After the action in the last piece, a talky bit is a nice change of pace.

It also gives Jen a little time away from the other elves. With Dash.

 
Jen's suit rallied her consciousness midfall, shaking her out of the daze she'd been in following the Black Paladin's attack. She rolled gracefully into the grass.

"Ow. How did that happen?" Jen asked, bewildered. She turned up to see Black Paladin throw Dash next to her before riding off. Jen wasn't sure if it was the nanites Aleena had left in him, or simply natural reaction and instinct that allowed Dash to roll through the fall unharmed.

She suspected both. Dash tried to shake the sleep out of his eyes, holding his wrist. "Urgh.. what just happened?" Dash blinked, taking note of the expression on her face. "Or did you just ask that?"

"I don't know. I just blacked out. We both got scooped up, carried off, and dropped here."

"Sounds about right." Dash looked around. "Looks like he might have been scared off by your ship. They should be able to find us quickly."

"Actually, we're not that far, we'll walk back." Jen said. Dash in his gentlemanly ways pulled her to her feet. "My companions have captured the two henchpeople. What do you want us to do with them?"

"They'd be under our regional authority," Dash said, giving the matter some consideration. "The best move would be to take them to our holding cell in Seaside Town. That way, we can consult and collaborate with the Council of Loathing on the matter."

"Very well," Jen replied. She relayed her orders to the space elves. Dash glanced back to where the Paladin had taken off.

"Too dangerous to follow him. He's moving quickly into Feline Empire territory," Dash said, frowning.

The two walked in silence for a few minutes, following the Black Paladin's horse tracks back to the ship. In a few places, the underbrush was thick enough that they had to travel single-file. Jen took the lead, letting Dash follow. She occasionally glanced back and quickly noted Dash seemed to be averting his eyes from her form. She knew Dash almost as well as Aleena herself did, having reviewed her Queen's memories of him. Dash looked melancholy, and maybe a little lonely. "You miss her, don't you." Jen observed.

"I do," Dash said. He'd been favoring his right leg as they started walking but that seemed to be fading away. He knew who she meant. "How'd you meet her, anyway? If I might ask."

"I met her at the Games. We were competing for the rank of Princess. She won, but only just barely." Jen laughed.

Dash's next comment surprised her. Or didn't. "Funny. I never pictured the elves as competitive."

"The Games prove that we are capable of leading our people. Tests of body, mind and soul. Only the best are chosen."

"I could see her excelling at that," Dash said wistfully. He paused, obviously in reflection. "You must be quite the athlete too, from the sounds of it. Or is it more a question of how well you use your cysuits?"

"A little of both actually. I excelled in the physical competition. Aleena leaned on her wit."

Dash smiled. "Yeah, she and I went to our..." Dash's voice trailed off. "No, wait, that was the dream, of course."

Jen smiled back at Dash. "No need to explain. I have Aleena's memories."

Dash seemed momentarily taken by the answer. He looked puzzled by it, but quickly shrugged it off. "I'd be happy to understand it myself. Nevermind being able to explain it."

"It was a computer simulation. A machine controlled your mind. Time in the machine passed more quickly than time in the real world. It was like a... different reality, like Mirrorworld."

"If you say so," Dash said, giving a confused shrug. The explanation seemed to be confusing him more. She let the matter drop rather than getting into the finer points of it.

"If you wish to contact Aleena," Jen offered, "I can make the arrangements."

"I know," Dash answered, nodding. "Thank you. For now, we've got a mission. If you're intent on helping, I mean. We need to determine if the Paladin's acting as a rogue or if the Feline Empire really intends to kidnap Father Crimbo. It seems low. Even for them."

Jen nodded as the two stepped into the clearing where the space elven ship had landed. "We will help."

"Thank you," Dash said. "Something tells me Father Crimbo's built up quite a few enemies over the centuries."

Glyn approached Dash, holding the reigns to Epona. "I suppose you would prefer to ride?" he asked.

Dash nodded, got on the horse, and rode it around. "Thank you, yes. My old friend needs to stretch her legs out, I'm sure."

Dash's horse neighed as if in response to being called 'old.'

"Then we shall meet you in Seaside town and put the prisoners in jail," Jen said coolly. The elves boarded their ship.

"I'd be happy to meet you there," Dash said, flashing a confident smile. "You know how to contact me if you need me."

"Of course," Jen's voice echoed in Dash's mind. The ship began to make a whining noise and then lifted itself into the sky. And then suddenly, without any fanfare, it was simply gone.

Dash smiled, and muttered, "Show offs." Whistling Classic Fanfare to himself, Dash nudged his horse forward towards Seaside Town.

Fun lil piece.