this summons seemed a tad more serious than the one cassine had heard back at the beach, meaning that she, of course, just had to investigate - especially considering that maman and uncle vermier though it was important to attend. truth be told, the caverns are somewhat daunting, particularly for a babe so small, but cassine managed to keep up with the adults well enough, only trailing a few moments behind them all, as they arrived to the claim.

her gaze looks curiously to the woman of the hour, lashes fluttering briefly, before she moves instinctively towards vermier. brimming eyes shift up towards him, lips parting to speak, until she notes the look that is sprawled eagerly upon his features, and acknowledges that it is one that she had never seen from him before. it must mean that this lady was special -- and being the dutiful niece that she was, cassine would ensure that he got nothing but the best. choosing to forego speaking for the moment, with a light smirk laced across the babe's lips she would slink carefully towards vermier's side, mimicking his stance and posture, as she waited for nothing more exciting to happen.

mama made it very clear that she needed to stay with ambrosine and her family and had said nothing less. georgia wasn't a caring individual, nor was she a very caring mother, but she did make it clear that she would be right behind them. so arizona had done her very best to listen to her mama's instructions and had stuck as close to ambrosine and her children as she could manage. she didn't want to be overbearing to them because of course her mama made it very clear when she was overbearing so instead she stayed quiet and kept to herself. however when cassine took off arizona was not far behind her. thankfully the girl was the same age as her and arizona was optimistic that they could be friends. she made her way over to cassine, ruby red eyes watching the spectacle that was going on before them. she moved to sit next to cassine before whispering to the girl, "why are they fighting?" she asked curiously though being sure to keep her voice quiet so as not to annoy those around her.

@Cassine

ugh.

of all the damned places she coulda picked, of course genya decided to make her home in the creepiest place she could find. israel begrudgingly follows the fresh scents down the darkened tunnel, his discomfort obvious - muscles clenched tight, expression furrowed. he absolutely hated places like this: dark and cramped, with no sky up 'bove him. it just... weren't natural, and it gave him the heebie-jeebies.

but it was genya who called, and so he comes.

already there's a crowd gathered - some faces familiar from the previous valley. some were new, and some were too damn small to be out and 'bout, but he weren't here to critize nobody's parentin'. not today, at least. carefully he places himself nearest the entrance, haunches pressed up 'gainst the wall so nobody was gonna creep up on him. and if his gaze strays away from genya to the other, branching tunnels.... well.

could ya really blame him?

She can't see anything but it sure smells dark and dingy and damp. Ramona moves carefully through the tunnels, picking her way deeper and following the multitude of scents before her. This isn't as exciting for her, granted she can't see any of what's going on, but her ears sure can hear everything. Her nose leads her to the familiar scent of a particular cowboy that's nearest the exit of said tunnels and she manages to bump her shoulder into his a little clumsily before taking a seat beside him. "Well does it at least look exciting? I can't see a thing and it smells like more than a handful of strangers showed up to see this." She whispers nonchalantly to Israel, even though it had been ages since they had seen one another she didn't want to dwell on the ugly that had happened to them all, glancing towards what she hoped was his face before turning her gaze towards Genya and her opponent. She could remember Genya's scent vaguely from a time long before this, but she mostly sought comfort in Israel's company. She grappled onto his presence, finding a life preserver in the sea of darkness she found herself in. She was happy to have found him and only hoped that Tessa and their children were safe.

@Israel

@Ramona seems to be hot on his heels, whether the former queen intended to be or not. surprise is written clear 'cross his face - eyes widenin' at the sight of her. then she's speakin', and he's only half-listenin' - too preoccupied with her sudden appearance to think much 'bout it. but he rumbles out a noise - not quite a growl, but certainly nothin' nice - as he explains. "there ain't much happenin' seems like genya wants this hunk o' rock for some damned reason. it's ugly 'nd dark 'nd creepy - so ya ain't missin' much." he says simply, lips curlin' in distaste. but no matter how #spooked he was 'bout the whole caves, it dulled in comparison to the relief at seein' the spotted queen once more.

she's... well, she's alive - and that's gotta count for somethin', right?

"it's good to see ya. i'm glad yer here," he murmurs softly - an understatement, to be sure. still, he's happy to let her lean on him and he swipes his nose 'cross her cheek in a gentle touch - because israel is nothin' if not sappy. he wants to say more but holds his tongue instead, simply enjoyin' her company for now. it's a far easier thing to focus on her than the oppressive atmosphere, and he hopes that genya don't win these dark caves - if only so he'd never have to come back here again.

""

ooc: narsil is hiding

Narsil had taken her time returning, she had promised her siblings she would return and boy oh boy did she have news when she did find them. How they would take it she wasn't sure, and she wasn't sure she cared honestly. They were each their own, as long as they worked together as three and kept each others backs Narsil didn't care what they thought. Narsil could bully her siblings, but only she could do that. However that said, it didn't mean she was open to the rest of the family.


So quietly she slunk behind the rocks and shadows ducking down out of sight, she would just observe quietly now. Good to gather all what she could see... for her.

and the final angel perished,

Manes had taken some time to himself after the rogues had driven him and @Ambrosine out of their home. Their family members had scattered far and wide, and the former King had no idea if they had followed the scent trails that the pair had left behind.

But now Manes found himself in a strange land, yet surrounded by familiar faces. Blue eyes scan the Hollow carefully as his ear twitched, the Talgrim remaining quiet as he observed the contest for a crown. It was not long before he spotted his wife, who had arrived before him.

Without a word, the male moved across the new land and settled next to his Queen. Turning to her, he spoke to her in a hushed manner. "What is going on?" He asks, looking from his wife to Genya and then back again.

When the vultures spread from the spit, he had expected them to go for the prides right away. And from the yowls he had heard from the beach someone had. The other location was far more quiet, far more subtle, a hidden path up a track into the mountains. A good part of him wished to turn away, to leave it for the heathens and the plebians not worthy of his time. However, he did need a place to lay his head, and a place where he could finally claim Pistis in the most carnal way. It would do if no one else had challenged the person claiming. For surely someone had claimed. It wouldn't make sense for there to be so many lingering in the area if that was not so.

The monster forced his way upward, not caring if he bruised, made someone stumble, or even fall. They were unimportant. He only cared about the challenger so he could could counter it, stake his own claim upon the pride. It was a simple mission, one which did not need all this chattel. Besides, if they could not be bothered to get out of his way, then, it was not his fault they dared test their soon to be king. They would suffer the consequences before he meted them out.

It took him a while to make his way through the press of bodies, his form finding the woman at the center. One who hadn't quite been bothered to call for others yet somehow attracted them. One who had a swell of pregnancy in her belly. He sneered a little internally at that; foolish chit risking her children so. His body settled into a fighting stance born of long practice. Bent limbs with weight lowered evenly throughout, spine straight, tail hanging loose. Chin tucked and jaws agape to protect his throat. "I am Gwyn Casimir" he begins, letting his eerie stare sweep over the crowd, settling on the dark woman at the end. Eyes burning. "You are standing in my spot" he told her, declaring his intent to challenge with a deep rumble. Obviously ready to go forth into battle, but giving her a chance to step down. To stand beneath him as all women(except for one) should.

Gwyn VS Genya for Obsidian Hollow
Round 0 of 5

@Genya
I uh.. sorry not sorry

Though Gwyn and she had had a little spat recently, she wasn’t going to ignore him when he bustled out of their den towards the call of battle. It was her job to support him and mend him once he’d secured his title. Pistis was several steps behind him, but hoped it was clear she was his, especially in a place with so many lions. It was not her normal social setting. She was much more interested in small groups. But she held herself high, with the practice from her time as an heiress of her family. Unlike Gwyn, however, she did not sweep anyone aside, instead finding a nice spot to watch and sitting down gracefully. Offering him a small, encouraging smile, knowing he did not need it, however. Her eyes widened as she examined his opponent. Oh dear, the woman was pregnant! Not only that, she wasn’t much bigger than Pistis, still big, mind you, but compared to Gwyn. Her eyes shut tight as she sent a silent prayer to Hera to protect the woman and her babes, as well as to send her the good sense to forfeit. It would not be easy to fight while pregnant, and it would be quite wrong for Gwyn to fight her. But she knew he was eager, and when he wanted something, he went for it. As she glanced around further, she thought she knew no one, quickly glancing at any of the males, looking as if she paid no mind. She stood incorrect when she saw Roan. If he would happen to look her way, she would offer a quick, friendly nod. Although... not too friendly, considering... recent events. Her eyes would turn back to Gwyn again, worried for him. +5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds

Code by CloudyNight

DARK FOREST WOMAN; She stands with her ears tipped back, legs sprawled out for balance, chin tucked, claws out, and tail swishing from side to side. Soon, lions gather, but none has challenged, until a male comes. Genya has only fought other men before, which is odd, considering she is inclined to think women will hate her more. But it's alright; she loves it when men fear her. After all, that's why he challenged her. It's fear gripping him. She digs her claws inwards, lunges, and then leaps up at him, using her back legs to push her up so she can attempt to match his height before attempting to push her right shoulder towards his chest as her neck twists to the right to attempt to latch onto the fleshy spot of his cheek with her fangs. Her two paws attempt to cling onto his mane, digging it in as much as they can until the thickness of it stops her. During her attempt, she will try to make her back legs dig into the ground beneath for purchase.