Shift My World (Witcher x Reader fanfic)

Chapter 6

She didn't want to do this. She didn't. She knew what was about to happen and she knew she wasn't going to be ready for it. The tavern was crowded and full of life with a happy crowd drinking, eating, and laughing among themselves like old friends and comrades; the atmosphere was lively and for anyone else, it would be a nice place to walk into on a long day; but not for this particular traveler. The light streaming into the dungy windows cast its light in the tavern space and she stood behind Yennefer attempting to look small and unthreatening. Olivia didn't want to get any more attention than she already got walking into the room with someone like the mage she hid behind. It was not hard to hide behind the fluffy coated woman as all eyes were drawn to her including the eyes of 5 individuals that all turned heads to look at them, well Yennefer at least. But if that was the case why did Geralt's eye meet Yennefer's for a moment in shock at her presence before falling to Olivia's as if they have naturally gravitated to her. She saw the look of something she didn't quite understand flash over his eyes before he was turning away and saying something to the old man and his two companions. Yennefer was moving then towards the table and Olivia was forced to follow her tall frame towards the table; every step making the traveler's stomach turn a little bit in nervousness. How long had it been since she last saw the two? A few months? A year? She didn't know, she stopped trying to know at this point. 

When they reached the table the first person that openly spoke to her was the older man Borsch who stood from his bench seat to embrace her like an old friend. Olivia smiled slightly and greeted him with a light hug in return; avoiding the eyes of the others at the table asides from Tea and Vea the dark-skinned warrior women who traveled with the older man. Olivia knew their secret of course but did not reveal anything as she took the seat offered besides Borsch on the bench's end. 

"It pleases me that you decided to come with us, Ms. Watson. You and Yennefer of Vengeburge are a great asset to this company!" the man said patting her shoulder as she gratefully received a mug of ale from Vea who sat beside the light-skinned traveler. 

Olivia gulped the ale to wet her suddenly dry throat as she looked across the table to see Jaskier's hesitant gaze before his gaze flickered away uncertainly as if he wasn't sure if he'd get yelled at for giving her attention. Geralt just straight up refused to look at her and instead was staring down at his loaf of bread as he ripped it to shreds. Yennefer glanced between the two. The feeling of the high tension at the table was almost palpable. Not only was it the tension between herself and Geralt due to him abandoning her after giving her one hell of a night but also because she knew what Olivia's presence meant to the two men beside her. She wanted to speak up in hopes to lighten the mood but after catching Olivia's gaze she closed her mouth and looked down at her mug of ale. 

"Thank you for allowing us to come. Your mission seemed like a noble one." Olivia replied turning her attention back to Borsch who gave her a knowing smile before turning to the rest of his companions.

Oh, Olivia knew that look. The all-knowing look the older man gave her was one she expected. She knew he knew that she knew what he was while at the same time Borsch knew what she was and she knew he knew it. The all-knowing but respected silence on both their ends was comforting to the dark-haired woman. The conversation turned to the discussion of who else would be at their party; at this part, Olivia just zoned out because she already knew. Instead, she picked at her food not feeling too hungry but needing to do something with her hands as she'd glance every once in a while at Geralt and Jaskier. Neither of which's reactions to her glances was comforting to her. Not that she expected any. The time it finally took to discuss and make arrangements Olivia swore could not have taken any longer as they all began to rise. She stayed back though as Yennefer went to talk with Geralt as he was leaving while the young woman watched her from afar. It was the soft all-knowing voice of Borsch that broke her train of thought making her blue eyes turn towards the man.