Aideen quickly decides that she rather likes this wheaten lioness who introduces herself as @Lagertha. She moves, as if she is uncaring of the forces that come here- that she doesn't realize that Amara is the Queen and one of the strongest females in the land. She feels her excited grin slip a bit as another arrives, and her eyes cut to a gray female who she has not met- that smells of the sands pride, like that male had who her father had once fought. Interesting. She feels her gaze leave the female- Léonie as another arrives.

This male she recognizes as the new King of the Hollows, and she looks at him with un-masked curiosity- @Alexander ♔. He was big, and for he to note that she knew he must be one of the bigger males in the land, but she fully intended to rival his size one day- because Aideen was still convinced in her youthful ignorance that she could be the biggest lion in the land. And the strongest.

Then a stinky swamp lion appears, and joins them, and he introduces himself as @Hubert. Aideen's gaze is curious as she studies him, openly and without and restraint that perhaps another more experienced recruiter may have. He speaks about his pride, and she scoffs softly, but says nothing. There was no way that his father was as strong as Amara. No way.

Then Lagertha speaks, and she grins again- as another male arrives- who smells of salt and sea- and she looks to him, but then Amara is speaking and she watches her queen with rapt attention before she chimes in.

"If you wanna live somewhere among the strongest, Amara is the Queen for you. And her Sovreign- they're the best, and you- you seem like you want to live among the best." She said, with a winning grin. "You definitely wouldn't regret living with us. We're the best." She said with a proud sniff- before glancing to the swamp male. "They're our allies- so I mean, if you don't like mountains and like the swamp though- they're good too." She said, almost kindly of the Mire. She could totally do this.

just like fire burning out the way

watch this madness, colorful charade

code by corvus

@Alexander ♔ arrived, as did some runt who introduced himself as yet another Stärke. She wondered if she’d encountered him before, or if it had been some equally unimpressionable brother. It really was too bad the Mire king had sired another litter on her married mother — Léonie would’ve been impressed with him and his reign, if only he’d not broken her family.

Her hazel eyes wandered back to the King of the Hollow, finally smiling — and quite cheerfully. The smirk he’d given her had not gone unnoticed — she had simply needed a second to deal with her petty annoyance with @Hubert and his family.

The rogue they’d flocked to descended from her perch to circle them, like a predator sizing its prey, and Léonie turned her head to follow. Then, once @Lagertha was finished, she returned to her rock to listen to what they had to offer her. Another lion slipped in, but the Heiress only glanced at him. She remembered him as the lion who’d beaten Nephthys for the Cove, and now she had a name (@Keligan) to go with that goofy mug — information she would keep for later.

@Amara began her spiel, and @Aideen was quick to join. It was a pity — Halimede’s hairball was spunky, and Léonie had a feeling she would’ve liked her. Ah, well.

“The Oasis is ruled by my brother,” the Heiress began. “We hold the ambitious in high esteem, and value loyalty. Our members are recognized and rewarded for their dedication, and what they’ve contributed, not by how big and beefy they look. Strength comes from more than just pure brawn, yeah?” Then, she added, “My father ruled the Oasis for several years. My brother and I intend to surpass his reign. He’s already defended the pride from some gutless cunt.” The enemy had attacked in the middle of the night, and with poisoned claws — a move Léonie would’ve used, and actually had. However, any appreciation she might’ve had over their like-mindedness was soured by the fact that the challenger had had it AGAINST HER FUCKING LITTERMATE.

For a moment, Léonie allowed her focus to linger on the rogue, watching her expression for what she hoped was some indication of receptiveness. However, her attention soon passed to the Hollow King, to listen to what he had to say.

artwork • coding

Alexander was quite used to the flourish of women, though in truth this lioness was a bit different than those he'd come across before. At least, when it came to rogues. She seems quite content to take her time - he could perhaps see the reasoning why. One needed to be particular when choosing a home. As he well knew, it could turn sour if you misread someone's character.

Obsidian Hollow is to the west of here. I take pride in that it is run by myself and my family, the Savante, to which are very close knit. We welcome others into the fold so long as they treat us as we would treat them - as family. Alexander pauses, glancing to his brother as he speaks - a show of admiration in his blue eyes. After all, Alexander would be nothing without the support of his kin and those that would act as kin.

He had already mentioned that the pride was within a cave system, so he assumed her desire for knowledge did not mean the terrain.

Pale blue eyes turn to once more settle on @Lagertha, his baritone voice a warm welcome as he spoke, Admittedly my crown is new, but I am resolute in my rule and I will protect the Hollows at all costs. I intend to for many years to come. If Alexander is anything, it is confident - it does not waver or break under the eye of those who would be his enemies.

Though, he was still so uncertain with Wolfbron and those that resided there, he would not speak ill on them this moment. That would be in poor taste. Attention shifts to @Léonie now, highly amused at her colorful phrasing.

The pale rogue woman is quite a popular prize indeed, it seems. Oh, and she seems keenly aware of it too. Verdant eyes track @Lagertha's movements as she circles them, a dark eyebrow raising slightly when she returns to her perch, as if she existed far too high above the world to care overly much for the happenings here. It grates upon his nerves somewhat, the expectation that he should have to win her, as if she's not lucky to have a place in his Vater's kingdom so generously offered to her. Still, he simply curves his lips into an indulgent smile to mask his gritted teeth, eyeing the newest man to join this little 'retinue' of theirs curiously.

Whether @Keligan is an ally or not, there are already too many lions here to risk making a claim. There was nothing for it but to weigh out his words carefully.

Especially since words are in no short supply here, he notes, listening with muted interest as the other recruiters made their speeches, predictably displaying their prides in the best light. He keeps his jaws clamped shut when @Amara mentions the Bluffs' rather...backwards way of thinking, just barely managing to keep a snort from slipping out when @Aideen ever so generously labeled the Mire as being 'good' too, his lips twitching slightly as he inclined his head to acknowledge their alliance.

He's seen that the speckled High Sovereign is a fine fighter, he'll give her that. Presumably such advantageous skills are why Vater's bothered to tolerate them for so long, but when compared to the might of his own family...Hubert knows in his heart that the Starke men are superior.

Quietly tucking away little bits of info about the more irritating existences of the Oasis and the Hollows, the Prince was all too happy to take his turn to speak once more. The Mire values strength and loyalty above all. We reward the ambitious and those committed to making a name for themselves. Our ranks are earned through effort, and friendly competition is always encouraged. All skills are welcomed, and we all look after each other in exchange. They're not the Bluffs, but Ecrosia's women could go far if they had merit. Did Lagertha? It might be nice to bring back someone who was useful as well as pretty - Luther certainly seemed to focus far more on the latter quality. We're one of the largest and most prosperous prides here. He'd probably prefer to have less siblings prowling around, but it sounds like a good selling point on paper. And as I said, my Vater has ruled for years. The Mire shall always remain in Starke paws. A bold claim? Perhaps, but Hubert's believed this to be true his entire life, and it's yet to be disproven.

@Léonie @Alexander ♔

ART + CODE By Dee

Each one of the other recruiters would give their bit of a speech. Talking about the perks about their prides and the tidbits of information that he would store away for later for himself. For the fact that @Amara and Alaric (Thanks to @Hubert's speech) were two of the longest standing leaders on the island was interesting. But he had seen Amara fight first hand. Both prides in question had been allies with the Cove under Gauthier's rule and his intention was to renew that as well.

Flicking his ears, it was then his turn to speak and he took a moment to think before starting his own speech. I will admit that I am a new ruler of Caladan Cove after the lion who ruled above me was washed out to sea during a storm that caused damage to the Cove. Under him, I was Gentry and to prevent it from getting into the wrong hands, I fought for the claim. And I intend to keep fighting to keep the Cove against anyone who wishes to take it from me.

Glancing over to @Léonie for a moment, knowing she was from that forsaken desert that Nephthys called home, Keligan turned his attention back to the Rogue. I've always made a point, even before becoming High Sovereign, to meet my fellow pride members. Some have even returned to the Cove after I won it. We are still small and have several ranks available for those with skill and loyalty. I do not hold those who want to leave as prisoner and all you have to do is ask. Well, in the case of those who were willing to join wouldn't be forced to stay. But those stolen in war were a different story.

But Keligan was not blind to the fact that @Alexander ♔ was awfully close to the Oasis representative and kept that in the back of his mind. So apparently he won the battle for the Hollows from Vermier. That would be another pride to stay cautious about as well. Something he needed to talk to Sunder about. He also needed to talk to Valaine about some stuff as well, but he knew she was still healing from being attacked at the Summit with the broken ribs. Attention shifted to @Lagertha, waiting for her decision on who she would go with.

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With flicking ears and a face that showed no indication of how she thought about the words spoken, she listened. Considering each offer carefully. — They all had chosen their paths. — A small nod and even a smile was given to @Léonie. Strength was more than just the body and from her own appearance, there were often more that saw no other strength than physical. There was always more to be considered.
A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes at the words of @Hubert before a smirk tugged at her lips. Such confidence. Admirable. But none of us truly know what the future holds, Lagertha spoke calmly. Not a threat, merely something to consider.

Though there was a lot more to consider than just the Mire lion's offer. After all, quite a few had come to see if they could bring her into their prides. Quite a few offers that spoke of how life would be with them. Viridescent eyes moved between all who had spoken as she seemed to quietly think about everything. Her tail slowly flicked from side to side, a smile still on her lips.

They had all given her things to consider. — More than just their offers. — Allegiances were made clear through even the most subtle reactions.You all have made quite tempting offers. The pale lioness slowly slipped off her perch, allowing her gaze to linger on each representative for a moment. But then she stepped towards @Keligan to stand by his side.

Loyalty to those who came before us is an important thing. You stepped up when your home needed someone to do so in a dark time. That is honorable and something I do value quite highly. I will stand with you to protect the Cove and rebuild to grow strong once more. With her choice made clear she stood by his side, ready for him to take the lead when he'd choose to leave. Though she did give the others a small smile.

exit

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@Amara @Aideen @Alexander ♔
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Listening to the words that the Rogue lioness spoke, Keligan paid attention to the body language of the other recruiters. Flicking his ears, he turned to look at @Lagertha and smiled. She had decided to come back to the Cove with him. Her speech about him stepping up as a loyal member of the pride by keeping it out of enemies paws. The pride isn't that far of a walk from here. While we travel to home, I'll fill you in on things. Smiling, he then turned to look at the other recruiters and dipped his head before he took the lioness back to the sandy beaches of Caladan.

EXIT w/ Lagertha

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