elnysa | [text/video] un: linneus

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[text/video] un: linneus

Good day, everyone.

While I hate for my second of these... missives to be another message asking for help, I fear that is precisely what it is and I do beg your patience.

I recently came home to find a large egg sitting on my doorstep. With little idea what to do I brought it home, kept it swaddled and warm and eventually it hatched. The animal that emerged... I have never seen its like before. It appears to be a sort of horse, but much shorter, with a longer neck and a smaller face. And a good deal... fluffier? Than any horse I've ever seen.

She has taken well to eating grass, and has shown to particularly favour munching on my flowerbeds. It seems she is managing well enough - flourishing, even. But I had hoped someone might enlighten me as to what kind of creature she is, and whether there might be other foods I can provide for her?

Also a name - I confess I have always struggled terribly with naming things! So any suggestions would be quite welcomed.

[the text is followed up by a brief video clip - slightly wobbly, as Linneus turns the camera on himself-]

So that you have an idea of what it is you are naming...

[turning the camera around, the scene is quite cosy now that his home is settled again. A fire crackles away, and there is a small table near his armchair bearing a cup of tea, his feet resting on a small stool. The cosiness would be complete perhaps with a blanket, but his "creature", dozing with her head on his lap, is more than making up for the lack of one.

To those familiar, a llama indoors is probably a strange sight - stranger still this llama's size, as she can't be more than three feet tall. She snores, and there is the sound of Linneus chuckling softly before the video feed is cut.]

((Please feel free to flood Linn with name suggestions for the miniature llama he now has? ))

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That's quite all right!

[He'll be kind of embarrassed if he's treated with too much respect, though, oops.]

It's always a little strange to ask this, here, but... where exactly are you from?

My country? Its name was Ivore. It was a small country, land-locked. It was similar to this country in some ways, though the principal city was perhaps a little bigger.

And there was nothing above us but the sun, and the moon and her stars.

... It makes you wonder, doesn't it? If there was anything like Thesa at home, too.

[It makes him wonder, anyway. He's never considered himself especially knowledgeable, but the Natha really brought home how much the populace can be ignorant of.]

Was it a peaceful country?

A little. Some individuals speak of these technologies as common place, but - I cannot speak for more educated minds in my country, but in my case they are something I could never have conceived of

[what better way to keep something hidden?]

In my time it was, yes. There was some strife with the neighbouring country, but it had simmered down probably before I was born.

There were still... tension, certainly, and if the gossip was to be believed there was a marriage of the royal houses being planned to ease that.

I see... That tends to be the best way to keep the peace.

[And Atsushi thinks it might be a good option here, as well. An Empress and a King - why wouldn't they get married?

Still, marriage is a personal choice, in the end. Or it should be.]

It's a shame that doesn't seem like a realistic option, here.

One would hope.

[a pause, gathering his thoughts]

This union, it was decided upon before the king's health started to fail, and only because he and the ruler of Verone were older. They had seen what the countries were like in their youth, what they were like at odds, and how that changed once the swords were sheathed and the grudges were set aside in favour of cooperation. They saw the difference, they decided which they liked better, and the union was their way of securing peace before they passed their thrones on. It had its supporters and detractors, of course, but it was planned in the best of intentions, I think.

But if I may presume... Olympia and Wyver are each too independent. And I would venture there was no small amount of pride at stake, too.

[It's a beautiful story. Even if, in Atsushi's opinion, a marriage of convenience shouldn't be the norm, it can clearly work as a political statement. When it comes to keeping the peace, no sacrifice is too great.]

Yes... I think that pride is the real problem, here. And I understand that a lot has happened in the past - but this is the present! Petty grudges should be set aside, if everyone suffers otherwise.

... Maybe that's not a bad name for your llama: Peace.

If the recent cooperation was the first time in so long... yes, I fear there is a long way still to go. And people remain worryingly critical of it, still.

[as if she knows she is being talked about the llama gives another loud snore, snuffling and nuzzling into the side of his leg, and it stands at such a contrast to their talk that Linneus can’t help but burst into laughter, lifting a hand to cover his mouth.

One he is better composed-]

Oh, goodness- but is it likely, I wonder, with this one as my companion?

I doubt that the criticism will ever go away, but as long as the governments themselves are on the side of peace, the people will have no choice but to follow.

[Which honestly sounds a little dictatorial, but in Atsushi's opinion, it's better than the alternative, where the people are subjected to war just because the rulers won't calm down and set their pride aside.

Thankfully the llama is here to save the day, regardless.]

I wonder! She sure seems as warm and fuzzy as peace, though!

Warm and fuzzy...

[...like peace. He chuckles]

Well, yes, I suppose she is. Perhaps the faster route to it might be to give all Olympian and Wyvern residents a little one just like her?

That is a wonderful idea. And I'm sure it would work! At least for a little while.

[Peace rarely lasts that easily, probably... but a cute fluff offensive would at least take people's minds off war for a while.]

But impractical, more's the pity.

[not that it was a serious suggestion in the first place. Just idealistic.]

I heard that you had one of your own, though? [look at Linneus, competent enough with his device now to juggle conversations!] Was yours from an egg...?

[It was never a realistic plan, but it can sure be nice to dream about. And, while he would never actually pursue it, Atsushi enjoys imagining that sort of thing happening and working. Wouldn't that be wonderful?]

Yes! I have a tiger cub... And yes, he was born from an egg, too!

[Excuse him while he rushes off to check who mentioned this.]

His name is Daifuku... Hang on.

[He gets up to walk to another room, turning the camera to show a white tiger cub sleeping on the couch. (Yes, it's totally claimed the whole couch for itself.)]

There, that's him~!

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to pry - it was Reign who mentioned it, and I was curious...

[apologetically as Atsushi brings him through, followed by a delighted gasp at the little creature on the couch-]

Oh-- goodness, how precious...! How long have you had him?

I see! Yes, Reign is a friend of mine.

[And of Daifuku's~! Atsushi really doesn't mind people talking about his cub, but he couldn't help but be curious! Not offended, though. Never that.]

Let's see... Almost five months now? [One of Daifuku's ears twitches, as if he knows he's being talked about, even while he's sleeping.] A little longer if you count when I got the egg.

[he is not the type to squeal, but that little ear twitch is quite adorable]

Do you recall if he has grown very much since he hatched?

This one grew quite quickly over the past few days, but it seems like she has slowed down.

He hasn't, actually. Or, if he has, it hasn't been enough to notice.

I was a little worried before, but since he seems healthy enough, I'm sure he's meant to be this way.

[And, if not, at least it saves on food bills...]

[then hopefully Linneus can feel a little more reassured about his flower beds...]

Then perhaps she won't grow very much more. We shall see!

And he eats what you would expect for his kind?

[Hey, it's the circle of life!]

Yes, nothing unusual at all there, as far as I know. He likes both meat and fish, some kinds more than others.

[~~free fertiliser~~?]

Some animals can be known to be picky.

Well, hopefully I can encourage her to trim the grass instead of destroying the plants.

[~~Gotta hoard those llama pellets!~~]

I'm sure that's possible! If nothing else, you can spread some of her favorite flowers through the grass to encourage her.

She seems to like anything that's colourful. So I shall have to watch my vases as well.

Oh, dear... [Atsushi offers a sympathetic smile.] Good luck with that!

[Meanwhile, Daifuku stretches with a sleepy little throat-rumble, and starts to wake up.]

Ah, it looks like this one is due for a snack, as well~! I'd better find him something before he starts looking, himself.

It was nice talking to you! Let me know when you settle on a name, okay?

[okay, not a squeal, but he certainly gives a little gasp at that little stretch and grumble]

I shall, of course. It was a pleasure.

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[text/video] un: linneus

it happens! i once forgot i was on network and magically switched to action; it can always be worse

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