Yes he was always like this. Another leosylph appears having lazily been on the third floor. It is black with red eyes, a different look from the typical. The one identical to Geralt is awake now, and they both seem very curious about the conversation. The ravens change floors up above. They're unconcerned.
"I don't want to avoid her," he snaps. "I've been respecting her wishes, the pit was an exception. She was clear with me." They were forced into the pit but otherwise she's been clear. Istredd isn't avoiding her because he wants to. He's fascinated by her, he wants to talk to her, he wants to get to know her. It's simply not viable.
"Geralt, everything I'm trying to learn about this place, about the spheres, the gods, the monoliths, and the Singularity, it's all connected in my mind, and you're well aware that she probably is too. I want answers, but not at her cost."
Istredd could have told people about her long ago. Thorne would have probably given him a title if they got their hands on her. If he was only about answers and logic and learning, he could suggest they use her to get them. Maybe there are mages who would do exactly that without any hesitation, Stregobor would absolutely be one of them. But that's not him.
He looks abruptly tired because he is, rubbing a hand against his forehead. He is mentally weary, he has been here for too long, but leaving doesn't seem like an option yet. "You saved my life when you could have easily gotten me off your hands. I haven't forgotten that. I want what I've wanted from the start here, for us to work together."
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"I don't want to avoid her," he snaps. "I've been respecting her wishes, the pit was an exception. She was clear with me." They were forced into the pit but otherwise she's been clear. Istredd isn't avoiding her because he wants to. He's fascinated by her, he wants to talk to her, he wants to get to know her. It's simply not viable.
"Geralt, everything I'm trying to learn about this place, about the spheres, the gods, the monoliths, and the Singularity, it's all connected in my mind, and you're well aware that she probably is too. I want answers, but not at her cost."
Istredd could have told people about her long ago. Thorne would have probably given him a title if they got their hands on her. If he was only about answers and logic and learning, he could suggest they use her to get them. Maybe there are mages who would do exactly that without any hesitation, Stregobor would absolutely be one of them. But that's not him.
He looks abruptly tired because he is, rubbing a hand against his forehead. He is mentally weary, he has been here for too long, but leaving doesn't seem like an option yet. "You saved my life when you could have easily gotten me off your hands. I haven't forgotten that. I want what I've wanted from the start here, for us to work together."