She stepped inside the Inn with Geralt at her side. Curious patrons sitting at the benches that peppered the large room searched them with wary looks. She did her best to ignore them and act casual, even as she got her bearings and involuntarily assessed the very dangerous fire hazard the hanging braziers posed, considering their proximity to so much dry wood.

She didn't have time to glance around too much before a loud and happy squeal interrupted her observations.

"Geralt!" Ciri ran up to him, arms open wide, and he instantly swept her off her feet and into a bear hug, turning with her until her feet left the ground. She circled his neck and buried her face in his hair, laughing with joy.

Their open and loving display of affection was heartwarming to see, so Criss sat back and let them gush over one another. Just getting to watch them rejoice at their reunion was enough to make the trip worth it.

After having pried her head from Geralt's chest to look at him with utter happiness mixed with disbelief, Ciri glanced over his shoulder to Criss, who was standing back, smiling, and waiting patiently. She became the next target for Ciri's hug and this time it was Criss who was lifted off her feet. She giggled, surprised, and let herself be spun once.

"It's good to see you!" she got out through the tight embrace.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ciri squeezed even harder, leaving her completely breathless and suffocating for a moment.

Eventually, Ciri released her hold and took a step back with her hands still fixed to Criss's shoulders.

"Hope he didn't give you any trouble," she said, looking over her shoulder at her father.

"Not at all." This was mostly true. He hadn't given her any real trouble, but they had gotten themselves into hot water twice and both times it had been her fault. "He's a real pleasure to be around," she said with an honest smile.

"Him?" Ciri snorted in disbelief, then burst into laughter. "Come, you two must be famished! Did you have to travel far? Right now, portals are a bit of a mess, even for me."

"Not quite. We landed at Drahim Castle," Geralt replied. "Happened upon some bandits and got some horses and a city pass off them. Quite lucky if you think about it..."

"I was wondering where you got that pass from," Criss commented with a hand on her hip, looking like she was about to scold him. He shrugged and gave her a slight smile that said "What can you do? I needed to get you into the city."

"You can be sure they got it off some poor merchant who unwittingly crossed their path, so don't feel sorry about it. They sure didn't feel any remorse when they attacked you," Ciri intervened on Geralt's behalf. "Let's sit and get some drinks and food! Can't wait till Yen is back from her trip to Oxenfurt, so I can tell her you've arrived! She owes me a hundred crowns," she nudged Criss's shoulder and whispered, "she bet me you wouldn't come at all. Thought you'd shove him through a portal and say good riddance."

Geralt looked as awkward as she felt, while Criss forced a smile. Ciri gave them no reprieve and grabbed both of their arms and more or less dragged them to the nearest empty table and shoved them in their seats opposite each other before prancing off to shout at the closest barmaid to bring them ale and vodka.

"You need to tell her at some point," Criss whispered to Geralt once Ciri was at a safe distance from them. "The longer you wait, the more she'll feel like we were lying to her." He looked unconvinced. "I can do it if you don't want to," she offered, knowing full well it was a bad idea.

"No, I'll do it, just... let me find a proper opportunity so it's not completely out of the blue," he said and grabbed her hand under the table to reassure her he meant every word he said.

A few moments later, Ciri returned, accompanied by the barmaid carrying a tray of drinks and a platter filled to the brim with an assortment of meats and cheeses.

"Geralt, 'ma boy!" A booming voice came from behind them. She turned to see a burly dwarf with a huge grin on his face, ready to squeeze the breath out of her witcher.

"Zoltan!" They hugged like two grinning bears and slapped each other's backs with enthusiasm. Another man, dressed in a colourful outfit with a splendid peacock's feather stuck on his cap, joined the happy welcoming committee. They all hugged the living daylights out of him and ended up forming a giant huddle that blocked anyone's passage and attracted all eyes to them.

It was heart-warming to see such joyous reunions, and she watched on with a smile, thankful that she was privy to this lovely sight. Geralt was all grins and smiles and looked like a fish in water, right in his element and fully at home. Once the exclamations and back-patting subsided somewhat, they all sat down on the long benches and each grabbed a mug of ale and cheerfully toasted to Geralt's healthy return. She joined in the mirth and took a sip of the drink.

"This is Criss, the old friend I told you about," Ciri was the one to make the introductions, "she's the one that's responsible for Geralt being here with us and in good health." Having said that, Ciri, who was sitting next to her, put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hearty squeeze.

"Aye, pleasure to make yer acquaintance. I'm Zoltan Chivay and this 'ere is..."

"My sweetest lady, permit me to introduce myself, if I can find the words, for your beauty has left me speechless. I am the acclaimed troubadour Dandelion and I am your humble servant and forever in your debt for bringing back my friend safe and sound," the man with the feathered cap said in a honeyed voice while taking her hand and kissing her knuckles with reverence. "Your wish is my command." She opened her mouth but closed it again soon after, not knowing what to say to such an unexpected dramatic reaction. Geralt simply rolled his eyes and Ciri slapped the man's back with a loud thud that almost made him bite his tongue.

"Dandelion! Give her a break! What would Priscilla say? Besides, I don't need you chasing her off when she just got here! I'm aiming to get her to stick around for a while." Ciri turned to her, looking both pleading and hopeful at Criss. "You will stay, won't you? At least for a little while?" She added a charming smile on top of her words, and Criss's heart melted. She intended to stay and help, but even if she hadn't, it would have been impossible to refuse her request.

"Yes, sure," she answered, feeling a bit awkward. "I came intending to help you in your fight..."

"Wonderful!" Dandelion interjected. "I trust you'll accept our humble hospitality and stay with us at The Chameleon. It's the least I can do to repay you for your invaluable help. Right this minute I shall give the order to have the two best rooms prepared to house you both!" His hand twitched in an urgent movement, beckoning one of the staff to come to him.

"Actually..." Geralt began with hesitation, "one room will suffice... for the both of us," he finished his sentence, looking from Dandelion to Ciri. It was her reaction they were both worried about, but they were distracted instead by Dandelion's unnecessarily loud voice.

"Geralt, you sly dog! I should have guessed! And to think you let me make a fool of myself instead of telling me she's taken! A wink or a nudge would have sufficed. I would have settled even for a kick under the table!" he huffed, and stood up dramatically.

"If you don't shut up, I'll kick you over the table," Geralt threatened, annoyed.

"Hmph, I'll go arrange your lodgings and when I get back, I expect an apology from you." He turned and marched off.

"Sorry, that's just how Dandelion is," Geralt excused his friend in front of Criss, but was cut off sharply by Ciri's steely voice.

"He's a pleasure to be around, huh?" She looked coldly at Criss. "Now I know what you meant."

"Hey, leave 'er be. She brought him back. That should count for something, no?" Zoltan mercifully intervened on her behalf.

"Ciri..." Geralt tried to chime in as well, but Ciri continued to fixate on her, paying no attention to her father.

"Yes, it counts for something. I brought him to you to heal, not fuck, but I guess you just went the extra mile, didn't you?" Her words were drenched in anger and left Criss with a pit in her stomach. She had expected it to be bad since Geralt had warned her that Ciri was still hoping for him and Yen to get back together at some point. Still, she hadn't expected it to be that bad. After all, she had considered her a friend. But apparently, it wasn't enough.

"It wasn't like that," she attempted an appeal to the voice of reason within Ciri. "Neither of us planned for it to happen. We went dancing one night..."

"Dancing? Him?" her voice sounded shrill and pitchy. "Did you lead him by the co—"

Geralt slammed his hand hard on the table, cutting her off before she finished her question with something crude and they all fell silent.

"Enough," his voice was barely a whisper, a sharp contrast to his earlier outburst, but he didn't need to raise his tone to get his point across. His eyes spoke louder than anything else. There was a mixture of sorrow, guilt, and anger built into them. Ciri held his gaze defiantly, not backing down an inch.

Everything was going as bad as it could and her being there did nothing to help anyone, so Criss stood up and picked up her bag to Geralt's dismay.

"I'm going to find Dandelion, apologize, and help him with the room."

"Stay," Geralt pleaded and took her hand in his.

"No, you two have things to discuss and my presence is ruining what was otherwise a lovely reunion." She squeezed his hand to reassure him that she was fine. "Ciri is not ready to hear me out yet, and it's pointless to antagonize her further. You'll both end up saying things you'll later regret and I don't want to be the cause of that," is what she wanted to say but couldn't because it would sound patronizing despite it being true. She smiled after letting go of his hand.

"It was nice meeting you. I wish you a pleasant evening." She bowed her head to Zoltan and retreated in the most dignified way possible, given the circumstances.

She crossed the room, going in the direction she had seen the bard last. Since she was unfamiliar with the layout of the place, she asked the man tending the bar where she could find Dandelion. His reply directed her to the staircase at the back. She found him on the first floor arguing with a maid and waited some distance from them until he finished his heated conversation and took notice of her presence.

"I'm sorry, I've promised you both the best room, but I've forgotten that damned elf shut himself inside the Ruby Suite. Unfortunately, you'll have to accept my apologies and a lesser room." She made to say something, but he raised his hand to stop her. "Now, now, I know it's not what I promised, but I'll make sure you'll have all the amenities we can provide. I've already arranged for a tub to be carried up to be at your disposal at all times. Knowing Geralt's fondness for baths, he'll ask for it sooner rather than later."

"Actually, I came here to apologize to you."

He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Why? What did you do?"

"Umm... Geralt threatened you with violence..."

The bard broke out in a burst of unbridled laughter.

"Oh, that's just how we communicate. He means nothing by it and we both know it. If that's the only reason you came to find me, then rest assured the matter is considered settled. I haven't taken offence from either of you and you can happily return to the celebration downstairs. I'm sure he's missing your beautiful presence already."

She looked confused at the wooden boards that made up the flooring.

"Is something else the matter?" the bard inquired, worried when he saw her standing in place.

"I'd much rather retreat to our room if possible. If you tell me which one it is, I can even help you get it ready."

"Oh," the bard exclaimed with a sly grin, "so it's like that, is it? Geralt does seem to have that effect on women, meaning they suddenly want to lie in bed with him until they forget how to walk. He has yet to disclose his secret..."

She grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it to shut him up and stop him from further embarrassing the both of them.

"No, I'd wish that was all it was. Unfortunately, Ciri has not taken kindly to the news of our relationship and I would rather not be in her sights for the time being. I want to let her and Geralt catch up, and hope she might calm down once a little time has passed."

"Oh, dear! I'm afraid you might find yourself waiting for a long time, if that's the case. She's unusually stubborn... same as Geralt. You're better off just going back down and having a drink with them. She'll be tomorrow the same as she is today and you'll be missing tonight's marvellous performance for nothing." He elbowed her side conspiratorially. "Yours truly plans to throw quite a spectacle in honour of the White Wolf's return."

She couldn't help a smile, thinking of the face Geralt would make upon hearing the bard sing about him once again. He had complained on several occasions about having to sit through such thoroughly embarrassing displays and now he was going to have to endure hearing Dandelion's entire repertoire back to back. It deepened her regret at not being able to see it in person.

"I'm sorry that I'll have to miss out on seeing your performance, but I'm afraid my presence will ruin everyone's evening by stirring up angry discussions. Besides, your songs will bring attention to both Geralt and anyone sitting at his table, and I don't think it's a good idea for me to be there. I've already been suspected of being a witch once today simply because I was in Geralt's company and I heard not even herbalists are safe within this city's walls."

"I think it's already too late for such worries. Plenty have seen you come in and keep our company. They'll make of it what they want, and you might as well enjoy yourself meanwhile."

"Really, I'd rather just go to our room and settle in," she insisted. "If you'll just show me the way."

"Fine, I see you're just as stubborn as they are. Your room is the first one down that corridor on the left-hand side. But let it not be said that I didn't insist you join us..."

"Thank you. I appreciate your hospitality and I'm truly sorry to miss tonight's show. I promise to attend the next one, provided I'm welcome."

"Worry not, there will be plenty more." His smile faded somewhat and his voice faltered. "I shall be the only one singing for quite a long time." He sighed, saddened, but not wanting to intrude into his personal matters uninvited, she said nothing. "Now, if I can't say anything to convince you to join us, you must excuse me. I have festivities to prepare." He turned with a smile and a furtive bow and quickly descended the staircase.

Luckily, the layout of the building was simple, and she found her way to the room quickly. The door was already open and the maid she had seen Dandelion argue with was inside changing the bedsheets. The room was functionally furnished with a large bed, a desk, a couple of chairs, a credenza with a washbasin on top of it and a chest of drawers, plus a few shelves, all dimly lit by two candles. Decoration was sparse, a few tapestries hung limply on the walls. She dropped her bag next to the door and shrugged the cloak off her shoulders before going to help the woman lay out the bed.

"What're you doing, ma'am?" the woman asked her, startled. "The room's not ready yet! Master Dandelion will come get you when it's ready!"

"Don't worry, I'm just meaning to help, that's all. I'm sure you have plenty of better things to do tonight." She gave the woman a warm smile. "I hear there'll be quite a show tonight and I'm sure you'll want to catch it."

"Oh, yes, ma'am, but that's for the clients, not us serving folk. We'll be busy keepin' throats from getting dry and bellies from aching with hunger. We'll be lucky if we hear three verses in a row."

"Then they owe at least half the merriment to your hard work and they should all be grateful for it," she acknowledged, whilst reaching for a side of the linen bedsheet. "Allow me?"

The woman nodded silently. They each grabbed two corners of the bedsheet and pulled it taught over the fluffy straw mattress, tucking the edges into the side of the bed frame, then began dressing the pillows.

"I'm Criss by the way," she offered another smile, inviting the woman to friendly conversation.

"I'm Selise," the woman responded, a little more relaxed but still eying her wearily. "I thought you'd be a redhead, ma'am."

"A redhead? Why?" Her forehead creased, a faint line forming between her brows.

"You're Mistress Merigold, no?" Selise asked awkwardly.

"Merigold?" Criss asked again, still unsure who she was being confused with. Then she remembered Geralt had mentioned a sorceress with a name similar to hers. "You mean Triss Merigold?"

Selise nodded affirmatively and Criss burst into a peal of silvery laughter.

"Seems I need to introduce myself using my full name." She extended a hand to the woman. "Christine Thompson, but friends call me Criss. Came here from Vizima to help Master Dandelion rebuild the inn," she said, using the same story Geralt had served the guards at the city gates. Selise shook her hand gingerly.

"Oh, my apologies, ma'am," she burst out, embarrassed but also relieved. "I thought you're one of those Lodge sorceresses who caused so much trouble for the king. Was afraid the hunters would come down on us knowing you're here. There're posters all over the city warning all not to offer shelter to you... I mean her."

"Not to worry, no hunters are after me. Maybe it was lucky you confused me with her. At least now I know that's a possibility I should be wary of."

"Oh, it was just my mistake. In truth, you look nothing like the posters, but the name sounds alike and you're here with the White Wolf, so I assumed you must be her." She finished dressing the last pillow and placed it on the bed neatly. "The tub will be brought up soon, and I'll bring you some blankets and furs. If there's anything else you need?"

Criss shook her head. "No, thank you. All looks fine."

"I'll be right back and... my apologies again, ma'am." Selise bowed curtly and left the room in a rush.

Criss unpacked her bag. She had taken little beyond the necessities. Not knowing how far they had to travel, she didn't want to carry more than necessary. Yet she always found space in her bags for a notepad, a few pens and bits of charcoal and she was eager to commit to paper the gorgeous scenery that remained etched in her memory since the late afternoon. She sat at the desk and began sketching under the flickering light of the candle.

A while later, there was a knock on the door and two men carried in a large tub and set it close to the foot of the bed, while Selise brought the blankets and furs she promised her. Criss thanked them and returned to her notepad.

She was completely absorbed by the drawing despite the growing noise coming from below, barely registering that there was music playing until the flickering candle went out and she was left in the dark with no means to see what she was doing. If there wasn't a moratorium on magic and a ward over the city, she would have conjured up a ball of light, but until she'd speak to Yennefer, she'd have to play it safe and avoid magic as much as possible. That left her with two options: go downstairs and ask for a fresh candle or go to bed and wait for daylight to come. She chose the first, curious to catch a glimpse of the revelries below.

She descended the stairs quietly, not that it mattered much. With all the noise echoing off the walls, you could have cut down a tree and no one would have taken notice. Halfway down the last flight of stairs, she stopped and looked at the merry scene in the tavern. The bard was perched on a tall chair in the middle of the wooden platform that acted as a stage, strumming his lute to a cheerful tune. The patrons all sang along and clapped to the rhythm of the song while some of them danced a jig, Zoltan and Ciri included. Geralt was leaning back on a table. His armour was off, and he wore only a thin white shirt and black padded trousers. He looked at his daughter's fancy footwork, clapping and whistling with a grin on his face.

Their merriment was infectious and for a moment she almost forgot about Ciri's anger and thought about joining them. Her smile wavered as soon as she remembered her presence would probably sour the mood instead of contributing to their joy, so she changed her plans and slinked back up the stair unnoticed. Maybe it was better to sleep after all. There would be plenty of time to catch up the next day, and maybe even make amends with Ciri.


A/N: Before people come for me, please know that I love Ciri, but I chose to write her a bit bratty and brash so she would be closer to the book version of her. The game has her all grown up and poised, but all that evolution was done off-screen and I really wanted to try to put it on the page. Call me a sucker for characters growing and bettering themselves.

I loved finally getting to write Dandelion and Zoltan, but be gentle with me if I got Zoltan's speech patterns wrong at any point. I'm not a native speaker so I'm not great at writing dialects/accents.