middaeg | ( CLOSED ) april catch-all

[ 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.

I can't say I had a hand in choosing it.

[ Not that he hadn't been there, he'd just, well. Followed Yennefer inside and deemed the yard plenty large for a wolf and a horse to enjoy. Which was good enough for him.

He watches Ciri move about, tending to the horse. There are shades of her grandmother in her, a familiar boldness that isn't lost on him.

When she's done, he gestures for her to follow inside: there's plenty to explore, including enchanted rooms courtesy of Jaskier and Yennefer. His own is left unlocked and open, given that he's rarely there as it is. Mostly a place for him to store his equipment. ]

Should be some free rooms down the hall. Sleep where you like.

Mm. I imagine Yennefer had more to say about the state of the house than you would. [ Maybe Jaskier, if he was allowed an opinion. If they'd planned to live together. Ciri's still a bit curious about that, but considering they are all friends in a foreign world, it makes sense. And there's obviously plenty of space.

She follows Geralt inside in due time, allowing him to show her around. ]

All right. Thanks. I'll take a look and wash up, and then we should continue our conversation. I have many questions.

[ But they can wait a bit; it's already been a long few hours. And she needs to sort her thoughts, get her questions together and unpack everything she's experienced and seen so far. ]

( CLOSED ) april catch-all

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