cointosser: (Default)
Jaskier "old-timey fuckboy" Alfred Pankratz ([personal profile] cointosser) wrote2021-04-12 08:58 pm
assembles: (a serious boy)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-07-28 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Steve tries to speak up to indicate that Jaskier really doesn't need to go to the trouble of standing like that, but there's not much space to say anything as he's greeted. Ultimately, it's fine, and he's quick to take a seat once the gesture is made.

Between the hat, the demeanor, and that polite gentlemanly nature, Jaskier is the picture of a well-to-do man from a time even before Steve was born. There's already food and drinks on hand, every T crossed and I dotted. Steve grabs for one of the sandwiches first, then nods to Jaskier. ]
Thanks. You didn't have to go to all this trouble.

[ The sandwiches are tasty, as he discovers as soon as he takes a bite. As Jaskier gives context for his status as a Summoned, Steve realizes that he must have arrived here around the same time as Sam. That would explain how he's had a chance to make a name for himself within the city as well. ]

Then you were here when they were throwing people behind bars? [ He reaches out for a tankard of ale and gives it a testing sip. ] Someone named Julie also contacted me privately. I think she may have warned me about the same person you mentioned in your message. Goro?

[ Steve met him briefly back at the outpost. The guy isn't exactly subtle. ]
assembles: (some deep thought here)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-08-02 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Steve isn't going to go so far as to question someone he doesn't already know fairly well about their experience of being locked up in a cell. He doubts that any of those memories are good ones, and he doesn't blame any of the people who were treated that way for having a serious issue with Thorne.

At Jaskier's comments about Julie, Steve can't quite hold back on a coarse laugh as he nods. ]
Yeah, I kind of picked up on that. [ It's not as if he takes much issue with her candor, however. She'd shared a lot of useful information with him, and she certainly hadn't hid her feelings about Goro.

Jaskier seems to be less concerned about him as a potential threat, which is something of a relief after hearing Julie's concerns. The description he gives is certainly evocative, and Steve can't help the small smile that follows. It might be cruel, but it sounds like this Goro guy hasn't been doing himself any favors when it comes to ingratiating himself to the other Summoned.

Steve is quickly gathering that Jaskier likes to talk a lot, and to make jokes. He's a bit more fanciful with it than someone like Tony, and Steve can't help but be amused. (Though he does wince a little at that last one.) ]


I met him very briefly when I first got here. He mentioned the Shokan thing too. [ He takes a quick look around them to make sure that no one else in the tavern seems to be listening in on them before continuing. ] Julie seems to think that he might have enough sway to push the Free Cities into all-out war, or at least that he could push certain political figures into power. What do you think?
assembles: (that's gross)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-08-06 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Destroying the Singularity? Steve's eyebrows angle down into a frown as soon as Jaskier says that, but he doesn't interrupt, wanting to hear out everything that Jaskier is willing to share. Steve has picked up on the fact that magic, or at least the magic used by the people of Thorne, is not supported by the Free Cities. Why it matters he understands much less.

Still, if the Singularity is destroyed, that leaves them without any hope of getting home. ]


Not as charismatic as he'd like to think, anyway. [ Steve hasn't spent enough time around the guy to know much more than that, but he's also willing to take Jaskier's word on it. ] My worry is that he'll be loud enough that people will have no choice but to listen.

[ Granted, Steve also gets the impression that war has been a possibility since long before the Summoned arrived. War doesn't usually break out overnight.

He reaches out to take a long pull from his drink, then asks what feels like the obvious. ]
Why does he want to destroy the Singularity? Just to cause chaos?
assembles: suspicious, listening (are u kidding me)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-08-11 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At that snort, Steve smiles, blink-and-you'll-miss-it. While it may be difficult for him to imagine anyone being charmed by the likes of Goro based on the little that Steve's heard of him, he knows better than to make assumptions. There might be some locals who are taken in by what he has to say if he plays his cards right.

Jaskier doesn't seem to know all of Goro's motivations beyond the rhetoric that he shares, and it leaves Steve with no other option but to try and speak to the man himself. There are too many variables unaccounted for still.

When Jaskier explains why he'd felt it important to explain this to someone new, Steve is quick to nod. He's forgotten the food and drink for the moment, too caught up in thought. The moment war is mentioned, a shadow seems to pass across his face. ]


I get what you're saying. We shouldn't assume he's not a threat just because we can see through him. [ Others might not. ] It sounds like you and Sam and Julie have been keeping an eye on him and tracking his actions. If you need any help with that, I'd be happy to contribute.

[ It may not be an enjoyable task, but it still has to be done. Steve lets out a sigh, his shoulders sinking in time. ]

And I might just see if I can have a chat with him. We may as well hear these things from the horse's mouth.
assembles: (a long long look)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-08-16 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Steve can't quite tell if Jaskier is selling himself short or if he has mainly left the issue of Goro in Sam's court. When it comes to entrusting such a delicate issue to someone else, Sam is the best option. Steve continues to be find comfort in seeing just how many friendships Sam has forged here. ]

It seems like most of the Summoned in this city have a pretty tight-knit circle. [ Steve returns Jaskier's smile and nods. ] It's a good thing. [ They need to look out for each other in this place where their best interests are not always kept in mind by the locals and people in authority. ] And any friend of Sam's is a friend of mine.

[ As for the possibility that the tension with Goro might escalate to the point that it comes to blows, Steve knows there's always a chance it might go that way. ] Let's hope it doesn't get to that point, but if it does, I'll be ready to take action. [ While he doesn't know exactly what kind of strength the Shokan have, Steve's confident that he'll be able to go toe-to-toe with Goro.

With all that unpleasant discussion out of the way, Steve leans forward to grab for his pint and takes a long sip from it. Perhaps worryingly long. After he sets the glass back down he wipes his mouth with a napkin. ]


So. Master Bard, you said. Is that something that started back home?
assembles: (cutie patootie)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-08-22 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Steve doesn't really know much of anything about becoming a master bard. Having a somewhat bombastic, flirtatious way of interacting with people does seem to be part of it, though. Jaskier breezes past the whole "beautiful" thing like those sorts of statements come out of his mouth every day — and they probably do.

Still, Jaskier seems to be confident in his abilities, and from what Steve's heard, that isn't at all unfounded. ]
You seem to be well on your way. [ He gives a little tilt of the drink in his hand in acknowledgement before leaning back in his seat. ]

Bards aren't really a thing anymore, where I'm from. I mean, there are musicians, and some of them become world-famous, so I do have an idea of what that looks like.

[ Does Jaskier have a loyal following of groupies, too? Steve wouldn't be surprised. Little does he know, he'll find out at the art walk. ]

But bards are more about telling stories with their music, right?
assembles: (scott please)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-09-01 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Steve has no doubt that bards had their place at one point, and it's something that Jaskier is quick to explain. To defend, even? It sounds like Steve's hardly the first person to question what he does, although he isn't doing so from a place of judgment. He's legitimately curious, and in a world like Abraxas that is so limited in its technology, it makes sense that a bard like Jaskier would flourish. ]

We've met. [ He confirms with a nod that he's aware of Geralt, though he has no idea what it means to be a "Witcher" either. And unlike bards, he's not sure there's any modern-day equivalent. A question to file away for later, maybe, but they're focused on Jaskier for now. ] See, when you have things like newspapers or the internet, news travels fast. But here in Abraxas, it sounds like you've got plenty of work to do.

[ Either way, it's clear that Jaskier is well-traveled, that he's seen and experienced a great deal, and that he's friends with someone who "hunts." Interesting.

The love poetry remark throws him off for a moment, even though he really should have been expecting it. One eyebrow lifts before he scoffs, shutting both eyes and shaking his head. ]
That's not exactly at the top of my priority list, but I'll keep it in mind.

[ Maybe they could leave it that, but there's still a few more sandwiches to polish off, and Steve hasn't been able to shake one thing from his mind about what Jaskier said, despite his efforts. He picks up another sandwich, taking a sizable bite and swallowing it down before he speaks again. ] You mentioned there was war, where you come from? [ It's as gentle of a nudge as he can manage. They don't really know each other, but he can't ignore it either. ]
assembles: (oh no my heart)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-09-13 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jaskier's words are awfully forward, though it's not the first time that Steve's been given this sort of attention. He never really knows what to do with it, but it's a little less awkward when he considers that Jaskier probably says this to just about anyone who catches his eye. ]

Guess I'm not that much a multitasker.

[ It's the final comment he makes on the subject as they move on to darker conversation. Steve notes the way that Jaskier settles in, taking a load off as he props his feet up, and he does his best to mirror that body language as he leans back in his chair. He finishes up his sandwich as Jaskier explains the state of things back on his home world. Tale as old as time is right. All it takes is one glance at Earth's history books to find any number of similar stories. ]

Funny how the people conquering all seem to agree that everything would be easier if everyone just fell into place under them. [ Steve gives an emphatic shake of his head, then lets out a sigh. ]

I fought in a war myself, back home. Against a country and a leader that had a very similar way of looking at the world. [ He sends Jaskier a sympathetic glance. ] I'm sorry you came from one war right into another.

[ True, there isn't outright war in Abraxas as of yet. But as they already discussed, it's likely only a matter of time. ]
assembles: (easystreet-endgame-p1-975)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-09-23 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The White Flame? Steve tilts his head to one side at that, scrunching up his face in thought, but there's really only one thing he needs to take from that. "Worship." So often war comes about because people have different thoughts on what to believe, whether in relation to religion or governance.

When Sam's name comes up again, Steve wonders how much he's shared with Jaskier. It's Sam's story to tell just as much as Steve's, so the prospect doesn't make him that uncomfortable.

That last statement snags his attention, both eyebrows lifting. ]
More a spy than a soldier? [ Steve asks the question in a lowered voice, figuring that Jaskier doesn't want this sort of attention drawn to him. He's a bard, after all — or that's how he presents himself.

Yet he'd still tried to do something, when war broke out. Plenty of others would have just washed their hands of it. Sometimes you have no choice. ]
assembles: (we'll do that together too)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-09-25 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ultimately, the term used doesn't matter that much. The point is that Jaskier, even if he'd never been a soldier or interested in that kind of life, had seen the suffering of war and had wanted to help. He'd wanted to do his part, and he had. For Steve, that counts for plenty.

Food and drink now forgotten, Steve gives a shake of his head. ]
A lot of people would have looked the other way. [ It's the easier choice, to just shove down all of that guilt at other's suffering and insist it isn't your problem, that someone else will handle it. ] No matter what you want to call yourself, you did a good thing.

[ Here's hoping that Jaskier won't have to reprise that role here in Abraxas. Steve knows that there's always that possibility, but even if this world isn't his home, that doesn't mean that he wants civilians here to go through hell. Jaskier seems to feel the same. ]
assembles: (this dog i met the other day)

[personal profile] assembles 2022-10-01 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ For all that Jaskier is someone who wants to be noticed for his musical talent, Steve had picked up on the fact that he didn't require acknowledgement or glory for his contributions to the war effort. They were different things, and he could feel different ways about them.

It doesn't surprise him, either, to hear that Sam had made similar comments. Steve bows his head, half-hiding a smile. ]
We've got a lot of common ground, and some similar experiences. We tend to be on the same page with this kind of thing.

[ Sam has laid so much of the groundwork here in Abraxas, and Steve is just trying to catch up and learn as much as he can — both about the world, but also about Sam's friends and contacts.

As Jaskier readies himself to leave, Steve adds a few coins as well. Even if Jaskier's already covered the full cost, Steve doesn't mind leaving a little extra for the servers. He stands and grips Jaskier's hand, giving it a firm shake. ]
I'd like that. I'll definitely make sure to come by one night. And I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to chat.