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Jaskier likes talking to the babes. Jaskier likes hearing about their time chasing birds and hunting bunnies when they were young. Jaskier loves hearing about the good things and he appreciates when they talk about the bad things. Bad things being experiments and trials and them getting turned into heartless killers. But Jaskier gets over it because they’re getting better.
However when the babies talk about these times at Kaer Morhen Institute, they often speak of one man (both bad and good). Vesemir. They said he was an older man who was rather fatherly to them and that he was remarkably smart. They told Jaskier that Vesemir knew about every beast that’s walked the earth and that he knew everything about plants. They spoke of him in rather high regard.
One day while Jaskier was brushing the boys’ hair and humming an old song, Geralt spoke to Eskel.
“Do you ever miss Papa Vesemir?” Geralt said as he braided a small section of his hair.
“Yeah… Do you think they hurt him when they raided the keep? I wish I could give him another hug.” Eskel said and looked down sadly. Jaskier smiled sadly at them.
“Well do you know if he was out on a farm or an adoption center? Maybe we could find him.” Jaskier said and watched all three of them start to get excited until all three were wagging and nodding their heads smiling.
“He went to a place for old service pets!” Eskel said and looked at Jaskier.
“Oh Daddy can you find him? Please please please!” Chanted Geralt.
“Of course my loves. I’ll call around in the morning. If he’s still retired we might be able to have him over for a day. But remember we might not find him, okay? I’ll try my best but still.” Jaskier said and that was that.
That night while the babies got comfy in their bed Jaskier was on his laptop. There were four retirement centers for pets. He wrote down their numbers and called in the morning.
One said they didn’t take in witchers and hung up on him. One said they never had a Vesemir but they had another witcher who had passed away. The other two said they would get back to him once they checked their current and previous records.
He didn’t mention it to the babies until he knew for sure. The next day one center called. No Vesemir previous or current. The last one called him during dinner. Wilbur’s retirement center for pets and service animals.
“Hi, is this Mr.Pankratz? You were asking about one of our previous retirees, Vesemir of Kaer Morhen?” The woman said when he said hello.
“Yes, yes that’s me. You had him? Is he okay? Did he get adopted or pass awa-” Jaskier asked in a flurry as he walked into his recording room. He didn’t want the babies to hear if it was bad news. He was cut off by the lady.
“Sir, we contacted his current owner and she said Vesemir is doing quite well. She also made it very clear that Vesemir will not be sold. She did ask quite a few questions about you though. She said it would be great if we gave you her number.” The lady said and Jaskier jumped for joy. The babies will be so happy to know their papa is alive and well! Jaskier grabbed a notepad and a pen and quickly wrote down the number and the name of the lovely amazing woman who took in the old wolf. He thanked the center worker immensely and wrote on his pad to send them something nice.
When Jaskier walked back out to the babies who looked quite nervous and they pushed around their food. Jaskier sat down and took a deep breath.
“That was the last of the retirement centers.” Jaskier said and watched the boys look at each other.
“Vesemir was adopted three months after he finished his behavioral training and is happy and healthy living with one Miss Tsuki Moon. I’ll be calling her tomorrow morning. I think she might let us see your papa!” Jaskier said and smiled widely.
The boys didn’t react for a moment. Lambert broke out in laughs and smiles. Eskel smiled and joined in his baby brother’s laughter. Geralt was silent as he looked down at his plate, hair covering his face. Jaskier got up and came to bend down beside him.
“Bear, baby, are you not happy? Bad memory or..?” Jaskier said and sat his hand on Geralt’s back.
Geralt shattered. Sobs racked his body and he looked up to show rivers of tears flowing down his face. Geralt wailed and grabbed around Jaskier’s tummy and shoved his face into Jaskier’s sweatshirt. Lambert and Eskel smiled on and whispered to each other as Geralt sobbed and soaked the front of Jaskier’s shirt with snot and tears and a bit of drool. Jaskier rubbed his back and cooed lightly trying to calm the baby.
“He was very close to Vesemir… We all kinda assumed the worst. But… papa’s alive. He’s alive. He’s healthy. He’s somewhere with someone nice.” Eskel said and a tear stained down his face too. Lambert was smiling widely and sniffled too. These were Vesemir’s boys too. Vesemir was their papa.
“Bea-r, Geralt, can we take a breather? You’re gonna hyperventilate, sugar bun.” Jaskier said and pulled back and held onto Geralt’s hands. The boy’s face was a disaster. Snot and tears and drool were all over and his face was splotchy. Jaskier got down so they were face to face and did over dramatic big deep breaths until Geralt was breathing a little better.
“Papa ‘live. Papa. Papa.” Geralt said and Jaskier got a napkin from the table and wiped his face.
“Yeah he is. You really love him huh?” He said and Eskel came over to kiss his bubba’s tears away. Lambert leaned over in his seat so he was laying against Geralt’s back.
They got their baths and did their night routine but Geralt stayed unusually quiet and still.
“Hello! I’m Jaskier or Julian Alfred Pankratz. I was asking about Vesemir yesterday? The people at Wilbur’s gave me this number.” Jaskier said when a small voice answered the phone on the first ring.
“Oh wonderful! Yes! I’m Tsuki Moon! I’m Vesemir’s caregiver! He’s so happy to know someone asked for him. Him and myself are both curious though for why you called. He’s not for sale and he will not be interviewed for the experiments done at Kaer.” The small crackly voice said. She sounded excited and Jaskier could tell she was walking.
“Well Ma’am I recently adopted a few witchers that were taken from Kaer Morhen and they have been asking about Vesemir. They refer to him as ‘papa’ and were wondering if you would ever consider letting them see Vesemir?” Jaskier explained and chewed his lip nervously.
“One moment dear I’ll ask him.” The woman said and he could hear her speak. ‘ Hey darling, it’s the man who was asking about you. He says he has a few pups from the Kaer. He wants to know if you’d like to see them?’ Jaskier heard a deeper rougher voice. ‘ Oh dear Miss Tsuki may I speak to him?’ And Miss Moon spoke again.
“Julian, would you mind if Vesemir spoke to you himself? I would be happy to have you and the pups over but it’s all up to Vesemir.” The lady said and Jaskier answered with a short “I’d love to talk to him!”.
“Hello? Mr. Pankratz?” Vesemir said into the phone. His voice was deep and old, used. Jaskier smiled.
“Hello, Master Witcher, I’m Mr. Pankratz. It’s an honor to speak to you.” Jaskier said and heard a slow laugh on the other end of the line.
“It has been many years since I’ve been a master witcher, boy. Miss Tsuki tells me you have some of my pups. Who? How are they? When can I see them?” Vesemir said. His voice was heavy with concern.
“I have Lambert, Eskel, and Geralt. I did know of one other Wolf but he has passed on, his name was Coen. But Geralt is doing well, Lambert is gaining weight, and Eskel is always learning more from reading. They had… a rough go at life after the keep was raided but they’re doing well now. You can see them as soon as I get an address. Oh do you know if Miss Moon has a computer?” Jaskier said and heard a sigh of relief.
“It’s sad to know about Coen, he was a baby, but I am so glad Lammy and Bear and Eskel are doing well. They are… resilient. Especially Geralt. I will ask for Miss Tsuki’s laptop but why?” Vesemir said and he groaned, he probably stood up.
“I can skype you! You can see the boys! I’ll go get my laptop and rangle up the pups, they’re playing in the- They are digging a hole in the backyard right now actually. I’m gonna put the phone down and you get a computer and pull up skype!” Jaskier said and ran out to the boys who were standing about a pretty large hole. It was five feet across and probably three feet deep.
“Boys what are you doing?” Jaskier asked and all the boys smiled widely. Lambert, who was sitting, pointed and said “Hole!” And the other two nodded in agreement.
“You three… Well I’ve got big news!” Jaskier said and watched them wag and wipe the first off their hands onto their jeans.
“Vesemir’s on the phone and he’s about to call us on the laptop. Come on and we can see papa!” Jaskier said and stopped the boys when they got to the door.
“I’ll get you a change of pants. Just put those on the toy bench.” Jaskier said and the boys shucked off their pants and threw them onto the bench. Jaskier fetched his laptop and three pairs of elastic waisted shorts. The boys chatted happily and excitedly as they washed their hands.
Jaskier tossed their shorts at them while he pulled up Skype and held the phone on his shoulder. He asked Miss Moon for her Skype and the call rang once, the boys were jumping purring. Two rings and the face of a small older woman popped up. Jaskier smiled and hung up the telephone.
“Hello Miss Moon! These are the boys! Lambert, Eskel, and Geralt! Say hi boys.” Jaskier said and moved so the camera caught all three boys. Geralt had tears rolling down his face but they all smiled and waved.
“Aw so cute! What pretty boys! And I suppose you all know this cranky old uncle.” Miss Moon said and turned the laptop over to where an old man was sitting at the table. He had one ear that was half cut off and when he smiled he had dulled teeth but he smiled widely.
“PAPA!!” The boys all called out and cried. Geralt tried not to sob but he was crying hard. Lambert was purring and conked his head against the screen. Eskel was yapping happily. Vesemir smiled and tears pricked his eyes.
“Boys! You look so healthy! Oh you all… Bear you grew out your hair! Eskel, poor baby. Lammy you look so pudgy! Good boys! You all look so well fed! Oh boys. Boys. My boys. My boys.” Vesemir said and they all smiled and nodded and then the boys grabbed Jaskier to show Vesemir. Eskel was the one to do the talking.
“Papa, this is daddy! He makes us bread and gets us sweet things and gets us all sorts of stuff like blocks and we have beds like like real beds! Daddy even lets us sleep in his bed with him!” Eskel said and smiled and Jaskier looked at his babies, eyes full of love. Vesemir smiled as tears slid down his face. So many of his boys were gone. His heart was full of ghosts and broken hopes until now.
“That’s amazing! You seem so happy there! I’m happy here too! Miss Tsuki gave me a room and she lets me spend all day in her library and she buys me plants and lets me cook. Do you boys remember the sweet rolls I would make? Maybe I can make us some when you come over?” The elder said and smiled. The three babes yipped and yapped and jumped.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh papa yes yes yes!” The three said. Geralt was full out crying now.
“My papa loves me still” is all he said before letting the sobs take over. Vesemir smiled at him and a few more tears slid down his scarred cheeks.
“I do love you Geralt. I’ll always love you all so so so much. I love you all so much.” Vesemir said and sniffled a little bit. Geralt was sobbing loudly and clinging onto Jaskier.
“I’ll let Miss Tsuki send you the address. When can they be here? Miss Tsuki, do you care when they come to me?” Vesemir asked Jaskier and then looked off to the side. They heard the older woman speak.
“Anytime they want, darling. Julian? Julian, hun, it’s 327 Melantonsa Drive in Blaviken. We live down a bit of a drive but you can see his windmill from the road. How far do you live from u-”
“DADDY AUNT YENNY LIVES BY THERE” Lambert hollered out over Miss Moon. The boys jumped around and ran off to get their backpacks and get their stuff. Leaving Jaskier laughing a bit.
“I promise they aren’t heathens. My best friend Yennefer lives over there. We live in Oxenf urt. 001 Lettenhove Lane. We live in the old Pankratz house. I painted it and remodeled it. I think the boys are packing their backpacks. We will be there in… maybe an hour? Maybe less. We’ll see you soon Miss Moon, we’ll be there soon Master Witcher.” Jaskier said and heard thumping and happy yips and rumbling noises from the bedrooms upstairs.
They said goodbye and Jaskier walked up the stairs.
Eskel was shoving his favorite soft blanket and some candies into his bag, Geralt was sitting on his floor with his stuffed rabbit putting a brush and one of his other favorite snugglies, a grey and blue fluffy cow, into his bag, and Lambert was putting a few pairs of his thick wool socks and one of his many ‘Comfy’ brand hoodies into his bag.
Jaskier got his bag. He had each boy a change of clothes, a towel, a few pull ups (sometimes babies have accidents), binkies, and some emergency water and snacks. He walked back out to see the boys helping each other put their shoes on.
“Do we want to bring papa anything? We can stop by the store if you’d like?” Jaskier said and watched the boys pull on their backpacks. They all were wagging like crazy and Geralt’s face had been cleaned but he was still teary. Jaskier walked down the stairs with the babes behind him.
“We can always bring him other things if we’re welcomed back. Okay, load up, in the car you go.” Jaskier said and watched the boys climb into their seats in his new ‘mom car’.
After their first outing he had bought a new car to replace his Lexus, he bought a Volvo XC90. It had much more room and Lammy likes to sleep in the third row sometimes.
“Okay, off to see papa!” Jaskier said and started to make his way to Blaviken.
The drive was quiet. The boys looked nervous and picked at their clothes. Eskel had changed into a pair of black sweatpants and his favorite red and black tie dye hoodie shirt. Lambert put on his green joggers and a black oversized hoodie. Geralt had opted for a pair of black lounge shorts and a plain white t-shirt. Jaskier turned on some low quiet music. The boys got antsier and antsier the closer they got.
When Jaskier told them to look out for a windmill, each boy had his face to the window. When Eskel called out and said he saw it Jaskier turned down the short gravel drive. Soon they were parked in front of a large old stone house that had vines and plants curling around the walls. It had a sort of story book kind of energy about it.
Miss Moon, who was actually a quite small woman, was standing on the porch. She had on a lovely floral red dress, which Jaskier commented on saying it was beautiful. Miss Moon came to the boys’ shoulders.
“Come in babies. Vesemir’s in his room getting a few things. Do you boys do the nesting thing?” Miss Moon said as she stopped them in front a pair of wide wooden doors.
“Y-yes ma’am” Eskel said shyly. Miss Moon smiled then and opened the door.
“Good! He was running around like crazy trying to get it perfect!” Miss Moon said and let the boys pile in. The doors led to the library. The high walls were covered in bookcases and there was a chair and small table to one side. In the middle there was a huge nest. Blankets, quilts, sheets, pillows, couch cushions, and a few large pads that looked like mattress toppers.
The boys gasped and dropped their bags at the edge and looked around. When they heard the doors on the opposite side of the room open and a voice call out “Miss Tsuki! I need to find my old journals, my boys-” The boys were running and tackling the older man.
“Papa! Oh Papa!” There were cries and the sound of kisses and giggles and laughing. Jaskier ran over, fearing the young ones hurt the eldest witcher.
“Boys! Boys, be more careful you could have hURT-” Jaskier was pulled down into the pile. He was also kissed and nuzzled and licked. Miss Moon whistled loudly and all four witchers stopped. And sat up.
“Good boys! Nest up and I’ll bring some food. Julian dear, come help me.” The older woman commanded. Jaskier stood up and the boys pulled Vesemir to the nest. They all giggled and laughed. They formed a cuddle pile and kissed and licked and nipped and purred. Tails were swooshing and ears were down and relaxed. Jaskier jumped up and followed the short caregiver.
“They’re so happy. Sorry they got so excited. They’ve told me a lot about Vesemir. I’m so glad you found him so soon. I just recently found the boys. Such terrible things they do to the poor Witchers.” Jaskier said as he followed Miss Moon to the kitchen were bowls of fruit and a bowl of dried meat.
“Yes. They put Vesemir through some terrible things too. Behavioral training, pff, more like beating the instincts out of him. I let him do what he pleases. He’s old like me, he can do whatever he wants. He used to go hunt birds now he just plays with slow moths. They even neutered him, everyone knows witchers are sterile.” Miss Moon said as she grabbed a big bowl of fruit. Jaskier agreed and managed the two other bowls of fruit and the bowl of meat.
“Puppy boys! I fixed a few bowls of fruit, I hope you like fruit, and a nice big bowl of Vesemir’s jerky! Aw you three are such darlings.” Miss Moon said when the young witchers stood up to get the bowls. All four tucked in and started to eat. Miss Moon pulled a chair in from another room and put it next to the one that already occupied the room.
They watched the boys quietly. They ate and then the boys remembered their backpacks. Eskel pulled out his blanket and wrapped it around Vesemir and then poured the two handfuls of candies into a pile in front of the eldest. Vesemir smiled and thanked him but Geralt was already shoving his stuffed cow into his hands and moving to sit behind him to brush his hair. Vesemir groaned and closed his eyes but Lambert poked his cheek and he opened his eyes again. The youngest pushed away Eskel’s blanket and Geralt’s hands and he pulled the incredibly oversized Comfy hoodie over his head. All three other witchers laughed at him. Geralt situated Eskel’s blanket back and went back to carefully brushing Vesemir’s white hair. Lambert also struggled a bit to pull the wool socks onto Vesemir’s old crankly feet so Eskel helped.
Vesemir was so relaxed and happy. Once Geralt was done he pulled a big cushion around so Vesemir could lay against it. Then the oldest opened his arms and all the boys piled in and cuddled up to their papa. Small whispers radiated from them. Jaskier caught a few ‘ I love you papa’ ‘I missed you so much’ ‘Gimme ‘ nother kissy’ . He assumed the last was Lambert.
Jaskier looked over at Miss Moss who was elegantly dabbing at her tears with her sleeve. Jaskier reached over and put his hand on her arm. She looked over at him and he nodded toward the door. They got up and went into the sitting room.
“You’ll come back, yes?” Was the first thing Miss Moon asked when sat down. She looked concerned. Jaskier smiled and pulled out his phone.
“We visit my best friend often and she lives only a few roads away. We would have never found you or him. We visit her and they usually stay the night there. Maybe Vesemir could have a sleepover with us one day? I’ll come get him and bring him back here, of course. Hell, if you watched them I could run home and get their overnight bags, if you so wanted.” Jaskier said and the older woman smiled and grabbed his hand. Her hands were so small and thin…
“You are a blessing Julian. A true blessing. I will tell the pups. You hurry back! I’ll have a proper dinner prepared by then!” Miss Moon said and hugged him. They were eye to eye when he was sat down. Jaskier nodded and made his way to the front door.
Miss Moon would get absolutely sick of them always coming over...