Sebastian Dash makes his way to the outskirts of Degrassi, where he runs into an ally.

It's a fun little piece.

 
(This takes place simultaneously with Poke A Badger; light sexual content)

Ominous gray stormclouds gathered on the edge of the nearby plains.

The threat of an impending thunderstorm wasn't enough to deter the solitary figure riding in from the north. Sebastian Dash had gotten into the habit of referring to his horse as 'lola. He pushed the horse towards Degrassi and spotted a cluster of trees well outside of the town's limit. Even now, months after taking over, groups of Knob Goblins and Knollish Gnollish patrolled the area around Degrassi.

Dash came upon a familiar little 'rest and recovery' spot just outside of the patrol lines. He quickly pulled to a stop and dismounted his horse.

"Greetings, Sebastian," a female voice called out from the treetops. Jen, clad in her red-and-black cysuit, gracefully dropped from a branch to the grass, her raven hair whipping and suit shimmering as she fell. She hit the ground in a combat stance, but quickly recovered.

Dash looked over, giving her a nod. "There you are. I was hoping one of your crew would show up."

"I've been doing overwatch while Glyn look for Konall in Degrassi." Jen smiled. She gave Dash a quick but warm hug. "This is from Aleena."

"Heh, thanks." Dash smiled in appreciation. "I've been meaning to try to contact her. In the meantime, what've you found out?"

"Residents are on edge and there are regular militia patrols into the countryside. The level of militia activity may indicate they are expecting a fight."

Jen 'showed' Dash a telescopic image of a elven man in a scarf that alternated between bright and dark blues, black cotton long-sleeved shirt, and camo-blue jean shorts. His garish outfit stood out enormously as he entered a seedy-looking tavern.

Dash raised an eyebrow slightly at the outfit. "And he's what, our mascot when the fight breaks out?"

"We felt a male making first contact might remind him less of Aleena. We are unsure of how he feels about us in general," Jen stated.

"I hadn't thought of that," Dash said. "Are you aiming for Cattaras or Konall?"

"When we identify his location, I plan to try to make contact with Cattaras. He seems like he would be more receptive to my contact," Jen replied.

"He might be," Dash admitted. "But he's still going to take his perceived loyalty to his sister seriously. Which of the two do you want me to handle? I'm familiar with both."

"I'm not sure. Which of the two likes you more?" Jen asked.

"Huh." Dash paused. "That's a tossup. Cattaras seems to be warming up to me- but he's a former enemy. I still consider Konall an ally- but you know the situation with him and Aleena. I know Catt and Aleena were close, but I don't think he saw me as a rival, like Konall might."

"Glyn is already meeting with Konall. So we shall go meet with Cattaras."

"Agreed. But I'd like to ask you a favor first."

"What do you need?" Jen gave Dash a knowing look though. She wanted to hear him say it.

"I haven't contacted Aleena yet," Dash admitted. "I wanted to talk to you before I attempted to. I'm not familiar with how this style of.. ah.. telepathy.. works."

Jen took Dash's hands in hers, and pulled him into the grass. "It's best to sit down if you're not used to how it works."

The elf and human made themselves comfortable under the shade of the trees. Jen gave Dash's hand a squeeze and she smiled at him warmly.

"Now," Jen whispered, taking up a slow, steady rhythm. "Close your eyes. Picture our Queen in your mind."

"How should I picture her?" Dash said in a mischievous tone of voice.

Jen laughed. "Her face. Then imagine you wish to speak to her. Call out her name, she will hear you."

As Dash did so, the world seemed to fall away. He was in blackness, stretching out to infinity. And then another world suddenly rushed up to meet him. He was standing on a balcony in a huge city -- easily larger than Honorburg as it stretched on to the horizon. Curved towers with ornate and glowing decorations filled the sky. Purples, whites and greens carved lines through the buildings of the city. Dash looked up. The sun had already set and dusk was giving way to night. Unfamiliar stars dotted the infinite blue. He spun to take in his surroundings; the balcony belonged to a building that was literally a palace; made from a stone he did not recognize and shaped so perfectly that he could not spot the seams of its bricks. And as Dash's eyes drifted downward, he beheld Aleena, clad in a turquoise and mauve evening dress so sheer he could almost see the body the gown failed to hide.

"Wow," Dash said, quickly catching himself. "I mean, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"It's been very busy since I returned, but I am very glad to see you." Aleena beamed a pleased smile and pulled him into a firm embrace. Dash relaxed at the feeling of her in his arms, even if it was all in his mind.

"We're investigating a situation in Degrassi."

"I do not know what Kadlin is planning, but she did help give me a push off the planet. If she saw me as a threat, then she failed; for more of us are over there." Aleena paused, looking worried.

"True, but I wonder if that might not have had to do more with your connection to Konall. You were there during his ascension to 'spirit warrior,' after all." Dash nodded contemplatively. "We'd do well to remember she might also have access to the ancient evil bound to her glaive. There might be more to her tactics than we yet realize."

"We need more information. The Empire is monitoring the situation, Dash." Aleena smiled.

"I see, I see." Dash paused. "Ominous sounding. But I shall relay the information to Jen."

"She already knows, and is willing to assist you. In the meantime..." Aleena's voice grew low, finishing off with a passionate kiss as her arms wrapped around Dash's body. "I've missed you."

Dash smiled, holding her body against his. "Missed you, too. I take it you managed to hold onto the crown?"

A small crown appeared on Aleena's head. "I remain Queen of the Morlenciri."

Dash looked puzzled. "The Morre-what now?"

Aleena pressed a finger to Dash's lips. "My people. Now hush and kiss me," the elf intoned, fingers beginning to work on the clasps, buckles and buttons of his outfit, undoing each and loosening his clothes.

Dash seemed into it, but wondered, "You're sure we have time for this, lover?"

Aleena took a deep breath. She loved taking in his scent, and she was sure, he of hers. "I'm sure we don't," she laughed. "But one must take time out once in awhile."

Dash's hands explored her body, eagerly slipping the gown's straps off her slender shoulders. "'Morlenciri..' I might have heard that name somewhere, or something similar."

The elf shrugged her shoulders, causing her gown to fall to her feet. She cradled her head into Dash's shoulders, pressing kisses to his neck. Her nakedness left her vulnerable to the cool night wind so she pressed against him for warmth. "Inside, you'll find a bed; much more comfortable than out here on my balcony, I'm sure."

Dash's smile widened and removed the remainder of his clothes. "Mmm, lead on, my beauty."

The two shared a very pleasurable hour together, but all too soon they had to bid farewell. "You need not go for the full sensory experience, Dash," Aleena explained. "Sometimes a simple audio call will do. But this was most fun."

And then blackness took Dash. It felt for a moment like he was about to fall, but then the real world rushed up to meet him before that could happen. He found himself leaning against the trunk of a tree, sitting in the grass. Jen was crouched in the grass a few feet off, gazing into the distance.

"Had fun?" she asked.

Dash smiled slyly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Jen laughed. "I can only imagine. Now, there seems to be a patrol heading this way. We still have a bit before they get here; how do you want to proceed?"

"I figure we'd want a better reason for showing up," Dash said. "Than surveillance, I mean. I figure either we could claim we're here hunting, since white lions can usually be found in the plains this time of year. That or some other form of 'job.'"

"If Lola wasn't here, I'd advise just hiding in the trees. Whichever you think is best, Dash."

"That's just for the guards," Dash said. "Once we get near Cattaras's territory, there's no point in trying to hide my identity. I'll just ask for a meeting with him."

"You couldn't hide your identity if you tried, Dash." came a growl from behind them. Downwind, it seems. "Why do you need a meeting?" His eyes were not on Dash- but on the elf.

Jen caught the cat's gaze and gave him a curt bow. Her body was more muscled than Aleena's, Cattaras noted, and she moved like a trained warrior.

Dash seemed disappointed Cattaras had gotten the drop on him so easily. "First, this's Jen. I'm sure you can guess the rest."

Cattaras's voice dropped into a teasing purr. "What, about you branching out on Aleena? Or did she finally get fed up with you?"

"Aleena showed me your likeness," Jen said. Her eyes wandered across the cat's fur, briefly alighting on his loincloth before returning to observe his motions - the swish of his tail, his stance. "But in person, it does not do you justice."

"No surprise," Dash said, returning the tease. "He never was big on justice."

Cattaras only chuckled, smiling at the elf- especially at the mention of Aleena."But I'm big in so many other ways."

Jen smiled. "But do you know how to use it?"

Dash almost facepalmed.

Cattaras took a step toward her, purring. "I would love to show you my skill."

"We will see," Jen laughed. "We've business to discuss first, and not such that makes my partner blush."

"Thank you!" Dash said, letting out a relieved puff of breath. "It's about Kadlin."

The chuckle that was on Cattaras's lips was quickly replaced by a growl. "Frankly, that's why I'm here."

"We're here to give assistance on behalf of KOKOL and Aleena's faction then," Dash said, keeping his voice steady and even. "The Council of Loathing wants to the bottom of these rumors."

"Who says we need assistance?" Cattaras growled.

"The Council does," Dash replied.

Again the growl. "The Council can go-"

"Aleena insists that this situation with Kadlin is investigated. Besides, how better to show me your skill firsthand, Cattaras?" Jen asked.

"Besides," Dash added cheerfully, "this's good for you too."

Cattaras smirked at Jen, ignoring Dash for the moment. "In front of Dash and everybody?" He chuckled.

"Oh, you don't get to bed me until you prove you can fight," Jen challenged.

Cattaras purred, having come close to Jen, smiling at her. "With you- or with you?"

Jen's smile broke out into a grin. She took his paw in her hand. "Together, Cat."

"Good," Dash said. "Besides, if we're involved, Catt, you won't have to worry as much about the backlash. We both know that mage is up to no good."

Cat finally broke eye contact with Jen and looked over at Dash. "Huh? You said something?"

"We need to find out what's happened to Kadlin. An evil force may be controlling her. Where mind control is involved, it must be stopped." Jen repeated their mission goals to the distracted kitty.

Catt suddenly got a serious look to him that Dash could understand- but all he said was. "Yeah."

"It's your town, Cattaras," Dash noted. "Lead on."

"I have a better idea. I heard you were a pretty fast sprinter, Cat. Try to keep up!"

Jen suddenly turned, sprinting towards the town, laughing.

Catt blinked, laughed and then blinked, moving down the road to a point ahead of the dashing elf. Sebastian took off after the two, wondering if he'd have to change his last name after this embarrassment.

The space elves, although I am not sure if this is mentioned in AIL lore, have had their problems with mind control enemies. Actually, I think it came up at one point but I forget where.

Sassy Snake is up next.. I'm a bit distracted from the archive. As I type this, I'd just gotten the newest WWE game (13) earlier today and have been quite enjoying it. Then again, it's fun updating these things too.