As the moon ascends
The wolves come out
to see the end

from the flames of the fire
i feel you crawl into my bed
throwing shapes at the sky, i watch you crying into me

Wanderlust suited Harou. For days, he'd travel; hunting, fucking, fighting. Each day would bring something new, something interesting. Wordlessly, the titan strides towards the commotion up ahead, his visage swathed in wintry apathy; his lean muscles rippling beneath a long, winter coat. He is here simply to observe, to view the scene unfolding before him. A bold female challenges for a male, and Harou's ears would prick forward, sensing the call. These foolish games between kings and queens amused him, annoyed him. Still, he is silent in his approach, the devilish fiend leaning against the shadowy darkness, observing with a watchful, pensive glance full of winter's wrath.

+5 Observe a fight

(1/2) +5 Sunbathe or take a nap
(1/2) +5 Gossip with another character
please notify me if you are going to attack so i have a heads up!
Oh? Another challenge?

She was like a moth drawn to the metaphorical flame as she heard the eruption of a challenge ring in the air. Artemisia had been taking the time to thoroughly explore the shores that surrounded Caladan, so much so that she had found quite the perfect spot to relax and sunbathe at - maybe even nap. The dark, smooth stone was kept warm form the sun, the natural heating pad something that so quickly lulled her into a light slumber. But the call awoken her with a slight jolt, ears twisting forward before she would slowly rise up on all fours, a big and loud yawn escaping her.

With a quick shake to waken herself up, the earthen woman would make her way toward the Cove, slipping past the borders with ease; why did it matter she was trespassing if the pride may change hands in the end? Crimson eyes took in her surroundings, as this being the first time she had ever stepped paw in the beach pride it was all so interesting and new.

It wouldn't take her long to arrive, eyes shifting to look at the lions that had come so far. Some she couldn't say whether or not she had seen them before, but one that stood out in particular was @Ronin. Artemisia hadn't seen him since he won over Andal, where the drama between himself and another man over a woman took place. With a soft smirk curling her lips she would pad over to where he stood, seeming to ask a lion a question about who the lioness challenging was. "You think torn ear over there will win this piece of heaven?" Voice was neutral with the slight hints of amusement as she asked Ronin, keeping her questions about what had become of that altercation once she had left.

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

Fuck. Fucking fuck.

Nephthys wanted to burn the world to the ground as the call went up for her home. Yes, her home. Caladan would never be anything but hers in that very delusional brain of hers, and yet since Gauthier had smacked her around, she had not made a move on the sands. Healing from a broken jaw had not been pleasant, nor was she still entirely healthy, but fuck it. She knew damn well if the king spotted her she would be a prime target for mockery and embarrassment, but she didn't exactly care at the moment. Nephthys only wanted to break someone's face, and as her eyes swept towards Morrigan, she scowled. Wonderful. Her aunt was doing some bullshit witchcraft, likely trying to take the pride back for herself or something ridiculous like that.

She was so bitter about Morrigan's existence and Gauthier's residency that she didn't have room to be angry at @Artemisia for breathing in the same postal code as her husband. Later, maybe, but for now she was full up on bitchiness. Nephthys didn't care who she had to mow down to stand next to @Ronin and barely glanced in the direction of @Ambrose before petulantly dropping her ass onto the sand.

+5 Observe a fight

Hm, what was this? Another challenge? Interesting how quickly and numerously these lions decided to fight for pieces of land. The dog barely held any interest in politics, but he was always keen to watch a good fight. A soldier could never stop learning how to defeat his opponent. That thought became ever more apparent in a land like Amaryllis, where the lions were as varied as particles of sand, each a different color, shape, and size. How fitting that this woman decided to fight for the Cove.

The hound thought he would be rid of sand after finally passing through the sandbar that lead him into this place, but as he followed the sound of the call, Caladan's sandy beach came into view. Perhaps it was a dumb thought to never encounter sand again when all sides of this peninsula were surrounded by water. Not as many lions had yet gathered as the last challenge he sat in on, but it also appeared that the fighting hadn't even started yet. A young woman stood at the shore. She didn't look overly large like some of the other fighters he had seen thus far, but her scarred appearance spoke of her experience thus far in life. Perhaps her brawny build was her secret. Finding no familiar faces among the crowd, though, the mongrel found himself a quiet spot out of the way where he could simply sit and watch for the time being.

table | bg | base

When the summons rang out, Myrkvi made a point to make his way to the Cove. A soft chuff for @Cassandra to join him, though he was apprehensive about her coming due to her status, she could handle herself. He was somewhat familiar with the territory since he lived here for a brief period of time. It was his concern within the realm of the Sigrun since he was their jarl. The shadowy lion spotted the familiar figure of @Morrigan who was being asked after Cirilla. He was happy to answer the question as he came alongside his mother-in-law. She is Ulla's daughter. He would answer, not waiting for Saga to do so herself should she appear to see this challenge though.

@Fernweh

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay

a single drop of iron in the salt of the sea, the murmur of her name on the lips of a friend - it tugs her insistently from her place at the stygian and she obliges after only a moment. feeling the first taste of freedom in what feels like an eternity, the guardian steps through time to shimmer into existence at @Morrigan's side. she wavers a moment, caught between wavering energy, until she blips into a more solid form. @Myrkvi has already clarified who it is - but she offers a name. cirilla, she says, shifting to sit at the grey queen's side. her gaze slips up and down the woman's new scars, brows knitting together, but says nothing. she's always been a warrior and though saga felled many of their enemies, of the fucking rike filth, there would always be more to rise. she doesn't expect that her death has changed anything.

her gaze slides to @Isla ♔ and @Fernweh and she narrows it minutely. there's a familiar scent that clings to the mother's pelt, hidden under the milky scent of newborn babes. she mulls it over but is unable to pinpoint why it scratches at the back of her mind so. yours? she asks, gesturing with a broad paw to the two women. they look similar enough, young enough, to be of the greyflood's brood. and a smile tugs at the corner of her lips as she leans to push her shoulder against morrigan's in a little jostle. it is good to see you flourish. she murmurs, voice uncharacteristically softening.

and then her gaze slides to her nephew and she regards him carefully, gaze flicking up and down his shadowed form. the jarl. she says, simply, a brow quirking above her level gaze. einn sem ég heyri kvartað yfir. one i hear complaint of she says, disappointment riding the tones and expression shifting into one of severity. her lips twitch, barring a hint of canine. hvað hefur þú gert við arfleifð mína, myrkvi? it's not a threat and not quite an accusation - the words are quiet though not soft. icy as they've always been with a brazen demand for an explanation:

what have you done to my legacy, myrkvi?

table by ferus & lineart by eerien00dle

OOC: I'm not wanting to engage her in any fights at this point in time. Please avoid involving Cass in fights at this time ^^

Honestly, had it been for any other pride, she would've ignored it. But knowing that voice and the location it was coming from, Cassandra was already planning on heading in that direction. But when the soft chuff from her husband rang out, it was the last nudge she needed to move herself in that direction. She was a bit slower than her husband, slowed by her slight limp and her swollen abdomen.

But she got there shortly after him to hear him speak to her mother. She'd aim to gently greet her mother with a headbump before moving to sit alongside her husband's other side. "Doesn't surprise me Cirilla is going for the Cove. She always seemed like she'd want to lead at some point." Cassandra said, keeping herself close to her husband. She knew she was likely a target here, so hopefully by staying close to strong family members she would keep safe.

Honestly, she'd be happy if Cirilla won this fight. It would mean another ally for the Brook. However, the words spoken to her husband after Saga appears are in his language obviously, though she catches the undertone of demand and the iciness of the words. The way she spoke to her husband caused the fur on her hackles to rise slightly, and her lip lift slightly as she looked at the guardian from the corner of her gaze. As much as she respected Saga, she did not take kindly to someone potentially speaking harshly to her husband - even if it was something that wasn't her business.

text. "speech."

Table code by Zodiac

I just love the way you're
running   out  of  life   —

+10 Successfully stay hidden for the duration of a thread
+5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds

she does not care for the surf or sea, or the cove at all. it is not why she is here.

she is here for him.

if @Harou is a monster than she is his ghost, trailing soundlessly behind him. it is better, always better, to keep an eye on him — the pounding heart, the monster’s madness. tentatively does the little wolf approach, balking slightly at the sights and scents of so many lions. it has been… far too long since she’s this many people, all pressed so close together, and discomfort wells in her chest. so she stays to the shadows when she can, intent on keeping herself from view — not only from harou, but from the others as well. they are all unfamiliar, almost unrecognizable as felines; to her, they are a faceless crowd and their intentions were just as alien to her. one lioness stands apart from the crowd and the wolf assumes this all has something to do with her, but beyond that… she only has eyes for harou, even as her attention threatens to stray.

art by aurora ♥

+5 Observe a fight

Another call for a challenge reached his ears, and Hero was all too curious to see what would unfold. As he grew older, there was a greater interest in seeing things happen in Amaryllis with his own eyes. The ebony lad wanted to be a part of something, and certainly pride challenges were a great opportunity to learn. Maybe this desire should have started long ago considering he had been born a prince, but maybe that also made him complacent in his life as well.

He'd never been to the Cove before, never been used to sand or oceans in general, actually. Growing up underground had its limits, and since losing that home in the Hollow, the Hodari had only seemed to set his sights on higher altitudes rather than exploring the outskirts of the world. Colder climates had a certain draw for the fluffy-coated boy, after all, especially during the summer months. Still, the ocean could offering a nice cooling off if he gave it the chance. Whatever the case, today was not a day to spend lounging at the beach as he neared the growing group of spectators on Caladan sands.

The scent of the Summit was not missed as Hero quickly spotted the same monochromatic queen who had fought for her own crown not long ago. It as easily assumed those around her were of her pride, though none looked particular familiar to the boy. None of the girls he had met on their borders were there at least. What didn't go unnoticed, however, was the spectral sight next to the High Sovereign. Another spirit had shown to a challenge? That queen sure had some sort of connection to the spirits, recalling the ones that had shown up to her fight as well. Continuing to scan the crowd, though, showed that the fighting hadn't even started yet. Knowing no one among the spectators, though, the dark lad opted to find some shade among the scattered trees in hopes to not overheat as he watched.

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It is not only a ghost that follows @Harou, but a shadow as well.

Draven had heeded his brother's directive, roaming the lands of Amaryllis to seek out fresh blood, but today he did not follow womanly flesh. Today he followed a call for battle, trailing after his brother with little more than a ruffle of feather to announce his presence. His crows are, as ever, dutifully perched where they can find refuge while the icy beast slinks up to sit beside the heart.

"These lands are restless," he spoke in hushed tones, wary eyes scanning the unfamiliar crowd, "thirsty for upheaval."