*nods* "That makes sense." but looks stunned by her admission of background of her companions. "You have experts at killing aquatic creatures? Are you are war with Rebma in your Shadow?" and further "You also have powerful weather mages as part of your military?" he looks very impressed and a bit unnerved.

"Oh no!! I'm sorry, Jon. That's not at all…" Janessa takes a breath and sighs. "First, we are not at war with Rebma." She gives him a reassuring smile. "Promise. My shadow doesn't even know about other shadows." She thinks for a moment before continuing. "All right, so the Marine Corps and the Air Force are two branches of our military. The Marines are mainly land fighters, though some are air or water fighters. During times of war, the Marines are usually the first troops sent in and the last troops to come home." She takes a breath and thinks. "The Air Force does not have weather mages. I don't think there are any weather mages in the shadow. Anyway, the Air Force fights in the skies. Its pilots fly various kinds of aircraft armed with weapons. Their targets are usually on the ground and in the water. They also will deliver supplies to the other branches." Janessa smiles sheepishly. "Does that make sense?"

He looks confused "IF they fight on land, why are the called Marine? It sounds like the Rangers back home.  We are usually sent in first to scout and  reconnoiter and area before the armies move in.  We are also usually the last to leave, getting as much information as we can and ensuring as many who can make it out. Name aside that makes sense then." he does relax knowing that earth isn't at war with Rebma.

He considers her description of the Air Force "They sound like the Dragon and Griffin Riders back home.  Or the powerful Roc Riders.  They do the same thing.  But let me guess, they are using flying machines like akin the Autocycle and Motormobiles instead of animals, did I understand that correctly?"

He smiles "I'm glad you don't have any weather wizards, they are the worst to deal with."

Ariadne chuckled and shrugged
"One thing about Earth,  everything changes and evolves more quickly than in Amber, and that includes our language.  So sometimes our labels can be a bit misleading. "

Janessa nods. "What she said." She replies, pointing to Ariadne. "The do use machines to fly. In fact there's a base near by my home, I can show you when you come visit!"

*smiles* "Sounds good." he replies to Janessa. *nods* to Ariadne "Your Earth will be an education that is for sure."  He smiles again "I also can't wait to have you visit my world.  I think you will enjoy it."

Ariadne smirked
'Now I'm worried that Earth will be a let down"

Janessa nods. "You can find some interesting shadows out there, that's for sure."

*chuckles* "Not to worry, I am sure Shadow Earth will be cool fun.  Besides, we will have you and hopefully Janessa and Lance to show us around." he nods towards Janessa "Assuming the timing aligns."  He stands away from the wall. "Besides, it will be new and different and that by itself will be interesting."

Ariadne nodded with a smirk
'It will definitely seem exotic.   But I'm also looking forward to exploring other worlds as well.  I'll admit that I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that idea.  Janessa, what kind of worlds have you seen so far?"

"Well, the first one I saw after walking the pattern was kinda like home, though the wildlife was not. Big talking wolves." Janessa explained. "From there I went to a shadow with nothing living but plant life. A comet hit it and killed everything." She begins to keep track of her fingers. "There was a post-apocalyptic shadow." She looks at Ariadne. "Think Mad Max." She looked at Jon. "It was a desert wasteland." Janessa explains to him before continuing. "There was one I'm going back to only to deal with my doppelgänger, who was not a nice person there. The occupants chased me, calling me a witch. Pretty much had to hellride out of there. Next, there was one that seemed to be nothing but a giant library. I want to go back to that one and don't. The books were writing themselves, it seemed, but there were ghosts." She involuntarily shivers at the memory. "Creepy. But oh, the available knowledge." Janessa chuckles. "Then there was the one I refer to as Candy Land. It's a bizarre, cotton-candy-looking wonderland with very large, talking, sugar candy-looking bugs. I promised Abysterwych that I would return there." The last line sounds more like she's making a mental note. "In the last one I visited before coming here, my doppelgänger was considered a goddess. So that was interesting." She chuckles. "I'm still hoping to find a shadow made completely of chocolate or one that the water is made up of different wines."

Ariadne listened intently, clearly impressed, but frowned in confusion
"Those shadows sound fascinating, but What's a doppleganger?  Is that some kind of evil twin?  And who's.....Abby..stir..wich?"

Jon looks impressed. "You've traveled about as much as Ballad. You both will hopefully be excellent teachers."

He acknowledges Ari's question with a nod and adds "It is like a simulacrum, correct?"

Janessa nods at Ariadne. "A twin would be a fairly accurate description. They look and sound just like you, but their personalities differ. I'm fairly certain they can't do what we can. I suspect because they don't truly have Amber blood in their veins." She chuckles. "Abysterwych is one of the talking candy bugs. I promised to come back when it was time for me to move on." She looks at Jon when he speaks. "I would love to hear about the shadows she's seen. I'm not sure what a simulacrum is."

*Nods* "Ah, I see.  Definitely not a Simulacrum." He smiles "A Simulacrum is a magical construct that is an image or representation of someone or something.  Some of them are animated and others are static."

*Nods* "I'm sure she will be interested in comparing experiences."

Ariadne shook her head,  chuckling
"That must have been a disturbing experience "

"Well, I never actually met my twins. Just got run out of one shadow because that one is a tyrant or something. The other I impersonated to get things. That one is considered a goddess, so it was interesting." Janessa says as she glances down the hallway. "Do yall hear footsteps?"

Ariadne frowned at Janessa's observation,  and turned to listen

*smiles* "It looks like Uncle Random is coming down the hall." he stands up "Ari, I'll meet you at the stables after lunch.  I realize I need to run a couple of errands first."  He gives a small bow. "Nessa, it was very nice meeting you, I look forward to getting to know you more and adventuring with you.  But for now, please excuse me."

Jon nods to Ari and heads off...

Janessa nods and waves as they depart. She moves to stand by the Library doors and waits for Random or Julian or both to appear.

Ari nodded to Jon as he left, then to Janessa
"I'm off to lunch.   They have a fairly simple,  old fashioned menu here, but it's all surprisingly good.  I know people who'd pay serious money just for the bread they bake here.  See you around,  Janessa."
She left

Random walks in. "Hello again, Janessa..." he says... "I've thought about riding out into Arden... but I've decided to use the cards instead. Your aunt Flora can always bring me, or us, back when needed. You up for another little trip via the cards...?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Tue 06 July 2021.

Janessa smiles. "That's fine. Dad made sure I knew how the cards work." She walks over to him. "I got to meet Jon and Ariadne while I was waiting. I look forward to meeting the other cousins."

Random gets out a card, looks at it, does the usual typical "calling someone on a cell phone" vocal things that Janessa is coming to expect from a family member looking at a playing card, and then when he's apparently gotten the responses he wants, offers Janessa his hand...

Janessa waits patiently while Random makes his call. She takes his hand when offered with a deep breath to ease the nervous butterflies in her tummy.