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[song_of_ice]

Who: Jon Snow (song_of_ice) & You!
What: Oct. Event Catch-all
When: 10/21
Where: Olympia and Wyver
Warning(s): None

I. Evacuation

[He would stay in Olympia until the lasts of the refugees were gone. He had made a pledge to serve alongside the other royal guards and wouldn't fail in that promise. This wasn't the first catastrophe he had witnessed, but the first massive evacuation. Wandering around, a bit lost on what to say or do for others, he helps usher others out of their homes, carrying their belongings for some way until it is clear they can manage.

For the sick, he aids the doctors and nurses in placing them on the griffins, trying not to think overly much about how precarious the journey would be. He wraps blankets around them and checks one last time on those he knows. He would seek them out once they were in Wyver, but for now, he'd have to trust that they would be safe out of his sight.

Any that trip or fall behind, he would help them gather their things and assist them out of the town. Once the last stragglers were ushered away, he would follow them. Until then, he would ask the continual question that he asked of every refugee.]

Are you all right? Can you manage?


II. Exploring - Wyver

[He was used to being aimless and living on rations. After the hard conditions at the Wall, this was nothing. He resorted to what he knew, which was hunting and looking after others. Each morning he would go to the woods and fell a whatever looked to have enough meat to feed the family, the rest he would save to give to others that needed it. He would even skin and dress the animals for them, sparing them the gruesome work.

In the afternoon, with little else to do, he and Ghost would search around the towns, specifically the market to spend the money he had earned and saved. There would be small things to have to Sansa (maybe to cheer her up), other things for Robb and Lucy. There were a few taverns that he would visit for lunch and a drink, resting after the long hours of hunting. If someone sat beside him, he'd do his best to talk to them, pushing out of his shyness and taciturn nature. The temples fascinated him, even if he had no mind for gods of any sort. He couldn't deny the strange beauty these places held and went to pay them a visit, if only to satisfy his curiosity.

There was another place that drew him as well, Dragon Cove. After having seen dragons in the flesh, his curiosity and mind were drawn back to them repeatedly, not only because of Daenerys, but of the strange pull they had for him. Searching among the remains of the cove, he kept his sword and Ghost at his side, well aware of the creatures that could serve as a threat. There was a large skull at the center of the cove, half submerged in the springs. Kneeling, he tried to get a better look, if only to see if it was a dragon and similar to the ones he knew.

It was here he felt most at home, no matter if it was cursed or dangerous. There was magic in the cove and it was magic that called to him.]


III. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with your own prompt. If you have any ideas or want a different adventure, shoot me a PM.]

Comments

II; dragon cove

[originallutece]

Odd, isn't it?

[She calls that as she recognizes the figure kneeling, staring at the maybe-dragon's skull.]

How different the air and water are here . . . I'd be tempted to take a bone sample, save for the fact I've no lab right now.

[song_of_ice]

It's hard to tell what the skull belonged to. It has to be a dragon.

[Given the name and all.]

Did you hear some of the stories? That the blood fed into these springs? [The smile on his face shows he doesn't believe it.] There are still some bone shards around. We could take it back, even if you don't have a lab.

You could still learn from them.

[originallutece]

[The enthusiasm endears her, though she'd still prefer a lab. Rosalind lifts her skirts just slightly, stepping carefully along the banks, trying to get as close as possible without actually getting wet.]

Is that another way of you volunteering? I'd be indebted if you did. And yes, I've heard those stories . . . but that's superstitious nonsense. I'll wager the true culprits are algae and bacteria, nothing more.

[song_of_ice]

The truth has a way of ruining the stories and songs. It doesn't look or smell the same was blood. Over time, it wouldn't be as red as this.

[He can only imagine how black and congealed that water would be otherwise.]

Of course. [He wasn't too eager to dive into the water, but he thought he saw some shards in the ground, still sticking out from the soil, often disturbed by animals.] Is that what drew you out here? It's not a safe place to be alone.

[originallutece]

I'd never get much done if I waited for things to be safe. But yes . . . that, and the rumors. I've found the most interesting things tend to happen where people describe danger and ominous tidings.

[song_of_ice]

You remind me of my sister. If she heard about the cove, she would have come because of the rumors. She was fearless. [Is, not was. She was only asleep in the pod.] What do you make of the rest of the city?

[originallutece]

It's a bit . . .

[Primitive.]

. . . quaint for my tastes. I preferred Olympia. But given that, the situation could have dissolved into something far worse. And I'll admit: I'm rather intrigued by the dragons.

Yourself?

[song_of_ice]

Olympia reminds me a bit more of home.

[Which he couldn't decide if he liked or not.]

So am I. Once you have seen one in person, it's hard to shake them or how gorgeous they are. [He smiled.] I know someone who could ride dragons. They are her children.

I was hoping to see some here.

[originallutece]

Her children? I do hope you mean that metaphorically.

[Or not. Frankly, she's interested either way.]

I don't suppose you yourself know how to ride one, do you? I've heard there's more roaming in the East end . . . I wouldn't mind heading out to check, if you'd care to one day.

I;

[illuminescent]

[Lucy is wandering again, but she didn't manage to get very far this time. This far means the living room, and she's dizzy, and she keeps seeing giants and snow and the White Witch, and everything is terrible.

Lucy is not so terrible. She's not normally in a bad mood, or randomly violent. But then she finally manages to leave, mostly because she's ushered out, because it's an evacuation, and she gets lost, she thinks. She's so stressed and afraid that she doesn't recognize Jon when he comes up to her.]

No!

[She goes tense, afraid, and closes her eyes.]

No, she's not real, she's not real, she's not real-

[song_of_ice]

[He had witnessed Sansa's hallucinations and heard her talk into the air, as though she were speaking to their father. He knew what stage of illness Lucy had fallen into and he felt his heart seize in his chest. It was maddening to see her and Sansa unwell and him being unable to do anything to aid them.

All he could do was make certain that she didn't harm herself or anyone else. Gently, as though he were trying to soothe a spooked mare, Jon raised his hand for her. Slow, gentle movement to ease her worries.]

There is no one here, Lucy. Only you and me. It's all right. She won't harm you.

[He didn't know who "she" was, but understood her fear.]

[illuminescent]

She's lying to you, she's using you too-

[She's sure of it, that must be it. Like she used Mr. Tumnus. Like she used Edmund. It's not altogether Jon's fault, she thinks, because he doesn't know, she didn't warn him, in hopes of sparing Edmund's feelings she hasn't spoken about this to anyone at all.

He raises his hand and she shrieks. She's faster than she looks, she really is, and her little knife is in her hand, and she's managed to catch it against his skin, although not deeply.]

She's using everyone!

[song_of_ice]

[He gives a hiss of pain as he clutched his hand, a trail of blood slid from between his fingers. His eyes held hers though, careful not to break that contact or turn away from her. She was distressed and terrified, now she had a blade.

He takes a step back for her comfort, to at least show he is not a threat.]

Lucy, you are safe. She's not here.

[He felt near begging for her to listen, to use whatever strength she had to push out of the hallucinations, but he knew it wasn't that easy. He had seen how bad it could become.]

You know me. I swear to you that you are safe.

[illuminescent]

Peter!

[She cries out his name. Why isn't he here? She's so tired, he's always there when she needs him, and he's not, so she looks at Jon and her lower lip wobbles a bit, her entire face starts to scrunch up.]

I know not what to believe-

[Her hand is shaking, but her grip doesn't tighten, at least, not until she finally brings her arm down. Okay. Okay.]

[song_of_ice]

[He holds himself back, keeping from explaining where Peter was and why he didn't answer her now. He couldn't let her panic, not when she was already working herself up into a hysteria.]

Lucy... [He wants to reach out again, but keeps his hand close to his chest.] I can take you to your brother.

[To Edmund, at least. Peter was a bit out of his reach.]

Come with me.

[illuminescent]

[She starts to cry, then, weeping, and holding her little dagger.]

Where? Where's Peter?

[No, Edmund, but-]

Jon?

[She's a little dizzy now.]

Did I hurt you?

[song_of_ice]

[This time she seems to recognize him, enough that he feels safe in reaching for her again to keep her steady.

He quickly shook his head, trying to calm her and push away any thoughts of guilt she might have.]

I'm fine.

Do you know where you are now? We need to leave this place. Let me help you, Lucy.

I. Evacuation

[inaurare]

I am all right, thank you.

[A steadying touch his horse's nose as it tosses its head a little. It's been some time since he last rode - since he was last allowed to ride, but he can enough that he has been given a horse rather than bundled into a carriage with the others. The sick have already been seen off by air, as worrying as that is for him; many in the grip of fever, hallucinations, paranoia... but they have the doctors with them. Hopefully there will be just as much help for them in Wyver, also.]

Thank you for your kind assistance earlier.

[a glance to the sky, briefly]

Have you friends amongst the afflicted...?

[song_of_ice]

You're sure?

[There was something about him that seemed a bit unsteady and uncertain on the horse. He didn't look the same as the others who became ill, but there was something that stood out. He was tempted to suggest he take a carriage or cart instead, but didn't want to presume. If he said he could manage, he would trust him.]

Of course. This evacuation has everyone fumbling about. If we had more time to prepare... well, I suppose then it wouldn't be an evacuation.

[His eyes darted up to the last departing griffin.]

My sister. She was one of the first to get sick.

[inaurare]

[He tended to the horses occasionally in his youth, as part of his duties, but being comfortable with them is not the same as being comfortable on them - of that he is fully aware. But he'll get there.]

Your sister? I'm sorry. But I'm sure it is a comfort to her that she has family here...

[though for some it isn't registering. Many patients he struck up good rapports with started failing to recognise him as the symptoms turned for the worse.

Turning his attention back from the sky - or he is rather forced into it, his horse nudging him for attention and he hushes it with a chuckled "yes, yes..."]

...I can't say I've had experience of an evacuation before. Though it seems to be going smoothly, it's a shame to have to leave to soon after getting settled.

[song_of_ice]

She doesn't always notice us around her now.

[The hallucinations were becoming stronger, something that all the sick seemed to be going through. It was stressful and the exhaustion was wearing on him. She would get better, he had to believe and focus on that, in much the same way that he had to focus and believe that they could fight against this emerging threat.]

Danger matters more than settling.

[Not that he felt very settled to begin with.]

Was there anyone else in your home that you were going to travel with?

[inaurare]

That must be difficult for you.

[it has made the patients harder to care for, to be sure - some of the doctors would just dismiss and bundle them back into bed, but Linneus has tried other ways; talking them calm, taking advantage of the confusion to take them on a short 'walk' around the ward and bring them back to bed. It's hit-and-miss. But for family to watch that, it must be troubling.

A light shake of his head-]

No, no. I've no... house-mates, and I came here alone. If there is anyone from my home they are... sleeping, still.

["If". He hasn't looked and doesn't intend to, even if he gets another chance.

His hands are still on the bridle to lead, but he frees one, extending it]

My name is Linneus.

[song_of_ice]

We can at least know that those still asleep are safe. None of them have become sick, they are stable...I think that is the word. Your family and friends are being looked after.

[He didn't want to discuss how difficult it was to see his sister so sick that she fought against him and chased after nothing but shadows. It was painful enough to consider on his own, when he was shut away in his room with nothing but his thoughts. So long as he was in uniform and help others, he needed to shut the door to his own feelings, focusing on the rest.

He accepted Linneus' hand, giving a firm shake.]

Jon Snow.

You have everything you need? We don't know when we will be back.

[inaurare]

Mr Snow.

[a gentle smile as he withdraws his hand, a little dip of his head and a shift of his shoulder to indicate the little pack he has there]

This is all I have - I haven't been here long enough to gain many possessions.

[he has plenty of clothing, thanks to what was provided at Thesa and a few things he bought for himself. But it's not as if he needs every stitch of that, either.]

And it's probably for the best that I travel light. I haven't ridden in a while, and I don't want to be distracted fumbling...!

[song_of_ice]

You are not alone in that. None of us have very much.

[Only those they had above in the pods.]

Do you feel safe enough to ride? It's not easy if you haven't be taught, especially over long distances.

[He glanced back, trying to assess how many were left among the refugees. He wasn't sure it was time to leave yet, but he didn't feel right letting Linnues ride alone.]

I think the last of the stragglers are leaving.