[ She really needs to introduce him to better food, in that case. There are easily meals she would give up sex for in a heartbeat. Easily.
Himeka does let herself float just a bit, feeling quite at home in the water. It wasn't until she arrived on dry land and stayed for so long that she realized how much of her day was spent outside Sui-no-Sato's protective bubble. Feeling weightless--nay, feeling supported by the water itself is comforting, like a mother's hug. It just feels right. She's more than happy to just exist in it for a moment.
But she is also curious as to what Jaskier has to say. A short nod of acknowledgment--yes, though she does not know Geralt too well she has gotten the impression that he is either always physically tired or just mentally tired with life. She knows a few people like that. But the idea that Thorne came looking for him...
Himeka pauses, canting her head to the side as her gaze turns more serious towards her companion. ]
...That Thorne came into Cadens looking for any of the Summoned who left--wouldn't that be considered an act of war by the Free Cities?
[ Has she been in her little foresty bubble for too long and heard naught of this? ]
Yes. It certainly should be, shouldn't it? Should the Free Cities not worry that Thorne should dare come so close, that they could have spies in their midst? [It's not musing out loud; these are the things Jaskier has had to consider as he learns new things, as more of Cadens takes notice of him with his performances. As his magic grows. If they are to continue existence in this world, they must understand how it works. The balances. And they cannot all be reduced to easily-led pawns.]
That has always niggled at the back of my mind, that these places that trust Thorne so little would not only accept its escaped outcasts, but welcome them. Not once have I ever been interrogated or followed or spied upon. Not to my knowledge. And yet... they knew exactly where to find Geralt.
[What happened? His chest wants to burst.] They came and they took him. Against his will.
[ She would not claim to be any sort of political genius--giving little to no credit to the fact she does have a significant amount of experience working with heads of state, of course, as she is want to do--but this seems fairly straight forward. Thorne and the Free Cities are the most at odds with one another. How could something like this go...unannounced? Or is it that this news isn't worth being discussed in Solvunn.
Himeka frowns, knowing that Jaskier won't have any easy answers to this, but it is curious to note. And...also good to know that while things may seem quiet where she is, there is still movement elsewhere.
And he brings up other points as well--suspicions she has held a little despite the fact she does want to believe the best in people. Solvunn welcoming the Summoned as refugees who could do their part and work seemed fine and good from the beginning, but then...why summon their own? Himeka doesn't share these worries with those newly arrived, not wanting to add more to their already confusing situation. But still. ]
It feels we've been here and age already but we still know so little.
[ But simply waiting for things to happen around them isn't helpful either.
As this clearly indicates.
Himeka's eyes widen and she sits up in the same motion. ]
[It hasn't even been a year, and yet time marches on, and yet it crawls. He cannot wrap his head around what this is all supposed to mean. Not only was Geralt taken from an opposing kingdom, but the one in charge of the Free Cities was hardly bothered by it. Even offered money in apology.
As if it's that simple.
Jaskier pushes wet hair back from his forehead. He wonders, all of a sudden. It's a ridiculous theory. It could not be true, could it? What would be the benefit? But the Thorne guards found the escapees in Hayle. They found Geralt in Cadens. Presumably this has happened more. Taken them both, returned them to Thorne, without much news of it spreading. The leaders knew of it, too. Ambrose's sister. Marlo.
Jaskier turns to watch her.] Yes. They took him to Thorne. And I don't know if you know Geralt well enough, or about the Witchers, but it could easily take thirty men to subdue him, if he didn't want to be taken. [He sinks lower, until the water reaches his chin.] I'm beginning to think this brewing war isn't real at all.
[ What is he saying here...that Geralt allowed himself to be taken? She doesn't know him all that well but that, at least, seems suspect to her. Then what Jaskier must mean is that whatever powers Thorne has at its disposal was enough to overwhelm him--now, at this point where all previous prisoners have reconnected to their inherent abilities.
Sometimes she does think on how different Hayle may have gone had she been more useful. But, mayhaps, with this knowledge it may not have gone as well as she would have hoped.
She's not sure what to make of this. Himeka brings a hand to her chin as she stares blankly at the water. ]
[He cups some water to pour over his hair, simply because forcing himself to relax is now on the menu the more he speaks on this. It's really the first time he has, actually; the first time he has spoken about Geralt's disappearance with anyone but Ciri in any real, definitive way.
He looks over at her with a raised brow, water dripping into his eyes.]
What? No. Well. [He pauses. There are certain things he know they must keep to themselves, and not for any other reason that they all agreed to protect Ciri. And Jaskier will. He'll protect her any way he can... which, luckily, only really pertains to what he chooses to say.
Which is a shame. Himeka, he thinks, has given him so much in the past. Informationally speaking. He wants to do the same. To him, it only makes sense that the Summoned share what they can, the way they did when they were all in Thorne.]
No. Thorne's governing powers did not release him. He escaped. With help. The reason I say that is Geralt went to the Free Cities' leader when he finally made his way back to Cadens. [He skims over the fact it took weeks, and involved far too many people, and illicit mages, and what he can only assume is coin for bribery.] She didn't seem particularly concerned that someone who was so happily accepted as a runaway from Thorne was recaptured so easily, nor why, in particular, they came after him. Which, I think, narrows it down to two things -- either she was involved in this whole thing, which I don't believe is the case, or she already knew it had happened.
[ The fact that the defacto leader of the Free Cities wasn't concerned definitely brings a frown to her face. She isn't so naive as to believe they would be considered countrymen or citizens--such things are often hard earned by most no matter how valuable they may seem. But the Summoned are just that...
Valuable. That's the entire point of summoning, isn't it? If it wasn't they would simply use any Tom, Dick, or Harry to wage their war on the Singularity. This conflict wouldn't be at a stalemate.
Still, she has to offer a third option... ]
Or we are more expendable than we'd previously thought.
[ Himeka slowly pushes her hand upwards, a slowly spinning ball of water floating above it as she breaks the surface. ]
The only magicks we have that they do not are...as far as we know, our ability to enter the Singularity. But if they learn how to do that too...
[Jaskier nods, lifting a hand to coast his fingertips across the top of the water.] That, my dear, is not mutually exclusive from the others. I believe it's always been the case. After all, if we're expended... can they not just summon more? Both the Free Cities and Solvunn have been summoning more. I assume Nott is the same. Anyone with the capabilities will know this is how one crafts the winning hand.
[He flicks a bit of water at her ball of it, simply for fun, for some sort of lightness to what is otherwise far from a light conversation. It says enough how Geralt's kidnapping has affected him that he's managed to get this far with a naked woman a few feet away, stretched out in his water.]
Don't you think they're trying to learn? They must want to know how we do it so badly. And once it's figured out, they'll have no need of any of us anymore. That will be the kingdom that wins.
[ That is what she fears--that they are trying to learn. A part of her says it's as much their right as anyone else's, mayhaps even more given that this is their world. But she is also of the belief that there are things that need not be tampered with. The Singularity and its powers may well be one of them.
Of course, to understand it may mean some manner of intervention...it's tricky. She's not sure she knows where the balance is, but how dangerous will the trial and error be? ]
I do. To varying degrees, at least.
[ In turn of for him sending water towards her bubble, she instead pushes the ball of water to be sent across the surface towards Jaskier. Like very, very slow catch. ]
All the more reason to keep a close watch on things, I suppose... difficult as that can be.
[At least she isn't calling him a crackpot or somesuch. It's the only thing that makes sense to him. He's not exactly against them learning, either, but he's far more afraid of what it means for the Summoned already here. They will be useless. Expendable.
He's not even sure if they have the capabilities to send them back.
It's all far too much to worry about at once. He lifts his brows at her water ball, making effort to catch? it? as it moves towards his face. It splashes a bit into his eyes, and he snorts.
Water magic. Perhaps it's a dragon's ability?]
I'm more than willing to keep our line of communications open. I'm curious how things will carry out over there.
Of course, that goes without saying. I'll share what I know.
[ Whatever they learn should be shared with other Summoned, at least that's how she's been operating. Mayhaps a little too trusting of her counterparts in this, but she really does believe that they are all in this together whether they would will it that way or not. She also does not believe they will make their way home by acting alone.
His failed attempt to catch her ball, however, gets a short chuckle. ]
You need to anticipate the aether before it reaches you or else it will lose it's shape.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cointosser) wrote2021-04-12 08:58 pm
no subject
Himeka does let herself float just a bit, feeling quite at home in the water. It wasn't until she arrived on dry land and stayed for so long that she realized how much of her day was spent outside Sui-no-Sato's protective bubble. Feeling weightless--nay, feeling supported by the water itself is comforting, like a mother's hug. It just feels right. She's more than happy to just exist in it for a moment.
But she is also curious as to what Jaskier has to say. A short nod of acknowledgment--yes, though she does not know Geralt too well she has gotten the impression that he is either always physically tired or just mentally tired with life. She knows a few people like that. But the idea that Thorne came looking for him...
Himeka pauses, canting her head to the side as her gaze turns more serious towards her companion. ]
...That Thorne came into Cadens looking for any of the Summoned who left--wouldn't that be considered an act of war by the Free Cities?
[ Has she been in her little foresty bubble for too long and heard naught of this? ]
What happened?
no subject
Yes. It certainly should be, shouldn't it? Should the Free Cities not worry that Thorne should dare come so close, that they could have spies in their midst? [It's not musing out loud; these are the things Jaskier has had to consider as he learns new things, as more of Cadens takes notice of him with his performances. As his magic grows. If they are to continue existence in this world, they must understand how it works. The balances. And they cannot all be reduced to easily-led pawns.]
That has always niggled at the back of my mind, that these places that trust Thorne so little would not only accept its escaped outcasts, but welcome them. Not once have I ever been interrogated or followed or spied upon. Not to my knowledge. And yet... they knew exactly where to find Geralt.
[What happened? His chest wants to burst.] They came and they took him. Against his will.
no subject
Himeka frowns, knowing that Jaskier won't have any easy answers to this, but it is curious to note. And...also good to know that while things may seem quiet where she is, there is still movement elsewhere.
And he brings up other points as well--suspicions she has held a little despite the fact she does want to believe the best in people. Solvunn welcoming the Summoned as refugees who could do their part and work seemed fine and good from the beginning, but then...why summon their own? Himeka doesn't share these worries with those newly arrived, not wanting to add more to their already confusing situation. But still. ]
It feels we've been here and age already but we still know so little.
[ But simply waiting for things to happen around them isn't helpful either.
As this clearly indicates.
Himeka's eyes widen and she sits up in the same motion. ]
They took him? Back to Thorne?
no subject
[It hasn't even been a year, and yet time marches on, and yet it crawls. He cannot wrap his head around what this is all supposed to mean. Not only was Geralt taken from an opposing kingdom, but the one in charge of the Free Cities was hardly bothered by it. Even offered money in apology.
As if it's that simple.
Jaskier pushes wet hair back from his forehead. He wonders, all of a sudden. It's a ridiculous theory. It could not be true, could it? What would be the benefit? But the Thorne guards found the escapees in Hayle. They found Geralt in Cadens. Presumably this has happened more. Taken them both, returned them to Thorne, without much news of it spreading. The leaders knew of it, too. Ambrose's sister. Marlo.
Jaskier turns to watch her.] Yes. They took him to Thorne. And I don't know if you know Geralt well enough, or about the Witchers, but it could easily take thirty men to subdue him, if he didn't want to be taken. [He sinks lower, until the water reaches his chin.] I'm beginning to think this brewing war isn't real at all.
no subject
Sometimes she does think on how different Hayle may have gone had she been more useful. But, mayhaps, with this knowledge it may not have gone as well as she would have hoped.
She's not sure what to make of this. Himeka brings a hand to her chin as she stares blankly at the water. ]
So...you think they released him as well?
no subject
He looks over at her with a raised brow, water dripping into his eyes.]
What? No. Well. [He pauses. There are certain things he know they must keep to themselves, and not for any other reason that they all agreed to protect Ciri. And Jaskier will. He'll protect her any way he can... which, luckily, only really pertains to what he chooses to say.
Which is a shame. Himeka, he thinks, has given him so much in the past. Informationally speaking. He wants to do the same. To him, it only makes sense that the Summoned share what they can, the way they did when they were all in Thorne.]
No. Thorne's governing powers did not release him. He escaped. With help. The reason I say that is Geralt went to the Free Cities' leader when he finally made his way back to Cadens. [He skims over the fact it took weeks, and involved far too many people, and illicit mages, and what he can only assume is coin for bribery.] She didn't seem particularly concerned that someone who was so happily accepted as a runaway from Thorne was recaptured so easily, nor why, in particular, they came after him. Which, I think, narrows it down to two things -- either she was involved in this whole thing, which I don't believe is the case, or she already knew it had happened.
no subject
Valuable. That's the entire point of summoning, isn't it? If it wasn't they would simply use any Tom, Dick, or Harry to wage their war on the Singularity. This conflict wouldn't be at a stalemate.
Still, she has to offer a third option... ]
Or we are more expendable than we'd previously thought.
[ Himeka slowly pushes her hand upwards, a slowly spinning ball of water floating above it as she breaks the surface. ]
The only magicks we have that they do not are...as far as we know, our ability to enter the Singularity. But if they learn how to do that too...
no subject
[He flicks a bit of water at her ball of it, simply for fun, for some sort of lightness to what is otherwise far from a light conversation. It says enough how Geralt's kidnapping has affected him that he's managed to get this far with a naked woman a few feet away, stretched out in his water.]
Don't you think they're trying to learn? They must want to know how we do it so badly. And once it's figured out, they'll have no need of any of us anymore. That will be the kingdom that wins.
no subject
Of course, to understand it may mean some manner of intervention...it's tricky. She's not sure she knows where the balance is, but how dangerous will the trial and error be? ]
I do. To varying degrees, at least.
[ In turn of for him sending water towards her bubble, she instead pushes the ball of water to be sent across the surface towards Jaskier. Like very, very slow catch. ]
All the more reason to keep a close watch on things, I suppose... difficult as that can be.
no subject
He's not even sure if they have the capabilities to send them back.
It's all far too much to worry about at once. He lifts his brows at her water ball, making effort to catch? it? as it moves towards his face. It splashes a bit into his eyes, and he snorts.
Water magic. Perhaps it's a dragon's ability?]
I'm more than willing to keep our line of communications open. I'm curious how things will carry out over there.
no subject
[ Whatever they learn should be shared with other Summoned, at least that's how she's been operating. Mayhaps a little too trusting of her counterparts in this, but she really does believe that they are all in this together whether they would will it that way or not. She also does not believe they will make their way home by acting alone.
His failed attempt to catch her ball, however, gets a short chuckle. ]
You need to anticipate the aether before it reaches you or else it will lose it's shape.