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[niespodzianka]

( any format, go nuts. might be nsfw peppered thru. )

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[niespodzianka]

Mm.

[ Good, probably, that they all got back. On my end, he says, and it reminds Geralt that so many have these wide networks of familiar faces (in many ways) here. He wonders at his relationship with Lambert and how fucking dysfunctional it is, if the younger witcher would care much if Geralt just hadn't returned - and if Geralt would deserve that. ]

Sure.

[futhark]

[ There are familiar faces, there is even someone who's in a strange way like family (and another one that is... himself)— but what he truly meant by his end, were mostly people he met here, and grew fond of nowhere else but here.

Why bother being functional when there is alcohol. Caster's true to his word and he does secure both a comfortable spot and a bottle of whiskey aged in a rum barrel. Among other things, but that was certainly the most expensive looking. He's downing his glass when Geralt arrives.

Gone is the hood, and gone are tattoos on his arms- albeit magic seems to course in familiar pathways in shape of runes on his skin. A side-effect, a magical fingerprint of the school he favours the most. Another one is in his eyes, no, not the slit pupils (he got those too) but the quite literal shine from the fire he uses too much. ]

There you are! [ Caster raises the glass jovially ] You've gotta drink your share.

[ Gone are the times where an effort had to be made to allow alcohol to affect him. What a surprising perk. ]

[niespodzianka]

[ Geralt is much the same as he was in Dorchacht - aside from neatening up his beard and lacking the tristar badge of a Resistance member. Injuries from the final fight are almost completely healed, negligible bruising and soreness hidden away beneath his utilitarian clothes. The crisis being over (at least for mirrorbound involvement) does not magically make him a gregarious person.

He ambles over just like he did in the burned city, this time without any guards wondering where he's gone off to. ]

Smells like sugar water, [ he says, giving the man shit with his deadpan but harmless teasing. The witcher sits down, content that at least some of the taverns in this city are almost indistinguishable from the ones at home. Makes him feel a little less wrongfooted. ]

[futhark]

You're not wrong, that must be mead! [ As it is also on the table ] It is water and honey.

[ Caster downs his glass and suddenly he reaches under the table. A bottle flickers into and out of view, the illusion magic isn't his forte, so he can't keep it as invisible as he wants. That's why it's hidden. The sticker on top of it mentions High Spirit and large alcohol percentage ]

I've got something stronger— but, yeah it's not exactly legal. [ There is reason the whiskey here gets a seal of approval after all. Some of the distilleries run in secret and produce much stronger material. Some are Suspicious though. ]

[niespodzianka]

In a city that produces products that drug people to all kinds of magical states-- [ Geralt's tried a few, because why not? ] --what could possibly be strong enough to be illegal?

[ Is this like the 'no theater' nonsense, are you not allowed to get trashed off one drink? Do the Aefenglommers not know how alcohol works? Or is Caster bringing them everclear that's going to literally turn them inside out and send them home with their intestines on the outside?

The less he can actually smell a type of alcohol, the more he tends to like it, because smell usually informs taste. Supersenses aren't just for sight and sound, unfortunately, witchers get everything. ]

fml i lost this notif

[futhark]

Anything above 55% needs to be certified and approved— a lengthy and expensive process. [ It can be sped up by bribery, if you're willing to trade "lengthy" for "even more expensive." Pick your poison ] Bureaucracy ruins everything.

[ The utter disgust! ]

There is a conspiracy theory about Coven alchemists being responsible for this state of affairs. [ Kind of makes sense given how useful alcohol can be in potion mixing and brewing. The things you learn when listening to people in tavern ] After what we saw in that city I could almost believe it.

[ He uncorks the illegal vodka and without asking just pours it to one of the empty mugs closer to Geralt. It's clear and doesn't smell, but it turns out, it has a distinct feel of magic to it. ]

it's ok o/

[niespodzianka]

[ Geralt just tilts his head, apparently puzzled at the need for regulation of alcohol proof. He's not actually sure if it's something that happens in big cities on the Continent; it might, here and there, but Geralt drinks shitty beer and vodka. Or he makes his own alchemy bases, which would get a normal human drunk for days straight if not kill them outright. (Which he's definitely made here. Oops.) ]

Taxing liquor is a far cry from slavery.

[ Vodka works. He raises the cup in a silent 'thank you', but- ]

Why does it smell enchanted?

[ pls no roofie, Caster ]

*raises head from the hiatus darkness* i continue being slow as balls

[futhark]

...huh? [ Caster furrows his brows and takes a closer look at his own glass. Taking just a drop of the alcohol on his finger to smell then, lick it— enchanted as hell and with a simple spell. He's not That Good yet to be able to discern if there is another, hidden layer of magic underneath it ] Shit, you're right. It's an intoxication spell, maybe more...

[ So it's possible that either A) this alcohol isn't as strong as they advertised, but could still knock you out, B) it is strong, and the spell is for whatever reason there might be— Maybe for stealing kidneys, who knows. And given that the guy responsible for this wondrous stock is around— ]

Say, Geralt. How good are you with cards? [ Caster lowers his voice. ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BMGCTWq338

[niespodzianka]

[ He could laugh. Might, if he were the sort to, ever. Instead he just tips his head and gives Caster a look that implies it, meanwhile making a mental note to give the guy some of the alchemy base he cooks up by himself. Mostly used for potion-making, it's still drinkable, if you don't value your liver.

And also-- ]

Why, you wanna lose all your money?

[ BOLD CLAIMS. ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

[futhark]

So you are. [ Caster grins widely, the bold claim is a good claim. He uncorks another bottle, inspects the content— another enchantment and this seems even worse. Putting the bottle on the table he pushes it to Geralt, so the Witcher can check it for himself. ] Someday surely, but right now, I want my money back.

[ And maybe do some cleaning in the house along the way. When the words gets out that you might get paralyzed and robbed by drinking in a tavern it's very bad for business. Caster turns his head slightly to confirm if whom he suspects is still there ]

The eyepatch guy in that game corner? He's the one who sold me this "good stock" even though I'm just a Mirrorbound. [ Or maybe precisely because they are such? ]

i hoped it was that

[niespodzianka]

[ Geralt takes a sniff, and it's ... yep, just magic and more garbage sugar water. He wrinkles his nose and sets it aside. Well, he can't hate the hustle, but you'd think someone pulling this wouldn't try to hose witches, mirrorbound or otherwise. ]

Guess there's no harm in seeing what he's dealing.

[ He's familiar with enough of the favored local games to not be worried. Even if the guy's cheating - Geralt'll be able to tell. ]

[futhark]

｢ ooc: damn, the tagging during hiatus DIDN'T happened. If you'd rather wrap it up, and go into something new lemme know ｣

[ Maybe they have some nefarious reasons for doing that. Or maybe they just don't like Mirrorbounds and "hahaha you got drunk and robbed, better not come here again" is a good reason to be an asshole.

Caster pours the cup to partially empty the bottle as he takes it with him when he moves towards the game corner ]

Friends, you seem to be playing an interesting game. [ Oh he greets jovially, but there is an edge to the voice ] Would you care to give newcomers a bit of introductory run?

[ Whoever the Suspicious Merchant really is, he eyes them both without as much as a change of expression ]

"That depends if you got money, or anything else you'd like to bet"

[niespodzianka]

( ooc; we could do a few summary tag for funsies then move on? )

Money, [ Geralt says, his expression as unreadable as always. ] I dunno what you think he looks like [ just gently dragging Caster w/e he's got a mullet ] but I know I don't look like someone about to come bet biscuits and knickers. Unless you're just sitting here for show and I should move on.

[ Nothing like shit-talking right out the gate to get a game going. Caster and Geralt are invited, albeit somewhat spitefully, to sit down. The goal, of course, is to make Geralt eat his words. But this does not happen. He's not a genius at the local game being played, but he's competent enough, and he's got an iron clad poker face that makes people nervous.

He wins the first hand, and the second. ]