The mother raised her eyebrows at Ivory's confession, certainly surprised, but this look faded quickly and was replaced by a smile as Geralt straightened again. [b]"I'm sorry, Geralt, I should have asked first before just assuming..."[/b]

[color=crimson]"Oh, it's no problem at all. Cece is a delight, and it has been my pleasure to help put a smile back on her face."[/color] He said, bowing slightly to her. He glanced over at Ivory at her suggestion and cocked an eyebrow as well. Maybe she had picked up some of his tricks along the way after all, taking such liberties with the front row. But he was glad for it, if anyone deserved them, it was this woman for raising her daughter so well on her own. She had done by herself what two of his parents could not: believe in her child.

[color=crimson]"And this is an excellent suggestion, Miss Fairy. We would love to have both of you the night after next. You're sure to enjoy it."[/color] He said and flashed Cece a sly wink.

[b]"Wow, thank you Gerald! And Miss Fairy too! Can we mommy, [i]pleeeaaassseee[/i]?"[/b] And young Cecelia showed her mother the biggest eyes she'd worn all night.

Her mother chuckled and squeezed her shoulder, [b]"Well...how could I turn down that face, not to mention such a lovely gift from our new friends?"[/b] She looked back up to the pair of them, [b]"We'd love to come, thank you both very much."[/b]

[color=crimson]"Not at all."[/color] Geralt said, laying a hand on his chest in a gesture of contentment. This was the most confident he had felt since his first week among the troupe, and he felt lightened by this new mood.

[b]"Well, it's time that we go...sorry, honey, but they're not the only ones who need to get to sleep. They have big work to do tomorrow!"[/b] She smiled down at her daughter.

At first, Cecelia looked like she was about to argue as a deep frown touched her lips. She looked back over at Geralt and Ivory and her expression lightened slightly. There was a slight pause where no one spoke or moved, then Cece flung her arms out and wrapped them around Ivory's hips in a hug. She buried her face in the woman's skirt for a moment, then looked up at her with misty eyes, [b]"Thank you, Miss Fairy! I can't wait to see you again!"[/b] After the embrace concluded, she turned to Geralt and though she thought about hugging him as well, she had practiced handshakes with her mommy and thought that would be more appropriate. She thrust her open hand toward him, and he took it with no hesitation but added a little chuckle for good measure. 

After this farewell, the mother mouthed 'thank you' to the two of them before taking her daughter's hand and pulling her away. Cecelia kept her eyes on Ivory and Geralt until she absolutely had to turn around, then the two of them turned a corner and were gone from sight.

Geralt watched them in silence until they were gone, then glanced at Ivory out of the corner of his eye with a smirk. His expression had not yet returned to that of his normal smug attitude, his lingering gladness remained on his features as he looked at her. [color=crimson]"Well, that was an adventure, hm?"[/color] He said, his tone still light and airy.