White Wolf

"You don't need mutations to strip men of their humanity. I've seen plenty of examples."

[walidduvar-deactivated20240930]

The Witcher

[bloodandwhite]

-----

That look on Regis' face, that silly smile, it suited him. It was so terribly charming and sweet. Rough, wonky and adorable.

"Hm," he mused, tilting his head as he eyes the smile. "I've always been aware of the fact, actually. You don't exactly hide away from it. I like it."

Turning his gaze forward once more, watching the sweeping planes of wind rippled grass and flowers that lay ahead of them he shrugged.

"I suppose eventually I will pick up some pointers. I may own the place, but BB is in charge."

[afriendtoravens]

"There are far more important things to hide away from this world. My nature is one of them, of course. I'm not human. I can pretend to be human, yes, but I couldn't possibly hide that. I am what I am, often waxing poetic and all."

They fell silent sometime after that.

After a week or so worth of travel, mostly spent on the road and sleeping rough in forested areas, they found themselves at the outskirts of Toussaint. Regis could feel himself relaxing.

"Almos there," he said, huffing amusedly. "Homeward bound."

[bloodandwhite]

----

A low rumbling hum escaped Geralt at Regis' assessment and he pulled Roach to a halt at the top of the small ridge they'd just crested. Below them a meadow filled with grass and wildflowers spread out, stretching into the distance, off to the left a little stream wound its way through the landscape and a few farm buildings just began to interrupt the flowing, vibrant colours.

He took a moment to breathe it all in before he gently urged Roach into another slow walk down the road, creeping around the rolling hills.

"Home sweet home," he agreed, the tension slowly beginning to bleed away from him too. He'd never been more relaxed than at the vineyard. Even Kaer Morhen had required a certain level of alertness and tension.

They'd just set foot on the road up to the vineyard, the rows of grapes and vines stretching out either side of them when he exhaled a slow, steady breath. They were back.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Let's not get ahead of yourselves, you haven't tried the wine yet." He arched a brow and smirked. "Besides, it's BB that does most of that. I just do the heavy lifting."

The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he turned his head to look at Regis properly, considering him for several long moments before he responded.

"You're a romantic." He accused softly, playfully.

"But I know what you mean."

Some people just had A Place in your life and it just wasn't the same without them.

[afriendtoravens]

The vampire laughed, head tilted towards the sky as he admired the clouds above them. He glanced towards the witcher after, a tiny grin still tugging at his lips. One fang showed.

"You're a fool if you think I've ever been anything but a romantic, Geralt. Now, now... You know better than that."

He mulled everything over for a moment, eventually continuing to speak as they rode along.

"Give yourself some time," he added, "and you'll know more about wine than anyone else on the vineyard, save for Barnabas-Basil. He's a bright man, and you'll learn quite a bit from him, I'm sure."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

That look on Regis' face, that silly smile, it suited him. It was so terribly charming and sweet. Rough, wonky and adorable.

"Hm," he mused, tilting his head as he eyes the smile. "I've always been aware of the fact, actually. You don't exactly hide away from it. I like it."

Turning his gaze forward once more, watching the sweeping planes of wind rippled grass and flowers that lay ahead of them he shrugged.

"I suppose eventually I will pick up some pointers. I may own the place, but BB is in charge."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt hummed, a low, rumbling sound at Regis' assessment.

"Everything about human life is slow to you," he responded. "Sometimes slow is good, though. It lets you see things, experience and enjoy things properly."

He arched a brow and glanced at Regis, pulling his gaze from the pastel painted sky above them, "You should enjoy things more, you know. I expect you to when we get to the vineyard and you can tell me how things are progressing. I think it's going well, but I'm hardly a sommelier or a gardener."

As much as he enjoyed gardening and drinking.

[afriendtoravens]

"Geralt of Rivia, the local sommelier! Now there's a concept!"

Regis laughed to himself, eyeing his friend all the while. He softened a moment later, though, and the chuckles tapered off.

"Perhaps you're right, though. A slower pace might do a creature like me some good. Not being on the road will help, for one. The village I'd settled in for a short while was good, but there was still something missing. It was eating away at me."

He sighed, scratching his chin as he added, "You weren't there. I missed my friends."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Let's not get ahead of yourselves, you haven't tried the wine yet." He arched a brow and smirked. "Besides, it's BB that does most of that. I just do the heavy lifting."

The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he turned his head to look at Regis properly, considering him for several long moments before he responded.

"You're a romantic." He accused softly, playfully.

"But I know what you mean."

Some people just had A Place in your life and it just wasn't the same without them.

[bloodandwhite]

----

For the most part, Geralt was content to travel in silence with his companion. There was something so easy about being together that there wasn't always the need for conversation.

And it was one such time, with the rolling hills and painted skies around them, that Regis approached him. He heard the hooves plod closer to him and Roach, caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head just slightly toward his friend, signalling the man had his attention even before he spoke.

"I'm sure, Regis." He replied without missing a beat, aware that the man knew it was a ridiculous question. Geralt didn't offer things he didn't mean.

"Are you sure?" He countered.

[afriendtoravens]

For a moment, the vampire merely chuckled. Eventually, he replied, "I am. I was merely wondering."

Simply making conversation, really.

"You know," he began, "I don't normally travel this way. It's all rather slow, isn't it? Humans only have so much time on their hands. Their lifespans are so bafflingly short, and yet they have but two options for travel: either by foot or by horse. This has been an interesting journey thus far. A quiet one too, which is a blessing."

He cast a quick glance and a grin over at Geralt, adding, "I'm rather looking forward to some of the wine from your vineyard. How are things progressing there?"

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt hummed, a low, rumbling sound at Regis' assessment.

"Everything about human life is slow to you," he responded. "Sometimes slow is good, though. It lets you see things, experience and enjoy things properly."

He arched a brow and glanced at Regis, pulling his gaze from the pastel painted sky above them, "You should enjoy things more, you know. I expect you to when we get to the vineyard and you can tell me how things are progressing. I think it's going well, but I'm hardly a sommelier or a gardener."

As much as he enjoyed gardening and drinking.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Have I?" Geralt asked.

He couldn't say he'd noticed it himself, but Regis was always so incredibly observant and aware of people it must be true.

"He'd be endlessly amused by it. Me on a vineyard." He considered it for a moment. "He like it though. He'd move himself in and drink wine in the sun all day, probably do some concocting, make something that got you drunk quick but tasted like morning Griffon breath."

He was silent for a moment as he considered the impact of Regis' words. Who he was meant to be.

"I always sort of thought if my life was different I'd be some kind of farmer. Or hunter. Nothing glamorous or dangerous."

[afriendtoravens]

There was a lot to be read there between the lines as far as Geralt's words were concerned. Regis smiled, overcome with joy at the thought of his Vesemir enjoying life at the vineyard. It was a touching image.

"Perhaps you're right, my friend. Griffin's breath, indeed. I'm sure it would be hilarious to see your expression whilst taking a sip."

All in all, it was another day's ride to the nearest village. There was an inn, thankfully, and they stayed for the night in a drafty, shabby room with little more than a bed, an oil lamp, and a small but perfectly workable hearth. The very next morning, they continued on.

As the sun drew itself lower across the sky signaling an approaching sunset, it painted the grassy hills in a reddish-yellow glow. It was a beautiful sight. Regis rode over towards Geralt to be beside him. He cast a quick glance at his friend and sighed.

"No second thoughts, I hope? You're still sure about my joining you?" What a ridiculous question to ask and he damn well knew it. They wouldn't be making this bloody trek home to Toussaint if Geralt was unsure of himself. Still, though, he felt the need to ask.

[bloodandwhite]

----

For the most part, Geralt was content to travel in silence with his companion. There was something so easy about being together that there wasn't always the need for conversation.

And it was one such time, with the rolling hills and painted skies around them, that Regis approached him. He heard the hooves plod closer to him and Roach, caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head just slightly toward his friend, signalling the man had his attention even before he spoke.

"I'm sure, Regis." He replied without missing a beat, aware that the man knew it was a ridiculous question. Geralt didn't offer things he didn't mean.

"Are you sure?" He countered.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"You know what, that'd be great actually, Regis."

Geralt was actually quite soft hearted, despite what people assumed about him. Despite how gruff he could appear and how sometimes he refused to take sides or choose one evil over another. Geralt felt and cared about people.

"We've been missing a doctor and a teacher. It'll do everyone wonders to have you there."

[afriendtoravens]

Regis was chuffed to hear as much. He spared his friend a fond grin, a hand brushing his hair back as hummed. "Good to hear, then. I'm looking forward to it." As they rode along, he thought about the situation and something inside of him softened. An inaudible sigh tumbled from his lips as he continued.

"You've changed quite a bit, you know. Look at you now. Your Vesemir would certainly have a chuckle about it. I quite like the thought of that, actually. I bet Ciri loves it as well. I daresay this is who you were always meant to be. Toussaint suits you."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Have I?" Geralt asked.

He couldn't say he'd noticed it himself, but Regis was always so incredibly observant and aware of people it must be true.

"He'd be endlessly amused by it. Me on a vineyard." He considered it for a moment. "He like it though. He'd move himself in and drink wine in the sun all day, probably do some concocting, make something that got you drunk quick but tasted like morning Griffon breath."

He was silent for a moment as he considered the impact of Regis' words. Who he was meant to be.

"I always sort of thought if my life was different I'd be some kind of farmer. Or hunter. Nothing glamorous or dangerous."

[bloodandwhite]

----

Once again Geralt hummed, a low sound of agreement and contentment. He did miss home. And wasn't that a strange concept.

As they travelled Geralt was content to keep the silence, his own mind drifting to other places, both happy and not so happy. He found himself considering, much like Regis, the past and where this had all begun. How they'd met, how they'd formed a bond. And how, now, Regis would get to meet Ciri properly. Both of them probably needed it.

"Things will be better this time," he mused some time later.

[afriendtoravens]

Regis' head rose at his friend's words. It was as if the man had been reading his bloody mind. He couldn't help the soft hum that tumbled from his lips as he cast a glimpse his way.

"I certainly hope so," he replied, knowing full that Geralt hadn't meant for him to respond. He never could help himself, though.

"I think, if we're being entirely honest, that we both deserve a change in pace. I'm quite open to helping the workers at the vineyard if and when they're injured and possibly even teaching the children. They're poor, can't afford any schooling, and I wouldn't mind."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"You know what, that'd be great actually, Regis."

Geralt was actually quite soft hearted, despite what people assumed about him. Despite how gruff he could appear and how sometimes he refused to take sides or choose one evil over another. Geralt felt and cared about people.

"We've been missing a doctor and a teacher. It'll do everyone wonders to have you there."

[bloodandwhite]

----

Geralt made a soft sound at Regis' claim, having caught the soft words easily. It was touching, really, to have someone so vehemently determined to ensure his survival. Especially while knowing just how much of a danger and drama magnet he was -despite his efforts to the contrary.

Once they'd reached the path once more Geralt swung himself into the saddle, settling comfortably before he urged Roach onward.

"Mm, I'm ready for the sun again and the scent of soil and wine."

[afriendtoravens]

"You miss the comforts of home, which is completely understandable," Regis said with a warm expression, smiling to himself and casting a quick glance in his friend's direction. "I miss my crypt as well, if we're being honest. Speaking of home... I wonder if you'll have any letters from Ciri waiting for you upon your return."

He wanted to see her again, properly this time. The last time hadn't gone so well.

As they rode along, his horse fell in step with Roach and he lost himself to thoughts of days long since past. Their hansa, their friends, everything they endured, et cetera.

[bloodandwhite]

----

Once again Geralt hummed, a low sound of agreement and contentment. He did miss home. And wasn't that a strange concept.

As they travelled Geralt was content to keep the silence, his own mind drifting to other places, both happy and not so happy. He found himself considering, much like Regis, the past and where this had all begun. How they'd met, how they'd formed a bond. And how, now, Regis would get to meet Ciri properly. Both of them probably needed it.

"Things will be better this time," he mused some time later.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt turned to Regis once he'd finished packing everything into Roach's saddle bags. He gave her a light pat as he considered what Regis had said, the barest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"It can happen. It just usually doesn't. Witchers don't generally die of old age."

Not in the typical way, at least. The slowness that came with age, the weariness that came with it, however, were the usual culprits.

"Ready when you are." He confirmed, giving Roach one last pat before taking hold of her reigns to lead the way back towards the path. Back toward home.

[afriendtoravens]

"If I could have my way, you'll be one of the first," Regis said softly, tossing a loaded look over his shoulder towards his friend.

Yes, he thought. Geralt would live a good life now, and die only of old age while living on his vineyard. Nothing was ever going to happen to him.

With a sigh, the vampire climbed up into the saddle and let out a sigh. "Let's get going, then. We've a ways to go and I'm eager to feel the warm sun on my skin again. The humidity here is disgusting."

[bloodandwhite]

----

Geralt made a soft sound at Regis' claim, having caught the soft words easily. It was touching, really, to have someone so vehemently determined to ensure his survival. Especially while knowing just how much of a danger and drama magnet he was -despite his efforts to the contrary.

Once they'd reached the path once more Geralt swung himself into the saddle, settling comfortably before he urged Roach onward.

"Mm, I'm ready for the sun again and the scent of soil and wine."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

He smiled ruefully at the comment, there was likely some truth in that after all. Some Witchers did get slower with age, though it had yet to happen to him it didn't mean it wasn't on the cards eventually.

"Now I really do feel old," he mused as he cinched the ties tight around the bed roll he'd been packing up before standing and moving to secure it to Roache's saddle.

Once he was stood he flexed his knee, testing his weight against the brace. It was getting a little battered, perhaps his knee would appreciate something a little kinder.

"This one has served me well, so why not. Thanks, Regis."

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

"I'll have the time to come up with a new apparatus, one that will work all the better for your knee. The previous one was made in haste." Then, after, he turned to Geralt and spoke again. "You know, I once read about a witcher from the north, although I understandably can't recall his name at the present nor can I place where exactly he was from. It was read in passing. He lived well into his seven-hundreds. You're fine, old man. You'll survive, believe me. Especially if you have a rather old vampire at your side, no less."

Chuckling now, he ran a hand down his mule's flank to say hello and slowly calm her. He packed away his belongings in the saddle bags. With a smile, he also gave her a handful of grain as a treat.

"Are we ready to leave, then?"

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt turned to Regis once he'd finished packing everything into Roach's saddle bags. He gave her a light pat as he considered what Regis had said, the barest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"It can happen. It just usually doesn't. Witchers don't generally die of old age."

Not in the typical way, at least. The slowness that came with age, the weariness that came with it, however, were the usual culprits.

"Ready when you are." He confirmed, giving Roach one last pat before taking hold of her reigns to lead the way back towards the path. Back toward home.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"I know," he replied after a moment, his gaze finding the clouds skimming across the sky, studying them. "That doesn't mean I don't regret it."

They'd been dysfunctional, broken, an absolute mess, truly. But what family wasn't? Family wasn't always about blood and somehow they'd all found each other and bumbled through. He was grateful to all of them, for what they'd done to help him secure Ciri and he didn't begrudge them their choice or their sacrifice. But he did regret their loss. The wound was still jagged and tender.

Witchers had no feelings, indeed.

"I'm still in rough shape, Regis, I'm getting old."

He replied after a moment, shifting to start packing up his own things though his eyes found their raven friend and he watched the bird for a moment.

"The arm healed better than the knee. It's still a little stiff sometimes, but I'll live."

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

As they packed their belongings, Regis chuckled softly. "Old," he repeated. "Not nearly as old as I've somehow become. It's a marvel. But yes, I suppose you are. All the more reason to have a friend traveling with you... To protect you, old man."

Regis cast a long, teasing glance at his friend before his eyes fell to the man's knee. He was lost in thought for a short while before he continued.

"I could be convinced, once we've reached Toussaint, to create a new knee brace for you. Would that be something you would like? It might help. Something of a softer material, yet just as supporting for the entirety of the kneecap itself. It could be done."

He constructed the one Geralt still wore. He must have worn it for years. Surely, it wasn't in the best of shape anymore. Geralt regularly put himself through hell.

"I'm quite fond of that idea. Consider it done. I'll make you once we're back at your vineyard."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

He smiled ruefully at the comment, there was likely some truth in that after all. Some Witchers did get slower with age, though it had yet to happen to him it didn't mean it wasn't on the cards eventually.

"Now I really do feel old," he mused as he cinched the ties tight around the bed roll he'd been packing up before standing and moving to secure it to Roache's saddle.

Once he was stood he flexed his knee, testing his weight against the brace. It was getting a little battered, perhaps his knee would appreciate something a little kinder.

"This one has served me well, so why not. Thanks, Regis."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Sweet," he repeated gruffly, eyeing Regis over the lip of his cup, lips twitching into a small half smile. "Shouldn't spread that around, not that anyone would believe you, mind. Except maybe Ciri. I do recall telling her something similar, when she first came to me."

Deny it as she may she had been traumatized and frightened. Her entire world had been violently turned upside down, she'd been hunted at every turn by people wanting to use her. He'd done what he could to soothe her.

"Once again you've seen right through me. And I still hate the thought of having your blood on my hands." He peered into his cup pensively. "It was all a bit too real. We'd all formed a strange unit, a family, I guess. I didn't want any of you dying for me. Or for Ciri. I suppose that hasn't changed either."

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

"I miss them, too. I miss everyone. We have memories to look back on, though. What I did was by my own choice, and the same can be said for them as well. You weren't going to change our minds, Geralt. We became a family."

He reached out to brush a hand over the witcher's knee, wanting only to comfort him. A thought occurred to him just then.

"How fares your knee, my friend? You haven't complained about it once since we reunited in Toussaint. You were in rather rough shape all those years ago. It was unpleasant."

He finished his coffee and set the cup aside, shifting to take care of his bedroll. He was neat with the blankets, although he took his time to clean up after himself. He even set out a bit of seed for the raven following them. The bird swooped down, hopping onto the forest floor for breakfast.

"In any case, I'm simply curious. Does your knee still bother you? What about the arm you broke as well?"

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"I know," he replied after a moment, his gaze finding the clouds skimming across the sky, studying them. "That doesn't mean I don't regret it."

They'd been dysfunctional, broken, an absolute mess, truly. But what family wasn't? Family wasn't always about blood and somehow they'd all found each other and bumbled through. He was grateful to all of them, for what they'd done to help him secure Ciri and he didn't begrudge them their choice or their sacrifice. But he did regret their loss. The wound was still jagged and tender.

Witchers had no feelings, indeed.

"I'm still in rough shape, Regis, I'm getting old."

He replied after a moment, shifting to start packing up his own things though his eyes found their raven friend and he watched the bird for a moment.

"The arm healed better than the knee. It's still a little stiff sometimes, but I'll live."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"That's what Witchers do, fight nightmares."

Of course, knowing Regis as he did, Geralt was able to hear the vulnerability in the words and he acknowledged them with a smile even as he tipped his chin towards him in a playful little toast.

"I'm happy I could help though."

He took another little sip from his cup before moving towards the fire to pour Regis a cup of his own, listening as Regis waxed lyrical. It was incredibly endearing and Geralt had missed it, it was its own special kind of soothing.

"Well, thank you Rubiaceae and family for this," he handed the cup over to Regis. "Even if this particular seed is terrible."

He took a moment to eye Regis before he answered, turning his eyes toward the sky, which was bright with the promise of a nice day.

"I slept well enough."

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

"Well enough doesn't sound very promising," Regis said softly, reaching out for the cup. It smelled delicious as it wafted his way. "You know... Deny it as you might, you can occasionally be rather sweet. I can easily imagine you telling a young Ciri the very same thing, that witchers fight the nightmares and keep the monsters under beds at bay. I'll consider myself very lucky."

His smile was warm as he took a tentative sip of coffee.

"You know what I often think back on? That one night, the one where I returned... You asked me to stay away, even held a blade to my throat days prior. I left, of course. But I came back. We all made soup and you refused to join us. Dandelion gave you quite a speech, and Milva wasn't quiet about her feelings either, but you eventually came to join us for dinner. It makes me chuckle to think of just how much you'd changed. You were only in such a foul mood that evening because you hated the thought of having our blood on your hands. You wanted us all go home while you searched for Ciri. You never thought you needed anyone. A witcher doesn't need help from another soul. You've changed, my friend."

He sat back to make himself comfortable, enjoying the early morning sounds of nature around them.

"Perhaps we aren't so different, after all. We both need our friends."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Sweet," he repeated gruffly, eyeing Regis over the lip of his cup, lips twitching into a small half smile. "Shouldn't spread that around, not that anyone would believe you, mind. Except maybe Ciri. I do recall telling her something similar, when she first came to me."

Deny it as she may she had been traumatized and frightened. Her entire world had been violently turned upside down, she'd been hunted at every turn by people wanting to use her. He'd done what he could to soothe her.

"Once again you've seen right through me. And I still hate the thought of having your blood on my hands." He peered into his cup pensively. "It was all a bit too real. We'd all formed a strange unit, a family, I guess. I didn't want any of you dying for me. Or for Ciri. I suppose that hasn't changed either."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt was indeed awake and had been for a while now, he'd been lounging, propped up against a rock with a fresh cup of terrible coffee watching the sun slowly stain the sky.

A wonky little smile tugged at the corner of Geralt's mouth as Regis finally stirred, not that he minded, the man deserved what rest he could get, especially the real sort of rest he seemed to have enjoyed that night.

"Morning sleeping beauty," he smirked into the rim of his cup, taking a slow sip. "Good sleep?"

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

The scent of coffee eventually roused Regis completely. Hair a mess, shirt wrinkled, he glanced Geralt's way and allowed himself a chuckle.

"Mm. Hello." He sat up, groaning, and scratched his chin. "It was, thank you. The best night's sleep I've had in almost a year. You chased the nightmares away, apparently. I should thank you for that."

It was a vulnerable confession, even if he tried to joke about it.

"I smell what you're drinking. Did you know Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae? It's a virile little thing, Coffea is. As a whole, they're a wonderful family of plants as well, but I daresay Coffea stands out. It's the seeds themselves that are harvested and used for our various needs. Coffee beans, that is. What a gift for us, eh?"

Wrapping the blanket around his shoulders, he yawned.

"How did you sleep? Well, I hope."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"That's what Witchers do, fight nightmares."

Of course, knowing Regis as he did, Geralt was able to hear the vulnerability in the words and he acknowledged them with a smile even as he tipped his chin towards him in a playful little toast.

"I'm happy I could help though."

He took another little sip from his cup before moving towards the fire to pour Regis a cup of his own, listening as Regis waxed lyrical. It was incredibly endearing and Geralt had missed it, it was its own special kind of soothing.

"Well, thank you Rubiaceae and family for this," he handed the cup over to Regis. "Even if this particular seed is terrible."

He took a moment to eye Regis before he answered, turning his eyes toward the sky, which was bright with the promise of a nice day.

"I slept well enough."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"It is gratifying, isn't it."

Geralt agreed lightly of Regis' assessment of Ciri and her path in life, how far she'd come from that lively, scrawny, entitled girl she'd been when they'd first met.

"Makes everything feel a little less futile."

And not because it was his Ciri, no. Seeing any child flourish because of what they'd done, what they did made it all feel better somehow - even despite some of the more bitter, hatred filled comments of fully grown adults.

He watched the stars for some moments, listening to the wind in the leaves before he moved, first checking on Roach and then dragging his own blanket over him.

"The world could use a little more of that," he mused lightly, voice soft against the velvet of the night, like a confession. "Kindness." He really was getting soft in his old age.

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

Regis' eyes opened for a moment. His gaze might have been bleary, but it eventually settled on Geralt as he grinned. "Yes," he agreed thoughtfully. "Yes, it could."

Geralt's words were true. Perhaps they had both gone soft in their old age. Was that such a bad thing, though? More people on the Continent could use that mindset, anyway.

He eventually dozed off, comforted by the sounds of Geralt's gentle, even breathing and a nearby flock of baby birds settling into their nest with their mother.

For once, he slept well and all throughout the night. It wouldn't come as a shock, not anymore, but he hadn't slept well since before Dettlaff's demise. It was a gift to rouse in the morning, lazy and recuperated from the day before.

"G'morning," he mumbled into his blanket, assuming Geralt was already awake at this hour. It might have been early, but he knew the witcher was always up at the crack of dawn.

[bloodandwhite]

-----

Geralt was indeed awake and had been for a while now, he'd been lounging, propped up against a rock with a fresh cup of terrible coffee watching the sun slowly stain the sky.

A wonky little smile tugged at the corner of Geralt's mouth as Regis finally stirred, not that he minded, the man deserved what rest he could get, especially the real sort of rest he seemed to have enjoyed that night.

"Morning sleeping beauty," he smirked into the rim of his cup, taking a slow sip. "Good sleep?"

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"Or freak genetics I suppose, depending on who you ask," he commented with the barest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Geralt had already settled back into the grass, propped up on one elbow, his head lolling back on his shoulders and his eyes on the sky, watching the scudding clouds and the stars.

"You know how charming you are," he replied dryly, though there was a hint of amusement threaded into the words.

"Ciri will be pleased to see you though, she's terribly fond of you. Not sure when she'll be by though, I'm not even sure she knows until she's walking through the vineyard."

A soft hum was his answer as he considered the question for a moment, listening to the soft pop of the fire and the rustle of a rabbit close by.

"Balance." He decided at last, repeating the words thoughtfully. "Finding the balance between being a wandering, monster hunting vagrant and a doddering vineyard owner isn't easy. I just settle into one of the roles when I get twitchy."

[afriendtoravens]

⸻

"You have such a way with words," Regis mused with a soft, silly laugh. He glanced his friend's way after. "I'm rather fond of Ciri as well, you know. She's the reason we met. She's also the reason my life changed. And here she is, alive and well. Whole. Following in her father's footsteps as well, to be sure. It does my heart a world of good, I have to say."

He lounged back on his bedroll and threw a blanket over himself, wanting only to be warmer. The fire would soon die if they let it, and they would be slumbering beneath the stars in no time.

"You aren't a freak, my friend," he later added. "I'm not fond of the word and its connotation or use. You're far more than what some people say either to your face or behind your back. And if we're being honest, it says more about their character, the vile hatred inside of them, I mean, than it does about you. Keep that in mind."

He turned his head to rest on his satchel, using it as a makeshift pillow as his eyes fell shut. He then added, "To remain kind in a world so full of bitterness, discrimination, distrust, and fury is quite a feat these days. Ignore the petty people of this world."

[bloodandwhite]

-----

"It is gratifying, isn't it."

Geralt agreed lightly of Regis' assessment of Ciri and her path in life, how far she'd come from that lively, scrawny, entitled girl she'd been when they'd first met.

"Makes everything feel a little less futile."

And not because it was his Ciri, no. Seeing any child flourish because of what they'd done, what they did made it all feel better somehow - even despite some of the more bitter, hatred filled comments of fully grown adults.

He watched the stars for some moments, listening to the wind in the leaves before he moved, first checking on Roach and then dragging his own blanket over him.

"The world could use a little more of that," he mused lightly, voice soft against the velvet of the night, like a confession. "Kindness." He really was getting soft in his old age.