#i am going to say it tissaia and yen

[mercisnm]

Been reading the wikipedia page of Mädchen in Uniform (1958) and the overview says it remains an "international cult classic" and there is a footnote which is linked to an academic paper and all but my baked bean can of a brain was just wHICH CULT? THE LESBIANS???

Cue a photo because I am foaming at the mouth

How high did you think of me, wait how low did you think of me, or in whatever direction you might think of me, that nobody decided to sit me down and watch this film with me because look!!!! at!!!! this!!!!!!

(need to watch this asap, but need to watch it alone or find somebody who has watched 50s German cinema to not be turned off a bit by this kind of cinema)

ranting: as far as my general lack of interest towards old German films goes, I am somewhat glad that this was made in the 30s and remade in the 50s and nobody has the brilliant idea of making it again now, of course I'd love to see a modern version of it because when is healthy expression of self and sexuality and interest in the arts versus totalitarianism and all the hideous things it encompasses is not welcome, especially when it explores both *ahem* baby gays and adult gays' feelings? BUT imagine the dumpster fire it would cause with today mass audience's level of media comprehension. Before you know it, it would be "promoting homosexual predators prying on children" and "if you like this it means you are a pedophile" all over again and I *le sigh*, sir, the point, sir, you miss it by two yards to the left, sir.

Also this might the only time in the year I get to use this meme:

[yennefer-x-tissaia]

Yennaia bits in ep 3.05 (Part 1)

Well, this was a bugger to do because of all the repeated scenes and different angles, but here goes. (I’m attempting to do it in a linear fashion rather than jumping all over the place)

Yen and Geralt enter the ball, and Tissaia turns to look at them (did she sense Yen’s entrance? I can’t decide), clearly delighted to see Yen, who is looking at her in return, even though it looks like she’s looking at the camera.

Yen gives Geralt a rundown of the mages in attendance, including Tissaia and Vilgefortz.

(Tissaia turns just in time for her introduction, seemingly aware that Yen is talking about her.)

She’s looking again later on in this same conversation. (Why she didn’t just go over and greet them I do not know.)

After some light sexual harassment from Sabrina, Geralt goes to get a drink and Yen makes her way to Tissaia and Vilgefortz. Tissaia is relieved she has arrived because she is her favourite.

They do a double air kiss thingie, which could just have easily been a proper cheek kiss, come on producers. 

Vilgefortz gets to kiss Yen’s cheek properly. Although she doesn’t reciprocate.

Tissaia reminds Yennefer of the plan to improve relationships within the Brotherhood.

Yen takes this opportunity to ask about Tissaia’s own little messy break up grudge she’s got going on.

Tissaia turns to look at Philippa.

Vilgefortz steps in, encouraging Tissaia to calm down and let Yennefer be.

To break this nice moment, Vilgefortz spots Philippa approaching.

Which Tissaia is not amused about.

From one angle, it looks like Tissaia steps in front of Yennefer.

There’s a very tense meeting

And then Philippa pointedly asks to speak to Yen alone.

Yennefer accepts, but is clearly conflicted.

What follows is a conversation in which Philippa talks about Lydia being heartsick and blindly following her lover to death, if he asked it of her. Then she asks if Yen knows why she and Tissaia broke up aren’t friends anymore.

Philippa seems surprised that Yen doesn’t know more.

Yen argues that they were right to go and that they won. Philippa asks at what cost, both to the Brotherhood and to Yen personally, but Yen continues to defend Tissaia’s choice. And does the ‘we’ thing some more.

Philippa says that the Brotherhood has no place in the future of the Continent and once again appeals to Yen to see that Tissaia is on the wrong path.

But Yen continues to side with Tissaia.

That’s absolutely not what Yennefer wants to hear. She wants to hear ‘Sorceresses like us’.

I thought this was such an interesting choice of words here - ‘I love with a poison that kills you slowly’.  She’s talked about Lydia blindly following her lover. We know she’s referring to Tissaia being in love with Vilgefortz. But the only person she can be referring to for Yennefer, is Tissaia. Yennefer is following Tissaia down a path because she’s blinded by her love. And I am here for it.

Yen is having none of these repeated warnings, and remains loyal to Tissaia, almost flippantly and arrogantly telling Philippa that her and Tissaia can handle everything.

And again her next words are telling.

What is she protecting? Not Aretuza. Not the Brotherhood. Ciri, absolutely. But also Tissaia. For her, the safety of Aretuza that she’s bringing Ciri to is Tissaia. She couldn’t give a fuck about the building or the institution. It’s all about Tissaia. Just like it was on the battlefield of Sodden.

[thegirl20]

Three years after the pandemic, where would you say Yen and Tissaia from your fic 'Do you feel like I feel (Or am I all alone?)' are at now? What's their situation? It' such a fantastic fic and I love the Yennaia you gift us with. I would just love to know if they're still together after all the drama that brought them together! 🩷

They're definitely still together!! They're happily living together in the house Tissaia was living in in the fic (I wrote a wee thing about them moving in together). They're probably engaged by now, actually. Or married. That would be nice for them.

They sometimes socialise with Jaskier at things for Yen's work, and he is much nicer about Tissaia these days, but still slightly terrified of her, which she exploits whenever it suits her.

Sabrina has grudgingly accepted that Yennefer isn't going anywhere, and sometimes even allows her to pet her, if she's feeling generous.

(Once she even licked the silvery scars that run up the back of Yennefer's calf, which Yen took as an apology of sorts) Sabrina keeps her in her place by flicking her claws out every now and again, just so she knows who's boss.

Every year on the anniversary of their first proper meeting, Tissaia makes the same dish she made that night for dinner, and Yen puts on 2 Become 1 and they dance in the living room.

(Here's the fic for anyone confused about Sabrina: Do you feel like I feel (or am I all alone?))

[mantra4ia]

I mean no offense to the people who enjoyed "The Witcher" Season 3: Vol 1 on Netflix. No judgement. And also no offense to the cast and crew who I am sure worked hard to bring this to the screen.

I love the Witcher, mostly from the books and some gameplay, so from my own personal perspective...

What in the actual hell did Netflix do?!

There's so much eloquent dialogue in the source material to draw upon and this steaming pile of ****e is what they came up with? It telegraphs so much without a whiff of subtlety or craft— not unlike Sabrina in 3x5— that I want to puke, the only exception being that Yarpen Zigrin is still no nonsense and true to form.

Emhyr, as is evidenced by his cringe, overlong speeches and dull drawl, is not written as cunning or menacing by any stretch of the imagination as he ought to be, and the lack of a strong villain does nothing to drive the pace of the season.

Why are we waxing on about Vissena to try and strum up audience feels? We don't need to revisit that unless it serves a purpose for the characters. It doesn't. If the audience has been watching any of the previous two seasons, we don't need Geralt's childhood memories of his mother to impress upon us that he takes newfound parenthood seriously and would spill blood and make sacrifices for his family.

If that weren't painful enough, Yennefer — who we know is cunning when she schemes— lacks all of her razor edged wit when "groveling" before the Brotherhood to form a conclave. The recycled dialogue with Tissaia about chaos and control has lost its potency, as lukewarm as the mages' council of armchair tapping, and even her speeches to Ciri like "my ugly one" have so much wasted potential because there's a speed run montage about how much Yen and Cirilla care for eachother in episode 1 rather than letting us growing into the emotions ourselves, so that by the time we get to Yennefer disclosing her past, the emotion is lost. Also, Cirilla is supposed to be in a little awe of Yen and her power of influence, which is what makes "ugly one" so endearing, because it's the ends way of saying that Cirilla is powerful but magic isn't all she is / she doesn't need to rely on it like the mages rest on prolonged youth. It's her way of saying I love you, and for all the exposition that season three uses to elaborate feelings, this most essential part is completely lost. It's like we're playing house with emotions that haven't been earned their screen moment. "Lilac and gooseberries, now that I can tolerate," but I cannot abide these trash conversations.

These were the action sequences, the fight choreography, and the monster concept visualization they came up with? Like, for example, a failing mass of conjoined limbs and disembodied heads! The idea of Ciri's doppelganger from the books has been so corrupted.

On top of that, the cuts from scene to scene are so rough it's like whiplash. Chase scene - recycled Geralt /Ciri hug - dark portal nonsense - crash through ceiling. No finesse.

The Belletyn festival, which is so meaningful and beautifully described in the books, was butchered in execution of costume (Yen's is a season 1 throwback but never underwhelming way), with ridiculous "masks" (it irks me so much that Yennefer tells Cirilla had to cover her eyes and hair for a low profile and then we speed cut to the next scene where neither occurs and the costume department decides that they aren't even going to attach Cirilla's mask to her face, she just carries it around in her hand because that makes sense), unnecessary mazes to separate our characters and engineer a sense of peril, the whole lot. They used Belletyn as a setup to engineer a subsequent bait scene, which was an appallingly insult to intelligence and fight choreography. PS: Yen can I do more than throw a knife, can we please utilize her a little better?

Speaking of choreography, Ciri descending from mid air to stab the CGI aeschna in 3x4 with the overlong shot pull of monster blood on her face was so poorly edited I wanted to fast forward the entire episode thereafter.

Lastly, this farce for humor is what they came up with?! They made layered source characters like Dijkstra into single line fodder, and they wasted so much time on sitcom rubbish like Queen Hedwig's Redanian funeral, and Phillipa's bedroom shenanigans, and Fringilla as a drunken poison tester. I want to slap someone. It's as if the whole of season 3 thus far is a live-action adaptation of Ciri and Jaskier's satire of Yen and Geralt. Except that no one left the audience in the joke.

Also, for a series called The Witcher there is surprisingly little in the way of meaningful dialogue and action for Geralt to do, and that's a shame

I'm angry.

Season 1 was fantastic, season 2 was good but with notable divergence to character integrity, and Season 3 so far is the refuse pile of Aedd Gynvael. The only highlight was Ciri telling Valdo Marx to shut up, like I wish I could do for the rest of the dialogue in the series. After "Sherrawedd" I kept thinking to myself, it will get better. Ironically Sherwood was probably the best episode so far because at least it kept the essence of idea in "dear friend" from the literature as a foundation. After which it kept sinking down into chaos.

But more than angry, I'm disappointed. I'm sad that the Yennefer/Jaskier frenemy dynamic ("Hello again witch) —a highlight of season 2— has been shirked; the only decent byproduct of which is the Ciri/Jaskier relationship. And I'm depressed that this is Henry Cavill's sendoff as Geralt.

[kuwdora]

3x06 The Witcher Netflix Ciri screaming episode recap and reactions. I think it's been like 8 years since I felt so compelled to write a episode reaction that's 1k+ long and only focused mostly on one character. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, my god. my brain is reeling. maybe I will feel differently after it's cooled down but anyway. under the cut 3x06 only, some minor references to book events but my brain is too squishy to really... yeah just. yeah. CIRI.

Before volume 1 of season 3 had dropped I was really concerned and curious how they were going to handle the Ciri narrative from this point on with Tor Lara and being tossed across the Continent.

I’m happy to say that my immediate reaction is that I am fucking impressed. And wheezing from the nuance and direct approach they’re taking in addressing a woman’s rage. but right now it's this prelude to the rage... I'm surely forgetting some things but here!! I!! motherfucking go!!!

Holy fuck, we are seeing Yen explicitly dreaming of Ciri and Ciri feeling her connection, waking and running off to find Yen. To know and feel that Yen is in danger and needs her. She fucks off without looking for Jaskier who is busy sleeping off an orgasm, I guess. Will Geralt end up having Ciri dreams too?? Or is this a mother-daughter thing?? I'm still really digging the Yen-and-Ciri dynamic they've managed to build up in 8 episodes, whaaaaaaat. I was for sure skeptical because of the whole fuckall Voleth Meir nonsense last season but. Huh. Huh.

I don’t know how much time Ciri spent running around the island but that reunion with Yen in the valley??? Brilliantly filmed, absolutely wonderful acting with Anya and Freya here. Their pain, their joy at finding each other again. Yen calling Ciri her daughter. It was beautiful.

And if that wasn’t enough, Yen sees the growing lightning storm from what they namecheck as Alzur’s Last Stand (or Alzur’s Legacy? Last Resort? One of them) — all that flickering lightning above Aretuza. Yen feels the magic, she feels Tissaia’s power, her desperation and she’s so fucking fraught and devastated and scared. Her heart is tearing into two pieces—her love and need to protect Ciri, and her love for her own mother-figure. Tissaia’s pain is Yen’s pain. That was the refrain we’ve heard for two seasons now.

Ciri crying and telling Yennefer that she needed to go to Tissaia because Ciri understood what Yen was feeling as a daughter. My god I was also crying. Outstanding. Emotionally resonant. I LOVE IT.

Geralt had found Ciri and Yen by then, so Ciri stays with Geralt while Yen returns to Aretuza. They end up roaming the island trying to find a way off… finally encounter Cahir together. Ciri ends up with facing her literal nightmare, a source of her pain. Geralt watches on while Ciri is sobbing and crying with the sword pressed to Cahir’s throat. I wasn’t sure I was ready to believe netflix Cahir’s turning point, but I’m fascinated to say that seeing the accumulation of shit he’s taken over the last two seasons and his choice to throw himself to Ciri’s blade as an act of justice for her? For forgiveness? For everything that he’s taken from her? He saved her but he also knows what was taken from her and how he contributed to that. And he’s made the choice to throw himself to her. That’s some good fealty stuff right there. Dang.

But what was interesting is that Geralt never raises a blade to Cahir, there’s no fight with him and Cahir like in the books. In fact, we see the Scoia’tel on the hills approaching and Cahir breaks free and goes off to fight them so Ciri and Geralt can get away. He tells her he's going to hold them off. Dang dang danggg OKAYYYY. “I’ll find you.” Last words Cahir says to Ciri. Ciri is not really in a headspace to probably want or accept this or to know what he truly means since he was ready to die for her… but now he’s like REALLY READY to die for her, omg. *Chinhands* We don't see Cahir anymore this season.

Ciri and Geralt on the beach. Geralt feeling the danger nearby with his medallion and telling Ciri to run. She runs off to Tor Lara while Geralt gets the neutrality beaten out of him.

MEANWHILE AT TOR LARA.

Okay this is where I have scratched my head in curiosity and wonder but I am ROLLING WITH IT. Is this why they made the Blood Origins show to talk about the power of the monoliths?? Because I can’t remember if anyone in the show has referenced the portal at Tor Lara explicitly in the show. But all the monolith talk and I'm still forgetting things probably.

Tor Lara is a monolith that is speaking to Ciri. She races to the tower and Vilgefortz comes after her...she loses her sword and holy fuck, he just wants to train her he says. And she’s running up the stairs to the top and there’s this reverberating energy and crystalline part of the monolith. Runes are glowing beneath the surface. A voice is speaking to Ciri. 👀

In this scene with the Tor Lara monolith I’m loving the double-image effect on Ciri (and Vilgefortz) as the power of the monolith swells. Who or what is seeing them? What kind of reflection is this? I’m neck-deep in symbolism brain right now cause I've spent the last month writing all my witcher philosophy fanfic... but oh my god, Ciri is going through trauma and will be dissociating and being Falka for a good long while… While Vilgefortz had spent a large amount of time hiding his True Self in order to advance his plans. He hated it, the hiding. It exasperated him. But it's what he had to do in order to see his work through. And Ciri will relinquish her powers and partition her mind and sink into her rage, and it will be a summer of pain and catharsis for her. Double images all around here. Both of these characters end up embodying two identities in this strange amalgamation of self and non-self that they construct in order to survive. Someone remind me later to talk about Jean Genet and the tapestry art The Lady and the Unicorn. Or maybe I'll just write another fic for that tapestry in particular.

So the show is making more textually apparent that Vilgefortz wants Ciri’s blood, and he says he wants to train her. That he is the best one to do it. Which is different than in the forced pregnancy books and it’s not a change that I hate at all, but I still find it interesting and want to know what he actually….wants out of it. Though I don't think anything implies that he wouldn't go with the forced breeding angle again but if the show doesn't go that way, I won't be mad.

Alright... briefly in 3x07 or 3x08 (can’t remember) Yen, Rita, Tissaia, Sabrina, Keira and Philippa ended up finding the Aretuza girls that Vilgefortz kidnapped and mutated with magic. There’s still no understanding from any of the characters what his ends might be with these experiments, and I’m still not sure where he’s going with it, other than to figure out how to use Ciri’s blood. And that there’s some connection to the power of the monoliths.

Anyway, back at Tor Lara Ciri ignores Vilgefortz who says she’s not ready for that kind of power yet. The power is reaching out to Ciri. And Ciri reaches back... and we get BIG SHATTERING EXPLOSION and the tower encasing the monolith of Tor Lara just disintegrates. Another one bites the dust. Vilgefortz gets knocked on his smirky fucking ass.

Ciri has the magic touch, yo.

This is HER STORY. Slams hands on table and kicks her feetsies oh my god oh my god.

Freya is impressing the hell out of me. I wasn’t… I wanted to be hopeful but I didn’t let myself. And now holy fuck.

holy fuck.

CIRI.

let me have another few hours to breathe and write about 3x07 and 3x08. holy fuuuuuuck.

[fablewoven]

Piggy-backing off my last post about how I'm tweaking S3 for Yennefer, I decided to go into a little more depth like I did with some of my other posts about my other Season tweaks for my Netflix version of Yennefer, which contrary to popular belief is NOT my main Yennefer verse even though I use Anya as Yen's face claim. I am mixed media Yen always, and you may always ask me to use icons of her from the games because I have those too. That being said, lets breakdown Season Three:

Because she never actually tried to sacrifice Ciri to the Deathless Mother, her strained relationship with Geralt is mostly over how she's going about teaching Ciri because she pushes a bit too hard, and also over trying to mend the fact that even though she didn't try to sacrifice Ciri, she did separate Ciri from Geralt while she was still being coerced by the Deathless Mother no matter how she was trying to resist her, so there still is broken trust, it's just not something that they can't get over.

While she has been trying to get this whole mom thing right, Yennefer and Ciri butting heads at Aretuza was perfection. They did a great job given that Ciri is older in Netflix than she was in the books, and it was just wonderful. Yen will sacrifice literally anything for Ciri, and that includes her dignity, and so I'm keeping that most definitely.

YEN SAID 'I LOVE YOU' BACK AT THANEDD. They took this from me, and it's one of the main things I was looking forward to this season because 'Time of Contempt' is their first verbally exchanged 'I love you', and I'm so mad the show didn't let Yen say it back. Yes, she made it clear she loves him at the end of the Season, but I'm salty about it.

She didn't leave Ciri to go and try and save Aretuza and Tissaia. I get why Netflix had her do it, but my Yen doesn't have the same relationship with Tissaia because hers is closer to their book relationship. Because of that, she stayed with Ciri and Geralt, and they were all forcibly separated from each other. This would make Yennefer be the one to find Geralt in the water (and mirror a very specific book scene), and still have to spread herself thin trying to find Ciri as well.

Yennefer still feels a bit of guilt in feeling like if Geralt sees her and she doesn't have Ciri, then she failed him, but not enough to keep her away. The only thing that makes sense is she's trying to find Ciri, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't be checking in on him as he heals if she can because the girl can portal: she can do both things and she should have.

Oh, and one of the most important things: Yennefer did not help to form the Lodge of Sorceresses. In the books, she didn't want a part of it, and was only brought on by Francesca, only to then have to tell them all to shove it up their asses because they wanted to hand Ciri over to Emhyr. Phillipa was one of the founders and I'm still confused as to why they had Yen do it instead, but it all boils down to them making Tissaia more important to Yen than she is. I'm sorry, but my Yen will not be picking Tissaia over Geralt and Ciri--it makes no character sense to me to do so.

Anything else I think of, I'll add later.

[fangirleaconmigo]

If you’re still up for answering asks, who is your favorite non-Yennefer sorceress and your favorite non-Geralt/non-Ciri Witcher?

I definitely am thank you ♥️

Ok first of all bless you for calling Ciri a witcher. I get soooooo heated when people (usually dudebro types) try to say she isn’t a “real” witcher. My blood pressure just shoots right up Lmao. Ignorant!Incorrect! Demonstrably false!

Anyway. Lol moving on.

Ok I’m going to cheat here and break them up into subcategories.

My favorite non-Yen sorceress

Books: Philippa. She is just so goddamn entertaining. Anytime she’s on the page you gotta grab your popcorn. I mean come on! This woman knows how to give good drama. She schemes, she runs coups and sieges, she starts The Lodge (an International Women’s Republic). She mouths off, she sasses, she makes at minimum one lesbian joke per chapter. She bangs Triss Merigold. She wears mens doublets occasionally and looks hot doing it. She’s got Djikstra with hearts in his fuckin eyes. SHE CAN TURN INTO AN OWL. She doesn’t pretend to be anything other than she is. She’s just so much fun to read about and I enjoy her. And her casting in TWN is fabulous I hope we get to actually see more of her S3.

TWN: Tissaia. I just think Myanna Buring is goddamn outstanding. Her journey is fascinating. She believes in the system. In the brotherhood. But she rebels a bit by the end of S1. I am always fascinated by arcs where someone has their faith in their institutions challenged. Where they are disillusioned and have to break away. So, I want to see more. And seeing her raging and grieving S2 was just electric. And of course her relationship with Yen is the most complex and fascinating relationship in the whole series Imo.

Honorable mention: I love Anna Shaffer as Triss. She’s so beautiful and S2 especially I think she really embodies Triss’s manner and personality.

My favorite non Geralt witcher. (I’m really really gonna cheat here)

Books: Eskel. I can’t even start talking about him or I won’t stop. He’s my baby. Kind, gentle, strong, he is my everything.

TWN: Coën. Yasen Atour is perfection. He captures his sweet spirit. His uncleness. He’s the most handsome witcher, Geralt included.

Games: Lambert. He’s “supposed” to be an asshole? But there he is, being vulnerable. Being funny. Being loyal. Having a tragic backstory and a heart of gold. Game Lambert is the good stuff.

Since I’ve written so much about those three elsewhere I won’t go on and on. But those are my answers ☺️

[whimsywispsblog]

I posted 155 times in 2022

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I tagged 56 of my posts in 2022

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Longest Tag: 122 characters

#well my icon is an animated pic of me and i did punch myself last night when i tried to pull the blanket over my head 🥲👌

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Never gonna give you up

Never gonna let you down

Never gonna run around and

Desert you

Never gonna let you die

Never gonna say goodbye

Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

I HOPE YOU KEEP YOUR WORD BROCCOLI 😤

@samatedeansbroccoli

2 notes - Posted February 13, 2022

#4

Heyyy! How would Leon and Chris react with a female s/o that has tattoos and a tongue piercing? Would the love it or rather dont? When you don’t want to write that it’s ok! ‘Was just asking :)

Okay I really like this ask, it's such a mood.

So Chris. He'd be thrilled. Fascinated, excited, awestruck....all those adjectives. He loves to trace your tattoos, while listening to the story behind it. If you plan to get anymore tattoos, he'd gladly accompany you, even your hand if you're scared or in pain. As for piercings, oh sweet heavens. The very sight of it makes him go feral. And it's feel- he goes mental. And he loves it. Although he would wonder how long it would have taken for the piercing to heal and for you to eat anything spicy, if you're a spice lover.

3 notes - Posted November 15, 2022

#3

Only Time Would Tell

There will never be a world in which this is right.

But then, who decides what is right and what is wrong?

Yennefer breathed deeply into her cupped hands, the soft smell of the sweet berries filling her nostrils. For some reason, the scent bought her comfort. She never knew if it was because of her mother. Back when she got a little whiff of motherly love. Or it was because of Tissaia. Whatever the reason it was, the scent of berries did soothe her mind.

She had grown tired of constantly fighting.

Fighting for what was rightfully hers.

Fighting to prove her worth.

Fighting for her place in the world.

Sweet dreams of death, ones that continue to plague her mind and tempt her to give in to its sweet release- how delightful.

Tempting indeed, the long undisturbed slumber of neverending golden dreams- all away from the horrible nightmare of her world.

Her cruel world. A cruel game. Surviving is a pain.

Cheating is a pleasure, but one she wasn't sure she wanted to indulge in any longer.

Geralt.

A scoff escaped from her mouth as she downed another mug of the rancid alcohol.

Love. What a beautiful illusion. Like an enticing mirage that captivates the mind and body.

But disappointing.

Purple orbs looked up to the starry skies that shone brilliantly. The cold breeze swept past her, making her shudder slightly.

Why was love so easy for others to find and thrive with? Or was it her fault?

Yennefer was a woman with a will of her own- unyielding and resolute.

As a young girl who was thrown around, broken, ravaged and fractured, she learnt the ways and rules of life the hard way. And she would forever be thankful for her rough past, without which she wouldn't have been her- strong and determined.

But one question remained.

Why her? Why was she constantly thrashed around relentlessly?

'I am sorry you chose power.'

'No amount of power or beauty will make you feel worthy of either.'

'A child is not a way to boost your fragile ego, Yen.'

All wise words that were thrown at her by her lovers.

Ones who she believed loved her.

But in the end, it was always about the same damn thing- power.

Her being hungry for power even though to survive, power is the key, and that is what she wanted.

But then, she was only looked at as a conduit of magic- a weapon perhaps if given autonomy and identity, disaster would prevail.

See the full post

7 notes - Posted January 5, 2022

#2

Vermilion

From spiralling liquor to soft sheets - he'd done that too many times.

Simon slotted his cigarette between his lips, watching her walk towards him, slightly wobbling over her large stilettoes. The soft glimmer of the lights overhead bathed her in a honeyed glow. 

His eyes were commanded by the stunning pair of rich olive-brown of her eyes behind her bronze-dusted eyelids, full of warmth and a spark of curiosity. 

14 notes - Posted November 19, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Hi! Question how would Chris Redfield react when his s/o is damn good into dirty talk? And everytime when he wants to dirty talk then he/she makes it even worse?

Hello Anon! I'm so sorry for replying so late.

Okay so Chris. I think he's the kind who'd get very flustered easily. Sure he can tease you a little here and there, but that's about it. And if you're the kind of person who's mastered the art of dirty talking, Chris should seriously look out for you (just kidding!). He'd be turned on, definitely, but he'd just freeze too, unsure of what to do next- should he tease you back, or just go with the flow. His s/o would let out a taunting laughing just to fluster him a little more and continue playing with him till Chris is a puddle of mush.

18 notes - Posted November 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[stormywitcher]

look okay, okay okay, I really enjoyed the new season, I did, so here are my honest thoughts.

•ESKEL ESKEL!!! THE WITCHERS WHAT WHAT WHAT- we were CHEATED when it came to the witchers. I wish they had given lambert a bit more oomph if they were gonna kill off a HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FAN FAVOURITE! not going to lie, I was so excited, so HYPED and I feel like they were rushed. rip eskel and rip eskel’s book character, rip eskel’s game character, and rip to any real feeling of brotherhood

• YENNEFER IS A GIRLBOSS. I loved her this season even more than I already did. She feels like the character who at least in my opinion grew the most. Anya Chalrota is a STUNNING actress, and played her beautifully in every scene. I have NO problems with how they wrote yen this season.

• of course, the bard was fantastic as always, but y’a know I had no worries in the first place. Joey Batey and the writers did a great job of kind of aging jaskier without making him old. Like a slightly more grumpy, but still loveable and clear jaskier. 10/10, I loved the bard and still love the bard.

•GERALT! I love love love the his fatherly tendencies. I love how it was portrayed as well. We really really got to see a softer side this season which I think we all really wanted to see. You can also tell Henry Cavill really loved the character and story, and that passion shows through.

• okay ciri, she was pretty cool. Freya played her very very well, and I loved her slightly more comedic elements, we didn’t get that in season 1 very much. I really enjoyed how we got to see ciri evidently transition from season 1 ciri to season 2 ciri, and it didn’t feel too rushed in my opinion.

•rip roach

• I liked vesemir, I didn’t love vesemir. I felt he was too hasty and harsh in the show. Kim Bodnia is obviously a fantastic actor, but maybe isn’t my favourite casting choice. Still, he was enjoyable to watch a I liked seeing the fatherly moments from him.

• I won’t lie, I didn’t enjoy the (obviously very important) storyline with Francesca, and Fringilla, and Filavandrel, but it got the point across I guess. No shade to the actors at all, they played the characters well, but I found the pacing and writing a little unclear and bumpy around those scenes. As someone who has read the books, and played the games, I got lost here and there. Obviously it all made sense in the end but I found parts hard to latch onto.

• Tissaia killed it! I love this character, and I love how they have adapted her to the show from the books. Myanna is so beautiful and perfectly serene while still being emotional. AND I LOVED IT!

• Istress was good, it moved the story along and provided information clearly when he spoke. I look forward to seeing if him and Geralt meet again and seeing where that goes.

• I HOPE WE SEE MORE YARPIN ZIGRIN! and I hope we get some more Rience and Lydia and Vilgefortz too. GIVE ME THAT BATTLE OF ARETUZA NETFLIX!

•Cahir, my love, my misguided evil man. I really enjoyed the character this season! And I feel like we really did get to see some more sides to him more than just ‘evil man’

• I have so much more I can say but imma end it here coz otherwise I’ll never stop.

now, friends, mutuals, fans of the Witcher, these are just my opinions. I enjoyed the season and I am looking forward to the next one! I wasn’t disappointed :)

[acemoppet]

You know what, Imma say it. Regarding that Tissaia and Yennefer scene today, *fuck* her for asking more of Yen. Instead of Yen being allowed to take the victory for Sodden, it’s going to Vilgefortz because of politics. Yen’s not even allowed to stay with the mages, if I understood correctly- she has to go into hiding. And I found it very, very sad that Yennefer, who’s been bursting with emotion every time she’s on the screen just seemed so… blank. Like she’s burnt out, emotionally. She’s at the end of her fucking line completely, there’s no soul in her eyes, only exhaustion. Like. Fucking hell y’all can you imagine? She gives everything, and now she doesn’t get to receive. I am THIS close to jumping into the show and just. Idk. Whisking her off to a resort where she can rest and recuperate.

Side note, but *mad* props to Anya Chalotra for pulling that off. Yennefer is one of the trickiest characters in terms of acting, and she fucking nailed it. That absence of any emotion felt so… gah, gut-punching. Anya, if you ever read this, you’re an absolute galaxy.

[mercisnm]

Hello there, do you have any more headcanons on knight Tissaia and queen Yen? Love your art!

Sure anon, I might not draw them a lot, but I’ll have you know I turn this AU around like a rotisserie chicken in my brain constantly, continuously.

Thoughts I had for the AU but was mostly convo with a friend, just gathered them here, could be a bit long:

For arting purposes: Tissaia would be well-versed in all weaponry, so go hogwild with what you imagine she would smack people with. And while she might look like light cavalry based on her height and weight, I think she prefers her armour full plate, a reflection of how her gowns look in canon (Yennefer: “Would you consider slipping into something more comfortable?” Tissaia: “I am most comfortable when impervious to all forms of physical attacks.”) She doesn’t have a squire, but sometimes her trusted maid would help her get in the armour.

Talking of armour, the sets are tailored to her body, since there’s no soldier that small in the King’s guard, which made it a problem for her when she tried to sell off that beautifully crafted set for something else less attention-grabbing while protecting the young heiress to the throne.

For the backstory: Tissaia must be of noble background given how educated she is and how quick she advanced in the military, not that all of the troops were pleased to be assigned a female commander, she had to work hard to earn their trust. The rest is undecided, but could be nice to expand on: Is she the child of a duke? Did her father intend to marry her off for wealth and influence? Was she knighted and made vice captain of the King’s guard out of pity, or did the king have ulterior motives? 

Yennefer was only vaguely aware of this. Her story was only set in motion long after Tissaia’s rebellious youth story seemingly came to its conclusion. Born deformed and weak, child to a queen of foreign background without any support but the fervent devotion of the king, an easy target for accusations of being the fruits of an unholy matrimony, she spent most of her childhood away from the capital and its courtly intrigues. Such was her father’s love for her: diverting his affections towards his other children while secretly gathering support for Yennefer, until the day she is strong enough to inherit… only if his plan had not ended prematurely with his assassination.

On the occasions when Yennefer was allowed to see her father, the silent lady knight by his side was always a subject of her curiosity. Burdened by her own physical deformities, Yennefer wondered how a lady so small could win against men twice her size. She overheard her nurses and valets saying unsavoury things about Tissaia behind her back, that she was a madwoman for giving up her high title to become a lowly knight, that she had peculiar and sickening… proclivities. Yennefer did not understand everything they said about the Dame Tissaia, nor did she care, what she cared for was she would give everything to become strong and fierce like her.

Tissaia’s initial plan was to reach out and convince other nobles to lend their support to Yennefer in reclaiming her throne. The duo of a lady knight and a hunchbacked teenage child with foreign traits attracts unwanted attention like anything, so Tissaia insisted they take the roads less travelled, but how could the pampered royal child agree. Initially Tissaia could afford them two horses and some rations, but after they were ambushed on the open road and had to flee through forests, one good horse was all they were left with. The guilt-ridden Yennefer offered to hunt to provide for the rations they had lost, and after some inner debate Tissaia gave her her own dagger and taught her survival skills.

Magic was considered lost in the kingdom; at least all self-proclaimed magic practitioners Tissaia saw during her time in the court were charlatans, so when Yennefer brought up the story about the witch in the bogs they were trudging through, she believed it a waste of time, but humoured the girl hoping to teach her a lesson about accepting your fate. What if the witch is real, but all magic is about balance, and to change your fate there is a steep price to be paid?

More on the silly after they overcome all the hardships, or in between them, your pick:

- Uhm so Tissaia is denser than lead, or she is rather sensitive but her sense of duty has viewed Yennefer as both a child and a sovereign whom she vowed to protect and serve, and for a long long time that her own feelings were obstructed by that lens. - Yennefer, on the other hand, acted on her intuition with breakneck speed once she has determined it is Tissaia she wants. Cue all the shameless flirting that hits a brick wall. (“I have sent all my servants away, my dear Tissaia.” “And your guards as well?” “Oh why, yes of course, I know they are your subordinates but… if you catch my drift…” “...Understood my liege”, said Tissaia, as she stood guard outside Yennefer’s chamber that whole night and changed out half of the squadron afterwards, not forgetting to scold them for angering her liege, Yennefer hadn’t even the courage to explain it was just… flirting…) - Tissaia would eventually shed the armour and let Yennefer tend to her wounds, perhaps even let her help with putting the armour back on. Don’t ask me why her liege is doing a squire’s job for her knight, it just sounds like something idiots in love would do. - Jousting? Jousting. Tissaia knocking men twice her weight off from their horses? Count me in. - What else did those posh people do to pass the time back in the days? Hunting is a good one. Yennefer was gifted exotic sighthounds by another kingdom (spoilers: they are Borzois) and entrusted Tissaia with them. Quiet knight and excited horse dogs. Yennefer holds the hunts out of formality, her hunting small games for survival while on the run wasn’t the most pleasant memory. She does recall very fondly Tissaia teaching her and telling anecdotes from time to time though (“Careful with those arrows, do you know an emperor died during a hunt by accidentally pricking himself with a poisoned arrow?” “You will need to dress yourself, and do a tidy job at it, your belt may catch in a deer’s antlers, a king was dragged to his death for it.”), so she takes Tissaia with her to every hunt.

[babylooneytoonz]

The Vessel. [ Pt. 8 ]

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Fem! Reader

Summary: Tissaia de Vries pays you a visit and you are met with a startling revelation that can change your life, and the Witcher's forever. How are the two of you going to act upon it?

Warnings: None

[My Masterlist] [My Witcher Masterlist - Read the other parts here!]

"Why won't this fucking spell let me in?" Jaskier whined; in frustration, having tried for perhaps the tenth time to step into your chambers, but the spell that Yennefer had placed, had not allowed him to enter. And even Geralt, for that matter. Geralt had already experienced it once, and his sensible self didn't try it again, but Jaskier was headstrong, not wanting to stop trying until he had found a way to break that spell.

"Jaskier, let it go. Will you let her rest? Yen's put the spell to protect [Y/N]." Geralt tried to intervene, but the bard threw out both his hands in the air; dramatically and glared at him.

"I mean her no harm, Geralt. I'm sure you are very much aware of that. I love that woman."

Although Geralt knew that Jaskier meant it entirely in a platonic way; given the fact that the two of you had developed a deep rooted friendship ever since the whole knock you up with the Witcher baby drama had begun; a part inside of him flared with jealousy.

Jaskier, on the other hand felt guilt pierce through his heart, ever since he had found out exactly what had happened through Geralt. A part of it was his fault— although the entire conversation in the celebration revolving around Henrik had been a sodden joke from his end, because he had seen Henrik's eyes on her; he had never thought he would go to this extent. He felt guilty, finding himself responsible to a limit for what you had gone through, and he had to talk to you, get it off his chest; but the damn spell.

Geralt grabbed Jaskier from the collar of his shirt and began dragging him away from your room, without muttering a word, when finally, you emerged from your chambers, your eyes sullen, sleep deprived and deep dark bags already formed under them.

"Geralt, [Y/N]—" Jaskier tried pulling his shirt off the Witcher's clutches, trying to bring to a halt to the Witcher's dragging, "—Gods, you're such a big grizzly bear, would you look? She is here."

Geralt's head turned towards you and he let Jaskier go, his facial expressions changing almost instantly, from cold and unemotional to soft, and concerned; the second his eyes landed on you. You looked like a wreck, and Geralt mentally cursed himself, and his inability in that minute to reach out and provide you with comfort, or anything that could make you feel better, made him feel worse.

Instead, he decided to keep quiet, and let the bard talk to you instead, as he was already hovering around you, like a mother hen, concerned.

"[Y/N], I'm really sorry, I didn't know, I had no idea he was such a pervert, I swear to the Gods, had I known, I wouldn't have made those jokes—" he began, and you gave him a weak smile, reaching out and letting your hand rest against the side of his arm, aware of Geralt's eyes fixed on the exchange between the two of you.

"You had no idea, Jaskier. Stop beating yourself up, I'm alright."

Jaskier looked visibly relaxed upon hearing those words although he still wasn't entirely convinced, but decided not to push you any further.

"Would you like some breakfast? I'll ask someone to bring something up here for you," Jaskier asked softly, to which you simply shook your head, and turned to Geralt.

"I want to go home, Geralt. If you don't mind, can you arrange for a horse for me?"

Geralt stiffened when he was addressed directly, and he immediately nodded swiping his palm over his jaw and looked at you, "Give me some time, I'll arrange it."

"Thank you, Geralt," you whispered, giving him a meagre smile, before the smile was overshadowed by a painful look in your eyes, and Geralt forced himself to look away as he left you alone with the bard.

The bard did leave you alone shortly, with a promise to come back with a plate full of bread and ham for you; and you conceded because, as much as it pained you to think of it, you did want to be left alone, and this was the only way to make the hovering bard leave.

You were thankful you didn't see the sorceress all day, for you weren't ready to deal with her. But, you were shocked to have a visitor on your door, and a person you had least expected to see— Tissaia de Vries. When she stepped into your bed chambers, Yennefer's spell being no barrier for her, you weren't surprised, because you knew who she was.

"My name is Tissaia de Vries—"

"I know who you are, you are a member of the Chapter of the Gift and the Art, you are a powerful sorceress who created Yennefer of Vengerberg," you stood up from the side of your bed, your palms reflexively fixing on your bump as you stepped closer to the woman, eyeing her carefully from the corner of your eye. You noticed her lips curl into a smile, and she nodded, bringing her palms together and rubbing them lightly.

"Indeed, but the girl grew her wings, and she flew away."

You watched, noting how her smile faltered for a bit, and her eyes grew distant, as though she was suddenly plagued by certain memories, before she blinked, and turned towards you again; smiling at the curiousity that laced the features of your face.

"You must have questions."

"Yes, what do you want?" You pointed out, bluntly, without leaving a room for any further blabbering.

"Straight to the point, I see. Which is good. Saves me the effort, and the time," she slowly stepped closer, her head turning slightly to look for any unwanted ears out in the hallway prying into the conversation. Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed your wrist, although the grip was light; as she pulled you towards her, so her lips were lined to your ears.

"Yennefer hasn't been entirely honest with you. There are a lot of things you don't know, and you must know," you blinked, listening to her as she continued, "Now this mansion has ears, but if you wish to know more come find me, child. I will be at the tavern in the village below, just until dawn tomorrow."

Sneaking out of the mansion in the death of the night was easier than you had thought it would. Your face was almost covered, the cloak wrapped around your body, covering your face partially as you hurried down the secluded street of the village. You had walked for over a kilometer, and hadn't experienced anything dangerous so far, and you were thankful for it.

The village lights were finally in sight, and you breathed a sigh of relief, when someone caught your arm and pulled you to the side of the road. He pulled off the cloak off your face; and you were met with the Witcher's golden orbs, his lips pressed together in a firm line, that only told you that he wasn't happy with the way you had sneaked out.

"You followed me. All the way."

His nose twitched, and he let go off your arm, your fingers feeling tingling due to the lack of his touch.

"I wanted to see how reckless or stupid you could get," he mumbled, his voice raspy.

"And?" You parted your lips to let out your breath, still looking at him.

"You like to play with fire."

You rolled your eyes, and turned away as you began walking towards the village once more, and Geralt cursed under his breath, before he began following you.

"You think you can just leave in the middle of the night? I am arranging for you to leave, but like a normal human being, in the light of the day."

You let out a snort; your pace slowing down a bit to let the Witcher catch up with you, but you didn't stop walking. You turned your head slightly to look at him, "I'm not leaving, Geralt. I knew you were following me. I saw you."

Geralt's lips twitched, almost faintly but you caught it before he looked at you with all seriousness again.

"I'm sure you didn't want to just go out for a walk."

"Well—" Your hand flew to the back of your head, as you scratched it lightly, and pulled your gaze away. The village was already upon you. "— You wouldn't exactly have let me if I had asked for your permission."

"Fair."

Your eyes spotted the tavern, and a rush of adrenaline surged through you. You wouldn't lie; you were curious as to what was it that Tissaia knew, and you didn't.

"It's funny, Witcher, you barely used to say words to me. Look at you now."

He grunted in response to you, his own eyes now having captured the destination where you were headed; the tavern.

"The tavern?"

You ignored him as you stepped into the tavern, and your nose immediately scrunched upwards, as the horrid smell of ale; too much of it, filled in your nostrils. Ignoring the pang to throw up, your eyes began looking for Tissaia until you spotted her, sitting at the back, at a farther end, smiling and watching you. It was as though she knew you were coming.

"Tissaia de Vries?" Geralt mumbled, and you nodded. Before he could even stop you, you were striding towards her. He decided to simply follow you, now that he was here with you. It was better to keep his eye on you, in case she decided to pull up an antic.

"I see you're not alone, [Y/N]. Witcher." The sorceress nodded her head in his direction and motioned for the two of you to sit down on a bench in front of her. You looked at Geralt, and he craned his neck slightly, his eyes darting around, scanning the tavern for anything unusual, while you sat down. In a minute, he sat down too, the bench now feeling cramped with his massive frame just next to yours.

"Tell me what you told me earlier. About what Yennefer hid from me."

Geralt tensed beside you and you chose deliberately not to look at him, at the mention of her name, keeping your eyes fixed on the sorceress in front of you.

"I think it's time, Geralt. Yennefer's been keeping things from you, I thought you would have understood, but unfortunately—"

"Tissaia, I don't understand what game you are playing," Geralt leaned forward, his palm placed on the table, his eyes narrowed at her, his shoulders tense.

"Geralt," you whispered, "let her speak."

The White Wolf grumbled under his breath, but didn't say anything else. His shoulders remained tense, heat radiating from his body; that you could feel but you were too curious to listen to the sorceress to feel any different.

"There are certain spells that can take a human's life," Tissaia began, her solemn eyes now fixed on you, "they are strong enough to destroy a human body. Because a human body isn't strong enough to take it." She leaned forward, letting her elbows rest against the table as she picked a piece of red meat and tossed it into her mouth, chewing on it and swallowing it. "The point is, the spell that Yennefer used, to grow his child within you wasn't an ordinary spell. No human can endure the power of that spell, and come out unscathed. You did."

You turned towards Geralt and shot him a look, before turning back to the sorceress again, "I don't get it. I survived the spell. Which is why this happened," your hand flew to your belly, and you looked down at your stomach, feeling Geralt's gaze on it too, before the two of you turned towards her again and she nodded.

"You think it was a mere coincidence that Yennefer picked you, out of all the women in the world, to carry that baby?" She pointed to your stomach.

"I needed the coin."

"The coin was a facade, child."

She turned towards the Witcher and he blinked, "You didn't know it too, Wolf. She never mentioned [Y/N] before, did she? I doubt it. Yennefer never betrays her own plans."

"Get to the fucking point, Tissaia," Geralt growled, and you shifted uncomfortably towards him, agreeing with him on this. Tissaia was making you uncomfortable.

"Twenty five years back, Queen Calanthe gave birth to a girl, this was before Pavetta was born. Someone stole the baby the night she was born, but they never found her."

"I think we should leave." Geralt intervened.

You turned towards Geralt, confused and helpless, before turning back to the sorceress again.

"That baby had the Elder Blood running through her veins. She had immense power, power that could disrupt everything around her by just one scream from her throat."

"What happened to the baby?" You asked; your heart thumping wildly against your chest.

"That baby grew up until Yennefer of Vengerberg found her in Redania, and a Witcher put his child in her."

Tissaia found herself a smile, you couldn't help but gasp, and Geralt just deadpanned, "Well, fuck."

"You're telling me that I'm the Princess of Cintra? Gods you must be mistaken, I don't know anything about magic. I'm just a commoner that got trapped by these two for coin." You turned towards him, giving him a glare, and he grunted in response.

"You were never trapped, you chose to do it."

"You think Yennefer wants to be a mother?" Tissaia spoke again, but this time, her eyes were on Geralt. You glanced from him to her, and then back, until you had your eyes fixed on his uncomfortable form. His fingers had clenched into a fist. "Combine the Elder blood, with a Witcher's blood. No sorceress is powerful enough against that baby." She pointed towards your stomach, and instinctively, your palm flew towards it, trying to shield your bump from the woman's eyes. You felt Geralt stiffen too; as he shifted towards you, his own protective side spilling out at those words as he glanced at you.

"If you knew your lover well, White Wolf, you would have known. Her lust for power would never end. She wants that baby because that baby is the key for her to slide to the top."

Geralt swallowed thickly. His palm came to rest against the table in front of him, his grip tightening over it, his knuckles almost turning white. He knew Yennefer was power hungry; but never had he realized that her hunger was now out of control. He felt stupid now, and more than stupid, he felt relentless rage, because she had played him. All this while, he thought that she wanted his child— but all she wanted was a Witcher's child, mixed with the Elder Blood, so she could have, for herself, the most powerful magic yielder in the form of a child.

"It wasn't a coincidence then, that Yennefer wanted me to carry this baby," you whispered to Geralt who just looked at you blankly. You then turned to Tissaia, who tossed a piece of red meat into her mouth once again, her eyes fixed on you, "What power does Yennefer have over me?"

She smirked slightly, as though she had thought about this quite a lot.

"Well, your powers need to be harnessed, which is why she has an edge over you. Once you do learn to harness your powers, Yennefer wouldn't be a problem." She suddenly closed her eyes, and her lips started moving as she began chanting something and your eyebrow shot up. Within seconds, she was already done. "She wouldn't be able to track you for a while. You can go wherever you want. The effect of the spell should last five to six days."

Somewhere outside, a rooster suddenly crowed, signalling that it was morning. Tissaia de Vries suddenly lowered her cloak so that it covered her face.

"It's dawn, I will take your leave, [Y/N]. Find me whenever you need me," You watched, numbly, only nodding your head at her as she stood up, and placed her hand on your shoulder, squeezing it lightly until she was already out of sight. You kept sitting there, bellowed in silence, both of you breathing laboured, lost in your own thoughts.

Geralt finally pulled you out of your thoughts, "A Princess? I need a fucking drink."

Geralt stood up and walked away, to get himself a drink. You just kept staring at him, too shocked to even react, or process anything. This was all too much to process in a single night. You were a Princess, and not just any Princess, you had Elder Blood running through your veins.

Your baby —

You pressed your palm to your mouth, rather abruptly and stood up, dashing towards the exit of the tavern.

Geralt's head shot towards you like missile as he watched you leave.

You ran outside, Geralt's heavy footsteps racing behind you as you bent over in a corner and began throwing up.

Geralt's warm palm fixed on your lower back; and you felt him pull your hair away from your face, holding them up for you while his other hand ran soothing circles over your lower back.

You weakly stood up straighter, but your legs suddenly felt weak which is why you held on to the wall for support, as you wiped the corners of your mouth with your sleeve.

"Too much information for one night," You muttered in a low voice, your eyes not meeting Geralt's.

"Not the only one," Geralt responded, his lips twitching with humour, but that immediately washed away when you tried taking a step towards him but found yourself unable to hold yourself on your feet. He reached out, grabbing you by your shoulders to steady you to your feet.

Finally, letting out a soft exhale, the Witcher bent, and lifted you up in his arms, almost effortlessly, his hand holding you from the base of your thighs. Your hand wrapped around the Witcher's neck almost reflexively, as he held you against his chest and began walking back.

The first few minutes were quiet, until you finally spoke— your fingers unknowingly playing with the Witcher's hair.

"This complicates things."

He hummed in response but chose to stay quiet; so you continued.

"Where does this leave you, Geralt? Because I have .. already made up my mind."

A silence took over the two of you, causing you to flick your gaze to the side of his face. His lips were pursed together, as though he was thinking. You didn't stop toying with the strands of his hair, and neither did he stop you. Finally, he exhaled, and craned his neck slightly lower so he could look at you.

"And what did you decide?"

You bit the insides of your cheeks nervously. Geralt had been nice to you, until today, if you were to ignore the first few weeks you had known him. You had seen the change in the man; having grown from cold to lukewarm towards you, but that didn't mean you didn't know what Yennefer meant to him. Now, would Geralt really let you go? Especially.. if you were carrying his baby?

"I .. I want to go home.. to Cintra.. I want to see my mother, I want to.. see my kingdom, and I want to learn to harness .. my magic.." You whispered.

Geralt nodded, but he didn't reply.

He slowly let you down, and you looked up to realize that you had been so distracted talking to Geralt, you hadn't realized that you were standing on the bottom most step that led to the sorceress' mansion.

"I won't stop you."

You abruptly stopped walking when you heard those words, your legs almost freezing when you felt that he wasn't behind you anymore. You turned back around to find him standing on the bottom most step while you had already made your way to the door.

"Thank you, Geralt. For everything."

The Vessel Taglist:

@kawennote09 @viking-raider @raspberrydreamclouds @pterodactylterrace @singeramg @historianwithaheart @miss-emilia-cavill @ayamenimthiriel @crazynocturnalkiki @xxxkatxo @coffeebreathy @fanaticnae @kmuir1 @little-jana @pineapplemama @auds24 @sassy-pelican @bitchynicole @cavillsim @ragamuffin285 @hista-girl @oliviali0930 @introvertedmouse @madbaddic7ed @libbymouse @nerra75 @maxineswritingcenter @superawesomegeek @waifu4lifeu @funalpaca @petitefirecracker10 @marantha @vikingsbifrost @babypink224221

Want to be added to the list? Plz let me know via my ask box, inbox or comments. ✨

[thegirl20]

WFF Prompt #15 - Water

From @bamf-jaskier‘s list of prompts.  

All filled prompts are on AO3. (I’m now caught up so should just be able to post one a day and not spam you with multiples!!)

Let's pay a visit to the Yen and Tissaia of Do you feel like I feel (Or am I all alone?) AKA and they were zoommates!

Rifling through the various sections in her laptop bag for the second or third time each, Yennefer has to admit defeat. She drops the bag on the floor and sighs.

"Fuck."

A glass of iced water is set down on the table she uses as a desk in Tissaia's spare room. She looks up to meet Tissaia's amused eyes. "I believe 'thank you' is customary."

Yennefer laughs softly and nods. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Tissaia nods at the discarded bag and its contents. "What's the problem?"

"I must've left my charger at my flat when I was there on Friday," Yennefer says, picking up the glass and taking a sip. The weather is unseasonably warm for early spring, so the cool water is welcome. "The laptop should make it through the morning at a push but I'll need to go home and grab it at lunchtime. And I won't have time to make it back, so I'll just work from there this afternoon." She shakes her head. "I should just buy a spare and leave it here."

Tissaia doesn't reply, but she takes a step closer to Yennefer and lays her hands on her shoulders. "Or-" She presses a kiss to the top of Yennefer's head. "You could just bring all of your things here."

There's a moment of silence that hangs in the air between them and Yennefer wishes they were looking into a mirror rather than at the blank screen of her laptop so she could at least see Tissaia's eyes.

"I, uh, don't know if I'd manage it all in my lunch hour if I'm honest," she says, grateful when Tissaia's laugh bursts the bubble of tension.

"No, I don't expect you could," she says, squeezing Yennefer's shoulders. "I didn't mean for it to come out of that blue like that, but I have been thinking about asking you for a while now."

Yennefer turns her neck to look up at Tissaia. "You have?"

"I have." Tissaia strokes her cheek with her knuckles. "I know it's a big decision. And, perhaps, it's a little quicker than people would normally-"

Yennefer grabs Tissaia around the waist, pulling her into her lap, smiling at her surprised yelp.

"Fuck normal." She shakes her head. "This year has been anything but normal." She leans her forehead against Tissaia's chest. "It wasn't normal that I couldn't be within six feet of you, couldn't touch you, or kiss you, for months." She sighs. "Sometimes I genuinely can't remember how we managed to do it."

A hand combs through her hair. "Maybe that's why we're so reluctant to be apart now." A thumb strokes the back of her neck.

Yennefer lifts her head with a smile. "Are you saying we're one of those needy, clingy couples?"

Nose wrinkling, Tissaia contemplates the description. "I think we might be," she finally decides.

"Gross." Yennefer stretches her neck for a kiss.

"So," Tissaia says. "Is that a yes? I mean, aside from the obvious aspect of getting to live together, it makes sense financially." She lifts an eyebrow. "As things stand, you're paying rent on your flat and staying here at least six nights out of seven."

"Don't make it less sexy by bringing money into it," Yennefer says, shoving her lower lip out.

Laughing, Tissaia kisses the protruding lip and Yennefer catches her before she can move away, deepening the connection. Tissaia turns her face away, so Yennefer starts kissing her neck, nipping and sucking at her pulse point.

"Yennefer," Tissaia complains. "I'm supposed to be working and so are you!"

"We can be a little bit late," Yennefer mumbles against Tissaia's sternum.

Tissaia's hands cup her face and tilt it up. "As much as I'd like to continue this," she says. "I have a meeting to get to." She sighs, examining Yennefer's face. "You're sure this is something you want?"

"Yes," Yennefer says, immediately. "Like you said, I practically live here already. And what would I learn about you in the next six months, or year, or fucking decade that's going to make me not want to move in with you?"

A gentle hand combs through her hair. "Nothing, I hope."

"Well then," Yennefer says. "Why wait just because other people might think it's a bit s-" The word disappears into a screech as her back is drenched in freezing cold water. She shoves Tissaia up by the hips and jumps out of her seat, holding her shirt away from her body as she spins to find Sabrina sitting on the desk, licking her paw, innocently. The glass now empty on the floor.

"Sabrina!" Tissaia scolds, as if it makes a blind bit of difference. "You know that's naughty!"

"Do you think that's her putting her tuppence in on the subject of me moving in?" Yennefer asks, narrowing her eyes at the menace.

"It's lucky she doesn't get a vote, I think," Tissaia comments, moving closer and starting to unbutton Yennefer's shirt. Yennefer's eyebrows go up as she pushes it from her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

"I-I thought you had a meeting?" she murmurs as Tissaia pulls her into a kiss.

Tissaia hums against her lips. "Well, I think this constitutes an emergency, yes? I need to get you out of these wet clothes and warm you up." She kisses Yennefer again, harder, walking her backwards until she's perched on the edge of the desk. "I'll send my apologies later."

As Tissaia's fingers make short work of the buttons on her jeans, Yennefer sends a silent thank you to that damn cat.

[magic-multicolored-miracle]

The Witcher S2 Ep8: Family AKA CHAOS! Like Actually not just as code for Magic

I love a big set-piece finale, and this one held up. It also ended in a way that could be happy endings almost, but totally set for season 3 at the same time, which is always nice (because even though we’ve been promised a season 3, you never know what could happen). 

Oh the story Vesemir told back in the 2nd episode! I don't remember what that was but it's apparently important. Symbolic?

Accept the help you dick! One of the things she needs protecting from is herself losing control and Yennefer can teach her

Oh no. That's some creepy pale eyes and murder. Very bad day.

At least Geralt's smart enough to recognize what's up and not just fall for her sad eyes little girl schtick

Ooh. That was an interesting variation on the opening...

"That thing ain't Ciri." is right. But I do agree that killing her is not the solution. Especially since it might not kill the demon anyway

Why do I feel like Yennefer's about to do something stupid?

Oh she's looking for help from Jaskier. Definitely something stupid.

Oh boy, Francesca...that's a scary determined look. What'cha gonna do? And why am I so excited for it?

That is...very specific imagery Jaskier. But I need you to focus, and I feel like you shouldn't just eat random things in bowls in the witcher laboratory

So Ciri is trapped in a dream in a happy dream version of her old life, while Voleth Meir is taking her body on a joyride?

Good spin Cahir. Clever boy. I think I’m starting to like you.

But Ciri is so much more powerful than you are. Because you taught her physical skills and she has Pure Chaos. Accepting that offer would be a major downgrade.

Oh that's not good...

And that's how there ends up being only 3 witchers left...this is bad. Very bad.

Vesemir, no. Geralt, also no.

Oh we're just killing all the babies, as vengeance. Daamn. Ok.

Bring me the heart of the White Basilisk...no wait, wrong franchise. And Vivienne wanted a wyvern didn't she?

Poor Ciri. Choosing family or Family is never fair.

So the stone was just metaphorical? Jaskier almost died for a poetic apology/metaphor?! I think he’d almost be okay with that...

Yennefer, no. I mean, yes. But no.

Believing in her is all well and good, but she's had about 2 lessons, so that's maybe not all it'll take.

Of course she is, you gave her everything she wanted.

Aww, Jaskier, you do care! I love that was his first reaction, to go and check on the one he claims to hate. Yay for friendship!

Aww yay! Her magic's back! So big happy end for everyone? Except for, ya know all the people Ciri sorta killed...or the thing wearing Ciri and it’s monster friends did...

Tissaia, what? You can’t be serious?! This feels like a Stregobor move...

Ah Phillipa! I thought being an owl for most of the season and in .5 seconds as herself was an exaggeration. At least it's a good, dramatic half second? 

Did he say "bard"? "Bring me the bard"? Cus I don't like that...sounds not good for my boy

So do you forgive her or not Geralt? Yen and I are getting mixed signals

That's not good for Cahir or Fringilla...well, at least he’s familiar with spending some time in prison between seasons

Ex-fucking-cuse me?! I mean I sort of knew but still. Ciri's father has been playing dead and also Emperor of Nilfgaard!? Thanks, I hate it

All over, I'm certainly hooked. And also by the dramatic trailer for Blood Origin. That looks really good.

[jaskiersvalley]

Themme Fatale

Moving from the army to intelligence wasn’t something Cahir ever thought he would do. But the opportunity came up and he’d hoped he’d be able to leave behind the hyper-masculine environment. That had been difficult to fit in with and he had to keep parts of himself under wraps so tightly, he sometimes worried he’d forget who he was. Stepping into the office on his first day, his heart sank a little as he took in the people he would be working with. The men were muscle bound, jostling and laughing much like those in the army had. Meanwhile, the women were all terrifyingly beautiful, feminine and almost otherworldly. Despite the warm welcome, the firm claps to the back and handshakes, Cahir wondered whether he would ever truly fit in.

“We’ve got the morning briefing then we’ll do introductions properly,” the man who introduced himself as Geralt said.

From across the room, someone hollered, “Hey Wolf, your Magpie back yet?”

Rolling his eyes, Geralt turned to yell back. “Ask Yennefer, she’s the one who sent him out.”

“Well, Witch?”

“He’s getting coffee if he knows what’s good for him,” one of the women growled back, glaring. “And if he wants to come tonight, he’s not getting you any Lambert.”

The morning meeting involved having Cahir stand at the front of the room and smile awkwardly while he was introduced to the room at large. It was a blessing to be able to sit back down again and try to become one with the chair so nobody stared at him curiously anymore. It was almost like they could sense his otherness, at least, that was what it felt like to Cahir.

All of a sudden the door to the meeting room flung open and a whirlwind of colour and chaos bundled in.

“Sorry I’m late! I brought coffee to make up for it.” Cups were distributed with winks and grins. “Who am I kidding, I wanted coffee, knew I was going to be late so got everyone else coffees so I wouldn’t get into trouble. Oh hello, who is this cutie?”

Cahir stared up at big blue eyes from where he had slid down in his chair. Obviously he’d found the token employee who had let his fingers linger on Yennefer’s as he passed her a cup before sitting down next to Geralt, pressing obnoxiously into his space to stare at Cahir.

“If you’d been here on time,” Vesemir sighed, “you would have met Cahir, the newest member of our team.”

It was only when he pinched the bridge of his nose that Cahir thought he saw a hint of nail varnish, subtle but there. It gave him a tiny bit of hope, along with Jaskier’s bitchy fawning over Yennefer and Geralt. It was Eskel who spotted his staring and beckoned him over.

“If you know what’s good for you, you won’t say anything about them. It’s a sure fire way to not make friends around here.”

In a way it was sweet how Eskel and everyone else seemed to support the trio but Cahir felt awful that it was assumed he would judge or say something unsavoury. That’s what he got for having an army background he supposed.

He had been warned that his hours could be erratic and sometimes he might be called in on a day off. What he didn’t expect was for that very thing to happen not a week later when he was dressed comfortably, not expecting to go out. His phone rang, Vesemir was summoning him in. There was barely any time to swap out the billowy shirt for something more traditional before a car turned up for him. Going in, Cahir didn’t expect Jaskier to squeal and jump in his way, heading him off.

“Oh I just love your eyes!” The eyeliner that Cahir had put on earlier, that he’d completely forgotten about, not like he’d have had time to wipe it off. Before he could make up any excuse, Jaskier had him by the arm and was dragging him towards Lambert. “Look! Lamby! His wings are even sharper than yours. Aren’t they amazing?”

A gentle hand reached for Cahir but waited for his nod before it gripped his chin, turning his face this way and that. Lambert let out a low whistle.

“You’ll have to teach me. It would drive the others wild.”

“If you could please not steal my operative,” Tissaia interrupted and beckoned Cahir away. “There’s a charity fundraiser tonight. I was going to send Renfri but they’ve come down with a cold. So you’ll have to take their place. It’s nothing risky, we just need to make sure it goes off without a hitch. There have been threats from the more narrowminded groups. Triss and Yennefer will set you up with your outfit and tech.”

Which was how Cahir found himself in a room full of clothes of every size and colour. While Yennefer rifled through the suits, eyeing him up, Triss was talking through the ear piece, how to change channels and the like. It seemed like pretty standard fare, what he’d used in the army before. Of course, as it seemed to be the norm for Jaskier, he bundled in just as Cahir was eyeing up some of the dresses.

“Yen, my darling, have you no taste?” He bounced over to her and looked at the black on black suit she was pulling out. “That’s so severe. I think we can go a little more native for the fundraiser.”

That made no sense and Cahir raised an eyebrow in question. It had Jaskier grinning. “It’s for an LGBTQ+ charity, didn’t Tissaia tell you? Pretty big deal, most of us will be there in some capacity. Lambert will make for a fantastic waiter, don’t you think? I had Aiden pestering me to make sure he’s in a classic bunny outfit, cute little tail and all. But sadly that’s far too crass for the evening. But there is a Lambert sized outfit now winging its way to their house now. Eskel’s good like that and helped me pick the right size.”

With so many words spouting out of Jaskier, Cahir barely could keep up until he realised that something silky was being pressed into his arms.

“Tell me if this isn’t your kind of thing.”

Cahir stared at the dress, a soft grey dress that promised to be figure hugging. It was gorgeous but Cahir was almost scared to put it on. He didn’t know how everyone else would react, because it wasn’t like he wanted to be seen as a woman. But he didn’t really like being seen as a man either.

“You can pick the suit, I just had a hunch. My apologies if I got it wrong.” Jaskier’s voice was quiet.

“Have you broken him?” Yennefer snapped, stalking closer.

“He is making a choice.”

Which was true, but it wasn’t the choice Jaskier thought he was making. Still staring at the dress, Cahir steeled himself.

“They. They’re still making a choice. And I think it’s the dress please.”

There was no dramatic gasp, no growl, no glare, not even a gleeful cry of “knew it” with demands for bets to be paid up. Instead, Cahir was allowed ushered towards a curtained off bit to get changed. As Yennefer walked them over, she turned and asked in a low voice, “want me to tell the others?”. Maybe it was a cowardly thing to do but Cahir nodded, not sure how the office would take it.

It shouldn’t have been a worry, it turned out. As Cahir shimmied into the dress, turned in the mirror to admire the lowcut back, everything felt right. Stepping out, there were a few more people in the room. Lambert was the one to let out a sharp, appreciative whistle.

Bounding forwards, Jaskier fussed a little with how the dress fell before stepping back with a wide grin.

“Everyone, please tell Sabrina to step aside from her usual role. The office now has a new Themme Fatale.”

[fangirleaconmigo]

The Witcher Season 2 Episode 1 Recap and Review: A Grain of Truth

Here be monsters. And your season two Witcher episode recaps from a wordy witcher book fan.

I'll probably do one a day until I've done all the episodes for S2. (Unless there's no interest, in which case I'll quietly drop off and you never heard me say this).

If you have any questions drop a reply or an ask, whatever! And if you like it put an rb on it?

Full disclosure, LONG FUCKING POST I really go in depth,(that's what she said) and there's a section at the end comparing/contrasting the books.

All under the cut because spoilers!

A Grain of Truth

This episode opens with a brutal monster attack. (Very similar to the opening of Nightmare of the Wolf) So right off, The Witcher says, here! Welcome back! Here, take a severed disemboweled torso and come on in! (Don’t mind if I do)

The flying monster is unseen, setting the stage for the central theme of the episode: “Monsters: What Are They Even? How Do I Know If I Am One? Also, My New Dad Kills Monsters. Does This Represent a Conflict of Interest?”

Next, we go to the battlefield post-Sodden. Full disclosure, the battle of Sodden finale was by far my favorite part of Season 1. I just, personally, love a good siege. I love a good battle prep episode, I love all the magic, the different styles of fighting, and mages making a desperate stand to defend humans. I love the bittersweet feeling of heading towards doom for a good cause.

Yes, they changed a lot about the magic from the books, but I don't care because why? Because I think it’s cool and neat to see Yen go ham and shoot fire out of her hands. Fuck yeah.

Ok, back to the current episode. The aftermath is far less cool. War is hell, folks. There are corpses, severed body parts, and moaning half dead people strewn about. Our new daddy Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) is stabbing the wounded. I guess he is afraid they’ll get up to some mischief before they expire in a pool of their own bowel excretions and sad limp intestines. Tissaia (Myanna Buring) is touching the wounded, jumping psychically into their minds in a desperate attempt to locate Yennefer.

(ETA: this ability to read the minds of the recently deceased is actually referenced in the books, though not shown 'on the page'. In Chapter 1 of Blood of Elves after Yen rescues Dandelion, he asks Yen if she should have done so to get info out of the men she killed to rescue him. She says necromancy is forbidden by the chapter, and they probably wouldn't have known much anyway.)

Alright, I’m just gonna tell you right now. For me? Myanna Buring is the MVP in this episode. It is her grief stricken, shell shocked face, more than any of the gore on display, that make me *feel* the post-battle devastation. She looks bereft, and devastated. She is shaky, filthy, and bloody.

Vilgefortz seems in much better spirits, skewering the maimed with his sword like he’s gonna make s'mores with them later, and listing the numbers of the dead. He tells Tissaia just to presume Yennefer is dead. In desperation, she screams for Yennefer where she stands. That part made me tear up every time I watched it. (I rewound and watched it a few times). That’s called bringing the emotional dimension. It’s called ACTING folks, give her all the statues.

Then we hear Geralt (Henry Cavill, obviously) in the distance screaming for Yennefer. He is there too, leading Roach. Ciri (Freya Allen) is atop Roach (Zeus). (Horses deserve credit too, damnit)

I was so excited to see Geralt and Tissaia meet, that for a minute I forgot that I lived in a world where Tissaia is a grief stricken shell of a human being, and Geralt is meeting her across a vista of rotting corpses. But, unfortunately, that’s where we are. Geralt asks Tissaia whether Yennefer is alive. Tissaia doesn’t say that Yennefer is dead, but she looks so devastated and bewildered, that he instantly accepts Yennefer’s death as fact.

Tissaia says they won because of Yennefer. Geralt steps into Tissaia’s face and asks “was it worth it?” Then he walks away, grief, shock, and anger on his face. When Ciri asks him who Yennefer is, he answers that it doesn’t matter, because she’s gone.

From here the episode breaks up into three threads. We see Tissaia dealing with the fallout of the battle. We see Geralt and Ciri on their way to Kaer Morhen, and we find out what happened to Yen.

TISSAIA’S ARC

First, Tissaia’s arc. We go back to a place where they are caring for the wounded. We find out what happened to Triss (Anna Schaffer). She survived, but she is in horrible shape. Vilgefortz, Artorius Vigo (Terence Maynard) and Tissaia use healing magic to help her. Myanna Buring stroking Triss’s hair in that scene did everything for me. She was so harsh with her girls in S1, even essentially murdering several of them to turn them into eels. (I’ll be honest, I’m still baffled by the eels). It took the battle of Sodden to really get her to visibly show her affection for them. And it’s little touches like that, her being soft, there in front of other mages even, to show how broken apart she is, and how much she loves them.

Vilgefortz tells Artorius that his niece was the ringleader of the attack. “She has abandoned all rules of chaos.” He’s like eh...lost cause I guess. Dead to me. Bye. They move on pretty quickly from that, and we learn they have a prisoner that no one has been able to break. Tissaia guarantees she can break him. Artorius says they have rules, implying torture might be considered bad. Vilgefortz backs her up. “She wasn’t asking your permission.”

As I suspected, the prisoner is Cahir. He says Tissaia can torture him, he doesn’t care, because “the white flame will cleanse us all.” (The whole religious zealot thing.) After zapping him a few times with magic, Tissaia walks behind him and gives this chilling little speech:

“Tis not in my nature to be cruel. (Ed Note: We know some eel girls who might have something to say about that) But you have taken someone from me. Someone I care about deeply. So now I will take your knowledge, your memories, your very being, and leave you cold and helpless, trapped in the eternal darkness of your own mind.”

She goes on for a while and this little speech is fucking chilling. Also it accomplishes quite a bit for the story. Thanks to Myanna Buring's powerful acting, it still shows Tissaia’s vulnerability and grief underneath the threat. It drives in deep how much she loves Yen, and how beside herself she is with grief and rage.

(Note: The threats Tissaia makes to fuck up his mind were taken from the book Blood of Elves, but the words were spoken by Philippa Eilhart to some unfortunate soul who thought he could come for Geralt. They repurposed them for Tissaia.)

Their relationship was the highlight for me of S1, so complex, dynamic, and rich. I am so happy to see it being treated as significant here. This speech also sets up an ethical question. Torture in stories usually sets up questions of ‘who is the good guy, how much evil can we do in the course of a cause and not be evil ourselves, etc etc’ so I’m expecting that to be thematic in some way.

YEN AND FRINGILLA’S ARC

We find out that my best girl Yennefer is in dimeritium shackles, having been taken prisoner by Fringilla. They taunt each other a bit, and we learn that Fringilla is in trouble for losing Cintra, and bringing Yennefer in hot (as the Mandalorian would say) is her way of getting back in her leader’s good graces.

Fringilla says Yen is in trouble too for using fire magic. Yen doesn’t seem too worried. Tissaia told her to do it, after all. Yen continues poking at her, trying to find weaknesses. She says this plan won’t save her life and that her leader is just using her as a pawn. She says Fringilla should just come back to the Brotherhood.

Fringilla says that the Brotherhood used them as pawns too. Yen says they were given choices, and Fringilla says they weren’t good choices. (I’m with Fringilla on this one)

That scene made me smile. I love seeing Yen being Yen. Thinking on her feet, looking for the angle, poking, taunting, always a survivor. I am also fascinated by their exchanges. They were two girls from vastly different social strata, shoved into the same cold, calculating, and abusive school. They must have found some support or friendship in each other. But the system pitted them against each other for survival, and they ended up at odds. You wonder who they would have been or what their relationship would have been if they had been allowed to simply be.

But suddenly, they are attacked by an enemy they can’t see. Their soldiers are speared and pulled away from them. (LOOKS FREAKY) Fringilla refuses to unshackle Yennefer (BAD DECISION), and the episode leaves them standing back to back in the forest in the dark with an unknown enemy about to presumably attack them.

GERALT AND CIRI’S ARC

Now for the arc that is most central to this episode. Geralt is taking Ciri to Kaer Morhen. WOOP WOOP KAER MORHEN. I'm basically vibrating with anticipation to see the old keep and meet the witchers. But that isn't until next ep, judging by the titles.

We join them again on their travels as they camp for the night. Geralt is sitting awake. Ciri is sleeping but having nightmares. She went through a thing or two last season, and her nightmares are also in the books. I am glad they kept that, because I always appreciate when they show at least some of the emotional effects of trauma. (fic writers can’t do it all, damnit).

Ciri wakes up, and Geralt shares that he also has nightmares. He makes her feel comfortable enough to share hers. Her nightmares are about Cintra burning, as well as the Black Knight, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach (Eamon Farren), the Nilfgaardian zealot who killed Eist in battle, killed Mousesack to have the doppler take his form (RIP Mousesack, you deserved better, buddy), and kidnapped her. Yeah, that would give you nightmares.

Then they have some exposition where they clarify what the law of surprise is and why Geralt claimed it. Geralt says something that really touched me. When he explains the law of surprise, he reassures her that her father didn’t know what he was giving up. Geralt, a man with an abandonment complex the size of the empire state building, felt the need to make sure she didn’t feel the same. He reassures her that her father would have never given her up on purpose. Ugh that really got me in my heart.

In this conversation they also establish why Ciri is choosing to stay with Geralt. He tells Ciri that if she goes back to her people in Skellige, she’ll be married off against her will to someone who would want her for her throne. She’s not down with that.

The next day, they give more exposition. It is mostly context for the premise of bigotry against witchers, and for Geralt’s origin story. He says that Kaer Morhen is his home. Ciri has never heard of it, which underlines the message that it is a mysterious place. The witchers keep it secret because there was a genocidal attack when Geralt was a little boy that almost wiped them all out.

Ciri asks “Were you attacked because you were different?”

After a long pause, Geralt replies. “Sure.” That didn’t feel like a yes. Which....I have a lot of feelings about that. To me it should be 100% a yes if you’ve read the books. Maybe he hasn’t read the books. Then he essentially changes the subject by saying “we can’t see the future like you can.” That didn’t answer her question.

Then Roach, being the goodest girl that she is, senses something in their surroundings is amiss. They come across a mansion that looks pretty creepy, and a beast jumps out and attacks Geralt. (the short story the episode is based on is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast). After a bit of suspense, Geralt recognizes him as an old friend called Nivellen (Kristofer Hivju) who only looks like a beast because of a curse (like Duny last season).

They go inside and hey there’s food and a bath! But everything still feels creepy! The house is creepy! The guy feels like he’s hiding something!

When Ciri is in the bath, we hear scratching and pattering in the ceiling and see a creepy pair of eyes. (Run, Ciri! Geralt, do something goddamnit) Ciri doesn’t see the eyes, she just hears the noise and the beautiful dress laid out for her. She wears it to dinner, in more shades of Beauty and the Beast.

At dinner, Nivellen reminisces about meeting Geralt, calling him a softy. (Which. Trufax.) Then Geralt asks for the true reason for his being cursed.

He says he fell in with a bad crowd, was high on mushrooms and trashed a temple. Geralt says, “all the mushrooms in the world wouldn’t make anyone that stupid." This line is important, I’ll explain later.

Then Nivellen says after the damage was done, a priestess cursed him. She screamed something about love and blood. Nivellen says he has tried to end his own life several times, but he keeps coming back to life. He is doomed to live like that.

Then Geralt asks why the town is abandoned. This harkens back to the first scene where the merchant and his family walked into an abandoned town and were attacked by a flying monster..

Nivellen claims The Wild Hunt has been sighted, and that has driven people away. (The Wild Hunt, besides being a very cool name, is a group of spectral riders that gallop across the sky. They are regarded as a dark omen and they kidnap souls to join them.)

Ciri calls them “The Wraiths of Morhogg”, which is what they call them in Skellige. She says her grandfather saw them just before Cintra fell. Geralt gets a look and says “Your grandfather was a drunk” (harsh thing to say to a girl who just lost grandfather and is still grieving and having nightmares about it, but ok, Geralt my boy).

Nivellen is like...anywayyyyyy I’m just saying, it might be the end of days. Geralt calls that horseshit. There is more scratching in the ceiling. And Nivellen claims it is a cat named Verenna.

IT AIN’T A CAT, NIVELLEN. Neither Ciri nor Geralt buy it. Geralt decides to scope out the property.

We go back to Nivellen, he is in Ciri’s room telling her about a tragic fairy tale, The Fall of the Elders. This is important lore building that will become more significant later on as we find out more about Ciri’s powers. However, it’s just creeping me out that he’s in her room. I just don’t trust him.

We cut to Geralt outside talking to Roach. I love the Roach chats we have. Geralt is lamenting that Ciri is always endangering herself by not listening and by being rash or foolish and he worries about her. He worries about his ability to keep her safe.

Then we cut back to Nivellen and Ciri (Eds Note: Get away from her! Get a job!)

Ciri asks what it is like being alone because of what you are. You get the idea that she is worried about herself. She is worried that she is monstrous. Nivellen says loneliness eats him alive, so, he isn’t super comforting.

Ciri tells him that her father was cured by true love. Nivellen said he can’t be because he isn’t worthy. He says he killed all his staff when he was turned. Ciri reassures him that since he didn’t mean to kill them, he isn’t a monster. This harkens back to when Ciri killed all of those men who were attacking her. (To be fair, Ciri, fuck them).

Ciri reassures him that she has seen monsters (the humans who burned her family) and he isn’t a monster. Again, it’s the theme of, it’s your actions that makes you monstrous. Not your appearance or species.

Geralt is still outside, brooding in the snow. I wasn’t clear on why he was out there, given that he knows the danger is actually inside the house (the ceiling more specifically). But then Roach gets spooked, and catches his attention. (Twice now Roach has alerted him to something dodgy. That’s called being a good friend. Give that girl a carrot. Or apple. Whatever such good girls eat.)

Geralt goes inside and challenges Nivellen to a game. He suggests they throw knives at the portrait of Nivellen’s father (legit), and every time someone misses, they have to tell the truth.

Seems like he’s trying to get the truth out of Nivellen about what he is hiding. HOWEVER, Geralt keeps missing, which is WEIRD and we all know it. My man should have perfect aim.

But we get more exposition every time he misses and has to tell a truth. (there is no dare in this version, just the truth bit. Geralt and Nivellen won’t be streaking across the yard, toilet papering anyone’s house, or making out) He explains how he came to have Ciri, and says his only plan so far is to keep her alive. So there isn’t any overarching strategy yet. He doesn’t seem to know about her powers. I don’t know why I assumed he would know by now.

Nivellen asks what has changed him enough to care about a child, and Geralt says it was Yennefer of Vengerberg. It is a very unsatisfying answer for me narratively, but I know we need to get the romantic lines in for the trailers. He says Yen died a few days ago and Nivellen seems shocked by his stoic appearance.

“How are you not heartbroken?”

“Who says I’m not?”

At this point, Tissaia is carrying all the visible emotional weight for grieving Yennefer. Geralt has a child to take care of.

Then Nivellen beastsplains to Geralt what a witcher is (thanks Nivellen?) and he asks whether Ciri knows how awful all that witcher shit is. Geralt promises he won’t put Ciri through any trials. (obviously, does my man look like he would torture and kill a child? Look at his innocent egg yolk eyes. God, Nivellen, what the fuck is wrong with you?) I jest, but yeah, that is a really important part of the narrative. Geralt avoided taking her from Calanthe to begin with, because he would never do that to a child. HIS HEART IS BIG AND SQUISHY BEHIND HIS COOL BLACK LEATHER TITTY ARMOR OK.

Geralt says that Nivellen is cheating with magic knives. (We all knew something was amiss. Mr. Hapless Betusked Creep can’t throw knives better than Geralt of gatdamn Rivia). Geralt asks what he is hiding. Nivellen refuses to open up.

Now we go back to Ciri. The creepy eyes come down, revealing themselves to be on the face of an even creepier woman (Agnes Born). VERY COOL AND VERY CREEPY She talks to Ciri, claiming to be ‘different’, but saying that Ciri is different too. Vereena asks why she travels with Geralt. She says he ‘kills’ monsters.

This creepy chick just dropped down out of the ceiling and decided to be a manipulative little shit, trying to pit Ciri against Geralt. Maybe she thinks if she manipulates her enough, she’ll be able to deputize her in the “protect her against Geralt” club. FAT CHANCE, LADY.

We go back to Geralt. He still doesn’t feel Ciri is safe, and he is nothing if not a protector. So he is roaming the grounds again. He comes upon the dead (parts of) bodies from the opening scene. He looks at them, and puts it all together. He runs in and wakes Ciri, saying there is a bruxa in the house. For the uninitiated, a bruxa is a class of female vampire. They are incredibly powerful, crafty, and hard to kill. They also kill people and drink their blood.

I mean, vampires have to drink blood to live. But we still don’t endorse tearing innocent people limb from limb. It’s just rude. Also, there have been many shows and movies that have led me to believe vampires CAN survive on pigs or rat blood, so, that's always going to be ethically preferable.

Either way, Geralt cannot stand by and let a bruxa slaughter people wholesale. (Or even partialsale) Why? He’s a hero. Fuck yeah.

Geralt then takes his potions, and doesn’t explain to Ciri what’s happening. So when he transforms, he looks ‘monstrous’ and scares the shit out of her. Again, the show is trying to make us nervous that Ciri will bolt, stop trusting Geralt, etc etc. He tells her to go chill with Roach. (So far in the episode, Roach has been a good listener, a danger warning system, and a babysitter. Roach is the best.)

THEN, fuck yeah, monster fight scene. Geralt walks through the halls, ready to rumble. He comes upon Vereena feeding off of Nivellen. He doesn’t seem like a prize to me, but she is just gobbling him up, sounding like she’s experiencing the longest lasting orgasm of her life.

Get her Geralt!

Geralt gets her. She does the fucked up bruxa scream and slams him against a wall. They fight. He uses aard. (He’s already using his signs a lot more this season) She slams into the snow outside where Ciri is supposed to be standing next to Roach, but being the tender hearted girl she is, she runs to Vereena to check on her.

Vereena puts on a sad voice and is like “he hurt me.” (Oh, fuck you, girl. Shut the fuck up. Nobody is buying it.)

Geralt runs out and tells Ciri to go back to Roach. Ciri runs back to Roach. I am uncertain what Roach would do if the bruxa attacked them.

Vereena keeps pleading her case to Ciri while she scream slams Geralt. The actress goes SO seamlessly from innocent to terrifying. Also, I love the effects. It all looks very cool.

Now she flies around, they fight some more. She turns into a monsterbat!! (I’m very shitty at describing fight scenes, but you probably already watched it, so just delve into your memory banks). Geralt finally gets her and she slams across the snow as she turns into a naked woman.

Of course, this has the visual effect of making it look like Geralt killed a naked woman (which screams vulnerable person), and not a monsterbat. Ciri runs up to check on her. Vereena pops up and is about to rip Ciri’s throat out when Nivellen shows up and stabs her through the chest.

Nivellen is apologizing as he stabs her, and you might think he’s apologizing to Geralt and Ciri for endangering their lives. But when she goes to bite Nivellen (they describe her pulling her body up a blade like that in the books and it stuck in my head, so it was cool to see it) and Geralt lops off her head. Nivellen is devastated. Turns out he was apologizing to Vereena for stabbing her. THAT’S JUST GREAT, NIVELLEN, JUST GREAT. YOU ARE VERY NORMAL AND COOL.

(No one ever thanks Geralt for saving their lives smh toss some fucking gratitude to your witcher once in awhile)

Ciri looks startled, as one might be when they witness a decapitation. There is a disembodied Vereena voice telling Ciri via psychic methods that one day Geralt will come for her too. (STFU Vereena, no he won’t)

Having that voice speak only in Ciri’s head is a narrative way to isolate Ciri and spell out that Ciri is afraid she’s a monster, which would mean it would be Geralt’s job to kill her. (WHY DO PEOPLE ALWAYS ACT LIKE WITCHERS JUST KILL MONSTERS WILLY NILLY LIKE THEY JUST DO IT EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY AS SOME SACRED CALLING. NO! YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM! Let me ask you, do pest control people just kill every rat they see on the subway or like at the park? NO!)

Ok, getting back on track. Nivellen transforms into Kristofer Hivju.

The curse has been lifted. Geralt tells him he is free. He asks, sifting through the ashes of the love of his life, whether this is what Geralt calls free. He is devastated. He tells the story of how he came across Vereena and how even though she slaughtered people he didn’t see her as a monster. (well good for you Nivellen, but I’m guess all the slaughtered people felt like she was pretty monstrous before she gutted them)

Ciri reassures him that monster or not, she did love him. I should also mention here that Hivju does an AMAZING job in this scene. He’s on his knees, he’s emotional. It’s a whole thing. Geralt waxes philosophical.

“Love and blood, they both possess a mighty power. Learned men and mages have racked their brains over it for years.”

(My apologies for being a Buffy stan for a minute but it reminded me of Spike's 'love is blood' speech)

Nivellen admits he turned his eyes away from her murderous rampages because she knew why he was cursed and she still loved him. It is then that he confesses the real reason he was cursed. He was actually cursed for raping the priestess.

That, understandably, does not go over well with our heroes Geralt and Ciri. It’s a bit of a....what the entire fuck...moment for them. Nivellen reaches out and says “Ciri--please stay, don’t go-”

But they turn and walk away from him.

Then he begs Geralt to kill him. They keep walking. Geralt says “You’re mortal now. Do it yourself.”

DAMN good line.

They walk away together, leaving him on his knees.

I thought it was really powerful and a great end to their encounter with Nivellen. Ciri might be very conflicted and confused about what makes a monster, and Geralt may debate and negotiate that boundary from time to time. But they are both good and decent at heart and they can both agree that rape is monstrous, and they both decide to walk away from him.

When they have another campfire going, and Geralt has recovered from the effects of his potion, he tells her she needs to listen to him and do as he says.

“If I say run, run. If I say hide, hide...”

You can tell this is going to be a theme throughout the season. Will Ciri trust him to take care of her? Ciri agrees. She also confesses that she thinks something is wrong with her. She doesn’t explicitly tell him about her powers. But she opens up enough to say that “wherever she goes, people die” and that she feels responsible, and that it makes her feel afraid all the time.

It isn’t the whole story, but it is a start.

Geralt shares some wisdom with her. He says that fear is an illness and that you must treat it. You treat it by facing your fears. He says it isn’t easy, but he’s there for her (sobs). He also says he won’t let anything happen to her. (I confess when someone says that in a story I yell NOOOO don’t say that! at the screen. It always feels like famous last words.)

But Ciri hasn’t seen that many horror movies I guess, because she simply says “alright.”

WHAT I LOVED WHAT I DIDN’T AND NOTES ON THE BOOKS

LOVED

The beginnings of the relationship between Ciri and Geralt. The ways he reached out to her felt so organic to his own trauma and experiences. It is beautiful to see him giving her something he never had. That is the healing aspect of parenthood.

Tissaia’s grief and love for Yen.

Yen and Fringilla challenging each other.

The exploration of classic witcher themes like monsterhood and what that means.

The acting. Everyone seems so much more settled into their roles.

Just seeing my Yenna again, still thinking on her feet, still a survivor.

DIDN’T LOVE

The only part that frustrated me was how quickly Geralt decides Yen is dead. Geralt doesn’t know Tissaia, so why would he trust her assessment? Beyond that, Tissaia doesn’t even say she’s dead! No one has seen a body! Perhaps they stab the wounded, but sometimes people get captured by the enemy for intel purposes! Why not her? But Geralt just accepts that she’s dead in all of thirty seconds. Maybe Tissaia senses her absences with magic but why would Geralt not even ask her how she knows?

However, that was about it! There wasn’t anything I actively disliked. There were just a few reminders of the missed opportunities last season. When they are talking and Ciri says:

“I’m your destiny.”

And Geralt answers

“You’re much more than that, Cirilla.

Oh my god, when he said that to her in the books, I was screamin. I was jumping up and down. I was tearing up. I just, I can’t tell you. That short story was what made me fall in love with the whole saga. It was the emotional centerpiece of the whole saga. It baffles me to this day how any storyteller could read that story and be like nahhhhh, we won’t put this one it. ????

So hearing that and not it having the same emotional weight just reminded me of what we didn’t get. BUT they are obviously focusing on building it now, and I am here for it, and I can’t wait for it to develop. So onwards and upwards.

Also, there were allusions to a few things that I hope don’t come to pass. Like the bruxa taunting Ciri that Geralt would come for her. I genuinely and deeply hope that they aren’t foreshadowing Ciri running from Geralt or failing to trust him because she sees him as a killer. I just really hope that’s not coming down the pike.

So none of that really counts as a dislike. Just some thoughts.

I’d give this episode an A.

RANDOM NOTES:

At the campfire in the beginning when Geralt is sharing with Ciri that he has nightmares, he says this:

“Except for the one about the rock troll. Overly friendly. Tough image to shake.”

This moment is pretty odd. The words sound like a joke, but the delivery fell flat to me. I was just confused. Then someone on twitter said that maybe the writers have read that fanfic where Geralt catches Jaskier mid-fucking a rock troll. (Which, that IS something Jaskier would do, I’m sorry but it’s true. That fic was both in character, and hilarious.) Now I will always imagine Geralt referring to that and I will get a big laugh out of it.

BOOK NOTES BOOK SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY

So, the plot with Tissaia and Yen, all of that are all brand new. The books don’t even have Yen POVs the first three books and barely any the fourth. So everything with Yen is by necessity going to be brand new.

Also, a lot was changed with Nivellen to fit the narrative of Ciri’s growth. It is a little odd to see so many changes. It’s like walking into your old school and there’s a bunch of new students, and you’re like...this is my school, but not quite? But it was good! The changes all made perfect sense to me. Also, they improved on one thing I didn’t like from the story.

In the short story, Geralt doesn’t really react to Nivellen’s confession of raping a priestess. Nivellen tells him early. He's like...eh I was young and high and peer pressure you know. The priestess was right there. Geralt just seems to accept that and offers to help him. I hated that. The book had already established that the first ‘monster’ Geralt killed was a rapist. So, to have him in a story where he doesn’t react poorly to someone raping a priestess, was deeply irritating and seemed out of step with the character they were already establishing. Also, one of Geralt’s dearest life long friends is a priestess and that should make it feel even more personal to him.

I had hoped the show would take out the rape element, but actually what they did was better. They included it but gave it the weight it deserved, and had Geralt react the way I think he would.

Seeing Triss in pain, and remembering her role in Sodden, confirms they are giving her her chest scars and making that battle an important part of her character development. I really appreciate that.

We had out first references to Emyhr! I’m so curious to see if they are going to actually follow the book on this one...concerning his motivations for chasing Ciri.

Cahir. So, let’s talk about Cahir. LOTS OF SPOILERS HERE FOR FUTURE BOOKS TURN BACK IF YOU CARE ABOUT THAT In the books, he is not much more than a boy, very close to Ciri’s age. He is assigned to go get her so he does. But he is basically a hapless pawn and practically a child soldier. He is also very adamant that he is ‘not a nilfgaardian’. He ends up deserting and aiding Ciri, falling in with Geralt’s group of friends. He also has romantic feelings for Ciri.

The show has made him in his mid thirties, a commander, a zealot, a killer, and a legitimate villain. He is probably the character they have changed the most drastically up to this point. They can’t introduce his character having feelings for Ciri if they don’t want to make him a pedophile. BUT I wonder if Tissaia erasing his mind will lead to transforming his character back into the kind of person who can become friends with Geralt. I don’t know. It’s a thought.