The sounds of the jungle echoed in the crimson lionesses ears, she pinned them back and lowered her head, silent paw steps leading her further into the unknown, at such a time at night, she felt hidden, and safe. Though she never truly felt safe, not since before she could remember, her thoughts trailed to a certain wonder of what it felt to be safe, she'd seen others who assumed they were safe be tore from their safety's net, so no, no one was ever truly free of harm. A shrill insect screeched somewhere in the distance, at least she thought it was an insect, her paws paused, tail flicking in annoyance, What a pain in the ass her thoughts interrupted the peace inside her head.

" It's a wonder anyone gets any peace around here."

She spoke out loud for the first time, her voice carrying her thick accent, a mixture of both Romanian and Italian all in together. Her coat shivered with the breeze and she rolled her shoulders, continuing the journey, to nowhere in particular. To meet no one particular, she huffed and licked her maw, flashing teeth as she parted her lips. A ripple ran down her curvaceous body, muscles flexing.

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he had come often to the jungle in the last few days. often, to ensure that the flames did not spread too close to his home. he and the others had spent time mopping up the fires that sparked to life, smothering them with dirt. there were trenches dug, fire breaks between the jungle and his home. alaric studied one of them -- a particularly long one that meandered almost the length of his borders -- and wondered if it would have a lasting impact on the land. perhaps when things settled, if things settled, they could do well to fill them back in. the weather was less than pleasant, though better here where it was sheltered than in the open plains. alaric spotted a flare of red among the verdant green and moved instinctively that way, surprised to find a stranger wandering so casually. a short distance away there was another flare of red, and the king moved closer to the spark that threatened to become a flame. with a shift of dirt he smothered it, careful to avoid any direct contact, and then addressed the unfamiliar female. "it's hardly safe in here, these days," he warned, swinging his head towards her. "the weather's been mad the last few days, and this jungle is prone to inexplicable fires. they appear out of nowhere." his last words sounded pensive, his gaze sliding back to the upturned dirt that choked out the small spark. +1 - Make a BWP-related post +2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring +2 - Teach someone something about unique weather +2 - Analyze the changes being made to the land +5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts) +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with before +10 - Complete a thread with a member you've never threaded with before.

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The lioness suppressed her suprise as a large male appeared out of the jungles growth, she swung around to face him, head held high, she watched his paw squash out the flame and she cocked her head a bit, she didn't know how to address him so she settled for her usual unbothered self, the red lioness smiled carefully and stayed a small distance away,

It seems everywhere is dangerous. I'm not afraid though, I quite enjoy the flames, though I suppose when they're out of control, no one quite likes them.

The female gave a soft hum and shuffled her paws, she looked up to Alaric, should she introduce herself? She hadn't wanted to truly meet another since her first few hours around the passage, but she knew it wouldn't be long before her scent was carried through out. The crimson tinted lioness flicked an ear and sniffed towards where his paw had snuffed the spark out, interest and questions flashed through out her eyes.
@Alaric

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his focus shifted from her to their surroundings, watchful and leery in case of another spark. the flames that appeared as if by magic made him uneasy, especially with some being so close to the mire. "my pride is nearby," he explained, though he was not entirely sure why he felt the need to do so, "and we've been trying to make breaks in the forest to keep the flames at bay. the ground is wet, but that doesn't seem to stop this fire..." which made him believe it was abnormal, much like the mist that had once cloaked the lands. "where are you from?" it was odd for her to be alone out here, and he wondered if she belonged to one of the other prides. +1 - Make a BWP-related post +2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring +2 - Teach someone something about unique weather.

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His words fell on her memories, she cocked her head, the pride he spoke of, his pride, was this who Nero had spoke of. The King who was cruel? That killed his infant sister, she met Alaric's eyes, how would she word this, so not to offend him, she never was great with wording her questions properly,

You're Alaric, Nero spoke of you.

She hoped he did not turn his back to her after mentioning the young albino male, "I met him, at the passage. Though I chose not to go into a pride. I wanted to see what was out here." She didn't know why she was over explaining, but she couldn't stop the word bubbles.

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Alaric's eyes widened only a hair, for only a second. In a breath his expression was passive once more. "All good things, I'm sure," sarcasm was thick on his voice and he gave a roll of his eyes. "He's my biggest fan, after all." A wry grin for her, amusement flashing in the poisonous green of his eyes. Alaric knew just what kinds of things Nero would have had to say, and he figured it was possibly best to level the playing field. "My late wife's family can be brutal, but the one that Nero belongs to is just as vicious. Drowning cubs and all that." So casual. "What exactly are you looking for, @Astarte?" Evidently Nero had not been it, and she wasn't running away in fear, so he could not help but wonder just what kind of lioness she was..

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Astarte watched him curiously, listening to everything he said, her tail lay on the ground, the tip lazily flicking, her head snapped up to look at him once he spoke of Nero's family, drowning their cubs? She made a face of disgust, "They drown babies? That's awful! Her voice rose a little before she steadied herself, she looked at him again, standing up finally and moving closer. She wanted to see what the fuss was about, so she circled once and sat back on her haunches right infront of him, staring up at the Mire king.

You don't seem so scary, @Alaric .

The crimson lioness looked him over and cocked her head, sure he was large, and sure, she assumed he was a worthy opponent in battle, but to her, he seemed like he was somewhat level headed. Though, she didn't know if it was all a mask. She watched him through eyes the color of burning coals, she cocked her head at his last question, "I don't know yet, so far I've been exploring, meeting others, surprisingly going unclaimed. Though, I know what I want, power, security, pleasure. But isn't that what most want?" She trailed off, leaving the question open for him to decide on.

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Alaric shrugged. “so I’ve heard. at birth and a year, from my understanding. Though I don’t expect they’d readily admit to it.” there was no reason for him to hold back this information that he had, working to cast some doubt on the shiny reputation of the sigrun. @Astarte circled him and he watches her, unable to stop himself from admiring the sleek lines of her body. Alaric had always been a selfish creature, and when she speaks up again he barely manages to hide a wolfish grin. when she stopped he took a step her way. “not so scary,” he promised with all the shiny charm he could muster, “and that’s definitely what I want, too. Let me help you, you can join me in the Mire. Challenge for what you want, earn your power.” now he sought to circle her, reaching in an attempt to trail his nose across her hip. “and I’m certain you’ll find pleasure, too.” A grin as he retreated a step. “consider this your first official claim.” hey, she had all but offered herself up on a silver platter, no?.

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A tremble shot through her spine as he watches her, the curvaceous lioness purred, pressing into his side as she bunted her head up and under his chin, following through with her body and then her tail, caressing him.

Do tell me, what is claiming exactly?.

The crimson lioness felt her stomach fill with flutters, she allowed his nose to trail over her hip, her purring becoming louder, she watched him step back, and she smirked. Did he want a chase? She felt the familiar predatory instinct grip at her and she licked her lips, tail flicking with amusement, she drew closer.

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somehow he doubted that she did not know. a double meaning, perhaps, and with the way she was teasing him... "it means you're mine," he rumbled as he bared his teeth and sought to nip at her hip when she trailed by him. closing the distance between them as quickly as it had opened. "it means you belong to my pride." whether she wanted to or not. alaric, though, was a hot blooded male, and she had chosen to play a most dangerous game. "but first," he rumbled, pressing close once more, aiming to nip at the nape of her neck now, a warning of his intentions, "let's get to know eachother." and then... then he would take her home. @Astarte.

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