(I've decided to make this one not-private...)

The three cousins, led by Odile, leave Flora's quarters, and head toward what Odile says is Lance's suite...

"Ah! And there he is!" says Odile, gesturing ahead.

Odile's happiness at the statement is perhaps unsurprising. Lance turns out to be about 6’2”, 200 lbs, maybe 30 years old, with dirty blond hair and blue eyes that a girl could get lost in. Lance turns and smiles-- his teeth are perfect, just like the rest of him.

---

"Ah! And there he is!"

Lance turns, in case this refers to him.

It turns out that it does.

The speaker is a young woman in a maid's costume...

But the three people with her! More cousins, surely.

The dark-haired bearded guy is about 24ish, with dark brown eyes. He's about an inch shorter than Lance, but more obviously muscled-- kind of the outdoors type.

But the ladies...!

One has green eyes and green hair that looks natural, not dyed (so apparently that's a thing...?) and the other, wearing Earth-clothing, is a tough-looking short-haired brunette. Both of them are slightly-better-than-movie-star beautiful... okay, Lance sees that in the mirror every day, but to see the female side... One is soft and sweet-looking, the other sharp and fierce-looking, but either of them could give even Flora a run for her money in a beauty contest... Lance smiles, without thinking about it...

*smiles* "Prince Lance, good evening, Cousin." gives him a brief bow. "I am Jon Hawk, this is Jade" indicates the green eyed, green hair young women "and Ariadne." indicates the short haired brunette.

Her hair was in long soft curls and she wore a gold tiara with a dark blue gem at it's center.
Her eyes shimmered  a bit from the light coming in from the windows of the hall. (or lantern light)

Jade smiled and could see that Florimel's genes passed on to her son Lance.

She gave a short curtsy, "Hello, Prince Lance, it is a pleasure to meet you cousin."

She then moves to allow Ariadne to make introductions.

And then, just as more mutual introductions are about to be made... a 5th cousin shows up, wearing silver, green, and black. Her eyes are eventide blue, in a face framed by a lot of pale hair, braided elaborately and artistically.

---

Ballad decides to head on down to the stables, to take a look at the horses, maybe pick out a horse to use tomorrow, or the next time she decides to head on back down to the city or anywhere else...

But as she turns a corner, she sees Lance and three more people who are probably cousins-- a young, muscle-y, darkly bearded fellow, and two gals-- a beautiful lass with green hair that seems to be naturally that way, and a sharp, tough brunette with short dark hair...

(And a maid. Also a maid.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

Whispers to Odile, "Is that Ballad ?"

"Based on her colors, I'd say yes," Odile whispers back.

"Thank you Odile."

Gives a brief curtsey to Ballad, "Hello Princess Ballad, an honor to meet you. We are doing introductions all around."

She gestures to herself, "I'm your cousin Princess Jade."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

As she rounds the corner, Ballad is nonchalant grace, all lyrical swagger as she spins a drinking-slash-hunting horn around on a short chain in a c’mon physics be a pal don’t let the liquid inside splash out sort’ve way.

Here’s the last descendant of Oberon to the hall party: pale silvery-gold hair (“my grandmama was the Moon, but that doesn’t come with special privileges”), braided elaborately out of her face and pinned here and there with black jewels, silver at her throat, and — new since Lance last saw her, what, not quite thirty minutes before? — wearing a rakish black coat, a bag slung across her shoulder. Ethereal cavalier, baby, elphin punk.

Anyway, she's not wandering lost as poor Lance was but has a purpose from which few could dissuade her except oh hey. The surprise appearance of Lance and (holy radiant Hells, two absolutely gorgeous, feast-for-the-eyes, women + another handsome gent) gives her brief pause, though never quite enough she stops moving so maybe say, rather, a caesura. Then she engages.

“Hail and hello!” Ballad calls, as she closes the distance. Here's the spark-flash of a lopsided smile, a sharp dimple in one cheek that speaks more of mischief than her general appearance. She sketches a graceful courtesy, something very like a bow, to Jade when she introduces herself, expanding it to include Ariadne and Jon. And the maid. Also the maid.

Earnestly: "What a pleasure. I'm so glad to run into you all!" Here, a slightly laughing look for Lance, a fancy meeting you again so soon sort've thing, before her attention belongs to the newcomers. “But if we're doing introductions all around, here's my very proper one: Ballad verch Julian et Yvaine, Princess of Arden and Amber, Brecheliant and so on, Lady Errant, etcetera, but of course to you please just Ballad. Are we all survivors of the talon-fingered gray men and new to Amber Castle?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:21, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

Jade nodded, "Oh yes, not unharmed but survived. Though if I died and went to heaven, I guess being a Princess of Amber would be a nice afterlife." Jades eyes shimmered as she smiled.

"Indeed, that is why we came to meet Lance but luck is with us. We get to meet with you as well. We have questions about these Gray men."

*nods* and then gives Ballad a bow and more formal introduction "I am Jonathan Bishop Hawk of the House Hawk of Amber, the Severed Court of the Fae, Ranger of the Faewylds" *smiles* "Also your cousin." Jon is dressed in black boots, pants and shirt with Gold accents on the collar and cuffs, a pair of bracers with gold vambraces and a well made belt with a red jewel in the buckle and a finely crafted rapier on his hip.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

  Lance seems surprised, yet please with suddenly running into more family.  Once Jon makes the introductions, Lance smiles and bows to each in return.

  "Well met, cousins!  Jade, Ariadne, Jon....I'm Lance.  So good to meet you all!"  he exclaims.  "I had been looking for my room and got a bit turned around.  So glad I did!"

  Lance is still in his colors from dinner with the Queen and Ballad, red and gold.

  Ballad appears, and if possible, Lance smiles even more brightly.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals...5f3d332f7861b6ff.jpg

  The blade on his hip is heavy, a basket hilted sabre.

  Lance looks concerned at Jade's mention of the grey men. "Grey men?  Have you too had issues with them?  I don't know much about them really, but it seems they pose a grievous threat.  What say we find someplace where we can all sit and talk, maybe have a drink together, hmm?"

"My family, this is Odile." Jade looked to Odile with affection.

"Odile do you think you could have some drinks brought to a sitting room, once we determine one. Do you have any suggestions ?"

"These gray men," Ballad says to Jade in a confiding way. Her gaze is eloquent of lively interest, see, a vibrant blue. There's still a lopsided smile: "I'm glad they've flushed relations out of shadow, but I'd hate to die without at least some banter first, preferably witty but I'd take clumsy banter too as long as it was earnest." There: her eyes are dancing, just a little.

Ballad’s lashes sweep low, briefly contemplative. Decision made (the stable can wait), she gives herself wholly over to a new course of action. Time with cousins. “There’s a well-stocked bar in the Great Hall and probably a great deal of quiet there this time of evening. But there's also Bloody Mary’s down in the city, though that’s a keep your knife ready sort of establishment, and much louder.”

Why, yes. She has already made a point of finding where the libations live. "Forgive me for asking, but are any of you siblings? Who are we related through?"

ooc: whoops, edited to take out the "and you are?" to Odile :P
ooc: and then again to fix a typo *throws hands up*
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

*nods* to Lance and Ballad "Call me Jon or JB." gives a wink to Jade "Or Hawk, if you prefer." He looks around at the assembled group. "She is a tricky one, need to keep your eyes on her and your mind focused.  She reminds me many a Fae noble" he thinks to himself as Ballad makes her recommendations "definitely not one to underestimate." Jon is calm and relaxed, but to the observant, he is alert and passively scanning for trouble.

OOC: Let's give Ariadne a chance to post :)
This message was undeleted by the player at 00:23, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

  Lance nods to Odile when she is introduced. "Nice to meet you, Odile."

  At Ballads suggestion, Lance says, "I am thinking that closer to home might be best for tonight.  I'm all for a run out to local places, just not tonight.  Remember, kind of a big day tomorrow and all."

"If you want quick access to a bar, then the Great Hall might be best..." said Odile anxiously...

I hope the ones who want to walk the Pattern tomorrow don't decide to drink too much, though...! Odile worried to herself...

Ariadne had been looking around the walls, almost as if seeing walls for.the first time.
She looked back, blushing a bit when she realized that others were talking about her
She smiled wryly
"I'm happy to join you all  here, despite the twisted and dire circumstances.   I'm from a place called Earth, and was never raised with all this pomp and circumstance.   I'm just Ariadne Arrington, but friends can call me Ari.  I would also say family could, but it's always been just me and Dad until yesterday.   My mother, Princess Deidre, died when i was an infant.  And..."
The woman gave a crooked and wry smile of exasperated amusement
I'd  say that i could definitely use a drink"

OOC:  sorry for the delay, everyone.   I've been under the weather

To Ballad, "Oh I agree conversation is so much more enjoyable when your alive. Though I can't verify that I'm willing to go out on a weak coral cluster that the statements right."

She then nodded as Jon spoke and listened as Lance did, "Oh, are you taking the walk tomorrow ?" Her eyes looked over Lance seeking out any wounds that might be apparent.

"A drink yes, but company even better. We can talk familial things when we are there. Odile, if you wish to get some sleep as it is getting late you may."

Ariadne nodded to Jade, though she seemed distracted.  She had a hard set to her jaw and firm expression in her eyes that was almost like that of a little girl, one on the cusp of going from childhood  to adulthood, who was in a place of wonder, like Disneyland or the like, who wanted to gawk and stare in childlike wonder, bit was determined to be "a fellow grown up" around her fellow adults.

*nods* "Then that settles it, let's go the great hall, have a drink or two, talk bit and then retire." looks over at Lance "I plan on walking the pattern tomorrow as well. We should compare notes"  he indicates to follow Jade and Odile to the great hall.

  Lance isn't bearing any apparent wounds, although someone perceptive might catch that there is perhaps a more bulk in the heavily padded area on the right side of his midsection.

  As the group begins their meander towards the Great Hall, Lance tries juggling a few conversations at once.

  To Ariadne he says, "Earth?  Really?  Me too!  New York city originally.  Just arrived here today.  How about you?"

  To Jon, "I don't know much about the Pattern, but I hear rumor that it might be sentient, and to fail is to die a horrible, painful death, and that it's best not to get blood on it.  Ballad has done it, so she would be the resident expert."  He throws a beaming smile at Ballad, all heats and stars in his eyes when he does.

  To Jade, "Have you walked the Pattern yet, cousin?"

In reply to Lance (msg # 21):
Ariadne blinked in surprise at another "Earthican" in the castle.   She felt a weird rush of familiarity and comfort, as if she were a severely homesick tourist in a baffling foreign country, seeing a McDonalds where she could finally talk to someone about chicken nuggets.
To be honest, it made her feel like some country bumpkin in the big city, which, as someone well versed in big cities on both coasts in America, didn't make her feel good, but she couldn't help herself.
She smiled with genuine friendliness.
"New York??  I've had some good times there, definitely.   I'm from the Boston area, originally, but I've also lived in Los Angeles for the lasts couple of years, working in Hollywood.  I was just passing through New York the other day when I went back to my father's house and found those grey goons trying to break in.
I just got here....well, less than an hour ago, I think.  To be honest I've lost track of time, a little bit. "
She chuckled ruefully.
"Heck, I couldn't even tell you if it's night or day at the moment."

She was having that "big fish from the small pond suddenly in the much bigger ocean" feeling again.  It was much more disconcerting than she'd have liked.  She never really thought of herself as someone with a huge ego, at least compared to many of the divas she met on a daily basis back in LA, but now she was starting to realize that she HAD been thinking of herself, on a regular basis, as the toughest, smartest, and, for the most part, best looking person in the room, wherever she went, even in Hollywood.
That particular euphoric feeling had certainly come crashing down like a house of cards, hadn't it?

Looking around at her cousins, each more good looking than the next, she was reminded of the last sci fi movie she'd been on.
The characters of the "Star Quest" show were all "rough around the edges" pirates, scruffy and unkempt.   However, the cast, of course, were all Hollywood actors, all gorgeous and in spectacular physical shape.  Despite technically being "one of them", Ariadne, as Security Chief Alla, had mentioned to the production manager that "it was kind of funny that everyone in the 'future' were all supernaturally attractive.
Now, it seemed, she was living in one of those "magical" worlds now, surrounded by these cartoonishly attractive people.   It was a weird feeling of overstimulation from all around him.
She wondered if this was what cocaine felt like.  If so, she could see the appeal.

“Fair enough,” she says to Lance when he mentions tomorrow’s Big Day status, and Jade’s response re: conversation summons a good-natured gleam to Ballad's very expressive eyes, although both Jade and Jon’s silence when it comes to her question about how they’re all related has her alert and rather curious.

But then Ariadne's answer is also (a surprise) curiousity-inducing. Deirdre's name is a quiet rest in a bar of music, see, and at mention of Earth she gives Lance a Look and doesn't quite nudge him but the air shimmers with the possibility of a nudge nudge heyy, and then at I could definitely use a drink - the hopeful lilt of a grin. A celebrant, she says: "I can vouch for 'slivoka,' but most of the other bottles I saw are a mystery to me." (Ballad's in the business of mystery busting, though. Those darned bottles.) "There must be something special about Earth, it seems so well-loved by our relations. Historically significant, even. But the grey men were trying to break into your father's house? Huh. Is he all right?"

If Odile does go to bed, if direction is needed toward the Great Hall, Ballad knows the way and takes point - but only if necessary. When Lance mentions the Pattern as sentient, Ballad gives him a sidelong look, and when he calls her the resident expert, her gaze flicks forward, and she plays with an earring.

In reply to Ballad (msg # 23):

Ariadne chuckled at the beautiful blonde's words
"At this point, I'm more than willing to take my chances with anything in a glass bottle. Whiskey, vodka, homemade moonshine, or even fancy perfume.  I'll roll those dice. "
She then nodded, smiling more sedately but gratefully
"My father is fine, thank you.    As luck, for lack of a better word, would have it, i got there just as the grey vermin were approaching the main house, and they retreated when we crashed through the entry doors."

"I know, I'm going to try some of the absynth.  Perhaps even the magic liquid  among the rest. " She smiled at the thought of that.

She had a mischievous look in her eyes when Lance mentioned Ballad their pattern expert.

To Ariadne she wondered at all the curious places she had mentioned. Earth seemed to contain at least two cities and a wood with holly.

It pained her when she heard Ariadne respond about her father since Jade had lost her father without even the prospect of knowing him. She gave an empathetic look to Ariadne as they had both lost a parent.

"Oh its nighttime and if were in luck we can glimpse the city in the sky !" She seemed excited at the prospect.

*nods* Taking everything in.  Jon is still casually staying alert, keeping an eye out.  "I'll take whatever's handy." *smiles* "So Lance, Ballad, we were looking for you, because we wanted to discuss the grey men's attack on you two.  We are trying to find a pattern, and based on the way Jade, Ari, and I were attacked, I want to see if the pattern holds true.  What can you tell us?" Jon's tone is light, but serious.  You get the sense that he wants to get the "difficult" things out of the way first, so that the vibe can only improve.

"They retreated?" Ballad looks surprised, thoughtful. "Who crashed - you and your Dad? Did anybody else's grey menace retreat?"

And also, once everybody's got their drink orders in, absolutely irrepressible she says, "Fancy perfume, Absynth, whatever's handy, got it," Ballad says, considering what she recalls of the fully-stocked bar. She absolutely will slip into bartending if nobody stops her.

"Is the moon right for Tir-na-Nog'th?" Ballad asks Jade, wistful, and as down the hall they go and around a corner etcetera trouping off to the Great Hall, she pauses at a window to look out and will even lag behind a moment or two there stark against that frame as she tries to gauge the sky.

But Mr. J. B. Jon Hawk, ready in  the way rangers  (in Ballad's experience) tend to be, is a rather comforting quiet presence. What can you tell  us? he says, and Ballad replies, "If Ariadne's grey men retreated when dismayed by force, then the pattern is already broken. But look you three, my whole heart and ears are yours, won't you catch us up with your stories before we pile on?"

*shakes* "Not necessarily, the pattern might not be what you expect.  Before I say more on my suspicions, I want to know the details around yours and Lance's attack.  That will the be the final pieces of information that we have so far." it is clear he is trying not to color Ballad's and Lance's recounting. "Thank you." he says to Ballad as she plays bartender.

Odile is ready to continue maiding for the group, for now. She leads the way to the Great Hall, and offers to pour//commit mixology-- IF Ballad doesn't want to do it herself.

She also adds, to Ballad: "The moon's not full tonight, but it will be tomorrow night. Don't know what the clouds might or might not be doing, though..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

Jade looked out of a window as well, she always loved to see the city in the sky and to show it to people. Her eyes drifted up to the night sky looking for the telltale glow in the clouds. She always felt like a little girl again when she saw the sky city of Tir and that hopeful look was still on her face.

Over her shoulder, "Thank you, Ballad. My own attackers like Ariadne's fled when attention was brought about to them."

She walked over to the bar to collect her absinth.

"I would like to learn of your encounters too, and describe my own. I think Jon is trying to compare and learn. We pieced together a commonality in our own attacks and wish to see if yours share that." She let her eyes sweep over everyone.

"To family." She lifted her glass to the others.

The stained-glass windows of the Great Hall are a little too stained to see out of them much, although the almost-full moon lights them well. (As Odile mentions, the moon is not yet right for Tir-na-Nog'th.)

Ariadne took a drink from the beautiful blonde bartending for them and lifted it in a toast with Jade, the green haired beauty.
"To family..."
She took a sip, impressed with both the taste and apparent strength of the nutty, fruity liqueur.   She decided to drink in extreme moderation, though.    Not just because she was still wounded or because she wanted a clear head in case those grey dinks showed up again, but because she was a terrible flirt when she was drunk, and making passes at relatives sounded like a terrible thing to do, especially on the first meeting.
She didn't want them to think that Earth was the Alabama of the multiverse or anything
(Though her cousin from New York probably already knew that it was)


"Like i said before, i had arrived at my father's house from where i was living, which had been thousands of miles away.   It was an impulse to visit there, so no one, even myself, knew i was coming until literally the least minute.   I caught them sneaking around in the dead of night and confronted them, thinking they were ordinary thugs.  We fought in the yard for a while before i threw one through a door, activating the alarm system.   When that went off, they fled."

*nods* "So how many attacked you?  Two each, correct?  Just a pair?  What about you Lance and Ballad? where your attackers also a single pair?" Pulls on his chin, as if he had a goatee as he thinks, taking a sip of the drink. "Where either of yours also in public?"

Ari nodded to Jon, her face crinkled in thought
"So...They attack in pairs?  Is that a organization thing, or...is that a pack mentality thing?"
It seemed weird to think about the grey jackasses as some kind of animal, but since they didn't seem to be, well, human, Ariadne supposed anything was possible.

Jade continues with her drink while listening to Ariadne's tale.

"I believe it is to allow them to have a chance against us. Also part of possibly their mentality as you suggested. They might not have mouths but they have eyes and can watch each others backs and draw our attention for the other to strike."

Jade finished up her drink and asked if Ballad might not refresh her glass.

If they’ve all found seats at the bar, Ballad stays behind it, ready to make second drinks if anybody wishes. The drink she concocted for herself (or asked Odile to make so she wouldn’t be left out) is purple and when Jade toasts family Ballad lifts her drinking horn in echo. A pact! “Family,"" she toasts. "And friendship, I hope,” she adds, or promises, with the flash of a grin. She is so obviously pleased when people like what she has poured them.

But then to more serious matters. She listens to Ariadne, Jon's police-like questions, Jade's response. Jade's request of a refreshed glass gets a brief, luminous smile, and of course a second drink. And then, Ballad's tale:

"I was as far from public as ever I get. Quite deep in Ahogadaluna's salt marsh. Ahogadaluna is a — um, hm. Lovely, a lot of fun, but the marsh is … A fraught place, and although there are pilgrimage routes cutting through it, they’re just not very popular any longer. There is an outpost where one can purchase illumination enough to make it safely to the shrine, but until you reach the shrine it’s very unlikely you’ll meet anyone. I was there on a whim. I'd heard about the shrine's... well, it's not important." Ballad flicks her gaze to Ariadne. "So nobody should have known where I was either."

She looks thoughtful for half-a-second, lashes drifting low to kiss her cheekbones. "So there I was in the gathering murk, utterly alone when..." She snags a Grayish Bottle which she has determined looks sort of sinister and she brandishes it aloft. "As if he fell out of the mist, a man all gray. He attacked immediately. I tried of course to talk him out of murder." She has the bottle menace her drinking horn before setting the game aside in favor of taking a sip of her drink.

"But he was not interested in negotiation, staying silent no matter what. It was soon apparent that he was no natural thing, and would not flee. He was also solitary." This is more directly aimed at Jon and Ariadne, as they both mentioned pairs. "No partner that I saw. He died. I meant to stun him only, so I could tie him up and figure out what next. When I examined the body, his skin felt normal, his hair was oily black, his eyes red." And now, addressed more to Jade, and is coupled with a quizzical - intent - expression. "He did have a mouth, a tongue like yours or mine. But his teeth were like a shark's, one row only. Oh, and of course on each hand was a talon, like that belonging to a great bird of prey and very sharp."

Jade seemed surprised by the last revelation.

"Only one, perhaps the other witnessed it's partners death and took to flight. Unless, you said you meant to stun it. I wonder if the partner can kill it's companion to keep from talking especially since that one did apparently have a tongue and mouth, and teeth."

Jade tilts her head, eyes seemingly distant. She then says, "Alright, my turn I guess. I was down in Amber city, I had just bought a lovely new dress and was feeling good about my purchases and vacation up from Rebma. I was not really dead set on going anywhere in particular. I was passing by an alley when I heard someone who sounded like they were in trouble. I went to go check and see if there was anything I could do. I was cautious as I was still alone and some parts of the city could be dangerous. That is where I came across the first of the pair they had a wide brimmed hat and a long coat. I was on higher alert, though the second one came up to block the alley. He was dressed the same as the first. Though this one had short blades, one in each hand. I fought the one that barred my way back to the main streets. The other rose while I battled the one behind me. I received my first wound then in my side. I did manage to produce a few blows with my parasol and with one of my heeled shoes I broke the things foot. That is the point at which I noticed no sound at all from it even though it's face and body showed extreme pain. With that I was free and made my way back to the street but not before taking a strike from behind in my back. My beautiful dress was ruined and I hadn't even gotten to wear it for a day."

Jade pouted but then soldiered on in telling the tale, "I called for the town guard and some citizens thankfully saw the bloody shape I was in and joined in calling for the guard and helping me. By the time I was able to recheck the alley it was empty even the one with the broken foot was not there. It's ally I can only assume helped it get away. The Captain of the guard must have been informed of this possibility because he began to dance around things like, was I a member of the royal family, that I should report this to the King and since I had always wanted to see the castle I wasn't going to turn that down. Still one rude invitation, let's hope this is not some hazing to weed out the weak our family has performed. At any rate I did speak with the king, I was found to be royalty like you all and told the matter was being looked into."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Ariadne nodded, eyes narrowed as she listened.
"My goons were silent as well.  I sprayed them with pepper spray and they were obviously affected, but even as they choked and wheezed they didn't make a sound.  It was seriously creepy."
She looked at Jade sharply, remembering something.
"You said that they 'had blades in their hands'?   Mine had blades, that actually came out from their hands, like some weird kind of claws.   I mean, it was dark, but still, it was unmistakable."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

"I wonder if they must have some other means of communication like Amber Sign Language, or perhaps by scent or some other means. Or hmmm."

"I hadn't thought of this till you mentioned shark like teeth, Ballad. Some creatures of the deep speak using ranged of sound we can't hear. We can feel it in the water in Rebma but we can't actually hear the sound they make. In fact when I sing I often try to mimic some of these creatures like whales and dolphins in my songs. I just sing at a range people can hear me."

"No mines actually had blades. I disarmed him of one, when I broke free with my heel. He struck with the other when I withdrew, I." She looked embarrassed, "I wasn't fast enough to block him on my retreat."

Ballad leans on her elbows, cupping her chin in her hand. When Jade muses about the partner’s capabilities, she says, “I think it more likely that - if there were meant to be a brace of them - the second gray man ran afoul of the marsh.”

Few would ever accuse Ballad of being a poor listener. She is so clearly engaged, her gaze troubled by the end of Jade's tale. She runs her thumb slowly across the lip of her drinking horn and looks into its mouth, perhaps to hide how troubled she is. They've made it into Amber City?

“So talons, claws, blades. No mouth, mouth — did yours have mouths, Ari? I wonder if they're born into these shapes they wear or if they're transformed by something outside themselves. That might account for the variations.”

In reply to Ballad (msg # 41):

Ari made a face as she tried to remember that horrible fight.
"They had mouths and everything else.  Just grey and silent.  Unfortunately, I don't know enough about these guys to know what to look for."

Jade nods, "Yes, that is where I was attacked, down in the city. I can only wonder how they get about shadow since at least three of the attacks occurred there."

Then Jade looked at the gentlemen, "Now, shall we hear tale of your exploits against the grey menace ?" She whispers something to Ballad.

 She smirks and hides it behind a drink from her glass.

"Oh, clothing you both didn't mention how they were dressed ?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Nodding, Ari shrugged.
"Come to think of it, it was long grey cloaks and wide brimmed hats."

Ballad leans closer so Jade can better whisper. Then: oh, this laughing look, sidelong and gleaming, and an easy smile — it brings out her dimple again — which she drowns in another sip from her horn. Ballad makes herself another drink, although this one is significantly less alcoholic. The night won’t be over for a while yet.

"A wide-brimmed gray hat, rather floppy, and traveling clothes. All gray as stone. I meant to take the hat but the marsh got it."

  Lance, having taken a glass of mead, has been swirling it about, looking into it's amber color, listening to his cousins.  He has sipped at it slowly, despite it being the best he's ever had.

  "Mine was a lone attacker, unless Flora found the other one and dispatched it with her crossbow without mentioning it.  I'm not sure how either it or she found me.  I was at a campground sitting by my fire.  The creature was dressed in a grey trench coat and floppy grey hat, and it had sharp teeth and sharp hooked blades, like bone spurs on the backs of it's hands.  It's skin was kind of hard.  It never made any noise, no preliminaries, just walked up and attacked and fought to the death."

Jade nodded listening again noting the slight differences in the creatures.
"Perhaps they change or alter due to shadow travel ? I don't know as I have not done so myself. Ballad is our shadow expert it would seem." Jade looked to Ballad for a moment.

"Lance, you were with Princess Florimel at the time or did she arrive later ? It fought to the death that is interesting to me since the ones that attacked me showed an interest in self preservation when they ran. As well as Ariadne's attackers. Perhaps when they lose their partner their self preservation instincts vanish."

To Lance, "Mine didn't seem to have the armor like skin you describe, at least I didn't feel that while fighting."

Her eyes drifted to Jon, "Jon, could you enlighten us on your own attack experience ?"

Jade in thought was collating the information, trying to squeeze it for as much as she could get about these strange creatures.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

"To family" Jon does join the toast, but then sits quietly and listens to everyone's tale.  As Ballad describes her encounter, his eyes narrow just a bit, something easily missed if you weren't looking at him. "There is more to her story...but I'm not sure it is relevant to the grey men.  Definitely shouldn't underestimate her." he thinks as she finishes.  He sips his drink as he listens to Jade's full story, he then noticeably frowns when he finds out just how much danger she was in, but he says nothing.  He just continues to listen and observe.  As Lance tells his story, Jon smiles at the matter of fact story.  He takes a deep breath and looks at each one, including Odile. *smiles* "Well funny enough, my encounter was much like Lance's.  As I said earlier, I was alone in the woods.  Specifically, I was at a private grove that, like Ballad, few should've been able to find.  They were not stealthy or particularly careful.  They came on with a quiet menace. Like everyone's encounter, they did not say anything, but they did grunt.  They were armed with long daggers, much like Jade's description.  Like Ballad's they did not want to negotiate, so a battle was the only alternative.  It was not a long battle, they didn't seem to be built for a fair fight.  Using my shield, I was able to fight them off.  I took a few light wounds, I finished one of them off and hurt the other one.  That is when Uncle Julian arrived and finished him off with a crossbow bolt.  I did not get long to examine them, as our Uncle was in a hurry" *similes* "But they were dressed in the same grey floppy hats, leather armor and long coats."  he pauses for a moment and let them think before he discusses his suspicions.

"I think if they really wanted us dead, there would have been easier ways, or just sent more of them.  It seems to me that these grey men were acting more like what they used hunting dogs for back on Earth, flushing out game.  I knew a guy that liked hunting, always tried to get me to go with him.  He talked about it a lot, but I didn't have any interest." Lance says.

  "But Jade, when I say the skin was hard, it wasn't hard like armor, just harder than people's skin, not quite soft...sort of like the skin on a cooked turkey.  Flora arrived shortly after I had killed the thing and was starting to freak out."

  Realizing he is late on the toast, Lance raises his own glass. "To family we never knew we had."  He sips. "Not to get us off course, but didn't someone ask how we're all related?  I can start.  My mother is Princess Florimel, my dad was from Earth  Just found all that out in the last day.  I had been hidden in an orphanage as a baby.  She had been worried that someone might try to harm me.  Guess she was right."

Jade nods, "Yes, Ballad asked that upon our initial meeting."
Jade hadn't missed the question but was worried how people might look at her as well as putting her mother in danger. The internal battle was apparent in her eyes.

"I thought you would all just assume, green hair and all." She plays with her hair a bit. A faint half smile on her face.

"My father was a noble merchant lord from Rebma. He died during the war with Chaos. I never got to know him, even that was kept from me. I have his hair, and my mother's eyes. My mother is Princess Fiona. I have only known her a short while, only about an hour and I want the chance to get to know her." Her eyes shimmered with a bit of fierceness.

"I am sorry for all who lost parents."

*nods* "Well, my father was King Eric.  My mother is from the House Hawk of the Amber Court." he looks around to see if there are any negative reactions.  He then continues. "It seems that, with the women at the least, their goal might have been capture.  Since they were trying ambush tactics.  With Lance and I, it still may have been capture but expected more of a fight." *sighs* "This would indicate that who ever is guiding them, potentially has an outdated view on women, to underestimate them." runs his hand through his hair. "They are also able to travel through the Shadows.  Uncle Julian stated as much.  So that makes them very dangerous." he looks to Lance and Ballad, "So all of the attacks occurred within the last day, correct?  Ballad, you weren't attack earlier correct?  And only you and Jade have walked the pattern so far, correct?"

Jade nodded slowly, "I have walked it's mirror in Rebma."

There was a look of concern she wanted some secrets but everything was being laid out by Jon then again it might have relevance.

"Yet Ballad was attacked by a single attacker, if our pattern has some kind of relevance." She looked inquisitively to Jon.

  "I don't know how the time thing works as we cross realities, but I've been here in Amber since this morning.  Going backwards from there we were at Flora's house on Earth for a few hours after driving through shadows for a few hours.  I had gotten patched up at a hospital in a shadow a few hours after the fight with the grey man and meeting Flora."

  Lance stifles a yawn, reminded how he hadn't really gotten a good night sleep in what, a few days?

  "Sorry.  It's all catching up to me a bit."

*nods* "I'm not sure either, but relative to Amber time, it seems everything happened in the last day."  *sigh* "That is extremely coordinated.  Especially since most of us didn't even know that we were of royal blood." takes a sip of his drink. "This means that there must be something that links us that someone has figured out how to track.  There must be some type of resonance that we as children of the Amber Royal line give off that someone has figured out how to identify it through the various shadows like a locator spell.  And it would have to be someone who understood the essences of our blood lines." he looks at Jade, seeing her still frowning as he was speaking earlier. "I apologize to everyone, if I spilled any secrets, it was not my intension."  even at this stage Jon is rather calm, despite the frustration and any faux pas.

OOC: For those from earth and familiar with the MCU, he would give off a similar vibe to Chris Evans Steve Rogers / Captain America, that Charming calm and confident air.  For those from else where, it would be akin to a honest knight or trustworthy politician.

"Oh I just like having some secrets, it keeps me mysterious like aunt Llewella. The sea is supposed to have unknown depths, and I would hate to be shallow." She gave a teasing smile.

Tilting her head a bit, "I will agree, the amount of coordination is beyond my understanding. Especially since some shadows move at different time rates. For some of us who had no real idea where we were going, it seemed like these creatures had premonition more then a tracking ability. They set up some ambushes as you said. If I didn't know better especially with the look of concern my mother had, I really would thing this some kind of prove yourself crazy ritual of the family. Also the fact the creatures fled, and help was in some cases nearby would lead me to that conclusion. I know we were all genuinely hurt but we heal fast also. Tossing that idea aside though why target us ? Revenge ? Certainly enemies of our parents were made during the wars. The fact though is that no one in the family including the king spoke of these Grey men as a known enemy."

Taking a sip of her drink she then continued, "If it is a member of our family behind it why ? Are they sterile and jealous our parents had children ? Then again why then target Ariadne and Jon since both their parent's are already gone. The twisting of the screw isn't there if those parents won't be around to suffer grief. All of us together, I don't believe made the same enemy over the years. That leads me to think this an attempt to cut short the lineage of Amber and who would wish to do that ?"

Ballad is in good listener (fairy tale bartender) mode. The silvery blonde smiles rather ruefully when Jade echoes Lance about her being the shadow expert and says, “Perhaps relative to newcomers.”

When Jade marks interest in self preservation aloud that Ballad decides to take a sheet of paper out of her bag — when she ran into the cousins and they changed her course, coat and bag both were at ready for an errand — and scrawl a few notes. Devil’s in the details and this is a devil of a puzzle. There’s a whisper of a frown when Jon says Julian was in a hurry, but it doesn’t stay and the dimple appears again when Jade says, yes, Ballad asked that, for she hadn’t forgotten her question and meant to circle back to it eventually.

She brightens when Jade confirms she’s from Rebma and her mother is Princess Fiona. Earnest, hand to heart: “I’ve always wanted to meet my aunt Fiona. Well, Llewella too. Any aunt, really. And to visit Rebma!”

And then — is there a long, complicated Germerchten word for that feeling when you begin to realize you might be the only child in your family of your generation who may have had two parents equally involved in your life? She feels a sudden, surprising twist of deep affection for her Dad.

"I don't think ol' talonhands was trying to capture me, and neither do my internal organs," she offers Jon, placing a hand over her ribs to indicate she'd been wounded or almost wounded there. When he looks to see whether his father's name brings any negative associations, he finds none with the Very Charming cousin he is Very Determined not to underestimate. Maybe a splash of surprise, but that's all.

Lance's yawn gets a lopsided smile and maybe she slides him a glass of water instead of booze if there's water behind the bar.

"As for when I was attacked, I suppose it might count as 'today,' but it sounded to me," and here a quizzical glance, Lance-wards, as if for confirmation, "like Martin and Rinaldo were both attacked before today. Jon, Jade, Ari, does the commonality you mentioned noticing about your attacks still hold, now that we've all shared our experiences?"

She begins doodling as Jade speculates, little art nouveau stars and vines and nonsense lines, as if it helps her concentrate. "What did the king say about the grey men?" she asks with a slight frown. She scrawls something with a flourish on her piece of paper and turns it toward Jade, although she won't try to hide it from Ariadne, Jon, or Lance, if they make an effort to read it. 

"May I ask, that is," and Ballad straightens from her graceful slouch, the nonchalant listening attitude, in order to look a touch imploringly at each of her cousins. "Are we all on the same page about wanting to find out what's behind this grey menace ourselves, not just leave it to the aunts and uncles?" There's an air about this question: as if she maybe has another revelation to drop, should this be a gathering of Scooby Gang.

"I would love to take anyone who wishes to visit Rebma and show them around. I love the beauty of my home. Should I see my mother again, I will tell her your wish to meet with her."

She looked to Lance, "You just remember to heal up before your pattern walk you don't want those scars to be with you forever do you ?" her bright smile and teasing nature returned more.

Jade nods to Ballad's next statement, "Yes to a degree for at least three of us it seems they were waiting for us. Or seemed to at least be where we were going when we ourselves didn't know where we were going. I must admit I don't know when Rinaldo and Martin were attacked." Looking to Jon and Ariadne, "Two other cousins."

PM

Looking to the slip of paper Jade added to it.

*smiles* "Ultimately, yes, I think it would be in our best interest to do so.  But we will need to be smart about it.  Because whoever is behind this is powerful, more so than we are today.  And Lance and I plan to walk the pattern.  I would recommend it to Ari, if for no other reason than to have an exit strategy." sits back and looks at everyone "Once we can travel the shadows, next we need to hone our skills and our coordination with each other.  Understanding each others abilities and fighting styles will be invaluable. If we don't, we could accidently get in each others way in a fight..." *smiles* "I have a good feeling about the five of us working together, I think we can accomplish a lot."

Ariadne smiled thoughtfully as she listened to the others
"Yes, my mother, Princess Diedre, died during this chaos war everyone talks about, and i was raised by my father on Earth.  But he's originally from here, i think.  Alva Arrington, of one of the noble houses, or something like that.  Honestly, for all my life he was 'Alvin Arrington, Historian and Antiques Dealer'.  All this stuff is news to me.  And I'm also guessing it was to protect me."
She took another big sip
'My attack so far was pretty consistent with the others.  They didn't grunt at all, though, even when choking on Pepper spray.   And they didn't bleed.  I didn't have a knife on me, but a boot to the face should produce something, and it didn't.   Their skin was definitely not human, like Lance said "

She took another sip while she nodded, and gestured towards them.
"Lance brought up Hunting Dogs.  That's actually an interesting point.  What if, and hear me out if this sounds loopy, What if these grey jackasses were all from a huge pack, and were all, well, 'dispatched' at the same time by their 'Hunting Master', and all the dogs rushed out into the various worlds as close to the same time, trying to take all of us out in one coordinated strike?"

The brunette grinned almost playfully at her cousins
'While i love my father, I've never been good at staying home while 'the grown ups' handle the hard jobs.  If you guys want to take matters into our own hands and take the fight to them, I'm all in.  Yeah, i should take some time to recover first, but I'm here to help , no matter what "

Ballad is often impulsive. Just now that translates to, when Jade says she’d love to take anyone who wishes to visit Rebma and show them around, well, she flashes an absolutely radiant grin and, yes, bounces! Then—you’ve got it—in a fit of exuberant grace, she abandons behind-the-bar to — “Really? Oh, thank you!" — give Jade a brief hug! (Though of course if Jade recoils too noticeably she’ll draw back at the last minute, utterly sheepish. She's impulsive, not inattentive!) "New places are always better with a guide one wants to spend time with!"

And, later, a glance at Jade's reply, and a thoughtful drum of her fingertips. She flips the page over, then she unhooks her earrings and wraps them up in a napkin, reaching over the bar she's now leaning against from the other side to pull her bag close and put them inside.

Jon's response causes her eyes to sparkle, glad he seems to be on board. Ari's, even more so. Playfulness begets playfulness, and Ballad, at least at this moment, is never far from playfulness: "Oh, I like you," she says. "What about hands in, everybody? To working together." And she's as good as her suggestion, placing one hand out in the air - a hopeful glance around.

And as she hopes, very directly she says, "Odile, would you mind leaving the room for a moment? I want to share a secret with my relations. Bonding, you know."

Jade will allow the hug, hugging back as well.

"Most are a bit intimidated by an invitation to sight see in Rebma so I am glad to find someone enthusiastic." Jade was surprised by the hug but she loved her homeland and it showed the same way An Amberite would love Amber. She smiled just thinking about the trip to Rebma with new friends, family, both.

She looked a little embarrassed at the enthusiasm of the others to hunt down the Gray men. She was not exactly battle born. She in fact rather loved the chance to wander the castle, read the books in the library, and buy a wonderful wardrobe.

Reservations rose up and she decided to share, "First a few things before racing off to fight these sharks in men suits. Our family thought our safety paramount enough to bring us here to keep us safe. I am also certain, that they are indeed working on the problem themselves. That said, it is our problem as well. I will join everyone, as long as we do not forget beings much more powerful then us, are concerned about the danger of them."

Jade nods to Odile, "It's alright go ahead."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Ariadne smirked but put a hand forward
"I've still got the sutures to remind me to be careful, but I'm all in otherwise "

  Lance places his hand atop Ballad's. "Oh, I'm in.  I grew up an orphan, and be damned if I'm going to lose any of my newfound family.  Oh, and do count me in on sightseeing Rebma too, if it's not an imposition.  It sounds amazing."

  In his head he's picturing a domed city, with lots of little domes sprouting off through clear tunnels.  Oh, he has no idea....

Jade places her hand onto the others, nodding.

*Nod* "Like I said earlier, we will NEED to train.  That is a requirement before I would be willing to take us out into field to face this enemy. I don't want to lose any of you." runs his hand through his hair "This undertaking is not like going on a hunt or sightseeing.  We will need to practice, hone our skills, learn to work as a team and ensure that we understand each others strengths and weakness so that we know how to cover and protect each other." *smiles* "So long as everyone understands that and is willing to put in the time,  effort, and resources then I'm in." He looks at each one in turn looking to see that they understand.

In reply to Jon (msg # 66):

Ariadne chuckled ruefully
"i haven't had a serious challenge in years, so i might whine and complain a lot, but if you can ignore that I'm in. "

Her eyes shine when Ariadne puts her hand in, grateful, and if the bounce of a hug that Jade received isn't hint enough that Ballad is a physically affectionate creature, the gentle sway-bump of her shoulder against her extremely beautiful dark-haired cousin's shoulder is another hint. Lance also gets a shining look, a grateful nod, and the same goes for Jade although some solemnity comes to Ballad at the Rebman's reservations. She gets a careful, expressive nod: agreement.

“No argument earlier, no argument now,” Ballad says to Jon, a good-natured duh, but the cant of her smile is hopeful. Earnest: “We do things smart. We help one another. We learn. Here and out in the shadows. We don’t forget to treat dangerous things with respect. I don't mean we should go haring off immediately into a fray, although if a fray finds us, well, why not try to be prepared. But our parents’ generation isn’t so infallible, no more than grandfather Oberon. Frankly, they could probably use the help." (Somewhere, Julian feels a chill?) "Smart help. Focus our strength first.” There. Ballad hopes that reassures Jade and Jon. “I'm so excited for you three to walk the Pattern. There's such wonder afterward. But..." Just Jon now. They only need his hand! "Together?”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

*nods* "Good to hear. I am happy everyone agrees.  I don't want to lose any of you." he puts his hand on the pile and gives a big grin.

Jade smiled more as Jon added his hand. She was curious what Ballad had to say once Odile had left the hall. Her eyes danced around looking at all her cousins. From orphan to big family overnight, she was still trying to deal with it all.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

"Oh, certainly!" squeaks Odile, and she steps out into the hallway, closing the doors again behind her.

Jade smiles softly at Odile's squeak. Watching the maid head off. Her eyes return to Ballad.



This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

There. A pact. Ballad's hand, Ariadne's hand, Lance's hand, Jade's hand, and Jon's. Ballad's starry gaze touches each cousin, inclusive, inviting, and she places her other hand atop Jon's. Then withdraws and braces herself against the bar, pushing herself up to sit atop it and lean forward, elbows on her knees.

“Now then. Ari, your thought of a ‘Master Huntsman’ who looses his hounds at once isn’t loopy at all. Why, if these are the same gray men who tormented our relations in the good ol’ bad days, before we were around to liven things up,” a brief grin, “then they’ve been known to follow a master’s directions before. But I know we’re not the only ones who’ve felt the sharp edge," Ballad wiggles her fingers evocatively, "of their attention. Here’s another puzzle piece:"

"After Dad delivered Uncle Random’s invitation, I walked us to a near shadow. Remember, Ahogodaluna is out there,” a casual gesture, indicating far. “I wanted a bath before meeting Uncle Random, and bandages, so my first impression wouldn’t be a bloody one. In Sefonia, I was greeted at the door of an inn by its owner, Colonel Hendrik. He saw my injuries and immediately asked if my wounds were ‘caused by the gray men.’ I asked whether gray men were a common pack of skulks. The Colonel first seemed amazed I hadn’t already heard because the gray men had conquered half of Sefonia. They came from nowhere and made no demands. How did he put it? ‘Herding’ is the word he used. They were ‘herding’ people in one direction, and no word from any survivors, and rumors of profane rituals, and this very kind Colonel did say we’d be safe in his inn for the night, but he could not guarantee the next.”

“I am going back to investigate. Not before I spend some time here in Amber, meeting family and so on. I won't discount the thought, especially if the gray men attacks have been coordinated, that whoever or whatever their master is has eyes on Amber, so it might be best to make a splash, you know? But it also stands to reason if the gray jackasses are marching, they are marching from somewhere; I mean to get behind them and see what I can find. And I want help the Colonel if I can.”

"But did any of you hear rumors of a hosting like that one on your way here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Jade listened intently her curiosity peaked.

"I believe you are correct Ballad, that these are the same grey men that attacked Corwin, Random and our aunt Florimel. The same that menaced and kept imprisoned Brand. If they are not, they are pretty damn close to that. I didn't realized they had so many, so as to menace a whole shadow. Those dark rituals you mentioned, could it be normal folk are being taken and changed into these things ?  While as you said, we were not around back then books record that chaos had some kind of black spots perhaps related to the black road and those changed the folk of shadow into beasts. There is a series of books where such is mentioned here. Did Random mention these things ? Did you tell him of your discovery in Sefonia ?"

Jade looked down into her glass a concerned look gazing back from the green liquid.

"It does sound like a war."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

At hearing Ballad use "grey jackasses", Ariadne couldn't help but smile.  She nodded as the blonde spoke, then listened intently as her green haired cousin added to the theory pile.
"I'm afraid I  don't know enough to add anything to our stockpile of information, but I'm definitely on board with going to this Sefonia place to investigate, or even do what we can to help.   I owe these grey dinks some serious payback, and I'm looking forward to doing it.
And Jade, if you're right and this is some weird infestation, then we definitely
have to  do something to stop whoever's behind it"

Ballad looks grave as Jade speaks aloud the terrible what if. The gravity is somewhat leavened by Ariadne, whose reply and avowal briefly dredges up her dimple. Dinks? What a good word.

But back to theorizing. “I wouldn't discount the idea that they're changed. Dad said that he was reminded of the Black Road. If the gray men were once other, then I wonder..." Ballad pauses once, thoughtful, before deciding to go ahead and throw all the outlandish theories out. "Well I wonder whether they're changed close to the location of their target or if there is one shadow rooted in corruption from which they come. I mean, is it possible ... if there were gray men in Amber City, walking the streets where our family has their seat of power ... that the gray men were changed here? Maybe we can look into any recent disappearances down in the city while we're here. Even if that's a step too far, maybe somebody saw them before or after they attacked you, Jade, and we can use that to figure out how they came and went."

"Er, as for Uncle Random. I did tell him about the hosting. What I left out were my intentions. It's nice to be worried about, but..." Ballad shrugs eloquently. It's nice, but freedom to maneuveur. It's nice, but knowledge! It's nice, but let's not let the parents have all the fun. "I'm trusting you four! Together, and all that." She grins, lopsided, bright as a star-falling. "Uncle Random mentioned an account of his in the library which I've earmarked for bedtime reading. It's the one where he finds the shadow where Brand was kept imprisoned. But you're right, more firsthand accounts of the black road times could be useful reads."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

"I can find those books again from the library, or Laurence should be able too since he helped me earlier. Oh Ariadne the Grey men in the book had hand pistols like you. I remember wondering at that, they must be a popular weapon on Shadow Earth. Though none of us seemed to have encountered them with such weapons in our encounters. Maybe they use whatever is most expedient in the areas they are, in shadow or Amber. Like the blades here and elsewhere."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:46, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

Ariadne nodded.  She wasn't really the 'research' type, but she realized she wanted to do whatever was needed to help out.

*nods* and gives Ballad a hard look "I understand your concern for the 'Colonel' and what to repay his kindness.  But we need to get stronger first and prepare." he runs his hand through his hair "Promise me, Ballad, that you won't go off on your own.  Wait for us to get a bit stronger and test out our cooperation and coordination." he looks around at the group "Listen, I know, I don't have to say it, but I will.  These gray men are dangerous and strong.  Each of us were lucky to walk away." *smiles*  "Ballad, I think you have the luck of an ArchFae.  I'm pretty sure one of your attackers were defeated by the swamp you are.  I understand that you are the most experienced of all of us.  Which is why it is important that you stay with us." his concern for and of Ballad is evident.

Ariadne bristled a little at her survival being considered "lucky", but she was determined not to let her ego interfere with her plans
"So....Research, healing, doing this 'Pattern thing', and then we get some big weapons and go hunting.  Sound about right?"

Ballad’s listens and if she had a hat it would surely be cocked rakishly, such is her air. But she doesn’t have a hat. We just have to pretend to get the right effect. Her boots are plenty jaunty. ("Perhaps Ari and Lance will show us around Shadow Earth one day!" she says to Jade when Jade mentions the hand pistols popular on Shadow Earth. Mention of Laurence or the library does have her glancing at the door. She was on an errand when she ran into her cousins, after all. One of three tonight.)

Ballad whitens, ivory, moonlight, pale gold, somewhere in the middle of Jon's weighing in. It's not like she was unprepared for Mr. Lecture, but something he said crystallizes. She stays pale throughout the rest of his remarks, through Ariadne's reply, though she also spins on the bar and hops down to the other side, so the bar's there for her to lean on again and she can cup her chin and gaze at her cousins. "I think that's more or less the rough plan," she replies. "With 'getting to know one another' and 'exploring our heritage' thrown in. Umm, Ari. You said your Dad is a member of one of Amber's noble houses? Will you be meeting his family, too? I wonder what the noble houses are saying about this whole thing."

"And ... Jon, you clearly have a chivalrous heart. Do you ride? We should go riding together, you and me. We can talk about," and Ballad waves expressively, "swamps and pens, sealing wax, string, cabbages, surfing, you know, all that. Actually... Who has breakfast plans? I realize I don't know if family in residence dines together or if there's a buffet set up. But I'd love to meet up."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

  Being awake for two, nearly three days straight is starting to take it's toll, causing Lance to knuckle his eyes as he struggles to remain awake.  He wanted to stay and continue to talk with his cousins, but he needed rest.

  "Ahh, cousins!  The Sandman is starting to win his battle tonight, I fear.  I've not slept in what seems ages, and tomorrow will surely test us in ways we can scarcely fathom.  I shall be deemed the lightweight for suggesting it, I'm sure, but I need to make my way to bed.  Truly, I'm glad we've all met, and there is much we all need to discuss, but I'm off to find my room and close my eyes for a few hours.  With that, I'll bid you all good night, until breakfast tomorrow."

Ariadne blinked in surprise, making an uncomfortable face.
"That's a good point about Dad's relatives.  He's technically, as far as I know, been away from his other family for my entire life.  I'll admit that in all this craziness, with the attack and all this magic, I had forgotten to even ask who else he knows here. "
She winced, feeling a like a bad daughter.  Distractedly, she nodded to Lance.
"I'll gladly see you all for breakfast, though I'll have to see how my father is doing.  After almost thirty years away from here, he might be all alone as well."

To Ballad, "Oh, I think we could convince them, Ariadne offered to show me a motor bicycle. I'm looking forward to that."

Jade looks to Lance a slight smile and nod of her head, "Sleep well Lance, rig an alarm on your door to wake you though should your door open. We don't know how brazen these Gray men might be."

She then brings her attention back to the others, "Ariadne, you summarized things amazingly and succinctly."

Turning her attention back to Ballad a smile blossomed on her face for a moment and she glanced to Jon then back to Ballad.

"Breakfast sounds lovely, I can join you all as well." her eyes lingering a moment on Ballad before looking over to Ariadne.

"Oh, I should check to see if my father's house is alright. Or if it exists at all, as a noble house in Rebma. Where both in the same boat there Ariadne. My father is not even around to vouch for me." Jade grew silent a moment and closed her eyes shaking her head slightly.

Bright green eyes opened and returned their attentiveness to the group, "You should go riding, don't tire Jon out to much though. He is going to teach me how to ride a horse better."

*smiles* "Yes, I ride.  And I would like that very much" *nod* to Lance "Sleep well cousin.  See you in the morning." He looks over at Jade. "Please be sure to let Odile know that we will need her as well at the training sessions.  I plan on have her become trained as well.  Especially since I hope she will be a constant companion." *smiles* "I agree, Ari, you have a straight forward outlook. That will be very handy." *weak grin* and sits back. "Well, we have lot of work ahead of us.  But I think this was a good start and I can't tell you how much I appreciate meeting each of you.  I look forward to learning more about you all."

Ballad lifts her head from her hands when Lance excuses himself. “I hope your rest is sweet, Lance! Sleep as much as your body desires. The Pattern probably won’t stroll off if you take an extra few winks! And I’ll see you tomorrow.” A promise, hand over her heart, she sweeps him a fare-thee-well bow with off-hand gallantry.

She looks sympathetic to the plight of Ari’s father. ”Amber makes me feel heady, fizzy; sort of — you know — not intoxicated, but it does have its own feel, doesn’t it? Like a... It's just so present. I hope your dad finds something happy in the return. He could come to breakfast too, if you like.”

Chin back in her palm. Ballad’s obviously quite shined up to now have breakfast plans with everybody, Jade’s acceptance being the cherry on top of a beautiful sundae of socialization to look forward to. Even Jon, whose acceptance of an invitation to go riding garners a quiet smile. There's a promise in that, too. The promise being we'll work out the details later.

She looks quite as if she's about to ask Jade a question, when Jade tells her not to tire Jon out, and she swallows it; laughs instead. "I don't believe I could if I tried very hard. He gives me an impression of the indefatigable. Although Jon, are you going to bed too?" She's responding, of course, to his this was a good start and I can't tell you how much I appreciate meeting each of you, I look forward to, etc. "If you are walking tomorrow, you should certainly get your rest." She can't resist adding, with an air of innocent introspection, "Perhaps Uncle Benedict can be convinced to give us a bit of training. I think he trained the oldies, so why not the goodies?" (Somewhere, Benedict gets a chill?)

This, more to Jade and Ari, with only a little wistfulness: "Is the party breaking up so soon?"

Ballad could keep going.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:25, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

He listens and then gives her knowing grin "Well, I don't know about "indefatigable", butI will do my best to live up to your expectations." he then nods "I had planned on walking the pattern tomorrow.  Jade and hopefully Ari were going to come.  I would be honored to have 3 beautiful women rooting for me and be an anchor to return to." he says with all of the charm of the devil on a good night.  And then Jon laughs at Ballad's last statement about the party breaking up, but it is a warm and genuine laugh of mirth and amusement. After few moments, "I assumed you wanted go riding tonight." he gives her a look up and down "based on your attire."

Jade almost laughed herself when Ballad did instead she turned to Jon even though she continued listening to Ballad.

"I can see that one probably shouldn't take dares from you, Ballad."
She smirks, "That way lies doom."

To Jon, "Take the advice seriously, when I said the pattern tests you I meant it. It's more then just a path like in a garden, it is power which etches itself upon you. Think of any of your ordeals and magnify that because you will face those ordeals again as you make your way along those glowing lines. Get some good sleep, heal up since spending eternity with a scar might not be to your liking. That goes for you to Ariadne. Don't let anyone pressure you into walking it, walk it when you feel you are ready."

"I got some rest earlier, and need not walk the pattern, so I can certainly stay up should we wish it."

Gives Jade a warm smile "I do take your advice seriously. And that is why I want you there and to be an anchor for me." he becomes a bit more serious "And not just because you are beautiful girl." *smiles* "You are my connection to Amber, you've showed me kindness that I would never have expected from stranger, family or no.  You have shared a lot of information, trusted me with your own story.  those are the things that build bonds that last.  So don't worry, I won't push myself and I won't be reckless." *grins* "I still owe you and I have a promise to keep." he teases her gently.  He looks over at Ari, "I echo Jade's advice, don't walk the pattern until you are fully healed and ready." he then meets Jade, Ari's and Ballad's eyes in turn. "I was very lucky, only few scratches that King Random already healed." he gives a reassuring smile. "But I think I have another hour or two left in me before I am pushing." stands up "But if you ladies are going to continue for a while yet, then I will head to bed." He leaves it up to Ari, Jade and Ballad.

Ariadne shrugged and nodded
"I hate to leave this impressive gaggle of dignitaries, as well, but i also need some sleep.  I caught a fitful nap before coming here but that's it.  And i need to check on my father, to make  sure your king hasn't thrown him in a dungeon or something. "
She smiled as she said that, indicating that she felt it wasn't really an actual concern.
"But i wouldn't dream of missing breakfast.   Ballad, you're right about this place, so i can only imagine what the food is like.  But regardless, I'll bid you all good night "

Jade Raises her glass, "Good night Ariadne, I think it probably is a good idea for us to all meet tomorrow morn for breakfast."

She was glad Jon had given their cousin a blade to protect herself as Ariadne walked off.

Her eyes returned to the others, "I have some healing to do myself, though I will be up another hour or two myself in the library. I want to research some more see what I might be able to discover before getting some sleep."

"Though I do wish to speak to you Ballad, before  I go."

  Lance, with a smile and nod takes his leave, headed to his room, leaving his cousins to their evening plans, his head already lost in thought.

*nod* "Good night, Lance, Ari and Jade." *smiles* "Ballad, if you want to talk more, you can get me at my quarters."  He then follows Ari and Lance out.

Ari tried, to the best of her ability, to get back to where her father was.  What she really wanted was a bed, but she suspected that anu random chair in this posh place would be kore than comfortable enough

“Oh no,” Ballad told Jon, all gracious nonchalance. “These are my ‘wandering wistfully around the castle threads.’” The cant of her head is perhaps a touch bemused, or amused; for all she’s an expressive creature, sometimes one needs to know someone before one can properly read all the variations in their moods. Jade’s very good advice is echoed at least by Ballad’s expression — a good second guitar, here, nodding meaningfully should she be glanced at, making a face like: it’s an ordeal, brosefs. Be ware.

She looks rather sorry to see Ariadne go, but offers the brunette a wiggle of her fingers and the flash of another (trademark, right?) grin. “My heart’s glad; sleep well! And good night, Jon, rest up. I’ll send you a message.”

And so, Ballad and Jade, alone (at last). "As it happens," she says, confessional, "I was meandering my way library-wards when I was lured astray by good company. Shall we go together?"

Jade had to hide the huge smile with her glass when Ballad spoke of her 'Wander wistfully around the castle threads' While it was there she might as well finish her drink.

"Certainly, I can pull the books from earlier, I want to see if I missed anything. That and there are some things I would like to discuss with you and Odile."

Jade looked behind the bar cleaned her glass and made ready to head out.

"I'm intrigued." Inquisitively: "How did you come to meet Odile? Or rather, is she your handmaiden?" she asks as she makes certain she's not leaving anything behind, bag back over her shoulder, hunting-slash-drinking horn at her hip, pen and paper back in bag, etc. And so, ready for the library, slightly more buzzed than she expected to be.

Jade smiled, "Odile had been there when I met with my mother. I have chosen her as my handmaiden, yes. She has been nothing but helpful to me."

"Do you need to put your earrings back on ?" She asked curiously of her new cousin.

Jade looked out into the hall to see if Odile was still there.

Jon runs out after Lance.  "Lance, wait.  Slow." he calls out with genuine concern and his charm and manipulation skills dialed up to 10.5. "down.  Let's talk."

  Lance hits the hallway, full of adrenaline and embarrassment and angst.  He tries to remember which way to go to get somewhere else, takes too long, and just decides to go left, since he hasn't done anything right yet.  The time to decide is too long, because someone follows him out and is calling as he's moving down the hall.  It's Jon. Mr. Wonderful!

  Jon was the last person that Lance wanted to see right now, aside from Ballad.  Oh, how much he must have embarrassed her!  And here comes Jon, the better man, to tell him that it would be alright!  Lance knew too that Jon was too perfect to give up, either, so Lance slowed, then stopped far enough away to be out of earshot of the door.

  "God, what have I done?" he whispers, turning his face to the wall leaning on his arms.

  Lance was wracked with emotions.  Guilt at feeling as he did for his cousin, jealousy of Jon for being so damn dashing and nice and the way Ballad looked at him, angry at himself for feeling jealous even though he could see that Ballad was just so effervescent with everyone she met.  There was more.  He furious at himself for believing that he could ever be worthy of someone so wonderful.  Forlorn, for believing that he wasn't anything that special in Ballad's eyes.  Lost, in a family of amazing, wonderful, fascinating people...and he was just Lance.

  He didn't know why it had hit him so hard, so suddenly, but he found himself wishing he had never been found by Flora the other night.  Had they been outside on the parapets he might have hurled himself off, so wretched and heartbroken was he now.

  And Ballad!  Oh, beautiful, wonderful Ballad whose least movement or syllable caused his heart to well up inside him so!!  How could he ever face her, having said that!!??

  Lance was feeling all the pain.  His childhood rose up in his memory, raised in the orphanage by the nuns.  He had watched as some of the other kids had been adopted out, but never him.  There was just something about him.  Amberite!  He was different.  Not even human.  The years had progressed, and the nuns had managed to instill in him a sense of shame when he exhibited his unusual talents.  Don't show off, that's the devil in you! Eventually he grew up, left the orphanage, struck out on his own, an emancipated minor.

  High school, work...he never quite fit in wherever he went.  Always playing down, so as not to stick out.  He had always felt himself an outsider.  Now in Amber, having finally found his family, he had done it again.  In one fell swoop he had no doubt mortified his cousin and dashed his hopes of finding happiness.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:34, Mon 30 Nov 2020.

Jon catches up to him "Lance, relax." *smiles* "That was a stunning statement you made, but I understand where you are coming from with Ballad." he claps him on the shoulder "But don't sell yourself short.  You ARE worthy of someone at least as Beautiful as Ballad.  You are strong and true.  You have a quiet determination that I admire." the power of the spell is starting to fade and Jon's unconscious use of his charm and manipulation skills are slowly returning to normal levels. "Remember, this is new to all of us.  And it sounds like your Earth is vastly different than my home or here.  So it makes sense that it would be take longer to adjust.  But give yourself time.  I have faith in you and I know the girls do as well, so have faith in yourself."

  Lance turns, dragging his eyes across his sleeves as he does, trying to dry the tears.

  "How?  How, Jon, do I face her....face any of you after saying what I just said?  I mean, it's true...all of it.  I only just met her yesterday, and I've never felt anything like it.  I die every second she isn't near.  At first, the way her eyes sparkled when we met...I thought it was something, but seeing her with all of you I see that that's just her being her, alive in every second.  She burns brighter than a star.  And there's more, and I have to say it."

  Lance swallows.  "Last night, the nightmares.  They weren't just of grey men.  They were also of you, riding off into the forest with Ballad to do things other than ride, while she laughed at me for thinking I could ever be good enough, and the two of you were both so perfect.  I was jealous, I am jealous!  Not just of you, but of Jade as well, and Ari.  You're all amazing and interesting and knowledgeable and you all say just the right things and I have nothing to offer.  I've never felt so in my entire life, but Ballad makes me so crazy that I can scarcely think about anything else, and I feel like an unwanted fifth wheel on a cart.  And I know that it's unfair to think anything unkind of any of you, for you're all so wonderful."

  Lance puts his head back against the wall, perhaps a little too hard.

  "Ouch!  Damnit. You know, I was named by the nuns at the orphanage, and maybe they were right.  Maybe I am like Lancelot, arriving in Camelot and falling hopelessly in love with someone he shouldn't, ruining it all.  That's what's been eating at me all night and all morning, and I don't know what came over me in there, but I am embarrassed and humiliated...and I dare think how poor Ballad must feel about an oafish cousin putting her in the center of his stupidity.  She deserves so much better.   How do I ever face any of you, knowing what monstrousness churns within me?"

*shakes his head* pats him on the Shoulder "Lance, I don't think you've ruined anything.  At least not yet.  The worst thing you can do is to avoid us.  Was it embarrassing, sure, but it was also pure and that is not something to be ashamed of.  A bit sudden, yes, but again not something to be ashamed of." *sigh* "I can't tell you how Ballad will react, if she is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.  But, what I can tell you is that I am pretty confident that she won't think less of you.  Will your relationship be a bit strained at first, maybe, but that will depend on what you do next.  You should talk to her, in private." *smiles* "I am sorry that I made you feel less...Just know that I don't consider you anything but my equal and hopefully my friend."


*chuckles* "We are all special, we are literally royalty."

*sighs*  "I don't know what these nuns are or what they did to you, but they are the ones to blame.  They filled you with doubts when you should not have them." he looks him in the eyes "When I look at you and compare you to the others, do you know what I see?  I see the foundation on which we can build a solid team.  When we face the grey men, we will be doing it together, all of us.  And for that to work, we need a solid foundation.  The person who is unwavering in their courage and a deep well of strength and willpower.  I see you as our Shield, the one that will enable us to fight the grey men and defeat them." *smiles reassuringly* "But that also goes for outside of combat, I see you as our grounding point." *smiles*  "The five of us are all different with very different backgrounds and upbringings.  Yet, we found ourselves thrust into this and found family and friends."  he then leans against the wall next to Lance.

"I was raised very differently from you, but I have my own demons.  For years, I thought my mother was a liar and that I was bastard born.  And I hated her for it.  I hated the lies and the disrespect that it showed to the man who was my father.  It wasn't until just a few days ago that I found out the truth.  And I left, I ran away to be alone and to think.  I am so ashamed about how I treated my mother, the hate and distrust that I allowed to grow.  Then the attack and now I am here.  My mother doesn't even know I'm gone from my world." *sigh* "I know that is not what you want to hear.  But the point is, we all have things from our past that we must overcome.  The difference is that now we have people to help us. People who accept us for who we are today and who will help us become the next version of us tomorrow."

Ariadne's door opens. (It's Ariadne's now, not Deirdre's. Darn it.) A pause. Last minute talking goes on, of course. And then, exeunt/entre Ballad. If Jon and Lance didn't make it that far or are clearly visible, she'll strike out to greet them: a direct, graceful stride, quite without hesitation; otherwise...

OOC: Lemme know if y'all want to be visible. Otherwise, I'm throwing Ballad into her private thread. :)

  Taking a deep breath to try to steady himself, Lance says, "Oh Jon, if I am our grounding point, then we are all rightfully royally screwed  If anything I'm more like a wedge than a shield.  I shouldn't feel the way I do, but I do, to my very core."

  Suddenly realizing they are in the corridor a scant thirty feet from the door, Lance looks around worriedly to see if any of the servants or other staff were standing gawking at them.  <small><small>What if this becomes the source of gossip around the castle??!!  What would that do to poor, beautiful, wonderful Ballad??!!</small></small>  He didn't see any immediately, but how far had their voices carried?  Perhaps the walls had ears.

  "And see, there you are being all wonderful and inclusive and having to worry about me, while I'm like a damned crazed bull in a china shop.  You shouldn't have to be dealing with my insecurities, you should be enjoying your day or contacting your mom and making things right with her...not coddling your idiot cousin and his insecurities."

  Lance turns and looks at Jon.  "You're a good man, the son of a King and that regalness shines through in you.  I saw it as clear as day that you're by far a better man than I will ever be.  I am truly glad to call you my cousin, my friend, my brother and in time I hope I can...."

  Over Jon's shoulder Lance sees the door to Jade's room open and Ballad emerges.  Lance's heart at once tries to leap with joy at the sight of her and at the same time drop to his stomach from his abject terror and embarrassment.
<small><small>
  "Oh God." </small></small>he whispers, bracing himself for what was to come.

*shakes his head* "Right at this moment, you are probably right.  But that just means we have to work harder.  I have faith in you, even if you don't in yourself." *smiles* "I'm not coddling you.  And you give me way to much credit.  There are only a couple of real difference between you and I..." he catches the change in Lance and partially turns to see Ballad emerging.

  Lance takes a deep breath, steels himself, steps around Jon and starts to walk towards Ballad.  Just as he does, he sees Jade and Ari emerge from the doorway behind Ballad.  It was time to pay the piper, figuratively speaking.

  He gulps in another breath.  He is expecting the tongue lashing of a lifetime, or a slap fit to knock his head off.  Perhaps both, and he knew he deserved it.

  "Ballad, I...I'm so sorry...I..." he begins, his voice fairly breaking in the middle like the Edmund Fitzgerald had done.  Breaking deep and taking water, then sinking into the depths.  He has his hands down, palms up in the supplication of surrender.

“Hallo, fair gentleman! Pardon my intrusion,” Ballad says, slowing only when she is within an easy and somewhat intimate (let’s say ‘party’) distance from the pair; she glances over her shoulder, before resting her attention fully on Lance and Jon, very blue eyes particularly emotive right now: lingering worry, easier to wrangle as the spell's aftereffect fades, but still there — marrow-blight, bone-stain shadow. A wistfulness, too, and a care; the quick devil-may-care quirk of her lips maybe has more emphasis on the care than the devil. Either way, it’s gone quickly enough.

“Enchantment, huh?” Pfft. She hooks a thumb back toward Ariadne’s room, and look — she’s absolutely offering Lance an easy out here. “You never what you’re going to get when you start poking it, do you? And yet it's so awfully difficult to resist.” Pause. She turns more Lancewards, and the very very perceptive might note that she secretly bites the inside of her lip before saying: “Are we still — that is, Lance, would it still... be aces if I visit later?”

And because Ballad's player didn't see Lance's post, an addendum: Ballad quite literally waves Lance's apology away, no no, sh, none of that nonsense.

  Lance nods, thinking he understands that Ballad will address the situation later, privately.  She had too much charm and grace to take him to task in public.

  “Of. course, Ballad., if you still wish it.”

Ballad can’t tell whether Lance is taking the out (it was just a magical trick!) or reserved because of general embarrassment. It’s what she wanted, though. A yes. So she swallows any misgivings, and allows herself to feel cautiously pleased: observe, how it's like a strike of light, the sharp appearance of her dimple. “Oh, good. If you're sure I shan't tire you." Relief? "Why, I can’t think of a reason I shouldn’t still wish it,” she says. But just in case, she adds, as she begins to walk backwards: “Worthier friends I’ve rarely found. Jon, I'll see you at the stables. Lance, you're daylight and you suit Amber like a crown, fare you both well until later.”

And so she means to leave, unless something serious rears its head to stop her.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Tue 01 Dec 2020.

Jon smiles as he watches the exchange "Indeed sly like the Fae.  Subtle and resourceful. She gave him a way out that allows him to keep his pride.  I just hope he understands and takes it." *nods* "I look forward to it." he says as she turns to go.  He looks at Lance once she is out of ear shot and whispers "She is understands and is giving us all an the benefit of doubt." Claps him on the shoulder "Give me a minute, I need to give Jade my sword and belt."

Jade would thank Jon but would say, "You had best have a way to protect yourself, I won't deny you that but I do appreciate the blade."

  Lance watches Ballad leave, feeling more confused then he had a few seconds ago.  He thought for sure he was going to be redressed for his outburst.  Instead, Ballad had spoken kind words, and asked if he would still see her later.  As though I could ever refuse an invite to spend time with you.  Like a moth to a flame I will fly willingly to my fiery doom!


  She departs and he gazes down the hallway for a good minute after she goes, as though watching the very air dispersed by her passing.

  Jon gives Jade his sword, and Lance stands not knowing what to say to his remaining kin.  He fumbles a bit.

"I suppose I should see if the library has the play in stock."  It was all he could manage.

"Oh yes, we will need to know lines right ? Also if you want to learn a bit about family ask Laurence the librarian for Corwin's works on the black road war."

*smiles* "Don't worry, I am never without a means to protect myself." he leaves her the sword and belt. "Remember, I have everything with me that I had when I faced the Grey Men.  And this was not part of it, we found it exploring my father's room." he is torn "Since you are leaving earlier than I had hope, it means I won't be with you at the beginning. But there are somethings I need to investigate with Ballad.  I will see you off." *gives Jade a wink* "I promise I won't let her wear me out."  he then turns back to Lance, "I'll walk with you if you don't mind."

"Thank you Jon." She straps it to her waist.

"I hope Ariadne will be coming along, but if not there will be guards."

  Lance shrugs.  "Yeah, why not."  He was feeling emotionally drained for the moment, almost numb, and not knowing what to think. Is Jon going to give me another pep talk?  Is he going to say that he has no interest in Ballad in that way, when clearly he does?  The remnants of Jade's spell still hang cobwebby in Lance's mind, full of the spiders of worry and doubt and visions of Jon and Ballad exploring together, despite the words of his cousins.

  "Have a good time shopping!" he manages to Jade and Ari, giving them a wave.  He waits for Jon, then heads for the library.

Ariadne closed the  door to her mother's room.  Actually, her room now, she supposed.
Taking an extra moment to gather herself and her emotions, she walked to where the others were having their impromptu meeting.  Their "post freak out session".
Walking to the others, she felt the tension in the room (hallway?) and spoke with a wry smile.
"Well, that was something, eh?  If that was typical for magic, I'll take swords and guns any day.   I'm sorry if i made a bit of a spectacle of myself.   I haven't lost control like that  since my first Hollywood cast party, it was for a bit part on one of the Star Wars prequels, when some guy decided I'd "loosen up" if he slipped me some Ecstasy in my drink.  I didn't know what the drug was and went completely nuts when i lost control of my emotions, and ended up fighting half the party goers, and the entire security team.  I was blacklisted for a month while they investigated what had happened, and to this day i can't come within 50 feet of George Lucas."
She chuckled
"Ironically, that ended up being the way i got my next three jobs as a fight coordinator.  Good times."
She spoke the last words with a bit of Irony.
The brunette looked around the hall.
"Is everyone okay out here?  Or do we need to start day drinking?"

  Lance stops, hearing Ari he turns.  "Ari, you worked on the Star Wars movies?  I liked those a lot.  I did some work in Hollywood too.  We'll have to compare notes sometime, but it seems like everyone is busier than bees today."

  It was something to distract him from his inner angst, at least for the moment.

Ariadne smiled at Lance, nodding to her fellow "Earthican".
"I wasn't in there much.  I was one of the many Jedi on the mass battle in the second movie.   I was one of the women with the tentacles for hair who gets shot by the droids, and then later i was supposed  to be shot by the clones in the third one, but that freak out at the cast party scared the executives, i guess.   A few other directors, especially some indie ones, thought that a restraining order from George Lucas was hilarious and inspirational "

  "That's pretty cool, I mean, you getting to be a Jedi." Lance says. "Well, we'll chat later.  You girls all have plans, and I don't want to hold anyone up.  I've got to track down Shakespeare and get some rest."

Ari smiled at Lance, nodding.
"Sounds good.  I look forward to it "
Still feeling a bit out of place here in this odd, magical castle, Ariadne couldn't help but feel drawn to anything and anyone familiar to her. So a conversation with someone else from her world felt like a life preserver in the ocean of strangeness that was Amber.

*nods to Jade* "I'm sorry, I am a failure as a body guard on my first attempt." *smiles weakly* "But I promise, I will find a way to repay you." you can tell that this seemingly simple decision is weighing heavily on Jon. "Which is more important my honor or figuring things out with Ballad for the long haul." he thinks *nod* "Just don't hold it against me and I will be there a quickly as I can."

he then turns and heads back to Lance. "So, tell me about this play." he says as the walks with Lance to the Library.

Jade blinks, "Jon, your very sociable you want to get to know your family. I don't hold that against you. Your protecting me by lending me your sword and I shall take care of it." She pats the hilt.

"I will see you in the city when your free, just look for the carriage. I am pretty sure the citizens can direct you to it."

Before he returns to Lance.  *smiles* "Thank you Jade.  And I'll be there as soon as I can."

  As the two men walk, Lance describes it.

  "Midsummer is a comedy of errors, and there are several storylines interwoven.  A King and Queen are celebrating their wedding, just as the King and Queen of the Fae are having a bit of o spat.  There are two pair of star-crossed young lovers who get caught up on the magical plot that the Fae King orchestrates and his faithful servant Puck carries out, and the lovers become all confused as to whom they are in love with because of fae magic.  Meanwhile, there is a troupe of bumbling neophyte performers putting together a play to entertain the King and Queen and they get snared up in the whole mix-up too.  In the end, all is put aright, the play is well received, and all go off into happy bliss with the one they were meant to be with."

  Lance shakes his head.  "Were that love were so easy.  Somehow, I doubt that mine is meant to be aught but like one of his tragedies instead."

*chuckles* "That is sound very much like something the Fae would do.  I wonder if your Shakespeare visited my home?" *frowns* "Don't worry Lance, it will work out to it proper conclusion in the end, what ever that will be.  Just don't let it ruin the chance of friendship." *looks thoughtful* "A Fae once told me that "it is better to feel the scorching heat, pain and radiance of love than to remain in the dark.  Because even the scars and memory can light up the darkness of times."  I didn't really understand that until now when I see the pain you are in." Claps him on the shoulder as the reach the library. "Well, my friend, this is where we part ways for now.  Rest, and don't fret.  I am sorry I can't help more." again his words are genuine and meant to help ease his friend's pain.

Walking along, Lance tries to listen to what Jon says without it sounding in his head like a “Cheer up, old chap!  Being relegated to the friend zone is the best a guy like you can ever hope for, just don’t be mad when you find out that she and I are already an item and damned if I’d ever give her up to the likes of you.  After all, you’re almost good enough to have won a bronze in the Special Olympics, so accept the breadcrumbs you get.” speech.  It almost works.  Almost.

  Then Jon is off to go win the adoration of all and Lance enter the library alone, as he does thinking of Ballad’s every word, every movement, every gesture.  What was it that she said at the end, about The sun and a crown?  And she had bit at her lip just so, holding back something.  Her anger at him, no doubt.

(I would just like to point out that in my opinion, the strange emotional effect that resulted from Jade examining the axe did not extend into the hall... nor did it continue for more than a few minutes.

It may have stirred up or exacerbated emotional issues in Lance, or others, that last beyond the duration of the spell's side effect...)

[[OOC:  I figured as much, but Lance was just such a compressed ball of crazy that it just opened the valve, and it sometimes takes a while to stop it again once it starts flowing!]]

(No problem, just thought I'd state my stance on it)

Ariadne looked at Jade ruefully
"it's not even noon, and i feel like i need a drink "

"Well, you could get something from one of the bars in the sitting rooms. Just meet me at the carriage." she smiled again but found her cousins eyes wet.

"Im sorry again about your mother."

Ariadne smiled sadly
"Thank you.   It's an old wound I'd thought was long ago dealt with.  This just dredged up everything "

"I teared up when I met my mother for the first time too. Your not alone anymore Ariadne you have family now." She gave her cousin a hug then headed out to the front of the castle for the carriage.

Ari flinched slightly at first when she was spontaneously hugged by Jade, but relaxed after a second and gave a quick hug back
"Thank you, i appreciate that "

  After several hours, Lance exits his rooms.  He looks around until he can find someone who can show him where the door to Ballad's chamber is.

A helpful maid shows him to Jade's door.

  Lance asks the maid, "I know it's her private room, but is there any way that you could open it so I can leave this book for her?  Please, it's very important.  I mean, you can watch me place the book and then see me out immediately."

The maid is instantly anxious... because she's not going to do this, and therefore she hates to disappoint a prince of Amber. "Oh! No, I can't do that. I can't do it because I don't have the key, and I also can't do it because we absolutely mustn't ever go inside a prince or princess's chambers when they aren't there."

  Lance nods.  "I understand completely.  A princess' privacy is important.  It's good to know that you take your duties seriously.  I'm new here, you see, and don't know all the rules.  Thank you for letting me know.  I should be able to slide a note under the door then, and that will be just fine.  I'll get the book to her later on when I see her next."  he adds a smile to let the maid know that he is not unhappy with her.

  Lance removes the letter from the book and tries to slide it beneath the door.

The maid smiles happily. Sliding notes under doors does not seem to be any violation of rules.

It's a tight fit, but Lance manages to slide his letter all the way under the door.

  That done, Lance takes a deep breath. "No retrieving it now." he says. It was out there now for Ballad to see when she returns.  Perhaps she would not come to see him after reading it, perhaps she would.  He had made it clear enough how he felt, with no enchantment to blame his profession upon.  He had one other thing to do yet.  Wait, two.

  He realizes that he had forgotten to buckle on his sword, so he returns the his room briefly to retrieve it and put it on.  Grey men had not been reported within the castle, but better safe than sorry.


  His next stop is to pick up a fresh bottle of something good from the bar in the great hall.  He selects a wine, a Merlot.  Taking it in his left hand with the book tucked under the arm he makes his way to the hidden staircase that Flora had shown him yesterday, bound to bring his act of contrition to Trent at the bottom of the stairs.

That odd effect like highway hypnosis comes over Lance again as he descends the stairs, making them nigh-impossible to count.

At the bottom, is Trent.

He looks up with great interest.

He can't hide his disappointment when he sees Lance-- he was hoping for someone else, apparently. "Ah. Hello, milord."

  Lance nods. "Good day, Trent.  I came down to tell you that I'm sorry for yesterday.  I know I interrupted your conversation with my cousin, and swept her away from you.  It was rude and boorish of me and I apologize and hope you will forgive me for it."

  Letting out a sigh, "Trent, I can understand how it must have felt.  I too feel it.  She is wonderful, kind, beautiful, and fascinating and every minute in her presence is sheer joy.  We are like flowers that she butterfly dances among, each wishing that she will linger a bit longer with us, powerless to stop her departure and left only with the hope that she will return again."

  He hands the bottle to Trent. "Please, accept this as a token of my apology, for your off-duty time, of course."

Trent's expression goes from Oh this is just great, just what I needed in my day to, instead, a sort of resigned bonhomie. "...We're kind of in the same boat, eh what, milord...? I was just thinking something similar about myself, except I was doing a moth/flame metaphor. I accept your gift, fellow boat-passenger..."

Then Trent gets a sort of wry look on his face. "No lady at home waiting for you in your original Shadow, milord...?

His new expression suggests but why the hell not, I mean look at you...

  Lance nods.  "Aye, in a river without any paddles, not knowing where the current will sweep us.  We can hope for a tranquil pool and a lovely beach, but more the like we will run off the edge of a great waterfall.  Anyway, I just wanted to make amends.  Thank you for not hating me for yesterday, but of course I would entirely understand if you did."

  Lance looks back at the stairs.  "That's gonna be a horrible climb.  I don't suppose there is a key available that I might go in and see the Pattern again while I'm down here, is there?"

Then Trent gets a sort of wry look on his face. "No lady at home waiting for you in your original Shadow, milord...?

His new expression suggests but why the hell not, I mean look at you...




"We're kind of on a security lockdown right now... Your mother, or anyone of her generation, could let you in..." Trent frowns slightly. "Really, you and your cousins should have your own key to it, but I'm not surprised that no one's gotten around to getting them to you yet..."

Lance shrugs.  “The wheels of progress turn slowly, I guess.  And no, nobody out there waiting for me.  Just never found the right one, I suppose.  Ahh well, time to make the climb then.  Hope your day goes well, Trent.”

With that he begins the ascent mindful of his footing.

It's a long climb, and that highway hypnosis thing happens again.

It doesn't make the climb any less wearying, though.

Eventually, though, Lance is back in the main part of the castle.

  Back up top, Lance closes the door, puts out the lantern and hangs it back up.

  "Woof.  That was brutal." he says to nobody.

  He could have used the card in his pocket that Flora had given him, but he didn't want to bug her.  He was sure she had things to do.

  Lance looks around, and decides he still has plenty of time before Ballad would be back from her ride with Jon, unless they lost track of time.  Lance shoved the thought back into the 'you're being a jerk, Lance' file.  He adjusts his sword belt, listened to his stomach grumble, and decided to seek out the kitchen to grab a plate of something for lunch.  Cold fried chicken crossed his mind, maybe with a Greek salad and a cold beer.  It had been a rough climb.

  His plan was to have a quick lunch, then head back to his room to await the fallout of his letter.

In the evening of the Incident Involving Some Princes and Princesses, Meatloaf, and a Sailor at the Bloody Mary's, there is a very insistent rap rap rap on Jade's door.

The person insisting is Ballad, of course. She is potentially accompanied by Jon (?) and Ariadne (?) although they are also potentially a-waiting elsewhere.

Rappity, raprap, rap. Rap!

Opens the door hair wet and in a bathrobe.

"Oh, hello Ballad."

Ariadne walked by, nodding to her cousins
"Good morning, everyone!  I hope everyone is doing okay?"

Blinks, "Morning ?" Looks confused.

Ariadne chuckled ruefully
"Sorry, that's a bad habit i picked up from my father.  He'd keep strange hours, sometimes staying up for days at a time, doing research, not knowing if it was day or night.   So, he'd always say 'Good Morning' to everyone, just to be consistent with everyone "

"Oh, well Good Morning then Ariadne.  Please let me change into something I will be right back. You caught me right after a bath."

She shut the door and changed into some casual clothing. Then opened the door again.

There is nothing casual about the two (or three?) royal cousins awaiting Jade in the hall. Nope. They are bonafied McFancyFancyCourtlypants right now.

“Hallo, Jade!” Ballad says, enthusiastically. Ballad at this precise moment in time is a moonlit night’s dream of a fantastical fairy tale courtier: all in pale silvers, now, the fabric shimmery and pearlescent and the best that Ballad could find on short notice and she does like to glitter.

There are some folded up paper stars caught in her hair, because one rigs-up what one can, and she could not be more a vision beloved of the moon if she tried. There's a black silk ribbon twisted up in one of the braids that made up today's hairstyle now, and she's wearing those earrings Flora lent her. She sweeps Jade a curtsy after the good morning back and forth. Swish! Swish!

"We have come with dessert to end your night sweetly," and she dramatically opens a box, in which is a castle-shaped dessert, "and our own lovely selves and a new gown for you which Jon himself chose and we are going to see Tir-na-Nog'th up close, where the moon stair kisses the mountain, and bask in the moonlight. Won't you come with us?"

A look of surprise then a wide smile.

"Absolutely. I need to change again." She takes the clothing and will change in her room into the gifted dress and put some boots on.

"How do I look ?" She will twirl around.

The dessert she leaves in her room to eat later. She is too eager to see Tir closer.

Ariadne was wearing a new outfit as well.  She felt a bit awkward, but was trying to be casual and stylish.

Jade claps seeing Ariadne in Amberite garb.

She hugs Ariadne, "You look beautiful !"

Ariadne blushed, rolling her eyes self consciously.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks.  I appreciate the thought, but I feel like I'm back in school, wearing dresses for formal functions.  I'm having 'nun flashbacks'."
She grinned and hugged back.

"Wait you were raised by nuns like Lance ?"

Blinks.

"I still think you look lovely."

Ari's eyes widened in surprise.
"He was in Catholic school as well?  I'm surprised. It's actually not really that common, even on Earth."

Jon looks stunned as Jade emerges in the dress, then grins "You look amazing Jade." *blushes a bit* at Ballad's comment "I'm glad it fits."

Jon is also in a new outfit:
]

"Thank you Jon, yes it is I really like it, and since my hair is wet." She uses the hood.

"This is beautiful, and look at you ! New clothes as well."

*smiles* "Yes, Ballad and Ari helped me pick it out." he then offers her his arm, "If I may, My Lady, allow me to escort you to destination" with a partial bow, but his eyes are fully mirth and joy. "I am so glad she likes it.  And she looks great in it." he thinks to himself.

*grins* and gives Ari a wink "She cleans up nicely, though" he teases. "Seriously though, Ari, you look beautiful.  You show off your natural grace as you move." his complement is sincere and honest.

Jade will slip her arm into the crook of Jon's.

"Oh this will be magical, seeing Tir." She was clearly smitten with the idea.

"I love the stars in your hair, Ballad."

When Jade disappears inside to change, Ballad shoots Ariadne and Jon a triumphant look, like, see? not that they argued with her but still. She is pretty gleeful, and she smiles (dimples) as Jade admires everybody's new threads.

Ballad's hands are together, holy palmer's, etc., fingertips kissing, fingers steepled, well-pleased by how this whole thing has come together. See, Ballad right now? The moon's darling for how full of vibrancy she is right now, suppressed excitement (her heart!) that just radiates more than it would if she wasn't suppressing it.

"Yes, you're all extraordinarily attractive. I'd say 'more so' now, but that would be a lie." And then, a grin. "Thanks. If a wardrobe doesn't have moongazing threads, it's a sad wardrobe indeed, and I thought stairs appropriate; would you like one?" she says to Jade.

And, "We're ready?"
"Follow me!"

==> TO THE KOLVIR / TIR-Thread

PS: Ballad grabs some booze from the Great Hall's bar. Poor Great Hall bar, constantly raided.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Tue 15 Dec 2020.

  Once clear of the dining hall, Lance makes a beeline away from there.  He wanted to find a servant and get directions to the armory, but didn't want to take the time to ask the attendants in the dining room.  He wanted a different sword...and distance.

  What the hell was Jon asking me about cake for?  Who knows!  Time to get things done.  First stop, armory.  Second, find the herald and get his arms changed and approved.  After that, find mom and have a talk.

  Unless otherwise accosted, Lance hits the armory and stands speechless for a moment by the sheer magnitude of the weaponry.  He had been to London and toured the royal armory there, but this just dwarfed it.  There are rows upon rows of weapons of every style.

  He wanders through the collection looking for a hand and a half, almost two-handed sword with a flamberge style wavy blade with heavy quillions with sword-breaker notches in them.  He wants something very sturdy, with a shoulder baldric with a quick release snap, and a large dagger and sheath to match.  If possible, both with the pommel in the shape of a lion's head.



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This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Wed 16 Dec 2020.

The armory is fascinating. Hanging along the wall, and stuffed into trunks and cabinets, are many historic mementos: Oberon’s first set of ring-mail, still in excellent shape-- but many of them particularly interest Lance, as both a sword expert and a guy from the Shadow Earth, because so many of them were carried and/or used there (or so the little plaques next to them state): the sword Corwin wore at Waterloo; Benedict’s Japanese armor and swords, and the falchion Caine carried in the Spanish Main. Julian, too, has mementos here: the full plate he bore in the Crusades, dented during the relief of Jerusalem; and the saber he carried at Balaclava. Unlike the rest of the Light Brigade, he was able to trump out.

All the weapons and armor are in excellent shape, still-- the servants apparently tend to them, keeping them all ready to be used again someday if needed.

As for what Lance is looking for, the large sword with a flamberge-style wavy blade with heavy quillions with sword-breaker notches in them is easy to find...  A shoulder baldric is easy to find, but Amberites don't really seem to do quick-release snaps. A large dagger and sheath to match aren't a problem, but there are no pommels in the shape of a lion's head (although there's a ton of weapons and armor with unicorm motifs). Lance may need to get some custom work done... Or just go looking in Shadows for what he wants, after he walks the Pattern...

Library:
After changing into his now "normal" clothes. "I really need to see a tailor and get some more clothes made.  Thank god for Maya's washcloth." he thinks to himself.

Jon arrives at the library and follows the voices.  When he sees Jade and Ballad talking, he smiles and stays back for a few moments watching the two women talk. "Hmm, Ballad is the very image of a Fae Princess today.  It looks good on her.  And Jade, radiant as ever." he thinks to himself.

Once the have a break in the conversation, as he doesn't want to spoil this beautiful picture, smiles "Afternoon." Gives them a brief bow "You look stunning Ballad, this look definitely suites you as well." his compliment is sincere and he smiles at Jade "You look refreshed. I hope I am not interrupting anything."

"Jon ! No just a little chit chat. I daresay I think I interrupted Ballad's research though. We do have a special request, Ballad wishes to know your impressions of the Pattern."

They’re awfully cozy, there on the couch by the great marble fireplace, a little glass in Ballad’s hand and an intensity (harp-string, ready to sing) there in the line of her. Ballad offers Jon an easy smile. "Why, Jon-o, do you mean to charm me? Because I am prepared to be susceptible to flattery." There: laughter returns to her eyes, because Ballad's a joyful young (immortalish) woman. "And Jade, it's good for me to be shaken out of the word forest for a little while, you know. So Jon! Pull up seat and wag your tongue! I do long to know your impressions of the Pattern. Do you feel ready? You know, I think we should find a book in this great ol' book-land and use it as a way to pass secret notes to one another. What do you beauties say to that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Thu 24 Dec 2020.

"That is an amusing and strikingly good idea Ballad, I approve."

*Chuckles* "Of course, I would want to charm you and flatter you, who wouldn't, for you are deserving of praise.  Especially when dressed with a Fae touch, worthy of a Princess." *smiles* "So as to not have your gorgeous green eyes never get a hint of jealously, Jade, you to strike the heart and mind with the ethereal beauty of a Fae Queen on a summers day by the ocean." he gives them a bow.

Jon finds a chair and pulls up to couch, near Jade, as that is most accessible. (at least from the description thus far).
Once seated, he takes in both women and smiles. "Well, the pattern is amazing.  Beautiful and dangerous.  I could feel its power and I have not magic to speak of.  It was intimidating at first and alluring at the same time. But over time, I also found it strangely comfortable.  When I was with Jade and it was just the two of us for a little bit, Jade was working.  I just stayed near by and there was a calm comfortable feeling.  And a reverence about the whole room."

Jade blushes a bit. A hint of a smile on her lips.

Ballad is amused. “Now Jon-o, you know it’s very bad form to call one woman a princess and the other a queen; one of those things is clearly better than the other. I’m prepared to be susceptible to flattery, but I’m also prepared to bat you about a bit.”

She is. But she listens to his description of the Pattern with interest. "Apparently, it is difficult for those without Oberon in their lineage to look upon. When Aunt Flora showed it off to Lance and me, the guard who accompanied us had to shield his eyes. But I think reverent is a good way to approach that kind of awesome power. It's so terrible, you see, for all it's goodish to us."

Jade found herself nodding a bit.
Of course Ballad had caught that as she herself did.

"Oh, that is interesting.  I didn't know it effected non royals that way."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Thu 24 Dec 2020.

Ariadne walked down the hallway, dressed in loose fitting pants and a shirt, with her leather jacket.
"Sorry I'm late.  I needed a shower after all those stairs, but all way have are bathtubs.  And I'm still feeling awkward about getting servants to carry hot water for me. "
She smiled wryly

Jade gave a little wave to Ariadne, "Come join us, and tell your tale on the thoughts of the Pattern."

In reply to Jade (msg # 186):

Ariadne adjusted the small sword she carried on her belt, still getting used to walking around with one, and seemed to pause to gather her thoughts.  When she spoke, it was with a strange irreverent reverence.
"Well, with all the weird and wondrous things we've seen lately, i wasn't sure how something just called 'the pattern' was supposed to top them.  However, I'll admit that I was seriously impressed.   Just looking at that...thing...certainly makes me believe that everything else, from magic tricks to cities in the sky, is possible.   It was a bit overwhelming, to be honest "

Jade just smiled happy that she had something as amazing as the Pattern to show her cousins.
She would pour drinks for everyone.

"Your both almost healed up, and will have the chance to walk it soon. Not pushing just saying you seem ready."

Jon does not respond directly to Ballad's retort, but gives her a soft smile and a nod of acceptance of her grievance.

Smiling, "My original plan when I woke up was to walk it today.  But with Ballad missing and Lance eager to be somewhere else, those plans changed." *grins* looking first at Jade and then Ari. "But getting some training in with Jade and Ari was illuminating and fun.  I think between Jade, Ari and I, we will be placing an order for proper training equipment for us.  So Please let us know your preferences for weapons, both melee and ranged."

He sits back, "but the best part of today so far, was the time in the pattern room.  And second was coming upon you two visions of Fae beauty.  Wish I was skilled in the arts to capture the scene I came upon." as with his compliments, he is again earnest and sincere.

*smiles* "Ari, you too are a vision. You remind me much of Raya from my time in training. Beauty and deadliness in a deceivingly casual appearance." again, he is being honest with his flattery.

Jade smiled when Jon included Ariadne in his compliments.

"And let us not go without compliment to our dashing cousin. A handsome man is always the best accessory."

Blushes at Jade's comment "You are too kind." *smiles* "Thank you."

"Your welcome." Jade replied.

"So, is everyone busy for the evening ?"

*smiles* "I am not, so I am at your disposal." he says with much mirth and seriousness at the same time. He looks at ballad, "So, what are you studying so intently?"

Ariadne’s arrival in the library is met with a — “Oh, you aren’t late! You’re just in time to elevate the moment with some shine.”

As Jade pours drinks, Ballad catches her eye and her smile goes lopsided. At first the cousins are short a cup, unless Ballad switches to drinking from her horn again—but that’s what servants are for! Perhaps one of them anticipates the need, because after all, if this group of fledgling royals has one tradition so far it’s getting together for drinks, isn’t it? In the end: they have enough glasses.

Then she listens intently to Ariadne’s assessment of the Pattern. “Did Jade explain to you two what it’s like to walk it? The sparks, the current?”

And she frowns, slightly, at Ballad was missing and Lance was eager to be somewhere else. "Where is Lance? How was he this morning?"

Jon's remark about proper training equipment has Ballad looking keen. "Was the training equipment lacking? What exercises did you run? How did everybody do?" Ballad likes a story; her eyes sparkle, animated. "Anybody execute a grand gesture or fall on their sword?"

"I'm reading up on the Golden Circle," is her answer, a hand placed atop her Loyal, Just-Wants-To-Help stack of books when Jon asks her what she was studying so intently.

*nods* "She warned us of the dangers and the challenges we are to face." *sighs* "I don't know, we haven't seen him since breakfast.  As I arrived, he was leaving and was in a hurry." *shrugs*

He chuckles at Ballad's question of equipment "Yes, the training equipment is seriously lacking.  It seems that King Eric believe is sinking or swimming.  As they had no training gear.  Now if you are already fully trained and trying to keep yourself sharp, live steel training is great, but until you know everyone is at a safe level, it is beyond dangerous."

*grins* "So we improvised, used towels and ropes to cover the blades of some sabers.  Ultimately, Jade and Ari used brooms and worked on their coordination with each other attacking a single target." *smiles proudly* "They both did great.  They both have a solid foundation of skill to build on.  With proper equipment and time to train, they will be a formidable pair.  And that is before we add in Jade's magic." his praise is genuine and honest.  He really is proud of what the two did.

"Wonderful, we can go to see Ezra Braithwaite then. He is the official Heraldry scholar and the one who adds new coats of arms, to the registry."

Jade winces ever so slightly at Ballad's question.

"Jon is being generous, while Ariadne held her own against Jon, I would have fallen on my sword if I had been using swords."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Fri 25 Dec 2020.

Ariadne smiled at Jade while answering Ballad
"We've all got a bit of work to do, but it's coming along.  Unfortunately, I've probably still got anotherweek, at this rate, to be fully healed.  Although on my world, a week is a fast healing time for a stab wound. "

Jade Smiles and looks to Ariadne, "You should be fine in no time, just have the doctor help you in the infirmary. I am sure with active help you will be all healed up in less then a week."

Jade looks to Ballad, "I have a favor to ask, I want to try to travel in shadow and you have done it before. Perhaps you could come along ?"

Ballad’s expression is perplexed if Jon mentions King Eric and unconcerned if he mentions King Random, regarding training equipment. “I suppose it’s wise to be cautious!” Ballad agrees, amiably, much in the way a vampire might amiably agree that the sun is probably very pretty, having not much interest except the academic in meeting it. “At least, at first. Sounds rather as if you cleverly compensated for the lack of proper equipment.”

“If it’s any consolation, Jade, I know someone who once threw a knife into their very own back. Fortunately, it didn’t stick very deeply; unfortunately, they were so surprised they got tangled in their cloak when they tried to get it out, because it did burrow deep enough to hang. We all have poor showing now and again.” Ballad crinkles her nose, but there's just a hint of a good humored smile in her eyes.

And Ballad gives Jade, and then includes Ari and Jon, an interested look when Jade mentions going to visit Ezra about heraldic doings.

"Do you all have arms? Ari? Jon? What's yours Jade, and why?"

Then: Jade asks for a favor, and of course the favor's strikes a spark. Jade gets a dazzle-bright grin, Ballad places her hand over her heart, fingers slightly curled, and the slippysilksoftness of her skirts as they slide and play with light and shadow is a counterpoint whisper. Ballad's gown lends itself to picturesque drama. Drama is the key.

"Why, Jade! I'd love to go on your maiden jaunt through shadow! An honor I will take out on dark days to make myself happy, and you know, maybe even on bright days too, because why should dark days have all the fun? What do you say to the day after tomorrow or the day after that? What have you been taught, if anything, or what have you heard about how to move through shadow?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:17, Fri 25 Dec 2020.

"Oh yes !" Jades smile was bright.

"Tentacles reaching from the sea and encircling a lighthouse. It represents the sea meeting the land and sky. I am happy to be the link to Rebma, I just hope Princess Llewella doesn't find it impertinent. Her heraldic symbol is a leaping dolphin."

She gave a little happy hop when Ballad agreed to join her on her first shadow ride.
"Thank you ! I only have read about it, and Florimel gave me some tips but that is it really."

*chuckles* "No, I don't have a specific personal heraldry yet.  Though my mother's official house is a White Hawk on Black and I've already changed that to Gold on Black.   I would just need a way to incorporate some of King Eric's color and heraldry to have it represent my full heritage."

Jade nods to Jon with a smile, "That is nice incorporating some things from your father. It keeps the legacy alive."

Ballad laughs. "A frightening way for a poor lighthouse-keeper to meet the sea, but I rather like it for a crest. Do you have many tentacled creatures in Rebma?"

“Easy with birds,” Ballad notes, on the subject of Jon's heraldry. “Perhaps your hawk clutches a red sword and a branch in leaf, also red. Or the sword is leafing.”

At Jade's happy little hop, Ballad hides the kissing curl of a grin behind her cup. Tips from Florimel and reading: to that intelligence, Ballad replies by sipping thoughtfully on the last of her drink. She nods; no more. A subject for later.

"Yes we do, many varieties of such creatures and the octopi are quite smart. There are cuttlefish which are adorable ! No one much likes squids though."

She then smiles, "Oh I like the hawk clutching a red sword. That sounds quite nice."

Ariadne listened in, fascinated, despite herself, with the talk of heraldry

*smiles* "Twin Red swords, would match my father's twin sword.  But I like the Sword and branch idea as well."

“I like a leafing branch because it’s something new from old,” Ballad replies. “Whatever you choose, I say put your own stamp on it. What about you, Ari? Is heraldry common enough on Earth that you already have a crest or an idea for one of your own?"

"Say, whoever's planning to go see this heraldry scholar... if I gave you a drawing of a design, when you go could you ask this Ezra fellow to check and see whether anybody ever used it? I feel like the books and I have an understanding today and I don't want them to become jealous."

*nods* "Certainly, we can take for you.  But you aren't coming?"

Ariadne nodded to Ballad, smiling somewhat sheepishly
"I've been thinking about it, but in my part of Earth, heraldry for your family is considered a bit pretentious, so I'm still feeling a bit self conscious about it.    I'm thinking about crossed battle axes, with maybe something between and above them.  Maybe a bird of some kind?  Or some other design?  I'm not sure yet"

Jade gets up and walks over placing her hands on Ariadne's shoulders.

In a funny in her opinion snobbish voice, "But my dear, pretentious is part of the package. Your an Amber Princess."  Then in her normal voice, "Love yourself embrace it."

In reply to Jade (msg # 210):

Ariadne laughed hard at Jade's joke, and her chuckle turned into a somewhat dainty snort.  She immediately stopped and blushed, covering her mouth.
"Dammit!  i hate when that happens!"

Jade just gives Ariadne a warm smile.

*smiles* "Nothing to be ashamed of, Ari.  And I think it sounds let a great start.  I look forward to what you finalize on.  Because it will great and it will represent who you are or want to be." he is honest and sincere, there is no empty plattitudes.

Jade then gave a little hop again and clapped, "Why don't you get both an ax for your mother, and a motorcycle for you in your heraldry. An Ax above and below the motorcycle perhaps."

Jade then refilled her glass and took a sip.

"I am going to have Odile arrange for a good horse and provisions for the shadow jaunt. I will be right back." Jade went to the library door and poked her head out smiling at Odile. A brief talk and she made her way back to the others.

Ariadne nodded thoughtfully, though she looked dubious

But aren’t you coming? “I’ve sworn myself to paper and ink for the next few hours,” Ballad tells Jon. She does have an awful lot of books, even for a speed reader. “And I never go back on a swear. But I’ll meet you all after, bright-eyed and eager for sustenance—whether food or company. Where’s this Ezra Braithwaite, Heraldry Scholar," and Ballad imbues the title with some glamour, she says it with such verve and enjoyment, "like to stretch his legs anyway? Are his offices in the castle?”

When Jade abandons her spot on the couch, Ballad, kitten-like and languid, stretches out a little and takes more of the couch over (as is her imperious right!). Only for a moment. As she listens to the discussion on heraldry continue, she pulls up a piece of paper and a book, that she might sketch what she wants Jon and Jade (and Ariadne?) to show Ezra.

Her blue eyes glitter with amusement, however, and here's a slow smile as Jade puts on that posh princess voice (as if she isn't the poshest fancypants princess in this room), and her glittering gaze flicks up and the smile goes lopsided and she enjoys them. Her cousins. What a nice thing, to find she enjoys them! She chuckles, low: a note of wickedness (mischief) to it, like a thread of smoke.

"Crossed battle axes are a good idea. Motorcycle's also a good idea. If a horse or a hippogryph, why not a cycle, huh? Really, it's all hearts and diamonds if you decide you like it, and you think it looks good on a flag flying from a pavilion. What's a crest for, if not a bit of muscular flash?"

She's bent her shining head again to her drawing. Sketch-y sketch sketch! Sketch.

But she lifts her head when Jade says she's going to tell Odile to start putting together provisions and getting a horse for the shadow jaunt. Opens her mouth to speak, but Jade: she's too fast. Rueful, Ballad turns her attention back to Jon and Ariadne.

Jaden replied to Ballad before she went off to speak with Odile.
"Oh Ezra is in the city." She gives Ballad the address Random had given her.

Ariadne made a face that seemed both amused and confounded
"I dunno, Ballad...it sounds interesting in theory, but a motorcycle like a weird thing to put on a flag in an essentially primitive world.  I mean, I'm all about breaking the status quo as much as the next girl, but I'm not sure i want to have to explain my flag to EVERYONE who sees it".

"Can you describe this motorcycle?  Perhaps we can find an animal that could represent it." he asks, curiously, because he really has not idea what a motorcycle looks like.

Jade looks scandalized when Ariadne refers to Amber as primitive.

“Maybe you have a point,” she says, a vibrant note of laughter (promised, but not quite delivered) in her voice. Jon's response and Jade's scandalized expression: they're both very good. “Though when it comes to such things my general rule is don't explain, let them wonder,” Ballad replies. "People will tell stories, and then the story's the thing. All part of your general legend."

Jade looks to Ballad then back to Ariadne.

"She is so right ! Lady of mystery Ariadne. You don't have to explain it to anyone. Whatever you chose though I am sure will be perfect. An animal or creature you like is not a bad idea also."

Ariadne nodded, shrugging
"I could do, perhaps, a stylized version of it, as a lot of heraldry on Earth had just vague representations of various animals, rather than an exact reproduction."

She looked at Jon with a wry smile
"I know I'm going to completely mess up this description, but...let's see....picture a saddle set on a somethingsort of the size and shape of a small metal horse.  But instead of legs, there are two wheels, one in front of the saddle and one behind it.  Above the front wheel is a metal cross bar you can hang on to, almost like a horse's reins, as well as some controls,  It's not as balanced as a horse or carriage, but it's 10 times faster"

*smiles* "I look forward to seeing what you decided and to visit Earth as well."

Jade looked to Jon, "Maybe you will get to ride a motorcycle too."

"To bad they don't have a large metal hawk you could fly on."

She is so right, Jade says, and Ballad winks at her, with a devil-may-care-so-I-guess-me-too grin. That vibrant note of promised laughter just stays a promise, candling her skin, because as she listens to the conversation she regards her drawing critically, then blows gently on the ink to dry it.

“Not bad!” Ballad says of Ariadne’s attempt to describe a motorcycle in horse-terms.

The, interested, "There are other shadows than Earth." (Ballad, although very curious about Earth, has an attitude toward the Shadow rather like a New Yorker's attitude toward Los Angeles or a Parisian's attitude toward New York.) "If Jon, or you for that matter, want a hawk made of metal -- or in an aircraft, a machine... Heck, if you want a giant hawk grown from a rose tree with eyes of fire and pearl which gives rides in return for a kiss, you just need to find it. It's out there, somewhere."

"How does it work Ballad ? I mean when we go into shadow if it is not on a path, how does the travel work ? I have heard it described as adding and subtracting."

"That's one way to explain it, I suppose. There is a path because you're forging one or telling one into existence as you go. You sort of rearrange things to suit your needs. And you do have to be able to move, it's no good being tied up and just wishing really hard to be in a different shadow. That never works.

"It ... well, look here. Why don't you--any of you--give me an example of a place you'd like to go and I will tell you, theoretically, how I might try to bring us there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Mon 28 Dec 2020.

"A world where one can swim through the air, where the sky is a rainbow color and the people are all artists, engineers and architects. Beauty is everywhere one looks."

In reply to Jade (msg # 225):

Ari grinned
"Metal hawks??  I'll have to take you on a plane ride some time.  But let's take it slow"

*smiles* "That would be an interesting world." he then looks at Ari skeptically "You have Metal Birds?  Need to keep the gnomes far away from your world."

Ari chuckled
"Well...not real hawks, of course, but machines like our motorcycles that we control, though it's harder to learn"

"Metal though ? Isn't that too heavy ?" She slowly shook her head.

"Shadow is amazing, it would be something to fly."

Ari grinned sheepishly
"There's a science to it, something about air pressure and wind speed, but i only understand about half of it myself.  "

Looks amazed "This sounds amazing.  I mean back home we have Pegasi, Rocs, Griffins and even a few Dragons that can be used as flying mounts.  Though not for general public use.  But metal birds..."

Ballad’s bright blue eyes gleam with pleasure in response to Jade’s dream shadow. “Beauty is everywhere one looks, here in the real world too,” Ballad says, with a meaningful gesture that compasses the library and Jade, Ariadne, Jon—even Laurence if that old man is visible.

“But let’s see. So we’re ‘solving,’ to stay on the math thing, for what you just described. It's easier if you're riding or in an automotive—sort of like reality gives you a little bonus for not having to watch where you put your own feet. It's also easiest if you get a chance to really take your time and focus."

"Say we’re on a road like the one down to the city—it wouldn’t be that one, because there’s no shifting this close, everything’s fixed here—but say we’re on that road. Picture it in your mind’s eye, okay? There’s that spot with the three aspens, then the road sort of curves? I think the first thing I'd want to try to get is that sky, so I'd decide to find a bridge just around the bend, and best if it's a covered bridge. If all went well, we'd find a bridge exactly like I wanted. Now, I'd try for rainbows before the rainbow sky, so when we came out of the bridge I'd decide that the road was tiled to look like a rainbow sky. If that's not trying for too much, we'd get the road, and it would be time to add another change. Really picture this, Jade. We're still on a mountain, going down. The road's tiled in rainbows, very pretty, but we've still got Amber's sky around us and we want the rainbow sky. Here's another stand of trees to our right, here's a long view of mountains up ahead and the sound of a river. What do you take away? What do you change, to get us closer?"

Jade focuses solely on Ballad now and blushed slightly in embarrassment when she reminds her that beauty is all around them. She then kind of gets a dreamy look when Ballad describes the changes.

"I would make the sound of the water louder till I got closer to the sound of a surf. Brief blasts of water spray from hitting a rocky shore."

“Okay, so for this exercise, we’re going to say that happens just as you want it to. The tile path narrows, and we’re pacing a rocky shore now. I decide to add a great deal of sea glass to the rocks—all the colors of the rainbow, perhaps more, and if it works the way I want it, the rocky shore turns to a glimmering dream of glass, right? Obviously," Ballad smiles, lopsided, "I stop to collect some in my pockets. But then we're on our way! What do you change next? What brings us closer?”

Jade still day dreaming as she practices this, The occasional rainbow is seen in the sea mist. There ahead a fisherman is bringing in a net with fish of many colors. Some even glow. The road goes downward getting closer to the shore. Over a hill and more fishermen and a small village is there. This time though some wave to me and I wave back."

Then she lifted her glass taking a sip showing she wasn't a hundred percent absent on the mental trip.

"Riding through the little village some signs of art are on, or outside buildings. As I lookout distantly their are very faint pastels of color in the sky. Leaving the village the colors have become more defined till swaths of color seem like paint brush strokes."

She blinked and looked to Ballad, "Each of these places are different worlds ?"

“Yes. Some of them might be very similar to one another, but they are different. For instance, if we tried to retrace our steps exactly, we might come across those fishermen again. They might be the same ones, or they might appear to be the same, but one of their names is Amon instead of Amal, and the fish they’re fishing have fins that glow instead of scales. We can change, er, add or subtract, things to solve for whatever we want, but a world is still a world--filled with infinite variety, and infinitely complex. And we don't pass through invisibly. The real trick is focusing on making changes and staying aware enough of your surroundings.”

Jade nods

"So this requires a lot of visualization, and perception. I think I would want to find a larger village then perhaps as the road rises away from the surf and up a cliff. A village where there is the sound of singing coming from. Banners from some festival crossing the streets. People in lovely clothes bustling about like a much more vibrant and less banal version of Amber's dock district."

Ariadne listened, clearly both fascinated and dubious
"So...you're finding these other....these other worlds by visualizing them??  If i didn't know any better, I'd think you were creating them out of your imagination "

Jade glanced to Ariadne, "Academic." She had this mischievous smile.

Then her smile became more genuine, "Actually you might not be wrong, our elders still debate that. A kind of philosophical debate. I think, I prefer to think they already exist. It is a lot of responsibility creating worlds."

He looks deep in thought as he listens to Ballad's and Jade's discussion of Shadow walking.
"While I agree with Jade, I think these shadows already exist and the pattern grants us the ability to reach them.  But, your point is valid Ari, it does sound like we are creating them.  So, my two cents on this, is it sounds like we are creating the pathway to that shadow and not the shadow itself.  What appears to us, based on Ballad's description of us creating the world, might be that we are pulling the elements from our destination and finding the path through other shadows with similar characteristics until we finally arrive at our desired location."

*smiles and Shrugs* "But this then begs the question, we were told that the Pattern can send us anywhere.  So, that lends credence that the shadows my already exists, but there is not an inherent route to them.  More than that, why not just use the pattern to go where you want immediately?  It sounds like you are less likely to get lost or stuck?  And more, if these are shadows of Amber shouldn't they all have a pattern?"

"When you walk it Jon, you will realize that riding for days through shadow is easier then walking the pattern. Otherwise it would be as you say, easier to just walk it and have it send you where you wish. It tests one and not lightly. As to shadows of Amber having Patterns, well we would have to look into it. It might even have shadows of us there."

Jade loved this philosophical talk and that Jon was thinking about possibilities and the nature of shadow.

Jade's smile is mischievous; Ballad's is still just a promise of vibrant things to come, and this time it's her shrug that's devil-may-care. "I'd say I'm imagining the best path, and trying to walk it. I feel like I should stress that it doesn't necessarily go to easy plan, like in the exercise Jade and I just did. Sometimes things go awry and you find yourself on a Hellride, which is about as fun as it sounds."

“Jade’s right. It’s a Harrowing, Jon. A physically and mentally draining ordeal, the hardest darn wrack of a thing you’ll ever do. I wish it was easier,” she adds, fervent. Fervent enough that—perhaps later on, when hindsight’s 20/20—Ariadne, Jade or Jon might remember this moment and think oh, Ballad has been weighing how badly she wants to quickly get to a place or three. "And the Pattern is... pure, concentrated reality, it's... Look, we call them shadows. The Pattern's the light. The Patterns of Rebma and Tir-na-Nog-th are perfect reflections of that light. There might be imperfect reflections further on, but they won't be complete in quite the same way."

"I don't know that the Pattern being able to send us anywhere we desire lends more credence to those places already existing. Perhaps the Pattern just reads the desire, and makes a thing so, mapping it out, based on that desire. Maybe when we walk the Pattern and it burns in our blood and unlocks in us the ability to use it, we also can't help but instinctively choose routes to worlds which are already strong probabilities.

"Uncle Random said that when we spend any time in a shadow that shadow gets strengthened and is more likely to cast a myriad of shadows. He also said people from the Courts might have the same effect, but Merlin would be the one to ask about that."

*nods solemnly* "We have a lot of research ahead of us and not just various practice sessions it seems.  It is good that we are so long lived."

*grins at Jade and Ballad* "Good thing we have two good teachers to help us."

"Happy to help with what I know." Jade looks over all her cousins.

Jade opened her little journal, and penned down some notes closing it again.

Ariadne chuckled wryly
"This 'long life' business is definitely a good thing, i feel like it'll take 100 years just to learn the basics. I had enough trouble learning geography on One world.  The prospect of learning it on endless worlds is a bit intimidating "

Ballad sets aside the drawing she's going to give her cousins to take to the heraldry offices and instead reaches for her glass again. Fill it up. "I find being a traveler covers many sins, at least when it comes to the basics. I look forward to visiting everybody in their shadows of desire. What fun that will be!"

"Do you have a shadow you rule Ballad ?" Jade shifted her gaze to Ballad.

She will oblige and fill Ballad's glass. Then she motions towards the drawing, "May I see ?"

“Like Avalon? Not I,” Ballad says. Inquisitively: "Do you think that's what you'll look for first, other than beauty? A place where you rule?"

She graciously thanks Jade for the refill, letting the green-haired creature do the kindness. Ballad's eyelashes are quite dark (black, striking), but their tips are bright, and as she (eager! Happy!) watches her drink refilled they gleam. Just as graciously, she hands the paper over for Jade to look at, regarding the princess with even more curiosity.

"Actually a place of beauty first and a period of wanderlust. Plus I will want to visit earth. Though these Gray men need to be dealt with so some of those things might have to wait."

Jade then studies the picture eyebrows arching slightly twin emerald seagulls in flight.

"We will make sure he gets this." Unless she is asked to return it she will hold on to it.

Ballad makes a reflective noise when Jade mentions the gray men. They’ve all discussed the gray men often enough: no new thing to report (yet). She confesses: “I don’t believe I’ll ever grow weary of wandering. All the roads are tempting — salt, cement, asphalt, pearl, yellow brick, moonlight and stone and star and dirt. But then, look: our elders seem to like to fling themselves through shadow, too. Why would anybody ever settle?”

“And thanks for saving me the trip,” Ballad says, earnestly, re: the drawing and inquiries for Ezra. “And I do promise to meet you after." Interested: "What else are you three going to get up to today? What does one do in Rebma for an evening of fun? What about Earth? The Faewylds?”

Jade shrugs slightly, "I would often sneak into the archives and library, practice singing, or if I had saved up some coin, visit the town and have the same fun as you would here I guess. Enjoying a play, watching competitions of the nobles, and occasionally hear tales of the golden circle equivalent in a tavern."

She then pouts a bit, "Usually the other maids and staff were too tired to spend time with me in the late eve and night. So I was often on my own in my free moments."

Ariadne nodded to Ballad.
"Most of what I would do wouldn't be available here.  Movies, dance clubs, or going for a ride on my bike.  Going to a bar sounds fun, but that didn't work out well last time."

"That, doesn't happen all the time. You could always go without me. In the bars away from the docks I would think that doesn't happen." Kind of looks a bit embarrassed and dazed by the comment.

Ariadne nodded and shrugged
"Never let it be said that I wasn't up to do some exploring."

"Just so we are clear, I am not sorry or taking blame for that man's rude behavior. Sometimes people hate you just for being different. If it did come to a fight I would have stood and delivered. I just thought why give that bar another reason to be called Bloody. I still think it was a good choice to go rather then put a lot of drunk people in harms way."

Ari waved away the explanation
"Don't worry, cousin.   No one blames you.  Believe me, i know all about being hated for who, and what, you are.  Honestly, I've had a number of...discussions with drunk guys in bars who took what i am personally. "
The pause before "discussions" seems to imply that the meetings were more physical than verbal.

Jade gave a warm nod glad that her cousin could understand.

*smiles* "Back home, often we would drink and dance.  There were lots of little festivals.  I would often read or practice."

"When i was younger, my father took me to see the touristy sites in town.   Museums, botanical gardens, art galleries, that kind of thing.   I suppose I've gotten away from doing things like that "

"Dancing sounds delightful." Jade said to Jon.

She then looked to Ariadne, "I should talk to your father, I love museums and art galleries. Jon and I have already been to the gardens here. I quite enjoy seeing and learning about things."

Ballad’s mouth quirks. She thinks that Earth sounds like a very harsh place for actors based on Ariadne’s hints.

“The poor judgment of belligerent drunks seems ubiquitous, alas. And I think your impulses are very kind, Jade. It's one of the reasons I'm coming to like you so much, I think." Ballad offers Jade a lopsided smile. "One day, I'm certain the sailor will regret his uncontrolled prejudice and distressing lack of musical appreciation!"

"Give me another day or so, ladies, and I'll have discovered all the local watering holes. Then I'll present a better bar for us to descend upon. In the meantime though, I've heard Emily's is very good I hear for people watching, and not half as rough as Bloody Mary's. That dessert place we found the other night is one I want to revisit. I wonder if they have anything floral? I like to eat flowers."

Ari raised a skeptical and concerned eyebrow
"You eat ...flowers??"

"He most likely didn't know we were royals, though he would have had no right to treat a maid or other commoner that way. I would be incensed if someone were to treat Odile poorly."

She then smiled, "Oh that reminds me, that pastry you gave me was wonderful. I quite enjoyed it. Thank you for thinking about me."

Seeing Ariadne look to Ballad since her attention was not on Jade at the moment Jade gave a mischievous smile and wink to Ballad.

"Why, sure! Rose ice cream is one of my favourites," Ballad answers Ariadne's question, with a grin. "And there's a little white and red flower which grows in parts of Arden called Lover's Remorse. It's so good in cookies, well the ones that are more white are good in cookies. The redder ones are better in soup. Bitter, bracing... I could go for some cookies now."

"And see, Jade? Kind impulse to give him so much credit. He may not have known who we were, though you'd think the royal guards everywhere would have been a tip off, but he certainly knows the Queen is from Rebma. The King's son, too."

Jade nods to Ballad then looks to Ariadne a picture of poise and grace even though she has a slight look of shock.

"Has your father never told you about the flowers here ?" She shakes her head very slightly in disbelief.

"Why flowers are a rich source of mystical energy. There is an entire language of flowers and florists hold much power in the kingdom. As the pattern creates shadow in it's infinite variety, so too does it's light nourish the flowers. Why knowing the right sized petal, or length of stem, number of leaves, quite miraculous things can be done !"

Ari shrugged, looking slightly annoyed
"Honestly, he never spoke a word about this place.  And he appreciated flowers on Earth, but they're mostly decorative there"

"Decorative ? Well yes many are beautiful." Said to Ariadne.

"Ballad, we shall have to gather a bouquet for our cousins before their pattern walk. I am so glad this came up. The right flowers in your meals will do wonders for giving the strength and endurance you will need to persevere." Her poker face perfect.

*raises an eyebrow* "Herbalism is something I am aware of, but don't have much experience with.  So I know plants can have several medicinal effects.  But this is extraordinary to hear." he is a little surprised.

*grins* "Good thing I have had the occasion to give flowers to anyone.  It could've gone badly."

Jade's eyes shifted from Ariadne to Jon.

"Oh herbalism is still a force here. As you say there are many plants that can help medicinally. As you might imagine the more real the herb, the more powerful it is. So yes the plants here in Amber and no doubt the great wood Arden are very potent. Not all plants are beneficial though because some of the most potent poisons come from nature too."

It was true and best they know then not.

"There are several apothecaries in the city. Rebma likewise has them and it is not only plants but sea life that serve to soothe peoples injuries or problems. The most powerful things are reserved for royalty, even I didn't receive them in Rebma. Those are a mix of local remedies with advances discovered and brought back from shadow. Princess Llewella has done a good job helping Rebma in this way."

Jade had changed the way she was speaking when discussing herbology. Her manner of speech was more like a teacher, or speaking in a well educated way on a subject she knew. All the hours in libraries did pay off sometimes.

"Oh Jon, yes you wouldn't want a lady love to think you are cursing them with your floral decisions, or worse that you are literally cursing them mystically. It is best to speak with a member of the college of flowers. Florists instructed in the high art. Not all florists are but even the common florists know how to put together lovely bouquets that are safe and not malignant. So you need not worry too much."

Her lighter demeanor and speech returning towards the end.

"Since magic is a very real force here, some herbs have more to do with magic then they do with healing of the body."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Sat 02 Jan 2021.

*smiles* "So what are your favorite flowers?" he looks to Jade, then Ari and Ballad. "I guess for personal reasons and then useful ones."

"I love Lotus flowers, they are so lovely, though I realize they are a bit unconventional. Orchids are also one of the flowers I like quite a bit. Stargazer Lilies though I like most lilies and orchids are another favorite and work in bouquets well."

Jade was smiling thinking about the beauty of those flowers.

Shrugging, Ariadne smiled wryly
"I hate to say it, but i don't really have a favorite.   I've gotten flowers on occasion, but was never really that enamored with them. "

==> To the Library!

ooc: where I will post reply

Jon exits the library and heads for the great hall.
On his way he notices Odile near by, as if waiting for Jade.  He smiles and calls her over.

Once we reaches the Kitchens, he request a pic nic dinner for 6, nothing hot, because we will be coming back from the city, but not sure of exactly when.  But he wanted to give them notice, so that they have time to work out it in between their normal requests.

He smiles and thanks the kitchen staff.

Odile listens to Jon's request. "All right! I'll do my best to get those for you! It'll probably take a little delegating on my part... I'd better start now!" She hurries off down the hall.

Jon wonders if Odile has a younger, even shy-er maid whom she gives orders to, a mini-Odile...



The kitchen staff say that they'll have things ready...

ATTENTION:

When the cousins return to the castle, a servant informs them that Princess Ballad has chosen a spot for a night picnic: a spot roughly halfway to Faiella-Bionin (the magic stairway that leads to Rebma) where one can (and where one shall) make a nice little beach bonfire. There will be torches (mosquitoes are not a thing in Amber), soothing ocean wave noises, stars, and so on.

Jade's happy mood darkened some, she had been fully prepared to go to the grove of the Unicorn. Still a nice beach party would see her closer to her element. She gets some clothes for a nighttime beach pic nic party.

Double checking that food would be there. Getting towels and other things for the pic nic.
Her good mood slowly started to come back.

Not having had any serious expectations,  Ariadne nodded with a smile to the servant

She asked Jade if she should bring anything

"A bathing suit. A towel, there are going to be some torches. I am not sure, were going to be a way from Faeilla Bionen but if we take a walk I could show that to you."

Ariadne shrugged and smiled
"As long as we're in the neighborhood,  I'd love to see it "

"Ok, and we will have to see why Ballad changed where we are having the pic nic."

Ariadne chuckled
"Well, as the idle rich royals,  we can easily have another pic nic in the other place tomorrow "

"I don't want to spoil myself with pic nics every day." Jade smiles.

"I suppose your right though."

Ariadne grinned
"Or maybe we can make it a monthly thing"

"I wonder if we could get our own yacht ? That would be nice."

Ariadne laughed lightly
"My father took me sailing a few times, on the river near us, but I'll admit that I never got into it that much.  It was okay, but never really my thing.   I just felt trapped on the boat"

"You could just dive in the water, well ok I could see your point. Most sailors can't. It's the same as a shadow though right ? One small place in a sea of unending shadows that cant be reached by the average person. Soon you will be able to dive into that sea of shadows Ariadne !"

Ariadne smirked
"I appreciate the thought,  but swimming to shore sounds tedious.  Hopefully moving from world to world won't be that bad"

"Why swim to shore just make a big splash cousin !" Jade beamed that smile of hers.

Ariadne laughed
"You're a very silly person,  but i like that about you "

"If we had known we could have stopped for the right things while we were in the city. Now though I believe we shall have to make do with what we have here."

Ariadne shrugged
"Well, to be fair,  we're not going camping in the deep woods.  We can get by with whatever we have "

Jade looks at Ariadne aghast, "We should dress for the occasion and now we are denied ! It's horrible."  Her wide green eyes regarded Ariadne.

Shaking her head,Ariadne chuckled
"Please don't tell me that you were going to wear a fancy evening gown to the beach?"

"Well beach wear, maybe a nice dress, a bathing suit, Some abalone shells and a string. Something."

Ariadne chuckled
"Abalone shells?  I keep forgetting that you're The Little Mermaid"