wiedzminka | ❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

[ The silence feels heavy, a bit oppressive, but Ciri's not really sure what to fill it with that won't sound... trite. And she's not the sort to give him empty words of comfort any more than Sephiroth is the sort to appreciate them. She's not going to say they'll find Cloud for sure, or that it's going to be okay. She's said her piece: it is what it is, and now they have to make do with the reality of whatever has happened. Just like she's had to make do with the reality of Rinwell's absence, the empty space of her room, slowly being transformed into a library both for practical and sentimental reasons. The same as Jaskier has to keep going every day without Hector.

So Ciri is quiet, and they eat together in silence, and when the ale runs out she refills his cup.

Eventually, Sephiroth speaks. Ciri nods. ]

Not at all.

[ The chair legs scrape against the wooden floor when Ciri moves to stand. ]

I'll run the bath for you.

[ A much easier and more convenient task here than it ever ways back on the Continent, even in the royal palace. Cadens has its comforts. The water's even hot. ]

[He stands once she does, too, pushing his chair back. His mostly-empty cup of ale stares back up at him.]

I appreciate it, Ciri. But you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot just because I’m a guest in your home.

[Despite himself, and the lingering, serious mood left at the table, he does sound appreciative, forcing a note something easier into his words.]

Is that what you think I'm doing?

[ Ciri snorts. ]

Don't worry. I'll make you wash the dishes.

[ But she leads him to the bathroom anyway, gets the water running and offers him a towel. ]

You can probably borrow something of Jaskier's. Doubt my clothes would fit, though you're welcome to try.

[He follows, and takes the towel without thinking, holding it with both hands. Flatly-]

Jaskier's will have to do.

[If the man doesn't mind it; well, it's fine, probably.]

Things will spill out in places they shouldn't if I wear anything of yours.

[ His deadpan delivery might make it difficult to tell if he's joking for some, but Ciri's rather used to this style of humor. She laughs. Maybe he's feeling a little better already, if he's making quips like that. ]

Don't worry. All of Jaskier's clothes are designed to let things spill out as they should.

I'll go find you something. Shout if you need me.

[ Ah, well that's a relief that all is well with Ciri. She doesn't suppose Ciri really owes anything to her to keep her aware of her comings of goings, but confirmation of it stings.

Guilt digs itself a little bit deeper into Alina's chest. She is well aware that she's playing the hypocrite today. ]

No. No, nothing is wrong. I just wasn't sure what to think when you were gone. Jaskier too. I was just worried.

[Jaskier's clothing? Sephiroth's mind briefly wanders to his short acquaintance with the man, and specifically his mode of dress. He cannot say that it… suits him, particularly, but he's also keenly aware that beggars cannot be choosers. They will be clean, sweat and sand-free, and that is all that he will need for tonight.]

I will.

[Shout if he needs her. Doubtful, though — he glances over to the tub, filling up with warm water. After Ciri leaves, Sephiroth sets the towel aside and begins unbuttoning his uniform. At the very least, he's eager to get out of these clothes, and will have already peeled off his officer's jacket by the time she returns, working at his undershirt instead.]

[He is used to running across Ciri now and again, even if their meetings are brief and in passing. But it is always anchoring to see a familiar face, one of the very few he should call a friend within the Free Cities, and perhaps that's all the more reason why he begins to worry when he doesn't come across her for an unusual amount of time.

Sephiroth considers if he should send her message to check on her. He then considers if she would appreciate it or find it grating, as though he is owed an explanation for her departure. What business is it of his?

And yet he worries; it gnaws at him. He thinks of Cloud's disappearance, and if the same should apply in this case. Or the monsters spread across the desert, and how one job gone bad could mean the swift end of any who make their coin hunting them down. And finally, after far too much back-and-forth in his own mind, he wonders why it matters at all — he had never cared for keeping up appearances, and it is not like him to fuss over whether or not he might insult her by sending a simple message to check—

Finally, after severing all of his deliberations:]

Ciri, where are you?

[ She recognizes Sephiroth's hand, and is a little surprised he reached out. It doesn't immediately occur to her he might be worried; she thinks he's looking for her for a specific reason, of course. ]

I'll be back in the city in about a week. Do you need something?

Edited 2022-06-13 19:16 (UTC)

No.

[He writes back, plainly, and suddenly feels a bit foolish having sent this at all. But he continues, nonetheless.]

I hadn't seen you in the city. I wanted to check and make sure you didn't get yourself into trouble.

[He was worried.]

[ ...oh? So that's what it is. Ciri is a little surprised, but also a little. Flattered. Maybe that's not quite the word for it, but it does make her strangely... happy. To know that he noticed. ]

Did you miss me?

[ Ciri returns with a folded set of trousers -- purple, but otherwise thankfully fairly plain, and loose enough to be comfortable -- and an off-white chemise with only a bit of frill, with a deep V for a neckline. She leaves them on the towel rack nearby, lingering a moment, ostensibly to see if Sephiroth needs anything but perhaps also a tiny bit to watch him undress. Not that she's staring too obviously. ]

...I'll leave you to it, then.

Aww, you missed me.

[ It's probably a good thing Ciri's in such a good mood (and rather drunk), so she doesn't immediately get annoyed or point out that Alina ran off in a much worse fashion on her months prior. ]

Jaskier is here too. We went to Aquila. It's nice. Julie and Nadine and Jaskier and me. They got me a cake for my birthday. Strawberry.

[—oh. Hm. Abort?]

You’re teasing.

I'm asking a genuine question!

[He glances at her, fingers still working at his shirt idly. Jaskier’s soon-to-be-borrowed clothes are too neatly folded for him to remark on their style, and so he only nods.]

I won’t be long.

[When Ciri takes her leave, and after the bath has filled with steaming water, he’s conscious enough to be fairly expedient (if not very through) where removing dirt and grime is concerned, soaking in the tub just long enough to reflect on the day and not terribly longer.

Getting out, drying off, and getting dressed is just as straightforward, though when he catches his reflection in the mirror, he finds himself pausing for a moment in a surreal sort of assessment. Purple trousers. Any kind of frill at all.

(He reminds himself, again, that beggars can’t be choosers.)

Sephiroth returns to the common area, seeking out Ciri, a hand tugging at the length of his sleeve.]

…don’t laugh.

I was concerned.

[If there is any way for the Singularity to display the sheer panic of Jaskier's words, it's there in the pointed tips, jagged and nearly broken.]

Please, for the love of all things, of Melitele herself, tell me you are not dead.

I know you're not dead.

But confirm it.

Please.

Now.

Jaskier? Are you awake?

[ For some reason, seeing that makes her happy. Ciri chooses not to examine it too closely. ]

I'm all right.

[ A little bit of time passes, as she considers whether or not to add more. She doesn't need to. But... she wants to, Ciri realizes. She doesn't actually want to keep it from him. In fact, now that he's reached out, she thinks she'd rather like to go see him when she gets back into the city. Almost dying a few times in a row, while not new for her, still makes one kind of want to visit friends and be happy to exist. Maybe she's not quite aware of it in such obvious detail, but the desire is there, tucked away in the back of her mind; she's looking forward to being home, and to seeing certain individuals. Sephiroth is among them. ]

I took an unexpected trip. I'm heading back from Aquila now.

I'll let you know when I'm back.

[ Unfortunately, his request (warning?) comes too late. Ciri is already laughing. ]

Oooh, no. Purple is not your color, is it?

[ Ciri giggles, already up from the couch to come over and examine his outfit close up. ]

...the shirt looks rather nice though.

Aquila again?

[And an unexpected trip, no less. He wonders at the sort of business that would bring her there, and without notice.]

More time on the beach, then?

[He kids. (But also pries a little.)]

Something like that. Maybe too much beach time, in fact.

[ She's not sure how much to say. How much she wants to share. Or rather--

It's because she wants to share that she's not sure how much. ]

Will you meet me in the Horizon?

[Too much beach time?]

Of course. Right now?

[ Maybe she is presuming too much. ]

If you've the time.

❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

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during ciri's misadventures!

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Once Ciri and Viktor's horses have come by wITHOUT THEIR RIDERS

...the next morning, sorry jaskier

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