#and not because Geralt is a loner who doesn't talk to people - we see he has a lot acquaintances

[spielzeugkaiser]

The ages in this show!! I have made some jokes about this before, but it gets me - with aging Ciri up and bringing her closer to Jaskiers age when they meet I can not help but draw parallels. Like Geralt bonded way differently with both of them (which makes sense because Ciri has been his Child surprise since birth and Jaskier just randomly turned up one day and followed him like a puppy) but it's so funny to me. also I'm 100% sure Jaskier was horny as fuck from the beginning so there was a whole different vibe from the get go

#the witcher #the witcher netflix #jaskier #geraskier #geralt of rivia #yennefer of vengerberg #I wanted to draw Geralt being maximum tired by remembering that #and also #ALSO #one thing I still don't forgive them from S2! (or like one of many many things #it wasn't just Yennefer who changed Geralt #it was 100% Jaskier first #if Geralt had been in the 'butcher' mindset of 'I need nobody' when meeting Ciri #if he hadn't met Jaskier before and had been friends with him for TWENTY FUCKIN YEARS #if Jaskier hadn't worn him down a bit - make him less guarded and more open #Geralt meeting Ciri would not have gone as well as it did #It's my firm believe that Jaskier is Geralts first deep relationship outside of his brothers were he truly bonds and learns to trust again #you can take that from my cold dead hands #and not because Geralt is a loner who doesn't talk to people - we see he has a lot acquaintances #but nothing is ever permanent there #no one who stays #I want to draw something funny but in my mind!! #I want a fic were Ciri and Jaskier talk about this and Geralt acknowledges that too #also a fun version #ciri and jaskier shenanigans

[niruin-galyn]

An analysis: Geralt and Ciri

One of my favourite tropes is probably stoic, emotionless characters visibly caring about their friends, whether they treat them like kindly or simply show emotions through a mask of indifference. My biggest example of this would be Geralt with his friends, but especially with Ciri.

He’s always described as a loner, preferring to be by himself and solve his problems on his own. On his journeys he gets to know people and they become friends and allies. The thing I love the most? He doesn’t forcibly push them away and even appreciates their help or presence. He’s not welcoming or open immediately, but if you prove yourself, he’ll let you in. He doesn't like people, but his friends are exceptions. Look at his dynamic with Dandelion and Regis.

He may come over as unapproachable and cold to everyone, but his friends know better. They know he cares. They know Geralt would do anything to save his friends, to protect them. That’s the whole point of getting to know Geralt. You’re allowed a peek behind that cold masquerade and see that Geralt is a good person, someone who loves and mourns and feels. He’s unlike other witchers because he still feels and cares. His most beautiful relationship would be the father-daughter relation he has with Ciri.

I love the games for how they visualise this. Near the end of the Witcher 3, Geralt finally finds Ciri’s location, a cabin on the Isle of Mists. When he manages to get a group of dwarves taking shelter there to open up, he hears she’s dead. Geralt’s expression and stature in general when he’s about to enter is different now.

Usually he’s stoic, barely showing any emotion on his face or in his posture. He always looks confident, strong, sturdy, standing firmly in his shoes. Now he’s careful, visibly afraid, almost prolonging the moment he’ll really find out if Ciri is okay.

When he turns her around and realises she really is dead, he stumbles back. He stumbles. This man is always so confident and sturdy, and now his body seemingly gives up on him, as if he wants to fall through his knees. There’s a deep sadness visible on his face, as if he’s broken and his mask of indifference is gone.

This really broke me, not only because I love Ciri and it saddened me seeing her like that, but because it broke him as well. This is the first time we see Geralt, unfazed by decades of horrible events and trauma, lose face. I know in the books there’s moments like this, but this is the first time I saw it visualised so well and it broke me.

And when he holds her lifeless body in his arms, gently rocking back and forth, it made me bawl my eyes out. I think this immediately shows how much of a daughter Ciri really was to Geralt, but also how despite his stoic nature, he still needs people, even though he normally always appears so fine on his own.

Good news though, she’s alive. It’s a bit of a spoiler, but it's still amazing to see how it all happens in-game. Anyways, these scenes just kept me crying, because after she comes back to consciousness, they talk about their journeys towards each other. You can see how Geralt is smiling, clearly happy in her presence, but also showing emotions! I rarely saw Geralt smile, yet here he is, smiling at his daughter.

After reading their dynamics in the books and playing the games, I’ve come to the conclusion that this story isn’t about a monster hunter going on epic quests to save the world. I think Geralt wouldn’t necessarily feel moved to save it.

It’s a story of a friend, father and lover going through hell to save his daughter, and it’s his daughter that moves him to protect the world as well. The world is only as beautiful as the people in it.

#I love this story with my entire being #the witcher #the witcher 3 #geralt #ciri #story tropes #found family