Illyana was slightly taken aback at the tone and directness of Lucien's response to her. Was there a hint of frustration in his tone? Lucien had always been someone who was open to criticism and suggestions for change. He was fair, and had always put the happiness and well-being of his performers before his own needs. Illy knew this, and yet...something about this situation was nagging at her. 

She knew that Lucien would stop at nothing to defend the people in his care, especially Illyana and Aurel, who he had practically raised from childhood. She had seen him through disagreements, even small arguments, but never had she seen him react this way when it came to a performer or a Carnie. It was clear to her now that, whatever his true feelings for Geralt were, there were things between them that Illyana did not know, and that made her uncomfortable. If Geralt had been a person that she trusted, someone dependable like...well, someone she could count on no matter what, it would be different. She wanted Lucien to be happy almost above anything, as she had seen him in his darkest hours, but this...this was something else. If there was one thing she was certain of, it was that Geralt was dangerous. He could not be trusted as he was, and he was secretive, and there were dark reasons and intentions behind everything he did. Could Lucien not see this, or was he simply unwilling to admit it?

Akane's words fell on deaf ears as these thoughts rocketed through her brain. Normally, she would have dropped the subject and let it go, but this...she just could not do it. Geralt was not and would never be the person that she, Lucien, and even Aurel wanted him to be. No one could replace him, she wouldn't let them.

Cora was also shaken by Lucien's words. Though she, among almost the entire troupe, knew the least about him, she had never heard him take this tone with Illyana before, and never before had she seen Illyana react this way either. The girl stood with her eyes on the ground, biting the skin of her lip with such force that the mermaid could smell blood on the air. Her knuckles were white from gripping her arm, and her arm itself was beginning to redden from the pressure of her grip. Akane's words helped to ease Cora's mind, but she could tell that Illyana was still distressed.

[color=00a99d]"I think they do..."[/color] Cora spoke up, keeping her voice quiet and looking to Illyana. [color=00a99d]"Isn't that what we got? What Lucien gave us? It's only fair that Geralt gets the same."[/color]

Illyana's gaze flashed to the mermaid and her tone was hard when she spoke, [color=598527]"Geralt the Great got his second chance, remember? He had his time to make up for his mistakes, and he seems to have squandered it. He faces no consequences for his actions, not ever as far as I can tell. How is [i]that[/i] fair?"[/color]

An eerie silence hung over all in the tent, including Illyana. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could tell that her ire was rising, and unfortunately, mis-directed. She saw the look of shock and hurt that washed over the mermaid's face, Cora was not good at hiding her emotions. The clairvoyant immediately felt guilty for her outburst, and a red blush spread over her cheeks as her face relaxed and she looked at Cora now with pleading eyes.

[color=598527]"I'm sorry, Cora,"[/color] she said, very quietly, then dropped her gaze once more. [color=598527]"That was out of line."[/color]

Cora, who had been instantly hurt by Illyana's words and whose pain was written clearly on her face, slowly began to relax as the girl apologized. The mermaid knew that she didn't mean to be harsh, she could tell by her expression that Illyana was sorry for what she had said just as soon as it had left her. The corners of her mouth turned up in a slight smile and she nodded, [color=00a99d]"It's okay,"[/color] she said, and meant it. Though even the mermaid had some lingering doubts in her heart. She had never seen Illyana this way...was Geralt's presence that much of a strain on her? If so, should they re-think their assessment of him? She didn't want to hurt anyone, but Illyana was her friend...and seeing her like this hurt her heart. She wanted to do what was best for everyone, but it seemed that, in this case, there wasn't one thing that was best.