*nods* "I'll have to remember that.  And take him up on the order."

*grins* "My mother will adore you, I have no doubt." he replies to Ballad's acceptance of the invitation.

"Hmmm, The Court of Chaos? Are they creating the greymen, you think?"
*smiles* Raises a glass and then starts when Ballad announces that Lance leave.
He finishes the toast, then asks "Do you know what errand?  Given that the greymen are hunting us.  Did he at least take a companion?"

Ballad drinks to Lance’s happiness; then she rests her cup in the sand. The rim of it gleams with fire. A particularly loud wave crashes against the shore.

"He went to his knees to beg pardon," Ballad tells Jade. The pale-haired young woman is trying to be fair, judicious. There's maybe a slight undercurrent for the sharp-eared to catch, but communication is a many-nuanced thing. "But yes, without any encouragement. He did not want it, I think. I believe Aunt Flora was there to offer him encouragement. He seemed... well, I hope now he's done it, he wields its power well. So should we all." A shrug. She shakes her head slightly at Jon's questions. "Laurence might know what he was about. He asked after something beginning with an S, I think? Sonvasht. Sofi? Sofifi? Sunish... I wasn't paying sharp attention, and then we did not speak of the errand. He did go alone."

Jade listens and not one to wish ill on someone just having walked the pattern.
"To Lance determined to walk his path alone." She then tips back her glass taking a drink to the toast.

"He knew we wanted to cheer him on, he must have wanted to prove it to himself. I told him I wouldn't let him walk it till he gained self confidence. That he would die if he lacked that. It's my fault, he walked it to prove me wrong and he could have died." Her eyes were big and not in that way like when she was happy. Her breathing had become harsher like she was having a bit of difficulty breathing. It was simply her being so upset not really a breathing problem but being from Rebma might have made it sound that way.

Ariadne scowled and rolled her eyes when she heard Lance had walked the pattern alone,  without telling them.
It shouldn't have been a huge deal, as she had met the man literally days before, and had spent a grand total of 45 minutes or so in his company,  but as a fellow "Earthican", she couldn't help but take it personally that he had, intentionally or not,  ditched her during this supposedly momentous event.
She silently drank, trying not to resent him for it, but being mostly unsuccessful

In reply to Jade (msg # 32):

Jon moves closer to Jade and reaches out to try and comfort her. "It is not your fault Jade, you didn't do anything.  Lance made this decision on his own. I don't understand why, but I do know it wasn't because of us."

He looks at Ballad "He apologized? What for?" Shakes his head in disbelief "I can't believe he went alone.  And I can't believe Aunt Florimel let him."

“He didn’t die. He didn’t seem confident; but he didn’t die. And Jade, he walked it for himself. You had nothing to do with it. When I saw him, he seemed exhausted but,” a slender pause (Ballad is trying to be generous, but there's that undercurrent) before she settles on the right word, “determined. Aunt Flora wants the best for him, I think. He'll probably be all right. It is too bad, his particular determination, but it's also his loss: He's missing out on a beautiful night with good company. We're not.”

Jade slowed her breathing and sighed.

"Your right he lived, just knowing he could have died. I can't help feel that he walked it to prove me wrong. I will rise above my own turmoil and be happy for him accomplishing the greatest test any of us could ever succeed at. To Lance a true Prince of Amber."

She raised her glass again.

"But he is still a jerk, for not being around to celebrate it with us."

Ariadne raised her glass politely, though she was still frowning.  She let out a little sigh of annoyance.
"I didn't expect all of us to be besties for life, since we're all essentially a random bunch of strangers, but I'd have hoped for at least the slightest hint of solidarity, especially with a common enemy.  Now Lance is out by himself, getting into who knows what kind of trouble, without any of us to help him.  He's definitely showing himself to be as stubborn and pig headed as many of the men from Earth."

*nods* to Ballad "Ballad is right, Lance made his choice and all we can do is wish him the best.  And hope that one day he will rejoin us." *frowns* "I too hoped for solidarity, much like the four of us have been." *smiles* "So for now, let's enjoy the company we have and have fun." he raises his glass. "To Lance, and too us!  The Cardinals of Amber!"

Ballad shakes her head at to prove me wrong, but she doesn’t argue again; instead, she offers Jade a firm little nod at I will rise above, her gaze eloquent and full of sympathy, flashes a vibrant-edged smile at true Prince of Amber and raises her cup again. Clinks hers against Jade’s. Jerk, indeed! Then Ariadne’s. Then Jon’s.

"He may come around. I don't think he wishes anyone ill. And I really hope he returns to you with news," she says, earnest, after Ariadne's piece, a nod for Jon's comment too. Then: more lighthearted, though no less sincere. "If he doesn't, it's great fun to mount a rescue, no? And I fully hope that we are friends and allies, even if we are new to knowing one another."

Another clink for Jon's toast, and Ballad shifts so she's kneeling instead of sprawling. "Cardinals? Like the birds?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

Ariadne raised her glass to Jon, this time with more enthusiasm, but looked at him with amused curiosity.
"Cardinals?"

"Bright red pretty birds !"

*smiles* "Cardinals as in Directions: North points to Ballad, South points to Jade, East points to Ariadne and West points to himself.  We hail from 4 different places, but Amber is the center of our connection to each other.  We each bring something different and yet we come together as friends and family.  Much like the compass drawn on a map"

Ariadne chuckled but nodded.
"Okay, that's a little odd, but I like it."

"I like being South." Jade smiles.

"I've been to all four directions on Earth, so I'm okay with whatever. "
She grinned.

"What do those directions signify in your personal mythology?" Ballad wishes to know. In other words, why those directions.

Ariadne looked at Ballad, and shrugged, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Well, in my specific part of Earth, the United States of America, there's a large area with its own 'Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western' parts.  So we have characteristics for each section of the country.   The East is a bit more cosmopolitan and old fashioned, the West is more relaxed and laid back, South is friendly but old fashioned, and North is subtle but determined.   Though those are just general stereotypes that definitely don't apply to everyone."

*smiles* "Back home, we have four stars that Shine bright and are used as references for navigation.  So the legend is that the Northern Star represents the future and the path forward.  The Southern Star represents the way home to family and friends.  The Eastern Star is that of the companion always there at your right hand.  The Western star represents hope, the hope to find love, adventure and return home." *blushes slightly* "To me all of you you represent some part of all four."

Ariadne nodded and smiled
"That works for me"

"Let's dance."

Jade snaps her fingers and lighting explodes into the air and music fills the same.
So that everyone can dance. Jade immediately begins dancing to the music and enjoying herself.
Little fireworks and the music continues.

"Come on everyone !"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrywJvtImSM




21:02, Today: Jade rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 1,6.  Glamoury Music.
I will take -1 on my next roll.


This message was last edited by the player at 04:10, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

Having been to many parties in the last few months,  Ariadne knew a few smooth Earth dance moves,  especially for someone as limber as she was.
Chuckling with delight at her whimsical cousin,  she nodded and got up to join the dancing, doing several spins and struts

OOC : 22:14, Today: Ariadne rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,6.  Dance attempt

"Wow Ariadne, that is cool !" She smiled wide.

23:29, Today: Jon rolled 6 using 2d6+1 ((1,5)). Adjusted for the -1 from the axe throw disaster.

Jon was hit harder by the drink that he realized as he manages to fall flat on his face, when he tries to sync up with Jade and Ari.

Jade bends down to help Jon up.

"First day, new legs." She laughs lightly.