Alexander had not been apart of the Oasis for long, but he knew that he had a duty to fulfill while he was here. He could not do that by sitting idly by doing nothing. No, the Savage patriarch needed to push forward and get things moving. He had plans and an entire family to bring into these lands and establish. Soon they would all be joining him. As the titan settles within the inner sanctum of the territory, he calls for @Ryker, wanting to see where he stood on things and how he could be of use. While Alexander was not one to turn down a fight, if he could avoid marring his handsome face, he absolutely would.

you must grow strong, no room for wilting flowers

table by sentinel / art

That was still weird, lions calling for him, specifically. Oh, it was an ego boost, of course, knowing they were summoning him in his capacity as a leader, but still soemthing he was getting used to.

Even so, he didn't make the man wait very long. It was tempting to continue his lounging in the sun - soaking up what warmth he could through the winter days - he figured it was probably better to see what one of his newest additions wanted sooner rather than later.

He'd take the time to shake the loose sand from his fur and make himself a little more presentable before heading toward the call, and arrived with a lightly curious expression, "Yeah? What's up?"

@Alexander ♔

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus

Blue eyes carefully turned to study his new sovereign - every detail of the male being etched into his memory like a favorite book. This beast was a bit more undignified than Alexander was used to, but he got things done - which is something he could only admire. It was obvious he wished to get to the point, so the Savage would not waste his time.

"I wish to assist within the pride while I reside. I have family arriving soon that will seek me out, they will wish to settle here with me as well." He informs @Ryker calmly, his spine straightening out a bit as he stretched briefly.

Tongue coiled around his muzzle as he contemplated how much to tell this stranger. They had only just met, so the secrets of his family were obviously off the table. For his generosity, however, perhaps Alexander could assist in helping him build this home up.

"I can bring you loyalists, I am an able hunter. My sister, she is skilled in medicines." Perhaps soon Camellia would join him, the others as well.

you must grow strong, no room for wilting flowers

table by sentinel / art

Some had been born and bred for eventual roles as royalty. They had been taught the 'proper' mannerisms and words and phrases to suit the role. He and his siblings (and ancestors reaching as far back as anyone cared to track) had been born and bred for little more than war and battle, which lent a fairly undignified air to his general behavior. Aided, of course, by his habit of presenting a certain sort of facade to most. He'd found if others took him for a simple beast, they were more likely to underestimate him.

So he wasn't ignorant of the appraising look as he approached, but he'd ignore it. He'd settle to sit as @Alexander ♔ began, pointed ears turned forward attentively. A thoughtful sort of hum came as the man finished, "Well, we have a lead hunter spot open, if you're interested. Or scout, if that's more your speed. Anything above that, you'll have to challenge for. Gotta test you." It came with a half-grin, he couldn't have his upper ranks filling up with lions who might crumble in battle, after all. The occupational shit, he wasn't too worried about.

"Though, if your sister comes in and wants that lead medic spot, she'll have to fight Iofiel for it." He wasn't actually sure if the quiet, spiritual, man could fight, but he supposed he'd find out if it ever came to that.

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus

Alexander didn't want to waste any time at all, he was here to make progress, not sit stagnant for months. Generally he could wait around and play the games of the Sovereigns, prove to Ryker on a suitable timeframe that he was more than worthy of a position on his council. "Then let us test my mettle." He rumbles, speaking nothing else before the beast attempts to close the distance between them.

Jaws immediately try and snap toward the left side of Ryker's face, his left paw raises to try and use thick talons to attempt to slice at the right side of the Sovereign's shoulder - the broadside that was usually ripe for attack. He would not stop the limb there, no, he would try and let gravity do it's work, trying to use it to his advantage so that the offending paw would fall toward the Earth. This was done in hopes that his talons would leave a bloody rake in it's wake.

Alexander was a noble beast, but he was not one to pull his punches.

Alexander vs. @Ryker
Andal Oasis Noble
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 16 + 3 + 14 + 18 + 9 + 10 + 1

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 9 + 10 + 18

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 8 + 7 + 5 + 2 + 10

you must grow strong, no room for wilting flowers

table by sentinel / art

There was very little warning. Just enough hint in the tone that his ears perked forward a fraction of a second before snapping back against his skull. The flash of movement was met with a surprised - amused, almost gleeful - cackle as defenses came into place automatically.

A flash of teeth had him tucking his chin and aiming the flat of his skull at the other man's nose, attempting to headbutt Alexander's muzzle and prevent the guy's teeth from catching his face.

He glimpsed the paw from the corner of his eye, but here was little he could do to divert that and so it would find its mark, the familiar sting flaring through his right shoulder as claws scored the flesh. There was a rumbling, eager, growl as his right forepaw shifted, rising and reaching in an attempt to hook elongated claws into the soft skin of the other man's right armpit and pull toward himself.

Ryker vs. @Alexander ♔
AO Noble test
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 6 + 10 + 13 + 11 + 3 + 16 + 18

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 7 + 11 + 20

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 13 + 16 + 19 + 8

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus

The beasts jaws did not catch on the side of the Sovereign's face as intended, this was mainly due to the sudden smash of his skull into his own.

A snarl rips from his jaws, unable to find fault in such a move given the circumstances. Alexander withdraws his head almost immediately, dizzying as it was. There would definitely be a concussion his sister would have to mend later on.

Claws slice into the tender underside of his right armpit and this pushes Alexander to shift backwards, attempting to prevent the monochrome lion from doing too much damage. As the other was attempting to pull toward himself, the Savage would lift his right limb to try and prevent the skin from catching.

As the limb was already up, he would use the momentum from it to attempt a slap to the Sovereign's face, talons wanting to try and catch upon his muzzle and rake down.

Alexander vs. @Ryker
Andal Oasis Noble
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 2 + 15 + 14 + 1 + 18 + 9 + 11

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 13 + 14 + 20

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 9 + 2 + 18 + 14

you must grow strong, no room for wilting flowers

table by sentinel / art

One day, maybe he'd learn to regret using his skull as a weapon, but it would not be today. Even as the sting of a fresh bruise blossomed under his skin at the point of collision all he really felt was the thrill of success.

As Alexander's head retracted, Ryker's lifted to aim fangs at the man's face, attempting to catch the larger beast's left cheek, just shy of the eye. He didn't actually want to blind the man over a little test, that would be stupid, but he wasn't really trying to pull his punches, either, as it was clear Alexander had little intention to do the same.

Movement of his head meant the other man's paw would land closer to the rear of his left-side jawline and Ryker's paw retracted toward himself, but did not return to the ground just yet. A twinge as skin parted, and then the seeping warmth of oozing blood - familiar sensations he could push to the back of his focus for the time being. His right paw, still raised, lashed out then in an attempt to hook claws into the meat of Alexander's left shoulder and drag down toward the elbow.

Ryker vs. @Alexander ♔
AO Noble test
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 15 + 19 + 8 + 1 + 9 + 11 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 12 + 18 + 6

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 16 + 10 + 9 + 1

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus

The fangs of the High Sovereign cut into flesh, catching the skin of his cheek, just below his eye. A snarl erupts from the Savage beast, that carefully kept temper beginning to bubble beneath the surface. Lips quivered, blood swelled in thick globs before trickling down and curving down his jaw in three to four notable streaks.

Ryker's paw found it's mark along his shoulder, the searing pain of claws slicing down his shoulder was distracting and the beast reacted more than making any calculated attack. Jaws turn abruptly along with his head, attempting to close his teeth around that left limb, around the ankle and trying to clamp down and shake his head roughly.

Alexander vs. @Ryker
Andal Oasis Noble
Round 3 / 3

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 6 + 14 + 10 + 20 + 2 + 3 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 5 + 11 + 18

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 3 + 5 + 11 + 8

you must grow strong, no room for wilting flowers

table by sentinel / art

Was that a hint of real anger he detected? Well, maybe this experience would be a good lesson in the type of man Ryker was, and maybe offer a little insight into the type of pride he might have been trying to build. He'd be the last to object to sneak attacks or battles sprung without warning or ceremony. All that posturing was just...so...tedious.

Rather than try his luck with pulling his limb completely out of danger, Ryker, instead, would shove it further forward to protect his wrist. The bones of his forearm were less fragile than the joint, after all, and he'd rather let the man's jaws clamp down on that than risk his wrist or toes.

Even as the man's fangs dug into his forearm, Ryker's own jaws chased his head, attempting to contort himself in a way that would let him try to grab Alexander by the top of the muzzle in an effort to pry him off. Where his opponent might be angered, Ryker was merely amused, and satisfied enough with their scuffle to make a decision.

Ryker vs. @Alexander ♔
AO Noble test
Round 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 11 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 9 + 10 + 12

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 15 + 11 + 19

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 3 + 11 + 2 + 20

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus