[ It's one of those situations where there probably was no "good" answer, no satisfaction on either end of the spectrum. Or, rather, that neither of them ever saw anyone who experienced the happy median. Geralt was only ever around others raised the exact same as him, and Julie was from somewhere poor and rough enough that everyone else was also experiencing some form of dysfunction in their family. And while there is no such thing as perfect parenting, it certainly cannot come at either extreme, constant pressure or continuous discouragement and neglect.

She makes a small noise of acknowledgement. It's a bit surprising to her that Jaskier wants to leave for two weeks, given his flower stand, but then again, boys' trips like this are nothing foreign to her. Redneck men will disappear into the woods together for weeks, if allowed, all responsibilities be damned. (She doesn't really understand the appeal of roughing it.) ]

Ciri said she'll take me to Aquila one of these days, so I can see the ocean. [ And she'd shown Julie a picture of it, in the Horizon, her own memory transferred to a printed postcard. For someone who's only ever been to a handful of places in their life, it's an enticing promise. ] She said everyone there dresses real colorful and fun. So you'll blend right in.