#this is set sometime after baptism of fire btw

[riviae]

There it is again, Geralt thinks. That damn smile. 

It should terrify him—the echoes of safety and warmth that drift into his mind at the sight of too-sharp teeth. How the reminder of Regis’ inhumanness softens his gaze, slows his heart rate, relaxes the tension from his muscles. The enormity of emotion he felt whenever the vampire showed his fangs, all laughter and mirth, dark eyes twinkling at him with something akin to adoration. 

(Not that Geralt knew much about being adored—he knew what hatred looked like, what it meant when someone spat at him, called him a mutated freak with the stench of beer and bile on their breath. But love? The witcher did not know much about love except that it did not suit him; it couldn’t, even if he desperately wanted it to.) 

But nothing about Regis scared him anymore. Never had, really, if he was being honest with himself. 

“Is something the matter, my friend?” Regis asks, smile dissipating slowly until there is only the suggestion of a grin on his face, lips pulled into a thin line. It is a minuscule shift, but Geralt feels it in the way the vampire curls away, makes a wall out of his bended knees, pressing them close to his chest as he clasped his hands together. 

It was like Regis had closed a door between them. There had been a brief moment where the door had been left ajar, where Geralt had been given a glimpse into the sanctuary of Regis’ mind, a place where his monstrous features simply existed, no expectations or fears pressed upon them. His fangs were just fangs, a natural extension of himself, as benign as the crooked shape of his nose or the onyx color of his eyes. It was Regis allowing himself to be seen for who—and what—he was, no more self-imposed barriers between himself and the world. And then, just as suddenly as the door had been opened, the vampire had slammed it shut. 

Shit, Geralt curses to himself. How do I keep fucking this up? “Sorry. Just got lost in my head.” 

“Hmm… I do wonder what kind of profound thoughts plague the famed witcher Geralt of Rivia. Perhaps something about what our company will be having for dinner?” Regis smiled, but his teeth remained hidden even as he continued to speak, tone light. “I, for one, could most certainly go for soup. Perhaps fish again?” 

The witcher resists the urge to roll his eyes at the obvious teasing. Instead, he offers a small, crooked grin in return. He feels some of the tension slacken in his chest. Maybe he hadn’t scared Regis away—at least not completely. “It shouldn’t be a problem for a higher vampire to catch some fish, right? Something tells me that you’d probably be able to breathe just fine underwater.” 

At his words, Regis’ features twist into a decidedly unpleased expression. “Please, Geralt, you know better than that. I can’t breathe underwater—I’m no siren or mermaid. Rather, you know that I have no physiological need to breathe, except to, of course, talk, sing, or admonish our group whenever they needlessly put their lives at risk.” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know, vampire. Don’t get your fangs caught in a twist.” 

“That’s rather rich coming from a man who can see clearly in complete darkness.” 

“Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black, Regis,” Geralt drawls. “Huh, I don’t know how I never noticed before, but your eyes really do glow in the dark.” 

The vampire’s face brightened and Geralt immediately knew he was in for an impromptu lecture. “Ah, they actually glow due to the addition of a thin membrane that lies just behind the retina. The tapetum lucidum acts as a light reflector, allowing light to reenter the retina, thereby activating photoreceptors and relaying these external signals to the occipital lobe. This ultimately improves one’s ability to see in low light environments and it is why diurnal species, like humans for example, do not usually have the membrane because they are neither nocturnal nor crepuscular and would not benefit as much. Also, the color an animal’s eye shine differs from species to species, but interestingly, all vampires regardless of classification possess a silver to grey shine.” 

“That’s a long, fancy way of saying that some species evolved specialized membranes to see in the dark so they can hunt better at night.”

“Why yes, I suppose that is a rather fitting summary…” Regis trails, his curious gaze drifting to Geralt’s face. “Do you know that you, as a witcher, have an eye shine as well—a color that can be seen without the aid of a reflective light source?” 

The witcher blinks. “No… are you serious?” 

He hadn’t been too rigorous with his readings when it came to all the ways the trials had mutated his body. By the time he had left Kaer Morhen and its monopoly of scientific artifacts, Geralt had wanted nothing more to do with anything that reminded him of how truly inhuman he was. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t curious now, his years on the Path softening the trauma of the Trial of Grasses to a degree where he no longer woke up from nightmares where the overwhelming scent of sweat, blood, and tears seemed all too real. It was a trauma that weighed on the edge of his mind, quiet and sated with time, but existed all the same. 

“Yes. Your eyes glow a rather beautiful gold—quite fitting, given your eye color. It’s likely imperceptible to humans or even witchers, but it may explain why you seem to more readily cause people to keep their distance at night. There’s something about you that seems dangerous, but they’d be unable to name it as anything other than, perhaps, that you give off a threatening aura.” 

“And here I thought it was my ugly mug and charming personality that was driving people away.” 

“Geralt,” Regis begins, “While I’m usually quite a fan of your sarcastic wit, you are often entirely too harsh on yourself. There’s nothing about you that is ugly—neither in physical features nor personality. I mean it. You are so much more than a man who hunts monsters.” His serious tone brokered no argument. 

The witcher rubs at his neck, purposefully avoiding Regis’ stalwart gaze. What could he say? Self-loathing came as naturally to him as holding a sword. But, it was actually rather pleasant to hear someone speak otherwise. To find merit in him as a person rather than in his capacity as a witcher. 

“Thanks,” he eventually said, letting the dull hum of cicadas fill the night air. He heard Regis shift, the scent of herbs growing stronger, and then, suddenly, there was a hand at his shoulder. The vampire squeezed his shoulder gently, his nails only giving the briefest indication of their sharpness as they ghosted over the thin white fabric of his shirt. 

“You’re welcome, Geralt. I’ll always be at your side to remind you of your better nature—of who you really are.”

The witcher did something he had wanted to do ever since he saw the lone arrow pierce through the vampire’s chest. When he had thought for a horrifying few moments that Regis had been seriously injured, only to see the man sit up later, the wound closing almost immediately after the arrow was pulled out. When Geralt had felt the swell of genuine relief in the midst of the battle, he wished he could have hugged the vampire. 

When he pulls Regis into a hug, he feels the vampire stiffen for a brief second, his analytical mind likely rattled with surprise at the sudden gesture of affection, before he hugs back, wisps of grey-black hair tickling Geralt’s cheek. He leans into Geralt’s touch easily, a pleased chuckle leaving his lips, his hot breath fanning at the witcher’s neck. Regis closes his eyes in contentment, silent, letting his actions speak for him. Trust, Geralt realizes. Regis trusts me. A vampire trusts a witcher who, at one time, pointed a sword against his throat. The thought warms his chest in a way that he can’t quite explain, at least not now, not with the weight of Regis resting against him. But above all, he was pleased to have a vampire pressed against him even though he was unarmed and without his usual wolf-school armor. 

Geralt eventually clears his throat, arms still wrapped around the vampire.  “Also… you don’t have to hide your smile, Regis. Not around me. Sorry if I made you think otherwise.” He wanted to say more, to be as open and honest as he should be, but the words wouldn’t leave his tongue. Not yet. But he thought them all the same. 

And because we’re friends, because I care about you, I want to know you—all of you. Not the walls you hide behind. I trust you, Regis. Nothing will change that. 

In return, the vampire pulls away and smiles, showing off his sharp, pointed teeth. It made something in Geralt’s slow-beating heart flutter, but the witcher didn’t feel panicked or anxious. Instead, he leaned into the feeling—a feeling that he was not afraid to call love.

[edwardteachswombtattoo]

Fire, Water, and Our Flag Means Death

Okay, so we all know the Lighthouse/Kraken symbolism, right? We've all read the dozens of essays/theories about Stede the Lighthouse and Ed the Kraken and we've all read/written fics about literal Kraken Ed, right??? But the Lighthouse isn't just a lighthouse, my dudes. Because what the fuck even is a lighthouse?? Is it something to guide ships? Yeah!! But how does it do that? With fire!! With light!! So lighthouses basically represent fire, right? So Lighthouse (Stede) = Fire. But if we take this to its logical conclusion, we open up a whole other can of symbolism. And what about Ed? Kraken. Water. Kraken (Ed) = Water. And just like with Stede and the fire/light symbolism throughout Season One, there is a lot of water symbolism with Ed. So what does that mean??

Fire hurts. It destroys, it burns, it (just like the lighthouse) isn't something you should get close to. Usually. If you're attracted to fire, you need to make peace with getting burned. And if it touches you/you touch it? Pain. Yes, I'm thinking about Mary holding Stede's hand at the wedding and Stede gingerly touching Mary's shoulder and what it means. And about Stede holding himself in bed, arms wrapped around himself while next to Mary like he's afraid to touch her. Just thinking about those things.

And what about Ed? Edward Teach born on a beach? The guy who touches Stede probably more than anyone else ever has? The guy who puts his face up against Stede's hand and touches Stede's shoulder and touches Stede's leg and patches him up so sweetly? Well, uh..

Fire? Destructive? Yes, a hundred times yes. And who else would be so attracted to the beauty/danger of fire if not Edward fucking Teach? Ed the Masochist? Ed who stuck his finger in a candle flame like it was a reminder of Stede's touch? The man who coaxes the fire into burning him ("Stab me")? But because the writers of this show are so fucking smart, it's not just the pain of the fire. What happens after Stede stabs Ed? Stede takes Ed to his cabin and (presuambly) patches him up and takes care of him. That's...not how fire works. Fire doesn't care if it burns you. But Stede? Stede cares.

Fire is destructive, but it's also warm. Huddling around the fire for warmth, telling stories. And when it's contained (lanterns, candles, lighthouses) it can even be helpful or healing. And Stede? Stede is both. He can be warm, he can destroy. He can be something to gather around or something that burns (defiles) beauty. He can be both at the same time. And sometimes burning something to the ground is necessary! Sometimes you need to destroy to create. Is Stede a dick for leaving his family? Absolutely. But what does Mary do? She becomes a fucking artist! She becomes happier! She literally turns destruction into creation! She builds a better family and a better life out of the ashes. And Stede? He builds a better self. He had to burn it down so he could build something better. So they both could. Which brings us to...

Water!! The ocean!! Pirates!! Edward fucking Teach!! Let's talk about it!

So water symbolizes a lot of things, but rebirth and purity are two of them. Ed literally kills his dad near a body of water. Can't get any better than that for rebirth symbolism, especially if you believe that Ed hopped on a boat directly after he killed his father. And...Ed jumping into the water to swim back to The Revenge and climb aboard to be with Stede? That good shit? Oh boy, that feels like it means something. Ed kissing Stede near a body of water? Ed getting his heart broken near a body of water? Stede dragging a dinghy into the water and setting off to get his boyfriend, symbolizing the end of a character arc and lumping onto the theme of symbolic rebirth? Ed pushing Lucius into the ocean??? And Lucius totally not being dead, because the symbolism of that?? Lucius coming back alive and well but changed probably?? Like a baptism (not religious btw)????

It's interesting because water is actually kind of the opposite of the Kraken?? Water isn't usually a warning in itself. It can symbolize calm or refreshment or moving, but danger? Not really. So putting the Kraken metaphor inside the water metaphor feels important.

So the end of Season One feels more significant, because Ed gets burned and Stede gets reborn and this is the exact opposite of what their elements symbolize. But Stede seeks out the water to find his family/love and Ed destroys himself over that same love. The fire hurts Ed and the water brings Stede a new beginning. Ed finds his own beginning in fire (destruction) and Stede finds his in rebirth (water). And Ed literally throws Stede's things into the water, drowning his last memories of Stede in his element, purifying himself of Stede! But he keeps the lighthouse painting, the warning. He still can't let go of the light and the fire, even if it burned him. They find a new self inside of each others' elements!! Water and fire are all about creating new things in different ways!!

When Ed and Stede reunite, they're going to build something totally new! With both of their elements! They're going to destroy and be born again!

Or at least that's what I think. Feel free to yell at me about how I don't know what I'm fucking talking about.

[bamf-jaskier]

What the fuck is up with Triss and Geralt (in the books)

Hello! and in today’s wtf post, here is a summary of the relationship (or lack thereof, sorry Triss) of her and Geralt’s relationship in the books. 

TLDR: At the end of the day, Triss and Geralt have a clearly described mutual attraction to each other through all the books. However, Geralt’s attraction to Triss does not compare to his love for Yennefer and as such, despite Triss and Geralt sleeping together once, they set boundaries and relegate each other to friends. Geralt never fully stops being slightly drawn to and sympathetic towards Triss and Triss never fully falls out of love with Geralt. 

CW for minority graphic depictions of violence (standard for the books)

More under the cut:

So, let’s start out with their backstory. Here’s a snippet describing their hook-up from Blood of Elves. 

Then Geralt of Rivia appeared. A witcher leading a stormy life, and tied to her good friend Yennefer in a strange, turbulent and almost violent relationship.

Triss had watched them both and was jealous even though it seemed there was little to be jealous of. Their relationship quite obviously made them both unhappy, had led straight to destruction, pain and yet, against all logic… it had lasted. Triss couldn’t understand it. And it had fascinated her. It had fascinated her to such an extent that she had seduced the witcher – with the help of a little magic. 

She had hit on a propitious moment, a moment when he and Yennefer had scratched at each other’s eyes yet again and had abruptly parted. Geralt had needed warmth, and had wanted to forget.

No, Triss had not desired to take him away from Yennefer. As a matter of fact, her friend was more important to her than he was. But her brief relationship with the witcher had not disappointed. She had found what she was looking for – emotions in the form of guilt, anxiety and pain. His pain. 

She had experienced his emotions, it had excited her and, when they parted, she had been unable to forget it. And she had only recently understood what pain is. The moment when she had overwhelmingly wanted to be with him again. For a short while – just for a moment – to be with him.

So Geralt and Triss had sex once, and it is important to note that while CDPR took the interpretation that this meant Triss had assaulted Geralt and used that in their games, this is not explicitly said in canon. The single line “she had seduced the witcher – with the help of a little magic.” is also likely to be referring to how mages use transformation magic in order to alter their appearance to be more beautiful. This is mentioned by Fringilla in Baptism of Fire: 

She herself had regularly ridiculed the crude image painted by gossip and propaganda of the typical sorceress from the North: artificially beautiful, arrogant, vain and spoiled to the limits of perversion, and often beyond them.

Even then, Geralt has a pattern (similar to Yennefer as well with Istredd) of sleeping with other people such as Fringilla herself in Lady of the Lake when him and Yennefer are on a break. So it’s important to note for their relationship in the books, that there is nothing in the text that says that Triss assaulted Geralt and that is simply another literary interpretation of the relationship and not directly canon. 

Sometime after their hook-up Triss is presumed dead at the Battle of Sodden but goes to Kaer Morhen in order to teach Ciri magic. Here is Geralt and Triss’s reunion in Blood of Elves. 

“I’ll take your horse,” offered Geralt, reaching for the reins. Triss surreptitiously shifted her hand and their palms joined. So did their eyes.

“I’ll come with you,” she said naturally. “There are a few little things in the saddle-bags which I’ll need.”

“You gave me a very disagreeable experience not so long ago,” he muttered as soon as they had entered the stable. “I studied your impressive tombstone with my own eyes. The obelisk in memory of your heroic death at the battle of Sodden. The news that it was a mistake only reached me recently. I can’t understand how anyone could mistake anyone else for you, Triss.”

“It’s a long story,” she answered. “I’ll tell you some time. And please forgive me for the disagreeable moment.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I’ve not had many reasons to be happy of late and the feelings I experienced on hearing that you lived cannot compare to any other. Except perhaps what I feel now when I look at you.”

Triss felt something explode inside her. Her fear of meeting the white-haired witcher, which had accompanied her throughout her journey, had struggled within her with her hope of having such a meeting. Followed by the sight of that tired, jaded face, those sick eyes which saw everything, cold and calculating, which were unnaturally calm but yet so infused with emotion…

She threw her arms around his neck, instantly, without thinking. She caught hold of his hand, abruptly placed it on the nape of her neck, under her hair. A tingling ran down her back, penetrated her with such rapture she almost cried out. In order to muffle and restrain the cry her lips found his lips and stuck to them. She trembled, pressing hard against him, her excitement building and increasing, forgetting herself more and more.

Geralt did not forget himself.

“Triss…Please.”

“Oh, Geralt… So much…”

“Triss.” He moved her away delicately. “We’re not alone… They’re coming.”

So they have a (bit) of a spicy post-death reunion where Geralt says some very nice and heartfelt things things that make Triss especially horny. Triss almost orgasms from a hug and kisses Geralt to avoid moaning (can you tell this series was written by a man yet?)

Then later, Geralt and Triss have a conversation about Geralt needing to reach out to Yennefer because Ciri’s trances and magic are becoming overwhelming. In fact, in this scene, Triss is pretty shaken up because she was just in a joint-trance with Ciri. So, post-trance in Blood of Elves Geralt brings up their past hook-up: 

“You have to get help from another magician. A more gifted one. More experienced. You know who I’m talking about.”

“I do.” He turned his head away, clenched his lips.

“Don’t resist. Don’t defend yourself. I can guess why you turned to me rather than her. Overcome your pride, crush your rancour and obstinacy. There is no point to it, you’ll torture yourself to death. And you are risking Ciri’s health and life in the process. Another trance is liable to be more dangerous to her than the Trial of Grasses. Ask Yennefer for help, Geralt.”

“And you, Triss?”

“What about me?” She swallowed with difficulty. “I’m not important. I let you down. I let you down… in everything. I was… I was your mistake. Nothing more.”

“Mistakes,” he said with effort, “are also important to me. I don’t cross them out of my life, or memory. And I never blame others for them. You are important to me, Triss, and always will be. You never let me down. Never. Believe me.”

She remained silent a long while.

“I will stay until spring,” she said finally, struggling against her shaking voice. “I will stay with Ciri… I will watch over her. Day and night. I will be with her day and night. And when spring is here… when spring is here we will take her to Melitele’s Temple in Ellander. The thing that wants to possess her might not be able to reach her in the temple. And then you will ask Yennefer for help.”

“All right, Triss. Thank you.”

“Geralt?”

“Yes.”

“Ciri said something else, didn’t she? Something only you heard. Tell me what it was.”

“No,” he protested and his voice quivered. “No, Triss.”

“Please.”

“She wasn’t speaking to me.”

“I know. She was speaking to me. Tell me, please.”

“After coming to… When I picked her up… She whispered: ‘Forget about him. Don’t torture him.’”

“I won’t,” she said quietly. “But I can’t forget. Forgive me.”

“I am the one who ought to be asking for forgiveness. And not only asking you.”

“You love her that much,” she stated, not asking.

“That much,” he admitted in a whisper after a long moment of silence.

“Geralt.”

“Yes, Triss?”

“Stay with me tonight.”

“Triss���”

“Only stay.”

“All right.”

Okay this scene makes me feel a lot of emotions because Triss knows she has to let go of Geralt and she genuinely wants to because she values her friendship with Yennefer more. But like she said, she can’t forget. And it’s also important that in the same way Triss asks forgiveness, Geralt is asking forgiveness too. He knows that he slept with Triss while still in love with Yennefer and while, like he says, he doesn’t think his mistake is unimportant, he is not going to pursue a romantic relationship with Triss. 

This scene is so important because it sets the boundaries for the two of them. Especially at the end with Triss asking Geralt to stay the night with her platonically, it’s them trying to re-gain their friendship without the romantic aspect. Triss is a pretty insecure character in the books. In fact, in an interview when asked what immediately came to mind when her name was mentioned, Andrzej Sapkowski said: insecure and red-headed. So her setting these boundaries for herself is important and Geralt setting these boundaries is important as well. 

After this, Geralt stays as as close friend of Triss, even comforting her when she recounts the Battle of Sodden (which btw is one of my favorite book Triss moments in the series, it’s so powerful). 

Then, Triss is traveling with Ciri and Geralt and gets very bad food poisoning and basically has to be nursed back to health by the two of them and Geralt has to literally hold her as she shits herself in the woods. So it’s nice that he’s being a supportive friends but also it’s a gross situation. 

On the road, when asked by Yarpen who Triss is to Geralt (Triss is currently very sick and asleep) he replies in Blood of Elves: 

“Who is this Triss to you?”

“What difference does it make in this situation?”

“In this situation – none. I asked out of an inappropriate curiosity born of the desire to start new rumours going around the inns. But be that as it may, you’re mighty attracted to this enchantress, Geralt.”

The witcher smiled sadly.

You can tell that there is a still a lingering sense of attraction. But it’s not love and it pales in comparison to what Geralt feels for Yennefer. So it’s important Geralt keeps up the boundaries he set earlier. But it’s not just Geralt who has trouble letting go. When Triss is in the worst part of her fever she says this to Geralt: 

“Oh, Geralt,” she sobbed. “I so regret… I so regret that what was between us”

“Triss, please.”

“…it should have happened… now. When I’m better… It would be entirely different… I could… I could even—”

“Triss.”

“I envy Yennefer… I envy her you—”

“Ciri, step out.”

“But—”

“Go, please.”

It’s hard for the both of them, in my opinion Triss far more than Geralt but they both struggle. 

It’s important to note that at the end of Blood of Elves, Yennefer also finds out the whole story about Triss and Geralt from Ciri:

There was a subject which the girl [Ciri] instinctively and carefully avoided. But one day, she got carried away and spoke out. About Triss Merigold. Yennefer, as if casually, as if indifferently, asking as if banal, sparing questions, dragged the rest from her. Her eyes were hard and impenetrable.

Now, the next time Geralt and Triss meet, Geralt and Yennefer were invited along by Philippa to attend a mages’ meeting on the island Thanedd. Here is their meeting from Time of Contempt: 

They went over to Triss, who was shimmering in shades of blue and pale green. On seeing them, Triss broke off her conversation with two sorcerers, smiled radiantly and hugged Yennefer; the ritual of kissing the air near each other’s ears was repeated. Geralt took the proffered hand, but decided to act contrary to the rules of etiquette; he embraced the chestnut-haired enchantress and kissed her on her soft cheek, as downy as a peach. Triss blushed faintly.

So, Yennefer knows that they slept together but they all seem to be able to co-exist together which is good. Yennefer and Triss even have a sem-nice conversation about Ciri together moments later:

“They’re on excellent terms,’ Yennefer warned her gravely. ‘Be careful, Triss. Don’t breathe a word to him about–about you know who.’

‘I know. I’ll be careful. And by the way…’ Triss lowered her voice. ‘How’s she doing? Will I be able to see her?’

‘If you finally decide to run classes at Aretuza,’ smiled Yennefer, ‘you’ll be able to see her very often.’

‘Ah,’ said Triss, opening her eyes widely. ‘I see. Is Ciri…?’

‘Be quiet, Triss. We’ll talk about it later. Tomorrow. After the Council.”

“Tomorrow?’ said Triss, smiling strangely. Yennefer frowned, but before she had time to ask a question, a slight commotion suddenly broke out in the hall.”

This is an important conversation, because Philippa set up the Thanned meeting as a way to arrest Nilfgaardian mages such as Vilgefortz and Francesca and Triss was in on this planned coup while Yennefer was not. However, I don’t want to get too off-track, so back to Geralt and Triss’ relationship! 

Triss in Time of Contempt, mentions to Geralt that Yennefer is member of the mage’s council and asks Yennefer why she hadn’t told Geralt yet and this is Yennefer’s reply: 

“No, darling,’ said the enchantress, looking her friend straight in the eyes. ‘For one thing, I don’t like to boast. For another, there’s been no time. I haven’t seen Geralt for ages, and we have a lot of catching up to do. There’s already a long list. We’re going through it point by point.’

‘I see,’ said Triss hesitantly. ‘Hmm… After such a long time I understand. You must have lots to talk about…’

‘Talking,’ smiled Yennefer suggestively, giving the Witcher another smouldering glance, ‘is way down the list. Right at the very bottom, Triss.’

The chestnut-haired enchantress was clearly discomfited and blushed faintly.

‘I see,’ she said, playing in embarrassment with her lapis-lazuli heart.

‘I’m so glad you do. Geralt, bring us some wine. No, not from that page. From that one, over there.”

Then, Geralt asks Yennefer once he and her are alone and says: 

“Sure you didn’t go a bit too far?’ he asked coldly. Yennefer’s eyes flared violet.”

“Don’t try to make a fool out of me. Did you think I don’t know about you and her?’

‘If that’s what you—’

‘That’s precisely what,’ she said, cutting him off. ‘Don’t make stupid faces, and refrain from comments. And above all, don’t try to lie to me. I’ve known Triss longer than I’ve known you. We like each other. We understand each other wonderfully and will always do so, irrespective of various minor… incidents. Just then it seemed to me she had some doubts. So I put her right, and that’s that. Let’s not discuss it any further.”

So underneath this exterior, there’s definitely some tension and we see Yennefer’s possessive side come out. Needless to say, Triss isn’t going anywhere near Geralt romantically while Yennefer is in the picture. However, it is important to note that Yennefer still highly values Triss’ friendship, going so far as to daydream about her being in their lives if Yennefer and Geralt were to ever retire. 

Then, during the coup on Thanned, Geralt’s leg is horribly injured and Triss is the one who saves him (although she did help cause the coup in the first place). From Time of Contempt: 

Now Geralt could see nothing and hear nothing. He was sinking, submerging into something warm. He thought Vilgefortz had gone. He was astonished, then, when a fierce blow from the iron staff struck his thigh, smashing the shaft of his femur.

If anything occurred after that, he did not remember it.

‘Hang in there, Geralt. Don’t give up,’ repeated Triss Merigold endlessly. ‘Hang in there. Don’t die… Please don’t die…’

‘Ciri…’

‘Don’t talk. I’ll soon get you out of here. Hold on… Damn I’m too weak, by the gods…’

‘Yennefer… I have to—’

‘You don’t have to do anything! You can’t do anything! Hang in there. Don’t give up… Don’t faint… Don’t die, please…’

She dragged him across the floor, which was littered with bodies. He saw his chest and belly covered in blood, which was streaming from his nose. He saw his leg. It was twisted at a strange angle and seemed much shorter than the intact one. He didn’t feel any pain. He felt cold. His entire body was cold, numb and foreign. He wanted to puke.

‘Hold on, Geralt. Help is coming from Aretuza. It’ll soon be here…’

Triss basically drags Geralt to Tissaia and begs for help. Tissaia reluctantly gives help and Triss teleports Geralt from Thanned to Brokilon to be healed by the dryads and tells only Dandelion where he is and keeps Geralt’s location a secret. Both Yennefer and Ciri are missing after the coup. 

However, once Triss fully commits herself to the Lodge of Sorceresses, she puts  their well-being above all her previous connections. In The Tower of Swallows, she is even willing to let Geralt die as he didn’t serve the purposes of the Lodge:

“The information,” Yennefer said dully, “for his life. Save him, Philippa.”

“No, Yennefer.”

“Because it's not in the interest of the Lodge.” A purple fire kindled in the sorceress’ eyes. “Did you hear that Triss? There, you have your Lodge. You see their true colors, their true interests. And what do you think of them? You were a mentor to the girl, almost – as you put it – a big sister. And Geralt…”

“Do not attack Triss’ relationships, Yennefer.” Philippa retaliated with her own fire in her eyes. “We will find and rescue the girl without your help. And if you succeed, that's fine, a thousand thanks, because you will have saved us the trouble. You tear the girl out of the hands of Vilgefortz and we will be happy. And Geralt? Who cares about Geralt?”

“Did you hear that, Triss?”

“Forgive me,” said Triss Merigold dully. “Forgive me, Yennefer.”

“Oh, no, Triss. Never.”

While Triss takes many steps to try and find and save Ciri, she does nothing of the sort for Geralt and it appears that she has abandoned much of their friendship (and Yennefer’s) in favor of The Lodge. Despite this, Triss still showcases jealously whenever someone else mentions being involved with Geralt. 

For example, in Lady of the Lake, Fringilla is summarizing her seduction of Geralt and his responses and says: 

“December came,” she continued. “Then Yule, then the New Year. The witcher calmed down to the point where Ciri’s name no longer showed up in every conversation. The monster hunting expeditions, which he regularly undertook, seemed to completely avail him. Well, maybe not completely…”

She trailed off. She thought she had seen Triss Merigold’s blue eyes flash with hatred. But perhaps it had just been a reflection of the flickering candle flames. 

Seeing The Lodge like this is a turning point for Triss and she regrets joining The Lodge and her actions in The Tower of Swallows and says as much to Nenneke in Lady of the Lake:

“I cannot go madly hurrying after Ciri to help her, I cannot run like crazy to save Geralt and Yennefer. Not only that, there is a war, which you have sent your girls… A war, that Jarre fled to and I am refused the possibility to even stand on a hill. To once again stand on a hill. Knowing this time, I’d made the right decision.”

“Everyone has their decisions and everyone has their hills, Triss,” the priestess said quietly. “Everyone. You cannot escape your own.”

This arc of jealously, betrayal, and love comes to a head when Triss accompanies Ciri and Yennefer to Rivia to try and rescue Geralt from an uprising. Yennefer rounds on Triss and the two of them have an absolutely vitriolic fight. From Lady of the Lake: 

Triss averted her face, determined not to give Yennefer any excuse. She did not expect it to work. For a long time she had been sensing Yennefer’s anger and aggression growing stronger as they approached Rivia.

“You, Triss,” Yennefer mischievously insisted, “do not blush, do not sigh, do not drool or wiggle around in your saddle. Or is it that you think because I agreed to your request that I want to have you with us? That I was interested in seeing you spend a meeting with an old love? Ciri, I asked you to go on ahead. The two of us need to talk!”

“It is not a discussion, it is a lecture.” Ciri dared to argue, but under the threatening glare from violet eyes, she immediately recoiled, clucked and galloped off on Kelpie on the road ahead.

“You’re not going to meet a loved one, Triss,” Yennefer continued. “I am not so noble or stupid enough to give you the opportunity, or him the temptation. But just for today. I could not deny myself the sweet satisfaction. He will know what role you play as a member of the Lodge. He will thank you for that with his famous look. And I’ll be looking at your quivering lips and trembling hands, I will listen to your lame apologies and excuses. And you know what, Triss? I will faint with delight.”

“I knew,” Triss grunted. “That you would not forget, that you would take your revenge. I agreed to this, because I was actually at fault. But one thing I must tell you, Yennefer. Do not count too much on fainting. He knows how to forgive.

“He knows what was done to him, of course,” Yennefer narrowed her eyes. “But he will never forgive you for what was done to Ciri. And me.”

“It is possible,” Triss swallowed. “He may not forgive. Especially if you insist. But he won’t fly into a rage. He won’t lower himself like that.”

“Yennefer flicked her horse with her whip in anger. The animal whinnied and leapt and the sorceress swayed in her saddle.

“Enough talk,” she snapped. “More humility, you smug viper! He is my man, mine and only mine! Do you understand? You have to stop talking about him, to stop thinking about him, you have to stop admiring his noble character… As of right now, right now! Oh I want to grab you by your matted red hair…

“Try it!” Screamed Triss. “Just try it, you vindictive bitch and I’ll scratch out your eyes! I…”

The both fell silent when they saw the cloud of dust as Ciri galloped back towards them.

That fight was particularly ugly and it’s built out of a lot of repressed feelings and betrayal over the course of the story that these two refused to properly address. However, the two of them put this aside in order to work together and fight together in the end of Lady of the Lake, but this post is not for analyzing Yennefer and Triss’ relationship so I won’t link the quote. 

TLDR: At the end of the day, Triss and Geralt have a clearly described mutual attraction to each other through all the books. However, Geralt’s attraction to Triss does not compare to his love for Yennefer and as such, despite Triss and Geralt sleeping together once, they set boundaries and relegate each other to friends. Geralt never fully stops being slightly drawn to and sympathetic towards Triss and Triss never fully falls out of love with Geralt.  

[quills-and-golden-ink]

Welcome one and all to the second part of the Monthly Guide to Monsters! The talented @downwithwritersblock​ and I have teamed up to bring you some quick and easy guides to some of the world’s most infamous creatures. 

The guide will include: basic background, historical information, abilities, how to defeat them, and portrayals in media. They’ll probably also come with some short stories or prompts! 

For this week, I’ve been tasked with probably one of my favourite mythological beings: vampires. These will be posted on Mondays and Thursdays, excluding this week (since I’ve been busy with stuff). We hope you enjoy! 

Monster Guide #2: The Vampire

Definition: A vampire is an undead or immortal being from folklore that subsists by feeding off the vital force (usually blood) of the living. Vampires are typically creatures that bring about mischief or death. For a long time, vampires were synonymous with demons. Many cultures actually classified vampires as being corpses that were possessed and animated by a demon.

Description: Many early tales described vampires to be bloated; with ruddy, dark, or purple skin, and almost always wearing some kind of dark shroud to hide themselves in (that they usually bring with them from their own grave). It wasn’t until the 19th century, with our more modern day lore that we started to see the classic frail, or gaunt and pale vampires that we have grown used to seeing in the media.

Abilities: These change from culture to culture, although many of them were birthed by Bram Stoker's Novel “Dracula” (which were, btw, super OP). Included are some of the most common abilities associated with vampires (you’ll notice that “glittering in sunlight” is absent because of this). 

Usually immortal, or with at least a very prolonged life span

Increased abilities such as strength, speed, sight, hearing and smell. 

Flight

Some hypnosis, telepathy, illusionary magic. 

Shapeshifting (typically into a bat)

Vampire’s Baptism: the act of healing one with a vampires blood, or turning one into a vampire through mutual biting

Regenerative healing

Immune or really unaffected by conventional or normal means of attack (like being punched, stabbed or shot) 

Night vision

Preventing Vampirism: Vampires eventually caused a bit of hysteria in some cultures, so we see many examples throughout the world of people trying to prevent the rise of the undead.

Some ways found to prevent the rise of a vampire were:

Buried upside down or flipped over.

Some cultures places scythes or sickles beside graves to satisfy the demons they thought would possess the dead. Why? Don’t know but that’s sick. 

Religious symbols, like wax crosses or pieces of pottery with biblical messages like “Jesus Christ Conquers” were commonly placed on corpses to prevent vampirism.

Some took the practical route and decided that separating or destroying the tendons in the legs of the deceased would also keep the dead from rising.

Shooting a bullet through the casket right before burial was also common

Some would put pieces of steel or silver over the corpse’s eyes, in their mouth, in their ears, or in between their fingers.

Pushing Iron needles through the heart was also said to stop a vampire from rising.

Decapitating after death. 

Curing and Killing: 

Garlic was said to keep away vampires

Crucifixes and rosaries were typically said to keep a vampire away.

They could not cross onto sacred or consecrated ground (like a church)

It’s also said they could not cross over running water (no bridges for vampires)

Some folklore says that they lacked shadows and would not show up in a mirror or a photograph (some folklore states that this is a reflection of their lack of a soul, although it could be due to the use of silver in these things)

Sprinkling mustard seeds along the roof of your house was said to keep vampires away, but if it didn't, you’d be alright becauseeee

Vampires, in many myths, could not enter a home without first being invited in. Be careful though, they only need the one invite. After that they might just be able to come and go from your house as they please.

Wild rose stems or hawthorn branches could potentially harm them

In many legends, vampires are warded off, and sometimes even harmed by silver. (Old mirrors were commonly backed with silver, and old photography also used silver specks, which might be the reason they’re not seen in them)

Holy Water or other items blessed by a priest were said to keep them away, and possibly even hurt them.

Vampires were said to be nocturnal, and were very vulnerable or damaged in sunlight. It might have even been able to kill them.

Being set on fire can kill just about everything, and vampires were no exception. 

@downwithwritersblock‘s favourite way to stop a vampire: Arithmomania. An expression or type of OCD in which the person who suffers from it feels compelled to count either their actions or the objects around them.  In many cultures around the world, especially in Eastern Europe and in Asia, it’s said that if you place small seeds (usually poppy seeds), sand or a type of grain like rice beside the grave, or in front of the vampire, they would compulsively have to count it, and that would keep them busy until either you kill them, or until the sunrises and the light kills them for you.

Decapitation was also a very common method in both preventing, and killing vampires.

And of course the most famous of all; A wooden stake through the heart. Many cultures will also tell you that the stake has to be made out of the same kind of wood as the cross that Jesus was crucified on.

History: Here we’ve included two of the most famous “real life vampires” in history! Up first we have...

Vlad Tepes (or as he’s more commonly known: Vlad the Impaler, or Vlad Dracula).

Born between 1428 and 1431 and died in either 1476 or 1477.

He was Prince of Walachia 3 times between 1448 and his death

The second son of Vlad Dracul, who ruled Walachia

Imprisoned in Transylvania, held in Visegrad from 1463 to 1475.

Vlad II got the name ‘Dracul’ when he joined ‘The Order of the Dragon’, a ‘monarchical chivalric order for selected nobility’ in middle Eastern Europe (aka it was mainly Germanic states).

Dracul(a) means ‘Dragon’, and in more modern Romanian it means ‘The Devil’

Vlad III’s prefered method of execution was impalement. Hence the nickname ‘Vlad the Impaler’

Rumours and stories of Vlad spread fast, in fact, books about his cruel acts were best sellers in the German speaking territories.

However, to his own people, Vlad was usually seen as a warrior and a hero.

Bram Stoker was the one to turn Vlad into the legendary vampire with his well known book “Dracula,” published in 1897. It relied on many of the ancient myths of blood suckers found in Romanian folklore. The novel was very loosely based on Vlad, considering Bram Stoker didn't actually know a whole lot about Vlad and Walachia.

Bram Stoker is also among the first to change the traditional vampire into what we know today. His book is, or at least part of the reason that the image of vampires shift into one that is pale and thin, the lack of a reflection or shadow probably starts with his novel as well.

Secondly, we have my favourite: Elizabeth Bathory, aka “The Blood Countess.” 

Considered to be the first female serial killer.

The accusations change a bit depending on the story, but, Elizabeth was a Countess who was accused of taking, torturing and killing hundreds of young girls. She was accused of some pretty gnarly torture methods like covering people in honey and ants, or burning and then dunking people in freezing water, not to mention mutilation. She was accused of cannibalism. She was also said to drink the blood of her victims, earning her the nickname ‘Countess Dracula’. Some also say that as a regular part of her beauty regimen she would drain the blood of young virgin girls, and bathe in it to help keep her young and beautiful. Sometimes I like to call her the inventor of the first bath bomb.

The highest number of victims she was accused of was 650; however, this, like many parts of her story are questionable, and from unreliable or iffy sources.

Vampires in Media: This list is absolutely massive, so I’ve included twelve titles. This includes books, tv shows, and movies, but excludes video games. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (TV show, movie, comics)

The Vampire Chronicles/Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (movie and book)

Carmilla (1871 novel, cute lesbian 2014 youtube series, movie)

The Vampire Diaries (TV Show)

True Blood (Book series, TV show)

Van Helsing (Movie, TV show)

Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897 Novel)

30 Days Of Night (movie)

Twilight (Book series, movie)

The Originals (TV show)

Angel (TV show)

Blade (Movie)

And my personal favourite, which doesn’t fall under any specific monster, is the Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. Would highly recommend. It’s 13 books in the main series, and features all sorts of awesome and well-known supernatural entities such as (but not limited to): werewolves, vampires, half-demons, witches, sorcerers, demons, angels, and necromancers. Fun 18+ supernatural mystery read (with triggers for violence, gore, and explicit sexual content however. Reader discretion is advised.)

Prompts:

1. “You’re so coldblooded!”

    “Uh, yeah? I literally don’t have any blood?” 

2. “The worst part about being a vampire is not being able to take selfies. Do you know how much I miss looking at my own beautiful face?” 

3. “I suppose the best part of this whole ordeal is not having to spend so much time in the vanity.” 

4. “I’m scared to do my eyeliner.”

5. “Werewolves have it so easy! What’s the big deal with turning into a wolf every once in a while? I’d slaughter a country if it meant I could go outside and enjoy the sun. Even as a four-legged mutt.”

[bellepeppertronix]

Super Good!

There it is again, Geralt thinks. That damn smile. 

It should terrify him—the echoes of safety and warmth that drift into his mind at the sight of too-sharp teeth. How the reminder of Regis’ inhumanness softens his gaze, slows his heart rate, relaxes the tension from his muscles. The enormity of emotion he felt whenever the vampire showed his fangs, all laughter and mirth, dark eyes twinkling at him with something akin to adoration. 

(Not that Geralt knew much about being adored—he knew what hatred looked like, what it meant when someone spat at him, called him a mutated freak with the stench of beer and bile on their breath. But love? The witcher did not know much about love except that it did not suit him; it couldn’t, even if he desperately wanted it to.) 

But nothing about Regis scared him anymore. Never had, really, if he was being honest with himself. 

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