middaeg | ( CLOSED ) april catch-all

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( CLOSED ) april catch-all

Who: Geralt + Witcher Fam; Ianto
When: April
Where: Aefenglom; The Wilde
What: family reunions; maybe quests and events!
Warnings: n/a

[ starters in comments. plot with me at

discontinued! ]

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[It's a rare day lately where Jaskier finds himself in an empty house. He and Burza peer into several different rooms, curious. Now that Geralt's actually been returning home to sleep, the place has felt almost... all right, not exactly lively, but. Normal. Now his Bonds stretch.]

Huh. Do you think Geralt went to get you more fish? [He plucks his kitten up and lets her crawl to a shoulder.] Though Yennefer wouldn't be caught dead in a fish market.

[He normally isn't so curious when they've gone off, but though the Bond is stretched, he's certainly feeling some peculiar things through it. Not mere annoyance, either, which is Geralt and Yennefer's general state of mine quite often enough. And then -- a spike of anger, cold as iron.]

Shit. What is it this time?

[He can't very well leave his young cat alone (yet). He tucks her into a basket and sets off, leaving her bits of dried fish inside to keep her occupied. With so long to settle into them, it's a simple task for Jaskier to follow the strings, even if it's not exactly a straight path. Luckily, he doesn't need to pinpoint their location, because he hears their voices far before he sees them.

He's about to call out to them to see who they're arguing with when he realizes, very abruptly, there is not a third body there. And he's standing here in naked daylight. During a Geralt and Yennefer fight.

Fuck. Without a better idea, Jaskier ducks behind a bush before Geralt can catch his scent or either of them can see him. No, thank you. He does not have the constitution today to help with this. And the anger he can feel from them is cold, terribly cold, in a way that is far too personal to be a part of.

He peers at Burza in her basket. Don't you dare make a sound. You'll get us both killed.]

[ Unfortunate, that Jaskier diving into the bushes is exactly what attracts Geralt's attention. If he'd seen Jaskier at a distance, he'd have simply walked away. Instead, his attention snaps immediately to the nearby rustle.

He'd know that scent anywhere. And no, he doesn't appreciate anyone lurking in the middle of this fucking conversation. (Never mind that it can be heard from across the street.)

Geralt reaches in without a word and hauls out pretty much what he expected to find: one bard with an explicit death wish, carrying a basket full of kitten and a twig in his hair. ]

[ Their familiar voices draw her. She hears Yennefer first, though Ciri can't make out what the sorceress is saying, only keenly making note of the cold anger in her voice. That's enough for her to abruptly abandon the conversation she'd been having with a junior member of the Coven (a "conversation" which was 90% her asking questions while the flustered young Witch tried to encourage her to go bother somebody else with them); she dashes outside, now following Geralt's retort, which she catches only the very end of by the time she's within earshot.

Luckily for them, it's not enough to really get what they were arguing about, though the snippets of child and tragedy will probably come to light in context soon enough for her to realize it was her they were discussing. Right now, she's only happy to see them.

All of them, Ciri realizes with a start. Jaskier included, held up by the back of his collar like a scruffed kitten and... also literally holding a kitten, whose little head she can just see poking up out of the basket in alarm.

It's hard to fight back the smile pulling at her lips, though she manages not to laugh outright in her relief. The lot of them look so utterly ridiculous, and also so wonderful to see in person after the day she's had.

Ciri slows to a walk to stop right behind Geralt, cocking her head questioningly at Yennefer across from him. ]

Is this a bad time?

[ There's something to be said about making a terrible situation worse somehow, mainly by adding Jaskier hiding in the fucking bushes to avoid them and the subject of this whole conversation walking up to join them. Yen had hoped she could have taken Jaskier's interruption as an excuse to slip away and let it all sink in, not wanting to make the fight any worse than it was. Yes sits on the tip of her tongue, along with the suggestion to relocate the already very public conversation. But, instead, she manages a quick smile that doesn't reach her eyes. She swallows down the pain and anger for something more tolerable -- hollow but calm. ]

Hardly. [ Sarcastic, but surprisingly kind. At least to Ciri. ] We were wondering if you'd be joining us formally. Tensions have been... a bit high today. [ There's a stern look at Geralt, a silent promise that their conversation isn't finished before it softens as her focus shifts. ] We have plenty of room, food, and alcohol -- [ That last one is mostly for herself as she'll be grabbing a bottle before she takes off. ] --should you wish to stay with us and I'm sure we can answer any questions you might have unless you'd prefer to rest. Though it might be best to move this conversation somewhere more private. [ Her focus once again shifts to Geralt, a challenge simmering under her skin. ] Unless you'd prefer I have that particular conversation here.

[ Welcome Ciri, this absolutely is the worst time but it's fine. ]

[Jaskier makes a yelp that abruptly upsets his cat, who begins meowing as he's physically lifted out of the bushes like he ways as much as a grape.] Unhand me, you ox! I was -- I was just leaving! Why can't you say hello like a normal person?

[Ignoring that Jaskier's best idea had been to hide into a bush to avoid this particular conversation, or to overhear it, though it wasn't very hard to do that --

He slaps Geralt's hands off of him and stands up, about to say something that may make the situation worse until Ciri herself shows up.

Oh.]

Ciri! You're here! [And this wasn't a dream! Though it may have been better if it actually was one, because it would be much easier to escape from. But shit, that meant -- the dream was prophetic? Or was merely pulling her into this sphere? Not the worst fate, the thinks, except to be brought into this moment. Free of Geralt's grip, he moves to hug her, since no one else has and he feels she deserves it for barging into this whole shit of a conversation.]

Yes, come stay with us! Plenty of room. I -- [He looks back at Geralt and Yennefer, flinching from the cold twist that radiates off of her through the Bond.] Heey, ohh, I have a wonderful idea before we delve into any other conversations, and that's taking you on a tour of the town. You mustn't have been here long, have you? Or were you all keeping her a secret from me?

[Jaskier, NO --]

Maybe we should go and do that immediately, [He says, grabbing the basket of cat that is plucking her claws at the braided wicker,] right now, somewhere else.

[ For fuck's sake.

Geralt releases Jaskier unceremoniously. His attention flicks to Cirilla, because of course now is the time she's chosen to show up and not ten minutes ago when he'd been waiting here alone. In peace. And calm.

He narrows his eyes at Yennefer. He knows exactly what she's doing, and no, he's not going to let her light yet another fuse under this entire situation. He's had enough. Which, funny thing: whatever he's about to say or do to get her to stop would've undoubtedly lit that fuse himself, until the bard starts running his mouth.

The interruption is enough to cool his temper, rarely provoked as it is except when it comes to Yennefer. He clamps down on it. The last thing he wants is a shouting match with Yen in front of both Cirilla and Jaskier. He bites his tongue. Mostly. ]

I love conversations. Never had one I regretted. [ It's said as flatly as possible. He's suddenly distinctly aware of those on the Coven grounds avoiding eye contact in their direction.

Right. Somewhere else. He glances at Citi—the first time his expression has softened—tipping his head for her come along. He's still not certain where they really stand, but...

He hasn't forgotten her words to him, in any case, and it means the one thing they can at least all agree on is that Ciri is welcome with them. ] You'll like the yard. Plenty of room for you to swing your sword.

[ Considering everyone's shocked reactions in that dream she knows now wasn't a dream, and how none of them actually knew her, Ciri had been waiting for--

Something else. Bracing herself, readying explanations, arguments, perhaps soothing words if her sudden appearance upset any of them on top of what seemed to already be a tense situation. She'd been ready to stand her ground, to insist on talking with all of them more even if they didn't remember the dream also, or if any of them decided to leave or reject her presence.

What she hadn't expected (had hoped for, but not really expected, not fully) was the immediate, unquestioning, earnest welcome. From all three of them. Even Yennefer.

And then Jaskier is sauntering toward her with a beaming smile and a basketful of kitten, arms out for an embrace, making for the strangest picture with Geralt and Yennefer still casting knifepoint looks at each other in the background.

They do remember. If not her, then at least the dream. She won't have to go through that particular heartbreak again.

Suddenly, Ciri bursts out laughing, quickly blinking back tears before (she hopes) anyone has noticed. ]

N-no, I haven't been here long, just since last night. And... thank you. Yes, I'd love that. Show me around.

[ Do they all live together? Even Jaskier had invited her as if they all shared a home.

She returns Jaskier's embrace, looking over his shoulder to meet Geralt's eyes. ]

Were you... waiting for me?

[ Jaskier is squeezing her as if she were a friend of many years. Apparently, both of them have met Cirilla in their dreamwalk and decided not to bring it up to him. Wonderful. (But Ciri seems happy, at least.)

He blinks, torn from his thoughts by her question. Geralt pauses. ]

I had a feeling you'd appear.

[ He'd wanted to be here, that was all. Before he lost track of her for the second, third time. Whatever complications her arrival has caused, Geralt won't say he isn't glad to see she's here with all three of them and not alone. ]

[ For all the times she's been accused of being a cold and heartless monster, she'd made a living reading others. Picking up on subtle cues, both emotional and physical. She catches the blink of tears on Ciri and the subtle way Geralt shifts, both in tone and his word choice. She leaves the bit of bait clearly meant for her about conversations, giving them the space to formally reunite.

And in the... warmth of the moment, Yen realizes she's still angry. Compounded by the fact that even after months of navigating whatever the fuck this was, she still couldn't have a conversation with Geralt about difficult topics without someone walking away hurt. She can only hope some time with Ciri and some distance from her might soften things. At least enough that perhaps they can avoid another explosion. Take the long way home and see if her old cottage is still unclaimed, stay there for a week or so. ]

Then perhaps you two can take her on a tour while I prepare a room for her and get something put together to eat. [ Aka stop somewhere to pick up a few options as cooking is still not her strongest skill. Whatever was happening between her and Geralt shouldn't completely diminish Ciri's arrival and she wasn't going to be responsible for further souring the mood. ]

[Everyone seems to miss that Jaskier fully intended to save Ciri from being near Geralt and Yennefer in this particular mood, but if the two intend to play, er, a little nicer... it's not the worst outcome. Besides, it certainly answers the question of whether they all experienced something similar in that dream.

It's no surprise the three of them so easily avoid the subject of any dreams with each other.

Jaskier gives her a squeeze and lets her go, with a pat on the back. While she'd been a bit rough at first, he'd enjoyed their strange trip through the Fae village, drinking in a bright corner while magic zipped around them. It felt as real as this moment did.

This moment is, in fact, far too real, with the emotions snapping down the Bond, ringing around in his head. He glances to Yennefer, to Geralt, and can certainly read the proverbial room.] Yes, Yennefer, that's a wonderful idea.

[Though as much as he'd like to avoid her, knowing with intimate knowledge what her anger feels like on the receiving end, he feels he can't. Not after what she's done for him. And Ciri is, after all, Geralt's Child Surprise. Their bond is... well, he has no idea what Geralt's thought of this whole matter, and he's unlikely to ever bring it up.] Shall I come help you, Yennefer? [He makes it a question. Just in case.] So the two of them can catch up.

[A light way to put it, considering it would be years.]

Of course you did.

[ Ciri's smile lingers, turning briefly toward Jaskier as he releases her from his embrace. It feels familiar, even if he looks different, and it doesn't really surprise her that Jaskier is the one to try to lighten the mood first.

She can feel the uncertainty her presence is causing, and yet all of them are going out of their way to reassure her she's welcome, despite the confusion of it all. It makes her chest ache, not unpleasantly.

Ciri's green eyes flicker toward Geralt. Honestly, although she's genuinely happy to see all of them, the desire to spend time with Geralt somewhere less public is also very strong. It seems he does remember... somewhat. But after the last time, who can blame her for being worried? ]

Thank you, Yennefer. I look forward to the meal.

[ And, to Geralt: ]

It seems the job of tour guide has fallen to you, after all. Shall we?

[ Geralt glances briefly to Yennefer before catching Jaskier's gaze. It's no longer a surprise to hear the bard choose to go with her. He knows they've grown...closer, in the past few months.

He gives Jaskier a nod. Never thought there'd be a time he understands Jaskier will make good company when Yen is in one of her stormy moods, but here they are. Besides. If anything happens, he wants to know—and Jaskier will tell him.

Geralt starts off down the street, putting aside the hurricane of emotions that Yennefer brings. He'll manage that later. Cirilla is a more pressing matter at the moment. ]

Come say hi to Roach.

(( splintering these two off here ))

[ She manages a nod to Ciri, not even bothering to tell Jaskier to not come with her. Yennefer couldn't exactly explain the reason she'd have chosen to go alone without having to give far more detail than anyone deserved to hear after the free show they've already put on. The last glance from Geralt is not met by one of her own, pointedly choosing to look anywhere but at him. Now was a time to pick her next battle carefully, hoping that the time with Jaskier will be filled with mostly his ramblings rather than pressing anything out of her. She was too tightly wound right now for poking and prodding.

Things had been going too well and she fucking knew it. Perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy of her own, waiting for it to fall apart -- this illusion of a peaceful existence they've all concocted. Hard to have emotional strings if you don't settle down with anyone. Especially when those strings lack the substance of complete trust, both Yennefer and Geralt too protective of themselves to truly let the other in. Which meant the odds were in their favor that this cycle would just continue until one of them finally had enough of it. Or until Jaskier had enough of both of them.

Fuck.

Something to deal with later. Ciri was a wildcard, one that could either help or hurt things. Nothing to do but wait and see how she fits into everything -- both herself and Ciri. Exhaling sharply, she begins walking in the opposite direction Geralt had gone, eyes forward and tone even. ]

Let's go, Jaskier.

[ and the other splinter here ]

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( CLOSED ) april catch-all

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