Angoulême as Geralt’s false Ciri is a concept that always obliterates me. She’s introduced as Ciri, deconstructed as a hopefully avoidable future state of the real Ciri’s, and then blends back into Ciri when harmed in front of Geralt. She can only be Ciri when she’s bleeding, which luckily she does a lot. Angoulême is the photo of Ciri on the dashboard of the Hanza’s van that they all stare at as a reminder of what they’re truly after. Angoulême reminds Geralt of what it’s like to be a father, but makes him ever farther from it because she is still False and the absence in him has a shape now. To parent her would be wrong because that’s not his daughter that’s just a girl. He parents her anyway. Angoulême is the doll given to a grieving mother who needs something baby-shaped to hold. And it is comforting. You start to love the doll as a doll too. The doll has her own clothes now, she answers when you speak to her.
On the other hand: Ciri is both a princess and a street rat, but she’s most importantly neither of those things. Those two false but very real roles that she runs from and into are so overwhelming to her narrative that they exist as people in the story: The False Cirilla in Emhyr’s court, and Angoulême in Geralt’s Hanza. False Cirilla and Angoulême, but especially Angoulême are characters of their own who I hate that I sound like I’m downplaying or tossing aside as nothing but imagery to further Ciri’s story, but also you can’t talk about either of them without talking about how they overlap and grow off of Ciri like a cell in mitosis.
Angoulême is here because Geralt loves Ciri, False Cirilla is here because Emhyr has a daughter-shaped cage that collapses unless it’s filled. The two fathers confront the reality of their daughter while staring at a girl who they have no relation to, but it’s alright, they realize what they need to realize anyway. There was no medicine in that pill, it was just sugar, you got over the pain on your own, good job.
And then we reach the bloody ending and it hits us that Angoulême is so much more that Ciri, and that we love Angoulême too. That we and Geralt and the story were cruel to try and twist her into this shape, she’s such a great kid, she deserves her own story she’s going to be such a woman. Fuck this post Angoulême isn’t Ciri Angoulême is Angoulême and these comparisons are getting so old and played out. Then she dies in Ciri’s arms.
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Found Family Oneshot (Witcher Tv Series)
Geralt of Rivia, the renowned Witcher, sat in his study, surrounded by dusty tomes and aged manuscripts. Yennefer of Vengerberg, his powerful sorceress companion, sat nearby, her eyes intently scanning the pages of a spellbook. They had settled down in a humble cottage, nestled in the heart of a peaceful forest, creating a home for themselves and a sanctuary for Ciri, the young princess with extraordinary powers.
Ever since they had found each other, their lives had been filled with adventure and danger. But now, in this little corner of the world, they reveled in the simple joys of everyday life. Yennefer's magic adorned the cottage with enchantments, making it warm and welcoming. Geralt, despite his gruff exterior, found solace in the mundane tasks of chopping wood and mending fences. And Ciri, their beloved ward, brought light and laughter to their lives.
On this particular day, however, Ciri had grown restless. The walls of the cottage seemed to close in on her, and her heart yearned for exploration. "I'm going for a walk in the woods," she declared, eyes shining with excitement.
Yennefer looked up from her book, concern etched on her face. "Be careful, Ciri. Don't wander too far."
"I'll be fine, Yen," Ciri replied, flashing a mischievous grin. "I've got the best protectors in the world."
Geralt nodded, his golden eyes filled with fatherly affection. "We'll keep an eye out for you, little one. But remember, danger can lurk in the most unexpected places."
With that, Ciri set off into the sprawling forest, her footsteps light and full of anticipation. She roamed among the trees, listening to the songs of birds and the rustle of leaves under her feet. Time passed quickly, and as the sun began to set, a feeling of unease crept into Yennefer's heart.
"She's been gone for quite a while," Yennefer murmured, her voice filled with worry. "What if something happened?"
Geralt stood up, his sword strapped to his back. "I'll go find her," he said firmly. "Stay here, Yen."
Yennefer nodded, her anxiety growing by the second. As minutes turned into what felt like hours, her imagination conjured up countless dangers lurking in the forest. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Ciri, the precious girl they had come to love as their own.
Just as despair threatened to overtake her, a sound broke through the silence—a triumphant, joyous whoop that sent Yennefer's heart racing. She looked up to see Ciri swinging down from the trees, her face beaming with a mixture of exhilaration and relief.
"I'm back!" Ciri exclaimed, landing gracefully in front of Yennefer.
Yennefer's eyes filled with tears of both relief and joy. She pulled Ciri into a tight embrace, unable to find words to express her relief. Geralt appeared soon after, his stoic expression melting away into a rare smile.
"Ciri," Geralt said, his voice filled with both relief and reproach, "You had us worried sick."
Ciri's cheeks flushed, and she cast her gaze downwards. "I'm sorry, Geralt, Yennefer. I didn't mean to worry you. I just wanted to explore and have an adventure."
Yennefer knelt down, placing a gentle hand on Ciri's cheek. "Oh, my dear child, we understand. But you must remember, you're not alone anymore. We love you, and we'llalways worry about your safety."
Geralt stepped forward, his voice filled with warmth. "You're a part of our family now, Ciri. We'll always be here for you, no matter what. And adventures are best when we face them together."
Ciri's eyes welled up with tears, but this time they were tears of happiness. She threw her arms around Geralt and Yennefer, hugging them tightly. "I love you both," she whispered.
"We love you too, Ciri," Yennefer whispered back, her voice choked with emotion.
In that moment, surrounded by the love and warmth of her found family, Ciri realized the depth of their affection. She no longer felt alone or adrift in the world. With Geralt and Yennefer by her side, she had found a home—a place where she was cherished and protected.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the cottage, the three of them stood together, their bond stronger than ever. And as the night settled in, they returned to their cozy home, their hearts brimming with love, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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