Oxenfurt is huge. Colorful (on wooden roofs, decorations and art everywhere), aromatic (gotta keep the fish smell away with fine flowers and perfumes), well designed. Crowded and very, very loud. That crowd, however, is nothing like the ones in other cities. There are merchants, of course, but there are also musicians, dressed in even more colors than Jaskier himself, playing or singing at every other corner. Scientists and philosophers, dressed in dark gowns, carrying piles of books and having deep arguments in the middle of the street.
No matter the group they belong to, eyes turn to them as soon as they enter the town, and the whispering begins. White Wolf, the muse and Master Jaskier is heard all over, and Geralt -with his mighty witcher ears- may pick on the subjects of their discussion, a mix of excitement over finally having the famous muse visiting their city, Jaskier arriving earlier than usual, and questions about the state of their relationship with judging looks thrown at Geralt. Jaskier tries his best to ignore those and puts up his charms to work - says good afternoon to anyone that he knows, offers winks and cute smiles, promises to talk to them later... and when inquisitive eyes ask a silent question about the man next to him, he offers a thumbs-up as explanation.
The city quickly catches on and soon the judging looks disappear to leave a warm welcome instead. Young students look excited when they see them walk by together, wondering if the White Wolf will be at the lectures as well. And that sound? Well, Toss a coin is now hummed by the merchants or even played by a group of bard trainees by the fountain.
Jaskier can't help smiling at it all, he thinks Geralt deserves the appreciation, but also knows he's probably hating every second of it.
"Sorry about that." He whispers to the witcher and gives his forearm a squeeze. "But we are here now."
The university is big and imposing, the style of the building matching the rest of the city. Here Jaskier has way many more people to say hi to, but he nudges Geralt to hurry upstairs, where the witcher is asked to wait outside the office while the bard does his thing. The dean is thankfully understanding - at first he isn't a fan of the idea of Jaskier skipping next winter, but having exclusive lectures AND the presence of the White Wolf makes up for it nicely.
Which means that, when Jaskier leaves the office with keys in his hands, he can't stop the man from following him. Oh dear.
"Geralt of Rivia. The untamed muse." No 'mighty witcher' or 'butcher' or even 'white wolf'. Muse, and to this guy, that carries more weight than any other word he could've used. His head is bald yet his white beard is bushy, brown eyes are filled with curiosity and respect... also maybe a little amusement, especially when he glances at a fidgeting Jaskier by his side. He offers Geralt a hand to shake. "Professor Mateusz Nowak, dean of Oxefurt University. It's an honor to have you in our academy - Jaskier has told us a lot about you. Allow me to thank you for allowing one of our best students to grow into the fine artist he is today by sharing your company, your protection--"
"Professor..." Jaskier groans, as this was a father embarrassing him. It's kinda cute, really.
"--and your unique perspective of the world. At my old age, one would think there isn't much left to see, but the stories about you still amaze me. I trust you'll find our quarters quite accommodating. I know the locals will have some sewer troubles to talk to you about, and they'll pay you for it, but please consider bringing any reminders of your hunts to our science department. We also know how to reward handsomely."
no subject
No matter the group they belong to, eyes turn to them as soon as they enter the town, and the whispering begins. White Wolf, the muse and Master Jaskier is heard all over, and Geralt -with his mighty witcher ears- may pick on the subjects of their discussion, a mix of excitement over finally having the famous muse visiting their city, Jaskier arriving earlier than usual, and questions about the state of their relationship with judging looks thrown at Geralt. Jaskier tries his best to ignore those and puts up his charms to work - says good afternoon to anyone that he knows, offers winks and cute smiles, promises to talk to them later... and when inquisitive eyes ask a silent question about the man next to him, he offers a thumbs-up as explanation.
The city quickly catches on and soon the judging looks disappear to leave a warm welcome instead. Young students look excited when they see them walk by together, wondering if the White Wolf will be at the lectures as well. And that sound? Well, Toss a coin is now hummed by the merchants or even played by a group of bard trainees by the fountain.
Jaskier can't help smiling at it all, he thinks Geralt deserves the appreciation, but also knows he's probably hating every second of it.
"Sorry about that." He whispers to the witcher and gives his forearm a squeeze. "But we are here now."
The university is big and imposing, the style of the building matching the rest of the city. Here Jaskier has way many more people to say hi to, but he nudges Geralt to hurry upstairs, where the witcher is asked to wait outside the office while the bard does his thing. The dean is thankfully understanding - at first he isn't a fan of the idea of Jaskier skipping next winter, but having exclusive lectures AND the presence of the White Wolf makes up for it nicely.
Which means that, when Jaskier leaves the office with keys in his hands, he can't stop the man from following him. Oh dear.
"Geralt of Rivia. The untamed muse." No 'mighty witcher' or 'butcher' or even 'white wolf'. Muse, and to this guy, that carries more weight than any other word he could've used. His head is bald yet his white beard is bushy, brown eyes are filled with curiosity and respect... also maybe a little amusement, especially when he glances at a fidgeting Jaskier by his side. He offers Geralt a hand to shake. "Professor Mateusz Nowak, dean of Oxefurt University. It's an honor to have you in our academy - Jaskier has told us a lot about you. Allow me to thank you for allowing one of our best students to grow into the fine artist he is today by sharing your company, your protection--"
"Professor..." Jaskier groans, as this was a father embarrassing him. It's kinda cute, really.
"--and your unique perspective of the world. At my old age, one would think there isn't much left to see, but the stories about you still amaze me. I trust you'll find our quarters quite accommodating. I know the locals will have some sewer troubles to talk to you about, and they'll pay you for it, but please consider bringing any reminders of your hunts to our science department. We also know how to reward handsomely."