A few others arrived, forming a decently enough sized group. The explanation about the fire was interesting, and helped to ease a small bit of the anxiousness he felt by standing near it. That was something that would take some getting used to. He looked around at the others, noting that most seemed to be closer to him in age, which was great news for him. He was glad he would not be the odd one out in that regard at least.

The official pitch for the band was pretty much exactly what he’d been hoping for when he’d heard the whispers and decided to make his way here. The leader seemed to be a reasonable, rational man and not some crazy fanatic, which was really the only thing that might have turned him off. “Arkadi Praeses.” He introduced himself with a nod to @Fissure, and a quick glance around at everyone else. “I look forward to fighting with you all.” He added with a grin before making his way further in, skirting carefully around the fire before heading off to go search for his new den.

-exit-

Fenna Yu

Quitting is not an option

A small crowd gathered, others joining in to question the fire and how it was controlled. The dark lion explains though never really explains how he got it there, which made sense... Fire was dangerous, if one could control it... One would hold the power to destroy anyone. Even the mightiest of kingdoms could be reduced to ashes in the right conditions. Though she could appreciate the idea of the fire keeping them warm in winter.

Others would arrive and the lioness took some notice that most seemed young, younger than her at least. The exception perhaps was Fissure himself and a clay man with a dark mane.

Though her eyes were drawn to the arrival of a small woman, delicate in build and pastel in color. In Beau, @Bordeaux would have been a noble for her beautiful appearance alone. Though the small lioness introduced herself as a healer offering her services after the battle was fought. "Beautiful and skilled" she spoke a smile on her lips though her attention was swiftly returned to @Fissure as the man started his speech.

It was something new, something better than a kingdom. At least she hoped it would be, Fenna had been a loyal servant once and she'd only been burned for her loyalty. Of course, there was the issue of her brother, if it was an issue at all. Dagge was a big boy who could protect himself. If not she'd talk with Fissure later about it, even Fenna wasn't stupid enough to put herself in a questionable light from night 1.

Two lions set into motion, the older clay lion said nothing but the young dark lion gave a name and a short greeting. Fenna would give a short chuff as she set into motion moving past the fire and their new leader. "Fenna, let's all spar sometime" She grinned as she looked back for a moment before starting her search for a den.

-Exit-

Fight on

code by corvus

She had arrived just in time to see those gathered around the dark male named Fissure and hear the beginnings of his speech. How he mastered the flames that danced before him, a feat that seemed impressive to all those gathered as it was to herself. Perhaps she would find some time to properly be introduced into taming the dangerous creature herself. While his speech of what this band could offer was intoxicating, the only thing the ebony serpent took note of was the mention of receiving 'things' in exchange for their services. As a fearsome foe with a collection of items lining previous dens she was no stranger to taking things. Though doing it in exchange for services would be something new to her. As some of the others begin to leave, Amorette steps forward out of the shadows and into the fire's light. Cranium dips as she quickly ushers her name "Amorette" to Fissure and any of the others who cared to take note. She does not wait to hear anything else before jogging off after the others. She needed to be sure her den would be large enough to hold all the items she planned to acquire.

/exit Amorette to claim den

"Speech"

Part vampire Part warrior
Carnivore and voyeur
we all feed on tragedy,
it's like blood to a vampire

She is drawn to their warmth, to the collective press of bodies hunkered close before the charcoal image of @Fissure. Eurielle arrives upon silent paws, following them from her path of darkness; uttering no sound but a dulcet purr, one that reverberates with soft, quiet hunger deep in her throat.

Treads of light move against her delicate mauve fur; brushing down her supple curvature, creating patterns against her silken coat. An autumnal breeze slips down her spine, caressing her skin in its tender lament, but still she does not speak, listening closely and moving closer -

She is drawn to what the man in obsidian silks has to offer, drawn to his effortless charisma and silent charms. He speaks with promise, quelling the hunger and loneliness in her heart. Had she finally found her home? And Eurielle is wordless as she falls in place alongside them, watching and waiting with bated breath, observing them from the sidelines with a darkened curiosity.

Eurielle is joining.

table by ryuu

Viggo looks directly at the fire, its flames licking spitefully at their prison—but never spreading beyond its girdle of rocks. Its lurid and far-reaching glow tinges his ivory coat slightly red, and its proximity warms his body. He's equal parts captivated and intimidated as it continues to distort the chilly mountain air, prying his eyes back to the man at the center as he begins to explain.

There's no bluster or boasting as @Fissure explains the process, and yet, Viggo feels a pinch of resentment as he goes on. This man seems to know much of the world, and it makes him look rather stupid in comparison. A thread of embarrassment worms into his chest, and he shifts his weight uncomfortably. "Right, I knew all that. Just testing you."

The two lionesses seem satisfied enough with the answer, and he doesn't inquire further as he pitches a cursory glance at the newcomers. A man with a fetching star-freckled coat, a pastel healer, a weathered clay male, and a lioness with alluring colors, seemingly named Amorette. A mauve lioness slinks towards them, one so silent he only notices her as she sidles up alongside the group.

"Name's Viggo." He slinks off then, following the others into the cave in hopes of getting first pickings.

-exit-

code to pine

He'd lost everything.

Wife. Children. Eye. Dignity. There is no honor in his step, no pride in his half-blind gaze. Nothing that he held dear now in the bottom of this dark pit he calls life, simply a dreaded suffering that he dulls with drinking and casual flings. Food brought to the tab;e is earned through honorless missions, ones fit for a mercenary of his stature. There is gold in his pocket occasionally. A roof over his head until he gets in a fight with the roofmaster and is forced to leave. Food to fill his belly...

Until it runs out.

Everything has an end. Living as a rogue was never his style, and yet he did his best. For once, he did it all for himself.

Selfish. And he thrived this way.

His return was no grand thing. Last time he'd been a fool, but let us not get into a fool's past mistakes. They best remain buried. Long gone is the man seeking vengeance or the one keeping hope as a comrade by his side. Now he'd come in search of a quick meal, of a better deal for at least a few days. Staying was not in his plans.

Firewood crackled under the heat, his burly figure following the sound. He'd overheard the rumours when he'd shared a meal with a pair of two men. Rumours of a group of mercanaries gathering up Freyr. At first the idea had sounded insane. Bhaskar would rather die than serve the idiotic kingdoms of the valley, but when the idea had steeped longer in his mind, he'd seen the opportunity.

Food every night. No more scavenging. Wine every night. Soft beds. Warmth for the upcoming winter. And who knows? Perhaps he will get the chance to piss off enough royalty to entertain him for a while.

The embers of the fireplace flew up, dissipating into the darkness. He stood in the entrance for a moment, observing the many gathered as they began to disappear into the depths of the cave system. He was late, fashionably so, and yet it was much better this way. No need for pointless introductions with everybody else. It was all simply business - just as he liked it.

@Fissure remained, evidently so to greet those that may arrive later. Stone-cold gaze observed the shadow of a man. So that is the mastermind. "Bhaskar." his gruff voice was more grunt than spoken word as it echoed in the now empty space. The gargantuan moved in to find his own spot without much else to say.

enter & exit

Bordeaux was pleased to be welcomed so warmly into the group despite her obvious shortcomings among such a collection of lions. The leader was also very observant, noting her medicine bag almost immediately and recognizing it as his own work. He would offer to give her a new one, which she felt a mixture of emotions over.

The one she carried was what she had of her mother with her, now that Patchouli had decided to go looking for the others. Their farewell had been hard, and though the lioness had promised to return, Bordeaux was not so certain. She supposed she could retire it, or maybe she could get it fixed up and like new again.

With a smile in gratitude, she would follow after the others, needing only a small den for herself, though she would need somewhere for all her herbs and supplies as well.

/ exit Bordeaux

code: corvus || art: yumpy

Fissure had not gone into great detail about the fire, knowing there would be adequate time for sharing his knowledge later, once the group got itself established. He would need help keeping the fire alive moving forward so that they wouldn't need to go through the effort of getting a new one going.

With so many joining the ranks, there was much that needed to be done. A hunt would be needed once everyone was settled, a pecking order established, and a general chosen. Fissure would also have to do a tour of the prides, that he might spread the word of the band and their purpose.

To each, he would nod his approval as they passed him by, seeking out dens for themselves. A small wink was offered to the new little healer, who had smiled at his offer. Another thing he would need.. to clean up and organize a healing den, which many a lion here was sure to visit with some frequency. Fortunately, he had just the one, currently blocked off but at the very front of the cave entrance. He supposed he could start with that.

/ exit Fissure

And I'm feeling good

Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, For me

code by corvus

Part vampire Part warrior
Carnivore and voyeur
we all feed on tragedy,
it's like blood to a vampire

They come, and they go. Each arriving with a hint of mystery. Eurielle stares at them quietly, not lingering too long upon any of their faces, merely feeding her curiosity. She is withdrawn and outwardly cautious, but there seems to be no malice on the forefront today, and her posture eases somewhat, knowing that she is for the most part safe.

Still, she does not fully trust them, despite the desires in her heart for companionship. Wordlessly, she seeks out her own den, a bit away from the group, close enough to overhear them, but far enough to keep to her own space.

Exit Eurielle

table by ryuu

One of the lionesses, easily recognizable on account of her diminutive stature, proclaims to be a healer, and he observes her lazily from his resting spot on the ground. Coming from a scrappy family, he can't claim to have ever met a healer before. While it's difficult to see laying upside down, she seems to be sporting what appears to be a satchel, emitting a strong scent of herbs. Good. Judging by the cast of characters that's started to trickle in, those are going to be sorely needed. Utter silence reigns as the melanistic male speaks at length, his words commanding the attention of all as the long dark shadows cast by the firelight fork and flicker, distorting his features. For his part, he likes what he hears. Not the whole thing about living lavishly— life in the plains provides plenty of that, but a home that cannot be taken? Well, around here, that's a luxury of itself. Satisfied, he's one of the last to pick himself up and start toward the dens, pitching a furtive look over his shoulder to the others. Filing away every name for future reference, he takes a mental special note of Viggo, pleased to finally learn his true name after having been so adamantly denied it before. "Kian." He offers in turn, taking special care omit his last name. Better if no one knows he's a prince of the plains. Here, he is just Kian, and maybe here, that is Kianough... EXIT

code by shaz