Istredd and Ciri have come to a place of understanding, and it is not new to him to be disliked. He's disliked by more people than he's liked, and he didn't come at Ciri in the best way, he does logically understand all of that. It hasn't stopped him from doing what the rest of them do; put her safety first. He almost died for her more than once in the Pit, because her importance is higher than his. And he doesn't have the love for her that Geralt and Yennefer do, Istredd's loyalty to her is a mix of 'Yennefer's daughter' with 'the Elderblood.' Ciri would forgive the first, and resent the second.
Istredd's come to terms with the way they were raised over many years, but there still is that urge in him to make excuses. He knows the two of them feel the same way there. They can criticize the Brotherhood and push back against what was done to them, but at the same time they always come back. She fought and nearly died for them, he always returns as soon as Stregobor snaps his fingers. They can hate the place that raised them but know that it is curled inside of them, a permanent poison, a rope that is wrapped around their necks and hearts tied to the place that made them. They can't cut it. They are Brotherhood mages to their core, no matter what they wish.
"Well I wouldn't wait that long either, anymore." Istredd was the one who kept trying, as they both well know, but they both have tred that ground and walked past it. It took them being pulled to another sphere to come to terms with their relationship and make a better one. "But I don't think it'll take that long." Geralt may be angry but they're connected in so many ways. That isn't the point though, they've been working together regardless of the details. She's worried in a more general way.
Istredd cups her face and tilts it to look at him, vivid blue eyes on violet. "You made a mistake, Yenna. You were in an impossible position. And whatever high horse Geralt wants to put himself on, he knows that." It'll just take time before forgiveness happens. "What actually matters is that you, this you, didn't do that, and you've spent all your time here taking care of her. You've more than proven yourself as an ally and family to her. Ciri's opinion and her feelings toward you matter more than his."
Because Geralt will deal with it eventually and Istredd isn't concerned about that. He doesn't hate the man, but he does think this situation is not really about him. Yennefer betrayed him but it's Ciri's safety that she is obsessed with and afraid for. "Talk to her about this."
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Istredd's come to terms with the way they were raised over many years, but there still is that urge in him to make excuses. He knows the two of them feel the same way there. They can criticize the Brotherhood and push back against what was done to them, but at the same time they always come back. She fought and nearly died for them, he always returns as soon as Stregobor snaps his fingers. They can hate the place that raised them but know that it is curled inside of them, a permanent poison, a rope that is wrapped around their necks and hearts tied to the place that made them. They can't cut it. They are Brotherhood mages to their core, no matter what they wish.
"Well I wouldn't wait that long either, anymore." Istredd was the one who kept trying, as they both well know, but they both have tred that ground and walked past it. It took them being pulled to another sphere to come to terms with their relationship and make a better one. "But I don't think it'll take that long." Geralt may be angry but they're connected in so many ways. That isn't the point though, they've been working together regardless of the details. She's worried in a more general way.
Istredd cups her face and tilts it to look at him, vivid blue eyes on violet. "You made a mistake, Yenna. You were in an impossible position. And whatever high horse Geralt wants to put himself on, he knows that." It'll just take time before forgiveness happens. "What actually matters is that you, this you, didn't do that, and you've spent all your time here taking care of her. You've more than proven yourself as an ally and family to her. Ciri's opinion and her feelings toward you matter more than his."
Because Geralt will deal with it eventually and Istredd isn't concerned about that. He doesn't hate the man, but he does think this situation is not really about him. Yennefer betrayed him but it's Ciri's safety that she is obsessed with and afraid for. "Talk to her about this."