Open | You think you're safe without a care...

[rollstoseduce]

Who: Jaskier rollstoseduce
What: New arrival tries to understand the city and tries to rescue a kitty
When: Last week of June
Where: Central city
Notes: Using this log to move Jaskier's arrival TDM prompts and organize closed threads. If you want to plot anything more specific, feel free to hit my intro comment!

Comments

Open | TDM prompts as canon intro

[rollstoseduce]

((from here, in case you need to refresh the deal with the cats))

1. Diadem Hotel

[After Childe's heroic rescue, a trusty NPC takes Jaskier to the hotel and answers the hundred questions he has. It's a lot to take in, to say the least, but after the initial shock, Jaskier definitely gets excited about a whole new world and the incoming adventures. First, though, he needs to shower.

That... that is indoor plumbing. With hot water. And gosh, the scent of this not-oil-for-the-hair! Oh, he already doesn't want to leave.

Happy to have his lute and hat back somehow (magic, it's always magic), Jaskier takes them with him to have breakfast at the buffet. At least most of the food looks familiar, and what he can't recognize he still can take some sort of guess, so he puts a little bit of everything on the biggest plate he can find, takes two cups to fill with different kinds of tea, and finds himself a table where he can figure out the phone thingy while he eats.

His only technological knowledge is the little tips the NPC has given him, so at some point, he'll end up touching something by accident. Like right now, when suddenly Never gonna give you up begins playing at full volume - yep, accidentally rickrolling the entire room, a pity he doesn't understand the implications. Jaskier yelps and fumbles with his phone until he turns it off, then notices many people are frowning at him - perhaps even you, random stranger!]

My apologies, [He says with his most charming smile.] Funny little contraptions, aren't they?

[A few minutes later, he'll be making (kinda dirty) sounds while eating a chocolate croissant. He doesn't know what this brown stuff is but he absolutely loves it.]

2. Shopping Mall

[They told him these little plastic(??) rectangles equal coin. Jaskier isn't sure he understands how, but he isn't about to look at a gift Roach on the mouth. The bard will be wandering around, aah-ing and oooh-ing at everything, asking as many questions as he can before people get tired of him. Care to catch him? That said, most of his attention will be focused on two shops:

A. Clothing: he touches every fabric and celebrates the fact men have many more options here than at home. After taking a good look around, though, he still has one question.]

So many styles, how delightful! Pray tell, how I do know what counts as fashionable? [He thinks he's talking to the clerk behind him, but maybe it's actually your character! Suddenly, he pulls a face as he stares at a pair of crocs.] What the fuck are those? Please tell me I am not expected to wear them.

[B. Music: of course he finds the music shop! And the best part is, this is one of those places that has a piano outside for guests to have a little fun. Curious as hell, Jaskier presses each key to figure out the notes as he lowly sings a little tune.]

♫ Oh fishmonger, oh fishmonger, come quell your daughter's hunger~ ♫

[The innuendo he adds to that sentence implies is not actual hunger he's talking about. But before he realizes what's going on, his hands are moving and playing the melody on the piano as if this wasn't a completely new instrument for him. When Jaskier finally notices, he freezes with wide eyes, then yelps and steps back until he bumps into your character. Usually he'd apologize, but right now he's a little busy freaking out.]

I played that! How did I play that?! I don't know how to play that!

[Renown poet expressing himself perfectly, huh. See, part of Jaskier's new bardic powers include knowing how to play any instrument you give him. He just doesn't know that yet...]

3. Here kitty kitty

[You don't spend over twenty years traveling with a monster hunter without learning to climb a tree to stay away from said monsters. However, traveling with the mutated monster hunter that cats avoid means Jaskier isn't used to dealing with kitties. He climbs the tree and reaches the right branch, but he doesn't think of being sneaky in his approach, so of course the cat sees him, causing the chaos magic to kick in.

Now there's something a little bigger than a cat to worry about.

The mysterious beast on the ground begins hitting the tree as Jaskier screams and climbs to higher branches - yes, he's supposed to have magic now, but he's still figuring that out. And years of having run as his first instinct are hard to override.]

Fffffffffuck- Kikimora alert, kikimora alert! A little help over here, for fuck's sake!

2A

[frenchkissed]

Uh—

( this guy has been wearing the same hoodie for three days over. fuck if he knows fashion. )

I dunno. I mean, you look like you got your own thing going already. With... you know, style. Kind of a Renaissance Fair chic thing. You could just stick with that— ( wow, that is a STRONG reaction to footwear. )

Those? Those... Those are— They're Crocs. They're... squishy shoes. Good for nurses, 'cause they walk around all day.

[rollstoseduce]

[Jaskier turns around as soon as he hears the "uh" and has to bite his lower lip as he looks at Eddie from head to toe. A very handsome face, but while Jaskier still doesn't understand the fashion here, he's definitely getting "I only own two shirts and a pair of pants" vibes.

He tilts his head. What does half of that even mean.]

I'm afraid I don't truly understand what you said, but I recognize a compliment when I hear one. [Wink!] So thank you! I must say, however, "chick" is new - usually the bird of choice when it comes to commenting on my outfits is the peacock.

[That's the chick Eddie meant, right? Right. At the explanation behind "crocs", Jaskier nods along, wrinkling his nose but still not surprised.]

Ah, of course - practicality over style! [He suddenly exclaims with open hands, obviously not a fan of the concept.] But gods forbid you ask for both! Some things are the same no matter the sphere, I suppose. [He looks Eddie's clothes a look again, grinning.] Am I right to guess you're on the side of practicality?

1

[unkindled_madness]

[Still staying at the Diadem for now is a very tall man with long silver hair and a fondness for black coats, even in summer. Sephiroth primarily came here for the coffee, and he has a mug in one hand, a book tucked under the other, in search of a place to sit when the sudden loud music makes him wince.

He shoots a glare in the direction of the odd man who brought a lute to breakfast, but... he doesn't like these phones either.]

...you can lower the volume with the button on the side. So any future accidents will be quieter.

[rollstoseduce]

[Silver hair and black coats isn't an uncommon combination when it comes to old men, but this guy looks young, so he reminds Jaskier of Geralt. Especially when that glare is directed at him! But precisely because of this comparison to Geralt, the glare doesn't faze him. Sorry, Sephiroth.

He tries the volume button and nods when it works, clearly pleased to have learned something new.]

Thank you. They've told me I can put the music directly on my ears-- [Headphones. He means headphones.] --but I haven't gone shopping yet. I need to point out, however, that I don't think quieter is something achievable here. This is a rather noisy city, and this is coming from yours truly, who has wandered through the most crowded streets of Novigrad. Those-- [Ha makes a vague gesture in the air, trying to find the right word.] --smokey carts-- [Nailed it.] --truly know how to roar.

2B

[acaseofyou]

[ Birdie is... adjusting. At this point, that involves getting to the mall in that very slim amount of time after it gets dark and before it closes to get necessities, like guitar strings. Look, if she's got a card she doesn't have to pay off, there's absolutely no reason for her to not stock up.

She doesn't recognize the song itself, though she stops to listen. It's got all the great halmarks of the old folk songs: someone's daughter, innuendo, and the plight of a working man.

Except then he starts freaking out, and she's completely unprepared to help manage that. ]

What, do you think the piano is haunted or something?

[ Probably not helpful. ]

[rollstoseduce]

This realm is magical, is it not? It's quite possible that-

[Jaskier turns around and cuts himself off as soon as he sees Birdie. Pretty girl alert! A mumbled fuck escapes him as tries to put himself together, taking off his hat and putting it against his chest as he offers a quick bow, most charming smile in place.]

My lady! My most sincere apologies for having bumped into you - I promise you such was not my intention. This-- piano, you called it?

[Well, at least now it has a name. Jaskier is clearly weary when he glances at it, and puts a hand around his mouth when he speaks to Birdie again, leaning in her personal space a little bit.]

--I think it may be haunted indeed. I've never seen this kind of instrument before in my whole life, and trust me, I've been to every corner of The Continent.

Closed | Childe's heroic aquatic rescue

[rollstoseduce]

[One second he's getting drunk in one of the many freezing rooms at Kaer Morhen, the next one he's blinking underwater, and somehow his hat and lute are back. As always, Jaskier has only the most important priorities in mind, so he hugs the lute close to his chest as if not believing it's really there.

He would stay like that if it wasn't for the little problem with, you know... breathing.

There's a bubble already coming from him, but Jaskier still thinks he's in his world and this is a sorcerer attacking the witcher keep again, so he panics. This results in him doing lots of flailing, because no matter how much he loves the coast, he isn't used to swimming this deep in the ocean. There's also the whole "I may've drunk a little too much" problem, oops.

When a bright red head swims nearby, he decides it can't be a sorcerer because they haven't come from his balls, so Jaskier shakes his arms and asks for help. "Asking" meaning "opening his mouth to yell and swallowing a bunch of seawater instead". So excuse him while he uses his last air to cough his lungs out...]

[whetter]

[ Childe is familiar with the ocean. he grew up at its shores, fished in its waters, and then finally, delved into the depths of what was beyond it. drowning never scared him, but when he became Tartaglia, few things did.

the water hits him like a slap to the face, dragging him down and leaving him with nothing, not even the glimmering surface. he's far, far down, he realizes, a few bubbles coming out of his mouth so he evaluate which way is up, and which way is down. he's not sure what happened, but he can fathom a couple guesses (and one is the Abyss, but that's a thought reserved for later).

he thinks he's alone, until he sees the flailing and trying(?) to speak at him. well, he can't just let someone drown. he makes a motion for Jaskier to close his mouth, much like you'd make to a younger sibling, then points up, which is the way that the bubbles are heading. there's a tilt of his head to follow him, but he has to wonder if this guy can swim. he is, if anything, surprisingly calm. ]

[rollstoseduce]

[In any other context, Jaskier would loathe that gesture, since usually it means "shut the hell up". But now? Yeah, the reminder is appreciated. Between the panic and the tipsiness, he isn't exactly thinking straight (does he ever, though).

Jaskier has never swum this deeply in the ocean, not to mention the weight of his clothes and instrument, so his movements are kinda clumsy. But he does manage to move at the very least, and he concentrates on following Red to find a way out of here while his mind goes through all the possible explanations behind this mess (and not getting close even once).

This gives his assigned bubble time to catch up, quickly surrounding Jaskier and giving him the chance to gasp. Hooray, breathing! That means he can speak as well so--]

WHAT THE FUCKETY FUCKING FUCK!

[Time to flail again as he keeps poking and pushing the bubble. The air is appreciated, how is he supposed to swim in this?]

for Harry | CW: 420

[rollstoseduce]

[The day after his network post, Jaskier shows up at Excelsior to pick up Harry after work as promised. He's wearing a colorful outfit perfect for the summer sun (especially the sunglasses! what an amazing invention!) and he's carrying his guitar in its case on his back. Before coming over, though, he texts Harry to ask about the Starbuck place, since apparently "coffee runs" are customary.

Of course, "coffee" is relative, because Jaskier chooses a frappuccino with too many extra sweet things to actually taste the coffee. When Harry comes out of the building he works at, Jaskier meets him with a nod.]

Master Osborn, [He teases, seeing Harry is dressed for business, as he hands his new friend the order he specified.] I showed the drink mixer your message, so this should be fitting.

[His smooth way of saying "if something is wrong you can't blame it on me, I barely understand it".]

[nepotis]

[ Harry too is dressed for summer, albeit the business casual version, the collar zipped up tight to hide the patch of deformed skin on his neck. Though... it's not doing all too great a job. It's been a while since Harry made an effort to heal himself, being too busy with work and friends to sneak off to beat up unsuspecting strangers in alleys. There's a definite tremor in his right hand, which he tries to will away by gripping it into a fist, before glancing up to see Jaskier waiting for him.

He forces a casual smile on his face and takes the offered coffee. ] Grande, quad, nonfat, one-pump, no-whip mocha?

[ Had he made his order needlessly complicated on purpose, to mess with Jaskier? Maybe. But it is actually something he likes drinking. He takes a sip, humming at the taste. ]

Passable. And please, just Harry.

[rollstoseduce]

[Luckily for Harry, Jaskier is too busy rolling his eyes at him to notice the tremor of that hand, but who knows for long this may stay secret considering how much Jaskier likes to people-watch. He waves a dismissive hand a Harry, huffing like the brat he still is at forty-two.]

If that's what you wrote, then sure, that's exactly what it is.

[But hey, at least the order is accepted, even if Jaskier is sure the chosen adjective is a few points under "actually good" just to keep messing with him. The nerve, the scandal! He should be ranting at him, but he's a man with a fucking mission.

After taking a sip of his own devilish sweet concoction (gosh, he loves chocolate and caramel syrup, what great inventions), he turns toward Harry with raised eyebrows.]

Well then, Harry - I believe you owe me a story and the introduction to a whole new kind of desert. [Heh, get it.]

for Yen | welcoming the wife

[rollstoseduce]

[Jaskier has been going with the flow.

It's not like he hates it here - how could he? This is an entire new realm with so many things to discover! So many stories to pick up! And oh, his magic! He never thought he would love having magic so much. Music knowledge flooding his brain and giving him access to things he couldn't have dreamed of. Plus the people... There's bigotry here as well, no doubt, but Jaskier has found a new kind of freedom to relate to others that he'll never complain about.

But then the nights come, and when he isn't sharing the bed with anyone, then he's sharing it with alcohol. It's the nightmares, yes, but now with the added weight of trying to figure out what he's doing, what this means for his life at home. He tries to tell himself there isn't exactly a choice, it's not like any of them can go back at will, but what will happen if the time ever comes? Where do his loyalties lie? He's never allowed himself to be tied to one place, even if Oxenfurt had been his home, but he had started to be part of something... or so he thinks. He isn't sure The Sandpiper was still an option after the mess in jail, and Geralt had Cirilla and Yennefer, getting into dangerous roads for... whatever it is they're about to do.

Where does that leave him? Why can't he have his loved ones and this realm in one nifty package?

Well, it seems today he'll have at least one answer to that.

He's returning to the hotel after another round of shopping, dressed in blue and purple with brand new jewelry on his fingers but the ring and tunning fork still resting on his chest. There are sunglasses on his face, too, and he takes them off after dropping his bags on the floor when he sees her, as if he had to be sure that is truly her coming out of a random room.

Destiny has a wicked sense of humor, Jaskier knows, but this takes the cake. Once again, he wonders what this means for him and what it means for home, and why it's them that come together in weird times instead of the wolf that had always been so keen on protecting them.

But those are too many thoughts to deal with now, and Jaskier is more of an emotional person. So without touching on what this says about their relationship, Jaskier runs to Yennefer and hugs her - tightly, as tightly as he can, whispering witch with a broken voice.]

[choicely]

[ At least the lodgings they've provided her with are more than adequate, and Yen has had the fortune of not being forced to share a room with anyone else — she'd overheard at least one angry conversation taking place at the concierge, in which someone had been more than slightly displeased about being given one with a complete stranger, only to then pick up on the fact that due to a sudden influx of guests, this is the best that can be accommodated on such short notice.

Most of her early days in the hotel are spent not venturing out much at all — she spends a significant length of time in the bathtub, soaking away the scents of travel and giving herself opportunities to contemplate by extension, and discovers soon after that the advantages of something referred to as room service — but eventually, she decides she'll need to procure more in the way of actual clothing, since she's only arrived in the dress she was wearing at Kaer Morhen and nothing else on her person. Apparently, one of the cards she's been given will permit her to spend coin at various shops, and the prospect of putting on something else is finally what drives her from her room, still in the dress she'd shown up in, her hair carefully drawn back into a long braid.

Her intent is to make it through the hotel and out onto the street without having to make conversation with anyone — not while she's motivated to take care of this one thing for herself — so she's purposefully walking at a brisk pace, skirt swirling around her ankles, and doesn't notice the fact that she's drawn any attention, or hear the sound of something being dropped. What does finally pull her notice, though, is movement in her periphery; she turns just in time to see a mass of blue and purple hurtling in her direction, and only has enough opportunity to lift her arms before said figure is pressing themselves against her, wrapping her into a firm embrace.

She'd recognize that breathless greeting anywhere, and even if her body instinctively clenches against the initial surprise, there's a moment where she starts to relax, ever so slightly, her hands spanning out to press against his back given that her arms are mostly trapped at her sides, pinning her in place. ]

Bard. [ Her voice catches, briefly, for a reason she doesn't want to interrogate too closely, the rest of her words muffled into his shoulder. ] You could've told me you were here.

[rollstoseduce]

[She relaxes in his embrace, and Jaskier has to swallow down the magnitude of such a simple gesture. The last few weeks at home sometimes still feel like a blur, so the fact this is what Yenneffer and Jaskier are like now is still a bit mindblowing.

And then she makes that comment-- well, he just has to huff, falling into their old song and dance.]

How was I supposed to know you were here?! [As much as he appreciates feeling her hands on his back as confirmation that she's real, Jaskier has to pull back and take a better look at her. He recognizes the dress, even if it now feels like it happened ages ago.] You-- you just got here, have you not? Yennefer, I've been here for a month.

[He sighs as he rubs his fingers together, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. A rare feeling for him, considering the big ego he has and his no regrets policy, but being in another realm enjoying yourself while wondering how this impacts those having a bad time at home sure can mess with your mind.

Looking deep into violet eyes and knowing she isn't the kind to sugarcoat things (because that's exactly what he needs!), he asks his question.]

...is it true what they say? Was I not missing in Kaer Morhen? That is where you were dragged from, correct?

[His tone edges begging - he just needs a least a little peace of mind.]

for Eddie | how many instruments can we get out of these credit cards

[rollstoseduce]

[Saying Jaskier has been squeezing the hell out of this credit card thingy is the understatement of the fucking century. He supposes the higher-ups do expect you to rebuild a wardrobe from scratch, but he has to wonder what they think of all the jewelry and the dinners at fancy restaurants (and, you know, certain acquisitions at the adult store).

Besides clothes and food, Jaskier's main attention has been (as usual) on music. His new magic has allowed him to play any instrument under the sun, and who is he to go against the wishes of his very own powers? The piano will have to wait for when he finally moves out of the hotel, but meanwhile, he's been buying one of everything else. Yes, even a freaking kazoo.

The one thing he's been avoiding, though, it's the instruments that work with electricity. He's definitely curious, but still kinda nervous about them. No risk no gain, though, so here he's at the music store yet again, dressed in a red vest, brand new rings on his hands but his ring and tuning fork still resting on his chest like it did back home. This bard doesn't know the meaning of keeping his buttons up, especially in this heat.

He's found a box of beautiful flower picks that he fidgets with after putting his sunglasses on top of his head to stare at the display of electric guitars, not knowing where to begin. That's when he notices a young man with quite impressive hair doing the same - and considering Jaskier is always ready to socialize...]

Ah, excuse me? [He says with a raised hand and his most charming smile in place.] By any chance, do you happen to have experience with these beauties?

[Look, just because he never played one doesn't mean he won't treat them like the pretty instruments they are.]

4th wall | there's only one damsel in distress here and ain't Yen

[rollstoseduce]

[The sky appears to be shattered, and Jaskier hates how looking at those splinters makes him feel. The mix of homesickness, awe, and fear is already bad enough when his own mind hits him with it during lonely nights, he doesn't need magic making it worse.

He's seen the guilds' All Hands On Deck call, and Jaskier does intend to help, no need for them to ask. He had already been planning to come to Sunset Falls because he's seriously considering it to be his next home, even if he considers the whole choice ironic - living here would be like being at Kaer Morhen, surrounded by the supernatural beings he's supposed to comfort, yet people in this town are fine. It's in Central that he needs to fight the bigotry the most.

Well, respect doesn't make history. After everything that has been going on in his life, he thinks he deserves a bit of selfishness to survive.

The magic here isn't acting well - he isn't an expert to read energies or whatever it is that sorcerers do, but he can feel something making his skin tingle. When he walks by the park, he notices a group of kids playing, and his fears are confirmed: the children are pretending to be knights and princesses, and the kid playing the part of the monster... welp....

He actually becomes one.

The other children scream as they try to run away, but it's not hard for the beast to get on his fours and trap them under his body. Jaskier panics, going through the list of spells he's been learning - there are many useful ones yet he's afraid to use them because they may push the beast into hurting the kids. Or even hurt the beast himself, which he'd rather avoid in case there's a chance to bring the kid back. There's only one safe choice, isn't it?]

Fuck. [He takes a deep breath, opens his arms, and begins to sing one of the many wonderful songs he's learned here.] ♫ How's it feel to be at the center of magic / To linger in tones and words? / I opened the floodgates / And found no water, no current, no river, no rush / How's it feel to stand at the height of your powers / To captivate every heart? / Projecting your visions to strangers who feel it / Who listen, who linger on every word / Oh, it's a rush / Oh, it's a rush ♫

[The casting of Enthralling Whispers goes well and now the beast's attention is on Jaskier. He starts running towards him at a speed Jaskier hadn't taken into account, so there's no time for him to change into this shield spell. The beast hits Jaskier with his horns and sends him flying, leaving a trail of blood on the grass as he lands a few feet away...]

[choicely]

[ Yennefer's embarked on some greater explorations — mostly to ascertain a better sense of what lies beyond the city and where she might be able to develop an understanding of how to apply her power — but the smaller town of Sunset Falls draws her interest almost immediately, as soon as she crosses through its borders. There's enough magical energy here to awaken the senses of anyone who possesses a level of ability, and the thought of potentially using that energy, of channeling it differently, is one that persists even long after she's returned to the city in favor of her temporary lodgings at the hotel.

Of course, when the strange phenomenon begins, and there's tell of places that are specifically in need of aid, Yennefer's first instinct is to decline — until she hears of where these occurrences are happening, and what seems to be the direct cause of it, this uncontained power that is now running rampant thanks to thoughts becoming new and more dangerous realities. She foregoes a teleportation device; it's hardly needed when she can simply portal to a town she's visited before, stepping through to the sound of distant screams — and what she can faintly hear as a single, entirely identifiable singing voice.

It would be just her luck to arrive on the scene right at the exact moment when this creature — whatever it is — is in the process of charging directly at someone, and she only has just enough time to recognize who it's set its sights on before he goes flying. There's no further opportunity for her to interrogate the sudden clutching feeling in her chest; she can only react, using chaos to draw pieces of the earth up from either side of the path she cuts through the grass as she strides forward so that she can toss it in the monster's direction, hitting it with enough force to distract it from the figure crumpled on the ground, certainly not moving or making enough sounds of pain for her liking at the moment. ]

Jaskier? [ She calls out loud enough to be heard before a deafening roar makes it impossible to hear much of anything; all she needs is some proof of life, she thinks, so she knows that the bloody bard hasn't gotten himself killed right when things were starting to be less irritating.

There's less time afforded to thoughts along even worse lines now that she's the product of the beast's fixation, and she stretches out a hand, reaching for the vines now exposed from the broken pieces of ground she'd taken and driving them up, aiming to make them twine around its legs and hold it in place while it rages and strains to get free. ]

Shop visit for Balthier | pre-event

[rollstoseduce]

[Jaskier is the kind of man that keeps his word... well, most of the time anyway. As long as it isn't very inconvenient! That said, when it comes to acquiring pretty things, he's definitely your man.

Dressed in a casual summer outfit, he shows up at Balthier's shop right after lunch. He doesn't directly go up to his friend, though, he wanders around the store oooh and aaahing at everything, poking as well. You'd think twenty years of traveling with a witcher and seeing cursed objects would've taught him better, but this is Balthier's place so he's sure it's fine.

Probably.]

My good captain! [He suddenly exclaims, still without turning to look at Balthier. Too many shiny things!] I hope you saved those folios for me as promised!

knock on wood my head is slowly getting better sorry for delay

[portolan]

[ Balthier recognizes the man as soon as he walks in, and honestly, he may have to ask where he shops because summer clothes have been a struggle for this Victorian-taste pirate.

Also, Jaskier, please, the cursed objects are in the back. This place isn't openly dealing in illegal magical goods. Especially after the whole fear curse debacle, but he supposed Jaskier may not have heard about that. That makes one soul in Excelsior. ]

I'm a rogue, not a petty liar. [ No, he's absolutely both. ] They're in that cabinet. [ A big pretty thing, 18th century, with flat drawers. He'd normally make some comment about handling them but he has no doubt Jaskier has the proper reverence for historical art. ]

Discussing the situation with the chaos gals

[rollstoseduce]

[Jaskier, Yennefer, Cirilla... this bard thinks the next one to arrive should have white hair and a strong horse smell, but as usual Destiny has other plans. Jaskier stares at the text Cirilla sent him and Yennefer, not believing what he's seeing. He knew this was an option, of course, but for it to actually happen to them...

Who is going to be next? Jaskier thinks of an old lady buried in Lettenhove and a young bard buried in Oxenfurt, and something gets stuck in his throat.

They meet at Cirilla's door in the hotel, and soon as Jaskier sees Yennefer, he wonders what she's thinking about this whole deal - she is, after all, Cirilla's new mom. Technically. He intends to ask her how she's feeling but before he can even open his mouth, the princesses arrive.

Fuck. Jaskier has always noticed how much Cirilla looks like Pavetta, but seeing them side to side is something else. Their age is so close, too, because Pavetta is as young as Jaskier had seen her over fourteen years ago.

...double fuck, they could be their daughters. Melitele, have mercy.]

Your Highness. [He says with a bow, deciding to stick to what Pavetta is familiar with until they get settled in.] It's a pleasure to see you again. [He means it, but he realizes how stupid it sounds to dance around the subject.] Would expressing my sympathies be too much?

[Showing condolences to families is something he can do, but how do you do that to the dead person herself???]

[anewtruth]

[Jaskier and Yennefer had gotten Ciri settled at the hotel days ago, and there is a lot about it that’s still quite overwhelming but for the most part she’s as settled there as can be expected. It was the place that made the most sense to bring her mother after finding her in the library. At least there, she knew they were safe.

She had immediately contacted the other adults in her life because— well, your long-dead mother shows up, whole and solid and real and alive, you need an adult.

“They’re friends of Geralt’s,” she had explained to Pavetta while they waited. “I think you’ll like them.” She hopes so, at least.

She settles them all in the room once the other two arrive, and… she has no idea what to say. Thankfully, Jaskier has never met a silence he couldn’t break.]

I don’t think that’s necessary.

Introduction of blond teens with monsterfucker parents

[rollstoseduce]

[He had promised Dylan they could start their classes once Jaskier settled in, and welp, that actually happened. The house matches the mood of the rest of Sunset Falls: old, fancy, and spooky. It is also bigger on the inside.

Look, you don't live with a witch without getting a few benefits, alright?

Jaskier gives Dylan a tour of the house, leaving the best for last: the music room. With a "tadaa~!" and open arms, he opens the door to reveal one of every fucking instrument, piano included. There's also a coffee table and comfortable reading chairs, plus the obligatory couch.]

Well then, young man, is guitar still your choice? Because there's plenty of room- [He winks - hah, get it?] -for you to find your one true love.

forever dead at that subject line

[codicies]

[ Dylan doesn't quite have the taste to recognize what's fancy, but he's got quite the taste for Spooky and so adored the house tour nonetheless. Something for everybody! The impossibly-sized rooms were a little disorienting, but awesome nonetheless — If he learned magic, maybe he could solve all of Eddie's anxieties about taking up space in Diana's house?

When Dylan steps into the music room, he can't suppress a cry of surprise at just how much stuff is in here. ]

Whoa... this is incredible!

[ He wanders over to a glockenspiel, gently taking the mallet and running it down its bars, gently plucks a string or two of an enormous harp as he passes by it. ]

There's... a lot here. I think it's okay to start with guitar. If you don't get sick of me, maybe there's time to learn more.

[ He grins. ]