I come as a Blade
Oh, oh!
What was all this?
The call catches her interest... eventually. It takes a bit to get through the hazy veil of her attention, but it does get through. And -- how fortunate that it did! As she gets closer she hears the tell-tale sound of violence. Snarls and growls, coming from adult throats this time and not her sisters. But... why? They didn't need a reason, of course, but here there absolutely is one. A rank, something of importance. An idea sparks, a quiet flame, engrossing her as her paws slow to a stop. Instead of joining her family to watch though, she waits -- lingering towards the back with wide, curious eyes. Less of a girl and more of a shadow as she watches, waits. It's a fleeting impulse to remain hidden and quiet, one that she indulges as easily as she indulges anything in her life. But it doesn't stop her from watching the fight with eager eyes, impatient to see how it ends.
Lazare is attempting to hide
+5 Infiltrate a group thread without getting caught
+10 Remain undetected in a large thread (5+ characters)
+5 Learn something interesting about a character
No fights in progress
No fights in progress
No fights in progress
He is Dieudonne. Apollinaire's gaze narrowed back to the battle. The duo were throwing punches, their bodies moving in a synchronized deadly dance. He studied them carefully, but he especially watched the man in question. His observation was carried off as merely a regard for battle, but beneath the pretense was a study of a possible rival. Vermier's brother, @Amara chimed in. Interesting.
The starry-furred Queen was curious to know if Apollinaire desired the rank for himself, considering it had been his position previously. He was pleasantly surprised to hear the way she put the offer, as if the outcome of the battle would not matter. As if he can have the rank now, without question.
Interesting, indeed.
Cannot say he was absolutely flabergasted. After all, he had built up a good standing among his kin. However, his expression was that of surprise and humility. He intended to show how much the High Sovereign's words had flattered him.
And yet... he is but a humble solider.
"Moi? Oh, je suis absolument flatté, ma Reine, je le suis vraiment!" "Me? Oh, I am absolutely flattered, my Queen, I truly am!" he bowed a couple of times to underline his words. "Mais je n'oserais pas prendre un rang pour lequel je ne me suis pas battu, surtout quand d'autres versent leur sang pour cela, oh non!" "But I would not presume to take a rank I have not fought for, especially not when others are shedding their blood for it, oh no!" He shook his head apologetically, dramatically. "Ce serait outrepasser ma position, Votre Altesse." "That would be overstepping my position, your Highness." He bowed again, a strand of his well-kept hair falling in front of his eyes.
"Cependant, si vous me le permettez, je serais plus que ravi de vous servir, vous et le général de ma chère matriarche, comme je l'ai fait autrefois." "However, if you will me to I would be more than delighted to serve as your and my dear Matriarch's General as I once did." There was no telling what may happen in the future, but for now he preferred to stay low. Out of sight, out of mind. He would be the weapon hidden in the shadows.
There were more and more voices beginning to encircle them, their noise drained out by the bubble of violence he found himself enclosed in. A bubble he welcomed and cherished. If he grew to cherish anything, it would be this. Blissfully unaware their predecessor had joined with the rest of the family. And the other who held the rank, his nephew, was a no show as of yet. There were still family members he hadn’t met yet, some who didn’t know who he was. This was a statement piece, an introduction of sorts. After all, isn’t violence the language all Dieudonné spoke? A lesser male would have stood idly content in his place, but he would not. He wouldn’t take a rank handed to him, he would earn it here and now.
The sweet heat of her blood danced across his tongue, and the disappointment shown heavy in his emerald gaze as she yanked her head away. Jaws releasing their hold on her cheek. Brows furrowed in another frustrated growl as she struck, this time farther back, her claws raking through his dark mane connecting with the skin behind his ear. Bruises would begin to blossom beneath his mane where the hair had been pulled taut caught within her claws, mingling with the blood that welled from the wounds. Trying to lunge forwards again jaws would part, attempting to latch around her left shoulder instead, trying to close the distance between them even more. Shifting his weight to the left, right paw would raise, attempting to claw the underside of her armpit/chest beneath her raised limb if she did not move away or release her hold.
Jean-Claude vs. @Dysnomia
For WB Noble
Round 2 / 3
Hits:
Dodges:
Luck:
Speech.
The tug of exhaustion was a creeping shadow at the edges of his vision. He remembered a time when fights like this wouldn’t phase him, but as time went on these older bones began to creak and groan. He pushed through, relying heavily on the adrenaline pumping through his veins. No longer focused on the noise going on around them, he was fully focused on the lioness, the void of color on her pelt almost dizzying. Even her eyes were devoid of color, it reminded him of a wraith. It was so widely contrasted from Amara’s own dark pelt, her yellow eyes and starry pelt bright.
He was so focused on his grip on her shoulder that it was too late to react before her own jaws found his skull. Her teeth made contact just behind his right eye but in front of his ear. A hiss of pain, he fought through the blood that began to drip down towards his eyes. Blinking to try to keep them as clear as possible. Returning his paw to the ground, he would attempt to keep his hold on her shoulder. He would try to shove down with his jaws, attempting to push her down towards the ground. Submit. He would not attack her further. She was a pride mate after all.
Jean-Claude vs. @Dysnomia
For WB Noble
Round 3 / 3
Hits:
Dodges:
Luck:
Speech.
Expert
She glanced toward @Louve. Barony for her?* She asked her daughter about the fate of the lioness. It would be good to fill their ranks and she had been willing to bleed. The sight of the dark lioness was a reminder of her half brother and always the reminder that the family was being built up of those who embody their values and not just blood at this point.
Please reach out prior to starting a maim.
Feel free to poke me if you need a reply and its been over 3 days and poke me till I reply.
Dysnomia Hits: 3+2+2+4 Luck = 11
Dysnomia Dodges: 1+1+1 = 3
Jean-claude Hits: 3+4+2+4 Luck = 13
Jean-claude Dodges: 3+4+3 = 10
Jean-claude Successful Hits: 10
(OOC: everything said is in French, was just too lazy to translate)
He felt her legs buckle beneath, quickly did he release his hold on her and step away. He took a moment to regain his composure, take a deep breath and let the dust settle. He had won, but just because he won didn’t mean the rank was his. The French man gave a respectful dip of his head in his opponent’s direction before turning back to his family that had gathered to watch. Notably that Louve now stood among the crowd as well. Finally shifting away from Dysnomia, he would move towards where @Amara and @Louve sat.
Another dip of his head was given to each of them in greeting, "I would like the rank of Noble, if you would have me." French tones rang out, confident, eager to see if they would grant his request. "With Helah ruling the Oasis and members joining her ranks, allow me to help bring more members into the pride, but also defend the ones we already have." he finished, having said his piece to the both of them. For the moment he paid no mind to the others that had gathered, he would have their answer first.
Speech.
@Amara's was satiafied with him taking the position of Lead Fighter, just as anticipated. "Merci, votre altesse. Je ne vous décevrai pas." "Thank you, your highness. I'll not dissapoint you." A paw to his chest, her bowed respectfully. Apollinaire presumed that she was more than well aware of his fighting prowess by now. Perhaps not only she, but the whole valley.
As they should. It is only natural for a Dieudonne man to be the top predator, to be the red hand of justice.
@Louve was included in the decision of giving the onyx fighter Barony. Things fit well considering that @Dysnomia faced defeat in the arena, her wince perhaps partially due to shame at witnessing the whole of his kin gathered, observing her fall.
@Jean-Claude approached, and Apollinaire's face shifted into a perfectly crafted jovial mask. He allowed his words to trail, announcing his desire for the position and seeking formal permission by the two Queens. Apollinaire took this opportunity to take note of his persona. The way this man carried himself was the complete opposite of Vermier, which posed a problem for Apollinaire. He had no desire to share his limelight. Vermier had never been an issue - the man had done Apollinaire's dirty work himself, seemingly destroying his relationship with Amara a long time before Apollinaire's arrival.
"Félicitations mon ami. Bien combattu. Un plaisir pour les yeux." "Congratulations, my friend. Well fought. A pleasure for the eye." He spoke after their conversation was over, sending the man his most genuine smile (albeit it all being a farce). Then he turned toward his Matriarch and the Wolfbron High Sovereign. "Si vous voulez bien m'excuser, je m'occuperai des frontières. Bonne journée, mes reines." "If you will excuse me, I shall tend to the borders. Good day, my Queens." He sought to press into @Louve one last time. Perhaps purposefully.
The prying eyes must know.