Illyana couldn't help but let her smile widen at Aurel and Ivory's "cheers". She lifted her cup slightly to return it to them, and took a sip. Maybe relaxing wouldn't be so bad after all.

[color=crimson]"You are more than welcome, ladies. Just let me know if you'd like a refill."[/color] Geralt said to Akane and Cora. Even he had to admit he was quite pleased by their happy and surprised expressions. Going out often caused him to order drinks from someone else, he didn't usually have the pleasure of serving many people. It was amazing practice for his hands, and his wits. Seeing everyone else enjoying themselves set his fingers to twitching, he longed to feel a drink in his hands as well.

As Lucien spoke, he turned back to the table and began mixing himself something a little stronger. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey he had brought and the other ingredients required for an Old Fashioned, the correct way to make it, not the way some uppity bartenders thought made it cute.

As he mixed, he turned his head to face Lucien, chuckling as he spoke. [color=crimson]"Accuse me of anything, Lucien, but never of safety,"[/color] he  stirred as he finished the drink, then poured a bowl full of the cold water Illyana had prepared and set his glass inside of it. As he waited for it to cool, he turned to Lucien, leaned back against the table and crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed slightly as he cocked a half-smile, [color=crimson]"Hmm..I don't know, you don't strike me as a beer man."[/color] Geralt himself was not either and much preferred Germany's claim to Brandy. [color=crimson]"Besides,"[/color] he added, tilting his head, [color=crimson]"I didn't think you'd permit me to cheat."[/color]

Cora nodded to Geralt's instruction, then took a slightly larger gulp of her drink. She really did enjoy it, especially how warm it made her feel. It was a sensation she'd never experienced before, and it reminded her of Akane. She looked up at the girl next to her as she took a sandwich from the plate. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the three at the other table touch the rims of their glasses together, smiling. Almost in a panic, she turned to Akane and raised her glass, trying to mimic the gesture.