( open ) little do you know...

[chaoticbeauty]

Who: Yennefer and [open]
When: Septeril catch-all
Where: All Over
What: Quests, fall out from being an unbonded witch, and everything in between
Warnings: most likely violence, near death experience, will update with anything else


[ starters will be in the comments and linked here. Please feel free to pm me or hit me up on
plurk @ hoopskirts if there's something specifically you'd like to do or throw a wildcard at me. ]

7th. Fabiano's Finesse (Quest) and Joint Open Option for Yennefer and Geralt
10th. Breaking of the Wish (Open)

All Month. Wildcard

wildcard » 4th. Alucard

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[chaoticbeauty]

Wildcard.

[chaoticbeauty]

For Alucard; 4th

[ After the last full moon, when she and Geralt and by extension Jaskier were all in a better place, she was ready to talk in earnest about a more off the wall solution. Anything that could possibly aggravate the wish enough to possibly force it to collapse. She had a theory that the magic holding on to her and Geralt might be growing more unstable, or maybe it was a hope. They'd been here a few months and while this was still uncharted territory for many, she intended to try and find a solution before her desire to not bond cost her more than just a few frustrations.

The most private place she knew was her cottage, sending her address to Alucard with a time towards the evening of the 4th. Seated in her dining room, she waits for him to arrive -- notes scattered in front of her about death and magical overload. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard lets himself in, although that feels wrong to him on a great many levels. Call it a by product of growing up around vampires, when having permission to enter is of utmost importance in just about every circumstance. But he walks in all the same, messenger bag over his shoulder with a few odd books, research notes in a neatly bound notebook, and a little canister of tea leaves if needed.

He's dressed as simply as ever, just his trousers, tunic, and boots, and when he walks in, his focus isn't on Yen. It's on the research in front of her, and he carefully accounts for the volume present.]

You've either made a lot of progress or you've looked at many non-viable options.

[chaoticbeauty]

The latter. [ Yennefer would have understood if he'd knocked, knowing many hesitate when the home they're entering belongs to someone they don't have that kind of kinship with... at least not yet. He knew more about her than most, it made the trust come a little easier.

She sighs, looking up from her notes -- visibly frustrated. As far as she knew, she'd bought herself some time with a familiar, still looking into the most effective potions. ]

Non-viable options and theories that require a decision of likely success versus possible danger.

[chaoticbeauty]

QUEST - Fabiano's Finesse; 7th

I. The Lesson (Closed to Geralt) -

[ The decision to pick up this particular task was an easy one to make. She needed to make some quick coin that could possibly result in a consistent income. And something she could possibly expand on down the road if this experiment is successful. She has skill with a blade and if some of the women at Court had been trained to protect themselves, well... Quite a bit could have ended differently. So maybe this is for the child that never had a chance or her shit of a mother who'd never learned anything different -- who'd never learned how to achieve anything beyond the desire for a substantial marriage.

And certainly, she recognizes that some here absolutely have no interest in anything going on -- especially the younger ladies. Those are the ones she's particularly keen to teach because there's more to fencing or sword fighting than just going through the motions.

She starts the first lesson of about 6 ladies with some laughs to try and lighten the mood. Her goal is to get them to do something she rarely does -- drop their emotional guard. The steps she teaches are fluid, flowing through some of the combinations like a dance. Yennefer had opted for all black - skin-tight leather pants paired with a corset over a long sleeve shirt and boots. Something to show the lines of her body for instruction, but also look professional.

Swinging the blade, the weight is familiar in her hand and a welcome distraction. Between the demonstrations and watching and correcting their form, they've all worked up a light sweat... and they still had some enthusiasm. And that's when Yennefer catches a glint of gold eyes watching, an idea coming to mind. After a quick conversation with the ladies - her eyes catch his, a finger lightly curling to draw him out of whatever shadows he'd found. Two of the younger girls in the group giggle, whispering to each other as a blush lightly colors one of their cheeks.

Oh yes, this could definitely work. And he owed her. She'd accept this as a form of apology. ]

II. After (Open - responses coming from both Yennefer and Geralt) -

[ There aren't many activities where Yennefer will willingly build up any sort of a sweat with her clothes still remaining on -- even if sparring was a sort of flirting for them. After getting her payment with some extra tips and requests for a second lesson, she was feeling quite good. Good enough to want to spend a little bit more time with Geralt. So, when everything is wrapped up, she stays close to him as they move through town seeking out somewhere quiet to have a drink.

Being seen out and about together isn't something Yennefer typically chose, out of protection for both of them. They came from a world where relationships were exploited and caring could be seen as a weakness before she even took her own personal concerns into account. But, the wish was on the verge of being resolved so maybe she could let him back in. A bit.

Together, they walk through the streets -- Yennefer's arm wrapping around Geralt's wordlessly as they move. Eventually they find a pub, settling at a table with extra space should anyone choose to join them. ]

[ ooc: if anyone ever wanted the chance to come across them together in a fairly ok mood, this is the time. ]

I.

[gynvael]

[ Passing by the fencing studio is purely chance. Geralt's on his way to the bookshop, curious if he'll find any local history or other information. Only when he spots the familiar splash of dark hair does he stop.

Ah. Makes sense. Easy coin and the women would enjoy some elegant instruction. Geralt's seen the posting and had immediately dismissed it as an option for himself. He's not an instructor and certainly not one for refined ladies. Training as a Witcher bears little resemblance to the kind of fencing nobles desire. With Yennefer here, though, his curiosity brings him inside. After the last full moon, things have...been less tense. Enough so that he's no longer actively avoiding her.

Besides. Weather's still warm. He could get away from the heat for a bit. (He truthfully just wants to watch her swing a sword. It's attractive. He won't deny it.)

Of course, it's Yennefer. Which means Geralt eventually finds himself drawn out of the corner he'd chosen to observe from in silence.

He sighs. ] Yen --

[ That's about as much protest as he manages. It's futile. The women are watching. Intently. Despite the fact that there's currently no instruction going on. Fuck. He already regrets coming here.

Geralt picks up one of the loose swords; not nearly as balanced as his own, but sufficient for practice. He raises an eyebrow at Yennefer. It's her lesson, so he's following her lead. ]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ Like with most things revolving around them, chance meetings were far more common than not -- likely due to the wish. Not that she'll say that out loud. Not right now when she has eager students watching her and Geralt closely. And she's certain the last thing they need to see is a couple who's also not a couple fighting in a very couple way.

A victorious smirk finds her lips as he picks up a loose sword, grateful that he didn't put up a fight. It wouldn't be a good look. Besides, she could stand to let out a little pent-up aggression since they haven't exactly been on sociable terms. Returning her attention to the ladies who are actively drinking in Geralt in all his stature, she softly clears her throat - a knowing and an almost conspiratorial smile playing on her lips. Like she and the ladies have the worst kept secret in town. ]

Now, I know the steps I taught you might seem too difficult to piece together... But, remember to think of it like a dance. One that you can choose to keep simple or make as intricate as you'd like.

[ She steps forward, her hand resting on Geralt's chest as she continues. ]

I'll demonstrate both at speed and hopefully, he'll be fast enough on his feet to keep up. [ Winking at him, she walks away -- feigning like she's going to continue speaking. Instead, she spins on her heels and swings the blade up, aiming for the crook of his neck. And she's ready for him to block, ready to draw him into her simplified dance. A warm-up before she'll call on true skill from him. ]

[gynvael]

[ His stance is loose, but there's a vague discomfort in the air around him, too. Geralt tends to keep what he's capable of to himself; he has little reason to show off and plenty of reasons not to. The only times he's ever sparred are with other Witchers, killing time in the winters at Kaer Morhen.

He's never crossed swords in front of an audience. Certainly never with Yennefer. Their encounters are physical in --

Other ways. Which he might be thinking about at the moment. Hard not to when she's chosen those clothes to wear to this damn lesson. The warmth of her hand on his chest lingers. It's for that reason that he cuts it a little close when his sword comes up to block her. His mind is definitely not on the fight.

He steps forward. It is, at least, an easy dance to fall into. Once they start, instinct overtakes his apprehension. He engages her without pressing, letting her lead with the steps she's been teaching the women. His blade comes down across her chest, leaving just a hair's breadth of room in case she doesn't parry it. ]

II. I considered "I didn't know you were engaged Mr. Geralt" for the linked arms by rule of funny

[foundfamilies]

[ While Ferdie is technically Edelgard's dog, Leslie may have some responsibility for the dog sticking around when Edelgard was originally waiting for him to leave, because she gave him the leftover dog food from when she'd been dogsitting. As a result, Leslie has been given the responsibility of walking and feeding the beagle during the day.

When they cross paths, Leslie is engaged in just that: the small dog sniffing at various things and possibly looking a little less small than he would with most people since Leslie would be a little short for a ten year old even though she's like thirteenish at this point. She's initially focused on the dog, but when she looks in the direction of Geralt and Yennefer, she smiles brightly and picks up her pace toward them. ]

Good evening, Mr. Geralt! And, um.

[ She's not sure if she should ask for a name or not. Maybe asking a name would make them feel obliged to stop and talk when perhaps they just want to just exchange greetings.

...Someone she doesn't know probably means Ferdie doesn't know her, either. Leslie looks down to the beagle before he can attempt any enthusiastic greetings. ] Ferdie, heel.

[ And the dog is well-trained enough that he does stay by Leslie's side, though the thwap thwap thwap of the wagging tail suggests he would like to go right up to New People and sniff and maybe even jump up a little. ]

lksdjflsdkjf

[chaoticbeauty]

[ Yennefer was in a surprisingly good mood for what feels like the first time in a month, the child approaching and addressing Geralt drawing a smirk to her lips. The violet eyes capture her attention first as she studies the young face, curiosity piqued. Enough to gently pull Geralt to a stop if he hadn't already. ]

Yennefer.

[ And she is absolutely looking at Mr. Geralt for introductions. While Yennefer had collected a few amongst the younger population here, she hadn't realized Geralt had been doing the same. Considering he'd practically run in the other direction from his Child Surprise. So this is... a new perspective. His care for others isn't unknown to her, even if he does his best to conceal it in public. There is a heart in there. ]

[gynvael]

[ Like Yennefer, there's a (very) slight lightness to Geralt that isn't normally present. His eyes are also on her instead of the path ahead, which means he doesn't notice that it's Leslie approaching from the other direction until he hears his name.

He looks over, then down at the squat little dog at her feet, then at Yennefer. He can already see what Yen is thinking. There's a hint of a question, too, as his gaze returns to Leslie, curious if she'll find Yennefer's similarly unusual violet eyes worth noting. ]

Yen. Meet Leslie. [ He pauses, searching for more of an introduction -- not for politeness' sake but because Leslie's just...a girl. Who seems especially sensitive to people's concerns. That she might think he doesn't want her around or to meet someone he knows bothers him in a way he prefers not to examine too deeply. ] We met at the carnival.

[ His walking her home that evening or later escorting her through the slums remains untold. Yennefer will have to get that information some other way. ]

ii.

[weatherscience]

[ at the pub, there's a young woman with bright orange hair, sitting at the counter, sipping a drink. after a while, a guy sits next to her, his elbow on the counter, saying something... to which she doesn't react.

he keeps talking, nami keeps ignoring him — but after a while, she decides she's had enough. glancing around, she spots a couple sitting at a table... and yes, there, a free chair.

cheerily, she jumps up, exclaiming, ]

Oh, I didn't see you there! Hi, how have you two been? It's so good to see you again!

[ and she promptly grabs her drink and skips over to the table, sitting in the chair, leaving the guy to stare after her.

then, quieter, though there's not even one change in her cheery grin, ] Please pretend you're really happy to see me. Or that you know me. Anything to get rid of that moron.

[chaoticbeauty]

[ There's a practiced grace from Yennefer when the woman joins them at their table, having been watching some of the bar patrons -- specifically the interaction of the girl with orange hair and the man who wasn't getting the message.

Of all the tables to pick, Yennefer and Geralt's is possibly the safest choice even if it doesn't always appear so -- especially if anything goes awry.

The explanation isn't necessary, Yennefer already leaning in and giving off the illusion of familiarity with a smile. ]

I was wondering when you'd notice us. [ She doesn't need to look over the woman's shoulder to know she's being watched closely. ] I know I promised I'd call on you last week, but I was indisposed.

[ Which technically is only a partial lie, but that was the best kind of lie to tell. One interwoven with truth so it rolls off the tongue seamlessly. ]

[gynvael]

[ Their casual stroll had taken them into a tavern where, for the first time in awhile, Geralt feels inclined to let his guard down a hint. It's easier around Yennefer; she's as alert as he is for threats. It means he feels a bit like he's got someone at his back he can trust. A rare thing for him.

He's got a finger on the lip of his mug when a young woman catches his eye: the shift in her posture and the way she hastily gets to her feet.

He lets Yennefer handle it. The conversation, that is. Geralt instead turns his attention to the one bothering the woman, fixing him with a deep frown that comes just as naturally to him as the lies do to Yennefer. Just in case the man has any ideas of joining their table. ]

[chaoticbeauty]

Breaking of the Wish (Open); 10th

[ Facing the consequences of her actions isn't something she's often handled with dignity and grace, but she'd been trying. At least, when it came to the Wish. So much had gone wrong so quickly in her life, intricately woven emotional puzzles unraveling at her feet before she'd even come here. And now she was dealing with the fallout of that paired with her possible fate hanging over her head.

She's not sure what path she'd been lucky enough to follow leading her to the Coven today when everything goes wrong, but she's grateful for it. It starts with a headache -- something she'd been experiencing more and more. Those had been easy enough to ignore, but it was apparently not an option any longer.

The pain is enough to drive her to her knees and then something snaps. Constricting with her until it explodes with a searing and debilitating pain -- horrid enough that everything goes black. It's a full day before she comes to in the infirmary, everyone seemingly as confused as she is by what happened. She'd thought with the addition of a familiar, she had at least another month or so. She knew the headaches were going to get worse, but the raven should have helped alleviate some of that.

Eventually, the pieces fall into place and she realizes what changed. She'll still need to deal with the overload of magic, but the barrier she'd had to bonding is gone. It's a relieving and equally terrifying thought, being rid of something that had clouded over so many of her decisions here. And now she was free of something she'd wanted to believe had been such a burden when it was truly something that had fed into a deep fear. She'd fought for so long to be important to someone that the first person she'd found that had said it and actually meant it might not have said those words without the Wish.

She'd stayed in the infirmary for three days, the first day drifting in and out of alertness, the second becoming a little more restless -- especially under the watchful eye of her Geralt shaped bedside companion and sometimes Jaskier if Geralt has to step away. Yennefer had expected to feel different, like something would change between them. On day two, she sends out a few messages to those who'd been helping her find a solution.

By day three she's already ready to move the show back to her cottage because at least there, Geralt might hover less. Any guests are welcome to visit either her cottage or her bed in the infirmary. But, she'll be back up and running hopefully in a few days. ]

infirmary

[themogget]

[It's night time, and Mogget is exploring.

He finds her via a familiar aroma wafting through an open window that tickles under his sensitive nose. Mogget has not visited the infirmary before, because why would he? But he has his particular list of people that he finds interesting and of all of them to find here he had not expected it to be her.

It is even more unexpected to find her asleep in a bed, after he slips in through aforementioned window and trots silently into the building. He can only see her dark hair from the floor, but he knows it's her.

Mogget jumps up, the bell at his collar ringing softly, and sits quietly at the end of the bed for a moment with his bright eyes appraising the sleeping woman. Then, he slinks up alongside her form with dainty steps. He sniffs lightly at her, catching that familiar sweet-tart smell again even through the more medicinal scent of the sheets, and then steps up onto her chest.

He is only a small cat, and as he settles down on the centre of Yennefer's ribcage he begins to quietly purr, lightly kneading at the sheet with both paws.]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ It takes a moment for anything to register, specifically the new weight on her chest. She was still somewhat out of it, but the staff was also unsure of how to help -- other than doing what they could to alleviate any symptoms from remaining unbonded. This was uncharted territory for everyone, so it was honestly more reactionary care. And truthfully, the only thing they could advise was bonding to alleviate other symptoms before worsened and she found her way back here or worse.

Violet eyes settle on Mogget, trying very hard to not smirk. Her voice is hoarser than it had been the last time they spoke, but there's no malice in her tone. Quite the opposite. ]

I see you've made yourself comfortable.

[themogget]

Good, then your eyes still work.

[He ceases his soft kneading, but continues to purr. When he speaks, the words wrap strangely around the purring and buzz out of him in a kind of vibration. His front paws tuck in under his chest, disappearing entirely beneath the fur there.]

I hadn't taken you as the kind of person to end up in a place like this. [He muses then, blinking once and slowly as he meets her eyes.] Just what kind of trouble have you been getting yourself into?

infirmary

[enkidoh]

[Sometimes right after they've visited Gil's cracked mirror, they visit the infirmary as well. It is a bit of a foolish habit, born out of curiosity more than anything else.

And this is the first time they find this young woman without that light haired muscled man at her side.]

Hello. [They shuffle a little closer, looking at her with a blank look on their face.] It seems your guardian has left. May I ask you what your illness is?

[They're not a doctor or anything, just a curious lump of divine clay.]

[chaoticbeauty]

For the time being. [ She knows he'll be back soon enough and Jaskier will likely be coming along at some point.
And truthfully? She has no complaints about Geralt's concerns. It was the beginning of an answer to a question she'd been too afraid to ask.

Yennefer adjusts in the bed, sitting a little further upright. ]

The fallout of a now broken wish paired with being unbonded. [ It's complicated. ]

[enkidoh]

Guards never stay away for a long time. At least...good guards.

[Enkidu watches her closely. They have never seen her before and it could very well be that she is one of the newer mirrorbound.]

I know about the complications of being unbonded... I have been without a bond for a long time and when I bond to another I seem to be unable to hold on to them... [After all, they're bonded for a fourth time now and they fully expect it to be over in a couple of weeks. Carefully they step a little closer.]

...yet I am not knowledgeable about broken wishes.

day 3; cottage

[gynvael]

[ The past few days have given Geralt a good amount of time to think. Since the moth-induced visions in the orchard, he's already had a shit time sleeping. It's put him on edge. When something snaps inside him, sharp as a split bone, he feels the kind of fear he hasn't in a long time: both for Jaskier, until he realizes the bond is intact, and also the only other person tangibly linked to him: Yennefer.

Finding her cottage empty is a relief and not. If she's not here, where the fuck did she go? Digging for a trail is difficult when she's been all over the city. And he doesn't know how much time he has -- if any time.

It's Jaskier he ends up contacting. The first time he's asked the bard to help him look for someone. But Jaskier carries magic now, too. His tracking spell is vague at best. It's enough. He knows what's there at the center of the city: the Coven. More specifically, the infirmary.

He spends the full two days by her side. Jaskier comes and goes, occasionally with food and water. The bard is concerned, full of questions he doesn't ask. Geralt knows what they are, anyway. He answers none of them. Not right now. They can talk later.

Unsurprisingly, Yennefer leaves sooner than he'd prefer. He gets it. She's not one to be trapped in a bed with a Witcher hovering like a shadow. He tries to give her space for most of the day, but soon makes his way to her cottage. Just to see her at least.

He's not sure what to think. He can feel something's changed. He's certain she can, too. And yet nothing has changed at the same time.

It is only now, knowing what's been severed, that he can acknowledge a part of him had been afraid she was right: not only that the wish was what kept them together, but that it's the only reason he can...feel what he does. At all. (A messy, complicated notion; as much as he can say the tales of his kind and their emotional state -- or lack thereof -- are exactly that, sometimes, sometimes he wonders.)

The sun is low in the evening sky when he ends up at her gates. Geralt nudges it open, glancing around for her raven. She doesn't appear to be downstairs. No reason to make her go all the way down -- so he goes up instead, easily making his way onto her balcony from the outside.

He peers into the open window, checking to see if she's asleep in case he'll wake her up with a knock. ]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ Finding him at her bedside was a surprise, truthfully. She's not sure how he'd tracked her down, but with time she knew it wasn't the wish. Still an incredibly strange thing, -- being rid of it.

Truthfully, she'd expected him to follow her to the cottage and resume his post. Just as she'd expected a more significant difference in her feelings regarding Geralt. It was a lot process, taking the bit of solitude to entertain the thoughts she'd been avoiding while looking him in the eye.

Her hair is down in damp curls, moving towards the bed when she spots him -- his arrival confirmed by a soft 'caw' of the raven watching from on top of her armoire. ]

Out, Fera.

[ Moving to the balcony doors, she lets him in as the raven leaves its perch - a mixture of a walk and a hop once Aferah is on the ground heading towards the hallway. Yennefer doesn't question his door choice, the logic already following given the hesitancy to knock. It's a kindness, simple but meaningful. ]

Would you like to come in?

Day 4: Cottage

[cointosser]

[Jaskier has a feeling, even already having set himself towards her cottage, with this idea in his mind, that it is, in fact, a terrible idea. Just. Something that tickles the back of his mind in the most annoying way.

He's thought about this, though. He certainly had a lot of time, moving around the near immobile Geralt, who sat by her bedside for days. Who possibly may have not eaten or slept or drank if it wasn't for Jaskier forcing things into his hands. Forcing him to go outside for a moment to remember he was more than a figure at someone's bedside.

It wasn't only Geralt's feelings (the sort that had left this heavy rock in Jaskier's stomach, a stone pit that he couldn't sick out of him) that drove his idea. Her admittance of her death -- or what she believed it was -- and Sodden Hill. What it must mean to have been there at all. Jaskier doesn't know plenty, but he's attempted to put things together. Whether he was there for it or not, he hates being left out of the story.

They're both so... fucking stubborn.

So here the bard is, showing up at a sorceress's door with his hands wringing in front of him, nothing on him except his newest loud, colorful outfit, a bright sunflower yellow doublet embroidered with red pansies. Perhaps it's to make an impression, though he honestly doubts she would notice at all.

He lets himself into the gate, watching a hint warily for any wayward crows, and knocks. Politely.]

Er, Yennefer? Are you home? I would like to talk. I'm... [He sighs.] I'm alone. If that helps?

[It actually may make it worse. It's hard to tell what she thinks of him at all.]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ It was a strange feeling, having a sort of illusion of freedom from the very thing she'd railed against. And as much as she might refuse to admit it, the wish had been an easy escape from harder topics.

The last few days had informed her of a truth she wasn't ready to face when it came to Geralt. Whatever he felt could be real in some fashion. And that was another mess to deal with another time. But, she couldn't put it off for long along with a many other things. She'd rested for long enough and it was time to get to work.

The knock comes as a surprise, Jaskier's arrival echoed by a call of the raven. She softly tells Fera to relocate elsewhere, greeting Jaskier with a curious but kind expression. Of all the people she expected to find at her door, it certainly wasn't the bard. He wanted to talk... this would either be good or awful.

Taking in his appearance, her gaze lingers on the embroidered flowers. The yellow outfit stands out against the muted gray tones of her dress. Stepping back, she'll give him room to pass by. ]

You can come in, though I fear I might be a bit underdressed.