With most of his days spent shifting in the woods (varying degrees of success there), one might expect Geralt to emerge from said woods to go somewhere else. And not into another set of woods, in a different location.
But here he is. Doing exactly that.
The rumors have caught his interest. Experience has taught him that strange sightings are never what they're said to be. He wants to find out what it actually is that's lurking in the woods. Alongside some faded prints and markings against a tree, most of what he finds are actually bear prints. A set of two, in fact. He follows it silently -- only to spot not just the infected ursine, but Killua, too.
Beyond quietly checking to see if he'd escaped the dream all right and peering in once from afar, Geralt has largely left Killua alone. Wasn't like he had anything much to say about it. Apparently, they're destined to meet in the midst of some kind of fight.
Geralt steps out from behind the bears, just so Killua can see him. He's learned better than to startle the boy in the middle of a hunt.
But here he is. Doing exactly that.
The rumors have caught his interest. Experience has taught him that strange sightings are never what they're said to be. He wants to find out what it actually is that's lurking in the woods. Alongside some faded prints and markings against a tree, most of what he finds are actually bear prints. A set of two, in fact. He follows it silently -- only to spot not just the infected ursine, but Killua, too.
Beyond quietly checking to see if he'd escaped the dream all right and peering in once from afar, Geralt has largely left Killua alone. Wasn't like he had anything much to say about it. Apparently, they're destined to meet in the midst of some kind of fight.
Geralt steps out from behind the bears, just so Killua can see him. He's learned better than to startle the boy in the middle of a hunt.
He'd wave if they weren't occupied.
The bears have the same rotting stench of all the infected. The Cwyld hangs thick in the air. Geralt, predictably, only silently draws his sword in reply. For someone who insisted on knowing his name, Killua seems determined to never utter it.
These Shades at least aren't pack animals; they swipe and lunge with little awareness of each other. When one barrels right through its friend to get to its prey, Geralt jumps on top of the stumbling bear.
His blade sinks into its back as it rears on its hind legs. With his claws, they've given him a better grip than he'd have before. He hangs on with them buried deep in the bear's flesh, giving his sword a sharp twist. He takes a second to look up -- just to see if the kid needs any help.
The bears have the same rotting stench of all the infected. The Cwyld hangs thick in the air. Geralt, predictably, only silently draws his sword in reply. For someone who insisted on knowing his name, Killua seems determined to never utter it.
These Shades at least aren't pack animals; they swipe and lunge with little awareness of each other. When one barrels right through its friend to get to its prey, Geralt jumps on top of the stumbling bear.
His blade sinks into its back as it rears on its hind legs. With his claws, they've given him a better grip than he'd have before. He hangs on with them buried deep in the bear's flesh, giving his sword a sharp twist. He takes a second to look up -- just to see if the kid needs any help.
[ There are a number of reasons Geralt tends to skirt the Shades when he spots them lurking. He rarely seeks a fight that's not going to get him paid, for one, but mostly -- the infection is the last thing he wants to deal with. Not worth the risk.
So when blood spills out of the creature beneath him, he's quick to hop off. A stroke of his sword stills it. The corpse left behind, empty and drained, is nearly a skeleton. It's not his kill that he's looking at, though. It's Killua's -- long dead, but you wouldn't fucking know it from the way its being torn apart.
Concerning, on its own. More so when it reminds him a hell of a lot of the last time they met. On the blood-soaked streets, in the dream world. ]
Hey. [ He steps in front, reaching to catch Killua's arm. ] Stop. Before you turn into one yourself.
So when blood spills out of the creature beneath him, he's quick to hop off. A stroke of his sword stills it. The corpse left behind, empty and drained, is nearly a skeleton. It's not his kill that he's looking at, though. It's Killua's -- long dead, but you wouldn't fucking know it from the way its being torn apart.
Concerning, on its own. More so when it reminds him a hell of a lot of the last time they met. On the blood-soaked streets, in the dream world. ]
Hey. [ He steps in front, reaching to catch Killua's arm. ] Stop. Before you turn into one yourself.
[ His expression is skeptical. Geralt lets him go nonetheless. If there's a flicker of concern visible, he doesn't let it linger on his face for long. ]
Mm. [ He falls into step with Killua. ] I'd appreciate you not trying to kill me a second time.
[ It's said casually enough. In truth, he's not certain how much the kid remembers of the incident. Also doesn't matter much; Killua obviously hadn't been himself. But there's something going on, whether it's related to that night or not. ]
Mm. [ He falls into step with Killua. ] I'd appreciate you not trying to kill me a second time.
[ It's said casually enough. In truth, he's not certain how much the kid remembers of the incident. Also doesn't matter much; Killua obviously hadn't been himself. But there's something going on, whether it's related to that night or not. ]
Edited 2020-11-29 07:22 (UTC)
Iramaat has never seen a skateboard in her life. So when she sees a young boy doing some strange acrobatic feets on a board with wheels nailed to it, she has to stop to take it in. His question really just just confirms it and she spreads her arms in a shrug and laughs.
"Never in my life. Is that... some sort of vehicle? Or is it solely for performing tricks and acrobatics?"
"Never in my life. Is that... some sort of vehicle? Or is it solely for performing tricks and acrobatics?"
[ Internally, Geralt sighs. Somehow, he always finds himself here. He follows, anyway, because if the kid ends up infected to shit, he's going to be annoyed if he wasn't there to drag him home.
His ears twitch, involuntary. He glances sidelong at Killua. ] I grew them myself.
[ He's mostly been ignoring them. In truth, the growing pains wore on him enough that he's just glad they're in proper now instead of bothering him every damn day. Anyway, his ears aren't the point. Fuzzy as they are. ]
Are you going to tell me what's going on with you?
His ears twitch, involuntary. He glances sidelong at Killua. ] I grew them myself.
[ He's mostly been ignoring them. In truth, the growing pains wore on him enough that he's just glad they're in proper now instead of bothering him every damn day. Anyway, his ears aren't the point. Fuzzy as they are. ]
Are you going to tell me what's going on with you?
"I've never heard of a skateboard before," Iramaat replies, sounding delighted, "Although I would love to try it out at some point. Then again, I'm not sure if hooves work well..."
She lifts a foot with a laugh, as if to illustrate.
"Either way, it looks fun. You say you can do tricks on them? I would love to see that."
She lifts a foot with a laugh, as if to illustrate.
"Either way, it looks fun. You say you can do tricks on them? I would love to see that."
[ The reason, in truth, is that he's concerned. It's not one he's willing to voice out loud.
His answer comes after a long pause. ] No.
[ He doesn't press further, just follows Killua through the woods. The sun grows bright, warmer. His gaze lingers only briefly on the boy's hand: it'll be a problem soon, but he figures Killua will find that out when the time comes. ]
His answer comes after a long pause. ] No.
[ He doesn't press further, just follows Killua through the woods. The sun grows bright, warmer. His gaze lingers only briefly on the boy's hand: it'll be a problem soon, but he figures Killua will find that out when the time comes. ]
Iramaat catches that little flicker but she doesn't press. It's not really important right now, is it? She'll probably remember it, though. As it is, she seems overjoyed at the offer.
"Oh, that would be wonderful - may I?"
She holds her hands out for the board expectantly.
"Oh, that would be wonderful - may I?"
She holds her hands out for the board expectantly.
[ The scent of the infected permeate the air, the deeper they go into the Wilde. Geralt strolls nearby, not exactly close but close enough he can keep an eye on the boy.
This time, he doesn't pitch in with the fights, beyond what targets him on its own. Killua obviously has some steam to work off; he's already gotten bit. Not much else to do but wait for him to wear himself out. Then drop him off with the Coven, before the Cwyld spreads too far.
His gaze drifts down to the spreading infection. Black tendrils, swirling. Geralt sidesteps the pile of bodies on the ground. Like all infected, their death sends them back into a desiccated state: shriveled corpses, drained of everything. ]
Should get that hand looked at. [ He picks the few flowers that still grow here, putting them away for either Yennefer or Jaskier to use. ] Unless you're looking to join them.
This time, he doesn't pitch in with the fights, beyond what targets him on its own. Killua obviously has some steam to work off; he's already gotten bit. Not much else to do but wait for him to wear himself out. Then drop him off with the Coven, before the Cwyld spreads too far.
His gaze drifts down to the spreading infection. Black tendrils, swirling. Geralt sidesteps the pile of bodies on the ground. Like all infected, their death sends them back into a desiccated state: shriveled corpses, drained of everything. ]
Should get that hand looked at. [ He picks the few flowers that still grow here, putting them away for either Yennefer or Jaskier to use. ] Unless you're looking to join them.
[ It's almost familiar, watching Killua hunt. Not quite as mindless as that night, but close. The night that the boy apparently doesn't even remember. Which might be for the best. Geralt has little intention of dredging up the memory.
Though if that isn't what's bothering him, then what is it?
Killua relents quicker than Geralt expects. It shows in the draw of his brows -- a flicker of concern and surprise all at once. He'd half been planning on simply putting Killua over his shoulder and hoping for the best. (Not all of his plans are foolproof.) ]
Come on. [ He shoulders his bag and turns around. The sun is low, daylight burning. The infection is concerning, though he knows there's time yet to reverse it. ] The Coven will get you looked at. Does it hurt?
Though if that isn't what's bothering him, then what is it?
Killua relents quicker than Geralt expects. It shows in the draw of his brows -- a flicker of concern and surprise all at once. He'd half been planning on simply putting Killua over his shoulder and hoping for the best. (Not all of his plans are foolproof.) ]
Come on. [ He shoulders his bag and turns around. The sun is low, daylight burning. The infection is concerning, though he knows there's time yet to reverse it. ] The Coven will get you looked at. Does it hurt?
[ A part of him is a little surprised Killua even admits to any pain at all. Though whatever fever had gripped him earlier seems to have released its hold. For now, at least.
Geralt lifts up some low branches. They cross back the same path they'd come; it's quicker to go through where he knows they've already slain some Shades and are less likely to be interrupted by more. ]
I was in the area. [ He lets the deflection linger in the air for a beat, before adding, ] And you were being reckless.
Geralt lifts up some low branches. They cross back the same path they'd come; it's quicker to go through where he knows they've already slain some Shades and are less likely to be interrupted by more. ]
I was in the area. [ He lets the deflection linger in the air for a beat, before adding, ] And you were being reckless.

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