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<blockquote data-quote="ChrisKarter" data-source="post: 7969787" data-attributes="member: 7023103"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">[ATTACH=full]121255[/ATTACH]</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"><u><strong>CHAPTER 4: A WITCHER'S SQUIRE</strong></u></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">EXT. HARBOR GATE, BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - MORNING</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Harbor Gate is located in the southeast of the city, closest to Beauclair port. When laying the stones of the defensive walls surrounding Hauteville, the inhabitants of Beauclair had no inkling how much their city would eventually grow. The mushroom-like expansion of San Sebastian and the Port District forced Beauclair's residents to knock through an additional passageway to facilitate the circulation of traffic between the capital's districts. Some even called for the walls to be torn down altogether - for what had they to fear, with their town protected by the bravest knights errant the world has ever seen?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Everyday Jeronimo visits Avonis, he passes underneath Harbor Gate as he walks from Hauteville to Beauclair Port. He usually strolls through the street humming or singing a tune, and today was no different, but what was different was that Avonis appeared to be waiting for him underneath Harbor Gate's overpass. This was a pleasant surprise to Jeronimo who greets the witcher with a friendly wave and greeting. Avonis cuts to the point.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo I must ask you. How do foresee this arrangement of yours going?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">By what do you mean?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">What are your expectations? Where do you see our adventures taking us? What beasts do you expect me to slay? Disputes you expect me to settle?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo can’t contain his excitement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Whichever ones get in our way and pay the day! We’ll take contracts from here to Oxenfurt! We can hit the road tonight!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Absolutely not. Never happening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Why do you shatter my dreams? My things are packed already.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">You wouldn't happen to know a sorceress that could teleport us there would you?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Hmm, I can't say that I do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Then it is impossible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">It is not, people travel all the time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">For just you and I, it very much is. You're not taking into consideration any bandits or creatures we'd randomly encounter on the route. We'd be outnumbered, and you appear utterly incapable in combat, no offense Jeronimo, but you will most certainly be skinned, eaten, or maimed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo gasp, clearly taken offense to what he just heard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">At best you'd soil your trousers, flee off into the woods like a coward, and if you are ever so lucky you will die from starvation. But you will not be lucky, because you seem the type that will be sniveling like a little girl and smell like urine which will get you eaten by a wild creature, or creatures. And if that doesn't happen, you'll get picked up and sold off by Cidarian sex traffickers to be used like a sock on a sea ship, most likely to a Pirate Captain named Griff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo is clearly appalled by the witcher's comments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Are you done blustering? That was an incredibly patronizing and descriptive prediction. I am not defenseless, it's offensive that you think so.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">You absolutely are. You are fragile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis nudges Jeronimo lightly and knocks him off balance. Jeronimo tries to return the favor and push Avonis. The witcher is as still as a wall. Jeronimo puffs and tries with all his might to shove him, but the witcher's feet don't budge an inch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Are you done yet?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo pulls away and begins stretching his limbs. He starts to boast as he stretches from one toe to the other.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I've been told I'm quite flexible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I don't know what to make of that, but please don't start dancing again unless you’re going to start reeling us in some coin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I am exceptionally limber, and a marvelous dancer. You’ve yet to see me two-step, and my bourrée is flawless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">And unequivocally callow. Shall we start you off at five or ten crowns?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">How dare you suddenly become articulated when insulting me. That's insulting in itself. It's a double insult!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo you wouldn't last a day outside the city's walls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Pfft, please witcher, I can handle danger.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">When we're on the road, for weeks at a time, where would you bathe?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">In the river of course.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Drowners will get ya. Where would you squat?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">In the forest like the Scoia'tael.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Wolves will get ya. You know what your problem is Jeronimo? You've read too many books, watched too much opera, it's fizzled your brain. I don't think you know what awaits you out there in the real world. Have you ever been outside the city's walls?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Of course, I’ve been to several vineyards, but I feel like you're vastly underestimating my tenacity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I assure you that tenacity is not one of your traits.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">It is so! You said it yourself!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I said persistent. There's a difference.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">It's essentially the same thing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Your traits would read as is; eccentric, whimsical, lingerer, frail --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo gets defensive and starts poking the witcher in the chest listing off traits of his own.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Rude. Selfish. Cold-hearted. Lazy! Ape!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Over dramatic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Your assumptions are as blasphemous as your apparel, and you smell like a pigsty!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo, I hate to break it to you, but your beloved Geralt couldn't keep you alive on a journey outside these walls if you fast traveled on the back of one of his witches magical brooms. You wouldn't last a week out there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Ugh. Witches don't have brooms Avonis, and you say books have fizzled my brain. Face it, you need me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Do you want the honest to gods truth? Do you think you can handle it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo insist that he can with a confident nod of his head.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">You're the type of person that witchers get paid to find after they venture too far away from the nest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo stands there, blinking, trying to process that remark. Avonis pokes Jeronimo once in the chest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Little bird shouldn't leave the nest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo huffs and puffs and plants his foot down. He speaks up with bass in his voice increasingly emphasizing "little bird" with each sentence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Little bird doesn't have a nest! Little bird wants to spread his wings! Little bird wants to fly!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis chuckles at Jeronimo's theatrics this time around. The witcher shakes his head as he stands there with his hands on his hips. Avonis thinks deeply for several long moments. He takes a deep breath and laughs at his decision.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I'm going to regret this. If we're going to do this Jeronimo, we need to establish some ground rules.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo jumps up and flails his arm in the air - he'd call it throwing a fist - but it was definitely a flailing of the arm at best. Jeronimo can't contain the excitement in his voice but Avonis is quick to cut him off before he gets too carried away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Agreed, I think if we sit down and hash it out over tea we can find common ground --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Rule number one. No tunics. Ever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">No tunics?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">No tunics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo looks down at his attire with a bit of disappointment and shock on his face.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Never ever?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Never ever. In fact, you should go change your outfit now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">A bit drastic, isn't it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">No. I'm the witcher, I make the rules. That's rule number two, the witcher makes the rules.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">But this just isn't any tunic Avonis, this is a Tunic de Vinci.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I don’t care if it’s a golden tunic, I have some rules that I live by. Somewhere high on that list is never trust a man in a tunic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis holds his hand above his head measuring how high that rule is on his list. Jeronimo's in disbelief. He's looking around at the civilians walking around in tunics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Half the country's in a tunic!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">My point precisely.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Okay, well I have my own set of rules --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Rules number three. You don't get to make any rules, yet. You should be writing this down. There's a lot required from a witcher's squire if we're ever going to travel the road together in the distant or not-so-distant future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo complies with his request and pulls out journal and pen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Rule number four. You must learn my favorite tunes and be able to perform them on command. When I'm about to go into battle, if there's a particular ballad that amps me up and gets the blood pumping, and I say "Jeronimo! Ballad of a Dead Soldier!", you play it, and you play it hard. Can you do that for me?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Well that's certainly negotiable but I still think we should --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Food. Rule number five. You can't just stop baking us treats now that I've taken you in off the street.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">You haven't exactly taken me off the street, it may be a shanty fit for a serf but I have a roof over my head.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Are you going to keep interrupting me or will you let me go over the rules with you? I think it's important that you review what's required of my squire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">JERONIMO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Again, squire? I like to consider myself more of a, as I told you, as the Toussaintois would call it, le gérant, your confidant, your political surrogate, your emissary or your overseer, whatever you prefer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">AVONIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">I don't like it, any of it, especially the last one. Rule number six, I am the alpha, and you're just a witcher's squire until I decide otherwise. You must prove your worth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Even though Jeronimo was irked by the underbelly of the witcher's tone with his ridiculous terms and rules, the opportunity to "prove his worth" to anybody really, was exciting, and he made sure to underline those words in his writing. Jeronimo was a naive sort, but he wasn't a complete imbecile. Avonis and Jeronimo follow the winding path up the hill towards the city as the witcher rambles, making most of it up as he goes. Jeronimo writes it all down in his journal nevertheless, and at this rate, he was going to have a few pages filled before it was over. He didn't mind however, he viewed it as practice for lectures at the Academy and future interviews of the legendary figures he was destined to encounter on his escapades.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ChrisKarter, post: 7969787, member: 7023103"] [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][ATTACH type="full" alt="Harbor Gate (533x300).jpg"]121255[/ATTACH] [U][B]CHAPTER 4: A WITCHER'S SQUIRE[/B][/U][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=times new roman]EXT. HARBOR GATE, BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - MORNING Harbor Gate is located in the southeast of the city, closest to Beauclair port. When laying the stones of the defensive walls surrounding Hauteville, the inhabitants of Beauclair had no inkling how much their city would eventually grow. The mushroom-like expansion of San Sebastian and the Port District forced Beauclair's residents to knock through an additional passageway to facilitate the circulation of traffic between the capital's districts. Some even called for the walls to be torn down altogether - for what had they to fear, with their town protected by the bravest knights errant the world has ever seen? Everyday Jeronimo visits Avonis, he passes underneath Harbor Gate as he walks from Hauteville to Beauclair Port. He usually strolls through the street humming or singing a tune, and today was no different, but what was different was that Avonis appeared to be waiting for him underneath Harbor Gate's overpass. This was a pleasant surprise to Jeronimo who greets the witcher with a friendly wave and greeting. Avonis cuts to the point. AVONIS Jeronimo I must ask you. How do foresee this arrangement of yours going? JERONIMO By what do you mean? AVONIS What are your expectations? Where do you see our adventures taking us? What beasts do you expect me to slay? Disputes you expect me to settle? Jeronimo can’t contain his excitement. JERONIMO Whichever ones get in our way and pay the day! We’ll take contracts from here to Oxenfurt! We can hit the road tonight! AVONIS Absolutely not. Never happening. JERONIMO Why do you shatter my dreams? My things are packed already. AVONIS You wouldn't happen to know a sorceress that could teleport us there would you? JERONIMO Hmm, I can't say that I do. AVONIS Then it is impossible. JERONIMO It is not, people travel all the time. AVONIS For just you and I, it very much is. You're not taking into consideration any bandits or creatures we'd randomly encounter on the route. We'd be outnumbered, and you appear utterly incapable in combat, no offense Jeronimo, but you will most certainly be skinned, eaten, or maimed. Jeronimo gasp, clearly taken offense to what he just heard. AVONIS At best you'd soil your trousers, flee off into the woods like a coward, and if you are ever so lucky you will die from starvation. But you will not be lucky, because you seem the type that will be sniveling like a little girl and smell like urine which will get you eaten by a wild creature, or creatures. And if that doesn't happen, you'll get picked up and sold off by Cidarian sex traffickers to be used like a sock on a sea ship, most likely to a Pirate Captain named Griff. Jeronimo is clearly appalled by the witcher's comments. JERONIMO Are you done blustering? That was an incredibly patronizing and descriptive prediction. I am not defenseless, it's offensive that you think so. AVONIS You absolutely are. You are fragile. Avonis nudges Jeronimo lightly and knocks him off balance. Jeronimo tries to return the favor and push Avonis. The witcher is as still as a wall. Jeronimo puffs and tries with all his might to shove him, but the witcher's feet don't budge an inch. AVONIS Are you done yet? Jeronimo pulls away and begins stretching his limbs. He starts to boast as he stretches from one toe to the other. JERONIMO I've been told I'm quite flexible. AVONIS I don't know what to make of that, but please don't start dancing again unless you’re going to start reeling us in some coin. JERONIMO I am exceptionally limber, and a marvelous dancer. You’ve yet to see me two-step, and my bourrée is flawless. AVONIS And unequivocally callow. Shall we start you off at five or ten crowns? JERONIMO How dare you suddenly become articulated when insulting me. That's insulting in itself. It's a double insult! AVONIS Jeronimo you wouldn't last a day outside the city's walls. JERONIMO Pfft, please witcher, I can handle danger. AVONIS When we're on the road, for weeks at a time, where would you bathe? JERONIMO In the river of course. AVONIS Drowners will get ya. Where would you squat? JERONIMO In the forest like the Scoia'tael. AVONIS Wolves will get ya. You know what your problem is Jeronimo? You've read too many books, watched too much opera, it's fizzled your brain. I don't think you know what awaits you out there in the real world. Have you ever been outside the city's walls? JERONIMO Of course, I’ve been to several vineyards, but I feel like you're vastly underestimating my tenacity. AVONIS I assure you that tenacity is not one of your traits. JERONIMO It is so! You said it yourself! AVONIS I said persistent. There's a difference. JERONIMO It's essentially the same thing. AVONIS Your traits would read as is; eccentric, whimsical, lingerer, frail -- Jeronimo gets defensive and starts poking the witcher in the chest listing off traits of his own. JERONIMO Rude. Selfish. Cold-hearted. Lazy! Ape! AVONIS Over dramatic. JERONIMO Your assumptions are as blasphemous as your apparel, and you smell like a pigsty! AVONIS Jeronimo, I hate to break it to you, but your beloved Geralt couldn't keep you alive on a journey outside these walls if you fast traveled on the back of one of his witches magical brooms. You wouldn't last a week out there. JERONIMO Ugh. Witches don't have brooms Avonis, and you say books have fizzled my brain. Face it, you need me. AVONIS Do you want the honest to gods truth? Do you think you can handle it? Jeronimo insist that he can with a confident nod of his head. AVONIS You're the type of person that witchers get paid to find after they venture too far away from the nest. Jeronimo stands there, blinking, trying to process that remark. Avonis pokes Jeronimo once in the chest. AVONIS Little bird shouldn't leave the nest. Jeronimo huffs and puffs and plants his foot down. He speaks up with bass in his voice increasingly emphasizing "little bird" with each sentence. JERONIMO Little bird doesn't have a nest! Little bird wants to spread his wings! Little bird wants to fly! Avonis chuckles at Jeronimo's theatrics this time around. The witcher shakes his head as he stands there with his hands on his hips. Avonis thinks deeply for several long moments. He takes a deep breath and laughs at his decision. AVONIS I'm going to regret this. If we're going to do this Jeronimo, we need to establish some ground rules. Jeronimo jumps up and flails his arm in the air - he'd call it throwing a fist - but it was definitely a flailing of the arm at best. Jeronimo can't contain the excitement in his voice but Avonis is quick to cut him off before he gets too carried away. JERONIMO Agreed, I think if we sit down and hash it out over tea we can find common ground -- AVONIS Rule number one. No tunics. Ever. JERONIMO No tunics? AVONIS No tunics. Jeronimo looks down at his attire with a bit of disappointment and shock on his face. JERONIMO Never ever? AVONIS Never ever. In fact, you should go change your outfit now. JERONIMO A bit drastic, isn't it? AVONIS No. I'm the witcher, I make the rules. That's rule number two, the witcher makes the rules. JERONIMO But this just isn't any tunic Avonis, this is a Tunic de Vinci. AVONIS I don’t care if it’s a golden tunic, I have some rules that I live by. Somewhere high on that list is never trust a man in a tunic. Avonis holds his hand above his head measuring how high that rule is on his list. Jeronimo's in disbelief. He's looking around at the civilians walking around in tunics. JERONIMO Half the country's in a tunic! AVONIS My point precisely. JERONIMO Okay, well I have my own set of rules -- AVONIS Rules number three. You don't get to make any rules, yet. You should be writing this down. There's a lot required from a witcher's squire if we're ever going to travel the road together in the distant or not-so-distant future. Jeronimo complies with his request and pulls out journal and pen. AVONIS Rule number four. You must learn my favorite tunes and be able to perform them on command. When I'm about to go into battle, if there's a particular ballad that amps me up and gets the blood pumping, and I say "Jeronimo! Ballad of a Dead Soldier!", you play it, and you play it hard. Can you do that for me? JERONIMO Well that's certainly negotiable but I still think we should -- AVONIS Food. Rule number five. You can't just stop baking us treats now that I've taken you in off the street. JERONIMO You haven't exactly taken me off the street, it may be a shanty fit for a serf but I have a roof over my head. AVONIS Are you going to keep interrupting me or will you let me go over the rules with you? I think it's important that you review what's required of my squire. JERONIMO Again, squire? I like to consider myself more of a, as I told you, as the Toussaintois would call it, le gérant, your confidant, your political surrogate, your emissary or your overseer, whatever you prefer. AVONIS I don't like it, any of it, especially the last one. Rule number six, I am the alpha, and you're just a witcher's squire until I decide otherwise. You must prove your worth. Even though Jeronimo was irked by the underbelly of the witcher's tone with his ridiculous terms and rules, the opportunity to "prove his worth" to anybody really, was exciting, and he made sure to underline those words in his writing. Jeronimo was a naive sort, but he wasn't a complete imbecile. Avonis and Jeronimo follow the winding path up the hill towards the city as the witcher rambles, making most of it up as he goes. Jeronimo writes it all down in his journal nevertheless, and at this rate, he was going to have a few pages filled before it was over. He didn't mind however, he viewed it as practice for lectures at the Academy and future interviews of the legendary figures he was destined to encounter on his escapades.[/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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