elnysa | [video] un: linneus.

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[video] un: linneus.

Hello every… ah, anyone who might see this. My name is Linneus. I... am not sure if this is working.

[leaving comments on other people’s posts is one thing, but putting his own out is quite another, and there’s a certain degree of nervousness that hasn’t been present in his everyday interactions, accentuated by the fact that he is clearly chilled and just about holding off a shiver]

I was hoping perhaps someone might be able to help. Someone in Olympia, that is. You see I returned from Wyver just now and-- well, look.

[the shift in camera angle is clumsy, but eventually he steadies the device on his surroundings. A broken-in window, the snow blown inside in small drifts. As he pans it’s clear that what little home he had started to make for himself has been quite overturned, covers tossed back and pulled off beds, cupboards and shelves standing empty, but he doesn’t linger too long on those. His main focus is on the window, one hand reaching into frame to gesture as he draws closer]

I can manage much of the housework and the cleaning, but it’s this is the trouble - it’s sort of a sash window, but it draws to the side instead of up. [a careful tug - broken glass notwithstanding, it’s clearly stuck open] I’m not sure I can manage to take it off its track by itself - I think the glass will break further if I try. But I hoped someone might try and help me with finding a replacement and perhaps fitting it?

[turning the camera back on himself, a slightly shy smile.]

I should forewarn that I may not be capable of instant repayment, but I would consider myself in your debt and endeavour to do what I can. I… await any reply, even if you’ve only advice to offer, but I shan’t be instantaneous in my replies, you understand. I have no small amount of cleaning up of my own to do…

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Ah - yes, of course. Miss Sansa mentioned. [spoken as he lifts the kettle up onto the heat. She hadn't mentioned the name itself, but it fits well with her talk of snow] Well, it shall be winter a little while here yet, I think. I arrived here towards the end of the summer, when it was still quite warm, but I'm not sure what true summers in Olympia are like...

[venturing closer, to take a little look at the items Ned has brought with him]

Is there any you prefer?

[Ned nods warmly, as he normally does at the mention of his children.] For my sake, let us hope it is none too terrible.

[He rummages in the cart before removing a cloth drawstring bag.] I've had this twice, and it was quite good both times. Some sort of black tea, I'm told. It gives one energy.

If the worst comes to it, you might make a settlement north of this one?

[gentle teasing, accepting the bag with one hand. A gesture with the other]

We shall try this, then. Please, do sit.

[he is keeping going well enough, but the ritual of preparing tea - a soothing one for him, even when he is just doing it for himself - has been somewhat disturbed: his teapot was lost, and the cups lined up on the draining board are all mismatched, and there are no cakes or biscuits he can offer. At least he has a small sort of tea infuser?

Reminded of what he doesn't have, however, as he unlaces the bag-]

I'm sure I've sugar, but I have no milk. Will it still be palatable without?

[He lets out a quiet laugh at that.] Only if my children and our house guest would allow it.

[With a nod, he goes over to a vacant chair and sits himself down, unloading some of the tools for repair from his wagon and laying them on the ground. At Linneus' question, he makes a bit of an, "ah!" sound before rummaging through the items and pulling out a sealed jar of milk. He also pulls out a box of chocolate biscuits. He gets up to bring both over when he decides to simply drag the entire wagon, having already removed his tools.

Once near him, he hands Linneus the milk and biscuit tin.]

There are quite a few different things here for you. I tried to gather whatever I could think of that one might need in a situation such as this.

Well, it is good to decide these things together...!

[he brings the opened bag up to his nose, trying to see if he can identify the tea by scent, before tipping a small handful of the leaves onto his hand... a breakfast blend, possibly, though he isn’t sure that he knows the leaf.]

I’m sorry - thank you - goodness, you are prepared...!

[he hadn’t wanted to unload or go rummaging around a bit in the wagon until a little later - to do so sooner would have felt... uncouth of him. But he can fetch down a jug for the milk and... yes. It will be a little mismatched, but he can put this tray together]

Have you been adapting well-- Ned?

[almost forgetting, but he catches himself just in time, lifting the kettle off the hob wth it’s first hints of a whistle]

[He motions to the cart again as he wheels it closer to Linneus than himself.] Please, all of these items are yours. You can keep the cart for a time, but I will need to have it returned in future.

[He offers a quiet, unassuming smile with an equally subdued nod.] As well as can be expected, I suppose. I've still much to learn, particularly in relation to the current conflict between Olympia and Wyver, but I am feeling more and more at home each passing day.

I shan't keep the cart for too long - though I shall need it likely until I am settled again.

[but he is well on his way - thanks, in no small part, to Ned's help. An apologetic glance over his shoulder as he pours out for the first cup - he doesn't mean to keep turning his back, but he can turn around properly while the cup infuses]

That is good. But I understand the feeling well, of having so much to learn. It is harder to fit in when one feels they are missing something.

I had thought that Wyver's aid might mark a turn for the better in the relationship between the two countries. Alas, it seems not so...

There is no time restraint on when it must be returned; I would much rather you keep it if you need it instead of hurrying to return it while it could still provide useful to you.

[Ned notes the apology in his glance and makes a bit of a face himself to show that he is taking no offense to anything Linneus is doing. If anything, he is grateful for the offer of tea and companionship.]

Do you know more about the conflict? Those I've asked before have given somewhat vague answers. Surely, there must be more to the tension than simply not liking the other?

I don't. It's a little difficult to ask questions, knowing we're not to reveal ourselves, and what books I have found on the subject appear to be skewed to one side or the other, depending on where I find them.

[there was always going to be a bias. It was just the strength and prevalence of it that surprised Linneus.]

That said... the evacuation to Wyver after the sickness started - before you arrived, sir - that arrangement seemed to happen between the leaders of the countries. The murmurs against that I heard coming back all seem to be of uncertainty that the help should have been taken in the first place, but I can't help but wonder if that isn't their bias speaking.

Aye, I've heard bits and pieces of this sickness that seemed to sweep across the land. [He'd been told that his own daughter, Sansa, had fallen ill to it, though she had recovered, Old Gods be good.] What would the naysayers have done instead, if not to offer aid? It seems ridiculous to me to think that they'd allow those fallen ill to suffer without lending a helping hand.

[a light shake of his head]

I'm not political; I don't assume to speak on such matters. But somehow, I can't imagine these people would have been satisfied either way. Either the people were going to suffer further, or the crops - I would venture to say they should be thankful that Wyver were willing to assist on both counts.

[turning to check on the cup - refill the infuser, switch and fill the other]

Perhaps this coming Winter Festival might be the start of an improvement of the relationship? Perhaps the people might start to take a cue from their leaders? Again, though I can't comment on how that relationship stands...

[Ned nods in disgruntled understanding and agreement.]

Has my daughter, Sansa, told you anything of the turmoil and conflict we'd had back home? [He lets out a quiet sigh.] I suppose it foolish to think that peace could be found in another world outside of Westeros.

She did not. [careful of his words] She was... out of sorts, when we spoke - many of those afflicted were, with the fever. It was difficult to talk to them about much, though she did mention being in the south for years before returning home...

...it's not a foolish hope at all. Perhaps Olympia and Wyver may achieve it in time? I'm not knowledgeable, as I say, but my own country had a tumultuous relationship with one of those neighbouring - they have their differences. But they've been at peace in my lifetime, for all their history.

Our home did not show any of us great kindness, least of all my children, I'm afraid. For all I tried to protect them and keep them safe, I couldn't spare them the horrors that befell them. [There's great sorrow in his voice, but he clears his throat and attempts to refocus on other matters. He can only allow himself to mourn the tragedies of his past life and the world he left behind when he's in solitude.] When I first woke here, I'd hoped that perhaps this might be the sort of world they deserved to live in - one of peace and tranquility.

Let us hope a future such as the one you knew in your home will find its way here.

But you are here with them, now.

[he takes the tone of Ned’s voice as an indication to give him a moment; turning to check over the tray. Many of those sick had been frightened, confused, convinced they were in danger, but he remembers walking with Sansa that night, talking with and trying to settle her. Her words had been different, somehow, her conviction. It’s a relief she has family now.

But the tea is ready, the cups... may be small in Ned’s hands.]

No place is perfect, I think. While I am lucky to have lived in peacetime, my home had its unpleasantnesses that I was more than happy to leave behind...

[picking up the tray, bringing it over to the two chairs by the fire place - follow; sit.]

I had hoped to make my home here - there is much about Olympia that agrees with me, but I d not like the notion that we must pic a side; one over the other. If anything it seems that that would only contribute to the tensions.

Aye. I'm here with them now.

[He does as Linneus silently requests, following him to the hearth, lingering by the seats to allow him to choose first. He'll take whatever's left empty. This is Linneus' house, after all.] I agree. It seems foolish to me, but I do understand the importance of allies, camaraderie, and cohesion. It's why the Great Houses of Westeros all had bannermen, other houses that would come to their aid when and if the time came. I imagine you can settle down somewhere without declaring unconditional fealty, no?

[the chairs are mismatched as well, but he was able to get two comfortable ones and they were not, he is thankful, taken in the ransacking. He did lose the blankets he had draped over each one, the better to warm up by the fire - at least there are replacements in the cart. They will be made use of.

A little gesture to the tea tray - milk, sugar, biscuits, if he likes. The freshly-brewed cup is on Ned's side, the one that is slightly hotter. Linneus takes up the first-brewed cup for himself, adds milk and sugar, settles back.]

That sounds... rather romantic, in its way.

As for here, I'm not sure. The people... generally want to know if you are "with" or "against" them. Whether they will accept a person wanting to stay out... I don't know.

I heard there are settlements outside, of people who refused to choose one over the other.

[Ned reaches for the tea, adds a tiny drop of milk and barely a few grains of sugar. He'd never learnt to indulge in such things while growing up, and he much prefers the harsher taste of pure, untainted tea. He contemplates a biscuit for a moment before ultimately deciding to grab one, setting it on the saucer while he settles back and sips the tea.

It's piping hot, and it feels good as it scorches its way down his throat.]

In essence, there is nothing wrong about wanting to ensure that those around you are your allies and not your enemies, but there is a delicate line over which such inquiries become more paranoia than mere curiosity.

Living on the outskirts can't be easy. I imagine it to be more dangerous than choosing a side, in some regards.

This is true.

[softly considered, pensive over his cup]

But it seems the way here is to consider every outsider an enemy. While it is not overt hostility, there is still... not much trust that is shown.

There is less security outside, yes. I have not been often, but I had considered riding out - before all of this - to see what aid I can offer, if it is at all accepted. The rift between Olympia and Wyver and these outlying settlements is almost as great as the one they put between each other.

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[video] un: linneus.

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Ahahaha I never noticed all those typos...

it's okay! :)

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