Cora's attention was slowly peeled from Geralt and thrust back into the song and Lucien's notes. She wanted to make sure this was perfect. Knowing that this was a song Lucien had written just for the occasion, and wanted her to sing it, made her feel as though she wanted to impress him. Although, this was a normal feeling when they performed together, it was compounded by the fact that they had been to this town before. Cora was glad for the distraction, but also wanted to be sure that she contributed all she could to a successful night.

As they neared the end of the song, she watched Lucien make little scribbles on his paper before he turned back to her. She wasn't sure what they all meant, but Lucien was good at explaining and the two never had trouble communicating when it came to this.

[color=00a99d]"I think you're right!"[/color] she said, nodding. [color=00a99d]"I can go lower, but I think ending high is good, given what the song is about."[/color] Lucien had made sure that this song was hopeful and uplifting, he wanted the crowd to feel like anything was possible. Cora admired that in him, his ability to raise people's spirits through song. Maybe they would help to lift his as well.

[color=00a99d]"Although,"[/color] she added, before trying the verse again. [color=00a99d]"I hope you don't mind me saying...but I think the note at the end is too long."[/color] she pointed to the last section of the song on his paper. [color=00a99d]"I think it might be a little more...thrilling, or upbeat, if the note ends more sharply. Is it okay if I try?"[/color]

[color=burlywood]"Go ahead,"[/color] Lucien said, smiling.

Cora smiled back and obliged him. She tried just the end of the song, taking Lucien's notes into consideration and adding her own little flair at the end. She ended the song with a smile and looked over at Lucien, full of hope that she had made a good suggestion.

He watched her, smiling the whole way, then made a small annotation on his notes to cut the ending line short. [color=burlywood]"There, perfect."[/color]

Cora's smile widened as she glanced at Akane and Geralt, clasping her hands together close to her chest. She was proud that she was able to contribute, even if it was small.

[color=crimson]"Well,"[/color] Geralt said once the two were done. He had eaten and washed his dish quickly while the two had practiced, listening the entire way. Although he found that he was able to resist Cora's trance, he knew that he would have to keep on his toes if the Siren ever turned her chords on him. She was powerful, probably more so than even she realized, and he had to keep it that way until it was time.

[color=crimson]"I cannot thank the two of you enough for allowing me to sit in."[/color] He placed his hands flat on the table before standing, [color=crimson]"Cora, that was absolutely stunning. And Lucien...well, you are a fantastic Maestro. The two of you...you are doing amazing things together. I can't wait to see how its received tomorrow night."[/color] There was a pause as he stepped away from the table, [color=crimson]"But, alas, I too must leave you. Ivory and I can't have you two stealing the show before its even on!"[/color] he winked at the two of them, then began heading back toward the big top where Ivory awaited him.

Illyana had not noticed that Geralt had left, she had been so absorbed in her book and calmed by Cora's song. Once the silence had permeated the area enough, and she realized that she had run out of pages to read, she looked up. Her sandwich was...mostly gone, but there was still almost a quarter of it left. She noticed then that Geralt had left, and glanced around before closing her book. [color=598527]"Well, that was a bust."[/color] she said, looking to Lucien. Seeing the look on his face, she looked down at her plate with a frown before popping the rest of the food into her mouth.

She chewed, swallowed, then showed him the clean surface of her plate. [color=598527]"All done,"[/color] she said, before walking to the dish station to clean her plate.

He entered the tent to find that she had ceased her practice. Either Akane had been correct, or she had simply given up. He doubted that the latter was true.

[color=crimson]"Ah,"[/color] he said, rolling up his sleeves as he walked toward her. [color=crimson]"I see you're finally taking your break. Have any luck without me?"[/color] he knew the answer to this before he'd finished the question.