Ariadne hugged her her cousin back
"No problem,  Jade.  I've been accused of being an arrogant Diva, but I've been in too many big movies not to appreciate how essential everyone else's work is towards the final project "

Jon smiles "I agree with Ari 100%. You are just as important to the unit as either Ari, Lance or Myself. I've never doubted that nor felt that you were lesser than any of us.  Magic is extremely useful in support.  That is how it is back home.  You have your infantry, Calvary, Archers and Artillery.  Mages are usually Artillery or mixed in to enchant the troops.  Mages are often chosen to be protected over a general, because of the value they bring.  Especially if the General is not themselves a Mage." he nods to Ari "And Ari is also correct, that no war is won with the support of the people, Supply Lines, communications, intelligence, etc." grins "So never doubt that you are important to our efforts, and if you ever do feel down seek out Ari or I and we will remind you. How important you are."

"Thank you, you two ! I am really glad I met you. I hope to get to know Janessa too. She seems pretty nice and has that odd shadow earth manner of speech that I am trying to learn. Maybe she can join us when we ride those motor bikes. I think I would really like that. Still I think they must operate with some form of magic. Or really tiny horses."

Ariadne smirked playfully and chuckled
"I look forward to showing you in person.  I'm just sad that I'm not an expert in how they work and how to make an engine.  I'm afraid many of us on Earth are a bit spoiled that way, and never needed to learn 'how the magic worked' in these things."

"That's ok, I bet I could figure it out ! Hmmm I wonder if I could make a magic horse that might work here or a magic carriage ?" The wheels turned in her mind.

Ariadne smiled
"I have full faith in you "

*chuckles* and looks at Jade "I am sure you will master anything you put your mind to." he turns to Ari "I look forward to visiting your home as well.  Since You, Janessa and Lance all come from the same shadow."

"So, what is the plan ? What do you think we should do first. We know a few things about these Gray Men, but we really need to talk to our uncles or aunts to learn more. Even Lance knows more than us because he has been fighting them, I believe."

"We can even take up uncle Julian on his offer to learn more forestcraft. It would allow us to defend the realm and learn more fighting and tactics. Of course that would mean forgoing trips into shadow to learn your new abilities with Pattern."

*Grins* "Well, we've just started our combat training, so we should stick with that.  That will help us with our individual skills and our coordination with each other." *sighs* "I know Lance has issues, so he is going off.  And Ballad, is capable and independent, but I'd prefer that the three is us don't to go out there alone. We are better prepared now, but the Greyman are strong opponents..." he takes a deep breath then smiles "I know it is inevitable. There is so much open to us now. The lure is strong to go out and explore..."

At the mention of the grey men, Ariadne winced as she put a hand over her side, where one of those creepy bastards had stabbed her with their weird hand spikes.  It had happened on her father's lawn, and while it had been a couple of weeks since then, sometimes it felt like it had just happened.  Ariadne had been hurt before, in sparring matches or motorcycle accidents, but this had felt different.  More traumatic, almost as if the wound itself was malicious.   She still occasionally had nightmares.

"More combat training sounds good.   There's no point in learning how to traipse all over shadow if those jackholes can take us out one by one when we're out there. "

"Alright then tomorrow morning I will see you in the training room. That is if the King doesn't call everyone together first. He might now that everyone is Pattern capable."

She grinned and her green eyes flashed, "Who knows, I might be better at practice tomorrow."

Ariadne nodded
"Well, i suppose it's up to the king what happens next.  Which feels weird to say, I'll admit.   But I'm ready for anything "

Jon smiles "As long as we are together, I believe we are up to any task.  And someday, I hope to have all 6 of us together."

"We would be unstoppable !" Jade says with great enthusiasm.
A bright smile on her face at the thought of it.

She then looked to the others, "Alright then, we speak to the King, and then decide what to do. If he doesn't have some task we can go for training or start training on our own. I think we should look for Jenna, and Ballad see if they want to join us."

Jon smiles, "Sounds like a sound plan to me."

Ariadne smirked and chuckled
"Ha!  'Let's go talk to the King'.  That still sounds so weird to me.  But When in Rome,  I guess"

"Did you want to do that tonight ?" Looks to Ariadne.

Ariadne shrugged and smiled
"Well, we've waited long enough,  i suppose,  so the sooner the better."

"Let's do it then ! I think he will love your initiative. Just walked the pattern and POW your ready to tackle royal tasks." She brightly smiled and made ready to head to see the King with the others.

"I'm not sure if it's more Initiative, than it's me getting stir crazy, worrying about grey skinned jackholes trying to kill me.  I take that very personally "

*Grins* "Well, we aren't your typical "royals" now are we?"

"Jackhole, is that some kind of curse ?"

She looked to John, "Why be typical when you can be us !"

She began the trip back to seek an audience with the king.

Jon chuckles and follows Jade towards the castle.

(Hmm, let's see, what time of night is it right now?)

In reply to Jade (msg # 116):

Ariadne smiled wryly.
"It's a curse and insult of sorts, one that is a less vulgar version of a couple of others."