[color=crimson]"Lucien, then..."[/color] he looked the man from head to foot, [color=crimson][i]I like the way that tastes...[/i]"You will not be disappointed."[/color] He spun on his heel and made his way towards the crowd with no hesitation whatsoever. 

Once he reached them, he set his briefcase on the ground and smoothly pushed past the Carnie at the gate and leapt to the block and pole that held the entrance sign. This elevated him above the crowd, and allowed his voice to carry over the minuscule group that had gathered. The sentinels at the gate both looked to Lucien for guidance, but did not receive a response before Geralt began to speak.

[color=crimson]"Good people, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls!"[/color] Geralt called, his stage voice booming out over the crowd. He balanced effortlessly on the block as he spoke, fanning an arm out over the crowd so they were sure they were all included. [color=crimson]"Welcome, one and all, to Cirque D'étoiles."[/color] As soon as he started speaking, the entire audience had turned their attention to him, and already some children's faces in the crowd were beginning to light up as they pointed out the man to their parents.

[color=crimson]"Oh, you have so much in store for you this evening. A night of sights, sounds, and wonder! Mystery and...magic!"[/color] He shouted, and as he said the word "magic", he reached into his pocket and flung confetti into the crowd. There were already "oohs" and "awes" at this display, but the small slips of paper glowed with an eerie light and transformed into paper birds, which began to flutter about the audience. The patrons gathered about erupted into a frenzy at this, the children's laughter carrying on the breeze, even their parents looking up at the small pieces of paper in wonder and confusion.

[i][color=crimson]Too easy...[/color][/i] The smile on Geralt's face twitched ever so slightly, but was entirely missed by the crowd. They were entirely misdirected by his small trick. He continued after a moment:

[color=crimson]"Now, I don't know if any of you have heard of Geralt the Great before, but he is a recent installation in this merry band of entertainers. He will be here for the next three nights to fill your minds and hearts with feats of sleight of hand, marvelous machinations and bewitching illusions known world-wide."[/color] At this, he leapt from the back and made to stand in front of the crow, he had their full attention now; some of their bottom jaws were already resting in the dirt. 

He continued, his arms spread wide as he gesticulated towards the crowd in grandiose fashion, [color=crimson]"I have seen these tricks for myself, and, good people, do not let your minds deceive you. Every feat of magic you see this evening will be one-hundred-percent real."[/color] At this, a ball of fire appeared in the palms of Geralt's hands, and the crowd gasped in unison before he closed to his fist to snuff out the flames as quickly as they had appeared.

[color=crimson]"As a special treat, for you, our curiously captivated crowd..."[/color] He said and stepped toward the patrons as they leaned in. [color=crimson]"I see many young ones in the crowd tonight!"[/color] He exclaimed, and then focused in on a small boy near the front of the crowd. He locked eyes with the child, then approached and crouched down in front of him, but not without looking up to the boy's mother for permission. He winked at her, and she blushed and smiled, which he took as admission to interact with the boy.

[color=crimson]"Like this strapping young gentleman!"[/color] He said, and crouched down to match the child's height. [color=crimson]"Do you like magic, my good lad?"[/color]

The boy, obviously stunned at being chosen, paused a moment before nodding vigorously at Geralt. The man smiled in response, and slowly reached up behind the child's head as he spoke, [color=crimson]"Well, then, I hope you don't mind if I pay your way into the magic show?"[/color] He asked, and from between his long and dexterous fingers, as if he has pulled them from out of the boy's ear, a shiny pair of quarters appeared. He waved them theatrically in front of the boy's face, then gasped as the pair of coins suddenly disappeared from his hand.

[color=crimson]"Oh no!"[/color] Geralt said, feigning surprise. The boy's wide-eyed, hopeful expression began to slowly melt from his face, but before it could disappear completely, he whispered something into the boy's ear. Excitedly, the boy checked his front vest pocket and pulled the very same pair of quarters out. Surprise was written across the faces of the boy and his mother, and as the crowd around began to whisper about what had happened, a hush fell over everyone, all eyes on the magician.

He attempted to straighten, but the boy grabbed his lapel and he stayed within earshot. The child leaned in and whispered [b]"Are you him?"[/b]

At this, Geralt merely winked and whispered back, [color=crimson]"You will have to come to the show and see."[/color] At this, he straightened and addressed the crowd at large once more, [color=crimson]"In fact, let me extend this offer to the entire group! Every lad and lass under the age of fourteen may enter the magic show for free! Two nights only, so make it count!"[/color] At this, there was a chorus of clapping, parents and children alike smiling ecstatically. Geralt let the sound of their applause linger for a moment, feeling a surge of vindication, of passion for his craft. It made him feel powerful, even more so than his recent carnal activities had. He felt as though he held the fate of all of these people--

[i][color=crimson]In the palm of your hand. Show them, show them our power and let them tremble with awe...feed me with their fear and their elation.[/color][/i]

Geralt's secret smile widened as he took a generous bow amidst the clapping and cries of [b]"More, more!"[/b] before he turned once more and approached Lucien and Illyana, briefcase in hand.

[color=crimson]"Excuses again, Lucien, that took a little longer than I anticipated, but I think we will reap the rewards over the next few days."[/color] He glanced at Illyana, and nodded to her as well, [color=crimson]"My apologies to you as well, Madame, I know you have places to be and things to...[i]see[/i]."[/color]

Illyana had watched the entire show, her eyes wide with anticipation, focused intently on Geralt's movements. Even she, with her trained eyes, could not glean any new information from watching this spectacle unfold. His abilities, however supernatural in nature, appeared to be entirely organic as well. His hands were deft and so practiced, everything was expertly timed, his body moved with such grace and yet was so precise in every single detail...this only made her yearn for knowledge of his abilities more. Clearly, the fire and the birds made of paper were real objects that he had used his magic to create, but she would have to examine the objects and effects more closely to get a better idea of what had created them. It was obvious that this man was and expert in the arts of sleight of hand and illusion, but that his abilities were fueled by some other force. Every move he made was intentional, she would have to look closely if she wanted to learn more, she doubted he would slip up at any time.

When he approached and addressed her, she could see the flash of excitement in the man's eyes, but only for a moment before it disappeared. It was then that she realized just how right Ivory's assessment of his eyes had been; they were completely empty, devoid of life. Except for that tiny flicker, they were entirely lifeless. This made her shudder inwardly, and she made sure to avoid eye contact as she bid her farewells to both men and hurried off toward her trailer.