Blown in on an icy wind

[ofspaceandtime]

WHO: Cirilla
WHERE: The fountain
WHEN: November 29
OPEN TO: All
WARNINGS: None yet
STATUS: Open!

---

The brutal gust of cold, and the Wild Hunt’s vessel suddenly lurked in the sea off the coast of the Isle of Mists where she and Geralt stood.


“Get us outta here.”


“They’ll know where we’ve gone. They’ll know how to find me.”


“They already do. Ciri, take us home.”




The world turned in a flare of aqua light as it always does in her travels, and in her dreams. She wasn’t dreaming this time though, Geralt was there, had found her, and they were finally going home; finally to face Eredin and his hoard head on and come what may.


Except the world wasn’t turning the way it always did, and Geralt wasn’t there (had he ever really been?).


Instead of the solid ground of the keep Ciri expected to find on the other side, she was abruptly submerged in water and rapidly floating upward. Something had gone very wrong; even if this wasn’t the first time she had portaled into (or above) water, she had never lost anyone in transit before.


In fact, as she kicked herself to the surface, it became apparent how much more she had actually lost. She felt as though she was swimming wrapped in a potato sack, and it grew heavier as she caught her purchase on the edge of the fountain and hauled herself up over the edge in a sodden heap. It took Ciri a few beats to catch her breath and her bearings, enough to discover that when she reached back her sword was gone (sheath and all) and a pack, somewhat less sodden than the rest of her, had taken it’s place.


She had appeared many places before, but this was unequivocally her first fountain.

Comments

[ofspaceandtime]

From the sounds of it, quite the community appeared to be blossoming in this place. What's more, from what Thor had to say it was fairly certain that there was some kind of peaceful understanding at the moment. It was a relief, not being thrust into the middle of a war at the very least, for it wouldn't have been the first time Ciri had to deal with conflict.

For the moment, everything seemed quiet enough. Now that they were indoors, the freezing of her soaked clothes was really the problem.

"Well, I don't know for how long I'll be stuck here, or if the Wild Hunt will find me. If they do I should have to leave, however, I don't suppose there's an unoccupied room here where I could remove these clothes and dry off some?"

The inn was, indeed, at least partially occupied, and Ciri noted some curious looks traveling her way and not much else. Typical inn, in other words, minus the alcohol. "Then I might see to that warm drink you mentioned."

[almightythor]

"There are a few rooms without occupants," Thor explained, motioning toward the back of the Inn proper.

"I am certain no one would mind if you took a room for yourself and used it to change, to put on warm clothes and came back out for something warm to drink. A woman called Kate runs the Inn unofficially. She may be the best to ask about things."

[ofspaceandtime]

Peering in the direction he indicated, Ciri nodded. "Thank you for your help, I shall return shortly," she promised, already sliding the pack that had replaced her sword off of her narrow shoulders. She left a trail of cold dripping water behind her as she shuffled toward the nearest open door. It at least appeared to be unoccupied.

Several minutes behind a closed door, some fumbling around with the clasps of the bag and the new clothes with frozen fingers, and a lot of drying off later, Ciri emerged from the room. Her hair had been dragged back now into a proper bun once more, and the still-dry pack hung from one shoulder. It had taken her far too long to understand the mechanisms behind the strange trousers with straps she found within it, and she'd taken time to find a dry place in which she could hang the sodden clothes she'd arrived in.

It wasn't difficult to re-locate Thor in the inn, as the man more than stood out. Ciri sneaked up to tap his shoulder. "Shall we have that drink now?"

[almightythor]

"I will find something for us. I cannot promise what it will be," Thor said, utterly apologetic, "But it will be hot and it will be shared in high spirit for the pleasure of meeting a new friend and ally."

A quick visit to the kitchen found an approximation at coffee, at least, though it was made with chicory and no coffee bean. Still, it was good enough if a little bitter and he brought them both a cup.

"It's a stiff brew but it will warm your bones."

[ofspaceandtime]

“That alone sounds wonderful,” Ciri admitted, still unable to completely shake the chill from her bones. She was never one to turn away a new ally, and Thor seemed the sturdy sort, likely a good friend to have in a pickle.

She accepted the offered mug and took a quick, testing sip. The bitterness immediately contorted her expression. “Oh… dear, that is… that is quite something.” However, it was warm, so she took another sip.

[almightythor]

"It's something that shocks the system, is it not?" Thor laughed a little, pleased to see that it had warmed her up even if it was bitter and a bit intense. It was something he wished tasted a bit better but at least it was something kind of like the coffee he'd grown to like in New Mexico even if it wasn't exactly the same.

"The first time I had it, I threw the cup down and shattered it."

[ofspaceandtime]

The bitterness tingled past her taste buds and disappeared down her throat and Ciri found she got used to the flavor after the first couple of sips.

"I don't know if I'm quite that enthusiastic about it," she admitted, swirling the dark liquid around within the cup. When Geralt had awoken her on the Isle of Mists that day she could hardly have imagined she would end up here now, and yet for the moment she let some of her concerns go with the chill that was slowly leaving her. There was little that could be done about them now. "But it will do."

She managed a crooked smile for his trouble. "So tell me, Thor. If you hadn't found yourself here as I did, what would you be doing with yourself?" It couldn't get hurt to get to know her new friend.

[almightythor]

"Truly? Defending either the realms of Asgard or Midgard from the likes of my brother. As it is, I'm not certain it isn't his fault I'm trapped here at the moment," he conceded.

"Though it isn't like Loki to keep such things to himself. He likes to gloat. I am never happier than when I have my hammer in hand and battle ringing in my ears. It's too quiet here for my tastes. What about you?"