Frustrated didn't even begin to encapsulate just how Leander felt to see the Lagoon back up for claim. He arrives to what was his new home in a mood, mismatched gaze surveying the two challengers as they went head to head for the now vacant throne. Though disappointed, the patched male is pleased to see that @Alizabeth is in one piece, as is her family though there appears to be some ongoing family conversation that he has no desire to interrupt.

Instead, the Miroslav man makes a beeline towards @Septima who stands near the ongoing battle, a look of deep concern lacing her feminine features. He comes to stand beside his niece, intrigued by what potential ties she had to the challengers. "Do you know the challengers?" he asks out of curiosity, his gaze averting from the fight to a most familiar face across the way. It is the woman that he has disfigured, the woman from the Bluffs who had not heeded his warnings.

This could get interesting.

IMAGE COPYRIGHT NESLA

Septima's attention snapped towards Asteria briefly, almost hoping to find some kind of distress there as well. She didn't know the woman well enough to know if she supported Wolfbron or not, but she was grateful for @Leander to distract her from her concerns either way. Well, for a fleeting moment. It must have been written plain as day on her face that she was upset, and her uncle wasn't going to beat around the bush with his question. Did she know the challengers? "The grey one with blue eyes and the dark eye circles is Prometheus Frei, he's.." she frowned, glancing at her paws. "He's.. courting me and I didn't.. know he was a member of Wolfbron." Septima desperately needed her uncle's reassurance -- or the harsh reality to slap her across the face. "I'm afraid this has all just been a game to him now," she murmured quietly, not trying to disguise the potential heartbreak on her face.

He listens without giving anything away -- @Septima speaks of courtship, of betrayal and unspoken truths that have now left wounds. He is no expert in relationships -- the only one he has known is the companionship and love that he felt so strongly for Halimede. But that had all been for nought. "Does he know about our family?" he asks after a small moment, choosing not to lean on either side but hoping to find out more about the situation. Had the grey male actually intended to hurt Septima? If he had, there would be no forgiveness that could be sought from Leander. Who was this challenger to the Bluffs? If he were to take up helm in the Lagoon, it certainly did not bode well for their family...

IMAGE COPYRIGHT NESLA

Nothing is given freely.

While some saw size as an indicator of strength; Rome knew better. Where he might harness endurance and strength, @Recluse's stature gave him an advantage in agility and deftness. He would not underestimate the man as he approached; announcing his intent to take the Lagoon instead. It was almost civil, except for the part where they were about to rip into each other... yeah there was that. Others might draw in to the spectacle; angry, curious, worried faces.

A hazen blur which the Frei could pay no mind to as his opponent launched forward. The sudden movement has Rome shoving forward to meet him; there was no point in playing cautious when the Frei was already such a large target by comparison. Instead he would seek to use it to his own advantage, eyes narrowed and ears pinned back while a furious growl splitting free as Recluse's fangs dug into the mass above his right paw and Rome being Rome well.. he pushes into it, despite the searing pain of the bite.

Even as Recluse's claws tear down the right side of his limb from the motion. He hopes sudden forceful pressure might be enough of a distraction and anchor as he raises his own left paw, swiping outward and down; claws unsheathed in an attempt to swipe at the top Recluse's skull itself. His back end dipping to balance himself while his own teeth snap at the Black's left shoulder to try and find purchase.

Prometheus vs. @Recluse
For Scilla Lagoon!
1 of Five
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 3 + 2 + 15 + 5 + 14 + 4

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 20 + 2 + 1

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 14 + 6 + 3 + 4

She didn't actually know why these two idiots thought they could just come in here and take over the place, but apparently they did and for the second time in her life she was to be forcibly removed from the Lagoon. Maybe the place was cursed. It was a damn shame too, but she wasn't mad at Alizabeth about it. She couldn't talk even if she was, having gotten ill not that long ago herself. Not that she knew that was what Alizabeth had said, coming in to join the somber little party a bit late.

So what're we doing? she asked as she rolled up to them, aiming to wedge herself into the group in perhaps the most inconvenient place possible (wherever that might be) just because she wanted to be next to Alizabeth to be able to hear her properly.

As the duo of strangers fought for leadership of the Lagoon, a group would begin to amass, as was to be expected at any such event. Recluse had come to observe some of these battles for himself. Many there were likely displaced members under the former leader, not that he had the time or care to look in the midst of battle.

He had drawn blood in his first attack, a taste of it in his mouth and the feel of it drawn from his swiping claws. Surprisingly though, the male did not seem to recoil from it but push into it. His claws would seek the top of Recluse's head, ripping bits of his mane and leaving narrow gashes on his forehead. Fangs would bite at his shoulder, the sensation of blood. Recluse would not pursue his initial hold though, instead jerking himself fully backward to deny a proper hold on his left shoulder.

While he had withdrawn to the best of his ability, it would only be for a moment before he would attack again. This time he would attempt to throw both front legs around the beast's neck, claws attempting to sink in, to anchor the smaller male there like a tick embedding itself. Fangs would seek to bite at the lion's right cheek.

@Prometheus vs. Recluse
For Scilla Lagoon!
Two of Five

Hits:

Rolling 2d20: 7 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 9d20: 8 + 9 + 2 + 7 + 19 + 4 + 12 + 6 + 18

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 16 + 8 + 6 + 12

image by moogle/code by saph

The longer she sat on the sandy shore the less control she had. Though an untrained (or distant) eye may not see it, a tremor had taken over the small frame of the maned woman. Fear and anxiety lashed at her mind and it was all she could do to focus on the fight, to keep her mind thinking only of what would happen. And then @Maia approaches her and her restraint snaps. "One is my... friend, Prometheus Frei. I do not know the other." An honest and simple answer, but her voice is strained, and as she looked to the grey woman she only just seems to become aware of the others. And where exactly she sat. The second her gaze slipped past @Nero she flinches, visibly. The loss of his friendship was a deep wound, but she would not easily forget his last words to her. From her understanding he wanted nothing more to do with her, and Asteria did not want to fight again. She had lost too much lately, and she simply did not have the energy. "So much change..." she murmured quietly, not really directed at Maia but there for her to pick up on if she wished. Asteria's attention is snagged by the sight of Septima not far off and despite herself she strains to hear the conversation between the girl and the similarly splotchy male beside her. He's courting me... It is enough to pour salt in the wound and she snaps her gaze back to the fight, wondering for the first time what the hell she was doing here...

The slow descent into subtle chaos was always pleasant to observe when it wasn't your home on the line. It was entertaining to watch these Kings & Queens fall so easily, but in the end, it was not fulfilling entertainment. The world continued to spin, and the only good thing that may come out of these changes in leadership was the acquisition of another kingdom under the Dieudonne reign.

One would think he, out of all lions, would be overjoyed.

But where was the fun? Where was the beauty of feasting on enemy flesh? It was too peaceful, too calm as of recently. With Ryker's victory over Seneca, Apollinaire had hoped that the man would've at least kept some spoils of war. It seemed foolish to finally trap the snake and then let it run free. Snakes were pesky little creatures that were bound to bite back, sooner or later.

Louve had experienced the first bite in retaliation. Perhaps Ryker's error was grander than Amara or Vermier may have noticed.

Now, as he follows the call for another crumbled land, he observes the audience from afar before he chooses where to strategically seat himself. The challenger was a Wolfbron man unknown to the Bluffs general. Perhaps a new face? He was fighting a strangely-colored, half-maned male. Sly red gaze slides down the heads of those gathered, noting @Louve was present and on her own. Apollinaire was bound to sit beside his Heiress, but today coincidence had different plans for him.

There, among the few in the audience, stood a man beside a woman. His likeness was more than familiar. While the french-man knew not his name, he knew enough to label that man an enemy to his kin. Indeed, this ex-Andal lion has been a thorn in their side before, one which Amara had plucked out so gracefully. And now he was here, daring to show his face after adding another insult to the Dieudonne, never mind if it was him that actually laid claw on Louve. Apollinaire does not forget past slights, nor will he let this opportunity to sink his teeth into flesh pass.

He hopes that Louve will forgive him for not choosing to entertain her today (perhaps what he was about to do would serve as better entertainment).

He slips from behind the rocks that surrounded the Lagoon snugly, an unfiltered smirk curling on his lips as adrenaline & excitement began to take over. Oh, how wonderful to have a reason for his wickedness! Apollinaire picks up his pace the moment he is in view, attempting to come at Leander from behind in a fiendish attempt at a surprise attack. When close enough, his unhinged jaws would attempt to wrap neatly around the man's spine. Meanwhile, his left paw would lift, unsheathed talons attempting to get a hold of the enemy's left flank to try and keep him in place.

Apollinaire vs. @Leander
Major maim (Ear)
Round 1 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 15 + 10 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 8 + 1 + 15 + 19

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 18 + 12 + 17 + 20 + 5 + 8

The call had rang out loud enough to pique his interest. He had heard whispers of talk among others--of these so called prides failing and new kings taking their places. Its with this curiosity in mind that he finds himself loping with relative grace to the site of bloodshed. Already there is a crowd that is gathering--and the beach front scenery is marred by the tearing of flesh with razor claws. Slowly, but surely, he moves around the gathering masses as the sounds of battle ring in the open air of the lagoon's lapping waves. His paws are sandy, body sprayed by what salt the winds bring from the sea. Normally, Kovirah would sit and ponder his time among the docks of his home--but today, no today his attention was fully fixed on the duel.

For a moment he stops and stares, the one male so far as he could see was incredibly small by comparison. A fool, he thinks, to challenge one with such physical might overshadowing their own. He knows the importance of picking the right fights, and when to flee. There is no cowardice, like many assume, in abandoning a lost cause. Not when there is work to do, a life to continue living. Bravery was for the ignorant.

In the myriad of new scents and sights, one that is familiar catches his nose. He turns to see the grey queen herself, seemingly speaking with others he did not know. Softly, he pads over to the small gathering and elects to stand off to the right--close enough to jump into action should more fighting break out, but also far enough away to give the Rain forest Royal her space. He would not at @Maia should she look his way, but ultimately his attention is hyper focused on the two bodies before them.


.

we are nothing but weapons

and weapons don't weep

code by corvus

+5 Observe a fight

Fissure would arrive to observe the fighting along with everyone else. He would offer his support to the little starlight prince in his ambition for a crown, albeit it came as a surprise that it was the Lagoon being fought over. Had something happened to @Alizabeth that had left her island vulnerable for so long? He would find out soon enough, finding her looking as though she had been unwell. As she was presently occupied by a fair share of others, Fissure would not approach her just now, instead turning his attention to @Maia and those around her.

Maia had asked about the challengers, so he had come to volunteer information to her and anyone else that might be listening. The male of golden starlight is called Recluse, recently of the Cove before it was disbanded. I would not wish to fight him, he carries a very dangerous bite, or so I have been told. He explained, curious as to its actual potency.

image by moogle/code by saph