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To talk to him in person, you'll need to be in Cadens or go to his domain, a snowy mountain fortress. Yard is open; doors are locked. If he isn't around, leave a delivery with the white wolf.
To talk to him in person, you'll need to be in Cadens or go to his domain, a snowy mountain fortress. Yard is open; doors are locked. If he isn't around, leave a delivery with the white wolf.
Tell me about it. I've dealt with more grumpy old men these last few years....
Oh? You know, if she ever needs things I keep in stock at the shop, feel free to just ask. She's brought me some stuff before, it's the least I could do.
Oh? You know, if she ever needs things I keep in stock at the shop, feel free to just ask. She's brought me some stuff before, it's the least I could do.
You're not grumpy, you're just verbally efficient.
Plus there are ingredients that can't be found anywhere but the desert, and I know for a fact that Thorne isn't well stocked in those at all.
Yeah, I have. Why?
Plus there are ingredients that can't be found anywhere but the desert, and I know for a fact that Thorne isn't well stocked in those at all.
Yeah, I have. Why?
Yeah, actually, there are some things I can't easily get here that I know can be bought easily in Nott.
How'd that go? It sounds like they're pretty nasty.
Actually, if you could bring me its tongue, that would be great.
How'd that go? It sounds like they're pretty nasty.
Actually, if you could bring me its tongue, that would be great.
Thanks.
Limbs are important. How's your leg?
It's going to be dried and powdered. There's a few potions it can be used for, and a little bit goes a long way.
Limbs are important. How's your leg?
It's going to be dried and powdered. There's a few potions it can be used for, and a little bit goes a long way.
[ Ironically, it's their relative freedom that's made Geralt wary. The Free Cities clearly knows when and where each of them come and go; his place of residence has hardly been stable and yet, they always seem to find him or what he's doing. Admittedly, Geralt is not difficult to recognize nor does he bother to keep himself hidden from the public eye, but...even in the early days, that had been true.
His gaze lifts to meet Steve's. What does he plan to do? He's thought about it. Since his arrival, it has not left his mind. Two, three years ago, his answer may have been different. ]
That depends on what they do. And who they look towards to do it. [ The rulers, the other kingdoms. The humans. As much as he has no interest in serving any one side, he recognizes that in fighting for his own, he may end up fighting alongside others in the process—whether he wants to or not. If that happens, so be it. But he certainly won't be submitting to any orders. ] What about you?
[ He's gathered Steve isn't fond of being told what to do, either. ]
His gaze lifts to meet Steve's. What does he plan to do? He's thought about it. Since his arrival, it has not left his mind. Two, three years ago, his answer may have been different. ]
That depends on what they do. And who they look towards to do it. [ The rulers, the other kingdoms. The humans. As much as he has no interest in serving any one side, he recognizes that in fighting for his own, he may end up fighting alongside others in the process—whether he wants to or not. If that happens, so be it. But he certainly won't be submitting to any orders. ] What about you?
[ He's gathered Steve isn't fond of being told what to do, either. ]
Guess there are a lot of different ways it could play out, yeah.
[ Steve glances down at the table, fingers tapping over it as he considers the question that's now been sent back his way. Of course it's been on his mind too. Ever since they first arrived, he'd known that they were brought here to be used. To some extent, he's played into that. He's helped when the Free Cities government has asked for it, particularly with eliminating threats.
He can't just turn a blind eye, as he's already explained to Geralt. ]
... I want to believe that they couldn't turn everyone against us. I've gone from being respected to treated like nothing more than a fugitive before, and while some people will be willing to change their allegiances on a dime, others would stay loyal. The people we've helped.
[ Captain's orders, they'd said. He still remembers that day so clearly, and how much faith he'd had in those who'd stayed by him. ]
That, and we've got each other. I think it's safe to say we wouldn't just accept things without a fight.
[ Steve glances down at the table, fingers tapping over it as he considers the question that's now been sent back his way. Of course it's been on his mind too. Ever since they first arrived, he'd known that they were brought here to be used. To some extent, he's played into that. He's helped when the Free Cities government has asked for it, particularly with eliminating threats.
He can't just turn a blind eye, as he's already explained to Geralt. ]
... I want to believe that they couldn't turn everyone against us. I've gone from being respected to treated like nothing more than a fugitive before, and while some people will be willing to change their allegiances on a dime, others would stay loyal. The people we've helped.
[ Captain's orders, they'd said. He still remembers that day so clearly, and how much faith he'd had in those who'd stayed by him. ]
That, and we've got each other. I think it's safe to say we wouldn't just accept things without a fight.
[ Geralt leans back in his chair, drink ignored. He is not so cynical as to believe contrary to Steve. He is cynical enough to believe it may not matter. ]
When humans attacked our home, it was hardly everyone. Just a mob, spurred by an angry mage and an abundance of fear and hate. In that one night, they destroyed my kind.
[ How many of the Summoned reside in this sphere? Less than a hundred. He can't predict precisely what will come next, but if they will not or cannot serve their purpose, then the kingdoms will seek to discard them. That's always the way it goes. And were he alone, he'd harbour fewer concerns.
He isn't. Not anymore. Ciri feels safe here. This is her home. The last thing he wants is for her to be driven from it again. They fled across the Continent once, and though it kept her safe, he knows the toll it took on her. To run and never settle down. To constantly fear discovery.
It's of no consequence that she can fight. That she's survived too many horrors to count. He doesn't want that to be all she has to look towards. ]
When humans attacked our home, it was hardly everyone. Just a mob, spurred by an angry mage and an abundance of fear and hate. In that one night, they destroyed my kind.
[ How many of the Summoned reside in this sphere? Less than a hundred. He can't predict precisely what will come next, but if they will not or cannot serve their purpose, then the kingdoms will seek to discard them. That's always the way it goes. And were he alone, he'd harbour fewer concerns.
He isn't. Not anymore. Ciri feels safe here. This is her home. The last thing he wants is for her to be driven from it again. They fled across the Continent once, and though it kept her safe, he knows the toll it took on her. To run and never settle down. To constantly fear discovery.
It's of no consequence that she can fight. That she's survived too many horrors to count. He doesn't want that to be all she has to look towards. ]
[ Geralt drops that bomb in his usual way, his tone and word choice making everything curt and to the point. He doesn't dwell on it, and no anger or sorrow clings to his voice. It is what it is. The world is a cruel place, people can be terrible to those who frighten them, and that's that.
Still, as far as Steve's aware this is the first time Geralt has admitted to the fact that his order was wiped out like that. Not imploded from the inside, but hunted down by a mob. Steve sucks in a breath and lets it out again, eyeing his drink with the realization that he doesn't have a taste for it anymore. ]
Guess that's all it takes, huh.
[ He draws a hand up to run down his face. They somehow ended up at this somber place, but he isn't going to dwell in it for too long. ]
I've fought for my people before. I'll do it again, if it comes to that.
[ He's pretty sure that's a point they can agree on.
There's a beat, and then he adds with a one-armed shrug: ] Or maybe that dream we had was right, and they'll start worshipping us. [ He doesn't look any more thrilled about that prospect. ]
Still, as far as Steve's aware this is the first time Geralt has admitted to the fact that his order was wiped out like that. Not imploded from the inside, but hunted down by a mob. Steve sucks in a breath and lets it out again, eyeing his drink with the realization that he doesn't have a taste for it anymore. ]
Guess that's all it takes, huh.
[ He draws a hand up to run down his face. They somehow ended up at this somber place, but he isn't going to dwell in it for too long. ]
I've fought for my people before. I'll do it again, if it comes to that.
[ He's pretty sure that's a point they can agree on.
There's a beat, and then he adds with a one-armed shrug: ] Or maybe that dream we had was right, and they'll start worshipping us. [ He doesn't look any more thrilled about that prospect. ]
[ Mm. That's all it takes. An unruly mob. As Ciri tells it, the same scenario will take him, too, not long into her future. Some human. He supposes it was always going to end that way. Witchers are destined to die by a monster's hand, after all.
He isn't searching for pity, and it's not exactly a confession. He speaks of the incident rarely not because he's hiding it but because there isn't a reason to say it, except when there is. Like now. Steve seems to gather as much, and they move past it without too much bullshit. ]
Some dreams are omens. Others are merely dreams. [ Time will tell which is which. ] Whatever the kingdoms are brewing, I'd prefer not to be caught unawares. If you plan another excursion, I can lend my sword again.
[ Since apparently, they can't go anywhere without something trying to claw at them. ]
He isn't searching for pity, and it's not exactly a confession. He speaks of the incident rarely not because he's hiding it but because there isn't a reason to say it, except when there is. Like now. Steve seems to gather as much, and they move past it without too much bullshit. ]
Some dreams are omens. Others are merely dreams. [ Time will tell which is which. ] Whatever the kingdoms are brewing, I'd prefer not to be caught unawares. If you plan another excursion, I can lend my sword again.
[ Since apparently, they can't go anywhere without something trying to claw at them. ]
Edited 2024-08-05 04:15 (UTC)
One of these days I'll just give you a long list of monster bits I can use.
Good. You know I'll want to check it when you get back.
Good. You know I'll want to check it when you get back.
[ For now, they won't know if there was any truth to those dreams or visions or whatever they wanted to call them. Only time would tell with whether some of the events started to unfold in the same way, and even then, Steve's recollection of the early days is fuzzy at best.
He nods when Geralt offers his assistance again. As it turns out, they're a pretty good team. Although maybe that shouldn't be surprising. Geralt and Sam had struck a partnership early on, and while Steve and Sam are not copies of each other, they do share plenty of traits in common. ]
Yeah, I'll let you know. I'll check in with Sam, see if he can use Red to find out more about what the military's cooking up.
[ But they can rest assured it's nothing good.
With that, Steve finishes off the last dregs of his drink and moves to stand. They've chatted plenty for one night, and he knows Geralt likes his peace and quiet where he can find it. ]
He nods when Geralt offers his assistance again. As it turns out, they're a pretty good team. Although maybe that shouldn't be surprising. Geralt and Sam had struck a partnership early on, and while Steve and Sam are not copies of each other, they do share plenty of traits in common. ]
Yeah, I'll let you know. I'll check in with Sam, see if he can use Red to find out more about what the military's cooking up.
[ But they can rest assured it's nothing good.
With that, Steve finishes off the last dregs of his drink and moves to stand. They've chatted plenty for one night, and he knows Geralt likes his peace and quiet where he can find it. ]
[ Somehow, the question comes unexpected. He had imagined she might be curious about the Gods or the Singularity or perhaps even something of their experiences in the shared future. He had not realized she'd absorbed an old memory from him. The invasion is not what bothers him; he knows by now she never means to see what she does, and it's not as if he's kept his past a secret. But it isn't a memory he wants inflicted on a girl like her. Or anyone, in truth, but especially not her.
It's his turn now for several minutes to pass as he searches for how he wishes to answer. ]
It happened a long time ago.
I'm sorry for what you saw.
It's his turn now for several minutes to pass as he searches for how he wishes to answer. ]
It happened a long time ago.
I'm sorry for what you saw.
[ she would apologize for seeing it, but river has always felt as though geralt understands her in his own unique ways. this is just one more. ]
i've seen a lot of things. so much of it is scary and sad. you find proof of the multiverse and learn that across infinite realities, there aren't many worlds that are kind to children.
[ their situations are vastly different, and yet there are still similarities between them. perhaps river is just feeling a bit melancholy about that right now, given the visions of power and war and death that have plagued them lately. ]
i know it was a long time ago and that you wouldn't be the person that pulls little girls out of burning buildings without it, but i still feel sad for that boy in the basement. i'm glad he survived and i wish i could give him a hug.
i've seen a lot of things. so much of it is scary and sad. you find proof of the multiverse and learn that across infinite realities, there aren't many worlds that are kind to children.
[ their situations are vastly different, and yet there are still similarities between them. perhaps river is just feeling a bit melancholy about that right now, given the visions of power and war and death that have plagued them lately. ]
i know it was a long time ago and that you wouldn't be the person that pulls little girls out of burning buildings without it, but i still feel sad for that boy in the basement. i'm glad he survived and i wish i could give him a hug.
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