she-wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self

@Vermier’s declaration had been enough to stir the Wolf Queen into action. She’d waited little longer than necessary to issue her challenge, hoping to break the shackles of the few remaining members of the Bluffs who had supported Zoticus’ reign. She had noticed the black lioness among the fold, assisting Circe and another Bluffs lioness to the shadows where they could recover. And, assuming that perhaps no one has yet freed her, Avaneira made the declaration in hopes of giving her a choice. At the very least, it was what she would have wished of herself had Skarde won his pride those many months ago. Nervousness thrummed through the lioness; her last fight had been against her uncle, and though she had won it, much time had passed and so much had happened to strike her from the adrenaline and triumph she’d felt before.

She owed it to Zoticus, at the very least, to try.

Avaneira vs ???
for Rue
o of iii

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

"Puppet," he growled, seething. He emerged from the gloom that had gathered with the hours, wearing wounds that had settled around him like a crimson cloak. He had seen this one win against Drakon for the cove. Drakon was no weak fight, though the Cove under Drakon's reign had gone under his notice. They had not sought to pin the Dieudonne when they were confined to the Lagoon. Now, with a smaller leader, without a terrain advantage, she sought to provoke him? It was only the folly of a puppet that would make her act such. The puppets thought they had numbers, but they were only dead flesh. "Who you serve?" He still had not figured out why the Hollow had marched on them. Did they have plans beyond plans, or was their lack of sense a sign that they had no plans beyond loyalty to Zoticus? Vermier's knowledge of the Hollow remained foggy but he knew he was both stronger and more convincing than the Bluffs' overthrown sovereign. Strength had been proven. Convincing... he would see. "Dieudonné eez more good master. And more bad enemy. Fight always for ally. Dieudonne no use ally for hide behind, no use ally for puppet. Eez true. Loyal."

@Avaneira vs Vermier
Rue
0/3

She serves no one It is a hiss from the darkness as the scout materialized amongst the rocky flats. He is merely here for Ava’s support, he had promised after all. Offered up his body to the cause of whatever she would need. She is her own master. The master of many What do you have besides sick pride Vermier? Nothing. Dieudonné, are weak. Take what’s not there’s because they cannot stomach dying off like the rotting corpses they are. He’d had enough of this bastard. Why had he ever considered joining forces with him in the beginning? Beat his ass Ava. Sole would be there for whatever she needed if any fell south among there quarrels. He had his own quarrels with the mutinous demon. how does it feel to rot Vermier?

The tiny medic had accepted the very real possibility that she would be left to remain in the bluffs under new leadership. That hadn't mattered to her though, what had mattered was that everyone else had gotten out safely. It was her job to protect them and protect them she would even if it meant sacrificing her own wellbeing. But the newest call across the land was a different one, a different voice. Rue moved across the land to the source, mismatched gaze landing on @Avaneira. She was here.. for her? It wasn't something that Rue had anticipated but one that she was ultimately grateful for. Moving she would take her place alongside @Sole before speaking to him, "If she is successful .. you must leave too. Don't stay here if you don't have to." She murmured before her dark features would return stoic, ever watchful as soon the fight would begin.. for her freedom.

code & art by irish

she-wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self

He did not immediately throw himself into a fight, instead surprising Avaneira by staying his paw, if only for a brief moment. Who you serve? he asks, and Ava's nose twitches. “I serve the best interests of my pride and my family,” she retorts, though her voice is steady and calm. Though Avaneira had many allies, she'd only do what was within her and her pride's best interest. If that meant making hard decisions, then Avaneira would endure such consequences. She would have been content to let Zoticus' many other allies free his prisoners, to revel in obscurity for a brief moment longer if only to avoid the wrath of one such Dieudonne who'd remained an ever-mystery to her. But Avaneira could not cower in the shadows any longer. She'd long been overdue to show her hand.

“I had asked you at the challenge if you intended to release Zoticus' supporters from the pride, to which you declared they must be fought for,” Ava continued, trying desperately not to let the slurry of emotions overwhelm her, steadying her hand and keeping her tone level, “Is it not the way of lionkind to fight honorably?” If Vermier demanded blood payment for those he held within his halls, then Avaneira was willing to pay such a price, and hope she emerged the one victorious. Her eyes briefly flit to @Sole and @Rue as they lingered in the background, before giving them a reassuring nod.

Avaneira vs Vermier
for Rue
o of iii

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

An insolent male emerged, seeking to speak over the small female sovereign. Vermier culled his ears back and bared his silent fangs. He was also an instigator for sister and matriarch at times; he recognized the game being played, and showed his displeasure but not his violence. "Le true femme speak, no need male word shit in mouth," nostrils curled, regal. He knew that the female before him had won her rank in combat and even if not, he would respect no female who needed males to heckle for her. But if it was in the spirit of @Sole to serve @Avaneira then so be it.

He bent his ears more willingly to the queen, struggling to parse the hideous English tongue. "You serve familie? I serve familie." Find... common ground? Vermier did not act as a lone greedy male, but he swept up this land to serve it under his family's paws. "Zoticus danger familie. Steal cub of I win honor in combat. He no say 'yes' to fate of fight. Et now, regard - I win pride, but he say no, steal more. Weak male cry, stomp foot, why follow?" Vermier could understand the old king's family would not abandon him, but allies? Why would the gazelle not shelter under the stronger master? "I say, PAY. Trade, fight? Eez honor. But trade, ally - ally with Dieudonné eez good for you familie. Dieudonné no eat ally."

@Avaneira vs Vermier
Rue
0/3

she-wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self

(So sorry for crappy reply. Just got off three days of nonstop work :c)

Had Avaneira knew what had transpired those long months ago in the halls of the Lagoon between Vermier and Zoticus, she may have begun to question Zoticus’ true intentions. Though she fought desperately for the happiness of her and her own, she was still a Tollaire in some regard, and her mother had taught her the cruelties of the world were necessary fo balance out the good. If Zoticus had come back for revenge from an honored fight, it could be argued that he was either incredibly strong-willed, or incredibly stubborn. Regardless, Ava would not so soon abandon her friend to the rumors of others. It was why she’d taken Hecuba’s own advice with a grain of salt.

“I have no desire to give up my members who are unwilling to leave,” she began, “a young lioness named Netpthys joined your pride at the challenge. I had just released her from the Cove, even though I had told her to wait until the challenge was over.” It was a transgression the angered Avaneira, but she’d far bigger things to concern herself with. “If she is not a good enough trade, then we fight.”

Avaneira vs Vermier
For Rue
o of iii

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

She acted not according to her words. She was not willing to give up anyone? Very well. The Dieudonne would take with consent or not. Vermier pressed his ears back in preparation for combat. She further tried to speak of Nephthys and trade and Vermier growled. "You want I trade Bluff lion for Bluff lion? Male of you family very stupid, you think I so stupid?" Nephthys was already here under his willing command. She was not chattal so long as she serrved the Fieudonne. But her queen was quick to want to spin her that way. Vermier bristled. Hus act as the nad king had gone well, though. They must think he gad e en fewer braon cells than a baby cub. He nartowed his eyes and grounded his footing. This female was smaller. A pleasure to tear.

@Avaneira vs Vermier
Rue
0/3

she-wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self

They could sit here contesting back and forth until the sun set, but Avaneira grew weary of this continued effort, and knew @Vermier would be unlikely to waver in his demands. Avaneira would not play the same game Skarde had done once with her; she would not fetter her members, nor wager them against their will. She would free from the shackles any who wished for their freedom, whether or not it meant bargaining for them in other ways or fighting for them outright.

She was smaller, yes, and she'd watch this man tear someone she once thought invincible from his rocky throne. But Avaneira could no longer continue to balk in the face of opposition. Squaring her shoulders, and lowering her head, Avaneira allowed herself a steady breath. Ears back, chin tipped slightly down. Her eyes closed for one brief moment. “No, I don't think you're stupid.” Without entertaining the idea of further debacle, however, she charged forth and attempted to clench the distance between them head-on. With her smaller stature, Avaneira's best attempt was near his chin; as she drew near, her jaws opened and attempted to clamp around the sides of his jaw and muzzle from underneath, her paws clenching into the ground in a desperate move to maintain her balance.

Avaneira vs Vermier
for Rue
i of iii

Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 2 + 13 + 19 + 17 + 4

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 12 + 10 + 14 + 20 + 19 + 15

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 9 + 12 + 15 + 10 + 11

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

She pressed her eyes in earnest annoyance. Indeed, the vermin king had exasperated her and she seemed poised to refuse to stand against him. Unfortunately, not by leaving. Though she did run. Straight for him. Vermier growled in joy and zest, lowering his frame as he also aimed to charge head on. A new enemy to rip, more blood and tang for his library of enemy flesh. He aimed to slam the bruised forefront of his chest directly into her front, exhaling mindfully but there was nothing conservative about his expression. With arrogance he jerked his head to the side, letting her fangs clip moderate lacerations along his right jawline, bleeding wistfully on a level below his awareness, below pain. The lacerations were complete; no grip within the thin flesh, only marks that showed their passing. With his fangs he endeavored to try to sink into the right side of her neck. His eyes were narrowed and his ears backward; habitual expressions by this point. He existed ready.

@Avaneira ♔ vs Vermier
Rue
1/3

Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 11 + 6 + 13 + 15

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 6 + 13 + 5 + 8

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 20 + 2 + 3 + 11