wiedzminka | ❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

[ 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.

[ Ciri's head snaps up before she can take her next drink. Her brows furrow. ]

What? Has this... happened before?

[Jaskier shakes his head before she can go too far with it.]

As much as what happened to you? Not that I've ever heard of. I've been to the Singularity once myself, when Thorne dragged us out there like dogs. Perhaps Thorne still does so, but it doesn't seem that way. None of those I've spoken to from there, at least, have brought it up.

But after our trip there, there was another person in Thorne who told me something similar. A boy named Ronan. He's the first of us to touch the Singularity, as far as I know. He said things like... it was something called a ley line, where magic converges. That it is insanely powerful. That, as a magical being, he is kept alive by it. And while I can't recall too many specifics of the conversation, I do remember one thing in particular: "It wants us." I would not be surprised if... if it is one more thing in the world that wants to use your power. Perhaps that's why it pulled you there. To... see you itself.

[ Ciri listens quietly, slowly draining her cup. It didn't last as long as it probably should've; she stretches out her arm for a refill. ]

I hadn't heard of that before...

[ The boy Jaskier means, the idea that someone has communicated with the Singularity in some way. It wants us. That much seems clear, something she might have understood on some level before this, in a theoretical sense. It had brought them here, after all.

But now, having experienced the force pulling her to it directly without her permission or intent, it feels overwhelming. Terrifying. A heaviness that settles in the quiet, now that she is home an not focusing on one thing after the next just to get them safely back. ]

I think you're right.

[Ever the diligent host, even in his own home, Jaskier lifts a pitcher and refills her drink for her. Of course he had the foresight to bring extra, if she's really meant to soak.

He doesn't mind. The soaps smell heavenly, and there's a sense of ease from their being there. A feeling of home.

Jaskier sets a hand on her arm.]

You know we'll protect you from anything we can. Even a giant, ridiculous rock. [It's a ridiculous notion. What is Jaskier going to do? The most he can do is... research. Or learn better magic. But he's still no sorcerer. He's a bard.] Perhaps its intent is not a negative one. A fruitless hope, maybe, but... it is fair that if it wants something from us, from you, you will have some leg up on it.

I know, Jaskier.

[ She turns her hand to take his, giving his fingers a squeeze. ]

If it is sentient in a way we can understand, perhaps we can figure out what it wants. If it can even be defined as something positive or negative. There is a reason magic is called chaos, after all. I don't think it will be that simple.

But for now--

Well, I'm just glad to be home. And the mead is very good. Nice choice.

[He raises her hand to give an affectionate kiss to her knuckles, like a knight greeting his queen. Mostly because he likes to tease her about the princess business (especially since she upset him over the song he wrote for her. Payback!)]

Ah, I concur. It will never be that simple. Nothing truly is.

[Except, perhaps, the comfort in having her home.] Hah! Of course it is. My tastes in drink are impeccable. I had a year of tearing myself around the Continent to taste the best. [He pats her hand, leaning back to make himself comfortable. She'll bathe, and rest after, and Geralt will be home soon enough. Perhaps he can make something a little special for the three of them.] It's good to have you home once more.

[ She giggles, pulling her hand away with a little shake of her head-- amused rather than annoyed, and Jaskier should know the difference by now. ]

Oh, yes, I know. Only the finest for you. And me, of course. Geralt will drink anything.

[ Her grin widens as she settles back, and settles into the familiar banter and comfort. Geralt will be home in a couple of weeks too. Much like her, he always comes back. He has a place to come back to. ]

Mm.

[ To think of this place as such, and to feel at home in it. Despite everything, this is the place she's chosen. They've all chosen. She'll do damn near anyway to keep this little piece of the worlds they've finally carved out together, no matter what the Singularity wants with her or not. ]

Yeah. It's good to be home.

❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

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