The party at Corvo Bianco had taken on a familiar rhythm — laughter echoing across stone walls, clinking goblets, a bard's melody floating on the warm Toussaint air.

Out in the courtyard, the witchers were being witchers: Eskel and Lambert arm-wrestling (poor Zoltan stuck in the middle as ref), Geralt quietly sipping his wine beside Regis and Letho, who looked one drink away from reenacting a fistfight from years past.

Inside, the women had gathered near the hearth, lounging with wine and silk-tinged sarcasm. And poor Ciri? She was caught right in the middle.

“So,” Triss said, swirling her glass, eyes twinkling, “our little witcheress hasn’t been swept off her feet yet?”

“Not for lack of opportunity, surely,” Keira added with a smirk. “You have been hopping across dimensions, dear. One would think you’d stumble into something interesting.”

Ciri’s cheeks flushed faintly, but she crossed her arms and raised a brow. “I’m more interested in monsters than men.”

“Ohhh, she didn’t say no,” Triss purred, leaning in.

Yennefer sighed, already rubbing her temple. “Honestly. Must we do this now?”

But Triss and Keira were having too much fun, and Anna Henrietta was watching with a noblewoman’s curiosity, sipping slowly. Syanna’s smirk was unreadable, while Shani looked politely amused. Priscilla, voice still recovering, said nothing — but her glance toward Ciri held the same question the others dared ask aloud.

“It’s not like I can have children anyway,” Ciri muttered, voice dropping.

Triss’s expression softened — but Keira wasn’t done. “Infertility’s not the same as disinterest. Even a lion cub gets lonely, no?”

Ciri was just about to snap back when—

The air split. A deep pulse of energy cracked through the wine-sweet atmosphere, sending napkins flying and drawing every eye to the center of the room. Sparks of blue magic surged and twisted until — with a sound like thunder strangled in silk — a portal opened. Everyone froze. From the light stepped… You. Strange clothes. Unfamiliar aura. Unknown to everyone — except her.

Ciri’s eyes widened. Her lips parted. “No… it can’t be.” The others looked between you both, confusion rising. But Ciri took a slow step forward, heart pounding like it had that night in the world where time stopped and she forgot who she was supposed to be. Just remembered you. “You…” she breathed. “You found me?”