[ But Ciri takes his point. There's something sharper about him, guarded. She sighs, shaking her head, and steps off to the side of the road with a gesture to Alucard to join her. They stand in the shade of an awning to the side of a building, a shop or a tavern of some kind, out of the way. Ciri leans back against the wall (she is not wearing her sword today, only her wolf's head dagger at her hip) and crosses her arms. ]
Listen. Alucard. We are both grateful for your help some weeks back, but it did not escape my notice, nor his, that you seemed unwilling to give it. That's your prerogative; I expect nothing, and you have given no promises.
But Jaskier worries about you. He considers you a friend. I... [ She looks at Alucard, expression neutral, but sharp-eyed on his face. ] I only wish to know if you are an ally who can be relied upon again in the future. If not, tell me. I'll do my best to make sure expectations are as they should be.
[ She just doesn't want Alucard turning Jaskier away if there is another situation where he asks for help. And, frankly, Ciri rather dislikes not knowing where he stands. The vampire seems so noncommittal, disinterested, spurning conversation and then moments later deciding to follow her. He invites her to his domain and offers a decent sparring partner, and then acts as though it's a great surprise allies (?) seek him out for help in times of need. If he's unreliable, so be it. She does not like being indebted, and even less so to a man whose motivations she can't understand. ]
no subject
[ But Ciri takes his point. There's something sharper about him, guarded. She sighs, shaking her head, and steps off to the side of the road with a gesture to Alucard to join her. They stand in the shade of an awning to the side of a building, a shop or a tavern of some kind, out of the way. Ciri leans back against the wall (she is not wearing her sword today, only her wolf's head dagger at her hip) and crosses her arms. ]
Listen. Alucard. We are both grateful for your help some weeks back, but it did not escape my notice, nor his, that you seemed unwilling to give it. That's your prerogative; I expect nothing, and you have given no promises.
But Jaskier worries about you. He considers you a friend. I... [ She looks at Alucard, expression neutral, but sharp-eyed on his face. ] I only wish to know if you are an ally who can be relied upon again in the future. If not, tell me. I'll do my best to make sure expectations are as they should be.
[ She just doesn't want Alucard turning Jaskier away if there is another situation where he asks for help. And, frankly, Ciri rather dislikes not knowing where he stands. The vampire seems so noncommittal, disinterested, spurning conversation and then moments later deciding to follow her. He invites her to his domain and offers a decent sparring partner, and then acts as though it's a great surprise allies (?) seek him out for help in times of need. If he's unreliable, so be it. She does not like being indebted, and even less so to a man whose motivations she can't understand. ]