she does not bother to hide this second time, instead strolling into the challenge with bi-colored eyes blazing. already, there are fights breaking out on the sidelines - aeistrios' children being targeted as has become entirely normal for such gatherings. entirely deserved. so much pain and suffering spread by their father, that it is only right that someone face the repercussions for his transgressions. if he will not, then his children will do. her eyes catch on the form of one - heisa - who has lost a fight against another. on the other end there is leiah, a prisoner of the mire - one that magdalena has half the mind to cripple and drag back - throwing herself at what must surely be a sibling. "pathetic." the judgement is hissed as she gazes upon them with contempt, with a burning hatred. in the middle of it all, the challenger waits to begin the challenge with a pristine coat whereas magdalena is almost certain aeistrios is still littered with wounds from his failed attempt to kill the queen of the mountain. beyond that, familiar faces bring forth a flicker of memory. of sun shining on rolling dunes, of breathless laughter and a warm pile of bodies, of satiety and happiness now so far out of reach.

+5 - Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds (scrop vs aeist)
+5 - Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds (siofera vs leiah)_{BG — ART — CODE}

It was only a matter of time before the kingdom of desolation found itself challenged by those who fancied themselves more worthy. And from what small glimpses the hound has captured of the plum King here, the bar of supposed 'worthiness' was not set terribly high.

But Cerberus supposes he will not question the motives of this challenger all too harshly, lavender eyes catching upon the all-too familiar weave of mahogany etched upon the colossal beast's hide. Peitho...is he not?

Or was it merely Miroslav?

Perhaps it does not matter, either way. Cerberus does not strive to keep his presence hidden this time, though the metallic scent of blood already hangs ominously in the air, too many fiery youths failing to keep their tempers in check. (Privately, he hopes his own children will heed his warnings and remain within the Brook's relative safety.) The hound observes but allows much of it all to pass him by, remaining a pool of calm as he slinks through the gathering crowd, the lines of his face set sharp and steady. For now.

He halts a few feet away from @Léonie's side, lavender gaze briefly considering the unexpected oddity of seeing his niece and @Alaric sharing a space absent of shouted insults, before seeking to meet the young woman's pale eyes with a low chuff of greeting. He trusts it is clear enough where he stands - who he will stand with, if need be.

She need not even ask.

ART BY SCARF, CODE BY LARS

He hates being here. Hates existing. The boy had become a living, breathing example of spite. It coursed through his veins and made every step he took a heavy one. As the call arrived for the crown, Dominic let out a soft, almost hysterical bout of laughter that stilled in the air. Tears stung his eyes, then, of anger and resentment. Standing up, he moves to make his way toward the gathering - pale blue eyes scanning the crowd for his Mother.

But she wasn't here.

Nor was the only familiar face he knew, Melusina. He had been stuck here for so long, he manic in his seclusion - choosing to keep to himself almost exclusively, outside of needing to eat. The hellish children of Aeistrios had seemed to disappear one by one, and in truth Dominic couldn't be fussed to know why. He simply existed right now, and he...he was so tired of it.

He watches the battle for a bit longer, continuing to flex his claws and sharpen them while content to continue his conversing with @Svea if she wished while waiting for the main event. When a new voice draws the warrior's focus -

'This place doesn't handle it well when a male steals, thinks he owns females, attacks cubs, and kills his own wife for trying to stop him.'

Gem hued eyes brighten with a spark of recognition. The voice was older, but the lyrics somewhat familiar regardless. And once he turned his head slightly to regard @Amara the swirled former Diety of the Unbound knew, he knew this lioness.

I look forward to witnessing karma catch up with him. Yet attacking innocent cubs - partly because an innocent cub was attacked - seems peak hypocrisy, no? the silken tones just a tad dryly amused.

Amara, It been a long time. Its a pleasure to see you again. A little less than a month. A familiar face is a welcome. she had been the first Reti ran into that he recognized from his youth. It was ... oddly pleasant. From her scent she still lived in the bluffs? Impressive. Did her friend from back then, the Dieudonne lioness still rule?
------------------------
Barbarian -
+5 Maintain your weapons (sharpen claws) [2/2]
+5 Observe a fight (Heisa vs Lucia) [2/2]

code by corvus

The call for the Andal crown intrigued the demon, his heavy limbs carrying him toward the sound with intent. There were already a few Hollows lions here, but none that he directly recognized. Given that, Vladizmir chose to linger outside the territory - those luminous eyes of his staring intently upon the challenger. The Savante was vaguely aware of the male's connection to his kin, and the sin's of the creature that resided over these sands. For now he would remain, silent and watchful - ever a looming presence in the wake of chaos. Violence was yet still tame, unfortunately - and there seemed to be more children than adult here.

Bruno could not decide whether it was a fortune or misfortune that he was already en route to the passage when the call rang out over Amaryllis. He twitched his whiskers in acknowledgment of the sound as he walked, chest tight with apprehension as to what exactly it would mean for the land at large and, perhaps more importantly, for him. He only allowed such thoughts to linger for a moment before altering his path towards the summons in the west.

He attempted to approach the outskirts of what had already turned into a massive gathering on the edge of an oasis. Bruno's expression hardened as he lurked near the base of an outcropping of palms, attempting to vanish within their silhouette with the ease of an assassin. Sage-green eyes narrowed to try and make out details of what unfolded: a familiar figure standing at the center of it all, the faint spring breeze thick with the scents of traitors. Though he did not realize it, Bruno's chest simmered with giddy anticipation to witness the downfall of those who would aid one so doomed as his brother. They had dug their own graves, and now Bruno did not even have to wield the shovel.

---

|| april y11 | three years | EM high sovereign | at andal oasis | hiding ||
assassin level 3 perk to remain hidden
1 is failure, 2 is success

Rolling 1d2: 2

code by corvus | image by moogle

He was not left alone for very long as @Syanna arrived and took her place next to him. Ears twisting in his locks and he turned his head to glance in her direction as she asked him a question. So far there hadn't been much, in fact the lion who ruled here hadn't even showed up yet and that was a bit disappointing to Zsolt. Haven't missed a damn thing yet. He would state brushing his shoulder against her's before he continued to wait on something to happen other than a few squabbles on the side lines.

@Karsa soon arrived too and asked who the challenger was and honestly, Zsolt didn't know. A shrug came from the older brother as he glanced towards Karsa and then back to the challenger. I'm not familiar with him. He would admit, making a mental note to make sure he was remembered in the Savante's mind for future reasons. Especially if he won the Oasis.

we have come into the night

plunder & raise & war are nigh

code by corvus

Leiah

be careful what you ignite; you wanted a spark but honey you got a wildfire

"Ah! The fuck!? How is that my fault!? I didn't fucking ASK to be the one to get out first! I'd have told them to get you first, little shit." Siofera's words would fall on deaf ears because Leiah did not believe her. Yet again she had been abandoned by someone, left behind without a care. This anger within her had been festering for almost a year, it was only a matter of time before it boiled over. It came down to a simple thing - Siofera was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Leiah might have even considered her the sibling she was closest with before all of this, but now she knew why she stayed to her own. Now she knew why she didn't stick her neck out for anyone else; because eventually they would betray you. The smack that collides with her left cheek is soft, it doesn't even draw blood and that pisses her off even more. "Fight me you bitch. Stop being such a wimp!" She seethes before snapping outward, her jaws aimed for anywhere on Siofera's face that she could grasp onto. She knew she was going soft on her and she didn't want that, she wanted her ire just as she was giving hers. They were Saxe, yet loyalty was not something her siblings knew. So she too would throw caution to the wind and discard her loyalty.

Leiah v. @Siofera
for Minor Maim
Round 2 / 4

Hits:

Rolling 3d20: 11 + 5 + 1

Dodges:

Rolling 1d20: 20

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 12 + 16 + 11 + 15 + 18

code by cala

Where @Magdalena was fueled by her fury, driven by it, Melusina had shirked. The life of a warrior she had always dreamed felt too far out of her reach now, and each time she'd tried to muster the strength to face her fears, she found herself unwilling to endure the confrontation. The guilt she carried with her by leaving her mother and Dominic behind lingered like an ever-present shadow. She had not the steel to throw herself into the fray, had not the gall to face what all she feared to face. She had resigned to the destiny her mother had forged her: That of a pacifist, that of one who always rolls over when the going gets tough.

Thus, she clings to her sister like a frightened child. They were the same size, but Melusina seemed to shirk even smaller as she crept near her littermate's hind legs, using her as a sort of bracing while they forged into the calamitous unknown.

The battle hadn't started yet, but they had arrived early along with the others. It were not unreasonable to assume Aeistrios would be bursting forth from the sidelines at any moment, but in those brief seconds before he did, her gaze resting wholly upon her sister, before it finally left to scan the crowd. The smell of the Oasis was overwhelming, enough to send Melusina's stomach into upset; thus, she sought to bury her nose in Magdalena's flank, enveloping her with the smell of what was warm and familiar.

Pathetic, she hears her say, and it is only then that her head reels back to gaze once more upon the crowd. Instead of the fights, however, Melusina's attention is quickly grabbed by something else—someone else.

@Dominic? she blurts out, her gaze falling upon his familiar lavender form. Suddenly, she pries herself away from her sister's side, venturing toward the colossal cub. Strands of white hair had long begun to fall into his face, and he was far larger than she now. She had to tip her chin up in order to regard him. Tears prickled in the corners of her eyes—relief, fear, guilt awashing her expression. But most of all—I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry! I should have come back for you.

Art by AleTie, table by cala

Eyes rested upon the skirmishes of the cubs. One of which seemed to be between two Saxe children themselves. How unbecoming, he thought. Not even their own relation liked one another. A quiet scoff before turning towards @Saladin. Yes. Aeistrios Saxe. A real piece of freakin' work. Wouldn't trust that entire family as far as I could throw 'em. The corner of his lip lifted to expose a single fang as he scanned around them. No doubt the bastard would bust onto the scene at any moment. The Saxe and my family have terrible blood between them. He has gone out of his way to harass my older sister, my mother, defile our home, maim another sister when she was just a child and kill my grandmother. He's a savage fucking animal.. And the kind that was well overdue to be put down.

Art by Yumpy, Code by Minxy