Hello, I'm back with more ideas and motivation. It's been a while, I don't believe any of my active reviewers will still see this but I felt like I should continue this fanfic.
Thank you for all the reviews so far. I re-read the entire thing and realized I created something very pretty. Might as well continue. Don't expect much 18+ sections until later chapters, I'm not that much of a horny teen anymore!
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Ciri paced around the dark, small room she and Leon had rented, this time not even trying to keep her emotions in check. Her heart was pounding through her eyes, eyeballs trembling and hands moving everywhere, scratching every part of her being in anxiety.
Leon. Leon, Leon. She couldn't breath, oxygen not filling her even if she took huge mouthfuls of air. This couldn't be happening. Leon was gone. Someone had taken him. Someone had done something to him…to her Leon. No.
No.
No.
"Why!?" She screamed to the air, frantically searching around the place without following any procedure Gerald had taught her. Her eyes were in their normal state, no spells applied. She couldn't think, she didn't want to do it. Her head was screaming and a bit of tears started forming in her eyes. Someone had actually kidnapped Leon and she had no idea when or why, or how long it had been since it happened.
She fell on her knees and started hyperventilating. She had lost people before; she had seen Uncle Vesemir die and cried about it…but still, it wasn't as strong as the emotions she was feeling right now.
Her eyes fell to the corner of the room, landing on Leon's precious bow.
Ciri's heart stopped for a second.. Leon's bow!
Immediately, she rushed towards the weapon, even slipping in the process, absolutely desperate. Getting close, she realized the impossible. The bow was literally vibrating, even inside its cover. The closer she got the more she heard something, but outside, rather inside her mind.
She unsheathed the bow and blocked her ears with her hands, a voice so loud it caught her by surprise. She couldn't make out what it was saying. But this was the clue she needed, somehow she knew this would lead her back to Leon.
The bow was shining blue, strangely. She had thought it'd be shining a bright red, a sign of danger. But still, this didn't tell her much at all. The voices kept ringing, and she needed to understand what they were saying.
Still she exited the room, ignoring the stares of people around her as she pushed and evaded bodies inside the Inn, brandishing her sword and medallion to anyone who dared interrupt her. She had no time for these mongrels, Leon's life was still on the line. If she had to stop time and move out of there, she'd do it. No fucks given if they branded her a witch.
Once outside, Ciri realized her ears and eyes had no boosters on them, long forgotten on the emotional attack she just suffered. Now she was calmer, busied and ready; Leon was still alive, she could feel it, and she wouldn't rest a single second until she found him.
With a mutter her eyes glowed and her ears stopped ringing. She was-,
Go north.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the voice in her head. It was the sound of a woman, the color of her voice soft and relaxing, like an elven kin. She could understand it now. Was it because of the magic in her ears?
Go north. Save our Leon. The voice repeated, and even though it was directionless, she knew it came from the bow in her hands.
At her stunned presence, the bow glowed red, vibrating dangerously.
GO NORTH AND SAVE OUR LEON, HURRY UP! The voice became angry and loud, kicking Ciri out of her shock and into action. For the time being, the Witcher wouldn't question it. Whatever it was, it could wait until Leon was safe and sound.
Reaching Kelpie, even the horse seemed eager to leave, as if it knew something was wrong. It was anxious and not staying in place until Ciri jumped on top of the horse, releasing the leash from the stud and taking hold of it, urging Kelpie to throttle north. The horse not only followed through but started going at full speed, faster than many times Ciri had seen the horse go.
Every meter, Leon's bow seemed to vibrate faster, almost scaring her. The thing was alive and conscious; so much that Ciri was sure now it had something to do with a trapped spirit. Geralt had told the white haired Witcher about them, but the rarity was so high he didn't get into too much detail. He himself hadn't seen a single one in his many years alive, so it made sense.
But now the thing was clearly in front of her, yelling directions, never answering Ciri when she talked back or inquired about the spirit; not that she minded, her curiosity was overshadowed by the huge amount of worry she carried. Who or what had kidnapped Leon played a roll on how things would play out and how alive was the auburn haired boy still. But if the bow was this desperate, it meant they still had a chance to reach him.
Praying never helped; but with her heart pounding almost out of her ears, Ciri clapped her hands together and closed her eyes.
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It was almost two hours after her initial rush that the bow stopped vibrating and started almost moving on its own towards a certain location. Its force so strong that Ciri had to drop to the ground and continue on foot. The voice was clearer now and it was still only giving directions, sometimes voicing her boy's name with the same amount of dismay she felt, but the color was still blue. If it served only as a placebo, Ciri thought the color meant that Leon was still ok and healthy…at the very least not gravely injured.
The thick forest they were in didn't really let horses through anyway, so she picked up the pace after tying Kelpie to a near tree, assuring the horse she'd go back to find it.
Ciri went through most bushes and vines with a swing of her sword, jumping or even crawling under. The place was alive, but no dangers seemed to lurk around her senses. By all means a beautiful foundation; something she wished to show Leon.
Rays of sunlight escaped through the thick leaves, creating an spectacle, but one that was completely ignored by the Witcher. The bow kept pulling her, and she'd follow until the end of the world if necessary…
Until it didn't anymore.
"Is this it?" Ciri asked the air, knowing that the bow wouldn't reply back. But it had stopped screaming and pulling, so this plain of grass in the middle of a thick forest definitely meant something.
She dropped everything and pondered for a second, looking around for hints or disturbances. She couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, and it frustrated her.
There a witch in 'er, so it's best to get outta this town as soon as ye' can, Ciri remembered what the herbalist had said a few hours ago, and immediately she chanted a spell, forcing her eyes to double up on their enhancements, as well as her nose.
Magic traces. Everywhere. From the trees to the ground, everything was magic-stained; she should've guessed it. A war-torn place like this wouldn't just naturally have such a beautiful forest around randomly. It made sense. They lead to everywhere as well, not quite making her job any easier, until she looked down to the ground.
Ciri stomped her foot on the grass with sudden anger, so much that the ground shook in distress. She let out a growl and stomped it once again. A familiar scent filling her nostrils.
A Witch.
There was only one witch in the entirety of the whole country and this side of the world that would create her base underground; in her eyes, the bitch of all bitches. The flower magician. Why the fuck was Keira Metz, of all individuals, roaming around Caelf?
Why was she here when Ciri had last seen her in Kaer Morhen?
Why the hell did she kidnap Leon?
Another intake of air and she realized that, yes, in fact, Leon was right below her. Her heart once again quickened, her eyes turning almost feral. If she had to, she'd kill the woman; Geralt's friend or not. Yennefer wouldn't complain.
Going below was an issue, but not a huge one. If Leon could fight a Water Hag as his first time training ever, then she could use her teleportation without losing control. It wasn't too far, just a few meters below the earth. It would be worth it. Leon would be safe. What that bitch of a woman wanted from her boy, she had no clue. He had no play on this, and if she dared use him as a hostage against her, she'd use all the time stashed in her magic to eradicate the witch, whether it meant losing permanent strength or not.
Eyes shining a powerful green, she started chanting, keeping Zirael in both of her hands ready to barge in hot blooded.
Five seconds and it would be done.
Four seconds and she'd finally find Leon.
Three seconds…and a portal appeared in front of her.
Two seconds, and caught off guard, Ciri was pulled by a simple spell into the damned thing.
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Towarzysz.
Towarzysz!
TOWARZYSZ BUDZIĆ SIĘ!
Leon woke up with a start, eyes shot open and torso lifted from his bed, sweat enveloping him. The same voice he had heard before had startled him awake once again, this time a little clearer, but more distant.
Instantaneously he turned to his surroundings, looking at everywhere frantically, fear enveloping him. His things were gone, the walls were also gone, and the bed was made of weird flowers and pillows too soft to even be real; this wasn't the room he and Ciri rented out in Caelf, he was sure.
Scared, he searched around the place in fear. His bow was nowhere to be seen, his clothes were changed into a white shirt and a loose white short, and Ciri…
His eyes opened up even more, this time panic filling up his chest like a broken dam.
Ciri was nowhere in sight.
"Oh gods…where the fuck am I!?" He questioned himself, holding his hair tight, almost wanting to scream. Tremble already starting. But no, he wouldn't do that. Swallowing hard and stopping his trembling, he looked around once again before taking a deep breath.
First off, he needed to calm down. His body wasn't injured, no blood in sight no pain, and he wasn't dying just yet. Even his illness-,
Wait.
What happened to his illness!?
Touching his body everywhere, he realized he was as good as new, the feeling of weakness and cold sweat long gone; his energy was topped and even his belly seemed full, no hunger attacking him. Was he dead? Was this heaven? Did God take him? No way, he knew that sickness well. It wouldn't kill him without Leon knowing first hand.
He swallowed hard again. This was confusing. Was this Ciri's doing?
But then again, Ciri's scent was nowhere to be found, the overwhelming smell of flowers not letting him get a real whiff of anything at all.
After a minute or two of paranoid pondering, Leon stepped out of the flowery bed. He hated his new clothing, the thing didn't even have trousers or anything at all, his precious parts dangling freely and uncomfortably. But he wouldn't let it bother him. He had to get out of there and find Ciri, the question was how.
He walked around the place, and realized the strangest part of it all. He was underground, in some sort of neatly planned cave with a tree in the middle, if the giant roots surrounding him were any indication.
Leon spotted a rabbit and his confusement increased tenfold. There were no rabbits in Caelf, not with the horrid weather and soil conditions. Even then, more rabbits jumped around, doing their thing until one spotted the auburn haired boy.
"Hey…" Leon crouched once he realized the rabbit was actually approaching him, and extended his hand, closing his eyes to let the animal know he was trustworthy. Fur felt, he opened his eyes again and petted the rabbit carefully. "I'm…scared" He confessed to the rabbit and it rubbed the top of its head on his hand in response, "I need to find someone important to me, and for that I need to get out of this place…can you help me?" He tried, revealing a trait of his not even Ciri knew about.
His father called him crazy, his sisters, a magician. One old lady cried after witnessing, calling him a divine being.
Ever since he was a kid, Leon could communicate with animals. Once the connection was deep enough, he knew his words reached the furry ones, and they would reply however they saw fit and depending on their personalities. Some bears liked playing hard to get, deers loved getting praise, and rabbits-,
"Here, something for your troubles" He picked up a beautiful rose petal from the many laying on the ground, and offered it to the white ball of fur.
Rabbits loved gifts.
Done munching the flower, the rabbit chirped and jumped in circles, before hopping directly towards a solid wall of dirt and roots.
Fearing the worst, Leon tried stopping it…Only to see the rabbit actually being swallowed by it, almost magically.
Apparently, the illusion was a one time spell, and once the rabbit went through, wooden stairs revealed themselves as the wall dissipated, leaving Leon extremely perplexed. This wasn't Ciri's doing, one hundred percent.
"Should I…" He wondered, but once the rabbit hopped into view and motioned him with its head to follow, he cleared his doubts. This was the way, no questions asked.
The stairs were circling the surroundings of the tree, it being quite taller than what he had initially calculated. But the rabbit kept on hopping without fear, so he would do the same and follow quietly.
It took at least ten steps, but suddenly, he managed to make out some murmurs coming from the top of the place.
He had no issue identifying one. It was Ciri. For sure this time. She sounded angry and worried; the other voice in contrast seemed defensive and argumentative. Clearly something was wrong, and it probably involved him.
Leon pondered about his chances. He had no bow in hand, and not even leather to defend himself, only saggy, cheap soft clothes.
It made no difference, he'd go up the stairs anyway.
Finally reaching the last steps, his head poked out of the floor and scanned the place. Less than a second later, he managed to spot Ciri, sitting on an immaculate wooden table with two fists continuously banging on it, arguing with a dirt-blonde woman in front of her. For once in his life, his emotions got the best of him, moreso from the relief he felt.
"Ciri!" He yelled, now finally on the top floor. Immediately, her eyes turned around with surprise, searching for the sound of his voice. It took her no time to spot him.
A flash of green later, and the archer found himself on the ground, with a very worried girl squeezing the life out of him on top.
Sobs, tears and joy, Leon felt his shirt getting increasingly damp. This was Ciri, alright.
"Leon!" She screamed in delight, so loud he just had to cringe, "Oh gods, Leon!" Her arms were all over him, squeezing tighter than ever before, as if he would magically disappear once again if she let go. He himself was euphoric as well, rubbing Ciri's back as his nostrils got their needed dose of the Witcher's scent. By far, his favorite.
The white haired girl was a mess, stained to the toe with mud and grass; she hadn't taken a shower or cleaned herself probably since they arrived at that Inn, and the dark bags in her eyes were a telling that Ciri hadn't even blinked an eye for a while.
Still, she seemed happy and emotional, so much that tears just kept flowing out of her beautiful green orbs.
"I'm so glad!" She exclaimed, burying herself on his chest once again, "I'm so fucking glad…" She continued squeezing, relishing the warmth Ciri thought for a second that she had lost forever.
She must've been worried shitless.
"I'm here…I'm okay, princess" Leon just kept reassuring her, happy with the affection.
An external cough cut the interaction short.
"I told you he was fine, you damn crazy brat" Immediately, Ciri turned once again, never letting Leon go. He himself had to stare and wonder; was all this the woman's doing?
Ciri's demeanor weirded the boy out. Was this woman and enemy, or a friend?
Quietly staring wouldn't answer either of those questions.
"Ciri? Who is this person?" He asked quietly, even though it was clear the blonde woman could hear them. Once he realized Ciri was too busy squinting at the girl, he tried once again, "Cirilla-," He called out, and the woman chuckled.
"That's just adorable" She said, for once with an honest smile on her face. Ciri just frowned.
"This is…a bitch of a-" Immediately Leon squeezed her shoulder, forcing the Witcher to rethink her choice of words, "…This is Keira Metz, Leon" She finally replied, but didn't quite answer his doubts, "The flower magician. Former advisor of King Foltest of Temeria…Geralt's friend" Leon sighed with relief. Finally some clarity, "A Witch"
"Sorceress" The woman in question corrected, "I'm sure your mama taught you the difference" Ciri tch'ed her mouth in return, not agreeing nor disagreeing, "I'm the one that brought you here and healed you, young boy. You should be grateful" She directed her strange pale eyes towards Leon, "The clothes you wear…are a very expensive fabric as well, you can thank me for that too" Ciri's frown burrowed, almost creating wrinkles between her eyebrows.
Before she could tell Leon he didn't have to apologize or even look at the woman, he acted through.
"Well, I'm very grateful. Thank you for healing my illness, Miss Sorceress" Unlike Ciri, Leon had no issues showing gratitude, and less issues with the woman. Whatever her past with Ciri was, he was happy to be alive and healthy.
Ciri on her own hand also felt surprised; she hadn't noticed before, but it was true. Leon was no longer heated to the bring, sweating bullets and with half a foot on the other side of the living spectrum. Quickly her gaze softened, even if she still felt weary.
This woman had no deal with them. So why help Leon?
"You almost cut my head off, Brat" Kiera had clearly a nickname designated for the Witcher. Leon internally snickered; at times, it fitted Ciri, "I told you, your leman is peachy, I even took care of his shaggy clothes" She made a face of disgust, before chanting a spell, immediately materializing Leon's characteristic leather wear and green shirt.
It flew right to his legs, and Leon immediately took them with dignity.
"You can use that room you woke up in to change, it's my room" Ciri frowned, not realizing there was even a room below them, "How you managed to disrupt my illusions, I have no idea"
"You still haven't told me why you kidnapped Leon, help or not" Ciri still added, spiced down to the core of the earth. Even if Leon was okay, the rush of horrid panic she felt for almost seven hours was taking a toll on her mood still, even after her euphoric outburst.
Leon nodded as well, not going downstairs to change just yet. Kiera for once actually looked sympathetic towards the duo.
"Look, I know you won't trust me on this, but I did this for your own good" She finally explained, confusing Ciri.
"You kidnapped someone close to me for my own-" Leon's hand on her shoulder shut Ciri up for the time being,
"Ciri, just let her finish" He tried, voice calm. She agreed with a grunt, not liking this but already knowing Leon was better at this kind of thing than her.
Keira could only smile at the two; who would've thought that someone managed to tame the white wolf's daughter in such a way. A nice change of pace, considering the girl's past.
"I did this because the town you were staying at is criminally filled with bloodlust" The sorceress finally explained, "The villagers were planning a witch hunt-, not that they'd ever hope to find a real one, mind you, but still, I have ears everywhere around the town. Once they saw you and your cute companion over there, they finally found someone capable of actually finding a witch" She motioned Leon, who listened carefully still below Ciri, who clearly was showing signs of exhaustion kicking in, "Once they realized how precious that boy is to you, you know what they were going to do in order for you to help them. You know what they say, open doors create hidden thieves"
"Damn, so they were planning to abduct me?" Leon deduced, Keira only nodding in return, "And then force Ciri to help them find you?" Keira instead denied with her head.
"Good guess, but no. I haven't done nothing to that village, not even show my face" The woman shrugged, "Some couple disappeared a month ago and everyone's been frightened ever since. I tried searching for them with magic too, but no clue. I ain't no Witcher, and I couldn't care enough even if I wanted to" The sorceress shrugged once again, "Saw them gathering up at the Inn and decided to do my one good deed, and then you ended up here" She finished, looking straight towards Leon. The boy in question felt a little torn between feelings. He felt bad the village had suffered such a loss and at the same time he felt scared they would try to harm him if it meant hunting something they didn't even know if it existed.
"Well fuck them" Ciri had other opinions on the matter; it took her a second, but then she gathered resolve and followed, "Thank you…for saving Leon" She managed, making Keira wonder whether or not the world was falling apart. The elven girl actually showing gratitude, plus caring for someone? The kid in front of her might actually be someone special.
"I'll go get changed" Leon commented, finally standing up with clothes in his hands. Ciri merely nodded, watching over him as he descended into the hidden room.
A minute of uncomfortable silence went through before she huffed.
"Well, what do you want in return? Or did you do this truly out of a good will?" The white haired girl asked, arms crossed. She was dying for a shower and some clean clothes, most of all, to get out of this underground haunted cave. It looked pretty, but you never knew what was real and what wasn't when it came to a witch.
"Good question" Keira smiled smugly, walking around the place, "I did this out of good will, but after seeing a certain treasure, I thought maybe you could leave it with me" A snap of a finger, and Leon's bow materialized in front of them. The blonde woman had expected Ciri to lash out at her but instead, Ciri just stood her ground, looking at her with a daring eye.
"I don't think it would stay with you" She replied back, forcing Keira to lift her eyes in confusion, "Check for yourself" She motioned with her hand, almost dismissing the intent entirely.
The sorceress merely pulled the bow closer to her, inspecting it. She had already noticed the elven runes, which was the main reason why the mage requested that bow, and its peculiar design. The aura it gave out was magical, and even though she had no use for it, she felt quite attracted to the weapon.
However, one touch with her hand and it was all the sorceress needed.
"Fine" She begrudgingly agreed, sending the bow back to rest on the fine table, "No use, I guess" Ciri smiled. A witch like Keira would know what the bow actually was, and there was absolutely no power in the world that would separate the weapon from its chosen owner. No spells would work either. A spirited relic. Who would've thought?
"We don't have coins to give out either," Ciri added, counting their economy in her head. They still had enough for their trip without needing to commit much on contracts, just find jobs so they could spend the night at certain places, or buy a new tent.
"I don't need anything from you. Sorceress don't need coin" She brushed her hair with class, before turning around, walking towards a certain table, "Whatever, just go collect your boy and let me know so I can kick you two out of here" She said as she mindlessly started mendling with different liquids; alchemy.
Ciri didn't even nod before heading downstairs, eager to get out of the place and somewhere at least acceptable to rest.
She found Leon crouching in front of a white rabbit, clothes already on and ready.
"Hey there" She pulled his attention back from the rabbit, his eyes immediately softening.
"Hey" Leon greeted back, arms already open. Ciri didn't waste a second and buried herself into his chest, letting out a sigh of relief she had been holding the entire day, "You look tired, Ciri" His hand was caressing her hair in a loving manner, happy to be embraced by the Witcher, "Is it late?" She nodded.
"It's almost midnight. And yes, I'm exhausted" Her voice was low and slow. Clearly dead tired.
"Maybe we could-"
"No, we're not staying here" She denied both vocally and shaking her head in denial. Leon made a face but decided to let her be. If Ciri didn't wanna spend the night here, he wouldn't force her, "Let's go, Kelpie is waiting" At the sound of the horse's name, Leon perked up, nodding immediately. They had left their animal companion alone and that wouldn't do at all.
Ciri led him through the stairs, the boy's hand held tight with her own, not letting go. Once upstairs, Keira was already waiting for them, with a portal next to her. Leon could only stare at it, surprised and perplexed. Ciri on the other hand staring at it with confusion.
"This leads straight to Cidaris, consider it a token of gratitude; not towards you, but Geralt's. I…never actually got to thank him" The Witcher opened her mouth to complain, but Keira continued, "Yes, yes, your horse is waiting at the end of the portal as well, probably confused. I suggest you take this now before it goes crazy" Ciri didn't realize the moment Leon separated from her, only to retrieve his bow. The thing had long ago stopped shining…or so she thought until he picked up the weapon. Suddenly a bright green embraced the bow, making both Keira and Ciri open their eyes in surprise.
"Ready to go" Leon seemed unfazed by it, making it clear this was usual for the guy. The sorceress could only sigh in return. There was no way that weapon could stay with her, no spell in the world able to separate the chosen one from the chooser.
She just wondered what kind of spirit would choose someone like the Witcher's companion as its wearer.
"We'll have to take your word for it" Ciri finally agreed, Leon back to her side. The guy looked nervous, never having seen or gone through a portal, but still ready to follow Ciri straight on her steps.
"Don't worry, my portals are years ahead from that mama of yours" The blonde woman added, further infuriating Ciri, "You might feel a little nauseous, kid. But nothing too serious. You two better get going" The sorceress hurried them both and Ciri nodded, taking hold of Leon's hand before marching towards the portal.
Leon gulped hard in return, looking straight towards the thing before just merely closing his eyes and following Ciri.
In a mere blink of an eye, the two were gone, leaving the blonde woman on her own inside her tree dungeon. She merely crossed her arms before shaking her head in denial.
"Love?" She asked the air, chuckling in the process, "Love in such a rotten place like this…with such a rotten kid as her…who would've thought?"
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"Ciri this place smells like rotten fish"
The white haired Witcher and her companion were back on the road, on top of Kelpie, entering the well known and very much trafficked city of Cidaris. It could be past midnight and still the place was very much alive, with boats readying to set sail and others barely arriving. Ciri had been here the year before, but things had already changed a ton.
"Ain't that your favorite?" The girl replied back, feeling a huge level of exhaustion within her. She hadn't slept in about two days now, and Witcher training or not, it was taking a toll on her. The boy behind her was very much his usual self, which alleviated her a ton. She'd never complain again about his usual antics or whatever; she had once thought them lost forever.
"That anchor is the size of a horse" Leon merely ignored her comment and continued pointing out things he had never seen before; it was no surprise. The place he lived at had no such thing as a sea even slightly close, less so any boats or huge warships like the ones Cidaris had on the daily.
Ciri still continued forward, ignoring stares and whistles their way. She knew a handful people around this area, but would mingle with none until some well-deserved rest. The inn was on sight, stable right next to it.
She pondered her options before nodding to herself, jumping off from the horse and surprising Leon.
"Can you be a darl and guide Kelpie to the stable? I'll get us a room, and wait for you at the inn" She pointed out the place which was impossible to mistake, and happy to be trusted with things, Leon nodded twice with eagerness.
"For sure! I'll be just a minute" The boy grinned at Ciri and she could feel her energy regenerating a little. Maybe a smooching session before dozing off wouldn't hurt…
Smiling, she marched towards the Inn, pouch of coins in hand.
The place was huge, much bigger than the Inn at Oxenfurt and pretty much alive, this time of the night perfect for captains and their crew to mingle around and rest before setting sail again. Pirates were banned from the site, king's orders, but mean looking people still roamed around the edges of the bar.
"Ciri!" Her name being yelled still set her alarms off quite badly, but after turning around and seeing a familiar long eared red hair, she let her breath out in relief.
"Mira…" Mira Nardamus, bartender and daughter of the owner of the whole place (plus a few other businesses around the city), was a short red haired half elf born and raised in the city. A bright bulb of energy similar to the one her partner had, but with a much serious tone and gaze. As a bartender, she must've lived her share of misadventures…not that Leon hadn't, obviously. The girl rushed to Ciri and embraced her, arms locking around the Witcher's chest and lifting Ciri up with ease. For all her knowledge, she always forgot just how strong half-elves were. Still, the meeting was refreshing, even if it felt somehow embarrassing.
Mira was perhaps the last person Ciri got together with before setting off to change for the better, almost a year ago or more. She expected no issues, but still she wanted to keep it a secret towards Leon, knowing full well that if the roles were reversed she'd probably burst out in jealousy.
"We oughta catch up! Come 'er, I'll serve you something! On the house" The girl winked at Ciri and she felt her heart sink. Okay. She needed to clear up things firsthand, and had not much time before Leon came through those doors. With some luck, he'd be stuck chatting with the caretaker.
"Can you make that…two dishes?" Ciri tried, sitting down in front of the bartender. The red hair merely crooked her head to the side, confused, "I'm traveling with someone…should be here any minute" The half elf's eyes opened in surprise.
"Oh! A client of yers?" She assumed, and Ciri's eye ticked off.
"Not at all, he's actually my-,"
"Ciri!" A familiar voice interrupted her, turning around to see Leon standing proudly with a new saddle in his hands, smiling as he looked for the woman. Not too hard to spot her, he did so in an instant.
"He's my partner" She whispered to the red-hair, "I know I said before I don't go about that stuff…but shit's changed" She tried, the girl looking at Ciri, perplexed.
"Your…partner? Your beloved?" She asked again for clarification and Ciri felt a tornado of butterflies inside her belly. She wasn't ready to say that, that's what she kept telling herself but…after all that's happened, was that still true?
"Yeah, he's my…beloved" She managed just before Leon dropped his hand on her shoulder, making her turn around, "H-Hey there, Leon" Ciri, for once in her life, was all blushes and stutters. The butterflies didn't leave her belly, and the power was so strong it left her turned to a puddle.
"Look, the old man back at the stable gifted me this" He placed the saddle on top of the table they were sitting at, showcasing hyperfocus, "It has ancient engravings around I'd guess the dwarf era, and look,-" He pointed at the various pockets and sockets the thing had, "Sword holder, dagger. Bow carrier, it even has stuff to bring a map with you" He smiled proudly, "Our saddle is more or less nonexistent from all the rain, sun and double weight. Ain't this great?" Leon was smiles and hyperness all over the place, forcing Ciri out of her temporary stun and making her nod. How he managed to get the saddle, she had no idea.
"That's a beautiful saddle" The voice of the red hair behind them kicked them out of the immersion, making Leon turn to look at the bartender with confusion, "And who might you be…?"
"Oh! I'm Leon!" He picked up the girl's hand before she even offered it, shaking it with energy as he introduced himself, "I'm Cirilla's partner, we're traveling together. She's got me by the palm of her hand really" He continued, smile never leaving his face, making both girls blush at the exchange.
"Leon!" Ciri complained half assedly, smacking him on the back with no force, burying herself within her own arms afterwards. She felt like a kid, out of character entirely, but the butterflies inside her stomach kept forcing her to act like this, "Well, now you know him. Leon, this is Mira Nardamus…bartender and daughter of Draic Nardamus, owner of this whole place" She finally managed, "Mira, this is Leon" She finished, with the guy merely nodding before dragging a chair and joining officially.
Mira was dumbfounded. This wasn't the same cold hearted Witcher she had met years prior, by no means. If she paid attention, Ciri's eyes seemed full of life now, full of different emotions. She had heard about the white haired girl's journey to improvement, but the half elf couldn't have imagined such a change even if she tried.
The boy in front of her didn't look anything like the guys Ciri had drunkenly chosen before, nor anything like her either. His eyes were a shiny brown so deep yet so pure, his skin and hair well cared for, arms and body as a whole lean with telltale of worded muscle…okay, she could see the appeal. But what stood out the most was his personality. The guy acted like a light inside a dark tunnel, so bright it could blind you. Was this what Ciri needed all this time? It made sense. She could accept it.
"You two are absolutely adorable!" She exclaimed, further sinking Ciri into embarrassment. Hands clapped together, she nodded twice before heading off, "Two orders for ya', coming right up! On the house!" She ran off, leaving the two alone.
"On the house!? That's insane" Leon commented next to Ciri, who apparently had found her arms a pretty comfortable place, embarrassment soon leaving her and exhaustion kicking in. Words not coming through, she started dozing off.
A few shakes of a shoulder, and she lifted her eyelids up again, finding warm food right on her face and a patient Leon looking at her.
"Ciri" His voice soothed her tired ears, even if half her brain didn't wanna wake up just yet, "Mira got us a pretty room upstairs ready…" Leon's hand rubbing against her back felt divine, "How about we eat our fill and go to sleep?" She nodded with half an eye already open, immediately lifting her head up and taking a deep breath.
"Smells good" she managed. Eggs and deer meat, a carrot on the side. The usual Mira treatment. Ciri started stuffing her face in the food without a care in the world, wanting to quickly reach her bed and crash for the night.
Leon did the same, with Mira looking at them with care. He'd quickly told her about their journey, almost making her tear up at the story, and now she knew why Ciri was so attached to the boy.
"Just saying, but my father just installed a new thing around here, we should open up in a week or two, but if you'd like you could go in now" Mira offered, knowing Ciri full well, "Y'know, a new bathing zone" the Witcher choked on her foot for a second; forcing the half elf to laugh in return.
"MmYess!" Ciri yelled, energy back on her body. No matter how tired, she reeked, her skin felt sticky and disgusting and the roots and dirt around her didn't leave much space for movement or even desires to sleep, "Oh my gods yes, you're a savior" She said, already done with almost all in her plate and her drink. Leon was halfway there and with a smirk she quickly snatched half the carrot he had away, not caring. It was her treat after working so hard to find him.
"Hey! Kleptomaniac attacking me!" Leon feigned despair, already knowing this was going to happen, "Help! I'm getting mugged" She lifted a middle finger towards him, munching away.
"Eat away, I need to clean up and you'll join me" She threatened Leon with her fork, making him blush. On any case he was almost done, and with one big swoop he finally finished the small beer the bartender offered, letting Ciri know he was finally getting a little used to the taste,
"Lead the way" Ciri ordered as she turned around to see Mira, who in turn smiled at her. Leon kicked her boot and she corrected her throat, "If you can, please" Surprised but satisfied, Mira nodded, hopping from the back to the front to guide them into the small bathing sector.
"Can't believe you managed to tame the beast" The short girl commented, skipping through most drunken clients easily and with experience. Ciri was zombie-walking, kind of in a haze, but guided by Leon holding her shoulders so she wouldn't bump into nobody. Even then some crashes occurred, but he only merely apologized or the person in front said sorry instead. Nothing too bad.
The back of the inn worked as a perfect sauna/bathing zone, well touched wood and healings scents surrounding the place even if it was empty, clearly they were ready to begin operating.
"This is your cubicle" The wooden square Mira showed them could hold at least four people, "Water's clean and warm already, you should be all set to enjoy a good cleaning"
The two in question inspected the waters, Leon touching it and realizing how warm and comfortable it was. Ciri quickly started removing her clothes, so fast Leon had to turn around once again, making her roll eyes at his antics. Mira took the quote and left them alone.
"Thank you for all this, Miss Mira!" Leon still managed to catch her before she left the zone, immediately bringing a smile up in her face. She had half wanted to offer to join them in the shower, but knew quite early that the relationship they held wasn't of that kind at all. The guy was definitely adorable and by the looks of it, respected Ciri to the end of the world. On one hand, the red hair felt a little sad it wasn't her that managed to catch that Witcher's heart. On the other hand, she was very happy Ciri managed to find such a precious person around such a horrible country.
With that thought in mind, she exited the bathing rooms, a smile plastered on her face.
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"That was exquisite"
Ciri and Leon were both already upstairs, clothes and bodies cleaned to the brim and perfectly freshened out. The room, unlike others, was clearly a premium one. Not as cozy as the lucked out place they had managed to get about a week or more ago, but still, it was quite cozy and warm in the cold of the night. The bed completely capable of holding the two together (not that it mattered much anyway)
Ciri was only awake per sole resolution as she tried to remove her leather boots to no avail, her fingers not quite responding.
"Let me help you with that, darling" Leon already in only his shorts and a lose shirt, kneeled before her and started undoing the shoes, removing one and massaging her feet for a second, then removing the second one and doing the same. Small sounds of pleasure came out of Ciri's mouth, happy with the affection.
"You're too good to me" she managed to say between yawns, removing her tight shirt and remaining only in her underwear. The bed below her too inviting not to succumb, "Come. Now. Sleep" She ordered, already half gone. Leon could only comply, crawling into the bed, immediately being entangled into a hug. Without noticing, the Witcher was already fast asleep.
The auburn haired boy merely sighed in relief, tightened up their connection, and closed his eyes as well.
Tomorrow would be a very long day after all.