middaeg | March Catch-All [Open, Mostly]

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March Catch-All [Open, Mostly]

Who: Jaskier and you!
When: All through Mareuer (March)
Where: Aefenglom, mainly the shopping/entertainment districts
What: Livin' life as an ex-Cwyld kidnappee who has never had a bad thing happen to him in his life, singing sad songs about his lost love, learning how to dance again the way he danced with Lightning.....
Warnings: Body horror in the third prompt for Yen, mentions of last month's plot.

I. CELION DION IN THE CAR ALONE WHILE CRYING; Aefenglom; early Mareuer in the Shopping District

[After the time between his current moment and his last second in that cage lengthens, Jaskier becomes more... not quite himself, but certainly more than a shade of the bright bard he previously was. It seems fair that as things become a little brighter, he must be brought down by even more bad news.

It's one of his rare decisions to leave his, Geralt and Yennefer's home and take a walk around the city. As much as he wishes he could simply go for a walk on his own, he asks Geralt to come with him, throwing his lute onto his back. Not, he imagines, he'll find much use for it. It's simply something constantly by his side. A bit like Geralt as of late. Geralt shifts before they leave, and honestly, Jaskier doesn't question it. He understands the implicit desire behind it.

Once in the depths of the city, he doesn't really mean to go looking for her. He thinks seeing a familiar face -- perhaps one that managed to escape all of the Evergreen Circle's machinations -- will help cheer him up. Even if Lightning is possibly the last person, next to Geralt, to seek for cheerfulness. He ducks into Karen's patisserie (who at least gives him a warm welcome) only to come to find Lightning is not there, in her usual pink, frilly apron. The one that matches her hair so well.

Karen twists a towel between her hands as she shakes her head, glancing over his shoulder to peer at the wolf waiting for him outside. Sorry to say she isn't here anymore. Didn't come into work one day and I checked with the Coven. Back home, they say.

Jaskier stands quietly in the middle of the patisserie, feeling awkward.]

Oh. I see. [While some faces he's met before he's not seen again, this is the first time the loss is so visceral and in his face. Before the Circle's intervention, he had been working on a very special song, just for her, something to play on a quiet moment as they drank coffee or tea. Jaskier could say he had set aside a piece of his heart for her. And he, of course, had imagined their relationship evolving --]

Well, thank you for letting me know. I'll come by for a few more of those croissants later. They're a favorite in the house.

[Jaskier gives her a polite smile after buying a nice, fresh loaf for Geralt. He steps outside to meet his Bonded. The weather is warming finally, and the sun is out. A nice day.] I was thinking I might play a bit.

[Geralt nods and follows him. They find a nice little spot in the sun near the patisserie with a patch of grass and well-cultivated flowers. The giant white wolf curls up in the sun and Jaskier sits against him, cradling his lute in his lap. Perhaps not a waste he'd brought it with him, then.

Occasionally he leaves Geralt when the wolf begins to sleep (and only fair, for his sleep has been so terrible as of late) to walk as he strums. He plays a song ~~(minus the Office reference)~~ off and on, and another for Lightning as he experiments with a word that would rhyme with lightning ("Bitening my heart," he sings, then wrinkles his nose, crossing the words out the notebook laid across his leg as he mutters, "Fuck, I'm terrible, aren't I?"), his booted foot tapping to the rhythm. If one has heard Jaskier perform before, these songs are opposite of his normal jovial, upbeat tunes, and not quite performed with the sort of energy he's had before.]

((ooc: Geralt will be in the background snoozing, so mention if you want to directly interact with him or both of them!))

II. SHADOWS LINGER EVEN IN DAY; Aefenglom; closer to mid-Mareuer somewhere in the Entertainment District

[Nearly a month later, Jaskier is able to, at least occasionally, go out on his own. He no longer flinches at the sound of his own name, which is quite reassuring. Still, his sleep is often interrupted, even though the physical scars on his body left by the growing Cwyld mushrooms have nearly gone completely. Mostly it's only the original scar they sprouted from, his skin split by Geralt's teeth, that still remains.

With the weather warmer, Jaskier has rolled his sleeves up a little. Enough that some of the scars may peek through.

He's felt good. For a week, even more. And yet when he steps deeper into the bright lights and loud noises of the Entertainment District, Jaskier begins to feel he's made a mistake. As fucking frustrating as it is -- this was a place he flourishes. Now people sometimes brush too close and he backs away, or there's a laugh quite too loud, or he passes by a few squirrels or cats tucked into cages, curled up with a tail around them --

That does it. Bile rises in his throat and he rushes past a music hall with the distant sound of strings, but when he catches the smell of what is, undeniably, cooking mushrooms nearby, he loses it. A chill rushes through him, his body shaking, and he ducks into an alley with the urge to vomit. He can feel it all over again, the heated pain in his right arm from the cutting. The cultivating. Even if the voice does not echo in his ears anymore, Jaskier distinctly remembers what it sounded like.

What the Cywld itself sounds like, as it urges its host to spread it.]

It's gone. I'm rid of it. This is all -- [He shakes his head to himself.] A terrible memory.

[Boy, it's good no one can see him having a breakdown in this darkened alley.]

III. SHADOWS EXPAND BY NIGHT; Aefenglom; the Witcher household; closed to Yennefer

[Truthfully, it was miraculous since that time in Yennefer's head they've managed to keep themselves separate, especially when Jaskier spent, at least for a week, more often then not his nights shivering to himself, having woken up with a choked scream in his throat. It's done shit for his ability to sing, which is simply the cherry on top.

The fluctuation between intense sadness and righteous anger has done shit good for his heart, too.

And feeling Geralt withdrawing further away from the two of them, whether he means to or not. (Which, of course, he bloody does.) Oftentimes now Geralt simply is absent at night, or in the early morning, and Jaskier hasn't had the balls to ask him why. What it is, specifically, he's doing.

Because it is, of course, something to do with him.

It's another night where Geralt is missing. He's either too tired to keep trying to keep his mind closed or he's let his guard down, and in the end, it doesn't matter. The nightmare doesn't so much creep in as catch him by the ankle and drag him into it. His body is tied down to the ground, the dark Cwyld forests closing in around him. At least, he's sure he's tied -- until he lifts his head to find the mushrooms have spread down his arm so much that they blend in to the ground. Or his hand itself is now part of the ground, melted into the soil as the Cwyld takes over his body.

Enough black he can't see the tone of his skin anymore.

He screams. A light flashes through the forest, bringing a wave of heat. Fire. It's flicking at the tree edges, catching leaves, snapping up the Cwyld mushrooms along the forest floor. Coming for him. They'll burn you when they're done, I suspect. Once they've taken all those lovelies off of your skin. His harpy nurse, lover of the Evergreen Circle, coming along with her feather-tips as sharp as needles. Just a guess. They don't tell me everything around here, but it's been a delight to watch.

The cold of the cage bars plays with the heat of the fire, and just behind the flickering flames, bright gold eyes are waiting to finish the job. Somehow, even over the fire, he can hear the growls from the monsters.

Much more patient than the ones that waited for him in the Circle's basements.]

((Feel free to add a wildcard prompt if it tickles your fancy! Jaskier will be wandering Aef as always, sometimes with a white wolf Turnskin (i.e., Geralt) following behind him or watching from the distance. You can also ping me at

scathefire if you have any starters you'd like!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jaskier pretends very, very hard that the simple call of hello doesn't make his entire body tense with the urge to. Fuck, he's not even sure. Run? This is clearly panic. He is not panicking. Not here. Not now. There's no bloody reason --

His thoughts come to a screeching halt.]

Roxas? [He looks up. He'd barely seen anything in that cage that night; a hint of blond hair, and two pointed ears, but his voice was even and calm, even when he had every right not to be.] Fuck me! It's you, isn't it?

[The panic eases, overwhelmed with relief. It had to be! Who could mistake those ears? Oh, gods. He made it out. And he looks. He looks good. Normal. Uninfected. Fuck, it doesn't matter.

Roxas better run now, because this bard is coming in for a tight embrace.] You're all right!

[It is Jaskier! So he got out too? That makes a wave of relief wash through him. He's glad that the bard got out...]

[But that relief is briefly snuffed out when Jaskier comes in and suddenly comes at him. He only has time to take a quick step back as his own panic grips him, a half-strangled, dog-like yelp escaping him as he's momentarily overcome with the thought of no, no, no, don't touch him, get back--!]

[But all Jaskier does is hug him. No pain, no hurt, no magic forced onto him. Just a warm, tight hug. He stands still, muscles tense for a moment as reality catches up with him, before he lets out a shaky breath. He forces himself to relax as he returns the hug.]

Y-Yeah. I'm alright. I'm... alright.

[It's half confirmation of Jaskier's words, and half to reassure himself. He's alright. He's okay. He's not back in that horrible place. There's no pain here.]

Are you okay?

[Unfortunately Jaskier lacks many of the extra senses his Turnskin friends have, so Jaskier is already squeezing the boy by the time he recognizes the stiffness in his body. Unfortunate he simply can sense fear.

He gives him a squeeze, then lets him go.] Ah. My apologies. I came off a bit strong, I think?

[It's only... relief. Especially after what the fool had tried to do for him. Back then. He should know better himself, though. His panic comes from. Different things. Not, necessarily, from a touch.

Jaskier gives him a little room. Which is honestly a lot, coming from him. And he does not take it personally. Shit. His heart is still beating far too fast, too.] I'm -- [In this moment, saying yes isn't a lie. But the truth of it is conditional.] Getting through it. [He steps back until he's leaning against one of the old building walls, rolling his palms down his doublet.] The Coven was excessively generous with their... healings.

[Roxas is actually glad Jaskier can't sense fear; the last thing he would want to do is accidentally make Jaskier feel like he's responsible for Roxas's reactions. But he's not; Roxas is fighting through his recovery just as much as Jaskier is no doubt. The hug is actually quite nice. He steps back when Jaskier lets go, a small smile on his face.]

No, it's okay. You weren't too strong. I was just a bit surprised.

[He's glad to hear that Jaskier is managing, at the very least. Roxas knows his own recovery has been a little rocky, so he's glad to hear of any positives in Jaskier's recovery.]

Yeah, me too. I was a little worried, to be honest. Fighting monsters in the Wilde, it... made me worried about if the Coven couldn't help us. But I'm glad they were able to.

[He idly scratches at his upper arm, where a bandage can be seen wrapped around his arm, hidden under his sleeve. A small, but poignant reminder of his own recovery.]

But... what are you doing here? Is everything okay?

As am I. [His smile back is wistful. There's no point in discussing all the moments where he was sure, convincing himself, there was nothing that could be done to save him. That people like him, and Zack, and Karin, people rife with infection, would be too far gone.

He'd wondered, for the first time, what it may feel like to Geralt and Yennefer if he were the one to die first. After both of them were so sure they would be the first.

He shakes it off. Or tries. Truthfully, the thought still comes back, drifting in and out. From what he could hear from the witches at they'd worked on him, something like this hadn't happened before. Which made him wonder if there was a chance it would return. That some small bit of the Cwyld would bide its time within. His hair had already permanently turned black in some strands. His body had been marked by it.

Fuck. It was still so difficult to not be a depressing git.] I'm... [What was he, really? Trying to pretend he was all right still? His eyes glance at the bandage at Roxas's arm and he softens. A mark, he thinks, like the black in his brown hair now.] Attempting to prove something to myself. And I needed a break from it. I get tired a bit easier than before.

[Or he has panic attacks in shifty alleyways. Tomato, tomahto.]

[Neither of them need the reminder of what could have been if the infection were to linger just a little longer. Roxas is just happy enough that the Coven witches were able to heal them as well as they could. If they couldn't...]

[Well. He's just glad that they could.]

Oh...

[Roxas doesn't understand the full meaning of Jaskier's words, but he can understand the sentiment. Wanting to prove something to yourself. He's been trying similar, with varying degrees of success. He nods slowly in understanding.]

I get that. It's been hard for me, too.

[It feels like he's suddenly been made of glass and is trying desperately to not crack. It's so unlike him, and he hates how shaken up the ordeal has made him. He can only imagine how much Jaskier is fighting.]

[Glancing at their surroundings, Roxas wonders if Jaskier is alone. And then gets a thought.]

If... do you want some company?

I can imagine. [He wants, if only a little, to ask. Did anything happen to him once Jaskier last saw him in that cage? Did someone return for him, too? Or did a Bonded hero came save him? Did Roxas save himself?

He knows, given his own reaction, it's simply better not to ask. There is no need for further trauma between either of them.

At the offer, Jaskier immediately brightens.] Yours, Roxas? Of course. I'd love some company. [Simply because he loves company -- Jaskier has never been a lone wolf, so to speak -- but because it also is a wonderful solution to not being alone among these crowds.] Tell me how you've been. No trips to a tavern yet, I imagine?

[Roxas did get out, when Sora and Kor and the others came looking. His Bondmates were a great help, helping to ease the fears and false memories that the Cwyld infection had inflicted upon him. Perhaps one day they'll be strong enough to talk about their experience without it hurting so much.]

[They were both still healing, after all. Even if it felt like Roxas was stuck at a standstill.]

[At Jaskier's agreement, Roxas perks up, tail wagging a bit.]

Great. [He'll start heading out towards the entrance of the alley, slow enough for Jaskier to follow. And when they exit the alley, Roxas will carefully pick a route that's a little quieter, with less activity going on. He might be avoiding the busy streets as well, for his own sake.]

No, not yet. It's been enough to just go visit my friends once in a while. [He's been inside a lot, other than a few errands or walks.] I was considering stopping by the ice cream shop sometime, though. It's been a while since I've been there.

What about you? Have you been able to play?

[Oh, no. Damn tails. Like with Geralt, too. They were such a weakness of his already. And yet, how warm it felt for his company to be so desired. Even when he was this sad, depressing thing. The physicality of that desire was... reassuring.

Jaskier follows behind, his fingers shaking a little less, his heart easing itself back down. It's easier with company, no matter who the company is. It's hard not to feel a bit safer with Roxas especially, though, considering how he'd tried to help in the cages.]

I feel the same. Lucky I live with mine, I suppose. Much less distance to cross. [Gods, Roxas is so terribly open about this. How refreshing. Jaskier shakes his head.] I fear it's a bit much to try for now. [But look, he's improving! Outside on his own, without a chaperoning wolf!] Iced cream? Isn't that... er, cold milk?

[It's been funny, growing these ears and tail. Roxas is normally more reserved, and nowhere near as expressive as Sora was. But his ears and tail give away a lot more expression than his face does at times; even now, while he has an expression of friendliness as he talks to Jaskier, his ears are upright and twitch in alert for any suspicious sounds.]

Yeah, that is lucky. It used to be that way with my friends, but after half of us went home, some of us moved to smaller houses.

[He and Aqua still live in the same space, but Sora and Vanitas had moved out a while ago. Roxas had opted to stay out of sentimental reasons, but sometimes that big house felt a little empty. He never thought he'd miss a busy house.]

Well, when you do, let me know, okay? I did promise I would come see you play. [And he will make sure to keep that promise!]

Well, kind of... wait, have you never had ice cream before?

Oh. [Went home. Concern touches his brows as his gaze flickers away. Right, as Lightning had. So it wasn't only her. It makes him wonder of the people he's met before, that he's never seen again -- it never used to weigh on him, how people could pass so easily through a life, but it's stranger here, when things feel already so ephemeral.] I'm sorry to hear that. One of my friends went home, too.

[Ahh, things so quickly go to a melancholy topic. Yet Roxas doesn't seem terribly down about it. Perhaps they went so willingly?

It'd be nice to think. Because he doesn't like the idea that he, or Geralt, or Yennefer, may be whisked away without a choice.

He pushes a smile out as they walk along. It's easier out here; the clouds are moving past, revealing pure sunlight.] Yes, of course. [He would hate to break their promise.

It was something to look forward to.

After a pause, he shakes his head.] I mean, I've had cold milk, though it's rare. I didn't have fancy spells back in the homeland to keep things from spoiling.

Oh... I'm sorry to hear that.

[Roxas's ears lower a little at that. But he lifts his hand up to rest over his heart.]

It's always hard, having friends go home. But just because they're not on the same world as you, doesn't mean you're not still connected to them. The bonds you share don't just fade away like that. So, even if my friends are back home, I know I'll still see them again someday. And if I don't, they'll always be in my heart. I think it's the same with your friend, too.

[He's seen the power of hearts and the bonds of friendship with his own two eyes; how it can even define and make whole individuals who were never meant to exist in the first place. So as corny as it sounds, be believes it with his whole heart.]

Ice cream is different. It's like a frozen food that's salty and sweet...

[He perks up a little, getting an idea.]

Do you want to try some?

[He had already mentioned wanting to go to have some ice cream sometime, why not now?]

[Jaskier takes it all in quietly, watching Aefenglom's citizenry as they pass by. The Monsters no longer make him flinch or feel a spike of fear -- something he worked extremely hard to swallow for fear of insulting someone.

It's certainly a monologue, isn't it? Yet it does touch him. Bonds, hearts, connections. Certainly not the sort of topics he suspects a young boy may be interested in at all. But Roxas's voice doesn't waver, conviction running like a current underneath his words.

Jaskier looks at him in a new light.] You're wise beyond your youthful face, Roxas. Thank you.

[Terribly wise. Yes, it's all true, isn't it? He'll remember Lightning whether he's here or finds himself back on the Continent. And when he returns home himself, he'll sing songs about her. Why not? His heart was certainly stirred and inspired by her, even if his songs as of late weren't as... on point.

It belies Roxas's youth that he can switch to a subject as benign as what appears to be a dessert. He smiles. He's certainly working his way through things.

He tilts his head.] Try some? [Gods, yes. He latches on the idea of something, anything, that may feel like a normal, human experience. After so long avoiding it, and his panic earlier that still makes him feel wound tight... he needs that.] Why, of course! I would never turn down a new experience. Even a culinary one. Come, show me! What is it like? Like, er... salted ice?

[Roxas looks up at Jaskier's praise, and he just lets out a sheepish-sounding chuckle, reaching up to scratch at the back of his head.]

I dunno if I'd call myself wise... I'm just speaking from experience. Where I'm from, those kinds of connections are powerful.

[He knows different worlds have different rules, so he has no idea how things are like back on Jaskier's world. But he's glad that he can at least offer Jaskier a little bit of reassurance in the matter.]

[But Jaskier's enthusiasm is infectious, and Roxas perks up as well, ears standing upright and tail wagging behind him.]

Okay, yeah! It's down this way. As for ice cream, it's actually this frozen treat that's creamy and cool; sometimes it's a solid bar, and other times it's soft enough to eat in a bowl with a spoon. And, well, I guess not all ice cream is salty; the shop I go to has different flavours, but the one I've tried that's my favourite is salted caramel. It reminds me of my favourite ice cream from back home. Vanilla's good too, and strawberry... chocolate's real good, but I can't have it anymore since I finished my transformations. Makes me sick.

[Chocolate's no good for dogs or dog turnskins, at least in his experience.]

[Jaskier would. And insists upon it.] Here they are too, aren't they? They're the very manifestation of Bonds.

[That was something to ponder... later. When he was alone and wanted it. Right now, all he craves are distractions. And, luckily, Roxas still has plenty of energy to be exuberant in his explanation on what, exactly, ice cream is. Jaskier begins to realize he must have heard about it earlier, but assumed it was only something like cold cream. He has spent plenty of time learning the local cuisine. This only simply slipped under everything else.

At least he knows chocolate now. (Something which he can compare to no other flavor.)]

Oh? It -- oh, that's terrible. I never realized, er, your kind... [What if Geralt couldn't eat chocolate, either? Gods, how depressing. Then again, he wasn't exactly a dessert sort of fellow.] Caramel is new to me. Strawberry sounds safe enough. I do love a good berry. They're rather rare compared to others. Mostly we forage for blackberries up near the mountain ranges. The thorned things grow everywhere, like weeds. Well, as I'm told. I've never been much for farming.

[Ah, the detriment of growing up a noble.]

Yeah... you're right. They are, even in this world.

[The connections between friends, between people, between Bondmates... it really is like the connections he's used to from back home. A part of him wonders how this world hasn't been targeted by Heartless before, but maybe it's that potent magic that's kept the Darkness at bay. He wouldn't doubt it.]

[Despite Jaskier's mild sorrow, Roxas waves it off with a shake of his head.]

Well, I didn't expect it either. I don't know if it's that way with all Turnskins, but it was that way for me and my friend Ven, while he was here. But it's not so bad. I sometimes still have chocolate; if I have it in small amounts, all I get is an upset stomach. I can handle that. And caramel is really good! It's... well, it's kind of hard to describe, but it's kind of sweet and buttery? And salted caramel has a bit of salt in it, so it's salty but sweet. It's not the same as sea salt ice cream from back home, but it's pretty close.

[He's a little biased towards sea salt ice cream, but he's willing to try new things!]

Blackberries? I've never farmed before either, but I've had blackberries before. [The Bistro opening up in Twilight Town really opened up his world of foods and flavours, as did coming here.] I didn't know they can grow near mountains, though. Are there a lot of mountains in your world?

It's still a shame! I haven't heard anything from Geralt -- er, my Bonded -- a wolf. Then again, he's mostly devouring deer and whatever sandwiches happen to be lying around.

[It was not only once or twice Geralt had snagged one he'd made for himself. Before all of the... kidnapping business. When all Jaskier would do was yell at him or throw a piece of bread.]

I think I'd like to try caramel. It's very much past due for new experiences. [Ones that were pleasant, which this was already turning out to be. An easy conversation about desserts and the warmth of the sun.

He smiled. What, did Roxas think his sphere was made of mountains?] I traveled quite a bit, and there's always mountains to find. And with all the traveling, I had to get skilled at foraging, lest I end up some horrible warg's dinner. Every bloody thing in the woods is out to kill you.

Oh, is he a Turnskin too? Well, maybe he's able to handle different things than me. If he's a wolf, maybe wolves can handle different things than dogs?

[Roxas doesn't know much about biology, so he's kind of guessing here. Though now he's kind of curious about Jaskier's Bondmate.]

He doesn't bury things in the dirt or chew on things, does he?

[But these small, harmless conversations feel nice. Normal. A change from the constant anxiety or being stuck in his own thoughts like he's been doing.]

Is your world really dangerous? [It sure sounds like it, if Jaskier's words are to be believed. And he might be imagining a world full of mountains; he's seen weirder worlds, after all!]

When I traveled to different worlds, it always felt like there was Heartless wherever you went. You really had to be careful if you didn't want to be ambushed.

[Jaskier nods. He's far from an expert in canines either, and he didn't think it the best idea to bring up he's even seen Geralt eat human skin (where he stil bears the scar.) Except he did, of course, vomit up all that gore, and he --

Should not think about it, actually.]

He -- what? [Jaskier pauses, then he laughs.] Oh, oh no! I never thought of it. If he does, he certainly wouldn't tell me about it. Though now I must keep a closer eye on him to see.

[He would never let Geralt get away with a day in his life without hearing about it if he did bury things. Though he has considered bringing him some sort of special ham bone or somesuch...]

In comparison to other ones, I'm not sure. Between the brewing war, the old wars, the plagues, the monsters... ghosts, wargs, wild wolves, kikimore, specters, dragons... yes, it's rather dangerous. [He glances over, a brow raised.] Is that your type of monster?

[He wonders. Roxas had been so ready to throw himself at the Circle, back... then. There must be something he's used to fighting. Bravery always births itself in adversity, after all.]

[Jaskier's laugh makes Roxas chuckle as well, a small smile forming on his face.]

Well, you never know. My friend Ven, when he was here, used to chew on things all the time. And I like digging and burying things when I'm fully shifted. I try to keep it under control, but when you're shifted, it just... I dunno, feels fun.

[That, and he might have buried Riku's shoes in the backyard once when the silver-haired teen was here. Just to bug him. He didn't actively hate Riku as much as he did back in the day, but he still had a little rivalry going with the young Keyblade Master.]

[Though at the mention of all the monsters, Roxas's face turns a little serious. It sounds like a dangerous place indeed. He hums in thought]

Well... sort of. I mean, I'm used to fighting monsters called Heartless, and they can take on a lot of different forms. Some take the form of soldiers, humanoids, dogs, giant suits of armour... I've fought a few that looked like dragons, too.

[He says it all rather calmly, like a hunter describing the animals they've hunted or a fisherman describing how many fish he's caught.]

But you must be pretty strong, if you live in a world full of so many monsters.

[He laughs again. He can't help it! It's -- fuck, it's endearing. That one must be driven to digging holes for fun. (To be fair, Roxas doesn't seem upset with it.) Brennan did say he had a few animal instincts that lingered in him, but... as instincts went, digging and burying things did feel quite tame.]

I'd love to see your shifted farm. Ah, if that's not too rude. And I can not be human if it helps! I've come up with a little transformation spell for full moons. For when my Turnskin friend was having a little trouble.

[He doesn't elaborate that the trouble was remembering he was not supposed to be eating people or munching on his friend in the middle of deer hunts. But the good news was Geralt was much better at it now. He'd not slipped for quite a while.

Jaskier tries to draw a picture of the sort of monster that could change forms. Like shifters of some sort? And what a curious name. Heartless. It's poetic, almost.] They sound fascinating, actually.

[As he'd thought. Roxas was a warrior in his own right. So young, too. It was nearly a shame.] Strong? Er. [He pauses, licking his lips, as if suddenly distracted by a window of cakes they pass by.] I don't know if I would describe myself that way. They often keep to themselves unless you wander out into the forests often. [Which he does, but...] It helps to have strong, scary-looking friends.

[He likes hearing Jaskier laugh. It's a jolly thing, and it's something that lets Roxas know that Jaskier is recovering. That's enough for him, honestly.]

I don't think it's rude. I'll try to show you sometime! It's easier to shift around the full moon.

There's magic that lets you do that? I had no idea. What can you turn into?

[He wonders what kind of troubles his Turnskin friend had, but he doesn't know if he should pry.]

Yeah, until you meet one. Even the goofy-looking ones are pretty dangerous. And they can only be defeated by certain weapons and magic, which makes them a big problem if they come to a world.

[Roxas is a fighter, but he doesn't consider himself too young. But he's also not the best person to ask about appropriate ages and what a normal life really could be. Technically he's not even human.]

Well, I think so. Anyone who's able to face monsters and live has to be pretty strong in their own way. Even with scary-looking friends beside you.

[Ah, a lot like Geralt. Geralt can turn without the moon, but he's not quite as burly, and it doesn't come as easily. Though it seems Roxas may be a little more in tune with his monster side.

Or he's simply that bright.

He smiles.] The wise and noble fox. It's a complicated spell. I've been working on it for months! And I can't keep it up for long. But a few hours if I pull on my Bonds. Long enough for a night.

[Long enough to provide animal companionship to a wolf who could slip so easily into killing instincts. And Geralt was quite a bit larger than a dog, and all the more dangerous for it.]

You're flattering me. I'm only a bard, I'm afraid. But thank you. [He slows as they approach a rather colorful shop. The smell that comes out is shockingly sweet.] Is this it? [He inhales again. Oh. That level of sweet is definitely rare in his sphere.] Gods. You know, the sweetest thing I often have is a bit of fruit. Or a tart if I'm feeling fancy.

A fox? That's pretty neat! Maybe sometime we can show each other?

[Roxas has no idea if it's inappropriate to ask or not, but he doesn't see a problem with it if Jaskier is okay with it. Maybe he can even bring his Bonded along. Turnskin friendship bonding??]

Well, I dunno about that. You may just be a bard, but I think you've got a strong light in your heart.

[He may not have the same relationship with Light as Sora or the other Guardians of Light do, but wielding the element himself, Roxas understands how powerful light can be. And he knows just how strong the strength of one's heart can be, even if they're not combat-hardened. Jaskier seems like a good source of light and happiness, even if he claims to not be a fighter.]

[But those thoughts get put on hold when they near the shop. Roxas's countenance brightens, and his youth really shows forth as his tail wags a bit harder.]

Yeah, this is it! It's got the best ice cream, trust me. Come on, let's go in!

[Jaskier nodded.] Why, of course! The more people I can show off to, the merrier.

[Why not? He imagines it's much more personal with Turnskins, but his change is temporary and only in shape and size; there is no animal instincts he inherits in that form. It's more a shroud so he's not turning into prey during indulgent hunts.

At least the ice cream distracts the boy. Jaskier has no idea what that means, that he has a strong light. That he's not a depressing mess? He is now, but... he feels better, doing something so simple. With someone so easily satisfied, as well. Is he the same? When they step inside the warm interior of the shop, bright with pastel colors, he feels the same. Satisfied.

He tries not to laugh at his tail, but it's fucking hard.] All right, it's on me. Ooh, look at the size of these things! [He steps up to peer into the drums of what must be ice cream, which to him looks a bit like frosty clay. How interesting. And it's cold...? He watches another receive a little stick with the dessert on the tip. A sample.

Like that festival he went to so long ago. Free food. It's still bizarre to him.] What stops one from simply standing here for hours, eating bites off those sticks?

[The inanity of it? He could do it himself, testing each one. Trying out the flavors he can smell. And the colors -- some are as pastel as the walls, but the one labeled chocolate is a rich, deep brown. Fascinating.]

March Catch-All [Open, Mostly]

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