Jade watched the two dance and was both surprised and not at how well the Queen could dance. She smiled to herself enjoying watching her fellow Rebman gliding across the dance floor.
She had Odile quickly fetch her something to sketch and capture this moment so she could later make a painting of the two dancers.

Janessa slips in to stand by her cousins, fresh drink in hand and smile on her face.

Ariadne was a bit awkward and clumsy to begin with, since her last official lesson in ballroom dancing had been not long after puberty kicked in.  But very quickly she got the hang of things again, as everything, including things she wasn't sure she'd even originally known, came back to her.
It was a strange feeling, as she danced.  Normally she would have acquainted the feeling with dancing with such an attractive and elegant woman, but in this case it was more.
The Pattern.
Despite how tired she was, Ariadne realized that she felt...energized...as she moved.  Flashes of the strange arcane energies of the Pattern, wrapping up her legs and reaching into her soul, made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt before.  Just by trying to remember dance moves, she felt like she was accessing something primal and powerful.  Like the knowledge and power of the universe was there, waiting for her to access it.
If trying to dance was this much of a powerful experience, she wondered what would happen when she was actually out in the world, exploring, fighting, and...moving to other worlds.

Smiling, she held the queen tight, and danced.

(Ariadne, roll Willpower, please. I just wanna check something... it's probably nothing. Nothing bad will happen to you if you blow the roll. (Meaning you also won't get XP if you do.))

Jade let's her eyes drift and is surprised that Janessa had slipped in. It wasn't surprising that she wasn't announced with the Queen dancing but it still made her blink.

"Princess Janessa, you made it. I am so happy, it is nice to see you."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Sat 21 May 2022.

In reply to The GM (msg # 23):

OOC:  17:05, Today: Ariadne rolled 5 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 2,4.  Willpower

(Okay, never mind)

Jon smiles seeing Janessa join the party and walks over towards Jade and Janessa. "Thank you for coming."  He watches Jade draw the dancing queen and princess.

Smiles to Jon, "I just wanted to capture the moment. It is nice to see, it is a shame the Queen won't be able to see it. I wonder if I need to practice sculpting. I imagined what a gathering like this would be like here in Amber. It is wonderful to be the one behind this gala."

Jade continued with her drawing, "I plan to make this a full painting when I can."

"Oh!" says Odile, again seeming to almost appear suddenly next to Jade (though I guess she was there again for at least a few seconds and we just didn't notice. (Gah! How does she keep doing that?) "Maybe you could take lessons in sculpting from the queen...?"

"That would be wonderful, I will have to ask her." Jade smiled glad to have Odile about.

"Jon, would you dance with Odile ? When the Queen's dance is done of course."

"Oh!!" says Odile, flustered-- but then-- "Oh!!" she says again, because Julian is striding over...

Jade looks to Julian smiling, "Hello uncle, I hope your enjoying yourself."

"Niece... Would you care for the next dance...?" There's nothing untoward nor impolite in Julian's manner... it really does seem to simply be an uncle pleasantly asking a young niece he barely knows as yet if she'd like to dance...

"Of course, I would love to." She will join Prince Julian on the dance floor as soon as the Queen's dance is done.

Jon smiles "It would be a honor, if that is Odile's desire." in response to Jade's request.  He then looks at Odile, "Well, dear Odile, would you like to dance." he asks with a slight bow.

Odile has trouble doing more than nodding, so overcome is she with emotion, but it's clear she wants to do this.

https://c.tenor.com/AawIsMGnR88AAAAC/llorar1-cry.gif

Smiles to herself seeing how happy Odile is and how humble and kind Jon is to Odile.

The waltz of the queen and Ariadne ends...

Jade will set down her sketching implements and stand reaching up to take Prince Julians hand.
"Alright, let's dance uncle."

She caught Odile's look and smiled to her friend.

Jon nods "If it is OK Uncle and Jade, we shall join you." he holds out his hand for Odile.

Jade nods to Jon not having a problem with sharing the dance floor.

The queen returned to the king, the two of them quietly decide to join as well...

The music starts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9J5GqnDKyQ

Janessa stands to the side, watching with a grin.

Dances to the lively song with her uncle.
"It's so nice to see everyone enjoying themselves. So tell me has there been any news on the graymen that face us ?"