A New Day

"A New Day" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread started on [IRL DATE] and finished on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
[Write a summary of the thread's events here, including spoilers and important plot details. Check the Order of Threads to see if the thread you are placing already has a summary, to make less work for yourself.]
==Full Text==
The Chief of Haligan Island gently closed her front door that morning careful not to wake her husband, their kids, or Shadow up. They were all sleeping peacefully on the main floor of the house by the fire pit. After everything that happened with the Crows of Crestwill, Sven, Dagny, and Kari wanted nothing more than to be with their parents, and Brandt and Grey were more than happy to oblige. So, they laid down on the furry mats and snuggled under a blanket together. That next morning, Grey woke up ready to go back to her duties leaving a note for Brandt to come find her once he was awake. 
So she was on her way to her office at the Great Hall. Two weeks on captivity caused her to fall behind on reports, and Grey was determined to get caught up on anything she needed to get caught up on and to essentially erase any trace of Ai Kauri ever setting foot on her island. 
Mar 31, 2021
She stalked through her village, passing several residential buildings still fast asleep in the early light after the harrowing experience of the day prior’s events, reaching the edge of the path to the main establishment, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. But it was nothing suspicious, as a lanky blonde that she was not entirely unfamiliar with, despite his new wardrobe and curious blindfold, stepped into clearer view, greeting her with an easy grin and a smooth, low voice.
“Good morning, Chief.”
Mar 31, 2021
Grey jolted out of her thoughts when she saw the man with blonde hair grinning at her and wishing her a good morning. Nothing seemed suspicious about him, so…she gave a small smile in return.
“Good morning, sir,” she said stopping in her tracks. “I…forgive me, I believe I’ve seen you around the Rebellion, but I don’t believe I know your name.”
Mar 31, 2021
Oh, that’s record time.
The Bookkeeper gazed at her through his lashes, slipping habitually in this old persona, now harmless, merely comfortable. He grinned further. An approach initiated by him, and a requested introduction within the first two breaths–truly an unusual morning, and it only had just begun.
Grey was met with a gloved hand to a wide chest, accompanied with a bow and a charming glance directly at her, smooth in the movement, “Jin Juro, Helheim Agent, colleague and friend to Akkey Black. Pleasure to meet you, Chief Grey.”
The man straightened and regarded her for a moment, “May I have a few moments of your time?”
Mar 31, 2021
“So he knows Akkey,” Grey thought to herself. “That’s a good sign.”
“Of course, Mr. Juro,” she said with a smile. “I was on my way to my office. Care to join me?”
Mar 31, 2021
“Juro is fine,” an amused chuckle escaped into the chilly air. A hand gestured for the chief to lead, “After you.”
Mar 31, 2021
“Juro, then,” Grey said smiling at the agent and leading the way. She wanted to ask him about how he met Akkey, but he knew that he must’ve had something important to talk to her about. “So, what is it that you wanted you talk about?”
Mar 31, 2021
A single pen twirl as they fell into step, long strides slowing and matching hers, “Word is the pirate’s fate is to be a lifetime of Rebellion imprisonment. Is this true?”
Mar 31, 2021
Grey felt her heart sink at the mention of the pirates, who imprisoned her, her husband, and their soldiers for the past 2 weeks…and their punishment. She knew word would get around at some point as to what she and Lila agreed on in regards to Ai Kauri and her crew. 
“Yes, it’s true,” Grey said nodding trying to maintain her composure.
Mar 31, 2021
“What of her crew?” A single amber eye reflected in the haze of the morning light.
Mar 31, 2021
“Same thing,” Grey replied. “We’ll have Ai Kauri and half of her crew transferred to the Jaw as soon as my niece Lila makes the arrangements and the rest will remain here on the island. They will all receive life imprisonment.”
Mar 31, 2021
Grey was unable to read the agent’s face, although there was an unmistakable thoughtfulness that passed as he digested her words.
Their boots were quiet against the soft ground, before he spoke again, betraying nothing but neutral statement of fact in his tone, “So nix captain, faction leader, escapes immediate death, shackled and kept away from living daylight until the end instead. What led to this conclusion?”
Mar 31, 2021
“Well,” Grey said, “I…considered putting her to death.” There was a part of her that wanted it…to be rid of the Nix captain and to execute her for everything she put her people and…her family through. “But…my niece Lila believed that that would be too extreme…given that Ai surrendered, and…given that she is a faction leader, Lila suggested the idea of imprisoning her for life. And…I…just want her away from me and my family…after everything she put us through, and I went along with it.”
Mar 31, 2021
A hum floated from the back of his throat, “Ai Kauri surrendered on the account of being outnumbered and outsmarted, did she not? This island, much smaller in its number and no longer containing most of her warring opposition of the Rebellion, yet still invaded by her own volition, was forced to give up their home and run. She went as far as to imprison its leadership for days under cruel circumstances, capturing and enslaving what was left. In the question of extremes, if I recall correctly, another faction leader, who also surrendered when things were no longer favourable in battle, much like her, was recently executed instead.”
“With ‘everything she put you through’, whatever that might be… six feet under ground seems the farthest one could be from another.”
Mar 31, 2021
“You think we’re being too generous to her?” Grey asked. She wasn’t upset or angry, only genuinely curious. 
Mar 31, 2021
“My thoughts on the matter are irrelevant,” the man declared with a smirk from where he stood slightly ahead in her path, turning on a heel to face her. She saw the striking eye again, amber burnt and smoldering where it laid. There was a moment of practiced mental defense, but it ended up truthful and friendly, “I am here to gain clarity on the situation, and gather as much information with as much accuracy as possible.”
Mar 31, 2021
“So...you’re a scribe of some sort?” Grey asked once again genuinely curious. “You always did seem to have some sort of writing tool with you.”
"Scribe, librarian, record keeper, so many names for it, really. I am one with an intense fascination with history and the world's truth, that's all," the laugh was sincere, and it lit up his face differently from the previously neutral expression.
Grey saw him sober once again, "There are many blanks to be filled in this truth, and I'd rather hear it from the source herself rather than through the grapevine."
Mar 31, 2021
“Yes, yes, of course,” Grey said realizing that she was drifting from what Juro wished to discuss. “Well, there were other methods to consider. The way Haligan Island Law has been designed by the Chiefs before me is that it works to help the victim, and...our options given that we are aligned with the Rebellion...were either death, banishment, or imprisonment. My niece felt that executing Ai would make the Rebellion look bad...like we’re falling into something High Central would do. At least with life imprisonment, she would be contained. She wouldn’t have any contact with the outside world. I know her circumstances are similar to that of Vidar...but...I promised Lila I would let her have the reigns on this one. And...she needs to know I trust her judgment.”
She sighed. “But believe me...after what she did to my husband...” his screams and the sounds of the whip echoed through her mind, “I wouldn’t mind carrying out the death sentence. I-I know that sounds cruel, but...”
Mar 31, 2021
His nod was serious in its acknowledgement, filing the reasoning away in his memory for later. The man held her gaze very, very steadily, his following question absolutely, openly straightforward and objective.
"What did she do?"
Mar 31, 2021
The Chief sighed. “First, after she captured us, she brought me into the Great Hall,” she looked up at the Great Hall as they approached it, “and, first, she interrogated me...to get me to give her information the new leader of the Rebellion, and why I left... I didn’t want to tell her about Lila because I knew it would put Lila and the Rebellion in grave danger, and I was prepared to take on the torture myself. But...when she didn’t believe me...she had my husband brought in...and when I still tried to lie, she...ordered a member of her crew...to whip my husband in the back...right in front of me.”
Apr 1, 2021
"Then they did," he ventured a quiet guess.
Apr 1, 2021
The Chief nodded. “They wouldn’t stop until I gave in...” she said quietly. “Brandt was in so much pain, and he tried to show that he wasn’t. But...I know my husband too well. I saw it in his eyes. Nineteen years of marriage...and almost 21 years of dating will do that. Anytime I didn’t answer or...gave her an answer she didn’t like...she had him whipped.”
Apr 1, 2021
"So she managed to get the answers she was looking for," his movements were minute as he connected one dot with another, pieces falling into place between island and jawbone for the past fortnight, coming to a stop before the entrance of the sloping building, "Did she have any interest other than the passing of torch from chief to commander?"
Apr 1, 2021
“Well, she was only interested because she already knew who Lila was,” she replied. “I think she wanted to see how long it would take to break me. She was interested in knowing if I had any contact with her. Then she asked me about general Rebellion information. Numbers, allies, that information. I tried to lie as best as I could, but...I was so scared that she would see through it and that Brandt would be hurt because of it.”
Apr 1, 2021
"A pirate of the Eastern archipelago, well off and well feared in their territory, travelling for weeks from one end of the continent to the other, directly for the Rebellion that is her opposition. Hmm," a slender finger placed against his lips in continuous thought, "Well, this is worth giving further attention to, I'm sure."
Juro took a step back with an unmistakable hum of portal, then hesitated as if he just remembered something, "Uhm..." his eye narrowed microscopically, practically invisible, taking conscious effort to organize words in his head, "I'm sorry about what you and your husband had to endure." The easy, unreadable confidence Grey encountered cracked ever so slightly, and there was a small peep of awkward vulnerability.
Apr 1, 2021
The Chief nodded feeling her heart swell at the concern in his voice. They were complete strangers, acquaintances, and she was touched that he expressed empathy over what happened to her and Brandt. 
“Thank you, Juro,” Grey said after a moment. “That...that means a lot. My husband and I have been through...much worse before, but we will get through it. You..may have given me some things to think about in terms of Ai’s motives.”
Apr 2, 2021
The speed at which the man snapped back to the lazy energy was immeasurable, it was practically a wonder that Grey caught the split second of odd expression. Another lopsided grin, and a decisive portal that opened behind him, "You have also given me plenty to ponder. Thank you for your time, Chief."
Apr 2, 2021
“You’re welcome, Juro,” Grey said as her eyes briefly darted to the portal behind him. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. If you have any questions, feel free to come find me again. We need someone to make sure these events are preserved forever.”
Juro laughed, as if at a private joke, and gave her a small nod, before disappearing from sight. He had another person to see.
Apr 3, 2021
Lila was taking a moment to just breathe as she sat on the edge of a cliff, her legs dangling over the edge. With so much going on she found that there was less and less time for herself. Privately, she rarely considered just giving it up, passing the leadership on to someone else while she went and lived in isolation or something. But the thoughts were rare and brief and she would never admit them to anyone.
Apr 3, 2021
The peaceful solitude didn’t last long.
A portal hum, a light tap of boot onto soft ground, and a low, obviously grinning voice, “Good morning, Commander.”
Apr 3, 2021
She turns and looks at him with a small smile. “Juro, good to see you. Come sit.” She said patting a spot next to her. “I meant to come find you since Frigga but I’ve been busy I’m sorry.”
Apr 3, 2021
The Bookkeeper came to a full stop, and stared at her with the most interesting face of casual ease and unprecedented surprise. Out of all the greetings he had expected from the Commander Lila Ericson, polarized to his lazy nature, a warm welcome was the last he expected.
“Uhm… it’s… alright…” he lost his train of thought and purposely exasperating energy as he took slow steps towards the spot she indicated, although remaining standing, “Wait. What?”
Apr 3, 2021
Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him. “What?”
Apr 3, 2021
He stared down at her for even longer, before shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose to recollect himself, “Nothing. Nevermind.” He sat with a sigh, crossing his legs as he slipped back to a pleasant smirk.
Apr 3, 2021
She shrugs. “So how are you? Hopefully better than before.” She says with a pleasant smile.
Apr 3, 2021
“I’m fine,” he replied carefully, still a muted confusion in his eyes, but overall recovered from his initial surprise, “I just spoke with the Chief about the pirates, and I had one question I was hoping you’d entertain.”
Apr 3, 2021
She frowns a little at that. She didn’t like him talking to her about Ai and her crew especially with it being so fresh. “Alright what’s your question.”
Apr 3, 2021
His head tilted slightly as he watched her through half closed eyes, “What is the difference between Vidar and Ai Kauri that one gets execution and the other imprisonment?”
Apr 3, 2021
Lila sighed. Another reason she didn’t want him talking to Grey about this. She wasn’t sure what he’d said to her, nor did she think he was intentionally trying to sow doubt in her leadership choices, but if he wasn’t careful he might just anyways, regardless of intentions. “Because I don’t think what she’s done is as bad. That’s not to say her line of work and her actions aren’t reprehensible. But the conditions that Vidar kept the Half-Breed’s at the Jaw in vs how she kept prisoners here is a vast difference. Besides that, there’s also the fact that she willingly surrendered without further conflict.”
Apr 3, 2021
“A prisoner is a prisoner, regardless of how they’re held captive,” he turned his gaze towards the horizon that stretched below them, “Especially to the victim.” There was something almost abstracted about what he said, like he wasn’t really seeing what was before him, but it disappeared quickly, returning to the neutral attention with an acknowledging nod.
“The Rebellion, and how people accept them… is very important to you,” he commented thoughtfully.
Apr 3, 2021
She nods, gripping the grass between her fingers a little too tightly. “It is. I mean, that’s the whole point isn’t it? What’s the point of all of this if we’re no better than the people we’re trying to defeat? We’ll just end up taking their place.”
Apr 3, 2021
“The point, hm…” the expected pen twirl, “To be better than High Central and the factions’ oppression. For honour and victory against them. To survive and secure a future free of their threat. For the safety of their families, no matter the cost.”
“I’ve found that many different people have many different reasons for fighting their wars. Different ears, eyes, minds, all result in different perspectives, being affected in a multitude of ways. No matter how much effort is put in to direct it towards a desired conclusion, they will never align as exactly as people want it to…” Juro caught the spinning writing tool and pointed it at her, an unreadable grin plastered on his face, “Still. Whatever outcome follows, hold onto what you care about the most, Commander. Stand strong on what you truly believe in. I’ll be writing your truth as accurately as possible so that people may come to the same understanding.” He made to get up on his feet.
Apr 3, 2021
She took all this in and hummed to herself. As she saw him start to get up she speaks up. “Hey where are you going? I owe you some stories don’t I?” She asks.
Apr 3, 2021
He waved his hand annoyingly, activating a portal, “Hold onto it. I’ll collect it the next time.” he grinned, then disappeared, leaving Lila by herself as if he had never been there in the first place.
Apr 3, 2021
The commander scowled as the portal closed behind him. "Fucking punk." She muttered to herself. "I don't see him for two months I try to be nice to him and he blows me off." She went on grumbling like this for several minutes.