ambiticvs:
Harry was quite bored; they felt like they’d sketched everything in town and there wasn’t much that was new. They constantly walked around town hoping to find something new, something that could be their next art piece they could work on before they went crazy and too deep into their head.
This was their first time walking past the plant shop when a plant showing in the window caught their eye. It was beautiful – unique, something Harry definitely needed. They had a lot of ideas right when they saw it and they needed a closer look. Taking a step in the store they looked around.
“Hi um, I saw a plant in the window and I was wondering if I could get a closer look?”
⊱ ────── {⋆⌘⋆} ────── ⊰
The person who had walked in was unfamiliar. Then again, most people in this town fell into that category for Sam. That didn’t matter much to him; he loved getting to know people, and could make friends with anybody if he really set his mind to it. His demeanor was reflected in the vibrancy of the shop interior. Dozens of plant species were out on display across the various shelves.
“’Course you can!” he nodded, gesturing off to the right where a few more of the white flowering plants sat on a shelf. With a proud look on his face, he added, “There's a few more over there if you’re interested. Just put those out today. They’re a real favorite of mine.”
picturedspells:
Jenny was enjoying the outing to the school for the most part, but it also felt a little pointless. They weren’t going to learn anything new about the mysteries of the research center by accompanying them on an educational trip, except for how they twisted and trimmed (only their most innocent) research into easy, bitesize chunks for children to understand.
It was fun though, talking to the kids, encouraging their curious minds and telling them that they should get involved in science. With the first group of students finished, and the second group not for another hour, Jenny retreated to the break room for a breather. They had been looking through the tray of teas, almost about to select the green one, when they heard the curling haired woman telling them to choose the blue.
Jenny plucked it out of the tray and turned to give her a grin.
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” she said, dropping the tea bag into a mug and pouring hot water from the kettle over it. “I’m Jenny, with the research center. I’m guessing you’re faculty at this prestigious learning establishment?”
⊱ ──────────── {⋆⌘⋆} ──────────── ⊰
River waved a hand in a ‘don’t mention it’ fashion, and smiled at her. She was happy to save anyone (except the very annoying art teacher) the pain of that very nasty excuse for tea. The comment on the prestige of the school made her have to stifle a laugh.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but yes I am. River Song, and I teach year eight history and advanced history. Pleasure to meet you Jenny. Everyone seems to be buzzing about your little demonstration already… though, that could just be because the students get to escape class for half the day.” She paused, setting her pen down, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I just meant that it's to be expected from teenagers. I’m sure it's a lovely presentation.” She hadn’t had the time to watch the first presentation due to her large stack of papers.
shallowmagics:
“If he ever gets here, you’re teaching him how to behave around technology . You brought it up, you get to handle him,” Ciri gave a laugh, but it was cut off too short. Being without her parents wasn’t what bothered her. Them having to bury her was what sat heavily in Ciri’s chest, having already come far too close to that fate in the past. She squeezed around Yenn’s hand once, more as a comfort to herself than her mother. “Neither of you will let that happen.”
The bed and breakfast came into view, Ciri leading her mother inside and to the door of her room. She was reluctant to separate contact from Yennefer, but practicality won out as she dug in her gym bag for her key to unlock the door.
The room was plain, pretty in an unoffending, universal sort of way. Thick curtains, light colors, light wood furniture. Ciri dropped her gym bag onto the small bed as she stepped inside, fishing out a slightly larger one to begin placing her meager belongings inside. “You can come in, I won’t be long. I didn’t see the need for much.”
Basic toiletries, a few changes of clothes, everything she had appeared with. Zireael, thankfully, was included with the latter. Leaving Cintra had taught her at least one thing, to pack light. Safety in one place was never a given.
Squeezing the hand in her own, Yennefer shook her head. “No, no we will not. So long as I have my way, and you know I always do, nothings happening to you.” Briefly, the phantom figures of The Hunt crossed her mind, but she dispelled it as fast as it came. They were spheres away, and the pair of them were stuck here. Ciri would be fine.
As she followed Ciri on the way to her room, Yennefer surveyed the people in the bed and breakfast. She liked to see who was where, who they were meeting, and to surmise the why behind it. In short: she was nosy.
When they got up to Ciri’s room, she slipped in when she was directed to. It was much the same as the one she had stayed in upon her own arrival. “When we get back to my flat, we’ll match up our schedules, and find a day where we can go out to the shops to get you some new things.”
⌘ Follow Up Questionnaire of River Song⌘
Restate your name and living situation.
river| I’m River Song. I live in a flat on Lôn Ddysgu sort of near the schools, on my own.
How long have you been in Sallow Hills?
r | I’ve been here since February. Almost Five months now.
How well would you say you are handling your homesickness?
r | I’m not homesick at all, seeing as I don’t remember much of anything before arriving here.
Would you ever want to leave?
r | I don’t know. I probably will if and/or when I get my memories back.
How would you describe your satisfaction with the town itself?
r | Sallow Hills has been good to me. The people are nice, and I enjoy meeting everyone. Its a pretty place to live, if not a bit chilly.
Any other comments, questions, or other tidbits you would like to add?
r | Yes, yes, if anyone does know anything about me or where I come from, I would appreciate being filled in on that information as soon as possible.
picturedspells:
Catra had been in this godforsaken place for four days. It was all new and strange and awful, so so awful. Not that people acted awful. In fact, everyone xe had met so far had been way too nice. Infuriatingly nice, explaining to xem that this happened all the time, that people had a habit of appearing here out of nowhere, that it would all be fine, that xe would get used to it, make friends, and be happy. Xe’d been showed to an all too charming bed and breakfast, and a weird lady had tried to interview them.
Catra wasn’t interested in being happy or making friends or being interviewed by the strange woman with intrusive questions. All Catra was interested in was going home. But there was this barrier, keeping anyone from leaving. At least, that’s what they told xem. But Catra needed to see this barrier for xemself, needed to try, needed to beat xir fists against it.
So Catra went to the outskirts of town, to the barrier in the forest, against everybody’s advice. It was past sunset, and xe had been warned there were dangerous creatures lurking about and the barrier would make xem sick, but Catra could care less. Xe had to go.
Catra ventured through the trees, moonlight lighting xir way and shadows jumping out and startling them. Xe were starting to feel sick, which told xem that xe were close. And then suddenly, Catra couldn’t walk any further. Forest extended in front of xem, but they could go no further. Catra reached up xir hand and pushed. Pushed. Pushed. It was solid. Xe pushed harder, with xir entire body. Nothing. Tears and frustration welled up within xem, and soon xe were beating xir fists against it, kicking, screaming, willing to get through to no avail. Eventually xe collapsed against it, sobbing. The townspeople were right. There was no way through, and Catra’s sheer force of will and blunt force had no affect on the impenetrable barrier.
Xe sat like that for awhile, ignoring the sick feeling in xir stomach, staring off into the distance, watching the trees sway in the wind. And then Catra went completely still. Footsteps. Crinkling of leaves. Xe weren’t alone.
Midna had been watching.
That made her sound creepy. She wasn’t trying to be creepy, but it kind of came with the territory when you were at home in the shadows. In an attempt to familiarize herself with the new town she found herself in, Midna often went exploring. Her people, the Twili, lived in darkness, making Midna nearly nocturnal by an average person’s standards. Though she had been warned of the dangers the forest held, she went in alone anyway. Her thinking was if things got too hairy, she could simply teleport herself back to the safety of town.
She didn't know why she stayed when the stranger started having a meltdown at the barrier. Maybe it was the pure defeat of it all, or maybe it was the threat of danger from within the trees, but something about xir heartache held Midna there. Finally, she decided to slide out from the shadows, and touch her feet back to solid ground again. Midna approached quietly, but knew her footsteps on the debris of the forest floor would give her position away soon enough.
“I tried that too,” she said softly, voice breaking the silence of the forest as she came into view. Midna was quite out of place in the woods. Her hair was bright orange, and she was extraordinarily tall. “My second night here I tried to make a run for it. I tried everything, but… not even magic can get you through the barrier… I’m sorry.” When Midna reached xem, she sat down at xir side. “You miss somebody? Or Something? Is that it?”
wickedpotions:
ZSASZ DUG BEHIND THE REGISTER, PROCURING THE BAG OF GUMMY BEARS HE KEPT THERE. he tore one of the heads off, watching the woman look over the other weapons. Kai raised his head with interest, but didn’t move from his post by the register. Zsasz suspected that something he’d said had bothered the woman a bit, though he couldn’t pinpoint which bit it was. And really, he wouldn’t try unless she brought it up.
❝ WELL, WEIRD IS RELATIVE. for me, the supernatural is weird. Vampires, werewolves, witches - they aren’t really supposed to exist. I mean, I suppose there’s Zatanna and people like her who use some form of magic. But it’s different where I’m from. Other people might find the constant disappearances weird, but I’m from a city that’s run by villains. People disappear all the time. ❞
Had this been The Continent, Yennefer wouldn’t have stuck around long enough for the shopkeep to say more than two words to her. They were always so dreadfully dull, she was liable to fall asleep where she stood. But this was Earth, and Ciri had encouraged her to make friends, or at least be a little more friendly with people, so she would linger for the time being.
She was ‘weird’ to him, then. Suppressing a grin, she held her hand out a few inches from her body, palm up. A moment later, the next gummy-victim between his fingers appeared there. There were no theatrics to the display, save the faint smell of lilac and gooseberries in the air, which dissipated a few moments later (a side affect of being on Earth, and part of the reason she was slightly concerned with her chaos not obeying her).
Yennefer laughed as she popped it in her mouth, “All cities are run by villains. They’re called politicians.” She knew that well enough, having spent three decades serving a king’s court, and the subsequent four bouncing between all sorts of towns to do work for their leaders. “People disappear everywhere, it seems. Tell me, the way you speak-- the theatrics, the talk of the importance of multitasking, the owning a weapons shop-- I take it you’re one of those villains then?” She wasn't scared nor accusatory, merely intrigued.
Yennefer by the fire in chapter 5 of Clydethistles’ The Sea That Calls All Things Unto Her Calls Me.
Read it here.
shallowmagics:
At first, Ciri had been… hesitant about trusting others. In the span of a single night everyone she had ever loved was stolen from her. All that had been afforded to her was fear and the knowledge that some mysterious man would help her. Then she had Dara. Then came Geralt, Vesemir, Lambert, Yennefer. People she loved and in turn, loved her.
She shut her eyes as Yenn kissed her forehead, wanting to stay in the moment forever. Calanthe had loved her, of that Ciri had no doubts about, but not like Yenn. Calanthe was blood and fire, who gave hugs hard enough to bruise only when Ciri was truly in need. Yennefer was soft touches and let Ciri hold her close, didn’t comment when tears would eventually bead upon her lashes.
A quick nod, going to collect her gym bag from where it was forgotten on the ground. She didn’t want to stray too far from Yennefer, not when she had just gotten her mother back. “There’s a woman- Tano- she owns the-” Not an inn, what was the equivalent here? “-I don’t know what it’s called. It’s where they put people who don’t have anywhere else to go. I’ve been there about two weeks.”
She readjusted her bag. “If you have the room for it.”
It was an extraordinary relief, having Ciri back. It felt like fitting the final piece of a puzzle in place. Yennefer watched her as she went for her bag, taking in every little difference from the last time she had seen her. The mage had lived an extraordinarily long time, and had seen many beauties in her day, but nobody rivalled the radiance of her Ciri. Nobody ever could.
“If I have room for it? What a ridiculous thing to say. Did you leave your sense back on The Continent, cub?” Her words were light, teasing, in a way she hadn’t spoken for a long time. She held out her hand for Ciri to take, “Come, lets get your things from the not-an-inn, then you can settle in with me. I happen to have an empty guest bedroom which I think will work perfectly.”
There was very little Yennefer wouldn’t do for Ciri. As any mother, she had made her fair share of mistakes in the past, but she worked to ensure she wouldn’t slip up with her ever again. “You’ve been well, I hope?”
wickedpotions:
YENNEFER WAS IMPRESSIVE IN MANY WAYS . if not for oswald , and for the piss-poor bloke that somehow had wandered into yenn’s heart , zsasz wondered if there would’ve been more than admiration in his feelings . But after Oswald - well no one would ever capture the feelings that Oswald brought out of him . But this was quite like being back in Gotham with Liz or Candy or any of the other Zsaszettes . She would’ve fit right in with them , especially the way she could knock back a shot .
He leaned in , listening intently to her vent . It really was a shitty situation , and one where he did not like the other party in the slightest . ❝ I do agree having it out in a public chat is not the smartest move . And I wouldn’t worry about Ciri . I’ve heard the owner of the B&B is quite good at her job , and takes it seriously . She’s safe here . ❞ He took a long drag of his daiquiri . ❝ The sex is a differnet matter , but I certainly know other ways you can get your rocks off if that’s what you need . There’s plenty of available parties in town . ❞
Yennefer gave a little shrug, mouth in a taut line before taking a sip of her drink. There was no changing the past, and she had to accept what had happened. Undoubtedly, she was more than peeved at what Geralt had done, but she had grown tired of scratching that wound.
“I know Ciri is more than alright on her own. She has always been keen to show that much, and I can't deny after everything she’s been through that she's incapable, but no matter how nice they are at the B&B, she’s not where she belongs. That girl’s stubbornness is killer. My only real job in this place is to make sure she’s alright– something I can do much better when she’s around. She doesn’t understand what it's like to be an adult yet, and… oh it's not worth working myself up over again. I think you know what I mean, though.” After taking a good drink from the little black straw in her glass, she narrowed her eyes at him. “You mean to tell me the entire time I’ve been here there's been orgies going on? I’m only just hearing about this now?”
Yennefer pulled a look that gave the impression of a sad puppy. That would have been good to know when she was brimming with boredom and frustration a few months ago.
wickedpotions:
✧・゚
ZSASZ CHUCKLED A BIT AT HER POLITENESS. it was obviously, now, that she’d been around politicians (or perhaps royals in her world ?) before. He was surprised he hadn’t picked up on it before. ❝ Just Zsasz is fine. Some people from home call me Mr. Zsasz, though that’s more for formality. ❞
HER CLOTHES WERE NICE, IF A BIT DIFFERENT. though zsasz couldn’t comment on that front when he was in nearly entirely leather and had around six weapons stored on his body at the moment (which was on the low end). Of course, most of those weapons were concealed aside from the one hand gun he had in his shoulder strap.
❝ I CERTAINLY LEAN TOWARDS THE DARKER SIDE FOR MOST THINGS. but it is never that simple, i’m sure you understand. We all have our loyalties, and the things we care about. For example - I am a vegetarian, because I dislike how animals are often treated in the meat industry on this planet. ❞ But killing people was fine. It was strange, but it was who he was. ❝ And of course I have my rules. I think we all do, at the end of the day. ❞ No kids. No one who was connected to Oswald or Falcone unless that person ordered it. Nothing that will start a war you aren’t ready for. And of course, there were the hits Zsasz would do for free - when it came to the people who were somehow worse than himself.
“Zsasz it is, then,” the mage smiled a cat-like grin. It lit up her face in a pretty way. Yennefer was an exceedingly pretty woman.
Loyalty was the name of her game as well. It had been ever since she had left Aretuza. First it had been to her only friends— Sabrina, Triss, Istredd. Then, after a long while, her mentor Tissaia joined the list. Now, the list was emphatically belonging to Ciri and Geralt and Jaskier (even if she would never tell the bard out loud). Her duty was first and foremost to keep them safe, no matter the jobs she signed on to do.
“Interesting— I like that. We all have our stances in life, and I can respect yours greatly. Even when I don’t agree with someone’s moronic stance on morality, I can respect holding to your morals,” Yennefer said as she leaned against the counter, shifting the weight on her boots. “Indeed. Having rules is important. You lose yourself if you don’t have them, in my experience.” She had lost herself a few times when she had broken her own rules, and she had never wanted to experience that again. Especially around her Chaos. When you break your rules, you risk everything being taken away from you.
wickedpotions:
REMUS COULD ONLY THINK THAT THIS MAN WAS FAR TOO NICE. it made his heart ache just a little, and he hoped not too many people were taking advantage of him for it. It warmed his rather cold heart, though, that he was so kind. ❝ Really, though, I can’t thank you enough for offering to help. ❞ With so much in Sallow Hills going wrong or weird, it was a comfort to know someone was willing to help a stranger.
HE HANDED THE THIRTY SIX OVER AND LOOKED OVER THE PLANTS. he’d have to use magic to get them back to his place, if he wanted to ensure he didn’t drop them. It was still weird doing it in public, in Sallow Hills. ❝ So how’d you get into plants? Were they always your thing or did you fall into it later in life. Not that you look old! ❞
Adjusting to life in town had been difficult, especially at first. There were so many new, odd, things to wade through: strange people, different social formalities, electricity. For a while, it left Samwise positively reeling. Despite all of it, he never faltered from his usual ways.
“Don’t mention it, friend, really.” His next comment made Sam laugh a bit. That was another difference; people rarely knew what to make of him here. “Well, I am older by most’s standards-- older than I look anyway. Don’t age the same way as human folk do. Fifty four, I am.” The man didn’t look more than his early thirties, but that's how things were when you were a hobbit. “My Old Gaffer- that is to say- my dad got me into it. He was a gardener, as was his before that, for a man up the road. Taught me all he knew, you see, and Hobbits tend to have a proclivity for growing things in general.”
"I think you know how to love better than any of us. That’s why you find it all so painful.”꧁Sallow Hills mumu꧂Cecil Palmer & Sasha James & Sam Winchester
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