Hello, Gwynbleidd...

Chapter Twenty: Buddy is good...

Jordan sat in the guest room, tending to a few minor burns on her hands from running into the stables. When Geralt walked in, she knew he was done interrogating the Baron...

"He's a prick," Geralt grunted, sitting down across from Jordan as she was seated at the room's long table.

"I know," she replied as she applied a cooling salve to her hand, "But he will do all he can for Anna once they're reunited. He will not make the same mistakes again," Jordan was monotoned and focused on her treatment.

Geralt sighed and rest his head in his hands, "You would know, wouldn't you?" he mumbled and Jordan's yellow eyes flicked to him and thinned to sharp slit pupils.

"Is this gonna be an issue now?" Jordan questioned, "I know how this story is meant to go and I'm here to guide you down the proper path so that you can save Ciri and defeat the Wild Hunt," she grimaced, "So, you can be pissed at me all you want. But just be happy, because I'm leaving as soon as the Hunt is taken care of and Ciri is safe," her eyes narrowed at him, a sort of scowl before looking back to her work, now binding her hand with bandages.

Geralt was silent then, knowing words would just make her angry, as he would either have to lie and appease her or piss her off more. He resolved to act, reaching out and holding his hand out, palm up.

Jordan paused, studying his expression, which he kept a blank slate. Cautiously, she laid her hand over his, palm up. Geralt then took over bandaging her burns with a feather-like delicacy.

Geralt sighed after a time, "You leaving wouldn't make me happy," he admitted quietly, "I've never met a woman who I could just be friends with," he said, "It just isn't the same with other women, and...you might be a pain in my ass, but as you've said..." he smiled, securing the wrap on her hand, "...I'm just stuck with you," Geralt stated and Jordan smiled back.

"You're not friends with Triss or Yen?" she asked with a chuckle.

Geralt shook his head, taking her other hand, examining the damage, "No..." he sighed, "Yen and I hated each other until we were physically involved...even then, no day was easy. Then, with Triss, it was always fluffy love crap, and: where do you wanna settle down? Or: why don't you let me take care of you?" Geralt groaned, mocking the redhead.

Jordan rolled her eyes, "And with me?" she raised a brow, smirking and Geralt grunted as he seemed to smile to himself.

"Well..." he hummed, "You're not lady-like," Geralt started and Jordan nodded.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she laughed.

Geralt smiled at that, "You're reasonable and you're not a Sorceress. You don't need magic to kick someone's ass...You don't need magic at all, actually," he paused, spreading salve over Jordan's burns, "But you're also compassionate...and one hell of a drinking buddy," he chuckled and Jordan was touched by that.

"Buddy is good," Jordan nodded, "I've never met a man I was able to be just friends with either," she giggled, watching Geralt work.

"Do you still have family? You must miss them," Geralt asked to fill silence as he unraveled​ a new roll of bandages.

Jordan shrugged, "It's funny. When I was home, I always wanted to get away...but now that I'm here and I'm changed, my instincts are screaming at me to do everything I can to see home again," she said with pride in that instinct.

"But momentary diversions aren't out of the question?" Geralt asked with a smirk, referring to Kiera and the bath.

"If by momentary diversions, you mean swaiving beautiful women...or strapping men...? Then, no. They're certainly not out," she said confidently as Geralt just shook his head, smiling to himself as he wrapped her hand up.

Jordan had a thought then, "Speaking of which..." she hummed, "What's Vernon Roche like?" she grinned and Geralt rolled his eyes.

"Don't even think about it," he warned.

"Already am, Rivia," Jordan smirked.

"Jordan!" he snapped back.

She just laughed at him...