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 Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:37 am
Eldorada flicked her tail rather impatiently as she waited at the edge of the woods near a small moon shaped pond, it was a good meeting place as far as she could tell..unique and easy to find at the very least and really if the information she had been given was in any way correct...and if the message's she had asked others to pass along had been in a competent fashion (which she knew was a stretch in reality - that's what you get when forced to work with peasants) then the soquili she had heard about should be along shortly.
From everything that she had been told this information gathering mare was one of the best in her field - of course Eldorada took this with a grain of salt. For all she knew the mare had spread all these rumors herself as sort of a propaganda machine to get herself more work. It wasn't entirely out of the question - Eldorada had known many such soquili in her old herd. In any case she found herself waiting with the mixed emotions of excitement and realistic skepticism for the mare to show herself.
Of course it wouldn't do to show such emotions - the informant would notice it right away and no doubt attempt to use it to her advantage - things like that seemed to transgress class, both peasants and nobles alike seemed equally capable of sussing out when things might be in their favor if you let them so she made an effort to seem nothing more then slightly bored with her waiting. Idly looking about the area with a facade of dull interest plastered across her face.
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:50 am
 Camaria remained in the air for a time after the mare had arrived. She wanted to gather a bit of information before landing and seeing just what this mare wished of her. From her small amount of scouting Camaria had determined a few things about this mare; she was alone, she was punctual, and she didn't seem to truly belong here. Where this mare was actually from Camaria wasn't quite sure, but she knew a lot of Soquili from around here and this mare, while she might be able to blend in a bit, was certainly not a local. So what would a foreign mare wish? Likely to know more about this land she was in, the individuals within it and possibly more. Not wanting to waste anymore time Camaria tipped her wings and headed towards the ground.
The heavy set mare set down a good hundred feet or so away from Eldorada and gave her wings a stretch before folding them at her side and walking towards her contact. "A pleasant day to be out, a touch too windy for my liking." If the mare had received her return message about agreeing to meet then she would know that this was simply a code to let her know her informant had arrived. Any Soquili could have stumbled upon the mare waiting out here so she had to know that the right one had come along without outright saying it. Just because she had not seen any other Soquili in the area didn't mean that there weren't possible eyes and ears lurking about.
Bringing her hooves to a stop Camaria stood a good length or two away from the mare, dipping her head in greeting before waiting to hear what the mare said in response to those words.
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:03 am
Eldorada turned towards the sound of rustling feathers as the pale mare landed - yes she was much as described, heavy set and aside from the blue mane and tail..and the brown striped socks they shared a closely comparable coat color. Yes this must be the informant..and her words only confirmed it for sure. "Surely a mare of your skill can easily navigate such things" Eldorada replied in a smooth voice. It was the expected reply of course..Eldorada had made sure to memorize it once she had been told of this security feature.
It was nice to know the other mare kept such things in place - it simply wouldn't do to blab away her thouts and plans to any old Soquilli who wandered by - sure a description was nice but this added little bit more surety to the situation.
Now that they both knew they had found the right Soquili however Eldorada thought it was best to get right down to business, no sense in wasting any time with idle and pointless chitchat - its not like they were meeting with the intention of becoming friends after all. "Good to see that your on time" She mentioned with a slight nod of greeting in return. "I was told that your very professional about such things and the best as seeking out the type of information I require" She told the other mare before falling silent to see how the mare answered.
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:16 am
The reply came to confirm what Camaria already knew. This was the one who had hired her. Still she bobbed her head as if they were just having a normal conversation. "It is not great challenge, but even one of my skill can easily be brought down when the winds shift just right." And with that, all the formalities of ensuring the right contact was here were pushed to the side. It was good to see that this mare had not only received her message but had remembered the right phrase as well. A few too many times in the past she would approach the correct Soquili they they had either forgotten the phrase or didn't think it was important. Well she proved them wrong but not taking them on when they could not reply correctly. This mare however had said the right things and so already she had won a small part of Camaria's respect.
The fact that she got right down to business after the formalities were taken care of was another point to Camaria. She didn't mind playing the role of stranger meeting stranger if that's what it took to full win the others trust, but honestly something like that was generally a waste of time. "Punctuality is the key to my success." Showing up late to meetings only meant she wouldn't get the job and someone else would be out there getting the information she could and should have been gathering. "I do this for a living, I need to be the best or else I wouldn't be standing before you now. What information are you looking at getting?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:56 am
"Both good points to be sure" Eldorada replied, surely an informant..or if you wanted to be really truthful about things..a spy..simply wouldn't be capable of surviving for as long as this mare had if she wasn't fairly decent at her job. All the bad spies generally got caught and killed off which was something of a blessing for those looking to hire them...although not so healthy for those seeking to break into the field without the skills to do so.
Of course Eldorada wasn't here to exchange life stories with the mare, she was just here to hire her for a job - so she didn't really care to question or ask how it was the mare had gotten so far in her career field. "I'm new to the area..and seeking information about the surrounding herd's, particularly those who are of a higher station in said herd's" She didn't want to get a bunch of information back about a bunch of low class nobody's, nor did she want to wind up pleading for help from a cruel overlord..she'd already run off from one of those thank you very much and did not feel like repeating the experience. Rather then taking these chances herself it simply seemed wise to hire someone else to do it for her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:05 am
Camaria bobbed her head listening to the mare. This job seemed simple enough. She already knew where most of the herds were in this particular area, it would just be a matter of gaining more information about them. Particularly concentrating on those of higher ranks, and since this mare looked and held herself like a high ranking individual Camaria had a decent idea of why and what this mare was looking for. While an easy job it would also take some time, the herds were spread out and it could take a day or two to fully infiltrate a herd to the point she could gain their trust enough to get the information she sought.
"New to the area, want to know about herds, concentrating on those of higher station." She repeated back to the mare. It was habit to do so more out of ensuring she knew everything that was needed of her before setting out than showing them she was listening. "Anything else?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:44 am
Eldorada nodded when Camaria repeated back the details of what she was looking for - it was good to see such professionalism and it greatly increased her confidence in the mare before her. Such things were a good sign that she had not been lead astray - which was nice, Eldorada did so hate to waste time attempting to work with incompetent Soquili.
Of course Camaria was giving no signs of incompetence and really El didn't think she had much of a choice in the long run - this tan colored mare was the only name she had been able to scrounge up from the locals, and she'd already spent about as long as she wanted to attempting to get that. Nope it was this Camaria mare or doing it herself and El certainly wasn't about to do it herself. The mere thought of doing so almost made her nose wrinkle in distaste.
"That sounds about right" She told the mare with a slight nod. "How long do you expect this to take?" They would have to set up some way of getting in touch again of course, or at least a date and time for their next meeting and a progress report if it ended up taking longer then expected.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:56 am
Camaria could see by the mares nod that she was happy, if not impressed, by how things were going so far. Camaria knew others in this same field of work that did not take everything as seriously as she did, but they often failed at their duties for obvious reasons and that is why she had risen to become one of the best. There were certainly others out there who were better, but the lands were large and so those few Soquili were nothing for her to worry about. Besides even if Eldorada attempted to find these few others Camaria would be done the necessary work before they could even be contacted, so she was fairly confident this job would add another mark towards her long line of satisfied customers.
"Well, in this particular area the herds are fairly spread out. And it can take me up to a few days to gain the information from each that you require." That was of course dependent upon how quickly she could gain the herd members trusts, some were more open to strangers and wanderers that others. If all went very well she could be done in a week, but to be on the safe side, and Camaria always preferred the safe side, the job would likely take her two weeks. It might seem like a long time, but in her field that was actually fairly quick. "Two weeks is what I need. That will be long enough to ensure I gain all the information you require." If there was one thing Camaria hated, it was being rushed in a job to the point she wasn't able to get all the information her employer wanted and then be scolded by that same employer for failing.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:09 am
Eldorada listened patiently as the mare explained how long it would take for her to get the required information - she did of course expect it to take a little while, at least for worthwhile information - anyone could go out and tell her where the herds were at and how many Soquili resided within them, but El was expecting a good deal more then that simplistic data. She was looking for details and if time was to the price for such things well then she would be willing to pay it..of course she would have to pay the mare Camaria as well but that would come later.
"Very well then, two weeks will be satisfactory" Eldorada confirmed "Shall we agree to meet back here then at the same time two weeks hence?" She would bring her payment then as well..which shouldn't be to hard to aqquire, a gem or jewel from her secreted stash ought to be sufficient. Perhaps the mare could use it later on to bribe data out of some other client or target.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:16 am
Her head bobbed slightly. "Yes, here in two weeks time, when the sun is at it's highest." She liked being specific for location, day and time of meetings. Simply stating the day meant she or the other could show up at any time, it was best to know exactly when they were both expected to be here. She of course would be here well before the actual meeting time, likely circling around in the sky watching and waiting, making sure no one else would wander by while they concluded their business. And while there had been no discussion regarding payment Camaria wasn't all that concerned, the information would not be shared until payment was discussed at their next meeting. It usually worked out better to do things that way, as often times when her work went above and beyond what her employer would have expected then she would get extra pay, not always of course but it was nice.
"One final thing." The mare took a few steps closer so that she might whisper in Eldorada's ears. "When I return I will say 'A sparrow caught in a downpour is sure to fall from the sky.' To which you will respond with 'Surely the bird would seek shelter from the storm.' This is so I know you have no been followed and that you are ready to receive the information." Taking a step back Camaria unfurled her wings. "Remember that, and I will see you in two weeks time." With their business concluded for the time being Camaria took to the air with a leap and mighty flap of her wings. There was lots for her to do and she was on a tight schedule.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:26 am
Eldorada nodded her agreement with the plan, two weeks in the same place when the sun was highest was simple to remember and she did not plan on wandering to far away in the meantime - to be frank until she found a suitable herd to linger in while she worked on her plans she didn't have anywhere to go for the moment. Such was life on the run she supposed.
"I will remember" She told the mare - and she would, the phrase was simple enough and Eldorada was not a stupid mare - she could certainly recall an important phrase when it was needed. Watching the mare fly away until she was but a speck in the sky Eldorada then turned and made her way back into the woods. She would find a nice safe glen or other comfortable location in which to bide her time while Camaria worked.
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