The rest of the troupe and the carnies watching had completely melted away for the pair as Geralt glided about the small space. As the song neared its end, The Magician leaned forward to dip Cora as low as he could go. The girl had folded into him, holding him firmly by the shoulders but otherwise as light and limp as a damp cloth. As she went down, Cora made a small half-yelp half-laugh, and Geralt could not help but smile down at her elation. It seemed that the mermaid's happiness was far more infectious than he had anticipated. For the first time in a while, he felt truly free.

Cora mirrored this feeling, it was akin to swimming in the lake earlier today. Though she knew that this party had been for Geralt, she felt more like the day had been for her. 

Once the song had ended, Geralt gently lifted Cora once more and held her bridal style, intending to make his way back to her chair to set her down. He paused, however, when he saw Akane approaching them with a determined expression on her delicate features. He raised an eyebrow at the girl, but stayed quiet to allow her to speak first.

Cora, still smiling, allowed Geralt to hold her, but turned her attention back to the rest of the troupe once she remembered that they were still watching them. She turned away and saw Akane approaching, and for some reason felt her heart leap into her throat. Though Akane's expression was firm, there was a hint of the whimsical smile that the Kistune usually carried, and Cora felt slightly uneasy with the girl's eyes on the two of them. Something about it felt...[i]off[/i] to her, being this close to Geralt with Akane watching. It was almost like the roles should be reversed.