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->Yennefer & Zsasz Interactions<- - Blog Posts
wickedpotions:
.·:*¨༺ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
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HE KNEW IT WAS HARD , even if he didn’t have children of his own . Being able to let go , to let someone you care about do what they need to do . Hell , there were things he’d done for Oswald in an effort to protect him that had just made things worse in the long run , like trying to take the fall for the murder here in town . ❝ She’ll come home to you , I know it . You’re her family . ❞ Even if he’d seen what had been said in the town text chat (both the smartest and dumbest thing he’d seen)
He beamed, leaning forward a bit . ❝ I’ve been doing good . Oswald is remembering more and more , which is good . I’ve apologized for what I did to hurt him , long ago now , so we’re past that . Now it’s just him remembering the good times . ❞ And Edward , but that was something to deal with slowly , to help Oswald let him go . ❝ It’s good to see those parts of him again , you know ? ❞ He loved Oswald , any version he got , but he’d missed some of the devious ambition he’d known in Gotham .
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Family… even though Yennefer knew it to be true, hearing the word spoken aloud still left her feeling an inexplicable happiness. It had been something she spent decades searching for, and she cherished every little moment of it since.
She sipped her cocktail, smiling a bit as she did. Most wouldn't be able to tell, but Yennefer liked to see those she cared for be happy. And despite how long it took her to admit it to herself, she did care for Zsasz. It warmed her to see him start to gush about Oswald.
“Good, good, that's so good. I’m happy for you both,” she set her empty glass down on the little napkin in front of her. “I do know, indeed… my experience with memory issues is a bit more jaded than yours, but I’m glad it's going so well for you both.”
Looking down at her empty glass, she gave a pitiful little sigh. Getting up for another seemed like such an effort. “Do you need another?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
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ZSASZ LISTENED CAREFULLY , TRYING TO DECIDE THE BEST PATH TO TAKE WITH THIS . yennefer was his friend first and foremost , but he’d always been the honest kind with his friends . Even if that honesty was not necessarily what they wanted to hear . But this was also their night out and he didn’t want to ruin the vibes . ❝ I know it’s hard , but you gotta let her have her time . She’ll come home when she’s ready , but she’s a young adult . Young adults sometimes need their space , ya know ? Candy spent a whole half year livin’ at different safe houses for us once cuz she needed space . ❞ He’d hated it , but he’d respected it .
HE LAUGHED AT YENN’S WORDS , his smile stretching wide . ❝ Well I am a taken man , I’m not sure . But I’ve heard small towns can be quite . . . not-vanilla . And I can reach out to people if you’re looking for something . Got a preference ? ❞
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Yennefer nodded a little, coming to accept the fact Ciri had a right to her own (somewhat ill-guided) will a little more. She would never argue with Cori over it, knowing full well how little good that would serve in the long run. She herself needed time every now and again, so she couldn’t fault her too much.
Grinning at Zsasz now, Yennefer had to shake her head, “As much as it pains me to say, I think that would only complicate matters for me at the moment. I’ll be sure to let you know if I do end up needing anything like that, but for now I think this will have to do.” She lifted a hand and wiggled her perfectly manicured fingers for a moment, grin widening until she laughed and lowered her hand again.
“Oh but enough about my troubles for the time being. How have you been getting on?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
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YENNEFER WAS IMPRESSIVE IN MANY WAYS . if not for oswald , and for the piss-poor bloke that somehow had wandered into yenn’s heart , zsasz wondered if there would’ve been more than admiration in his feelings . But after Oswald - well no one would ever capture the feelings that Oswald brought out of him . But this was quite like being back in Gotham with Liz or Candy or any of the other Zsaszettes . She would’ve fit right in with them , especially the way she could knock back a shot .
He leaned in , listening intently to her vent . It really was a shitty situation , and one where he did not like the other party in the slightest . ❝ I do agree having it out in a public chat is not the smartest move . And I wouldn’t worry about Ciri . I’ve heard the owner of the B&B is quite good at her job , and takes it seriously . She’s safe here . ❞ He took a long drag of his daiquiri . ❝ The sex is a differnet matter , but I certainly know other ways you can get your rocks off if that’s what you need . There’s plenty of available parties in town . ❞
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Yennefer gave a little shrug, mouth in a taut line before taking a sip of her drink. There was no changing the past, and she had to accept what had happened. Undoubtedly, she was more than peeved at what Geralt had done, but she had grown tired of scratching that wound.
“I know Ciri is more than alright on her own. She has always been keen to show that much, and I can't deny after everything she’s been through that she's incapable, but no matter how nice they are at the B&B, she’s not where she belongs. That girl’s stubbornness is killer. My only real job in this place is to make sure she’s alright– something I can do much better when she’s around. She doesn’t understand what it's like to be an adult yet, and… oh it's not worth working myself up over again. I think you know what I mean, though.” After taking a good drink from the little black straw in her glass, she narrowed her eyes at him. “You mean to tell me the entire time I’ve been here there's been orgies going on? I’m only just hearing about this now?”
Yennefer pulled a look that gave the impression of a sad puppy. That would have been good to know when she was brimming with boredom and frustration a few months ago.
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
ZSASZ REALLY LIKED THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE DROWNED PRINCE . yeah , the white rabbit was really nice too . But he went there if he wanted to bug Stephie and Kitty Kate . If he wanted to relax , to drink , to hang out with people - that wasn’t the place . Which is why whenever he and Yenn met up for drinks , it was at the Drowned Prince . (Also , secretly , he didn’t want to unless the Bats on her yet .)
He had his … well Zsasz didn’t have a signature drink . His motto was the more fruit flavored and the more sugary , the better . So today he was sipping on a daiquiri - strawberry banana because he felt like being annoying . He took a long sip , slowly raising a brow bone at Yennefer . ❝ So . What’s up with the blonde mamoth . ❞
┊ ┊⊱⋅⋅ @bombadills
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Even across spheres, a night out still remained the same at its core. It was a little comfort to be able to maintain some semblance of normalcy when she was in the midst of an emotional crisis, and Yennefer was thankful for it. She was thankful for the improvement in alcohol quality as well. Back home, nearly anything you could reasonably get your hands on tasted like swill compared to the things these Earth bartenders could whip up. Yennefer favored something in the middle of the sweetness scale, but she wasn’t opposed to using her roots to her advantage (aka pounding back shots of high ABV liquors to prove annoying men wrong).
It was nice to finally have a friend here. She hadn’t expected it to be Zsasz, but he was interesting company, and they seemed to click in a weird inexplicable way. They had a little routine by now. When one of them needed it, they would call for a night out, and drink until they had solved the problem or got cut off from ordering. The latest topic was the whole Geralt Thing.
Sighing at his question, and taking a sip of something called an amaretto sour (she was determined to try all of the most popular Earth cocktails at least once), Yennefer shook her head slightly, “I have no idea... I’m bored of this whole thing if I’m being honest. I think we’re going to be alright in the end. I just hate that it all went on so publicly. I mean-- If we were back home we would have sorted this out forever ago, and I wouldn't have to worry about Ciri being out of the house on some foolish power display to show she still has some semblance of control despite us, and I would actually be able to have sex. So I’m down three for three here.”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
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ZSASZ SHRUGGED , THE MOTION MOVING THROUGH HIS ENTIRE BODY . ❝ you never know . I’ve picked people up in stranger places . Though for most people , the idea of picking anyone up in Gotham is a gamble so I suppose it isn’t hard to go a bit further than that . When you say alone do you just mean single or properly alone ? ❞
IF IT WAS THE LATER , the idea sat uncomfortably in his stomach . He’d always preferred a smaller circle , working as almost a lone wolf but not quite . The Zsaszettes were important to him , Falcone had been , Oswald was . Everyone deserved that one or two people that made them not feel alone in the world , and if Yennefer didn’t have that … well the answer was easy . Zsasz would pester her until that changed .
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It took a moment for Yennefer to find the right answer. Labels had so rarely been her thing, and her life was anything but straightforward. There was no easy way to define a relationship tethered together by destiny and the haphazard wish of a djinn that you’ve been trying your best not to think about. Yennefer silently wished Geralt was there to talk to. But he wasn’t. And she would have to deal.
“I would say that it’s complicated, and he’s not here. Though, I’m not properly alone. I have my daughter here, which has been the sole nicety of this place. Before I found myself here, we were separated for far longer than I’d prefer.” Thinking of Ciri brought a little, genuine, smile to her lips. Come hell or high water, her daughter was the only person who could do no wrong to her. “And you mentioned a partner?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yenn
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ZSASZ’S BODY MOVEMENTS FROZE , settling into the stillness he often pulled off when during a stake out or when lining up a shot . He was certain he hadn’t said any of that out loud . Unless he was intoxicated , Zsasz was pretty good with that kind of thing . He’d never understood stories where someone said something out loud they thought was only a thought . And yet , here she was answering an unspoken question . Slowly , very slowly , his brow bone rose . Then he shifted , pushing his body into something more relaxed . ❝ I hadn’t asked , though I appreciate the information . I am not taken though , so you’ll have to try your luck elsewhere . ❞ There was a teasing bite to his words , a devious smirk on his lips . ❝ My partner doesn’t share . I’d offer to set you up , but my friend is back at home unfortunately . ❞
HE WAS CERTAIN SHE’D SOMEHOW PLUCKED THE THOUGHTS FROM HIS MIND . maybe something in his body language had given it away , though even liz had a hard time reading him . He had to decide if he wanted to push it or not , and eventually he decided it would be far more fascinating to N O T push it and see where things went . He had very little to hide anyway . ❝ I’m glad to see we still agree on these things . People are fascinating , especially when you get them riled up . ❞
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A fox caught in the hunt. That's what he looked like-- what they all looked like when she did it to them the first time. A devious little smile tugged at Yennefer’s lips as she watched the cogs turn behind his eyes. Likely, he would be running through possible explanations in his head. The mind never liked things it couldn’t explain. He was handling it interestingly enough, and if she were a bit more bored, she would've taken another peek.
She made a sound half between a scoff and a laugh. “Trust me, if I were looking to fuck someone, I wouldn't walk into a hunting store in the middle of a Thursday afternoon. And, while I appreciate the offer, I do quite well on my own.”
For a brief, annoying moment, she was hit with a pang of... well, she didn’t want to name the feeling. It was true. It was. But she was lonelier than she’d like to admit in this place. “The actions of those under duress are always intriguing to me, especially when I hold them in contempt. I think if I had been able to choose another career path, it could've had to do with studying the mind. Though, science where I come from pales in comparison to what this town has.”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ZSASZ ft. yennefer
[ setting : hill’s hunting , with : bombadills ]
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ZSASZ HAD , OF COURSE , CLOCKED THAT YENNEFER WAS GORGEOUS. he was taken , not blind. In another time , before he’d promised everything he had to Oswald , he may have tried to make a pass on her. Nothing serious - just a night of fun for the both of them before heading their separate ways. The smile , catlike as it was , made her face curl up in a very appealing way. Not for the first time he wished Liz was here - though this time because it’d be fun to watch her try to get a night with the woman. If she was free , of course.
HE NODDED TO HER WORDS. he had suspected she’d understand , and he was glad he was correct in thinking so. ❝ Exactly. For example , there was this guy back at home. A pain in my ass most of the time because he had a moral superiority about him. But he picked his ground and he stood it , which I deeply respected. ❞ Jimbo was good , even if they often stood on opposite sides of the trenches. ❝ My biggest advisory (a different guy) also has rules , though stricter than mine. And I gotta respect it , ya know. Sometimes it’s fun to see if you can push someone to break their own rules. ❞
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She listened intently, as she was wont to do. Yennefer learned long ago the benefits of paying attention to what people shared. It helped guide her to people who would be advantageous- or a roadblock- to her future problems. If you were good (and she was very good), you could compare it to what you didn’t know about the person, and surmise even more about them, without the subject so much as suspecting. She didn’t think she would be needing to do any of that with him, but nothing was ever certain.
“I am unattached at the moment,” she said cooly in response to a thought he had not expressed aloud. She didn’t mean to pry into his head, but it was right there. Low hanging fruit was easy to grab after all. It wasn’t an offer nor a suggestion, just a statement of fact. She wasn’t lying. She truly did love Geralt (as much as she thought herself capable, as she still thought such a word was unfitting for herself to use), but he was oblivious to her existence, and she had often found a bit of comfort in late night rendezvous. Her early days in town, confused and alone, told her it still did.
Yennefer continued as if randomly commentating on people’s thoughts was a normal thing to do. It was to her, after all.
“Isn’t everyone with a moral superiority complex a pain in the arse? I think the two terms to be synonymous,” she smiled at her own attempt at a joke. “Mmm, I would have to agree with you. Pushing people’s buttons can be quite entertaining. I’ve done my fair share of… interrogations that way.”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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ZSASZ CHUCKLED A BIT AT HER POLITENESS. it was obviously, now, that she’d been around politicians (or perhaps royals in her world ?) before. He was surprised he hadn’t picked up on it before. ❝ Just Zsasz is fine. Some people from home call me Mr. Zsasz, though that’s more for formality. ❞
HER CLOTHES WERE NICE, IF A BIT DIFFERENT. though zsasz couldn’t comment on that front when he was in nearly entirely leather and had around six weapons stored on his body at the moment (which was on the low end). Of course, most of those weapons were concealed aside from the one hand gun he had in his shoulder strap.
❝ I CERTAINLY LEAN TOWARDS THE DARKER SIDE FOR MOST THINGS. but it is never that simple, i’m sure you understand. We all have our loyalties, and the things we care about. For example - I am a vegetarian, because I dislike how animals are often treated in the meat industry on this planet. ❞ But killing people was fine. It was strange, but it was who he was. ❝ And of course I have my rules. I think we all do, at the end of the day. ❞ No kids. No one who was connected to Oswald or Falcone unless that person ordered it. Nothing that will start a war you aren’t ready for. And of course, there were the hits Zsasz would do for free - when it came to the people who were somehow worse than himself.
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“Zsasz it is, then,” the mage smiled a cat-like grin. It lit up her face in a pretty way. Yennefer was an exceedingly pretty woman.
Loyalty was the name of her game as well. It had been ever since she had left Aretuza. First it had been to her only friends— Sabrina, Triss, Istredd. Then, after a long while, her mentor Tissaia joined the list. Now, the list was emphatically belonging to Ciri and Geralt and Jaskier (even if she would never tell the bard out loud). Her duty was first and foremost to keep them safe, no matter the jobs she signed on to do.
“Interesting— I like that. We all have our stances in life, and I can respect yours greatly. Even when I don’t agree with someone’s moronic stance on morality, I can respect holding to your morals,” Yennefer said as she leaned against the counter, shifting the weight on her boots. “Indeed. Having rules is important. You lose yourself if you don’t have them, in my experience.” She had lost herself a few times when she had broken her own rules, and she had never wanted to experience that again. Especially around her Chaos. When you break your rules, you risk everything being taken away from you.
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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SHE WAS A CHESS PLAYER THEN, OR WHATEVER THEY LIKED TO THINK OF THEMSELVES. someone like falcone or oswald, who knew how to play everyone in power. Zsasz had never taken an interest in that part of the business - better to let those who did it better than him take charge of that. But he admired the hell out of it. He wouldn’t have been so loyal to the people he had been if he didn’t admire it. ❝ I can see how it’d get boring. It was never my forte. I’d much rather scare people into what I need than play with all the pieces. That’s for my bosses to deal with. ❞
HE WAS A SIMPLE GUY AT THE END OF IT. sure, he could push to be more, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to kill and scare people, then go home to have dinner with Oswald or his family. He didn’t need to be the most powerful man in the room - that just meant more people would try to kill him.
HE GRINNED AT HER COMPLIMENT, eyes casting around the shop he’d grown to be proud of. ❝ Glad that you find it comforting. I’ve worked hard on it - well since I took it over. ❞ Some change in merchandising, getting rid of the taxidermy (though he’d kept a pair of antlers, and spray painted them silver). The sleeker wood flooring and glass cases.
HE TOOK HER HAND, SHAKING IT. ❝ victor zsasz, though only a handful of people are allowed to call me victor. ❞ Oswald, Falcone, the Zsaszettes. ❝ It’s nice to meet someone of a like mind to me. I was worried this town was only going to be filled with good-doers. It gets quite boring that way. ❞
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By the gods, she had hated her old jobs. They were born out of necessity, as its simply what most mages did. When she realized the freedom she could have if she left, Yennefer had immediately taken it. Ever since then, she had worked for herself. She understood his methods; they were similar to her own and many of the other sorceresses she knew.
Yennefer took another quick look around the shop as well, smiling at him as she shook his hand. “Well, your hard work shows, Victor Zsasz, or whatever it is you would like me to call you. And I mean that sincerely. Its nice to meet you.” When she retracted her hand, she moved to undo the belt keeping her coat together. The shop had finally warmed her up well enough that she was beginning to feel hot. The glimpse of her clothing beneath reflected the person that he had been speaking to perfectly: high quality, tailored, classical fashion with a hint of something otherworldly.
“I agree with you there. Some of these people are painful to be around. Makes my head ache just thinking about it,” she rolled her eyes, honest yet playful, “I don’t think anything can be very fun when its black and white. The good drama comes from the outside and in-between.”
Yennefer was all for a good show-- the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline rush of a fight, the forged and broken bonds between it all. As long as Ciri was safe, she didn’t have any problem watching trouble get cooked up. Not any problem at all.
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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ZSASZ PULLED ANOTHER GUMMY BEAR FROM HIS BAG, only for it to disappear from his hands. He knew he’d been holding it and it wasn’t like it’d fallen. He had a better grip on things than that. No - the bear appeared in her hands. Without crossing the room, without breaking a sweat, she’d managed to take what was his. It was fascinating, though it unsettled him in part too. Would she try to steal from him? It would be a frightfully dumb move if she did, as magic or not he would hunt her down. Kai would hunt her down as well, and he was actually magic. A quick glance over at the dragon told Zsasz that he was eyeing them both, though he stayed curled up as though it wasn’t a big deal. He’d learned from his father well, after all.
HE WAS MORE CURIOUS THAN WORRIED, THOUGH. he ran with people who could take him apart if they tried, but they never did because he often showed them interest and people tended to like that. They liked being the center of attention, whether that attention be loud or quiet. He couldn’t help but laugh at her statement. ❝ I like you. You’re right about politicians. They’re all corrupt and easy to mold. You just gotta figure out what they want. ❞
HIS GRIN HAD ALWAYS BEEN SHARK-LIKE. it’s the word yules used for it, and he felt like it fit well. Zsasz the Shark. He gave that grin now, all teeth and cold eyes. ❝ I take it it doesn’t worry you if I am. Most people would be slowly backing towards the door. Or pulling a weapon on me. ❞ He crossed his legs, leaning back against the wall behind him. ❝ I am, though not to everyone. Villain seems like such a black and white kinda word. I go against general society’s morals, for the most part, but I protect people too. ❞ Falcone, Oswald, his Zsaszettes.
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Yennefer gave a modest smile and a little shrug that said she knew as much about each of his statements already. She could be quite likable when she wanted to be (which wasn't all that often), and she knew exactly what made a king or a duke or any of those others tick. A large majority of the time all she had to do was primp their ego a little and bring up whatever woman they had inappropriately frolicked with, and she would be set. “I know I’m right. It was my job for a few years. It's quite easy to make them all think what I want is what they want, but I got bored of such drivel after a while.”
Looking him over, she shook her head while exhaling a laugh. Despite the intensity to his smile, his gaze, it was nothing she could be afraid of. She had battled alongside witchers on any number of different potions which left their eyes and faces haunting or sickening or otherwise intimidating to gaze upon.
“No, it doesn’t worry me. It may come as a surprise, but I haven't felt intimidated at all in this shop of yours. Quite the opposite, actually. Strangely, it reminds me of a place I’d find back home.” Yennefer made no movements, save to shift the weight on her feet and idly fiddle with the charm on her choker to ensure the clasp was still in the back. “Despite the colour scheme of my wardrobe, my thoughts are not black and white. I understand what you mean. I think I’ve been cast as a villain in peoples’ eyes more than once, and maybe I would be more permanently labeled that if it were not for the people I remain close to.” Yennefer was quite sure that she would be a vastly different person if not for Geralt’s presence in her life, and Ciri went to further mellow out the cruelty that used to run in her veins.
“I think we have much more in common than I initially thought, you and I,” she remarked after a pause. She extended a hand in the space between them. “Yennefer of Vengerberg-- or Wilczynski, as I’m known here.”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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ZSASZ DUG BEHIND THE REGISTER, PROCURING THE BAG OF GUMMY BEARS HE KEPT THERE. he tore one of the heads off, watching the woman look over the other weapons. Kai raised his head with interest, but didn’t move from his post by the register. Zsasz suspected that something he’d said had bothered the woman a bit, though he couldn’t pinpoint which bit it was. And really, he wouldn’t try unless she brought it up.
❝ WELL, WEIRD IS RELATIVE. for me, the supernatural is weird. Vampires, werewolves, witches - they aren’t really supposed to exist. I mean, I suppose there’s Zatanna and people like her who use some form of magic. But it’s different where I’m from. Other people might find the constant disappearances weird, but I’m from a city that’s run by villains. People disappear all the time. ❞
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Had this been The Continent, Yennefer wouldn’t have stuck around long enough for the shopkeep to say more than two words to her. They were always so dreadfully dull, she was liable to fall asleep where she stood. But this was Earth, and Ciri had encouraged her to make friends, or at least be a little more friendly with people, so she would linger for the time being.
She was ‘weird’ to him, then. Suppressing a grin, she held her hand out a few inches from her body, palm up. A moment later, the next gummy-victim between his fingers appeared there. There were no theatrics to the display, save the faint smell of lilac and gooseberries in the air, which dissipated a few moments later (a side affect of being on Earth, and part of the reason she was slightly concerned with her chaos not obeying her).
Yennefer laughed as she popped it in her mouth, “All cities are run by villains. They’re called politicians.” She knew that well enough, having spent three decades serving a king’s court, and the subsequent four bouncing between all sorts of towns to do work for their leaders. “People disappear everywhere, it seems. Tell me, the way you speak-- the theatrics, the talk of the importance of multitasking, the owning a weapons shop-- I take it you’re one of those villains then?” She wasn't scared nor accusatory, merely intrigued.
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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ZSASZ COCKED HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY TO THE SIDE. he took the woman’s words as a compliment, even if he hadn’t been expecting them. ❝I don’t think everyone would agree with you there, but most of them are … stuck up in their ideas and morals. People who are willing to look past that tend to think I’m pretty smart though.❞
HE KNEW HIS STUFF. he knew weapons, he knew how to kill. You could put him in an empty room and he could still come up with three ways to murder someone else. At least. People like Jimbo wouldn’t appreciate that. Or Slim Jim would pretend he didn’t appreciate it because he’s ❛morally❜ ❛superior❜. Whatever that was supposed to mean. ❝ It certainly fits you well. Looks like it was something you were meant to have. And in this town, you can’t ever be too careful when it comes to protecting yourself. Most things take it as a - stay outta my way and I’ll stay outta yours. But sometimes things get weird. ❞
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With a small laugh, Yennefer shook her head in amusement, “Yes, well, most people tend not to agree with me on many of my standpoints. No surprise there.”
While she absently examined the other weapons on the table, she thought on his words. How were people here managing to unknowingly spew things that boiled down to be about destiny? Even if it was a figure of speech, Yennefer was starting to hate the idea of ‘meant to be,’ even with something as minute as a blade. It didn’t crush her spirits too much, as she was much too pleased with her find.
His advice made well enough sense; it was similar to how certain cities were back on The Continent. People were still people, after all. Her hands retreated from the weaponry, and fingers tapped against the edge of the counter, “You sound like you speak from experience. What sort of weird?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
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ZSASZ DID UNDERSTAND THAT, VERY VERY WELL. ❝ i was trained to adapt in the moment to things going wrong. Things still are un-saveable at times, but I understand what you mean. You can’t plan for everything, and even if you do, the universe is chaotic and things will still go wrong. You just need to adjust and fix where you’re going. ❞
HE WATCHED HER CAREFULLY PICK OUT A BLADE AND BALANCE IT. yes, she did know exactly what she was doing. Which was good. The short swords didn’t get sold often, as they required a good bit of training. The people who did buy them, Zsasz suspected, just wanted to have a sword. But he liked having them in stock, if even just to have them here.
HE SQUINTED AT THE ONE SHE HELD IN HER HAND, going through the catalog in his head. ❝ That one is from one of the makers I contact in France. They specialize in swords, though I am only interested in the short ones. It’s a bit utilitarian, I know, but I’m sure you understand that they aren’t super popular here. ❞
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Fingers roving the hilt of the blade, the mage looked to him, a little glimmer of intrigue still in her eye. “It's good.” She played with the grip of it for a moment before continuing, “It's good to know that somebody else around here has a decent head on their shoulders… or perhaps it's concerning. Either way, you’re one of a small few I’ve met here that could say they’ve got a brain and not come out of it looking idiotic.”
She hadn’t necessarily meant it as a compliment, more a statement of observation. Yennefer knew stupid. She had worked for her fair share of stupid for decades, and he simply wasn’t it.
“Well, I think this one suits me well. Hopefully, I shan’t need use of it, but you can never be too careful,” Yennefer set the blade down on the counter again.
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊
ZSASZ COULDN’T HELP BUT SNORT. ❝ multitasking. A girl after my own heart, though Liz always got on me about enjoying a snack on the job. ❞ The woman certainly had an air about her that told him she knew what she was doing. There were some in Sallow Hills it would be stupid to sell more than a hunting or pocket knife too, lest they hurt themselves more than anything else. But he could tell she was pretty knowledgeable in the way she held herself. It wasn’t a fake sorta confidence in what she was looking for, but something fairly genuine.
❝ SOMETIMES, THOUGH, ZONING IN ON JUST ONE THING IS FUN. when you just let yourself focus on the hunt and nothing else. When it takes over your entire mind. ❞ He pushed away from the counter, eyes racking over the knives in front of him. He slid down to a different case, this one mainly filled with machetes. However, tucked away in the back away from just a skimming eye, were a few short swords. He pulled them out, laying them on the top of the case, then pulled out a few of his heftier daggers.
❝ HERE’S WHAT I GOT IN STOCK RIGHT NOW. if none of them suit your fancy, let me know what you like and don’t like about each of them and i can see what i can order the next time i get inventory. ❞
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You could never be too careful in unfamiliar places. A lesson Yennefer had learned all too well when she was much younger than she was today. Physical weapons had never been her preferred method of fighting, but one made sacrifices of aesthetics for safety.
When it takes over your entire mind. She nearly appreciated the sentiment, but the thought made her sick. She had done once. Her Chaos took over her mind as she became a conduit for it. It was a powerful move, but deadly, and it nearly took her. No, she was better off multitasking. “I suppose you’re right, but nothing is ever sure to work out the way you plan initially. You seem to be the type to understand that.”
Studying the cases with a keen eye, Yennefer carefully considered her options. She was no fighter, but she knew enough to get by. They seemed well crafted as they could be for this place, or she thought so anyway. “I’m sure one of these will work nicely, no need for special orders.” She paused, well manicured fingers ghosting over the hilts of the weapons, before they settled over a short sword, which she picked up to feel the balance of. Not completely liking the feel, she tried the next one over, which suited her hand much better. “This one is nice. What is it?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊
SHE DIDN’T SEEM TO BE THROWN OFF BY HIS KNIFE THROWING. which wasn’t a bad thing. If anything it made Zsasz more interested in the woman who’d walked into his shop. She hadn’t even flinched at his movement. It was impressive, and something that was a characteristic of his girls most of the time. It was a rare sight in most. One that he found in Michael Myers and at times Dean Winchester. ❝ Joke or not, it’s always good to prove oneself as excelling in their trade. My trade just happens to be weapons. ❞ And using those weapons, though there was little need for an assassin in Sallow Hills, so he didn’t need to get whispers around about that.
HE CROSSED THE ROOM, RETRIEVING THE KNIFE FROM WHERE IT HAD LODGED IN THE WALL. he brought it back to where it would find a home until someone bought it, tucked away in the knife display case. He leaned his elbows on the case after that, watching the woman carefully. ❝ My recommendation depends. What are you comfortable with? There’s lots of things here that are good for personal protection, but I wouldn’t recommend a rifle to someone who is more comfortable with blades. ❞
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People’s modalities were always of interest to the mage. If you watched how someone conducted themselves, you could predict future actions if you had a sharp enough mind. It was particularly helpful when there was a threat present, but from what she could tell, there wasn’t one here. It was bad for business to threaten people in your shop, and the man seemed to have his wits about him. Still, she watched intently as he moved about the room.
Yennefer drummed her fingers against the top of her forearm as she thought. Threat or no, you don’t walk around flaunting a weak spot, so she didn’t mention that she hadn’t the slightest clue what a rifle was. “Blades– that's where my skills lie. Nothing too heavy, and I’d prefer to have a free hand if need be. I like to be able to multitask, you see.”
She had a vague idea of what she wanted, but there was no telling what similarities laid between her realm and this one. There was a strange sense of comfort as her eyes swept the racks and shelves of the shop, before they settled back on him. He was watching her the same way that she was watching him. She liked that; it meant she was dealing with someone who had a brain. There were a surprising amount of people in this town who seemed to be lacking in that area. Mirroring his actions, she leaned her elbows on the case nearest her with a grin. “Easy enough request, so I’m sure you can help me find something.”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ && YENNEFER
*̩̩̥͙ -•̩̩͙-ˏˋ⋆ ⋆ˊˎ-•̩̩͙- *̩̩̥͙
THE WOMAN WAS DRESSED INTERESTINGLY, TO SAY THE LEAST. not that zsasz had any place to talk with his nearly all-leather get up. Hers was certainly more fitting for a Welsh countryside town than his own, but he’d never been one to mind standing out in a crowd. In fact, it usually was quite the opposite. Zsasz knew how to use shadows and darkness to his aid, but also when to draw the eye of everyone around him.
HE PUT THE BOX OF GOOD ON THE COUNTER, raising a brow bone at kai who seemed to look up at him in question. He sighed. He supposed he and Oswald were spoiling the dragon a bit too much. ❝ Don’t you have a register to guard? ❞ Kai let out a snort, but did turn and head over to the small, purple pillow beside the cash register. With that, Zsasz turned his attention back to the woman.
HE TOOK THE KNIFE, CAREFULLY MOVING IT TO NOT CUT EITHER OF THEM. ❝ yes well, i suppose the knives either moved in transport or my shop assistant was messing around in the back and hoped i wouldn’t notice. Either way, thank you. If you feel I need to prove myself proficient at weapons, I’m always happy to give a demonstration. ❞ He spun the knife in his hand, getting it into a more comfortable grip. Quickly, he took aim at the board he had across the store for just this and sent the knife flying. It landed in the bullseye with a thunk. He gave a flourish of a half bow. ❝ Now, is there anything I can assist you with? ❞
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Yennefer couldn’t help but to watch the dragon retreat to its spot beside the register. It was a mistake in the end, as the sight once again took her mind elsewhere. She was quickly brought back to the moment when he spoke once again.
She wasn’t sure if it had been the intention, but she wasn't intimidated or startled. In fact, she was far from it. For the first time since she had arrived in Sallow Hills, she was hit with a startling amount of familiarity. The way he dressed, the dramatics, the set up and contents of the shop: they reminded her of home. She could’ve sworn something identical had happened with Lambert when she was visiting Kaer Morhen once, but she didn’t want to dwell on it. She had business to do.
“Impressive. Though, I was making a joke.” A smirk grew on her face as she met his eyes, and there was a quirk to her brow in sudden intrigue of the man before her. Yennefer nonchalantly crossed her arms in front of her as she looked between him and the blade now protruding from the wall. “I’m new here. I don’t have any... guarantee of personal protection, and I should like to remedy that. What would you recommend?”
wickedpotions:
✧･ﾟ ┊ ┊ ┊ ZSASZ OPEN STARTER
ZSASZ WAS WHISTLING AS HE MOVED THROUG THE STORAGE ROOM, COLLECTING ITEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE MOVED TO THE FRONT. he only had a month left of florence tenners following him around. A month and he could go back on his weekly (if not daily) Revenant hunts without asking Armes (the horrible woman) for permission. Tenners had to be excited too. Him and his partner had to be tired of trading off from watching him. They’d gotten lazy the last month and change, as well. Holidays did that for people.
HE GRABBED A BOX OF HUNTING KNIVES, lugging it out to the main area of the shop. Kai, his dragon, excitedly jumped off the counter and twisted around his ankles. Zsasz titled, just slightly, to avoid Kai, and one of the knives fell out of the box. ❝Mind grabbing that? I’d rather not put down this box until I’m at the knife display,❞ he called out to the person he’d clocked by the small clothing rack.
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Yennefer was surprisingly used to being thrown headfirst into lands that were wholly unfamiliar and not her own. That wasn’t the issue. The issue stemmed from her isolation from the familiar. This world, Earth, was too different from what she knew for her to feel comfortable in being alone there. With no assurance that her Chaos would continue to work as it should, and no head over heels witcher ready to hop to her defense at a moment's notice, she knew that secondary protection was her best bet.
Approaching Hills Hunting, she tightened the belt of her black woolen coat as if that would somehow serve to warm her up. Though she was dressed in layers of beautifully made black and white pieces of clothing, the chill in the air was still seeping into her bones. Luckily for her, the interior of the shop was much warmer than the outdoors.
She had only been in the shop for a moment before she watched as the shopkeeper entered from the back. She watched as a blade fell from the box he was carrying, and gave a little nod at the request. It wasn’t until she was halfway down that she registered what it was that had caused him to stumble. A dragon!? A fucking dragon. One that looked all too similar to– no. She would think about him later. Not now. This town would be the death of her aching heart.
She tore her eyes away from the little beast, and walked the knife over to the display, holding it out to him in a way that wouldn’t slice either of them in the passing off. “You know, it's not particularly professional for shop owners to have such a loose grip on weaponry when customers are present.”
