[ CLOSED ] tell them that the villains on my list

[wiedzminka]

Who: Ciri, Jaskier, and others
What: Geralt has gone missing. Ciri and Jaskier are on the case.
Where: Around Cadens, the desert outside it, perhaps the other Free Cities; possibly Horizon and Network
When: Mid-November
Warnings: violence, gore, dismemberment

If you'd like to plot out a thread, please PM Ciri or Jaskier's journals, or catch us on Plurk at belleteyn and scathefire respectively!

Comments

[rinwell]

No. I was reading.

[ Normally she'd be a bit sheepish about that admission. It wouldn't be the first time she'd fallen asleep with her nose in a book, either, but in this case, no. Rinwell had been awake, Rinwell had heard shouting, Rinwell had waited.

She pads slowly over to the table, mindful to give Ciri and her chair space, before slowly sinking into the second one. ]

But it sounded like something happened.. [a question, phrased as a statement] So, I got up. Are..are you okay?

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri notices the way Rinwell gives her a wide berth, timidly slipping into the chair across the table. Broaching her question with caution, like she expects Ciri to snap at her or worse.

She hadn't meant to scare the girl.

Ciri sighs, letting her head fall back into her hands, shoulders slumping. ]

It's Geralt. Something's happened. He should have come home, and he didn't.

Jaskier and I are leaving on the morn to look for him.

[rinwell]

[ Cautious, but not scared. Rinwell has seen things worth being scared of, and as yet, she's not sure Ciri is one of them. But cautious? Yes. It's clear there are frayed nerves on display here, and the fact Ciri is very clearly upset its concerning.

Then the reason why is revealed, and one hand pops over her mouth, smothering a gasp.

It's, almost impossible, to picture something happening to Geralt of all people, but that explains the shift of mood in the house, in the tension in Ciri, and the absent Jaskier. ]

Do we know where he last was? [then, firmly, as if it's not even a question of IF] How can I help?

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri nods against her own hands, taking a few more moments to compose herself before looking up again, pushing her rumpled bangs out of her eyes. ]

A general location, yes. That's where we'll go, try to track him, figure out how Roach got lost.

[ As if the horse might have just wandered away without Geralt noticing. Because it's easier to say it that way than to give in to the swirl of what ifs spinning a hurricane in Ciri's mind. ]

She wandered back on her own, dehydrated and tired. She'll need a little extra care and attention, but I checked her over, and she isn't injured. Can you care for her? We'll likely be gone a few days.

I'll give you my key to the rooms and coin for supplies and the stables. Just need someone around to make sure things are taken care of.

And... in case Geralt comes back while we're gone.

[rinwell]

[ Rinwell's mind immediately floats to Alice, to the young woman being there one moment and gone the next, messages failing to reach her.

Watching Ciri, she swallows down the urge to mention that as a possibility. ]

Are you sure? [she doesn't deflate, but there is a brief pang of disappointment; whatever her experience, they likely don't trust her yet. But that's okay. She had to build that sort of trust with the Silver Swords too.] Of course, I'd be happy to take care of her! And the apartment. Plus if he shows up here, I can let you know right away!

Is there any particular treatments Roach needs while she's recovering? [for once, experience with the ranch back on Dahna might actually come in use!] Does the person who owns the stabling handle ordering hay or grain for her?

[wiedzminka]

We'll be all right. [ Ciri promises, with the certainty that comes from years of dragging herself somehow or other out of the most impossible situations. The dangers of the desert are largely expected, and generally not that terrible. Nothing she's not prepared for.

(Nothing Geralt wouldn't have been prepared for either, and yet--)

She tries to offer Rinwell a smile. It's a pitiful thing, a brief tightening around the corners of her mouth that might have been grimace more than anything else. It fades just as fast. ]

The stable handles basic necessities. You'll have extra coin if needed, but it should be enough with what I've already paid.

But horses are very intelligent and social creatures. She'll grow restless without company or exercise.

[ For a few days, Roach will honestly probably be just fine, if bored, but Ciri might be... projecting a bit. She is Geralt's. He'll want to know she's cared for. He'll need her in good spirits when he returns. ]

Brush her coat. Talk to her. Give her a couple of carrots. Make sure to ask the stable if she's eating and drinking as much as usual, and if they appear concerned, reach out to me.

[rinwell]

[ Funny how she has a hard time believing Ciri will be all right, with a smile like that. It's almost as if Rinwell's worn that smile herself a time or two.

Very slowly, she reaches over and lightly pats Ciri's arm, before retreating it again. How 2 console?? She dunno, smolmagicbean is not very good at it. ]

Okay, I'll keep that in mind. [she shifts slightly on her chair] Horses aren't really kept for much back home outside of, um. Food. And we didn't have any at all in the region I'm from, it's too cold for them. But we— a friend ended up with a ranch to look after, and I did help out a little. [a tiny bit. while making fun of him] So I know how to keep an eye on those things.

Will it be okay just to lead her around, if she needs a walk?

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri looks down at the touch, more bemused than anything -- but it's a sweet gesture, and she understands Rinwell is just trying to make her feel better. If nothing else, the distraction is better than sitting here alone when there's nothing much she can do until morning.

If the idea of Rinwell's home world keeping horses for food is distasteful, she doesn't show it. People eat animals. It's just the way things are.

So she nods, considering the question. ]

Don't see why not. Roach doesn't spook easy. You'll be fine.

[rinwell]

[ Only Renans get to be fancy where horses are concerned, back on Dahna. Rinwell greatly prefers rappig meat, anyway. ]

That's good! Because I don't know how to ride, as you know.

[ she'd clung pretty tightly the night Ciri had taken her back to the outpost. but she HAD enjoyed going really fast once she got the hang of it. ]

And if you need me to do anything else while you're gone, I'd be happy to do it. [then, sheepishly] I won't stop looking for work while you're gone, though.

[wiedzminka]

It's plenty, Rinwell. Thank you.

[ One less thing to worry about. It's good that Rinwell will be here, for Roach and to take care of the rooms if needed. To be here, just in case--

And a reason to come back, too. That is also something. ]

You'll find something. As a mage, are you any good at alchemy? Magic may not be a widespread practice among most here, but apothecaries and alchemists are always needed, even in a city like this. I know one or two who may be looking for an apprentice.

[ Though she has no idea if Rinwell is even interested in something like that. ]

[rinwell]

You're welcome.. After you three took me in, it's the very least I can do.

[ She knows better than anyone what it is to lose those you are close to; here's hoping she's not left alone for too long, or the mageling might have to learn to ride the hard way and take Roach to find you all! ]

What is alchemy? [there's such genuine puzzlement in her voice] And why would a mage know it?

[ Perhaps it's a different worlds thing. Or, perhaps, it's more knowledge lost to time after the Renan invasion of Dahna. The thought of an apprenticeship isn't entirely unwelcome, particularly if it gives her a new skill...And some coin she can contribute as well. ]

[wiedzminka]

You shouldn't be alone out here. [ Ciri tells her quietly, firmly. ] Not that you couldn't... handle it. I know you are strong. But just because you can face something alone does not mean it's better that way.

[ Allies and friends to rely on ease the burden, even in times they can't help carry it. Rinwell had been all alone in this world; and for once, Ciri actually had the people she'd been searching for around her. It had never been a question. When she came home to find Rinwell asleep on their sofa after the wraith attack and they all woke up to eat a groggy meal together the next day in various states of exhaustion mixed with good cheer, the girl had become part of their little group as easily as that.

The question about alchemy makes her blink. Ciri is pulled out of her thoughts to consider this, having thought alchemy a concept present in most worlds, if not all. ]

Potion-making. Sometimes, there are spellwork components or items used of a magical nature. But one does not have to be a mage to be an alchemist. I simply thought, since mages are in short supply in Cadens, some potion makers might appreciate the extra set of skills.

[ There are various shops with all different methods, after all. Some are 'strictly science' (though magic is also just as much science as chaos, Yennefer had taught her, and so Ciri thinks that is a silly way to distinguish), but others are more open to working with magic users. Ciri is pretty sure Rinwell would do well at a job like that. At least it could incorporate something she's passionate about and not bore her. ]