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Post by heartstring on May 17, 2011 18:56:47 GMT -5
"Why is it that Red Charge had to choose the the FILTHIEST place in all of Equestria as our base of operations?" Heartstring cried out as he carefully traipsed through the swamp that housed the cult's headquarters. He knew that the point for choosing this location was because it was out of the way and difficult to traverse, even so he couldn't help but cringe as his coat and mane were soiled by the environment. Each one of these trips left him absolutely filthy and were it not for the sake of necessity had wouldn't make them. He sidestepped around a mud pit only to step into peat, sinking up to his knees. As he pulled himself out and looked down at the mess of decaying plants that caked his lower body, his complaints intensified.
Once he was within earshot of the camp, Heartstring's near constant complaining instantly ceased. For the sake of morale, he had to uphold the image of one of Red Charges hoofchosen apprentices. Though his wet fur was matted to his skin and his normally styled mane was scruffy, Heartstring held himself with a regal pride as he strutted through the encampment to report for his training.
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Post by Red Charge on May 18, 2011 0:27:04 GMT -5
The master had already been anticipating him, and gave his student a bright smile as he approached. "Heartstring, wonderful, impeccable timing as always." The large red stallion greeted his apprentice lightly as he led him through the camp.
"You'd be pleased to know we have acquired Trixie, but she is not enough." Red Charge informed, "Hopefully Percheron's mission to Canterlot will be fruitful. But I think it's time we tested your studies, isn't it?"
Red Charge was very confident in his student, after having bested him in a debate about the ruling of the royal sisters, Heartstring agreed to join the Cult as an apprentice to Red Charge, and ever since then, the stallion had been furiously refining and training him in the art of subterfuge and persuasion, the ability to make things seem different and more than that the ability to change the perspective of the person you speak to.
Heartstring was far from flawless in his speech, even now, but experience was the best teacher in Red Charge's opinion, and it was time to see what Heartstring could bring to the table.
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Post by heartstring on May 19, 2011 4:56:27 GMT -5
Heartstring returned his master's warm greeting with a short bow before following beside him. As Red Charge spoke the earth pony made a mental note to visit the new addition to their ranks, the cult was in desparate need of mages and besides, rumor had it that Trixie was quite the beauty to behold. He regained focus when the crimson stallion before him mentioned a testing of his skills. Red Charge wanted to get straight down to business, which Heartstring could understand considering how busy their leader was. Even so, Heartstring had taken off an entire season and he assumed that there would be time for him to catch up more on what had gone on since his last visit, at the same time he didn't want to seem ungrateful to Red Charge, who was using his time to train the pink pony.
"What would you will me to do my master?" Heartstring asked, his tone uncharacteristically humorless, his expresion becoming serious. His devotion wasn't so much to Red Charge's cause as it was to the armored stallion himself. The conviction that The Cult's leader spoke with had caught Heartstring's attention and he would follow the armored stallion beyond the edge of the map.
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Post by Red Charge on May 21, 2011 4:03:41 GMT -5
"Ponyville..." Red Charge started, pacing with his student slowly around the camp. "Our expansion is bound to attract their attention soon enough, and that Zebra in Everfree is getting quite restless. It's time we had one of the villagers on our side, someone... to throw them off, if you will." The stallion's red and orange mane glistened in the torchlight, almost electrically.
"What I need from you, I'm afraid, is to move in there. Gain their trust, throw them off of any leads regarding us. They will not understand what we do here, they will try to stop us. I don't want non-combatants involved in this." The cult leader's words were spoken slowly, carefully, wanting Heartstring to understand this was neither a simple task, nor a trivial one. He stopped in place, turning to stare into his student's eyes. "And whatever you do, don't fall. Ponies are as ponies do, you might develop ties there, and might be tempted to abandon us. I can understand that. But you must understand, helping them will only make this struggle harder, and might even drive us to war. Hopefully, we can remain under the radar long enough so it could be avoided."
At that he resumed his walking, he trusted Hearstring, but he knew all too well about the temptations of friendship, and alas, even Heartstring did not see the picture as a whole. No pony but him did, and he did not want to give the enemy too many chances to strike at his plans.
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Post by heartstring on May 23, 2011 1:32:05 GMT -5
Heartstring slowed his pace to a near stall when Red Charge named the small town he had grown up in. He expected , or rather hoped, that their leader would've deployed him in a location of greater tactical importance. He listened intently hoping for a reasonable explanation. The one he received wasn't disappointing.
Heartstring understood, likely better than most, the loyalty that the citizens of ponyville had for the monarchy. This task would be difficult, nearly impossible even, considering that he had heard rumors of Celesta's personal student taking up residence in the quaint farm-town. The Earth pony was honored that his teacher would trust him with such a daunting task.
Heartstring shook his head to rid himself of the vain thoughts distracting him. "Don't worry Red Charge, I won't allow myself to fail you." As he spoke the pink pony realized how far away his teacher had gotten, forcing him to trot to catch up. Once again by Red Charge's side, he resumed his regal strut though now a look of worry was upon his visage "What would you have me do if I cannot prevent an investigation?" Heartstring was certainly charming and witty enough to befriend and distract most ponies, but he knew of the stubbornness and persistence that some could have. If the citizens of ponyville exhibited these traits, and he knew they would, it would take more than tricks to stop stop them, it would require sabotage.
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Post by Red Charge on May 24, 2011 6:17:08 GMT -5
"Steer them towards the other direction of course, if you can't prevent an investigation, rumors of cult activity in the opposite direction of the bog, could come in useful." Red Charge said, games of intrigue were his forte, but he did not enjoy deceiving such a large crowd. But all means justify the cause, and this cause more than justified deceiving so many ponies.
The stallion stomped the ground with his hoof, "But please, don't leave yet, come feast with me, it's been a while since I've seen you." The cult leader said, "We simply have so much to talk about."
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Post by heartstring on May 27, 2011 2:55:42 GMT -5
One could almost hear music as Heartstring’s expression suddenly turned to glee. From the look on his face, you’d think that Red Charge just offered to throw a celebration in his honor and in the earth pony’s mind he had.
“I couldn’t agree more, it has been far too long. I do wonder, will anypony else be dining with us?” Heartstring was obviously excited to see his teacher, and he did need to make time with the other members of the cult as well. On the other hoof, Heartstring certainly couldn't allow the others to see him like this and would require time to prepare if others were going to attend.
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