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[vrdantwind]

"Hey, this is Claude! Pretty sure I'm doing this correctly. You can leave me a message here, and I'll get to it as soon as I can. Talk to you soon~."

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[rollstoseduce]

[Those are some amazing compliments, and usually Jaskier would be basking in them, probably even asking for more. But the soothing of his feathers is ineffective when it's followed by ruffling them again - he wants to deny there have been advances at all and that he feels like that for, you know, the man that changed his fucking life...

But Mr. Strategist is two steps ahead in the game, catching Jaskier by using a trap made with his own words. Bollocks.]

You told me I've never said a word about being more than friends with him, and I explained why: because we are not. He's just my best friend and muse. And above anything else, what I've got the most interest in is not to lose that friendship. Is it too much to ask you to simply accept that as my answer?

[vrdantwind]

I have to say, I've always associated being someone's muse as being a particularly romantic thing, if only because romantic love tends to stir up the turbulent waters of the soul much more deeply than even the deepest friendship. I mean, I'm sure it's not a rule, but it's just something I've observed with the artists of various stripes I've known.

Why would you bring up losing that friendship, though? Are you worried that's a possibility? If it were suggested your feelings for him might be more than platonic, perhaps? I won't insist that's the case, of course, but I will insist that such a deep and abiding friendship as yours couldn't possibly crumble over something like that, whether or not it was true. So I'd lay that particular fear to rest, if that is in fact a fear you have.

[rollstoseduce]

[More wait between replies. Claude better get used to the idea that Jaskier will ignore half of the things he says and won't be replying as quickly as usual today, because he's hitting his emotions in all the right places. To be honest, he would be having more success getting information out of Jaskier if they were face to face - the panicking and the flailing wouldn't let him control his words. But through text? He has time to think and plan what he's going to say accordingly.

(It's not necessarily working well for him, but hey, let him have the illusion of having at least some control of this situation.)]

Why does it matter? Are you asking because of what happened during our meeting? Was your flirting not merely jesting after all? You don't need my permission - we have a casual agreement, and Geralt does casual as well. He isn't interested in me if that's what is stopping you. Go for it.

[It makes is stomach turn, to write such a thing. Which is new, because he usually doesn't care if Geralt has flings - in Yennefer's case, he dislikes her for who she is and how her meetings with the witcher usually end up. He supposes handing a lover he's rather fond of to the witcher is what making things extra awkward... or simply writing he isn't interested in me is what hurts the most.]

[vrdantwind]

Of course not! That was just playful banter. Sometimes flirting is fun even if you have no intentions to follow up on it - especially when you've got a nice juicy opening for some innuendo. I'm sure you can appreciate that. But after having seen the two of you together...no, there's no way I could possibly consider it, even if you give me permission. Whether or not you or he have realized it yet, I see way too much potential between the two of you to step in between.

But I really don't think it's possible that you don't see it, too. You're too romantic and astute a man to have something like that under your nose and not catch so much as a whiff. So between this baffling act of ignorance and your unusually reticent attitude...I can only conclude this is a very sore subject. So I have to ask again - is this heartbreak or longing? A once was or a has yet to be? Because if it's the former, I can offer a sympathetic ear and as much alcohol as I can afford. If it's the latter, though....well, I can still offer a sympathetic ear, but I can also offer encouragement. I see plenty of room for hope.

[rollstoseduce]

[Claude continues to read him like a book, and Jaskier finds himself throwing the gear in the snow before rising the collar of his cloak to cover his mouth and yell right into it. It's during moments like this he actually doesn't mind Geralt having lost his witcher senses, because he doesn't know where he would even start to explain this.

He watches him from afar for a moment, smiling at how cute he behaves with Lambert - Geralt has always had a soft spot for animals. How could anyone be afraid of him?

Flirting for fun, especially when innuendo is on the table, is something Jaskier is extremely familiar with. Of course he can appreciate that, but the current discussion doesn't have him thinking clearly. All the other things Claude said are making him dizzy. Him seeing something strong enough to make him back up from a potential conquest... Him seeing something strong to make him think they could be fucking exes..

Something strong enough to make him think there's hope. Jaskier had been there once...

I walked the Path for six fucking decades before you and never brought anyone along. Just you.

Then he looked through a broken window.]

A never was, and a never will be.

Hope was crushed many a year ago. Don't bring it back, I beg you. Don't be so cruel.

[vrdantwind]

Oh, Jaskier.

I understand what you're saying, but I can't say I quite follow your logic. Hope can be cruel enough, it's true, but is it crueler than hopelessness? Than bleakest despair? I wouldn't say so.

Also, declaring something hopeless and its actually being hopeless aren't synonymous. People can lose heart long before a battle's actually decided. There's a terrifying seductiveness to accepting defeat when the path to success isn't obvious, even though giving up guarantees your failure. We lose sight of long-term reward in exchange for escaping short-term effort and pain, as though slowly withering away amidst the dust of our forsaken dreams is preferable to the ache of uncertainty or even the sudden sharp pain of reaching a definitive dead end.

We also sometimes don't see as much from our own perspective as others can see from theirs. You two acted too much like you were already a couple for me to believe there's actually nothing there. The signs weren't just on your end. Geralt doesn't strike me as a man who'd keep anyone's company unless they meant the world to him.

[rollstoseduce]

You're right, I do recognize the signs. I HAVE seen Geralt of Rivia in love before - she only needed to step through the door for his world to stop.

Drop the subject, Claude, I shall beg you again.

[vrdantwind]

Whatever he may have felt or shown for someone else doesn't mean he feels and shows nothing for you, Jaskier. And while I can't speak for this woman you mention, since I know nothing about her, I do know that many people have room in their hearts for more than one person. You and I, for instance. He could love this woman as the tide loves the moon, perhaps, but so what? That's hardly proof against his loving you. And twenty-two years says love to me, of one kind or another - love of the rarest kind. There's no language where it could mean anything else. And unless I've read Geralt completely wrong - and I'm not bad at reading people - then he's not a man to grant such love lightly, whether or not he ever puts words to it.

But I'm trying to get you to take heart, not cause you pain. I refuse to abandon you to thinking he's beyond your reach as long as you long for him, and as long as I think I see a way to your achieving your fondest wish, because that'd be piss poor friendship and you've earned better from me. But I also can leave the subject be, for a time, rather than overwhelm you with too much at any one moment. So if you need a break that badly from this, I'm happy to grant you a reprieve. Just know that it's a breather while you recover, not an ending. I won't make any false promises to abandon your hopes by the wayside while I see a way forward still, just because you have and you can't.

[rollstoseduce]

[Jaskier hides his face in his hands and groans in frustration. So this is going to be a thing? Melitele have mercy. Had this been any other person, Jaskier would hope the subject is forgotten next time they chat. But if there's something he's learned about Claude in the short time he's known him is that he's determined to a fault.

This is going to be hell. Why can't a man have a fuckbuddy without any complications?]

All I'm hearing -or shall I say, reading- is that you're willing to leave the subject be, so let's do that. How is Sicily doing? I've meaning to ask you for a favor, if possible.

[vrdantwind]

Oh, he's as good as ever. But for you to be asking after him specifically, should I take that to mean your favor involves him in some way?

[rollstoseduce]

Correct! You see, I've looked into Deerling after seeing yours in action at the Gym, and I'm finding myself wanting to raise one of them. If it's alright with you, I'd be very grateful to be allowed to have Sicily for a day in order to get an egg.

[vrdantwind]

Oh, that's no problem at all! I bet he'd have fun spending the day with you. And I can't wait to meet his progeny, whenever your egg from him hatches!

Dimitri in particular will be so proud. He gave Sicily to me, you know. He actually picked him up as a Deerling and carried him on a three-day hike just to hand him to me. As in, he carried him in his arms. Didn't even think to use a ball until afterwards. So he's basically Sicily's second dad.

[rollstoseduce]

Marvelous! I'm sure he will - I have plenty of flower and bird friends that would love to perch on his antlers.

He what?! Why wouldn't he use a Pokéball? Oh, that's so incredibly dumb yet so sweet at the same time. So will your husband be alright with Sicily coming with me?

[YES HE SAID WHAT HE SAID, SUE HIM. After all the bullying Claude did to him with Geralt, it's his turn to strike back.]

[vrdantwind]

I really don't know. I think it honestly just didn't occur to him? Mentally, he was a mess when he first got here. He'd just come off of five years of impotent rage over a succession of pretty awful betrayals, basically hiding alone in the woods stewing in hate. And then he got here and decided he was in the afterlife, somehow? Which really gives you an idea how stable he was. Add to that his being disturbingly strong back home - he used to just shatter weapons regularly - and some of that still carrying over to here, and I guess he just thought picking up a deer and carrying it was the straightforward thing to do. Maybe he forgot PokéBalls were even a thing at the time. Who knows! I'm just glad he's improved a lot since then.

[And then Jaskier calls Dimitri Claude's husband, and Claude feels a bit like he's been sucker-punched. Ah. He's sure this is revenge for the prodding he's done about Geralt, but he wonders if Jaskier knows how appropriate a revenge it is.]

Ah, easy with the wishful thinking, he's interested in someone else. And I'm sure he'll allow it, although he might fuss. [Claude has no idea how much he'll fuss yet, but that will be a cute surprise for everyone later.

He just hopes his casual deflection of Jaskier's teasing was, well...casual enough.]

[rollstoseduce]

Ah yes, he did try to convince me this was the afterlife and didn't take it well when I poked all kinds of holes in his logic. I do remember him having a very bleak view of things in general, even outside his little theory, so him having been in a bad place explains a lot. In fact, I'd say it's relieving to hear those aren't his real views of the world - I'm also glad to hear he's improved since then.

[Funny how suddenly "being interested in someone else" is suddenly a valid excuse in Claude's eyes when he's just been telling Jaskier about people being able to love more than one person at the same time. He wants to call him out for this hypocrisy, but it's difficult when it may bite him back in the ass... he's sure Claude would use any argument against him in an oh now you agree? way. Mmmh.]

Yet you are the one he had a kid with. ;) But a fussing Dimitri? I'd love to witness that.

[That's what you get for teaching him the winking emote, Claude.]

[vrdantwind]

Hah - I did the same thing. As gently as I could, considering I didn't want to hurt him and he was miserable enough at the time, but it felt wrong to leave him just denying basic logic and reality like that. Like I'd be leaving him vulnerable and floundering in the dark if I let him believe things I knew couldn't be true.

But yeah, he's come a long way. I don't know when you talked to him last, but you can barely recognize him between when I first arrived here and now.

[To be fair to Claude, he didn't exactly say "and because Dimitri is interested in someone else, he can't be interested in me". He just loosely implied it as a way to shut down Jaskier's painful suppositions. That said, when a man is actively interested in someone other than yourself, Claude thinks there needs to be some solid evidence that either he's actively interested in you, or some persuasive logic that he potentially could be. Claude feels he could build a case for that with Jaskier and Geralt, but that Jaskier can't do the same with any of Claude's relationships.

(In point of fact, he's uncomfortably aware that this may be more due to Jaskier's lacking the necessary knowledge to build such a case than from a lack of persuasive material - if he were so inclined, Claude thinks he could build some decent arguments with what he knows for Dimitri. But personally, he chalks that more up to his own silver tongue and Dimitri's earnest nature than because he thinks there's any credible chance. That's why he wants to nip those speculations of Jaskier's in the bud - they can't lead anywhere good. After all, Geralt seems like a man who might be casual enough to have multiple lovers, but Dimitri? Absurd.)]

Actually, kids are baby goats. Fawns are baby deer. ;) But maybe I should bring Dimitri with me when we drop Sicily off?

[rollstoseduce]

We spoke last during your gym battle! He called you the second-best strategist in Fodlan and "brilliant". He also did not believe me when I told him you hold him in high regard because of things he's said to you. So I suppose he still has some things to work through, but do me a favor, if you will - tell him he's dear to you to his face, would you? His type need things spelled out to him.

[Yes, he's drawing a comparison to Geralt here.]

Correct me all you want, smarty-pants, the point still stands. And please do bring him! I must witness his fussing with my very own eyes, then I'll have something to use next time he tries to get all bleak on me.

[vrdantwind]

Hah! I'd object to the 'second-best' title, but I know who he was thinking of when he didn't rate me first. That'd be Teach. A professor - and professional mercenary of serious renown - who taught at the officers' academy we went to. They taught Dimitri's class, though, despite my best efforts to coax them to mine. Still, even with their teaching, they didn't exactly pass on their talents to anyone in Dimitri's class. They're his strategist now, I understand, and none of their students is showing any signs of stepping up to dethrone them. So being the second-best strategist, even without the benefit of Teach's...well, teachings...is still a pretty high honor.

Man, I still dream of what could've been if Teach had decided to come teach my house instead. None of Dimitri's class even seems to have developed any particular skill for strategy! Think of how much someone like me could've gleaned from them, though...oh well. No point in sighing too much over opportunities missed.

I've definitely told him how much he means to me, but I'll do it again. That's another thing his type needs - a whole lot of repetition to get ideas through their thick skulls.

But don't worry, I'll bring him. He may not be able to hold himself back from coming, anyway. I bet he'll want to make sure you know exactly how to best care for him for the whole day you'll have him...as though he's really that high-maintenance.

I think this one is good to wrap up?

[rollstoseduce]

Learning under the tutelage of the best in their craft is, indeed, a unique experience worth fighting for. But it says something about you that you've managed to achieve the second-best title in the land (and therefore, *the* best of your generation) WITHOUT their teachings. So less sighing over opportunities missed and more bragging. That other class never stood a chance against you, with or without a teacher.

Nobody on this kingdom, be person or animal, is more high-maintenance than myself. Bring him, and let him talk. I shall have some fun with his fussing, mayhap show him what happens when someone tries to out-talk us.

[Talking more than Jaskier or Claude is forbidden, signed: the sanity of Johto.]

MAYBE unless Jaskier has a Reaction to Claude correcting a misconception here! Otherwise we good~

[vrdantwind]

Hah! You'd think, wouldn't you? But that'd only be true under normal circumstances. Despite what you'd think for someone teaching students, Teach was maybe only a couple years older than us, so I'd still say they're my generation - which means I'm still only second best, no matter how you slice it.

(I know, it's weird. The archbishop of the church back home, who was also in charge of the officers' academy - she basically drafted Teach to the teaching staff on a whim after Teach helped us three house leaders fight off a bandit attack. It was all pretty mysterious, and I still wish I knew what she was thinking...but she's been missing ever since the academy fell during the very first major attack of the civil war, so I'll probably never get to know.)

But don't worry, I'll bring Dimitri.