Honestly, Haros was fully prepared to ignore the initial summons. Cataloging all the most comfortable napping spots in the oasis, or spending a lazy day cuddling up to Vitae seemed like a better use of his time and energy. So it was only the following summons from the High Sovereign himself that would get him to pause and reverse course with a sigh.

Which meant he was slightly late, and several others had already arrived ahead of him. The group got a curious once-over before Haros found himself a nice-looking patch of sand and flopped down. He'd gotten there just in time to catch the explanation as he neared. "Yeah, I'm more a lover than a fighter." He'd made an appearance, but he wasn't all that keen on fighting anyone else, even for a training spar. Haros was confident in his own skills, and was no stranger to battle, but...honestly who willingly pitted themselves against another lion just for the hell of it? No, thanks, he'd prefer to keep his skin intact and his blood where it was supposed to be. Cubhood held enough conflict for him, and then war had put him off large-scale battle for the rest of his life. Even here, he'd been witness to one sizable battle and it had...well, it had messed him up for a while, actually. Flashbacks were a bitch and a half.

code by corvus

He was late. But that wasn't his problem. As no longer Heir Drakon had taken the time to recover and enjoy the time with his family. But now that he was good and well rested, he joined the group in time to hear what @Rielus had to say. Clearing his throat, Drakon would walk through the crowed until he was facing the host of the event. "Excuse my tardiness but I will." He would state, glancing around at those who were already here. Yes there were other he could've asked to spar with but why not show them all by taking on Rielus' offer to show off. A little bit at least.

Alma was far by the time a meeting or so was called for. She was just returning from a hunt she had gone to on her own. She had made it her own the task of keeping the food catches on top shape. Doing all she could to never let it go empty. She wouldn't let her pride starve if she could help it. And as thus, she came pulling an small gazelle by its beck. Blood staining her jaws and parts of the neck, she would have to clean that up now. But as she saw her pride reunited at the distance, she guessed she would have to show up looking like a bloody mess. The lioness would quickly put the gazelle back into the storage to rush toward the reunion. As she wasn't able to clean the blood out she showed up stained in the crimson substance.

code by javs

Those here didn't seem quick to move to spar one another, nor spar him. Glacial eyes swept the available lions, perplexed as to how @Seneca lacked guards on his grounds. It might be a wise decision to fix that. A lioness in particular appeared ready to spar, this he welcomed willingly, though it would not be his sparring partner. "@Eve, why don't you spar with this other woman?" Vocalization took his gaze to the rather pallid lioness that he'd met on Andal's borders with the king. Interest lay within the lioness's skills, for if he recalled she hadn't been confident in providing anything to the desert.

Attention stole to @Haros as the lion spoke up. Peculiar how some lions didn't give in to their basic desire to best others. You will still need to defend your pride if something were to happen. Other prides could invade, contestants for the pride could show at the borders, or those whom they needed to drive out (something that had happened before). Everyone should spar a partner, if even to practice defending yourself. A lion without defenses is as good as dead. At this time he addressed all those present, including his king and his wife. He knew that everyone there was capable, but for someone to blatantly shrug off the chance to hone their ability to protect themself and their pride seemed blasphemous.

Sometime during the middle of his admonishment of those present came the familiar form of @Drakon and another lioness he wasn't familiar with. He welcomed the battle-ready lion, moving to present himself as an opponent to the male. Very well. Shoulders had flexed, head lowered between them as his ears all but disappeared into the thick of his dark mane. Challenge sparked his glacial eyes as he drove forward to close the gap between he and Drakon with jaws parted, ready to strike the other male, coming at an angle towards the lion's left shoulder, where he would attempt to strike the male's side with his right paw, claws extended and at the same time try to find purchase atop the male's back - to pinch the spinal area could immobilize the other from properly striking back.

@Rielus vs. @Drakon
Practice Spar?
Round 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 11 + 5 + 8 + 12 + 17 + 20

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 20 + 12 + 10 + 7

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 17 + 8 + 18 + 2

CODE • BG

Everyone should spar a partner, if even to practice defending yourself. A lion without defenses is as good as dead. Oh so it was why? That sparkled her attention like anything else today. Painted in blood she would nod to the lead fighter's words. It was true that there wasn't a need for lions not willing to fight for their pride, slackers and cowards were as shitty, and she herself would punish anyone spotted in the act of running away from a fight or leaving their people at their faith.

She eyed each lion, wanting to pick her match. All seemed well enough, but she was always in the search for challenges, and of course her eyes fell into the largest of them all. A big man heh? Well it was her chance to try on a new type of opponent, someone much larger than her would do.

And like that she stood up from her place to stand face to face with Seraphiel. "Good luck, chico grande" She would mutter as she prepared. And like that she would push herself forward, running in a half circle to Sera's left(her right) aiming to go to his rear. The father she went from his jaws and might the better. It was time to go for the tactics rather than a frontal attack. She aimed to get close for then attempting to wrap her forelegs with flaws out around his lower back area, aiming to try to ride him like she would do with a zebra. Jaws attempting to clamp down on there, but not as hard as to damage his spine or anything, just for a grip.

Alma vs @Seraphiel
For spar
1 - 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 9 + 18 + 11 + 6 + 7 + 14 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 3 + 6 + 10

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 17 + 4 + 10 + 9

Translation: Chico grande : Big boy

code by javs

@Seneca arrives soon afterwards, coming to stand beside him. It is the way it should be -- the two brothers standing side by side surrounded by a strong pride that yearned to grow and develop. @Eve comes to stand on his other side, Leander offering her a nod, pleased to see the desert woman present and ready to engage. All those gathered here meant that they were engaged -- committed. It bode well for Seneca's power in Amaryllis. He does not miss his sister @Vesuvia who enters a little bit later though he is glad to see her regardless.

Soon enough, @Rielus announces his master plan of sparring practice and the patched male, sore as he was, would be willing to take the Lead Fighter's instructions for the afternoon. "You should spar with my sister, Vesuvia," he recommends to @Eve with a nod, curious to find out how she may fare. But Leander had his own plans that day -- otherwise he may have sparred with Eve himself.

Attention turns to the Andal High Sovereign and with a boyish grin, the Miroslav attempts to grab hold of Seneca's right ear with opened jowls. Simultaneously, he also attempts to forcefully knock his right shoulder against Seneca's left shoulder, hoping to take his opponent by surprise. It has been a long time since they have sparred and Leander is looking forward to the challenge it would pose.

@Leander vs @Seneca
Spar
1/3

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 14 + 20 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 18 + 3

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 11 + 7 + 13 + 1

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 4 + 10 + 9 + 1

IMAGE COPYRIGHT NESLA

She was thoroughly late to this whole event but in her defense Hestia had never been very good at being present to group gatherings. When she arrived it was clear that this was some sort of sparring lesson and despite not enjoying the company of others she was eager to get involved from a fighting standpoint. Individuals began to pair up with one another and her green gaze scanned to eventually land on Vesuvia who appeared to be ready and willing to engage with a partner. Hestia would move to stand a few meters from the woman, "You and me." She remarks, giving her a moment to collect herself before she would then charge. Hestia had no intentions of holding anything back. The ebony yearling attempted to slam her right shoulder into the meaty portion of Vesuvia's chest, meanwhile her left paw would swing upwards in an attempt to grapple onto the woman's shoulder. Hestia v. @Vesuvia for Dominance Round 1/3 Hits: Rolling 4d20: 5 + 19 + 17 + 3 Dodges: Rolling 2d20: 4 + 2 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 5 + 2 + 6 + 11 + 4

code // art

i fear no evil

ooc: edited with squid's permission to fix dice typo

He, too, is drawn to @Haros's comment, appraising him with his usual cool demeanor. @Rielus is quick to explain that this event is not for sport — it is for practice and preparation. Of course, Rielus is no stranger to the war that may descend upon them, sparked in part by his choices. Not that Seneca particularly disagrees with them; it's just unfortunate that he lost. "Rielus is right. It's a cruel world, Haros. Best to be prepared for it," he says, quirking a brow slightly.

Before any chance of a response, @Leander is bullying into him, shoving the brunt of his shoulder into Seneca's left and prompting a low grunt from the sovereign. He expects little else from his brother to play dirty, and his skull dips in response to the impact, leaving the tip of his left ear pulling through Leander's teeth. Seneca braces against the shove with his right fore and yields slightly with his left, lifting the latter paw off the ground and attempting to slam the palm of his foot down onto Leander's right forepaw. Simultaneously, his skull juts up and over, attempting to knock his crown against his brother's jaw — really defining the term hard-headed.

seneca vs leander for spar
move one of three
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 11 + 12 + 1 + 9 + 14 + 13 + 5 + 20

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 12 + 4 + 20 + 9

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 1 + 5 + 6 + 13

the shadow is mine, and so is the valley

code by corvus

He was unsurprised that they were to spar with each other, and also that before he could respond to Rielus' challenger Drakon arrived to do so. As he rose, his gaze sweeping those around him, a woman approached to challenge him. He was impressed by her enthusiasm and braced himself as she came to face him.

He couldn't turn fast enough to block her from pouncing on him, and he felt teeth sink into his back near the lower left side of his spine. Well then. He considered bucking much like a caught prey animal, but instead he shifted and lifted his left hind leg, kicking out with it and attempting to strike one of her own hind legs, hoping to knock her off balance. He was careful not to put too much force into it, not wanting to break something in her limb if he did strike it. He knew knocking her off balance might well deepen the wounds in his back but he could deal with that.

Seraphiel vs. @Alma
for Spar
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 14 + 16 + 20 + 4 + 2 + 13 + 11 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 19 + 10 + 7 + 5

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 16 + 12 + 15 + 13

The man who'd called them had a few words for him, it seemed. Haros couldn't help the small (maybe slightly sarcastic) smile that came at the words, "In case the pride you challenged comes for revenge, you mean?" Yeah, he'd heard the call, and decided it wasn't an event he cared to visit. The one time he'd followed Seneca up there had been enough, really. Andal didn't really have any other explicit enemies that he was aware of either. His expression sobered ever so slightly as the man continued, though, "Don't lecture when you don't know someone's history," it was more a mutter as he rested his chin on his wrists - until Seneca joined in as well.

His head lifted, aiming a frown at the dark patchy man, "I'm intimately familiar with the cruelty of the world, Seneca." Lions always made assumptions about him, and he wasn't stupid enough not to realize he did little to prevent that. His careless nature seemed to imply he wasn't capable in any kind of serious situation, and he'd never been keen on going over his life in detail with others. Much easier to just make jokes, present himself as the screwup of the family, and spend the majority of his life high as balls to avoid dealing with the effects of Remi's "parenting" style.

@Rielus @Seneca

code by corvus