abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] here in this garden of bones

All of them?

[ The question's out of his mouth before he really intends it to be from surprise and genuine curiosity. Fortunately for Geralt, he can ponder the meaning of all horses named Roach and walk at the same time, so with a nod over his shoulder Claude heads farther into his domain. There's one door in particular that'll be their destination rather than the others along the courtyard leading further into the house into more standard rooms. This one has a bit of Horizon magic attached to it for the days where he doesn't feel like strolling across the entirety of the monastery grounds, even in their imaginary state.

Instead, this door opens on the other side to mostly up the aerie's staircase in demonstration of his belief a shortcut should be to the fullest and leave them with a few steps left. Dawn takes flight to head the rest of the way up ahead of them both. And at the top of the stairs is a wyvern in the first stall who immediately greets them with a hiss, a noise at which Claude immediately rolls his eyes. ]

Don't mind Buri. He's like that to everyone and always has been as long as I've known him, which is why we're going to see Adelheid instead to make sure you get a better first impression.

[ He leaves the grumbling wyvern behind to lead Geralt to a lighter brown wyvern who, in actual friendliness, immediately sticks her neck over the stall's gate to greet them both in anticipation of attention. To prove no one's about to lose a hand to her enthusiasm, he reaches up first to scratch under her chin with a smile. ]

Horses have a limited lifespan.

[ The unfortunate truth. He's been through a handful of Roaches by now. They're important to him, all of them, but few things—man or animal—outlast the long life of a Witcher.

He falls into step beside Claude. The edges of Claude's domain are familiar. The architecture, their surroundings. He'd glimpsed the similarities in their former spheres from the things Claude had told him—swordsmen, archers, kingdoms—but seeing it makes it that much clearer.

His lips quirk at the hissing wyvern. Temperamental. Just like horses. Geralt's countenance is relaxed—a sense that he finds genuine ease in being around animals. Even ones that are seen as monsters back home. But this one clearly is not. And hell, it isn't as though Geralt goes out of his way to slaughter wyverns. Only when they become a danger to cities and villages. ]

This one's yours?

[ The addition of lifespans brings things a little more into perspective though at the same time, Claude's absolutely sneaking a slight sideways glance of appraisal towards Geralt since when it comes to age - what kind of range are they talking about? Probably a question he can leave for later if not outright another time.

Adelheid's more distracting anyway, even as Buri continues to grumble in the background and Claude continues to ignore the complaints, since with her chin scratched it's now her turn to investigate Geralt. This involves some gentle - on a wyvern scale - of huffs of breath and a (decently) light headbutt for attention. ]

Adelheid? No, she was one of the monastery's wyverns from when I attended the academy there. [ While speaking, he reaches for a pouch of jerky nearby that all of the wyverns will recognize and hands it over to Geralt. There's a tapping of nails signaling Dawn pacing her perch above as she contemplates joining for snacks. ] But we became good friends when working on sky watch shifts, and when Hilda created the aerie she was who I brought in. So... more like yes and no?

Speaking of Hilda, [ with a glance back over his shoulder towards yet another stall that proves to be empty, ] her wyvern Waffle is also usually here, but he must be out somewhere else in the Horizon.

[ Geralt catches the glance, though he doesn't recall who does or doesn't realize he's much older than he appears; it isn't a fact he hides, but as with most details about himself, he also seldom advertises it unless prompted.

Claude probably knows more about him than most, simply because the man actually asks questions.

He removes a strip of jerky, offering it out from the flat of his palm. They're imposing creatures, but so are many horses—half a tonne of crushing muscle and bone. He can see why Claude is fond of the wyverns. If Hilda shares this space, then Sylvain must, as well. ]

Did hers hatch feasting on waffles?

[ Somehow, he's not surprised that's the name Hilda has chosen. Also speaking of her, she's half the reason Geralt has visited Claude, though he doesn't say it. It isn't his business, Hilda's worry for her friend and Claude's decision to cope with his ordeal how he wishes. He just thinks some company might do Claude a bit of good. ]

[ Adelheid accepts the jerky with gentleness he remembers well from her real life self, and the whole interaction brings a smile to his face. One far more genuine than most of the ones he slips on as a mask since while it always comes with the wish this wasn't in the Horizon alone, there's still something calming in this. Something beyond it being just a familiar routine to him from so much time spent with wyverns - maybe the addition now is sharing it with someone he's come to think of as a friend.

A realization that's not surprising, not like it might've once been after arriving and figuring out who could be trusted here. Even with so many questions yet unasked and answers not given, Geralt's presence has been a steady one. A constant, the more that he thinks about it, though it's set aside when the question gets an immediate laugh out of him. ]

No, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's fed him plenty since. His full name's longer so Waffle's quicker to get out. You'll have to come back here so she can tell you about him sometime.

[ Dawn finally flutters down from the ceiling to land on his shoulder this time, and Claude automatically hands her a piece of jerky next that she sets about chewing contentedly. He's not forgotten something else about the invitation to come here. ]

Now I have a question for you in return. [ He's going to pause for a second dramatically even though there's nothing dramatic about said question before grinning widely. ] Are you up to sitting on Adelheid's back? And for a follow up if the answer's yes, how do you feel about taking a flight out and around the monastery grounds?

[ Having won the wyvern through its stomach, Geralt ventures to pat Adelheid on its scaly neck. They're majestic creatures. Almost makes him feel a bit bad about the nests of wyverns he's exterminated back home. (Almost. They were still eating the villagers.)

Sounds like Hilda. Perhaps he will return for the full story.

He looks up at the wyvern at the question, then glances at Claude. His head tilts. ] I suppose a fall won't kill me here.

[ The only time he's ridden a wyvern was when he landed on one and pierced it through the spine before it crashed into the muddy swamp beneath, but that's neither here nor there. Can't be a more jarring experience than a train that spins itself on metal tracks. (The rollercoasters are imprinted in his memories, mostly for Jaskier passing the fuck out upon them.) ]

You're coming with, I trust?

[ That grin's still in place while Geralt considers the options presented to him, and it only grows even wider at acceptance via no serious bodily injury thanks to the Horizon. ]

Hey now, that's the right attitude. [ What better way to agree than by the impossibility of death? There's not one in Claude's mind so his cheerfulness over this is all too real. It's only buoyed by the chance to go flying and potentially introduce someone else to it. While speaking he steps forward to open the stall's door as Adelheid gives Geralt a meant-to-be-friendly headbutt in the chest for the attention and narrowly misses Claude with her horns in her excitement. ] Whoa there, I'd like to stay in one piece too, please. [ Then to Geralt as he reaches for her reins - ] And of course I am. Wouldn't miss this for the world, and I haven't been in a while myself.

[ Normally the saddling up process is one he wouldn't let the Horizon's ability to create to handle; it's the sort of process he rather enjoys. But it can be lengthy so it'll save time by having it happen instantaneously as it has now when he leads Adelheid into the open hallway of the aerie to hold her steady as he gestures with his other hand to the waiting saddle. Also thanks to that magic, Geralt will find it's appropriately sized to him without much to adjust, and Adelheid crouches down to lower a bit of the distance. ]

You'll find, I think, the mounting process is like getting on a really tall horse. Flight itself obviously isn't the same, but Adelheid won't do anything too unpredictable while you're getting used to it. Not anything beyond what an unruly horse might, just to stick with the metaphors here.

[ Something he can't say for Buri still grumbling in the background as another wave of Claude's hand means the grouchier wyvern has his own saddle now ready to go. He'll tackle that in a minute after getting Geralt settled. ]

[ As someone who has a preference for mares, ornery horses are more than familiar to him. Preternatural abilities also means the added height poses not much trouble. He grasps the saddle's horn with one hand. Then with a foot in the stirrup, he swings himself up, settling atop.

She's a powerful creature, all muscle and rough scales beneath. Where horses run warm, the wyvern is cool to the touch. Her wings shuffle. He keeps a firm grip and gives her a pat when she decides not to buck him off. (She's a good girl.) Roach is of a larger breed, so it doesn't feel as different than if he'd grown used to riding a smaller horse. What's most unusual is the balance. Wyverns sit on two legs, not four. There's a slight angle that doesn't come with being on horseback.

Adelheid walks forward a few steps to make room for Claude and his mount. Geralt glances over, content to wait where he is until Claude demonstrate show to steer and take off. Just because he can't permanently die from a great fall doesn't mean he looks forward to metaphysically splattering his insides. ]

Are you sure yours will let you on?

[ He's making fun, just a bit. ]

Edited 2023-05-29 19:08 (UTC)

Nope! That's half the fun of wyverns, I'll have you know.

[ One might think from how cheerfully he says that it might be a joke - but he's quite serious. Buri follows that up with a well-timed hiss as he approaches the stall. A piece of jerky distracts the wyvern enough - or merely placates him - to let Claude lead him out, and then from there it's an easy swing up into the saddle. Years of riding from the time he was old enough makes it something he could do with barely needing to even look. ]

That also goes for guessing on whether Buri will toss me off before we even leave the grounds, let alone the aerie. A chance I'm entirely willing to take.

[ One Buri is too as Claude nudges him forward based on the slight snap of teeth which is meant for enthusiasm only. He promises. Adelheid being there is enough of a motivator for Buri to behave when they approach even as he shuffles some steps in impatience to get out into the sky. From there it's easy to explain the basics, crucial as they are, because despite the lightheartedness: safety is something he takes seriously. That and making sure Geralt enjoys himself, because he'd be lying to himself if he said that wasn't also Important. ]

And should about sum it up, [ is his grand closing to the lesson as he adjusts the reins in his grip in the way he'd just shown and Buri steps into the familiar routine by going to the open doorway to launch off of it to hover in place with some simultaneously powerful yet almost languid flaps of his wings. Claude, for his part, grins at Geralt. ] Any time you're ready.

[ Had you asked him a year ago where he thought he'd be having lessons on wyvern back, he'd have said no. But here they are. He has a motorbike already. Why not a winged reptile?

Geralt listens closely to Claude. Some of it feels familiar, others less. Like steering her into the air—which he does with a light tug on her reins and a quiet appeal to not kick him off. Thick wings stir the air as the wyvern rises off the ground. There's a lurch he isn't quite used to before he settles onto its back.

Then he follows close behind Claude—higher and higher into the sky. The winds grow chilly up here, the sun brighter, even though there is no consistent sun or weather in the Horizon. Below, the Singularity rises from its crater.

Geralt learns easiest through observation; flying beside Claude is the best form of instruction he can have. Eventually, his steering smooths out. Being in the air is entirely new. Thrilling, really, even if Geralt's reaction is subdued as ever. But it's clear he's enjoying it. ]

You've made me wonder how cavalries would be if humans found wyverns to tame on the Continent.

[ Claude's learned enough by now, he thinks, to read some of Geralt's mannerisms far better than he could the first time they'd spoken. After they both take flight, and aside from keeping a careful eye to make sure Geralt's still doing alright on his own, it does seem clear enough to Claude this is something being enjoyed. He's a quick learner for having never flown before, which makes it easier to start them on a loop around the monastery's spires at an easy enough pace to start out with. ]

Effective, probably, if our battalions are anything to go by. [ Said thoughtfully as he looks at Buri contemplating the fishing pond below them while looping the reins loosely around the horn on the saddle before looking out into the Horizon's skies before them. It feels strange to be here in the air without other groups on watch following their own routes around the grounds - but then again, they're not at the actual monastery, are they? ] Pegasi are also popular in Fodlan, and knights either ride them if not wyverns to attack from above or horses to be the usual ground based cavalry.

[ Entirely too capable when it comes to war or otherwise, more or less, and able to be trained to be ready to be taken into battle. Times like right now would be his preference if only the world allowed for it. Maybe someday, but in the meantime he can let his thoughts wander a bit. ]

I grew up around wyverns so getting to chance to ride one was a big deal to kid me back in the day. It sounds like a bad line out of some novel when said aloud, but the magic of flying never has worn off for me. One thing I miss thanks to being here is being able to take flight and see everything from above. I suppose it's much like looking up at the night sky and realizing how small and manageable everything seems in comparison.

[ Pegasi? Geralt glances over, curious. For all the magic of his sphere, flight remains a rare thing. ] Pegasus is a myth on the Continent.

[ Winged horses do not exist. Incidentally, unicorns do. Existed once. Exceedingly rare now, perhaps extinct. Other than Yennefer's...possession (which he maintains was not entirely his fault it broke, and also he had warned her that might happen), Geralt's not seen one.

Then again, he hasn't got the requisite pure heart to do so.

He smiles a hint. No. He understands. There is a certain wonder to it, and he thinks, even if the novelty were to wear off, he would feel the same. The view is pleasant, the air fresher. Maybe it's the effect of the Horizon, but he'll take it. ]

You always remember your first mount. I thought... [ He pauses. ] I thought after the Trials, my horse would not recognize me. But she came over all the same.

[ His first sword and his first horse. Two things he remembers clearly from a century back, though neither are with him any longer. ]

A myth, huh. It's a good thing none of us from Fodlan ride pegasi - [ at least, he's pretty sure that's the case, which is part of why he's grinning, and as for the other part - ] or they'd be offended to hear that. Though then again, I'm sure there's plenty from your world that'd sound equally unheard of to us.

[ Probably; Claude's gotten the sense that perhaps there's more in common between the Continent and Fodlan than most of the other worlds he's learned about. Something worth comparing in a bit more detail when curiosity gets the better of him, and for now he nudges Buri into making another loop of the grounds as he trusts Geralt (or at least Adelheid) will follow.

The reminder of other similarities comes soon enough, though he's sure they would have both preferred there be some kind of novelty instead. Or rather, something not quite so dire. It brings to mind the mention of horses, plural, and Claude understands this horse may have been one of the many named Roach. A moment goes by where he thinks about this in the quiet beyond the flap of wyvern wings and the breezes going by. ]

I suppose that's true. [ An agreement in remembering and a placeholder considering his mind is still turning something else over regarding recognition, and where he decides perhaps this is a chance to ask as it's been mentioned - if nothing else, he's learned Geralt won't answer unless he wants to. ] How long ago was that?

[ When it is asked, it's said in as neutrally as one can toss out an admittedly personal question hiding within a different one voiced. Maybe asking about a timeline of sorts won't clarify anything for him. But Claude doesn't think he's imagined the overlap in stories from in the mountains, and this is a start. ]

[ Geralt tips his head, acknowledging that. ] A myth is only a myth until it's real.

[ Gold dragons, for one. He won't disagree. There are a number of similarities between their original spheres, wyverns, kingdoms, and magic. Alchemical experiments. Underground societies. In a way, it's nice to meet someone who shares those commonalities. Less to explain.

Adelheid is well-behaved, following Claude with little urging. He's not a practised rider yet, but her temperament makes steering painless. The grounds are pretty. Familiar, too, though surrounded by more water than anything he'd have seen on the Continent. ]

Hundred or so years.

[ His age isn't a secret. Just isn't something he mentions offhand without prompting. In truth, there actually isn't a lot Geralt conceals. Most of it is related to protecting Ciri and her abilities. The number of stories surrounding Witchers, Jaskier's songs—notions of anonymity is something Geralt abandoned long ago. He simply doesn't bother explaining unless he's asked. So probably, Claude's curiosity works well for him here. ]

[ The good news is he's already braced himself for whatever answer he might receive. Not for the first time, Claude thinks there's a lot about Geralt that reminds him of Teach - this time it's more the realization of the overlap between the two feeling old, but old really isn't the right word. Wise, maybe, if it encapsulates the sense coming with looking at them and being aware they've seen more than what might be assumed at first glance.

He's never figured out what it is about Teach it is that brings that feeling on - other than the whole being the vessel for a deity thing, though he's pretty sure Geralt isn't one. Maybe. At this point, he's not sure he'd be surprised if that was the case. Regardless, the answer of a century was both anticipated and not, so he nods even as a smile flits across his face. ]

I think I would've been surprised if you'd said anything less than that since the horses, plural, gave me a small clue there. [ The or so part of that could mean anything, he thinks as he absently scratches part of the grown-in beard he's yet to shave off fully and which followed him into the Horizon today. ] Am I right in guessing that's something also from The Trials? Or are very long lifespans normal for the Continent?

[ It reminds me of others he knows with long lifespans, though even Claude assumes making that an actual comparison is beyond a stretch. It's the closest thing which comes to mind immediately despite that, even as his gaze goes back to the monastery. Hard for it to not, given the topic and how much the Church centers in that from his background. ]

[ As fortune would have it, Geralt is not the vessel for anything, deity or no. There isn't anything special about him, and were it not for Jaskier's boastful songs and Ciri's Destiny intertwined with his, he would have made no mark on the Continent other than a Witcher who left behind a vicious reputation in a village and inevitably died on the Path like the rest of his kind. Faded into rumours and stories and then forgotten altogether.

Geralt doesn't know if it's accurate to say that's what he'd prefer, but he'd never sought to be more. He doesn't want it, isn't interested, and Ciri is the sole reason he's done the things he has. ]

Yes. And no. [ Depends on what you are. Elves are the same. So are mages, through magic. It isn't common, but not the most unique aspect of a Witcher, either. ] We aren't alone in our long lives. Hard to say how long, though. Monsters and men have always taken us before old age.

[ Just how it is. Geralt expects the same fate to befall him eventually. Though lately, he's started thinking he would rather have it come later rather than sooner. Used to not matter a fuck to him. ]

[ Yes and no gets a raised eyebrow from Claude until the explanation follows. So it's not merely because of the Trials as that exists for others - nor is a long life a given past what a Witcher's already lived - and he offers a short hum in response while considering this. There's more coming together in call backs to that first conversation they'd ever had, he's pretty sure, and if that's the case: much about Geralt's reactions to what he'd shared make even more sense now. ]

Humans have a rather average lifespan back in Fodlan. If anyone lived longer lives than that, none of us were aware until recently.

[ Though - that makes it sound like it's widely known, and that's not exactly the case. He's fairly certain Sylvain has no idea, and Hilda... well, Hilda will also know someday but thanks to all those timeline complications, she doesn't know that now. Better to shift the topic to something adjacent even if he's not really answered anything about what he meant by that statement of recently. ]

The Crests I mentioned briefly back on the mountain - they come with all kinds of effects depending on the one it is, but none of them grant long life as far as I know. They're passed down through bloodlines and came from blood back at the start of them. Mine's supposed to heal me if I'm injured, but. As you saw, sometimes it does what it wants.

[ Geralt turns at that as Adelheid dips into a downward swoop. ] Recently?

[ Something new they uncovered? Is it to do with the girl he mentioned when they spoke on the mountains? Lysithea? Mages are humans with long lifespans, but anyone not born with the ability to harness Chaos experience a painfully average life. Many might never meet a mage throughout their lives. At best a druid or a local witch. Certainly few encounter the powerful sorceresses the Brotherhood assigns to a kingdom's court.

He hums. ] Magic comes from bloodlines on the Continent, too. The Chaos in this world, tapped by nearly anyone willing...it's unusual.

[ Unheard of, in truth, until he arrived. The implications are vast. It suggests that one's gene or a bloodline dictates not whether they can or cannot use Chaos, but only how easily they can access that skill...depending on their proximity to the Singularity's power. It's the only explanation which makes sense to him. Otherwise, how could Jaskier gain an ability he was never thought to have? ]

[ Ah. Well, that was entirely his own doing in mentioning it so it's not surprising when Geralt picks up that recently leads to something else. Or several something elses, really, and Claude doesn't answer that immediately. Not only because he has to take a second to hush Buri's grumbling over still going at too slow a speed with the descent, but even with what he's already shared with Geralt there's other considerations to make in there. ]

Recently. There were... several figures important to Fodlan's history who were believed to have passed and we discovered that wasn't the case. [ No, that's still far too vague. Even as someone who enjoys talking in circles, this is a particularly dissatisfying one for Claude and he shakes his head. Even more importantly than that: withholding this isn't exactly holding to the trust he's already placed in Geralt. ] It's something not commonly known, and only came to light because of the underground civilization I once mentioned to you threatening to end life in Fodlan as it's known. Had it not been for their attempted intervention with fate by leveling part of the land and reanimating a man who assisted them in a past even bloodier war, all of these secrets would have remained just that: unknown.

[ Probably. Claude sees no reason to believe Rhea would not have continued the charades put on for centuries, and that those complicit in it would have complied to keep the Church in power. This summary has to be confusing enough as it is, but he'll let it stand to see if Geralt has any other questions.

In the meantime, there's still magic to discuss alongside it. ]

Crests are... part of magic but not the entirety of it, if that makes sense. They're said to be blessings from Fodlan's goddess and they're less common today. Mine is a fraction of what it might've once been. But much like here in Abraxas, anyone can access magic in Fodlan should they choose to study it as a lack of a Crest won't prevent that from happening. Some of them assist with it just as others assist with combat by providing added strength.

[ Hm. It's an interesting bit of history. Without context, it holds less significance to Geralt, but he tucks the information away nonetheless. Perhaps the effect is in part due to how frequently Claude has spoken of Fodlan, but Geralt finds himself, more and more, wanting to see that world for himself.

If only it were possible. (Well. It is, but not without too great a cost.) ]

Your soldiers are mages. [ That's unique, too. ] The Brotherhood trains its mages for politics. Court machinations. Few enter the battlefield.

[ Almost none. Sodden Hill was an exception, and he doesn't know if he would call that a battlefield so much as a massacre. He's about to add more when two dots in the sky makes him glance to the left. He looks at Claude, then back again. Is that...?

It is. He'd recognize Sam anywhere, and that pink hair is most certainly not Julie's. ]

Did you coordinate your flying lessons with each other?

Edited 2023-06-25 05:13 (UTC)

[ Mages meant only for politics - that's interesting and a definite contrast to the mages and gremories he knows. Not that they didn't have their places among the nobility or in leadership or governmental roles, but many of them helped on battlefields or to ward off bandits rather than staying at desks.

Then again: court machinations also doesn't imply that's what's happening and there's much to consider there. Are they talking someone working at Hubert's level with their hands in everything? Or merely an advisor meant to offer plans and ideas? There being one organization to train said mages rather than multiple academies also exerts a certain level of control which makes it difficult for Claude to draw on any comparison but to the Church's desires.

Now isn't the time to dwell on that since before he's found a response, Geralt speaks and draws his attention. Coordinating? Claude's about to ask what that means but then his gaze lands on the potential coordinator teaching someone else from the looks of it. He'd know that pink hair anywhere and then it's easy to break into laughter at the timing. ]

Would you believe me if I said no? I think we found why Waffle wasn't in the aerie where he should've been, though. [ If the cries from Adelheid and Buri are anything to go by, they've also spotted their fellow winged friends and Claude reaches for his reins with a grin. ] What d'you say we go catch up with them?

[ CLOSED ] here in this garden of bones

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