a scene that came to mind while listening to OWS/GMG: Kaer Morhen, everyone in the hall for dinner, and Ciri asks Jaskier to play. he does a few of the classics - like Toss a Coin, which gets a lot of cheers and laughter from the witchers - and then Ciri asks him to play the new one he's been practicing.
Jaskier plays Old Witch Sleep/Good Man Grace. it's haunting, the way it echoes in the ruins, and Jaskier seems to become something feral as he sings. He draws closer to Geralt unconsciously on lines like "I'm all yours, but you're all mine," trades vicious smiles with Yen at "you're the one who's trapped with me."
Ciri is enthralled by the performance, and oblivious to the rising tension in the room, as is Jaskier. he finishes, and Ciri bursts into applause. Yen claps as well, slower but sincere. everyone else is uncharacteristically quiet.
two of the witchers rise in the same instant. Vesemir stalks to the front of the room, but Geralt is faster, planting himself between the bard and his mentor. “he’s not a threat to us,” Geralt says, as Jaskier takes a step back, surprised by the sudden animosity. Ciri is perplexed. Yen watches carefully.
“Geralt, step aside,” Vesemir says. the white wolf doesn’t move. Eskel (video game Eskel, bc I said so) stands, hands raised placatingly, and says, “Let’s give the bard the benefit of the doubt. He’s travelled a long time with Geralt.”
“What on earth is happening,” Jaskier says. “I didn’t think the song was that bad.”
“The song was great,” Ciri chimes in supportively.
“Quiet, girl,” Lambert rumbles. the other witchers are still seated but look ready to leap into action, waiting on the outcome of the standoff between Geralt and Vesemir.
“What’s going on,” Jaskier demands again, and Yen clears her throat.
“Dandelion,” she says, “you do realise humans don’t sing like that.”
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