Ok, James, I see your point. You can look into how you got from North America to Japan. I will tell Meles of your incoming arrival.
  James: Thank you House Leader, I will make the preparations as soon as possible.
  James escorts Sable back to her office and returns to his quarters and gets a travel sack. Checking its contents, he sees that some items need to be replenished. He goes to the canteen to ask for these and goes to where uniforms are kept to get himself a cloak.   He puts the cloak on and leaves The Warren and heads down towards the shoreline of the lake, finding himself at the docks. He greets people he passes and continues down and into Peachland, he continues on. With a few breaks, he reaches Summerland where he finds a nice but not too-nice bed and breakfast to spend the night in.   He is offered food and refreshments. He declines the fine food he is offered but goes for a stew instead. When he is finished he returns the crockery and pays for his meal and turns in for the night.

Jul 25 2028 - Day 2825

James finds himself nearing Rock Island, Washington. When he comes to its docklands he is spotted by two men.   Man 1: Darrell, isn't he the chap we rescued in the First Word War?
  Darrell, a man in his forties, although looking older, turns to face the man his friend is mentioning.   Darrell: Mark? Hang on, yes it is.
  Darrell looks over to James’s left upper arm and to his polo shirt.   Darrell: Mark! He isn’t just the person we saved, he’s the Captain of the Owsla!
James: Thank you, both for doing so. Would it be possible for you two to show me how you got me to Mollusca’s lands?
Mark: For Sable? I take it.
  James nods.   Mark and Darrell lead James to a tower. The tower itself looks like it has been built many centuries ago, and is made of stone that has been worn away over time, with plants growing in its gaps.   Going in he sees a familiar spiral on the floor and examines it. Some of the runes look as if they could change. Going over to a podium, James is shown by Darrell and Mark, a circle of animal symbols, these being; Rabbit, Badger, Bat, Bird, Squid and Bee. The circle appears to have some of the symbols added; Dino, a , a red panda, a and an . With one removed, James thinks, Of course no axes, Stretch came to Lapin permanently.   He looks closer. The symbols are glowing, but not as James expects, in the house colours. Instead, they are glowing golden.   James: So, suppose, if I want to go home to Lapin, which I don’t. I would select the rabbit and then what else?
  Mark selects the rabbit, and the runes change.   Mark: We got it slightly wrong last time, we got you to Mollusca’s lands, not to their house. I will remove the adjustment.
  He does so and a portal opens up of blue pulsing light. On the other side is The Warren; home. Many members look stunned and James shouts for them to stay back. James: Can we close it?
Darrell: Something needs to go through first.
James: [shouts]I am going to throw a copper piece through! Someone grab it and give it to Sable, to prove I found a way of getting to another house.
  James throws a coin through and the portal closes.   Assuming James is right, he selects Badger, and keeps the adjustment the same. The runes change and the portal of blue opens again showing The Windy Willows.   The Lobby of House Meles looks darker. Its members wear mint green polo shirts. The room itself is mostly of dark carved wood on its walls and green rugs on its wood floors. It appears to have the same room layout as the Bunnycomb, but with a corridor leading to either side of the main staircase.   James turns to Mark and Darrell.   James: Thank you for what you did and for showing me this.
  James hugs them both and walks through the portal. Once he goes through the portal closes.   Looking around, James sees that the rug has had heavy traffic and the room has a pleasant smell of foliage.   A member of House Meles notices James and asks him to stay in the lobby. He nods that he will do so. He goes to the entrance and looks outside and sees many willows and pine trees. Looking in he looks to the right. Where he would normally see a library he sees a workshop instead unlike in The Warren. Looking left he sees meeting room doors.   Returning his gaze to the stairs, he sees Nikolas coming downstairs wearing a green-tinted black cloak. Accompanying him are Gala and Purpleheart.   Looking somewhat out of place wearing pink, James bows his head in respect.   Nikolas: Good to see you, James, Captain of the Owsla.
James: [respectful]Thank you King Badger and Brocktrees.
Nikolas: If you would like to follow me, Captain.
  James is led up some green carpeted stairs and into a meeting room. In the room is a large table able to sit six people. James sits at one side, Nikolas sits opposite James and the other two sit at two ends facing him.   Nikolas: I hear from the Mother of Bunnies, you wanted to explain yourself.
James: Thanks, Nik.
James: I wanted to save Gala, not because you asked me to but because, your note didn’t have an end date, but did have a conditional clause that came into effect, which is Sable’s assassination attempts.
Gala: But, why specifically me?
James: Before I knew about the wererabbit stipulation, I knew you to be the eldest child.
James: If Sable, were to fall, you would be instated as Leader of House Lapin and our alliance with House Meles would be stronger.
  James stresses the next part.   James: Something I hold much dearer than with the Bats.
  Nikolas smiles at this.   James: You have had life experience through pain and suffering Gala, something that pride has not. Hence why my fealty is not with Pride, currently.
Nikolas: James, I assume you have the note I wrote.
  James nods.   Nikolas: Do you mind reading the line you got stuck on?
  James pulls out the note and finds his place.   James: Captain, in the next Tourney, I would consider it a great personal favour, to me, and to House Meles, if you were to look after my children so they don't get hurt. Please be discreet. I would understand if something in House Lapin comes up that takes precedence.
James: You end the note there.
Nikolas: I see, and because I didn't write during the next tourney, you assumed that your services were needed afterwards.
James: Yes, Nik.
Nikolas: Ok, James. I think we have cleared everything, apart from one thing.
Nikolas: As far as I am aware, House Lapin doesn't have teleportation technology.
James: [Jokingly]It doesn’t have indoor lighting either.
  James interrupts.   Nikolas: The point still stands, how did you portal in?
James: I’m sure everyone, including Sable, knows the story of how Dazzlikat pushed me off a bridge, and I somehow made it to Japan.
  Nikolas and the others nod.   James: After convincing Sable, I gave myself the mission to see how I got to Mollusca. Since the technology allowed me to come to Meles, I thought I would teleport here instead of walking in.
  Nikolas nods and smiles.   Nikolas: Thank you James, and if you don’t know that note is now void.
  After this James is led to the lobby and the three shake hands with James. He leaves The Windy Willows and heads back to The Warren.

Jul 30 2028 - Day 2830

James re-enters The Warren and goes to Sable’s Office and Quarters, with Tempest at the Owsla Desk.   Sable: Good to see you James, I see that you have returned and I received your message.
  Sable hands the coin back to him.   James: I’m pleased that you have. I have also ironed out the issues at Meles. There is a tower for teleportation in Rock Island, Washington State.
James: We might want to seek these out in our lands and guard them.
Sable: That is a good idea, James. If you have the coordinates, I can have a satellite image taken, and then we could search for more. Good work, Captain.
James: Thank you, House Leader.