what was this little gem, tucked away in the depths of the desert? the call had spurred a moment of excitement for ambrosine -- a wave of relief and hopefulness that, perhaps, she could watch a fight and simply observe, rather than getting dragged into the middle of it. wide strides carry the parisian's body across the sands, ears perched atop her crown as she surveys the slowly growing crowd in the distance and looks to join them in spectating the challenge. her gaze flickers around the sea of faces, noting that some were familiar and others were not, before she opts to settle down next to @Hecuba. differences aside, she liked to think that they had come to an understanding, and that friendship was, perhaps, not a far-fetched idea. ambrosine's maw would twist towards the other woman's ear casually as she takes a seat along the dunes, though her gaze remained intent on keeping watch of the group. "do you know who that is?" tones hum curiously, gesturing towards the large, pink brute who had initiated the claim.

The lioness had trekked deeper into the hot dry desert for this, wanting to know who would lay claim to yet another land. She had missed the claiming of the others. Upon arriving, she noted a very large pink male at the center of it all, along with a few other familiar faces, including the little lioness from the fights in the pit.

Kimagure remained at the edge of those gathered, listening to what was said and observing closely. Her ears flicked when she took note of a small cub, too small to be permitted to be here in her mind. She remembered when Tamotsu had been that little. Kimagure had high hopes the boy would come to see. This was an important event to witness.

She remained standing on the outskirts of the group, tail held upward for balance and limbs spread on the sand, ears flicking back and forth to listen both to what was before her and what might come behind.

@Ida (Kimagure is observing her in particular.)
@Tamotsu (Optional post ofc!)

DON'T BE THAT WAY, FALL APART TWICE A DAY
I JUST WISH YOU COULD FEEL WHAT YOU SAY
SHOW NEVER TELL, BUT I KNOW YOU TOO WELL
GOT A MOOD THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD SELL

she hears his claim, and with a heavy heart, 'noke pads into view - passing ambrosine with a soft smile. she continues moving until she's opposite her strawberry friend, petal eyes sad but determined. hello again, she murmurs, a bittersweet smile twisting her lips. i answer your call. the first move is yours, my friend. ordinarily she'd never dream of something like this, but she needs a beacon to call her friends and family to - and a pride is perfect. rolling her defenses into place, she awaits fionn's first attack.

Mononoke vs Fionn
for
Andal Oasis
Round 0/5

SPEECH

code by corvus

FIONN VS. MONONOKE FOR ANDAL OASIS
— DEFAULT —

due to Mononoke post being under 100 words, this fight has defaulted.

FIONN HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR ANDAL OASIS!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. Posts that are unrelated to the results of this fight can continue to post.

Another call for another land. This being one that Caligula could get behind. Sure, there was a large pool of water but it was self contained and didn't surround him. He could skirt it whenever he wished and wouldn't have to deal with it. And he had lived on sand before being on the island. So while the shifting of the earth beneath his paws wasn't a pleasant one it was one he could deal with if he had to. But would Sarthak come here? Sarthak wanted his swamp back. Swamp was water. But there there was still so much unknown about this new area. Perhaps there was a spot still left to be discovered that would be perfect for both of them.

Caligula looked over those gathered and most were faces he didn't know but there was Ambrosine with Hecuba. The grey woman wasn't that big a fan of his but Ambrosine had always been a close friend. So it was for her that he moved.

"Imagine you could find all the aloe you would ever want here." The maneless lion said by way of greeting as he moved to attempt to rub his body against Ambrosine in a friendly manner.

He then glanced over at Hecuba. What to say to her? He held no hard feelings against her. He had wished things had worked out instead. He still wouldn't mind their cubs becoming friends. "I am glad he made it. I know neither of you really care for me but I never wanted harm to come to anyone." Believe him or not, it was entirely up to her, but he was sincere in his statement. He had never wished harm on anyone ever.

@Ambrosine @Hecuba

@Ambrosine arrived and settled nearby, much to her surprise. They weren't on terrible terms, but she assumed in public it would be business as usual and polite nods without words. Hecuba certainly didn't want anyone to think the Dieudonne was foolish for mingling with the would-be mistress, naturally. Still, she offered a thin smile and a shake of her head. "Not a single clue. It's strange to see so many unfamiliar faces after coming from somewhere we knew everyone." Who were these lions?? @Caligula arrived alongside Ambrosine and Hecuba's chest tightened. She had nothing against the man whatsoever, but it hardly felt like the time to smooth over rough edges. "We can speak after this, if you'd like?" there was no malice in her words, just a suggestion they wait to hash things out a few moments longer. Hecuba was too tired to hold grudges anymore.

table by koi

The sounds drew her out from the cave, she tried her best to sneak out and away. She wanted to go home to her family - but soon enough found herself following the sounds of someone calling out across the land. What was that? She had no idea, her sheltered life was nothing but regret for her now. She knew nothing of how the real world worked, and she was learning it hard.

Her body was slightly skinnier than what it was when she had found the land, and more so due to her fear that Sol and Jord would abandon her. Her flowered head bobbled as she walked - her eyes landing on all those who were present. Which were not much but enough. Shaking from the fear of being outside and away from the Hollow she resorted to sticking near the back as she watched with watery eyes and a sullen expression.

"Talk the walk"

_{CREDITS — CODE}

The Golden king sat and waited, a few faces he knew came and thus he would take in his surroundings. Which he felt the need to wander around. But his wanderings would stop when a light-colored lion with a half mane challenged Fionn, The man was gentle when they had met not long ago, and he wondered how he would respond. But it wasn't going to last long. How would Fionn would win the oasis, AND with little effort so it seemed. How lucky he was true.

Vasilis would slip to his toes again and make his way outside from the group. He decided it was time to see how far the oasis stretched in these new lands he found himself within. What was geography like? and what else did it offer? So Vasilis would only remain for a few more minutes, to witness what Fionn would say to the maned lion before him. Would they still fight? Back down? Or come to an agreement? Who knew. But Vasilis would wait it out for a few more minutes before deciding to slip out to explore the lands.

this is a reminder to give an opportunity for the challengers to respond first.

DON'T BE THAT WAY, FALL APART TWICE A DAY
I JUST WISH YOU COULD FEEL WHAT YOU SAY
SHOW NEVER TELL, BUT I KNOW YOU TOO WELL
GOT A MOOD THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD SELL

before the battle can even begin, a dark cloud forms overhead - except this is one made of black wings and sharp beaks. it dives, straight for the brightest, shiniest individual in sight - mononoke. why? that answer is uncertain, but she screams as talons find her face and seek to shred her eyes. more talons pierce her hide in various other spots, and when the flock finally disperses, the albino babe is left with multiple injuries, blood pouring down her beautiful face.

staggering, she gasps, i can't see. terror and confusion swell and swirl within her, and she turns blindly, her view a field of red - seeking the one person she trusts to protect her. the one person she'd known was here before the birds - @Ambrosine. i can't see, she whispers again, and this time her voice breaks, but she doesn't cry. she's forgotten all about the pride challenge, some part of her knowing fionn won't attack her now - especially when it's obvious she's going to have to forfeit.

she can't fight like this - she's reeling from pain and blood loss - and all she wants right now is her best friend. why had that flock attacked her? why? she doesn't know, but it bothers her. why, when she'd finally gathered the courage to fight, had she been stopped? she stumbles in the direction she thinks ambro to be in, her nose as blinded by her own blood as her eyes. ambrosine, she says, red-drenched gaze searching for the parisian female. please help me. she won't say the words out loud, won't look any worse in front of the crowd than she already does, but she needs help.

SPEECH

code by corvus