A smile crept across Geralt's face as he saw Aurel stop dead in his movements for a few seconds. Good, he had at least shaken the lad if nothing else. He only wished he could have seen his face, but the slight tremor in his voice would have to be enough for now.

He made sure to wipe the smile from his features as Aurel exited the tent. The Magician let his eyes linger on the snake that was wrapped around its charmer's arm. The creature was actually quite striking, and Geralt would have thought it lovely if it had not acted so foully toward him upon his and Aurel's first interaction. He wasted no effort in lightening his expression, he was no longer in the mood to play Mr. Nice Guy.

He did flash a half smile, more out of pity than anything else as he answered, [color=crimson]"I'm sure I'll manage."[/color] After this, he paused as he looked down at the snake once more. [color=crimson]"Do you know why Lucifer chose the form of a snake to tempt Eve into biting the apple, Aurel?"[/color] He let the question hang for a moment before he answered it himself, [color=crimson]"Because they are low creatures, closest to Hell. They slither along the ground on their bellies through soil and grime, they devour living creatures whole or else kill them with poison or by crushing the air from their lungs, they are devious and evil creatures, manipulators and liars."[/color] He did not take his eyes from the serpent while he spoke, showing it that he was not afraid of its bite, no matter how powerful the venom. [color=crimson]"But, there is a reason a priest's mouth will never utter, nor his hand write. Serpents are symbols of power, of fertility, of strength beyond measure, the supernatural, everlasting life. They are cunning, intelligent, and represent danger and unbalance. Lucifer chose the serpent because it is a creature feared by Heaven, feared because God will never fully understand it. This also makes Him sad...to think--to [i]know[/i] that He created something but will never truly grasp the meaning of its existence...how empty He must feel..."[/color]

As he spoke, his eyes went dull and lifeless, but after a beat they clarified once more. [color=crimson]"Ah, I'm doing it again, my apologies for rambling..."[/color] he shook his head, chuckling absently, [color=crimson]"All of this dust must be getting to me. I'll let you go now, and sorry again for earlier, I'll be sure to announce myself next time."[/color]