abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] just look across and see

Entry tags:

[ CLOSED ] just look across and see

Who: Geralt + Various
When: September
Where: Cadens, Nocwich, Horizon
What: September catch-all
Warnings: Standard Witcher canon; season 3 spoilers. nsfw marked.

(( starters below. plot with me

discontinued. ))

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[ Istredd found out about it from Wanda and she too didn't mention who was involved in the situation, only that a blood sacrifice was done by a few Summoned shortly before that seemed connected. He was fairly horrified at the time that they'd just be doing these rituals without thinking about it, but now no one can claim ignorance about whether it works or not.

He does think it does lie with the Summoned at the end of the day. What they're able to accomplish is different from most. And their existence there is what he thinks is draining the Singularity. But they are here, and some of them want to stay, and there is an element of selfishness in that, if they are technically harming this sphere by existing in it. There are too many unanswered questions to know if that is true.

It's not easy for Istredd to admit to an irrational reaction, especially in this situation as it's exposing his vulnerability. He's still raw from what he experienced and he isn't acting logically right then. It would be easy for Geralt to get his hackles up by being indifferent or rude, but he's understanding instead. And it helps a tense twist in Istredd's stomach relax and lead him to hesitantly step further.]

Losing the Brotherhood and the old guard, it's damaging but survivable. I've never had anything I wanted to hold onto this tightly before.

[ He grieves for what happened and for the losses, but he doesn't love the Brotherhood or Thanedd. He does love some of the Summoned. He has come to love the life they built here. And that is a great deal different from how he's lived all of his years up until now. He is afraid of losing what he's come to truly care about. He understands now what that feeling Yennefer had about Ciri and finding a new purpose.

With that comes the reality he isn't as impartial and logical as he usually likes to be. Maybe he can get it back, when it's not so raw. This is fear, not caution. ]

I don't know what we can do to lower the risk of someone like the Wraiths getting through. They won't stop Summoning. I planned on going back to the Singularity this Dimming with two people it favors, but it didn't tell us anything last time.

[ They've another point to contend with: if they were to go back, if their place in Abraxas cannot be sustained, how can they stay together? What about the Summoned who are unable to return home? He thinks of Julie, who isn't alive in her world, whose earth itself has perished. There has to be a way to exit this world without losing everything.

He's prepared to leave this sphere he's started to call home. If that's what has to be done, he will do it. But he will not abandon his family. And he doesn't think Istredd will, either. It isn't about this world. Not exactly. It's the people they've found. Like Istredd, he has lost loved ones before, fallen through the decades.

And yet, as he told Dean, it's different with Ciri. His brothers only had one end. Ciri has a future. A bright one. He means to preserve that for her. ]

I know you hope to seek clarity by visiting the Singularity. [ He glances up. He isn't telling Istredd not to go. ] Just be careful you don't awaken anything you shouldn't, either.

[ To him, the shrines and the Singularity require the same caution. The summoning spells used by each nation. They must be connected. It's all Chaos, after all. Magic drawn from a single well of power—and if Ambrose is to be believed, a well of power serving each sphere in existence.

There is always a source.

Here, the source is the Singularity. Whatever they do, they need to remember that. ]

I'm seeking clarity for us, Geralt. I'm trying to find a way to secure the future we want.

[ Istredd isn't using we as in the two of them, but he assumes Geralt knows that. They both know that they have reasons to stay, reasons they want to fight for this place. For Ciri's future, but in Istredd's mind, for Mat, and Kell, and the others who have better lives here. He can't sit aside and do nothing when there is so much up in the air, people he's promised to try and help.

To go from an isolated scholar to a community leader, in Thorne at least, is a strange pathway that took a year to get to, but it's real all the same. He doesn't know how they got to this place where he is actively being honest and even on the vulnerable side with Geralt, but he's tired. Very tired. And maybe he cares a lot less about what Geralt thinks of him than he used to. ]

And yes, I know that maybe seeking that could backfire and lead us to lose instead. But I don't know that we can just ... wait and see.

[ Maybe Geralt is used to trying to find neutrality and not take sides, and Istredd used to stay out of it entirely, but they aren't in a situation where the dust will settle for them. ]

[ He can already tell Istredd is reading more into his remark than there was, and given their past conversations, he cannot blame him for the presumption. It is true that previously, his caution may have been more guarded. He'd have told Istredd that the Singularity isn't worth disrupting. Things have changed.

Not that he means to be taking sides, either. The kingdoms can go fuck themselves over this damn rock. But he can't sit idly by when they've been brought here to be used as pawns. ]

Istredd. [ Geralt leans forward. ] I don't disagree. I'm saying take care when you go. We each possess a connection to the Singularity. Be cautious you don't corrupt your own.

[ That goes for any who will accompany Istredd. The world is a concern, but that isn't the only thing. The Summoned are, too. Yes, even Istredd. He can acknowledge that, albeit. Begrudgingly. They may not see eye to eye on everything, but it doesn't mean he wants the mage sucked into the Singularity's unpredictable whims. Istredd wasn't here when the Singularity was at its most unstable, but Geralt remembers what happened. ]

[ They have come a long way, he realizes all of a sudden. Him being open, Geralt not shutting it down. Istredd studies him for a moment, that pain still in his chest, the fear of it all crashing down. He meant it when he said it was for them, all of them, but the corruption is a good thing to point out. What would he do in his desperation? He probably won't know until it's tested.

He told Lucifer that just for one night, he was going to allow himself to be glad someone would rip apart the universe to save him. But Istredd only meant it for then. He does care about the multiverse, it's just that he has more selfish impulses now, at times. It was easier to care about that when he had no personal attachments. They've all changed since coming here.

He is quiet but then his mouth curves into a half-smile. ]

That sounds almost like concern for me, Geralt.

[ Is he teasing him? Absolutely. It is tentative though, the most humor they've ever established was with the fake fight, and then earlier in this when he tossed the head at him. ]

[ Now why can he practically see that remark coming? Geralt huffs through his nose before the words finish leaving Istredd's mouth. ]

Haven't you enough untested conjectures to contend with?

[ Not quite denial. War and loss make for strange bedfellows, he supposes. He's had stranger. For a mage, he can acknowledge Istredd is not the worst. At least not when the man finally gets his head out of his arse.

Geralt plucks up the severed head by its sticky horn. The enhancement keeps it from leaking fluid everywhere, but it's not. Tidy. Jaskier will no doubt complain when he sees it in the house.

Either way, unless Istredd has more to discuss, Geralt's achieved what he came for. ]

Lack of denial is a test in itself.

[ Istredd smiles for the first real time since all this went through his head. It's nice because it's simple. Easy. Nothing too serious between them, nothing that is a problem. Just feeling on the same page, like they did during the party. An instinctive underlining trust on his end, to think he could go with Geralt's request without question.

They've gone through a lot. Being able to joke lightly on this subject? It's small but good. ]

Enjoy the head. But don't think this is encouragement for you to toss something else at me next time.

[ Neither of them are the types that need to linger. ]

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[ CLOSED ] just look across and see

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this convo is extra interesting considering the horizon group chat tbh

:3

thank you for your patience. also lol.

of course!!

can wrap here or on yours. I loved this thread thank you.