Illyana nodded, finally feeling the fire fading from her cheeks. She took another sip of water before standing, and made her way to the door. She took the handle, but before leaving turned back to Lucien. [color=598527]"I know you already know this, Lucien. Just...watch yourself around him, okay?"[/color] She had no doubt that Lucien could take care of himself, but she knew he was more concerned with the safety of the troupe than his own well-being. He may not see the danger coming if he was too busy looking after everyone else. It would be up to Illyana and the others to watch out for him.

She pulled the door open, then turned back one final time, [color=598527]"A circus is nothing without its Ringleader."[/color] She said, smiling through the fatigue as she exited the trailer.

-----------------------------------------------

Eventually, the sun began to set, and after all of the preparations for the show had been made, the troupe was ready to begin. The carnies had finished setting up the Ferris Wheel, games, and the string lights, the Talkers had touted the show about town and were setting up in front of various attractions to call visitors to their tents and trailers, and the performers had all prepared for the nights events. There was a short line of people waiting in line to enter, having purchased their tickets from the talkers in town, but it was not nearly the turnout they needed from Graston to keep moving. There were some headlights on the road approaching the valley, but there was no telling whether or not those lights were headed towards them or not. 

Illyana stood, in full garb, next to Lucien a little ways away from the front gate. The two were hidden from view by a truck, but they had a view of the road and of the gathering outside. Illyana did not look herself, as her performance demanded that certain stereotypes be upheld. She was wearing a long dress made of a thin light material, with a black shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and a purple bandanna tied around her forehead. She wore dark eye makeup that made her look older and gave her a mysterious appearance, and Ivory had helped her paint her nails and apply rogue as well. She hated wearing "stage makeup", but it always drew a bigger crowd to pretend to be a wandering gypsy. Considering they were in more need than ever, she wasn't going to complain.

She had her arms crossed over her chest and tapped her toes in suspense as she watched the road, sending up little dust clouds with every impact. They had been waiting for nearly and hour to see if Geralt would show, but he hadn't yet appeared. Illyana began to wonder if he would show at all, and had done everything in her power to stop herself from biting her nails in anticipation. The show would start soon, they couldn't wait much longer.

[color=598527]"He'll come."[/color] She said quietly, more as a reassurance to herself than anything else. She could tell that Lucien was holding back his annoyance at having to stand there and wait this long, but Illyana was a little surprised that he wasn't more upset. That was Lucien though, always the optimist. It was part of his charm, and not needlessly, it oftentimes helped Illy herself be less anxious. In this case, she was unsure if there was anything that could make her feel better.