(she knows she can't dwell too long, it would be wrong to keep a hell lord waiting but she wants to hold on a little longer, before she has to pull her head up and be strong.)
(she says it softly as she buries her head into his chest. none of this is fair, and she hates all of it, but there's little they can do right now but find solace in one another.)
[She echoes his own thoughts, and the words go straight to his heart, stirring a pain that's somehow familiar despite the fact he's never had cause to feel it before.
He has no answer for her. He can only hold her, stroking her dark hair smooth.]
(there is a familiar aching in her own chest that she can't really place. there's no reason for it to be familiar. he's always been with her before this. his fingers are soothing as they run through her long hair and she lets her eyes flutter shut, selfishly lingering in the safety of his touch.)
I have to believe we'll find our way back to one another. (believing anything else feels too bleak to consider.)
That we will do this again even if we don't know when.
(she lingers there in his arms for a while longer before reluctantly pulling away. it already stings to be apart from him, something she knows will only get worse over time. which is why she selfishly asks:)
(she might even welcome it. any closeness they can steal before she has to go. she whispers a spell under her breath, magicking up a bag but she doesn't really move after that. what do you even pack to go live with a demon lord? it's not like anything is going to make this better.)
[After a moment of watching Yennefer stand, still not packing, he approaches their dresser, picking up a family picture and holds it out to her as a suggestion.]
(she won't love him, even if mammon is kind to her, and maybe he will be, she can't imagine loving him the way she does the husband she has now. her family.)
So it'll be good to have a reminder. Hand me my perfume?
(so she can at least still smell like herself while she's gone. lilac and gooseberries.)
[He'll miss the scent, and it occurs to Geralt to ask her to leave it, or to pour some on a handkerchief or a pillow, something he would be able to keep.
The fact it's not the same without her skin and her hair and her sweat glowing through the fragrance stops the request before he can make it, though, and he hands her the bottle.]
(she knows how much her scent means to him, and she almost feels cruel for taking it away, but she needs something that isn't a gift from mammon, something to remind her of who she is.)
Everything? I suppose that's selfish. I want to remember that I was happy. That I was important, and not just a prize to be won.
I want to keep my husband and my family. I want to have a choice.
(and while this version of yennefer is willing to play along for the sake of said family, when the spell breaks that'll change. the desire to have a choice only that much stronger.)
Maybe there's a spell I could put on my wedding ring to hide it on a necklace or something, so I can remember when I did have one, and what I did choose. Who I chose.
(she would not be so selfish to endanger the people she cares about for her own freedom. at least not this yennefer. when she gets her memories back....)
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(there's a weak smile at that, but a smile all the same.)
Then I've done them well.
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[And he loves her for it.]
I shouldn't keep you. You have things to pack...
[He still struggles to let her go, not knowing the when he'll be able to hold her again.]
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Just...a little bit longer?
(she knows she can't dwell too long, it would be wrong to keep a hell lord waiting but she wants to hold on a little longer, before she has to pull her head up and be strong.)
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[He whispers, quietly relieved. It feels unfair, letting her shoulder so much of this responsibility, but he doesn't want to let go yet either.]
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I don't know when we'll get to do this again.
(she says it softly as she buries her head into his chest. none of this is fair, and she hates all of it, but there's little they can do right now but find solace in one another.)
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He has no answer for her. He can only hold her, stroking her dark hair smooth.]
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(there is a familiar aching in her own chest that she can't really place. there's no reason for it to be familiar. he's always been with her before this. his fingers are soothing as they run through her long hair and she lets her eyes flutter shut, selfishly lingering in the safety of his touch.)
I have to believe we'll find our way back to one another. (believing anything else feels too bleak to consider.)
That we will do this again even if we don't know when.
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[Because it will, and at least here and now, he has no question that he'll want her.
He'll always want Yennefer.]
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(she lifts her head to offer him a soft, albeit bittersweet sort of smile.)
I am always going to want you, Geralt. Nothing is going to change that.
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Committing it all to memory.]
Then we'll pull through in time.
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(she lingers there in his arms for a while longer before reluctantly pulling away. it already stings to be apart from him, something she knows will only get worse over time. which is why she selfishly asks:)
Stay with me while I pack?
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[He lets his arms fall to the side, briefly, before crossing them over his broad chest.]
I'll resist the urge to get underfoot.
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I wouldn't blame you if you did.
(she might even welcome it. any closeness they can steal before she has to go. she whispers a spell under her breath, magicking up a bag but she doesn't really move after that. what do you even pack to go live with a demon lord? it's not like anything is going to make this better.)
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(her expression softens as she takes the picture from him, something both affectionate and sad playing across her features.)
A perfect start. So you will always be with me. (and when she says you she doesn't just mean him, but their daughters too.)
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[Which leaves the things that are really special.]
All the luxuries.
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But not the things that are most important.
(she won't love him, even if mammon is kind to her, and maybe he will be, she can't imagine loving him the way she does the husband she has now. her family.)
So it'll be good to have a reminder. Hand me my perfume?
(so she can at least still smell like herself while she's gone. lilac and gooseberries.)
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The fact it's not the same without her skin and her hair and her sweat glowing through the fragrance stops the request before he can make it, though, and he hands her the bottle.]
What else do you want to remember?
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(she knows how much her scent means to him, and she almost feels cruel for taking it away, but she needs something that isn't a gift from mammon, something to remind her of who she is.)
Everything? I suppose that's selfish. I want to remember that I was happy. That I was important, and not just a prize to be won.
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[No trace of irony makes it through the Hellburbia spell. Later, Geralt will remember those words.]
You've always been important.
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I want to keep my husband and my family. I want to have a choice.
(and while this version of yennefer is willing to play along for the sake of said family, when the spell breaks that'll change. the desire to have a choice only that much stronger.)
Maybe there's a spell I could put on my wedding ring to hide it on a necklace or something, so I can remember when I did have one, and what I did choose. Who I chose.
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[As much as he might wish otherwise.
Who are they to stand up to a lord of hell?]
Keeping us. Not the spell. I've never doubted your magic.
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No, it would seem not.
(she would not be so selfish to endanger the people she cares about for her own freedom. at least not this yennefer. when she gets her memories back....)
No, you've never doubted anything about me.
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[He teases gently with that. Normally, he'd be more playful. Now it's more subdued.]
Do you want me at the wedding?
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(she should say no, spare him the pain, but she knows him, and even if she said no, he would probably come anyways.)
Yes. I know that won't be easy on you...but it'll help, seeing your face in the crowd.
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wrap?