Periwinkle gaze kept dashing between the two lionesses vying for the Lagoon and to his pride mate who was apparently chewing on a lion's rear end. Flicking his ears, he admired the way that @Sunder fought but he would not shift to start his own fight. He was here to observe if there was a shift in power and help the current Lagoon's leaders if it was needed. But those who were not welcomed made their way out on their own or were in a fight already.

Then Sunder came towards him and mentioned owing him a date in which he smiled. But not long before she passed out at his feet. Frowning, he stood over her body protectively as he remained to watch the final parts of the battle for the Lagoon. The challenger, Fernweh, lost and soon passed out while @Tiamat shifted to lay down in the sand. She called for those who were not allies to get out. Clicking his tongue, he carefully stepped over Sunder's body and approached the Lagoon High Sovereign. Features neutral and non-threatening, Well deserved win. I'm Keligan, current Gentry of the Cove. I extend an invitation for meeting with Gauthier, our High Sovereign, on a potential alliance. We are allied with the Bluffs and the Mire at the present time. I believe in the strength that your pride has and the Beach prides are close to each other. Flicking an ear, he then looked at Sunder before shifting periwinkle gaze back to Tiamat. I should get her back home. Congratulations again.

Turning to go back to the passed out Cove lioness, he adjusted himself to shift her onto his back. Once he was confident that Sunder wouldn't fall off, Keligan left the Lagoon and headed back towards his den in the Cove.

/exit Keligan with Sunder

SUBMASTER: PALADIN
+5 Observe a fight (Fernweh v. Tiamat)
+5 Observe a fight (Sunder v. Valerian)
+5 Learn information about a potential threat (potential change in SL leadership)

code to pine

The fight is thrashing but one can see the despite the challenger's motivations to challenge, the existing leader shows no mercy. Intent on keeping what she had already earned, she gave blow after blow to the wheat lioness that had come for the Lagoon. Not once backing down or lightening up but that was exactly the kind of fighting that Ember liked to see. The vigilance and relentlessness that came with holding a crown, especially as a female.

Once the fight was over and the winner clear, she knew what was coming. Seeing that she was not exactly a lion to stick around where she was unwelcome, the moment that champion declared every to get the fuck out, Ember lifted and removed herself from the premises. She had seen the challenge, seen the winner and there wasn't a whole lot left to see. Only to vaguely glance over at @Alexander ♔ who was still in a fight that someone had already attempted to run him out.

Ember went so far as to be just out of the Lagoon's borders, but she waited long enough to be able to see Alexander finish his fight and leave. Not wishing to not be present to see it, but knowing that she would much rather not cause more trouble than she already had by breathing in another pride's air. fade out ember

+5 - observe a fight (fernweh vs. tiamat for sl)
+5 - maintain your weapons
+5 - witness drama between prides (tinuviel-sl/ronin-ao)

^{ART BY LARS, CODE BY CALA}

Cirilla settles to her haunches and wraps her tail neatly around her paws with grace. Her whiskers twitch in the wind that pushed through the Lagoon, and the Sigrún seems to slip into the shadows. The tan woman observes the fight between Tiamat and Fernweh, watching as claws clash against each other and jaws interlock in a battle for power. Cirilla casts her mind back to her own pride challenge, and decided that it would be best to observe today in a bid to find out more about fighting and, potentially, pick up some techniques.

Tiamat emerges victorious from the battle, and Cirilla admires the woman. She makes a mental note to speak to the Queen a little later on, but for now, content with the information she had learnt, departs.

Exit Cirillaart — code — bg

On the rare occasions that the hound chooses to bear witness to these bloody occasions, he typically observes from the shadows, little more than a pair of eyes in the dark. Rarely does he have reason to be anything more. But today, he is drawn out from the depths of the exotic foliage and the long shadows of the palm trees by the sight of a tiny form atop the sand. "Έχεις κληρονομήσει την αφοβία της μητέρας σου, βλέπω." He rumbles out in the Peithos' ancient tongue as he approaches @Hekate's striped side, vaguely amused even as he tips his skull down to look at her with narrowed eyes. "Stay close, hmm? There are rarely friends to be found in places like these." None that he would trust, at the very least.

Perhaps a side-eye is given to the Mire King, whose attention appears to have been fragmented by arguments and drama that Cerberus has no desire to be a part of. Though perhaps, the hound already is. Maybe he could not bring himself to disagree with @Léonie's disparaging remarks, but he does rather wish that she would not make herself such a target.

It's a tragic thing, to see the youngest of his kin so fractured and scattered apart. A rift born of selfishness. (And yet...is it better or worse that Cerberus is beginning to feel he understands what was once just foolish nonsense?)

He cares little for who emerges as the victor in the battle for the Lagoon. That is one of many details that falls away from his focus, lavender gaze intently observing the battle between his niece and a brutish man of the Mire, jaws clenching tight as his claws flexed and dug into the loose sand below.

He would like to believe that the fiery young woman could take care of herself here - but if not, @Markus will have a price to pay, a debt of blood and flesh that the hellhound shall be eager to collect, whether his sister's beloved approves of it or not.

ART BY SCARF, CODE BY LARS

(2/2) +5 Observe a fight (alexander vs lyric)
(2/2) +5 Observe a fight (fernweh vs tiamat)
Isla is not hurt nor disappointed when @Mithril meets her with more hostility. She remembered all the emotions she could not control nor contain at his age, and that was what made her not react in a way another may have. She watches the pair them, gaze lingering on @Mirime, but before the girl had any time to speak (if she were going to add in anything with her brother's own statements) the battle was over, with Fernweh the loser. Isla watched as her cousin tried to crawl toward where her children were at, her niece getting Mihtril's attention to try to show him their mother. Beaten.

With a heavy sigh, the Heiress would give her shoulders a quick roll before attention went back to the siblings. "You both will always have a place in Illyria. Maybe Fernweh will, too, if things change..." Voice trailed off, and as a twisted ear heard the words of Tiamat she would let out a snort of air through her nose. Giving both Mithril and Mirime a final glance, the Greyflood would pad her way toward where the Scilla leader and slunk into the sand, tail flicking behind her. "If you are going to care for Fernweh, make sure her children are also cared for." Even though her voice was clipped and a bit snippy, the look Isla gave @Tiamat was one that was trying to illicit some sort of pity and care for the cubs.

After a moment, the ashen woman would turn to make her leave. She looked over to where Alexander was still fighting, but Isla knew she could not stay to watch the outcome. She wasn't going to trespass any longer than she needed lest she were engaged into battle by a disgruntled Lagoon member.

exit Isla.

ART BY NAVARRE, CODE BY DEE

truthfully she had been in no hurry to come. not for lack of wanting to support the lagoon but merely because of her own impending birth; calypso waited to be certain there was no threat before she approached.

slipping up beside @Hákon with a touch of her nose to his shoulder just in time for the current queen to demand the tresspassers to leave. @Tiamat directs help to the failed challenger but it is tia herself that holds calypso's attention.

cautiously she draws closer to the resting queen and shifts her satchel to the ground, retrieving herbs that might help with both pain and exhaustion. "if ye'd like, hmm?" a pause before she thought to add -- "d'ey will do no harm to yer babes."

UNDER THESE SMOTHERING WAVES

table by sentinel / art

Personally, she enjoyed it when no one seemed to bother her where she lay comfortably in the sand. Nothing like being able to just soak up someone else's rays, hear the roar of physical fighting and vocal fighting, and be able to feel the cool ocean breeze that coasted along the nape of her neck. Golden eyes eventually opened if only to check out her surroundings and make sure no one had stuck up to her while she tuned out every few minutes. Eyeing the vast amount of palm trees and open sands, the seashells scattered about and the cliffside that seemed almost too daunting and not daunting enough. One leap from there and you'd be filled with adrenaline but likely also empty out all your bodily liquids, too, so probably best not to imagine.

The fight was over (eventually) and as her gaze turned to the one who seemed to have won, it seemed the Lagoon was still under the same regime. Not that Zelda cared, really. If anything she was a wandering spirit that never truly had her foot firmly in anyone's door. For the right price, she would be but so far no one had been able to give that to her and so she eventually stretched to a stand and began her exit. Not point sticking around to see what trouble lingered. exit zelda

+5 - study the natural world
+5 - sunbathe or take a nap

^{ART BY ALE-TIE2015, CODE BY CALA}

tension thrums through him, for even as the key battle winds down there is chaos, still. fights all around, his against theirs (against who?). the mire is enmeshed in this and he is both proud and uneasy because of it. it is never easy picking sides, but he has chosen this one and will again and again.

ronin and nephthys leave and @Tinúviel backs down and alaric breaths a quiet sigh of relief. astarte stands near, on edge, and soon enough his attention is pulled by a too-familiar face.

"@Vághan," he returns with a wary edge to his voice, a barely restrained anger that threatened to rise as his patience was tried again and again. at first he does not make sense of the beasts words, but then his focus slips to the fight between the smart-mouthed girl and the rike.

ah, that.

"she needs to learn to hold her tongue," he advised, "when there are so many ears to hear her insults." alaric had not sent the man; leonie had sealed her own fate when she spoke so loudly against the mire king.

but he made a promise, and he would not break it now. "i would not be the one to bring her harm." not ever. as if they were my own he had said in the firefly lit grotto, in a world a thousand memories from this one. leonie fell under that umbrella of protection, no matter what vitriol she spat his way.

he holds the mans gaze for a moment, two; unwavering. looking away only when tiamat rises victorious. she calls for tinny and he shifts, moving out of the way, though he clearly does not intend to leave just yet.

coding and art by dusk

He took no joy in doing harm to them. The entire attempt to not draw blood was successful, but Alexander had no idea how long he could restrain himself for. Not for want of violence, but out of necessity.

The lioness lashes out at him again, her movements a blur of speed that he could barely decipher. Admirable. Teeth clamp onto his paw, but he has no intention of making such an attack easy for her. A paw radiates up his limb, flesh pierced by sharp fang.

Before he can think of his next move, their claws rake down his right shoulder, creating vibrant lacerations that make his already red coat even brighter. Blood drips to the sand below, marring it.

Frustration builds, his gut twisting with anger. Alexander attempts to use all his strength to force the paw in her mouth down ( in hopes of bringing her head down with it ), as low as he could muster with every fiber of his weight. If this was at all successful, the beast would then try and grasp for the back of their head, along their scruff.

Like a cub reprimanded by it's parent. Still, there was not enough force behind the bite to draw blood, just to try and grab mane and skin.

Alexander vs. @Lyric
For Minor Maim
1 2 3 4

Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 19 + 6 + 3 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 17 + 12 + 3 + 2

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 4 + 8 + 19 + 10

code + art

Perhaps if Drena was not the war hound she had been bred to be things would be different. Perhaps she would have relinquished her hold on Dhaveira and let her escape back through the throng of individuals gathered. But that was not how things were and Drena was not a savior. She was the villain in this story, a role that she would play well. Her jaws had been successful in grabbing hold of the little dove's paw and when she pulled her towards her she stumbles, falling before her. Drena does not pause, even as those innocent eyes rake across her body. She should have felt badly, she should have stopped. Perhaps if she was not so ill she would have; but Drena felt nothing. Her teeth clamp down harder, attempting to crush her paw between her jaws. Her left forepaw would swat outward, attempting to wrap around Dhaveira's neck to pull her in close. "You will belong to me, no matter how many times I have to return here in this shithole to find you. And I will find you." She hisses, releasing the woman just as quickly as she had grabbed hold, burning embers locked onto that innocent face, marking her. Remembering her. This would not end here.

Drena v. @Dhaveira
For Dominance
Round 3/3

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 17 + 2 + 13 + 18 + 14 + 3 + 1

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 3 + 14 + 20 + 16 + 13

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 12 + 15 + 18 + 16 + 14

ART BY YUMPY