Geralt waited for Ivory to deal, then took his cards. Of course, his face did not change as he looked at his hand. Immediately, he dropped one pair onto the table. He was less interested in the actual play of this game and more interested in how everyone else managed to calm and hide their expressions. He watched the players, his eyes moving around the table as they went, and appeared less-than entertained by his own hand.

Akane's question made him blink for a moment, he had been watching Cora's performance in the game and found it unusually well-crafted. Her face hardly ever twitched away from it's serene smile. He looked over to the red-head now, and cocked his trademark half-smile. [color=crimson]"Why, were you looking to poach the secret of my youthful glow?"[/color] he asked, dark laughter echoing through the chambers of his mind as he did so. It was his turn, so he leaned forward to pluck a card from Ivory's hand, finding another pair to drop. [color=crimson]"That depends on exactly what you've heard,"[/color] he continued, but as he opened his mouth to say more, he was interrupted by another, lighter voice beside him.

Cora tilted her head as she spoke, [color=00a99d]"'A long time' is relative, isn't it?"[/color] she asked, tilting her head. 

Geralt raised his eyebrows and glanced at the siren, amused and surprised at the wisdom she had just displayed. Because of the child-like glow about her, he had not been expecting her to add to this conversation in such a profound way, but he had to admit that he was pleased by this surprise. [color=crimson]"Very true..."[/color] he said, letting his eyes linger on her for a little longer. Maybe he had discounted Akane and herself too early, this was certainly a sign of hidden depths.

Illyana could see that the rest of the troupe remained in the mess area, still playing cards. As she approached, she heard the tail end of Cora and Geralt's conversation, but thought nothing of it. His eyes rolled slowly up to her as she approached and he held out a hand, gesturing to an empty seat to Ivory's side. [color=crimson]"Ah,"[/color] he said, [color=crimson]"Care to join our game of Old Maid?"[/color]

Illyana shook her head, her voice flat as she addressed him, [color=598527]"No thank you, I came to fetch Ivory."[/color] she then turned to the Dhampir. [color=598527]"Lucien has something he'd like to speak with you about."[/color] she said, she knew Ivory would be able to find him on their own.