[video] un: linneus.

[inaurare]

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…

Comments

[learned_to_die]

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?

Ahahaha I never noticed all those typos...

[inaurare]

[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.

it's okay! :)

[learned_to_die]

[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.

[inaurare]

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.