gynvael | abraxas:: INBOX

How's your taste?

18-year-old single malt.

( she has very fine taste, thank you )

Which seems to be no trouble in the Horizon.

Introduce me some time
And I'll indulge more of your questions.

You could come to my Horizon. I have a bottle already there.

[ Seldom one to turn down a drink—and with little to do while he's between contracts—he accepts. He follows her directions to her Horizon. She may hear the familiar clip of horse hooves arriving, though he leaves Roach just at the edge of Rowena's territory.

His eyebrow lifts at the throne occupying the center of the room. Mm. Subtle. (Now who might this remind him of?)

He is accustomed to mages and their extravagant tastes.

He's dressed almost no different than he is when she met him in Nocwich: leather, black linen, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow. He's brought nothing else with him and the same wolf-head medallion rests against his chest. He peers at the door that awaits. Since she's invited him, he doesn't bother knocking—just turns the knob, assuming that if he's welcome, it will open without issue. ]

( rowena certainly isn't dressed how geralt had last seen her, and whilst castiel had done very well as her sugar angel making her look fabulous again (so much shopping) the horizon gives rowena much more flexibility in it. so she's dressed in her red jumpsuit, the thing that dean had last seen her in when he'd visited hell, and rather than making some dramatic entrance (as she's fond of) rowena's already there, comfortably sat in her throne.

when the door opens he'll find her there, the lighting casting part of the room in a reddish glow, and a fonder look on rowena as he walks in. she still doesn't know him but his words at agreeing to protect her from lucifer had certainly done wonders in gaining some friendlier feeling with her. and dean's trust in him )

Welcome to Hell.

( so she's still a little dramatic, staying seated as he steps further in, a little wave of a hand to beckon him in. please, come see your queen )

[ His eyes shift upward to the ceiling before landing back on her. He does not, in fact, have much conception of what Hell is meant to appear like, other than what he glimpsed in Dean's memories—which did not contain nearly as pleasant company.

Amusement flickers over his gaze. He folds his arms across his chest. Good to know some things don't change between spheres. (Things, in this specific circumstance, being sorceresses and their penchant for theatrics.)

At least there are no naked men trying to grope him. ]

Should I have brought a sacrifice?

( yet. rowena saves the delightful things for later.

or has specific naked men in mind.

but his comment does amuse her, a lighter sound from her before she leans slightly forward )

My predecessors may have enjoyed that. How I treat the damned is... not to all demon's tastes but they're not fool enough to challenge that.

( rowena may only be a soul in hell but she still terrifies them, for they know far well the stories of the witch that she was. and how effectively she could kill demons. or cage lucifer. or push back god )

Though some offerings are still appreciated.

( what queen doesn't want to be worshipped a little? )

[ Mm-hm. The sound Geralt makes is ambiguous—vague acknowledgement wrapped in something that might almost pass for intrigue.

He tilts his head before remarking, ] I haven't got any.

[ Unless she wishes to count his less-than-elegant company as one. He steps forward, nodding towards the door to the left. He assumes it's there for a reason, though if she means to drink here, he won't complain. There's a sense that Geralt can make himself comfortable in any place by sheer virtue of never quite belonging anywhere to begin with.

Mostly, he's as curious about Rowena as she seems to be about him. Perhaps they've that in common. ]

And behind that door, will I find the damned or liquor?

( it's that curiosity, that tug of intrigue that pulls rowena from her throne now, almost gliding with how smooth her motion in getting up is, and a hand reaches out to him as she steps towards the door )

Liquor and more.

( but not damned. she's the only soul existing in this hell even if rowena is technically alive again within abraxas, though in horizon it's not quite the same physicality. to her. it gets complicated when you're dead.

but as the door opens geralt will note the hallway it leads into, the wording written on the floor and a very specific path that rowena taked to one more door: her apartment.

opening this one leads to a much more welcoming place, the comfort of a well-lived apartment, well-lit by the number of candles she has lighting it, and though a few of her books are out on her desk they're all closed for once. drinks are already poured, though, two glasses sitting on her coffee table that she picks up to hand one to him before sitting herself on her couch. she's a prepared witch )

This was where I lived before I died, and where my life was.

[ Geralt follows her through the door. The room is a contrast to the stark throne behind them. It reminds him of the homes he's seen in his time here, lit with electric bulbs rather than torches.

His expression shifts. She is not the first who arrived after her death. Then there are those like Dean, who recall it afterwards, and then—like him. He does not recall his, but Ciri has told him it came during her time.

He accepts the drink, sitting across from her. (Plush.) It smells of herbs and magic. Reminds him of a druid's hut. ]

Were you born a witch?

( there's a soft affirmative sound, and whilst it's a little more complicated in some ways (her parents weren't witches, her son wasn't a witch) she was certainly born with a natural capacity for magic. a witch.

she drinks a little from her glass before resting it between both of her hands )

I didn't always know magic, witches weren't thought of fondly then. ( but learning how to use magic had been her best life decision -- and one that she'd needed at that pitiful time of her life )

Were you born a Witcher?

[ Then implies a certain stretch of years; if he knows anything about mages, they're seldom as youthful as their looks. Though, neither is a Witcher. ]

No. We were created with alchemy and magic.

[ By mages. Like her, he nearly says, but perhaps not; he imagines there must be some difference in how they call upon their magic. Still, even here in Abraxas, he knows Yennefer feels her Chaos much the same as she did on the Continent. If the Singularity is truly the source of all power in the universe, then...that would follow, logically.

He's glossing over some of the details, anyhow. It isn't important. He came here for a drink, not to reminisce on his unwanted childhood. Instead, he adds: ]

They aren't fond of us, either.

( there's a regretful tip of her glass, not toasting but understanding. rowena might have narrowly avoided being burned at the stake but she'd seen plenty of other witches, both friend and coven, suffer that fate. and how she'd wanted to burn the men of letters responsible for doing it.

and maybe she would have, if she hadn't been chased out of scotland instead. she won't call it a mercy but it did give her her life )

You may be made through magic but I assume you don't practice it?

( otherwise she assumes he'd be speaking differently about it )

[ Now it's his turn to give a noise that suggests the answer isn't so straightforward. ]

Witchers have Signs to aid us in battle, but we don't practice as a witch might. Though the potential exists.

[ It's not unlike how a mage could learn sword fighting if they wanted, but generally wouldn't bother. They focus on what serves them, he supposes, and wielding a blade has little value for manoeuvring the Continent's kings and queens. Alongside the fact that his mother was a druid, if his path had travelled another direction, perhaps he'd be a mage, too. Of a kind.

But it didn't. ]

I taught Dean his Signs.

[ Dean's actually grown fairly good at them. ]

( a raise of an eyebrow because that fact is certainly interesting. oh, dean and magic is nothing new, he isn't studied as samuel is but even dean uses magic when it serves him. all hunters have a trick or two in their arsenal.

but she's certainly more curious about what geralt's magic constitutes )

Signs are similar to spells, though I assume more specific ones for the purpose you need?

( and she certainly sounds interested in knowing more )

[ A man of action more than words, Geralt simply demonstrates: he snuffs out the candle on the table, then relights it with a touch and a faint sizzle. One of only a few Signs he possesses. She's right; they're designed for a handful of orphaned boys to learn quickly. Little concentration required. Unlike other sorceresses and magic users he's met, there is no flash to it—easily missed if one weren't watching.

Then he sits back and picks up his drink again. It's certainly not something anyone should be capable of. On the Continent, there are those predisposed to magic, those who are not, and then—of his kind—those were made to be by manipulating the laws of nature itself.

Dean should not be capable of wielding magic. He isn't a Witcher. But these days, Geralt has to admit, the man is a bit closer to one than he isn't. Has Rowena seen his eyes yet? That has been curious, to be certain. ]

And you? [ He studies her. ] What's your specialty?

[ Aside from ruling the underworld, that is. ]

( her attention is completely on him during it, quiet and paused and though there's little response (it's certainly not impressive in a flash way) she does enjoy just how simplistic it is. it was a skill, clearly )

I chose not to have one.

( she leans forward to put her glass down on the table )

Some witches do, divination or plants, focusing their efforts but its served me more to keep my interests broader.

( and she hasn't suffered for it, not with her strength of power )

I spend my time research magic that has been lost to time, reclaiming what men took from witches. ( but reclaiming it for herself given her lack of coven ) There is much that I know that other witches do not.

( or wouldn't be powerful enough to do. that had been what had gotten her in trouble with lucifer )

[ No? That is interesting. Sorceresses usually develop an interest of some sort, whether the pursuit was deliberate or not. He hums. He finds his thoughts turning in a similar direction; it's difficult not to prod at what it is that lies between her and Lucifer. If Dean is concerned, it must be for good reason.

And he recognizes he and Lucifer have found a different sort of footing between them, one that is tentatively held by a combination of Dean, Istredd, Yennefer, and the fact that Geralt does not bother with those who leave he and his alone. Which, thus far—since the Mark—Lucifer has. Indeed, Lucifer might've even made an effort to help. For his own reasons, obviously—concerned about the boy and his position in Thorne—but that's nothing new. He seldom meets those who possess true altruism.

When he finally asks, it's evident he's chosen his phrasing with purpose. ]

Is that the reason Lucifer is afraid of you? Because you know something you should not?

Edited 2024-12-09 22:29 (UTC)

( if anything ancient magic could be declared as rowena's interest given her study, even protective magic given her use and need of it, but so much both offensive and defensive could be used on either side of the coin. magic was often situational.

which means that when geralt hits his question... oh, the directness certainly pulls a little surprise from her, and another time maybe she'd laugh at the idea of lucifer being afraid of her (even though it's true), instead spending a moment mulling over her own answer.

she doesn't know what geralt knows of lucifer or the entire story though she assumes it's enough given dean's need to give people the right details and how long they've been here. though rowena also knows that context is key )

I am the only witch who knows how to return Lucifer to his prison.

( it makes her words specific, calling it what it is rather than its name, and then adding one detail to clarify why that's a feat )

His prison was constructed by God, a cage with a lock that couldn't just be opened. I found a spell that did that... and the one to send him back.

( to lock him back up forever. and whether it worked here didn't matter. she still knew it and he feared that knowledge )

[ Seems he hit a mark. Geralt studies her with the same steady consideration he gives most folk. ]

Mm. Lucifer told me tale.

[ About the Darkness, about the Mark. Like much of what he learns, Geralt has quietly committed the information to memory whether it currently serves him or not. Besides, he's gathered the others—Dean, Sam, even Castiel—see Lucifer as a particular force. Something rooted in the scripture they grew up on, he supposes. To Geralt, removed from it all as he is, Lucifer is simply a prince graced with too much power and twice the ambition.

Princes are princes are princes. It's all the same horseshit. And he can easily believe that Lucifer is at his most dangerous when he fears another. ]

He left you out, though.

[ That's interesting. Perhaps not surprising . ]

Of course he did.

( though she says it without feeling, not offended nor glad, almost expecting that to have been true. why would lucifer want to talk about the witch that could ruin him?

she pauses in thought for a moment before picking her glass back up and leaning back more comfortably again. if she's going to tell this story she wants all of the comfort )

I became involved with Lucifer... foolishly and unintentionally. Despite being trapped in his Cage he still had ways of getting to people. The boys needed his help with Amara, he knew it, they'd sought my help in getting into his cage without opening it and... he offered me something tempting.

( as he did. there are always details left out, she's cliffnotesing the story but it's all truthful so far. it wouldn't serve her now when she needs protection if she doesn't admit how it happened, and rowena knows that she was blinded a little by the power that lucifer offered her then. she'd seen that when he'd betrayed her )

I opened his cage and that is when he killed me first, expecting the knowledge of how to return him to it to die with me. ( since she'd admitted that she was the only witch who could do so, trying to continually prove her usefulness with a boast of how powerful she was when only that statement had damned her ) That wasn't my true death, I healed from it and... sought to stay very far away from him now he was free. Except my son and the boys wanted him back in the Cage.

( she leaves out more details now, jumping very far in the story )

When Lucifer killed me the second time it was in anticipation of just that. And though he tried to ensure I stayed dead this time... ( she shrugs slightly. didn't stick, lucille. the memories and nightmares may have but not her death )

Whilst I would love to send him back to the Cage I'd rather he was dead, though I'm not looking to try doing that. ( especially not at her full power. she's working on strengthening herself again but she also fears lucifer too much to actually act against him ) Not that he cares. The knowledge I have is enough for him.

[ Rowena's omission does not go unnoticed. What did Lucifer offer her? It's curious. When he agreed to speak to Lucifer about Dean and the Mark, there was no offer, and he knows—from the way the others reacted after he returned with the information—that they expected there to be more to it. Lucifer, playing games. But at the time, Geralt doesn't think Lucifer was. At least, not with him. Not then.

Regardless, it seems Dean had asked her to reach the cage while keeping it locked and after Lucifer tempted her with a something, she had opened it anyhow.

Now why does that sound familiar? ]

You betrayed them. [ It's not an accusation. Just an observation. Clearly, Dean trusts her now—so whatever it is she may have done, they must've mended their relationship. He supposes he understands. He and Yen have done their share of mending.

Geralt leans forward, refilling his glass—and hers, if she wishes. ]

I agreed to help Dean because he's a friend. [ And because he's no lost love for Lucifer. ] But— [ he glances up, meeting her gaze ] I like my quiet. So try not to complicate matters.

Edited 2024-12-14 13:41 (UTC)

Complications are the last thing that I want.

( even if her entire presence here already complicates the truce that dean had. but she wasn't looking to do anything other than exist. she wanted to stay far away from that devil. permanently )

Before I truly died, outside of the help that I gave to the boys I stayed out of supernatural matters.

( which is funny when she's a witch but she was a witch alone: no coven, just her own practice. her magic was for her, for the knowledge that she could find... and share with sam. she'd known long before she died that everything would be left to him, she just didn't expect it to be so soon )

That I want to keep. Quiet and simple.

( solvunn is also a complication in that for her but that's her problem )

[ That is an ironic remark given that he is quite sure Dean would consider her very existence a supernatural matter.

He likes her well enough. Perhaps mages are simply a familiar breed to him—more so than angels. No doubt, there's plenty of details she's omitted but he's in no hurry to fill in the missing pieces. ]

Good.

[ With luck, the lack of complications will hold for at least a week or two before some force or other invariably fucks with them. ]

abraxas:: INBOX

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🎀 wrap soon?