forsythe pendleton 'jughead' jones, the third (fpjonesthethird) wrote in crownplazaic, @ 2021-04-26 14:47:00 |
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Current mood: | cheerful |
Entry tags: | !log/thread, ciri, jughead jones |
WHO: Ciri and Jughead
WHEN: [Backdated] March 25th
WHERE: The Sauna in Basement #2
STATUS: Completed
WARNINGS: Hinted noodz
Ciri was a little more than annoyed that Geralt had- to her knowledge- not even spoken to Jughead yet was influencing how the other interacted with her. She didn’t blame Jughead- given she had no idea how the traditions of his world handled overprotective parents- but she liked Jughead because he made her feel a little more normal and not something to be studied. He was more human than most humans she knew. So the hesitancy of Jughead over the sauna invite because of Geralt bothered her. They were adults and they could do as they pleased. Still, she calmed her attitude to be directed toward Geralt at a later time. Yes, part of the point of the invite had been a little more privacy and a little less clothing, but it was also to spend a relaxing time where it was unlikely for others to interrupt them. Ciri had been to a sauna once in her travels to other worlds and had heard of the ones in Skellige but the one in the hotel was as sleek and refined as the kitchen. The technology of the building was so strange to her. Waiting for Jughead outside the room, she smiled when she saw him coming. ---- Jughead should have been used to dealing with disapproving father types- back home Betty’s parents didn’t want FP Jones’ son sullying their daughters’ good name. Admittedly, there was a lot more to their dislike of him and his father than Jughead was aware of. He hadn’t even met with Ciri’s father figure, and yet his concerns regarding this ‘Geralt’ were real. He enjoyed spending time with Ciri, whether it was showing her how to use the various devices in the kitchen or walking the dog with her. She was unlike any woman he had dealt with before. It was rare to find someone as comfortable in her skin as Ciri seemed. And that was slightly intimidating in a good way. All things considered his hesitance had more to do with being undressed around Ciri as it did her overprotective guardian finding out. He wasn’t ashamed of his body, but at the same time he wasn’t used to wearing little to nothing so soon after meeting someone. It didn’t help that Jughead had arrived in time for the hormone fest of Valentine’s Day, and his memories of that day were still being pieced together. Approaching Ciri as quietly as possible, Jughead was carrying a towel. “So, steam time?” ---- “Yes.” Light green eyes looked at his towel with a smirk before pulling the door to the changing areas open. She had expected towels to be in the changing rooms rather than needing to bring one. Either Jughead was still very nervous or she should have investigated the area better before inviting him. Of course, Ciri had the intention of initially wearing a towel because if others joined in the sauna then she’d want to have it close by. Disappearing into the small changing room, Ciri found a towel waiting on the small bench. Sliding out of her leather pants, waist cincher, and tunic, Ciri wrapped the towel around her body and returned back into the sauna that already started steaming. Her eyes narrowed at the stones being heated. “No fire?” She said to herself, bending over and studying it. ---- Nodding at her even as he headed into the men’s changing area, Jughead was aware of how silly he probably looked bringing his own towel down to the sauna. Having never been in that particular room of the hotel before, he had no idea how big the towels might be. And while Ciri was hot and he was definitely interested in her, he had no desire to unexpectedly flash her if he moved the wrong way or spread his legs too far apart. Making quick work of his clothing, Jughead wrapped the towel around his waist and went out to the sauna. Getting a nice view of Ciri’s towel-covered ass was certainly an unexpected perk, Jughead hadn’t been expecting to find her bent over staring at some rocks like she was trying to solve a grand mystery. “Everything okay?” He asked as he moved to take a seat, the heat in the room already making his skin glisten. ---- “There’s no actual fire heating up the stones. The technology here is just so strange. I think I understand the ghosts here better than any of the other things.” That did not mean that she was unwilling to learn. She studied everything she came in contact with so she could be better suited for the next time she jumped into a similar world- if they ever got out of the Hotel. Ciri turned, eyes trailing over him quickly, and she smiled. Taking a seat next to Jughead, she casually loosened her towel and let it slide down her curves as she laid her head back against the wall. “Have you ever been to a sauna before?” She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. ---- “It’s probably safer with no actual fire. I can only imagine how having a fire here that someone would have to tend to could go horribly wrong.” There had to be a reason for things here in the hotel to be the way they were. He really wanted to find a ghost that would be willing to answer a few questions- most notably about how the hotel came to be haunted. Jughead smirked, watching her as she sat down, the smile on her face full of promise. Raising a single eyebrow as he regarded Ciri, he made himself a little more comfortable although he left his towel in place for now. “I haven’t, but that’s only because I’ve never really had an opportunity.” He always thought saunas were a little too fancy for the likes of him. ---- The hotel could only be described as magical making the idea of a real fire anywhere less threatening. Ciri, herself, commanded fire when she needed to. She loved the sensation of heat and the gentle glow of a low flame. “There’s an entire nation of isles back home that have bath houses with saunas. It was nice when I visited last. The area is rather cold at times so the spaces are a good escape." Ciri moved a little closer to Jughead. "So tell me more about your world. What do you do for fun? Besides cooking and eating." ---- There was a lot about the hotel that he still didn’t understand, and wasn’t sure he ever would. Jughead liked fire as long as it could be controlled. He wasn’t the biggest fan of fires that raged on in a blaze of glory though. “I know of people who have gone to places that have saunas, but I’m not sure about bath houses. There’s saunas at the gyms, where people go to work out.” Jughead didn’t spend a lot of time at the gym. He smiled at Ciri. “I used to solve mysteries with my ex-girlfriend, and I’ve written a few things about those mysteries. What about you?” ---- Some of the words of things that Jughead mentioned casually were foreign to her. Ciri appreciated that he easily explained them without question if she might know or not. Much of his world had commonalities with many others at the hotel, just not hers the general look of clothing common to her and the ones everyone seemed to wear around them showed that enough. The lack of language barrier beyond that had been a relief, though. “Work out a debt?” She did have to question what work out meant. “That’s very similar to what I did. Though it would technically be a job once Geralt feels I’ve been trained enough. For fun though, I enjoy sparring, playing cards, and listening to music. I read every book my friends own, but I must admit that most of them are on the creatures we hunt and herbs for potions.” Ciri studied his face. “Do you have any of your writings here? I might like to read about your adventures.” It was nice to know he had an ex-girlfriend. He seemed a bit self-conscious at times that she hoped she did not make him nervous by flirting with him. Sure, the existence of Geralt might make him nervous, but as long as it wasn’t her. ---- It was interesting to him that Ciri was so unapologetically herself in every sense. Jughead wasn’t really used to being around a woman who didn’t apologize for almost every little thing. The only other woman who seemed to just not give a flying monkey what people thought of her was Cheryl, but that was where any comparisons between Ciri and Cheryl ended. Although, if he knew that Ciri was good with a bow and arrow he might start thinking otherwise. He couldn’t imagine Cheryl hunting and preparing her own meat, though. “No, work out is a term we use to mean exercise.” He scratched his head a bit at that. “Is Geralt some kind of investigator? Or was it just something he does for fun? Listening to music is something I do sometimes, usually when I’m alone or on a long ride. I don’t have any of my writings here, but I could write something for you, if you want.” Jughead wished he had something to show her. “It would probably be a better exercise for me than trying to write something new about this place.” If he knew that she worried about making him nervous with her flirting then he would have done his best to explain himself. Back home he often played second fiddle to his best friend, including when it came to his own girlfriend, so he was just waiting for Ciri to find someone she felt was cuter than him. ---- In a world without the privilege of luxury modern technology and societal standards set, there were no gyms because everyone generally worked, rode horses, or walked everywhere such a thing as working out seemed strange. Practicing a skill set or sparring was the closest thing in Ciri's mind to what Jughead was saying and she accepted that as the meaning. "He's a Witcher. Specially trained and paid to hunt monsters. He's one of the last of the True Witchers- alchemically enhanced- because an attack killed the ones that knew how to make more." She told him, a mix of sorrow for the loss and pride for her adopted father. Ciri let her thigh press against Jughead's towel covered thigh. "I would love to read your stories, if you would write me some." There was little in the way of her interest in him currently. Even if his best friend had been there, he wouldn't have been the type that would attract her attention. ---- Coming from a low income area where he had to hustle to survive, the concept of hard work as a form of keeping in shape wasn’t a foreign one to him despite how privileged he might seem to someone like Ciri. Although he was considered slight in build compared to most other guys he knew, Jughead’s musculature was nothing to sneer at, nor was his strength. “I’m going to assume that means there’s a lot of monsters where you come from. And I’m sorry to hear that Geralt is the last of his kind. I’m sure that’s rough for him.” He couldn’t imagine how lonely that must feel, and he honestly didn’t want to imagine it. Jughead could feel the warmth of Ciri’s thigh through his towel. “Absolutely. What would you prefer, reading about how my ex-girlfriend’s father turned out to be a serial killer known as the Black Hood, or how the town’s maple baron murdered his son because he didn’t want to take over the family syrup business?” It wasn’t his intention to make things sound so flippant. It was just a little difficult trying not to be sarcastic over some of the bullshit he dealt with back home. ---- “A fair amount. It’s difficult to even be at any source of water without having some crawl out of the ground at you. This place is wonderfully calm comparatively.” She shrugged, looking over at the heat rocks in the room. “He is not the complete last but no future generations can be created after him. Some might think that is for the best, it was a horrible process to go through, but the world still needs Witchers. That was why I knew I was destined for it.” Ciri grinned. “The serial killer, of course. While a murdered son is tragic, it is unfortunately common amongst royal families when they believe someone is getting out of line. Your ex-girlfriend’s father would give me a better idea of your world.” She was serious in her answer, looking at it all from the logical viewpoint of knowing what monsters to beware of as opposed to those misunderstood. Unaffected by the idea of gore or twisted stories of twisted minds, Ciri’s focus returned to Jughead himself. She looked between his lips and his eyes with an amused look on her face. She hoped he would not be too insulted by her view on deaths in his community. ---- “That sounds messed up. How do you know the water is safe to drink if there’s monsters in it? I can’t think that would be healthy.” He nodded, her explanation making a little more sense. “So, he can’t uh, have kids?” He was at a loss for words over her saying she knew she was destined to be a Witcher. “Must be nice knowing what you want to do with your life with absolute certainty. I’ve always known that I wanted to write, but I never realized how hard it could be.” Jughead smirked, having a feeling she’d pick that option. “That’s the more interesting story anyway, at least in my opinion.” He also had less of an emotional connection to that story since for all the evil the Black Hood did, he never once targeted Jughead’s family directly. It impacted his relationship with Betty, but not as much as finding out that her mom and his dad hooked up in high school did. “I’ll get started on it when I get back to my room. Shouldn’t take me too long, since I won’t have to edit it as heavily for you,” Jughead responded as he noticed just how intensely Ciri stared at him. “Something on your mind?” ---- “Do you not boil your water before drinking it?” She asked, genuinely curious. The hotel had a great many things, but she had not trusted any thing that came straight for their sinks. Not with a strangely magical building with no one apparently guiding it. “No, he can’t have kids. I was given to him as par to the Law of Surprise. It is as close to having children as Witchers generally get.” Ciri smiled softly. “Fates brought me to my direction, otherwise I would be an Empress over the lands and I don’t believe that would be the best use of my life.” She set her hand on his leg. “I am sure that you will become what fate intends. If writing is where your heart says then keep working toward it.” Ciri pushed her hair behind her ear. “I merely find you fascinating and very easy on the eyes. I can’t wait to read something you’ve put passion into.” ---- “Not here, but there were some places back home where it was recommended.” He never even thought about boiling the water in this place, but now he might because she brought it up. It was a wonder the thought never crossed his mind before. “The Law of Surprise? How does that work, if you don’t mind my asking?”Jughead had some possible ideas, but he didn’t want to be wrong and somehow have it bite him in the ass later. “You were an Empress? So, where you come from, you’re royalty?” That actually helped him understand why Geralt was so protective of her. Jughead laughed at her comment. “Fascinating and very easy on the eyes, eh? Where I come from I was kind of an outcast, so I apologize if I’m having some trouble buying that.” ---- “The Law of Surprise is when in exchange for a deed done that would save another the saved offers a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties. So, in many cases, a yet unknown pregnancy of either a wife or animal. It is a moment of trusting the fates have a greater plan.” She shrugged. It was nothing too horrible for it was never people that were terrible that were offered such as restitution. Ciri smiled, though it did not reach her eyes like usual. “Yes. I'm referred to as the Lion cub of Cintra. My grandmother was a fierce and strong ruler." Her grandmother has also tried to keep her from her fate for longer than she should have. Even, Geralt felt the pull the times he refused to take her. Rising a brow, Ciri leaned in closer, face a couple inches away from his. "Is that a challenge or are you calling me a liar?" She whispered. ---- “That sounds like it could be pretty intense, to basically just leave what you might end up getting or giving away up to fate like that. From what you’ve explained, I’m going to guess you were the yet unknown pregnancy part of the equation?” He was stunned, especially at how she was acting like it was perfectly normal to possibly promise your child to someone without realizing that’s what you’re doing at the time. Jughead felt his eyebrows fly up as he listened to her. “I’m pretty sure you’re not a cub anymore, but that’s one cool nickname. My real name is Forsythe Pendleton Jones, the third, but I go by my nickname Jughead because it’s easier to say and sounds less pretentious than Forsythe.” He didn’t hate his name; he just preferred his nickname. Smirking at her closeness, Jughead licked his lips nervously. “I would never call you a liar, Lion cub…” he murmured, meeting her gaze. ---- It was nice to learn his real name. She was sure that it was some kind of cultural tradition that had him using his nickname instead, but could see the wish for something simpler? She did not see any problem with the name Forsythe, though, nor how it might be pretentious, but again, she was not from his world so she assumed it was more social impact than anything. “I like the name Forsythe,” she smirked. Ciri laughed softly, not backing down from her position. Closing the space between them to be smaller, she purred in response to being called Lion Cub. Heated breath on his nervous lips, “so it was a challenge?” Light fingers grazed his jaw line. “Being an outcast doesn’t mean you aren’t attractive,” she brushed her lips over his. ---- He hadn’t told anyone here his real name yet. He wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to tell her first, but his secret was out now and he had no regrets about it. There were other people he intended to tell, and could see himself doing so soon, but for now Ciri could feel a little more special knowing she was the first to learn it. “I don’t mind Forsythe, it’s more being the third Forsythe Pendleton Jones that I find a bit ridiculous,” he replied. Jughead grinned at her laugh, keeping still as he waited to see what she might do. When she got even closer, and then purred, he knew playing chicken with her would be a horrible idea. “Sounds that way, doesn’t it?” Eyes fluttering shut for a moment, he was thankful for the heat of the room since without it he was certain he’d be blushing. “Did I say I’m not attractive?” he joked, tongue flicking out to run along her lips. ---- His tease back and that grin only made her more interested. What could she say? She had a type. Guys with royal seeming lineage names could easily be put on into that type. “You said you had a hard time buying my statement so yes,” she sighed against his lips as his tongue swept over hers. Curling her fingers along the base of his neck, she pulled him into a deeper kiss. Her bare chest pressing against his as she turned her body for a better angle to kiss him from. Letting her hand graze down his neck to trace the lines of his torso, she was more than happy that they did not have too much between them. ---- Her boldness in both initiating and deepening the kiss between them came as no shock to him considering how forthright she was in every other aspect of her life that he’d seen. “So you decided that you would take it upon yourself to convince me?” he asked in a slightly amused tone as one hand curled up into her hair. Losing himself in the blissful pleasure of the kiss, he was content to let her take charge. His mind went blank as he felt her body pressing more tightly against his own. Jolting back to the present when her hand slid down to his torso, reluctantly pulling away as he took a deep, shaky breath. “I’m sorry, I… I can’t do this. I like someone else.” ---- Ciri stopped. Her hand was only going down to his torso, but she could see where it might have been seen as otherwise. With a smile, she pulled back further. “Oh, are you courting someone? I apologize,” she said sincerely. Only just learning how his world worked she felt bad that she might have offended him by reading his flirting wrong. Her head tilted, hair falling to the side. “I didn’t offend you did I?” ---- Jughead sighed. His hand moved up to rake his hair back off his face, a pang of regret flashing in his eyes. He felt a little silly, and hoped she wouldn’t laugh at him. “Well, not exactly. I’m not sure if she wants a relationship or just casual sex…” he explained. “And I know it’s a little stupid of me, but I’m waiting to get the courage up to ask her on a date.” His head shook, smiling at her. “No, not at all. I shouldn’t have encouraged you.” ---- Ciri smirked. “Well, if it’s just for casual sex then you shouldn’t feel bad.” Shrugging, Ciri pushed his shoulder with hers. “You merely need to believe that you attract others. Girls like kind, intelligent men. If you need any help or encouragement, I’m here.” After a pause, she winked at him. “You’ll still be my friend, right?” ---- Jughead laughed quietly. “I’ve never been good at reading what people want from me.” Honestly, Jughead had only been with one woman. “I’ll keep that in mind, and thank you. It’s nice having someone around willing to help when I feel like the weirdo I am.” He blushed brightly, wishing he had her confidence. “Of course! Who else will tell me if my burgers are terrible? Besides, you still owe me food from your world.” |