Cora tilted her head toward Ivory at her comment about Lucien and Geralt. She wasn't quite sure what looking at the Ringleader had to do with anything. Maybe she just wasn't understanding the phrase, but it seemed a good thing that Geralt was interested in Lucien, wasn't it? Wouldn't that make it more difficult for Geralt to...misbehave? She glanced around the table, waiting for someone to clarify.

Illyana's mouth twitched into a frown as she locked eyes with Aurel. She knew the two of them were having the same thought. It was clear that Geralt was flirtatious, to say the least, with everyone, but that he had certainly shown a little more interest in pursuing Lucien.  This worried her for the same reasons as Aurel; Lucien was hurting. He hid it well, and no one who hadn't met Faolan would never pick it up, but she and Aurel could see it. They had met the two men when they were both very young, and it was clear from the start that they had a special connection. These last four years, since Faolan had vanished, Lucien was extra fragile. It got better as time moved on, of course, and his parting was further and further in Lucien's past, but Illyana knew that Lucien never stopped thinking about it. It was obvious especially during the night of the Full Moon, which Lucien kept track of on the Calendar hanging in his trailer. She knew that Lucien would not want either of them sharing this information with the rest of the group. 

Finally, Illyana turned to Akane and spoke up, [color=598527]"Lucien is...well, he can be too kind for his own good sometimes,"[/color] she began, [color=598527]"His willingness to forgive people can sometimes...cloud his judgement. Geralt, if what Ivory and I believe is true, seems like the type of person who could easily exploit that kindness."[/color] Although this was in no way a revelation, she hoped it would be enough to satiate their curiosity. Before she could stop herself, she added, [color=598527]"He has weaknesses too, just like everyone else. He may seem invincible...but he's not."[/color]

Cora seemed to take this in and nodded as Illyana finished speaking. [color=00a99d]"Oh, I see now. I do hope you're wrong though, Illy. Hopefully Geralt just wants Lucien to be happy, like the rest of us!"[/color]

Illyana's mouth twisted again, and she sighed, [color=598527]"I hope so too, Cora."[/color]

--------------------------------------------

Geralt's smile widened a bit as Lucien continued to speak and explain Ivory's position. He was aware that her aggravation with him was misdirected from another source, after all, he had only just met her and even he did not have time to offend her on a personal level yet. Vampires, however, had strong senses and even stronger instincts. When they didn't like someone, they made it known. 

[color=crimson]"Forgive me, monsieur, but 'worry',"[/color] Geralt said in answer, standing from his chair, [color=crimson]"is not the word I would use. I am simply..."[/color] he waved his hand for a moment as if cycling through an invisible sheaf of papers, [color=crimson]"informing you of my intentions. Trust me, I am happy to take any opportunity to prove myself to her and the rest of your troupe, not to mention yourself. I think, given time, you all will...warm up to me. Maybe even quicker than you think."[/color] he said, giving Lucien a small wink.

[color=crimson]"Speaking of which...I am excited to watch you perform. May I ask what you have prepared, or do you prefer to keep it behind the curtain?"[/color] He leaned on the back of the chair had been sitting in, looking at Lucien with dark, intense eyes.