[ it's only a day or so after geralt messages him that sam reaches out - and yes, he does reach out first, rather than just showing up to nadine's (or, he supposes, jaskier and geralt and ciri's) to check up on her, because that is the polite and modern way of doing things and from everything he's come to know about nadine, she is both of those things.
so, it will be sometime mid-afternoon that she gets the message. he may or may not already be on his way in that direction, but sam will always find something else to occupy his time if need be. ]
HEY HEY BEEN A WHILE YOU FREE TODAY FOR A CATCH-UP? COULD BE UP FOR COFFEE OR A DRINK OR DINNER, DEPENDING ON THE MOOD
[Nadine stares at the words appearing on the blank page of her open journal. She's supposed to be taking notes for upcoming exams, but her mind isn't on it. Her mind hasn't been able to focus on much since the other day. Settling herself and the animals in at Jaskier's had helped a little, but only so much.
She isn't exactly in the mood for company, but she's sure not getting any work done. And Sam...he isn't pushy or intrusive, and he probably just wants to check in. Julie's important to both of them, after all.]
I could probably go for a coffee. Or something stronger.
SOMETHING STRONGER IT IS I'LL BE BY IN 20 - THAT WORK?
[ because he can read between the lines and also because that is pretty much what he was expecting in the first place. with julie still out there and geralt now going after her, the feeling of being back here is one he can empathize with.
he'll sense out how she's feeling when he sees her in person - it's always the most efficient way of knowing these things, anyway - and whether she wants to chat or wants to be distracted or simply doesn't want to be anything, sam will adapt. he won't lie and say that he doesn't want to ask if she's heard anything, if she knows anything, but that isn't what this is about.
on time - the projected twenty minutes - he is slowing to a stop outside geralt and jaskier and ciri's home. he's been by himself a couple of times, but this still does feel different, as he approaches the door and knocks. ]
[That does work, and Nadine is...as ready as she can make herself. It's clear she didn't sleep well last night, but she's clean and dressed - though somberly, in a gray skirt and black blouse - and her hair is pulled back in a well woven braid, thanks to Jaskier.
She's too worn out to feel awkward about opening the door to someone else's home. Besides, it's for her and it's Sam. There isn't anything to feel awkward about in the first place.]
Hey.
[Yeah, this is a woman who very much needs a drink. Or two.]
[ he isn't surprised, exactly, to see her somber state of dress. she looks like she needs a drink, and perhaps a very long night's rest, but only one of those is something sam plans on making sure happens shortly.
the smile he gives her is friendly, but knowing - he's not here to be a bouncing ray of sunshine given the circumstances. ]
Hey beautiful. You ready? [ rather than his normal hug-in-greeting, sam holds out his hand for her to take, to lead her out the door and onto the street itself. it's a little old fashioned, a little manners-forward, but sam feels in the mood. ]
[Nadine offers a small, tired smile and slips her hand into Sam's. In her current state, she's grateful for the physical contact. It's comforting.
And she tends to like old fashioned things.]
Thanks. For...you know.
[They both know why he invited her out. They're both dealing with the same thing. But misery loves company, or so the old saying claims. Maybe it is better to be worried and anxious together. And maybe they can even find some kind of distraction from it.
[ it is one of those things they have bonded over - their enjoyment of the old fashioned, the fact they at least share this aspect from the very different worlds they've come from.
she gives him a tired smile and slips her hand into his, and sam is seamless with how he pulls her towards him, turning their hands so that her's now sits at the crook of his elbow. ]
'course. I figured we both needed it, plus we were due for some bonding time. Wish it could be during better circumstances, but... [ he heads off down the road, towards a tavern not too far from where they are now, but far enough that they still have a few blocks to walk. ]
Now, I am gonna have to ask how you're doing- and yeah, I know, but humor me.
[The honest truth. Nadine knows Geralt will look after Julie in whatever way he can, but...there's magic involved here. The big and frighteningly powerful sort that she, at least, doesn't understand. She can't help but be worried, right up until the moment Julie is safely home once more.
Further frustrating her is the lack of ability to do anything. There's no way that she can help. All she can do is wait. Wait for updates, wait for any new sort of news, wait for word that they're coming home.
She hates feeling powerless, particularly in this situation.]
[ sam nods. there's no real reason to say understandable - they're both going through levels of worry and exhaustion, and sam knows how she feels. or at the very least, he can imagine it - the shape of not knowing, the weight of not being able to do anything about it.
geralt will do whatever he can, sam's not worried about that either. it's just about what has her, what's kept her, what- he doesn't even know where to start speculating. it's exhausting, and he knows nadine had gone through that and probably more. ]
Jaskier's good at that. And it's good you're letting him. We've gotta keep you moving and okay for when Geralt and Julie get back.
I'll be okay. And I mean it, I'm not just saying it to get you off my back.
[Which is certainly something Nadine has been known to do. But she will be alright, and she wants Sam to know that. He has more than enough on his plate to add worrying about her to it. Maybe she'll be a little too reliant on stimulants for however long this takes, but she's no stranger to worrying over things she can't change. She'll get through this, too.
And she has enough sense to limit herself to stimulants that aren't habit forming. A cannabis habit is enough.]
I'm going to be worried, and I'm going to sleep like crap, and I'm probably going to be really crappy company, but I'll be okay. I just need to keep busy. Which...is not a problem.
[Geralt will take care of it. He'll bring Julie home safely. It's going to be okay.
And if she repeats that to herself enough, maybe she can believe it fully.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
after geralt goes to look for julie.
so, it will be sometime mid-afternoon that she gets the message. he may or may not already be on his way in that direction, but sam will always find something else to occupy his time if need be. ]
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She isn't exactly in the mood for company, but she's sure not getting any work done. And Sam...he isn't pushy or intrusive, and he probably just wants to check in. Julie's important to both of them, after all.]
I could probably go for a coffee. Or something stronger.
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he'll sense out how she's feeling when he sees her in person - it's always the most efficient way of knowing these things, anyway - and whether she wants to chat or wants to be distracted or simply doesn't want to be anything, sam will adapt. he won't lie and say that he doesn't want to ask if she's heard anything, if she knows anything, but that isn't what this is about.
on time - the projected twenty minutes - he is slowing to a stop outside geralt and jaskier and ciri's home. he's been by himself a couple of times, but this still does feel different, as he approaches the door and knocks. ]
no subject
She's too worn out to feel awkward about opening the door to someone else's home. Besides, it's for her and it's Sam. There isn't anything to feel awkward about in the first place.]
Hey.
[Yeah, this is a woman who very much needs a drink. Or two.]
puts hand over timestamp i am so sorry
the smile he gives her is friendly, but knowing - he's not here to be a bouncing ray of sunshine given the circumstances. ]
Hey beautiful. You ready? [ rather than his normal hug-in-greeting, sam holds out his hand for her to take, to lead her out the door and onto the street itself. it's a little old fashioned, a little manners-forward, but sam feels in the mood. ]
no worries!
[Nadine offers a small, tired smile and slips her hand into Sam's. In her current state, she's grateful for the physical contact. It's comforting.
And she tends to like old fashioned things.]
Thanks. For...you know.
[They both know why he invited her out. They're both dealing with the same thing. But misery loves company, or so the old saying claims. Maybe it is better to be worried and anxious together. And maybe they can even find some kind of distraction from it.
Drinks tend to be good for that.]
no subject
she gives him a tired smile and slips her hand into his, and sam is seamless with how he pulls her towards him, turning their hands so that her's now sits at the crook of his elbow. ]
'course. I figured we both needed it, plus we were due for some bonding time. Wish it could be during better circumstances, but... [ he heads off down the road, towards a tavern not too far from where they are now, but far enough that they still have a few blocks to walk. ]
Now, I am gonna have to ask how you're doing- and yeah, I know, but humor me.
no subject
I'm tired and worried.
[The honest truth. Nadine knows Geralt will look after Julie in whatever way he can, but...there's magic involved here. The big and frighteningly powerful sort that she, at least, doesn't understand. She can't help but be worried, right up until the moment Julie is safely home once more.
Further frustrating her is the lack of ability to do anything. There's no way that she can help. All she can do is wait. Wait for updates, wait for any new sort of news, wait for word that they're coming home.
She hates feeling powerless, particularly in this situation.]
But Jaskier's looking after me.
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geralt will do whatever he can, sam's not worried about that either. it's just about what has her, what's kept her, what- he doesn't even know where to start speculating. it's exhausting, and he knows nadine had gone through that and probably more. ]
Jaskier's good at that. And it's good you're letting him. We've gotta keep you moving and okay for when Geralt and Julie get back.
no subject
[Which is certainly something Nadine has been known to do. But she will be alright, and she wants Sam to know that. He has more than enough on his plate to add worrying about her to it. Maybe she'll be a little too reliant on stimulants for however long this takes, but she's no stranger to worrying over things she can't change. She'll get through this, too.
And she has enough sense to limit herself to stimulants that aren't habit forming. A cannabis habit is enough.]
I'm going to be worried, and I'm going to sleep like crap, and I'm probably going to be really crappy company, but I'll be okay. I just need to keep busy. Which...is not a problem.
[Geralt will take care of it. He'll bring Julie home safely. It's going to be okay.
And if she repeats that to herself enough, maybe she can believe it fully.]