Ah, now she knew why he hadn't called for the leader of the Cove. He'd been biding his time, making good on his idea of taking a place of his own. As far as places went, she thought the Rainforest was as good of one as any.

But, she knew it could never be so simple as that, and so she wasn't surprised when she came upon the scene and there was another having a go at him. What was a surprise to her was how diminutive the little lioness was. Surely Ransom could sit on her and take her out of the fight? It was a funny mental picture, but she knew that she had beaten the other man before, so a victory wasn't assured just yet. Unless, of course, he'd been going easy on her all those times and in actuality this was a joke of a fight to him.

But, what was the fun of that?

A glance around showed her the mouthy, pale woman she knew only as Alizabeth wasn't here yet, and she felt sad about that. No doubt she would come to cheer her mate on soon enough, but for now it looked like Dysnomia was the only woman there to do so. For now.

Their secluded company would not last long before more of the Wolfbron scent reached his nostrils. @Beelzebub soon joined them with what Roan could only assume to be the name of a deity upon her lips. Either that or some sort of prophet like Caligula who had warned them about the mist. In any case, it wasn't something Roan would keen to believe, prophecies or the like. Life was life, and that was it. There was no predestined fate in his mind, though the Hodari did believe in the spirits and an afterlife if only because he had seen it with his grandparents. A god, though, he was more leery of.

@Amara would admit to not knowing either combatant, which actually disappointed the man a little bit. He had hoped to learn more about them, especially the female for which he knew nothing about. "I don't know them either, though the male supported Keir in his attempted uprising of Ecrosia. I think they are brothers." Did that mean much to Roan, not really. In the moment, he was supporting Keir's attempt to take back the Mire, so indirectly, he supported Ransom. Today, though, there was little to tie the mauve lion to either of them.

It surprised the masked man to hear Amara question if he was still attached to the Rainforest. Many months ago, perhaps, but today, not in the slightest. "No. I've long since given up growing attached to a particular terrain. My home is wherever my family is." Be it a jungle, a cave, or a cliff. Who cared anymore. He didn't know, though, if all his family felt the same. Maybe some would actually like to return to a jungly home.

Roan's attention would be distracted from his company, however, at the arrival of @Aquila to the rear. The growl was concerning, though he knew Vermeda and Wolfbron weren't exactly friends. He wondered if Aquila had the same lingering doubt about the Sigrun, though, given the known friendship some had had with Zoticus now. Such was not the topic for discussion at the present, however, as the names of missing lions were the first utterance from the Valour's lips. The Hodari turned to face his ally, mirroring the worry. If Aquila was in search of someone, then Roan would be there to help. "No, I haven't seen anyone other than those here right now. I was the first to arrive as the fight got started," he offered with a shake of his head. None of the names sounded familiar either, but if that was the Brook lion's priority, than the Hodari was more than willing to forgo watching the fight in order to find the missing.

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart

he comes back - but he's not sure why.

the rainforest isn't exactly home. he wasn't here long enough for it to become that; his home was with his found-family, with zoticus and arjana and their children. he has a garden in the jungle, and a store of herbs, sure, but he knows he could have easily picked up more. the little zebra-hide satchel hanging from his jaws as he paces back towards the heart of firnen is proof enough of that. but he knows that they'll be brawling over who gets to stand on top, now, and that leaves the sage feeling decidedly... concerned.

so when he arrives and his gaze sweeps over talisa, he knows he was right to return. while he firmly believes she may come out on top against the massive male who is fighting her, he knows her injuries are going to be substantial. the beast's jaw size alone is enough to make dorian's heart skip a beat as they parry and snap at one another's skin.

a hiss of sympathetic pain escapes his jaws and he inches closer, pausing only when the familiar scent of @Beelzebub and @Amara sweep over him. surprised, his two-tone eyes shifting uncertainly where they stand beside roan and aquila. the latter is questioning those around him about the lionesses he had helped not long before. wincing as he realizes this will put him closer to the yearl- well, not the yearling any longer - he carefully approaches from the outside, standing far enough away that he hopes he might be ignored or forgotten. inconsequential.

"they were well last i saw them." he finally says, gaze locked onto @Aquila. "but i lost them when we fled the rains."

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS

Broken as her body may have been, Aarani didn't hesitate to descend upon the rainforest. Her eyes were wide in terror as she glanced among the group congregating among the fight. She didn't care who ended up victorious, only that her children had been safe. They were supposed to have been safe. If there was anything Zoticus was not, it was weak. The fact he has been chased from his home was concerning, and where were her children in the wake of it all? @Sana! @Ivaan! The woman hobbled through the crowd, barely noticing any of the other faces. She only wanted to know her children were alive and well. Feuds be damned, she needed to know her babies were safe.

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

She doesn't need their approval to justify herself; Beelzebub has all the proof she needs, and she cares little one way or another if her sentiments are shared. She turns an idle ear to the chatter, her gaze focused on the ongoing fight, though her attention wanders. Never focused entirely on one thing, she is aware of @Louve ♔'s arrival nearby, glancing momentarily at the yearling and offering a tip of her skull towards the princess.

The sharply familiar growl of @Aquila — she doesn't know his name, but she remembers his anger — has her head whipping around, her haunches pivoting around her forequarters to face him. She doesn't understand this man; his deep-set frowns and aloof nature makes her cautious, but the lack of hostility to his question has her tension easing, if only slightly. He strikes her as the sort to be bound by duty, even at the detriment of himself. She has no answer to his query, so she remains silent at @Amara's side, if not somewhat defensive.

The approach of someone else draws her attention, and her eyes are quick to narrow in upon @Dorian, her hackles raising. Her claws curl into the soft soil, and Amara can no doubt feel the tension that ripples through her muscles where their sides touch. Beelzebub stays her paw, if only to not be the one to bring tension to a head, but her tense posture is indicative of her potential to engage at the drop of a pin. No, Dorian, you will not be forgotten today.

+10 - Observe a fight [2/2]

MORE WOLF THAN WOMAN

table by sentinel / art

Rouses from a deep sleep, Xerxes' arrival on the scene is nothing short of lackluster. He certainly doesn't want to be there at the moment, but when duty calls, it tends to shriek. The lion stifles a yawn as he joins the grouping around @Amara, only half noticing the ferocity in which Bee glares at some.. dude. A nameless, faceless man to Xerxes, but certainly he's done something to earn Bee's ire. He hopes the drama will unfold spectacularly and that he can watch from the sidelines, lazy beast that he is. Xerxes is surprised to find @Dysnomia among the crowd, but her eyes are trained on the battle. Ah, smart girl, watching and learning. He chuffs a greeting and flicks his tail, sweeping for any signs of danger to his sovereign.

BARD: Double exp +10 Attend a challenge Kinki was ready to see and find out what this challenge would go to. Eyes curious as always, hungry to know. She took a seat to watch, confident and a big smile forming in her lips. An smile those who knew here could tell she never or rarely took off her usual self. She did t attempt to be hidden or anything, taking a central spot. Showing the outgoing girl she always was. She eyed the rest of lions, smiling to them. So many new faces, intriguing and she wanted to know more lions but later. Right now she just wanted to focus on the important deal here. Her claws stretched in the forest floor, feeling the humid soil, not as wet as the Mire but way more than any other place. As far as those she had gone to.

ART By Moogle CODE BY Cloudy

Charax

She is disappointed she is not among the first to arrive, and even more so upon the trailing scent of several of her pride-mates. Unfortunately, Charax had been somewhat... across map, upon hearing the call, and would move as quickly as she could in order to arrive punctually.

She took a great deal of satisfaction reporting what she had learned to Amara, and cannot help the vague unease that she will not be able to fulfill that duty today. Quietly Charax arrives, seeking the cluster of her people, slinking rigidly amidst the small gathering to loiter loosely nearby Amara; her attention upon those present, their manner, and less upon the exchanges taking place.

_.

Violarum wanted to be King. Nothing had changed there, aside from a little more haste when seeking the truth of whispers. Though time and time again, he is too late. He eases into a less buoyant step when he realises the fight is already under way, an exaggerated huff departing his lips as he joined the small group.

He would seek @Kinki, loosely. He didn't know the kid well, but he probably ought to. She is less of the baby that she was when he first saw her, more of a teenager, and he seeks to lumber casually to the girls side and cuff an oversized paw at a striped shoulder, "You grew kid."

_{art by yumpy —}

AMBASSADOR: DOUBLE EXP
+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results

All had come to an end quite quick and sudden. All had been good until from now where an acid rain had forced him and everyone out. But himself didn't come out unharmed. From the rush to evacuate and try helping others, his fue was stained by burns, burns from the constant contact with the corrosive substance. Some even neat his eyes but luckily far enough to not had reached any of them. But he cared little for his own wounds. All he was interested in was his sister @Sana. He was by no mean going to leave her here and as such he searched for her frenetically, heart rushing, disregarding the pain he had.

Heart racing he launched himself out finding strangers gathering. Eyes wide, chest heavy. Where was everyone? Did they came out safely? What happened to Zoticus? Arjana? Eyes fell into his mother, he let a relieved sigh rushing to her side. "Mom! Are you okay?!" He asked as he stood beside her protectively. Looking around. "I...i will look for Sana again. I looked for her and yet i haven't found her..." He forced himself to seat and even though seeing two complete strangers fight for his home hirted him, he needed to atleast watch and see. Learn who would be the places new sovereign.

(He's mainly talking to @Aarani)

code by Cloudy