get your words out { 2022 } yahtzee tracking

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Running Score: 260 (8/8)
Word Count: 36,156

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SET #2: WORDS (FIVES)

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i want to watch the world burn | tvdverse/the witcher | 600

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[Prompt]

“You make ambition sound like such a dirty word.”

The melodic voice pricks up in Yennefer’s ears as she circles through the court at Aedirn. She isn’t sure what piques her interest, but she investigates regardless. A willowy blond woman stands surrounded by powerful men, staring at her in confusion. She dresses well enough, though not well enough to match the court’s finery. They give her an element of deference all the same.

Yennefer finds her way to the king’s side, still intrigued.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a dirty word, exactly,” he murmurs, nodding in assent at Yennefer’s appearance. “Just…strange, coming from a woman of your…caliber.”

The blond’s eyebrows raise, tipping her head to the side like a cat, intent on playing with its prey before she eats it. The king at least has the common sense to look uncomfortable as she asks. “And what, exactly, do you know about my caliber?”

“I…” He hesitates, trying to avoid the trap she’s clearly laid out for him, but there’s something about this woman that inspires fear, not anger. All the more intriguing. “Tales of your brother’s exploits travel, but…”

“But the bards don’t sing of my cautionary tales, so you presume Klaus gets to have all the fun. Presumptions can be dangerous, my lord. I would be more careful with where you step.” Then, her attention finally turns to Yennefer, and she smiles. “Especially when your court boasts powerful players.”

“Sometimes he forgets the people who got him here,” Yennefer teases, before extending her hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. Yennefer of Vengerberg.”

“Freya Mikaelson.”

It’s in that moment that it all clicks into place. The interesting dress, the uncomfortable tension. The Mikaelson family has been lurking in the shadows for a millennium, making their own political moves as they suit their fancy. No one is certain of what monstrosities the witch Esther cursed her children with, but they are strong enough and cunning enough that most learned long ago that trying to send a witcher after a Mikaelson was a recipe for a dead witcher.

That being said, Freya smiles as she takes her hand. “I’ve been wanting to make your acquaintance, actually.”

Yennefer nods as she takes her arm, choosing to ignore the surrounding men. “Shall we take a stroll around the garden?”

“Let’s.”

* * * * *

“So why did I catch your interest?” Yennefer asks, as they walk, disappearing into the hedges and the prying eyes of the party.

“I think we have a great deal in common, you and I.”

“Have we?”

Freya nods. “Trained at Aretuza. At first had my ego buffered by being assigned to court and manipulating things as instructed, but as time passes the tedium of it all started to feel … stifling. And I decided to go my own way.”

Yennefer raises an eyebrow. “I have no intention of abandoning my place at court.” That would be foolish, and Yennefer did not consider herself a foolish woman.

“Perhaps not now.”

“Freya!”

A harsh voice appears out of the fog, and as they round the corner, Klaus Mikaelson stands, raising an eyebrow in half-interest at what Yennefer assumes is his sister’s dalliance in the shrubbery.

Freya sighs, before turning back to the other woman. “But should you ever want to find yourself other work, please do not hesitate to reach out.” She presses a kiss to the other woman’s cheek, before moving back to her brother’s side. “Until then.”

Yennefer watches them go, and exhales slowly. She doesn’t know what Freya is after, exactly, but she can’t help but be intrigued.

the sacred geometry of chance | tvdverse/the witcher | 600

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[Prompt]

A bitter aftertaste lingers in Freya’s mouth at her brother’s interference, but she dutifully follows Niklaus out of the party. He glances over at her, the edge of a smirk crossing his features.

“Oh, don’t look so sour, sister. I didn’t mean to interrupt your dalliance with the court witch.” Over his shoulder, Yennefer remains watching their exit. “I’m sure you could smuggle your way back into the castle to pay her a visit later.”

“No, it’s too soon. She needs more.” Klaus raises an eyebrow curiously, and Freya continues. “For all that I know of Yennefer of Vengerberg, and what I know of her time in Aretuza, Yennefer doesn’t like to do anything unless she believes it’s her own idea.”

“I know you are subtle enough in your manipulations to achieve that.”

“Perhaps. But it’s better if it’s not a manipulation. Don’t worry, brother. If there’s anything we have, it’s an abundance of time.”

Their mother saw to that, after all. Not for Freya, necessarily—her gifts she came by as honestly as she could as a mage. But for Niklaus, and Elijah and the rest, her mother’s dark arts granted them all the vitality and weariness an eternal life could offer.

Klaus presses his lips together, frustrated. “The longer we let Stregobor work is machinations, the larger the chance that Hope—”

Klaus’ daughter, the rare miracle that she is, sits in a cottage far from here, with her mother and aunt doting on her while Klaus, Freya and Elijah do the work that needs to be done to ensure her safety. She knows as well as Klaus does Hope was born under an eclipse, the object of Stregobor’s latest fixation.

She also knows, better than Klaus, that Stregobor would burn the world to ensure that no woman had power, and any who would dare to use it against him quickly becomes a monster in his chosen narrative. But that doesn’t mean they could afford to speed up their timetable.

“Hope is safe. Stregobor will have to become twice the wizard he is to break through my cloaking spells. But regardless, rushing Yennefer will not help. We need to take our time. Do this right.”

Klaus grits his teeth, eventually yielding to the promise she offers. They will protect Hope.

They just need a little more time.

* * * * *

Later, when she’s alone in her room at the inn, she turns to find Yennefer sitting on the bed. Well, not Yennefer exactly, but a projection of her. Quite the skilled sorceress, indeed.

“What did you mean, if I ever wanted to find other work?”

Freya tips her head to the side. “I have a quest. More of a crusade, really. To destroy a man who takes delight in destroying women like us. Something I could use your help on, in fact.”

“You mean Stregobor.”

“Amazing how fast his reputation comes to mind, isn’t it?”

“I won’t deny that he is what you say. But why now? You’ve lived a long time, and so has your family, without taking an interest in meddling in the affairs of magic. What changed?”

Freya hesitates, unsure how to proceed. It’s possible this tenuous illusion might not be Yennefer at all. “A conversation about when we meet again.”

“Why?”

“Because. Trust is earned. I think you understand that.” Freya leans in closer, getting in the illusion’s space, admiring how real it feels. “So until we meet again.”

Yennefer smiles, as the image flickers and disappears. And with her, the bitterness fades, glad that she said enough to make an impression.

burning lines in the book of our lives | tvdverse/the witcher | 600

[iluvroadrunner6]

[Prompt]

It’s decades before the two sorceresses find each other again. This time, it’s Yennefer who finds Freya.

It doesn’t take much. The Mikaelsons leave quite a violent footprint, and their campaign against Stregobor has become much more apparent. She’s heard through the cracks that he’s come demanding help from the Conclave in return, trying to pick among the few remains of the witchers to see if any will take up the cause, but so far, they refused him.

Eventually this struggle will come to a head with the Conclave picking a side, and it likely won’t be the Mikaelsons. But it’s interesting that it hasn’t happened already.

The journey to the keep is long, but eventually she makes it to the front gate, demanding entrance and an audience with the eldest of them. Freya comes down to the gate, surprised, but pleasantly so, her expression stretching into a warm smile.

“Yennefer of Vengerberg. You have come a long way.”

“Freya,” Yennefer says, her voice desperate. “I need to speak with you. In private.”

“Of course.” Freya waves a hand for the gates to open.

It’s then that Yennefer takes stock of each man and notes that there’s something distinctive about them. Monsters, all of them. And yet the human village nearby remains unharmed. The intrigue follows her into the halls of the keep, noting each person who captures her attention. Eventually, they enter a magnificent hall where Freya’s brothers, Klaus included, sit at a long table at the head of the room. On Klaus’ left is a woman Yennefer doesn’t recognize, with a sharp gaze, who studies her critically. On his right is his brother, Elijah, and the family spreads out from there.

“Yennefer of Vengerberg,” he speaks. “What an unexpected pleasure.”

“I’m sorry to intrude without warning,” Yennefer begins, drawing on all that remains of her courtly manners. “But I had an urgent matter that I needed to discuss with your sister.”

“Of course. But when you’re finished, please. Come dine with us. It appears you have been on a long journey, and we are hospitable to our allies.”

From his tone, he very much hopes that by the end of the evening, she will be an ally. Yennefer nods with a deep curtsey, before Freya escorts her out of the main room to somewhere more private. She understands the detour—Klaus had his pleasantries to extend. But soon, they’re alone, tucked into a room that she can only presume is Freya’s bedroom, and the witch’s soft cadence meeting her ears as she sits her down on the window seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you have the power to break the spell of a djinn?”

Freya’s eyes widen in surprise, as though no one has asked her that question before. “A djinn.”

From there, the whole sad story comes. Meeting Geralt, the djinn, the twisted dance that they found themselves in that she once thought was true importance, true love. Something real in all the fake niceties. She can see something sour in the witch’s expression, almost as though the news that this is for the love of someone else disappoints her.

“I can’t make any promises. But I’ll need the exact wording of the wish, and time.” She gathers some items into a bowl before glancing back at her. “And my brother will expect something in return.”

“I know. I’m prepared to give whatever he needs, if it means my freedom.”

If it means sacrificing Stregobor, it will not be that hard a challenge.

“Good.” Freya nods, before turning back to her with a small smile. “Let us begin.”

i don't know if it's cloudy or bright | tvdverse/the witcher | 600

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[Prompt]

Mikaelsons only serve the best, so everything that sits on their plates has an oily richness that sits heavily in the stomach. Freya knows it is a tactic designed to make their visitor feel drugged and drowsy as their digestive system tries to process all the food.

He’s trying to knock Yennefer off her guard, and Freya intends to allow it. She’s prepared the other witch as best she can.

Klaus’s smile stretches out like a shark. “Can I ask what you came to request of my sister?”

“I don’t see how it’s any of your concern.”

“You may not know this, but my sister can be quite softhearted. I wish to ensure that you compensate her properly.”

Yennefer raises an eyebrow curiously. “Do you feel as though I’m cheating you, Lady Mikaelson?”

“Not at all. Though my brother is not well-versed in the idea of altruism.”

“In my experience, it’s a rather meaningless word that people throw around when they want to imply that they are better than they actually are.” Klaus reaches for his own glass, taking a long sip. “You and I, Yennefer, I think we understand that the world is a bit more cut and dry than that.”

“Unfortunately.” Yennefer sighs. “Still on your quest against Stregobor, I see?”

“Well, he’s not dead yet. So I would say yes, we still intend to solve the Stregobor problem.”

“You know, I’m ever so curious. What exactly is it that Stregobor did to offend you so?”

“His mere existence and general temperament aren’t enough?”

“Play coy all you like, Klaus, but it’s been decades. Eventually, we all learn to live with his general temperament. You seem overly invested.”

“Have you heard of the Curse of the Black Sun?”

Yennefer rolls her eyes. “His conspiracy theory about Lilit? Yes, I’m familiar.”

“It’s hard to dismiss as a conspiracy theory when he’s been acting on it, slaughtering princesses and commoners alike to avoid the sixty from being chosen.” Klaus sips his wine. “Any time he finds a baby girl born under an eclipse, and he hears reports of them bearing uncharacteristic behavior, he has them killed.”

Freya sips her wine. “You should ask your witcher the next time you see him. Story says he is the one who dispatched of Renfri of Creyden.”

“Geralt wouldn’t.” But that retort isn’t as confident as it could have been, given the circumstances. She changes the subject. “What does this have to do with you? Were you or Rebekah born under an eclipse?”

“No. My daughter was.”

Her eyes snap back to Klaus. “You have a daughter? A living daughter?”

“I’m as surprised as you are. Or at least I was.” Klaus smirks. “She was born three months before we first met. And she is a woman of great power. I refuse to let Stregobor get his hands on her, and given that I am who I am, I will settle for nothing less than tearing his heart from his chest.”

“If she has power, why so concerned with one man?”

“My hands may be black with blood, but my daughters are clean. Should she kill him, she will awaken a curse from our family bloodline. Should she die, she will become like me, a creature forced to live by consuming the life of others. All I wish is for my daughter to have a life. Do you really believe that an innocent girl should stand the risk of dying for things she could not control?”

Yennefer’s face sobers. “Will you give me time to consider?”

“Of course.”

Freya feels she will say yes.

when love is returned there's a price to be paid | tvdverse/the witcher | 600

[iluvroadrunner6]

[Prompt]

Yennefer loathes reaching out to Geralt, so opts for Tissaia instead. As the astral projection takes form, Yennefer inquires whether the Mikaelsons’ claims have merit. How Tissaia schools her features in response says enough.

“The Conclave is just…allowing him to go after these innocent women?”

“By the time we are aware of his actions, they are hardly innocent. Just look at Renfri of Creyden—a witcher was the end of her, and if a witcher is involved—”

“A witcher will do whatever they have to get what they want, and you know they value coin most of all.”

Even she doesn’t believe the words, knowing it was Geralt that was her end. She doesn’t trust the story paints him as the Butcher of Blaviken, but she pushes those feelings down, still not sure if they are true or machinations of the wish he made.

“I did some digging, and it turns out that Stregobor was in Blaviken, hiding from this girl who claims he ruined her life. Why does his word matter more over hers?”

“Because you know how the Conclave works.” The first thing Tissaia taught her was that the men of the Conclave let the power go to their heads and will protect themselves before anyone else. “And given his experiments—”

“Experiments?” She straightens. “What experiments? What does he do to these women?”

Tissaia doesn’t respond, and Yennefer waves away the illusion, ending the connection between them. Pieces of her loyalty continue to flake further and further away, and she wonders what these men have ever done to make them think they could own the world.

“Is now a bad time?”

Yennefer’s head snaps up from her thoughts to see Freya standing at the door ahead of her. “No, not at all.” She gestures for the other witch to come in. “Close the door.”

Freya does as she’s told and makes her way closer. “Would you like the good news or the bad news?”

“I’m not sure what could make the news I already received much worse.” Yennefer goes to sink down into the seat. “Let’s go with bad and try to end on an up note.”

Freya smirks as she nods. “I summoned the djinn who cast your witcher’s wish. He cannot break his own wishes, especially when we don’t know exactly what Geralt wished for.”

“So I’m cursed, then. To continue to be drawn to him like a magnet.”

“You had me start with the bad news.”

“Is there any good when you begin like that?”

“There are still options.” Freya tips her head to the side. “You can always end the wish by ending the witcher.”

Yennefer starts, before shaking her head. “Not on the table.”

“I could also continue to look for options. Djinn magic may be beyond my current expertise, but magic is magic. If it cast a spell, we can break it.”

Yennefer glances over to the other woman and nods. Her words make sense, and she’s grateful that Freya will continue to try, even though it’s not an easy fix. It’s a gesture of good faith worth rewarding.

“I don’t think that I should wait that long for my part in our quid pro quo.”

Freya looks surprised at the statement, then nods. “Klaus will be pleased to hear it.”

“And you?”

Freya pauses, considering, before looking up at her again. “I am grateful for your help, but I do not require it. I’m helping because I want to help you, Yennefer.”

Yennefer can’t help the way her stomach twists at that, but nods. “Good. Then let’s get started.”