There were many other places Violarum might have preferred to live. The Jungle was beautiful, but it was not kind to the clumsy likes of he. More importantly however, it's queen was disturbingly lovely. She was small, and bubbly and not only the kind of person Vio usually sought to befriend, but hardly a satisfying victory - should he achieve one.

Still, between Alaric's allies and less ideal lands - whether occupied by hoards of angry natives or shrewd in eerie darkness - Violarum doesn't have a lot of option. At this point, he needed to get out of the increasingly weird Mire and find somewhere his kids could grow up happily; without the risk of creeping men and overzealous soldiers.

Okay sure, the place was on fire, but wasn't most of Amaryllis?

He lumbered up to the borders and snuffed about a few moments, before issuing the call for @Talitha - tiny queen of happiness. His intentions are not hidden within the force of his roar, but it does lack a certain oomph that he might have saved for a... more imposing opponent, or perhaps a more personal target.

Violarum vs @Talitha
Round 0 of 5 - Firnen Rainforest

_{art by kairi —}

Ghyslaine

When her best friend’s roar echoed through the land, Ghyslaine hit the ground running. Was this it? @Violarum had hinted that he would be trying again for his own kingdom, and she was determined to be there if this was the moment. She barreled through the Jungle that separated them from the Rainforest with a frown… she wanted to get there first.

She dodged the places where the fire had so recently scorched, and bounded towards where she had heard Violarum’s call from. Upon her arrival, she is happy to realize she is first, and she slows as she approaches, giving her friend a big warm smile, as she stakes a seat for herself, somewhere near so she can watch but stay out of his way.

This was going to be his moment… she just knew it!

_{art by yumpy}

perhaps this should have been expected.

she has attended challenges in the past, of course, and watched the challengers fight tooth and nail to hold what was theirs. talitha was a gentle creature, but this was always a possibility. perhaps she... had just hoped they'd have longer. because she loves firnen, she does, but she loves her family more. having so recently given birth ( and suffered the consequences of it ), her body is tired and aching from running around literally putting out fires.

and here he comes, to lay claim upon what was hers. simply because he could.

why? she asks, peering up at the man as she emerges from the very trees he wants to take her from. from them. he is a stranger, unfamiliar to her — the pride scent he wears is one of the few she recognizes, but it will make no difference here. instead, tufted ears tilt forward as her head slides to the side — a glint in mismatched eyes, a tired frown upon her features. why do you want my home? there's a sadness in her voice, her face; it was not a call she would wish upon anyone else but surely there was a reason behind his whim, his challenge; surely mordecai had seen something of this coming. but if the shepherd had any inkling such upheaval was coming, he had kept it to himself and so the lamb was forced to deal with it herself the only way she knew how.

talitha vs @Violarum
0 / 5
for firnen rainforest

CODE BY LARS; ART BY TANZANI

Barbarian exp +5 Maintain your weapons (sharpen claws or care for teeth) +5 Observe a fight or challenge The fires seemed to have paused for the time being, a good sign she had to guess. But it seemed the peace was never a lasting gift from the gods. From Vellen, though Vellen's domain was far from where she was right now. A call of challenge came ringing throigh the trees and jungle. Lips winkles in anger, what couldnt others leave them alone? Why couldnt her family find peace? She walked forward but who she saw surprised her. Washing away her anger. It was Violarum, her children's father. "You," She said calmly as an eye brow rose in desvilief. Why here? Couldnt he go for the Bluffs? Or the Cove? Instead he goes for her very own place. And that even though her chidlren would be safe, herself would not. Knowing the pride he came from werent a fond of her name. Annoyed she takes seat not before narrowing her eyes towards @Ghyslaine, just to keep an eye. With young cubs under her care she needed to be extremely careful to not let any outsiders approach their den. Hopping @Talitha would be fine and protect their homes. She licks her fangs to clean them, getting them ready for any fights that could come her way. Knowing how many wanted a Sigrun's head on a silver plate she needed to stay aware. @Violarums.

Code by Cloudy

A welcoming chuff greets @Ghyslaine, bestie for life; ears perked to her warmly, suddenly feeling all the more likely to succeed, if not just for her presence. Though, barely a moment later she arrives - the matchbox queen, looking a little worn down and sad for it all.

Violarum pouted guiltily - he did not feel bad for doing what was lion-nature - but he did feel bad that it would be Talitha on the receiving end. He shifted awkwardly, a shrug attempting to appear casual but in reality it was heavier than usual. "I want to be a King," once, that was all it was, but now there was more, "I need to be a King. For my wife, and my friends and my cubs."

Expectantly his scarlet gaze peered upon her own, without malice, perhaps feeling a little put on the spot. And a little bit like the bad guy.

Violarum vs. @Talitha
Round 0 - Firnen Rainforest

_{art by kairi —}

Barbarian exp
+5 Maintain your weapons (sharpen claws or care for teeth)

"Who the fuck is he?" Jurgen said openly as he sends a cold expression to the man aiming to take @Talitha's reign. He understood the wish to fight for a pride, he came from a place where it was common but not againts a woman. Yea his sexit nature was the main fuel behind his judgment, but it still seemed important to say. Eyes fall cold into everyone specially the woman of chimeric face. He lays down as he waits, sure Talitha could win, even againts a large male. He knew small females had power aswell, the woman he fought was a good example, he trusted their queen would win.

code by Cloudy

Fallon had been keeping an eye on @Violarum as of late -- not that she hadn't like watching him walk on by. But more so because recent incidents had triggered a need for change in his mind. The Mire was not exactly the most habitable pride what with the algae and rather strange recruits, and with the news of her pregnancy, it would spurn the pair on more to find a more suitable home for their new family.

So when he exits their den and begins to purposefully make his way towards the Rainforest, Fallon follows -- not as quickly or as subtle as she once was before but still managing just fine with her growing belly and all.

She arrives to find her husband engaged in conversation with whom she supposed is a resident of Firnen, if not the ruler herself. Bright fuchsia gaze picks out @Ghyslaine and she meanders over to her before sitting herself down onto tired haunches. Her body was sore from carrying all the extra weight, much to her chagrin. What's going on? she asks, her attention reverting to Violarum once more.

Medic exp
+5 attend a challenge or fight to asses the wounds.

The roar wakes a very sleepy Ivaan, someone who had been sleeping after a long day of foraging for herbs and food for himself. Being a rouge meant he had to constantly loo for food. And with the fires coming and going, he found it hard to feel safe in the jungles that had been his home for the past seasons, but where else he could go? No where.

He rose to his feet, as he approached to the nearby pride, hearing the challenge come from the Rainforest, his previous home. He steps in but not too much within, but still able to watch the things going, there to offer basic medic aids to perhaps the pride defender.

Ears pulled as concern fills his eyes.

code by Cloudy

Asherah would be a member of FR at this point, joining thread in progress ♥

There was no triumph without struggle, and He was sure to test them. And yet, Asherah could not help the way her heart thrummed in her chest at Violarum's call, and how under the guise of steeled strength was a nervous energy. She had placed all her faith in what grander plan lay in wait for them, but she were only mortal, and even she did not have the strength to steady the flutter of her own heart. She could only breathe, close her eyes, and pray that Talitha remain victorious against all those who threatened to tear them asunder, to lead them astray.

The Rainforests burned. This sign, Asherah was not quite sure what to make of it yet. How the rainforest ached all around them, their little haven kept safe because they believed, true testament to the power of their faith. Would this man's challenge seek to disrupt this purpose? Would they see the forest burned down in his wake? They had already been forced to search far beyond this place for prey, herd migrations turned asunder by the wildfires that burned now; she bore witness to them even then, watched as their flames licked high into the sky of the forests around them.

She ached to see Talitha in such disarray. While there is always a purpose, a plan, it does not mean there is no hurt, no betrayal. She takes a seat silent near @Ragna and @Jurgen, solidifying her stance on the battlefield and where her support lie. Her pale gaze lingers briefly on the High Sovereign, whispering, praying.

Find strength. Overcome.

his pout is certainly out of place, considering he had come to their doorstep. perhaps if he felt any guilt here, licking at his feet like the flames that plagued firnen, then it was for a reason. talitha notes this but lets it go, mismatched gaze sad but firm. determined, even if it was not in the way he might have expected.

she glances towards the growing crowd, not seeing mordecai in the faces there. talitha was always meant to be the fellowship's lamb first and everything second, and this is how she knew how to navigate it. @Ragna calls out, pulling her back into the moment; the masked woman's interjection gives talitha pause, even as violarium answers her question. it is lackluster but she expected nothing less.

those who needed saving were often the most blind.

i have a family here, too, she murmurs softly, gaze finally turning from where @Jurgen lingers on the sidelines back to the would-be challenger who needed to be a king. her brows knit together, almost a pleading expression as she looks up to him. this stranger, who knows not what he trespasses upon. if you'll let them go, my family, then firnen could be yours. in truth all of firnen was her family, the fellowship and her pridemates alike, but she doubts that all of them would want to leave their home.

and — she pauses then, glancing away from him and down to her paws. dainty features shift, fluttering in such agony that even though it is only there briefly, it lingers in the creases of her furrowed brows. my son. he is buried here, and i could not leave him behind — her voice lowers, meant only for him but her voice cracks, speaking louder than she truly means. it would not be a hard thing for anyone else to overhear the queen's grief, her plea in this —

the bad guy, indeed.

talitha vs @Violarum
0 / 5
for firnen rainforest

CODE BY LARS; ART BY TANZANI