The chill was brutal as the shadow-mare emerged from the frigid depths. The water, at least, had been soothing after a while, despite the fact that she could no longer feel her limbs. The wind, however, offered a whole new level of cold, as biting gusts nipped at her flanks, sliced across her sides. Even so, she felt refreshed, and she was glad that her common sense had beckoned her to the seaside. Banner hung in straggling wisps as several rivulets glistened over her dark hide. She shook her bodice, sending chilly water droplets flying in all directions. To her dismay, many of them returned with the wind, speckling her with newly frozen crystals. A snort sounded, cranium held high, gnarled horn standing proudly against the sky, a sign of her heritage and purity.

It was then that she noticed the approaching figure of a unicorn mare. She held herself like that of a true blood, one who knew that she was pure and therefore above the vile creatures of the sky and the unblooded creatures of the earth. A smile crossed the vixen's maw then, for she knew that she had found another of her heritage, and perhaps a willing addition to the Plague. And this one would be an excellent addition, indeed. A strong draft build, larger than Psyche and probably stronger too, though that strength was only one of many. An excellent candidate, if the shadow-mare judged her correctly.

Psyche approached the newcomer, taking her time. The other mare held her head high, a proud soul to be sure, but Psyche would make sure that she knew who was queen. But to begin with, she would be all nice and lovely, to win her over rather than to force her into something. That worked better in the long run, after all. Though Psyche would not trust, she knew that herdly bonds were made through mutual agreements and trusts, and she easily utilized her knowledge. "Hello, darling. Quite a lovely afternoon for a swim, isn't it?" Her tone was one of joviality, but with a hint of her true, cunning nature layered beneath. It was a tone that would win someone over, but leave them with no doubt who ran the world. "My name is Psyche. May I ask yours?"

[W/C | 382]

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.

Oh, lovey has a bite. The thought crossed the shadow-mare's mind, a fleeting whisper that instantly set her on edge. This Elizabeth would be an excellent addition to her society, but would certainly be one to watch for. Psyche was no fool: any who would match her tone would as soon stab her in the back as follow her orders. But even they would know that they would need her, if only for a while. And the more she knew about them, the more she would be able to control them in the future. A few sly, cunning brats in her pack would be nothing, assuming that the majority remained loyal to her. And besides, what's life without a little challenge?

A poisonously sweet smile crept across her maw. "Where I come from, 'slightly crazy' is a compliment, darling." Why not continue to goad her? Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition now and then, and the dark fae hadn't had any entertainment in the days since the invasion. "And, speaking of homes, where has such a lovely mare such as yourself come from?" A stab at the femme's scars, obviously, although truth be told, she wasn't bad looking. Strong, pretty, and a unicorn. Perfect for the Plague. Perhaps in time she would learn to hold her tongue, just as every pretty little princess should.

She was no fool. She could recognize ambition when she saw it, as familiar as she was with it. It gleamed from every hair on Elizabeth's hide. She also knew that it could be an excellent weapon, whether turned on your allies or your enemies. Never before had anyone's ambition gotten the best of the jackal, but there could always be a first, if she was not wary. Even now, she must be careful - given the newcomer's size, and Psyche's current condition, she was unsure of how she would fare in a fight, though she doubted it would come to that. No, this mare's tongue was a match to her own - she would win her way through sly deceptions, masked emotions. And Psyche would not be bested by such.

[W/C | 356]

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.

Orbs narrowed ever so slightly. To insinuate that her past was the worst of the two was arrogant. To think that the shadow-mare would become offended by someone claiming a worse background than hers! It was almost laughable, in the strangest way. But that would be an argument for another time. The insult to her horn was another thing that irked her, though she carefully kept her face molded into that simpering, dangerous smile. She may not have the straightest or the prettiest horn, but she was still a unicorn, and one of pure blood at that! How dare she? A hatred blossomed in her bosom, but even she had to admit that this mare would be an asset to her organization, should Psyche convince her to join up.

A cold breeze flowed across the sand, and it took a fair amount of concentration to keep her bodice from shivering. She would not show weakness in front of others, but especially not this other. Oh, no, she would stand strong even in the coldest of storms just to prove that she outranked this little nobody. Her smile widened. "Yes, it's quite refreshing." She would not falter. She would not weaken. "So you haven't been in Helovia long, then, darling?" Enough games. Time to cut to the chase. She had things to do, people to see, and that wind was cold. Either Elizabeth would come, or she wouldn't. But she'd have to start that conversation up first.

[W/C | 246]

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.

Skyrat. The disgust was evident in Elizabeth's voice. Well, it looks like they had that in common, too, as well as their oh-so-wonderful personalities. The shadow-mare smiled, a tad friendlier now, or at least less sarcastic. "Well, darling, there are far too many of impure blood continuing to wander about, you know." It was true. She may not have known the ratio of unicorns to equines and pegasi, but she was sure that they were outnumbered. Hence the shadowed doings of the Plague, designed to undermine rather than full-out attack. If they could kill enough, one at a time, or even in small groups, while bolstering their own numbers, they would begin to outnumber the inferior. Then, they would take over.

"I am sure you would agree that we are superior to the featherbrained and the hornless," Psyche stated nonchalantly. There was no point in hushed tones, no comfort in secrecy; they were the only figures on the beach, and she was proud of her race, after all. They were superior. They should reign supreme. And hopefully, one day they would. "Should you be as vested in ridding Helovia of its impurities as I, you could have a position within my herd, which houses the majority of the members of the Plague. The choice is yours, but if you seek what we do, the eradication of the inferior species, we are the best chance of purity."

[W/C | 236]

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.