Geralt let the other's converse, glad that his past was no longer the topic of conversation. The thoughts Akane's line of inquiry had produced had soured his mood. He did not like thinking about the past.

However, upon hearing the comment about Aurel's reflexes and Lucien's card tricks, Geralt was pulled reluctantly back into the fold. He raised his eyebrows as he contemplated who's hand to draw from, [color=crimson]"Oh, is that right?"[/color] he said, settling on Akane and leaning across the table to take from her, watching her face all the while. He strategy of turning her eyes away form the cards was a good one, but also could be detrimental if she accidentally snuck a peek. He let his fingers hover over the cards for a moment, noting Ivory approaching, and added: [color=crimson]"Ringleader, violinist, card trick enthusiast, talent groomer...I'm excited to see what else dear Lucien has up his sleeve."[/color] He paused as he chose the card he would take, and his fingers nearly touched it when Ivory returned and interjected.

He paused, looking to Akane's face to see a slight twitch of disappointment. It seemed that Ivory had appeared at exactly the right moment to release him.

He turned his attention to the white-haired maiden, and withdrew his hand from across the table. [color=crimson]"Ah,"[/color] he said as he set his hand face down on the table and stood, [color=crimson]"Divide and conquer, I suppose. Mind taking over for me Ivory? Feel free to choose a card on my behalf."[/color] he placed a hand on his chest in mock humility as he walked around the table and toward Lucien's trailer. Before he was out of earshot, he raised a hand and called, [color=crimson]"Try not to lose while I'm away!"[/color]

Illyana watched in silence as Geralt attempted to take a card from Akane and then departed without doing so. She knew from the way Akane was avoiding eye contact that she had the old maid, and guessed that Geralt had nearly taken it. Though the game meant nothing at all in the grand scheme of things, she was disappointed that he hadn't gotten it. It would have been...satisfying.