[It is just another day that Geralt ignores every one of Jaskier's carefully picked words, despite the torrent of them overflowing the room, and himself, and Geralt especially, to the point where Jaskier needs to take several breaths before he --
Right. Apparently they're all good now, or marginally so, and neither of them decided to tell him about it. Fantastic!
Jaskier takes Mog and holds him against his shoulder until the gryphon stops his whining.] A toy gryphon! I am not obsessed with him, thank you. He is my pet and my friend. And Geralt, you were holding him wrong! You have to support his back legs or he gets insecure!
[The gryphon chirps as if in agreement, which turns into a purr.] No, please, show us. I'd love to see more. I mean, it doesn't matter what form it takes, does it? Your chaos is still yours. We make of it what we have, what inspires us, like any artist.
[ yennefer follows as the creature is passed off from geralt to jaskier, amusement still light across her cheeks as she watches them. it feels...a bit domestic, doesn't it? watching them interact with this small creature. the bard's new obsession geralt says, and while yennefer wants to ask further, instead her eyes follow the witcher as he sits on the edge of the table. as he remains close. it's a good thing too, though, as she wonders if she would have caught his quiet voice when he asks to see her magic. yennefer recognizes her own surprise when he asks, and she hates just how much it settles in her. how strange this feels.
in the span of that moment, she almost doesn't remember the last time they had met for something that wasn't weighted. when they hadn't shared time that hadn't involved something heavy.
jaskier's voice catches her attention, and her eyes turn to him for a few moments instead, the hesitant smile that had almost tugged at her lips for the last few minutes brightening almost immediately, instinctually. ] Where did you find a toy gryphon?
[ but again, it is jaskier's voice that shakes her out of her own tension. his i'd love to see more is really all she needs. her eyes go back to geralt's for another moment before she nods, takes one step back, and moves one of her hands through the air. as it moves across the space in front of her, there is a small shower of sparks.
it is still so rudimentary, and she knows that, but her eyes follow the sparks all the same, that smile of her's also lingering. ]
No, it doesn't matter exactly. Drawing it out is similar enough, but there are limits in different ways than learning to control chaos. [ unintentionally, yennefer finds herself laughing a bit breathlessly, her attention shifting back to jaskier. with her other hand, she waves her fingers, and the air around them is filled - though gently - with a few notes of her sweet kiss, notes that her sandpiper picks up on once they fade back out, and he finishes off the next few himself. ]
[ Where indeed. With their rent money, he recalls dryly—back when coin had still been a point of concern, when they'd put off moving to a larger space for Jaskier's toy gryphon. Which he doesn't mind. It was good for the bard. After all that happened then, all that follows them a year later. Even if they don't speak of it much anymore, there are things Geralt continues to do, like keep candles safely tucked inside lanterns and lamps where the open flame isn't lying around.
He realizes he is staring at Yennefer. He glances away—a second or two—before his gaze drifts back towards her. You're whole again, he'd told her then, but the return of her magic at the time nearly cost too much. He's been afraid since she might strive to pay a similar price—from herself, from someone else. Because isn't that all they've ever known? How much it costs to keep what little you have of yourself? The blood that needs to be spilled?
This feels. Different. Perhaps it's that not every bit of her magic has been restored. Not even most of it. This is child's play. A shimmering mirage the Yennefer he knew would've scoffed at. And yet she looks as though she's discovered the most entrancing spell of her life.
Funny. He thinks he looked at her the same way once.
His eyes catch Jaskier's. He isn't sure what to say; they have not discussed Yennefer for some time. He's not been hiding their conversations, nor the fact that they have been speaking again in the first place. It's just—there's no easy way to explain what lies between them. Late nights, a bitterness creeps over him still. Other times, he feels the distance between them with a painful intensity.
And then there is now, where he cannot decide if he should let himself have the moment for what it is, or keep his guard up for when it will inevitably shatter again.
Just the same, he can't help turning his palm over as the small shower of sparks falls. One illusory dot of light bounces off his hand. ] When did this happen?
They're a domestic pet in the Free Cities. A descendant of some gryphons from the mountains, I believe. But they stay small. Isn't he the most adorable thing?
[In true cat lady fashion, Jaskier will temporarily put aside important conversations to coo at the little gryphon, who looks absolutely blissful to be in Jaskier's arms, knowing how spoiled he is. Which is why Jaskier even brings him on these trips in the first place. He's well-behaved. Even if he bites Geralt's hair sometimes.
Jaskier does not retell the events that let to his purchase in the first place. He doesn't wish to revisit such things.
Carefully, he tucks Mog into his arms, giving Yennefer a little room. Despite Mog's adorable everything, including his paws with their small, soft beans, he does very much want to see this.
It is beautiful. A simple illusionary magic that reminds Jaskier of his first. And though he has the same thought as Geralt -- that the old Yennefer he knew would've barked a laugh at such a display -- that now she looks... not happy. God knows he's never seen these miserable souls truly, blissfully happy. But there is hope.
And with it making his music through the air, and his sandpiper playing the notes -- he's left laughing, with Mog paying at his coat (perhaps he recognizes the song, too.)]
That wasn't about you, obviously. I was -- I had many fiery lovers at the time, I'll have you know. [He sets Mog down carefully, letting him find his way to a chair. One can never trust Geralt to be encouraging.] Oh, Yennefer, this is wonderful. Truly.
[ perhaps it is a bit selfish of her; knowing that jaskier would probably talk about that gryphon for hours, and that it might even be a more even ground conversation for them to have, but feeling herself pulled back towards this instead. the shower of sparks, the few notes played through the air. because she does want to share this - this excitement, this moment of levity - with them.
( because she is sharing it with geralt, now that he's here. her intention may have just been for jaskier - for her to steal away some of that brightness for herself for just a few moments - geralt's presence doesn't take that away from her. )
and yes, she does still feel it - a tension, where there wouldn't have been one months ago before everything changed. but it is not enough of one to push her away. not for now. so she will show off her small display, her eyes following the sparks as they fall and bounce off of geralt's hand. at his question, she shakes her head. ]
I don't know exactly when, but I noticed it first just a few days ago. I've been... working with Istredd on a few things, wards and illusions that might be needed now that the ones we've been depending on may fade. We were ah- discussing, and without realizing it the candle nearly exploded on the table. Since then I've been working to figure out exactly what it is I'm able to call on, and like I said- it is limited, but.
[ it's something. something that she hasn't had for months.
at the sound of jaskier's laugh, yennefer's brows do arch, her lips pressed together as she nods, very clearly not at all believing him. at all. but he puts up a good effort, at least. ]
It is catchy. The bards haven't quite let go of it at the castle.
[ Uh-huh. Geralt knows full well who the song was meant for, and there's a glance in Jaskier's direction that says as much. Jaskier's never been shy about singing his...emotions. (He learned that well over the past year.)
A few days ago. What changed? He doesn't mean for his mind to jump immediately to circumstances. It's instinct, that's all. But he doesn't ask the question out loud, even if the knit of his brow marks how he's puzzling it over in his mind. Jaskier is cheered, and the truth is, Geralt is...lighter. To hear some good fucking news for once. Perhaps it feels a bit as though they are moving on. Putting behind them the hurt, the ghosts they once tried to chase.
His lips lift for the briefest moment at the corner. Discussing. He can imagine what sort of discussion if a candle erupted. ]
It's a good sign.
[ It is. He means that, even if it's spoken softly, subdued. Perhaps that's all there is to it. No catch, no struggle. Just magic, flowing back in its own time, because that's where it belongs. ]
[It does feel a bit, at least to Jaskier, as if he and Yennefer are both waiting for Geralt to have some kind of -- not answer, necessarily, but a reaction. No. Not even that. An acknowledgement. It is small, minuscule even, because it's Geralt, but honestly... even that is more than he would expect from a man who no longer trusts Yennefer.
At least he didn't, once. Jaskier can only guess where they are now, considering neither has mentioned their secret rendezvous. They could not have only been wild rounds of sex. Something more is here.]
It is. A fantastic one. And how does it matter where it came from, or what form? It will erupt as mine own did. As yours did, I bet, in the beginning. [He takes her hand, and kisses the back of it, as if she were a fine noblewoman he once met at a dance.] Perhaps you had your own mental block, ah. Removed. Forcibly.
[Pegged out of her, in a way. And you know what? Good for her.]
[ yennefer still isn't sure if that is what she was looking for, but the words do work - a good sign, he says, and she feels some level of tension leave her shoulders. it's almost enough to have caught the slight lift of his lips, the joke that he caught on to. she doesn't know what any of this means, but a part of her thinks that's okay for now. that perhaps this doesn't have to mean anything, other than a relief. a new start.
and of course there is jaskier, slipping in with a fantastic one, and yennefer is no longer burdened with the weight of it. it's a curious thing, how quickly jaskier's worked his way into that space with her - but again, she's not going to think too hard on it. it doesn't have to mean anything.
so as his lips brush the back of her hand, yennefer simply smiles, though it turns into more of a smirk near the end of that. ] Are you jealous, dear husband? [ and before he can answer, she huffs a laugh. ] No, not like that. But I do think something has been shifted, whether it's the Singularity or my connection to it or possibly something else entirely. Honestly, it could be the sap from Ikorr, or- [ there is the briefest pause where yennefer thinks back on anything that might have triggered this, events or mentions or even new potions she's been working with. briefly, she thinks back to when her horizon connection was restored. to geralt and ciri and the fire in her dream. something in her chest clicks at that, but she only glances to geralt once before her eyes are back on jaskier, her smile returned. ]
No, any forceful removal has been yours and yours alone. Now- [ she slips from his hand, then, turning back to the table and grabbing the bottle of liquor and pouring three glasses. ] I do have this room for the rest of the evening, and another bottle that I'm not taking back to the inn with me. But that was all I wanted to share.
Jealous, she says! My dear wife? How on earth would I be jealous? [He thinks of biting her hand just to leave a bit of a point, but he's already risen and a true gentleman loses his opportunity for teeth when he no longer has the maiden's hand -- and she's fully dressed still.
He huffs at the mention of his own forceful removal. (It's not as if he thinks of it often or anything.)]
Ikorr's sap, you said? [He's already sliding into a chair, the invitation accepted without pause, after he's pulled Geralt in to join them.] Your gift from our delegations? If it is something from Nocwich, I would not be so surprised. We received trade from the Lunae as well, and it is an ore with a surprising innate magic. [He pushes his glass forward.] Be heavy-handed, dear wife, and I'll reimburse you if I must. We sorely need good drink and better company. [He gives a meaningful glance to Geralt.] Don't escape quite yet.
[ Geralt does, in fact, consider escaping. For all that things have shifted, a little, it is not enough. He is not in the same easy place with Yennefer as he is with Jaskier. As she is with Jaskier. And he understands that Jaskier forgives easily; it is one of the reasons he...considers Jaskier so important to him. Important to have, while he and Yennefer have been apart.
But it feels as though nothing has changed with Jaskier and Yennefer, how they are, when everything has changed with him.
(It makes him wish for things to be as they once were. They are not, never will be, and he hates how much being around Yennefer causes him to look back, to have wishes that he knows he should not.)
She pulls out three glasses. When Jaskier looks at him, Geralt only returns the gaze. He accepts the glass. ]
Because you are the jealous type. [ she supplies quickly in response, her smile lingering, assuming that he will react in some way - bite her hand, tug her closer, stick out his tongue...you know, all the very mature and very gentlemanly things that jaskier would be one to do.
she nods, pouring the drink into the glass he pushes towards her, about to end her pour right as he says be heavy-handed, dear wife and her brows do lift.
a part of her wonders what the story could be behind all of that, her look just as questioning as it moves from him to geralt once again, and she does find herself pausing - waiting to see if he will accept the glass. because she knows that this hasn't fixed anything, that the distance that remains between them remains even still - but jaskier gives him a meaningful glance and yennefer...
she doesn't want to feel the tightness in her chest. hates that in that moment, she feels her breath still, at least until geralt does move to accept the glass. once he does, all she feel is a sudden embarrassment at the fact that single moment had taken away her focus so entirely, and she's turned back to jaskier again. ]
It took some digging, but yes. Ikorr's sap has provided us with a wholly new way of...I guess you'd call it healing. Restorative. It works for food sources, wards, even physical ailments.
[ as she's talking she finishes pouring jaskier's glass - a heavy, significant pour - and then moves on to fill geralt's glass. once done, she will fill hers much like she did jaskier's and move to settle into a chair closer to him. ]
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Right. Apparently they're all good now, or marginally so, and neither of them decided to tell him about it. Fantastic!
Jaskier takes Mog and holds him against his shoulder until the gryphon stops his whining.] A toy gryphon! I am not obsessed with him, thank you. He is my pet and my friend. And Geralt, you were holding him wrong! You have to support his back legs or he gets insecure!
[The gryphon chirps as if in agreement, which turns into a purr.] No, please, show us. I'd love to see more. I mean, it doesn't matter what form it takes, does it? Your chaos is still yours. We make of it what we have, what inspires us, like any artist.
no subject
in the span of that moment, she almost doesn't remember the last time they had met for something that wasn't weighted. when they hadn't shared time that hadn't involved something heavy.
jaskier's voice catches her attention, and her eyes turn to him for a few moments instead, the hesitant smile that had almost tugged at her lips for the last few minutes brightening almost immediately, instinctually. ] Where did you find a toy gryphon?
[ but again, it is jaskier's voice that shakes her out of her own tension. his i'd love to see more is really all she needs. her eyes go back to geralt's for another moment before she nods, takes one step back, and moves one of her hands through the air. as it moves across the space in front of her, there is a small shower of sparks.
it is still so rudimentary, and she knows that, but her eyes follow the sparks all the same, that smile of her's also lingering. ]
No, it doesn't matter exactly. Drawing it out is similar enough, but there are limits in different ways than learning to control chaos. [ unintentionally, yennefer finds herself laughing a bit breathlessly, her attention shifting back to jaskier. with her other hand, she waves her fingers, and the air around them is filled - though gently - with a few notes of her sweet kiss, notes that her sandpiper picks up on once they fade back out, and he finishes off the next few himself. ]
no subject
He realizes he is staring at Yennefer. He glances away—a second or two—before his gaze drifts back towards her. You're whole again, he'd told her then, but the return of her magic at the time nearly cost too much. He's been afraid since she might strive to pay a similar price—from herself, from someone else. Because isn't that all they've ever known? How much it costs to keep what little you have of yourself? The blood that needs to be spilled?
This feels. Different. Perhaps it's that not every bit of her magic has been restored. Not even most of it. This is child's play. A shimmering mirage the Yennefer he knew would've scoffed at. And yet she looks as though she's discovered the most entrancing spell of her life.
Funny. He thinks he looked at her the same way once.
His eyes catch Jaskier's. He isn't sure what to say; they have not discussed Yennefer for some time. He's not been hiding their conversations, nor the fact that they have been speaking again in the first place. It's just—there's no easy way to explain what lies between them. Late nights, a bitterness creeps over him still. Other times, he feels the distance between them with a painful intensity.
And then there is now, where he cannot decide if he should let himself have the moment for what it is, or keep his guard up for when it will inevitably shatter again.
Just the same, he can't help turning his palm over as the small shower of sparks falls. One illusory dot of light bounces off his hand. ] When did this happen?
no subject
[In true cat lady fashion, Jaskier will temporarily put aside important conversations to coo at the little gryphon, who looks absolutely blissful to be in Jaskier's arms, knowing how spoiled he is. Which is why Jaskier even brings him on these trips in the first place. He's well-behaved. Even if he bites Geralt's hair sometimes.
Jaskier does not retell the events that let to his purchase in the first place. He doesn't wish to revisit such things.
Carefully, he tucks Mog into his arms, giving Yennefer a little room. Despite Mog's adorable everything, including his paws with their small, soft beans, he does very much want to see this.
It is beautiful. A simple illusionary magic that reminds Jaskier of his first. And though he has the same thought as Geralt -- that the old Yennefer he knew would've barked a laugh at such a display -- that now she looks... not happy. God knows he's never seen these miserable souls truly, blissfully happy. But there is hope.
And with it making his music through the air, and his sandpiper playing the notes -- he's left laughing, with Mog paying at his coat (perhaps he recognizes the song, too.)]
That wasn't about you, obviously. I was -- I had many fiery lovers at the time, I'll have you know. [He sets Mog down carefully, letting him find his way to a chair. One can never trust Geralt to be encouraging.] Oh, Yennefer, this is wonderful. Truly.
no subject
( because she is sharing it with geralt, now that he's here. her intention may have just been for jaskier - for her to steal away some of that brightness for herself for just a few moments - geralt's presence doesn't take that away from her. )
and yes, she does still feel it - a tension, where there wouldn't have been one months ago before everything changed. but it is not enough of one to push her away. not for now. so she will show off her small display, her eyes following the sparks as they fall and bounce off of geralt's hand. at his question, she shakes her head. ]
I don't know exactly when, but I noticed it first just a few days ago. I've been... working with Istredd on a few things, wards and illusions that might be needed now that the ones we've been depending on may fade. We were ah- discussing, and without realizing it the candle nearly exploded on the table. Since then I've been working to figure out exactly what it is I'm able to call on, and like I said- it is limited, but.
[ it's something. something that she hasn't had for months.
at the sound of jaskier's laugh, yennefer's brows do arch, her lips pressed together as she nods, very clearly not at all believing him. at all. but he puts up a good effort, at least. ]
It is catchy. The bards haven't quite let go of it at the castle.
no subject
A few days ago. What changed? He doesn't mean for his mind to jump immediately to circumstances. It's instinct, that's all. But he doesn't ask the question out loud, even if the knit of his brow marks how he's puzzling it over in his mind. Jaskier is cheered, and the truth is, Geralt is...lighter. To hear some good fucking news for once. Perhaps it feels a bit as though they are moving on. Putting behind them the hurt, the ghosts they once tried to chase.
His lips lift for the briefest moment at the corner. Discussing. He can imagine what sort of discussion if a candle erupted. ]
It's a good sign.
[ It is. He means that, even if it's spoken softly, subdued. Perhaps that's all there is to it. No catch, no struggle. Just magic, flowing back in its own time, because that's where it belongs. ]
no subject
At least he didn't, once. Jaskier can only guess where they are now, considering neither has mentioned their secret rendezvous. They could not have only been wild rounds of sex. Something more is here.]
It is. A fantastic one. And how does it matter where it came from, or what form? It will erupt as mine own did. As yours did, I bet, in the beginning. [He takes her hand, and kisses the back of it, as if she were a fine noblewoman he once met at a dance.] Perhaps you had your own mental block, ah. Removed. Forcibly.
[Pegged out of her, in a way. And you know what? Good for her.]
no subject
and of course there is jaskier, slipping in with a fantastic one, and yennefer is no longer burdened with the weight of it. it's a curious thing, how quickly jaskier's worked his way into that space with her - but again, she's not going to think too hard on it. it doesn't have to mean anything.
so as his lips brush the back of her hand, yennefer simply smiles, though it turns into more of a smirk near the end of that. ] Are you jealous, dear husband? [ and before he can answer, she huffs a laugh. ] No, not like that. But I do think something has been shifted, whether it's the Singularity or my connection to it or possibly something else entirely. Honestly, it could be the sap from Ikorr, or- [ there is the briefest pause where yennefer thinks back on anything that might have triggered this, events or mentions or even new potions she's been working with. briefly, she thinks back to when her horizon connection was restored. to geralt and ciri and the fire in her dream. something in her chest clicks at that, but she only glances to geralt once before her eyes are back on jaskier, her smile returned. ]
No, any forceful removal has been yours and yours alone. Now- [ she slips from his hand, then, turning back to the table and grabbing the bottle of liquor and pouring three glasses. ] I do have this room for the rest of the evening, and another bottle that I'm not taking back to the inn with me. But that was all I wanted to share.
skipping with permission!
He huffs at the mention of his own forceful removal. (It's not as if he thinks of it often or anything.)]
Ikorr's sap, you said? [He's already sliding into a chair, the invitation accepted without pause, after he's pulled Geralt in to join them.] Your gift from our delegations? If it is something from Nocwich, I would not be so surprised. We received trade from the Lunae as well, and it is an ore with a surprising innate magic. [He pushes his glass forward.] Be heavy-handed, dear wife, and I'll reimburse you if I must. We sorely need good drink and better company. [He gives a meaningful glance to Geralt.] Don't escape quite yet.
no subject
But it feels as though nothing has changed with Jaskier and Yennefer, how they are, when everything has changed with him.
(It makes him wish for things to be as they once were. They are not, never will be, and he hates how much being around Yennefer causes him to look back, to have wishes that he knows he should not.)
She pulls out three glasses. When Jaskier looks at him, Geralt only returns the gaze. He accepts the glass. ]
no subject
she nods, pouring the drink into the glass he pushes towards her, about to end her pour right as he says be heavy-handed, dear wife and her brows do lift.
a part of her wonders what the story could be behind all of that, her look just as questioning as it moves from him to geralt once again, and she does find herself pausing - waiting to see if he will accept the glass. because she knows that this hasn't fixed anything, that the distance that remains between them remains even still - but jaskier gives him a meaningful glance and yennefer...
she doesn't want to feel the tightness in her chest. hates that in that moment, she feels her breath still, at least until geralt does move to accept the glass. once he does, all she feel is a sudden embarrassment at the fact that single moment had taken away her focus so entirely, and she's turned back to jaskier again. ]
It took some digging, but yes. Ikorr's sap has provided us with a wholly new way of...I guess you'd call it healing. Restorative. It works for food sources, wards, even physical ailments.
[ as she's talking she finishes pouring jaskier's glass - a heavy, significant pour - and then moves on to fill geralt's glass. once done, she will fill hers much like she did jaskier's and move to settle into a chair closer to him. ]