[ what do you mean there's a LIST ]
Well, when you put it that way. What past ones should I know about first?
Well, when you put it that way. What past ones should I know about first?
[It takes him a moment to reply. Jack adores artists, but he never thought of himself as one. At least, not outside joking comments referring to his winter work. It's a funny feeling, but not unwelcome.]
i never thought about myself as one, i guess
but i'm glad you liked it
oh did i forget the note?
it's a thank you
for helping me with the nightmares
the black horse thingies
i never thought about myself as one, i guess
but i'm glad you liked it
oh did i forget the note?
it's a thank you
for helping me with the nightmares
the black horse thingies
[ Ciri's eyes widen slightly when she glances back over at Hilda. ]
...the sword?
[ Of course she remembers. The fact Geralt had asked Hilda for it is a squeeze of affection in her chest, a strange sort of nostalgia for something that never happened. Something that could have been. A reality that can change, that can be shaped to be what they want.
Is that why Geralt asked? ]
I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job, Hilda.
...the sword?
[ Of course she remembers. The fact Geralt had asked Hilda for it is a squeeze of affection in her chest, a strange sort of nostalgia for something that never happened. Something that could have been. A reality that can change, that can be shaped to be what they want.
Is that why Geralt asked? ]
I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job, Hilda.
You really are far too kind, thank you. ( His eyes follow the cats, though he does seem to smile at them, as well as the little dragon creature she fishes out of his arms. ) We never had a pet when I was a child, and then once I graduated I was far too busy to ever entertain having one. I suppose I could try and get one now, but--
( Alhaitham would have something to say about it if he brought one back in Sumeru. And here -- well, he's too new and Dan Heng hasn't given him a kitten yet. )
But yes-- tea, please. I've been meaning to see if I can get coffee beans somewhere here, actually.
( Alhaitham would have something to say about it if he brought one back in Sumeru. And here -- well, he's too new and Dan Heng hasn't given him a kitten yet. )
But yes-- tea, please. I've been meaning to see if I can get coffee beans somewhere here, actually.
Wait, I was going to read those!
[ He was even if he doesn't know what books they were! That's besides the point!! ]
I suppose I can't argue with where they're going, but that's only one thing. What else is on there?
[ Has he temporarily forgotten he was the one that started this conversation with something specific in mind? Possibly. ]
[ He was even if he doesn't know what books they were! That's besides the point!! ]
I suppose I can't argue with where they're going, but that's only one thing. What else is on there?
[ Has he temporarily forgotten he was the one that started this conversation with something specific in mind? Possibly. ]
And it's 100% true for all of them just like everything else I say!
But hold on, that is a second betrayal since I didn't even get to see the results of how it did or didn't go. I was hoping that intricate pattern you wanted to try might've lasted through the nap since it seemed like it'd be good enough to stay.
But hold on, that is a second betrayal since I didn't even get to see the results of how it did or didn't go. I was hoping that intricate pattern you wanted to try might've lasted through the nap since it seemed like it'd be good enough to stay.
[ At the mention of it depending Claude's already eying her, if only because it's a (welcome) sign the games they usually play are going to continue even as Hilda moves beneath him and that flutter of her eyes is enough for him to memorize like he could immortalize it into a portrait. At least until that train of thought is disrupted several times over as her hand moves to grasp him at last. A noise somewhere between relief, considering he's long past achingly hard, and frustration, not from the motions of her hand he's rocked his hips into to match her pace but for the question, escapes him. ]
An impossible choice and you know it.
[ His favorite kind, really, considering there's no wrong answer. Also a taste of his own medicine at the same time what with how he'd turned that 'logic' on Hilda not long ago, and Claude pretends to consider it - as much as a man seriously distracted can, anyway. Whatever sounds he was planning on keeping tucked behind his teeth end up as anything in those few seconds of supposed thought. Two can continue to play this much beloved game between the both of them as even though it takes another moment to remember, to focus.
Whatever lazy motions his own hand was making against her become anything but as Claude matches her and moves to tease her clit again, this time with a hum which doesn't hide how much he's affected. ]
I'd rather fuck you unless you're suddenly feeling patient.
An impossible choice and you know it.
[ His favorite kind, really, considering there's no wrong answer. Also a taste of his own medicine at the same time what with how he'd turned that 'logic' on Hilda not long ago, and Claude pretends to consider it - as much as a man seriously distracted can, anyway. Whatever sounds he was planning on keeping tucked behind his teeth end up as anything in those few seconds of supposed thought. Two can continue to play this much beloved game between the both of them as even though it takes another moment to remember, to focus.
Whatever lazy motions his own hand was making against her become anything but as Claude matches her and moves to tease her clit again, this time with a hum which doesn't hide how much he's affected. ]
I'd rather fuck you unless you're suddenly feeling patient.
Every day I regret that it wasn't one of us who learned the sleep spell.
[ He's kidding about the regret part, but really: imagine what they could get up to with it. ]
Don't let my lamenting stop you if you've got more to reveal.
[ He's kidding about the regret part, but really: imagine what they could get up to with it. ]
Don't let my lamenting stop you if you've got more to reveal.
I think I remember him saying that a time or two. Surely he would've known what the two of us could do with a phrase like that.
[ Also, wait a minute. That's his own logic being used against him here. In that case - ]
When was I going to find out about Viktor and Kyle?
[ Also, wait a minute. That's his own logic being used against him here. In that case - ]
When was I going to find out about Viktor and Kyle?
[ It's not quite a laugh that escapes him as Hilda proclaims a truth - one not even he can refute given how many times over it's been proven to be nothing but an ironclad fact by now. Along with that is coming to learn each other so well from years of days spent together and then nights just like this one. While Abraxas itself might be a newer setting still than those at the Academy, in Derdriu, and scattered throughout Fodlan in between, all of it is still a constant.
As is that question she asks which has him cracking a brief grin. ]
My love and devotion isn't enough?
[ A completely unserious answer despite the words and one he's still choosing to counter with when he knows that's not what she's seeking. Any other time Claude might've been able to sound properly defeated by that even if it'd be as equally to make Hilda laugh as it is now. One particular touch of her hand derails that attempt before it even truly begins when speaking of memorizing each other, there's proof of it. The same which can be said for that noise she makes and the movement against the pillows which has his attention entirely focused on her. Another lazy sweep of his fingers then meant for the exact same reaction followed by another to play upon that same reaction with no mistake in what he's doing. ]
Could always make you come again first, if that's what you're asking for.
As is that question she asks which has him cracking a brief grin. ]
My love and devotion isn't enough?
[ A completely unserious answer despite the words and one he's still choosing to counter with when he knows that's not what she's seeking. Any other time Claude might've been able to sound properly defeated by that even if it'd be as equally to make Hilda laugh as it is now. One particular touch of her hand derails that attempt before it even truly begins when speaking of memorizing each other, there's proof of it. The same which can be said for that noise she makes and the movement against the pillows which has his attention entirely focused on her. Another lazy sweep of his fingers then meant for the exact same reaction followed by another to play upon that same reaction with no mistake in what he's doing. ]
Could always make you come again first, if that's what you're asking for.
[A box has been left on Hilda's bed in her accommodations, wrapped with simple twine and no note.
Within are:
- a hair pin with intricate chain. The circular portion of the pin itself is delicately detailed to show a the branches of a tree, with the portion that holds the pin in place represented by a delicate leaf. Glowing opals (perhaps taken from the nearby flats) trail down from the leaf and into the chain itself, creating an all-too-eye catching piece. The largest of the opals looks more like a dragon's eye, and careful inspection of the work will confirm that the eye piece is enchanted with a spell of protection.
- A pair of long gloves meant for fancy dress rather than the cold, the pattern quite striking and stitched together with pink that could be mistaken for a few strands of Hilda's hair. Gold embroidery runs up the length of the gloves in abstract shapes.
- A rolled of piece of paper. Unrolling it will reveal the design for a new interior of a workshop, one that seems capable of blacksmithing and sewing Moreover and more importantly is the design for a sign to be affixed to an exterior door. The font is close to Hilda's handwriting, and it simply reads Valentine Designs: Fine Metals and Dress. A note attached to the rolled piece of paper reads Just a thought. But perhaps a worthwhile collaboration.
There's zero questions whose handwriting it is at this point.]
Within are:
- a hair pin with intricate chain. The circular portion of the pin itself is delicately detailed to show a the branches of a tree, with the portion that holds the pin in place represented by a delicate leaf. Glowing opals (perhaps taken from the nearby flats) trail down from the leaf and into the chain itself, creating an all-too-eye catching piece. The largest of the opals looks more like a dragon's eye, and careful inspection of the work will confirm that the eye piece is enchanted with a spell of protection.
- A pair of long gloves meant for fancy dress rather than the cold, the pattern quite striking and stitched together with pink that could be mistaken for a few strands of Hilda's hair. Gold embroidery runs up the length of the gloves in abstract shapes.
- A rolled of piece of paper. Unrolling it will reveal the design for a new interior of a workshop, one that seems capable of blacksmithing and sewing Moreover and more importantly is the design for a sign to be affixed to an exterior door. The font is close to Hilda's handwriting, and it simply reads Valentine Designs: Fine Metals and Dress. A note attached to the rolled piece of paper reads Just a thought. But perhaps a worthwhile collaboration.
There's zero questions whose handwriting it is at this point.]
[ That's entirely fair - and exactly what Claude guessed Hilda would say. Maybe she might find it surprising about herself, but he doesn't. Not after the myriad of secrets she'd kept (and has kept) for him, and a fond smile curves its way over his face as he considers her response. ]
A year or so is the exact timeline I was thinking of, mostly because I operate on the same one. [ Self-awareness! But for something he means just as much, and far more seriously - ] And I remember after Jayce disappeared all too well on top of that. I think it will be a good thing for both of them. I said as much to Viktor, too.
A year or so is the exact timeline I was thinking of, mostly because I operate on the same one. [ Self-awareness! But for something he means just as much, and far more seriously - ] And I remember after Jayce disappeared all too well on top of that. I think it will be a good thing for both of them. I said as much to Viktor, too.
Was... he supposed to? Is that a metaphor for something else?
[ ?? ]
[ ?? ]
Hey, who knows what the Singularity could do next! It wouldn't be all that surprising if someone got that ability.
[ Minus the actually exploding part, but. ]
Viktor was browsing a stall near me and was clearly thinking about purchasing something. I offered my opinion on it and eventually he said it was for Kyle. All the more reason to be glad we've got some extended time in Nocwich for once since it'll be good for them.
[ Minus the actually exploding part, but. ]
Viktor was browsing a stall near me and was clearly thinking about purchasing something. I offered my opinion on it and eventually he said it was for Kyle. All the more reason to be glad we've got some extended time in Nocwich for once since it'll be good for them.
Is there a spell for it? We could add it to the list.
[ Right after the sleep spell, of course. ]
And that... sounds pretty fitting, actually. Viktor was buying something to make a knife for Kyle - also very fitting. [ And he means that genuinely! Though it does also get him to pause and think for a moment. ] This is probably how our friends sound when we're buying some assortment of random things for each other or for Sylvain, isn't it.
[ Right after the sleep spell, of course. ]
And that... sounds pretty fitting, actually. Viktor was buying something to make a knife for Kyle - also very fitting. [ And he means that genuinely! Though it does also get him to pause and think for a moment. ] This is probably how our friends sound when we're buying some assortment of random things for each other or for Sylvain, isn't it.
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