*smiles* "Ultimately, yes, I think it would be in our best interest to do so.  But we will need to be smart about it.  Because whoever is behind this is powerful, more so than we are today.  And Lance and I plan to walk the pattern.  I would recommend it to Ari, if for no other reason than to have an exit strategy." sits back and looks at everyone "Once we can travel the shadows, next we need to hone our skills and our coordination with each other.  Understanding each others abilities and fighting styles will be invaluable. If we don't, we could accidently get in each others way in a fight..." *smiles* "I have a good feeling about the five of us working together, I think we can accomplish a lot."

Ariadne smiled thoughtfully as she listened to the others
"Yes, my mother, Princess Diedre, died during this chaos war everyone talks about, and i was raised by my father on Earth.  But he's originally from here, i think.  Alva Arrington, of one of the noble houses, or something like that.  Honestly, for all my life he was 'Alvin Arrington, Historian and Antiques Dealer'.  All this stuff is news to me.  And I'm also guessing it was to protect me."
She took another big sip
'My attack so far was pretty consistent with the others.  They didn't grunt at all, though, even when choking on Pepper spray.   And they didn't bleed.  I didn't have a knife on me, but a boot to the face should produce something, and it didn't.   Their skin was definitely not human, like Lance said "

She took another sip while she nodded, and gestured towards them.
"Lance brought up Hunting Dogs.  That's actually an interesting point.  What if, and hear me out if this sounds loopy, What if these grey jackasses were all from a huge pack, and were all, well, 'dispatched' at the same time by their 'Hunting Master', and all the dogs rushed out into the various worlds as close to the same time, trying to take all of us out in one coordinated strike?"

The brunette grinned almost playfully at her cousins
'While i love my father, I've never been good at staying home while 'the grown ups' handle the hard jobs.  If you guys want to take matters into our own hands and take the fight to them, I'm all in.  Yeah, i should take some time to recover first, but I'm here to help , no matter what "

Ballad is often impulsive. Just now that translates to, when Jade says she’d love to take anyone who wishes to visit Rebma and show them around, well, she flashes an absolutely radiant grin and, yes, bounces! Then—you’ve got it—in a fit of exuberant grace, she abandons behind-the-bar to — “Really? Oh, thank you!" — give Jade a brief hug! (Though of course if Jade recoils too noticeably she’ll draw back at the last minute, utterly sheepish. She's impulsive, not inattentive!) "New places are always better with a guide one wants to spend time with!"

And, later, a glance at Jade's reply, and a thoughtful drum of her fingertips. She flips the page over, then she unhooks her earrings and wraps them up in a napkin, reaching over the bar she's now leaning against from the other side to pull her bag close and put them inside.

Jon's response causes her eyes to sparkle, glad he seems to be on board. Ari's, even more so. Playfulness begets playfulness, and Ballad, at least at this moment, is never far from playfulness: "Oh, I like you," she says. "What about hands in, everybody? To working together." And she's as good as her suggestion, placing one hand out in the air - a hopeful glance around.

And as she hopes, very directly she says, "Odile, would you mind leaving the room for a moment? I want to share a secret with my relations. Bonding, you know."

Jade will allow the hug, hugging back as well.

"Most are a bit intimidated by an invitation to sight see in Rebma so I am glad to find someone enthusiastic." Jade was surprised by the hug but she loved her homeland and it showed the same way An Amberite would love Amber. She smiled just thinking about the trip to Rebma with new friends, family, both.

She looked a little embarrassed at the enthusiasm of the others to hunt down the Gray men. She was not exactly battle born. She in fact rather loved the chance to wander the castle, read the books in the library, and buy a wonderful wardrobe.

Reservations rose up and she decided to share, "First a few things before racing off to fight these sharks in men suits. Our family thought our safety paramount enough to bring us here to keep us safe. I am also certain, that they are indeed working on the problem themselves. That said, it is our problem as well. I will join everyone, as long as we do not forget beings much more powerful then us, are concerned about the danger of them."

Jade nods to Odile, "It's alright go ahead."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Ariadne smirked but put a hand forward
"I've still got the sutures to remind me to be careful, but I'm all in otherwise "

  Lance places his hand atop Ballad's. "Oh, I'm in.  I grew up an orphan, and be damned if I'm going to lose any of my newfound family.  Oh, and do count me in on sightseeing Rebma too, if it's not an imposition.  It sounds amazing."

  In his head he's picturing a domed city, with lots of little domes sprouting off through clear tunnels.  Oh, he has no idea....

Jade places her hand onto the others, nodding.

*Nod* "Like I said earlier, we will NEED to train.  That is a requirement before I would be willing to take us out into field to face this enemy. I don't want to lose any of you." runs his hand through his hair "This undertaking is not like going on a hunt or sightseeing.  We will need to practice, hone our skills, learn to work as a team and ensure that we understand each others strengths and weakness so that we know how to cover and protect each other." *smiles* "So long as everyone understands that and is willing to put in the time,  effort, and resources then I'm in." He looks at each one in turn looking to see that they understand.

In reply to Jon (msg # 66):

Ariadne chuckled ruefully
"i haven't had a serious challenge in years, so i might whine and complain a lot, but if you can ignore that I'm in. "

Her eyes shine when Ariadne puts her hand in, grateful, and if the bounce of a hug that Jade received isn't hint enough that Ballad is a physically affectionate creature, the gentle sway-bump of her shoulder against her extremely beautiful dark-haired cousin's shoulder is another hint. Lance also gets a shining look, a grateful nod, and the same goes for Jade although some solemnity comes to Ballad at the Rebman's reservations. She gets a careful, expressive nod: agreement.

“No argument earlier, no argument now,” Ballad says to Jon, a good-natured duh, but the cant of her smile is hopeful. Earnest: “We do things smart. We help one another. We learn. Here and out in the shadows. We don’t forget to treat dangerous things with respect. I don't mean we should go haring off immediately into a fray, although if a fray finds us, well, why not try to be prepared. But our parents’ generation isn’t so infallible, no more than grandfather Oberon. Frankly, they could probably use the help." (Somewhere, Julian feels a chill?) "Smart help. Focus our strength first.” There. Ballad hopes that reassures Jade and Jon. “I'm so excited for you three to walk the Pattern. There's such wonder afterward. But..." Just Jon now. They only need his hand! "Together?”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

*nods* "Good to hear. I am happy everyone agrees.  I don't want to lose any of you." he puts his hand on the pile and gives a big grin.

Jade smiled more as Jon added his hand. She was curious what Ballad had to say once Odile had left the hall. Her eyes danced around looking at all her cousins. From orphan to big family overnight, she was still trying to deal with it all.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

"Oh, certainly!" squeaks Odile, and she steps out into the hallway, closing the doors again behind her.

Jade smiles softly at Odile's squeak. Watching the maid head off. Her eyes return to Ballad.



This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

There. A pact. Ballad's hand, Ariadne's hand, Lance's hand, Jade's hand, and Jon's. Ballad's starry gaze touches each cousin, inclusive, inviting, and she places her other hand atop Jon's. Then withdraws and braces herself against the bar, pushing herself up to sit atop it and lean forward, elbows on her knees.

“Now then. Ari, your thought of a ‘Master Huntsman’ who looses his hounds at once isn’t loopy at all. Why, if these are the same gray men who tormented our relations in the good ol’ bad days, before we were around to liven things up,” a brief grin, “then they’ve been known to follow a master’s directions before. But I know we’re not the only ones who’ve felt the sharp edge," Ballad wiggles her fingers evocatively, "of their attention. Here’s another puzzle piece:"

"After Dad delivered Uncle Random’s invitation, I walked us to a near shadow. Remember, Ahogodaluna is out there,” a casual gesture, indicating far. “I wanted a bath before meeting Uncle Random, and bandages, so my first impression wouldn’t be a bloody one. In Sefonia, I was greeted at the door of an inn by its owner, Colonel Hendrik. He saw my injuries and immediately asked if my wounds were ‘caused by the gray men.’ I asked whether gray men were a common pack of skulks. The Colonel first seemed amazed I hadn’t already heard because the gray men had conquered half of Sefonia. They came from nowhere and made no demands. How did he put it? ‘Herding’ is the word he used. They were ‘herding’ people in one direction, and no word from any survivors, and rumors of profane rituals, and this very kind Colonel did say we’d be safe in his inn for the night, but he could not guarantee the next.”

“I am going back to investigate. Not before I spend some time here in Amber, meeting family and so on. I won't discount the thought, especially if the gray men attacks have been coordinated, that whoever or whatever their master is has eyes on Amber, so it might be best to make a splash, you know? But it also stands to reason if the gray jackasses are marching, they are marching from somewhere; I mean to get behind them and see what I can find. And I want help the Colonel if I can.”

"But did any of you hear rumors of a hosting like that one on your way here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Jade listened intently her curiosity peaked.

"I believe you are correct Ballad, that these are the same grey men that attacked Corwin, Random and our aunt Florimel. The same that menaced and kept imprisoned Brand. If they are not, they are pretty damn close to that. I didn't realized they had so many, so as to menace a whole shadow. Those dark rituals you mentioned, could it be normal folk are being taken and changed into these things ?  While as you said, we were not around back then books record that chaos had some kind of black spots perhaps related to the black road and those changed the folk of shadow into beasts. There is a series of books where such is mentioned here. Did Random mention these things ? Did you tell him of your discovery in Sefonia ?"

Jade looked down into her glass a concerned look gazing back from the green liquid.

"It does sound like a war."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

At hearing Ballad use "grey jackasses", Ariadne couldn't help but smile.  She nodded as the blonde spoke, then listened intently as her green haired cousin added to the theory pile.
"I'm afraid I  don't know enough to add anything to our stockpile of information, but I'm definitely on board with going to this Sefonia place to investigate, or even do what we can to help.   I owe these grey dinks some serious payback, and I'm looking forward to doing it.
And Jade, if you're right and this is some weird infestation, then we definitely
have to  do something to stop whoever's behind it"

Ballad looks grave as Jade speaks aloud the terrible what if. The gravity is somewhat leavened by Ariadne, whose reply and avowal briefly dredges up her dimple. Dinks? What a good word.

But back to theorizing. “I wouldn't discount the idea that they're changed. Dad said that he was reminded of the Black Road. If the gray men were once other, then I wonder..." Ballad pauses once, thoughtful, before deciding to go ahead and throw all the outlandish theories out. "Well I wonder whether they're changed close to the location of their target or if there is one shadow rooted in corruption from which they come. I mean, is it possible ... if there were gray men in Amber City, walking the streets where our family has their seat of power ... that the gray men were changed here? Maybe we can look into any recent disappearances down in the city while we're here. Even if that's a step too far, maybe somebody saw them before or after they attacked you, Jade, and we can use that to figure out how they came and went."

"Er, as for Uncle Random. I did tell him about the hosting. What I left out were my intentions. It's nice to be worried about, but..." Ballad shrugs eloquently. It's nice, but freedom to maneuveur. It's nice, but knowledge! It's nice, but let's not let the parents have all the fun. "I'm trusting you four! Together, and all that." She grins, lopsided, bright as a star-falling. "Uncle Random mentioned an account of his in the library which I've earmarked for bedtime reading. It's the one where he finds the shadow where Brand was kept imprisoned. But you're right, more firsthand accounts of the black road times could be useful reads."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

"I can find those books again from the library, or Laurence should be able too since he helped me earlier. Oh Ariadne the Grey men in the book had hand pistols like you. I remember wondering at that, they must be a popular weapon on Shadow Earth. Though none of us seemed to have encountered them with such weapons in our encounters. Maybe they use whatever is most expedient in the areas they are, in shadow or Amber. Like the blades here and elsewhere."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:46, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

Ariadne nodded.  She wasn't really the 'research' type, but she realized she wanted to do whatever was needed to help out.

*nods* and gives Ballad a hard look "I understand your concern for the 'Colonel' and what to repay his kindness.  But we need to get stronger first and prepare." he runs his hand through his hair "Promise me, Ballad, that you won't go off on your own.  Wait for us to get a bit stronger and test out our cooperation and coordination." he looks around at the group "Listen, I know, I don't have to say it, but I will.  These gray men are dangerous and strong.  Each of us were lucky to walk away." *smiles*  "Ballad, I think you have the luck of an ArchFae.  I'm pretty sure one of your attackers were defeated by the swamp you are.  I understand that you are the most experienced of all of us.  Which is why it is important that you stay with us." his concern for and of Ballad is evident.

Ariadne bristled a little at her survival being considered "lucky", but she was determined not to let her ego interfere with her plans
"So....Research, healing, doing this 'Pattern thing', and then we get some big weapons and go hunting.  Sound about right?"

Ballad’s listens and if she had a hat it would surely be cocked rakishly, such is her air. But she doesn’t have a hat. We just have to pretend to get the right effect. Her boots are plenty jaunty. ("Perhaps Ari and Lance will show us around Shadow Earth one day!" she says to Jade when Jade mentions the hand pistols popular on Shadow Earth. Mention of Laurence or the library does have her glancing at the door. She was on an errand when she ran into her cousins, after all. One of three tonight.)

Ballad whitens, ivory, moonlight, pale gold, somewhere in the middle of Jon's weighing in. It's not like she was unprepared for Mr. Lecture, but something he said crystallizes. She stays pale throughout the rest of his remarks, through Ariadne's reply, though she also spins on the bar and hops down to the other side, so the bar's there for her to lean on again and she can cup her chin and gaze at her cousins. "I think that's more or less the rough plan," she replies. "With 'getting to know one another' and 'exploring our heritage' thrown in. Umm, Ari. You said your Dad is a member of one of Amber's noble houses? Will you be meeting his family, too? I wonder what the noble houses are saying about this whole thing."

"And ... Jon, you clearly have a chivalrous heart. Do you ride? We should go riding together, you and me. We can talk about," and Ballad waves expressively, "swamps and pens, sealing wax, string, cabbages, surfing, you know, all that. Actually... Who has breakfast plans? I realize I don't know if family in residence dines together or if there's a buffet set up. But I'd love to meet up."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

  Being awake for two, nearly three days straight is starting to take it's toll, causing Lance to knuckle his eyes as he struggles to remain awake.  He wanted to stay and continue to talk with his cousins, but he needed rest.

  "Ahh, cousins!  The Sandman is starting to win his battle tonight, I fear.  I've not slept in what seems ages, and tomorrow will surely test us in ways we can scarcely fathom.  I shall be deemed the lightweight for suggesting it, I'm sure, but I need to make my way to bed.  Truly, I'm glad we've all met, and there is much we all need to discuss, but I'm off to find my room and close my eyes for a few hours.  With that, I'll bid you all good night, until breakfast tomorrow."

Ariadne blinked in surprise, making an uncomfortable face.
"That's a good point about Dad's relatives.  He's technically, as far as I know, been away from his other family for my entire life.  I'll admit that in all this craziness, with the attack and all this magic, I had forgotten to even ask who else he knows here. "
She winced, feeling a like a bad daughter.  Distractedly, she nodded to Lance.
"I'll gladly see you all for breakfast, though I'll have to see how my father is doing.  After almost thirty years away from here, he might be all alone as well."