Illyana couldn't help but return Lucien's smile as he comforted her. Despite everything that was going on with Geralt, she knew that the pain in him had not faded even a bit since that morning four years ago...She needed to remind herself that he was burying it, even now, and that he needed to smile more than anyone.

Her smile remained as she left the book closed in her lap, then turned her face out of the open window to gaze at the surroundings. While she did prefer the pursuits of the mind over all else, she did appreciate nature as well. Aurel and Faolan had taught her about its power and its beauty, and she was always reminded of the old days when they went camping like this. 

Once they had found their stopping point, Illyana waited until Alex had taken the wheel, then turned out the window again as the train paused. She breathed in the fresh air, excited to see the light sparkling on the water.

Geralt had succumbed to vice on the road, taking sips from his flask as they drove to steady the shake in his hands. He felt better, now that the hair of the dog was in him, and was pleased to roll the window down and let the wind tousle his hair. As long as Lucien wasn't around to see him disheveled, he didn't mind.

They only stopped twice during the drive, both scheduled. Lucien had informed him that they would scout around the lake to be sure they were alone before setting up camp, as places like that could be popular with tourists during busier seasons. He assumed they were in the clear when the train started moving again. They stopped again to allow Cora's trailer to pull off of the side of the road, and this was when Geralt began to get somewhat antsy.

He was sitting behind the wheel, tapping his fingers against it and looking ahead to see what was going on. Lucien hadn't offered an explanation for this, and Geralt hadn't asked at the time. He wasn't too concerned with why Cora's trailer needed to be pulled off of the road before they arrived. With all of the supernaturals in this troupe, he was sure that all of them had their own unique needs anyway.

He was just starting to get annoyed when something caught his eye. The flash of white against the blue sky, a man with black hair...Lucien? Was he...flying?

The Magician's eyes went wide and he leaned forward over the wheel as Lucien left his eyeline. His hands began to shake once more as his heart rate increased, but this time not from withdrawal. No, there was no mistaking that beautiful, graceful form as it was carried through the air by two large, powerful, alabaster wings that sprouted from his back. His mouth dropped open in disbelief and a low grumbling growl of laughter permeated his brain.

[i][color=crimson]A Nephilim...oh yes, the son of an Angel. This creature will tremble before our power. It's white wings will burn and shrivel until they are blackened with ash. Our master will rejoice with us, his envoys of shadow, and we will rewarded handsomely.[/color][/i]

Geralt tried his best to ignore the voice, but its elation made it difficult. Still, both man and beast were enraptured by the sight they beheld. So much so, that Geralt opened the door and stepped out of the truck to get a better look. He watched Lucien land on the roof of Cora's trailer, kneel and reach inside what had to be a hatch of some kind. 

Illyana, at the front of the line, caught movement in the side mirror and glanced up to see that Geralt had exited the truck, his eyes locked on the sky. She frowned and shook her head, watching him closely to see if he would give anything away. He didn't that she could see from here, and his lack of aura made it impossible for her to tell exactly what he was feeling, though she could see his mouth was at least slightly ajar. Part of her was pleased at his wonder, knowing how arrogant he was. It was nice to see him off balance for once.

Cora had been waiting the whole drive for this, and was patiently leaning on the edge of the tank, looking up at the sky through the open skylight in the roof of her mobile home. When Lucien arrived, her smile practically split her face as her heart exploded with glee. She flashed it to Akane before reaching up for the Ringleader's hand ans giggling with delight, [color=00a99d]"I thought you'd never ask, good sir."[/color]

Geralt watched everything unfold in complete awe as the voice cackled within him. He had finally tuned it out as it began to quiet, and he swallowed the lump in his throat as he watching Lucien pull Cora, soaking wet and dressed in only a robe, from the trailer. He cradled her in his arms and took flight once more, heading for the shimmer of water that was the lake.

After a beat, he jumped back into the driver's seat and turned the key as quickly as he could. He shoved the vehicle into gear and laid on the gas, breaking from the train and making a beeline for the lake. He had to see the rest of this unfold, he was unsure that he would get an opportunity to again.