Jade nods, "I think so yes."

Smiling, "It is up to you of course."

Ariadne seemed to ponder for a moment,  then walked to the wardrobe.  Opening the beautifully carved wooden doors,  she reached behind the clothes hung there.and took out the fancy bit sturdy looking battle axe hung there.  Backing up a bit, she hefted the weapon,  smiling at how it felt.

"Okay,  i guess I'm ready "

((I want to wait for Jon because he is with Jade and I am sure he would say something.))

OOC:  i was thinking that same thing.  :)

*chuckles* "Yes, it can be very dangerous between here and there." he gives her a quick once over. "Your outfit looks good, fits your personality well."

*nods* "I agree with Jade, you should take it with you."

As she is ready, "Today is a big day. I know you are are gonna be fine." *smiles* "Let us be on our way. The Warrior Princess, the Sea Princess and the Hawk."

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the very long stair, in the very deep dungeon, a young woman with hair glistering silver-gold in the gloom slings herself loungily against the wall opposite the guard. Although she’s underground, in the deepest and darkest part of Amber Castle, observe: Ballad looks as if she fell out of light; as if she coalesced from some fairy twilight, fresh from an adventure, in black and green and silver, romantic and dramatic, a thin circlet kissing her forehead, and dripping from one ear an earring which looks very much as if it was spun from some impossible star or taken from the part of Arden which covers the Moon. Maybe that's where she's been!

But at the moment of this meanwhile, mysterious as any movements before this might be, Ballad cheerfully says, "Hallo, Trent! The whole glittering, glory of my kin didn't troop by yet, did they? I have brought you something from the shadows. Any new developments in the training capacities of spiders, or your novel?"

Although if it is not Trent, after the question about her relations heading to the Pattern room, she'll ask something quite different!

OOC: There! Putting her in the non-interact zone between everybody to start. SORRY SORRY SORRY!

"Yes, actually. Well I mean not every single relative you've got... but one or two of the, er, new ones. Or more maybe..."



"Not exactly... Well, as far as the novel... I'm re-working the plot. It's starting to go in a more, um, exciting direction. The main characters seem to be sort of fed up with self-contemplation, and ready to take some risks and see what happens, so the old vague outline I had in my head isn't fitting anymore..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

Ariadne chuckled and smiled at her cousins

"Okay,  kids, let's get to it.  Before i overthink this and lose whatever nerve i have left.  To be honest,  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what this actually means for me.  I'm still not sure I fully grasp it"
Closing her door,  she walked with the others towards the stairs

"It means endless possibilities. Though right now it means a chance to kick our enemies behinds !"

Jade Smiles then escorts Ariadne and Jon down to the Pattern room knowing the way. She takes the most expedient route not wasting time and wanting them to get to the pattern with as little fatigue as possible. She will gather lanterns for them but create a shimmery magic ball of light for herself.

Down, down down to the Pattern room where the light of the Pattern itself will take on the responsibility of providing all the light needed.

  The room is quiet as the group enters, quiet enough to hear the sound of a book being closed and put away into a backpack.  Off to the left side of the Pattern, a tall, blonde figure stands, takes out his sunglasses and puts them on.

  It is Lance, of course, having spent a few hours reading.

  "Morning.  I suppose it's about that time then, eh?"

  He is dressed in his knee-high boots, acid-washed jeans, and red and gold 49'ers tee-shirt...and of course his assorted weaponry in their appropriate sheathes and belts.

"Lance, wow your here already. You must have gotten up really early. I am glad you could be here." Jade gave a bright smile visible in the blue electric glow of the Pattern.

Ariadne grinned at Lance and chuckled wryly
"Decided to dress Old School, eh?  You make me feel like I've gone Native over here. 'MedievalBro is a good look for you,  i have to admit. "

  "Wouldn't have missed it for the world, so I came down around three A.M.  After all, I promised you both that I would be here and a promise is a promise."  Lance says. "I didn't want to wear the fancy stuff today, y'know, get it all sweaty from the walk back up...or whatever else I might wind up doing today."

Jon, leaves Ari and Jade at the head of the stairs. "I have a quick errand to run, then I'll meet you down there." as he turns to go, he rests his hand on Jade's shoulder and for a moment it looks like he wants to say something, but instead he heads off.

Jade looks a bit concerned when Jon heads off but merely bobs her head as he departs.

Meanwhile, with the guard:



Ballad casts a glance down the tunnels at this before, intent and quizzical, turning her very blue eyes back to Trent.

“But no uncles, no aunts? They were alone?”



"Ha! Let's hope that self-contemplation either leads to interesting conflict or, now they know themselves better, they're more capable of standing against--whatever it is they're going to stand against. Do you have an idea of an antagonist yet?"

"Uh, that's how I remember it... is that wrong? Was I not paying enough attention...?"



"Mm. I have some ideas... but they need to be more... solid..."

“I’d say ‘no’ to that second question only if, once I make it to the Pattern Room, I discover an entire party of gray, gloomy men inside. But I think you have trustworthy eyes,” says she, good-natured and—after a thoughtful beat—amused. She straightens from the tunnel wall, lofting the lantern she let idle by her feet.



"Perhaps you should try a perspective change, hop from your heroes to their foes, check in what gathering clouds, etcetera?" Ballad replies. "Get out of your main characters' heads, just like they're turning more to action. If nothing else, it will be good exercise." She pulls a small paper 'box,' somewhat crushed, silver and green and white stripes, out of her pocket and sets it down on Trent's stool or into Trent's hand. She said she had a thing for him from shadow. "Next time I visit you, read me a page with a villain. Even if they're still so utterly foggy you could breathe them in. Fare-you-well, Trent!"

Normally, Ballad would linger and chat for a great deal longer, but there's a Walk or two to witness. Hopefully, not a death.

"Yeah, I'm very sure you should expect not to find that."



"Yeah... yeah... or maybe a supporting character... and then... wait, what if..." Annnd he's off in his own world again, thinking... (His eyes open, though-- I mean, he is still a guard...)

  Lance walks over to Ari gives her a hug and whispers, "You got this.  Just stay on the line, ignore the sparks, and keep moving.  There's three areas of resistance, each one tougher than the last.  Just bear down and push through them.  Stay focused and don't leave anything on the table out there.  It's tough, but you can do it.  If anything goes wrong though, I got your back.  I'll come to help if you get into trouble, but I know that won't be necessary."

  He gives her a last reassuring squeeze then steps back.

Ari hugged Lance back, a little embarrassed by how much sue actually needed to physical reassurance at the moment.
She chuckled wryly
"To be honest,  I'm not positive if that pep talk was helpful or more intimidating,  but i appreciate it "

  "You Boston chicks are tough.  No worries."  Lance smiled.  "Go Sox!"

Ariadne laughed, giving Lance a playful smack on the shoulder.
"I'll admit that I was never a big fan of sports, at least not the serious jock sports involving more beer than skill, but i appreciate the thought. "
She took a deep breath, perhaps to steady  her nerves.
"So, keep walking, no matter what, and don't stop.  Okay, any other advice?"

"Who is Sox ? Is that like a pet or something ?"

Ariadne gave a somewhat dainty snort of a laugh and grinned at Jade.
"Sort of.  A local sports team.  Earth people get WAY too excited watching other people play competitive games,  i think. But it's very popular."

She looked at the mesmerizing Pattern, and took another deep breath.
"Okay, i suppose i need to do this.  This thing isn't going to get any less intimidating if i stare at it longer.  Here goes nothing...."

Doubling checking her gear, Ariadne took a step forward,  beginning her walk.