#hc. serenading tales of history / jaskier

[betterdcyz-a]

Another quick headcanon I’d like to make. With the years of travelling with Geralt of Rivia, I’d say that Jaskier has gained an amount of knowledge of Witchers and their signs. ( like Aard, Quen, etc. ) ‘cos at the very start, Jaskier had no idea of such things. He mainly knew of Geralt’s description and knew of the controversies of Witchers. So travelling with the man himself, standing side by side of him and sometimes even being an audience to his monster-slaying skills. Jaskier has learned more about him. Perhaps in a more slow-manner since Geralt is, just like what Jaskier says, stingy on the details. But a bard who wrote ballads of the man should be aware of little things, and thus collected the information in his head and jots it down in his leather-bound notebook.  

[betterdcyz-a]

𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐒

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny | controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | lies | impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry | greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive | spiteful | stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky | absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | childish | callous | clingy | delusional | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cynical | cruel | depressed | deranged | egotistical | envious | insecure | insensitive | lustful | delinquent | guilt complex | reclusive | reckless | nervous | oversensitive

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐒

honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave | patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky | intelligent | confident | focused | humble | generous | merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming | cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm | protective | proud | diligent | considerate | compassionate | good sportsmanship | friendly | empathetic | passionate | reliable | resourceful | sensible | sincere | witty | funny

𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒 & 𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒

art | acting | astronomy | animals | archery | sports | beach combing | ballet | bird watching | blacksmithing | boating | calligraphy | camping | candle making | casino gambling | ceramics | racing | chess | music | cooking | crochet | weaving | exercise | swordplay | fishing | gardening | ghost hunting | ice skating | magic | engineering | building | inventing | leather-working | martial arts | meditation | origami | parkour | people watching | swimming | puppetry | pyrotechnics | quilting | reading | collecting | shopping | socializing | storytelling | writing | travelling

tagged by: @mxresofdiomedes ( thank you for tagging me in this! ) tagging:  @melmalum ( Cedric maybe? ) @amanogaawa ( for Jennifer or anyone really ~ ) @akumanoken​ @gorgonacoralli​ and @ anyone else who sees this! 

[betterdcyz-a]

I know not much is known about Jaskier’s family, but I’d like to somewhat use Dandelion is a nickname from his mother, whom he got dandelions for in his childhood years. So she called him his little Dandelion ~ 

[betterdcyz-a]

Jaskier being so poetic about the features of his s/o or just simply a beautiful person he sees and must charm him/her by saying what’s on his mind via the arts of poetry. ( or preferably would write something in his notebook if it’s more towards his s/o ) And if inspiration hits, he wouldn’t really screw up. And if it doesn’t, he’ll come up with something either good or stupid. The chances are 50/50. One moment he’s using poetry to flirt up a storm, the next he’s describing someone’s soft appearance to likely mashed potato by accident ‘cos he couldn’t think of something better, and it just came out, and he wasn’t thinking properly!

[betterdcyz-a]

Writing this ‘cos I remember what Joey said.  The scheme was to make money from songs that he composed about Geralt of Rivia; The White Wolf. As the coin was important. It kept Jaskier well-fed, provided him with a room at an inn for a couple of nights, and was enough for himself. It was important, still is. But soon the most important thing was his loyalty and friendship to Geralt. 

And that storytelling is a power in itself. He recites the ballads of the man’s heroics, sung praises and composed poetry about every scar sporting the skin of the White Wolf. Jaskier wanted people to see Geralt as he now sees him; a good man who may speak in fewer syllables but nonetheless a good man. And to influence others, to make them see the different picture. Geralt isn’t a monster. He’s a man, mutated, but still someone with a beating heart. Jaskier knows that. 

The coin is good. But friendship and loyalty to Geralt? Even better. 

[betterdcyz-a]

Also, another thing / I guess headcanon I thought of last night. When drunk, Jaskier can be an utter idiot.  Jaskier vc: You dare me to sing? Geralt vc: I didn’t say anythi—— Jaskier vc: Oh, Geralt. You- yooou rascal! I shall sing ‘cos I can never ignore a daaaare! *hiccup*  Geralt vc: Fuck, Jas—— Jaskier, starts singing in a drunk manner but somehow is still on-key despite how much ale he had, casually hiccups a little in some verses, and sings to his heart’s content!

So yes, Jaskier can be quite ridiculous when he’s drunk. He’s more of a happy drunk, a sing-a-long type of drunk that spontaneously clinks other people’s tankards with his own until someone, like Geralt, drags him away. ( yet even as he’s dragged away, he’s still singing happily then go: “ah fuck” in the morning as a horrible hangover with ensuing and thus starts the morning with complaining. ) 

[betterdcyz-a]

Just gonna throw out this quick headcanon. In the modern verse, Jaskier does sing to his cat, Boogie Woogie. ( Boo for short. ) ‘cos he sings to her when he’s feeding her, brushing her, you name it. Or sometimes hums to her. 

[betterdcyz-a]

A bit of a headcanon as I continue to play Witcher 3: Many years Jaskier has followed Geralt and yet he will never get used to how Geralt hacks off monsters’ heads for trophies or how he gathers ingredients from the monsters he’s slaughtered. And Jaskier will loudly tell him that without a shred of hesitation, with dramatic expressions. “BLOODY HELL, GERALT.” 

[betterdcyz-a]

Also, Jaskier shamelessly singing in front of Geralt or anyone ‘cos he feels like it and ‘cos he can. Just Jaskier simply breaking out into song, it’s natural. He’s a bard. 

[betterdcyz-a]

I quite imagine Jaskier’s hand-writing to be pretty neat, and sometimes prefers to write his titles in cursive in his leather-bound notebook to make it look nice and neat. He may have poetic titles for either his adventures with the White Wolf; Geralt of Rivia or for his ballads. ( ‘cos I’d say Jaskier has written both ballads and recorded stuff down in the same notebook. Just pages filled with words that were written in ink. Of course, there’s the occasional scribble here or there due to the unfortunate of misspelling words. It can happen, it’s just a small mishap. Or perhaps something doesn’t work out well. He scribbles it out. ) So they’ll all in the same notebook filled with heroics, poetries, occasional doodles, preserved pressed flowers and perhaps even a grunt translation guide lmao 

( and, of course, a page or two about Geralt himself. He’s a tough one to crack and stingy with details. So Jaskier has to spot out every detail he can and write it all down. )

[betterdcyz-a]

Also, speaking of cats. Jaskier’s ragamuffin cat is called Boogie Woogie. She’s a beautiful cat who is long-furred, so she requires a good brushing. I have mentioned that he sings to her whenever he can, and she’s quite talkative. Jaskier has the habit of talking to her anyway, and sometimes she meows back. ( “Meow” “I know right? Valdo, that prick. Broke his guitar; smashed it into pieces.” “Meow!” “I know my little muffin. I know, you would’ve done the same.” ) and sometimes Jaskier wakes up with fluff covering his head as she tends to sleep on his face and will cuddle with him. 

[betterdcyz-a]

SCARS. Just like anyone, Jaskier has his own sets of scars on his body; from the deep scratching of nails from passionate nights to almost being stabbed to death by an angry married man. Most of these scars have faded over time and are now somewhat white. The marks left by long female nails are mostly on his back, and a few left by men nails when he’s the one on top, and most of them have faded and can be invisible unless you squint hard enough.

Some scars are small, thin and white and are located on his legs ( mostly his calves and ankles ) where he’s scuttled away from monsters or angry men. Jaskier prefers to never meet his end at the end of a sharp dagger, and would rather flee from some kind of nasty scruffle. However, it will happen, and luckily Jaskier manages to survive it all. Dumb luck maybe? Or perhaps someone or anyone is looking out for Jaskier in the heavens. That or its destiny. 

[betterdcyz-a]

Jaskier isn’t a stranger to the concept of travelling alone; he’s done it for years with or without his companion, Geralt. And the bard is aware of the dangers when it comes to venturing off alone. 

He’s well-equipped with a dagger and a hidden blade that’s been slotted in the inside of his boot. He’d avoid using his own lute as a weapon, knowing very well that a lute is a fragile piece of instrument that could shatter if slamming it hard against someone’s head. And he needs his lute for his performances. A shattered lute that’s in pieces is a useless lute. 

But when the time comes to use his dagger or the hidden blade, Jaskier won’t hesitate. Well. Not all the time. Jaskier has solely focused on his artistic talents rather than the art of fighting. So he’s rusty. But he’s prepared to stab a bitch if it’s really necessary. 

[betterdcyz-a]

Jaskier has travelled from inn to inn, got invited to appear in royal courts and had held a few performances in a few other areas. He sung ballads beautifully; sang the heroic tales that were inspired by his muses. And such songs gained popularity over the years to the point where it’s very likely that other musicians sang in his stead. There’s also a chance for Jaskier to intrude at the end of the performance, having in the right mind to offer up tips to the musician. 

However, if some musician ( a fool ) declared that they’re the one who made the song and use it to gain gold out of it, Jaskier will roll up the sleeves of his doublet ( ——and if Geralt is there, probably saying the line: “Hold my lute.” ) so he can have a bloody good chat with the fool, and likely throw some punches in and kick some arse if it leads to that. 

Jaskier honours his own songs, such songs that were written down in ink and thought over in his free time. All his work is in his leather-bound notebook; a book filled with work that is his pride. And no one can sing Jaskier’s ballads better than Jaskier himself. 

[betterdcyz-a]

Mild complaining; something that you’d likely get from him as Jaskier always has something to say in whatever situation he’s in. Walking? A bit of complaint there. Not enough coin? Another little complaint there. His doublet covered in monster blood and knowing that it’s going to take a long while for the stains to come out? You know the answer to that. If there’s something to mildly complain about, Jaskier is there to do just that. ( sometimes anyway. ) 

[betterdcyz-a]

When Geralt is off slaying monsters for coin, Jaskier can sometimes be left behind with the job of looking after Roach. And when he is, Jaskier goes into the routine of chatting to Roach and telling her any recent tales/events. And whenever she makes a noise, Jaskier sees that as a response and would go like: “That’s what I said!” or something along those lines.