Geralt z Rivii (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
gynvael) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2021-12-07 11:20 am
gynvael) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-12-07 11:20 am
Entry tags:
- !npc,
- alucard; the hierophant,
- amos burton; the lovers,
- cirilla of cintra; the devil,
- estinien wyrmblood; the hermit,
- father maxwell; the wheel of fortune,
- geralt of rivia; the hanged man,
- hector; the magician,
- himeka sui; the fool,
- jaskier; the sun,
- relena peacecraft; death,
- sam wilson; justice,
- yennefer of vengerberg; the chariot
[ OPEN / CLOSED ] i think i found a way to kill the sun
Who: Geralt + Various
When: December
Where: Cadens, Horizon
What: Some catching up now that he's home
Warnings: Discussion of trauma; nsfw marked
(( placing starters in the comments below. find me at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
discontinued or at Noa#1979 to plot stuff! ))
When: December
Where: Cadens, Horizon
What: Some catching up now that he's home
Warnings: Discussion of trauma; nsfw marked
(( placing starters in the comments below. find me at
Checking in after the escape!
[Spending most of his time in the Horizon sequestered away in the palace of obsidian glass built into the side of his volcano, Kylo hasn't tracked his scorching way across the Horizon to Geralt's domain before— but now, he has reason. His progress is slow and deliberate, and while he doesn't believe himself capable of walking through the world without scarring it (so he isn't), the tracking line of destruction marking his passage is thin and largely superficial. Kylo isn't here to add to Geralt's wounds.
He is here to check in on him, which is a relatively new desire to be trying on for size, and when he catches sight of the Witcher he finds himself relieved. Also new. He stops short, leaving a healthy distance between them: he is something of a monster after all.]
Geralt.
[It's also possible he's trying out greetings.]
no subject
As it turns out, he needn't have concerned himself. He's out in the yard when the looming figure trails through the gates and hovers at a distance like a hesitant wraith.
Geralt looks up. The snow sizzles and steams where the heat meets it under Kylo's feet. Or what's visible of his feet beneath those robes.
He tilts his head. ] Came to see if I'm still breathing? Or have you more ominous messages to pass on?
no subject
[Kylo considers the question, head tilted slightly and a tic pulling at the corner of his mouth that looks suspiciously like it might want to be a smile— or at least whatever passes for one when you're Kylo Ren.]
Both. Though, I'm no more messenger here than I was there.
[And he wasn't much of one there, either. His gaze is heavy, steady, assessing as his expression slides flat. Perhaps, he thinks, Geralt has been exposed enough already. Domains are so personal, when you know how to see the soul through its work— and as a telepath who honed his ability to read minds under the tutelage of the tyrant reading his, Kylo knows both ends of the blade. Intimately. He glances back towards the shadow of his mountain.]
I thought we could talk, now that we can. That I could answer your questions. And that you could answer mine.
no subject
He does have questions. Ones he's been sitting on until he can address them. Now seems as good a time as any. ] Come inside, then.
[ He doesn't wait for Kylo to answer before he makes his way towards the heavy doors. They open to reveal the torch-lit interior, benches and tables laid out. It's empty with the ghosts of many. Geralt seems unconcerned about Kylo's fiery path and the further Kylo goes in, the more he will see why: the place is already scarred with signs of wear and destruction, scorch marks and blood of decades past stained dark into the wood and stone.
The easy way Geralt settles in at one of the tables, though, suggests nothing about the cold fortress is unwelcoming for him. And it isn't: it's home. The only place he knows to be safe, protected.
He slides a mug of ale Kylo's way without asking. His questions can wait. He wants to hear from Kylo first. ] You start.
no subject
[Well, that answers that. He had been considering offering to relocate them both to the insides of his own heart in a clumsy gesture of... balance, perhaps, not that his underbelly is particularly soft or welcoming. He'd just wondered if it would make things fairer, somehow, if Geralt saw his wounds and what they'd made of him too.
It all makes sense though, when Geralt leads him inside. Kylo drinks in the details as he stalks between the tables, fire-tipped fingers trailing absently (and harmlessly) over the marks left by battles presumably older than he is, for all the wear and tear layered over the bites of blades, burns and stains. Why would Geralt be ashamed of his wounds? He's found a home in them here, each becoming a source of comfort over the years stretching from the moment he survived them.
He folds himself seated opposite, arresting the sliding progress of the mug Geralt offers with the broad palm of his hand and peering curiously into the liquid within. He's never had ale.
He takes a sip, clearly distracted by the flavour for a moment.]
I want to understand why you were taken.
no subject
The tips of Geralt's fingers rest on the table. Most of him has healed; all that remains is the gash down his back, still held together by stitches but beginning to scar finally. ]
Someone must've informed the queen Yennefer and I may have a relationship. [ This is a question he's sidestepped answering for anyone else, unwilling to divulge that he and Yen do, in fact, have that relationship—but Kylo must already know that Geralt means something to her, if he'd been the one she'd turned to for aid. He's not certain what it is that made her trust Kylo with this information, but seeing as Yennefer does not trust easily, he's decided not to question her decision. She has her reasons. And Kylo did come through for him, in the end. ] They wanted her to watch. I suspect what they could glean from my mind was secondary.
[ He had little. Other than Ciri, which Thorne could not possibly know about, all he held were names of those summoned in the Free Cities. It's not insignificant information, but it also isn't something that couldn't have been gathered by simply planting those mages who took him in Cadens to listen and observe. Or a well-placed bribe to an innkeeper. They sure as hell didn't need to take him, in particular. Or to invite Yen if it were not at least in part a display. ]
no subject
Leverage.
[He says, with a twist of distaste. Kylo may be exactly the kind of monster who would tear into the mind of an enemy to retrieve their secrets, but he has very little time for the machinations of subterfuge. His own master had employed similar techniques in his attempts to manipulate and control him, though... ah.]
Or a test of loyalty. Both. The Queen has an agenda of her own, unsupported by other elements of the Thornean government, and Yennefer... [he pauses, thumb running absently over the mug cradled in his hand] ...she would be a powerful asset, if she could be harnessed.
[Not that his tone suggests he considers that likely, though Queen Ellya can choose to believe it at her peril. Kylo would be sleeping with at least one eye open, in her place. He takes a thoughtful sip.]
I wonder how she learned of your connection.
no subject
His gaze flicks upwards. A beat, and then: ] We kissed.
[ That day, before the portals. They'd been less than quiet when they first saw each other in the prison yard, too. He doesn't elaborate. Kylo can put it together himself. His tone suggests he's aware it was a mistake, that he need not be told so. Yennefer has assured him she's safe for now, that no one's asked any further questions. So either the queen has bought her performance or they're biding their time.
He's done his best to put it out of his mind. He wants to trust her. He does trust her. She will tell him if anything is amiss. There's nothing he can do about Thorne from this side of the world. His focus has turned to what he can do, which is look after the girl, keep an eye on Jaskier, figure out if there are any remaining threats in Cadens. ]
What is the queen after? [ His brows knit together. He's been thinking about this from the start, long before he was captured. From the moment he'd learned the details from Relena herself, of what had happened. Of who was and was not involved in that little trial. ] If she's so little faith in her council, why not remove them altogether? The High Mage fucking up an execution and scattering the summoned at once is more than enough cause to lose his post. Or his head.
no subject
[If all it took to have Geralt put through his ordeal was a rumour of a kiss, then it's definitely wise for Kylo to keep any evidence of his own interests behind closed doors. Noted. But at Geralt's question, a wry smile pulls Kylo's mouth into a lopsided curve. It vanishes quickly.]
If she allows Ambrose to work for her and takes on a few extracurricular activities of her own in secret, she can eat both egg and hatchling. Ambrose has her support, and she clearly has faith in his proven ability to summon offworlders who can touch the Singularity. But she doesn't want to rely on us. Why would she? Unpredictable elements with no loyalty to her crown. So, as it seems the High Mage isn't the type to try tearing us apart to determine if it's possible to give native Abraxans, Thorneans, her subjects, access to our ability...
[His gaze slides, heavy, to meet Geralt's own.]
She will perform the experiments herself. Behind closed doors, without his knowledge. Anyone's knowledge. We only know what she did because Relena survived the process.
no subject
Although: ] But he knows now?
[ Someone must've told Ambrose. Haven't they? Perhaps not. He gets the sense no one trusts the High Mage much, either, though for different reasons than the queen. And as far as he's aware, those who have remained in Thorne number fewer than anywhere else. It'd make it easier to...what. Conspire? Between them? Is that what they're all doing? He can't imagine the castle is anything except full of hidden blades, but even the most deceitful of them will need friends. Of a sort.
Shit. He's so tired of untangling other people's agendas. He's yet to even ask Kylo about who in the hell that sorceress was. The one who led him out that night. Thinking back, he might've recognized her from a glimpse, once. When he was first pulled through? Maybe. He isn't sure.
Speaking of. Something occurs to him, abruptly, and he leans forward. His gaze is scrutinizing. He thinks of Mal, appearing without memory or knowledge on the other side of the entire damn continent. He doesn't know what it means. How the fuck does that even work? ] How many new faces have you seen in the past few months?
no subject
Newly summoned?
[Kylo considers, counting off their numbers thoughtfully.]
Perhaps ten. Not all of them remain, though. People disappear. It's easiest to track arrivals here in the Horizon. If a Domain vanishes...
[Then it's safe to say that person's connection to the Singularity has dissolved and they are no longer here in Abraxas. And Kylo has noticed a fair number of disappearances, lately. Perhaps it's all tied to the weakening of the Singularity that Ambrose is so afraid of. Still, it's not the most pressing matter in front of them.]
Ambrose doesn't know about the Queen's activities, and the Queen herself doesn't realise we know what she's been doing in the dark. Not yet. [he leans forward too, crackling with intensity.] And we have to keep it that way. You and I, and our mutual acquaintances. While the Queen believes she is working in the shadows, she will limit herself to smaller-scale projects to evade detection. There are... friendly elements in Thorne who can't afford to have their efforts exposed at this time, and I can promise you. If chaos erupts. If Thorne finds itself under attack from its enemies, and the people of Thorne demand their leaders take action? The Queen is backed by the military. She will step out into the light and make her personal project policy. And it won't be Thorne alone. Every faction on this planet will begin summoning as many of us as they can, and they will find ways to use us and our abilities as weapons.
no subject
Geralt doesn't address the matter yet, lets Kylo speak as he will while he considers. Friendly elements. Like the mage, he presumes. The Duchess, too, perhaps. His expression flickers. Yeah. He remembers. The queen had said, what was it. That her uncle captained the military? There's a stretch of silence that Geralt makes no effort to fill even if Kylo were to add anything else. Truthfully, he does not want to be the one holding political secrets, but here they are. Not that it changes much. No secret will ever top the one he holds for Ciri. ]
And if Thorne is attacked from within? [ Because he knows, better than anyone, that chaos rarely begins from without. He thinks Kylo must realize that, too, whatever it is they're planning on that side of the border. ] Instability does no one good. The Free Cities are not showing restraint out of respect.
[ It's the first time he's acknowledged, a little, of where exactly he stands, despite his presence in Cadens. He's about as much interest in shattering the Singularity as anyone in Thorne. It doesn't matter what that thing is or what omens Thorne believes it holds. Maybe it spells doom, maybe it doesn't. Maybe all that will happen is that there's one less giant rock in the universe. What he does know is that you do not fuck with something that has existed on a world since its inception unless you're looking for trouble. Trouble he wants absolutely nothing to do with.
Beyond that, the Singularity appears to be the only thing shielding Ciri from the Wraiths of Mörhogg. For now. Its interference with her Elder Blood is a concern, but it's at least a concern that can be worked with, alongside Yennefer's help. A concern he can bide his time with while they find an answer. The Red Riders, though? If they discover her, as she fears? No one needs that. Least of all Ciri. He's already trying to protect her from a dozen different things, from a dozen different people, all who will want her the second they realize the power she carries inside her. Every day, it feels like he finds something new. And it worries him, not just for her safety, but because it's been years. Years since he's...since he's taken her in, apparently. She came to this place a grown woman, still on the run, still afraid. Which tells him she's been escaping for near a decade, from those who would pursue her. Perhaps he should know better, than to believe peace can be found for those like her, like him, too different for the world to turn away from. But it's something he can't help wanting to give to her. ]
no subject
[If. Kylo offers Geralt a particularly flat stare, which isn't perhaps the most obvious indicator of wearied amusement to the uninitiated— but it seems to Kylo that there are enough similarities between the two of them that he doesn't need to lay it out further. They do indeed both know what a kingdom divided looks like, and the kind of trouble it can cause.]
It's... delicate.
[Which is not his specialty. Or Geralt's, he suspects. Although, with so much of Geralt's thoughts turned to protection, Kylo can't help but catch the very edges of the concern Geralt is turning over. What surprises him is how familiar it is, now, the desire to protect something— someone precious and valuable and absolutely, vitally secret. No longer an experience alien to him, or a sentiment that inspires the sickening heat of jealousy. Kylo has people of his own, now.]
But I am doing what I can to show Thorne the position of strength and stability it can find in informed co-operation with the Summoned, and I am not alone. I take it you weren't given much access to the castle library during either of your visits?
[A sip of ale, a rhetorical pause.]
The last time the royal family of Thorne did something the population disapproved of, they were overthrown and executed. As long as the people feel adequately protected, the threat of exposure should keep the Queen... contained.
[And Yennefer, newly proven loyal, should be a shiny enough bauble to keep her eyes from straying elsewhere, he doesn't add. Perhaps he doesn't need to.]
no subject
Delicate. Yeah. What else isn't fucking obvious?
He lets Kylo talk, reacting to little even as he quietly mulls it over—though his eyebrow lifts when the matter of an execution is brought up. Hm. That's new. Not the most surprising. What kingdom hasn't got a bloody coup and an execution or fifty in its history? His expression suggests he doesn't like any of this. He also knows he doesn't have to. The balance between the three nation states can't be maintained forever, but. The longer it can, the better. It'll at least give him time to learn more. ]
I'm not seeking retaliation. I only want to know ahead of time if or when a storm is brewing. Whether that involves the queen or otherwise.
[ It needn't be said, but he does so nonetheless. That's always been the one thing he's made clear no matter who approached him. Because he's aware, given everything, it would be easy to assume that's what he wants, that he would be willing to support certain things simply because he holds no fondness for someone who did that to him. And he doesn't, but that's not the point. He knows full well what allowing resentment and vengeance consume you does. Never ends well. It isn't a place he wants to find himself in.
Probably, that's what Kylo will sense most in him: that if he holds any desire to see the Queen pay (and part of him does; he'd be lying if he said the impulse to take her head did not exist), it's largely tempered, carefully cooled and set aside. As long as he can be certain the people important to him are protected, what happens to her—good or ill—is a secondary concern. ]
The mage. The one who set me free. [ He still hasn't got a name. Truthfully, he isn't sure he wants to. It might be best he can't name to anyone—whether that's Thorne itself or the Free Cities—which of Thorne's mages cut him loose, if it ever comes to that. ] I owe her. And you.