He shouldn't be here.

He knows it, like he knows the sky is blue and the grass is green. Yet he feels drawn to it anyway, an unwilling moth to a burning flame. He treads softly through the forest, weaving through the unfamiliar terrain like a ghost -- paws trembling, yet still he goes. He's heard these calls before, many times before in fact, but hadn't expected it to happen here. This island was hardly peaceful but it was something, yet... the night is alight with tension and ire. Pressed close to a tree he stops, on the outskirts of the growing and squabbling crowd. His stomach churns even as he watches the multiple fights ( with more, it seems, popping up the longer he stares ), and though they're mostly strangers, it pulls at him. He wants to intervene or at least stick around to help pick up the pieces, but.... He's seen this before. He knows you cannot get a stilled heart to start again. Blood fills the air and the bark cuts into plush fur as he watches, transfixed, and more than a little sick.

code; background; art;

Hadn't he been musing only recently how he was growing bored with his current hobbies alone? And after watching @Kiton defend his throne he'd been growing increasingly interested in learning to throw his own weight around. Here was the ideal opportunity he supposed. He hadn't known what to expect as long golden limbs carried him from his home into the depths of the alien rainforest, but the sight that met his ruby eyes was one that brought him up short. This was no pride challenge or rank fight... this was war. And as he looked around properly he realized everyone from his own home was already fighting apart from @Hanneth who was occupied with a cub and @Faevyre. He didn't know what else to do except remain where his was, blood-colored eyes alight with a mix of excitement and fear.

table by ferus

The fights were breaking out thick and fast and the man who had settled to watch rises to his feet, his weight balancing and lowering from long habit. He did not offer any aggression, simply was ready as the child obeyed. @Asteria was a good kid. She would not get hurt on his watch and he spoke to her again. "If anyone move towards us to attack " he begins and then quiets as he notices @Jewel and @Elijah. Okay that might work. He attempts to catch the Hollow's healer's eye. Hoping to summon him over here so that the babe would have protection. Even if he didn't he felt he could send the kid to the healer for safety. No one attacked healers... At least no one sane. "You will stay with Elijah." He tells her, his voice brokering no argument. It was the best option for her as the black queen might still might throw down and if she did he would help.

Not the smartest idea but he's never been that good as ignoring fights. Even if he agrees with the child's sentiments. Briefly he returns @Úlla's nod before answering the child's statements finally. "No. No it is not." He agrees, eyes still alight but tone solemn. "You should always have a good reason to fight, even if you enjoy it. I got injured protecting another young cub like you" he continues. He speaks more to children as they need more words. Motions aren't as clear to them and we'll, Gwyn liked the black child. So she got more than most rogues.

image by Scarf. Code by Saph.

At first, this was simply a spectators sport, two lions fighting to the death - followed by two more. Jewel couldn't say that she wouldn't agree - she would likely have done something similar had someone invaded her home. Seeing @Gostir with @Lochlan gave her some semblance of hope that the littles would stay out of it. @Feyre was also there, so she allowed herself to lean slightly into @Keir and @Sanson, trying to ease their hearts. "It'll be alight." Surely - Caladan wasn't involved.

She let her singular gaze meander - noting @Avaneira and @Morrigan's arrival before they slunk off to the Natives. Jewel could understand - on one paw.. their family stood to lose alot, but on the other she was mildly irritated that neither leader had tried to ensure their smallest members would remain unharmed by sending them out. However, for now - she supposed that things were fine.. Most of the fighting was centered within the two combatants. However - that changed quickly and the tension rose exponentially.

@Parvati spoke and she leveled her gaze on the yearling. "You're not wrong. But it is their battle to wage. We don't know what led up to this - maybe one of them killed the others child? Or brother? Or friend and this is merely payback." A brow would arch before she returned her gaze towards the fighting as more lions leapt into the fray, shifting slightly when she noticed @Gwyn in the sidelines. He.. at least, she knew she could count on should shit go sideways. "Gostir. @Nephtys. Take your sister and go home. Now." A war was no place for the young cub, and she knew she wasn't likely to leave without her siblings. Her attention turned towards the yearling shouting about battle. "And you to." She didn't know Parvati's name - but she didn't belong here. She glanced at her two sons, doubting they would listen, but knowing she had to say it as well. "You boys as well - keep them safe on the way back."

Jewel was still unfamiliar with her new leaders and wasn't sure how they would handle her taking charge like this - but she wasn't going to sit by and let the children become fodder... When Feyre darted forwards, the black woman lunged, a snarl painted across her lips. "That's enough out of you! You will go home or I will skin you myself!" Jewel would attempt to close her jaws around the cubs scruff, to halt her forward momentum. Dear stars above she was going to F L A Y the lot of them. A lash of her tail as she growled towards the Caladan youth.. fully expecting them to comply. If they were scared of her after this - so be it. She wasn't going to sit by and let children get hurt. If they weren't here - they wouldn't get harmed.

---

"Speech"

Code by corvus. Manip by scarf

Too much was happening around him to focus on just one thing, to focus on anything really, just like before. The mass of lions, the scent of blood in the air. No. He wouldn't lose anymore family, not again. The same war from before played out within the Hodari's mind as his family quickly took notice of his unstable state and tried to quell the illusions. It was a conflicting experience to have @Furia bite at his cheek, nearly prompting the man to swing back out of instinct, but her voice caught his ears. Come back, Deebs, come back. It was miniscule, but the dark man's aggitated state seemed to slacken just a tad beneath her words. Then Roan's voice was next to break through the fog. Dad, we're okay. We're not getting attacked. But how could his son say that? With all these lions in their jungle again!? Yes, the dark man thought himself back in their former jungle territory. Before the former king could be pulled out of his stupor, though, a voice hollered from behind. @Walpurgis was charging straight at him -- well, from his back right side -- which instantly flicked the illusion of an invasion back to the forefront of the Hodari's mind.

Hearing the voice was enough to make the man turn his head, as his right side was his blind side. He would attempt to shove his sister out of the way before his opponent was too close. There was little Dero could do to avoid the attack before the stranger was upon him, only managing to shift himself slightly more towards his right before Walpurgis came crashing into him. The Hodari's claws gripped the earth to brace himself as he was forced to take a step back once the woman collided against his right shoulder. The pain was too familiar by now to cause him much strife yet, though. Adrenaline was already coursing through the dark lion's veins. Pivioting towards Walpurgis, and being quite a bit taller than the woman, had saved the man's ribs from being slashed on his left side, though her claws still did drag four moderate lacerations across the top of Dero's back. Her teeth would land into the man's thick mane at the back of his neck, slightly off to the right side of his scruff. A snarl ripped through the Hodari's throat at the feeling of teeth gripping his flesh before starting to try and whip around towards his right side. Dero's own teeth would blinding aim to chomp at whatever body part might be nearest him with Walpurgis hanging off his right side. He'd use his right front leg as an anchor to try to pivot around while attempting to reach his left front leg across to swipe at the right side of his attacker's body. Everything else around him would just melt away now, not even noticing his son trying to attack the woman from behind.

@Dero & @Reti ♔ vs. @Walpurgis
Raid
Round 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 12 + 1 + 18 + 14 + 19 + 3

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 8 + 10 + 20 + 11

Table by Amanda

+5 - Observe a fight (Aquila vs Sangria).
+5 - Observe a fight (Valhalla vs Ismae).
+5 - Observe a fight (Sole vs Maia)

OOC- Feel free to fight her if you wish! Just not death

---

Alma missed watching fights rising, and now it seemed she found just the peak of what she had ever seen. Curious she was as this time the fights weren't just for a rank, now they were for death. Taking her own spot, she watched the the three fights she managed to see, and with great interest she didn't remove her eyes all the time. Males versus females, and she found a lot of amusement seeing such thing. Watching @Sangria , @Aquila , @Valhalla vs @Ismae, @Sole vs @Maia .

She couldn't say she found pleasure with watching others rip themselves to shreds, but she couldn't help but wish to watch and see the outcomes. Not being part of a pride she held no preference of who she wished to see victorious, neutral in a way.

She didn't do any effort to hide herself, sitting right there into the open and if anyone wished to fight her let them. She was happy to take part of the fun.

stock | Code by Cloudy

Feyre doesn't even get close to the actual fighting ring when @Jewel, a woman she barely even knew of, stopped her. She felt the back of her feet move across the ground, backwards, and slowly she realized the adult was dragging her away. Though instinct told her to ease into the hold, Feyre became driven and struggled. Stop! I want to help! Her voice was shrill as she threw her tantrum, feeling every bit wronged and annoyed. In the distance, Feyre saw flashes of red and thought that it was @Sangria. What if Sangria saw her and wanted her aid? And though Jewel spoke those mean things, Feyre continued in her attempt to detach herself from her hold. By now, she was certain none of the other lions will help her. Childish anger licked at her mind and Hecuba's angry voice rose within. Why are you being so mean? Let me go you cunt! Although Feyre had no knowledge what that word was, she knew it wasn't a good word.

image by rabbit/nesla, code by koi

She hadn’t exactly expected to be targeted, given that she had entered without a word and merely observed in silence, but this was war now. It was bigger than her as an individual and more about the pride she was apart of, the message that she sent when she aligned herself with those that were defending the red woman who seemed to have pissed off have of Amaryllis. She wasn’t just standing with them because of pride alliances, though. The ways she had been taught growing up instilled in her a strong belief that the strongest would rise, and Sangria had won her last fight fair and square. Her betrayal may have been upsetting, but it was the way life was. Those unable to handle the risks that came with leadership shouldn’t be in positions of such power. She’d at least have a bit of respect for this act of retribution if it was the former sovereign coming to reclaim what was once his, but another pride doing his dirty work for him? It would have been almost funny to her if not for the far reaching consequences that would affect even those who had not come to bear witness to the events unfolding before her.

Her attention was focused, and she was committed to not being caught off guard, so when the man from the Mire set his sights on her, she didn’t hesitate. She could see the intent in his gaze and her lips curved in a grim smile but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. This was part of life, and if she was being honest, she was almost flattered that she had been picked out of the crowd despite her entrance being so quiet. She hadn’t been trying to hide, but she certainly hadn’t made a show of herself either.

As he moved to get a clear view of her, she moved as well, away from the group she had been seated amongst. She didn’t want anyone getting pulled into her fight, especially any of the expecting mothers of the Bluffs. She braced herself as he charged towards her, rolling her shoulders forward, lips peeled back from her teeth as she let out a snarl. He barreled into her, and the impact nearly knocked the breath from her lungs but she wouldn’t let it slow her down. She had been prepared for it enough that she was able to push through it and would worry about the pain later. His jaws parted, and before they could land on her neck she shoved forward so that it was her shoulder that took the damage from his bite instead. She reached up with her right forelimb, aiming to rake her claws across his rib cage.

Zaynab vs. Jafar
For Minor Maim
Round 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 17 + 20 + 13 + 19

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 9 + 2 + 5 + 18

Ooc- Sorry if it’s a bit awkward, it’s been a while since I’ve done any fight posts!
"Speech"

In the end, it really had nothing to do with @Zaynab at all but for the sheer fact that she had been sitting with those with the Bluffs. Jafar likely would have accepted to attack anyone, really, from the pride that housed that member that wished to hurt Maia. Of course, he couldn't fully explain to anyone (or himself) why his loyalty was stronger for the gray leader than the mauve but he didn't give himself enough time to truly uncover that.

Not time at all, for his opponent was prepared and ready with her own snarl. Her shoulder jutting out to meet his bulldoze, causing substantial bruising to his chest which was only slightly cushioned by the lengthy mane he had grown handsomely into. While her shoulder had been what he had landed on, Jafar took no time at all and attempted to find a solid grip upon her shoulder so that he might tug and tear. Right fore leg then reaching forward to attempt to rake his claws down her left hind leg starting at the top where the skin of the stomach met the leg.

Jafar vs. Zaynab
for Minor Maim
2 of 5
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 15 + 9 + 18 + 1 + 10 + 6 + 19

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 13 + 1 + 15 + 7 + 2

Roan could do little more than watch with a pained and worried expression as his father seemed to unravel before his own eyes. @Furia did her best to try and bring back the man they all knew and love instead of this wartorn beast that stood before them. Everything seemed to be unraveling, for that matter, though. As the death matches worn on, tensions continued to rise along the sidelines. More and more lions flocked to the commotion spitting venom in each others' faces. Roan's attention was shifted to @Amara for a moment when she offered a controled fight to be had for Dero. Before the mauve lion could even voice his concerns that she may get hurt if she tried to fight Dero in this state, it would seem someone else had a different idea. A strange looking lioness came barrelling forward, and before Roan could even react, his father was already setting his sights on the would-be opponent. "Shit!," the masked lion hissed, unable to hold his father back. Then out of nowhere, @Reti ♔ showed up before Roan then heard @Maia shout @Kiton's name. What the actual fuck was happening here? Minty gaze darted across the crowd and found his brother engaged in battle with the Wolfbron Bluffs leader. Then someone else jumped to attack his cousin. Everything was falling apart around him leaving the Hodari unsure where he would be the most useful. Trying to keep his father under control or running to the aid of his brother? A look back at the former showed Dero turning to take on the fight with the strange lioness before Reti moved to attack the woman from behind. Okay, that made Roan feel a little better to go help Kiton if his other brother was there to help their father. "Just make sure he doesn't kill anyone," Roan offered as a quick suggestion to Furia, Amara and Hanneth before starting to eat up the ground that separated him from his littermate.

While Kiton was engaged with Zoticus, Roan aimed at the next closest target. @Viné stood just nearby his brother, recalling him as the former ruler of the Mire and a Casimir who claimed women against their will. By the looks of things, he was in Wolfbron now, which was as good an excuse as any to attack while the Bluff lions were fighting against the Mire. Roan ran full force towards Viné, doing his best to avoid those who were not his target. He wasn't about to go attacking a pregnant lioness, after all, even if she was Wolfbron. A roar ripped through the Hodari's voice as he ran at Viné from the Casimir's front left. Roan would aim his left shoulder in an attempt to bash it against the red man's own left shoulder, recalling the left leg to have been the one Kiton broke during his initial challenge for the Mire. Sure it was probably healed by now, just as Roan's own shoulder was healed from his defeat, but it couldn't hurt to see if there was any residual weakness there now. Once close enough, the Hodari would also send parted jaws in pursuit of purchase towards the base of Viné's lower jaw on the left side in an attempt to dig his fangs into the red lion's flesh.

@Roan vs. @Viné
Minor Maim
Round 1/5
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 14 + 13 + 16 + 3 + 15 + 4

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 2 + 12 + 15 + 8 + 13

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart