Lance shakes the extended hand, his grip firm, but not overbearing in the least.

  "Fair enough, Jon.  I don't understand the point in the whole public record thing, but what's done is done, on all our parts.  Consider the apology accepted.  We have enough enemies outside of the family to worry about, so best we don't make them within.  I just...well, I don't think you could understand a lot of what I'm dealing with.  We come from very different backgrounds.  I'm used to being on my own, and well, it's complicated.  Good luck in your endeavors, and go enjoy your party.  I have to get going though, already late you know."

Jon's handshake is firm without making it a contest as well. "We both can do better trying to understand each other. But that will take time. Which we should have plenty up.  Stay safe on your journey.  And never forget, you have back-up.  Call and we will be there." Jon is sincere and honest.

  Lance nods.  "Likewise.  Anyway, congratulations on your walk today.  Goodnight."

  He then turns and walks over to Jade and Ari, giving each a quick hug.

  "Goodnight all.  Have a great time tonight.  See you around."  he smiles and starts heading down the hallway, making his way towards the castle's main gate.

Ari watched Lance go, and spoke softly to Jade
"Well, i suppose that went better than it could have."   I hope he'll be okay."

"He is going to help my mom. So perhaps it is selfish but I am glad he is going to provide a strong sword arm to her magic. Once we are done celebrating and Jon and you have a good nights sleep. I hope to be able to help you wander shadow and sharpen your skills so we can help deal with the Graymen that threaten us." She watched Lance go.

"Good luck in your travels and endeavors cousin."

She then scanned the room. A bit concerned about some of her guests not showing up yet.

Jon shrugs at Ari's comment "There is nothing we can do about it." *sighs* "He chose this path, all we can do is be ready to pick up the pieces." there is a touch of sadness in his voice.

Jon smiles and Jade "More like your mom is going to help him. He is still knew to the powers we just awoke today. I don't have a gage on his combat skills, but he has survived thus far.  We can only hope he doesn't slow her down." there is no bite in his tone.

"Well, from what we know of his experiences on earth he taught people fighting techniques, so he has to be at least somewhat good. I myself need to practice more. Your right about assuming things. I thought I was good but seeing you and Ariadne practice. I know I need more work to be up to family standards. It's good that I picked up my mothers skills at magic."

"Oh I do hope Julian and Ballad arrive and that nothing bad is keeping them."

Jon nods "Yes, he said he practiced at Faires and such.  I assume those are like the tournaments back home.  But what we are facing will test our skills."  he gives a smile and gentle squeeze "You did fine.  So long as we keep up with our training, you will get better is no time.  But, your magic is our secret weapon.  You need to practice that equally as hard.  Ari and I, will keep you safe so that you can cast. Ballad and Janessa as well when they are with us. But you are the only one who can cast magic.  That is special." he moves in front of her and leans in a gives her a kiss on the forehead "Don't gage your combat usefulness by how well you wield a sword, gage it by how well you wield your mind."

"Yes, I suppose so, and Jannessa might surprise you. Her dad is Bleys she might have magic too. I hope to get to know her better. So many come from the Shadow Earth it must be special in some way. I always practice my magic and esoteric skills but thank you for reminding me." She smiles when he kisses her forehead.

Ariadne watched the doorway for a moment after Lance left, perhaps hoping he'd change his mind.  But, she realized, if one of their aunts was waiting for him, that would certainly explain his hurry.
She looked at Jade with a wry grin.
"Jon's right, Jade.  That magic stuff, well....I don't pretend to understand it, but I can imagine that getting good at it would take up most of your time, so it makes sense that everything else takes a back seat.  It's like thinking that you should have learned 3 languages in the same time I learned 2.  It's just not possible."

Looking at Jon, Ari bit her lip in thought.
"Renn Faire 'tournaments' aren't, as far as I know, anything like real combat.  The basic skills are similar, but the fights are staged and choreographed.  He'd have good agility, strength and reflexes, but he never would have killed anyone for real in a Faire."
Then she shrugged.
"Then again, he mentioned having a difficult life with many struggles and dangerous situations, so for all I know he's had to use his swords for actual defence many times.  Who's to say.  In any event, you're right that he was probably a quick study in real combat.  I'm not doing too bad, and I've never killed anyone in my life."
Ari hesitated, wincing a little.
"Well....nothing Human, anyway."

*nods* "Let's hope it is enough. I do wish he would've at least been evaluated by the master of arms and receive some tailored instructions" *shrug* Jon then smiles "And hopefully, it stays that way for a long time, not killing humans." he pauses "You both are doing great!  As long as we keep practicing we will get better.  And soon, we will start or group training, so that we can better coordinate ourselves during a fight." Jon smiles.

"Yes, and combining magic with mastery of arms would be good too. The next time I see my mother I will have to ask her more about that. I am sure she knows how to mix the two having so many brothers skilled with blade."

Jade smiled.

"It does take a long time, for me it was like a well of energy or magma seeking to explode. I needed to learn how to tame it and smooth the surging energy into working music for me to release into the world. From speaking with some of the other sirens of Rebma it is similar for them. I never got the chance to speak to my mother in length to see how she discovered her abilities, I really hope too. I look forward to getting to know her." Jade's eyes shimmer a bit but she doesn't cry.

Ariadne nodded thoughtfully
"Yes, I'm looking forward to training,  especially as a team.  Using magic with fighting must be incredible to see"

"I feel more confident now that I have my parasol. Though I understand training with other weapons. So Ariadne, tell me about your walk how did it feel ? Did your memories come to you while you walked it ?" Smiling.

She looked to Jon, "How about yourself ?"

Ariadne thought for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile
"Actually,  yes, now that i think about it.  I guess I'd forgotten about it,  being distracted by the whole 'almost dying' thing.   But I remembered all the times in my life where i was....different.    Better than other people, though that sounds a bit arrogant,  even as i say it.  But, yes, I was sort of encouraged to remember all the times when, perhaps, i should have known that i wasn't,  well, 'local'."

*nods* "The second veil showed me the past, growing up in the Faewylds.  The love, the politics, but also the selfishness and carelessness of many, who dueled on perceived insults.  Showing me the memories overlapped with the reality that I ignored." *sighs* "But, the final veil, that was the worst.  I still feel a bit disconnected from and connected to everything simultaneously.  It would've been very easy to let go..."

"Well now you have the success of having walked it in your memory. Which should help in all future endeavors. It also helps in mental practices if you remember the steps you took in your mind." She rested her hands on her cousins shoulders.

"I am so proud of the both of you !"

Ariadne chuckled ruefully and nodded to Jon
"I know what you mean.  It was like you were swimming towards shore in the ocean,  but the shore was hundreds of miles away.   And while part of you thought that perhaps you should be able to make it, but the sheer size was so overwhelming that it felt easier just to slip beneath the waves..."

"I am a really good swimmer, so different analogy for me. I know what you mean though it was the same for me. I walked the reflection below the waves."

She really wanted Ballad to be here and her eyes drifted to one of the tables as she looked around the room.

"I hope our moon princess shows up."

Jon smiles at Jade "Thank you. I don't know that I could've made it without all of you."  He nods to Ari in understanding.
"It is an experience and I agree, Jade, it is one that we can use to strengthen our resolve if we ever find ourselves doubting our abilities.  We conquered being nothing, being lost in everything.  That is a powerful reminder." Jon still has a slightly haunted look in his eyes as he finishes talking.

Ariadne chuckled a bit at Jade's words, but shrugged, not disagreeing.
She looked at Jon with concern.
"Are you holding up okay? Honestly,  you look a bit traumatized "

Jon gives tired smiles. "Yeah, I think I will be fine. It was a lot to take in.  Mentally, I think I am still processing everything the pattern showed me." he turns to Jade "I think you are right about it being sentient, btw."  Turns to Ari, "Did you get that sense?"

Ariadne bit her lip in thought and shrugged
"I...I don't know if I got 'sentient', but more rather....well, I was going to say a computer, but you guys don't know much about them.  I guess I felt it was more reflexive intelligence than active intelligence. "

Blinks "This must be another Earth term. I have so much to learn about your culture." She then turns to Jon, "Your here with us now, you succeeded. You both did. Time to put deep thoughts aside and celebrate !"

Ariadne smirked and nodded with amusement
"I suppose you have a point there"