The young advisor had expected to draw the ire of one — or maybe even both — lionesses by his intervention, yet when the pale @Runa pulled her expression into a vicious snarl, he knew he’d really stepped in it. He cringed, his ears tipping back in a reluctant display. Once Bruno won (he told himself he would, to soothe his anxious heart) he’d have to discuss his early retirement. The mauve lion had been reluctant to join the Mire, and now when push came to shove, he was ready to surrender to the old habit of running.

However, one word made him squint in confusion — had she called him a child? She … was barely even a yearling! … oh, wonderful — he was going to have his hide beaten by a child. Tai was rather used to losing, and since it was too late to scramble back, he resigned himself to whatever punishment was to come.

It all happened in an instant — his inner realization and submission to his fate — and in the next, a slew of snow and gravel struck his face, splashing across his nose bridge and onto his eyelids as he flinched away from the muck. He instinctively turned his head away to protect his intact eye, yet exposed the left side to her wrath. Her teeth came together on the temple — dangerously close to his already blinded eye. The eye may not have worked anymore, but he preferred to keep it intact rather than live his remaining days with a hole in his head.

Hissing from the pain, he lifted a large paw to try and reach up, seeking to shove it into the spot where the neck and shoulder blade met in an attempt to push her back. He kept his claws sheathed, trying only to dislodge her — not maim her. “Geez, kid, who the hell hurt you?!” he yelped sharply, shrilly. Surely there was some explanation as to why Runa was so reactive and bad-tempered. Maybe she had trauma.

Tai vs. @Runa
for Minor Maim (Defense)
Round 1 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 6 + 8 + 5 + 19

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 5 + 14 + 4

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 3 + 9 + 11 + 17 + 1 + 4

Lead Scout Perk: +1 luck to all pride-mates when fighting on their pride territory (must be present prior to the start of the fight).

artwork • coding

she had anticipated an attack from one of the adults, maybe, but not from another yearling. faustine was glad @Apollinaire took manon out from under her, lest faustine did something especially not nice to her little sister that may be a touch too much. just as her hackles raised to take the brunt of the attack, someone else, an older male with curly mane, stepped in between them soon enough, the maned yearling and the man who stepped in-between were engaged into a fight. faustine, while her defenses were lowered, was disappointed at this turn of event. she had wanted a fight, especially now with her sister out of the way.

code: cala | art: drifty

She was torn between wanting to stay, to see her husband's fate, to protect her children; but likewise was she desperate to find Melusina, to make sure she was safe. @Renfri's urgent ushering made Tinúviel's decision for her, and sparing a fleeting glance toward her daughter, the now-prisoner turned to follow the Andal Queen out of the battlefield. She lingered only long enough to make sure her daughter was found and guarded by another Ecrosia, and at least safe, before she spared one final, fleeting glance toward her husband. The haunting promise in Renfri's tone made the possibility of his loss all too real, and Tinúviel clung to the belief that @Alaric would prevail over his aggressor.

She wondered, too, what would have happened if it had been her to arrived instead of him. Would it be her neck that Aeistrios' teeth dug into? Would it be she crushed underneath his paw?

Tinúviel shook her head, unable to stand the thought of it (and yet, the cold reality that it were still something she might face settled in as a cruel anxiety). Finally, she turned, and began to head toward the Oasis, toward her sand-forged prison.

---

Exit Tinúviel.

Art by AleTie, table by cala

She would not be left alone to glare with displeasure at @Luther ♔ for long, met with @Bhaskar the first of the Crows, which Fissure had told her would be arriving to the challenge along with her. She did not know the lion well, only in passing, but he seemed a good lion. She had only been absent her place among them for a short time, but she looked forward to returning to the warm comforts of the fire and the relaxed atmosphere that was the band cavern. As much as she might enjoy the company of @Aeistrios, she was not oblivious to the tension and drama his family seemed to bring to others of Amaryllis. She didn't know the full extent of the things he had done to upset so many, but it made her heart sink and left a knot in her stomach.

"Yes, the pale one with the exposed fangs. He is brother to the lion he fights against. He is not a good sort, would use manipulation and aggression to get what he wants at the expense of others." She explained bitterly, refraining from saying more on the subject. She was not trying to make this about her, but she would have them know the sort of lion they were having dealings with.

@Fenna would arrive next, asking about who was friend and who was foe. She would note the plum king @Aeistrios on the field then, wasting no time in attacking Alaric, making his position clear. In doing so, Bordeaux was suddenly not a neutral party, waiting till its end to be revealed. She might become a target of the Mire lions now. She felt herself shift slightly closer to Bhaskar then, in case someone did come for her, she might at least feel safer next to a more formidable lion. "It appears Andal has joined with him. I do not know who else might be here on his behalf aside from the Band." She replied quietly.

I feel like I'm at a standstill

Waiting for you to tell me I'm okay

code by corvus

He awaited a command. Dutiful, obedient. Wrapped around Faustine’s claw… Whatever you wanted to call it. The boy remained observant as he waited. Black gaze shifted around the gathered lions, searching for a threat. Ears twitched as she spoke to him, the jest was there, but her expression was serious.

“Mm.”

He muttered softly in acknowledgment,

“punish me later?”

The tease spoken softly, a quiet utterance that he hoped only @Faustine ♔ would hear. His voice was light and teasing but aside from the slightest upward turn to his lips, his expression remained serious as well.

Once more he searched for a threat, this one finding one. The youths target was none other than Faustine. His head dropped and lips pulled back in a snarl, but it was all for nothing. Another jumped in, barring the way and turning the fight to him instead. Evren would turn a puzzled glance to his girl, wondering her thoughts.

He wasn't going to ignore the siren song of battle; it was impossible considering who his parents were and his best shot at locating one of his wayward brothers. Because they were the wayward ones, not him. Arryn was perfect and did no wrong. Nope.

The colossal yearling made his way along the borders of the territory, only diving in when he scented @Evren on the breeze and found him with some small chick. Oh, god, really? "Didn't think you'd be as whipped as dad so soon," he snorted with a shake of his head. He loved his father dearly, thought the world of him.

He just also knew what a woman could do to a man and boy, this girl looked like a killer.

ignore this

code by corvus

Io heard the call from her Queen, and even though she could have stayed to guard the pride lands while the leadership was gone, she wanted to watch and be there to witness such an important event. She had no knowledge of the background around the Mire and their dynamics so she was coming with a lot of questions and a lack of right to judge.

She arrived and slowly sat down near Amara and watched over the rising fights around her. If only she was born a fighter. She could try if she could but she lacked the prowess to do significant damage to another. But if the queen si wishes she would not hesitate to fight. Her loyalty to Amara and the Bluffs outweighed her self-doubt and fear of pain. She watched in silence at first. But she wanted to do something, yet she didn't know I'm what she could help. "Who is the challenger?" She asked anyone who might be nearby.

@Amara ♔

code by shaz

Constantine hasn't been at a challenge for what seemed to be ages, and for good reason. His first one ended up in a maim challenge against him for no reason. And the recovery could have been worse if it wasn't for his Aunt Camellia. But he knew he couldn't hide forever. He couldn't be a coward, a Savante that hides from the world is not worth the space he occupies. Thus he went out and came to watch, and this time he was ready to fight back. He wasn't going to be taken by surprise a second time. He arrived and gravitated towards @Vincenzo, lying down next to him. In chaotic events like this, he preferred to be close to kin. Unity made the strength right. There he watched the main fight(Bruno vs. Luther), the wheat male fighting a purple guy and the cub going after an abyss woman who was leaving. +5 Observe a fight(Bruno vs Luther) +5 Observe a fight(Alaric vs Aest) +5 Observe a fight(Magdalena vs Renfri)

ART AND CODE BY SHAZ

Well this was a shit show, though when was it not? Bruno fought a grey male - who Vio might have recognized under less tense circumstances - and Alaric was tearing tooth-and-claw into Aeistrios. Maybe Cassandra would turn up while he was wounded to finish him off, that could be fun.

Violarum meanders easily amidst the crowd, alert but far from jacked. Though he sought a seat with prime viewing potential, he also endeavoured to scoot closer to the few-too-many Ecrosian cubs who had wandered out at the very worst possible time. He certainly didn't put it below the 'enemy' to sink into some helpless children.

_{art by kairi —}

The Crimson woman listened as Alaric spoke, she bristled at the thought and when he declared war on Andal, a snarl ripped through her, she immediately began focusing on the scents around her, eyes narrowing on a girl standing to the side, who smelled of the Oasis. Within moments the fiery eyed woman launched herself forward, teeth baring as she attempted to strike the multicolored lioness from the side.

Using her weight she would attempt to lunge, teeth open to try and grab @Bordeaux at the scruff, Astarte would snarl as she attempted to make contact, wanting to cause as much damage as she could. If the plum male wanted to attack @Alaric, Astarte would make him regret it. One Andal member at a time.

@Astarte vs. @Bordeaux
DOMINANCE
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 16 + 20 + 15 + 9 + 3 + 1 + 11 + 12

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 5 + 1 + 19 + 11

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 16 + 1 + 15 + 7

+10 Participate in a pride challenge
+5 Complete a spar or fight
+10 Successfully wound another character in a fight (wounded roll)

ART COPYRIGHT XXX / CODE COPYRIGHT ANALESE