Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of the witcher. Those are property of Mr Sapkowski and I using Netflix series canon mixed with the books and my twisted version of the lore.

Warnings : This one is the set-up of a quite twisted thing coming next chapter. So I put the mature warning here. Discussions of sexual matters. Hints of depression.

Notes :

- First of all, thanks a lot for your recent reviews, people. I know I thanked you in private but I just want to tell you how it helped me writing the next part, knowing that you liked my AU.

- I am ace not demi and I base a lot of things on personal perceptions and experiences so don't take it at heart if it doesn't fit an actual experience of demisexuality as you know it. Also I mix this with the book Geralt struggles around emotions and his mutant condition. So your big man is quite lost.

- And on a general note : there is a lot of world exposition there. And we have a 1.5 - 2 years gap since the end of the last story.

Passiflora - Part 1

Novigrad

###

Geralt was half asleep in his car in the underground parking lot, near Novigrad's train station. He was very tired. He never had the best of sleep but, those last few weeks, he was plagued with recurring dreams. He could not say nightmares because he never remembered the part that was waking him up but there was a pattern.

The dream always began normally. The first sign was a crow. And sooner or later he would meet that beautiful woman. The first approach was always different but the conclusion was the same. They ended up naked. There was love… or at least sex between them. He vaguely remembered that woman, naked, her face hidden by her long black hair while she was on the top of him. Her skin had a delicate warm color and smelled the odd combination of lilac and gooseberries. He didn't remember all the sensations but he knew he felt good. And this was all he had. Then he always woke up all of a sudden, his heart racing but without any memory of what could have scared him.

That night he had dreamed of his strange anonymous beauty and could rest after that. He sighed. Waiting there, unmoving, was accentuating his terrible need to take a nap.

He had been called here for a strange affair by a gnome. He wasn't sure there was money to make but it coincided with Jaskier's birthday in a few days - the young man was entering his twenty-fifth year - and luckily he was nearby. He had some personal affairs to attend to in Oxenfurt, he had said to him, and Novigrad wasn't far from it. Jaskier was never against some hunts with him and that would be a perfect way to celebrate. Nobody would understand but they had some unusual tastes and pleasure in life.

Novigrad was small in comparison to the Redanian cultural backbones, Oxenfurt, but this was a quite busy city with a strong economy. Geralt didn't like the idea of staying here too long. Novigrad was the seat of one of the most restrictive cults of the Continent.

The Eternal Flame was a paradox. Torture and death was the only sentences applied to any deviation to the code, but in the same time it was the most open to difference. As long as you were a believer or at least you respected the law, the gates were open. So it was one of the most diverse cities of the Continent in a kingdom plagued with some of the hardest anti non-humans laws.

Novigrad was said to be exempt from monsters because The Eternal Fire was protecting it. Geralt was a bit nervous to go and find his client for this very reason. Witcher shouldn't be needed in a place blessed by an absolute protection against monsters. He could attract an unwanted attention.

He looked at the clock on the dashboard of his new Roach - he had bought that beautiful beast when his old pickup's engine suffered a fatal wound under the assaults of a very angry kikimora, somewhere deep in the bogs near Sodden. He was excited to see Jaskier's reaction to it, as he thought of his friend while making his choice.

The young man was often worried about his precious belongings, particularly his harp, to travel on the platform on the rear. Now there were passenger seats behind them and some extra space in a protected sort of chest. He had worked a good part of the last month to arrange the interior space of the vehicle. Behind the back seats he created two distinct storage spaces. This was not very big, but their clothes bags and some other small stuff could be easily put in there, with simple manipulations. He also had put some fixation on the ceiling so he could have his sword without having to move them around each time Jaskier was with him.

This was a strange thing that he was thinking for two now. Jaskier traveling more than half of the year with him had changed a lot of things in his mind.

It was ten o'clock in a few minutes. Jaskier's train should arrive soon. This was a weird choice from him. He had his own car to travel when they weren't together. The vehicle usually stayed in expensive private parking lots in between but still, this wasn't his style to travel the old way since he was quite known. Another easy solution to avoid crowds was to pay a driver for this short distance. Oxenfurt and Novigrad were separated by just a little bit more than a hundred miles.

Geralt thought for a moment that he could have waited for his friend in the station but the combo Jaskier and White Wolf was a famous one now. And if the young man wanted to get out discreetly he better not put himself on display like that in a public space for too long. And he preferred his Roach anyway.

This made a long time he didn't see a train, he thought. Those great pieces of technology were dependent on the electric net, and a good fair of incorporated magic devices to prevent the disruptive effect of chaos outside of cities. Paradoxically, the witches and mages that almost been exterminated during the Dark Age made the technological era of the Continent a reality. The next generation of magical objects, like the evolution of their basic xenogloss, connected together a world that had fallen to pieces, while the last witchers thrived again securing lands newly ravaged by waves of monsters. And in less than three centuries, science took over and made old fashion magic a very powerful tool. It was almost invisible to people who soon forgot how things worked but this was what kept the Continent in a livable bubble while the rest of the world was unknown and inaccessible.

The magic coverage didn't go further than the known lands of the Continent, from the far mountains and the ocean everywhere else. The wild lands and the ocean were dark zones due to the massive chaos tempests that were raging and it was way too expensive to invest there when what they had was enough.

Geralt couldn't help but let his mind drift. He was the last generation of witchers of Kaer Morhen and he had seen the incredible expansion of the human race, using both magic and their own ingenuity to change the face of their world. In more than eighty five years he was breathing, he had seen the world of steam and horsepower changing to electricity and telecommunications. He adapted quite well to technology but not to the mores. Everything was changing too fast for him.

Geralt's natural dark thoughts took slowly over, playing with his constant internal conflict to live in a world that almost didn't need him anymore. He could almost feel in his bones the insidious return to a new pre Dark Age state. Human overpower. Tensions betweens kingdoms. Ramping racism. Seemingly lack of monsters, pushed to the boundaries of the known world. But if one could learn anything from chaos use was that everything had a cost. Geralt knew that one day or another, that fragile equilibrium would shift, probably in a blast. But this wasn't his job to think about that.

His pocket vibrated, cutting his depressive introspective thoughts about his future. He took his phone out and read the message. This was Jaskier.

- "The train is late. About twenty minutes. What a fucked up day !"

- "I am at place B069 in the parking lot. Go find me. I am taking a nap." He replied. A few seconds later he had a thumbs up under his message.

Geralt took his hat and put it on his face to optimize darkness. Crossing his arms on his chest, he abandoned the fight against fatigue. And he needed to stop thinking about all these things that were making him sad anyways. Twenty minutes was good enough to build some strength back.

###

A knock at the door was what woke him up. He removed his hat from his face and looked at the window. Jaskier was there, smiling, as always. But he seemed tired too. He had some shade under the eyes and a strong week-long beard. It was rare to see him like that. His beard was naturally growing fast and thick but he usually liked to shave it to the skin. The beard made him look more mature.

Geralt got out. Jaskier opened his arms and they briefly embraced. He smelled good. Flowers and sunshine, as always.

- "This is so good to see you, buddy." Said the young man, squeezing hard before they separated. "What is this beautiful beast ?" He asked, pointing at the pickup. Geralt smiled.

- "The new Roach. Do you like it ?"

- "Yeah ! Is it bigger or my eyes are playing games with my perception ?"

- "Bigger. Take a look inside."

Jaskier opened the back door and tested the seats.

- "Nice !" He looked up at the ceiling. "Wow, now that's brilliant !"

- "Let me show you something."

Geralt was feeling invigorated just by seeing his friend enjoying the novelty. He activated the mechanisms that switched the seats and revealed the storage spaces hidden behind.

- "I could kiss you right now, Geralt !"

- "Please, don't." He laughed.

Jaskier put his travel bag and his harp in it and came front. Geralt joined him.

-"You know, that's funny but almost providential that you have a new Roach when I lost my car."

- "That's why you took the train, then ?"

- "Indeed."

- "What happened? You said you had things to do in Oxenfurt. Did it go well ?"

For a brief moment he had a profoundly saddened expression.

- "Julian stuff." He replied. "I have almost no money left. I had to sell the car." He smiled again. "But things will get better, don't worry."

Geralt didn't insist. Jaskier really hated to speak about his past. He would probably not tell him. And forcing him would just amplify the sadness he was trying to hide. They were so alike for that, he thought.

- "So, what monster do we have today ?" The young man asked. "Novigrad is a weird choice for a hunt."

- "True that. And I am not sure there is money to make there but my instinct is telling me that there is something odd nonetheless. My client is a gnome." He took his phone and looked at the message he received. "He is a horse breeder and has a good reputation here. But the last few weeks, he made some curious investments that have almost ruined him. Hence the no money intuition. The problem is that he never remembered doing these investments."

- "Weird indeed, but shouldn't it be the work of the local police ?"

- "He believes in something surnatural."

Jaskier frowned.

- "Wait a minute. What is the name of your client ? I don't know many gnomes breeding horses in Novigrad. And superticious one, on the top of that."

- "Dainty Bilberveldt."

- "Oh ! I know him !"

- "Do you ?"

- "Yes, I met him at…" He cleared his throat. "... an unusual place. We had a nice conversation at - let's say - a special event. He is a good fella. A bit nervous but serious. I learned a lot of things about horses that day."

- "You met him in an orgie ?" Asked Geralt with a smirk.

Jaskier gasped, opened his mouth several times in an attempt to formulate some coherent answer, and then simply replied : yes.

- "You will never cease to amaze me, you know." He laughed. "How can everything gravitate around sex with ya ? And how do you remember so many people at those special events ?"

- "Well, a horse breeding conversation with a naked gnome is something you don't forget easily, my dear. Orgie or not."

- "I missed you." Geralt said softly, smiling.

- "I missed you too, buddy." Jaskier gave him a nudge. "Let's find out what is going on with that good old Dainty."

###

Geralt started the engine and got out of the parking lot. It was a quite covered day but the city of Novigrad was permanently enlightened. The Eternal Flame fire was burning every corner, pushing an abnormal red color everywhere, reflecting on glasses and shining surfaces, enhancing the natural warmth of the brick walls. Also, there were many temples where the biggest fires were set, giving the sacred place some quite unsettling aspect.

They stopped near a park in the northern part of the city. Jaskier left his stuff in the car and was pleased to walk free. Geralt took his swords but let his shotgun inside.

They formed a strange duo as always. Him, in a full black outfit, with deadly weapons on his back, and Jaskier in a very decontracted gear, full of colors and joie de vivre. He was walking, hands in his pockets, looking around like a child, while himself was probably scaring people away.

They had a rendezvous in a tavern in a not so busy place during the day it was said, but to Jaskier's experience, that was not true. Especially at night, this part of the city changed a lot.

- "See that, Geralt ?" He asked when they passed a large building with tinted glass windows and a wide flower painted on the front wall.

- "Hmmm ?"

- "This is the Passiflora. The best brothel in Redania. This is where I met your client… at this special event." The young man laughed. "Funny that he gave you a rendezvous in this part of the town."

Geralt was familiar with those kinds of places. He had tried quite some times, early in his life, and this was a reoccurring tradition, even if rare, with Jaskier. They used to go there together after some very hard hunts. The little flower was clearly suggesting that they made an entorse to their tradition to have some fun in the big flower while they stayed here.

Geralt noticed that going to these places with his friend and sometimes sharing the same space had strange virtues for his own experience but he wasn't interested in sex that much. Jaskier, on the other hand, was quite obsessed when it came to it. Geralt never understood how the young man could have so many affairs, even if they were simply clear short fun adventures with someone. This aspect of his friend's life was simultaneously amusing, fascinating and deranging. So Geralt tried to avoid the subject most of the time. But, seeing that little light of envy in his eyes, this time, he guessed, this would probably not be a skippable option.

He looked at the facade of the large building. Like many places like that, the outside didn't give much information but the surroundings were telling. This would probably be a nice place to try. So why not…

They finally arrived in the busiest street of this part of the town. It was market day and there were a lot of people. Jaskier was looking in every direction, his eyes attracted to every shiny or colorful stuff, or good smelling food. Geralt smiled softly observing him so happy to simply be overloaded by informations. For the moment, nobody had noticed them and they could walk in the crowd like perfect strangers. This was nice.

But as they were progressing, a running gnome bumped into Geralt. He had a round face and curly hair. He was wearing a green rich old fashioned doublet. His head didn't pass up his elbow. He looked up at him and fear grew instantly in his eyes.

- "Dainty ?" Asked Jaskier.

Geralt didn't have time nor the physical space to react. The gnome kicked him in the tibia and ran away. That didn't hurt him much but the surprise effect worked.

- "What the fuck ?!" He growled. He looked at Jaskier who seemed as astonished as him. "Are you sure this was our client ?"

- "You know my memory, buddy. Yes I am sure."

They turned in the direction Dainty went but chasing him in that crowd was an impossible mission. The moment Geralt made a step forward something gently touched his back thigh. He turned around. A gnome, identical to the one that fleeted, was there, smiling contritely. He looked at both of them.

- "Hi gentlemen. May I invite you to the tavern now, before too many eyes lean on us."

They followed him and went to the end of a quite typical tavern of Redania. Jaskier was commenting on the decorations while Geralt tried to listen to his client. He nudged his friend in the arm at some point to shut him up.

- "Well, I guess you saw with your very own eyes the nature of my problem. When I contacted you, I hadn't seen him yet. There were just those things I was supposed to have done but never remembered. I was thinking about a curse or something. The Eternal Flame is quite a dangerous cult if there is suspicion of unholy things, so I tried to discreetly manage the weird things happening. But I am a rich merchant in my field and those investments my double is doing are beginning to put me in a spotlight I don't like. I fear for my life now. Chapelle, the high priest of the northern part of Novigrad, is known for his very harsh judgment. And I am afraid to get his attention. Now it's been twice I saw that imposter but I can't catch him."

- "We clearly saw a perfect double of yourself." Said Geralt. "If I can reassure you on something, I don't feel any magic on you, right now. If there was a curse I would know." Dainty let out a deep relieved breath. "That said, if this is what I think it is, I barely know how this is possible."

- "Why ?"

- "Dopplers are a very rare species and they live in bogs… Mimic is a defensive move to escape predators. They are afraid of humans, they won't go into a city. This doesn't make sense."

- "Bogs, you said ?" Asked the gnome frowning suddenly.

- "The northern wild lands of Novigrad have been transformed into residential space, three years ago, if my memory is good." Said Jaskier. "Were there bogs there ?"

- "Absolutely." Confirmed Dainty.

- "Well, destroying their habitat doesn't make Dopplers less fearful of humans. They would have fled." Said Geralt.

- "But what other explanation do you have, sir witcher ?"

- "Hmmm…"

Jaskier leaned forward.

- "And how do we hunt a Doppler ?" He whispered.

- "This is very hard in a city, especially if it changed its defensive mechanism into something more elaborate. A Doppler could be anyone. They own the memory and the personality of the person they mimic. Normally they use people's memories to recreate perfect duplicates of loved ones, family or friends. Sometimes they become animals to try to scare their enemies. They used this in their natural habitat to play with the aggressors' feelings, fears etc so they could escape. But playing sell and buy at the market is not a natural behavior."

- "That thing is selling my precious horses and buying things I don't need and that have no value. If we can't stop him, I will be ruined soon."

The door of the tavern opened suddenly on a short man in a gray and white outfit. Dainty paled substantially. The rare clients present stopped their conversation as he moved in between tables. Geralt looked at him with the most neutral expression. The red veins on his cheeks revealed before his breath his love for bad wines.

- "Won't it be the famous White Wolf and his bard, Jaskier ? You have nice company, sir Bilberveldt."

- "Da." Replied Dainty, nervously.

- "A witcher in my city. What a strange vision. You are aware we don't need your services here. The Eternal Flame protects us all from monsters."

- "I am very aware of this extraordinary fact. But don't worry. My friend and I are just visiting. You know, even witchers take some time to visit cities. Yours is very interesting."

- "Of course. But why the swords then."

- "Old habit."

- "Huhu." The cold eyes of the man slid from him to Dainty. "You are already back I see. Interesting new acquisition you made a few minutes ago. All the cochineal powder of the market against your last horses."

- "Isn't it ?" The gnome was nervous and defeated but still smiling in front of the inquisitive man.

- "The seller had told me that you would be delivered in a few hours at the warehouse you bought last month. I am sorry I don't remember the location."

Dainty gave the address without a blink and that display of assurance was enough to ease Chapelle. He saluted them and went away. The whole room seemed to breathe again when he left.

- "I am forever ruined." Cried the gnome. I have to return to my ranch and prepare the transaction now.

- "Jaskier, go with him. I have an intuition there that your Doppler would be at the warehouse. The less we are, the easier it would be to catch him for me. I am sorry for your economic loss but I guess we can stop it from doing even more damage and try to understand what it was doing in the first place."

Jaskier and Dainty quitted the tavern together. His friend gently put a reassuring hand on the gnome's shoulder as they went.

Geralt quitted a few minutes later after having put some notes on his phone about this peculiar affair. This was something he wanted to discuss with his brothers and Vesemir.

###

Dainty's warehouse was not that far by foot. The northern part of Novigrad was quite industrial. He found it quite easily. To his surprise the front door was opened.

He entered and looked in the shadows. He needed to find the Doppler fast. At least before the real Dainty would come here to receive the unwanted products. There were many barrels and crates. He read what was written on it. There was very random stuff but some of them were very flammable products. Geralt suddenly feared a vengeful act from the Doppler. Maybe that was a massive bomb it was trying to make.

He heard a noise on his left on the most obscure part of the warehouse and then a giggle. Of course he would try to keep him away from the light but the creature probably didn't know how well he could see in the dark, even without the cat elixir.

- "Of course I know, witcher." The voice was deep and gritty.

Note : I tried to take the ideas of the books about magical inventions to push the commoners, to make my modern world a thing that kept the shape of the Continent as we know it.

Now, for the next part coming (probably next week), brace yourself. But I guess that you have already found what twisted turn it would take.