Yay, more Sassy Snake!

We might not see her every mission but it’s enjoyable when we do and this time, she runs into Sebastian again.

 
'Lola, Sebastian Dash's horse, kept a brisk pace for his owner, to Dash's relief. The horse had been forced to suffer through overuse in her history, to Dash's regret. That's why he'd been more prone to leaving her to rest at the campsite. That and the ever growing dangers of life in the Loathing Kingdom.

Right now, she seemed as healthy and fast as ever.

Nowhere near as fast as the technology of the space elves. The ones who'd arrived after Aleena had left. They seemed nice enough from the time Dash had spent with them but ultimately, they just reminded him of Aleena. It was part of the reason Dash wanted a breather. A break from them. They'd be able to handle the strange card lady, probably with ease.

There was also the pressing issue of having a mission to finish. Dash had to keep his mind on that because truth told, he was still getting his mind over the fact Aleena was gone. Not out of touch; he was sure he could contact her, but right now, that would only serve to remind Dash she was, for the time being, out of his life.

He'd known the stab of betrayal, in both the metaphorical and literal sense. This wasn't that. She'd left under the most reasonable of circumstances, taking the time to discuss it with Dash and Konall. She'd even taken the two to see the planet from space.

The world is so big, Dash thought to himself as he rode, reflecting on an amazing, almost surreal moment.

Even so, she was gone. Dash thought about asking to go with, as Cyber Sunset did, but in the end, Dash had an important mission in his Kingdom to finish.

Dash's mind drifted back to trying to keep his horse on track, but Espanolola seemed determined to take a slightly different path.

"We'll never make it to Father Crimbo if you're not gonna listen," Dash whispered to his horse, but it seemed as if she knew where she was going. Hardly a half minute later, Dash noticed a familiar figure walking down one of the well trodden paths in the Nearby Plains.

 
Running, running hard, listening for the music and not hearing it again, Sassy Snake heard a beat that seemed to go through her - was it her heart? Sassy slowed and the beat closed in on her, getting strong as the seconds passed. Sassy recognized it now, a horse's hoofs. Next she saw the horse and rider.

Maybe that noise was her heart beating wildly after all. Sebastian Dash! That dashing rogue. Thinking of running to him, Sassy stopped only briefly, remembering that there is a dark Dash. Zedika Dark. Sassy had heard of him long before she'd met Dash. Upon seeing her, Dash brought the horse close up, saluting her in greeting.

"Dash! You are Dash, aren't you? Where did you come from? Where did you get the horse?"

Dash smiled at her old familiar habit of asking too many questions.

"It's a little hard to explain, but it's me and in fact, we're in my world," Dash explained, hopping off 'Lola. Despite his urgent business, it was clear Sassy had no idea what was going on, judging by the look on her face at the phrase 'my world.'

"It's a long story and I promise to explain it to you," he said, giving her a light hug. "But I've got some duties I need to attend to. You should make your way north to Seaside Town."

Dash couldn't tell by her reply if she planned to listen to or ignore him. "Wasn't that music great, Dash?"

Dash looked puzzled. "Hm? What music?"

"You didn't hear the music?"

"No, but it's great to see you again."

Sassy shook her head and began to wonder what was happening. "Would it slow you and your good horse down if I travel with you?"

Dash pondered her offer just a moment. "I appreciate the offer, but I fear drawing you into a fight which isn't yours in a world which isn't yours, for a conflict you know nothing of."

She started to protest, but Dash cut her off even as he hopped on the horse.

"Just.. stay safe for now. We'll meet soon." With that, Dash and his horse rode off, with the horse going full speed.

Realizing that he didn't forbid her from following him, Sassy decided to do so once he had left her. He turned to wave briefly at her as the man and horse galloped out of sight. Knowing that she couldn't match his pace, but still wanting to follow as best she could, Sassy followed his trail in to the plains.

Although she couldn't match the pace of Dash and his horse, Sassy began to track him, following him south through the plains. The land was totally strange to her and she wondered about the plants and animals here. Slowing her pace, Sassy fell in to a comfortable stroll, walking over the plains with her eyes looking all around her to give her a better picture of this place.

Pressing on doggedly Sassy travelled over rocks and around gullies and through brush, wondering if there might be a better path she could have chosen to stop following Dash. Looking around her, her eyes eagerly took in the vast hills and valleys of the sprawling creak. After having traveled for several minutes, the sound of gurgling water was a welcome one to her ears. It was enough to draw her attention from noticing the small, odd southbound shape streaking in the skies above her.

Following the sounds of water, Sassy came to a large brook. After drinking her fill and filling her canteens Sassy began to wonder whether she should travel on. Lots of daylight still remained. But this would be a good stopping place, might not find a nicer camp site for a while. Shaking her head and rising to her feet, Sassy resumed her pace following the horse's tracks. If she were lucky, perhaps she could camp near Das and his horse tonight.

Thinking of him, her heart started to pound again. He had said that this world was his but surely he didn't mean that he owned it or anything, perhaps that he came from it. Sassy considered this and wondered if this was the reason he was so rugged and handsome. Just like this country. A rugged country and not the best for traveling, but she'd seen many scenic views and majestic sites on her trip from the desert to the south. She'd hoped that her friend was not riding in to trouble, because it did sound like that to her.

Sassy kept her pace and even increased it when she could. It wasn't long before she came across signs of a great battle in the distance. Sassy Snake frowned as she realized that's exactly where the tracks from Dash's horse were leading her!

Okay, it was only a meeting piece, really but it’s full of character developing goodness. It also leads Dash and Sassy directly into their part in the mission finale.