Let the Fun Begin [[Appy]]

[twi]

Ophaile’s striking coat glimmered in the sun as she trotted confidently into the meadow. Though her figure was diminutive, she carried herself proudly, lifting her legs high and arching her crest. She was bored, insufferably bored. The Neutral Lands were no fun, no fun at all. She was practically alone, after Tango had arrogantly left her. Annoying stag. She itched for someone to talk to, maybe even nettle. She needed company, for she was not used to coping with being ignored. Who better to entertain her then Ramaskith himself, the dread leader of the invading forces? So long as she controlled her tongue – that would be a struggle – she hoped to enjoy herself immensely. With the South, East and West under his control and the North soon to fall, allying herself with the new king was a strategic move, and she had heard that he was quite good-looking, too. She needed to be involved, to be a key figure in whatever power struggle was going on. She did not want power for herself, but being left out of such important matters simply would not do. She refused to be one of the neutral spectators, dumbly watching as their futures were decided for them. She fully intended to take her future into her own hooves and getting on Rama’s good side was definitely a smart first step. Of course, she had no intent of remaining loyal to him. Greedy tyrants were always prone to turn upon even their closest friends when they felt threatened or even bored, but for the time being she would not mind being part of his army. She could always change sides later.
Ophaile was not necessarily a fickle being or one who had no qualms against betrayal. If she found herself liking Ramaskith and his cause, she would remain with him, but how she felt about circumstances was all that mattered to her. If she did not like another, she would not devote her loyalty to them. If they did catch her fancy, then she would become an invaluable ally. It was as simple as that. Now all she had to do was find this mysterious stallion and the fun would begin.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" Ramaskith trotted through the lands, not at all being careful of who heard or saw him. The leaves crunched underhis feet and the trees swayed as he pushed against their branches. None of it mattered now. They knew he was here, he didn't have to hide. Vondur inched along with him, wishing that he was a still a patronus so that he may do as he wished, but he was tied to Ramaskith and had to follow him where he went. Hoofprints appeared in the ground next to pawprints, the dirt framing them nicely. If no one disturbed the prints, they would be frozen in the ground until the rains washed them away. Ramaskith smiled; his mark on this place would not be so easily removed. He would be a part of thi place for as long as he lived, and longer still. Even if, and that was a really big if, if he died in this attack, his name would forever be remembered because of his actions. If he did not, which he wouldn't, of course, he would live forever as the Lord of Forma Silvestris and everyone would fear him. Obey him. Listen to him and do as he said. THey would fall under his will and command, as they always should have from the beginning. It would be marvelous, and he couldn't wait until the day his wishes came true. He sighed softly, everything he always wanted was in reach, and here he stood, taking it all, and nothing was here to stop him. It wasn't quite the valiant battle he had envisioned, but it was a victory, nonetheless. He slowed, ears twisting as he heard someone approaching. A dark dappled creature appeared, pale mane and tail that stood out against the dark surroundings. "Hello, ma charmant," he said, stepping up to her. He was in a good mood at the moment, his advances into the North being received so well, "Who might you be, ma chéri, to be traveling all alone?" ==Author's Comments . Word Count 340 . Notes - ramaskithhhh. dundundun . Muse - pretty good. . Tags - ophaile

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[twi]

Ophaile’s ears pricked at the sound of approaching hooves. Could she have found him already? How she hoped for a private audience, without the interference of the rest of his troops. When he came into sight, her breath caught in her throat. Not so much at finally seeing Ramaskith, but at the lion at his side. She had not anticipated this. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she assessed the creature, but now they were near enough to take notice and sure enough, the master of the fearsome lion called out to her.
She waited until they were near enough to see her and smiled winningly at the two.
“Why hello,” she replied lightly. “I am Ophaile, at your service.” She laughed in genuine amusement at his question. “Who I am to travel alone? I am quite capable, really. While I never mind a male companion, I do not mind fending for myself. Of course,” she added truthfully, “while I was expecting to encounter others of my kind, I was not prepared for a lion.”
She eyed Ramaskith carefully, calculating, reading, judging. She made it her business to glean everything she could about those she met. It always gave one an advantage to know exactly who they came up against, for to Ophaile, everyone was a potential opponent, even if she planned to ally herself with them.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" She spoke confidently, not at all afraid of him as she should have been. Surely she knew who he was though, everyone did now. He was the tip of this spear, leading his army, his followers, to victory over everyone else who thought him not worthy. He was chosen to lead, and lead he would. He smiled at the dappled mare, "Have you ever heard of a daemon, mademoiselle?" Most had, though only of the spiritual kinds that invaded your mind and soul and made you do horrendous things. Demons were not daemons, in the complete sense of the word, though his was much like the former before it was a physical being. His thoughts were less now, for he could do as he wished and not use Ramaskith to do his deeds. Though, their thoughts often revolved around the same things anyway. "Daemons are a very part of your soul, materialized at your side." He chuckled, "First, though, they start as a ghostly figure that pesters. Only after a while can they assume a physical form." He started to talk along side the mare and around her, surveying her petite form. "Though I cannot help but notice that you had..planned? To meet someone of our species. Mademoiselle," he paused, whispering in her ear, "Did you come searching for moi?" He chuckled softly, stepping away. Many had, come looking for him that is, thinking that perhaps it would b interesting to see what all this fuss was about. To lay eyes upon he future leader, to get a taste of what was to come. He didn't mind, though if they angered him they would be in for a big surprise. Curiosity killed the cat, correct? His cat enjoyed to do the killing himself though. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 296 . Notes -ramaskith, ramaskith. :B . Muse - alright. . Tags - ophaile.

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[twi]

Ophaile’s ears pricked at his words and she stared at the lion with new interest. Physical though it was, she knew that she had sensed something odd about the creature. A daemon. She could almost smell something unnatural about it, though the feline appeared just as material as she.
“A daemon?” she mused. “It seems fitting that the great lion would be an extension of your soul, a beast of power, bent on conquest and kingship. He truly is a magnificent sight. I do wonder what my own daemon would be, if I ever acquired one.”
Ophaile figured that a little flattery had never done anyone harm, and who knew? Perhaps it would do her some good, for she knew that she was treading on thin ice.
She lazily raised an eye to Ramaskith, as if noticing for the first time, his careful inspection of her. Was he scrutinizing her prospective fighting skills? She knew that her looks would serve her better than her abilities as a warrior, but her mind, ah her mind, would serve her best of all.
“Looking for you? You caught that, hmm? Well I had hoped to continue with the pleasantries before getting down to business, but I suppose I’ll have to do what I must. Yes, to put it bluntly, I have been looking for you. Would you care to ask me why I chose to seek your out, or would you like to continue with the idle chat for awhile? I await your pleasure.”
While Ophaile was not a servile soul, she was cunning and intelligent. This stallion evidently saw himself as in charge of the situation, and she would have to be careful not to allow her natural assertiveness to show through. She would just have to force herself to be accommodating and let Rama take charge, as much as she hated to let him.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" Ramaskith smiled a small smile at her praise. Yes, she knew who he was. "I think you may have a daemon in the form of a.. Slow Loris, perhaps? Or maybe a Leopard Seal?" He chuckled. Both animals were what one would call, mignon, cute. Though both were deadly. There was a small twinkle in this mare's eyes that led him to believe that perhaps he should pay close attention. Though, he wasn't too bothered by it. It wasn't like the small thing would try to take him on. He would laugh in her face. But, he could never be sure which side some creatures liked to ally themselves with, and, after all, they were in the North. She could very well be part of the Other's forces, sent here to distract him. He chuckled again. Pleasantries? He shook his head. Never pleasantries, always business. At least with him. There was no time to play things slow and formal. Though she seemed to what to talk with him more, and that made his eyes narrow. What was she hiding? "I believe that the reason for your presence should be revealed before we continue with.. idle chat." Perhaps her intentions were simple, and not tangled like some might be, and so it would be no big deal to reveal such. Though, if she hesitated and pushed further to just continue..chatting, perhaps it would be best to ask questions later. He smiled nicely though, encouraging her to continue. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 251 . Notes - animal references animales . Muse - mreh . Tags - ophaile

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[twi]

Ophaile gave a deferential nod, a small dip of her small, chocolate head, flaxen mane shifting in the breeze. Her eyes were calculating as she studied Rama, trying to anticipate his next move. Anticipation had always served her well. If she was sure to remain a step ahead of the game then she would most likely come out the victor.
She deliberately drew blonde lashes across her dark cheek, a striking contrast to her dark pelt; another miniscule representation of Ophaile as a whole. A contrast, always a contrast. Never quite fitting in, refusing to go with the flow, but never out of place either. Just a contrast.
“Very well then, I will get down to the meat of our discussion. To put it bluntly, I have sought you out for a purpose and am very glad to have finally met the spearhead of the war machine. I wish to ally myself with you, to consign over my services however you see fit to use them.”
Ophaile took a deep breath, not daring to look into his eyes and see the skepticism that was surely apparent. Just because she was short did not mean she was useless!
“Though my size is perhaps…not my greatest asset as a fighter, it takes more than just brawn to win a war. Put me to use, and I guarantee that I will serve you well, for I am quick and cunning.”
There it was out. She waited breathlessly, like in her fillyhood, terrified yet eager to hear his answer.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" To ally herself with him? And what use would a small, pretty mare be to him? He seemed to have too many of those already. Though, the more on his side meant the less that were with the Other. She seemed to sense that he was not entirely convinced though, and tried to convince him further. Quick and cunning, eh? Though he did like that she was willing to serve him, willing to do what he asked without force like these others fools he had among his ranks. It was an appealing idea to have someone who wouldn't argue back or be so afraid that they just bended. Such pitiful creatures roamed the Earth, it seemed. Though this mare didn't seem so pitiful. And any extra body counted, no matter how able they were. She appeared more able than some, and she was willing, which was a huge plus. He wouldn't have to worry about watching her every move. "Perhaps you will get your wish, ma chérie. What is your name?" He said, smiling slowly. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 179 . Notes - kind of a crap post, but its something to reply to! . Muse - ramaismeantomymuse> . Tags - ophaile

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[twi]

Ophaile had to fight to hide the scorn that wanted to make its presence known on her face, something that would surely cost her dearly if she ever let her true feelings become apparent. She had already told this foolish stallion her name, had he forgotten already? Or maybe he was just doing it on purpose, deliberately “forgetting” her name as to show that she was nothing to him. Either way, she knew that she could not so much as hint that she had already given her name, for to make Rama look foolish was not in her plans. She would have to keep a careful restraint over her usually careless tongue, because she knew how much trouble it could get her into.
“My name is Ophaile,” she said, unable to resist enunciating the syllables of her name.
She smiled at him, an expression that appeared naturally on her face, as she did not mind smiling at good-looking stallions, not at all, even if they were arrogant tyrants.
“Please,” she began sweetly, a tone that did not come as naturally to her. She preferred blunt statements, and of course her best friend, sarcasm. Still, sweetness did earn her points with the stallions. Maybe she should practice it more often.
“If I were you, I’d be pretty skeptical of a strange mare offering her services when she appears to be rather…diminutive, not the greatest qualification for fighting, after all. So please, allow me to elaborate as to how I could serve you best. To be frank, my mind is my weapon. I strategize, I plan, and I strike. I can play the role of advisor, scout, spy, spokesperson, even diplomat. There are many more key roles to winning a war than just common hoofsoldier and I am willing to fill whichever you see fit.”
She tilted her small head and looked at Rama, pricking soft ears forward to awaiting his reply.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" His smile only deepened as she appeared obviously annoyed in him asking her name, taking the time to focus on the word. Though, his eyes narrowed as she spoke again. Was she calling him foolish to this that he was not careful when adding others to his army? It was none of her business how he did things, and it certainly wasn't her place to speak to him that way. "Do you give me reason to not trust you, Ophaile?" He growled, emphasizing her name and ignoring her as she went on to name some attributes she possessed. There was no need for him to be afraid of her, in any way. If she chose to not be loyal to him, he would crush her, easily. And if she was a spy for the Other, she was doing a pretty bad job of it. Though she appeared eager to be given a job, her words made him angry and he wasn't sure if he wanted her any longer. That would mean killing her, of course. Vondur purred, moving closer to the mare and rubbing against her legs and side, for he was almost as big as her, and silently licking his chops. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 204 . Notes - bahaha. i forgot that she already told him her name. xDD . Muse - mreh . Tags - ophaile

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