wiedzminka | ❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

"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."

[ She doesn't mind; Jaskier is family, and she doesn't find it strange at all, especially considering the fact she'd really love to keep soaking and not worry about additional steps to the process at this point. They can share a drink and talk here as well as anywhere else.

Honestly, it's less embarrassing than the next thing she's going to tell him.

Ciri groans, taking a long drink and letting her head fall back against the edge of the tub to stare at the ceiling. ]

No, actually. It's very simple. It was a fucking wildcat. They're rare, but they're not even... I mean, most people wouldn't even call them monsters.

[ She pauses here, taking another drink, and sparing a glance at Jaskier as if to see if he's shaking his head at her or something. ]

But Viktor's horse spooked, and it was his first time riding. The wildcat attacked him. I hadn't noticed it.

One thing led to another, and--

I tried to portal us to safety. I suppose that's when the horses ran.

A -- [Jaskier pauses, choking on his swallow of ale.] I -- I heard you right? A wildcat?

[He can't help but laugh into his drink, which he tries to hide because it's completely inappropriate, and Ciri was hurt, and it's not really funny except --] I'm not laughing at you, I promise. I -- I only remembered I've described you as that before. A wildcat. In song only.

[Jaskier composes himself quickly, wiping a few drops of ale from his chin.]

I'm sorry. At least they ran home, I suppose. Though -- you say you tried. How far did you go? It must have been too far to retrieve the horses.

Edited 2022-07-18 07:39 (UTC)

Yes, yes. It's very funny. Get it out of your system now, you prick.

[ Said casually, as she takes a break from her story to have another drink or two. She doesn't fault him for laughing. The irony is, admittedly, amusing. After enough time has passed for her as well (and with her shoulder fully healed), Ciri can see the humor in it herself.

It's not the cat that was the problem, or the fact it had gotten a good swipe at her despite her training. Unfortunately, that would have been too simple indeed.

Ciri sets her mug back on the tray, leaning back again. This time, she sounds serious. ]

We ended up at the edge of the crater.

Jaskier. I could see the Singularity.

[Normally he would be quite insulted, by Jaskier will allow he deserves a you prick at the moment. She was still hurt! It was terrible! He'd only been expecting... more bandits, maybe? The return of the giant, angry scaled mother he and Geralt ran into? Even a dragon, maybe, from the mountains.

At least he doesn't choke on his drink this time.]

You're fucking joking. [He stares at her. The crater. Oh, he knows that crater well. He remembers it intimately, even now.] Fuck. You've never even been. How... how did you end up there? As far as I've known, they've never led anyone there again.

It would be a joke in poor taste, but unfortunately, it's worse. It's what happened.

[ She nods at his realization. No, she'd never been before. Yes, it is fucking weird, and it sets her teeth on edge. ]

I meant to portal Viktor to safety, just a few feet away. Enough to get him out of the way so I could take care of the threat.

Instead, we wound up in the middle of nowhere. Got attacked by some truly unpleasant giant bugs I've never seen before. When I saw the crater and the Singularity beyond it, I realized where we were, but I'd in no way intended it. It never would have crossed my mind.

The only thing I can think of is...

[ She hesitates, lingering on another few sips of her mead and sinking lower into the water, chin tucked in the bubbles and just the tops of her knees poking out. ]

I could feel how strong its magic was. Like a pressure, or-- a pull.

I can't help but think it wanted me there.

[ Ciri looks up at Jaskier again, searching his eyes. ]

And yes, I am aware that sounds insane.

[He's far to be the first person to claim he knows much about magic or chaos, but it feels utterly bizarre to him, as if Ciri is breaking some fine law in the physics of chaos that must exist, that she can portal so casually in the first place, of course, but moreso that she can portal to somewhere she's never been to before. (But she's done it before. He knows that.)

The Singularity is different. It's a place so... magically hostile.

At least to this sphere's natives. The Singularity is, in fact, quite the opposite to the Summoned. Far too much the opposite.

Jaskier sets his drink down between his feet.]

It isn't insane. Gods, Ciri, all the things that have happened to us -- being here in the first place -- how could it? [He pauses, rubbing his temples, sighing. No. No, he believes her. He believes her implication -- that the Singularity interfered with her portal somehow, bringing her to it.

It's terrifying. Somehow, more than anything, that this unknowable, unfathomable monolith should want her --]

You're not the first person who's told me that there's... almost a consciousness to the Singularity. That it is, in fact, very alive.

❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

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