as i play roulette with a broken gun

@Keligan wasted no time in answering her question and she nodded in response, her eyes on the challenger. Helah of Wolfbron Bluffs. Well, she would be cheering this challenger on. She held no love for the current leadership of the Oasis and a change would not be an unwelcome thing. Especially since she saw the Bluffs as a potential ally. It would widen her options for friends among the prides.

Keligan was behaving a little strangely and Tiamat would have liked to ask questions, but she refrained, merely watching. Around them fights were already beginning to break out, tensions rising to a palpable level as enemies clashed.

A woman (@Caltáriel) approached, her fur a light shade of wheat with white accents and looking, in Tiamat's opinion, rather delicate. Her focus seemed to be Keligan, but she addressed the group that had gathered with him. Tiamat tilted her head and looked in the woman's direction. "Well, its a shame that King Scorpius does not control the land I stand on," Tiamat gestured, amusement in her voice. "I have no crossed his borders.....yet." There was a sparkle in her eye, making it clear that she would throw herself into mischief should she find something worthy of her time.

And then her daughter appeared and she frowned. @Taraji," she said, turning her head to the peach girl. "You must not cross the border," she instructed, her voice firm. The last thing she needed was her daughter getting kidnapped or stolen because she followed her mother to witness a fight. "Watch, but stay out of trouble." Any of the others would no doubt already be in trouble, but Taraji seemed a little more even-tempered and level-headed than the others.

A tiger that she recognized approached, and Tiamat nodded in @Faye's direction with a smile. She might have answered Faye's question, though it was directed to Lagertha, but she was distracted by Keligan's reaction to the woman. She watched them, curious, and could pick up bits of their conversation. It was clear that Keliga was interested in her. Would he fight to take her from this place?

i confess these sins with a sharp and spiteful tongue

art by hush, code by anyu

Further flirtations with the lady would have to wait, for intrigued as Walpurgis was by the softness of her skin and the indulgence of her words these were no more special than toe jam in comparison to the aging lioness's lust for battle. Their king arrived - Whopper admittedly not on the lookout for him, her eyes lost in admiration for the fairer sex - but she heard his command and knew by tone and his bristling posture and, overall, the circumstance of many angry lions that it was time for WAR.

The lady... her lady... yep, her lady, she went away softly somewhere, and Whopper did not perceive it was also toward the borders and the inherent danger wherein. Fur bristled in greasy spikes and drool flung from her bottom canines as she whipped around, her body low, already in attack mode before she even charged toward strangers on the borders. One in particular @Myra caught her attention by her lax posture, a stubborn stance that provoked Walpurgis even though she didn't understand that had been intended, and which suggested weakness which she was ever eager to rip apart. The most tender meat from the bone. Chin up, bright buttercup.

Walpurgis intended to charge the lioness from head on, her approach highly projected due to her position on the open sands and the order that had been given and the fact that she was a black and red oblivious menace. Hostility gleamed from narrowed eyes and tattered, small ears glued backward. Jowls with fangs bared attempted to bury teeth within the lady's right cheek, and Walpurgis also attempted to fling both front arms around the enemy's shoulders in a sharp-flanged bear hug. A joyous and gutteral, bubbling shout echoed from her lungs. Get out!

@Walpurgis vs @Myra
Dominance / GTFO
1/3

Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 12 + 18 + 13 + 9 + 5 + 2 + 19 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 3 + 10 + 11 + 7

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 9 + 8 + 20 + 19

A slight smile would grace her muzzle as Audric approached the group she was sitting with. While she didn't understand the words he spoke, she did understand the base meaning of them as he flashed the lethal plants. A small 'hmph' escaped her, showing her indifference to whatever he decided to do. She had a feeling that she would be safe and protected within the group of lions she was sitting with just outside the borders and knew that based on what Amara had told her, Wolfbron would protect their own. She was not a fighter, and hadn't really ever fought in her life before.

"I'm not on the land your king claims as his, if you note where that line ends." Adelita said simply, not moving from her spot. An ear would flick as the one who had originally spat venom at her targeted the half masked lioness besides her. Based on her pridemate's wounds, she was well-versed in fighting and could stand her own. But she would be ready to heal her once her fight finished.

And then another large lioness was ready to launch herself at her, and Adelita tensed her muscles, ready to dart out of range and keep herself safe. But then @Elaine ♔ was there, putting herself between the lioness of the Oasis and herself. Adelita would still aim to move herself further away from the borders to keep herself out of range and out of the area if a fight were to break out between Elaine and this strange Oasis lioness.


Adelita & @Elaine ♔ v @Kireena
Escape Attempt #1

Rolling 1d10: 10

actions. "speech."

Art & Table code by Zodiac

"And until my king falls in battle these lands belong to us.. It doesn't matter if you're 'not tresspassing' - you're here in support of the challenger which makes you not welcome." Kireena didn't take kindly to children being attacked, and while she could admit - at a later date - she didn't have the entire story about who started what, who attacked first.. Until such a time, she would obey the orders of her king. And after - deal with the fallout and what needed to be done.

"Scorpius said if you're not in Andal or Obsidian to get lost.. Your friend has the right idea. Should go with 'em." She didn't take her eyes off of @Elaine ♔, but saw @Adelita got out of dodge from the corner of her eye. (Sorry Zodiac! Didn't realize you were red D8 Muh bad.) Shoulders shifted forward, talons bit the sand at her feet before she pinned her ears to her skull. This wasn't personal - it was simply a soldier following orders. And in the process? Perhaps securing a rank for herself and being something more than a simple number. Kireena lurched forward, attempting to charge the dark Wolfbron female.

She had some weight and height on the other, but that didn't mean squat when it came to a fight when experience made up the difference. The red woman attempted to lash with her right forelimb towards the left side of Elaine's face, claws extended. She would attempt to retain her balance on the remaining three limbs - haunches slightly lower as she was a thiccer gal, and wasn't a fan of having to drag herself up out of the sand. It was itchy enough as it was. A fight it might be, but she wasn't out for copius amounts of blood beyond seeing to it that Scorpius's commands were followed and the supporters of the challenger pushed back.



Kireena -vs- @Elaine ♔
-for-
Dominance
-round-
1 -of- 3

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 18 + 12 + 10 + 20 + 1 + 2 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 16 + 20 + 1 + 15 + 9

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 2 + 18 + 17 + 16

Finally the King arrives and a flopped ear would twitch at his decree to remove anyone from his lands that was not part of his specific alliance. Interesting. Considering most individuals that were here weren't even over his borders she was curious to see how that would play out. But her attention is swept away by the sight of a woman approaching @Keligan. Sunder immediately knows that it is @Caltáriel, after all she'd seen her before. For a small moment there is a pang of jealousy that rips through her. Of course, she is gorgeous. Sunder didn't expect anything less. Her long flowing fur was ethereal, and Sunder couldn't help but think that she hardly compared. No wonder Keligan had such an interest in her. Sunder hadn't really noticed her before but now it was as if she was seeing her with a different set of eyes. Reluctantly she forces her gaze away, she has to or else it will tear her apart. In the moment she wished for comfort but knew she would not have any. So instead, she makes herself watch the fight for the land, it was crucial to obtain this information. Not just for herself but for those in her pride. If the King would remain victorious, she would have Keligan to herself for a little while longer, and if he didn't... There would be another woman added to the Cove, that much Sunder was certain of. [assassin exp/doubled from Keligan] +10 - Spy on an individual exchange (Keligan/Caltariel) +20 - Successfully stay hidden for the duration of a thread +20 - Sneak into another pride's territory without getting caught

art by hush

(WARNING: gross)
Minerva snorted. She could have sworn it was a gaggle of cubs she was listening to rather than a great, big, bad pride of Amaryllis – I'm not touching you! Meanwhile paws poked and jabbed over the line. After about enough times of hearing the same sentence ring out from their cotton-stuffed tongues, the desert princess had had enough. She lifted one single leg, a steady stream of urine spattering out onto the hard-packed sands below in a long, rolling spectacle.

"I think the line just moved," she muttered in a bitter drawl. The time for words having long since expired, Minerva was done giving warnings. She would insist that they had not deserved any in the first place for how they had wronged the oasis cats and continued to provoke them, but it was of no surprise to her that they did nothing to return the favors they were granted. File it away on a list of sins with no repentance uttered. "If you want me to leave, make me." She sniffed with a wry smile, tension suddenly reaching a thick climax between the pair. So be it.

Minerva surged forward and attempted to knock her right shoulder into the center of the hellcat's chest with all the momentum she could garner. She twisted her head to her right with her jaws parted, attempting to snap her teeth greedily against the curve of the dark lioness' jaw.

I'm not touching you!

---

MINERVA vs. @Louve ♔
1 of 4
For Minor Maim/Ejection
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 16 + 6 + 3 + 17 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 5 + 10 + 12 + 2

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 9 + 18 + 15 + 7

He was late, very late. But that didn’t deter him from showing face, in support of the challenger, the heiress. Already a few fights had broken out. Amara tangled with an unknown lioness, the challenge between Helah and the King had begun, another unknown lioness was attacking their matriarch. The fact that the challenger’s supporters had not crossed their borders did not seem to matter as the fighting broke out. He stalked forwards, seething, anger bubbling in his core as he circled emerald gaze watching, calculating. They would suffer for going after the Bluffs when they had done nothing but show up to watch. It is out the corner of his eye that he catches the Lioness going after their healer. Coward he marks her. Adelita surely having done nothing to warrant the aggression besides showing up to the challenge.

Elaine comes to the healer’s defense, Jean-Claude watches pointedly unsure of how their interaction will go. Elaine spoke true, using words before brawn, where he would have done the opposite. It is clear when the lioness attacks the Wolfbron Royal that her words had fallen on deaf ears. It didn’t matter that they were on neutral territory their master said fight and so they did. Very well then, he would oblige her as well. Maybe teach her some respect on how to speak to royalty. Adelita wisely moves herself out of the way before the Maroon lioness charges at Elaine. So the earth toned male slinks a ways behind her, hoping she was distracted enough by Elaine to not notice him yet.

Once in position the Dieudonné male surges forwards, paws thundering against the ground as he picks up speed. Jaws outstretched he attempts to latch them around the Maroon lioness’ left thigh. Shifting his weight onto three paws, right forepaw would extend attempting to latch around her right ankle. Dark ears would stay pinned beneath his mane protectively, legs spread evenly apart to aid in his balance, eyes narrowed to protect them, claws digging into the sand to further aid in his balance as he fought in the unfamiliar landscape. Perhaps he had a thing for butts, this would be his second time sinking his teeth into one since he had returned. A guttural and primal chuckle rocked his core as the fight began, how thrilling it was for him.

@Jean-Claude & @Elaine ♔ vs. @Kireena
For Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 6 + 13 + 19 + 9 + 14 + 7

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 13 + 6 + 14 + 2 + 19 + 8

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 4 + 15 + 19 + 13 + 20

I’m a waking hell and the gods grow tired

But I’ll take a pound of your flesh before you take a piece

code by corvus

don't say it's love!
your fragile heart feeds my contempt

It does not take long for chaos to erupt. Scorpius arrives and it begins the circle of violence he was all too familiar with. A heavy sigh escapes the beast, brows furrowing as the round of his heads sweep back and get lost in the thick of that mane. @Mircea arrives, as well as @Dragos and @Teodora, @Constantine, @Isla ♔, and surprisingly @Neytiri. His blue eyes settle on her for a moment before passing back to Isla. He was about to return those welcome affections when @Louve ♔ speaks.

He knows that eventually one of them would have to step out of line, this 'peace' was not concrete. Despite the Dieudonne wanting revenge, it was not the Savante that had made things personal. Blue eyes glance toward the battle between Leonie and Amara, his jaw set. "I cannot fathom the reason behind her actions, I certainly do not condone violence against children..." Alexander knew however, that Louve and all those in Wolfbron were responsible for the safety of their children. Children would be children - even he was not perfect on such a front.

It was, however, naïve to think that the endangerment of the little one was solely on Leonie. After all, had she not been there...she would not be a target. "I will find out the reasoning." The Dieudonne, those in Wolfbron, they arrived acting so innocent. But were they not in the same shoes that he and his family had been in before? Not the aggressor? Was it not a Wolfbron lioness challenging for his allies home? Were they not here to witness and mock him?

Was he to simply sit back and watch?

Alexander knew his son spoke true. Blue eyes turn to study the young male, "Should we lower ourselves to their level?" He murmurs to only Dragos. The length of his tail sweeps behind him in bubbling irritation. The growing violence was making him uneasy. The beast focuses now once again on the Wolfbron Heiress.

Louve could share her story to whoever she wished - the Dieudonne were hypocrites. "My words will not change. Should yours deem to fight unfairly, we will intervene. You may withdraw the ceasefire if you wish, but in this moment I will ensure what is fair." He rumbles, though before he can finish speaking with the Matriarch, she is thrust into a fight. Brows furrow, his attention shifting to a woman, familiar - it then occurs to him she is the mother of that cub, the one Dragos had threatened.

He says nothing in response, her words clearly meant to rile his son. Briefly he leans away from Isla to offer a calming, hopefully grounding touch to Dragos. "Ne hagyd, hogy felzaklassanak. Te Dragos vagy, felettük. Do not let them rile you. You are Dragos, above them. He murmurs in their native tongue.

Blue eyes peer and notice @Kireena, then. Squaring off with two Wolfbron lionesses. Brows furrow, a careful eye narrowing - watching. Suddenly one runs to leave the situation and for a moment, Alexander can breathe. More fights break out and before he can feel himself settle - another Wolfbron lion tears into the scene to join the other to attack Kireena. Now, Alexander had no idea who she was, but he had heard her clearly telling the others to leave.

Glancing down, the beast rumbles, "Véres anya, igazságtalanul akarnak harcolni. Talán még az esélyek is? Blood Mother, they wish to fight unfairly. Perhaps even the odds? Perhaps he should have joined the fight, or allowed one of the other Savante do so. It was, however, the right and perhaps need of the Blood Mother to rend their flesh first. Blue eyes would dart to the others, "If you see another fight where our allies are outnumbered...aid them." He does not hesitate to make this command clear.

postscript by aurora & lyrics by kamelot

The chaos in her veins boils over into an inferno. Her skin crawls, body aches - each toe curled with precise measure into the earthen sand beneath them. Clinging to the Mother, begging for release. A hiss expels from between her clenched teeth. Like a rabid dog chomping at the bit, the Blood Mother salivated - unabashed in her thirst for violence and turmoil. The conversations going on around her are muted, muffled - she hears nothing but that which is most important.

The question.

A single ruby eye darts to the fight, following the gaze of her nephew to find a lioness in a battle against two others. A seething, bubbling hiss drips from her glistening lips. Tongue slithers out, sliding along her muzzle before she says one simple word. " Ítélet." Judgement. Her body is slicing through the sand, small - swift. Jaws are already open - watching the male slink up behind Kireena lika blithering coward. Was this what they were? Cowardly rats.

She ate rats.

Teeth flash as she moves in, attempting to close the distance as fast as possible as he attacked, trying to come in from his left. Teodora did not hesitate, with every inch of her body weight, the Savante Matriarch jumped and attempted to launch herself at the male's side. Limbs attempt to lash out, claws trying to rend and lock into tender flesh around his neck. Jaws snap like vicious piranha bites, spittle flying in the air as they attempt to go for the side of his face even as it dives in toward Kireena's left thigh.

Die rats, die.

Teodora & @Kireena vs @Elaine ♔ & @Jean-Claude
Dominance
1 2 3

Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 15 + 6 + 3 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 7d20: 17 + 18 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 10 + 8

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 3

OOC +1 to Hit for Lead Fighter role.

coded by flea + background credit + art

(2/2) +10 Observe a fight (leonie va amara) (double xp from keligan)
(1/2) +10 Observe a fight (louve vs minerva) (double xp from keligan)
(1/2) +10 Observe a fight (teodora & kireena vs elaine & jean-claude) (double xp from keligan)
So much seems to happen in such a short span of time.

Isla makes it a point to stay hyper aware, not fully relaxing while pandemonium broke out around her. Eyes are constantly shifting and focusing on fights as they erupt, as well as those that seem to be drawn toward the group settled away from pride territory. Her eyes catch sight of a small, mostly white looking yearling as she races towards them, questioning why lions were trying to attack her before rushing to declare she were innocent (@Blue). "It is not against you, Junger, but there is one that wishes to rule the Oasis and thrust your King off his throne." young one. The next to join would be a lion that looked similar to Alexander, one that she had met very briefly months and months ago. His presence makes her stiffen, especially when she realizes that the two were father and son - 'Of course they were'. Mismatched eyes give him a once over before shooting @Dragos a curt nod; she could see the tension swelling within him by his eyes alone, his words only confirming her assumption.

She gives Alexander a brief look while his son questions him before flicking away to glance around them. Many more had gathered by now, one of them being @Keligan. The wildcat's eyes narrow upon him once spotted, fur beginning to bristle and her tail lashing behind her. The arrogant ass thought just because Caltáriel did not live within Caladan's borders that he didn't do anything wrong, and that thought being brought back to the forefront of her mind was enough for her to release a low growl. She is cut off, though, when she watches an older lioness thrust past them all and sit in front of both Alexander and Dragos. She resembled the two, and Isla could only assume they were related in one way or another.

And then she sees her.

@Caltáriel catches the Summit woman's attention, muscles tensing whenever she watches her sit beside the one that stole her. Brows knit together in confusion; did their kin not care what had happened to her? Attention is drug back toward where she was at, her question finally answered by no other than the Bluff's Sovereign. Her eyes are brought back to the fight between Andal's Heiress and Wolfbron's High Queen while she listened, ears twisting backward slightly upon her skull. "Why do pride challenges turn into personal vendettas?" Her question was spoken aloud to no lion in particular, the obvious aggravation being heard in her voice. But before she could speak directly toward @Louve ♔, she is finding herself in battle, as well as the red woman that sat before them. Adrenaline begins to pump quickly in Isla's veins at all the sights and sounds of battle, her toes flexing and causing for her claws to unsheathe.

She hears @Alexander ♔'s words, first a string of them that she could not understand before he spoke of aiding their allies if they became outnumbered. She sits there in quiet contemplation, wracking her brain on what Mutter would do. Illyria was friendly with both the underground and oasis pride, and after a few moments pass she finally lands on her decision. "Illyria will help defend if needed, but my mother and Amara had come to an agreement and it's a... delicate line we'll be toeing." Her focus is on Alexander when she speaks, watching his face to gauge his reaction - if any. She hoped she were making the right decision, and that Morrigan would understand or forgive if she was making the wrong one. But for now, it seemed like the best route to go, to show that the Summit stays true to their word in terms of aiding their own allies.

ART BY NAVARRE, CODE BY LARS