From the badlands he continued his travels west, so far relatively unimpressed with what this place had to offer. Of course that's not to say things wouldn't change, but he was starting to wonder if he would find a proper pride or not.

Patience was not his strong suit.

The sand sunk in to his fur and he was thankful that the heat of summer had passed. While his pale coat would keep him relatively cool he would not wish to traverse the desert on the hotter days. It would seem the wrong direction to travel if he were looking for other life, but in his mind any that survived out here would have to be strong. It was those type that he wished to find, and those type that he would prove himself to.

His steps would seem almost casual and uninterested though every so often his nostrils would flare. There were interesting smells, here, and Alaric knew that he was not the only one to wander this way.

A lizard sunned itself on a rock and that was a distraction for the beast. His course wavered as he crouched low behind a bush, creeping forward slowly before a well-timed pounce would provide him with a snack. The lizard stood no chance. Claiming the very rock that the creature had been on he stretched out and tore in to it, crunching bone and flesh alike..

where innocence's burn in flames

The sound of iron shocks is stuck in my head, the thunder of the drums, dictates. the rhythm of the falls, the number of deads, the rising of the horns, ahead. From the dawn of time to the end of days I will have to run, away. I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste of the blood on my lips, again.

code by corvus

Indeed there were lions who lived within the desert, though Rielus couldn't speak for the strength of them all. The dunes soaked heat causing the sand beneath his paws to be hot. Paws were not completely accustomed to the heat but he wouldn't stop his pursuit further into the desert. This particular area was not as forgiving as the oasis.

Whilst he walked deeper into the arid surroundings he had no expectations of seeing another living soul. Most lions would find the desert too unforgiving unless they had thrived someplace similar before, or those who had become part of Andal Oasis. Glacial eyes kept a voluntary scope of the surrounding area, for while predators weren't of worry, there was still an ingrained duty of protection that kept the guard alert.

Surprise coated him then, as he noticed another lion stop a rock, who had seemingly demolished a rather large lizard. Defenses automatically had encased the soldier as he had moved cautiously forward, noting the much more dilute pelt that the lion possessed.

Knowledge that he walked neutral land left him to only wander closer out of curiosity rather than demands of the other being near pride land. It's not every day I see another lion in the desert, a deep rumble had announced as he stopped with a generous amount of space between he and @Alaric. Rielus indeed saw one lion or another in the desert, but that wasn't something the stranger needed to know.

Alaric had lived most of his life in a similar place. Though not as hot as the desert the savannah had been merciless at times, another reason he was thankful for his pale coat. Many of those born with darker shades in his homeland did not live to see their first birthdays.

His attention is drawn to the newcomer as he worked on a particularly chewy piece of leg. Silence lingered for a moment in the wake of @Rielus’ words before Alaric swallowed. Finally he spoke, his voice deep and surprisingly smooth - “is this land full of those too weak to brave it?” Heat was an annoyance at most, but if you were smart about it there was no reason to avoid the desert.

“The desert rewards those smart enough to navigate it.” A roll of his shoulders as he gave the vague explanation and watched his company for a reaction. Would he be offended? Or would they find some level of common ground in Alaric’s assessment..

where innocence's burn in flames

The sound of iron shocks is stuck in my head, the thunder of the drums, dictates. the rhythm of the falls, the number of deads, the rising of the horns, ahead. From the dawn of time to the end of days I will have to run, away. I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste of the blood on my lips, again.

code by corvus

A lizard was not what presumably would make a scrumptious meal, yet the stranger strewn upon the rock made quick work out of one of the desert creature's legs. Blue eyes watched with mild interest, though of the individual upon the rock and not necessarily the meal choice. It wasn't long after he had approached the lion openly that the other spoke.

Between the two of them Rielus was not as suited for the desert as this stranger who made bold assumptions about those who lived in Amaryllis. Truthfully, he had yet to meet a soul that was native to the land itself, but he knew several faces that found the desert suitable to their purpose. "I suppose that depends on what you see as weak." From the sounds of things, he wouldn't be surprised if the @Alaric found nearly everyone else weak. Gathered simply from the menial conversation they had already had, he could tell that he likely wasn't about to become friends with this stranger any time soon.

Even despite the arrogant words that spilled from the other's mouth, there was some truth to what the lion had ended with. 'The desert rewards those smart enough to navigate it.' Benefits were yielded to those who found themselves smart enough to find pathways through the sands without over heating. Rielus thought that he made a proper advocate of this logic, seeing as his pelt was much darker than many of the lions who might claim the desert as home. There are rewards for those who can learn to thrive in the desert, versus those who simply survive. An agreement of sorts, with an added embellishment that suggested not everyone who might choose the desert as a home had smarts.

Finished, satiated, he rose upon his throne and stretched. Front legs straight and tongue curling in his mouth, the action marked with a grunt that bordered on a roar. "Lack of intelligence, for one," he mused in the aftermath, hopping down from the stone with a hitch in his hip.

He stood before the other with no judgement -- he did not know him well enough for that -- but with some interest in this back and forth volley. "The desert is not as unforgiving as it may seem if proper care is taken." Alaric's manner may be unorthodox but his words were not untrue.

At least on one thing they could agree. "True. So tell me..." a pause, with the quirk of a brow as it was made clear he hoped for a name to fill the space "..what rewards does this desert harbor?" He did not seem like a rogue at first glance, and Alaric was able to pick up a few scents on his hide. A pride lion, most certainly, which had his interest piqued.

Was there a pride that lived out here? If so he would be intrigued, for only the strongest could brave the desert each day and come out on the other side better for it. Bonus that this was the closest he'd found to home since he had been forced to leave.

@Rielus.

where innocence's burn in flames

The sound of iron shocks is stuck in my head, the thunder of the drums, dictates. the rhythm of the falls, the number of deads, the rising of the horns, ahead. From the dawn of time to the end of days I will have to run, away. I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste of the blood on my lips, again.

code by corvus

Whoever this lion was, Rielus felt there was a degree of superiority that radiated from the individual that he didn't necessarily care for. It was not his intent to dislike someone he hardly knew, yet the way this encounter was going held no promises of friendship in the immediate future. Perhaps that was a misunderstanding between them, and so he took a backseat on trying to judge the other too harshly until he knew more about him.

The stranger held a lot of knowledge over the desert. Someone likely from a similar biome it would seem, for he didn't know many that seemed to have an affinity towards the arid landscape aside from the Azars and those who made up the current Andal Oasis. He found the other's words a bit prickling, though there was truth behind a majority of them.

It certainly hadn't taken long for @Alaric to question what lay within the desert. By no means had Rielus marked the paler lion as unintelligent, knowing that he smelled of the oasis was a dead giveaway that lions harbored themselves somewhere within the sands. Rielus, he had offered upon the stranger's inflection for a name. There was an uncertainty on how to respond to the inquiry which followed, as he wasn't sure how much information to offer this other lion.

Rewards could be a great many things. The way that Alaric spoke lead him to believe there was an interest in the desert pride, though for what reason remained uncertain. It depends what you seek, stranger. What are you looking for? A quick probe of the other's intentions would surely be worthwhile, unless of course lies were told. Though he was not very emotive or perceptive of other's feelings, he liked to hope he could spot a lie when one was told.

"Alaric Stärke," he offered with a grin, "forgive my manners." He slid in to the role of charming and unassuming easily, years of navigating pride politics giving him the ability to smooth talk when he needed. Making a bad impression on this particular lion didn't seem like a good idea when he may very well seek to join his pride.

Lions were not general his friends, truth be told. While Alaric could maintain neutral relationships with them he was hardly the type to suck up or charm those of the same gender. He had little interest in friendships, and could not name a single male that had made much of a lasting impact on him over the years. Females, though...

"A home, simply." What more could he need? "I'm looking for a pride to devote myself to. I'm strong and able-bodied, and I do not wish to cause trouble." Ah a speech! Even if it was a little bit exaggerated he meant what he said... mostly. Trouble had a bit of a tendency to follow him, though he would ever protest his innocence.

His head tilted to the side - "preferably one that values strength." A pride in the desert, perhaps...

where innocence's burn in flames

The sound of iron shocks is stuck in my head, the thunder of the drums, dictates. the rhythm of the falls, the number of deads, the rising of the horns, ahead. From the dawn of time to the end of days I will have to run, away. I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste of the blood on my lips, again.

code by corvus

Seeing a smile cross the other lion's face brought a lighter feel to the other male than the seemingly scathing opinions that the other held. Rielus wasn't exactly offended by the other's previous behaviors, though he had found the probing for information to be a bit uncouth given the abrupt change of topic. That and Rielus was not one to jeopardize his pride.

The dark planes of his face didn't shift as their conversation continued. Even if he didn't feel a friendship would form between he and Alaric, he didn't dislike him either. More of an indeterminate feeling until he gathered more information on what the other male's intentions were.

Rielus had gathered rather quickly what the other male meant and wanted. All the talk about the desert's greatness lead rather obviously into the lion's desire for a home within the desert pride. Then you will need to seek an audience with Seneca or Genya. Those had been the lions to greet he and the Azars at the pride's borders. While he couldn't speak for the leaders it would be folly for them not to accept another able-bodied fighter into the pride.

Except... it would be fitting to test Alaric on his combat prowess. Rielus had positioned himself to square-up against the other lion, his chin tucked and ears had slid back into his chocolate mane. Care to test your strength? The challenge slid from his tongue as a friendly flash of fangs indicated his willingness to test the other before Alarix joined the oasis.

Rielus vs Alaric
Dominance match
Move 0/3

Seneca or Genya. The names were filed away as important information, and he repeated them a few times to ensure that they were not forgotten. He had every intention of leaving here for the desert pride, though it would seem that it would not be quite so easily.

A wicked grin rolled in to place as the other challenged him, his teeth peeking out in a way that could be intimidating to the right person. Surely not to the other full grown lion, though. His shoulders rolled to loosen any kinks and he spread his weight evenly over all four legs. Snapping his tail behind him he bounced lightly on his paws, lowering his head and tucking his chin in preparation for the battle.

"Always," he murmured with a purr in his voice, the notion of blood to be spilled nearly overwhelming him.

Without giving the other any more time he lunged forward, seeking to close the distance between them in a couple of short strides. As he drew near his left shoulder would drop and aim to carry forward his momentum with a collision to @Rielus' right shoulder. Simultaneously he would bare his teeth and attempt to sink them in to some part of the other male's face, his aim specifically being just beneath the right eye.

Oh, how fun!

“Alaric vs. @Rielus for Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 5 + 3 + 20 + 1 + 11 + 10 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 8 + 18 + 4 + 12

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 13 + 19 + 18 + 2 + 9

code by corvus

Thrilled that the other had accepted his challenge brought a flex of his toes against the sand. Alaric had wasted no time closing the gap as was to be expected by any true fighter. Rielus let his lips peel up over his teeth, jaws having had parted with this movement as the other lion had rushed forward. Their shoulders had collided, Rielus's right shoulder to Alaric's left, and he felt the blossom of a dull pain there. At the same time they had collided, he had turned his jaws inward to try and grab at the side of Alaric's muzzle that was closest to him (presumably the right side); though if his aim landed true would remain unseen as he had reflexively closed his eyes to Alaric's teeth coming within close proximity of his face; the other's fangs had pierced just below his eye socket within centimeters of actually damaging the eye, causing Rielus's face to wince.


Rielus vs @Alaric
Dominance match
Move 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 11 + 5 + 9 + 4 + 15 + 2

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 1 + 9 + 4 + 17

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 12 + 1 + 14 + 16

"