Mavour had been picking through the pride’s stocked cache, looking for something that could serve as her dinner tonight. As she did so, her mind wandered to Renfri… she hadn’t had a chance to speak with her since the meeting. She’d need to get a move on that. It was surprising how eager Mavour found herself in wanting to prove herself useful. Perhaps it was not for this price, per se… but more for her own. If she could prove herself useful here, well… then there would be no stopping her ambition!

As the young woman sniff-tested a particularly rancid slab of zebra, a sudden call to arms rolled across the plains like a crash of thunder. But where had the lightning struck? Hackles rising with the promise of excitement and perhaps even bloodshed, Mavour forgot her hunger and made a beeline to the source of the call. On the way, she heard two more calls rise, both for the King!

Ooooo this was going to be exciting!

Upon her arrival it would seem she had missed all the pleasantries. The heiress was already locked in battle with a particularly stringy-looking rogue lioness, and the King himself had taken the honor of tearing apart a rather detestable purple-pelted yearling.

Scanning the scene for something she could take part in, Mavour noticed @Reah who seemed to be searching the immediate area (perhaps for further intruders skulking in the shadows). Past that, she saw a rather pretty lioness seemingly trying to de-escalate the situation that was beginning to erupt around them. Her voice was but a breath to a wildfire, however. She’d better get ready to rumble… or flee.

From what @Renfri had said, Mavour knew that these rogues had threatened the children. Quote despicable, but a marvelous excuse to rip apart some rogues nonetheless!

It would seem the only rogue not garnering any attention at the moment would be the pretty little thing on the sidelines ( @Halimede ). She had just nearly dodged the heiress’s wrath, and now Mavour stalked forth so that she was poised with her left side facing the woman, her head turned and wide emerald eyes bearing into her with a foreboding gleam. “Chaos reigns now, love. Flee!! Or perhaps you’d like to test your mettle as well?” Mavour kneaded the wet mud with her claws.

C’mon, she didn’t have all night!

coded by flea + background credit

There was something happening at the borders, and he was too young to fully understand the danger. He knew his new parents had gone that way, and his curiosity didn't allow him to remain behind.

It was still cold, and still snowy, which actually helped him blend into the surroundings a bit more. Aside from the irregular trail left as he bounded after the adults. Elio paused a safe distance away, though, brought to a halt by the fights already happening. So this wasn't a happy event, then.

Folded ears tipped back as much as they were able, and the boy lowered himself to the ground, trying to hide against the white scattered across the landscape.

She grumbled a list of petty complaints in her mind as she walked near the pride border, the pelting of rain causing her furs to cling possessively against her flank. Ew. Anniston swished her tail against her ankles while she made her way through the grasses, until a dark blur had her skidding to a halt in her path. There stood a rather pathetic-looking cub, swathed in a similar purple to her own despite how shrimpy he looked. Anniston narrowed her gaze as she quelled her initial surprise, his stuttered orders and kittenish growl doing little to deter her.

"Scram, brat!" She hissed as she lashed her tail with agitation. Her chest tightened with apprehension, her throat thick with frustrated screams she kept shackled there. Perhaps a smarter cat would have tried to soothe the boy with manipulation. Perhaps a more cautious cat would have turned around the moment they were spotted. Anniston was not that cat.

She did not have much time to consider a course of action before another cub was loping toward the pair. Anniston swept her ears back against her skull, that sullen frown still creasing her expression to make her displeasure plain for all to see. She tilted her head down to regard the pair, her eyes widening once that call echoed out of the ocean-pelted one. Understanding flashed across her gaze at the sound of a very-adult summons, despite the tiny frame of the one who positioned herself there. “What brings you here, hm?” Twisting her face with very plain bewilderment, she stammered a response.

"N–Nothing. I took the wrong way home," she lied lamely, her mind struggling to buffer as the situation quickly devolved. Oh, but it had only just begun. She shifted the fuchsia of her eyes to a regular-sized, shadowy lioness who approached, the deep void of her pelt almost pretty if not for the scent she so detested clinging to her pelt – those grasses she loved, paired with the ogreish musk of a lion who did not belong here. Anniston snorted. Whatever else she might have said in that moment, no one would know.

“Nostalgia, probably,” interrupted a chiming voice most familiar, causing the adolescent to whirl slightly from where she stood. There entered her beloved pet Olive, her small frame almost galavanting through those sopping grasses. Her heart gave a jump as she latched her gaze upon her apparent savior, her expression lightening with evident gratitude quite misplaced. “I mean… she grew up here, so…” Anniston's chest burned with rising indignance as she nodded her fervent agreement.

"Yeah, this place is mine," she insisted, abandoning her previous lie so easily in favor of a shared cause. “Or! I think we talked about this —she’s come to take any kids, just like the king took her home.” "Yeah! I – what?" The youth was quick in reflexive agreement, only for the reality of Olive's words to settle fully into the wrinkles of her brain. Anniston recoiled slightly as she flickered her sights between the growing crowd of Lorien lions and her mischievous mentor with furrowed brows, her skin running cold with the notion of it as she reeled to find understanding. What could she be trying to do?

“No one said any of you had to leave when we came. That was your choice, and now you come to our lands to threaten our children?” Argued the tiny one.

She jolted slightly as another lioness announced her presence with her startling voice. "Ha ha! Oh, that is the funniest one yet." She craned her neck to see the familiar figure of that striped lioness – Halimede, she had introduced to someone else – though she smelled rather noxiously of flowers on this day.

"I don't want your ugly cubs," she insisted with a dry sniff, finally finding the will to defy even the one she wished to align herself with completely. If Olive was trying to de-escalate the situation, even fiery Anniston knew she was doing a terrible job of it.

"We were actually just leaving, weren't we? The purple one's got fleas. Would be awful if you caught them." Anniston let out a phlegmy scoff at the notion, her slick furs standing on end at the insult. She twisted her face to make a haughty denial when the tiny one went barreling in her pet's direction with furious speed, seemingly unphased by their backpedaling efforts. The yearling gave a shrill yelp as she side-stepped out of the way of the attack with her heart hammering agitating thumps against her ribcage, wild eyes managing to latch onto the giant form of another approaching incumbent. Him.

Alarm evaporated in an instant of recognition, leaving behind only the remnants of pure hatred upon her expression. Her gut churned at the sight of him – at the sight of his pelt so similar to her own, so near perfection, and yet a perverted mockery of it.

"I see you haven't ditched the tacky highlights yet," she observed with another lash of her tail, swallowing down the unease she felt rising within her. She would allow it no place, her mental stage equipped only for petty rage and vengeance. It was easier that way.

Anniston tensed as he came barreling forth, only a split second allowing for her instincts to take up her defenses. She flexed her claws into the muddy soil below, flattening her ears back against her crown and narrowing her eyes for protection. Still, this did little to aid her against his full, colossal form coming straight at her. She grunted as he made impact at her right shoulder, the muscle there screaming with sharp pain as she was sent skidding and sliding backward through the plains. The large girl teetered frantically against his weight, willing her legs to stay straight if nothing else – willing herself to go backward, not down.

She ignored how her shoulder pulsated with fresh bruising, relying on adrenaline and hatred alone where she lacked the precision of a warrior. Anniston shrieked a defiant yowl as she lunged her head forward in an attempt to close a swift, snapping bite against the base of his throat to take advantage of their close proximity. She lifted her left foreleg and tried to bury her claws deep within the flesh of his right shoulder, attempting to anchor her weight there upon Aeistrios himself. You're going down with me, buddy.

---

Anniston vs. @Aeistrios
For Freedom
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 4d20: 8 + 7 + 3 + 20

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 19 + 17 + 4

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 11 + 1 + 17 + 2 + 4 + 8

@Valtyr @Renfri @Reah @Olive @Halimede
+5 - Engage in mischief

+5 - Walk the pride borders
+5 - Observe and study a new scent

code by corvus

He hardly had time to give acknowledgement to @Mavour for showing, and he could only hope the Plains Lioness found an ache to get her claws bloody too, in defense of their home. His focus was fully upon the yearling, and at this point Aeistrios was convinced yearling had a vendetta against him, always looking to rouse trouble. They wanted to play like an adult, though, he'd treat them as one. He heard her grunt at their impact, her right shoulder taking the mass of his collison. There was a split second he heard a yowl - and then felt pain upon his shoulder, claws tearing into them while a sting flared along the skin of his neck. Thankful for his mane, the protection from it that his fur offered - but her fangs still caused mild cuts to his skin. Jaws would splay, and he would attempt to bite down upon that same shoulder he had tried to tackle her over with. She put her weight to him, though, like a heavy anchor - god what the hell was this?! He felt his knees shake for a second, the movement surprising him from the weight of Anniston. However... he attempts to turn the situation around. With a growl, Aeistrios tries to go dead-weight above her, hoping his crushing weight did some impact to her. Aeistrios vs Anniston for claim to LP 2/3 Hits: Rolling 9d20: 15 + 18 + 19 + 8 + 16 + 4 + 11 + 3 + 1 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 11 + 16 + 14 + 17 Luck: Rolling 6d20: 10 + 18 + 6 + 3 + 7 + 11 *+1 to luck due to lead scout being present

art by era

The commotion was really interrupting her peace, and as she approached all the sounds- she moved slowly and lazily. She would come to observe, and stand beside the lioness who smelled of the plains, her eyes on the one stranger not being attacked currently- @Halimede. She says nothing, but stands beside- @Mavour. A silent offer of support, but she really, really didn't want to fight.

"I advise you to flee. I just want to nap. Not fight." She rumbled softly to the rouge lioness. Yet, was she going to have to fight? Maybe. She'd help her pride-mate, she guessed, if... she had too. Otherwise, Yelena was content to just observe, and remain on the sidelines unless asked to do something else. After all- Aeistrios had just said he'd expect her to hunt, not to fight- right?

code by corvus

Deathly Cold

Silas had heard the summons also, it stirred him as he slept. He had perhaps caught maybe a couple hours before he had found himself pulling himself from his bed of stacked furs once more. With a groan he gave a stretch... but then a second summons, this time for the King.

What was happening?

He stepped outside of his den as others quickly made their way toward the source of the cry. He hesitated a moment. He knew he had promised to fight he the need arose... but so soon? He looked in the opposite direction for a moment, mulling over the possibility of simply leaving their ranks altogether but then he spotted Mavour running at full speed to the source of action.

No... He had to go. He had to protect her.

He followed, unable to keep up with her, and finally made his appearance. Once he had arrived he noticed several fights already underway (most notably that the King was intent on pummeling a child). Upon his face was clearly disgust as he tore his eyes away to search for his sister. Frantically he looked until finally he laid eyes on her.

She was poised in front of another rogue, but THANKFULLY she hadn't attacked yet, and it would seem she would have some backup. That was comforting, at the very least. Silas ran from the sidelines to where Mavour stood. She had a bloodlust in her eye, but Silas knew she didn't know how to fight! He took a stance partially in front of his sister, ears lowered and head tilted in apology.

"I'm sorry... My sister is a little excitable. It's the other fights going on... Please, you should leave before someone else tries to hurt you. " He tries to say diplomatically, ready to hold Mavour back if she tries to overstep his word and attack anyway, just to spite him.

He wouldn't put her past it.

@Yelena
@Halimede

code by corvus

halimede.

She had two choices here. Neither were ideal.

If she took the advice of the three lions who stared her down now, she'd be wise to run back to the Oasis and call for reinforcements. Would they even show up? she wondered idly; Olive and Anniston were personal friends, and while the former had once been a ward of Andal just as she, there were far more bitter memories attached to that than friendly ones. And though she were sure that if it were Seneca or Leander still leading that they would undoubtedly lead the charge for Halimede's cause, she wasn't sure Scorpius was so keen on throwing himself into a war with another pride simply because his aunt had a crush on a woman intent on poking the bear.

She could only imagine the look on their faces if she called for her pride and they showed up exasperated, apologizing for their naughty child and dragging her back to the desert by her ear.

Her other option, she supposed, was staying. Keeping the rouse of being a rogue and fighting alongside her companions that so desperately needed her now. And while they were sorely outnumbered, even she couldn't hide the excitement that trilled in her ears like a fervent heartbeat, her fur unfurling around her plush neck like a fluffed-up cat. As Aeistrios surges forward from the opposite side to tackle Anniston, Halimede's head swerves around just as @Mavour cautions her.

You know, I don't think I'm supposed to take advice from lions with crazy eyes, she retorted, a girlish pout curled onto her lips. However, she quickly found herself becoming surrounded; @Yelena and @Silas approached on her other free sides, and Halimede could barely see her companions fighting beyond their encroaching silhouettes. The more separated she grew, the more her heart began to beat fervently in her chest. Oh, yeah, no, I think this one needs to be tried to a tree, Halimede concurred, the clever cunning of her growing smirk betraying the uncertainty swelling deep within her. She swallowed hard, but ever the expert liar, her gaze was unwavering.

I'm not leaving without them.

hexa lumine

your best bet is to stay away motherfucker

---

The warrior heard the call, and immediately she got to her paws and moved without a second thought. Her blood red eyes shimmered with curiosity as she approached the scene. She heard everything, saw everything. She couldn’t help but sneer when she saw a lioness saying that she was staying. She truly wished to stay even though she was trespassing.

There were a few other pride mates trying to get her to leave. Hexa shouldered her way through the crowd and snarled at the woman. “You have been warned plenty of times to leave, but it seems you are too stupid to listen.” She snarled. “I will force you to leave.” She added.

Hexa flattened her ears and narrowed her eyes, and she faced the woman head on. Without any further warning, the woman launched herself forward. Her large jaws aimed to get a hold of the trespasser’s throat.

@Hexa vs. @Halimede
For Major Maim (TBD)
Round 1 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 9d20: 10 + 15 + 16 + 5 + 1 + 4 + 7 + 20 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 6 + 17 + 19 + 13

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 19 + 11 + 6 + 20 + 8 + 9

+1 luck due to Lead Scout present
+1 hit due to Lead Fighter perk

---

code by scorpixia♡︎ | art by vasilia

halimede.

It was not any of the Plains lions before her who launched that final assault; instead, it came from that final free direction, the last of Halimede's open sides. @Hexa surged forth, her words the only indication of her swiftly-approaching presence. Eyes flung wide in preparation, her mouth half-parted as she felt the woman's jaws clasp around her throat. The squeeze of teeth against her windpipe caused her breath to swell in her throat, unable to find the release of a gasp. Her teeth dug into the soft, plush skin, leaving small punctures in her wake.

Halimede had little time to be anything more than reactive, her right paw quickly surging upward in an attempt to extend her claws and try and grab on the left side of Hexa's face, hoping to hook and hold somewhere near her cheek or ear.

Halimede vs Hexa
for Major maim
i of iv

Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 8 + 9 + 2 + 13 + 18 + 20

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 15 + 2 + 10 + 20 + 5

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 7 + 10 + 1 + 17

hexa lumine

your best bet is to stay away motherfucker

---

Hexa had made a promise to her King. She had made a promise to everyone who resided in the Plains. She would protect her pride-mates and the territory, her home. She didn’t care who lived here prior, she didn’t care for the situation happening other than the fact that there were some strangers trespassing and throwing threats. And this one had refused to leave.

Her teeth punctured skin and the taste of blood put her mind in a darker, more vicious place.

Her opponent's claws then scraped at Hexa’s left cheek. There was a new stinging pain that she felt, and warm crimson liquid began to spill.

With adrenaline coursing through her body, she didn’t mind for now. Instead, Hexa attempted to let go but only for a short moment. Then she attempted to bite once again at the right side of her opponent’s neck.

@Hexa vs. @Halimede
For Major Maim (TBD)
Round 2 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 9d20: 8 + 14 + 11 + 18 + 20 + 6 + 10 + 13 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 14 + 9 + 6 + 4

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 17 + 7 + 10 + 5 + 16 + 4

+1 luck due to Lead Scout present
+1 hit due to Lead Fighter perk

---

code by scorpixia♡︎ | art by vasilia