Waiting was not his thing. His impatience was evident in the way his tail lashed behind him like a snake. The nerves that crawled down his spine were not caused by the upcoming battle, but by the fact there was audience, even if it was tiny. He tried to keep his eyes forward, to ignore meeting their curious gazes and especially that of Amara.

In order to distract himself, the giant's ears swiveled at the words spoken among @Fissure and the plum-pelted lion that he named @Aeistrios. There was familiarity in their conversation. Something about Plains that Bhaskar could only assume was a new pride. There were so many around the valley that he couldn't keep up - and couldn't be bothered to keep up.

@Bordeaux's voice was meant for @Amara, assuring her that she'd joined the band on her own accord. Ah, yes, Amara was concerned about Bordeaux seemingly like she'd been concerned about Ne--

He shook his head to chase away the-name-that-shall-not-be-spoken.

Perhaps listening in was a mistake. It only served to distract him as a nimble mauve shape rushed him. He knew that was his opponent beforehand, and yet he was still surprised by her incredible agility. She was like a branch of willow wood, while he was a whole oak tree.

She is lightning fast, and he is lumbering and slow, possessing only crushing stength.

And so when she charges, he has little time to respond. The gargantuan braces his whole body, lowering his skull and shifting his weight to position it proportionately upon his thick limbs. He sees her jaws open too late, and his skull instinctively jolts down in an attempt to headbutt her chin with the brunt of his left temple, prepared for the collission. He expected pain, but preferred possible bruising than a bite to his face. Her right arm's talons tore into his left shoulder, the pain causing a warning growl to escape his throat.

Bhaskar vs. @Eurielle
for Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 2 + 11 + 6 + 12 + 17 + 16 + 13 + 4

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 15 + 13 + 3 + 17

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 3 + 11 + 1 + 10

Arkadi had been raised his fathers soldier. Combat and how to provide for his family had been the only training he’d ever paid much attention to, never one with any desire to rule as his siblings might have had. Though born a prince, he’d never had much of a royal heir about him, and joing the Gold Crows had perhaps been the first thing he’d ever done that felt right. He wondered what his siblings might think, if they knew what he’d decided to do with his life once he realized he was alone, rather than chasing after them, wherever they had gone. No part of him expected to come out on top in this tournament, he was still young compared to some of the challengers, but the idea of a few rapid fire spars with an audience was too good to pass up. He was a bit delayed in his arrival, but he was, thankfully, not the last to arrive. His opponent already stood in wait, and Arkadi’s approach was made with a light hearted grin that seemed a sharp contrast the the older brutes solemn tenseness. Kovirah was shorter than him with a similar build, but even he could see the years of experience the older man had on him. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He said as he slid into place across from the other man, giving him a moment before he charged forward, attempting to slam his chest into the other crow. Arkadi vs. @Kovirah for Dominance Round 1 / 3 Hits: Rolling 6d20: 8 + 5 + 7 + 1 + 16 + 11 Dodges: Rolling 3d20: 8 + 11 + 2 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 14 + 5 + 17 + 4 + 13

Kovirah didn't have to wait too long, but a look of subtle dissatisfaction spread across him when his opponent does show. They're bigger and younger, and he knows a lot of the time it tended to herald a rather cocky attitude. Maybe this one was different.

However, the clay male didn't have time to really sit and dwell upon it. The gray boy comes running at him, and the man has moments to truly react. He shifts his weight, a little half skip as Arkadi's chest hits him now closer to his right leg, still well within the chest area. As he shuffles his feet, steadying himself, Kovirah would seek first to catch a paw of dirt and attempt to toss it into the minimal air between them aiming for the young man's face.

It's then that he decides to attempt a swing, as his teeth opened in a low-rung growl. Paw and claws sought to sink into the young man's chest, as his neck extends and his yellowed teeth want to grab, rip and tear near the nape of his maned neck, head jerking quickly back and forth in hopes of searing flesh from muscle.

It might have been a friendly fight, but in the end one needed to understand people wouldn't take pity on the stranger just because he was young. Kovirah knew that intimately, and had scars to prove it.


Kovirah vs. @Arkadi
Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 12 + 16 + 4 + 3 + 7 + 13 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 17 + 2 + 16 + 13

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 12 + 18 + 5 + 6

code by daanyan, Art by Rabbit

Fissure would eye @Aeistrios curiously as he asked about taking up residence with the band, having not expected the ex-king to have an interest in such a venture. Having as many enemies as he did, it was a gamble to accept him into the ranks. Would he be willing to fight on behalf of those that hated him? Fissure supposed he could always sit out those particular fights, while fighting with great passion in the event they were the enemy.

He would also not the fashion in which he had glanced towards Bordeaux. Was that the answer to the riddle? "Oh, are you fond of our little medic Aeistrios?" He asked with a knowing grin. "You may join the Crows, my friend, so long as you abide by a few simple rules. You would be free to make offers of trade for your talents as a fighter but try not to knock down any hornets' nests." A fair offer, one Fissure would wait for the plum lion to agree upon before he would officially welcome him in.

Once he got his answer, he would kindly excuse himself, eager to speak to as many observers as possible. He would approach Bordeaux and @Amara then, relaxed and welcoming. He would dip his head to the Queen as he reached them. "Queen Amara.. it is truly an honor to welcome such a seasoned warrior into our midst. We are establishing a mercenary band, as our talented healer here has said. Should you ever have need of hired muscle, we are at your call." Came his energetic sales pitch.

image by moogle/code by saph

Lazare is attempting to hide ~

@Amara is being followed.

She often is, truthfully. Lazare's attention is fleeting, true, but there's few things she doesn't like to see. So when her grandmother leaves the bluffs to head towards the pit...? Well, she has to follow! And, oh, she's glad she did.

It's busy here, busier than she's ever seen. Fights break out across the pit, with others still standing around and watching. There's no structure to these fights ( that she can see, at least ) but she watches regardless, enthralled. Peeking out from one of thr higher ledges, she's little more than a shadow against the wall -- watching the crows fight amongst themselves.

For... something.

She'd have to figure it out.

+10 Spy on another pride or family’s event
+10 Learn something about pride/group/family relations
+10 Remain undetected in a large thread (5+ characters)

code by shaz

@Bhaskar VS. @Eurielle FOR dominance
— DEFAULT —

Due to Eurielle not posting within the allotted time, this fight has defaulted.

BHASKAR HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR DOMINANCE!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. As per the site rules, if 3 days go by without a post from the challenger(s), they can be skipped. Whichever comes first! Any posts made before this will be removed.

@Kovirah VS. @Arkadi FOR dominance
— DEFAULT —

Due to Arkadi not posting within the allotted time, this fight has defaulted.

KOVIRAH HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR DOMINANCE!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. As per the site rules, if 3 days go by without a post from the challenger(s), they can be skipped. Whichever comes first! Any posts made before this will be removed.

I see the clouds they're rolling in
They hide the sun but not my sin
the judas kiss still on my lips
can't walk away from where i've been

Eurielle had lost, failure evident upon feminine, mauve features. She would seek to seperate from the larger form of @Bhaskar, moving away to lick at her wounded flesh as her feline tail curls against the slenderness of her ankles. She gives Bhaskar a withering glare, but it's a soft thing, full of shadows and delicate fangs. Perhaps, she does not belong here, not when her roots lie elsewhere and her heart is untethered; freed.

Here, her eyes involuntarily glimpses upon the blue-kissed frame of @Amara.

Something tugs at Eurielle's heart. Perhaps, they are forgotten memories.

And yet, Eurielle says nothing to Amara.

A parting glance is given to @Fissure, accompanied by a soft nod of acknowledge. She is grateful she has been given the opportunity to test herself, and yet, she feels like this is not her place of home. "I'll be leaving. Thank you for having me, while it lasted." Comes her departing words, as she seeks to slip back into the shadows; to disappear from the crows.

Exit Eurielle from the Crows.

The tournament is in full swing when he arrives. He's late, but hopefully @Fissure won't hold it against him. It seems his opponent isn't here yet, either, so he waits, garnet eyes sweeping the line of fighters. Most of them have him beat in a contest of raw strength, with bigger, more mature bodies, and likely the extra experience to boot. His doubt melts away when he spots the hulking plum male, however. Now he doesn't see his strength, his evident advantage, though strong he undoubtedly is— all he sees the fragmented memory of that day on the plains flashing before his eyes, and his father's face, slick with blood. @Aeistrios may no longer rule his homeland, but that does nothing to ease the pain of the unwanted memory, unrooted all afresh. Unsated rage clutches at his heart, but he manages to keep it reined, ears drawing back into his mane as his pulse quickens. "Please tell me that's my opponent." The words are an unfocused murmur, spoken to no one in particular, eyes fastening on the Saxe's face like burning coals. It won't do to get kicked out of the Crows on the first day, but maybe just in this particular instance, he can at least entertain the idea. @Amorette

code by shaz

He turns still ready and willing to throw himself into a fight after it appears his first opponent wouldn't be an issue any longer. Kovirah turns, body still tense and ears hidden in raven hair. Stormy eyes lock upon that of his next target, and he does his best to remain tucked into the fray of the other lions. The dust is thick, it clings to his clay hide in patchy white splotches mixing with a few minor cuts to make ruddy paste.

He lurches into full lope, dodging a few others along the way before flinging himself at the form of Bhaskar from the hind right side of the behemoth. His maw opens, his claws are well flared.

The talons of his paws seek to grab purchase along his spine, hoping to land well enough to latch and hold. His teeth are desperate in their attempt to sink into the peachy hide of his opponent, along the shoulder of his right side, wanting to shake, tear and gnaw upon the flesh of this creature. He knows this is a friendly fight, but Kovirah has been in enough 'spars' where things have turned deadly. He wouldn't back down so easily.


Kovirah vs. @Bhaskar
Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 15 + 17 + 6 + 1 + 7 + 9 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 8 + 10 + 12 + 11

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 5 + 14 + 17 + 2

code by daanyan, Art by Rabbit