Akane nodded in agreement. [color=rosybrown]"He's right! Just enjoy your food, that's really what matters."[/color] She told her with a smile. 

Aurel almost tensed as he felt Geralt's hand on his shoulder, but managed to stay relaxed since it had only been brief contact. He wasn't really used to strangers touching him, and he wasn't a big fan of it, but it hadn't been enough to fully make him uncomfortable. 

[color=#a7d3d4]"Sure.. if you want.."[/color] He said, not really seeing the harm in it, though he was sure Ivory would much rather be without his company, still, if he was here watching them play cards, then it meant he wasn't somewhere they couldn't keep an eye on him. [color=#a7d3d4]"I'm not sure what you could learn from us but.. the reason why I'm not very good is because my pokerface is quite bad."[/color] He told him, figuring he might as well get that out there now. 

Ivory did not look at Geralt as he spoke, despite her silence and seemingly lack of interest in everything that came out of her mouth, she could tell that he was very particular about the way he spoke to people. The transition was so smooth that it would probably be hard for the others to notice if they weren't paying attention, but every word was chosen with intention, it made it hard to trust anything that came out of his mouth, not that she had any intention to. She knew his game. 

[color=darkgray]"Poker. Without betting, that would not be fair since he's still learning."[/color] She said, before she began to deal Aurel his two cards and took her own, glancing at them briefly. A nine and eight of clovers. Not a bad start for herself. 

Aurel raised his eyebrows slightly as he picked up his cards. A Queen of Hearts and a King of Spades. That was definitely a high start for him, one of his luckier draws, if he could get the cards to work in his favor. Still.. that usually was not the case. They skipped the betting phase, and Ivory went straight to placing the three cards up on the table, the six of hearts, the Queen of diamonds, and the seven of clovers. Now that was something Ivory could work with. Based on Aurel's expression when he glanced at his cards, she could tell that he had probably gotten high cards. She'd keep that in mind. 

Lucien glanced down at Illy as she spoke, marking off some more of the things on the list. [color=burlywood]"Indeed.. though he seems like a man who likes a challenge.."[/color] That much was obvious simply based on the interactions they had seen. 

[color=burlywood]"Of course, just let me know when you wish to speak with me."[/color] He said, pausing for a moment before looking back down at the girl. [color=burlywood]"Did you stay up again? Make sure to get proper rest this time, no staying up."[/color] He lightly scolded her, though he was unsure of how much his words would be heeded.