Z O T I C U S ♕ X A N T H O S

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He’d spent his time trekking along the lands of Amaryllis. His mind was full of thoughts, ideas, goals, possibilities. He was worried about his family- his missing cubs. He had no idea where they went after the cove was lost, and he worried greatly. However… in order to rebuild and have a chance at finding them, he needed a home for them.

His first thought was Wolfbron. He yearned for the land back, but… the memories there of Circe plagued him far too much. He needed something new, somewhere new. He didn’t entertain the thought of taking land from the Sigruin, as Magnus was too much of an ally- and so his paws carried him closer to the lands of the Rainforest. There had been death here, he’d made enemies here, and he knew some of his old members even lived here. Perhaps he might step on toes for attempting to take the land for his home, but he could only hold onto the idea his old members would be happy to see him back and trying like his old self. Hopefully Arjana would be at least.

He didn’t stop at the borders, and Zoticus trekked forward a bit to the same area Sangria had fallen. Standing there, he lifted his head and let out a summoning roar of challenge. He didn’t know who led here but he was ready for a battle- and if he lost here today he’d make a note to return.

Zoticus vs @Roarke for FR
0/5

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Just one big fat NO.

Brows furrowed and her facial expressions raged from sad to angry, back and forth until she didn't know which one she wanted to wear. Frustration evident in her brain as she marched her way towards the scene and found herself rather... well, confused. @Zoticus? she asked, mouth open in quiet shock as the truth began to set in and she remembered that he was calling for her home. That he was taking the one home that had actually given her exactly what she wanted. It was clear to her, in this moment, that he'd never actually cared... of course, it didn't immediately occur to her that he likely didn't even know she was in the Rainforest. After all, the last time she had tried to get his attention he hadn't seen her. Why?! she asked, hoping it was an obvious enough question that he would have a prompt answer.

table by sentinel / lion + forest

Unbelievable. She'd thought herself to be freed from the man, yet there he was potentially ruining her life once again. Aarani couldn't help but bristle in irritation; she would not stay beneath him should he win, but she had confidence in Roarke to put the challenger in his place. By the time she arrived, another member was already demanding answers. Aarani tipped her head towards the woman yet bit her tongue, choosing instead to wordlessly settle on her haunches. She shifted her weight and glanced around, hoping to see her current king show up and knock Zoticus back from where he came.

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

The call was familiar and Jewel moved silently though the forest towards @Zoticus's call for Firnen Leadership. She let her gaze wander those gathering already and settled to her haunches in the background, wondering how Cupid would handle standing against the once Wolfbron king. She wasnt sure if the speckled lion still rules here... For she hasn't had much need to step into the rainforest beyond meeting their members on the borders. The dark noble took notice of those in support of their king, wondering at the play that would soon spread and move through the jungle like trees.

Table coding by Jolee

That voice thundering in her home makes her blood boil. She knows it, and she knows it well, and she knows him to be nothing more than selfish, out for nothing other than himself. It takes a lot to anger Lexa, but as she prowls through the familiar paths of her home, she is a storm; it's written across every line of her face, a scowl persistent across her lips.

@Madelina beats her to the punch, and despite being smaller than her daughter, the stance she takes up beside her is decidedly protective and stern. A hard glare fixates upon @Zoticus, and she curls a lip, a low growl bubbling in her throat. "You have a lot of nerve, Zoticus," she hisses, her ears laid back against her skull. It might take him by surprise that she knows his name, but she has Madelina to thank for that. "We fought for the freedom of your pride members when you fell at Wolfbron. You abandoned them. You abandoned Madelina. And now you would hurt the same men and women who used to call you friend?" Her tone is scathing hot, and if Lexa weren't half the woman she normally is, still weak in recovery, she would be tearing into his throat herself. "Get the fuck out of Firnen. It's not for you."

high achiever, don't you see? nothing comes for free

table by sentinel / art

She strode forth along her own path, pushing forwards to this loud summons. The voice was familiar but like a dream would be. It was nestled deep amongst childhood thoughts. Before all the moving. Before the thrill she'd learned in besting Gostir, before the strange heavy crestfallen nature she tried now to wander. And she felt... Ambivalent at best. At least he was someone she was familiar with back in the recesses of her mind. She emerged apart from her mother, bicolored optics peering to Aarani briefly until they then wandered to the pale rose lion. Without strong feeling one way or the other she stood there with her chin tilted in Zoticus's direction, not expecting him to notice her one way or the other but she waited with anticipation merely to see a fight. Having no dog either way was a thrill. However bristled her mother seemed to be it did not translate to the subdued, broken thing that Sana was feeling to be today.

Lexa however sparked something angry and vindictive in Sana. She frowned a tad and spoke up, never quite breaking her gaze from Zoticus. Let Roarke cower or stand tall. She mirrored the words said down upon her when she lost. If she should have to fight for freedom he should fight for his throne. And if they should have to pull their weight he shall do the same and to defend them.

Are you fucking kidding me? Had the whole damn world drank the same kool-aid? One challenge ends and another begins and this time…. This time it feels personal. The rainforest may not be her home any longer but it had been, and she had lions living there she considered family. Much as calypso knew it was the way of the world she was angry when she strode towards the call, her usual bag strapped over her shoulder. She stopped mid way to roll in the dirt, to gather the leaves and debris from the rainforest floor to mask her scent. Calypso had no idea what chaos she might face when she got there and considering her connection she thought it might not be terrible to stay on the down low. Nonetheless she came and this time she did not sit, pacing at the edge of the gathering as she waited for Roarke to answer the call. She did not know the one that had summoned him and hoped that somebody would show who might have more information for her. Thankfully she is not far from @Lexa when she arrives, providing a name and some news that implied some serious betrayal was about to happen. ** note: double exp for all participants in this thread ** +10 practice covering your scent +10 gather information about a character

image by koafox, code by koi

this could be the end of everything

meg does not understand the rage that pulsates off her mother. she might have been frightened, were she not the wild, barefooted daughter of the mighty three that rule firnen. instead, she is a small mimic of @Lexa: her little folded ears are flat to her skull, brown eyes alight with anger she doesn't understand. her tail tip bristles, tail snapping back and forth in what she assumes ( incorrectly ) is an intimidating display. she matches alongside the queen, though having to move much faster to keep up, and squeezes her way in between her mother and sister @Madelina. as her older sister questions the big link man at their border, lexa's voice lashes out at him. and wanting to be involved, megaera parrots back with her youthful, squeaky voice: "yeah! get the fuck out!"

so why don't we go somewhere only we know

code by corvus

“You have some nerve.” she hissed as she found her way to the call of her old leader and friend. Her grey gaze looked him over carefully. She was annoyed, but there wasn’t malice in her voice. She knew that @Zoticus did make a good king, but so did @Roarke. Sure both had rules she didn’t agree with in their own way, but were also a lot alike in others. “Strolling on up in here and calling for a challenge. Hello, how you guys doing would have been nice. Many haven’t seen nor heard of you for months than BAM! You want our home. You know I am glad to see you safe, but you could have just joined.” She did remember seeing him at a hunt she hosted not long ago, but she felt things needed to be said.

Looking at @Madelina and @Aarani for a moment before returning her gaze back to the pink man. “You don’t always need to lead you know.” She scolded Zoticus not to embarrass him but because she was finally feeling comfortable here with her children. Roarke and @Lexa had been good to the Huntsong. To many that came from Wolfbron after it fell. So when she had heard the call for challenge the orange faced lady didn’t know how she felt. Finally done talking she went silent and just sat there next to the others.

code by shelby

It comes as a shock at first — mostly because challenging for his home will always come as one, even if it is lead by one of the best fighters he knows. But a sense of resentment and betrayal falls in after. Last he’d seen Zoticus, it'd been Cupid as High Sovereign. He knew exactly who he was challenging, and did not care. He thought them allies, thought them friends after all they’ve been through with Wolfbron. Fuck, Cupid Beaumont the former whimp even drew blood for Zoticus. And this… this is how he repays him.

Nice.

The dappled barony storms in equal measure towards the spot that his former King lurked in. Fur ruffled — irritation easy to see on his face that ought to be soft instead of stern with lines. Cupid glares him down — knowing that he’s likely already gotten a mouth full from everyone around him.

“You come back and you’re challenging me for my home. What kind of ally and friend does that?” A fake one. “I bled for you, I was your Gentry and you repay me with this? Stand down, and leave before it is too late.” If Zoticus wants to brawl then Cupid would happily fight him for something else stupid, but not for Firnen.

living like a riot, setting off the sirens; fists are clenched, i'm fighting

table by sentinel / art