In reply to Isabella (msg # 42):

Meri listened to the beautiful blond speak of the States and such places as the city of Boston. Surely the Englishman had heard of them, but it was doubtful by the cut of the woman's clothes they were from the same era. So he sipped his wine before clearing his throat.

"Izzy... Dearest Izzy, I have heard of Boston. What Englishman had not. It was where that silly business of revolution started was it not? I have traveled abroad and to the states in fact. However, to the west coast and not the east. San Fransico, El Paso, Laredo, and others. Yet I do not think we are of the same period of time. Pertaining to your dress and manner of speech as my basis of conjecture and nothing more."

Meri drained his glass as the newcomer mirrored his bow and addressed him. "Brilliant! Well done I must say. Enchanté, I am Smythe, Meriwether Lewis Smythe. I am at your service."

The Gunman poured himself another glass and pointed to it with a slender deft finger, then held two fingers high before addressing the new arrival once more. "Why yes! It is a manner of greeting, I suppose. At least during my time and with a man of my station, of course. Some might get on with a tip of a hat perchance or merely a wave of a hand, you see. Yet you, I dare say, warranted a bow at the very least. I am gathering you a glass. Wine then?"

Jack glances at the newest arrival, then looks back at Issabella. "Miss Izzy I don't know if it would comfort you or not, if I said there was this ''Isabella's Pet Bereavement Services'' and if there was 'a' you ran it.  but I don't know, and I'd know that she won't know Me, or Diana." Looking at Diana; "Diana.. Well.. I have triple degrees in argriculture, biology, and botany; but Diana doesn't just care for the Souls of my minion and me, but the physical bodies.  After the accident she saved many lives, and has patched me up after more strapes than I want to think about.. At least in my dimension."

   Turning to look back at the newest arrival, where he is kneeling by Miss Izzy's chair; "Good Morn'n Miss we are having an existential discusion.. but if I may introduce us, My Little friend's name is Diana," as he pointed to the oversized rabbit wearing a plastic grass-skirt, with stone beads, mouse-skulls and bells.
  His hand gestures to Miss Izzy; "This nice Lady here I know as Isabella, or Miss Izzy, You have met Mr Smythe, and that fine furry fellow over there is Jon, I am Jack Buck.. and Bunny."
    Looking back at Miss Izzy; "Miss Izzy I don't want you to misunderstand, the Wolfheads tavern, I have met some mean.. err.. Donkey Rears, here.. and have seen how the TAVERN treats them.  I don't know if this will help, until you understand but Bunny promises to protect you.. I'll introduce Bunny as well."

In reply to Jack Buck (msg # 47):

And something changed, It was less that Jack physically changed.. where he still kneeled next to Miss Izzy's chair. but it was more as if reality changed.
Not kneeling on the floor, but a classic looking Jack-rabbit Sat by the Chair looking down on Miss Izzy.
 Massive, lack of conservation of matter appearing to be a power, It's size about a head taller than Jack Buck had been kneeling..
Obviously posing in the classic Cute rabbit pose long ears hanging and hunched down to full fluffyness.  "Ma'am.. Miss Izzy, I Bunny as a.. gentleman.. promise to protect you while you are here."

She was starting to get some footing, then the strange woman came and her teeth... she blinked, turning to the cowboy as he spoke, taking some comfort in thinking she understood.
 Until he started to ...change.  Oh. my. ... Isabella whispered her eyes wide.

Um, thank you. Um. Bunny. She said politely, sure that having it, him, them as a friend was beneficial.

Um. Oh. Um. Degrees.  Um.  I don't have a degree. She offered, clearly not sure what else to say.

Jon listened to the conversation about degrees and fields of expertise.  "For the sake of polite company, let's just say I do a lot of military work for the kingdom.  But, I am also a pretty good alchemist and I make a small business out of that on the side.  Potions, elixirs, and stuff like that.  Lots of healing potions."

He smiled and let out a chuckle at Jack turned into 'Bunny'.  "Seen a lot of shapeshifters in my time.  Mostly druids, and other people like me.  But 'rabbit' isn't a terribly common one back home."

Layanna seemed to think for a second, "Formality as the elves say. In their culture they do this," She crossed her right arm across her chest and gave a curt nod. "It is considered formal and the highest form of greeting they have shown me, but I am not one of them so there is one higher they keep for themselves." Her eyes brightened as she realized her mistake. "My calling is Layanna Kilendra of Treana and yes, wine would be welcome. Thank you, Smythe."

The Bear sized rabbit turned toward the newest arrival, still sitting.. him twisting with rabbit flexibility, and crossed his right paw across his chest, nodding back; "May the Angels have your back Layanna Kilendra of Treana."

Looking back at Miss Izzy; "Degrees are all well and good.. I liked books, learning, and writing my own scholastic Babbel on paper,.. so that came easy for me.."

The Great Rabbit shrugged, and glanced between Jon and Izzy; "I also liked my Dad's, granddad's, and great granddad's line of work. So when I did the School thing, I ended up as the Scholars like to put, it getting it as a few.. a few.. Eerr..M.. Bovine excr.. Stuff, Some More-Stuff. and two Piled-Higher-&-Deepers.  What did that get me but a job testing experimental Seeds and crops for the Union's federal government."

Contenplativly his right rear foot raised up and scratched the top of his head; "And that in turn got me in this mess, you ever heard the old Saw; 'suitable for government work'; I got carrot seeds to test.. and grow.. tested the heck out-of-em.  but not for radiation." Sighing "Heck it smelled sweet, and the texture was very good, fed my pet-stock the skin shavings and meat-&-fur-stock, the tops.

Glancing at Diana; "I started by feeding my sweet-natured Diana. and worked my way through the rest of the pet pens giving them all some of the nice flavored, meat and greens. Then went and continued on gave the rest the greens mixed with regular feed."

Turning to look at Jon, "and we all started to die, it turns out my carrot cake, and cooked mixed vegetables were just as lethal.  The Change was killing us, but Diana saved herself during the change. And then knowing what to do, she saved the other Pet-stock.. showing them how. Then they broke into the other pens and saved the first to get sick there teaching them what to do."
"They all worked together and managed to get Daina out of the barn, and she led a team to me.  I had collapsed on the sofa in my living room.. my skin.. well it wasn't pretty."

But Do you know who taught me what I need to know..
He paused Not My degrees, not even my new friends.

Looking out to his memories; I bought Eggs from a young widow neighbor lady and her son.. Little Jack.. delivered them the next day.  He simply looked up as I opened the door still wondering what was wrong with the ceiling so close and why I was wearing fuzzy gloves. That boy Jackie looked up smiled and simply asked 'Is that you Big Jack'.
Suddenly grinning He explained everything I needed to know to direct my new life from Zeusday morning cartoons.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

Izzy listened intently.  She was too embarrassed to say she didn't understand half of what The man-rabbit said.  She would have liked to blame it on the circumstance, but she wasn't sure that was it.

Well, I'm glad you... you were okay. She was sincere in her wishes.

And welcome Miss. Elf. She said politely to Layanna.

My earth is ... is so different than, than any of this.  I... I was a supermodel, but I retired.  But, I'm sure that means nothing here. She added the last almost to her self.

I was in school to be a vet tech. She offered. I really want to support animals. She looked at those around her, and then flushed. I mean...Not that your animals...well, I mean you are. But I am too! She tried to explain.

Jon listened quietly to Jack/Bunny's explanation.  Like Isabella, much of it went over his head.  But some of it managed to hit a little too close to home for his comfort.  In particular, as he uttered the words "The Change", Jon squeezed his eyes shut for just a moment and took a deep breath.

As Izzy spoke, Jon welcomed the distraction from those thoughts and raised a hand to reassure her.  "Hey, relax.  Trust me, I've been called a lot worse by people who were trying to offend me."

He leaned back in his chair, trying to relax.  "I mean, as long as you're happy with what you're doing, or trying to do, that's what matters, right?  And if you're helping someone or something else in the process, so much the better."

The Englishman took the proffered glass given by the barman. He filled it and held it out to the new arrival. The giant rabbit spoke indeed of many things. What all of it meant, well, that was something of an altogether different matter. Meri did not understand it save something was done to change this rabbit into what he was now. That the transition almost killed him, but he was saved by well-timed assistance a tad bit of happenstance. Something like his own transformation, and by looking at the man-wolf and tormented blond woman, such transformations were more than commonplace among them.

***   *****   ***
The groomsmen were overly rough with their handling of him as they dragged the beaten Meriwether to the post. The rough treatment was necessary as he did not go there willingly.

"Stand him and hold him fast you louts!" said a stern but familiar voice.

As Meri reached the post he was lifted and placed hard against the rough wooden surface. So hard that he hit his head but he remained conscious. Passing out would have been a kindness. The men then grabbed one arm each pulling Meri and holding him in place.

"That's the way lads!" said the same voice, now with some satisfaction.

In the silence that followed, Meri could hear the cracking of the whip.

"You will learn a lesson this day Meriwether. One that should have been taught long ago. Did you believe I would not find out about your latest misadventures? Leaving Oxford... destroying the engagement with Abigail... shaming your name and mine along with it. You have never hit the mark. You are a lazy spendthrift and arrogant son. Well, you shall remember this day. I will leave a mark upon you, that I will. Hopefully, you will learn from it but if you do not... the reminder of my displeasure will be evident just the same." he said.

He was Meriwether's father, the Major. Knighted by the Queen and war hero. Meri had never liked the man much less loved him. His father was quick with a backhand cuff or cruel jest when it came to Meri... his son. He had never been robust enough, smart enough, or hard enough. Upon the day Meri's mother passed and he cried and his father beat him for it. He was all of eleven.

"I will give you something to cry about you sniveling little bastard." he said.

"Hold him, steady lads, the boy is weak and I want him standing for more than one blow!" he screamed.

Meri remained quiet. Nothing he could do would stave off the beating nor change his father's mind. Once he healed... he would be off. Never to return...

The whip hit Meri and opened up his back. It felt like it was on fire. The stinging sensation remained even as he gathered it for another strike. Meri bit his lip so hard that his lips bled but he did not scream or shout.

"I'll have your tongue soon enough my sweet Meri!" his father taunted.

And scream Meri did. At least for two more lashes. After that, he passed out. His father was a strong man. He gave him another twelve. That was the military punishment after all...

***  *****  ***

"Here you are, Layanna Kilendra of Treana. Wine made in the traditions of the Romans, perhaps in the fertile valleys of ancient Gaul. I received a bottle, much like this one, from an amiable chap named Quintius. He... he was a good man, as most men go. It was he who first advised me when I arrived. Not unlike you, I suppose, quite confused about the whole affair, I must say." His features softened as he looked around at his newfound companions. The smile upon his lips was genuine. Yet, there was just a hint of mischief in his pale blue eyes. "Izzy, I say, Jonathan has hit the nail square upon its head. Perhaps, just perhaps, those were the words you longed to hear. Being happy doing what you do and by doing so, if you are able to assist another, why you have really done something... have you not?"

The Gunman handed the glass to Layanna Kilendra of Treana, with an elegant bow. "Here you are, madame. Drink it in good health and good fortune. It is what I wish for each and every one of you."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:41, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

Layanna accepted the glass with a nod as she listened to them speak. Layanna looked at Smythe then at Izzy, "I am not a elf. The greeting of my people is not quite so simple to show." She shook her head then took a sip of the wine, "I am-" She tried to think for a moment. "More like Jack, but not so furry. Elves are a people whom entered my world by way of this place." She looked at Smythe, "It was long ago and the stories shift too often to be fully true. But they always pointed to this place being how they came to our lands and all of them spoke of other kinds that wandered this place. I have searched for years to find a way to be here, to solve the mysteries of the land. I am no scholar but I try to study people whom come from such legends." She looked at Jack, then Izzy. She pulled out a worn book from the pocket of her coat and began scribbling a few quick notes onto the pages.

Her land had welcomed the Elves and dwarves but no one seemed to recall the fully tale. It had been generations since the original day known to her kind as Leatin. It was celebrated among all three races in her land, but never as one. The Dwarves took to the new mountains, the elves the flat lands, and her own Merrows took the lands and sea. She looked to come back to the past to unite those whom now lived together, but first she needed to know about these others.

Now she realized there were more than just the elves and dwarves, and such knowledge made her heart leap. This would be the greatest discovery. She felt herself smiling.

Izzy had nodded weakly at Meri, then Jonathan, then looked to Layanna. Sorry M'am. She spoke softly, and was relieved that the woman didn't seem offended.  She wondered for a moment if she might be a legend or have come from one.  That didn't seem possible.

Izzy took a moment to think about all that had been said to her and the strange place she found herself.  She supposed she was lucky.  She supposed to there must be some reason she was there, but for the life of her, she didn't know what that might be.

Turning to the large talking rabbit, as she still considered the being a goddess, since she was a large talking rabbit, and talking to a goddess seemed more approachable than talking to a god, she asked softly, How might one know why they are here?

In reply to Isabella (msg # 57):

Diana listened interestedly to the interplay of the people in the room.. until she was asked a question.  "That is the Question.. 'What do the Gods want'.. Jack Was our God, the bringer of all good things, the kindness of our world, the center of life and death. What did he want.. we had no real clue. And then We became closer to Him."

Looking around; "What do They want us to Do? Would we even understand what is that right-thing they want us to do?  And would they even tell us what to do.. an example is the Monkey King.. he is a sweetheart, but if you were dropped here by him.  He would Laugh like a jackal if you asked what you should do, as you are here to mix things up.. to be Fun.. for him anyway."

shrugging "He is an agent of cha0s and freedom, that is his Order."

Grinning Impishly; "If you want to do.. what the Gods want.. my only real advice is the, very unhelpful.. Be You."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Layanna set her book down for a moment and took her glass again. "Mr. Meriweather," She smiled, "I wonder about you. Would you find it rude if I question you about your land? My people don't see the world as I do, and I am curse with curiosity it would seem. You are very much like the elves in build but I wonder about what makes you different. What makes this drink also? It is very refined." She took a sip and looked around again. This place was worlds away from her only the night before, but now she had found it. She looked over the man before her. It had been a long time since she had sat down and had a conversation with anyone- other than the elves who had taken her in years ago. Most Elves wanted nothing to do with her, she sighed at the thought. Even her own kind kept away from the wondering girl she had become.

Presently, the door slowly opened, a female Half-Orc peeking around the corner, looking immensely confused. She stepped inside and quietly shut the door behind her, stopping a moment to take in her surroundings before heading to the bar and ordering a drink. She was oddly short and had bright blue eyes, as well as a quiet demeanour, all rather confusing traits for a Half-Orc.

Diana turned and looked at the new arrival.  "Come on in, this is the Waypoint Wolf Head Tavern, and welcome."
She turned back to listen.

''Thank you,'' Gell replied softly, watching the...rabbit woman? Gell had never seen anybody like her before, immediately piquing her curiosity. The Half-Orc waited patiently for a break in the conversation before leaning over and asking Rabbit gently, ''what is this place? I've been in these woods for years and I've never seen this place before.''

Looking at the half-orc the only slightly oversized rabbit..
   with opposable thumbs..
   in a plastic grass skirt..
   decorated with what looks like real mouse skull rattles..
   Who honestly LOOKs dressed like a shaman.
 Speaks to Gell "My Name is Diana and if you are from This woods then you are like our hero Violet.. she is around someplace because her fox is outside near the porch. She is a Normal rabbit caught in Jacks's power, and staying because she has Fallen for Jazz."
     Turning to look at the Door; "Very few people actually come from Wolf's head, or it's outland.  It is a locus for wormholes.. Or so my friend Einstein says. Some can tell when they arrive from other worlds.. some find themselves walking through their woods and suddenly come out in a place they have never seen before.  Not realizing they are no longer home."

''That's what happened to me. I was heading but to my shelter, things looked normal but uh...then I found this place,'' Gell looked down into her drink, rather shy. ''May I ask what a wormhole is?''

Jon turned his attention away from his prior conversation, and toward the new arrival.  One of his eyebrows raised as he looked her over.

Her features reminded him of an Orc, but there was too much that didn't quite match up.  Once again, he was forced to remind himself that it was incredibly unlikely that he'd ever see anyone else from Azeroth here.  The fact that he kept stumbling across this place seemed nothing short of fate.

The name of the place was probably fate's idea of a joke in that regard, he figured.

"Yeah, that sounds about right.  I've been here a few times, now.  Took me a bit to realize I'd ended up here again."  Jon excused himself from the present conversation and moved a bit toward the new arrival.

"Wormholes... heard that term thrown around about a few Gnomish gadgets back home... something to do with moving instantly between two distant locations.  Easiest way I've heard to describe this place is 'a meeting place between worlds.'"

He extended a hairy, clawed hand toward the newcomer, offering a handshake.  "The name's Jon."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

''Gell. Nice to meet you Jon,'' the Half-Orc scoots over to allow the newcomer to sit and shakes his hand with a strong grip despite her meek voice. ''Thanks for the uh...explanation,'' Gell smiled and blushed for no apparent reason, ''I've never heard of such a thing in my uh...world. We have portals but that never takes us to another world. I didn't even know there were any others,'' Gell admits. ''Why do you think the worlds are supposed to meet up?'' she seemed to be getting over her initial shyness.

   The statue of a giant stuffed rabbit (I Mean what else could it be at 5' tall sitting on the floor) sitting off to the end of the wolf's-head's bar, facing down the bar.. errr. Spoke Up; "Morn'n Miss Gell, I'm the Jack, Miss Diane was talking about. give my a moment and I'll shake your hand."
    Standing the creatures legs and trunk caused it to appear about the size of a grizzly or Kodiak bear.  But as it gained full height, it started to shrink..
  Shrinks, down to the size of a human man..
  which is what he.. appears now to be.
  Striding forward one hand reaches to the bar and takes a shot glass of.. could it be carrot juice.. the other hand reaches out in welcome.  "Welcome to Wolfheads tavern, ma'am."
Shrugging..  "They got almost anything you want to drink here, even seen a vampire happy with their order."
Looking at the Bar. "That said be careful what you do.. I've seen some Jack.. err.. donkeys' rears and bullies get a kick back from the tavern attempting to throw their weight around.. well inside the tavern anyway.. Even if'n you're thinking you are protecting some one the Tavern might take it amiss, . . Got to watch the sense of humor of the Woods out there though."
    The man stands nodding;  "Jack Buck, Ma'am. . Truck farmer.. secret identity of the Hero Bunny, Miss Diana's and the rest of the Bunny's Base minions mastermind."
Snickering to hisself; "Mastermind. . fact is Ma'am the Minions run my farm now. . and seldom bother to ask me or tell me what is going on."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

Gell blinked, utterly confused, but she smiled and nodded, ''uhm...nice to meet you sir.''

Jon watched with some interest as Jack changed back into his human form.  At Gell's mildly confused comment about wormholes and why worlds should meet, Jon shook his head.

"I don't think 'supposed to' factors into it.  Could be whoever made this place originally set it up that way... could be this place has always existed, and someone just had the idea to build a tavern here.  Given the shit I've seen the past few years... could be just about anything.  I figure if I go digging too deep for answers, I'm just gonna end up with more questions."

Having finished his previous drink, he ordered another quietly, and considered his next words.  "My people haven't had the best history with 'portals to other worlds'.  Last major one that opened up was in the middle of a war with a demonic army.  Before that, it brought the o-"  Jon paused for the briefest of moments, considering his new company and, while he wasn't sure, veered on the side of caution.  "An entirely different invading army of marauders.  I got the pleasure of seeing what they were capable of first-hand.  I was ten at the time they rolled through my town."

"This place, though... it's quieter.  Subtler.  Feels like you have to stumble across it by accident - and like Jack said, it tends to enforce a no-violence policy.  Never seen that in action, but I'm not eager to test it.  But all that means that it... I guess comes across as a quiet little retreat to meet people from other worlds, and have a quiet drink."

He chuckled quietly to himself, and found himself wondering if his friend Luci had ever stumbled across this place...?  The idea that Jon might have been the one to find this place first over the chaotic, portal-happy warlock positively tickled him.

Diane feels a shift in reality and looks around for a change.
   Knowing the bunnies felt such shifts in time/space better than Jack.