middaeg | (Open) Every word you said...

[ It's been quite a few years since she's had to make an entrance, the moment bringing a strange mixture of feelings. She only hoped tonight wouldn't lead to the same disappointments she'd faced in her previous life. No, the weight of her future hardly rested on her shoulders tonight. This was an excuse to relax and do something a little selfish. Even if Geralt wasn't indisposed, she's uncertain if she'd have asked him or Jaskier to accompany her.

Her dress is hardly subtle, lending itself to catching a few looks as she makes her to the bar. While she has no intention to dance this time around, she could possibly be persuaded. Possibly. But, until such a proposal might cross her path, she takes her glass to one of the standing tables to watch the scenes unfold before her -- cheers from the game tables, laughter from one of the neighboring dining tables.

Eventually, she makes her way to the silent auction, perusing the items to see if anything might actually catch her eye. And the enchanted jewelry doesn't take long to become the current temptation. ]

Edited 2020-11-17 01:41 (UTC)

[It is true, Enkidu looks less like a hobo but they sure still eat like one. They have piled a plate full of snacks and are very busy stuffing their face with them.

Still, between all that face stuffing, they do recognize her. The woman from the infirmary wearing a very feathery dress.]

I am not a big fan of dark colors but it suits you well.

[After that they offer her the half emptied plate of snacks.]

Feel free to take some.

[ The recognition is mutual, Yennefer much better dressed than the last time they met. She gives a soft laugh at the compliment, not taking it as anything else. Dark colors were not for everyone, but it had been her style choice for so many years, it felt strange to wear anything else. Besides, she'd die before wearing anything bright or white willingly.

Taking a piece of cheese from the plate, she gives a nod. ]

Thank you. They are not for everyone. [ Jaskier often stood out when standing with Yennefer and Geralt, given his love of all things bright and colorful compared to the often muted monotones of hers and Geralt's wardrobes. ]

I apologize for my curtness during our last meeting.

[They nod slowly at her reply. No, dark colors weren't for everyone. That, and dark colors were kind of gloomy. But even though they're not an expert on fashion and colors, they do look good on her. It probably has to do with the fact she has long, dark hair and dark eyes.]

Hmmm...I have owned dark clothing but yes, I do prefer lighter colors. After all, nature isn't all dark either.

[Still, her last sentence makes them blink a little.]

I do not see a reason why you should apologize...but I will accept them if it makes you feel better.

[ Gloomy is certainly one way to describe her color palette. But, she looked at it as more of a functional choice. Blood was easier to conceal in darker clothes than any others. They also lend themselves to blending into a shadow if needed. She’d spent so long dressed in dark tones, it was second nature at this point.

She lets them have that argument for a veritable color palette, keeping any less than uplifting practical arguments from her perspective to herself. This was a party, after all. ]

It would, thank you.

[ Her gaze travels around the room again. Jaskier truthfully would have been so happy here, even if Geralt would have been miserable. Is that… Is that sympathy for them on her part? Oh gods, get it together. Jaskier being sick was really doing a number on her. ]

This is the first party I’ve attended in this place, and I must say -- I’m impressed.

[Humans are strange. They apologize for a lot of things. For responding to a situation, for a louder voice or an angry word. It seems useless to them and most of the time they have no idea how to respond to them in a proper way.

So this time they nod.]

You are welcome.

[While she looks around herself Enkidu stuffs their face some more.]

Hmnn... [Another nod before they swallow away the food they're chewing on.] ...It is. But there are a lot of feasts in general. Even when they have suffered great losses they decide to throw a feast. Strange, Gil never threw a feast after a loss. [But Gil's losses are very few. The King of Heroes simply does not lose.] Is it normal for humans to do so? To dry certain tears, perhaps?

More likely scenario is to stroke their egos whilst simultaneously changing the story through festivities and merriment. Claim it was a battle well fought and the next victory awaits them on the horizon. [ And it got old very quickly, but some were never meant to lead and were willing to bolster someone else up -- even if they were the wrong choice. The weakness and ego of man is something that will never not be exhausting, one of many reasons she left her assigned post many years ago. ]

It’s a tactic I’ve seen used to maintain their courts. No one wants to follow someone who wallows behind closed doors or appears weak and vulnerable. [ Anything that can lead to the idea that someone could be toppled quickly or no longer serves a purpose creates a dangerous and deadly dynamic. One she hoped wouldn't repeat itself here. ]

[Well, Gil has quite an ego but then again, he is not weak. After all, he instilled fear into gods. Initially that fear is a big part of reason why they were created in the first place.]

Hmm...but what is worse? Remembering the past and all its losses or looking forward to possible victories? I am aware that humans always wish to surround themselves with positive things.

[They offer her their plate again.]

This is not much of a court but I do not deem this city, this place, very strong. All they seem to do is ward off the danger and not prevent it. [A nod.] This place would do well under a good leader.

[ Fear was a common theme behind a lot of decisions. Especially for those in power. People either amassed power to ensure they would be in control of their lives or to protect themselves from something or someone -- because they were scared. And fear was far too reactive for her taste. Fearing the unknown or fearing something that is out of her control is a waste of energy and power. She very much would rather work towards channeling any fear into resolving whatever was looming in the distance -- facing it head on, no matter the consequences.

Her eyebrow arches at the mention of human, wondering if they think she’s a human. She has no interest in correcting them, but it always amuses her. Yennefer declines the offered plate, taking another sip of her wine. ]

It’s not. They can hardly expect to have much strength to lend them while here if they continue to pull us all from our worlds and force us to begin again either learning new skills or new magics. [ As for a new leader, she’s not so sure. The world of politics was not something she ever truly left behind, but there was still so much about this place she didn’t know. ] I can’t say for certain if a change in leadership would be for the best. [ She didn’t want to make waves yet, and while reactive wasn’t her favorite, it was working somewhat here. And preparation was a slippery slope. Taking up measure to protect oneself before something else could attack sometimes led to poor decisions. ]

I’ve seen that go wrong before.

[Enkidu isn't one for politics either. There has never been a desire to claim a crown or lead an army. In fact, it would be foolish to entrust a weapon with leadership to begin with. But still, their dislike of the Coven and their illogical way of solving their Cwyld problem is quite apparent at this point.

All they have given them they could take away just as quickly and that concept scares Enkidu a little.

Still, they nod shortly when she says that. The strategy the Coven is flawed.]

I have never quite understood why they made me a witch. My strength has always been far greater than magic, it could be of their use. [And frankly, they miss that, feeling one with the earth beneath their feet. The familiarity of the chains they could summon.] Yet they have stripped me of everything I know. Still they say they do not control the summoning. Then I wonder what will happen if they simply get rid of the mirrors? [Enkidu finishes the last bits on their plate.] Hmm...then you haven't had a good leader.

[They are sure Ozymandias would be able to lead well and Gil, of course.]

Ah... [Enkidu shakes their head.] ...I should not open my mouth too much, what does a weapon know of leadership...

[ Yennefer had a very specific set of skills that could possibly help with this quest either through negotiation or fighting. Not every creature in the world needed to be hunted or killed, but she was capable of holding her own if the time called for it. But, even with her own abilities, she couldn't do this alone. And with Geralt out of commission and Jaskier seeming to have fallen ill, she had to trust others to have her back and vice versa.

She surveys the area as they approach the lake, eyes scanning for anything that could point them in a direction. She'd opted for leather pants and top that was easy to move and swim in. ]

Should we just dive right in and see what we can find or do you have any other ideas?

[ Because any sort of tracking magic was going to take an object from one of the missing merrows, preferably something they could find here. Any sort of trace to at least tell them they were on the right watery path. ]

Edited 2020-11-17 16:14 (UTC)

[ Truthfully, when the message came through Yennefer was hesitant to even go out looking for hers. But, with Jaskier sick and Geralt still out in the woods dealing with his... dilemma. So, she was left to play the collector once again. When all was said and done, depending on how much of a hassle this was going to be, they both were going to owe her greatly.

Letting out a sigh of frustration, she sets out into town and tries to catch the saucers as they zoom by. And shit-- ]

Look out!

[ She barely has time to throw up a haphazard shield before the saucer connects with the back of someone's head. She moves toward them with a double purpose, checking on the person and then the contents. Look, sometimes she can do things in the correct order. ]

Are you alright?

[ Later in the day, with a dark dress carefully and almost cautiously draped over her arm, conflicted emotions bubbling beneath the surface. It was a beautiful gown and had carried her to a station she'd believed would change everything. And, technically, it had. But, like all things in life, it had come with strings and a heavy burden of everything that had followed. If she hadn't forced the transformation and if she hadn't stolen Fringilla's station... But, she'd thirsted for ultimate power so deeply in her youth, there's nothing saying their roles wouldn't have been reversed. That it wouldn't have been Yennefer leading the charge.

It's easy to get distracted on her search, fingers tracing over the intricate details she hasn't seen in, gods, over 30 years -- a frown working its way onto her lips. Fuck. She wasn't the sentimental type, but with seemingly nothing but time some days in this place, it was hard to not allow thoughts to wander.

Pulled from her thoughts, she stops anyone walking by. There's no harm in asking. ]

You haven't happened upon anything intended for a Geralt or a Jaskier, have you? [ Certainly would save her some time. ]

Edited 2020-11-17 04:44 (UTC)

[ Tsukuyo stops in her tracks, turning to look at the woman addressing her. ]

I haven't. [ At least, not that she remembers. Her memory is good but it had been a very long day - full of complete chaos. ]

Although I've had plenty thrown at me intended for other people today. [ And because the other woman looks much more at home here than she does and Tsukuyo had only been here less than a month: ] Does this happen often?

Truthfully, no. This... is a new failed attempt at efficiency. [ Part of her is tempted to give up on her hunt, hoping Geralt's and Jaskier's might find them. Though, her mind suddenly wanders to the idea of these contraptions flying at Geralt in the woods or shattering one of her windows trying to get to Jaskier and -- fuck.

Her free hand pinches the bridge of her nose, attempting to stave off a headache before refocusing on the stranger. ]

Was yours able to find you successfully or are you also still looking?

They should write off any future attempts at somethin' like this then.

[ She's lost track of how many people she's seen injured during the shenanigans today. ]

Still lookin'. To be honest, I wasn't sure if anythin' I was goin' to get was worth all of this nonsense. [ She's not big into possessions anyway although she can hope that whatever has been brought for her is mildly useful. ]

I can keep lookin' though if you'd like some help?

I can only hope they will.

[ She almost doesn't accept the help, but the sooner she can track down the rogue packages, the faster she can return home and check in the woods to make sure Geralt didn't get pelted in the head by one. ]

Two sets of eyes will certainly make this go faster. Hopefully. [ If anything, it'll at least increase the number of devices possibly flying at them. ] Though, if I don't find the two packages I'm looking for soon, I'll take my chances with these stupid fucking things.

[ Broken windows would be easy enough to fix, truthfully. Not ideal, but what other option did she have at this point? ]

Hopefully this Geralt and Jaskier appreciate the effort.

[ This whole thing being such a pain in the ass and all. A hazardous one too.

Speaking of which, the distinct whizzing sound of one of those saucers drawing close by has her attention. ]

Brace yourself. I saw one almost knock someone out earlier.

They will.

[ Don't worry, she'll make sure of it. She was very efficient at making sure they both knew just how much she was doing for them this month. But, truthfully, the didn't need the reminder. Both were good at paying her back in their ways.

At the sound of the buzzing, she rolls her eyes before turning her attention to the sky -- readying her hands to shield anything that dive bombs them. ]

The amount of damage these devices have caused... if one of them doesn't kill someone, it'll be a fucking miracle.

[ While it felt like a lifetime ago that she was running through the streets of Dorchacht with Geralt trying to find Jaskier, fighting with every ounce of power they had at their fingertips. While the thoughts hadn't struck her in the moment, distractions a far too deadly risk, in the quiet of the aftermath... It was easy to allow her thoughts to wonder. This trip is partially to offer her assistance as a bonded witch, but also to satiate her curiosity of what happened after they left.

She didn't ask for permission to go, but she gave a courtesy warning to Jaskier and Geralt paired with a promise to be careful and to not over-exert herself. With two bottles of temporary bonding potion in her bag for an emergency, her time in Dorchacht had been the opposite of uneventful. They weren't kidding when they'd issued the warning that the vast amount of magic was acting as a calling card for everything and everyone.

Pulling the dark magic from the tree was no quick task for some of the deeper rooted cases, which seemed to be the case with the tree she'd taken on. Needing either a second witch to help make it go faster or a capable monster at her back, she's almost ready to abandon the attempt to help fend off whatever was coming. She just needed to try for another breath of a moment. There was too much in motion for her to easily stop unless she had no other choice. ]

Fuck. I just need another minute if you can hold them off.

Edited 2020-11-17 17:03 (UTC)

I got it. Just try not to get bit.

[ With a whole horde of giant beetles crawling all over the tree, they've had their work cut out from them since the beginning. Killua doesn't mind; it's kept him busy, at least.

He's fast. He's not a Monster, but his strength and speed are naturally comparable, and while the other Witch works with far more finesse and understanding of the magic than he's got in his few short months here, Killua watches her back-- and her face, making sure to knock away or kill any beetles getting too close to flesh.

If she hadn't seen him around helping to pour his own magic into the trees in this area, it would be easy to mistake him for something else. Killua's fingernails sharpen strangely into claws he uses to slice through the beetles, his strikes enhanced by magic that glows faintly blue around his hands, a softly-crackling electric current.

He's trying not to harm the tree itself (since they're supposed to be cleansing them... or something?), but the little beasts keep coming, and it's getting harder to get to them one by one. ]

Hey, lady! How much longer?

[ The seeming fusion of magic and what she can only assume are natural abilities remind her of a Witcher in a way, though he wasn't using Signs. If she weren't quite so busy, she'd have snapped back with a comment of her own, but the quicker she could get this done then the faster they could leave.

The closer she got to finishing her task, the more frantic the beetles seemed to get. She's grateful for the help, especially with keeping them from her face as she continues to concentrate. Truthfully, she'd been so focused on avoiding shades without Geralt around, she hadn't given much thought to the beetles. And they just keep coming and coming. To the point that it's hard to concentrate. Focusing, her choker begins to glow as her violet eyes flare to life slightly. She goes as quickly as she can without overwhelming either herself or the leyline method. One of the beetles nicks her arm through her sleeve, having barely had time to shake it off before it could do any real damage. She doesn't flinch at the pain, barely giving herself a chance to register what happened. There was just a little bit left of left in the tree, she just needed a few more seconds. Any other bites or nicks earn the same lack of reaction, if anything it just drives her on to push harder. ]

Almost there.

[ If it just remained the beetles to worry about, she'd consider herself lucky. ]

Shit--

[ Killua grabs the beetle and yanks it off her the moment he sees, realizing he's slipped and missed it and kicking himself privately, even though the cut wasn't deep. There are just too damn many of them.

He crushes the creature in his hand with an unpleasant, squishy crunch, and wastes no time picking off the others. ]

We're drawing attention.

More company.

[ Killua informs her shortly, watching the hulking shadow of something approaching from his peripheral. Though they're not alone out here, other Mirrorbound and Wilders spread throughout the area, it doesn't seem anyone is within reach to intervene right now. But he doesn't fully turn just yet; the Shade lumbering out of the forest is slow, and the beetles are fiendishly quick, and far closer.

They scuttle in and out of holes in the bark, clicking their pincers and trying to snap at fingers. Killua ends up with a number of cuts himself, without flinching. If he could just send a blast at all of them at once, it'd be easier, but he has to pick them off carefully to keep the tree (and the Witch's hands) intact. Meanwhile, the shadow approaching them from the side looms closer. ]

Thirty seconds, max!

I’m almost done.

[ Her voice is surprisingly calm, keeping most of her focus on the tree. She doesn’t blame him at all for the cut or any that follow after. The fact that she’d barely gotten any before she’d gotten close to the end of the drain was a credit to his efforts. Violet eyes drift to the side as the shade slowly draws closer. Well, fuck. The frenzy of the beetles seems to reach a climax before dissipating as the last of the corruption from the tree is drawn out.

Probably for the best that this was going to be her last tree for the day, considering the arrival of the shade. With about 10 seconds to spare, she pulls the last of the corruption out of the tree with a visible effort, an almost tangible pop as the last tethers of its hold release. Almost as soon as she’s done, she’s taking steps away from the tree and scurrying beetles as they search for their next meal, her attention entirely on the Shade. ]

Fight or run?

[ She’d prefer to just leave this for someone else to deal with, her personal exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. But, this wouldn’t be the first time in her life she pulled from her reserves to push through for one last stand. ]

Are you kidding me?

[ One look over at her makes the decision for him. The woman looks like she's running on adrenaline, and it's no wonder, after using so much magical energy. Killua might be able to hold his own without her, but there's really no reason to stick around at this point; this area's cleared, and there's no one else close enough in need of defense. They might as well flee before something else crashes out of the woods into them. ]

Let's get out of here!

Can you run? I can carry you.

[ There's a moment of realization that not everyone is her and Geralt, where that's a real question to be asked. While fighting a shade is not at the top of her priority list, it wouldn't be the stupidest thing she's ever done.

But, he makes the decision and she doesn't argue. She's drained and one wrong move would fuck over not only he, but him. Better to leave while they still have time so she can get home and start the process of recuperating the spent energy. The cuts from the beetle bites leave a small trail of blood behind them, but she's not concerned. Though, she does make an effort to at least wrap her arms in her cloak to prevent anything non-magically driven from growing interested. ]

I can run. Let's go. [ She's pushed through worse with less blood in her body and energy in her steps. She'll be fine. ]

[ Killua doesn't argue or insist. He doesn't know the other Witch more than the last few minutes they've spent together dealing with these beasties, but it's enough for him to take her at her word; she seems like she can take care of herself, and if she says she can run, he won't insult her or waste time protesting.

He does, at least, check over his shoulder to make sure she's following closely enough that they can watch each other's backs as needed until they make it back to the Wilder camp in a more cleared-out part of the forest.

It's a bit of a trek, but they get lucky. At least for now. The first push at a quick pace yields no new enemies, all of them currently seeming to concentrate on the area they'd just left. After a while of full-out running, Killua slows to a jog, or even a full stop for a few minutes if his companion needs to take a break. ]

Looks like we lost 'em for now.

How are you doing?

[ anything goes. or hit me up on plurk @

hoopskirts or pp me if you'd like a custom starter/to discuss anything. ]

(Open) Every word you said...

Masquerade - Evening of the 7th

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

apologies for the delay, holidays/time off happened

No worries!

no subject

this is really, really late

Quest: A Watery Pit - 10th

Nothing to Be Drone About It - 15th

later in the day

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Quest: Site of the Last Stand - 20th

no subject

no subject

no subject

apologies for the delay, holidays/rl emergency happened

no problem at all! hope everything's all right!

it will be, hopefully I'll be back to normal speed after tomorrow

now it is my turn to be slow...

Wildcard