His gaze turned upward as @Lagertha found the hare among the throng of sand and debris, his smirk deepening at her comments. Yes, clearly something was different about her; and the longer that time drawled on without a single word, the more suspicious Kvare grew. Either this lioness was impeccably shy, or she was mute, and either one was as equally annoying as it was intriguing. Kvare might have considered it a blessing to meet a lioness who couldn't talk, but such opinions he would not voice aloud lest he risk getting smacked.

@Novalie had become something of a plaything, her fate left in the paws of two Caladanians driven only by their intrigue of this bold stranger. By the time @Keligan arrived, Kvare was flexing his claws, as if tapping them against the back of his prisoner's neck. Mismatched gaze slowly lifted toward the King, instinctually retracting his paw from her then, despite the driving instinct to press her further down into the sand. Refusing to confess, too, He continued, agreeing with Keligan's first two with his wicked grin, And, she's far too pretty to let go. Don't you think?

And half dead, he supposed, but they could fix that.

Go. It is softer than a whisper, barely rising above the waves in the background. Kvare's gaze quickly turns down toward her, his paw freeing her but otherwise leaving her yet surrounded by the three of them. He had barely caught the word that struggled past her lips. So the little bird can sing.

Art by Raph, table by cala

Long claws dug into the hare's remains as she continued to observe, mostly quiet after she had spoken. — There was a time for talk and a time for silence. — While she could see the suffering the rogue had gone through, at least the one that marked her body, she was growing more suspicious the longer there was no word from her. Lips briefly peeled up over long fangs in irritation and frustration for a moment.

But it all changed when @Keligan arrived. The flicking of her tail ceased and she briefly bowed her head in greeting to her king. A rumble could still be heard from her and she stayed where she was to cut off one of the potential escape routes once @Novalie was no longer held in place by @Kvare. Within view of the starving lioness, the pale one's claws flexed, a single and silent warning that needed no words as a single word reached Lagertha's ears.

Well well, she mused, ears twitching a little.

A word after all. So there had to be something else wrong. — There had to be something. — Lagertha slowly lowered herself to take a much closer look at their little captive. Though it would likely be more unsettling than comforting to suddenly have someone so close. But then she stood again. Perhaps with a bit of work and care, she might be more than just pretty. And since she can speak, which was one thing I considered she might not be able to....perhaps it is her ears. Maybe she is unable to hear.

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The lioness being questioned did not speak. Instead, she remained meek and then a whisper of go is said. Soft. Flicking his bobbed tail, he shifted to be closer as @Kvare let go of his prize and talked about the lioness refusing to confess. When it was mentioned by @Lagertha about possibly being deaf, he clicked his tongue. Staring at @Novalie, he spoke slowly, to see if she could read lips. Stay. Cove lioness. Without looking at @Kvare he kept gaze on the lioness, the hare and the situation
, he added with certainty as he then shifted a glance to the lion, Noble and… then looking to Lagertha, Lead Fighter. Turning back to the Rogue who was now claimed to the Cove, he towered. You are his. Tossing his head towards Kvare.

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They are talking.

She knows this, despite the silence following from their moving lips. Her brain is torn, focused between trying to read their lips or the flexing claws on the back of her neck, thumping against her skin in a mocking way.

However, she was released by the timber man - and Novalie was ready to make a mad dash for it, legs even digging into the snow to fling her off - but @Keligan got close to her, her path directly blocked. Ears pin back on her head, but there is a hint of surprise coaxing her features when the black lion mouthed words to her. Stay. She gulped, tail lashing out in a silent protest. If he was able to command the others here, as well as claim away her freedom - King. He had to be a King.

She got his out of the next mouthed words, and Novalie snaps her attention back to @Kvare , a gaze narrowing in a quiet, calculative way. His, no longer her own; but his.

Her gaze dared him to show her what that meant.

@Kvare @Lagertha @Keligan

code by corvus

A look of surprise crosses his expression at @Lagertha's suggestion. Deaf? he ponders quietly, his boyish brows furrowing as he bites his lip thoughtfully. However, the strange notion of it quickly passed as @Keligan addressed them once again, confirming Kvare's sort-of claim on the girl and pulling her officially into the fold. A sort of satisfied smugness replaced the previous skepticism, and as the desperate @Novalie attempted to free herself of them, Kvare watched patiently as they essentially boxed her in. Beautiful prey.

His shoulders draw back as the King continues on to heighten their status, with Kvare taking the rank he originally requested and Lagertha taking his place. He spares a glance toward the sandy lioness, before it rests on Keligan once more. I'll use it well, he affirms, suddenly enjoying the greater power now afforded to him. At the very least, he and the speckled King seemed to be of similar veins, far more privy to the laws of the ancient lands left in the tales of mothers to their young.

And in that same vein, he was awarded an even greater prize.

As he catches her eye he sees that intensity, that beggaring that seemed to almost command him. The dare that dwelled in her gaze immediately causes Kvare to tense, the sudden urge to rush forward and throw her into the ground fettered only because there were others here he would not like to bear witness to his lack of control. Not now, especially, when he'd just been handed such an important role. Kvare steeled himself in the face of her challenge, but he would not let that look linger long.

Come on, then, he commands, prowling up behind the lioness and aiming to bump his nose against her hip in the direction of his den. While he would not subject her to sleeping there, he would at least see her contained until he could clean her up and feed her. Perhaps, if he were lucky, she would sing for him some more.

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Kvare exits (with Novalie?)

Art by Raph, table by cala

The pale lioness remained quiet after saying what she thought. — It was a possibility after all. Made sense. — Her gaze lingered on @Novalie for a moment, shifting her slender frame ever so slightly when she noticed the signs of preparing to move swiftly.

It didn't surprise her that she was allowed to stay. If it hadn't been decided so, she would have asked for it to help the starving lioness. Like someone had done for her once. What did surprise her was her own elevation in rank. Her tail flicked rapidly behind her for a moment as she thought it over. Perhaps...perhaps everything was falling into place just as it was supposed to be. She briefly glanced at @Kvare with a small smile and nod before her gaze wandered to @Keligan once more.

So will I, Lagertha said calmly as she accepted the new role bestowed upon her.

Shifting ever so slightly she so very gentle nudged the side of Novalie's head, perhaps a gentle encouragement, before their new member would leave with the Noble. It will be alright, she mouthed to her, hoping that she would understand, before stepping back a little and sitting on her haunches next to Keligan.

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The lioness would stay, under the protection and eye of @Kvare. The lion would accept the rank of Noble, one they had previously talked about. Good. Keligan kept his promise to the Tollaire as the lion had been working hard and the High Sovereign noticed these little things. Next would be @Lagertha accepting the rank to move into the vacant one that Kvare had just left. Turning to look at @Novalie, Keligan ushered her to follow the Noble.

As Lagertha shifted to sit next to him, the High Sovereign smiled slightly. As Lead Fighter, you'd be expected to help defend the pride and our allies against any enemies. You are able to invite members on our borders and any neutral territory. And you can defend any thefts of members from our pride. Giving her the rules that came along with the new rank. You can hold fight training events for the pride as well. Even though it was a renewing and small pride, it was growing slowly.

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Her tail slowly flicked from side to side as she listened. Though that smile did not go unnoticed. — They were growing, getting stronger. — And more than anything, his reaction told her all she truly needed to know. They were few, but their bonds were what brought them to fight. And no matter the path, they would stand together. Just as she would stand to protect his family.

The faint hint of a smile ghosted over her lips, a low rumble following.

We will all grow stronger together. Alone we can be strong, but only when we stand together as one, can we be at our strongest. And I will make sure that any who choose to join us, will grow strong. Confident words, but she did seem like someone who wouldn't just make empty promises.

This was the life most familiar to her. Fighting and protecting, guiding those who needed help to grow stronger. —To find their own inner strength to bring out. —For a moment she was quiet before turning her head to face @Keligan with a small smile. I do have one request. As we have seen from the state of the lioness we found...and as I have experienced myself, life as a rogue is a dark one...and so can be life in a pride that doesn't value someone for who they are. What I would like to do is help those who can't help themselves. Females who fled from being used and abused or even still are in such a situation with no way of escape. And little ones who have no way of defending themselves.

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The lioness sat and talked with him. First speaking of growing stronger than about the life of a Rogue and about gathering lionesses who were leaving abusive situations and cubs who needed help. Nodding slowly before speaking, Gather only those who are rogues. If the lioness is a prisoner of their pride, please inform me or Kvare to handle it. With the Cove still being a newly claimed pride, it was on rocky waters until he could prove himself to be capable of being the Leader in the eyes of others who doubted his abilities. Shifting to stand up, he smiled at the sandy lioness. With time comes rewards. @Lagertha had the chance of moving up at a later time if it suited her and if she did well in her current position. Turning to head back towards his den, he smiled at the lioness. Keep up the good work. Then Keligan left to go patrol on his way back to his wife and children.

EXIT

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No regrets

and yet, every regret

Lagertha quietly listened, nodding in agreement. Of course there was a lot to consider when looking at such situations. Rogues were one thing, but if it involved a different pride it became a more delicate matter. "Of course." There was always a lot to consider and with the current state of the Cove, strengthening their numbers while also protecting the children was the most important thing. Everything else would come with time.

The pale lioness slowly rose to her feet, stretching ever so slightly. A smile and a nod was given to Keligan before she turned the other way. And with a graceful trot she went off on her own border patrol.

Exit

code by corvus