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Post by ace on May 8, 2011 5:03:05 GMT -5
The meadow was close enough to the castle-town that he could reach either in an emergency, but far enough away that if anyone was sent to fetch him it would take a minute if they weren't in a hurry. Ace sighed, a look of contentment softened his usually tense face muscles. It was around noon when the youth reached his favorite spot to relax. The aristocrat to be rarely had time to his own devices between his courtly training and his various classes, because martial arts practice took up so much of what was left, relaxation was rare. Ace flopped onto his side and curled up, basking in the sun. He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, letting out another blissful sigh as he lets his mind drift off before someone inevitably comes to look for him.
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 9, 2011 12:47:41 GMT -5
Percheron, as he did not regard himself as lieutenant when out of his Red Baron uniform, slowly approached the figure in the distance. As the former leader of the stars, and an aerial ace of renown, he still had complete access to all of Equestria, his cultist status unknown as it was. When out of uniform, he was free to go everywhere.
Walking at a slow even pace, and observing the unicorn he was about to enter in conversation with, he began to consider the best way to touch the subject he had in mind. He was a fighter, not a recruiter.
Looking at Canterlot, his face turned into that of mild disgust, he disliked the major cities, where mares would fawn over him as though he was some sot of fashionable device, for their entertainment. Where colts would look at him with empty envy in their eyes, and all would disregard him for who he was. Nullifying his inner side because of his good looks.
Turning back to the subject at hand, he stopped a talking distance from the resting pony.
"Hello." He said finally.
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Post by ace on May 9, 2011 21:43:07 GMT -5
Ace jumped up, surprised by Percheon's approach. Sure he had dropped his guard in his anticipation for some peace and quiet, but he didn't think he'd be caught unawares that easily. He'd have to berate himself later, but now it was time to return to his duties...or so he thought.
The unicorn turns to face Percheron and is caught off guard in a completely different manner. The way that the Pegasus had addressed him was odd, but Ace had always encouraged his father's servants to address him informally even if they still felt the need to do otherwise so that didn't bother him. It was more than that, this pony held himself with a almost regal confidence, clearly he was a leader of some sort. His head tilted mildly as he tried to figure out what this pony could want from him.
After a few moments of silence, Ace thought it appropriate to return the greeting "Hey," he paused to flick his head nervously, throwing the bangs from his eyes "whats up?"
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 10, 2011 15:59:54 GMT -5
Percheron studied this pony, tense, steady posture, observant eyes, the way he jumped up spoke of his reflexes. He tilted his head slightly, mirroring the unicorn. He wasn't sure how to even address the subject he was thinking of.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, I noticed you seem a bit... tense. I was wondering if everything was alright?"
His master had assigned him the task of recruiting ponies, but even an unknowing information giver is a good tool in what they had planned.
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Post by ace on May 11, 2011 9:35:45 GMT -5
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence where the two ponies sized each other up, Ace decided to respond after clearing his throat.
"Me? I'm fine," he lied, punctuated by yet another flick of his mane, not wanting to burden the other pony with his problems "How about yourself?"
Ace relaxed a little as he made small talk. It was obvious that the Pegasus wasn't here to retrieve him, so he didn't feel the need to worry and quite honestly didn't mind the company.
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 11, 2011 9:44:00 GMT -5
Percheron considered Ace for a moment, then stretched his neck a bit, before speaking again.
"I am doing as well as can be expected, I appreciate the peace of being outside of the city. I cannot stand crowds." He said, looking for a common point, from which to build on. Hoping he judged the unicorn in front of him correctly.
He spread out his wings, as though to accentuate the point of his liking of free space. "Need my own space, from time to time."
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Post by ace on May 11, 2011 13:50:59 GMT -5
Ace nods in agreement at Percheon's mention of his need for space, after all wasn't that the unicorn's reason for coming here?
"I'll agree with you there," as he spoke Ace he placed his forehoofs further out in front of him and raised his flank in a cat-like stretch of his shoulders and back, hopping up when his back pops audibly "crowds can be...troublesome."
The young stallion give three short hops before relaxing once again, now rested he was ready to do...something, he was quite sure what though.
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 11, 2011 15:19:41 GMT -5
"I especially dislike the pressure it puts on ponies. Ponies subject to pressure are bound to make mistakes. Pressure brings injustice. As a former member of the Stars, I've seen this happen more than once."
The Pegasus probed, observing a point next to Ace prominently, mainly Celestia's Palace, while still keeping his attention (not his eyes) fixed on the unicorn next to him, testing his reaction.
"I've tried fighting against it... but it was deemed... unnecessary."
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Post by ace on May 11, 2011 17:43:36 GMT -5
The Pegasus before Ace seemed to almost be inside his head, it was odd to be around another pony with such similar views. He wondered who Percheon was and why he would approached him. This did not seem like coincidence.
"The Stars....." Ace trailed off as he searched his memory for the origins of that familiar name. One could see his eyes brighten when he found his answer, though his expression remained unchanged "The elite flying squad? I hear its quite an honor to be able to join them. You wouldn't happen to be Percheon Razowing would it?"
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 11, 2011 23:27:10 GMT -5
The Pegasus bowed his head, "It seems you've caught me." He said with a slight smile, being famous had advantages, but disadvantages as well.
"I am indeed Percheron Razorwing, I am retired, however." He said, "Both from the Stadium and the Stars." He turned around, "Now, I prefer trying to bring just a little more justice back to Equestria, make things a little bit fairer. You see these ponies here, I've had my dealings with them. All of them are snobs, vain, arrogant. The lower class ponies are not even allowed near them. Manehattan is no different." The stallion sighed, "I guess I am getting too worked up, but it is a subject close to my heart."
The stallion now sat down, staring at his shadow in the sunlight, "And sadly, most ponies don't even know about the worse things." He said, scuffing his hoof on the grass, as though trying to reach his own shadow, in a way his own little eclipse, blocking the sun's light from the small patch of grass he was sitting on.
"I guess I thought I'd find a kindred spirit in you, you remind me of myself somehow."
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Post by ace on May 13, 2011 4:01:25 GMT -5
Normally Ace would have returned the grin. Not many ponies were so willing to talk about the nobility like the Pegasus in front of him was. It was all just too convenient, ponies like this didn't just happen to stroll up to you out of nowhere. He wondered how to ask the question that'd been on the tip of his tongue since Percheon walked up, deciding that the blunt way was best.
"So what is it you want from me?" the entire time he spoke and thought, Ace looked Percheon in the eyes with a determined expression across his visage.
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 13, 2011 10:52:28 GMT -5
"You're not like them, you get it, you understand. I can tell you are a pony who has values, ideals, things you stand up for. And every pony can make a difference, they just need to be steered in the right direction. What I want from you is the answer to a question - do you want to be steered in the right direction?" Percheron ended the short monologue with a question, sending a penetrating look at Ace's eyes. It was obvious that he was sincere in his beliefs, sincere in wanting to make Equestria a better place. The passion behind his words gave it away, it was not out of bitterness, but out of true sense of duty, that he came up to the unicorn that day.
It was also obvious, that a yes or a no would both be accepted equally by him, he was not imposing, or threatening, he would not force his views on the unicorn, or even argue. It was obvious that he wanted people who shared his views, rather than to forcefully convert those who didn't, an admirable quality in itself.
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Post by ace on May 13, 2011 22:25:44 GMT -5
Ace was wary, but he couldn't help but admire the sincerity of Percheon's words. The pegasus made him believe that he could make a difference if he only accepted. Ace's expression was unreadable as he considered the possibilities. He could follow this mysterious pony into the unknown or he could stay in Canterlot where it was safe. You didn't have to be a psychologist to know which choice the young stallion would make.
Ace gave another shake of his mane as a smile spread across his muzzle, one could almost feel heat from the youth's eyes as his look became one of adventurous glee. "Yes, that'd be great."
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Post by Percheron Razorwing on May 14, 2011 14:54:25 GMT -5
The winged pony smiled with relief, "That is good to hear, friend, I'm afraid in all of this, I hadn't even asked your name, so you have me at a disadvantage." The Pegasus bowed his head slightly in apology, while backing up a bit, as though getting ready to lead the Unicorn away.
Unicorns were in short supply in the cult, and every pony mattered. Red Charge would not insist on recruiting if it was not important to him. And though he and Watermark, despite being comrade in arms, hardly got along. Percheron agreed that there were too few unicorns around the headquarters. Red Mages or not.
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Post by ace on May 15, 2011 14:18:39 GMT -5
Ace chuckled as he gave a slight bow. He hadn't been deliberately rude, the introduction just slipped his mind. The unicorn could be so ackward at times. Perceiving that Percheron wanted to lead him to a new location, Ace rose from his bow and took a couple of steps toward the pegasus.
"Heh, sorry about that. My name in Quickhoof, but my friends call me Ace." he stated, extending a hoof to shake
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