[Hours in the saddle with the wind howling at all directions made the first night's sleep as easy as breathing. They arrived with the last of daylight. Stopping to camp in the inhospitable conditions beyond the keep were not ideal. Geralt had said so many times. If it wasn't the temperature it would be the wind and wilderness.
Ciri was morbidly fascinated by the concept. There were questions. It gave Yennefer a chance to rest her throat from answering a slew of questions. Where was she? What was it like to be a mage? How long had she been using magic? Can it really be taught? The answers varied in lengths. She could tell that the witcher would try and keep his humor to himself. He has been dealing with the treatment much longer than she. Turn about is fair play.
The laughter and even questions were gone from the princess when the altitude changed. She had given up her seat on her own mount and was nestled against Geralt. Roach could handle the two of them. Yennefer's black charger was tethered to Ciri's gelding. The quiet would have been fine, though there was that wind. What a luxury to be able to rest and let someone else worry about the way. Later she would be told that the girl had fallen asleep.
Passing into the safety of the keep cut the chill dramatically. Torches flickered and from shadows came other witchers. Friendly enough. Names and pleasantries bare thread. She was not surprised. Though seeing Ciri try to make sense of several strangers was the pin prick needed to let the hot air out from these men. The eldest, the fabled Vesemir, did not pretend to have fangs or horns as Geralt's brethren. He even got a smile out of the very exhausted Child Surprise.
The young girl was seen to her bed first. Yennefer was escorted up a narrow stairwell to climb but it did have a bed. That was all that she could remember before sleeping. They arrived. And the next day would be unpacking what she was able to fit in a satchel and her saddle bags through magic. There was a lot that could fit.]
[Yennefer joining them on the journey to Kaer Morhen was a good surprise. Geralt wasn't so sure she'd agree to his suggestion when first bringing it up, as the road is a long one and the journey not the easiest path, and with her ability to portal anywhere she could have met them at the keep. Geralt's dislike for portals and his uncertainty for how the others would take to Yennefer's sudden arrival brought them to travel together... and it also gave her and Ciri a chance to get to know one another better. The onslaught of questions from the princess was a given and witnessing Yen navigate this brave new world of a child's endless curiosity was heartwarming, in a sense.
Winter can be cruel in the north but at least the keep serves as a reliable shelter, holes in the ceiling and all. It has definitely seen better days and is in a constant state of repair but it's still more home than anywhere else for the witcher. Geralt saw that Ciri felt safe being introduced to the others who had traveled to Kaer Morhen first. Vesemir was as welcoming as ever and it was a relief to know that Geralt finally didn't have to worry about taking care of her alone anymore.
Once Ciri was taken to her room and tucked in with a warm fire blaring, Geralt ended up in his own old quarters, not wanting to bother the sorceress for now. The toll of the long journey easily brought him to sleep as well. It was one of the first nights in a long while he slept soundlessly.
The next morning he gets up early and climbs the stairs to Yennefer's room, knocking gently before stepping inside. He could hear her walking about, unpacking and most likely making the large space her own. It's early enough for the birds to just start chirping, the sun barely lighting up the space. Mornings have been darker and darker as winter approaches.]
How did you sleep? [He asks while lingering in the doorway, watching the surreal image of Yennefer walking about in a place Geralt calls home.]
[She always did thrive on the unexpected. And traveling the path to the weathered castle helped ease any of the tensions that lingered from before. Ciri and her almost endless queries cut any strangeness and replaced with with another sort. There was so very much to teach her about their world, of witchers of sorcery and what place she was meant to fall into. Yen knew she and Geralt were going to learn just as much. This is the longest she had been with a child.
He wanted her to be there. He asked her to. And the satisfaction of saying no would never be as sweet as actually allowing herself to be a part of the tapestry that destiny was weaving. For now sleeping alone feels proper. It doesn't take any magical qualities whatsoever to note that there are plenty of pointed looks. How much has Geralt told the other witchers? She has no idea. They have been so very controlled while Ciri has been underfoot.
Dark shades of early dawn keep the room dark. Yennefer usually wants to sleep until noon though travel and making the most of daylight has set her to a different clock. And putting her things in order will make it so much easier to settle in. Her fireplace is lit and she's placed a few candles on her windowsill.
The knock is a pleasant surprise, she is in the middle of organizing small book shelf. And there he is, in her doorway. Those eyes of his are entrancing in every lighting.]
Very well. I don't really remember falling asleep. Waking was a little cold.
[The crisp fall evenings had them bundled close as they camped at night on their way to Kaer Morhen. Most times Ciri was between them, best to sooth a building nightmare that way. Sometimes Yennefer got to be lucky and have the girl to her chest and Geralt to her back.]
And you? This is your home. I hope it was still restful.
[In comparison, Geralt has always been an early bird, even when he's been traveling. They clash in so many ways yet somehow work so well together, which is why he's glad Yennefer is staying here for the winter to help with Ciri's training. He isn't sure he'd trust any other sorceress with the girl.
When she doesn't ask him to leave her be Geralt steps in further, heading closer to the fire to warm his hands. Kaer Morhen can get bitterly cold at times but it's still better than spending winters camping outdoors.]
Surprisingly, I slept like a baby. It's nice being back. [It feels safer, though he keeps that thought to himself. Nowhere is truly safe with Nilfgaard continuing to march across the continent in search of Ciri.
Looking around the room, he can't help but comment:] You're already making yourself at home.
[First to wake, first to react, both hallmarks of a successful hunter. This has been the most time they've spent together without incident. Ciri's restless sleep had been an issue, though Geralt and Yennefer's moods have aligned. One cause on the path to keep the girl safe and soothed. The task was not done there, now with a secure location it would be best to establish a schedule.
She sets the books on a shelf. A small gesture of her hand has the fire flare up more.]
Just a few touches. Essentials really with work materials.
[If she brought a four post bed, tables, chairs and a vanity to a mountain top was her version of camping after all. The bed has more furs than before. And wouldn't you know she has a black bear rug spreading out between them. She steps closer to the fire.]
Your formative years here didn't remove any fondness for this place. That already makes it more comfortable to me.
[Standing beside him now her own hands extend to the flames. Her elbow nudges him deliberately.]
[Magic is a wondrous thing. The fact that Yennefer was able to carry all of this along with her without so much as one extra pack is impressive, though Geralt isn't too surprised by her choice of decor. If she is to stay here all winter, of course she'd want to make the place her own.
She comes over and nudges him, and Geralt can't help but smile some at the playfulness. Is it just him or do they all seem much more relaxed now? He isn't sure how Ciri is faring but the fact that she hasn't come running to them in the middle of the night is a feat in and of itself. It means she's resting.]
Hm. Some memories are better than others, but it is the closest to home I have. [Not everything about his time here is a happy memory, but at least Geralt had something of a life thanks to Vesemir. Not quite a childhood.
Feeling sufficiently warmer, Geralt leans in closer to Yen as well until their sides press together. It feels intimate in a different way, standing like this so early in the morning.] The visit has already drastically improved by having you here.
[The same enchantment allowed her to camp comfortably on their ill-begotten dragon hunt. This is her way of travel. The creature comforts are not necessities, she will admit to that. Objects and trappings of civilized life make her feel the refinement and stability of her status in unfamiliar territory.
Her body eases to his, he is so much taller than she. A tilt of her head rests to his shoulder. Yennefer smiles softly to herself, still gazing into the orange and yellow flames. The Witcher brought her and his child surprise to his home. How much more personal can this be for a man of so few words?]
You wanted me here.
[Her hand reaches for his own, fire warming their skin.]
...I would be a fool to refuse.
[Not to mention heartless. The injuries of before are healing at last. And their correspondence was nothing short of fond. Yennefer missed these moments. Passion absolutely had it's draw. Being able to stand with him and have nothing expected of her than to be at his side and be privy to his space, his thoughts, it nourished her in a way she didn't know she needed.]
How long do you suppose your would be witcheress will sleep?
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conjurechaos) wrote2020-02-25 12:21 am
"sugar make it slow and we'll come together fine"
Ciri was morbidly fascinated by the concept. There were questions. It gave Yennefer a chance to rest her throat from answering a slew of questions. Where was she? What was it like to be a mage? How long had she been using magic? Can it really be taught? The answers varied in lengths. She could tell that the witcher would try and keep his humor to himself. He has been dealing with the treatment much longer than she. Turn about is fair play.
The laughter and even questions were gone from the princess when the altitude changed. She had given up her seat on her own mount and was nestled against Geralt. Roach could handle the two of them. Yennefer's black charger was tethered to Ciri's gelding. The quiet would have been fine, though there was that wind. What a luxury to be able to rest and let someone else worry about the way. Later she would be told that the girl had fallen asleep.
Passing into the safety of the keep cut the chill dramatically. Torches flickered and from shadows came other witchers. Friendly enough. Names and pleasantries bare thread. She was not surprised. Though seeing Ciri try to make sense of several strangers was the pin prick needed to let the hot air out from these men. The eldest, the fabled Vesemir, did not pretend to have fangs or horns as Geralt's brethren. He even got a smile out of the very exhausted Child Surprise.
The young girl was seen to her bed first. Yennefer was escorted up a narrow stairwell to climb but it did have a bed. That was all that she could remember before sleeping. They arrived. And the next day would be unpacking what she was able to fit in a satchel and her saddle bags through magic. There was a lot that could fit.]
no subject
Winter can be cruel in the north but at least the keep serves as a reliable shelter, holes in the ceiling and all. It has definitely seen better days and is in a constant state of repair but it's still more home than anywhere else for the witcher. Geralt saw that Ciri felt safe being introduced to the others who had traveled to Kaer Morhen first. Vesemir was as welcoming as ever and it was a relief to know that Geralt finally didn't have to worry about taking care of her alone anymore.
Once Ciri was taken to her room and tucked in with a warm fire blaring, Geralt ended up in his own old quarters, not wanting to bother the sorceress for now. The toll of the long journey easily brought him to sleep as well. It was one of the first nights in a long while he slept soundlessly.
The next morning he gets up early and climbs the stairs to Yennefer's room, knocking gently before stepping inside. He could hear her walking about, unpacking and most likely making the large space her own. It's early enough for the birds to just start chirping, the sun barely lighting up the space. Mornings have been darker and darker as winter approaches.]
How did you sleep? [He asks while lingering in the doorway, watching the surreal image of Yennefer walking about in a place Geralt calls home.]
no subject
He wanted her to be there. He asked her to. And the satisfaction of saying no would never be as sweet as actually allowing herself to be a part of the tapestry that destiny was weaving. For now sleeping alone feels proper. It doesn't take any magical qualities whatsoever to note that there are plenty of pointed looks. How much has Geralt told the other witchers? She has no idea. They have been so very controlled while Ciri has been underfoot.
Dark shades of early dawn keep the room dark. Yennefer usually wants to sleep until noon though travel and making the most of daylight has set her to a different clock. And putting her things in order will make it so much easier to settle in. Her fireplace is lit and she's placed a few candles on her windowsill.
The knock is a pleasant surprise, she is in the middle of organizing small book shelf. And there he is, in her doorway. Those eyes of his are entrancing in every lighting.]
Very well. I don't really remember falling asleep. Waking was a little cold.
[The crisp fall evenings had them bundled close as they camped at night on their way to Kaer Morhen. Most times Ciri was between them, best to sooth a building nightmare that way. Sometimes Yennefer got to be lucky and have the girl to her chest and Geralt to her back.]
And you? This is your home. I hope it was still restful.
no subject
When she doesn't ask him to leave her be Geralt steps in further, heading closer to the fire to warm his hands. Kaer Morhen can get bitterly cold at times but it's still better than spending winters camping outdoors.]
Surprisingly, I slept like a baby. It's nice being back. [It feels safer, though he keeps that thought to himself. Nowhere is truly safe with Nilfgaard continuing to march across the continent in search of Ciri.
Looking around the room, he can't help but comment:] You're already making yourself at home.
no subject
She sets the books on a shelf. A small gesture of her hand has the fire flare up more.]
Just a few touches. Essentials really with work materials.
[If she brought a four post bed, tables, chairs and a vanity to a mountain top was her version of camping after all. The bed has more furs than before. And wouldn't you know she has a black bear rug spreading out between them. She steps closer to the fire.]
Your formative years here didn't remove any fondness for this place. That already makes it more comfortable to me.
[Standing beside him now her own hands extend to the flames. Her elbow nudges him deliberately.]
no subject
She comes over and nudges him, and Geralt can't help but smile some at the playfulness. Is it just him or do they all seem much more relaxed now? He isn't sure how Ciri is faring but the fact that she hasn't come running to them in the middle of the night is a feat in and of itself. It means she's resting.]
Hm. Some memories are better than others, but it is the closest to home I have. [Not everything about his time here is a happy memory, but at least Geralt had something of a life thanks to Vesemir. Not quite a childhood.
Feeling sufficiently warmer, Geralt leans in closer to Yen as well until their sides press together. It feels intimate in a different way, standing like this so early in the morning.] The visit has already drastically improved by having you here.
no subject
Her body eases to his, he is so much taller than she. A tilt of her head rests to his shoulder. Yennefer smiles softly to herself, still gazing into the orange and yellow flames. The Witcher brought her and his child surprise to his home. How much more personal can this be for a man of so few words?]
You wanted me here.
[Her hand reaches for his own, fire warming their skin.]
...I would be a fool to refuse.
[Not to mention heartless. The injuries of before are healing at last. And their correspondence was nothing short of fond. Yennefer missed these moments. Passion absolutely had it's draw. Being able to stand with him and have nothing expected of her than to be at his side and be privy to his space, his thoughts, it nourished her in a way she didn't know she needed.]
How long do you suppose your would be witcheress will sleep?