Taking deeo breaths, the young lion stood there, with something in mind, unsure if he had the right to aim for such a high position, one that seemed unreachable. He was a yearling, with little experience in relationships, in building bridges with others. But, for that same reason he wanted to aim for that seat, to actually learn what it meant to host exchanges, civic affairs. But not even him knew if this would work at all, if Seneca would even let him do this. He had all the right to reject his postulation, he was still a boy. But he really wanted to learn, but saw no other open spots for that. As he let air flood his lungs, he called to start his challenge.

Ivaan vs ???
For AO Noble
0 - 3

ART BY Vasilia, CODE BY LARS

Ah, the youth of Andal Oasis were certainly ambitious in their wants to hold rank and trespass. Rielus was still upset at Diantha for her transgressions against Wolfbron Bluffs, not at all happy with the cub for her stupidity. Not that he hadn't been just as stupid. Today it was a youth he had not met, one that he was uncertain who he was but from the scent, knew that this youth was one of the desert's.

Dark form had come upon the challenger head-on as felt appropriate. Youths were not at all battle ready like the scarred, old man that Rielus had become. Even his rump spoke such words, almost healed but still showing signs of his brutal beating within Wolfbron. Glacial eyes acknowledged the paler tan form of the youth as he set his weight evenly and considered beginning the fight then and there, but felt rude to simply begin things with a pride mate when the young lion appeared so hopeful.

I'll be your opponent today. It was a simple announcement in his thick, graveled voice. He wouldn't be easy on the youth, for his lessons had never been easy.

Teeth had bared after his statement, just before he sought to close the gap between he and Ivaan. Large tan coated paws would spring up with unsheathed claws to attempt seeking purchase within in the youth's shoulders and shove forward, hoping to topple the younger lion and make the fight something quick and easy; while at the same time, he had kept his head tucked and jaws parted to protect his jugular as much as possible.

@Rielus vs @Ivaan
For AO Noble
Round 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 10 + 20 + 8 + 12 + 16 + 5 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 11 + 16 + 13 + 8

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 3 + 12 + 20 + 5

CODE • BG

He was nervous, hopping he was given a chance but he wasn't dumb either, he knew that one had to fight for their dreams. And not all the time it would just be simply handled, and sometimes without a fight. But he was hopping whoever would counter his claim wouldn't be too rough, he wasn't a fighter, barely knowing any combat. But as time passed a rather large male stepped forward. Ears flattened, his breath quickened. He was starting to feel discouraged, he didn't want to get too hurt and he couldn't know if this male would hurt him too badly. But well, nothing was granted, nothing handled, and as a lion it was obvious he would end up fighting at some point.

"Okay!" He said, masking his fear with a fake enthusiasm. And like that his opponent began the match. Claws aimed to his shoulder. Slowly from instinct at first he aimed to dodge the claws. But he wasn't quickly enough so he still felt the claws brush against his skin, feeling the itching pain from the claw marks. Then, Rielus shoved forward. He attempted to slam his shoulder against Rielus. Attempting to do so on the older male's chest.

Ivaan vs @Rielus
For AO Noble
1 - 3
Hits:

Rolling 3d20: 14 + 3 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 8 + 13 + 15

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 16 + 4 + 9 + 6

Rielus was no fool, so when the boy had spoke it was obvious that there was a nervousness to the youth that hadn't been there before. The older male would not be so hard on the youth as to scare him forever, though fighting seemed to be a substantial part of a lion's life. His claws had slipped over the boy's shoulders, not leaving too heavy of marks. As he came down his chin remained tucked towards his neck, jaws parted for added protection. That had been when Ivaan had shoved against him, and due to the fact that he had not regained footing on all-fours, he had stumbled back a couple steps.

A soft grunt had left him as the youth had connected with his chest, thus knocking some air out of his lungs. While he wasn't shocked that the other male had some instinct to fight there was a touch of surprise as the pale youth hadn't appeared to be overly confident in his stance. Open jaws attempted to pinch into Ivaan's face, not overly hard to pierce the skin, but enough that the youth would get the hint; while at the same time he would bring a paw up to smash into the opposite side of the boy's face. This time Rielus would keep the space instead of trying to connect with the boy's body, as the youth had made it clear their fight would not take place in such close proximity.

@Rielus vs @Ivaan
For AO Noble
Round 2/3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 7 + 12 + 19 + 14 + 2 + 5 + 4

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 14 + 11 + 18 + 3

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 16 + 5 + 7 + 13

CODE • BG

Her children had a newfound hobby in challenging for ranks, didn't they? Aarani hadn't been too terribly far away when she heard Ivaan's challenge, and she decided to help herself to a front row seat in order to support her boy. Much like before, the palomino lioness wasn't intending on getting close enough to distract and instead lingered in the distance on a sand dune. When all was said and done she would approach him, tend to his wounds (she bet no one else in the pride would give him the care he deserved, her sweet son) and chide him for not visiting more often. You know, typical mom shit. It had been a bold move to simply waltz around the borders, but she had bestowed the pride upon its current leaders and left her son in their care, so the very least they could do was let her come and see him from time to time.

She dared someone to have an issue with it, really.

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

The rank challenge had rolled across the Oasis and it piqued the Princess' interest. As all cubs were, she was still learning the way of the world, pride laws and politics, but there was no mistaking what the call had meant. Victoria set off at a trot, sleek body starting to lose the cub fat and become teenaged and gangly. It would take a while before she grew into the womanly shape her mother displayed, but at least she was getting taller and stronger each day. She wasn't the only one to have heard @Ivaan's call - @Rielus engaged him in battle and as Victoria approached, her gaze fell on a figure that was familiar and unexpected here. Victoria watched the males battle for only a fraction of a second before her attention fell to @Aarani - trespassing in the Oasis and brazenly sat there. "Didn't my sister and I drive you out of the Oasis?" She questioned, head cocked to the side and gaze narrowed at the older woman - "Why are you trespassing on our land?"

table by koi

the terrible two wouldn't be called that without the first one who made the two. diantha's quick on @Victoria's heels as she slides in beside her. the challenge and who she roots for is obvious. rielus will win 'cause diantha knows he's big and strong enough to overpower @Ivaan. what she doesn't expect is to see the big mean lioness again. her nose scrunches up, but she doesn't say anything 'cause victoria said it for her. diantha only stands and watches the challenge unfold, keen on observing every movement from both challengers. rielus will win this she says in a determined voice, to no one in particular.

table by koi

Did anyone here had faith in him? Would anyone look down to him? Himself was starting to doubt himself, what was he playing at? He was here to obtain a way to learn, to be an ambassador. And earning it seemed the best way for him to atlatls prove them he would do whatever he could, that he would step out of his comfort zone in order to fight for his dreams. His shoulder connected with the other male's chest, and unsure if it was at all a good move, he didnt saw the jaws coming to his face, noticing when they were already around his cheek*. Quickly he aimed to get himself some space away from the male but that made his skin to rupture from his own foolish act. But who could judge him? He wasnt a fighter, he held no experience really. With some blood crawling down his left cheek, he aimed to use his own paw(left) to slam it against the males own approaching . Hopping to counter the attack.

Ivaan vs @Rielus
For AO Noble
2 - 3
Hits:

Rolling 3d20: 8 + 20 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 2 + 9 + 12

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 15 + 3 + 17 + 16 + 19

OOC- Wasnt sure where in his face he got bitten so I kept it vague.

Despite the fight being for rank, Rielus had wanted to go easy on the youth. There was nothing honorary about beating a younger lion into submission and leaving behind massive scars. When Ivaan had pulled away from his jaws he had thought how foolish the younger male had been to do so, but he wouldn't linger on the thought long. Paw for paw, he had felt his right paw collide with the youth's right, effectively blocking his blow to the youth's cheek before his forearm could even be fully raised. Claws had left rivulets down his forearm; the stinging sensation had felt familiar to the veteran fighter, but was no less acknowledged in his mind. Instead of attempting to bite the lion's face again, Rielus had ducked his head low and attempted to headbutt the other lion straight in the face. There wasn't a need to try to further injure the youth, the fight would hopefully be over soon, but he did want to get the point across that fighting meant pain, no matter how easy the opponent tried to be.

@Rielus vs @Ivaan
For AO Noble
Round 3/3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 4 + 15 + 12 + 11 + 14 + 6 + 1

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 2 + 5 + 3 + 19

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 12 + 14 + 20 + 9 + 2

CODE • BG

i fear no evil

Seneca is not swift to arrive on the scene. Not for lack of attentiveness, but the fact that his stride is impacted by a substantial limp. The unfortunate injury will portray the sovereign as weak -- vulnerable, and he loathes that idea. When he reaches the group, @Ivaan and @Rielus are well into the throws of battle, and @Aarani has evidently stormed her way over the border to see how her son fares.

There is a slight narrowing of Seneca's gaze, but he knows when to pick his battles, and hardly sees her presence here as a threat. "Leave her be, @Victoria," he rumbles, meandering towards the former queen and pausing beside her, his gaze keen on the brawlers. "Of course he will," he tells @Diantha with a quirk of his brow. "Rielus is an experienced fighter. That will be you soon enough, Diantha -- destined to lose. You learn the most when you lose." Today, Ivaan will learn many things about fighting a capable opponent, and despite his likelihood to fail, his ambition will not go unnoticed.

"It's a good thing I like you," he muses more quietly to Aarani, casting her a sidelong glance and an arch of his brow, though his attention is more-so held by the fighting duo. He leans onto his haunches with a bit of a wince when his leg protests, ears leaned back against his mane.

the shadow is mine, and so is the valley

code by corvus