Pistis had been prepared to speak to Rythian before a cub approached. He was quite young too, and spunky. Her lips pursed, wondering where his mother was. Then an actual challenger approached, Pistis looking a bit disappointed. She was hoping her friend would get the gorgeous home uncontested. But it seemed fate had a different idea. Glancing at them as they engaged in a fight. She was happy she’d brought the herbs for certain, now. At his question, she nodded, “yes, we’re… acquainted.” She didn’t know if the other would consider them friends. There was something to that pause too. Though Pistis hadn’t even noticed it herself. Now Rythian was laughing in a bitter manner. Pistis really hoped she wouldn’t get roped into all of this just for sitting near him. He was supposed to be a bit more dignified in her eyes. At the angry comment from the cub, she had to keep back a chuckle of her own. Both because this cub was ridiculous and a tad funny too. If he weren’t careful he’d get in real trouble. Gods protect this unknowing child. Then Gwyn came, and he was spitting venom at the apparent family. She felt compelled to go to his side. But honestly? She couldn’t support the words he was spewing, instead deciding to stay in her seat next to Rythian. She gave Gwyn a silent, brief, disappointed gaze. Making sure no one else saw. What in hades was he doing? Threatening a mostly innocent, but rambunctious cub. Making enemies of a whole family too. Possibly ones who would come to power at some point. No need to make tension for no reason. If he were not careful, he would cause trouble for their newly formed pride. The battle was forgotten in her mind. She was more worried about her husband avoiding getting skinned by a bunch of angry women. This was such an embarrassing display too! The fact she was associated with Gwyn, and that he was threatening cubs! He knew she stood for the exact opposite of what he was condoning, too. (This post mentions: @Rythian , @Tripfire , @Gwyn , as well as @Ambrosine , @Amara , in passing.)

Code by CloudyNight

The enemy's left paws ripped a longer path as Vermier moved back, extending moderate punctures horizontally across the outside of his right elbow that bled messily, without discernment or art, all a glob of uneasy pulsing red - as though a crimson-whet slug were leeching across his arm. Afterwards the claws were gone, out of real estate as it were, no more grip to be held on air. Vermier thought he had come out the better of the two as his left paw, after worsening the damage on the right shoulder, dropped back to the ground.

There was also the matter of jaw sparring, the interplay there, a dangerous game - some opponents would immediately concede upon realizing that their jawbone was fair game. Vermier's fangs had hit around the chin and now upon the cheek, which was quite a fine target. There wasn't much to eat on the face but it did bleed. Vermier's face sunk back a little as Vas' face tried to press closer and his younger mane wrinkled up a bit more, the scruff tensing into better rolls. His eyes were still narrowed as well and his ears were back, russet-tanned flesh submersed within lavender wisps. He tried to gnash his jaws, attempting to capture chunks off the cheek. Rapturous sudden and hungry!

Vermier kept his tail heft over the sands, extending out his balance, and his spread toes tapped nimbly to keep him balance as he was shoved back. Not too far, and not out of control, two additional feet, but the larger male did have weight on him and trying to directly oppose him would simply worsen the light bruising that was accumulating at the center of Vermier's chest. Vermier kept his haunches low, nearly crouching, not wanting to open himself to being bowled over because he did need to deal with this somehow. Somehow meant lifting his right paw with a snarl to protest the fresh pain, yet claws out - and trying to yank Vas' right foreleg downward away from his own chest, attempting to rend his claws into the inside of the middle of Vis' lower right foreleg to accomplish this.

Vermier vs @Vasilis
Scilla Lagoon

Round 3/5
Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 5 + 9 + 16 + 12

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 6 + 13 + 4 + 20

and the final angel perished,

Manes had been sleeping when the call came for an apparent new pride that had been discovered. Initially, the call had gone undetected upon unaware ears until the warmth that @Ambrosine had been provided slowly ebbed away. Stirring from his slumber, the gargoyle rose sluggishly to his paws and shook away the sleep that plagued his bones.

Making his way through the unexplored land at a slow pace, Manes was simply observing the view and absorbing the new land that he found himself in. That was until the faint and distant voice of his son echoed through the land. Manes was just about close enough to hear, and immediately changed the cadence of his pace to become much quicker. If @Tripfire was in danger, then he needed to be there to step in just in case.

The gargoyle arrived at the Lagoon and stood within the shadows, away from the common eye. For now, he would take a seat and simply observe. Blue eyes fell upon the small figure of a yearling, @Zagan, and watched with tensed muscles as the teen patted his son on the head. Eyes narrowed at this action, but for now Manes remained seated.

A steady flow of lions and lionesses alike flooded in to witness history being made within these new lands. Manes remained hidden for the time being, aware that his presence could spark suspicion. Though, it came as a surprise to the Talgrim when @Vermier entered, swiftly addressing the original challenger and contesting their claim. A low 'hmm' escaped passed his lips as his right ear twitched with a feeling of both confusion and curiosity. Would his brother-in-law emerge victorious? Only time would tell.

Cerulean orbs (anti-red to Verlain) snap away from Vermier to his wife, who seems to enter the scene in quite the fashion. Hackles naturally raise as his muscles tense, her frustration and annoyance transferring across to him. For now, though, Manes decided simply to choose his battles carefully and remained stationary - right now, Ambrosine could hold her own.

A slight annoyance burned through his stomach when he saw @Amara. They had never got on, and he suspected she too would be aroused with annoyance when he finally would emerge from the shadows. But their relationship (or lack there of--) was not at the forefront of his mind.

'You should keep a closer eye on your cubs' spat the yearling, and at this point Manes grew further agitated. But he would bide his time: he remained grounded within the shadows. He would appear when he was needed. Little did Manes know that this particular yearling went by the name Casimir.

The movement of @Artemis from the crowd to the side of the Casimir yearling signalled to Manes that it would soon be time to move from the shadows into the abyss. Ears pricked forward as he listened carefully, catching words that slipped from the lionesses lips. Behind, Manes' tail switched to and fro in growing annoyance. There was only so much he'd allow Ambrosine to take before he would step in like the dutiful husband he was.

The audible laugh of @Rythian rubbed Manes further up the wrong way, a low growl slipped through his blackened lips without realization. Despite this, Manes would bite his tongue and not threaten the Demodras man. The gargoyle was very much aware that he could not fight every battle, nor challenge every comment. But it was now that the Talgrim man began to edge out of the shadows, weaving through the foliage so that he could get closer to the commotion whilst simultaneously remaining hidden in plain sight.

It was the sharp tongue of his son which caused Manes to finally emerge from the crowd. Azure eyes lock onto his red son with a rage only a father would bear. He was in no right mind nor place to be throwing insults around as though they were free passes - especially not around a crowd of strangers. "Tripfire!" He bellows in vexation, moving towards him with purpose. But before the father could scold his own child for his foolishness, attention was diverted elsewhere.

The arrival of @Gwyn behind Ambrosine caused Manes' body language to shift ever so slightly, eyes watching the large male carefully. The silent manner in which he approached at unsettled the former King. No one stalked his wife. But it was the thunderous and threatening tone in which Gwyn addressed his wife that caused Manes to take a step forward, away from Tripfire, and towards the beast so that he was facing the male's right flank. Go on, I dare you. Gwyn screamed danger and threat - little did Manes know that he too was a Casimir.

"You do not speak to my son like that." He growls towards Gwyn, azure eyes burning with rage and anger. His ears had found their place pinned against his crown. "And you certainly do not threaten his life, you bastard."

This was the final straw for the clay male. Gwyn had stepped out of line, and had threatened his family. This was unacceptable. Whilst the pride claim between his brother-in-law and the other challenger should be the center of attention, Manes knew that what he was about to do would change that. With a significant growl and baring teeth, Manes lunged forward. He aimed to close the gap between himself and Gwyn, aiming to barge his left shoulder into the man's right flank (stomach) whilst simultaneously raising his right paw, claws unsheathed (out) in the attempt to slam his paw down against Gwyn's face, aiming for his eye. No one threatens his family and gets away with it - not on his watch.

MANES vs. GWYN
for MINOR MAIM - FACIAL SCARRING
ONE of FIVE
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 9 + 1 + 16 + 12 + 19 + 5

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 14 + 3 + 12 + 4

Caligula was late, that much he could tell from all the voices. It had taken him some time to tempt the strip of land to even see what all the fuss was about. He got there for not just one fight but two. Was Manes after this place? It was the only lion in the fights that he recognized. If so then he would need to arrange elsewhere to visit with Ambrosine. But another look at the individual that Manes was fighting showed him to be the one whom had won the fight at the caves. So he couldn't be out for more land already, could he? Perhaps he meant to set up an ambassador in another location to do his bidding.

The bronze male stayed out of the way and glanced towards the other fight. He couldn't focus on it for too long with the sound of water about him. The splash of water had the maneless male continuously glancing about to see if one of the pools was about to rise up against him.

The sound also had him constantly shifting. He remained towards the edges of the large gathering and would ease his way around the pools, keeping a close eye on the lagoons as he tried to find a spot in which he could watch the fights without worrying over the water reaching out to attack him.

In consideration of the excitement that the last claim inspired, the young woman was cautious approaching this new one. No sooner had Maua released their misted grip on the lagoon did one of those new interlopers decide it would be theirs, and Tua could not decide if she was delighted or irritated by their impudence. Probably both, but it made for a stir and a gathering of new faces so the Donnelly eventually caved to her impulses and slunk in behind the crowd of onlookers. She had prefaced her arrival with a bath and along the way had brushed her thick fur enthusiastically against tree trunks while splashing about in the mud. Ideally, her strange antics would allow her scent to be obscured from the odd chance someone would recognize her, and as she approached the gathering she would sneak off behind some brambles, going no closer. There was probably no one here who would object to her presence, but Tua didn’t want to risk it; she was only here for information. So she crouched low, and watched as the foreign lions challenged and fought over lands that belonged to Maua.

ooc | Tua is hiding

what in the hell was this turning into? ambrosine was a woman scorned, a mother tested, and a dieudonne ravaged, standing poised and protective over tripfire's frame. there is no hesitance to her gait or to her words, tongue sharp and poised as it presses against the backs of her ivory fangs. she had not come here to these lands to be scorned and scolded, nor face the wrath of the mere child who had tried to lay a paw upon her progeny. she had lost too much already to even bare the thought of succumbing beneath the gaze of their scrutiny, or the misplaced arrogance of their tongues. but this small spat was far from over, as was soon to be discovered.

from the corner of her gaze, she sees @Amara's shape flicker into view, taking stance behind the trio of younger lions, diligent as ever. her presence spoke volumes, amethystine gaze flickering to her's in a moment of fortitude, of thanks. should it be necessary, they were in it together, as they had proven time and time again. but then @Zagan's voice rises back up again, countering ambrosine's with equal venom and spite, retaliating against the instinctiveness of her actions and the threat of her words. "i don't fight children." anymore, or at least not in this sort of situation. what had happened with serpent had been more warranted -- justifiable, even -- in the heat of the moment. as cold as ambrosine may be at times, she did not intend to make a habit out of tearing into youth without reason.

but before she even had the chance to dismiss the idea of violence, the catalyst had already been set free, and the world around her erupted. flares light up the sky, igniting in the edges of her vision as the voices putter in, some defensive and others scornful. even @Artemis, who ambrosine had not originally had qualms with, desired gratitude. as if ambrosine was supposed to grovel and kiss the ground upon which the yearling walked! the sound of laughter in the background was perhaps the most rage-inducing of all, as the parisian's eyes snap towards @Rythian, nose wrinkling as she contemplates that he should be the one to receive the brunt of her anger and disapproval. standing there beside amra as if he were some sort of protector, rather than an arrogant brute.

it is the piping voice of @Tripfire that she hears next, beneath her shadow and interjecting further into the conversation. usually, ambrosine would not have thought twice of it, perhaps even chuckled at his often jovial and rambunctious display -- but in this moment, there are too many voices. he was brave, that she knew, and nothing that he spoke was a lie, albeit brash and unrefined -- if anything, his jab towards rythian was like the icing on top of this whole thing. but even now, she could not bring herself to truly appreciated it. "enough now, silencieux." icy tones demand, neck craning down towards her babe, though her eyes never stray away from the swelling crowd. all this, when they were supposed to be watching vermier take his crown with blood and glory -- why couldn't the yearling just have removed himself and done as he was told?

ambrosine notices @Siofra's protective stance next to zagan - family, no doubt - and notes it silently within the back of her mind. there were too many bodies, too many scouring eyes and barred fangs -- and then suddenly, in the middle of it all, @Ramona's voice rises up against the rest. it is her attempt to sooth that pulls the parisian's attention away, though her teeth still remained gritted behind peeled lips, and her muscles stay tense and begging for an opportunity to strike. and yet still, she finds herself leaning instinctively in ramona's direction, feeling torn, trapped beneath the wrath of her instincts and the tug of her better judgment. she is torn further when @Amra moves forward, away from rythian and towards ambrosine's side, whispering reassurance into her ear. it is only slightly that her bones tremble beneath mocha flesh, overstimulated by the stupidity of this ordeal, as her skull twists toward amra's cheek, looking to brush the tip of her snout against her fur, should she allow it.

and maybe, maybe, it could have finished there. ambrosine could have ushered tripfire into the arms of their family and let it be, moved to the other side of the arena, and watched patiently for @Vermier to win. but no! another haughty voice had to join the mix, and this time it was the king of the hollows himself, @Gwyn, in all his self-proclaimed glory. though ambrosine did not hear him approach initially, she does not even do so much as flinch when his voice saunters up behind her, spewing lines and unwarranted demands for respect when they had not been earned. the crown obviously fit too snugly on that head of his, to think that he could arrive and speak to her in such a way. she was a queen in her own right, and would still be treated as such. "i threatened your son's paw, and you threatened my son's life. i'd say we're more than even, wouldn't you?" the heathen scoffed, body twisting so that she could better face the casimir, her gaze unfaltering and unmoving as she does. "we're done, i'm here to watch my brother--" she starts next, though the words catch in her throat as suddenly, suddenly, there is a flash of movement and the world unravels for a final time.

where once upon a time it would have been ambrosine throwing the first blow, this time it was her husband, @Manes, that continued the family tradition. he bursts forward with fiery intent, his tone ragged and firm and unrelenting, as he pushes into the arena. ambrosine almost sensed what he was about to do before he did it, and even then did her eyes widen and her expression flicker when she realized that he was demanding blood from @Gwyn for his tongue and the dishonor of his family. it set a wildfire ablaze within ambrosine's chest, and quickly, without taking a moment more of pause, she would reach down and look to usher @Tripfire away from the ensuing brawl, hopefully beyond the reach of the casimir yearlings or anyone else who may want to get in on the fray. this time, it looked like the men would be the ones to duke it out -- and ambrosine was more than happy to watch it unfold.

Fashionably late, the dark paladin meticulously made his way through the lagoon and towards the claim, careful to keep his massive bulk on solid earth. It was great that the male was not against getting dirty; his ankles and elbows were coated in mud by this point, but it was the unexpected lurch of placing one’s paw on solid earth only for it to give away to water or muck that he didn’t care for. Still, he continued and arrived mid-fight, with a bubble of tension surrounding all who gathered. Pausing for a moment, he sifted the crowd for familiar faces, noting a few, including Genya, who he would then approach at an angle, careful to keep away from the others who fought. Another dispute aside from the challenge seemed to be arising and it stole his focus from the shadowy woman, but if she should notice him, he would nod to her courteously, his attention otherwise torn between the fight for dominance and the fight for a crown. @Genya

//tw for panic attack Hecuba's eyes shifted as the scene began to unravel. A bratty child, Ambrosine surrounded by followers and Gwyn storming onto the scene with a vengeance. It was only seconds later that Manes charged onto the scene and it was there she broke; Drakon had died, would Manes? Not only that, the opponent he had gone up against was family to her husband and she.. and she.. Her chest constricted and breathing became impossible. She had to run, but her paws were anchored to the ground and she felt frozen in time. Surely she should be helping someone right? Not just standing here? Eventually she stumbled forward, sideways and nearly toppled to the ground, but at least she was moving. Her only thought was to get away, to hide, to not wait for Drakon to show up and get into another fatal match. Although her vision was very nearly black at that point, Hecuba managed to withdraw from the crowd. She just hoped in the chaos of things no one had glanced her way. //exit

table by koi

He yelled out in pain but it was only for the moment. The lacerations to what was just punctures stung as he glanced quickly to his shoulder. Shit that was going to be a bitch to heal! Anger now boiled within the rage he was already glued to, his body pressed forward as he aimed to keep pushing the man back. His free arm would move an attempt to be placed quickly as a swat to the side of his opponent's head, just as his right arm was yanked away from the stranger's chest. Well, he tried his best to back him away to some degree. His cheek was then being sought after - his eyes squinted and his ears remained hidden as his back legs pressed his weight forward and down for traction against the brute before him. This land would be bathing in their blood by the end of the day, he was sure of it.

The man's toes hooked on the outskirts of his arm just as he shoved it down from the brute's chest. Vasilis's arm would become punctured with minor cuts along the sides, thankfully his thick mane had landed along his lower chest in a way that it gave SOME protection as he moved. Retaliation from his cheek being chewed on like a dog to a bone, Vasilis would force his head to the right hoping to get free of the mans chewing habits on his face. His left paw still attempted to land somewhere near the opponents head (not a second attack but an attempt to continue the smack said earlier), Vasilis took the chance to jerk his face upright causing a tare in his cheek muscle. He then tried attempting to place an eager fang to find purchase somewhere near the stranger's eye closest to his reach. No mercy! Now Vasilis was out for more than just a home - but out for blood. His face angled in a way to attempt grabbing his eye or eye socket for that matter, his body would press forward, again and again, aiming to still try and push him back.

OOC: a rundown of Vasilis's moves:
DEFENSIVE - Jerking his face to the right to get out of Vermiers grip. Pressing forward to continue to push Vermier away with his body/weight.
ATTACK - Attempting to aim to bite at his eye or eye socket. Attempting to Smack at Vermiers head.
WRITTEN DAMAGE - R1 Deep puncture wounds to Vasilis's right shoulder and underlaying bruising. R2 Bruised mandible, Minor lacerations to the lower jaw, cut lower lip, and punctured cheek. Long 5 inch long lacerations from puncture wounds on right arm. R3 Minor cuts to the left arm with moderate punctures, tare to the cheek muscle from pulling his face away.


Vasilis vs. @Vermier

For: Scilla Lagoon

Round: 3 / 5

Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 17 + 12 + 13 + 19

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 8 + 1 + 7

Fur was bristling with the energy in the room, Amara was ready to jump at the minute his mother gave the word. His vibrant eyes alight with the idea of making them think twice, however Auntie @Ramona came to be the voice of reason. Not to Tripfire but maybe Ambrosine? Maybe they would have walked away, maybe he would have followed Ramona away. Had @Gwyn not shown up and opened his maw. Tripfire stared defaintly up at Gwyn as he spoke, claws gripping the soil beneath his feet. Maybe any other reasonable cub would be scared, but not Tripfire no the boy was chock full of stupid arrogance. ”Get FU--- he was about to shout the greatest insult he had over heard an adult speak, he would slap Gwyn in the face with his verbal rudeness! It was going to be glorious!

Or at least it would have. Manes' voice made him physically recoil, he ducked between Ambrosine's front legs, and his mother's sharp tongue also made him lean into her inner foreleg. Ah shit, he crossed a line. Ears flicked back against his head, in a brief show of shame. But then things sped up way too fast! Manes charged Gwyn after his life was threatened, and his eyes widened in shock. ”DAD!” it was a half cry and a half woop of glee. His dad would kick ass!

”y-yeah” he said absent mindingly moving to follow Ambrosine her touch reassuring her closeness to him, that he was safe. If not by Ambrosine's presence then Amara and Ramona. Following his mother keeping right beside her so he could not be nabbed easily, but he did look back at Manes with a worried gaze. Manes would win right?

@Amara @Ramona @Ambrosine @Amra @Rythian @Gwyn @Manes