>>>>>From her room at the castle


Janessa heads down the hallway towards the Library, having dropped off her backpack and washed up in her room. She straightens her flannel button down over her t-shirt as she rounds the corner. She smiles as she spots Jon. "Howdy." Janessa says with a nod.

Jon stops, turns towards the voice and checking around to ensure they are referring to him.  He smiles, takes her in and his expression becomes slightly confused as he tilts his head as he processes the image. "Hello." he says friendly and gives her a partial bow. "I'm, Jon, and you are?" his tone is curious and friendly.

OOC: Not sure Jon would immediately recognize Earth clothing to determine that she is a cousin.

Janessa looks slightly surprised at the bow. "Nice to meet you Jon. I'm Janessa." She holds her hand out and scans him up and down, taking in his outfit. "I'mma gonna go out on a limb and say, son of one of my Aunts or Uncles?"

OOC: Based on the character description given, if he's wearing anything like that, she'd suspect he's related. Having spent a limited amount of time around Amber, she probably would have picked up some of the differences in the way different classes dress. In other words, she'd know he wasn't a member of the staff but wouldn't know he was related or just a noble.

OOC: Yes, that is what he generally wears in the castle.

Jon's eyes light up and his smile becomes bigger.  He shifts the books into one arm and claps her arm. "Yes, that would be a solid conclusion." he says with some mirth. "It is nice to meet you Princess Janessa."

As their claps ends he shifts the books back to both hands. "Care to follow me to my rooms, while I put these down?" he looks down at the books? "Then we can talk a bit in the hall and I can introduce you to Princess Ariadne, as I was meeting her for lunch."

Janessa returns his smile as she clasps his arms. "You can just call me Janessa." She chuckles. "Actually, since we're family, you can call me Nessa. All the family back home does." She looks down at his books and then to his face. "I would love that. Ariadne is another cousin?" Janessa thinks a moment. "If we stay near the Library, I won't miss my meeting with Uncle Random." Janessa smiles again. "Hopefully we can all have dinner together. He said there were cousins here from my neck of Shadow." She points to the books. "Need a hand with those?"

*grins* and he seems to physically relax when she does away with the formal titles "Nessa, that sounds perfect.  You can call me Jon." Jon nods "Yes, she is from earth..." he takes another look at Janessa "Which is where you are most likely from.?." he says questioningly.  he smiles at the offer to help with the books "Luckily, I am not far" and he points to he last door across from the library. "Which also means if we are outside my rooms, there is no chance you could miss Uncle Random." and starts making for his rooms.
"Did you just get discovered as well?  Most of us have only just found out about our connection to Amber Royalty about 5 days ago when we were attacked." he says conversationally.

OOC: Ariadne has worn Jeans before, so that is the connections he made along with your statement.

Janessa relaxes as well. "Yep, I'm from Earth. I'm from America, which is a country made up of states. I am specifically from the state of Wyomin." Her eyes follows to were he points. "Well that's handy." Janessa starts after him. "Oh. No, I've known for a while now. I'm not sure how long it's been in Amber time. Ya see, after I was rescued, I went to a fast moving shadow for months of trainin. I then spent a week here before I walked The Pattern. After that I went to learn shadow walking, which was a few days. Once I got back to Earth it had only been six and a half days." She leans against the wall next to his door. "Then I went back out into shadow lookin for some stuff I couldn't get easily at home. I was gone about three days, but it was only just the one on Earth. Then I got the call from Uncle Random." Janessa looks at Jon and shakes her head. "Time between shadows is a weird thing."

OOC: Just to make sure everyone knows, Janessa does speak with a southern drawl though she's from a northern state... blame it on her mother's southern accent, country music, cowboys, and ranch hands. Plus, folks from Wyoming tend to have an accent similar to a southern one...
This message was last edited by the player at 15:42, Tue 11 May 2021.

*smiles* "Wow, you've been busy.  You are like our cousin Ballad, she's been travelling Shadows for a bit as well." as the approach the room, he shifts the books and open the doors and walks into the anteroom and sets the books on desk. "I haven't walked the pattern yet, but it is scheduled for a few days from now.  Myself and Ariadne are last two of the five..." *smiles* "Er, now six of us to walk the pattern." he picks up a pitcher "Would you like some water?" he offers.

Basic Room Description:
The color scheme is Black and Red, reflecting the former occupant. A desk-table sits on a round, thick rug on the north wall of the sitting room. Beside it, a bookshelf holds volumes of political and military strategy. Another bookshelf, in the far corner of the sitting room, contains a wealth of volumes about history, novels of historical romance, and a collection of writings by authors named "Machiavelli" and "Locke."

There is a small Bathroom and closest between the ante-room and the bedroom, with the bedroom door closed.

Janessa matches his smile. "I'm a busy bee. Just the way I was raised, I guess." She steps into the room after him. "I haven't met Ballad yet, but hopefully soon." She looks around the room, arching an eyebrow as she does. "It's the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it's worth it." Janessa looks back at Jon and then back around the room, clearly confused. "So, the list of cousins is me, you, Ballad, Ariadne, and there are two others." As she lists them, she counts them out of her hand. One more of those looks at Jon and then the décor before settling back on Jon. "Yes, please." She says with a nod. "OK, I gotta ask. What's with the color scheme here? I only ask cause your colors seem more black and yella." Janessa gestures at him, indicating his outfit. "Not so much this." She finishes, pointing at a red tapestry while waiting for the glass of water.

*nod* "A good work ethic is a very handy thing." *chuckles* "Ballad is very interesting person.  Very independent and confident.  I like her a lot and I trust her."

As he sets the books down, "Correct, Jade and Lance are the other two.  Jade is from Rebma and Lance is also from Earth."  He then pours her a glass and hands it to her.

Jon laughs with genuine warmth and mirth. "Good observation." he teases, "Yes, my colors are Black and Gold, I have been adding hints of Red to honor my father." he then points around the room "Not this much, though." smiling he says "These were my father's room and I haven't had a chance to really go through everything here nor have I had a chance to redecorate to more my tasted and colors." smiles with a slight far away look "Jade will probably enjoy assisting with the redecoration when the time comes. She has an artist sensibilities."

He pours himself a glass and "And yes, both Ballad and Jade have warned us how dangerous walking the pattern can be.  That is is best to go into in top physical health and mentally sound." he says with genuine respect for the advice.

Janessa smiles. “When you grow up on a ranch, a good work ethic is instilled in you at an early age. After all, by the time I was seven, I was assistin' my adopted father with the feedin'.” She listens to him talk about their other cousins. “I read about Rebma! It sounds like an interestin' place. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to find out where on Earth Lance is from.” She takes a sip of water and chuckles. “You gotta be observant on a ranch. If you're not, you're more likely to get hurt.” Janessa looks around the room again. “It makes more sense now. Though the way you refer to your father, I sense he's not here anymore.” She looks at Jon. “If so, my condolences.” She raises her glass in a toast before taking another drink. Janessa sets the glass down and nibbles her lip. “I've got a question or two for ya. First one. You had mentioned earlier about being attacked. So, who attacked you?” The look on her face gives away that Janessa already has an idea of the answer.

*smiles* "My father...er step-father, trained me in the use of various weapons and armor from about age 8 or so. You had to be observant if you didn't want to lose your head and my father made sure that I put in the work.  Both have stayed with me." he chuckles at the memory. "So you are farmer?  What kinds of animals do you raise?"

"Thank you, I never knew my 'real' father, he died well before I was born.  My mother and her knight, my ah step-father, were stashed in Shadow.  So my father's life and death are more academic to me than anything emotional."

*smiles* "Direct, I like that." he leans against the desk "I will do my best to answer your questions." he takes a breath. "I and all of our other cousins were attacked by these "Greymen" who didn't speak, had thinker than average skin and bone spears/swords build into their bodies.  Most of us were attached by a pair of them." *sigh* "They were relentless and single minded in their approach."

Janessa pales slightly when Jon mentions the Greymen and sits in an empty chair. "I didn't know who my biological dad was growing up. My mother insisted we never talk about him, turns out it was to protect me. A lot good that did." She mutters the last statement as she shakes her head. "But I had Mike, who's my adoptive dad. He owns the ranch and taught me to shoot. One of the ranch hands, Cody, taught me how to use bows and arrows, some military type guns, and knives." She takes another drink. "The ranch isn't a farm per se. It's a cattle ranch. We've got a herd of about 100. There are still farm aspects; the garden, the dairy cows, and the chickens. My mother looks after the garden while the hands, myself, and my younger half-brothers look after the other animals and the cattle." She leans forward. "Your Greymen didn't speak either?" Janessa sighs and taps a nail against the rim of her glass. "That just supports my theory that they're telepathic." She leans back into the chair and takes a drink.

*Nods* "Similar story for the rest of us about our parentage.  Though, in my case, I was told but just didn't believe my mother.  I assumed she was lying and the Sean was my real father, but because he was just a 'retainer' to her family, they ran away together.  I didn't understand and still don't completely, understand that not just anyone can move through shadow..." his expression grows sad for a moment, then decides not to continue that train of thought "But in most cases, we were all seeming abandoned by one parent or another.  Some completely bereft of a parent."

*Nods* "Correct and our cousins confirmed the same in their recountings. It would make sense.  And they are able to travel through Shadow, which is most disconcerting.  Especially because we assumed that ability was limited to our bloodlines."

*smiles* "So you shoot too?  Then you and Ariadne will probably get a long she likes her 'guns' as well."

"I always thought my mother was keeping me from him." Janessa says with a shrug. "Hmm. Yeah, that is disconcerting." She takes a long drink and nods. "I do. I've got a outdoor shooting range set up back home. It use to be in the upper level of the stable, but I moved my horses out there from the main houses stables. Hopefully she'll want to visit."

Jon grins "I am sure Ariadne won't turn down a chance to shoot some guns.  I bet Jade would and Ballad might enjoy it as well.  I know I would, these guns sound like more powerful crossbows." a gleam of excitement is reflected in his eyes as he speaks.

*smiles* "Jade recounted that it sounded like the weapons Uncle Corwin brought to Amber."

He sits up and switches topics. "So, um, when I met Jade, she and I agreed to let the past be the past. So that we would not let the disagreements of our parents be carried on or taken up by us.  We will start with a clean slate.  I hope that you feel the same way."

Janessa smiles at his excitement. "Then we'll have to arrange a trip, but after the greymen threat is over. Don't need to tempt them with too many of use in a group. Then again, from what I've gathered from you and my own experience, they probably wouldn't risk going after us in a group." She finishes her glass and nods. "Well, that's a relief and I agree. No point in carrying their issues into our budding relationships!"


[OOC: Jon can tell she wants to ask something, but looks conflicted. She's not trying too hard to hide it.]

Jon smiles broadly and he visibly relaxes. "That is good to hear. And Jade will be thrilled as well." he leans back against the table "My father was King Eric.  And my mother is a member of the minor house of Hawk.  I wanted to ask about your parentage." he sits up "If that is too personal or too soon, I understand." his smile fades "And if you would be willing could you tell me about your encounter with the Greymen?"

Janessa nods. "Ah, Uncle Eric." She sifts slightly. "My biological Dad is Bleys." She sighs. "He told me a little about things before Uncle Random became King." She stands and refills her glass, drinks half in a gulp, refills it, and returns to her seat. "The Greymen attacked at night." She starts, staring off into space. "I was alone, star-gazing on my back porch, drinking a glass of wine. I noticed a weird flickering light by my rose bushes. It turns out someone had set fire to a patch of weeds. I had just put the fire out when I spotted an odd-looking man wearing a gray fedora, a black suit, and a long gray raincoat running full speed at me from out of nowhere. I managed to dodge his attack, only to have number 2 show up and cut my arm with his stupid sword." Janessa huffs and takes a drink. "I managed to climb one of my apple trees, which slowed them down. One tried coming after me, but I stomped his hand. That's when I noticed that 1) They weren't making a sound. Not a peep. 2) The swords were sprouting from the backs of their hands. That's when they broke out the lighter fluid and lighter and went to set my apple tree on fire. I hopped out of there and ended up twisting my ankle. When one of them charged at me, I got my knife stuck in his leg, and Bleys came to my rescue." She takes another drink and leans back into the chair. "Dad made quick work of them." She looks at Jon. "Similar to everyone else?"

Jon smiles "Uncle Bleys." he nods. Jon listens intently, his concentration is total focused on Janessa.  When she finishes "Similar to everyone else's story.  They captured a women and lured Jade into an alley. But yes, attacked us in pairs and usually a relative shows up in the nick of time.  Though Ballad was only attacked by one and she defeated her.  It is possible that the second one was defeated by the environ that Ballad was in when attacked, but those are the two big differences."

He stands up and paces a bit. "So, the disconcerting thing is how they were able to find us and how our family knew we were in trouble.  In my case, it was pure luck that Uncle Julian happened upon the Greymen coming for me as they traveled through shadow and he tracked them to me.  I was lucky, I was able to eliminate one and wounded the other.  I did not suffer any significant injuries.  So we know that we can defeat them in small numbers.  Because Ballad and I were able to.  But Ballad and I were in situations where we were more or less prepared for trouble. But I expect the same is true for all of us."

Jon stops and leans back against the desk. "Switching topics for a moment, Jade, Ariadne and I are training with Master Fenton on improving our combat skills.  I expect/hope that Ballad and Lance will join us.  I extend the same to you.  The goal is to improve our individual skills and then train with the Captain of the guard on coordinated fighting with all of us and in teams." *smiles* "Oh and we are trying to implement the 'buddy system' meaning that we always travel in pairs so that we always have back-up."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Thu 20 May 2021.

"You and Ballad are quite impressive. As for my rescue, Dad said he's been keeping an eye on me off and on for a while." Janessa sips her water and nods. "If I had had one of my guns with me at the time, it might have been different." Her eyes follow him to the desk. One of her delicate red eyebrows raises at the topic change. She then chuckles. "Mike, my adopted dad, always says 'There's no such thing as too much self-defense'. He's ex-military, so he runs a tight ship as the saying goes. The 'buddy system' sounds like a wise plan."

*smiles* "Glad to hear it.  We should get you set up with some time with Master Fenton for evaluation.  That way he can help set up some training.  We all have different weapons that we are good with.  So the training isn't the same for each of us." *nods* "I'm glad your dad was near by.  I was lucky. Ballad now she is the impressive one. She was on her own expedition in a bog full of fog when the Greyman attacked her.  She was able to fend him off and finish him all without losing her way." there is admiration in his voice as he speaks of Ballad. "The buddy system was Ariadne's idea and now that there are six of us, it should be easier to implement once we've all walked the pattern." he frowns "Though I expect Lance and Ballad to be the most resistant to it.  Lance because he..." *sigh* "He just doesn't seem to WANT to be around us. I have an idea as to part of it, but it still doesn't explain why he seems to purposely make himself an outsider." Jon frustration is clear. He shrugs "Ballad on the other hand, she is like trying to catch a moonbeam.  She is very independent and self sufficient." *chuckles* "I can't wait till they get to meet you." he is genuinely excited.

It is easy to pick-up the respect he has for all of his other cousins in the short time he's got to know them.  And it is clear he is closest to Jade, Ari and Ballad. And Janessa can probably feel that Jon is comfortable with her.

"Yes, Ariadne said something similar about the 'guns' I look forward to trying them out.  Jade said Uncle Corwin has some that worked in Amber.  But they seem less reliable than a good bow or crossbow across the shadows."

Janessa nods. “An evaluation would be best. I could always use more training in knives and swords. My dad taught me the basics of swords, and I'm decent with knives.” She smiles, softly as he talks more about their cousins. “Hmm. Hopefully, they'll both see the reason, safety in numbers, and all that. You mentioned earlier that some had lost both parents. Would one of those happen to be Lance?” She takes a sip. “Cause that could partially explain his big independence streak. After all, he's only ever had himself to rely on if what I've seen of the foster care system is the same everywhere on Earth. Still, I am looking forward to meeting them too!” Janessa is comfortable talking to Jon, and Jon would be correct in guessing that she'd get along with the others. She finishes her second glass and sets it on a nearby table. “Guns can be less reliable. In the shadows where they even work, they can still jam or miss fire. Accuracy-wise, once you know what you're doing, they're on par with crossbows.”

Jon nods and smiles "Good we will get you in touch with Master Fenton.  And Ari and I have been running in the morning to up our stamina.  You are welcome to join us.  We usually start around six am."

*smiles* "Hopefully they will.  I worry about them both." he becomes a bit somber "Yes, I believe Lance was raised without a direct parent but had something called 'Nuns' who help raise him." shakes his head "Don't get me wrong, I admire independence and self-reliance, but Lance seems to purposely reject attempts at inclusion. Which is different, to me than being independent or self-reliant.  And that is what frustrates me. We have no pattern of abandonment or betrayal that would warrant purposely avoiding us.  All we've done is tried to embrace him and unconditionally include him when we've tried to plan things.

*sighs* "But enough, I apologize. I shouldn't have said anything. I may have already colored your impression of Lance and that isn't fair to you or Lance.  Again, I apologize." he says sincerely.

*nods* "That makes sense, though a repeating crossbow can jam as well, but I'd imagine that is easier to fix than a 'gun'."

*smiles* "Switching topics, how long are you planning on staying?  Because in about 5 days, Ari and I will be walking the pattern and Jade is planning a party.  Most of us will be there.  So those that are off in Shadow should be back and of course, you'll be able to meet Ari today.  I'm to meet her for lunch before we had into town."

Janessa nods. “I can do that. I will have to have a wake-up call until I get time sorted.”

A slight frown appears as she listens to Jon explain his interpretation of Lance. “I guess I have a unique perspective on the type of system Lance grew up in.” The frown disappears, and her eyes go distant, clearly thinking of a memory. “One of my best friends, Karen, grew up in that system. Now I know there are great and wonderful foster parents out there. Karen just never got them. She was labeled a 'problem child' at a young age and was bounced from one foster family to the next. Some weren't to bad, just meh. Some were downright hideous, didn't care about the kids at all, only in it for the money. Heck, one gave her back to the system while she was recovering from having her appendix removed. She was 10. So when I met her at 12 years old, she already had a giant wall. She went out of her way to push people away. Persistently bugging her to be my friend paid off. But she was different around me than everyone else. At 18 she aged out of the system and was suddenly homeless. We took her in. She eventually found a job as a member of a renaissance faire troupe after joining me at one in Nebraska. They wore her wall down the rest of the way, just being persistent and insisting on including her.” She chuckles and then sighs. “I asked her about her behavior once. She told me that she did it because then it was her leaving them, not them leaving her.” Janessa shakes her head and looks at Jon. “I did point out the flaw in that statement. You can't leave what you don't let in. So, maybe we just need to be a little more persistent with Lance. Which I can do!” She says with a big smile. “As for coloring' my opinion. Don't worry about it. I'm one of those who will always form my own opinion of someone, regardless of what I've been told or hear.”

She nods. “Yep, a repeating crossbow is a lot easier to un-jam than a gun. Safer too in some cases. One of the neighbor boys lost two fingers trying to un-jam his gun.” She shakes her head. “Bless his heart, but he really should have listened to his Paw.”

Janessa returns his smile. “Oh, I'm not sure yet. I still have to talk with Uncle Random and possibly Uncle Julian, who I haven't met yet. However, if there is going to be a Pattern walking and a party, count me in!” She glances around the room. “Uh, what time is it? I don't want you to miss your lunch date and I don't wanna miss my meeting' with our uncle.”