The hearth fire in Kaer Morhen's main hall crackled, over the faces of those gathered. Geralt's arms were crossed, his eyes fixed on Yennefer with a sharp edge to them.
Vesemir's usual calm demeanor had cracked, by none other than Yennefer. "I can't believe you, Yennefer!" he said, "Teaching him that…THAT! this isn't something to experiment with. Not on a boy. Not on either of them!"
Yennefer's posture didn't waver. She let out a small sigh, tilting her head as if the sun were shining in just the right spot to illuminate her cleverness. "Oh, calm yourself, Vesemir," she said smoothly. "I take the blame for it. All of it. No harm was done, no one got hurt, and they were under my constant supervision."
Sebastian, standing nearby, felt an odd tightness in his chest. He opened his mouth, ready to insist that it had been his idea, that he had requested to learn how to make elmentas with his flames, but the words wouldn't form. No matter how he tried, no matter how much he wanted to speak, his tongue felt like lead. Ciri, too, stood beside him, her hands clenched at her sides. She looked just as restrained, and Ciri was the most talkative person in Kaer Morhen.
Realization settled in Sebastian's mind, 'This… this isn't natural. She's… she's done something to stop us from speaking. To stop us from claiming it was our idea.'
He blinked slowly, 'Why… why is she doing this for me?'
Geralt, clearly annoyed but trying to temper it, "Yen… you can't just.."
"Stop it," Yennefer cut him off, snapping her fingers in a subtle gesture, and both Sebastian and Ciri flinched slightly. "I am in control here, Geralt. Nothing happened, they didn't hurt themselves, or anyone else. End of discussion."
Vesemir grunted, rubbing at his forehead. "Damn it, Yennefer! This isn't about you! it's about their damn safety!"
"I know exactly what I'm doing," Yennefer replied, with steel in her voice. "I've been present every step of the way. You're both here so you know they're learning, and they're safe. Now, enough of the dramatics. Go tend to your horses or whatever keeps you busy."
"I can't believe this woman..." Vesemir muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Teaching him THAT… it's asking for trouble! He is no mage and they are monsters, MONSTERS that have killed well-trained Witchers!"
"Calm down, Old man!" she said smoothly. "I thought I would teach the boy something interesting. He has a remarkable affinity for magic, and with his extraordinary flames, elementals were a nice touch, don't you think, Geralt?"
Geralt let out a sharp exhale. "Yen… This isn't a game…"
Yennefer's eyes flicked to him, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Oh, save it. You think I wouldn't supervise them?"
Vesemir groaned, rubbing his forehead. "I can't with this woman… You handle her, Geralt. I've said enough." Without waiting for an answer, he strode out of the way, leaving the two of them in a charged silence.
Geralt looked after him, then turned back to Yennefer, "Was it a success, at least?"
Yennefer's expression softened, just slightly, but her tone carried that signature pride. "What do you think? With my brilliance, and their surprising competence… it was. Your little Witcher grows even more powerful. Soon, he'll have his own army of elementals."
Geralt's sigh deepened, long and weary. "Yen…"
"I'm serious," she continued, ignoring the warning in his voice. "Of course, he'll need a rich supply of materials to build more, maybe some elven sage lost laboratory or perhaps Nilfgaard's treasury, for example…"
Geralt rubbed the back of his neck and glanced toward Ciri and Sebastian who were still standing silently, faces calm, watching their talk.
"Why are you two so silent?" he asked, "I was expecting you, Ciri, of all people, to explain what you were thinking."
Yennefer tilted her hand gracefully, a gesture almost imperceptible, and in an instant, the magical barrier that had silenced Ciri and Sebastian lifted. Geralt's medallion trembled at that. And of the both of them blinked, surprised by the sudden ease in their thoughts. Ciri opened her mouth, ready to speak, but one sharp raise of Yennefer's eyebrow halted her mid-sentence.
Sebastian's lips pressed into a thin line. "My bad, we should have told you." he muttered, he gave a slight bow of his head, both to Yennefer and Geralt, respecting Yennefer's decision to take the blame.
Geralt's eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained wary. "Alright. Just share with us what you plan to do within the fortress. Dangerous or not. We agree, we disagree, we decide together. Smithing is one thing… creating monsters is another."
Yennefer's violet gaze flicked to Sebastian, then Ciri, and finally back to Geralt. "He's careful," she said lightly. "At least… more careful than you give him credit for. And he listens. Mostly."
Sebastian inclined his head slightly, meeting Geralt's gaze. "I understand, and I will keep it controlled. I believe that having knowledge and the ability to do things like this could prove essential. I promise I won't use it recklessly."
Ciri, still quiet, glanced at him, a small spark of admiration in her eyes.
Geralt let out a slow breath and muttered, "I suppose… that's the least I could hope for."
Yennefer's smile returned, sly and victorious. "Good. Then this is behind us now."
Geralt took his leave as well, his boots receded down the hall, fading with every step until only the echo remained.
Ciri's eyes following Geralt until he disappeared from view. Then, cautiously, she approached Yennefer, lowering her voice almost to a whisper. "Why… why did you do that?" she asked, glancing toward the hallway, just in case Geralt had lingered close enough to overhear. "Taking the blame like that… I'm pretty sure we would've taken it ourselves. Besides… Uncle Vesemir likes us, he'd have gone easy. And he… he clearly doesn't like you!"
Yennefer leaned back slightly, a hand waving dismissively through the air. "Oh, my dear, I am used to being the villain," she said, her tone almost playful, yet still prideful. "Everywhere, anywhere… it doesn't matter who's involved. I've grown accustomed to the role. So… don't mind it."
Her violet eyes softened, scanning Ciri first, then lingering on Sebastian, who stood quietly a few steps behind, Yennefer's voice lowered, "If I can't do this for you two… guide you, protect you, see that you grow… then what kind of a guardian would I be?"
She didn't need to say it outright. Her posture, the confident tilt of her chin, the pride shining faintly in her eyes, it spoke volumes. Ciri felt it resonate deep in her chest, and even Sebastian, ever the composed one despite his age, knew what she truly meant with her words.
Ciri's lips parted, but no words came out. She only nodded, understanding passing between them. Yennefer's smile softened, ever so slightly, a rare warmth in her otherwise sharp demeanor.
"It doesn't matter what they think or say," Yennefer said, her voice lighter now. "You do what's necessary… what you think is right, Always… and that will save you more times than any sword ever could."
Ciri and Seb understood. Yennefer's actions weren't about blame, or approval, or pride in the eyes of others. They were about them, that was her own version of care.
/-\
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