*smiles* "Let me know if you need help once we are out of the water.  She is gonna be soaking wet." If she and Ballad needs it, Jon will help get Ballad situated. "Ari, why do you lead the way, I bring up the rear."

Ballad listens with keen interest. She said she was content with the company, and so she is, although the expression in her very blue eyes is distant — as if she’s gazing into the middle distance instead of the illuminated underwater queendom below.

“Do you know any stories about Gaia, Jade?" she asks. "Aunt Vialle told me she's a popular figure of story in Rebma, especially for children."

Then: her steed awaits? Ballad blinks (dreamily), and then: flashes one her grins, bright and just a little lopsided. "Very well, Jade, I thank you. The loveliest, kindest of steeds; I feel like adventure must await."

An underwater curtsy: the skirts swirl, a slow ballet. Ballad is ready for a piggy-back ride! Once she and Jade are all ready, even though Jon's sort've planned, she says, blinking a little to wake herself up. "We could have a race... Teams of--" A yaaaawwwn. "--two."

...of course she was going to suggest racing up the stairs, guys. Of course.

"I'm game for that !" Jade said smiling.

"I can tell you stories when your more awake." She said more quietly to Ballad.

She was excited again another contest and it sounded fun as well as funny.

Jon looks to Ari, "I'm game if you are.  Just let me know if you want to be Rider or the Steed."

Ariadne rolled her eyes,  but grinned in an amused lop sided way
"Sounds awkward either way,  but since the stitches in my side are still healing,  perhaps I'll be the rider, at least this time "

"Ok, let's get this race started."

Jade gets prepared and...

((OOC Not sure if Strength or Dexterity should be used ))

OOC:  perhaps the Steed can do Strength and the Rider can do Dexterity to keep their balance?

(... maybe the Steed rolls to 'win' and the Rider can roll to help or hinder? Like if the Rider rolls 10+ then that's extra +1 to the Rider's roll, if it's a 7-9, that no change, below... a -1?)

(( OOC Oh I like it ! that way we all get to play ! Thanks for the great idea Ariadne !))

"Hyah me Hyah !" Jade begins her run up the stairs carrying Ballad.


16:04, Today: Jade rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,4.  Jade Being all Steedlike.

(that works, Ballad)

Ariadne, after hopping up on Jon's back, worked to keep herself balanced perfectly on him, her competitive side temporarily overcoming her feelings of awkwardness of riding her cousin like a 'horsey'.

OOC: 17:15, Today: Ariadne rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,6.  Dex as Rider

18:56, Today: Jon rolled 7 using 2d6+2 ((4,1)).  Ah, the dice roller is still not my friend.  But that is an 8 with Ariadne's +1

Jon takes a moment to adjust Ari and to her weight. "Hang on, its been years since I did this." so he is a bit slow off the starting block.

*smiles* "Not so fast Jade!!"  Jon is nearly neck and neck with jade

"Yay now it's getting interesting." Jade smiles back.

It is clear Jade is like Ariadne in enjoying the competition.

Ballad laughs. "Hyah! Hyah! Hya--AAAH!"

As is often the case, Ballad went for the flashy option, fake hat, flamboyant arm wave, little pretend spur kick, and that upset her balance and resulted in sudden death grip ack no don't drop me, and she accidentally covers Jade's eyes for a second, too, and --

Alas, Team Bade falls behind! Joriadne in the lead!

I think that's right. I haven't done the maths!

Halping, or not:

11:36, Today: Ballad rolled 6 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,4.  Rider! WOOO!
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:44, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

"Ayeeee." Jade adjusts to compensate from Ballad sliding almost off her.

She staggered a bit but kept running though she had fallen behind.
"Nooooooooo drat."

OOC: 19:01, Today: Jon rolled 6 using 2d6+2 ((1,3)).  Welp last half of the race, is for Jade's to lose.  Cuz, unless Ari comes through again, we stumbled.

Jon and Ari pull ahead slightly.  Jon is grinning and the Joy reaches his eyes.  But out of the corner of his eye, Jon sees Jade stagger and his concern causes him to slip on a step.

"Oh no be careful !" Jade didn't want her cousins to fall off the Stairs.

Jade tried to catch up. She tries to bump Jon and Ariadne on the other side so they don't fall off the stairs.


17:43, Today: Jade rolled 12 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,6.  Jade stairmaster.


This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

Ariadne leans forward in her enthusiasm,  which might have been a mistake

OOC: 19:45, Today: Ariadne rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,1.  Dex for riding Jon

Exiting the water just behind Jade and Ballad. Jon laughs and looks over his shoulder at Ari. "Sorry, Ari, I was not a very good steed for you." but he is smiling.  "Maybe next time, for seems they are the unbeatable duo tonight.."

Ariadne hopped down, smiling wryly
"Well, maybe next time. "

She walked up onto the beach

Jade exits spitting out water like fountain sculpture.

"I..." Deep breaths as she adjusted her lungs for breathing air again.
"Get rid of all the water in your lungs first then breath deep. It will help."

She looked around and saw Odile and smiled, "Your soaking Sovereign awaits." Giving Odile a bright smile.

She then helped Ballad get her footing.

Ariadne coughs up water, looking out at the sea like it was a personal insult.
"That was definitely a strange experience

Clears his throat and Lungs. His voice a bit hoarse now "Well, I should've asked for a handicap, I forgot Water was Jade's natural element." he teases with genuine humor.  "But, thank you for the course correction back there.  I believe you saved our lives most likely."

"You would have lived, though you might have been knocked out from the pressure. A normal person would have died though. It was fun but drunken, night running up stairs underwater might be something we do only once a year." She flashes a bright smile.

Ariadne chuckled darkly
"I'm not exactly all about playing it safe, but this habit of 'we do things for fun where people occasionally die' is definitely taking some getting used to "

Jade will get a towel from the carriage to dry off. She also leans on the carriage letting her heart rate return to normal.

"I am so glad I could share the sight of Rebma with you. Maybe we could take a whale tour of the city when we actually visit the city. Thank you Ballad for letting us come here."