+5 Paladin Observe a fight

It was a rare thing for Alabaster to be outwardly angry. Any negativity he felt he usually calmed within himself using logic to wash it away. But as a familiar voice rattled off threats, The Warden whipped around.

What @Alizabeth said next almost had him growling. She had been missing for so long and this was when she choice to come back? What were you thinking? The Warden whispered to her from behind gritted teeth. Why would you not send me out to look for our daughter? You needed to heal. To be HERE. You could have died and then what? You could have left our boys motherless? And now? Now they could potentially have an even bigger target on their backs. You pissed off The Mire, Alizabeth. Now there is no pride to war with. Now there are no longer any politics in the way. Not to mention she gad also left Nero ill prepared.

Alabaster wanted to be understanding of her reasonings. But she had not looked at the bigger picture. And she was not the only one who cared for their children. He or even Ransom could have gone looking. The two who had the fewer responsibilities in Scilla. We need to move the children. They cannot stay unprided and open to claimage. He continued on under his breath for no one to hear but his wife.

coded by flea + art by Wogh + background credit

Challenges had come and gone, and none of them had impacted her quite like this. The location of this one- sent a shiver of terror down her spine. The Lagoon. Heavily pregnant- she shouldn’t be running, shouldn’t be racing towards another challenge, not when war could so easily break out, and yet she is flying from the plains towards her husbands home… former home.

Paws skidding across the sand, it is concern and rage on her features as she emerges her eyes cutting across the two males facing off- they aren’t her husband… and where is he? Is he in danger?

Nero?

“Nero.” The words are a sigh of relief and a prayer as she sees him now by his family- and she approaches them without hesitation, aiming to press her head against him- to search him for injury to frown at his state. “What happened to you?” She asks- the implied question of who had hurt him, hanging in the air. Pregnant or not- she’d defend her mate.

To his family, an apologetic look- “The plains are open to you should you need sanctuary.” She supposed in a way they were her family now too, but her focus shifted back to her husband.

@Nero @Alizabeth

one more day with you

but oh, you taste like wealth. oh i'd risk my health, for one more day with you-- this is a tricky age... we're birds stuck in a cage, wish i could fly away with you. we fit perfectly like milk and honey, but somethings don't mix like young love and old money...

code by corvus||art by dispero

Colsun wasn't quite as bothered by the whole ordeal as everyone else seemed to be. He wasn't sure what the big deal was; it was just sand and sea and dirt. Surely there would be other places they could live? Still, he flicked his tufted ear as @Alabaster mentioned they wouldn't be royalty anymore. Interesting. He wasn't sure why having a home meant he was a prince and no longer having that home meant he wasn't, but he wasn't too chuffed about that either. He approached his mother as she returned, wanting to sit by her familiar form when his father began to lecture her. "Not the place or time. Shows weakness." Colsun said, holding his father's eye with an innocent tilt of his head. He moved to sit by @Alizabeth, curious to see who might come out victorious.

There was a grim chill in the air that day, and it wasn't just the cold winds blowing in from the sea. The pride had been quiet, beside for the very noticeable absence of their mother which had become quite evident as of late. Orson had been worried sick, spending his days pacing the borders, and searching for any trace of Alizabeth. His fathers had been absent as well, in their search for she and Ezryn. It felt like their family, indeed their world, was falling apart.

And now this.

The call rang out on that gray skied day as the challengers approached and began their battle. @Alabaster had gathered the boys and they sat on the sidelines as the warden explained how their rank had changed. "I don't care what they think." Orson replied. "Mama will always be The King. And we are The Princes." He affirmed, glancing first to Colsun and then to Lyle. He and his brother had struggled with their differences as of late but in this sentiment, he hoped, they could unite.

And then she appeared, his mother, in all of her badass glory. Even in her weakened state the scarred warrior King was a sight to behold. Orson's eyes lit up and he resisted the urge to run to her. He hung at Alabaster's side until she arrived, and then he rose and moved to rest beside @Alizabeth instead, leaning into her warm feverish body, feeling her shiver. It disturbed Orson to find her in this condition and to hear the tense dissonance between she and Alabaster, and Orson silently willed her some of his youthful strength. He glanced over to @Colsun who was speaking against Alabaster now, correcting the adults. He furrowed his brow, somewhat shocked by Colsun's impudence towards their parents. "There is no family stronger than the fuckin' Valentines." He murmured with a low growl.

Challenges never rested didn't they?

And without a lot of time between this and the last, she wondered what was happening. It seemed too hard to believe it would be natural, so many disasters that drive a pride to disband. Many questions lingered through her mind, wondering if the Mire would also be in danger, would they fall like this as well? She of course hoped not..

Slowly she made her way to the now vacant Lagoon. Between the challengers she only knew Prometheus, from their previous encounter. She liked him! Well, she liked every lion unless proven mean. So far she didn't see him as a mean lion, so right now she was seen as a friend.

Eyes fell on more familiar faces, Ghyslaine and more past acquaintances. But she didnt approach, she had brought in a pouch her painting tools, she was an adult now but it didnt mean she couldn't paint on her anymore. This was part of who she wa,s in whatever age she was at.

+5 Attend a challenge
+5 Apply paint to yourself

CODE•ART•BG

you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

Fuck. What was happening? A curse by this new deity to strip those loyal to Maua and their followers of their power? She shook her head as she made her way south once more to the now familiar terrain of the Lagoon. She was confused at first when crossed the stale borders only to find Alizabeth's small frame present, but a closer look showed the rough shape the woman was clearly in. Something must had happened. Just like with Roan.

"Too many strange dreams and fallen kings," she would grumble out loud as she overheard the words of @Maia, looking to find yet another Wolfbron man making an attempt to stand in King @Alizabeth's former place. However temporarily as Morrigan had no doubt the Valentine spitfire would return for her throne, just as the Greyflood herself would always promise to do for the Summit. Not even the gods would keep it from her and Talisa now.

Fighting him was a man whose surname was apparently Black, and Morrigan wondered if his coat pattern and name was enough to assume he was the same kin of those who lived in her own kingdom. She would have to ask. @Ghyslaine had already offered sheltered in the nearer territory of the Plains for the Lagoon lions but Morrigan was still prepared to defend should anyone try to take any of the now free former Scillans, keeping on alert as she watch the two men fight.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

"You're dumb," Colsun replied with a shrug. If he truly thought there wasn't a family out there stronger than the Valentine clan, he was sorely mistaken. They had so few numbers and several enemies, it seemed. He glanced away from his brother, detached as always, not really caring if he instigated some sort of attack. It would only mean Colsun was right one way or the other -- he either watched as his brother resorted to violence like a neanderthal or listen as he agreed. Frankly, Colsun found the use of language crass and unnecessary, but whatever. He had always been the black sheep.

Another? Oh, how wonderful. So much blood to be shed.

These were not her lands when she was alive but oh, how she wishes they were! Stripped from the fiery depths of hell and thrust back into the world, in the short amount of time she'd spent wandering as a ghost, she had the pleasure of watching not just one but two prides fall. At least, it's what she assumed was happening — she knew not the lands by name, but was familiar enough with the cluster of lions that formed an audience. A challenger's battle cry, daring any foe to oppose them for their crown.

It's enough to draw the bloodthirsty critter out from hiding, and like the previous challenge, Banshee once more settles herself to watch without interacting with any of the lions currently gathered. She did not know any of them — but perhaps the attendance of a ghost was nothing short of a bad omen. Only time would tell.

Khal had not seen his beloved in some time, but as easy as it would have been to allow himself to worry over Voluspa, he had no reason to believe anything had happened to her. If it had Myrkvi would know first, and Cassandra would tell Khal. He was sure of it. At least that is what he told himself. Still, he left his usual habit of avoiding such political sideshows as this behind today. This was the former Sigrun stronghold. If it had fallen maybe it would draw her presence, assuming she still remained in these lands. At least for now he would only find the trail of his mother on the way south, catching up to her just as she entered and spoke to the Firnen woman, the Queen there maybe? (@Maia) "Ghosts, too, apparently," her son would add as he skirted around the vaporous shape of a stranger, a clearly battle hardened and perhaps battle felled woman watching the fight between the men with one good eye. Still, he dipped his head to @Banshee as he passed, no doubt showing the nervousness on his wisp-marked face as he settled down to watch the two men fight.

Insanity. That was what had plagued him since she had gone missing. He had combed through the lagoon time and again, then began to search beyond the island with Alabaster for any sign of her.
When a lion is ready to die, they slip away, never to be seen again. The voice of his captor, the only 'mother' he had ever known as a child rang in his ears. Bating the beast in him, making him grow hot tempered (more than usual even) and snapping at all who would get in his way.
If Alizabeth was dead. Then he would sure as hell be joining her. The kids were great. Alabaster, sure. But she was his reason for breathing.

It is not the challenge for the Lagoon that summoned the ghoul back. Returning to protect his children and family? No. Alabaster was a capable man for that. It was the trail of @Alizabeth's scent that he stalked, caught some way behind his wife, but only catching up to her as she arrived home.

His hoarse throat rumbling with a rising growl, the obsidian male thundered up behind his mate. Seeing @Colsun, @Lyle and @Orson near to her. But that would not stop the giant from snapping his jaws toward @Alabaster, a firm warning for the warden to watch his words. If the white male had a point, Ransom would never admit it. Not now that she was returned to him.

Obsessive mouth leaned down to reach the middle of her back, a kiss, a claim upon her flesh. He felt her trembling and pressed firmer for a moment before lifting his skull and aiming to bring his cheek next to her own from his position behind her. "Let me spill blood for you." He whispered, etching out his desires upon the world. He has longed to prove to her his love. But she had kept him leashed for so long.

code by corvus