She had made her plan, announced it to the pride, and now it was time to initiate part one. Rally up whatever allies she could. She already knew she stood against the summit due to their close relationship with the Lagoon, but Icefang was unsure of who else they were allied with. That made her nervous. She could only hope her fury would not be a miscalculation and that the relationships she had attempted to build would be enough to render them victorious. As the sun begins to set, she informed Arcania that she would be in charge while she was gone. The plan was simple. Head straight to Andal Oasis then to Wolfbron Bluffs before heading back home. She would of thrown Ecrosia Mire onto the GPS first, but her daughter had informed her of the new ruler. A dent in her plan as Icefang gritted her teeth at the news. Finally, she needed Luther and he was no longer where she needed him to be. Despite the disappointment, she chuffs for @Etain and @Obsidiana to follow her on their trek. When they are close to crossing the borders, she is stopped by @Lathan. Blue orbs roam over the male that had lost against her son, thoughts flickering to the bunny he had been testing his poisons on. She was still injured. The missing half of her left ear an obvious new injury to her pride mates and one she had remained tight lipped on. Her injuries from the challenge had also been reopened and so while it was not ideal to travel now, for she was once again limping the high sovereign decided he might make a useful addition to her party. In case they needed another piece of muscle. A sacrifice to keep her safe.

With the three companions she allows Obsidiana and Etain to form a protective barrier around her with the larger male lingering behind her. The trek would take longer than she liked, Icefang's limp slowing them down. It is when they are about halfway to the Oasis does the high sovereign glance behind her, a sense of being watched. She growls as the familiar form of @Parthena runs after them. Gods, what had she done to deserve such a disobedient child? She stops to let the princess catch up, Icefang stooping down to grab the girl and haul her up onto Etain's back. They were too far now to bother turning back. She didn't want to waste one more night in figuring out who her allies were going to be. "Everyone will leave the talking to me," She growls in warning. "You are here to watch and learn and you" blue orbs dart dangerously to Parthena. "If you even attempt to speak or get off Etain's back, I will offer you up as food to the Oasis." A threat, even if she didn't necessarily mean it, but the princess had already stroked the fires of her patience by running after them uninvited.

As they near the border of the Oasis, Icefang notices a familiar scent. Luther. Oh, had her little friend come here for shelter? Now, that would be interesting indeed. Bruised and battered, the ice queen issues a call for the royalty of the Oasis. Blue orbs drift around them, thankful that the vastness of the sand would allow them to see any approaching before they got close. She considers the moonlit dinner she had spent with Harou many moons ago, hopeful that he would give her the answer she needed. That this request would be received positively, despite the small war party she had brought with her.

@Harou @Helah @Luther ♔

ooc: anyone else is welcomed to observe. Just want to keep the thread moving as much as possible due to the amount of people that might be in it <3

ART BY INK1GREEN, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

Like the patient and good girl she was she followed after her mother quick and saying nothing knowing it was wiser to stay quiet and simply watch her mother do the diplomatic activities. She side eyed the two others who came along, hoping they would behave or else she might have to make them regret it.

As they arrive to the borders she listened to her mother carefully, nodding at the warnings and with all the intention of obeying without any objections.

And as such Obsidiana took a quiet seat keeping her mouth shut and just here to observe and learn. And all the questions were going to be saved for when they were done.

artwork • coding

Mother wanted to leave with a giant party of lions and leave her behind. Parthena didn't think so! The cub was exuberant when she watched her mother, sister, and the ambassador party leave, which resulted in her also being left behind. She could stay and maybe find Silas again and play but the girl felt headstrong, even worse than headstrong she was big and strong! Mature and ready to learn about the world. She would not be refused.

The child would perk her ears up at the border until the backs of the adults vanished on the horizon but their scent still led the way. Proudly the cub would bounce right over the border and after them; trailing after their scents like a little harrier hound flushing it's first rabbit.

Parthena thought she was doing a great job, staying hidden and kept behind the group at a distance that wouldn't hopefully be noticed — until Mother turned around and pinned her with a rather irate look. The youth was caught misbehaving once again. The girl would open her mouth, panting heavily from exhaustion, submission, and finally, apology as she is hauled up and onto @Etain's back.

'If you even attempt to speak or get off Etain's back, I will offer you up as food to the Oasis.' Her eyes would grow wide at the threat, at the idea of being fed to some giant body of water like bait for the alligators. Parthena is about to protest, about to say that she only followed because she wanted to learn too, but she doesn't. Instead, the girl would tuck her head down and try to wiggle it in between Etain's shoulder blades with a chirp of affirmation.

The passenger princess would behave — this time.

[ Tags ]
@Icefang ♔

.Out here only the strong survive.

Time has come to an end. This is nature's plan. Being tracked by a starving beast, looking for its daily feast, a predator on the verge of death - close to it's last breath. And they run when the sun comes up, with their lives on the line. For all that time, gotta follow the laws of the wild. With their lives on the line. No choice.

code by corvus

After the meeting he had rushed to his den, grabbing his rabbit skin pouch and gently, carefully he would put several types of plants in it. Lathan would not add any antidotes to his pouch, the Lagoon wouldn’t be needing that. There was a rumbling purr in his deep in his chest and throat as he maneuvered quickly, but carefully. After he thought he was done he would look over the pouch, there were some that could be used by their party, but for the most part the plants needed to be ingested by the enemy. He would tie his pouch shut and then he would leave the den. He was at the border when he crossed paths with the little war party, the chemist more insistent he go now that he saw it was made of the princess, heiress and the queen herself. She would look him over and he waited silently for her approval before he fell in line. She was still injured, it would be good for the extra muscle to come along- though he was sure she didn’t necessarily need it. Etain and Obsidiana would follow along the sides of the queen, it was Lathan who followed in the rear, completely at ease by the position. After awhile an ear would twitch, turning just as @Icefang ♔ did, her cub had followed. He frowned. This was no place for such a young child, but he said nothing as they waited for her to catch up. @Parthena was quickly placed on Etain’s back and given a stern threat to keep her in check. A warning was given to them as well, they were to be silent. His brow raised, did the Oasis eat lions too? Or was that just the bluffs? He looked curiously to @Etain, wondering if she would elaborate (for his sake). He would follow once more as they continued to the Oasis. The man remained silent as she called for the leaders, he was not there to be heard, he was mere protection at this point…that and to gather information. Lathan would remain focused, but he did find it amusing to wiggle his toes in the warm sand. No wonder Brighid had stayed. He wasn’t a fan of the sun…but the sand was nice. Lathan did drop his rabbit skin, so that he would be prepared if he needed to defend the party that he accompanied. He doubted it would be necessary though. "Speech."

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

It didn't take much for her to be drawn from her own work. Of course not. After all, she was not one to refuse her queen. Her little pouch was prepared at any time, so all she ha to do was pick it up on her way out. Though she lingered briefly to ensure that her own daughter wouldn't follow along, she didn't make the others wait.

With not even so much as a single noise, the near colossal woman arrived where the others had gathered and followed, posture straightened, floppy ears laced against her skull. Always on guard as they moved and always at her queen's side. There was nothing for her to say really and she saw no reason to fill the silence with pointless words. And so they just walked on...until they paused. The reason for it had the heiress giving a small huff. Of course at least one of their children had chosen to follow where they shouldn't.

Floppy ears quivered ever so slightly when the girl was placed onto her back, but she gave her attention to @Icefang ♔ once more. Sharp words reminded them to observe and let her speak. She certainly saw no problem with that. If all went as they hoped, she'd only need to be present as support and to learn. And to speak only when spoken to directly. Though the reminder to be quiet had her tilting her head enough to eye @Parthena on her back, giving the girl a stern look. It was for the best if the little one would go unnoticed.

@Lathan caught her attention while they waited for the rulers of the Oasis to arrive and star speckled shoulders rose and fell briefly in response to the silent question. Though she had her own history with the land itself, she didn't really know much about the current rulers and their business.

code by corvus

a little wicked
that's what he calls me

When she hears the summons from the border, she is both perplexed and irritated. She emerges from the high rock where she had been observing the cubs- though from a distance from their prickly teeth and needy ways. Determining that they are safe, she rises from her perch and exits, leaping to the sands with ease- before maneuvering away. Approaching the border, she notes the presence of several, and slows- her pace arrogant and unhurried as she arrives. Rosy gaze rakes over them, interest evident in the way her head tilts, as she awaits @Harou and... she head heard a call for @Luther ♔, had she not?

A large dark brown female who is striped, is present- and Helah's gaze studied her noting her scent, laced with the Brook- and pointed ears. A large handsome male with pointed ears, and fluffy enough fur that Helah guessed the Oasis would not make the most comfortable abode for him. She notes the younger one on the back of another- who was... massive, but then focuses on the presumed caller- a white female

She speaks after a second of silence. "Welcome to the Oasis. I am Helah, Queen." She announces and introduces herself, eyes coming to rest on the elder of the group- the snowy female. "What can I do for you, beautiful?" She coos, her tone gentle and not at all... realistic for who she was. The flirt. The chaotic mess. The monster. "And... your handsome and beautiful companions?" She follows up, looking over the group again.

@Icefang ♔ @Parthena @lanthan @Etain

table by ryuu

my rot is as hungry as me.
and when god asks me of love,
i always respond with cruelty -

summons were heard at the border, causing momentum to shift. his muscled physique moves across the earth, pulling away from his patrols to follow @Icefang ♔'s call. each step flexes with graceful muscularity. approaching the congregation, the icy behemoth narrows his crimson gaze, eagerly assessing the scene before him, as the brook queen calls to others within his realm. the titan's stare is quiet, moving over the different faces, even as they finally land upon the curvaceous @Helah, who all but greets them first. coming up by helah's side, harou would remain quiet, a silent beast watching the scene unfold. he would nod once in icefang's direction, a silent statement in itself, soft though commanding.

Their last meeting had held potential, a promise on the brink of destruction. Icefang had been anticipating a challenge, and so had Luther, his curiosity growing with each day to go and observe how terribly their shared enemy would fail once more... and fail they had and yet their next meeting was not to be a political one.

For Luther had faced his own calamity. He had not anticipated discussing politics with Icefang again, not until he was healed and marching for his crown once more. His expectations were shattered when he heard the pale Queen's voice ring throughout the Oasis. Naturally, the call was curious but even more curious was the fact that he was also called. Ah, so he needn't ask around later what had been said.

And so he set out, big paws digging in the sand, movement slow and cumbersome. Limping made matters worse, and reaching the borders took him a while. Besides his irritation with the sand, thoughts of Vermeda and Andal's current standing danced in his mind. Was Icefang coming here for the first time? Or was this a second, or perhaps a third, visit? He had perhaps underestimated her - she had more aces up her sleeve than he'd imagined. Still, that brought a small smirk to his dark expression. If Andal and Vermeda are allies he saw a small silver lining for ending up here - he can forge an alliance with this Oasis King too, and unite the three prides against their common enemy.

That is if his assumptions were correct.

It was nice to think such pleasant thoughts. He did not have a crown, nor an army. He was alone. And yet that gave him a sort of hope for the future. Something to hold onto.

Icefang came with her own entourage, a man, two young and a woman. Strange. His eyes flickered to the child across her back. Leverage. He noted them all mentally, but his attention was on @Icefang ♔, his lips pulling in a smirk despite the pain that shot up his leg, the heat that threatened to floor him, and the sand in places he had never imagined possible. "A party?" he jested. "Why, you will have to excuse my unseemly appearance." Good thing he was invited.

@Helah was there as much as Luther wished she wasn't. @Harou was silent, as per usual, but the wench Queen made up for his solemness. How charming. He wondered if Harou could actually speak more than a word or a grunt.

Father vanishes — the thought that he vanished was incorrect for the cub, it was more akin to him moving elsewhere that she didn't know and that was what bothered her. Where did he go? What was he doing? At three months of age the drive to explore kept driving her to venture further and further from the safety of the den even when Papa's words dove deep into her mind. 'Nowhere is safe,' and if nowhere was safe then she would have to figure out why, how, and how to secure a place for herself in a dangerous world.

The cub would leave the den shortly after with her head low to the sands as she carefully picked her father's scent from the entanglement of scents that always floated around the Oasis. 'I cannot afford to get caught,' she would think to herself before instinctively rolling within the depths of sand and dirt; trying to desperately cover her scent before following the scent trail that would lead her to her father. It took her a bit to slip to the location of the gathering.

It was here that there was a multitude of lions all gathered for unknown reasons with the girl only catching the tail end of the conversation. '— unseemly appearance.' What was going on? The cub would lower herself down to the ground; wiggling deep into the sand as she seals her eyes shut; allowing the timeless firmament to cover her enough to leave her sandy-colored dorsal stripe, head, and most importantly her ears above the ground. Maybe she could learn something.

- Kasija is hiding -

[ Trades ] [ Assassin ]
+5 Gather information about a character
+5 Practice speed or stealth
+10 Successfully stay hidden for the duration of a thread

[ Tags ]

art by loki, table by gunner

Her party is behaving (for now) as they linger at the borders, particles of sand gently drifting past them on the slight breeze. Thankfully, the desert wasn't scorching hot at the moment as Icefang had strategically depart the brook during dusk, so that by the time they made it to the Oasis it was nightfall. Soon, she takes in the form of @Helah as the sovereign strolls their way. One last stern glance is given to her companions before Icefang takes two steps forward. Her injury is more apparent with this move, purposeful as she reveals the limp in her stride, the healing cuts, and her freshly torn left ear. Ivory cranium gently dips in a respectful manner to the other ruling female. "Queen Helah," She rumbles in greeting as blue orbs flash up in search of the woman's fierce, pink gaze. A color that has Icefang's stomach twisting in discomfort. Her mind briefly flashes an image of Renozuri and what he must of looked like dying in Cassius's jaws.

She dismisses the thought, doing her damn hardest to remain focused on the task. Using the rage the burns inside her to propel her forward with her mission. Her mate might of been taken from her, but she absolutely would forbid her home from slipping from her paws. "I am Icefang X'uekai, leader of Vermeda Brook." Her introduction is straight to the point and she does not wait for the others to arrive - they would know who she was already. @Harou arrives next, standing beside his queen as the high sovereign observes the two of them together. She is seasoned enough to pick up on the milk scent wafting off Helah - an indication that she had recently given birth. A curious thought settles in her mind as she wonders if it is Harou's children that she has carried and nursed. Had their dinner many moons ago been a forbidden action? Was that why he regarded her with little more than a nod?

Very well, she wasn't opposed to discuss political matters with a woman after all. Perhaps this one would be willing to stir the pot just as much as she. She could only hope that her lack of familiarity with Helah wouldn't be her downfall in securing the Oasis's aid. @Luther ♔ appears last, his statement causing a smirk to break out on her features as blue orbs consume his form. "I had not expected to find you here. Old friends?" Blue orbs indicate towards Andal's ruling pair momentarily. Luther is injured in a similar fashion, but she assumes it is from the flood that had swept over the Mire. While it aggravated her to find out he had lost his kingdom, at least his appearance confirmed that he was alive. Although she silently judged why he had come to the Oasis rather than seek refuge in the brook. She'd pass it off as a delirious decision as he sought safety - or better yet, had he held an alliance with Andal? Another pawn to hopefully strength her plan?

"Excuse me for the party," Her voice addresses all three Andal members as she gently drifts her attention over each. "I could not take any chances. After Cassandra lost her grasp for my crown, I was ambushed weeks later by some of the Lagoon outside the brook." A lie. Her own family had attacked her and while she had done her best to cover it up, she would use her recent injuries as a chance to spin things in her favor. Noone could know she lost to a younger X'uekai male. Their new patriarch. "I cannot keep the peace any longer. I have come here tonight in hopes the Oasis will stand besides me. The Lagoon will pay for their actions against me." She had laid her hand out on the table for all to see. Now it was up to the other players to decide their next move.

@Obsidiana @Etain @Parthena @Lathan

ooc: Feel free to ignore posting order for this thread <3

ART BY INK1GREEN, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER