The growing male was steadfast in his observations as he allowed himself to stare at the battle before him between the two women, while also taking in the acts of those around him. Being a nomad, being in such a crowded area made him a little nervous but it also made him hyperaware of his surroundings. The lagoon that settled nearby a beacon to which he constantly dragged his eyes over as if expecting something to come out of it. Wondering exactly how safe it was to be surrounded by water all day, every day. That fact didn't seem to bother anyone else here so perhaps it wasn't worth worrying about it though he did seem to take notice that there were plenty of small groups within.

There were plenty of folks that gathered and they walked to one another, conversing in their own way about this and that. Jericho sitting by himself (unsurprisingly, given he knew no one) and he felt the harsh bite of jealousy. Of desiring nothing more than to have someone he could go to whether it be to talk or gossip or even shit-talk. He'd give anything to have something worth holding onto for longer than a day. Jericho sighed as his wild purple eyes gazed back to the warring women - wondering if he'd stumbled across this claim for a reason. If this was where he could potentially stay and become comfortable in his own skin. The view wasn't terrible and he wanted to be able to have the friends he saw here.

+10 Find a notable landmark in a territory (2/2)
+5 Learn something unique about another pride’s territory (2/2)

Siofra's peach eyes watchfully began to track the wanderings of her younger sister who ceremoniously plopped herself at @Gwyn's feet. Pistis was well engaged in a tangle; Siofra could not help if she wanted too and frankly she didn't. She liked seeing the dover maiden taking up arms on her own in the name of earning the Lagoon. Siofra did not find fondness in this home but the meaning would not be lost on Siofra all the same. Pistis could handle herself. The children could not. And she would not have them running rampant like the ill behaved children at prior challenges....

"Of course- I believe Pistis herself has plenty of stores built up if we need to utilize some of her herbs." She had company in her palamino sister. @Lilith's budding arrival was able to draw some warm emotion into Sio's face and she leaned towards her sister to lightly thump her skull into her calm and peaceful older sibling. Family abound, Siofra felt peace here in the rising air of battle and smell of blood around her.

PISTIS VS. MAIA FOR SCILLA LAGOON
— DEFAULT —

due to Maia not posting in time, this fight has defaulted.

PISTIS HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR SCILLA LAGOON!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first.

OOC: posting to move this thread along (next round for Pistis, Mar. 23) Soon enough, it was over, she’d successfully pushed the girl away, making it clear who had won. She dipped her head respectfully to her. “You may stay and seek healing today.” She glanced at @Siofra and @Lilith, and then to the Rainforest lionesses. It seemed they were all willing to help. Whoever Maia felt most comfortable getting medical help from. She strode over to the Casimir, head high, but trying her best to look prideful rather than boastful. She stood near them, so it was clear they were associated, but not so close that many eyes would be drawn to them. It may still be a shock she’d won to some of them. She took a deep breath before speaking. “Scilla’s ideals will not change much from Diuris’ model. We seek peace and prosperity. I also plan on seeking feedback and opinions from my pridemates. Places marked with the bones of fish are spots free to be fished, if they are near a cave, this is somewhere for temporary shelter.” She paused for several moments, before speaking again, “my husband, @Gwyn, should he accept, will be my Sovereign.” She glanced at him and their children with a small smile for a few short moments, before continuing, “If you are seeking to join the Lagoon, please step forward so we may speak. Leaders, feel free to seek out our pride in the next few days if you’d like to speak negotiations. I will seek you out myself otherwise.” Her voice was firm but had some friendliness to it. Glancing around and waiting for the first lions to stay or leave. She glanced at @Xerxes, curious if he would stay or leave. Should he want it? She would give him the title of royalty. But perhaps he wouldn’t like that? She couldn’t be sure. @Amra, Ambrosine, and @Vermier were near him too, she thought she and Amra got along. But wouldn’t be surprised if she went somewhere else. Her family could go wherever they’d like now. Glancing away again as she glanced at @Jewel with a ghost of a smile. She’d won! Now she knew her friend was safe, had an ally to the east of her. @Celaine looked somewhat familiar, perhaps a former pride member? But Pistis wouldn’t pressure her into anything either. She looked to @Siofra and @Lilith. They were young, if they wanted to go somewhere else? She wouldn’t stop them. Really she just waited to see how small her pride would be.

Celaine couldn't help the vaguely horrified look that crossed her features as Faust confirmed there were female led prides within these lands. "But it isn't our place!" she said in a low hiss, as though even the mention of it was blasphemous. In a way, to her it was.

"I... don't know," she admitted. "I certainly can't serve under-" her explanation was cut off as the battle abruptly drew to a close and the new leader began to speak. Celaine felt some relief that there would be a male ruler, but he clearly wasn't the one in charge at the same time. This was so wrong.

"Perhaps I can be of use to you once again," she finished in an undertone once Pistis was finished speaking. She just couldn't serve under a female leader. That wasn't how things were done! Good heavens, what was wrong with this place?

@faust

There is very little that can tear his attention from the fighting women, very little. However, Xerxes earns the rare dishonor of achieving it. Words lash across the space between them, the man, at first, pointedly ignoring them in favor of watching his wife destroy the other, but they are said with such vitriol that he must address it. That and the man at his side bristles like a porcupine, nay, a honey badger. Skull tilts slightly to @Wodnik, speaking from the side of his jaws. "Stand down. I can handle this. Your valor is appreciated" he whispers to the man. Then he tears his gaze from the Valkyries and puts his full attention upon @Xerxes.

Narrowed eyes, gaze alight with inner balefire, falls on the youth. Lips pull back slightly, flashing canines, the slightest of snarls upon the bloody muzzle. "I shall look at you however I wish boy"he rumbles, his tone cold, level. This boy was probably the Xerxes mentioned, and he vaguely remembered him. "Wait your turn cub; the adults are talking. Yap all you want; No one is listening" he continues, sneering, before pointedly turning away. Noting the arrival of @Ambrosine, as he turns. Guarding yet another mouthy child, and confirming his suspicions. He understood her protectiveness, but she always seemed to be on the wrong side of things. Anyway, she was not his concern; the fight was, and so the Xerxes problem dealt with(for the moment/in his opinion) he turns back to his wife's battle.

And not a moment too soon, or too late, for he sees the gray challenger(@Maia) go for his wife's throat, scores a deep attack along her side. The snarl that had been fading returns in full force, the angry grimace growing into a full fledged mask of rage. How dare she?! Gwyn may have been, was brutal in a fight, but unless he was going for a maim, the kill, he didn't actively seek it out. If there was an opportunity that was too good to pass up, sure, he would go for the maximum amount of damage. But going for the throat, for tender spots that could lead to a life's end in a pride fight? No. That was not done in a challenge. Such punishment had to be deserved and his wife fighting for the crown of the place she called home, protecting her children's, their children's future by claiming it had done no such thing. Burning eyes marked the gray woman even as his pale lady retaliated in kind. She would be punished. It was a promise seen in his entire form.

It probably would not be today. Maybe not even tomorrow. But at some point balefire and blood would emerge and take his revenge. An eye for an eye, or in this case, blood for blood. She would suffer for daring to harm his wife so.

It seemed the attack on Pistis's throat was the last desperate move of the loser, an ill fated attempt to turn the tables, because the pale woman forced her away. Claimed victory neatly, and the man's mask broke from the snarl to a smirk of pride. There she was. His soulmate. Walking towards them with he head held high, the man rising from his perch to approach. To meet her halfway. Well, after disentangling his forepaws from @Dysnomia and @Daeva. Muzzle reached out his voice a murmur in her ear. "Well done, my love" he rumbles privately, stepping away a moment later. She needs to stand by herself while she speaks, as he knows she will have to shortly.

A darkening of his gaze at the previous ruler's name, but that was all that was offered to the words. Fishing spots? Temporary shelter? What did @Pistis mean with such things? It seemed a bit odd to be bringing up. Brief confusion is replaced by a nod, a sweep of burning gaze across the crowd before accepting. "Yes." is his agreement, his gaze sweeping to his wife's smiling face. The hardness, the glare that had been offered to others, warning them to not make trouble softens beneath the mismatched eyes. Of course he will rule with her.

And now the carcass had been picked clean. All but the smallest tidbits devoured. Now it would be decided as to who is stubborn enough for those lingering morsels and join them. Or if they would spiral away, leaving them behind. Good riddance, they did not need them anyway.

Art and og code by Kairi, Code modified by Saph

Not sure of the post order here, but it's been long enough and I wanna keep this all moving <3 Sorry if I missed/skipped you.

Attention wandered between the fight itself and the territory as a whole. Or what he could observe from his hiding place. The more he looked, the more he wondered just how suitable the area was for permanent residence. It was exposed. Yes, there seemed to only be one way in or out, but that only kept it safe from invaders. Natural disasters - such as a hurricane or other such large storm - could devastate the area. And what if a storm like that contaminated what fresh water the area might have?

No...as far as places to settle went, there were too many variables to consider here. Sherlock had never placed that great an importance on stability, but the idea of settling in and later having to move his experiments (or losing them altogether) seemed far more trouble than he was willing to deal with. It was always such a hassle to start over from scratch.

So this area was ruled out as a possibility based on landscape, which meant it no longer mattered who won as their laws and ideals would not factor in to any further decision. Not that he'd seriously been considering moving in, but, it was entertaining to run through hypothetical scenarios in his mind, no matter how unlikely they were to happen. Prides were often more trouble than he cared to deal with. Too restricting.

If he were a more ambitious man, he might consider securing a territory of his own - but...well, actually, that could be an interesting experiment in its own right at some point in the future. Although, the idea of actively managing a host of other lions wasn't all that appealing.

Mind wandering as it did, he didn't even realize the fight had come to an end until the white woman was speaking. Ears flicked forward, focusing on what little information she offered. Areas marked with fish...functioned as neutral areas? But only temporarily? Interesting. He hadn't caught the new ruler's name, but was able to connect 'Gwyn' to the man who approached her first, and spoke up next, with his simple 'yes'.

Well. That was that, it seemed. Carefully, he would head back the way he came, taking advantage of the fact most everyone's attention would likely still be focused on the white woman so he could slip away unseen.

-exit-

code by corvus

Soon enough, the battle came to a halt and the white woman stood victorious. Not that Jak had really cared who won, he just liked to know. He had to stifle a chuckle when she mentioned the fish skeletons, wondering if that really was the best practice if you had to explain it to everyone outside the pride. And then somehow expected visiting rogues to just...know.

Jak rolled his eyes, remembering the encounter with Diuris and the way he'd pointed out the skeletons like it was common knowledge or something. Maybe they'd eventually learn better ways to mark out safe spots.

He stayed long enough to watch 'Gwyn' step up and accept the offer of Sovereign, and to catch what was, undoubtedly, a dismissal directed at those who had gathered to watch the spectacle. He'd learned what he wanted, and so would slip away, slinking back the way he'd come and skirting wide around the edge of the beach until he could return to the neutral stretch of beach.

-exit-

i'll be in the corner takin notes

i got your six while you're workin votes

code by corvus

Xerxes' fury was only cooled by the arrival of @Ambrosine settling alongside of him. His hackles began to slick down along his spine as he felt her touch, appreciating the subtle sign of support. Well, not that she supported him mouthing off to Gwyn, but it was enough to make the Casimir man think twice, he reckoned.

When the battle concluded and his biological mother won, Xerxes was.. proud? That maybe she wasn't the useless woman he'd thought her to be? Xerxes even opened his mouth to congratulate her, but Gwyn butted in and promptly dismissed the child.

"You deserve a better husband than that pathetic thing," he said casually to his mother. "Or train him better." Gwyn had no leg to stand on, as far as Xerxes was concerned. Losing a crown was embarrassing! He snorted and turned to Ambro, staring at her with determination. "One day I will take a pride of my own, and I will keep you and the family safe. I won't let you down like so many others have before." His eyes flashed for the absent form of Manes and.. well, no surprise there.

"I'm out." He nudged his mom's shoulder and turned to leave, clearly uninterested in speaking with @Pistis while her slavering hound was humping at her heels.

exit

with withered wings and broken bones

these vengeful thoughts trapped underneath / rage, scorn, misery / payback for what you took from me / hope, love, sanity / i heard that you reap what you sow / so here's to believing in ghosts

code by corvus

Kimagure Stagner

A beating heart of stone...

Kimagure cast a glance at @Eina when she asked her question and murmured in response: “A grip on the throat could easily be used to deal a killing blow. Even if that’s not what she meant, that’s what it looks like... and we can’t be sure what the grey lioness did not mean to kill the other.” And then someone called @Avreya. Kimagure head turned in time to see a male be greeted excitedly by her noble. Kimagure’s eyebrows went up, and surprise crossed her face before her expression tightened at his scent. The name’s Avreya listed were tucked away for later, so she would know who else the lioness searched for.

Kimagure turned her head again to lay eyes on Faust, but the fight ended before she could seek him out and she was forced to turn her attention to the winner. The woman claimed she wanted to lead much the same pride as Diuris, which caused Kimagure to pass her tongue over her lips. It was not long before the woman named Gwyn her Sovereign and Kimagure was able to place a face to a name she had heard before. She felt it was fairly likely they were one and the same... unless there was more than one.

Kimagure did not miss the glance cast at her group or Siofra’s when healing was mentioned, so Kimagure rose to her paws and flicked her tail slightly to gesture for the rest of her pride to hang back. She scooped the ginger she had brought with her out of her bundle and stepped toward the new High Sovereign, aiming to stop a few feet from her as her eyes glanced at the defeated woman who smelled of the desert. She placed her ginger down. “Kimagure Stagner, High Sovereign of Firnen Rainforest. I congratulate you both on your new pride and while I had brought these things in order to trade with Diuris, I offer them all as a gift to you. This,” she said, placing a paw on the ginger,“ginger will help prevent infections in your wounds. I will give you space and time to recover and I will return to discuss relations between our prides with my noble @Avreya.” Kimagure aimed to make eye contact with both Gwyn and the new sovereign, her expression neutral.

She had also not missed Xerxes reaction to Gwyn, or his swift exit. The sovereign would wait to hear how her gift would be received. The queen had also brought an assortment of fruit and a few other herbs, but this was what she felt would be most useful now.

@Pistis @Gwyn

She watches. | "She speaks." | 'She broods.'

Art by Luyene