[ CATCH-ALL ] the fire's found a home in me

[wiedzminka]

Who: Ciri & various
When: throughout Sept through early Oct
Where: Cadens, Libertas, maybe Horizon
What: dealing with the mess of everything going on
Warnings: will add as needed



(( ooc: if you want to do any plotting with Ciri, hmu on plurk @ belleteyn or @ lenafish#3861

Ciri will be in Libertas/Cadens early Sept; on the supply run quest traveling to Solvunn and back mid to late Sept; and back in Cadens end of Sept to early Oct leading into the new event. ))

Comments

for claire, early sept.

[wiedzminka]

[ Catching a glimpse of a familiar head of blond hair, Ciri moves closer, mostly just out of a mild curiosity since she hasn't seen Claire around much. Everything's been such chaos, and Claire had only just arrived when suddenly cities are on fire and war is starting up. It must be overwhelming. On top of that, Dean had specifically asked her to help both Jo and Claire get a better feel for using blades instead of weapons they're more used to, and Ciri hasn't had the chance to broach the topic with the younger woman yet.

She turns the corner, following where she'd seen Claire, but her intention to simply catch up and see if she's open to a quick chat is slightly derailed when she realizes something else.

Claire isn't just strolling down the street. She's tracking a mark. ]

[waywardsister]

[ Some old habits die hard. This... this is one of them. Claire's spent much of her youth as what people in suburbia like to call 'troubled'. Quite unable to feed herself, quite unwilling to untrouble herself to such an extent that stuff like this isn't a concern anymore. Slipping back into this is strangely comfortable, strangely easy because it's still so familiar. Being a hunter isn't that far off, truth be told. And this part she's always been good at. Finding someone just careless enough. Not the people with the thickest wallets - or coin purses, as it were. Nah, you don't go for the biggest fish available. Someone who won't miss those coins right away. Who doesn't need to display or hoard their money. Never go for the extremes.

To any hapless onlooker, it just seems like Claire bumps into the guy and moves on with a customary 'sorry' mumbled briefly over her shoulder. To someone more accustomed to this, the way she quickly and smoothly cuts the coin purse loose and lets it slip up her own sleeve is obvious.

Claire ducks into a narrow alley shortly after, heart beating fast, eyes bright with the small thrill - and breathing relief that is perhaps a little premature. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ Maybe Claire thinks she's being stealthy. In Ciri's opinion, it's a clumsy sort of sneakiness. The other woman hasn't even noticed her, too busy trailing her mark and taking her winnings. The man she robs doesn't even look that rich-- a shopkeeper of some kind, judging by the apron. He moves on down the street without getting angry about being bumped into, or even sparing her a second glance.

Ciri doesn't spare him the unpleasant discovery of his missing coinpurse later, but she does follow Claire into the alley. One hand cocks on her hip. ]

One of these days, you'll go after the wrong purse and get your hand cut off.

[waywardsister]

[ She flinches a little, but clearly tries to play it off cool immediately. Crosses her arms, adopts a posture of fake nonchalance as she eyes the other woman. A flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, quickly shoved down and played over with a raised chin, cocked eyebrow. ]

Yeah, well. That day's not today.

[ She sounds like she wants to convince Ciri as much of that as herself, and then doubles down on defensiveness. ]

You plan on ratting me out over spare change?

[wiedzminka]

No.

[ What would be the point? Nothing is gained from Claire being tossed in a cell for a night and getting a slap on the wrist. Ciri is inclined to believe they won't go after the Summoned more aggressively than that, as it wouldn't benefit Marlo or the others who stand to gain from the Summoned's trust and willingness to work alongside them.

She has no interest in bringing this to the law, or even Dean. Claire can do what she wants. Ciri can think it's stupid, and will simply tell her as much. ]

You really strapped for coin so much that becoming a common thief is the best option? Never mind the fact you've got a practically free roof over your head, don't have to worry about your next meal.

What's the point?

[waywardsister]

[ A shrug that belies the truth without Claire saying it: There isn't one, truth be told. She's causing trouble out of sheer habit, not out of necessity. And if she were more honest with herself, Claire could admit that she's causing that trouble not just for others, but very willfully for herself. Does she want to get caught? No. Is there a part of her that intended to keep pushing until she would be, some day?

Maybe.

Self destruction is familiar and comfortable in a twisted way.

She crosses her arms, presses her lips together. The point is control, maybe, when everything is spinning out of hers. Or maybe it's trying to find a way to pay Dean back for putting clothes on her back despite not knowing who she is and having no reason to give a shit - she kinda wishes he didn't give any kind of shit, it would be so much easier. ]

Maybe I'm saving up for something.

[ Another shrug. Pointed, then any hint of vulnerability gets shoved aside. Claire doesn't like being on the defensive. ]

Maybe I wanna look cool with a big ass sword so I can go do my job finally and hunt monsters and save people.

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri's vaguely annoyed but mostly disinterested expression sharpens into something else at that. Her eyes narrow slightly, the green sharp and bright in the shade of the narrow alleyway. She lets her arms drop to her sides, and takes a few steps forward. ]

I see.

If a sword is all you need, why didn't you say so? A large and flashy blade you can look impressive with. That's what you want?

[ She stops in front of Claire, using the handful of extra inches she's got on the other woman to her full advantage, back straight and shoulders squared. ]

If you can land a hit on me, I'll buy you one myself.

[waywardsister]

[ Claire's sometimes too blue eyes bore back, gaze unflinching and hard even when her expression twitches briefly. She's being set up, and she knows it. And of course, deep down she also knows that a big ass sword doesn't fix anything. It won't fix her, and Claire knows she's her own biggest problem. Still. Still...

She holds her ground, glares up at Ciri, her own shoulders hunched inwards. Where Ciri makes herself taller, Claire shrinks a little, not in fear but in defensiveness. Like a dog ducking down and snarling, ears flattered back.

And yeah. It's a set up. But Claire's not one to back down from impossible odds, to try and punch so far above her weight class that she's found to hurt herself. So for a moment, it looks like she will wise up, for a moment hesitation flickers across her features, because she knows she's outclassed here - but then she moves anyway.

And here's the thing. Claire's good for who and what she is. Scrappy street urchin used to doing whatever it took to get by. Self-taught hunter who can tussle with nests of vampires and werewolves, who can take out ghouls and make it out the other side of a bar brawl. Who can take hits and punches, get bruised up and keep pushing without flinching. So yeah - she's good. But she's no match for someone like Ciri, and she knows it, knows it so obviously in how she tries to dart in for that hit, like she knows that unless she gets that strike in by pure chance with the element of surprise, she will not get it in, at all. Like she knows against this woman, she's going to eat dirt, but doesn't care, will not back down, will push and accept the hurt, because that's the only way she knows how to exist.

But that's always been the problem, hasn't it? That in any given moment, Claire's good - but not good enough. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri wasn't entirely sure she'd do it. Claire doesn't back down, though. Doesn't argue or try to convince her otherwise.

Fair enough.

The narrow alley means there isn't much space for either of them; Claire has limited room to work with, and Ciri can't exactly move aside much further than a couple steps in either direction, or back.

She ducks to the side even so, pivoting to face Claire again. This time, Ciri's back is to a wall, presumably giving her less space to dodge the next attempt. ]

for sephiroth, mid sept.

[wiedzminka]

[ They're still may two or so days out from Solvunn, past the unexpected ravine that had delayed their path somewhat. She's kept in touch with Sephiroth briefly throughout the trip, having found out he's volunteered to make a similar one. There's mostly just the one main road, but there are other ways to go as well if needed, with enough planning, so their group might appreciate the warning. She reaches out at some point in the early evening, while they're taking advantage of the lowering temperatures to push forward until it's too dark for the horses to see. ]

Need to talk to you. Not urgent. Let me know when you have time.

[supersoldier]

[He's mid-journey, too, of course. His assigned convoy had finally made their way to the mouth of the thick forest that lines the border between the Free Cities and Solvunn, and having made good time, they had decided to push through. But the road is less straightforward amongst the winding trees and uneven ground, especially when one is trailing wagons behind them. When light strains to filter through the canopy overhead, they decide to make camp soon, discussing which soldiers to assign to lookout duty in case something unwelcome chooses to make its presence known in these thick, silent trees.

He is spared that duty this time, and thus Ciri's message comes at a convenience.]

I have time for messages.

[Or-]

Or I can meet you in the Horizon in a couple of hours. We're getting ready to make camp.

[wiedzminka]

We're making camp as well.

Horizon, then.

It'd be nice to see you.

[ It's gotten easier and easier to admit. Even if it is 'only' the Horizon, it's real enough to speak face to face, and she prefers it to these messages unless it's meant to be only the briefest exchange or update. ]

There is one thing, though. I'm not sure if you're taking the main road or how far you've gotten, but we ran into an unmapped ravine made by some sort of giant creature. Be careful of it. I can show you in the Horizon on a map.

[supersoldier]

[It’d be nice to see you. That sentiment continues to make him feel warm, in a way he’s not sure he’ll ever grow used to — yet it’s pleasant, all the same.]

I’d like to see you, too.

[But not all reasons need to be sentimental. She’s mentioned some kind of… giant creature?]

I’ll imagine up a map for us. You can tell me what kind of creature it is when you get here.

[wiedzminka]

I can tell you where it is, though not what it is. I'll explain when we meet.

Find me in Kaer Morhen in two hours.

[supersoldier]

Two hours, then.

[With little else to add, Sephiroth does not follow up with any further missives.

Two hours pass. He arrives in her domain with little fanfare, other than the way his SOLDIER's uniform, all black, contrasts against the white sheen of snow underfoot. It is not practical for this sort of weather, of course, but Sephiroth does not seem terribly affected by this wintry chill, only casting green eyes out towards the entrance yard to see if he can catch a glance of Ciri. Is she nearby?]

[wiedzminka]

[ When he arrives, he'll find the enormous doors to the keep cracked slightly open, the warm glow of a fire visible from inside. On the steps, a white wolf waits. It watches him a moment, then turns and slips through the small opening into the hall inside.

When Sephiroth makes his way there as well, he'll find Ciri seated at one of the long tables, a tankard of mead in hand, and a map spread out before her. ]

[supersoldier]

[He follows the amber glow of a flickering fire, leading him to a white wolf, which in turn slips inside those doors slightly ajar. He supposes that is welcome enough, and so he follows, his gait steady.

Sephiroth crosses in through the doors, and there she is: Ciri seated at a table, drinking and already preparing to show him the exact spot on the map she had mentioned prior. His footsteps herald his entry before he says anything at all, though he doesn't wait to speak up to greet her.]

You've gotten started without me.

[Poring over a map? Drinking? Either or.]

for geralt, late sept.

[wiedzminka]

[ They're on their way back. It's somewhat slower going now, wagons full of supplies, weighing down the horses. Still near Solvunn's borders, at least, the weather isn't quite so punishing, and they can take advantage of moving through the whole day rather than having to stop to wait out the harshest heat.

It's evening when she reaches out to Geralt. She hasn't got first watch, and finds herself with a bit of free time after bringing back some rabbits for the meal. It's not difficult to find a place to rest, enjoying the cool nighttime breeze carrying the scent of moss and green. It'll be gone soon enough. ]

Picked up the supplies. Heading back to Cadens.

[gynvael]

[ If there's one tangible benefit to being tied to that damn rock, it's that he can at least reach Ciri though she may be miles away. He'd have not stopped her from going, anyway—it's a transport to Solvunn with a half dozen soldiers; she'll be all right—but this eases the natural worry he always has when she's out of his sight.

He's home for the night, on the floor by some candlelight with a jug of wine. Jaskier dozes in away in bed, as does Mog. Geralt has not felt like sleeping. Which is good, or else he'd have missed Ciri's words etched across the floorboards. ]

No trouble?

[wiedzminka]

Not much. I'll tell you about it if you want to meet.

[ In the Horizon, she means. It tends to be easier to talk there, if it's more than a brief check-in. Neither of them really use the mind-messages much except for practical reasons. ]

[gynvael]

I have time.

[ It doesn't sound urgent, but he'll never say no to speaking with Ciri. He enters the Horizon shortly, waiting inside Kaer Morhen as usual. The place has not changed since Ciri helped him repair the walls and the tree. Only some additions: the owl and, more recently, the motorbike that Nadine created for him. It's parked next to Roach, looking permanently out of place at the fortress.

Ciri might like one of her own. He'll show her, perhaps, when she's here—if she has a moment after they talk. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ It's nice to see him in person, even in the Horizon; it feels nearly as real as out there, and even if it didn't, just the ability to communicate over these long distances has been an untold relief. Knowing that it's that much harder she'll simply lose him (again).

She opens her eyes in front of Kaer Morhen, in the courtyard before the main steps and training grounds. The doors are open a sliver, a sign that he's already inside; they open for her with a thought, barely a touch despite the heavy look of them.

Physical appearances in the Horizon don't necessarily translate from the physical world, but for what it's worth, she looks perfectly healthy and fine. Ciri smiles automatically on seeing him, raising her hand in greeting. ]

Hello.

[gynvael]

[ He looks up when she steps inside, the nods. The white wolf is under one of the tables; it's stayed closer to his side as of late, no longer lurking so much amongst the trees. He's not noticed, exactly, though perhaps it says something that it follows him around more. Or maybe it's just a case of how much he's settled into the Horizon from the early days when he avoided it more often than he didn't.

He offers her a mug of ale. Habit. ] You spoke to anyone from Solvunn?

[ How the exchange is being made, he isn't certain. Have Solvunn sent their own Summoned to escort the supplies? It isn't as though Solvunn's got soldiers and guards; now that he thinks about it, who would they send if not the Summoned? Mages? Elders? Members of their council?

Seems a gamble in wartime. To not even have a militia. If they do, they've hidden that secret well. They must have something up their sleeve. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ She takes a seat across from him, and the ale, and then a swig of it for good measure. ]

I didn't speak to any of them face to face. Reached out to Nero and Aloy. Have you met Aloy? I think she's something of a hunter, rides a big mechanical bird. In the Horizon, I mean. Probably no mechanical birds in Solvunn.

[ Ciri shrugs, setting the drink down and looking over at Geralt. ]

She said she had a meeting to hand over supplies to a delegation from Thorne. But our group didn't encounter any of the Summoned of Solvunn. Can't say if they sent any to meet with other groups besides those from Thorne. I'm aware of at least one other supply transport leaving Cadens.

[gynvael]

[ Aloy? No. That's not a familiar name to him. He shakes his head, though he doesn't interrupt. Decides not to ask about riding birds, mechanical or otherwise.

As for Nero, perhaps the war has distracted him from trying to stir up the old gods further. Temporarily, at least.

He hums. ] And the not much you wanted to tell me?

[ No journey of this nature is ever wholly uneventful. Especially not with the continent in turmoil. Leaves plenty of gaps for bandits and monsters to slide through. ]