Jaskier is in the process of biting onto a slice of buttered bread when Vesemir speaks his permission, so when he turns away from Geralt to stare at the old man with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, the bread is left hanging on his mouth. He probably looks like an idiot, ruining the whole I'm-useful-please-trust-me image he just tried to put up with his little speech, but he's too shocked to notice.
It's not like he had been expecting a full no - he did think they would find some chores for him to do, that they would trust him with the horses at least, and that the books would require some convincing, maybe done under supervision. But deal with it as you see fit? Damn! Didn't see that one coming. It's pretty much free rein! Jaskier can't help puffing out his chest, eyes gleaming with excitement - he also tries to talk with the bread still on his mouth, ruining the moment.
He grabs the bread and clears his voice before trying again, this time looking directly at Vesemir instead of just glancing. There's the beginning of something here - perhaps just a test, but Jaskier will take it. He didn't win Geralt over in one day, he can work on these other wolves (and griffin!) as well.
"It'll be my pleasure."
A forbidden section, though? That sounds fascinating. Jaskier just nods along but makes no promises, because he's a nosy bard that wants to see and learn everything - hell, maybe he's already touched something he shouldn't have when he hid in the library after the argument. Oopsie? (No regrets! At least until he hears about the curses...)
Back to breakfast for him then. Jaskier takes the chance to finish his kasha while watching the witchers interact, wanting to learn every detail. There are many layers to this - witcher relations among their own in general, but also the dynamics of a family. And not just any family, but Geralt's family, which makes it extra important. It's sweet, really, and a high honor to see them act so... normal. Brother-like. It reminds Jaskier, in a very metaphorical way, of how things used to be between him and Frederick before his brother went full Responsible Douchebag Heir. It makes him a bit jealous, and he feels shitty for it, because the circumstances that brought these men together as a family are far from ideal.
Does Cirilla think any of the same things Jaskier does? She must miss her family, that's for sure.
"Whenever you're done with your studies, princess--" This time he doesn't lean against Geralt to talk to her. He does, however, pick some bread and sausage for himself before casually pushing the plate with all the reminding sausage towards Geralt. Gotta feed the wolf - he always needs more food than Jaskier does, but it's worse this time: he can tell he's had a couple of rough months. "You may join me in the library. We could go over some recent world events together, if it pleases you."
Let me tutor you, he wants to say, but he knows better. He imposed himself on Geralt because direct is the witcher's language. But with Ciri? Gotta spin those words, let her know this is an option and not an obligation. He remembers being her age, remembers how much he hated certain classes, how he'd rather go outside and have an adventure. She has a whole keep to explore now, plus actual sword and magic at her disposal... what kind of teen would choose books over that? Especially a girl, whose chances to learn these things are as a small as a grain of rice.
But Jaskier has hopes, especially after their talk. He hopes that having lost his home so soon, she may be nostalgic for--
"I'd like that."
--ah. She does! Jaskier beams, filling the mess hall with the sweetness of his scent. Bard and princess share a nod and a smile before Jaskier turns to the other witchers at the table. His lips form a grin now, a mischievous glint appearing on his eyes. Oh no, nobody is safe from the bard!
"That goes for all of you! Come by when you're taking a break, I want to pick all your brains! That includes you, Your Prickness." He playfully kicks Lambert under the table. It's not meant to hurt, not like Jaskier could do that to a witcher anyway. "I want to hear about everyone's hunts! There's a whole winter ahead of us and I can use it to compose. Geralt shall no be the only witcher I sing about, even if he remains my favorite. Childhood stories to embarrass each other are welcome and encouraged, and they shall be repaid with twenty years of details Mr Stingy has kept to himself, I'm sure."
no subject
It's not like he had been expecting a full no - he did think they would find some chores for him to do, that they would trust him with the horses at least, and that the books would require some convincing, maybe done under supervision. But deal with it as you see fit? Damn! Didn't see that one coming. It's pretty much free rein! Jaskier can't help puffing out his chest, eyes gleaming with excitement - he also tries to talk with the bread still on his mouth, ruining the moment.
He grabs the bread and clears his voice before trying again, this time looking directly at Vesemir instead of just glancing. There's the beginning of something here - perhaps just a test, but Jaskier will take it. He didn't win Geralt over in one day, he can work on these other wolves (and griffin!) as well.
"It'll be my pleasure."
A forbidden section, though? That sounds fascinating. Jaskier just nods along but makes no promises, because he's a nosy bard that wants to see and learn everything - hell, maybe he's already touched something he shouldn't have when he hid in the library after the argument. Oopsie? (No regrets! At least until he hears about the curses...)
Back to breakfast for him then. Jaskier takes the chance to finish his kasha while watching the witchers interact, wanting to learn every detail. There are many layers to this - witcher relations among their own in general, but also the dynamics of a family. And not just any family, but Geralt's family, which makes it extra important. It's sweet, really, and a high honor to see them act so... normal. Brother-like. It reminds Jaskier, in a very metaphorical way, of how things used to be between him and Frederick before his brother went full Responsible Douchebag Heir. It makes him a bit jealous, and he feels shitty for it, because the circumstances that brought these men together as a family are far from ideal.
Does Cirilla think any of the same things Jaskier does? She must miss her family, that's for sure.
"Whenever you're done with your studies, princess--" This time he doesn't lean against Geralt to talk to her. He does, however, pick some bread and sausage for himself before casually pushing the plate with all the reminding sausage towards Geralt. Gotta feed the wolf - he always needs more food than Jaskier does, but it's worse this time: he can tell he's had a couple of rough months. "You may join me in the library. We could go over some recent world events together, if it pleases you."
Let me tutor you, he wants to say, but he knows better. He imposed himself on Geralt because direct is the witcher's language. But with Ciri? Gotta spin those words, let her know this is an option and not an obligation. He remembers being her age, remembers how much he hated certain classes, how he'd rather go outside and have an adventure. She has a whole keep to explore now, plus actual sword and magic at her disposal... what kind of teen would choose books over that? Especially a girl, whose chances to learn these things are as a small as a grain of rice.
But Jaskier has hopes, especially after their talk. He hopes that having lost his home so soon, she may be nostalgic for--
"I'd like that."
--ah. She does! Jaskier beams, filling the mess hall with the sweetness of his scent. Bard and princess share a nod and a smile before Jaskier turns to the other witchers at the table. His lips form a grin now, a mischievous glint appearing on his eyes. Oh no, nobody is safe from the bard!
"That goes for all of you! Come by when you're taking a break, I want to pick all your brains! That includes you, Your Prickness." He playfully kicks Lambert under the table. It's not meant to hurt, not like Jaskier could do that to a witcher anyway. "I want to hear about everyone's hunts! There's a whole winter ahead of us and I can use it to compose. Geralt shall no be the only witcher I sing about, even if he remains my favorite. Childhood stories to embarrass each other are welcome and encouraged, and they shall be repaid with twenty years of details Mr Stingy has kept to himself, I'm sure."