drawsblood | { inbox for noctium }

[ Don't ask how Gwenhwyfar managed to slip into Joric's living arrangements. She did so by tracking him down by scent alone and it doesn't occur to her how alarming that can be for people.

She's good on her word, leaving Joric a gift, a charm that offers blessings of strength and guidance.

A simple note is left with it. Gwenhwyfar's writing is surprisingly elegant for a girl who's spent so much time in the woods. ]

𝕸𝖆𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖉𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖘-𝖒𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝕰𝖕𝖔𝖓𝖆 𝖌𝖚𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚.

𝕲𝖚𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖊, 𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖈𝖍 𝖞 𝕭𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖘 𝕰𝖓𝖋𝖞𝖘

[ It's honestly surprising that she managed to get in, but as he's a man of few possessions it doesn't worry him. If she had stolen his sword, that would've been a problem, but leaving a gift? She can drop by more often if she'd like. Though it might be better once his cabin is built. There will be more space there than in this tiny room in public housing.

He rubs a thumb across the charm before putting it in his pocket. The gods of the mountains are who he prays to and for whom he lives, but if she wants to give him her own goddess's protection, he thinks his own won't mind. As long as they are first in his devotion.

He sends her a message because it's only right to thank someone for a gift of such meaning. ]

Thank you. Though I don't know how you managed to get in.

[ Where is Gwenhwyfar at? Of course she is in the woods, preoccupied with her new, furry companion. The both of them are sharing beef jerky that she "borrowed" at some time or another. The phone has to be the most obnoxious thing that she's had to put up with and before she hurls it across the forest.

Oh, it's Joric! She can't ignore that. And after trying to write- ]

your scent
the window

[ Eloquent. ]

[ That answers that. He's not really sure what he smells like. He'd assume like food and soap, but he's not sure that's what he gives off. ]

What do I smell like?

[ Call him curious. ]

hate this

[ She can't write like this, so she switches over. ]

[ She's glad that she's not covered in blood -- but she could use new clothes, still wearing her cloak that covers her shift. ]

Everyone has a unique scent, tied to their beings. It isn't always of earth and rain.

[ Oh. That's fair. It's taken him months to get even this far with it. He switches over too. ]

And it was strong enough you could follow it to my window?

[ She stares at him before she remembers humans can't quite pick up scents like the way she does. ]

I can pick up on anyone's scent the same way, it has nothing to do with how strong it is.

[ He stares back. And then remembers that she's not entirely human. He can't say why he forgets. The red eye is a color he's never seen on any of his own people. But the way she acts is the same as any human unsure of how to act socially. It's something he's had problems with too. ]

If I ever disappear, at least you can track me down.

[ Seeing how a bunch of people just up and vanished because they were brainwashed to go to the lake, it may become relevant again. ]

[ She's forgotten how people had vanished and made their way to the lake. All of it is a haze underneath the blood and pain from that night. But what he says is a tad alarming. ]

You're not going to disappear.

[ She takes it another way and just realizes it, shifting uncomfortably. ]

Don't say those things.

I cannot know for sure, but anything could happen. That's reality.

[ Simple as that. Though he can see that she doesn't like the thought of it. He shifts to dig her gift out of his pocket and hold it up. ]

I have this. Perhaps your goddess will protect me.

[ She heaves a sigh, conceding there is truth to that. Not that she is aware of it, it is a sore subject for her. ]

Disappearing isn't pleasant.

[ By technicality, she did disappear from Arthur's court. She manages a smile, seeing that he's received her charm. ]

I'll have you know that you are the first person that I've created a charm with my magic in this world.

I'd imagine not.

[ Unless you disappear for good reason, like he did when he left the army. ]

I'm honored. [ A pause. ] It's protection magic of some kind?

Oh, yes.

[ Whenever she talks about magic, she gets excited. It can't be helped, the small clap of her hands. ]

I make charms for all of my friends and loved ones.

[ There's a slight smile at her actions. She's sweet. It's hard to believe she was covered in blood a short time ago. It's like she leans between two extremes. ]

Then you would call me friend?

[ For how her mood shifts wildly, it's not a far cry. ]

Obviously, Joric.

[ Never mind her feelings for him and never mind she seems to fluster at that question. ]

Just making sure.

[ He rubs at his beard a moment, thoughtful. Did he say something wrong? Why does she react so? ]

I am out of practice at it. Luckily for me, the people here seem keen for friendship.

[ Emotions? What are those? Gwenhwyfar will survive, but not from acting like a blushing idiot teenager. ]

It has its benefits. [ She's sure Konoha is out there, somewhere, with ears burning. ] But I'd rather forge friendships in those I know are reliable.

Those are somewhat rarer.

[ He's unsure if he can be considered reliable. As long as this spell is on him, can he truly be in control of himself? He will, of course try. ]

I can tell you I will do my best, should you need me.

You sound noncommittal.

[ She frowns, slightly. ]

If neither your or Geralt found me, I would have done more.

[ He snorts. ]

Is that any surprise after what I told you of myself? I can never be sure I will be fully in control of my mind, and I don't make promises I can't keep.

[ Exhaling a sigh, he examines her closely through the device. ]

I don't doubt it. No different than what I would do, should these chains on me fail.

Then.

[ She thinks about it for a moment.

The idea of being a "retainer", a buffer of some sort shouldn't fall on her and if her friends knew, they would be upset with her. ]

I'll help you in any way I can to stop that from happening. It's only fair.

[ It's unexpected to say the least, but since he still has no idea what a demon is, he has no idea of one's capabilities. ]

I've never... had anyone who could stop me before.

[ Well, no solitary person. Before it was apparently numerous soldiers leaping on him until he could be chained up. ]

You don't think I would end up hurting you?

I have. My kind... we have each other and we look out for one another. When we travel in groups, we always have retainers to intervene should someone lose control.

[ That is... a good question. She isn't sure of his nature, either, or what kind of magic she may be dealing with. ]

If I'm hurt, I heal faster. I could have even regrown my eye if I chose to do it.

[ She's leaving out the part that she didn't regrow it to keep herself stable, however. ]

Besides, I've had worse. I think I can manage and if not, there is always magic and potions.

[ His brow furrows as he weighs her words. Ordinarily he wouldn't trust anyone to be able to stop him. That's why he wants so badly to find a cure. He doesn't want this on him anymore because until it's removed, he could always be a danger. But they share this rage in common, even if it comes from different sources. If anyone could understand him, it's her. ]

All right. And I will look after you, should you need it.

[ He shouldn't leave it all to Geralt. The man should get a break from bleeding. ]

{ inbox for noctium }

it's a gift, silly!

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