( 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

[wiedzminka]

[ 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?

[gynvael]

[ 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. ]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ 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. ]

[cointosser]

[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.]

[wiedzminka]

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?

[gynvael]

[ 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 ))

[chaoticbeauty]

[ 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 ]