What is this, a dream?

As you opened your eyes and shook your head of exhaustion, you looked around and to your surprise not only found youreslf alone, but home. As you looked around it Indeed looked like your father's land on the planet you were born just as you remember. Only it seemed more beatiful, mysterious and and with all the different diverging paths on the plain leading to all sorts of places that pique your interest including the space port where you can see, if your not mistaken Elise ship.

You crossed your arms in fascination as well as confusion. As you did you noticed somethin different about your clothes. In fact as you looked youreslf over you see your sea wear in special suit of armour that's light weight and fits your curse perfectly. You remember this clothing, it was the same suit you saw in a holo-photo of your mother you found in an old picture book in your father's attic. She looked beatiful and heroic in that picture and it inpsired you to want to just as adventuress as her despite your fathers protest ever since he took the photo book away from you.

"What is going on?" You wonder to yourself in a near panic. "Is this a dream?"

"A very special dream to be sure", said a charming and familiar voice.

You tunred towards the voice, and lo and behold it was the strange and powerful Elfin Man from before, in nothing but a pair of Speedos no less.

"You?! Who are you?! Where are we and why are dressed like that?!", you say in surprised panic.

Hmmm, what do you...? Ooh, you naughty girl", he said in confusion as he looked down at himself and his face showned realizing what you were refering to. Then his face shifted to a naughty smile as he snapped his fingers and in an instant his familiar suit from when you first saw him on Targ's ship.

"Does this make you more comfortable?", he asked

"Yes, no!" You replied in confusion in agitation. You then took a deep breath. "Look, I appreciate the rescue, if that what all that actually was, but frankly I'm getting tired of you and your magical mind-blowing hocus pocus mojo. So how about you get me out of here, wherever here is, and we can go our separate ways and forget we ever saw each other, which should be easy enough cause we don't know each other in the first place. Unless you read my mind?", you asked in dread.

"Oh no actually", he replied jovially, "I couldn't hear your thoughts over the screaming erratic thoughts of your friend, and I didn't put any effort to look deeper at the time."

"Rin!", you exclaim in sudden realization of your fellow prisoner who followed you unto that dreadful slavers ship. "Where is she?! What did you do with her?! If you hurt her I'll..."

"Please be at peace child", he interrupted your tangent. "Your companion is fine, she's just resting. As are you technically speaking."

"I'm asleep? So this whole thing is just a dream and your not real?", You wonder.

"Well yes this is a dream, your dream in fact, but I can assure you I am quite real relatively speaking", he answered. "I just simply connected my mind with your while you were sleeping and entered your subconscious thoughts and here we are, sharing the same dream, your dream."

"My dream?", you asked dubiously, "I think I would remember having a dream like this, and why would I dream of here of all places."

"As I said this is a special dream. The center of your subconscious mind , everything you have or will dream begins here. In here all your thoughts and desires come to life before you with but a thought."

"But this is my home, sort of, why would I be dreaming of here?

"Are you familiar with the expressions, 'Home is where the heart is', and 'The Journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step'?"

You nod

"Well in here those metaphoric expressions became literal reality. You envision your home because that is where you began your journey and one day will seek to return. From here is all the paths of your dreams and desires beguining. Whicever path go will lead you to a dream, fantasy, even a memory."

You take momnet to consider what the stranger is saying before coming to some conclusions.

"So I'm dressed in this beacuase it was from a memory mixed with my desire to wear it?"

"Indeed."

So the reason you were in speedos...?

"Was how you subconsciously wanted to see me as, since I intruded into this place those thoughts projected themselves on my form."

You suddenly blush in embarrassment.

"No need to fret, I find it quite flattering, besides your not the first woman who have envision me as such and doubtless you'll be the last. I've seen worse from some men."

He suddenly stopped for a moment in consideration, then slapped his head with his palm.

"Oh how discourteous of me, here I am going on and on and I haven't even properly introduced myself" he said as he blushed in his own embarrassment.

"Allow me to amend that. Prince Valiant Valoran, commanding officer of the Treasured Bliss, Leader of the Encroaching Climax Fleet, Third Prince of the White Hole, at your service", he introduced himself with graceful bow.

"Vallariah, humble thief and adventurer" you introduce yourself, a bit taken aback with his own grandiose introduction.

"A pleasure. Now that your calmed down and with explanations and introductions out of the way, why don't we check up on your freind and see how she is doing?"