Geralt's smile widened when Lucien approached him, and he busied himself with draining the glass of water as the man stopped before him. The concern was plain on the man's face and in his voice, and Geralt felt himself hardening to it almost immediately.

[i][color=crimson]This filthy Angel-spawn takes pity on you, Geralt. You are a disappointment.[/color][/i] 

The Magician focused hard on the ringleader in front of him, trying his best to drown out the voice that rang through his brain. The barriers he had set up over all of these years were so much harder to contain when he was so mentally weak. He hadn't realized what a number he had done on himself with his moment of pride...it was now coming back to bite him.

Geralt had been fully prepared to turn down the man's offer of help, there was no way his own pride would allow it, much less the darkness that dwelt in his very soul. He winced as he opened his mouth to speak, closing it quickly as a scream pierced his brain.

[i][color=crimson]DON'T LET IT TOUCH YOU. IT WILL BURN YOUR FLESH AND IGNITE YOUR SOUL IN A BLAZE OF DIVINE LIGHT. YOU WILL SUFFER PAIN THAT YOU HAVE NEVER KNOWN.[/color][/i]

[color=crimson]"No, thank you patron,"[/color] Geralt said calmly, gesturing to Illyana as she walked away from the two of them. [color=crimson]"Illyana's remedy has fixed me right up."[/color] He stood from the chair, graceful as ever, and took a slight bow. He made sure that all traces of strain or fatigue were wiped from his features as he did so. [color=crimson]"Ah, Cora![/color]" he exclaimed, spying the girl over Lucien's shoulder. He was happy for the interruption this time.

As everyone had finished, Cora had busied herself by going to each individual member of the troupe, carnies included, and thanking them. Even though she was nervous to do this, and operating her chair on the wet and slimy ground was difficult, she was determined to make sure that everyone knew how grateful she was for their help. She had just finished thanking Illyana and had spied Lucien and Geralt and wqas heading toward them when the man noticed her.

[color=00a99d]"Geralt!"[/color] she said, a little too loudly in her excitement, [color=00a99d]"I just wanted to say thank you to you,"[/color] she nodded to the Nephilim, [color=00a99d]"and Lucien for all of your hard work today. I really [i]really[/i] appreciate it!"[/color] Lucien himself had taught her please and thank you and ways of showing people when you were grateful. Cora liked this way best because she liked to see everyone's smiles back when she thanked them.

Geralt turned his smile towards the girl, leaning down slightly so he was on her level. [color=00a99d]"It was my absolute pleasure, my sweet. Anything I can do to make you more comfortable, anything at all, you just shout my name,"[/color] he said, winking to her.

Cora blushed profusely, then nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ivory relaxing in the shade and turned her chair toward her without another word to the two men, excitement plain on her face.

Geralt forced a laugh, though it sounded genuine, as always, as he saw Cora head away. He shook his head slightly, as if lost in thought and muttered, [color=crimson]"Extraordinary..."[/color] under his breath. After a beat, he looked to Lucien once more and clapped his hands together vigorously, [color=crimson]"So, now that all of the hard work is done, do we have your permission for some...recreation?"[/color] he said, hopefully, and biting his bottom lip to show his own form of anticipation.