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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.
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It also means that Geralt has some sense of pride in who he is and where he comes from. It's not quite the same as wearing a military insignia, but it would quickly identify him to others back where he's from.
Here, it must be a bit more sentimental. Even if he's here in Abraxas, he hasn't forgotten what made him. ]
Not the hair? So that's specific to you?
[ Steve studies the shade of it for a moment in the dim lighting of the tavern. It's not a natural color where he's from, at least not on someone like Geralt who still — at least as far as appearances go — looks to be in his prime. Steve doesn't outright ask if there's more to it, but the question is maybe implied. ]
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I underwent a few more Trials. [ Is all he says about it. They each bear their marks and scars; Coën's eye was fucked afterwards, and he didn't need to endure more than one for that. ] They called it a trifle.
[ Comparatively, it was. Comparatively, he didn't die.
He tips more ale into Steve's mug, a sign that he hasn't much else to add to the topic. Steve can glean what remains unspoken. The man might've volunteered for his enhancements, but things are rarely so simple, and Geralt imagines there were a number of others before him who did not. Powerful alchemy does not simply work in its first attempt.
But perhaps he's making presumptions.
There's a question that's lingered on his mind since they trekked to Aquila, however. Before that, even. ]
Back home, you submitted to experiments for a war. What made it so important?
[ Because Steve certainly has no interest in the army here. If anything, he seems to be as wary of them as Geralt. So he is not a career soldier nor someone who seeks the comfort of being rank and file. ]
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A trifle. [ He scoffs and shakes his head, not hiding his discomfort that Geralt had been put through something like that. He wasn't the only one, either. This was an entire operation, built to twist people into human weapons. Steve can't help but think of the Winter Soldier program or the Red Room.
When Geralt tops him up, Steve almost immediately lifts his mug to knock it back, taking a moment to consider that question. This is something he's been asked in various forms over the years, and it's hard to know exactly how to explain it to someone who wasn't there, or who didn't grow up with the knowledge of it.
He sets down his mug, quiet for a few more seconds before he speaks. ]
I won't give you the entire history lesson, but the dictator who was leading the enemy forces was willing to commit genocide on entire groups of people because they didn't match his vision of an ideal human. He was putting people in camps, committing atrocities... It's not the sort of thing I could just pretend wasn't happening.
[ His jaw clenches as he draws in a breath. ]
I had to do something. I didn't care what it took to get there.
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Sounds familiar. [ His tone is dry. Few things change between spheres, he's learnt. The Continent is a divided land, and there has been no answer to its endless butchery. The North against the elves, Nilfgaard with the elves against the humans. He had wondered when they might come for the mages next.
Ciri cared once. About finding an answer. And he has seen how she's finally let go of her dreams for something better. As much as he'd tried to steer her towards the reality of things, he still wishes he had not been right. ]
We're marked here, too. [ It's been on his mind since he set foot upon this world. ] As outsiders. There may come a time when they fear us more than they need us.
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Sorry to hear that, but... also not surprised.
[ Jaskier had mentioned war to him, how he had worked to help those oppressed by it to find paths to safety. It isn't a leap to imagine that genocide played a part in that.
Geralt also makes a good point, one that sends Steve's gaze scanning around the room. They've been treated decently here in the Free Cities. He knows Thorne has a much worse track record. To say nothing of what Josselyn's cult tried to do to them, something both he and Geralt experienced firsthand. ]
I know. And if it gets to that point, what do you plan to do?
[ Steve has even thought to himself that if the Cities tried to instate a draft, Geralt would be near the top of the list of people who would fight against it. He's curious to hear his thoughts now. ]
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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. ]
no subject
[ 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.
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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. ]
no subject
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. ]
wrap soon? 🎀
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. ]
yep! 🎁
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. ]