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English
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Part 1 of I Don't Wanna Know Who I Am (Cause Heaven Only Knows What I'll Find) (The Bard System)
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plural works that don't make us squirm, Soft AU
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Published:
2022-01-27
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1,041
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1/1
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20
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286
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14
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1,428

Our Hands Clasped So Tight (Waiting For The Hint Of A Spark)

Summary:

"Good. Yeah, good," Jaskier says, searching for something to say.

Then, Dandelion is pushing forward. "No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance," He says, sauntering forward, "Except... For you."

Dandelion, you can't just walk up to him!

What? I'm curious as to what he thought of my playing.

 

 

Or, a self-indulgent system-Jaskier fic.

 

Title taken from I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie.

Notes:

2am brain: what if......jaskier goes by so many names......because a l t e r s

And then I wrote it!

Also my knowledge of Witcher lore is so limited it's not even funny. I've seen like a third of the show and read a LOT of fanfic and that's about it, so if something is wrong then feel free to comment so I can fix it lmao

I mapped out like,,, a whole system but only three alters actually showed up here so. But they are-

Jaskier- He/They- Host
Dandelion- He/Him- Cohost, Caretaker
Julian- They/Them- Worker/Academic

Shoutout to all the other alters in the Bard System that I came up with lol

Also if you're confused by any terms here, this has a lot of great info: https://plurality-hub.carrd.co

Anywho, enjoy!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Dandelion and Jaskier are the first ones to see Geralt. Dandelion is the main alter fronting at the time, strumming away at their lute with skilled precision and getting, perhaps, just a tad too into the performance as he belts one of the more scandalous songs in his repertoire.

Jaskier, meanwhile, is sitting comfortably in co-front, happy to simply watch. At least, until an insult and- for some reason- bread are being thrown. Instantly, Jaskier is pushing closer to the front and taking over, Dandelion's lilting voice replaced by Jaskier's deep and raspy "Oi, fuck off!"

More bread is thrown by the patrons, and Jaskier grits his teeth, trying to think of a retort.

Dandelion, of course, is unbothered by the treatment.

Relax, Jask, He says soothingly, cutting off Jaskier from his yelling. They're just drunkards, anyway.

Huffing, Jaskier sets the lute down at the table. Logically, he knows Dandelion is most likely right. Still, resisting the urge to defend Dandelion's performance is very tempting. Like he wasn't fucking incredible. Like these assholes could do better. Like they'd know good music if it hit them in the face.

Oh, well. Every audience can't be good, he supposes reluctantly. Bending down, he begins picking up the discarded bread and stuffing it into his pocket.

Ought to make for a delightful dinner, Dandelion says dryly.

Jaskier rolls his eyes. Do you have a better idea? Not like we've got any coin, and clearly this fucking tavern isn't feeling generous.

No, no. I just hope we can find something better next town over. I'm absolutely famished as of late.

That makes two of us.

Jaskier looks up, eyes falling on a man, sat in the back of the tavern by himself.

Dandelion laughs, no real cruelty in his voice. Here we go...

Jaskier grins to himself, strutting over towards the table.

The man doesn't even look up.

Hm. Challenge accepted.

"I love the way you just... Sit in the corner and brood."

"I'm here to drink alone," The man mutters.

"Good. Yeah, good," Jaskier says, searching for something to say.

Then, Dandelion is pushing forward. "No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance," He says, sauntering forward, "Except... For you."

Dandelion, you can't just walk up to him!

What? I'm curious as to what he thought of my playing.

Yes, but there's a way to ask without making us look quite so bloody desperate!

You're the only one worried about appearing desperate, Jask, Dandelion smirks playfully. You can flirt all you want once I get his opinion.

Please just let me ask, then?

Alright, alright.

"Come on," Jaskier says, searching for something more to prompt the man with. "You don't want to keep a man with..... Bread in his pants... Waiting..."

Dandelion bursts out laughing. That's why I want to do the talking. "You must have some review from me," Dandelion continues. "Three words or less."

The man looks at him a moment. "They don't exist."

What on Earth is he referring to?

Fuck if I know.

"...What don't exist?"

"The creatures in your song."

"And how would you know?" The words fly out before either can process them. Jaskier is consumed by sudden annoyance, along with a feeling of just how high and mighty does this ponce think he is?

Someone else is here, Jaskier realizes distantly, but he has absolutely no clue who.

Meanwhile, the man stares at them a moment, presumably confused by the question.

He's a Witcher, A tired voice says. And I'm guessing he's shocked we haven't realized already.

Ah.

Bloody hell, Julian, Jaskier snorts, You could warn us next time.

Jask, Jules, Dandelion interrupts gently, He's still looking at us.

Right.

"Oh, fun," Jaskier says, head already beginning to pound due to the crowded headspace. Wait. How the fuck do we know that he's a Witcher?

Julian rolls their eyes. They were part of our studies. How much of them do you remember?

...I remember we HAD studies...?

Right. "White hair," Julian lists, "Big old loner, two very-" They frown, trying to think of how Jaskier would phrase it- "Very scary looking swords-"

The man stands, and Julian watches him carefully.

"I know who you are," They say plainly.

The man keeps walking, and Jaskier pushes forward to run after him, curious.

"You're the Witcher," He says quickly. Then, at Julian's prompting, "Geralt of Rivia."

His heart swells a bit at learning the name, and Dandelion grins. You're already pining after him, are you not?

Eh, pining is such a strong word. Now, horny, on the other hand-

Julian wrinkles their nose. PLEASE wait until I'm not fronting to fuck him, Jaskier.

Will do. For the record, Jaskier smiles, I do appreciate that you think it's likely to happen.

The Witcher- Geralt- continues walking, leaving the tavern, and Jaskier yells, "Called it!" Then, he heads for the door as well.

Oh, for Melitele's sake, Julian groans. We're FOLLOWING him?

Come on, Julian! A real, genuine Witcher! Aren't you at least the slightest bit curious?

As if you care about that. You just want a lay.

Maybe so, Jaskier concedes, But this benefits all of us!

How so?

Witchers hunt down monsters, right? You're the one always complaining that we have no time to study or learn anything interesting. Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity? Come on, you must be nerding out at the mere thought!

Julian is silent, which- for Julian- means they've been convinced.

And, Jaskier continues, He said it himself, Dandelion! Those creatures aren't real. BUT, if we could follow a Witcher, and see these things for OURSELVES...

Imagine the songs I could compose, Dandelion finishes, already brainstorming eagerly. Oh, it would be just wonderful to get such raw material...

So, Jaskier hums, All in favor?

Alright, Julian mutters.

Dandelion nods vigorously.

Jaskier beams, pleased. Right then! And, if someone else has a problem with this, we can always reevaluate... BUT, if we hurry, I'm sure we could get in at least a few days!

Jask, Dandelion snorts, breaking Jaskier from his musing. If we keep standing here, we're not going to be capable of finding him at all.

Oh!

With that, Jaskier tears off, ignoring the amused chuckles of his headmates.

Notes:

My tumblr is considerablecolors if you'd like to stop by!