TO: EVERYONE AT AROUND 12:15 AM

[magicalarchaeologist]

There is a military coup happening in Thorne. Admiral Sidwell has made a play for the crown that seems to be succeeding. The Summoned are currently being evacuated into safe rooms along with natives.

I thought this information best to be shared with all Summoned.

[He doesn't plan on bringing up how the doors are warded shut. That's for other people to say. This is all about information sharing, Istredd has other things to worry about.]

Comments

[cointosser]

Oh, that seems... ooooh. Not grand. But, you know, "succeeding," just wondering, do you know if the queen's dead? Just curious.

And you're all right, aren't you? I assume, you know, considering.

[A man can dream, and Jaskier has exactly one (1) grudge.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

I don't know for certain yet, we were told to stay here as the fight continued, but I can't imagine this will end any other way than her death. Sidwell is thorough and he now has the throne, he won't let her live. His son has the royal bloodline.

I'm better than you, I imagine. Have you made it to the safe area, Jaskier?

[cointosser]

Well... suppose it's a silver lining. She's had it coming for some time.

Though I've no illusion anyone who commits a coup will do much better, especially in Thorne.

Oh, don't worry about me, lovely Istredd. I've helped repair the damn thing they're herding us into. I imagine I'll be quite a bit more comfortable than most.

Err... except for the giant, red cloud of, I assume, very bad stuff. It hasn't reached us yet, but it's certainly hit the outside walls by the looks of it.

This can't be your first coup, right? You'll be all right?

[He would just like someone to be all right, really.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

We have no idea yet who he will be as a leader, but given his first act was to murder his niece and then possibly attack the Free Cities, we may have an inkling.

I will worry regardless, apologies. I would assume the worst of whatever he may have in store.

No, I experienced Thanedd, and those were obviously people very close to me. We don't know how thorough the damage is, we were moved away from the fighting quickly.

[cointosser]

Easily put as "it isn't looking good, Jaskier."

All right, I'll allow a little worry. I love being worried after.

For fuck's -- everyone really did go to that fucking party but me. Not that -- I'm not envious, considering -- what I mean is, I understand that this doesn't make it better --

I will keep in touch, but please provide the same. I worry for you. And her. (Don't tell her I said that.)

[magicalarchaeologist]

It isn't looking good, Jaskier.

A little worry it shall be.

I know what you meant, it's fine.

[ Not fine in that his mage family is dead, fine in that he knows Jaskier wasn't meaning anything rude by it. ]

I recommend you reach out to her if you haven't already.

private

[cointosser]

I had a feeling you'd say that.

Geralt's gotten in touch with her, which I suspect is all she wants right not, but... you're right. I shall.

[At least the idea of it means she's safe enough, or he's sure Istredd would have mentioned it. It's only --

Wait a moment.]

If she's gone, aren't you worth her?

Private forever

[magicalarchaeologist]

One of us had to stay, she was in more danger. She wouldn't have left otherwise, we have people to protect here, and I have my own reasons to take the risk.

[ He's utterly miserable about it, since he's gotten used to being with Yennefer as an every day couple for a long time now. But he is certain of his choice. ]

[cointosser]

Not to correct you, but, er, did one of you have to? I'm fairly sure none of you needed to stay, actually. But --

[Oh, there's no point in arguing. Mages do whatever they wish to.]

Nevermind. It's your risk to take. I only hope it was a calculated one, but I fully trust you, Istredd. You have my well wishes.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Yennefer was already resistant because she feels responsible for everyone here, as do I. And Yennefer stayed in Thorne when she could have left in the past in part to keep an eye on Ciri's interests there, which I agreed to take over if she would go.

It was a calculated risk. I'm mostly known as a scholar and teacher here, I don't have the authority she did as the queen's favorite Summoned. All I can hope is that Sidwell doesn't plan on symbolically using one of us as a lesson.

But I am not in immediate danger as you currently are, so do be careful.

[cointosser]

[Forgive him if he's still accepting the idea of Yennefer "feeling responsible for everyone." Whomst? Are they still speaking about the same Yennefer?]

I can only hope. You would have more natural protection than Yennefer, I assume.

I shall. But I have plenty of confidence in Alucard's efforts to keep us safe.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Natural protection how?

I trust you, I just worry.

[cointosser]

By not schmoozing with genocidal queens. Unless you've been schmoozing and I have been left out of all talks of schmoozing.

I know. It's oddly refreshing.

[magicalarchaeologist]

No, I've never spoken to her or the King. I am on friendly terms with Ambrose which I assume is why I was in any trouble, but it's probably to a much lesser degree than if I was close to the royalty. I think Sidwell will find quickly I am but a common scholar.

Do people not worry about you regularly? Not to say you can't take care of yourself, you are very smart, but any risk against you is not acceptable.

[cointosser]

Now that's a name I haven't heard in far too long. Oh no, is the High Mage being ousted as well? That must be terribly sad for him. I'll remember to sing him a pitiful little song down the line in his honour.

Not the worrying itself. You're quite frank with your emotions. You know my usual company, considering it's nearly the same as yours. Sometimes pulling talk of the heart out of them is like pulling teeth from the gums with only string.

[Said absolutely fondly.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

Your spite is familiar and shared.

With Yennefer, she only speaks of it when it is forced out of her, with great displeasure. I still don't think I've managed with Geralt. I suppose I've graduated from "I TEND TO FORGET ABOUT THE MAGE WHEN HE'S OUT OF SIGHT" to "I OCCASIONALLY ACKNOWLEDGE HE EXISTS."

I am very frank with my feelings, yes, it has been listed as one of my faults.

[Istredd has not forgotten this insult and still is petty about it almost a year later, don't mind him.]

[cointosser]

I hope he dies. If that wasn't clear.

[He's glad this coup is not so dire (in Istredd's case) that they can have a frank, ridiculous conversation. Perhaps it's ample distraction for them both. Jaskier is quite a talker, especially when stressed.]

Yennefer tends to follow it up with threats, which, knowing her well, are more like promises than mere threats.

Geralt is simple. Geralt doesn't threaten you, because he either doesn't bother or he leaves. Or he kills you, I suppose. And being the last person to defend Geralt's brutish way of speaking, I'll let you in on a secret:

He's already made it clear he likes you. But I suppose that only matters if you care what he thinks of you. Which is kind of funny, especially now, considering what is happening.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Ambrose is an arrogant and ignorant ass who probably should have been swallowed by the Singularity whole for his sheer audacity. I'm glad we are of the same mind.

It would be pointless to pretend that I don't care about any of your opinions. They are valued. You're important to me, as are Geralt, Yennefer, and Cirilla.

The latter of whom seems to finally be tolerating me which is a gift.

[cointosser]

Oh, absolutely of the same mind.

I know, Istredd, I know. I'm only teasing. Not about Geralt liking you, though. I know he does, or he wouldn't bother. You may be stuck in Thorne -- willingly or no -- but I consider you a part of our ragtag little... group.

Ciri will be like that. I can't say I had much luck with her in the beginning, either.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I am glad. I admit I felt very much like an outsider when we first met, despite us all being from the same sphere, and me already having connections to, well, everyone but you. I am annoyed neither of them saw fit to tell me about you, we could have become friends sooner. We're much nicer than either of them.

Ciri has issues with mages that are completely understandable, we are on the whole a terrible group, and I did not make a good first impression. I swore to Yennefer I would look out for her like she was my own child, but I am glad she no longer despises me for it.

[cointosser]

Eh. I'm used to it, I suppose.

We're much nicer.

Oh, yes, I've heard some tidings about this first impression. I think all that matters is you hold it not against her. I imagine you understand she has been under a lot of stress for a very long time. There is no secret to gaining space in another's heart, except that you must remain sincere.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Oh I'm not surprised, just annoyed. It's not unusual for Yennefer to put walls between parts of her life. I think she also was trying to avoid me talking about our youth together. Before she became the person you all know her as. She puts a lot into that image.

I don't hold it against her at all, although it got tiring. I didn't want to keep annoying her with my existence. I'm glad we got past it. She's an admirable young woman. I do regret seeing her more as a symbol than a person in the start.

[cointosser]

[Jaskier pauses for a moment before he answers, a particular memory coming to mind.] I saw a glimpse of it, once. A memory IO am sure she wishes I did not have. I may understand what you mean more than you should think.

Well, that's probably why she hated you, love. Seems you've learned the lesson you needed to learn.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Yes, she would hate that. It's difficult for her to be vulnerable, but she's opened up a great deal, thanks to your family. There was a time I might have been jealous about not being the cause, but now I'm only happy for her.

I know, trust me I know. I then almost died for her in the Pit, and that only seemed to make her angrier. I am glad that hallucination, or whatever we want to call it, brought a few good things that seem to linger. Including her seeing me for the fool I can be, rather than a dangerous one.

[cointosser]

[If only he could send a laugh through writing.]

No wonder she kept us apart; you're as much a blabbermouth as I am. Together, we'll be ruthless about Yennefer's tightly-guarded secrets.

Oh, I got the other end of it from Geralt, as if I enjoyed putting myself in danger.

But... you know, I'm glad for it. I wish Ciri to have more who care for her, even if she does not fully see it. It's what she deserves. And, I dare say, what you may need as well, after Thanedd.