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[gynvael]

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Geralt is always reachable by the network. Unless it's an emergency, expect not to hear back for a few hours, if not a few days.

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.

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late november, while geralt is in mine jail

[assembles]

Hey, Geralt. It's Steve.

[ He knows that these messages come with a signature of sorts, but it feels weird not to announce himself when he doesn't communicate with Geralt like this often. Actually, this might be the first time. ]

Sam mentioned you're on an extended stay in the mines.

[gynvael]

Thought I'd try a change of pace.

[ Hello, Steve. ]

[assembles]

And how's that working out for you?

[gynvael]

Rattlesnakes make for fine company.

[assembles]

Rattlesnakes? Guess I was lucky not to run into any when I was there.

Yet another reason there really shouldn't be any kids working there, but I'm guessing it's back to business as usual on that front.

[gynvael]

[ There's a small pause in between replies. Idealistically, no. There shouldn't be. But Steve happens to be talking to someone who was out hunting at the age of five. Sometimes, the world is simply unkind, and you make do. ]

They're sharper than you think.

[assembles]

I never said I didn't think they were sharp. Cal and I evacuated a group of them when there was a monster burrowing through the mines. They were scared, sure, but they were cooperative and listened to us when we said we were there to bail them out.

Just because they're smart and resilient doesn't mean they should be there.

[gynvael]

And I never said they should be.
You'll want to speak to Sam on this.

[ He's aware a handful in the Free Cities have felt compelled to do something about the conditions in the mines. Or discuss the injustices committed. He is simply not the person for that. Geralt's given away meals, and he's quietly done the work on behalf of some of the children. He's not certain they've noticed nor realized who it was, and it doesn't matter.

But that's where it ends. All he knows is, he'd have been loath as a boy for an outsider to try and intervene over an admittedly harsh life—one he didn't choose, but also didn't turn his back on. For him, it's more complicated than matters of should and shouldn't. ]

If you wish to solve a more immediate problem,
Bring some food.

[assembles]

I have talked to Sam. And I know it's not something that's going to get solved all that easily, when these kids are the sole providers for their families.

[ Steve gets that this is a complicated situation, and that he can't expect things to change simply because he marches is and states that he doesn't like it. ]

Cal and I already went to Portam Hall, but it doesn't sound like anything we said or did there made much of a difference. That's what I wanted to confirm.
But yeah, I can bring food.

[ So on top of everything, there's not enough to go around. He wishes he was surprised. ]

[gynvael]

It seldom does.

[ Somehow, he's not surprised to hear Steve went directly to the government—something he could've told them would've done fuck all. But he's also known Sam long enough to grasp where Steve is coming from. Perhaps it's the nature of the world they once existed in. ]

Have you spoken to any of them?

[assembles]

A little bit, back when the rifts were open. They also invited us to a dinner afterward as thanks.

[ There were... party hats. ]

Have you?

[gynvael]

[ He'd received that invitation. He did not attend, so he was spared any hats, though he regrets missing Steve and Sam wearing them. ]

Some.
They ask after my horse and the bard
more than they do me.

[assembles]

Jaskier? Did he perform for them at some point?
You know, if you told them some stories about fighting monsters they might be a little more interested.

[ Geralt probably doesn't want that, but Steve feels comfortable enough with him now to tease a little bit. ]

[gynvael]

Shall I begin with you and the machines?

[assembles]

Sure.
If there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that kids love dinosaurs.

[gynvael]

Is that what that was?

[assembles]

Well, it was a robot stylized after a dinosaur, one called a Tyrannosaurus-rex.

Picture a massive, carnivorous bipedal lizard with fangs, talons, the whole nine yards. You can see why kids would think they're cool.

[gynvael]

[ Now that Steve calls it as such, he can see the identifying marks of the creature he saw in the Horizon once. It's simply— ]

We know them as basilisks.
They're usually smaller.

[ Unless they've come bursting out of a monolith. ]

[assembles]

I've heard of them. Only in stories, though. There's a ton of different types of dinosaurs too, so your basilisk might be similar to one of the smaller ones.

Either way, I get the feeling you've got tons of material to keep those kids entertained.

[gynvael]

Your confidence is noted.

Tell Sam not to drink all the ale
before I return.

[assembles]

Will do. And I'll talk to Mag about sending some food over there, too. I'll deliver it myself, if I can.