@Zelda skitters after him with a speed that even annie finds himself pleased about. practically preening under the attention, he raises himself further onto his hips instead of lounging the length of the rocky throne. his bi-colored eyes dance along her face and he offers a quick twist of his lips in a smirk, a paw lifting to graciously gesture to the place beside him. "i insist." he says with a wink - but the arrival of @Alaric has his gaze sliding to the king. there's a moment where he regards the mire man with an intensity that seems wrong on his face. enemies, are we? he thinks, recalling what was said between rielus and himself only weeks prior. of course, there's amusement in the starke's voice but annie isn't sure he's fully kidding. so without his eyes leaving the king's face he feels his face morphing into amusement, himself, despite the heat in his gaze never leaving. "can you blame her?" he all but purrs, tilting his head to one side and grinning roguishly. "look at me." he's interrupted only when @Olive prowls over, glancing amongst the gathered souls and questioning what they're all doing. he slowly drags his gaze from alaric, fully sitting up, then, and sliding the hare with one paw to zelda, all but forgetting the jester role he's meant to be playing. before he's able to fully explain what's happening, another mire lioness descends - gods, they're like rats; everywhere - and he stands to swagger the few steps to the two ladies. @Ghyslaine is safe, already claimed by the mire, but sweet olive? oh, she needs a home. "don't worry." he tells the youth, his eyes narrowing minutely. "you'll have a home either way - whether he wins or lose, you belong to the oasis, darling." he idly lifts a paw to flex his toes, wiggling them until the tuft of hare fur between his toes comes loose. @Leander strides in next, looking none-too-thrilled and annie's eyes widen, a paw flexing to point one toe at his chest. who, me? innocent puppy eyes and all. "brother!" he calls with a lazy smile. "i was just welcoming our newest member." he assures the older miroslav with mock seriousness. @Vesuvia comes to sit next to leander, looking all the world a stern older sister, and he sighs. shaking his head in mock despair, he tilts his head back towards the newly claimed yearling. "not everyone is so dull as they....?" annie trails off, leaving a spot for her name. "antares miroslav." he introduces smoothly a moment after. annie v ? for olive ( claim ) 0/3 i don't belong among the angels

code // art // do not use without permission

Violarum is quick to react, and his claws hit their mark on the back of Seneca's left ankle, raking red-hot through the sensitive nerves. He recoils with a sudden jerk up of his foot, though it's not quite fast enough to avoid substantial damage. Anger, admittedly, is beginning to play a part, and where his teeth have connected with the muscle of @Violarum's shoulder, Seneca attempts to shake like a dog with a bone. His raised left foreleg snakes out and inward, trying to find the flexor muscle at the back of his adversary's left forearm. It results in somewhat stretching out his elbow just as his opponent is trying to secure it, teeth scraping brutally against bone in an audible grind and ripping open the skin, though the bone beneath is heavily bruised rather than broken. seneca vs violarum for andal oasis move four of five Hits: Rolling 8d20: 6 + 4 + 13 + 19 + 18 + 10 + 16 + 1 Dodges: Rolling 5d20: 1 + 7 + 13 + 15 + 8 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 17 + 7 + 14 + 15 + 18

you better keep the wolf back from the door

image by koafox, code by koi

The fight is not yet over, but Violarum can feel the wrath of Seneca's upper hand. He is older, more experienced - the injuries he had inflicted surely worse than what Vio had returned. Adrenaline courses, only exaggerated with the fleeting suspense of defeat.

Every lion loses sometimes, and Vio hadn't come with the expectation he would win; but it would not ease the pained desperation to succeed that had begun to claw at his being. There was still a chance, he had to fight harder.

His forepaw returns to stability after an assumed success based on resistance, re-adjusting his weight fluently just as there is a violent shake atop his shoulder. Seneca would worsen the wound he had inflicted with a gruesome blood-spray and exposed sinew, but the prior hold would be sacrificed with the momentum. The tawny male knows instinctively that the wound is serious.

Then, the reigning sovereign slashes Violarum's left forelimb, parting skin yet again to reveal fatty layers beneath, tickling violently across musculature. Vio's bite lands, with less significance than hoped; so he repeats the efforts, attempting to once again shove his shoulder against Seneca's chest. It is the first of a series, trying to force the male's limb back to earth so he can attempt a re-grasp, seeking to re-establish a bite to the elder lion's left elbow.

Violarum vs @Seneca
Andal Oasis - Round 4 of 5
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 17 + 1 + 7 + 18 + 13 + 14 + 12 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 14 + 13 + 12

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 9 + 5 + 12 + 14 + 18

_{art by yumpy}

He doesn't expect to keep his hold, but he is willing to sacrifice it for the sake of mutilating @Violarum's shoulder. The taste of blood is strong on his tongue, its scent pungent in his nostrils — fueling his fire and surging his adrenaline to succeed. Seneca will be damned if he loses his home today, especially to one of Alaric's goons. His claws hit their mark and he seeks to wrench his talons back towards himself, hoping to deepen and lengthen the wounds he's already caused. He comes to realize that Violarum is nothing short of stubborn as he bullies into the sovereign's chest again, further aggravating the bruising there. His opponent's teeth rake against his elbow again, the scalding hold he obtains upon it eliciting a rumbling snarl from Seneca. His muzzle swings down and inward again with a growl, attempting to sink his fangs into the younger lion's left deltoid; if nothing else, the both of them can break free of this fight with similarly damaged shoulders. An eye for an eye, so they say. seneca vs violarum for andal oasis move five of five Hits: Rolling 8d20: 12 + 15 + 7 + 20 + 11 + 9 + 18 + 10 Dodges: Rolling 5d20: 13 + 1 + 7 + 12 + 15 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 17 + 8 + 11 + 15 + 3

you better keep the wolf back from the door

image by koafox, code by koi

zelda That certain gut feeling had been absolutely correct in finding her way to the half-white half-clay faced male. That he was just someone that she could gravitate too because they weren't absolutely dull and boring. Vaguely remembering how Ronin had come and recruited her yet he had said less than what was necessary. Yet, that was where she had felt she had needed to go in that moment. Her recruiter hadn't been the friendliest or most entertaining but so far, she had been pretty pleased that she had found two other individuals that lived there that she already knew. It made the adjustment a little easier and certainly gave her the confidence to sit here now as though she was untouchable. So as soon as @Antares insisted she lay, Zelda flopped right down to it without a care in the world. She was a Queen regardless of a title and she was prepared to sit here and enjoy this moment with someone who actually wanted to enjoy it instead of fester in the how dare he and you go, dudes. So when @Alaric approached (still not actually realizing that this was the High Sovereign of her pride) she merely gave an innocent face that clearly depicted that she had no idea that these were their enemies. Oops. Not that she cared, though. It wasn't as though Antares or any other Andal lion had come at her swinging and attacking her on sight. Neither had they attacked any of the Mire lions that had swarmed in. Hey Kinks. What's up? A cool upwards nod given to @Kinki as they yearling approached and singled her out first. That made her a girl feel special no matter who said it. The male she had chosen to sit by, of course, was just as fun and gave a quick retort to Alaric that nearly got a physical laugh out of her but instead she only gave a sly smile and a shrug. He was handsome and he had all the bulk she could dream of. Thankfully he's one hell of a gentleman and slides his hare towards her in offering and she wiggles her shoulder in fair maiden play. Not expecting it but also very much so expecting it. Brownies, my dude. Brownie points for days. The child that came into the gathering was of little matter to her. She didn't know who she was or how she had gotten there, so her new pal claiming her out from a ton of other lions was beyond her care. Though, strangely enough, the Miroslav introducers himself to his new claim rather than straight to her but perhaps it was meant to be to the gathered group and not just the fresh meat. Zelda. Perhaps if her pride mates hadn't been lingering around she might've suggested that she could be add a last name for fashion and be a Miroslav, too. +5 - Observe a fight +5 - Maintain your weapons (sharpen claws) +5 - Observe a challenge and learn the results

It was a rare occurrence anymore that someone would seek to challenge for a pride from the pit. Usually, those looking to unseat a ruler did so at their doorstep, but there was no rule against calling one's opponent into the pit. Either way, it was law of the land to be answered. Roan made his way towards the pit, having not actually been here much in the first place. It was actually refreshing to simply be on neutral lands while watching a challenge take place. There was no home field advantage for those in the pride being challenged for. It was just a hole in the ground.

The mauve lion walked along the upper edge slowly while scanning the crowd. Mostly Ecrosia and Andal scents were detected while seeing Seneca already fighting for his crown. The challenger was semi familiar, though the Hodari held no name for him. He only knew that the man was of Ecrosia, and had fought alongside Alaric when Keir tried to take back the Mire. Roan found this an interesting fact considering Andal was where the Starke had first started. He knew why Alaric had felt the need to find his own pride, though, so it wasn't the most unexpected thing to see someone from Ecrosia challenge Seneca. The Hodari cared little either way the crown fell today.

A few moments would pass as the High Sovereign stood near the top of the Pit, just wondering the need to engage with any of the other spectators. Instinct would have led him towards @Hiccup and @Asteria, but they looked a little too cozy together for Roan to want to interrupt them. He might have even dared to talk to Alaric, curious as to his opinion on the challenge, but in the end, it just seemed to be a safer bet to sit off by himself for now. All the Hodari cared to learn was the outcome of the battle and who would either become or remain the monarch of the Oasis. He had no relationship with Seneca, but knew that the man had ruled for a while now. It would be interesting to see if someone younger might shake things up.

Table & Ref by Amanda | Background | Base

There is a roar of pain that echoes from closed jaws as Seneca deepens the wound to his wrist, penetrating into the upper layers of muscle. Well shit. Just when Violarum felt he was regaining a hold on the fight, the elder male would kick back twice as hard. His teeth find the monochrome male's elbow yet again, and this time Violarum attempts a relentless crunch.

It is in the same breath that there is a new surge of pain at the frontal lobe of his shoulder where it meets neck. Thankfully, it is a well-furred area guarded by mane and the damage Seneca would deal would not be comparable to his prior efforts - yet, his teeth still graze through the protection, parting hair to skim across the surface of his skin and leave blood in his wake.

Though, Violarum has suffered significant damage to the upper point of his trapezius, and the severity of his injuries are beginning to take their toll. He is tiring, the blood that lathered his side an indication to the brewing pain. Prior prayers for manly scars are sure to be granted today. He tries to unfurl, seeking to withdraw from the Sovereign as the fight drew to an end.

Violarum vs @Seneca
Andal Oasis - Round 5 of 5
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 19 + 9 + 20 + 15 + 2 + 11 + 17 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 11 + 4 + 2

Luck:

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

_{art by yumpy}

He was late, but in his defense it was probably the furthest he'd traveled from the oasis since joining. Took him a minute to figure out the direction of the call, but once he did he was off at a lope, frowning most of the way. He and Seneca may not be friends by any measure, but he didn't have anything against the man, or his leadership.

By the time he made it to the edge of the pit, the fight seemed to be coming to an end and Haros didn't bother wasting the extra moment or so to get to the bottom. Instead, he found himself a place to sit and observe from above. The challenger was a stranger, which meant a lot of unknowns as far as what might change if he managed to win the oasis, and Haros had become accustomed to a certain lifestyle he'd hate to see changing.

code by corvus

Standing beside the young lioness, she does little to hid the look of disdain that crosses her features as another male smelling of the Oasis speaks. His words... He wishes to claim Olive? Ghys feels the growl rumble low within her, and she surprised by herself. Olive should get to decide what she wanted.

She stands, facing the male, her eyes cutting to see @Leander approach, and as the male speaks to him- she wonders what her acquaintance has to say about this entire event. Her ears flatten, as she focuses on the male before her, (Antares).

"It's not right not to give the youngster a choice," Ghyslaine snarls, her upset feelings bubbling right to the surface. She hated the idea that anyone could just claim someone else... it was disgusting. Regardless of how that had been how Ghyslaine had come to the Mire.

And so, the small wheaten colored lioness had decided to stand for something. Stand for @Olive.

She faced the male, her ears flattening against her head, her tail level with her spine as she stared him down. Her lips had curled into a snarl, but she didn't make the first battle move- merely accepted his challenge of a claim, if he didn't back down from it, and it was indication that should he want to challenge for the yearling- she was keen on meeting him in battle- to defend her.

@Ghyslaine vs. @Antares
for claim of @Olive
Round 0 / 3

words

_{— art by yumpy}

it is impossible to ignore the call.

it rattles her to the bones — and yet, it surprises her how much it doesn’t. by the time she arrives the fight is already ensuing — seneca grappling with another man to defend his crown. a small frown furrows her features as she descends further into the pit, coming to a stop alongside her husband. @Rielus receives a small mrr of attention, ears flicking towards him. do you know who he fights? she asks in a quiet voice, meant only for him. she does not think he smells of wolfbron but she has been wrong before. archly she seats herself at his side, intent on watching the challenge — ready for whatever was to come, no matter who came out on top.