wiedzminka | ❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

[At least Ciri, unlike her father, has the sense to reassure Jaskier first that she is all right, instead of asking about the bloody fucking horses.

He can very much appreciate that about her.

He takes a deep breath, rubbing his temples, collapsing in a corner of their stable. He's spent far too much time making sure the horses have been getting the attention they need, possibly more than they've gotten since... since Rinwell.

Immediately he swallows that thought down. Thinking of other losses right now is not helping.]

Yes, there's two horses. Both are fine, if not a little run ragged. I've been taking care of them. I think this -- is this Viktor's cane? I'm assuming you did not leave him somewhere to die. Also, please don't tell me if you left him somewhere to die, I want to maintain positive thoughts about you.

[ Jaskier definitely doesn't mean it this way, but she is not in the mood for such quips. It stings more than he realizes. ]

Jaskier. Stop.

Stop? Stop! Don't tell me to stop! You have no idea what I've been through the last night --

[And true to form, it's not what someone else says that makes him stop. You have no idea what I've been through.

Truthfully, this is what he's such a marvel of a poet. Why one can walk in shoes he's never touched.

He doesn't know what she's been through, either. Clearly something has happened. Something not wholly devastating, but not something to come raving home about, either.]

Tell me what you need. Should I gather by the gate? Come out to find you?

[ He's been worried. She understands. In truth, she really didn't expect -- or want -- him to find out like this. She was so frantic and preoccupied with just keeping herself and Viktor alive, and then she'd been so thoroughly exhausted, she simply hadn't had the time, very literally, to think of anything else. Jaskier is the first person she's reached out to, knowing he is the only one who might actually expect her home. Having him upset with her over it really isn't helping-- and she's not in the sort of headspace to be particularly understanding about it.

She wants to tell Jaskier more, but suddenly, it feels so difficult. ]

We're still a week or so out.

Just take care of Nixie for me.

[And just like that, of course, she goes right back to being like Geralt. Jaskier rolls his eyes, but at least no one is here to witness his moment of being a little bastard. It gives him nothing to go on. No hint as to what's happened. Where she is. What happened to Viktor.

Though he has an inkling that something has. Why else would she be so cross in so few words?]

Truly? A week?

[His estimation was way off, then, or the horses had managed on their own. They must have been quite lucky or aided on the way. Not many chances to see horses traversing the sands without company.] You know you don't have to ask me.

But you better if you need anything else. Don't try to play hero unnecessarily, Ciri, even if you are one.

Accidentally ended up in Aquila. We need to find a ride back. Might be a week and a half, realistically.

[ As for the rest-- a hero, huh? She wants to scoff, but that's not the sort of thing visible through the letters they can send each other. She's in the bath while they talk, washing away the salt water and sand. Everything hurts. She doesn't feel the least bit like a hero, at all. ]

Please return Viktor's horse to the stables on Peony Street so they don't charge extra.

"Accidentally," is it?

[Even through only written word, Jaskier may yet manage to display doubt. Perhaps even a touch of sarcasm.

And luckily, he needn't more of Ciri's words to guess how she feels about that. Again, her and Geralt. Both so... obstinate.]

Yes, of course, on the double, my lady. Melitele forbid he be charged a late fee after whatever sort of shit has happened to the two of you. Love how you've your priorities in order.

Edited 2022-06-20 20:02 (UTC)

I'm only being practical. You needn't be a prick about it.

[ She's very glad Nixie came back unharmed, and that they don't have to pay for Viktor's rental getting eaten -- considering she needs to afford a whole new sword, now -- but she does wish the timing had been a little better. Naturally, after what had happened with Geralt, Jaskier has probably been very stressed out waiting for her to reach out to him, but Ciri's struggling to remain sympathetic.

She ignores his question about what she meant by accidentally. It's something that will need to be explained later, preferably when neither of them is feeling like a huge bitch. ]

Did you tell Geralt about Nixie?

[ She's figuring out how much damage control she has to do and how quickly, because she's not quite ready to talk to Geralt either. ]

Oooh. I'm sorry we can't all be stoic badasses when we've been worried sick for a day!

[You're welcome for the term from Sam, and once Sam explained it to him, he's been slipping it into his vernacular where it suits.

And here feels about appropriate.]

Of course I told him. And while I am very sorry you may get some sort of lecture from him, I was -- I was afraid, you know, when you didn't respond. I realize you were possibly not conscious, but --

I let him know. That you answered.

[And let them figure out if they'd rather message each other beyond that.]

Edited 2022-06-21 00:33 (UTC)

[ He really loves these new words people from other worlds keep teaching him, huh. Ciri sighs, and it may as well read in the text she sends. She is. So tired. ]

You needn't be sorry. I only wanted to know who you've told, who might also worry.

[ Since, apparently, there's a whole slew of people who'd worry about her now. The truth is, that's not a bad feeling. But she needs to know what kinds of questions she might need to field, and from whom, and she's hardly in the mental state for it. If Jaskier's already let Geralt know, that's enough. Ciri will reach out to him in her own time. ]

You are the first one I wrote. I didn't mean to frighten you.

[They're fitting, all right! They get straight to the heart of things!]

You know I only keep our stories between the three of us.

[For necessity, sometimes, but because Jaskier respects both Geralt's and Ciri's secrecy (now that he's in on it. Before, it was very insulting.)]

It's all right. My apologies for snapping. It's only worry and love, and I'm afraid they make a fiery mix.

I know.

Thank you.

[ On both accounts. It's a relief, and yet it doesn't really make her feel better. It'll take some time to sort through all that happened. ]

I'll keep in touch, when I can.

[He considers giving her the XOXO treatment he's been leaving Geralt, but perhaps another time. It certainly isn't the mood, and she hasn't told him near enough what he'd like.]

As you have time. If you end up needing the services, visit old Wilhelm's in Aquila. I wrote a song for his wife and he still owes me a favor. His wagons are rather nice, and he doesn't attempt small talk.

[A boon to the Witcheress right now, he imagines.]

Edited 2022-06-21 22:20 (UTC)

I could use a friendly favor from someone with a wagon, honestly. I don't think Viktor can ride back that far.

I'll use your name, see what he says.

Oh, believe me. My name will be enough.

[If there's one thing he can be confident, it's that. And the song he wrote was absolutely lovely enough that Wilhelm's one shared dinner was not a complete lump payment.]

I won't bother you longer. But leave me a message when you're arriving. I'll be home to greet you.

I will. See you soon.

[ A week is still fairly soon, when one is accustomed to traveling some distance on a regular basis. As Jaskier had assured her, this Wilhelm is quite helpful and reliable, and between that and Ciri's own connections with the apothecaries and a few other merchants, they manage to arrange a ride back and replace some of their lost supplies. Patched up as well as they can be for now, she and Viktor make the trip back, thankfully without further excitement.

After she hands Viktor off to Jayce (and receives a surprise sword for her efforts), Ciri messages Jaskier that she's in the city and heading back to their apartment. Of course, as soon as she arrives, she stops by the stable to check on Nixie, and then heads upstairs. ]

[Giving Ciri the space to concentrate on getting home is enough to keep Jaskier’s head occupied, in between growing a new batch of plants (which he pushes himself to make bloom in the desert heat – leading to far more sleeping than he meant to indulge in), and updating Geralt with new messages when he thinks to. He’s beginning to feel a bit like a wife, sometimes, taking care of their home while the big, scary Witchers run off to do their business.

Not that he minded. He had Mog for company, he could take care of Nixie. He returned Viktor’s horse and met his handsome friend Jayce, whose company he had not minded, either.

It did lead him to notice the emptiness of their home, though. The space in the loft that Rinwell had once occupied, now with a filled bookshelf. He had gone to market and bought a set of small vases, placing different flowers in each that reminded him of her – blue hydrangeas for the colors she wore, dandelions for a yellow dress she’d once donned to help sell flowers at the stand. There was also a tiny carved owl between them, perched as if a silent watcher. Next to it, Jaskier had laid a matching carving of a toad. Hector had not been a permanent resident of their home, but he had made his mark regardless.

And it was there, having pulled a book of Cadens magic from the shelf that Ciri’s message found him. Finally! He grabs the bottle of wine he’d ordered for her days ago, pretends he is not waiting somewhat anxiously for her to return by the door, like an abandoned pup. But he takes Geralt’s request quite seriously.

Look after her.

He opens the door before she can step through, rushing down to grab her in a hug.] Ciri, my dear! My prodigal girl! Are you all right? [He holds her by the shoulders, looking her over.] You and Viktor made it back with no issues?

Edited 2022-06-25 07:16 (UTC)

[ The hug is expected, and also appreciated. Ciri steps into his arms. She stays like that for a little bit, giving Jaskier a squeeze in return, until he pulls her back to take a better look, none too subtle about the way he takes stock of her appearance and double checks for injuries.

She's washed her clothes during the short stay in Aquila, mended them on the wagon roughly with some off-color thread. Her blouse has certainly seen better days, but the gashes beneath the patched-up tears and suspicious stains where not all the blood came out have healed -- thanks to both Viktor, and then Jayce. Physically, she looks to be in one piece, if travel-worn and dusty (but that's pretty much normal by now). The new sword Jayce gave her is slung on its strap around her shoulder, but naturally, she carries little else.

Ciri gives him a tired smile, and then -- perhaps giving away she's more shaken than she looks -- another hug. ]

Yes. I left Viktor with Jayce. No issues.

I'm all right. And I let Geralt know when we made it back to Cadens.

[No worse than usual. No worse than usual, so he can breathe a sigh of relief. His entire fucking life had been worry-free, now it's as if it's all he's filled with now. A truly pathetic housewife, if he must be one. But he's not going out there to fight monsters or, or -- well, whatever the fuck Viktor and Ciri went out to do. To be fair, he hadn't asked. He'd had plenty of other things (mainly: himself) on his mind.

The second hug, Jaskier truly squeezes. Kissing the top of her head, he holds her as long as she needs.

There's plenty of time to drill her with questions when she's ready. Knowing now, as knowing before, wouldn't change anything.]

Right. His burly friend. We met. More handsome, I'm afraid, than he is quick with flirtations.

[What? The guy is big and handsome. Of course Jaskier did.] Good. If he thinks anything happened to you, he'd probably lop my hands off. Which, I remind you, I do need. [Now she's back, he can more easily slip into humor than the snippy, sharp tone that carried his messages.] I got you a bottle of wine. Or, if you want to get drunk, another of mead. I assume you want to relax after that journey.

[ Ciri rests her cheek on his shoulder for a little while, feeling the last of the tension draining out of her. Finally, she pulls back, gracing Jaskier's bit of humor with a laugh. ]

Yes, I can see that. He's rather... enthusiastic. [ Jayce is a nice fellow, and she appreciates his gift and apparent undying gratitude, but as Viktor had said, he is a bit on the oblivious side.

Ciri sets her sword aside for now, shaking her head fondly at Jaskier's dramatics. It's comforting. ]

First, I need a bath. I must smell appalling.

...though I wouldn't say no to a bit of mead in the tub, come to think of it. If relaxing is the idea.

[Whew. The word enthusiastic is doing some heavy lifting on account of how understated it is. Even to someone like Jaskier! He's hardly met someone with such a mouth that runs off like his own.

He's now beginning to realize how often he does tend towards the more reserved. Like Viktor, he supposes. Oh, no. Has he truly met a man like himself?

A terrifying prospect.]

Well. I wasn't going to say anything, for one, because I'm not rude. [Only when it comes to Geralt is he.] Go on and prepare it and I can bring it in. I promise to knock.

[He pauses, then pulls her in again. Gods. She really needs to stop scaring the living shit out of him. Is Geralt like this? Is this what having any sort of responsibility for a child is like? Even if Geralt had not claimed her, Jaskier's mind had tended to the child that had grown within Pavetta. Destiny had staked her claim at that banquet, driving their lives to... an utterly bizarre place, honestly.]

I missed you, my dear. You haven't the foggiest how embarrassingly frightened I was to see Nixie alone. [His voice is soft, accompanying another squeeze. Until he gives a little cough.] All right, enough being polite. The bath is sorely needed.

[ There is no attempt to evade or resist a third hug. Ciri leans into him, closing her eyes for a few moments. Her voice comes out barely louder than a whisper, and entirely serious this time. She'd snapped at him before, preoccupied and stressed as she had been, but his genuine concern for her is just as genuinely moving; she appreciates it more than she could say. ]

I know. [ She has too good an idea, in fact, after finding Roach alone those months ago. ]

I'm here now.

[ Her eyes glimmer with suspicious dampness as she pulls away, but then she snorts and gives Jaskier a (very gentle) little shove. ]

Yes, yes, I'm eager to remedy the smell as you are. Give me a few minutes. Bring the mead.

Then, we'll talk.

[Jaskier may notice misty eyes (he's been the cause of many, after all), he won't comment on it. As much as he normally will tease her for fun, now it feels inappropriate. And honestly, he is simply overwhelmed with relief. If anything had happened... if she hadn't messaged back, and Geralt went out to look for her without him --

It doesn't matter. It didn't happen, and he is not allowing himself to linger on the worst of things.

He laughs.] Of course. Whatever you wish.

[He at least throws a towel on her head to help her along, returning to pour them both a pint of mead. He could use it himself (as if he hadn't been drinking plenty, waiting for both of them to return home.)

He knocks and waits for the assent before he enters, playing the fuller mead on a tray next to the tub. (Yes, Jaskier bathes in absolutely luxury and everyone else benefits, thank you.)] Look at you, already smelling better. [He turns around politely, his back facing her.] This talk isn't something gravely serious, is it? I'm getting something even stronger if it must be.

[ Ciri, for one, greatly appreciates Jaskier's various improvements to their bathroom situation as a whole since moving here. Julie has also made her own impression: she's taught Ciri what a bubble bath is, and since then, Ciri has managed to somehow procure some. (Nadine may or may not have been involved, in a situation that may or may not have been called alchemy by Ciri and just regular soapmaking by everyone else.)

She's in the middle of scrubbing herself down to rinse all the dirt and blood fully off before soaking in the tub when Jaskier knocks, so he is told to wait outside a little longer, but eventually, Ciri gives the go-ahead. He'll find her luxuriating in a mountain of bubbles up to her chin. As far as modesty is concerned, there's really nothing to see. And the scent has definitely gotten significantly more fragrant. ]

You can turn around. [ She reaches over to grab the cup, taking a long drink culminating in a sigh and a low groan as she sinks further into the tub. ]

Unfortunately, it's not... not serious. But it can wait, if you prefer. I'm unwilling to leave the bath for some time, though.

[Oh. Good. Modesty is important, of course, but he feels very awkward having a conversation -- especially one of import -- with his back turned. So he grabs a nearby stool and takes a seat near the tub, lifting his own pint to take a sip as he lays his legs out in front of him.]

Not not serious. What a way to put it.

[A huff. But it's mostly amused. Jaskier takes a deep breath, keeping his back straight, fingers drawing over the cold glass of his pint (Nadine taught him a lovely little trick, keeping the glasses in the icebox.)]

No, go ahead. What happened? Jayce said he healed you upon your return, but... what exactly harmed you in the first place? I have a feeling the answer isn't as simple as "bandits" or "men with bad ideas."

❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

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