In My Head

Chapter 11 - You Need A Nap

Jaskier was walking around the lakeside singing to himself as he thought back to his conversation with (Name). She had been very adamant about Geralt not knowing she was back and that confused him. What had happened between the Witcher and his princess to make the two of them not want anything to do with each other? Geralt did seem a little more peeved than usual the last time they had spoken. He hears someone throwing something in the water and seeing a familiar shade of white hair decides to play a little bit of a match maker.

"Geralt! Hello. What's it been, months? Years? What is time anyway? I heard you were in town. Are you following me, you scamp? I mean, I'm flattered and everything but you should really think about getting a hobby one of these days." Jaskier speaks as he watches Geralt pull a fish net out of the water.

"'How are you doing? I hear you ask."

"I didn't."

"Well, the Countess de Stael, my muse and beauty of this world, has left me. Again. Rather coldly and unexpectedly, I might add. I fear I shall die a broken-hearted man." Jaskier pauses for a moment to try and sell his upset. "Or a hungry one, at the very least, unless somebody fancies sharing a fish with an old friend?" Jaskier pauses as Geralt collects his net and moves to a different spot. "Oh, are we not using 'Friend'? Yeah, sure. Let's give it another decade. Geralt, you're fantastic at a great many things, but clearly, fishing is not one of them. Have you caught anything today?"

Geralt ignores him as he keeps walking away.

"What are you fishing for, exactly?" Jaskier asks as Geralt tosses the net back into the water. "Cod? Carp? Pike? Bream? I'm just—I'm just listing fish that I know. Zander? Is that a fish?"

"I'm not fishing." Geralt replies as she starts pulling the line closing the net as he pulls it toward the shore. "I can't sleep."

"Right. Good." Jaskier starts not clearly seeing what was connecting the two things. "Well, that—that makes sense. Insomuch that is sort of... doesn't. What's going on, Geralt? Talk to me."

Geralt sighs as he stops pulling the net in. He turns to look at Jaskier for a moment as he contemplates whether to speak or not.

"A djinn." Geralt adds turning back to his net.

"A what?" Jaskier questions his brow furrowing.

"I'm looking for a djinn."

"For a dj—for a djinn? A dj—Like a genie?" Jaskier asks getting a little excited. "The floaty fellas with the... the bad tempers and the banned magics, that kind of genie?"

"Yes. It'll grant me wishes." Geralt adds causing Jaskier to laugh. "It's in this lake somewhere." Geralt continues his anger starting to rise. "And I can't fucking sleep!" Geralt yells causing Jaskier to take a step back.

"I don't mean to play priest's ear or anything, but has it occurred to you that maybe we're merely rubbing salve on a tumor? Not addressing the root of the cause of the problem? Hm? I mean, maybe, just—just maybe, this whole sleeplessness-ness has got something to do with what the druid Mousesack said to you in Cintra? You know, the Law of Surprise. Destiny? (Name)? Being unable to escape the child that belongs to you, et cetera, et cetera?"

"No!" Geralt interrupts as he fiddles with the fishing net. "It's not that."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Jaskier agrees sarcastically as he places his hands on his hips. "But what if you're not?" Geralt pauses to glare at him for a moment. "You know, the Countess de Stael once said to me that destiny is just the embodiment of the soul's desire to grow."

"Did you sing to her before she left?" Geralt asks straightening the net.

"I did, actually, and she... Why? What are you implying?" Jaskier inquires causing Geralt to pause and look over at him. "Oh..." Jaskier laughs uncomfortably as he continues, "We are so having this conversation. Come on, Geralt. Tell me. Be honest. How's my singing?"

Geralt tosses the net into the water and without looking back speaks.

"It's like ordering a pie and finding it has no filling."

Jaskier gasps suddenly at a loss of words. How could Geralt be so insulting.

"You need a nap!" Jaskier yells out. "I mean, are you trying to hurt my feelings, Geralt. It's... It's down—downright indecorous of you, if I'm completely honest, and—wow. Wow. (Name) loves my singing. No wonder she doesn't want to see you."

"Wait what?" Geralt interjects as he turns to look at the Bard. Since Jaskier was upset and a little annoyed he didn't realize he had said something he shouldn't have.

"(Name), the fair princess, who should have been mine, obviously has better taste in music than you do. She always says I'm the sexiest thing she's ever seen. She was obviously made for me, but I, being the better man gave her to you; But since you fucked it up, I, being the wonderful friend that I am, shall return to her and tell her you don't want to see her either!"

"She's here?" Geralt questions making Jaskier mentally kick himself for breaking his promise to keep her return a secret from Geralt.

"Maybe... Take back that bit about my singing and I'll tell you." Jaskier barters making Geralt narrow his eyes. "Take it back."

"Jaskier..." Geralt warns making Jaskier concede.

"She's in Cintra." Jaskier answers honestly. "She's been there for a few years now. Made me promise not to say anything to you."

Geralt pauses as he looks back out over the water.

"Are you going to go to her?"

"I don't know." Geralt replies grabbing his net and heading away from the water.

"What? You're not going to fish for your Djinn?"

"I don't need it."