thisavrou | 001; video;

[ When the recording begins, the only thing viewers will see is a flash of red hair (with perhaps a bit of grey), and the only thing heard will be - well, not English. He's obviously cursing quietly to himself, though hard to say if anyone will be able to recognize it as Gaelic.

Finally, his face will appear - handsome, high cheekbones, blue eyes, slanted a bit almost like a cat's, and a couple days' worth of stubble on his jaw. He's dressed old-fashioned, and when he speaks again it's English this time - but English heavily accented, to the extent that those unfamiliar with Scots might find it difficult to understand him at first. ]

Och, is this it then? I'd not like to be talkin' to myself, but I was told this is how to find work.

[ A pause. He taps the screen for good measure, then shrugs. ]

My name is Alexander Malcolm, lately of Edinburgh. There, I was a printer, but I've also experience as a soldier, and in animal husbandry. Though I dinna ken if anyone has any stables here worth the name.

[ He waves that off. ]

I'll work to earn my keep, and happy to do so. [ Here he pauses, and rubs his jaw a bit. ] And if anyone kens where to find shaving implements, I would be much obliged. I thank ye, for your time.

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[ What is it with the Ingress bringing in people from the past? Her history boner is going to pop soon. First Arno, from the French Revolution, and now this guy. Who's next? ]

You aren't talking to yourself. There are others listening. We hear you.

[ Elena offers a smile to reassure him. ]

You said 'animal husbandry'? I haven't heard of that term in... Well, a long time.

[ Oh boy, another one. This day is just getting better and better. ]

Aye, I'm gettin' that impression. Though, I suspect, saying I've been a groom would not have helped, either.

[ Deal with it Alexander. ]

Probably not. But if you're looking to do something with that animal husbandry of yours then maybe you should try the Region Two.

Though there might be opportunity for you around if you really do have experience as a soldier, as you say you do.

I do, though I have not carried a weapon in twenty years, and I suspect the weapons of this place may be a bit... beyond my ken.

[ Go on, ask him why. His face is rather pointedly bland. ]

Twenty years is a long time. Though I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who'd be willing to help you out.

If I had a weapon of choice then it would be a gun or my hands.

[ Not yet!! ]

Aye, it is, though I suspect I'd remember well enough what to do.

[ He's perhaps not being entirely truthful here, either. Just because it's illegal to carry a weapon, doesn't mean he doesn't sometimes still do it. But he's not about to go telling perfect strangers about his smuggling business, either. ]

I ken how to use a pistol or rifle well enough - as well as sword, greatsword, and dirk.

You might have a better chance of finding a gun in these parts than you would a sword.

So I suspect, though whether I wish to learn the guns used here, is another story. I've been shot often enough in my own world.

No one is insisting you have to learn. I've seen a few others running around with big axes and swords.

[ Ah... That doesn't sound pleasant. ]

I've been shot at but have never taken a bullet.

Aye, and I've fought in battles with swords against guns. They never turned out well for those wielding the swords.

[ See also: Culloden. ]

[ Sorry, she doesn't mean to give a small snort of laughter. She presses her lips together to try and hide the smile. ]

Yeah, yeah it never really does.

It's even worse when it's crofters with spades.

[ There's a beat, where he's not here anymore, he's someplace else, someplace bad. Then he's back, shakes it off. ]

I may stick with horses.

I'm trying to picture what that might look like...

[ And coming up empty-handed. ]

Because horses are safe?

A massacre, is what it looks like. Butchery.

[ He shrugs. ]

Perhaps. Or perhaps I've no desire to fight for another man's cause.

Right. Sure, that sounds about right.

[ She frowns. ]

We aren't at war. It's been peaceful since they took us in. On the ship, the Moira, that was another story.

That's good. I've had enough of war. I'd do it if there was no other way to earn my keep, but it seems there may be some farms here after all.

I hear there's plenty of land for anyone to take over. Plus side on that is that you don't have to pay rent for where you stay, you pay with what you grow.

Aye, food rent. Sounds a bit like home, but with foreign settlers.

I thought you were a printer from Edinburgh?

Aye, but a Highlander by birth. [ He could never pretend otherwise. His accent is far too recognizable, especially back home. ]

Ah. Makes sense.

How did you get into printing?

Almost by accident, really. I came to Edinburgh a few years ago, to find work. Where I come from, one must meet people, make connections, in order to find employment. I found my way to a printing press, which was no verra expensive, and decided to try it. Somethin' new, ye ken?

[ He needed a front for his smuggling business. ]

New experiences are always the way to go. There's never really been a limit to how much a person should know or learn.

Were you happy as a printer?

[ That's quite a question to ask - especially of a stranger. But also not one he gets very often at all, really. It's probably been years since someone asked him if he was happy. ]

I suppose. I had employment, I had the means to support my family.

And that's all that matters, making sure your family has enough to get by.

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