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<blockquote data-quote="ChrisKarter" data-source="post: 7969181" data-attributes="member: 7023103"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">[ATTACH=full]121238[/ATTACH]</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"><strong><u>CHAPTER 3: ART OF PERSISTENCE</u></strong></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">EXT. BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - A WEEK LATER</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">For the next week the cycle continued. Every morning Jeronimo ventures from uptown Hauteville to the Beauclair Port to wait for the witcher and greet him with an assortment of homemade pastries. Little to the witcher's knowledge Jeronimo was conducting a social experiment to see what foods he liked, or didn't like, and by doing so he discovered the witcher socialized with him most when he brought muffins - specifically ones made with blueberries - but the answer was always the same no matter what. Jeronimo once tried to serenade the witcher but quickly realized it was a disastrous idea after the witcher pushed him off the dock and into the water. Another thing Jeronimo noted was that he never saw the witcher's medallion, and he only had one sword, and asking questions about either would lead to the end of the conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">EXT. BEAUCLAIR PORT, BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - MORNING</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">When Avonis gets to the docks he's not surprised to see Jeronimo waiting there for him holding a decorative plate full of muffins. Avonis had grown accustomed to the bard's presence, and if feeling anything else other than annoyed, Avonis was impressed with his persistence, and his cooking.</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'">Good morning Avonis of Kovir, and Poviss.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">He just couldn't resist. It's too early for Avonis to care.</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'">Good morning Jeronimo.</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'">Today I baked one of your favorites, blueberry lemon, and decided to splice up a new concoction of blueberry, chocolate chip, and pineapple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis chuckles. He grabs one off the plate and proceeds to eat it as he strolls with Jeronimo through the port district.</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, your persistence is admirable...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo is quick to thank him but he's quicker to add.</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'">If not downright pathetic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo continues his attempt to reason with him as he balances the tray of muffins rather impressively. The eyes of many random ruffians, towns folk, and beggars alike gawk at the tray as the walk by. This doesn't go unnoticed to Avonis who struts around with his chest out, deliberately eating his muffins with a bit of entitlement.</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'">If you truly want to get rid of me, the way I see it is you have three options...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis stops and faces Jeronimo.</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'">Amuse me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo starts counting on the fingers of his free hand as he explains the witcher's choices from his perspective.</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'">One, you can vanish from Beauclair in the middle of the night unbeknownst to my knowledge --</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'">Easily done.</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'">Two, you can murder me in cold blood --</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'">Again, easily done. You don't know how to accept no for an answer, it's a bit creepy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo holds up his third finger in front of the witcher’s 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'">Or three, you can help a young man with a good heart get into the Academy of Oxenfurt and chase his dreams.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis grabs another muffin from the plate, he's holding one in each hand.</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'">Hey Jeronimo. Do you know the muffin man? Look, I'm double fisting muffins.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo isn't amused.</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'">Avonis this is serious! Will you help me get into Oxenfurt or not? I must know!</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'">(scoffs)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Oxenfurt is overrated. The University of Lan Exeter surpassed it many years ago.</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'">Academics are irrelevant Avonis! Can't you see? I want to trace the steps of Dandelion and Geralt! I want to travel in the annals of legends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">An uncomfortable grimace sweeps over the witcher's features when Jeronimo says where he wants to travel.</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 think they'd appreciate that Jeronimo... well, Geralt might.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo continues to pour his heart out, his passion evident in the tone of his voice, but it doesn't seem to move the witcher a bit.</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 want to speak to and learn from the same professors that encountered them. I want to hear their tales and their stories, every little intricate detail, the things that aren't in the ballads or the books. You have no idea how I long for such dialogue - to meet such people!</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 long for the tinder touch of a beautiful Toussaintois woman for only a single copper. Can we meet her first?</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'">Strumpets are fish in a sea! I have big dreams! I want to mount a Queen! Or her daughters, and write poems about it! Is that too much to ask?</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 wanna mount a Queen, huh?</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 Lebioda, yes!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis leans in, stone cold expression.</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 me to hold her mouth shut so she doesn't scream and call the guards?</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'">Gods no! If she's screaming it's from sensational pleasure, not pain... Okay, maybe a little bit of pain, but mostly sensational pleasure!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo now holding the plate with two hands, starts hip thrusting the air from one side to the other, incredibly managing to balance the last remaining muffins on it's platform. Avonis immediately looks away. A beggar squatting in the background watches with his eyes and mouth as wide open as humanly possible, an expression impossible to comprehend or imitate. He isn't the only bystander that reacts oddly to the bard's moves.</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'">Avonis it is all in the hips!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">A townswoman gasp as she walks by with her child, covering her eyes and ushering her youngling away from the hip swaying fool. Avonis side steps away from Jeronimo and speaks to another spectator, a ragged old man, who looks as flabbergasted as anybody by the young man's behavior. Avonis shrugs his shoulder.</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 him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">The ragged old man starts to walk away before stopping to look back to see Jeronimo's dance evolving into something even more inappropriate. Jeronimo's antics start to draw more attention from onlookers.</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 stop that right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo ignores him, eyes closed, continuing his motion.</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'm trying to teach you something witcher. Pay attention.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">A rowdy seaman lingering in the vicinity finally pulls out a pouch of coin. He tilts his back and speaks up. His accent indicating he may be from the South.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">SEAMAN</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">How much?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis chuckles as he steps between the thirsty seaman and Jeronimo, and points him in the other direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">SEAMAN</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">How 'bout ten copper for an hour.</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 guarantee he’d be offended if he heard you say that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">SEAMAN</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">An expensive prostitute is he?</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'">Wee bit of a misunderstanding. You should go to Belles of Beauclair.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">SEAMAN</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Dem boys got meat on their bones, I wanna break that twig in half.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">The seaman licks his chops and points to the dancing bard before drifting off. Avonis walks away from the encounter and marches back to Jeronimo who is singing his heart out. Avonis snatches him by the collar but quickly releases it when he sees a Ducal guard walking in their direction. Jeronimo brushes his shoulder off where he was grabbed. The guard eyes them both as he walks by but the witcher maintains his smile until he's out of sight. Avonis turns back to Jeronimo with a sternness in his voice that causes him to fumble the tray and watch the last of the muffins fall on the ground and roll through the street.</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 the hell is wrong with 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'">What did I do? You did 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'">Are you a prostitute?</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!</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 what the hell were you thinking dancing around like that?</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 baked you muffins!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo points to the muffins that are now being picked up by down trodden beggars who scurry off quickly with the pastries in hand.</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'">That's not an excuse to gyrate in the street.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis turns to leave and Jeronimo spontaneously grabs him by the arm prompting the witcher to turn around aggressively. Poor little Jeronimo cowers and blurts out the following in response.</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'll take me four years to graduate!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo's covering his face and closing his eyes. He's wincing but when he doesn't get assaulted he continues to speak but doesn't yet come out of his shell.</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'">When I get into Oxenfurt, four years I'll be gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis chuckles at Jeronimo cowering. He's also elated to know how to finally get rid of the young man without making him disappear the old fashioned way. He thinks about 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'">How much does your tuition at Oxenfurt cost?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo has hope in his eyes but his expression looks concerned, replying with hesitation.</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 few thousand crowns...</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'">A few thousand crowns!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">That is exactly the kind of reaction Jeronimo was expecting from the witcher.</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 can't put a price on education?</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'">naughty word off. I can buy another house. You better start gyrating again, I'll flag down that sailor.</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'">Four entire years! Gone, Avonis, gone! You'll never see me again, if you don't want to, and not to mention if we have three thousand crowns for my tuition that should leave you with twenty-seven thousand. That sounds nice right?</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'">It sounds bloody hell impossible!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis outburst doesn't phase Jeronimo as he replies pompously.</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'">Not with my connections.</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'">Who are you? Genuinely. I would like to know.</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 Jeronimo Gilligan Babineaux the Third, and I will be the world's greatest balladeer --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis burst into laughter and Jeronimo stops speaking.</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'">We would have to slay two or three hundred beast for that kind of 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 suggest we get started then, I just so happen to have a lead on --</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">The witcher holds his arms out and looks up at the sky, shouting.</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'">Why me? Is this suppose to be funny? Is it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Jeronimo has concern in his voice.</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 talking to the gods Avonis?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'">Avonis chuckles and shakes his head. When he regains his composure he looks at Jeronimo, pats him on the shoulder, and walks off. Jeronimo accepts that was probably the witcher's way of saying good bye today, and much better than being pushed into the Sansretour in a brand new pair of Saint Matteo slippers.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ChrisKarter, post: 7969181, member: 7023103"] [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][ATTACH type="full" alt="Beauclair Port Crane (709x300).jpg"]121238[/ATTACH] [B][U]CHAPTER 3: ART OF PERSISTENCE[/U][/B][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=times new roman]EXT. BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - A WEEK LATER For the next week the cycle continued. Every morning Jeronimo ventures from uptown Hauteville to the Beauclair Port to wait for the witcher and greet him with an assortment of homemade pastries. Little to the witcher's knowledge Jeronimo was conducting a social experiment to see what foods he liked, or didn't like, and by doing so he discovered the witcher socialized with him most when he brought muffins - specifically ones made with blueberries - but the answer was always the same no matter what. Jeronimo once tried to serenade the witcher but quickly realized it was a disastrous idea after the witcher pushed him off the dock and into the water. Another thing Jeronimo noted was that he never saw the witcher's medallion, and he only had one sword, and asking questions about either would lead to the end of the conversation. EXT. BEAUCLAIR PORT, BEAUCLAIR, TOUSSAINT - MORNING When Avonis gets to the docks he's not surprised to see Jeronimo waiting there for him holding a decorative plate full of muffins. Avonis had grown accustomed to the bard's presence, and if feeling anything else other than annoyed, Avonis was impressed with his persistence, and his cooking. JERONIMO Good morning Avonis of Kovir, and Poviss. He just couldn't resist. It's too early for Avonis to care. AVONIS Good morning Jeronimo. JERONIMO Today I baked one of your favorites, blueberry lemon, and decided to splice up a new concoction of blueberry, chocolate chip, and pineapple. Avonis chuckles. He grabs one off the plate and proceeds to eat it as he strolls with Jeronimo through the port district. AVONIS Jeronimo, your persistence is admirable... Jeronimo is quick to thank him but he's quicker to add. AVONIS If not downright pathetic. Jeronimo continues his attempt to reason with him as he balances the tray of muffins rather impressively. The eyes of many random ruffians, towns folk, and beggars alike gawk at the tray as the walk by. This doesn't go unnoticed to Avonis who struts around with his chest out, deliberately eating his muffins with a bit of entitlement. JERONIMO If you truly want to get rid of me, the way I see it is you have three options... Avonis stops and faces Jeronimo. AVONIS Amuse me. Jeronimo starts counting on the fingers of his free hand as he explains the witcher's choices from his perspective. JERONIMO One, you can vanish from Beauclair in the middle of the night unbeknownst to my knowledge -- AVONIS Easily done. JERONIMO Two, you can murder me in cold blood -- AVONIS Again, easily done. You don't know how to accept no for an answer, it's a bit creepy. Jeronimo holds up his third finger in front of the witcher’s face. JERONIMO Or three, you can help a young man with a good heart get into the Academy of Oxenfurt and chase his dreams. Avonis grabs another muffin from the plate, he's holding one in each hand. AVONIS Hey Jeronimo. Do you know the muffin man? Look, I'm double fisting muffins. Jeronimo isn't amused. JERONIMO Avonis this is serious! Will you help me get into Oxenfurt or not? I must know! AVONIS (scoffs) Oxenfurt is overrated. The University of Lan Exeter surpassed it many years ago. JERONIMO Academics are irrelevant Avonis! Can't you see? I want to trace the steps of Dandelion and Geralt! I want to travel in the annals of legends! An uncomfortable grimace sweeps over the witcher's features when Jeronimo says where he wants to travel. AVONIS I don't think they'd appreciate that Jeronimo... well, Geralt might. Jeronimo continues to pour his heart out, his passion evident in the tone of his voice, but it doesn't seem to move the witcher a bit. JERONIMO I want to speak to and learn from the same professors that encountered them. I want to hear their tales and their stories, every little intricate detail, the things that aren't in the ballads or the books. You have no idea how I long for such dialogue - to meet such people! AVONIS I long for the tinder touch of a beautiful Toussaintois woman for only a single copper. Can we meet her first? JERONIMO Strumpets are fish in a sea! I have big dreams! I want to mount a Queen! Or her daughters, and write poems about it! Is that too much to ask? AVONIS You wanna mount a Queen, huh? JERONIMO By Lebioda, yes! Avonis leans in, stone cold expression. AVONIS Do you want me to hold her mouth shut so she doesn't scream and call the guards? JERONIMO Gods no! If she's screaming it's from sensational pleasure, not pain... Okay, maybe a little bit of pain, but mostly sensational pleasure! Jeronimo now holding the plate with two hands, starts hip thrusting the air from one side to the other, incredibly managing to balance the last remaining muffins on it's platform. Avonis immediately looks away. A beggar squatting in the background watches with his eyes and mouth as wide open as humanly possible, an expression impossible to comprehend or imitate. He isn't the only bystander that reacts oddly to the bard's moves. JERONIMO Avonis it is all in the hips! A townswoman gasp as she walks by with her child, covering her eyes and ushering her youngling away from the hip swaying fool. Avonis side steps away from Jeronimo and speaks to another spectator, a ragged old man, who looks as flabbergasted as anybody by the young man's behavior. Avonis shrugs his shoulder. AVONIS I don't know him. The ragged old man starts to walk away before stopping to look back to see Jeronimo's dance evolving into something even more inappropriate. Jeronimo's antics start to draw more attention from onlookers. AVONIS Jeronimo stop that right now. Jeronimo ignores him, eyes closed, continuing his motion. JERONIMO I'm trying to teach you something witcher. Pay attention. A rowdy seaman lingering in the vicinity finally pulls out a pouch of coin. He tilts his back and speaks up. His accent indicating he may be from the South. SEAMAN How much? Avonis chuckles as he steps between the thirsty seaman and Jeronimo, and points him in the other direction. SEAMAN How 'bout ten copper for an hour. AVONIS I guarantee he’d be offended if he heard you say that. SEAMAN An expensive prostitute is he? AVONIS Wee bit of a misunderstanding. You should go to Belles of Beauclair. SEAMAN Dem boys got meat on their bones, I wanna break that twig in half. The seaman licks his chops and points to the dancing bard before drifting off. Avonis walks away from the encounter and marches back to Jeronimo who is singing his heart out. Avonis snatches him by the collar but quickly releases it when he sees a Ducal guard walking in their direction. Jeronimo brushes his shoulder off where he was grabbed. The guard eyes them both as he walks by but the witcher maintains his smile until he's out of sight. Avonis turns back to Jeronimo with a sternness in his voice that causes him to fumble the tray and watch the last of the muffins fall on the ground and roll through the street. AVONIS What the hell is wrong with you? JERONIMO What did I do? You did it! AVONIS Are you a prostitute? JERONIMO How dare you! AVONIS Then what the hell were you thinking dancing around like that? JERONIMO I baked you muffins! Jeronimo points to the muffins that are now being picked up by down trodden beggars who scurry off quickly with the pastries in hand. AVONIS That's not an excuse to gyrate in the street. Avonis turns to leave and Jeronimo spontaneously grabs him by the arm prompting the witcher to turn around aggressively. Poor little Jeronimo cowers and blurts out the following in response. JERONIMO It'll take me four years to graduate! Jeronimo's covering his face and closing his eyes. He's wincing but when he doesn't get assaulted he continues to speak but doesn't yet come out of his shell. JERONIMO When I get into Oxenfurt, four years I'll be gone. Avonis chuckles at Jeronimo cowering. He's also elated to know how to finally get rid of the young man without making him disappear the old fashioned way. He thinks about it. AVONIS How much does your tuition at Oxenfurt cost? Jeronimo has hope in his eyes but his expression looks concerned, replying with hesitation. JERONIMO A few thousand crowns... AVONIS A few thousand crowns! That is exactly the kind of reaction Jeronimo was expecting from the witcher. JERONIMO You can't put a price on education? AVONIS naughty word off. I can buy another house. You better start gyrating again, I'll flag down that sailor. JERONIMO Four entire years! Gone, Avonis, gone! You'll never see me again, if you don't want to, and not to mention if we have three thousand crowns for my tuition that should leave you with twenty-seven thousand. That sounds nice right? AVONIS It sounds bloody hell impossible! Avonis outburst doesn't phase Jeronimo as he replies pompously. JERONIMO Not with my connections. AVONIS Who are you? Genuinely. I would like to know. JERONIMO I am Jeronimo Gilligan Babineaux the Third, and I will be the world's greatest balladeer -- Avonis burst into laughter and Jeronimo stops speaking. AVONIS We would have to slay two or three hundred beast for that kind of coin. JERONIMO I suggest we get started then, I just so happen to have a lead on -- The witcher holds his arms out and looks up at the sky, shouting. AVONIS Why me? Is this suppose to be funny? Is it? Jeronimo has concern in his voice. JERONIMO Are you talking to the gods Avonis? Avonis chuckles and shakes his head. When he regains his composure he looks at Jeronimo, pats him on the shoulder, and walks off. Jeronimo accepts that was probably the witcher's way of saying good bye today, and much better than being pushed into the Sansretour in a brand new pair of Saint Matteo slippers.[/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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