( CLOSED ) april catch-all

[gynvael]

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! ]

Comments

[cointosser]

[Yennefer's looks are so often disdainful that Jaskier gives it no notice. It's Geralt's snapping at him, immediate and without room for argument, that leaves him feeling like a child rebuked.

He says nothing in return. Abandoned to the wolves -- a part of Geralt's history he's never offered before, nor hinted at. A part he suspects would remain that way forever, were they not in this position.

It's for the best he stays silent, because for whatever reason, their reaction to this, their treatment to him, infuriates him. As if avoiding one's trauma has ever made anything better. A lesson he has sorely, sorely learned as of late. For a moment, it's more than enough for him to even forget to be soft for Ciri's sake, because gods, living with both of them being volatile fucking messes really wears on one, when he's had his own shit to deal with.]

Then fine. Leave. Find us the nearest fucking cliff so we can relive our next deaths as quickly as possible.

[chaoticbeauty]

Must you really be so dramatic right now? [ If he doesn't want to be rebuked like a child then he shouldn't behave like one. The nearsighted goals of someone who'd only newly been introduced to the true concept of trauma should not be giving orders and she was not about to give him more of an audience for his little performance. The only kindness she's willing to offer Jaskier is to run interference for the likely bite Geralt might turn on the Bard.

And watching Ciri's reaction, the move to stand behind her and Yen's unintentional shift to block her -- to put herself between them... She didn't mean to, doesn't have any right really to act protectively towards Ciri, but there wasn't time to analyze it. Instead, she reaches behind herself, trying to catch Ciri's hand or wrist -- anything to gently guide her forward. Moving forward to catch Geralt next, taking his hand to keep him grounded. To keep this from exploding into something horrific. Before too many more words are spilled that can't be taken back. She gives Jaskier another look, but a much softer one than before. One asking for cooperation rather than another scathing remark. Choosing to put this to rest rather than remind him exactly why she'd willingly thrown herself off that cliff -- what they'd witnessed in her own nightmare. Why the stakes were so fucking high to leave before it took its chances to get worse. But she wasn't operating under a blind panic to get them out, leaving that choice to Geralt based on his own sense of urgency to leave. ]

Let's go. At least to somewhere quiet so we can discuss the best and safest way to leave.

[gynvael]

[ There is a lot he can say. There's more he doesn't want to, and it isn't about sparing Jaskier's feelings. He doesn't really give a fuck if Jaskier understands or not. In the end, he'd rather otherwise. It isn't for him to understand. Or anyone else.

Yennefer taking his hand startles him. Their fingers curl together. She's warmer than the chilly night air suggests. He looks over at her, then Ciri just behind. Leaving the area and leaving the nightmare are two different things. Right now, he only wants to leave the area. The other they can figure out after.

Though what lies ahead is unclear. He ignores the obvious yawning path that curls into the distance, turning instead towards the trees where Yennefer came from. They bend not with the a wind, but against it. Despite the night sky, there's a round sun above them out of nowhere that casts no light. It's silent, unlike a normal forest, not even a single frog croaking.

Whether Ciri and Jaskier are willing to leave the crying child behind, he doesn't know. Some part of him wants to leave it to Yennefer to deal with the others, if they need it. His mind is clearly made up, and he's not waiting for anyone when he walks off. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri looks between them each in turn, startled at Jaskier's outburst. The tension in the air is thick enough to slice through like cold butter. She swallows, fists clenching at her sides, but doesn't say anything anymore. It's not her choice. It's not her dream, she's realized. However she got here, however they all got here, it's Geralt's right to push them out. Even if her eyes do linger on the boy, and the questions burn inside her.

They all have their pasts. Geralt doesn't owe anyone this. Not even her.

Finally, with effort, Ciri turns away. ]

Come, Jaskier. Yennefer knows what she's doing. We should listen to her.