[ CLOSED ] spring break babeyy

[wiedzminka]

Who: Ciri, Julie, Nadine & Jaskier
When: early May to... like May 20?? who knows.
Where: Aquila, Andromeda Bay
What: a roadtrip and a beach vacation with the girlssss (+ Jaskier). what better way to cope with all the bad shit happening than to just. bounce. bye.
Warnings: drug use and drinking, lbr; discussion of eating various animals



[ Frankly, by this point, they've all well and truly had it.

After the stress and unpleasantness (trauma, even) of sharing memories without anyone's permission, losing more of their number (the loss of Rinwell stings the most, for Ciri), and suffering an all around shitty past few weeks, it's time for a change of scenery.

Ciri talks to Jaskier first; he could also use the distraction. She tells him how she'd promised Julie a view of the ocean, which apparently Julie's never seen. She calls in a favor or two with some merchants she'd helped guard on the road and back a few times, helping Jaskier secure them all a wagon and horses for rent. She tasks him with inviting Nadine and goes in person to tell Julie, figuring out the best time to leave (as soon as possible, in fact).

If any of them seem a little desperate to get away, at least none of the others will judge.

The trip takes about a week, but with the comforts of the wagon, plenty of drink and familiar company, it passes by quickly. Ciri rides alongside on Nixie while they travel, or occasionally ties her to the back of the wagon on her lead, letting her walk around while Ciri sits and chats. She hunts for meat to add to the provisions they've brought, desert rabbits roasted over a fire, the occasional small fowl.

When they arrive, Ciri shows them the inn she and Sephiroth had found last time they were here, a cheerful little place decorated in brightly colored tapestries and fish-centric motifs. They could have stayed in the wagon, but between her and Jaskier at least, they've got the coin for a bit of a splurge. And besides, the inn is only a short walk from the bay. ]

Comments

[cointosser]

[It's part jest for him. He has plenty to do himself, after all; it is very rare that Jaskier finds time to sit and do nothing. Even when he is sitting, he is writing. Composing. Observing, ultimately, hwich is one of the most important parts of the process.

He sits on the blanket beside her, his legs laid out in front, crossed at the ankle. As he listens, he smiles to himself, watching the waves roll in and out.

He laughs to himself. Exhausting? How interesting. He gets the sense that the way Nadine thinks is not entirely too common -- not in his sphere, or in hers.]

I've never thought of it that way. Perhaps we're different in that instance. In my pursuit of intimacies, I've never found myself tired. The opposite, actually. [He shifts his foot, letting his toes dig into the sand.] I've never said it, but I do appreciate your... well, your open mind. It has always been important to me. It's never been about having as much sex as I'm able, though I'm sure it seems that way. It's that... no two relationships are ever the same. I have never wanted to limit what I can offer to others. Lovers and friends alike. [Now he looks at her, and he's caught all in it again: the quiet beauty surrounding her, with a sharp mind and a soft heart. The same woman who could do something so important as heal the sick, and something so childish as to play a game of chase with a gryphon.]

But, should your desires ever change, I want you to know I fully support it. You deserve far more love than, I think, even multiple men -- or women -- can give you.

[nadine_he_loves]

I think the difference is I'm a tired person in general. And for me...despite how we first met, I like to know someone and trust them to some extent before I can think about going to bed with them. And I don't know how to meet people that way.

[There's no regret in Nadine's voice, her approach is a practical one. Somewhat. She digs out the wine and pops it open. But it's true, she's never met anyone in the conventional way. Flagg sent her weird psychic messages when she was twelve. Flagg gave her to Harold. Julie sent Jaskier to her. The closest, once more, was Larry, and that...well, that hadn't been conventional either.]

You...you're so much like your sign, really. You're full of light and warmth and you're just so open to other people. You connect with them so easily - even people that don't usually connect like that. And that's part of it. You wouldn't be happy, restricted to just one person. That's not who you are. It would be really cruel of me to try and keep you all to myself. And that's not who I want, I want you, exactly as you are.

[It doesn't have to be all of him, it's never had to be all of him. It's enough that she knows she holds a special place for him. Yes, so do others, but...while they don't talk about this at length, she knows him well enough now. It doesn't take away from whatever he feels for her - and she suspects that what he feels is a great deal.]

Like I said, it's not lack of desire. Theoretically, yes, I...I'd like to have a little more varied experience. I'm almost forty and I've slept with two people in my entire life. But, uh, men, generally, I think. I don't know, I've never really thought about it. That's the other thing...there's only so many people I've met and thought 'yeah, I want them'. We're talking can count them on one hand. And that's my whole life, not just here.

[There have been a few, though. Larry, obviously. And one of the original Summoned that she'd come in with, who wasn't here anymore...but maybe she just has a thing for tall, charming, and powerful Nordic looking men. And then there's the mess of trying to make intentions known. It had been so easy with Jaskier, Julie had set everything up. Julie is the expert in these things, Nadine is practically an ignorant. If only it could always be that easy...

Well. Maybe it could. Nadine takes another drink of wine, expression thoughtful.]

Uh...but I mean...I know I've never asked you about who else you sleep with on any regular basis, it doesn't really matter, but...you know. If you ever wanted to...I mean I assume you're sleeping with generally good and trustworthy people...

[Even with wine in her, good Catholic girls aren't supposed to ask their boyfriends about threesomes.]

[cointosser]

[He can't help but snort. It's not inaccurate; that's why it's so funny. It's truthful. It really strikes to the heart of herself. He loves hearing the way people think of themselves, when they truly can see themselves accurately.

But he loves that tiredness, too. Because despite it, she still lights up.

And somehow, she is nary the only one who can yet have Jaskier, master bard, well-known celebrity of two spheres now, feel a tad embarrassed by what he can only hear as praise. He's more than chuffed to hear it; to him, The Sun has always matched him well. It wasn't entirely surprising to have been known, where as the other Summoned were more secretive, or less... public. In general.

Now he wonders how deeply the mages got to the heart of things. Or does the Singularity itself choose their Arcana?

He plucks up the wine and takes a drink, straight from the bottle. Oftentimes, he thinks, conversations like this needn't mess around with frivolities such as glasses. Mog's tail lashes the sand, but he remains curled up, with only a twitch in his ears. Dreaming, then, to the sounds of their conversation, now his energy has been eaten up by the chase.]

I like to think that means your tastes are very selective. Only the best for Nadine. [He winks with a laugh. Not at her small pool of experience, but that -- honestly, he doesn't think it matters, considering the circumstances. If she wants more, if she wants that pool to grow larger, to change, then that is what is important.

If you ever wanted to --

Oh. There are so few words in the world a woman can say that are more attractive, especially when they involve a bit of exploration in said woman's own sexuality. Jaskier's gaze is level, and he truly thinks on it.] You mean, inviting company into our bed? [The way it flows off his tongue, barely loosened by wine, might indicate how often it's happened already.] Only if that's what you want, as well. It can be even someone you're already well acquainted with. I've found, in some ways, that makes it much easier. [Again, he sips.] But sometimes more difficult. [So who? Who is uncomplicated, and a decent, careful lover? Fun, he thinks, should be the target here. Jaskier licks his lips.] How do you feel about Geralt?

[nadine_he_loves]

[Well, thankfully Jaskier caught on quickly to what she was trying to say.]

Yeah. Yeah, that's what I meant. I...wouldn't mind that.

[It's the sort of thing Nadine has thought about abstractly. She's never contemplated any specifics like who, but the idea of exploring different partners while within the safe and comfortable context of her and Jaskier's bed is appealing. And with her upbringing...it feels less guilty, in a way. She knows he encourages her to seek out whatever she'd like, but some things run deep and defy logic and facts.

Besides that, it just feels easier this way. Less pressure all on her, less intimidation. She's not generally one to dive in head first, she needs to test the waters some and ease into it. Especially getting so late a start with it all. And with him...she already feels safe. It's easy to let go in bed with him and not get caught up in self-doubt or weird shame.

And then Jaskier continues and Nadine is very grateful she doesn't have a mouthful of wine. She can barely contain the snort that wants to escape.]

Uh...I'm pretty sure we've never looked at each other like that. Don't get me wrong, Geralt is great, he means a lot to me. And yes, I would prefer someone I know and trust, but...I've never thought of him like that.

[cointosser]

[Neither would he. Of course not. But he is intrigued by the idea, certainly, especially since it has not been all that long for them to come together in the first place. It's... it's a good sign, isn't it? She's becoming more comfortable. With him, with herself. She's wanting more.

And Jaskier believes firmly in a good, healthy dose of wanting.]

You -- wait. Really? Never? [He blinks at her, choking back a bit of wine on something like a laugh of surprise.] Never? I... oh, my, I wasn't expecting that.

[It's only -- Geralt looks the way he does, and Jaskier's songs had worked so well in combination with that face, that body -- he hadn't met someone in a long time that hadn't wanted to fuck Geralt, even if they feared Witchers. Sometimes those who feared them wanted to fuck them even more than the average Continent denizen.] He's very good at it, if that persuades you. Though it is sort of funny, turning him down. [Oh, yes; the curl of Jaskier's smile says he's very, very pleased that his affections have been so lovingly embraced and she has never "looked at him like that."

It's what he's always suspected. He is sexier, even, than a growling, scarred Witcher.]

I thought of him because you are both well acquainted, and he is thoughtful enough and delightfully unattached. I can personally vet his abilities. [He clears his throat.] And so can Julie, I imagine. Though I would be shocked to hear she hasn't told you about his skills in bed before.

[He rocks back on his hands. Since Jaskier clearly has no misgivings about sleeping with his best friend, it may be less of a surprise where his mind goes next.] Well, what about Julie? You trusted her enough when she made our... introduction. I know you mentioned men, but. It would certainly broaden your horizons, if she's amiable.

[nadine_he_loves]

[Nadine has to laugh at Jaskier's reaction. Hadn't she just mentioned how rarely she feels that way about anyone? Geralt was no exception.]

Really! Well...yeah. He's attractive, obviously, I'm not blind. But...I don't know.

[Pleasantly relaxed from the wine and tired from the day's excitement, she turns her mind to it seriously. Geralt is a very good looking man, in great shape, hair to make Fabio jealous. And she's certainly had moments where she's appreciated that, even if not often. But there's never quite been a reaction to him, not the sort she associates with sexual attraction.

Why doesn't she feel that more? Was that something born of her innate nature, her childhood, Flagg? It's nothing she's thought much about. Always chalking it up just as Jaskier said - she had very particular tastes, she supposed. But did she? Physically speaking, there's very little in common between the three men who've made her go weak in the knees. Aside from a charming smile - they all shared that, even if only two were genuine.

Objectively, Geralt should appeal to her. Stoic but compassionate, practical, a special place in his heart for children, an understanding of a particular sort of bad childhood...maybe that's it.]

This might sound a little silly, but...maybe we're just too much alike. In a weird way, I see a lot of myself in him. And I'm not saying no, exactly, I just need to think about it. But it makes sense you'd suggest him, best friend is usually the go-to.

[Which brings up Jaskier's next point. She's...not entirely surprised that Jaskier has slept with Geralt. They're close, and Jaskier is Jaskier. But it's not something she's ever considered.

Lots of things she's never considered are coming up now.]

That...is not a bad suggestion. I mean I don't think we've ever looked at each other like that, either, but...who knows? And I know she's not weird about sex. But we've actually never talked about her private life like that. I know she and Geralt sleep together, obviously, but she's never talked about it. Not with me.

[cointosser]

You don't gossip? Honestly, what's the point, then?

[But he's grinning as he says it, carefully bumping her with his shoulder. Truthfully, he doesn't really gossip about bedroom activities himself. He takes another swallow of wine and considers it. Are they truly alike? Jaskier knows Geralt mostly inside and out. Of course, any potential similarities is not what attracted him at first. In experience, surely, they are nothing alike.

They are certainly both a sense of calm. One that is the opposite to his own roiling, bubbling energy. They are different arcana, and he hardly puts much stock into the things themselves, though he studied them at Thorne --

Hmm. Yes. He supposes he can see some similarities. But to him, they are still very different.]

Well, I don't mean to steer you in any specific direction. As long as you are happy and satisfied, then so am I.

[It really is that simple to him.]

[nadine_he_loves]

I didn't say we don't gossip, just not about that.

[Honestly, Nadine's done more gossiping than Julie ever has.]

And no, your input is important here. We should both be happy.

[This is one of those two yes situations, as far as she's concerned. Jaskier's opinions matter. Besides, he's the one who's obviously very experienced with this kind of thing. His insight into it all is just as important.

But she appreciates how supportive he is, overall. He never makes her feel foolish for her inexperience or her careful explorations.]

I meant it, Julie's not a bad suggestion. And I know she at least is interested in sleeping with you. Or she was. The night she introduced us she mentioned if she didn't have plans, she probably would have gone for you herself. And it's not like I feel that weirded out at the idea of another woman - you're still going to be there, if it's not for me it's not going to ruin the evening or anything.

[It's a bit odd to consider, but only because she's never thought about it before. There's no immediate 'no' response when thinking about it. A mild curiosity, maybe. Julie is very pretty. And Nadine knows she's comfortable with her to the level needed for something like this. They've shared a bed in the platonic sense plenty of times.]

[cointosser]

[Well. About sex, specifically. He can't help but wonder if the women have ever talked about him, but... to be fair, Jaskier often wonders that about anyone he meets. He is a rather fetching topic, after all.

His head whips around.] Oh? She said that, did she? Julie, that little minx. And here I thought she only found me suitable for you.

[It says it all with a laugh, finally giving up on sitting upright. He moves the bottle and lays down, hands on his chest, his fingers slipping between each other. His rings catch the light, and the air cools as night approaches.]

I do appreciate your assurances, but I feel I will enjoy myself no matter what. I always do with you. [What a sweet-talker. Except it's entirely true. The only time he's truly felt unsure was standing outside her cabin the first time, listening to unfamiliar music, surrounded by unfamiliar buildings. With only a herb-filled night between them.] Especially now. I am very happy.

[And a bit drunk, but it is not taking away from the experience at all.]