Aurel lifted his gaze to look at Illy, comforted by her smile and actions, and it allowed him to relax a little. Honestly not having his snakes with him was difficult. Even if he was walking across the grounds, he never felt like he was alone. They helped make him feel safer, but not having them around was a little nerve-wracking. It had certainly been a while.. but having Lucien and Illy around helped with that. The others too, really. Over the years he had been able to become a bit more comfortable with people, but this situation with Geralt made him feel wary again, though it wasn't his own safety that concerned him in this instance. 

Akane had continued to be silent as everyone shared their opinions on the situation. It was after Cora spoke that she had finally decided to voice her opinion. [color=rosybrown]"I agree with Cora. I think I might understand where your snakes are coming from, Aurel. When I first shook Geralt's hand.. it sent a shudder up my spine. It was like.. my instinct was telling me to get away. It was a little scary, yes.. but I don't want to judge the man too harshly. It's possible to be blind to the goodness in people just as much as it is the bad, is it not? I think he deserves a chance. Isn't that why Lucien founded this circus? To give people like us second chances?"[/color] The kitsune questioned. 

Ivory could not deny being a little surprised by both Cora and Akane's words. She knew the two women were intelligent, but she hadn't expected them to respond in this way. As much as she didn't want to admit it, their arguments were sound. That [i]was[/i] Lucien's purpose behind this whole operation.. and she more than anyone appreciated being given that chance despite the thing she had done, and what she was. Who knows what would have awaited her if Lucien and Illyana had not found her? She didn't want to think about it. With that, she let out a heavy sigh. It seems they had underestimated the two women. 

[color=darkgray]"I understand where you two are coming from. We.. will all be able to form appropriate opinions of him with time, one way or another. All I ask is that you be vigilant. I'm just.. worried."[/color] The dhampir trailed off as she spoke, not used to being so open about such things. 

----

Lucien had been left to his thoughts once Ivory took her leave. He wondered whether their talk would change the way the dhampir treated the magician, but honestly he wasn't sure. He couldn't force her to, and he wouldn't either, but he hoped that she would take some of his advice. It would probably be easier to figure him out of she was slightly less hostile toward him. He supposed he would just have to see. 

Eyes trailed toward the door as he heard a quick knock, though he wasn't really given much of a chance to respond as Geralt had quickly made his way inside. 

[color=burlywood]"Ah, yes.. Please take a seat."[/color] He said, waiting for the man to do so before speaking up again. 

[color=burlywood]"You've already got the gist of how things work around here, but I never really mentioned the last day to you, I figured it was a good chance to do that."[/color] He said, straightening up a little on his chair. 

[color=burlywood]"On our last day here, our shows run a little differently. Instead of the usual single performances, we actually do all of them in succession, and people have a chance to see everyone's shows in a sequence, even I partake."[/color] He explained. [color=burlywood]"This of course, requires a bit of practice in making the transitions between each act go as smoothly as possible. I feel yours would be a good closer, which would mean you would be performing after Ivory. This of course.. would require you two to take some time to practice before the big day."[/color] Lucien's tone was calm, showing no reflection of his previous worry of how the dhampir would react to this decision. 

[color=burlywood]"I assume this won't be a problem?"[/color] He asked. Unlike with Ivory, there wasn't really any room for argument in his tone. He knew that there was no way Geralt would not agree to this, considering the behavior he had shown so far, but he also wanted to make sure he wouldn't be [i]causing[/i] any of the problems, having noticed his tendency to like to test Ivory's patience.