middaeg | ( CLOSED ) april catch-all

[ Well, no shit, she wants to retort. People don't often argue while in agreement. But she keeps her tongue in check, all of this too new and delicate to be flippant about. Especially after they all invited her to come live with them. It wouldn't have been stunning, if not for the fact that utter lack of recognition in Yennefer's eyes still haunts her. There's something even more uncomfortable about Yennefer just going along with this than Geralt. When it comes to Geralt, it feels somehow natural, even if their timelines are out of sync. With Yennefer, it feels... unearned.

Ciri sighs, looking away again. ]

A disagreement about me?

[ She's overheard the barest snippets, nothing of what they were really saying but just enough to get an inkling. And for the anxiety to start settling in. ]

[ An uncomfortable silence fills the air. Geralt's not used to discussing his...conflicts with Yennefer. Even Jaskier knows better than to pry, especially these days.

He knows if he says nothing, Cirilla will continue to press. Or look disappointed. Geralt's not ready for that, either.

He shifts his weight. He gets why she's asking. ] No. About a conversation we should've never had.

[ It's the truth. It's not about Ciri herself. It's just—neither of them had ever intended to revisit that conversation again. Geralt had put it aside. Unlike the wish, he'd thought it was no longer relevant. Until Ciri actually arrived. Now they're here, and it's not her fault (if anything, it's on him), but it doesn't make any of this less of a damn headache. ]

[ What kind of conversation could that be? She wants to ask but doesn't, watching strangely-dressed people from this world hurry about, paying them absolutely no mind as her own world rearranges itself in her head, questions and uncertainties vying for space.

Her powers don't work here. In the dream, it had been uncomfortable and she'd been sad to have been forgotten, but some part of her had always known it's just a dream. That is no longer the case.

Something must work itself out; somehow, they will all end up in their own proper places, and she's sure of that. But when?

The unpleasant feeling of not quite belonging in the one place she'd always felt safe, between Geralt and Yennefer, is so much worse in the waking world than it had been before. ]

If there are certain things you and Yennefer need to discuss... If there are arrangements to be made and my appearance here is too sudden, I understand. I'm not a child anymore, Geralt.

While I appreciate the invitation, I can find my own lodgings if you all need time.

[ Jaskier, he can't help but think, would probably have a better idea of what to say. Or at least would say something so incredibly stupid, she'd be thoroughly distracted.

She's not a child. That's part of the problem: that she has not only grown, but that he doesn't even recall her as a child. They never met. He's never spoken to her. Only laid eyes on her for a second from a distance. He should know, shouldn't he, what the fuck to say to her? He imagines that's what she's expecting, from someone who spent years training her.

He brushes past a woman blocking the street, ignoring her annoyed expression. ]

And deny your new horse Roach's company? [ Ciri is not responsible for what goes on between him and Yen. ] I don't extend invitations I don't mean. You should know that.

[ Whether she'll soon find the absence of their memories too much to bear, he doesn't know. In a way, he's surprised she still seems so eager to be around them. Around him. Maybe in time it'll sink in, after the novelty of having familiar faces alongside her wears off. ]

I know.

[ She also knows it's out of obligation at this point; it's because he knows now who she is and that they should know one another, that an invitation like that would be natural. But at the same time, she's still a stranger to him for the most part, and it's going to take time for the strangeness and discomfort of that feeling to go away, likely on all their parts.

There are more things she wants to ask, but it doesn't seem like talking about them will help. This is all something new for them to navigate; they'll simply have to muddle through. And any conversation she should have with Yennefer will have to wait. ]

Why don't you tell me more about this city? Looks very big.

Do you like it here? How have you been faring?

Don't suppose you've already cornered the market for Witchers all on your own.

[ He's still considering what else to say—that isn't the bluntness he's prone to—when she bombards him with more questions. Geralt blinks. ]

Food's not bad. [ That is to say, it's better than what they had at home. He still hasn't ventured far in variety—he hasn't had much reason to when half the time, he's eating what he hunts, anyway—but he suspects Ciri might be eager for what can be found in the markets. ] Haven't been kicked out anywhere yet.

[ He pauses. He is not, technically speaking, a Witcher in the same way. Which raises a question of what Ciri will be now, too. She hasn't shown off her magic yet. It makes him think she might be like him. It's not a conversation he wants to save for later: she needs to know about the full moons. ]

Did they tell you if you're a Witch?

Food not being bad is promising.

[ His question seems to catch her off guard; she hadn't really thought about all that, honestly. Everything with Geralt and Yennefer has been top of her mind, even beyond the whole "new world, no magic" thing at the moment.

Ciri shrugs. ]

Mm. Not exactly, no.

They said I've got no magic, but they can't tell me any more than that. Something about turning into a Monster.

Pff. What a ridiculous thing to call it.

That must be what happened to you, what with the tail and ears.

[ She is so close to reaching out and just... grabbing them, dammit. ]

[ It's as he suspected. He knows it would be simpler if she had merely been a Witch. Yennefer and Jaskier could easily show her the spells and how to manage her power.

Seems life has other plans. As usual. (His tail swings idly as they walk, which probably won't help with her urge to tug.) ]

It changes you. Over time. [ He'd have preferred her not go through it. At least she'll not be alone. ] Most likely, the first full moons will be difficult. Though you should get through fine with a bond.

[ Most everyone else he's met hasn't struggled with the change the way he has—a byproduct, he's always assumed, of having been mutated twice over. He hopes that means any shift in form won't be as painful as his. But it's hard to say. ]

[ Her expression shifts, smile falling away, brows furrowing slightly. She shifts her gaze from his tail to meet his gaze, trying to figure out what she sees there. Concern? Trepidation?

Ciri is not unfamiliar with the concept of werewolves and full moons. But she does not know what it means in this context. ]

What, exactly, happens on the full moons?

The people I spoke to at the Coven mentioned bonds only briefly. A partnership of some sort, for use in stabilizing magic?

[ For once, Geralt looks uncertain. He can't help feeling like he should hold all the answers. Truth is, he doesn't. He dodges the matter of the full moon for now to answer her second question. ]

A little deeper than a partnership. [ Though he knows of some who insist on treating it merely as that. Frankly, he thinks they're lying to themselves, but that's not his business.

He turns down the street, leaving the city behind, towards where the farmsteads and stables lie. It's not the questions that are complicated. It's how personal they are. He knows she can't possibly be aware of that. But how the fuck does he explain that he and Jaskier and Yennefer are intimately connected in a way they never expected? ]

Let's get your horse first. [ There's no point in overwhelming her either way. She has time yet to learn it all. ] I'll answer everything when we're home.

[ Ciri is silent for a moment, looking like she might want to keep pressing for answers now, but it seems she decides against it. She nods. Geralt will explain when he's ready. ]

All right. You have the coin for it?

[ Horses aren't cheap. Though now that she's thinking about it... Ciri's cheeks color slightly, awkward. If Geralt was her Geralt, she would think nothing of it. But considering she's just appeared out of nowhere, he doesn't really know her, and she's already been invited to live with them, she suddenly feels uncomfortable just expecting Geralt will buy her a horse.

Ugh. What an unpleasant feeling. It's going to take getting used to, navigating the uncertainty. She hopes they'll both be as comfortable with each other as they should be soon, though it likely won't be that easy. ]

I don't expect presents, don't worry. [ she adds quickly with a shrug, as if she wasn't just startled by the realization. ] As soon as I find work, I'll pay you back.

[ Her discomfort doesn't occur to Geralt until she quickly adds that she'll pay him back. He doesn't intend to have her fork over actual money, but he understands her desire not to owe anyone anything. ]

Mm. Not quite a present. [ There's just the faintest hint of a tease. ] Plenty of work to muck our stalls.

[ Besides, even if he were to accept her coin, Yennefer would have his head and he doesn't need any further reasons to be in deep shit with Yen. A horse is not an expense out of reach. He's not needed to pay for lodgings this entire time and Jaskier keeps the house well stocked with wine and food.

He should do something, anyway. For her. He should do a lot of things for her—now, but back then, too—but he knows better than anyone regrets can't be undone.

Buying a horse is simpler. ]

Hey! [ Ciri laughs, but she takes his point. She'll help around the house; it's not as though she didn't mean to anyway. ]

All right. I suppose I can live with that. On occasion.

[ And, finally, she indulges in the itching desire that's been plaguing her this whole walk. Geralt's tail is swaying behind him with his gait, and Ciri falls a step back suddenly, reaching out to touch it. She doesn't pull or try to grab, only slides her fingers through the fur, fascinated. ]

Aha! It is as fluffy as it looks.

[ Wait—

A huff escapes him. Her fingers brush through his tail in what he can admit is an act he's surprised she hasn't tried earlier. Fuck knows everyone else has. His tail flicks almost unconsciously. He's not fluffy. ]

It gets in the way is what it is.

[ He's grumbling. He can't help it. ]

You work as a Witcher? [ She isn't one, physically; it isn't possible for one, even if it isn't easy to tell by a simple glance. But the sword, her scar—he wonders if he taught her to take a contract all the same. ]

[ She laughs again, an almost girlish giggle; in combination with the tail and the ears, the grumbling is just adorable. It has occurred to her she might end up with similar features of her own, depending on her luck, but they don't seem too bad. Well, maybe the tail does get in the way... but she'll worry about that if it affects her later. ]

Nonsense. You seem to have adapted splendidly.

[ The question seems to surprise her. Ciri lifts her chin slightly without even thinking about it, proud. ]

That's right. [ She replies confidently, no hesitation. Even if it's only technically kind of true, but she intends to work as a Witcher. Doesn't mean she isn't one, if you ask her. ] Figure I could find work like that here too. Seems a big city. Room enough for at least two Witchers, I'd say.

Edited 2021-04-22 02:03 (UTC)

[ It's funny. Between most Witchers, they either accept that it is what it is (like him) or acknowledge it with no small amount of resentment (like Lambert). But Ciri seems to preen at the mention of it.

It's not a bad thing. ]

There's room. Pay's not always there, but work's never ending.

[ He's seen her fight; Geralt's not worried about her putting herself out there. Still. Maybe she won't mind...coming with him. Instead of going off on her own immediately. This world holds threats unknown to the Continent—ones not even the most studied of Witchers could recognize. The Cwyld, especially. ]

I picked up something last week. [ He glances over. ] Could use a hand.

Really?

[ It bursts out of her in her excitement, eyes instantly bright and wide. And then she catches herself and how ridiculous she must look and tries to walk it back, clearing her throat and looking off with a faux-haughty sort of shrug and nonchalance. ]

Happy to help. What kind of beast are we after?

[ Her reaction draws a faint smile out of him. He looks ahead and pretends her outburst hasn't been noted. ]

Couple of folks missing by a lake. With the malfunctioning Fae portals, people have assumed that's the cause. But I don't think they're related. Last spring, a giant snail emerged from that same lake.

[ And it might've been slain, but Geralt's never assumed any monster to be one of a kind. If one exists, another could very well be out there.

Though he's hoping it's just a hungry Merrow Shade or two. ]

Giant snail? Huh. Sounds slimy but not too dangerous... though I suppose that depends on how giant.

[ Ciri nods to herself, squaring up her shoulders unconsciously and absently adjusting her sword strap across her chest. Despite the awkwardness and strangeness of everything about their new situation here, she is quite looking forward to taking on Witcher work alongside Geralt.

She's been on the run from something or someone for so long, maybe this chance to spend some time with Geralt and Yennefer, even if they're a bit different, without the Wild Hunt tailing her (presumably) could be nice. ]

In any case, happy to go investigate anytime.

Extra giant. [ Geralt lifts a hand to indicate its height, which falls short of the actual size by about six feet. It gets the point across, though.

It is awkward, he won't deny that. But the easiest thing for Geralt to do is throw himself into a job; Ciri seems to be the same way. If they're killing something, there's less opportunity to stew over conversations they should be having.

The farmstead stands just past the Wall. It's where he stabled Roach before he moved her to her own space. The man still recognizes him, lifting a hand in greeting as Geralt approaches. She needs a horse, Geralt says by way of both introduction and explanation. They find themselves in front of a couple of horses: not a wealth of options, but enough to make a choice. ]

Anything catch your eye?

[ Ciri looks like a kid in a candy store among the stables. She immediately begins to examine the choices after a friendly greeting to the owner, but it doesn't take very long to make a decision. ]

This one.

[ Ciri declares, indicating a dark bay mare with a small white patch on her forehead. She's a bit small, probably young, with a twitchy tail and ears that swivel intently toward them as she watches with big, alert eyes. When Ciri tries to pat her nose, the horse yanks her head away and snorts, but allows the girl to pet her neck after another try.

When the farmer warns her that this horse is not yet well broken, Ciri shakes her head. ]

That's perfect. We'll get to know each other. I can teach her.

[ Curious about the choice she'll make, Geralt takes a step back to watch her. She's lit up like a beacon, going almost immediately for the one at the far end. Young. Just over five years, maybe.

Somehow, he's not surprised Ciri picked a horse that needs some work. ]

She suits you. [ It's approval. The mare is a little ornery, but not temperamental. The nature of Aefenglom means there's plenty of time and room for Ciri to teach a horse. Not like they're traveling anywhere soon.

He haggles the man for a better deal, given that the horse isn't yet broken, and manages to get her tack thrown in. Ten minutes later, Geralt is many coins down but one horse up.

The excursion has taken his mind off things a little, he'll admit. He leans against the fence, waiting for Ciri to walk the mare out. ]

[ Ciri grins back at him, bright-eyed. ]

I thought so too.

[ She leads the mare out with a firm grip on her reins, reaching up to pat her neck again, stroking down the glossy reddish-black of her coat. ]

I think I'll call her Eirlys.

[ Snowdrop, for the small white mark on her forehead.

Eirlys seems to be getting used to Ciri's touch despite her twitchiness, tolerating the stroking for the moment. Ciri turns her attention from the horse back to Geralt as they walk away from the farmstead, and her smile softens warmly. ]

Thank you, Geralt.

[ She gets a rare smile from him in return. Pretty name for a pretty horse. Eirlys seems content to follow along and he leads them down the path towards their house. She hasn't seen it yet. He's almost curious what she'll say about it when she sees it.

They go past the row of smaller cottages before ending up in front of the towering mansion. It's big enough that there's a small path at the front gates leading towards the steps.

He shows her to the stables at the back, with an empty stall beside where Roach's stand. ]

What do you think?

[ Ciri doesn't try to hide it as she looks around with keen interest, taking in the sight of her new home. This is where Geralt and Yennefer live? And Jaskier, too. It certainly looks big enough for the four of them, and then some. Ciri has to admit at least to herself that it's a relief; they all like their space, and she knows that well (except maybe Jaskier, but he'd probably want to have his own space to bring others into, and she's not interested in tripping over any of that).

She leads Eirlys around the side of the stable to get her untacked and brushed, idly taking care of each step with practiced motions. This princess doesn't need a stableboy, clearly. ]

It's big. The style is... unusual. Or perhaps quite usual for here.

I look forward to seeing the inside.

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