The audience grew with each passing moment, and while Léonie recognized a face here and there, the crowd was largely unfamiliar to her (even her brother went unnoticed behind the bigger, older bodies). She allowed her focus to briefly wander away from Vághan so she could catch a peek of the other clashes, but then, as she started to look back at the reaper, the voice of @Jerrik stole her attention. The desert daughter turned her head around as he approached and she smiled at once, pleased that he wanted to sit with her. “Hey!” she piped back, then nodded at the main challenge. “Hell of a fight, huh? I’m rooting for the one with the white mane. Nothing against the other dude, but Vághan’s my guy, so.” So duh she was cheering for him.

coded by flea | artwork by ale-tie

The woman @Aquila had fought before couldn't fight her ego and was the first to be baited. As she was joined by @Avaneira, Morrigan moving to bump her shoulder affectionately, her attention flickered back to Roan's fight, trying to gauge how that one was going. He hadn't lost his throne yet, though. She had faith in the Hodari and their strong, quiet presence they all seemed to carry. As Aquila and the Mire woman began their own fight, a familiar chuff reached her own dark ears and her head swiveled in surprise, "@Lochlan! Long time no see, my friend." He seemed to slip just as easily back into the same place he'd desired to be when the two Greyflood women had been ruling the Cove. It was nice to know his loyalties lie beyond those of a crown.

The same could apparently not be said for others present. Mud is good for the skin, @Alaric had said. "But it seems your followers," she would speak to the Mire King but gestured to both the challenger and @Myra, the latter of which had just been soundly beaten yet still continued to be baited while effectively on enemy territory, "aren't so good for alliances are they?" @Ástríðr had approached then and Morrigan would explain succinctly as possible, not bothering to hush her words as she did. "One of the Ecrosians has decided to try and take the throne of one of the few prides who does not call the Mire their enemy." He'd made his bed though, it was him who had to lie in it.

@Valkravn was the next to join them, asking if they were ready for battle again, "Always," she would assure, even if the Ecrosians were not so willing. Well, apart from one. @Magnus had joined them now as well, reaffirming once again just how tightly the three families were interwoven now. The massive brute even welcomed Avaneira home, all past sins against his own alliances seemingly forgiven. "Magnus," she would greet him warmly, her confidence only further bolstered by having so many comrades in arms around her. She still kept her attention on the gathering Ecrosians and Myra though. Morrigan had no taste for beating a wounded dog, but if she insisted...

coding by ferus, art by scarf

Secrets tell a million lies To build the walls they hide behind But the truth is always brought to light

There was a terrible clamor rising up from the general direction of the mountains. Adrien had a sneaking suspicion that she should just leave it be, but…the more time that passed, the more lions she glimpsed heading the same direction, the more curious the noblewoman becomes. And so, she seeks out the nearest flower patch to roll in, allowing the sweet perfume to suffuse her pelt’s natural scent even as she offered silent apologies to the crushed petals, before finally making her way over to see what the commotion was all about.

This must be a pride challenge. Something that she’d heard about a couple times before, but she had never laid eyes on one until now. She slinks amongst the stones on the outskirts of the gathering, poking her head out warily to catch sight of the events. Of the fighting. The tension in the air seemed to affect more than just the two males battling at the center of attention, as she had arrived to the sound of a scuffle dying down amidst the onlookers.

Tearing her gaze away from the violent spectacle, Adrien diverted her attention to the crowd, wondering if there was anyone here that she recognized. The contrasting dark fur and bright mane of Tobin caught her eye, and her heart began to sink at the confirmation that this was indeed the Hollow that was being challenged for. Did the pride live within the caves that weaved through the mountains? It isn’t quite what she’d first imagined, but it was certainly a unique territory advantage. She could only hope that the kind, older gentleman wouldn’t be losing his home today.

Marja too, is hard to miss, yelling at the sky like the madwoman Adrien was growing more and more inclined to believe she was. Hopefully, the witch wouldn’t get caught up in the growing tensions – she doesn’t look like any more of a fighter than Adrien is. With a deep huff, the speckled lady would turn her attention back towards the main attraction, wincing at the battle’s brutality. Her gilded gaze would flit back to the crowd every so often, her ears perked as she tried to listen in, to gain a better understanding of the whole situation that was unfolding before her.

~ Adrien is trying to stay hidden ~

+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results (Roan vs Vaghan)
+5 Learn something unique about another pride’s territory
+5 Practice covering your scent

code by corvus

There was confusion as Dahlia manuevered through the dark corridors, something was off and just didn't feel right. She had lived in the Hollows long enough to know when something was amiss and this was not just any coincidence. Dahlia was considerably unsettled by what she saw; the sea of unfamiliar faces in their home. It was enough to make the fur rise on the back of her neck but immediately she made a beeline for her older sisters @Hrefna and @Voluspa. She hadn't seen Voluspa in ages but her fondness towards her never waivered. "What's going on?" She says quietly, her soft gaze acknowledging those around them before returning back to her sisters as they were technically her main focus in the moment. Well, that, and the fighters. After all the balance of her home depended upon it.


+5 - Attend a challenge to assess the wounds


(Sorry if I missed anyone! Safe to say Dahlia has acknowledged Leander/Khal as well if they are near the girls)

ART COPYRIGHT IRISH

“Glory to Grom! Glory to Grom!” She cried as she danced around, completely oblivious to the battle that seemed to have ensnared everyone’s attention- at least she appeared to be oblivious as she praised her god in the skies above her. She danced around, hopping back and forth on her feet with her head cast upwards.

When she finally looks down, she is almost surprised at the amount of lions and lionesses that have gathered, and she is even more surprised that she recognizes a couple of them. She sees the one with the bat, and the friend she had … @Adrien ! “Swamp friend!” She hollers from where she stands, before hopping towards her declared friend.

coded by flea + background credit

@Roan VS. @Vághan FOR obsidian hollow
— FIGHT TIMERS PAUSED —

This fight and its timers are currently paused pending a Fight Club discussion and review. All other posting can continue to happen in this thread without issue.

Another post will be made to signal the unpausing of the fight timers, at which time the fight can continue.

Agreed, especially not with all the children present, she agreed with Talisa. Not only her own, but Jafar's as well. Hopefully it won't come to that. She too smiled faintly as she turned her attention to Aquila's fight. He does fight well, she agreed, with what little she knew of fighting. I suspect the poor woman has made quite the mistake.

Faelyn wanted to slap a paw to her face as the kids went at it, failing to heed her. It didn't surprise her that they either hadn't heard her or chose to ignore her, and she supposed it didn't look like they were trying to hurt each other too badly. Later, she'd patch up her son and figure out what exactly was going on there, as it seemed there was some history she'd missed along the way.

Bakarea's precious little face looked up to her in worry and she nodded. Of course it will be. Your father has defended our home several times before and, even if he should lose, we will stay together. It doesn't matter where we live so long as we have each other, she assured her son, lowering her head to attempt to nuzzle him.

Jafar arrived and Faelyn felt some relief at his presence. He had helped keep the pride together for some time and she knew he could be trusted in case things went wrong here. Not being a fighter herself, it was good to know there was another nearby who could protect them in case things truly went south. Though, aside from the single fight on the sidelines (and the one going on behind her that she was resolutely trying to ignore) things had remained peaceful.

Art by Moogle || Coding by Amanda

Lucan by nature is an inquisitive cub and so when he hears all of the commotion, he cannot help but move forwards, towards the noise. He hadn't ventured out of the brook very much since birth but what better day then today. Following his father's scent he makes his way towards the Hollows, already deciding that this place was pretty weird in comparison to the brook. For starters, it was basically underground with no sunlight. And by the time he arrived there were so many bodies present that he could barely make out who was who. It sent adrenaline coursing through his veins as he quickly moves to duck behind a few larger rocks that were jutting out, mismatched gaze scrutinizing the crowd all the while as he lowers his frame to the ground.

Lucan is attempting to hide!

Amara had been closer to the northern lands when the call went up and she made her way. They had a standing whatever you wanted to call it and despite the fact that the alliance that was once between their families had long ago ended she still felt this odd connection to the family. One that she tried to let go but it just kept lingering. She arrived and the fight was already going and unlike her own challenge and others she had been to, there weren't dozens of fights happening. There was a level of tension and Amara picked a spot on the outskirts to watch things and see what happened. She knew a few faces in the mix but made no effort to approach anyone at this point. How would Roan fair this time? Vaugecausechallengestillhappening

code // art // do not use without permission

Hector assumed he wouldn't be welcomed to a territory, but.. fuck it. He was counting on there being so many different faces crowded around that no one noticed the teenage tiger amongst them. Besides, a quick glance around quelled any fears that he would stand out; there were looks out there decorated louder than he was. Honestly, he wasn't used to being so .. bland looking in comparison to some in the crowd, but whatever. The striped punk settled down towards the back, amused to witness the battle as a completely unrelated spectator. Who was gonna win? He didn't even care. That's what made it so exciting.