@Ezra 's lips quirk vaguely, her herbs dropping to her toes, and Violarum finds her careless contentment rather infectious. He might have been a little besotted and gazey had the excitement not quickly followed, his attentions being pulled every which way. If only he'd known her curiosity, he'd have happily invited her along too.

Still, he had hoped the small group could slip away before complete chaos unfurled. A dark male arrives, not all too threatening, and Ezra's response to him was craftier than anything he could have thought of. It's an eager nod in agreement, "Yeah, just a.. walk, if that... pleases you?" a wide-eyed glance from @Haros to Ezra. I mean, they could come... if they wanted?

But it's a gathering now apparently. "I'm going," he responds casually to the demanding girl, @Diantha, trying to make dramatic 'please run now' eyes at @Brynja and @Olive. He'd happily fight for them, if only it seemed like less of a suicide mission. At this point, there would be nothing anybody could do if the fleeing pair simply made a break for it. It seemed their best shot.

"Brynja..." he sort of begs the lykoi woman, he doesn't expect Olive to start a fight, but the Gentry seemed less likely to just walk away. He swiveled, seeking to press a shoulder to @Nusura, beginning a slow walk away from their borders - head cast over his shoulder. Maybe he should have tried to run and scoop Brynja up on his shoulders like a valiant knight?

_{art by yumpy —}

( ooc: screaming crying not wanting to do the wrong thing if we are adhering to any type of posting order so i'm sorry AH ) perhaps cackling like a fool as she rushed the border hadn’t been very discreet. the incessant urge for fun serves as her demise here. andal bodies slowly trickling into the scene they create – much like their wretched sand that trickles from every inch of her matted fur. the presences of @Ezra and @Haros are foreign to her, and from her standpoint, quite oblivious to the schemes of her group – or quite forgiving. and before she has the opportunity to pour her fanciful lies into their ears, there is a surge of motion in her peripherals. carmine gaze shifts to the source, and ah, but of course! there she stands, wedging herself between she and the mire sovereign. perhaps the only of the oasis with the capacity to make her ploys falter: @Diantha. the girl’s inquiry is accusing in nature, and guilt slowly seeps into her conscience. for she considers the painted yearling to be an ally, even if the feeling is not mutual – even if the girl had poisoned her in the name of scientific exploration. and the suggestion she extends to @Violarum is as toxic as the deadly flora that litter her den. the threat is imminent – palpable, like the tension that begins to shroud the gathering. and olive does not like it; surely she can talk her way out of this, what with her immense charm. “we’re just playing around,” she assures the girl, tones attempting nonchalance despite the anticipation burning within. and it is here that she attempts to side-step the piebald girl, a beguiling smile laden on her features as she strives to traipse slightly ahead, hoping to face her the entire time. “it gets kind of boring here, you know?” a frown, thoughtful. gaze now wavering to the child that makes demands of her from his rocky perch, so reminiscent of seneca, but evidently younger than diantha. maybe seneca gets around. vio motions to leave, and olive understands that their leeway is thinning with every passing moment. cherry gaze now seeking diantha’s, and only diantha’s. “see you…” she trails, vocals somewhat somber, somewhat apologetic. her intentions had never been to slight the oasis, after all; though she begins to doubt that any amusement will be had on their end. and with her parting sentiment, she once more attempts to bolt beyond the oasis threshold. this time, much less confident in her own success. olive is attempting to escape ao

art by yumpy!

Disinterest in joining the blood feud had deterred him from making any moves, any decisions. Yet here was, at the borders of the pride land, with information that @Nusura had imparted about the war between Andal Oasis and Ecrosia Mire. When the breadth of his deep brown form arrived it was @Diantha that his glacial eyes traveled to first. Shoulders shifted as he came to a stop, eyes surveyed the scene around him.

Many of the faces left unknown to him, for he was not too keen on meeting all those he lived with since the plan to leave Andal had taken blossom within his mind. To relocate his wife and children would take agreement from Seneca, though he doubted at this point that such freedom would be given.

Neutral expression held steady as he looked to those pride mates that had arrived to greet the trespassers. Diantha, a curt tone comes from his lips, stand down. Little hope resides within his breast that Seneca's ever faithful daughter will listen to his command. While he is not one to right wrongdoings he is one to feel friendship with the mire's pride leader, but kinship with the king's spawn here. He noted that @Artæmis was likely one of Seneca's spawn as well. They're not here to harm Andal, that I'm sure of. Let them go. Uncertain of all that had transpired before his arrival - he is late to the party as usual - there is a way of speaking as neutral as he can in the situation.

The thought that his time to remain unaffiliated in the blood feud is coming to an end strikes him vehemently. Here with his paws in the sands and his eyes wavering between the bodies gathered. Muscles tensed, shifted, as he half-prepared himself for a fight against his own pride mate. Wariness overcame him then, knowing that his family may be put at risk for his decisions made in this moment.

@Olive @Brynja @Haros

The ever-watchful eye of the middle Miroslav Princess had caught sight of the ruckus on the border - the gathered bodies were difficult not to spot on the expanse of red oasis sand and the stench of Ecrosia had caused Victoria's hackles to raise defensively. She might not have actively participated in the war, but she had been there all the same - watching from her hiding place to note all that had transpired. She had seen her Uncle Leander take @Brynja as a prisoner afterall and knew the score on that one. Prisoners did not get to choose when they left. She had begun to move, having spotted the younger body of her brother (which she loathed to admit meant she needed to protect him, to oversee what was happening). When the darting form of an Oasis lioness caught her attention, Victoria did not hesitate - almost as if @Olive were prey. As she drew closer, it was @Rielus' words that caught her attention and she frowned, brows furrowing as the male ordered her sister to stand down. She did not imagine that the Ecrosia lion at their borders was here for peace negotiations either, but pocketed the information for later perusal. Perhaps Rielus no longer supported her father - it would certainly be interesting to find out what Seneca's opinion was. She had other things to concern herself with - @Olive's bolting form drew her like a moth to a flame and a hiss of displeasure was Victoria's only (brief) warning. She launched herself forward towards Olive's retreating rear, not content in the slightest with letting the feline leave. Springing forth in mighty bounds, Victoria attempted to tackle Olive's entire back end with both forepaws raised and aiming to grip onto the lioness's hips and flanks whilst at the same time, her teeth attempted to clamp down on the other's spine. If she was going to run like a gazelle, Victoria was certainly going to tackle her like one. Victoria vs. @Olive Dominance - Escape Prevention Round 1 / 3 Hits: Rolling 5d20: 12 + 8 + 4 + 1 + 2 Dodges: Rolling 3d20: 6 + 13 + 14 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 3 + 19 + 13 + 5 + 1

table by koi

hear their lies, your truth, these games

His frustration grew as his words went unheeded, and then @Rielus joined the fray and ordered @Diantha to stand down. Like hell any of them were about to just let this go down without a fight. Their father was otherwise preoccupied, and what kind of children would they be if they didn't do their best to hold down the fort here?

They should have outnumbered the Mire lions, but Rielus' words make the young prince wonder where the lion's loyalties actually lie. He's old enough to pick up on such things, certainly. His sister's will have a better idea of what to make of this situation. For now, though, @Olive is trying to escape. And that is absolutely unacceptable. Permission had not been granted by the high sovereign (who...might have relented anyways?), and that can't be allowed.

As @Victoria begins to run down Olive, Artie follows suit, bounding from his perch and closing the gap between him and the pair of girls. Acting as if on the hunt, he runs up beside the fleeing Olive's left side and, hoping Victoria's attack had slowed the girl down enough for him to both keep pace and attack, he lunged down low and tried to grab the back of Olive's upper left leg, to try to sink his teeth in and use his weight to slow her down further.

@Victoria & Artæmis vs. @Olive
for dominance in response to escape attempt
Round 1 2 3
Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 1 + 6 + 9 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 0d20: 20

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 3 + 9 + 10 + 12

I know every secret nobody sees

code & art x inspo

Brynja

Once bitten twice shy. Some of the Andal lions gather around, sound their protest and the children stomp their feet like the spoiled brats she knew most children to be. Olive is the first to dash off and like prey she is hunted down by some of the Oasis lions. Brynja could help... But helping got her into this mess in the first place. Let Olive fight her own battle and face the consequences of her decision. Let the lions who came to rescue them do the job they wanted to do. Brynja aimed to dash aways from the growing group, from the sounds of fighting rising up. No mistake this time - Brynja was looking out for herself first.

- attempting to exit

( Sorry to anyone I didn't mention / acknowledge. Wanted to get a post in before this thread ran away & rushing to do so at work. )
@Violarum @Olive @Ezra @Haros @Corvus ★ @Rielus @Diantha @Victoria @Artæmis

retaliation is imminent; of this, she is certain. so when the patronizing tones of a newcomer seek to pacify the tension, they fall deaf on olive’s ears – much like she presumes they will fall upon the ears of the miroslav brood. suspicions only confirmed in the sinister hiss of a painted yearling that serves in forewarning to mal-intent. the sound enough to prick the furs lining the nape of her neck as the thrill of the hunt overcomes her senses – with she to play the role of prey. and gods, help her if she cannot assume the role of the one that got away. if ever there were a talent to unearth within a sea of mistake and youthful incompetence, hers is the aptitude for agility. her diminutive form nimble enough to (hopefully) aid her in this mission for a quick escape. ears trained upon what the eyes cannot see, detecting the chase by more than one as her limbs propel her onward and out. and while her ploy is stupid, olive is not entirely; to turn and succumb to violence when her momentum is too great would be to sacrifice her chances. not only that, but olive presumes that to dig her claws into the king’s relatives would be to secure her death sentence. and there is no amusement to be found six feet under. she can hear the heavy footfalls laying waste to what distance once separated her from the painted youths of the desert. a plot forming in her mind to weave in order to throw off her hunters’ trail – and that is exactly what she endeavors to do. @Victoria the first to seize the opportunity with an attempted tackle to her rear as @Artæmis draws in upon her left side, and it is at the moment the girl’s footfalls vanish that olive attempts to shift her own trajectory. she veers widely to her own right, paws skidding some in the sand with the abrupt change and as victoria’s claws scathe her right thigh, her teeth clip the base of olive’s stubbed tail, and the force of her weighted tackle pushes olive wider right still from the back of her right haunch. and olive hardly has time to register the initial pain before the onslaught of attacks continue with the assault from the boy. his targetted attack the least successful of the duo’s with olive’s rightward maneuver, but minimally successful nonetheless. his teeth find the back of her left thigh, cutting through the thin flesh there to sting. the warmth of blood pools at shallow cuts, save the moderate laceration to the front of her right thigh where it weeps (thank you, victoria’s claws). adrenaline intoxicating now as it twists her psyche into disregarding such pain in favor of a continued attempt to flee the premises. with her movements, she is lucky enough to evade either child’s hopeful grips, but she scrambles now as her limbs strive to push her away and onto her new rightward pathway. despite the dangerous waters she treads and the injuries that bubble with irritation, the surge of excitement the chase elicits draws a ragged giggle from the depths of her chest. at last, the oasis is fun – but not enough to make her stay. olive vs. victoria & artæmis for escape | dominance one of three escape: Rolling 1d10: 5

art by yumpy!

He wasn't actually completely stupid, despite how he often acted. It was just easier to get by in life if he kept everyone's expectations low. So, @Ezra's quick-thinking explanation was met with a nod and a silent 'ah'.

And he was fully prepared to let them go on their merry way. It wasn't any of his business whether they were really going for a walk or if they were 'going for a walk'. "Oh, that's nice, it's good to have friends in other prides." He spoke with a small smile, seating himself in a very 'I'm really not gonna interfere here' way.

Except then Seneca's nosy kids arrived. Precocious things, he didn't actually mind them any more than anyone else, but @Artæmis earned a glance, "Hey, now, they're allowed to leave the borders, we're not all trapped here." Right?

Nobody had actually bothered to inform him that one of the individuals in question was actually a prisoner. Which was probably good, because Haros had Opinions about that kind of thing.

Thankfully @Rielus arrived and tried to reign the kids in, but little @Victoria just had to charge. Haros sighed, he really disliked violence in a general sense these days, but attacking one's own pride member rubbed him all the wrong ways. "Hey! Knock that off, let her go visit friends!" He was on his feet again, trotting toward the confrontation before he fully realized it. @Brynja earned a quick glance as if to tell her to go before more show up as he moved, "How would you like it if you weren't allowed to go past the borders?" How stupid would that be, keeping all the members within the territory at all times?

code by corvus

Kira was freshly back into Andal and after being brought up to speed on the recent ongoings by Leander she was hyper vigilant, as she should be. After all if she wanted to get @Seneca's attention being a superb pride member was a good start. Naturally patrolling the borders was something she was used to doing and was a task she didn't necessarily mind, so when all of the commotion reached her ears she was quick to make her way towards it. Being nosy had it's perks after all. The scene that she came across was confusing enough, it seemed like some visitors had arrived but these visitors weren't welcome ones. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a lioness attempting to make a beeline for the exit, hold your horses deary.

The merle lioness was hot on @Brynja's heels before shouting, "Hey! Not so fast!" Instinctively Kira was moving and launching herself with claws outstretched. Kira attempted to grapple onto Brynja's hindquarters and dig her hind paws into the sand in an effort to anchor herself. If Brynja wanted to leave she would just have to take her with her. Ears flattened and bright orange eyes focused on her prey; now was not the time to play cat and mouse, or was it?

Kira vs. @Brynja
For Dominance aka Come back play thing
Round 1/3

Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 8 + 15 + 4 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 6 + 19 + 14 + 3

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 20 + 9 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 16

code by shelby | art by irish

Brynja

The shout was plenty warning. Game on. Brynja rapidly stopped her run as she was approached from behind. Feet firm and body braced. She aimed to slam on the breaks and attempted to let her hips slam unexpectedly hard into the chest of Kira as she reached forwards. Her body growing rigid and her viciousness turning merciless. Her hips on both sides garnered claw marks, multiple two inch long red cuts into her grey deathly looking flesh where claws then gripped in for a hold. Fucking eat her alive. She beckoned aloud to her pride mates, this was Brynja's one good chance to get out of her.


@Kira vs. Brynja
For Dominance
Round 1/3

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 20 + 2 + 11 + 15 + 17 + 3 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 3 + 19 + 2 + 17 + 7

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 14 + 13 + 1 + 15