It was clear to The Magician now that this line of questioning was only causing Lucien to put up a wall, so Geralt decided to abandon the topic for now. Though he was curious, insatiably so, he did not want Lucien to become closed off to him. It was clear that whoever this friend was, though it was most likely the man in the drawing, meant a great deal to him. This has to be the same man from his conversation with Aurel as well...but Lucien had used present tense. This meant that the Irishman was alive, but that he was no longer involved with the circus or its members. Given time, Geralt was sure to get the answers he sought. For now, it was best to remain light, he had to make the most of his alone time with Lucien.

So, despite the hundred burning questions swirling through his brain, Geralt simply nodded. [color=crimson]"Mmm, I see."[/color] After a beat, he noticed the sketch in the book that the Frenchman had been working on. Even in total darkness, Geralt's parasitic companion allowed him to see clearly, so the blackness was no obstacle to him. The sketch itself was actually quite good, a wolf howling at the moon...appropriate for the evening's scenery. [color=crimson]"Don't tell me this friend also taught you to draw?"[/color] He reached over and plucked the book from Lucien's lap, letting his finger brush against his thigh lightly as he did so. [color=crimson]"Your line-work is impeccable...what other secrets do those hands hold, hm?"[/color] he asked, looking at Lucien out of the side of his eye and raising an eyebrow playfully. Maybe a little flirtation would help to take the man's mind off of the past and keep him concerned with the present as well.