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 Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:16 pm
 The swamp was an ugly place but she had spent so much time within it now that Supreme could hardly remember the sun touched plains where she had grown up. The swamp had sun too of course - but it was not the pleasant warmth of home - here everything was humid and sticky and buzzing with the accursed insects that occupied every inch of air.
It was miserable...and she hated it. The thought of home made her recall just how she had wound up here in the first place and almost unbidden came the flood of memories - as clear as day..as if they had happened only yesterday and not several months before...
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It had been a wonderful day - sunny, warm and tempered with a slight breeze which brought with it the smell of wildflowers just in bloom and now that evening was starting to fall Supreme had found herself a nice little place to sit and rest and watch the sunset.
All in all it was a good ending to a good day and tomorrow she could only guess would be much the same - life was good down here in the valley, the herd had little to worry about and everyone got along well enough - why there was even a young stallion Supreme had been keeping her eyes on lately. Perhaps tomorrow she'd get up the courage to approach him...
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:43 pm
 Night had began to fall as She-Ra made her way into the unfamiliar territory that lay outside of her Master's lands. Soon of course he would reclaim these lands as his own and drive out those worthless beings and kill those who resisted. She was on a scouting mission, obtaining numbers from the nearby herds and checking to see just how far the rumor of her Master's presence had spread. So far the herds she had seen were on the small side, filled mostly with mares and foals, certainly easy pickings and would present little challenge to her or her Master. But as she had been told by Pirata before one could not assume things would go as plan and one wrong move or lack of focus and those beasts could get the upper hand. That was why she was determined to find out their numbers and from that determine their strengths and weaknesses. All this information would be brought back to her Master and Pirata for them to discuss and analyze.
However, obtaining number counts was not the only reason she had come out this way. Recently she had captured a flutter mare who had came to close to her Master's border and now she was looking to capture another. Though this time the Soquili would be given to Pirata instead. Her mentor could use a slave to entertain herself with when she was not busy teaching the golden haired mare what she needed to know. Spotting a lone mare who had separated herself from the others to watch the sun set She-Ra knew that she would be her target for the night.
Of course this would prove quite easy. Pirata had said many horses would find She-Ra's appearance non-threatening which would allow her to gain their trust quickly and then by the time they realized her true intentions it would be too late. Walking towards the brown mare She-Ra kept her expression neutral and her body relaxed. This was all about deception and being tense or too quick would certainly spoil her little hunt. With a quick glance around She-Ra confirmed that there were no other Soquili in the immediate area and continued forward.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 6:40 am
 Supreme might have noticed the cloaked mares approach if she hadn't been interrupted by the arrival of another four footed creature. "Lolly!" The mare exclaimed as the brown goat suddenly came darting out of the undergrowth "Where have you been? I've been looking for you all day" She scolded the beast even as she reached down to brush a few brambles out of her coat with her muzzle.
It was just like the goat to wander off - oh she never went far and she always came back but the lure of a couple berry bushes or weeds could keep her occupied and lost for hours. "You look terrible, the other herd members are going to think we're a pair of hooligan" She continued to fuss at the goat, far to busy trying to clean her coat to notice anything else going on around her.The goat for her part did not look all that pleased about the mares attentions and had a look of bemused tolerance on her face as she was nudged around and brushed off "I was just on the other side of the meadow" She exclaimed with a sigh "It wasn't all that far and Peppy was there too" She told Supreme naming one of the other familiars in the herd.
"You just worry to much" The goat continued, rolling her eyes slightly.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:03 am
Before She-Ra could get close enough to speak to the mare and begin luring her away a small goat came out from the bushes. The mare, whoever she was, seemed to know the goat well as she began cooing and fawning over the small creature, who didn't seem that impressed by how things were going. Well this could prove to be an interesting change to her initial plans. There mare would still be a gift for Pirata, but the goat, well wouldn't that be the perfect snack for the dark mares spider pets. Yes, this would be the perfect catch and prove that she was very capable of dealing with the lesser being of these lands. Of course She-Ra was well aware of the extra challenge of not only catching but keeping her two captives long enough to reach her mentor. The mare shouldn't be too much trouble but goats were extremely agile creatures and it could quite easily slip away if she wasn't careful. And if it did that then chances are the blasted creature would alert the others to what was happening.
Well it was time to see if Pirata had been right all along, that these meadow dwellers would look at her as one of their own due to her appearance and through that trust her almost instantly. She just needed to ensure she said the right things and didn't try to be too forceful until they were further away from the others. As she came close to the pair now She-Ra brought her hooves to a stop, and looked at them. The mare was a smaller build that herself and didn't look the type to be able to fight back all that much. The goat, well She-Ra didn't care all too much about that thing, it was simply food for the spiders. "Good evening." She said in as friendly a voice as she could muster and waited for the mare to respond. Based upon the brown mares reaction She-Ra would be able to determine the best way to do this and also learn about about the mare as well - determine if she was the quick to trust, flighty or perhaps slightly confrontational type.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:26 am
"Yes well...thats what friends do" Supreme responded to the goat with a slight nod of her head as though confirming the statement as true though she knew Lolly was probably right to some degree - she did worry an awful lot and there really wasn't all that much to worry about here in the valley. Everyone knew one another and no one was the nasty sort.
She might have gone on to say more if another voice hadn't intruded on her conversation, glancing up Supreme was startled to find another mare so close, one she didn't recognize at that though he hardly looked like the dangerous sort - what with her rather frilly clothes and jeweled accessories. Weren't dangerous sorts supposed to wear creepy things like furs and bones and favor the color black? Maybe red...certainly not gold and white. "Oh, forgive me I didn't hear you approach, you must be new around here I don't think I've seen you before?"
"I haven't seen her before either" Lolly remarked tilting her head up to eye the mare with a bit of suspicion before backing up so that she was closer to the brown mare.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:40 am
She-Ra watched the other mares reaction closely. While she didn't seem to immediately fully trust the golden haired mare, she also did not run off yelling for guards either. This just meant that She-Ra would need to play for part of nice girl for a bit longer, even though it horribly disgusted her to bring herself to their level. And so she smiled and let out a bit of a laugh. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you both like that. I fear you were too concentrated on your little friend to notice my approach." She motioned to the goat, who seemed more suspicious of her than the mare was. Yes, that creature could possibly put a kink in her plans, best to move forward more slowly than she had planned.
"As a matter of fact I am new to the area. A friend of mine lives somewhere nearby here I believe. She asked me to come and visit her though I fear I might have gotten turn around in the forest so I am a touch bit lost at the moment." What a lie, but if the mare believed her it would be worth it. To add the the effect of the lie She-Ra glanced from this side to that, with a slightly confused look on her face. "She mentioned a river that ran near her home out this way, but I have yet to see it. Could you perhaps point me in the right direction?" If she was lucky the mare would do more than simply give directions but lead her towards the river as well.
After a moments pause She-Ra once again pretended to be the mare she wasn't. "Oh forgive my rudeness I haven't introduced myself to you yet. Allow me to do so now. I am She-Ra, might I know your name?" Then she glanced at the goat once more and smiled. "And your friends as well?"
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:20 am
Supreme rolled her eyes slightly at the goats reaction, leaning down to scootch her forward a bit before answering. "There you see Lolly..she's just lost is all" She said with an apologetic smile to She-ra "Lolly is a bit cautious of strangers - comes from being so small compared to us I think" She explained. "I'm Supreme and this is Lollipop - though everyone tends to call her Lolly" She introduced herself before furrowing her brows slightly in thought as she considered the mares predicament.
"Well there are two rivers nearby" she ventured 'One is large while the other a bit more like a stream - do you know which one your friend meant? I could show you the way if you do" Supreme offered helpfully. The mares story more then explained why she was out here - there were several smaller bands who lived close by her own herd and even a few soquilli who lived by themselves - it certainly wasn't anything new to find one passing through for a visit from time to time.
Lollipop resisted being pushed forward by digging in her heels - something to which her splayed hooves helped greatly despite the mares greater size. "I suppose so" The goat conceded after a few moments "but its getting dark..do we really want to go walking way out there in the dark?" She questioned after a few moments thought.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:35 am
"Well it's good to meet you both." She-Ra said with a smile. Oh yes, this was going perfectly. The mare, Supreme as she had called herself, was falling right into the trap and the goat, while still suspicious was slowly coming around as well. Scrunching her face up in thought She-Ra pretended to think on the details of the river her 'friend' had told her to meet at. "Well...she said it was fairly large, big enough to swim in freely, so I think that would mean it's the larger one." Then her ears perked forward and she smiled wider. "Oh, that would be really great if you could show me the way. I fear that with the setting sun and the unfamiliar territory that I will only get myself further lost." How foolish could this mare be? Clearly this was why these lesser Soquili needed to be rid of this land.
Her eyes settled upon the goat for a moment and then back to the mare. "I realize it's late and getting dark but I don't wish my friend to worry about me. I suppose I could find it well enough if you just gave me directions." She said with a tinge of sadness and worry in her voice, hoping that would seal the deal and get Supreme to show her the way and perhaps have the goat come along as well. Really She-Ra didn't care so much about the goat, it was merely a bonus to the catch. But oh how Pirata's spiders would enjoy that surprise.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:03 am
Supreme waited patiently for the new mare to think back on what her friend had told her, she was sure it would come to her soon enough and as she spoke Supreme nodded slightly "It does sound like the larger river" She agreed "the other is only large enough to wade in really" She shared before glancing between She-ra and Lolly "It's not that far of" she told the goat "i'm sure we can make it there and back before it's full dark - and anyways it's not like theres anything dangerous around here" She encouraged the goat.
"If your scared you can always stay behind" She added knowing that the beast would never admit to being scared enough to stay behind when Supreme was brave enough to go. "It's just over this way" She told the mare with a nod of her head before turning and heading in that direction.
Lolly was not pleased and glanced between She-ra and Supreme for several long moments before sighing in defeat. "I'm not scared" She insisted as Supreme goaded her into agreeing to go and when Supreme started off in that direction Lolly trotted after her quickly.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:20 am
The mention of no danger around made She-Ra almost laugh, but the mare was in character enough now that she just nodded her head in agreement about the river and kept that little secret to herself. Clearly the rumors surrounding her master had not yet spread this far from his range, but soon, very soon, they would begin to fear his presence and those he held in his command. As Supreme began to lead the way, the goat followed closely behind. And the prey takes the bait, She-Ra thought as she fell into step beside the mare. "Ah, how excellent. Not everyone I have come across in my travels has been as helpful as you have been." Just a little bit longer and she could drop the nice act and spring the trap. She just needed to wait until they were a bit farther away from the herd.
As they walked She-Ra kept her eyes alert to any possible scout or border patrol from the herd that may quickly ruin her plans. Yet, she caught no sight nor smell of any others in the immediate area. The lack of light thanks to the setting sun would also help her usher the mare quickly away and if any were alerted to the disturbance then it would be difficult to find any tracks until morning. "My friend will be so grateful that you helped me out." She commented as they continued along. They had traveled a good enough distance by now that she no longer felt the need to hide her true intentions. "She might just want to keep you around." She-Ra said with a snarl in her voice and moved quickly to block the mares retreat, as well as reaching out for the rope dangling from the mares halter. That would make dragging the mare back to Pirata quite easy.
To ensure the goat didn't run off She-Ra threw a kick towards the beast, it it connected it would probably be knocked out for some time. Allowing her to whisk the mare away and she could always return for it later. If it missed, well perhaps the small creature would think twice about trying to run and alert the others. With the darkness of night surrounding them the brown mare would have a hard time running if she did try, and having hunted in this area for snack for Pirata's spiders before She-Ra knew the ground well, even in night and would use that to her advantage.
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:54 am
"Yes well thats what they say is wrong with the word today" Supreme commented with a smile "Nobody cares about each other the way they should, nobody watches out for anyone else but themselves" It was a pity really and while the valley was a nice and peaceful place to live Supreme did believe that more could be done to unify the herds within it, make it more of a community and less simply sharing the same space sort of a deal.
While she was contemplating this however the voice of the mare beside her changed dramatically, it lot the vestiges of friendship that had colored it tones earlier and became...crueler..sharper..colder. Jerking her head and body around she was not quite fast enough to keep she-ra from grabbing onto her lead rope, it was a silly accessory really but Supreme had aways loved it - even if she now cursed it. Digging in her heels she tried to rear back and yank the rope from the other mares mouth - if nothing else then perhaps she could save Lolly from the kick the golden mare aimed at her. "Run Lolly! run!" She yelled at the little goat.
Lolly was startled, she had just started to relax in the presence of th strange mare when something changed, one moment they were all walking along quite happily and the next the golden mare was lungeing foreward with nasty words and Surpeme was rearing back. Lolly was so distracted that she barely managed to avoid the mares kick, skittering sideways with an indignant bleat.
"but but..what about you?!?" She cried out as Supreme bid her to run - she couldn't just leave her here at the mercy of the stranger...but she was small and weak compared to the larger horses so what could she really do to help. get help "I'll go get help!" She proclaimed in a shrill scared voice before bounding of into the woods and disappearing in the thick underbrush.
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:06 am
This mare had been far too quick to trust and now that was blowing up in her face. Snatching hold of the rope with her teeth She-Ra gave it a yank downwards as Supreme reared up. Now that she had a hold of it there would be no letting go until the mare had been delivered to Pirata. Cursing slightly as the goat dodged her attack She-Ra remembered now why she hated the nimble little beasts. They were an annoyance to catch and could climb sheer rocks that others could not. She kicked out one last time as the goat took off but the damn thing had been too fast and got away. So much for that snack for Pirata's spiders, but the mare was the bigger prize so she was willing to let the goat go.
Of course this also meant they had to get moving fast. Though it was dark out now the herd would certainly come looking for Supreme once word reached them. "They'll never find you." She told the mare as she began tugging on the lead rope. If needed she would drag the mare against her will the entire way back to her Master's lair and Pirata. Chances are though the mare would tire soon enough and then she wouldn't have any fight left in her and come along more willingly. Either way they had to get moving. "Come along my dear." She-Ra said in a mockingly friendly voice. "I assure you no harm will come to you if you come willingly." That of course was a lie, She-Ra had no idea what Pirata would do with the mare once she was delivered and living in the Master's area was a dangerous thing indeed. Should her Master get angry he would likely take it out on any slave that was nearby and his teeth and claws were something to be reckoned with.
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:31 am
Supreme jerked against the rope, digging her heels in and fighting the pull of the mare for as long as she could - unfortunately for her the golden mare was strong - far stronger then Supreme whom had never spent a great deal of time bothering to learn fighting tactics - or anything else which might be useful in a time like this. Her pursuits had been in gentler subjects and all of that was coming back to bite her in the a** now.
She ignored the mares words - they were likely more lie anyways and lather began to gather on her shoulders and neck as she fought the golden mare for every step - but despite her fighting they still managed to make some decent time and the golden mare ragged her through some rough ground that would be sure to slow down any pursuers that might come - if lolly had managed to ind anyone of course..and if she had been brave enough to approach them.
Finally blowing in exhaustion and sides heaving Supreme found that she simply couldn't fight any longer and head lowered in defeat she plodded along behind her captor with no idea of what the future had in store for her now.
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:44 am
While Supreme fought against being dragged She-Ra could tell with each step the brown mare took she was becoming more tired. Clearly she was weak, all those horses out there were and now there was one less. As they picked their way across the rough terrain She-Ra led Supreme around here and there, effectively tiring her out and leaving false trails for anyone following them to stumble across. The close they got to her Master's territory the rougher and dangerous the lands would become. Most would likely balk at venturing into such strange lands in the dark giving her the advantage of tucking the mare away so they they would never find her.
Hearing Supreme breathing heavily meant another defeat, the rope went slack as the mare lowered her head. "That's a good girl." She sneered and continued to lead the chestnut mare deeper into her Master's territory. If anything, She-Ra was quite thankful the mare wore that silly rope as it had made the initial capture so much easier, though it would have been successful no matter what as the mare clearly wasn't in fighting shape either. As they walked along the land gave way to a more barren landscape, rocks scattered about the ground with very little vegetation to be found, short trees popped up here and there, their trunks and branches gnarled and twisted, most did not hold leaves on them. Though there was a stream not far the water was not entirely clean but certainly still drinkable. Ah it was good to be home. Giving the rope another tug She-Ra turned them down a small path that would lead them to where Pirata often stayed when she wasn't in here swamp.
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