(no subject)

[monstrocities]

Out Of Character Permissions

Out Of Character
Backtagging: Yes, always, even if it's been literal years.
Threadhopping: As long as you give me the heads up!
Fourthwalling: No.
Offensive subjects: I do have some hard nos: animal abuse, sexual assault/abuse and the like, but overall I'm more than happy to delve into dark subjects, let's just talk about it first.

In Character Permissions

In Character Hugging/kissing/flirting with this character: Yes.
Fighting with this character: 100% yes.
Injuring this character: Yes, of course.
Killing this character: No thank you.
Using telepathy/mind reading abilities on this character: Yes but I'd prefer plotting these roleplay elements.

Shipping

Everyone Gets a Ride
Fave: Jaskier, Yennefer
Yes:Mostly everyone else, including cross canon.
Maybe: Everyone aside from those listed in no. If you have an idea, send me a message and let's plot! I'm very open to ships.
No:  Ciri. Underage (both players and characters).
Gen: Basically anyone.

code

Comments

[monstrocities]

Geralt doesn't think that any individual will be able to help, but perhaps a several people with different skills may be able to. At least, Geralt can hope. If Eskel goes back on the Path like this, Geralt is sure that he'll die. That's not something he cares to think about.

"There's another option," he says, looking anywhere but at Eskel. "You could come stay in my room, with me. And Jaskier." Jaskier won't mind. It will just mean more dick easily at his disposal. With the dating pool at Kaer Morhen so small, Jaskier will appreciate having two Witchers in his bed.

[wolfdogwitcher]

"Isn't it a little crowded in there?" Eskel laughs. "Especially since my busted ass is gonna have to sit on the bed." He shakes his head.

"He'll be glad to know we made up." He snorts into his cup as he drains it. "Told me a whole lurid story about wanting to have both of us. At once."

[monstrocities]

"My bed is bigger than what the old man has you sleeping in, and we would make room." Geralt doesn't like Eskel being left to stew alone like this. It's not good for him, and it leads to miscommunications like the one they'd just had. "Besides, I'm with Ciri often enough." And Jaskier gets cold.

If Eksle refuses, then Geralt will be sure to visit more often, with books and food and more white gull. It can't be easy for Eskel to be laid up like that.

[wolfdogwitcher]

"Yeah, alright." He says. "But you gotta help me on the stairs now that I'm full of white gull." He offers Geralt a lopsided, sheepish grin. "If I fall and hurt myself 'cause I've been drinking, I'll never hear the end of it from Vesemir."

The old man is just worried, of course, but his response to such a vulnerable feeling is to resume treating Eskel as if he were the wayward novice of half a century ago.

[monstrocities]

"Eskel, I know you were coming down looking for more than just food," and he's not referring to sex, or their conversation. Geralt's known Eskel long enough to know that he's got different types of alcohol hidden all over the keep. He'd likely been planning to return to his room with it, however.

"Come here." Geralt helps Eskel up the stairs nonetheless, also grabbing the remaining white gull to bring with them. He opens the door to his room for them, manoeuvering Eskel over the threshold and then depositing him on the chair just inside the door. Lighting a candle, Geralt can't help but let the smile cross his face when he sees Jaskier fully spread out across the bed. He doesn't know how the bard does it, but he always manages to take up the most amount of space possible.

He blames the white gull for the affection that momentarily overcomes him.

"Jask," he whispers, trying to rouse him a little. "Jask, you have to make room. Eskel is here."

[wolfdogwitcher]

Eskel watches his brother try to stir the bard sprawled across the bed with amusement. In the candlelight he notes a cluster of bruises exactly the span of his fingertips on the bard's hips.

"Come on, bard, shift it." He growls playfully, nudging the man with his foot.

[heroicsandheartbreak]

Slowly, Jaskier rouses from his sleep, blinking up at Geralt in confusion. The Witcher had been here when he'd fallen asleep earlier, but he must have snuck out. Nevertheless, he smiles sweetly up at Geralt, murmuring, "join me, dearest. It's lonely in here without you."

And that's when he notices that Eskel is here too, which is quite a surprise. Only this afternoon, Eskel was heavily implying that he and Geralt were not getting along. "Eskel, how nice of you to join us," he flirts, rolling over on the bed. "Are you staying?

[monstrocities]

"He is, now make room." Geralt says, urging Jaskier onto one side of the bed. "And stop that. He already knows what you look like naked." Although Geralt is certainly appreciating the show.

Once Jaskier does move, Geralt helps Eskel into a sitting position on the bed, then hands over the bottle. Once Eskel is settled, Geralt slips into the bed and gathers Jaskier into his arms.

[wolfdogwitcher]

It feels too intimate to listen to the tender way Jaskier speaks to Geralt. Sharing the bard's body is one thing, but it's the way Jaskier calls his brother back to bed that makes Eskel blush and turn away until Jaskier addresses him directly.

"Mm. Seems so." He says, heaving himself over to the bed unsteadily. "Somebody got me drunk. Now move over." He says, depositing himself gracelessly as soon as there's space.

[monstrocities]

Jaskier falls asleep almost immediately after they get back into bed. It's a good thing, he would have tried to insist on a taste of the white gull, and it's not suitable for humans. They can all talk about the new sleeping arrangements in the morning, but for now, Geralt is drunk, and tired, and just glad to have Eskel back in some capacity.

"Goodnight, brother," Geralt says. "Tomorrow we will work harder to find you some relief from this." And they will. Geralt won't stop until he knows there's no hope. They're nowhere near that point right now.

[wolfdogwitcher]

Eskel, sandwiched between the two of them, turns his face against the side of Geralt's neck and inhales deeply, shamelessly. He hasn't fallen asleep in Geralt's bed in a long time, but the nostalgia, the safety, the reassurance of Geralt being so close is more balm for his pains than any amount of white gull and narcotic tincture. He slings an arm across Geralt's broad chest, mumbles something unintelligible, and is snoring within moments.

He sleeps more deeply than he has in a long time and finally doesn't dream of the leshen's roots crawling under his skin.

[heroicsandheartbreak]

Jaskier hadn't been among the ranks of ridiculously drunk Witchers the night before, so he wakes up while the other two are still snoring. After checking on Ciri, he heads down to the mess hall to see what he can do about finding someone that can help Eskel.

The elves have a different relationship with chaos than those practicing sorcery, and perhaps Eskel can use a medical healer as well. Jaskier doesn't know, and after asking, he realises that Vesemir is also at a loss. Nevertheless, Jaskier writes his letters and then gives them to Vesemir to send off. After that, he takes Ciri through some lessons.

Finally, he tells the old man that he'll take Eskel's lunch up and take care of changing his bandages, and that Geralt can help with the potions. And then he does exactly that.

The Witchers are just waking when he arrives in Geralt's room.

"Morning gentlemen," Jaskier says, "I have some lunch. Geralt, Vesemir says that you need to train, even if you are sick from the white gull last night. But first, you need to help me with Eskel. Yesterday, I gave him a sexy spongebath. How do you feel about that?"

[wolfdogwitcher]

"Melitele's tits...lunch? What time is it?" Eskel asks, lifting his head from where it's buried in Geralt's pale curls. "Ha, old man's gonna make you run The Killer in the cold." He says, playfully punching his brother in the shoulder. He's suddenly grateful to be exempt from the old man's punishments (for the moment).

He struggles to sit up, eyeing the bard with a wry, amused expression.

"Mm, I could do worse for a nurse than you, songbird." He jokes, even if he's still a little bewildered by the care the other man has for him.

Just gonna do Geralt and Jaskier in one

[monstrocities]

"He is, isn't he," Geralt grumbles as he forces himself to sit up. He'd slept far too long, and he's sure to pay for it during training today. He just hopes the old man takes pity on him, since he's made up with Eskel now, and that's one thing that Vesemir can stop worrying about. He reaches for the food Jaskier's brough only to have his hand slapped away. Before he has the chance to school his features, he knows that Jaskier has seen the shocked look on them.

"Not for you, Geralt. You can make it to the mess hall yourself. This is for Eskel."

Perhaps Jaskier is still punishing him for the mountain. It's fine. Geralt deserves it.

"What do you need help with? And I don't think I have time for a sponge bath, so you'll have to handle that on your own."

Jaskier shoots him a sweet smile, which makes Geralt very aware that he's up to something. "Potions." He hands the bottles over to him. "Apparently I can't be nearby while he's taking them. Not good for humans, or something. Don't worry, I can take care of the sexy spongebath on my own."

That's fine! I imagine switching accounts is incredibly impractical 😹

[wolfdogwitcher]

"Mm, so you do have some common sense." Eskel says, his focus entirely on the food. He completely missed the bard's tell that he's up to something. He does, however, glance up to see how his brother is taking being ordered about by this incredibly brazen human.

It's only annoying when they're talking to each other.

[heroicsandheartbreak]

"Common sense is my middle name,: Jaskier replies breezily, then makes a face at Geralt when he snorts. He hands the potions over, hoping that they helps Eskel even though he's not sure that there's much hope in that, if he's been taking them all winter so far. Hopefully one of his contacts works out, or they find another solution.

He pats Eskel's leg and then moves toward the door. "I will return momentarily, but contrary to popular belief, I do not have a death wish." If the potions are really that dangerous, he'll keep himself safe.

-

Once Jaskier closes the door, Geralt gets onto the bed and starts to uncorked the potions for Eskel. He rolls his eyes, but the look is completely affectionate. Eskel has heard enough about Jaskier over the years, so he can infer how Geralt feels about his bard. "This is what it's always like, travelling with Jaskier."

[wolfdogwitcher]

"He just never stops talking." Eskel laughs, looking at the bottles for a moment. He uncorks one with his teeth and gulps it down. "He barely stops if you put a cock in his mouth." Still, the way he says the words betrays that he is, in fact, charmed by the ridiculous bard. He sits up and leans forward.

"Sorry, this one's...well, you'll see. You gotta pour it into the wound." He says, shuddering. He's never seen the hideous hole between his shoulder blade and spine where the roots had crawled in. "Then cover it good with the bandage again so we don't get it everywhere. If you don't want to, I can ask Vesemir to do it later. I don't know that a couple of hours will make much difference. He swears it's closing up but it's slow. Probably don't help I strained my stitches some yesterday with Jaskier."

[monstrocities]

Geralt lets out a low chuckle at that. Eskel is one of the only people he's comfortable with enough to show this type of emotion. He's getting back to that point with Jaskier now, after so long being separated from each other. "He talks even in his sleep," Geralt tells him. "Sometimes he sings."

He helps Eskel lean forward, carefully peels off the bandages from his shoulder and hisses when he sees the wound. It's obvious now why Vesemir had cautioned the bard away not because of the danger the potions posed to him - as long as he didn't ingest them he would have been fine - but because of the gruesome crater in Eksel's shoulder. "If this is closing, I would hate to see what it looked like before. Fuck, Esk. I wish would have gotten to you sooner."

He pours the potion into the wound, making sure the full vial goes in. Once he's satisfied that it's there properly, he wraps it back up. "Do you want me to help you out so you can watch me run the Killer? Or would you prefer the bard to suck your prick again?"

[wolfdogwitcher]

"It's alright, Wolf. I shouldn't have tried to hide it as long as I did." Everyone had just seemed so caught up in Ciri's arrival and Eskel's mention of his unusual encounter had been met with teasing and insinuations of incompetence. Better to drink until he couldn't feel the pain anymore in some corner than try and get help and feel like he was adding to Geralt and Vesemir's burdens. In the end, his sulking had almost cost him everything in this world he held dear.

"It dug in there and crawled into my spine." Eskel says quietly. "Old man says it's the magic that makes it slow to heal."

He sits still while Geralt deals with the wound.

"Look, if he gets his way playing nurse, he's gonna want to suck my prick anyway. It seems a shame deny him. And that mouth is a balm for any man's pains." He almost suggests Geralt stay for that part too but it sounds too much like the bard's ridiculous teasing and he blushes and closes his mouth before the thought escapes.

[monstrocities]

"I'm glad that it wasn't worse," Geralt admits. "And don't hide something like this again, Esk." If it happens again, it could be Eskel's last monster, and that's not something he wants to think about. If it's magical in nature, it will be difficult to heal. Eskel may very well be trapped at the keep for the next year if they don't figure something out.

With the mention of Jaskier, Geralt huffs out a breath, the best approximation to a laugh that he ever exhales. "It is, that," he agrees. Geralt finishes wrapping Eskel up and then pats his good shoulder. "I don't know if the old man has mentioned, but your Leshen... there's something strange about it. There have been rumours of monsters long extinct returning." They've been listening for rumours about the situation, but Geralt plans to go looking for these monsters, once they leave the keep.

[wolfdogwitcher]

"I knew it wasn't normal." Eskel says, a little bitterness creeping into his voice as he gets settled again. "Leshen's are difficult, yeah, but I should have been able to put one down just fine." His command of signs is second to none, not even Coën, the Griffin School witcher living here. A few blasts from Eskel's Igni should have incapacitated such a creature but it was as if it had been skinned in stone, like the wood had petrified somehow.

"Do you think we're close to another Conjunction? That could be bad, not a lot of us left to deal with an influx of monsters." Humans had grown too comfortable since they had created witchers to deal with the off-world incursions and magical disturbances that came from this world passing to close in space and time to another. They burned, hanged, drowned and beheaded their best chances at survival every time there was a nonhuman panic or religious fervor until there were almost no witchers left. "Though if I miss out on a fat busy season's coinpurse because the old man wants to keep me here until next winter, I'll be pissed." He thinks of shiny new armor and horse races and beautiful women and staggeringly potent Toussaintois absinthe.

Since we're changing things up, i'm making stuff up too! lmk if you want me to fix anything

[monstrocities]

Geralt listens closely to what Eskel is saying. It makes sense. Geralt knows how Eskel fights, and he should have easily been able to put the Leshen down. This one though, there's something strange going on. They'll have to figure it out soon, especially with so few of them left.

"We can make more, now," Geralt tells him as he settles Eskel comfortably on the bed. "Ciri's blood. Elder blood. I caught her convincing Vesemir into making her one, and stopped it. It won't be fast enough if a Conjunction is approaching, but the possibility is there." Geralt isn't so sure that it is a Conjunction, but he is sure that Ciri has something to do with it.

"Eskel, where was the Leshen?" he asks curiously. Now that Yenn has her chaos back, he can go looking, even if it does mean using portals.

Go for it!

[wolfdogwitcher]

"What?" Eskel's pale yellow eyes widen and he half sits up again. "What do you mean?" He can only imagine how Lambert, the most bitterly angry of all of them about his being taken from his parents to be raised a witcher, feels about this. He's probably missing a lot of awkward dinners, staying up in his room like he's been doing. Or everyone in this keep is playing close to the chest with their respective secrets.

He feels conflicted about it himself: Theirs is a life he has made his peace with, but would not wish on any child.

He blinks as if Geralt's question has just caught up with him, too far away in his own thoughts for a moment.

"Not far from here, actually. I don't think my body would have made it if I had been too far from the keep. Four hours due south on foot maybe?"

Re: Go for it!

[monstrocities]

"It's been... a point of contention. Merigold is testing it, seeing if she can come up with a way to determine someone will survive the mutagens." Geralt isn't sure how he feels about it. He believes that the world needs Witchers, or at least something approximating them, but he doesn't believe that children should be taken from their families, through the law of surprise, or through being sold, or anything like that. He wishes there was a way for a child to consent, but there is no way to express the horrors of their life on someone so young. "I don't know if it's a good idea."

Geralt arches an eyebrow at him and nods. If it's that close, then perhaps Geralt isn't running the killer after all. With that decision made, Geralt moves to begin to undo the laces of Eskel's breeches. "Can't let the bard have all the fun."

[wolfdogwitcher]

Geralt's hands on his laces shakes him out of his distraction and he laughs.

"You better be quick, I imagine he'll be back any minute, impatient for his turn." Eskel shakes his head, still baffled by the bard's enthusiasm. Confused, but not complaining.