If I leave here tomorrow

[iustise]

Who: Lord John Grey & Yennefer
When: Early October
Where: Nott
What: Yennefer helps John get the hell out of dodge (Thorne)
Warnings: None atm, will edit as needed



When John had been given the order to pack up and prepare to ship out to the front lines, everything had been set in motion. He doesn't feel as though he has truly sat down and had time to breathe since. As soon as he'd received those orders, he had made certain to message Geralt. They had known it was coming, or something like it. John had certainly feared it himself. Geralt --

John does not know, truth be told. But he seemed to be prepared, if the way he had responded had been anything to go by. Directing him to Yennefer and Istredd, who seem by John's estimations to be two of Geralt's closest confidants in Thorne, through one means or another. And the gold that Geralt had already given Istredd made it clear the two of them have been in conversation about if not John himself then similar events for some time now.

He had made certain to secret himself out of Thorne shortly thereafter, which had not been difficult at the time given his status as City Guard. The alarm would likely sound that he had deserted soon enough but by then he would be in Nott and hopefully farther still.

He makes his way to where Yennefer had said to meet with her. Their initial conversation, as he had reached out to her with regards to... all of this, had been rather short. Her conversational style is somewhat reminiscent of Geralt's when they had first spoken over the network, in that John has absolutely no idea how to read her or what to make of her. But Geralt had said she would help, and so he must trust that it will be so.

Comments

[vixening]

Istredd had made contact with her not long after John had, connections made through almost every way. She feels it now, the strings weaving them all together, and in some way it feels like this moment has been months in the making. Years, if she really wanted to think about it.

For now, though, Yennefer doesn't linger on it. She'd given John a place to go, steps to take, and now she had to get the rest of it all in order. By the time she makes it to the public house, he shouldn't have been there for long. But it is also up to him, to keep his head down, to hide among the working class of Nott, until she gets there.

Yennefer has done a lot of work in this neighborhood, so much that when she steps into the tavern and pulls down her hood it is to a couple of calls - some hellos, some groans, a couple of calls out for more. She smiles at a few and waves at the bartender before her eyes go back around the bar, towards the fireplace.

[iustise]

John is somewhat familiar with Nott, though he has spent far more time in the City of Thorne proper. It reminds him somewhat of life back home in England here though, if he is being honest with himself. Some of the older cities and towns, especially here in public houses like this. The Fish and the Snail. A properly quaint hole in the wall tavern such as one might find in any such seaside neighborhood along the coast.

John does as best he can to follow Yennefer's instructions to the letter. He would rather not be spotted or caught out as one of the City's Guard, having abandoned his post, and sent back to whatever Thorne might have planned for a deserter such as himself. Not that he supposes they'd be looking for him so soon, but there may still be men out here who recognize him as such.

Keeping his head down, he orders himself a drink and lingers by the fire, doing his best to blend in and look inconspicuous. With his cloak pulled up to hide his face and the way he's brooding around the fire with impeccable posture, he probably seems anything but...

[vixening]

Yennefer has lived enough life that most any tavern could be familiar to her - towns and cities, kingdoms and villages, they've all taken up a fair share of her years and all through it she has found survival. It was a skill cultivated in Aretuza, one that she's built on in the years following, whether she was working court or on the run, both which have found their ways into her life in Abraxas.

Still, she had selected this public house in particular because of her familiarity. The fact that she knew most of the folks who frequented it to be working, decent people. The exact type who found find offense in the very idea of helping the crown, even if there would be something in it for them. It would provide John, or anyone escaping through Nott, a safe first step. A place to settle in until the next leg of their journey was complete.

Luckily for John, Yennefer had already made a stop before arriving here - had already set up and confirmed the second leg to this exchange. Now it was a matter of stalling, until her contact was prepared, and then making sure she got the man across town.

Her eyes scan the crowded space, finally settling on the fireplace and the incredibly suspicious-looking figure settled there. Part of Yennefer reminds herself to be nice, knowing what John means to Geralt, but even then she can't hold back the sigh that escapes her. Good gods, he certainly needs the help.

She walks over directly to where he's settled, forgoing any sense of subtlety. If he has done exactly as she's instructed, then the table has already been set, and anyone else who might have wandering ears or eyes will assume he's a customer. So, as she makes it to the fireplace, Yennefer's brows lift.

"Enjoying your drink?"