no, no, no! they had just finally started to settle in, had started to make this foreign place some type of Home, and now they wanted to rip it all way! delphine would not stand for it, she could not even bare the thought, and so she stomped after @Lysander with a scowl and bristled fur, having no intentions of hiding her discontent. but seeing kiton there, in the middle of the ring, made her blood boil even further, rage rolling within her chest as she took a stance beside her brother, tiny jaws already unhinged. "leave him alone!" she protested, her roar feeble, as she tried to shout out against the bustle of the crowd. she didn’t even look to see who else was there, or listening, or that she recognized. the cub just wanted it to stop, before her life got ruined, once again. delphine’s only hope was that the challenger would actually hear her shouting, on the off-chance that any sort of distraction might bode well for kiton in this fight. "don’t touch him, you — you jerk!" because the stranger was just that - for anyone who tried to steal away a happy home must be evil on the inside. delphine could simply not fathom any other explanation.

table by ferus

The call for another challenge did not fall on deaf ears but Nadia had no intentions of being found during this whole debacle. So instead she moved from her Hollows and instead made her way through the snow until she found a decent area that would consist of mud and goup beneath the snow's surface. The Hollows Queen was sure to dig her paws down past the snow into the moist ground beneath, digging further until she managed to find the perfect amount of mud. Carefully she began scooping it out and applying it to her legs and then her chest and face. She smeared the mud on thick in hopes of masking her pride's scent on her fur before she laid down in the puddle she created, rolling back and forth in order to coat her sides and back. Satisfied for the most part Nadia took off then, following the trail of the others before her as it led her towards the Mire. Nadia moved silently, a dark shadow in the background before she settled in behind a cluster of underbrush, her dark gaze narrowed and watching the lioness that was challenging the Mire King. Whatever information she gained here today would be helpful and she intended on tucking it away for future use, in the meantime she glanced to the individuals gathered, watching as more trickled in. For the most part however she was completely focused on the challengers, meanwhile her body lay prone and still in efforts to remain hidden.

*Nadia is hidden


+10 - Observe a challenge and learn the results (1/2)
+20 - Sneak into a pride without getting caught (1/2)
+20 - Spy on another pride (1/2)

ART COPYRIGHT IRISH

Sloane might have been new to this place but like all the others she was drawn to the call for battle like a moth to a flame. The maroon woman made her way through the heavy layers of snow and muck, being sure to allow the substances to stick thoroughly to her coat all the while. After all she didn't want to stick out by any means, she merely wanted to observe. But why anyone would fight over this place in particular was beyond her. There was a veil of fog around them and a constant heaviness to the air that felt suffocating. This would most likely be the last place that Sloane would go for personally, it was too closed off from the rest of the world (as impossible as that may seem). Moving to a particularly dense cluster of thorn bushes Sloane settled herself upon the ground, her purple gaze finally locking onto the two challengers. A man and a woman, both seemingly passionate enough. She was curious of who they were, where they came from, but otherwise remained quiet, steadily watching for the outcome. *Sloane is hidden and observing* +10 - Observe a fight (1/2) +20 - Spy on another pride (1/2) +20 - Sneak into a pride without getting caught (1/2)

table by koi

ears flickered atop cassine's head as she picked up on @Oleander's words, glancing up at him through webbed, spidery lashes, as she considered the concept. fighting was in her blood, violence instilled in the essence of her design -- but ruling? call it naivety or youthful candor, but it all seemed like so much work; she would much prefer the life of luxury, pulling the strings behind the scenes, than dealing with the fickleness and drab air of politics that came with a crown. though vermier seemed to balance this well, and she admired her uncle for his fealty, she had a hard time believing that it would so peaceful for very long. the real question was if there a way to get the power, but to avoid the senseless diplomacy that often came with it? for cassine, she could only hope. "peut être."* the yearling murmured in return, head craning to one side, before @Vermier's words shot up into the air. "tu penses que je les laisserais te toucher, oncle? j'aimerais les voir essayer."* she scoffed quickly in turn, lips spreading in the display of a sly, promising grin. a small part of her hoped something interesting would happen, but it depended what sort of sheep - or, gazelle, rather - had opted to join them on the sideliens of the challenge.

turning back to oleander a final time, cassine would gesture forwards with her maw, intending to lead the duo off and around the bustling crowd, poise etched into the shift and sway of her frame amongst the other bodies. "qui voudrait vivre dans un tel trou de merde?" she questioned after a moment more, nose wrinkling against, as her paws fell into thick slabs of muck and grime, while she glanced back towards the ensuing brawl.

*maybe
*you think i'd let them touch you, uncle? i would like to see them try.
*who would want to live in such a shit hole?

observe a fight, study the landscape of an area, learn the extent of a pride's border || 2/2

She was late but it didn't matter,she arrived with her calm face of always. She was interested in seeing how this was going to get solved. Challenges were getting especially common these days. Well, the more the better. Quietly she took a place to sit on, watching like a hawk to the about to start a fight,and she wondered what the outcome will be.,and of course, she was going after the female, women had the right to rule just like men,and it would be great to see how this female would do as a queen. Camly she observed, with interest. She took the time to see who else was here.

+5 observe a fight

stock | Code by Cloudy

+10 Observe a fight

The call wasn't one she wanted to attend. It was a hike and she had no care about the shifting of yet another pride but, the call was familiar. Genya. Amara still had some healing wounds from the lioness and now she was calling for a pride of her own. It didn't sit right with the sky touched lioness. She arrived to hear @Vermier allowing @Cassine and @Oleander to walk around. Rester vigilant She called to them. She wasn't to sure that was a great idea but given what happened last time, maybe being away from him would be better for the youth even as Cass declared she would have his back. She hoped it wouldn't come to that this time. There was a small gathering near Vermier and Amara was already on edge because of the growing crowd so she walked up so she was within talking distance but that was about it. She could feel her skin crawling as she forced herself to stand in such a large crowd but she kept her features clear of this. Likely the only ones that would know her discomfort would be Ver and Cass. Golden gaze took in those around and she knew far more faces here than before. J'ai voyagé ici avec eux. Le bronze est lié à toi. She spoke to Vermier and nodded toward Hanneth, @Roan, and @Furia. Ambro had explained along the way that there was a distant relationship there and she wasn't sure if Vermier knew it or not. She turned her head to the main event as the standing ruler gave Geyna a chance to back down but the grey lioness didn't take him up on the offer and jumped into her attack.

stay watchful
traveled here with them. the bronze one is related to you.

Image by Machati and table code by Amanda

Pandora didnt enjoy violence nor she would ever take part in such violent acts, but she couldn't ignore the curiosity challenges always managed to give her. But as usual, she didnt like to be seen nor caught during these events. She wanted to keep herself on a low profile, doing her best to keep other's attention away from her as much as possible. The place was filled with tall trees, that helped well enough to produce shade, perfect for hiding. She placed herself under a bush,not before trying to mask her scent by robbing herself into the soil nearby, but also covering her tracks. And like that she aimed to remain hidden and watch everything go on. Hidden +10 Cover your tracks +10 Use the terrain to your advantage +10 Practice hiding your scent

art by CloudyNight

Strolling up with @Zoticus and his daughter @Aleksandra at his opposite side (Circe unaware of her little narrowed glance), she listened intently as he addressed the group of them that had arrived to observe the challenge. They had no connections with the Mire, true... But perhaps the outcome today would change that in some way?

Or at the very least, spice things up. As seemed to be the trend with challenges nowadays.

Her ear briefly flickered to @Arjana, snorting with amusement. "That would be Vine. Vine was the former leader of the Mire." You know, their pride mate? She wondered how the grumpy male would react to so casually not being known. But then again, this was... Arjana. A skilled huntress and capable warrior, but not always the sharpest, nor the most perceptive.

Looking back to Zoticus to catch his gaze though, she was surprised to see Aleksandra's demeanor change as she leaned into her father. The Noble didn't know what she was saying to him, but it was clear there was something going on- following her wide-eyed gaze out to the woman that was challenging for the crown. Concern crossed her features, looking back to Zoticus silently. What's up?

+10 Observe a challenge and learn the results (1/2)
+10 Observe a fight - Barbarian (1/2)

table by sentinel / lion + sky

Zoticus

...They will fear him.

@Arjana's question brought a low smirk to Zoticus' maw, but @Circe beat the King to replying to her. Zoticus didn't fault Arjana for not knowing, the woman was so busy with hunts he was surprised she had time for anything else besides stirring trouble. Eyeing her herbs, Zoticus tilted his head a bit. "Learning to be a medic now?" He mused, although he couldn't blame her if so, Zoticus needed to learn more about herbs too.

It was @Aleksandra that fully took Zoticus' attention, though. His gaze snapped to her, seeing the shift in her expression, and feeling her curling to his side. Instantly did Zoticus grow protective, his mind on high alert with his muscles tensing as if a battle was about to be upon him. "It's her. It's her." He knew instantly what his daughter was speaking of- her mother. Unable to help it, a low growl vibrated from the depths of his chest as Zoticus' eyes glared in the direction of @Genya . The woman who had abandoned her young. The one who left Aleksandra and Rhesk as if they were nothing. How dare this woman think she had the worth of being a Queen? She couldn't even be a mother.

Zoticus attempted to shift himself, paw trying to push at Aleksandra's chest so she was further behind him and so that Zoticus could, in essence, guard her. @Sole spoke and mentioned he had seen Genya before, and Zoticus wondered just what might end up happening here today. He felt @Circe look to him and Zoticus pried his gaze off Genya to meet her own, shaking his head slightly. "She's the one that left Aleksandra and Rhesk to rot." He spat out, his words laced with the venom he felt within himself. If @Kiton hadn't shown up and met the challenge- Zoticus felt as if he would of lunged forward already to deliver punishment to the woman.

But, he had to control himself. At least for now.

'We'd better hope Kiton wins this." He mumbled to his pridemates that were around him, but his stance didn't ease up. He stood strong, guarded, ready to pounce of any Scilla members dared to move closer- knowing that Genya was tied to Scilla, and had wronged his adoptive daughter, was enough to brand them an enemy in his eyes.

Image & code by reveriegraphics

Cupid rolls in with the Wolfbron Bluffs crew, just because it seems like the right thing to do. He feels anxious not being in the “know” when it comes to pride politics — call it a stressor after what happened to his former pride, or the fact that these battles were happening a lot more frequently than he would like. He sticks close, particularly near Sole. The lilac male is oddly grounding to Cupid during these brawls.
It is apparent that the challenger is no stranger to the Bluffs either. It is as if they tense with hackles prepared to rise depending on how the event turns out. Cupid is… oblivious to what is unfolding. One dark ear twists towards the battle, as the reigning King attempts to resolve it with words. The other remains on his pride.
Much like the previous, however, words are shrugged off. The battle begins with the saber initiating the first blows.

EXP TRACKER
+5 Observe a fight (1/2)

table by sentinel / lines + colored by sylphgarou