[ she can't see it, but he's rolling his eyes dramatically. ]
It is a rather large house, just like the rest of him. But I don't actually spend much time here. I do have jobs, you know, or have you forgotten about the Sandpiper in your old age?
[ she can probably hear the eyerolling, at that. ]
I'm well-aware, but I was under the impression you were eager to keep that little side pursuit of yours a secret. Is there actually an establishment in this city that has use for a bard and his lute?
Nobody has any idea who or what the Sandpiper is, so I'm not too concerned. And to answer your question, yes. In fact I have two locations that employ me for my vast talents.
It's to keep me out of jail, Yennefer. Nothing more.
[ because he has a keen sense of what she wants to say, but doesn't. he figures she's still struggling with wanting geralt's trust, but since the witcher has no memory of what's to come, he figures that eventually, both he and yen will resume their old affair. while he's left forever pining. ]
Perhaps, but any contract could accomplish the same result.
[ she fully acknowledges that it's an arrangement that has worked out for the two of them, but she's not going to operate under the illusion that there may not be a deeper benefit involved, at least in regards to one side. ]
I should think you'd be more hesitant about being bound to him, given everything.
Perhaps. But being hesitant is how I managed to end up in the People Zoo in the first place. By that point, he was the only one to offer, and he insisted. He... also apologized for the mountain.
[ oh, he would love for it to actually mean something other than a friend helping out a friend, but he knows better. and given how vulnerable she had been with him back home, he figures being a little vulnerable with her is only fair. ]
Look, Yennefer, I hold no illusions. I know how he feels about me, and it's strictly business. It's not me he bound with a wish. He'd never consider me enough to do that.
Well, at least he managed that much. [ a beat, and then: ] You ended up in the Zoo. [ there's a note of chiding in that statement, one he'll more than likely be able to pick out at this particular juncture in all the years they've known one another.
the mountain does seem to be the furthest consideration from geralt's thoughts at this point; clearly time in this place has given him some perspective on that encounter, although she'd expected him to greet her with far more hostility given her own recent memories of kaer morhen. ]
Someday I'll never have to think about that fucking wish again. [ she nearly laughs, a bitterness in it, but when she speaks again, her voice is quieter, softer, less of an edge there. ] He gave you the chance to choose. That's not nothing.
It was just as bad as ending up in jail in Oxenfurt, so no real harm was done, I assure you.
[ there's a bit of a pout in his voice, signifying he's been appropriately rebuked. but when she continues, he begins to feel even worse, recognizing he's opening old wounds. his own voice is just as soft as he sighs. ]
I'm sorry, Yennefer. I shouldn't have brought that up. It was... unfair, and he was unfair to you for taking away your choice.
Forgive me for not being entirely reassured by that comparison.
[ it may be the closest she'll get to admitting any level of concern for how he'd fared there, but she's also not inclined to afford geralt any amount of consideration for simply doing the right thing.
(it may also be telling that she harbors the brief thought that if he had not offered jaskier a contract to spare him more time in their prisons, she would have done so herself.) ]
It's nothing that he's not already aware of himself. [ which also serves as her way of saying that she accepts the apology. she pauses again, voice lilting upward. ] Now, I believe you mentioned something about a drink.
Cells all look the same from the inside, whether you're wearing clothing or not.
[ he says it blithely, but part of him is inwardly warming at yennefer's strange way of showing care for him. a smile almost blooming on his lips as she abruptly changes the subject. this, at least, is an easier topic for his heart to deal with. ]
Indeed, I did, oh wicked witch. Shall I come to fetch you, or do you know the way to Geralt's house yet?
They deprived you of clothing? That's rather uncivilized.
[ and the irritation that flares has absolutely nothing to do with him but what was done to him specifically, though good luck getting her to admit her reasons for concern. ]
Just have the wine poured and ready for when I arrive. [ in other words: she's been there already. ]
Considering they call it a zoo for people, specifically submissives, I wasn't altogether surprised. Though, I would have appreciated at least a blanket. I think my nipples almost froze off.
[ and, of course, he's rolling his eyes again. he should've known she'd already been there. he also notes the tone of irritation, but isn't sure what the cause might be, so he dismisses it for the time being. ]
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It is a rather large house, just like the rest of him. But I don't actually spend much time here. I do have jobs, you know, or have you forgotten about the Sandpiper in your old age?
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I'm well-aware, but I was under the impression you were eager to keep that little side pursuit of yours a secret. Is there actually an establishment in this city that has use for a bard and his lute?
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[ and one that she is choosing not to voice more of an opinion on, which may be telling all on its own. ]
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[ because he has a keen sense of what she wants to say, but doesn't. he figures she's still struggling with wanting geralt's trust, but since the witcher has no memory of what's to come, he figures that eventually, both he and yen will resume their old affair. while he's left forever pining. ]
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[ she fully acknowledges that it's an arrangement that has worked out for the two of them, but she's not going to operate under the illusion that there may not be a deeper benefit involved, at least in regards to one side. ]
I should think you'd be more hesitant about being bound to him, given everything.
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[ oh, he would love for it to actually mean something other than a friend helping out a friend, but he knows better. and given how vulnerable she had been with him back home, he figures being a little vulnerable with her is only fair. ]
Look, Yennefer, I hold no illusions. I know how he feels about me, and it's strictly business. It's not me he bound with a wish. He'd never consider me enough to do that.
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the mountain does seem to be the furthest consideration from geralt's thoughts at this point; clearly time in this place has given him some perspective on that encounter, although she'd expected him to greet her with far more hostility given her own recent memories of kaer morhen. ]
Someday I'll never have to think about that fucking wish again. [ she nearly laughs, a bitterness in it, but when she speaks again, her voice is quieter, softer, less of an edge there. ] He gave you the chance to choose. That's not nothing.
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[ there's a bit of a pout in his voice, signifying he's been appropriately rebuked. but when she continues, he begins to feel even worse, recognizing he's opening old wounds. his own voice is just as soft as he sighs. ]
I'm sorry, Yennefer. I shouldn't have brought that up. It was... unfair, and he was unfair to you for taking away your choice.
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[ it may be the closest she'll get to admitting any level of concern for how he'd fared there, but she's also not inclined to afford geralt any amount of consideration for simply doing the right thing.
(it may also be telling that she harbors the brief thought that if he had not offered jaskier a contract to spare him more time in their prisons, she would have done so herself.) ]
It's nothing that he's not already aware of himself. [ which also serves as her way of saying that she accepts the apology. she pauses again, voice lilting upward. ] Now, I believe you mentioned something about a drink.
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[ he says it blithely, but part of him is inwardly warming at yennefer's strange way of showing care for him. a smile almost blooming on his lips as she abruptly changes the subject. this, at least, is an easier topic for his heart to deal with. ]
Indeed, I did, oh wicked witch. Shall I come to fetch you, or do you know the way to Geralt's house yet?
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[ and the irritation that flares has absolutely nothing to do with him but what was done to him specifically, though good luck getting her to admit her reasons for concern. ]
Just have the wine poured and ready for when I arrive. [ in other words: she's been there already. ]
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[ and, of course, he's rolling his eyes again. he should've known she'd already been there. he also notes the tone of irritation, but isn't sure what the cause might be, so he dismisses it for the time being. ]
Then I suppose I shall see you shortly.