Maybe it wasn’t what she wanted, but hell if she was going to let this place fall. She’d made sure her children were safe, and then come out here. Worst she could do was fail, right? The fact another lover had left her... well she couldn’t rely on men anymore it seemed. So here she was, a roar leaving her jaws as she waited. Eyes narrowed and narrowed as she waited. But perhaps she felt better. She had many more friends than foes. If she had to she would go to Jewel, but part of her... part of her wanted to show she was strong, perhaps a more selfish, greedy part she hid away.

Her stance was firm and unwavering, waiting to see if any would challenge her. If any would receive her call. Ears folded, tail out behind her, a somewhat haughty look on her face. She was ready, she had to be. For her children. Perhaps if she won, Gwyn would have a crown sooner than he’d thought.

Pistis v ???
Round 0 of 5
For Scilla Lagoon

Code and image by saph

Healing and resting is not something he is necessarily enamored with. However, he is so close, so godsdamned close to being 100% that he is being more careful than every before. Not tempting fate so that he can thrive once he is well. Its a constant, mindnumbing process, but eventually he would have a crown, would take what he wanted as he had. Would win a crown for himself and Pistis, and their children. However, it seems the pale woman has other plans. Ones that floor the beast, and send him flying high, soaring with pride.

She was challenging for a pride, the lagoon. While not his favourite, he cannot help but be over the moon for her. For here was the culmination of her growth. Here was the woman he had glimpsed long ago, almost lost, and then fallen in love with.

There is barely a hitch in his stride as he first trots, then runs, then gallops. Powerful body covering the sands between the cove and the atoll where the lagoon resides. He had avoided it since his cloistering in the cove, not wanting to see the former king(HA!) with his wife. Now, now he cannot stay away, even if the fallen ruler is there to watch. Oh no, she would win and there would be no stopping her, and hopefully, him. Hopefully the bridge had been mended enough to cross the turbulent canyon that had grown between them. And well, perhaps he is counting his chickens before they hatch, but, he would be surprised if there was no crown in it for him. Ye gods, he cannot really contain the ambitious joy, the bloodlust and pride pounding within his veins. Churning limbs carry the devil as if he had wings. Devouring the distance between in no time whatsoever.

He slows, moments before entering the space that was to be the area. Drawing himself up, composing himself as he nears, his burning gaze alight as it settles upon his wife. There is nary a hitch in his stride, a wince hidden in his expression. Just sheer pride, and, well, perhaps a touch of lust. Gods he thought she was sexy doing this. All in good time no? He strides right up to her, makes to nip at her ear, remembers her little admonishment and ops to nuzzle it instead. "Give them hell, Pistis, my queen"he rumbles, just for her. Then settles upon a perch behind and to her right. A veritable mass of muscle, pride, and warning as he makes himself comfortable. None would disturb her, it would be her and the challenger only if he had anything to say about it. Or hell, perhaps his presence would be enough of a deterrent to let her claim her crown without a challenge to it. Wouldn't that be nice? A lot less work for them both. They did have children to raise no?

Art and og code by Kairi, Code modified by Saph

@Pistis

Kimagure Stagner

A beating heart of stone...

The snowy woman was on her way to the Lagoon anyway, intent on making good on her promise to visit Diuris herself. She had called for @Avreya as she left the rainforest to the woman could inquire after family here as well, a bundle of fruit and herbs held within a pelt on her back. She was not prepared for what she would encounter. When the white woman encountered the borders, the scent marks of the high sovereign were stale.

Where was he? Her eyes narrowed and she placed her bundle down. She had turned back to look for Avreya, but before she could lay eyes on her the call rang out. So Diuris had lost his throne. Kimagure felt no need to wait at the borders any longer, she grabbed her bundle and proceeded into the territory. She would present her bundle as a gift to the new Sovereign, the herbs contained within would prove useful she felt sure.

As she neared the source of the call, she saw a familiar woman. Kimagure might have forgotten her, were it not for her scarred rump. She had been in the pit. Kimagure placed her bundle down and remained at the sidelines, sniffing slightly. She kept a smooth expression, but the lioness was surprised. The woman smelled of cubs and milk. It took a brave woman to fight when babes suckled at her belly.

Then a familiar man approaches, also one from the pit. He approached the woman and then stepped away. The ivory queen stood somberly with paws apart, waiting to see who would challenge the nursing mother.

She watches. | "She speaks." | 'She broods.'

Art by Luyene

avreya rurik

There's a call from Kimagure.

Hm, that's strange. Had they missed a pride? The Rurik tilts her head curiously, listens to the sound of the jungle around her. As the birds settle from her sovereigns call, nothing more seems to stir -- if something was amiss, it lay outside of the Rainforest.

Avreya moves with none the less urgency. It's the first mysterious call from Kimagure that she's had, so just in case, she gathers a mouthful of aloe and akkuama in a thick, waxy leaf that'll survive a small trip, and then bounds toward the sound. She trots up with Kimagure just as the woman arrives upon the fading borders. Avreya briefly sets her bundle down -- noticing that Kimagure has her own also, oops -- to give them a full sniff without the scent of her herbs obstructing her smell. She gives a hmm of curiosity, intrigue. Acknowledgement of Kimagure's call and presence. Picks up her bundle as her high sovereign does the same, and follows.

A pride claim. She wonders what happened to the other ruler that was here. Kimagure came with a bundle, so perhaps this was a surprise to her also -- or had she known? Avreya doesn't care either way. She observes the same thing as the pale woman; the woman who challenged had young. While risky, it's admirable. Avreya imagines that she would probably do the same, if it meant securing a home for her and her own.

As they arrive, she first thinks that the male may be a challenger, but the comforting greeting he gives to the woman and him choosing a spot nearby eases the assumption away. Ears press forward, eyes roam the lagoon, scoping out the territory for the first time and awaiting any potential challenger. Avreya herself was comfortable in the Rainforest for now, and would never seek to take a territory she knew nothing about. She had no reason to step up to the plate. Yet, at least.

Overrun, you're under the gun

Sound the drum, the Great War has come

[Ooc: phone post because GET IT GURL. YOU GO!]

Jewel heard the cry from the lagoon and frowned, ears folding against her skull before the ebony sovereign was racing across the sands as fast as her paws could carry her. Cerulean optics were searching left and right as the twin tail crossed over into familiar territory and slowed only before she would be found running headlong through brush and bramble..

Arriving with only a slightly quickened pace, t he ebony lioness grinning wide enough to flash ivory fangs, tails whipping at her haunches much like a snake. Seeing @Gwyn nuzzling @Pistis gave her pause.. and she stopped a few feet from the silver lady, pride brimming on her face.

"I knew you had it in you..." she would worry about Durius...ask questions later. Still.. the lady would seek to place herself off to the side, tails coiling around her paws. "Good luck, my friend." Tones were warm, her voice carrying more than the normal warmth one might for a friend.. but she and the silver hadn't figured out...themselves. and Jewel wasn't sure how Vysemala would react to seeing her canoodling another lady.

Best sort that out first. But still.. the pride was evident, though worry creased the lines of her face. A nod would be given to @Kimagure and @Avreya, wondering how they would align themselves to the lagoon and whoever the new ruler would be.

Where was Durius?

Code by Corvus.. Image (C)jean wimmerlin @Unsplash. Manip by Tabs

The large behemoth of hair traveled with eerie silence through the incoming gatherers. The call for the Lagoon odd amidst the entanglement of chaos that Jewel had less than a week ago laid upon them. The news of a claim was something out of the ordinary given Gareth's knowledge that Durius led the Lagoon here but clearly that wasn't the case. Something must have happened and as he strolled towards Jewel first and foremost, his eyes quietly tangled themselves in the woman he assumed called the claim. A silvery woman that seemed to have somewhat recently given birth and which he could automatically place as Pistis, especially given the friendly vibe he was getting from @Jewel and her gaze ever towards. Don't suppose it's known what has happened to Durius? he questioned, immediately taking a seat to Jewel's right and hoping that the disappearance would not be permanent.

table by cush

Seeing as how this land was relatively new to him, the star-laden yearling kept on the outskirts as best he could. Keeping to himself while admiring things from afar - aloof, you could say - and wanted to simply blend into the background as best he could. So far, that hadn't been very easy as he had always been known to stand out in a crowd even if he wasn't vying for attention. From what he could see at the distance, most of the lions gathered were about the age of his parents if not older. Adults that were already quite familiar with one another while he was a rogue lion - something that could be feared if he were still roaming with his nomadic family. By himself, he wasn't that much of a threat but one small misstep and that could easily change.

From the looks of it, this place held a rather beautiful looking Lagoon just off to the side of the gathering. It looked so perfect from where he stood, almost desperately wanting Jericho to stick his paws in there for a nice soak. What a nice place it would be to simply live here rent-free but seeing as he was familiar with a pride challenge, he knew that his chances of going for a swim were quite slim. Once this was official - and likely now, given the onlookers - he wouldn't be able to participate in the soothing effects of the water. Instead, he'd openly decide that this place might be worth a second glance should he ever require the needs of a pride.

As it were, he wasn't used to living within a pride and hadn't any idea how to begin to be a member. All he had ever known was how to fend for himself and work with his family as a unit, never a pride. Jericho had never known what it was like to claim a den and collect things of importance. He knew to never get attached to anything and be ready to leave behind things at a moment's notice. So he wouldn't get too interested here but only enough to watch and learn.

+10 Find a notable landmark in a territory
+5 Learn something unique about another pride’s territory

Things had been quiet lately, as if the lagoon was sleeping. She knew the sound of something gone, heard it in death cries and echoes within caves. There was a certain stillness that could not be faked despite the faces that remained, looking more and more like they knew it too. She didn't need to be able to see to know that there were faces creased in concern walking the beaches and resting below palm trees. It was Pistis who broke the silence, like ice shattering on a still morning. It sounded out louder than the crash of waves or murmurs of uncertainty, louder than the nerves that screamed along with the rise of the silver lady's voice. It was a challenge for an empty throne, bitter but determined. It made a cold stone sink into her gut, but nevertheless the dancer slunk towards the call in order to bear witness to yet another birth. This one being the beginning of unity one way or another. As she drew closer she could smell other lions gathered to watch, the eclipse furred lioness gravitated more toward any familiar scents but kept her senses strained onto Pistis. She could never imagine being in her friend's paws at that moment, to make a claim so high...she wished her luck within the confines of her mind.

BG Stock | Lion Stock | Manip by Taboo | Coding by Werge

The move was.... a controversial one. When he'd come to the swift realization that something was stirring in the Lagoon, of course - as an ally - he felt the need to be present. As he walked, he considered that while he was fond of the Hollows, he missed the call of the sea. He thought of Vellen, and the higher calling. He thought of Elijah, and how his loins stirred every time he was around him. He thought of those damp, musky chambers; how, while they had provided him ample shelter during a crucial time, and a foundation for the stronghold he so craved, they were ultimately not suitable for him in the long-term. He thought of the consequences of doing what he planned to do, and decided that the risk would ultimately be worth it. He would take whatever would come next on the chin. Moving into Lagoon territory, he saw an unfamiliar woman in the centre. He saw Kimagure, and her Rurik ally. He saw Jewel. And then he saw the empty spot opposite Pistis. Moving to occupy it, he considered the woman and offered a dip of the head. There was no need to be unpleasant here, after all, even if there was potential to turn to bloodshed. We do not know each other, Magnus began, but I have a proposition for you. He had no idea that the man cheering Pistis on was Gwyn, the infamous King of the Hollows. Juicy indeed. I control Obsidian Hollows, to the west. I do not know your motivations for claiming the Lagoon, but I want it also. I would give you Obsidian, in order to take Scilla. He tilted his head then, watching the pale woman for a reaction. If not, I will fight you for it. This is how much he loved his God. Enough to shed more blood.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Kimagure Stagner

A beating heart of stone...

The usual suspects began to filter in, Jewel to whom Kimagure gave a dip of her head and a dark man. Then a yearling, whom she had never seen and then a woman as scarred as she, with milky eyes. Her gaze lingered on the blind woman until the stirring of another took her attention. @Magnus joined the collection of lions. Kimagure had expected the colossal man to merely settle himself to watch, but he shocked the white queen.

Kimagure had known the Hollows were dark and prey likely scarce, but winding hallways offered their own security. The man stepped up to the nursing woman and offered her a deal: the hollows for the lagoon. Her face remained absolutely smooth, but her tail twitched back and forth and the white woman’s fur flicked. Kimagure studied Pistis, wondering what move she would take. If Kimagure had stood where Pistis was, the white Sovereign would have been torn. To accept leadership without a fight, especially in a land where men felt it was their birthright, labelled one as weak. It didn’t matter if it was true or not, if the woman had done it for intelligent reasons.

But this woman had young children, and her scent said she dwelled here. Kimagure imagined she was attempting to keep her home. It was easier to tend to cubs when you weren’t cut and bleeding. She, had she been pregnant or nursing, would have found his offer incredibly tempting.

She watches. | "She speaks." | 'She broods.'

Art by Luyene