The succubus who had settled onto the edge of the bed was beautiful, there was no denying that. Her skin was pale as moonlight, smooth and unblemished, her hair fell in dark waves past her shoulders, thick and lustrous, her sinuous tail curled behind her, twitching with idle amusement like a cat's.
But there was something else in her expression, something that Sebastian had not expected. Wariness, perhaps. Or curiosity. Or maybe it was simply surprise at finding herself facing a witcher who had not immediately tried to run her through.
"So," she said, her voice melodic, "You want to talk. Talk."
Sebastian rested his hands on his knees, his body language signaling that he was not here to fight.
"Your name," Sebastian said. "What is it?"
The succubus's eyebrow rose, "You want my name?" She laughed softly, "That's... unusual. Most men don't bother with names. They just swing their swords and ask questions later."
Sebastian shrugged, the gesture easy and unforced. "Most men aren't me, I won't be swinging any sort of sword, So. Name?"
She studied him for a moment, her crimson eyes searching his face for any sign of deception, any hidden agenda, any hint that this was some elaborate trap. Finding none, she smiled warmly and surprised, as if she had not expected to find kindness in a witcher's cat eyes.
"Daina," she said. "My name is Daina."
Sebastian nodded, committing it to memory. "Daina, I'm Sebastian."
Daina's smile widened, revealing teeth that were just slightly too sharp to be entirely human. "I know. Your friend was very talkative even though we only talked for a small bit before you appeared. He mentioned your name." She paused, her tail curling with amusement. "Among other things.."
Sebastian's expression did not change, "I'll have to have a word with him about that."
Daina laughed again, "He's quite charming, in his own way. Very enthusiastic. Very... eager to please."
Sebastian's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "I'm sure."
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze steady and unblinking. "Why did you settle here? In this house?"
Daina's expression flickered just for a moment, just enough for Sebastian to see something beneath the mask of confidence. Pain, perhaps. Or loneliness. Or the memory of a promise that had been made and then forgotten.
"Because I was promised that I would get this place," she said.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
Daina sighed, she looked down at her hands, at the delicate fingers that had held countless lovers, then back up at Sebastian.
"I made love with Vogler," she said. "He promised that he would give me whatever I wanted. And I told him that I wanted a home, a place where I could stay here in Novigrad. He agreed."
Sebastian was silent.
"You know," Sebastian said slowly, "he might have promised you that under the influence of your magic and... charms. Right?"
Daina's smile was thin, almost sad. "I'm aware. But words are strong, and he still returned to me a second time after that. Meaning he was aware the second time." She paused, her crimson eyes meeting his. "I didn't even charm him."
Sebastian stared at her. Then, despite everything, he laughed.
"This is getting ridiculous," Sebastian said, shaking his head slowly. "The more I learn of this whole mess."
Daina tilted her head, "So. What are you going to do to me?"
Sebastian's expression grew serious. He leaned back his eyes never leaving hers.
"I won't kill you," he said. "But I still think you shouldn't stay here. I don't know if Vogler was telling the truth or not, but he thinks the place is haunted. Or there's the other option, that he knew exactly that you were here and he wanted me to clean up his mess and murder you."
He paused, letting the words sink in, watching her reaction.
"Either way, it's dangerous for you to remain here. If the other option is real and I lie to him, he'll know I'm lying. He'll send the Temple Guard, or worse. You'd probably kill them, but you won't be able to stay here. I'm only sparing you because you haven't killed anyone. If anything, you probably accomplished one of their wet dreams." He paused, a smile playing at his lips. "Especially his."
Daina's expression was unreadable. She studied him for a long moment, her crimson eyes searching his face, probing for any hint of deception or cruelty.
"This is not what I've heard about witchers," she said quietly. "The stories I've heard... they paint a different picture. Cold... unfeeling... killers for hire who don't ask questions, so tell me Witcher... why are you like this?"
Sebastian met her gaze. "So far, you haven't attacked me. You haven't tried to charm me. And you didn't show any hostility when I was drawing my silver sword. So why should I be hostile toward you?"
Daina was quiet for a long moment. The candle flickered. The shadows danced, something shifted in her expression, a vulnerability that she had not shown before.
"Fair enough," she said softly.
She looked down at her hands, then back up at Sebastian. Her eyes were bright, almost wet.
"You don't have to ask the fool anything," she said. "I'll move away. I'll leave the city itself, I've grown bored of Novigrad, anyway."
Sebastian nodded slowly. "Sorry. But this is for your own survival."
Daina's smile was warm, genuine. "I understand."
Sebastian rose from the chair, he turned toward the door, his boots echoing against the wooden floor.
"Witcher," Daina called.
Sebastian paused. He looked back.
Daina met his gaze. Her expression was soft, almost vulnerable. "Thank you," she said. "For being so kind."
Sebastian's expression did not change, he nodded once, a small, almost imperceptible gesture.
Then he turned and walked out.
Outside, the night air was cold and clean, Sebastian found Dandelion slumped against a barrel, his face pale, his hands still shaking, his fine doublet rumpled and stained with alcohol and shame.
The bard looked up as Sebastian approached, his eyes wide with relief.
"You spent... quite some time in there," Dandelion said, "Have you two.."
Sebastian cut him off,"Nope. We only talked, I convinced her to move out."
Dandelion blinked. "That's it? Just... talked?"
Sebastian bent down and hauled Dandelion to his feet, slinging the bard's arm over his shoulder with a grunt of effort. "That's it. Now come on. You look like you need a drink..."
Dandelion allowed himself to be led, his legs still unsteady, his dignity in tatters. "Good... so we finished this contract."
Sebastian nodded. "Yeah. Though I'll have a few words with this Vogler fellow tomorrow. There's a big chance he lied to us and kept a few important details to himself."
Dandelion groaned, his head lolling against Sebastian's shoulder. "Of course he did... Why would anything be simple?"
Sebastian's smile was thin, "Because nothing ever is."
/-\
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