It erupted into pure madness. No one was safe, their own father tackled by a massive lion hissing about matters of who liked whom. Hekate flattened her ears against her crown as she remained vigilant, eyeing each stranger who approached their borders with narrowing suspicion. Her eyes flicked from each face with a moment of disappointment as none proved her matching pair of clover against wine. Where are they? Her sides remained utterly naked without the support of her sisters, vulnerability pricking at her nape with irritation.

This was when she spotted a red figure in the distance. Her heart sank. Though Hekate cared little about what became of so many of those cats, their own actions leading to their fitting consequence, it was the sight of one of the newborns she had only just helped to deliver that had her adrenaline truly racing. The young princess made a beeline across the scene while weaving in between trees to try and loom protectively before the youth.

"It's dangerous," she warned lowly, head still swiveling and alert.

---

@Nkosi

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

Violence. Blood. A tiny bit of peace. All in a never ending cycle. What was a child to do? Well, what did she care? She was after all, no longer a child. And she was slowly coming to understand why she'd survived all she had.

From her perch on neutral lands, she heard the call. And another. But now it was not fear twisting her features, but grim determination. Large paws made her nearly fly as the large lioness ran across the land. And only when she reached the Mire's border did she pause. Sinking into the mud, she rolled around directly on the border, covering herself in mud just enough to darken her pale bronze coat. Floppy ears laced back as she begun to slink through the foliage, lowering herself as much as she could while still being able to move.

And eventually she arrived. Of course it all had already started, but she was not bothered by it. Dual toned eyes seemed to almost light up until she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure leaving, with a fluffy looking lioness in tow and two smaller but also familiar figures so very close to her. For a moment she seemed unsure how to proceed, one large paw lifted off the ground, frozen mid step. But then she shook her head and continued on her path. Searching eyes had already spotted the massive figure of her mother and her friend, accompanied by a darker lion she didn't know.

Slowly, the near colossal lioness made her way towards the little group, though she sent a chuff towards @Amara in greeting and support should they need it. And moments later she came up behind @Kireena ♞ with a more growled purr before nudging her head against her mother's shoulder and also offering @Sybil a rumbled greeting. Only once she was satisfied with how she'd greeted them did she pay more attention to @Colsun, looking the darker lion over, floppy ears perking just the tiniest bit. "And who are you?"

---

Medic
+5 Attend a challenge to assess the wounds (Luther vs Bruno)

Barbarian
+5 Observe a fight (Luther vs Bruno)

code by corvus

Something was going on. Like his brother, Banazir had been drawn to the sounds and moving bodies, his orange gaze fixed on it from the shadows. He didn't normally hide but the commotion had woken him from a nap and seeing one of his brothers missing the blue dragon decided to look for him.

Finding @Nkosi wasn't hard, all he had to do was follow the sounds of chaos. His red sibling was watching the bigger lions and Banazir also turned his eyes to the gathered frames of many he either didn't know or had never seen before. Someone was with him, a small lioness. Ban didn't know @Hekate but she smelled like home, she was one of them. So Banazir made his way over to them.

The blue cub flopped his butt down beside his brother, orange eyes wide and his fur slightly puffed. Something was going on, something that made his fur prickle and his mind spin. Part of him wanted to run and hide in the den, another watched in fascination as the lions in front of him collided into bloody battles. "Why" left his lips ears twitching to the yearling but his eyes never left the carnage of the older lions his mind spinning with questions and emotions. Instincts tucking at his senses to run and hide, to not be found unless mother called for him.

December Y10 || Ecrosia mire || Ecrosia mire cub || 2 months

code by corvus, art by wolfsi

*french

Members from the Bluffs arrive and stand with her and her golden gaze sweeps over the lands, taking in everything that she can. Catching sight of @Lune lingering she nodded for her to join them. If she was going to be apart of this pride and family, she would need to see the bloodshed and be willing to bleed just as all of them were. @Manon's voice snapped her attention and Amara looks at her grandcub. Why are you here?* She snapped. This is not a safe place for you.* She had seen far to many things go badly at challenges to allow the cubs out at such a young age. Louve wasn't going to be happy. @Faustine arrived and tucked her sibling under her but still Amara wasn't happy and grumbled as she looked around again.

@Alaric's gaze caught her attention and she knew then that this wasn't a friendly fight among siblings. She gave a small nod. She would do whatever was needed of her. @Louve arrived and Amara looked toward her. He is a Rike child I think. We need to decide now if we stand with them still or not. They do not view lionesses properly. Alaric did not pick him for a reason and he has caused plenty of issues before.* She gave her a long look. The men of the Mire had always been different but Amara had been a show of strength that they had come to respect. She didn't think this would be the case if the pale male won. There was no time like the right now to make choices about their allies and standings. Amara could feel the tension in the air, waiting for the fight to start, waiting for things to snap.

Snap. Aeistrios's attacked Alaric and with that Amara finally knew where she stood on the topic of the male. She had wavered, unsure, unwilling to make another enemy but his attack against their ally would then be that as Alaric made his commands known. We stand with and fight with the Mire. Andal is an enemy of ours now. She looked back to see that her son had joined them as well. She caught the sight of a pale female moving toward them, aiming for @Faustine. Amara moved to snap at the yearling before someone called her off and the young female turned toward him. Amara had no real idea what was happening at the moment as a low growl rumbled through her sharply.

@Apollinaire pulled Manon away and she was glad for but needed to get the young cub out of there. She looked to @Evren. Take Manon home. She said, nodding to the cub at her father's paws. She would need him here. Would need Louve here. She could spare one. Things started happening at the annoying quick pace that made it hard for her to know where to look or what to do. She was in a strange spot as well, she didn't need to get herself hurt or killed here when she had young cubs waiting for her. Cubs that still couldn't manage without the milk that her body provided but she also wouldn't let her ally down. @Bruno ♔ arrived and Amara's gaze went to him quickly, taking in the power that he offered in his attack. She had no way of knowing the outcome of this fight but she hoped the darker male, the known, would win over the unknown.

She vaguely noticed that yearlings seemed to be gathering around her that she didn't know before @Io asked about the challenger. The brother. He isn't a stable male and I doubt that he will let the lionesses of this pride go. Cubs started fighting and Amara flicked her gaze toward them for only a moment, there was nothing they could do to each other that would cause the challenge's outcome to change so her focus went back to that. @Cassius ♔ caught her attention. You said you wanted to fight, shed blood. Are you ready for it? She raised a brow at the boy who had stood in front of her at the end of her last challenge and boldly asked to join. A yearling that looked like he could be one of her own.

Amara moved from the gathering of Bluffs members and yearlings toward @Xavier and @Lune just in time to hear her son's question to the female. Fights were breaking out all over and she needed to make sure that the pair were ready to fight as well. She flicked her ear hearing @Lune's reply. In french. She gave Xavier a short glance before she spoke. He would gladly claim you and not let you go.* She saw no reason to hide such things from her. She watched the lioness for a long moment before looking to her son. Be ready to fight.* She heard a chuff from an unknown voice and looked around but there were a lot of bodies and she didn't catch who it was. If you see anyone else from the pride make sure they are ready to fight or that they stand back and wait for the wounded.* She gave him a quick look, she was glad he was back. Glad that he would be able to take him place in the family and in the pride and maybe give her some more grandcubs. The thought was quick before she looked back toward the main event. Her tension rippling off her as she stood with them, her gaze looking toward her pride, her family, and waiting to see what would happen next._{BG — ART — CODE}

All was well until the fire nation attacked the Andal Oasis king came, spitting venom at Alaric and charging into battle. That was, well, the start of the war that quickly unfurled before him. Muscles tensing, he jumped to his feet, looking around for someone to sink his claws into.

As his aunt barked orders to his cousins, he watched the bulky white form of @Grimm toddling towards Adeodatus, though if he knew his father, it wouldn't be likely he'd sit idle and protect youngins for long.

Veros stood and bristled, watching and waiting for a target to fight. To him, it didn't matter if they were his size, or that he won. He was just thirsty, and if this was a war, he wanted to be fighting in it. He set his sights on Andal Oasis and those of Aeistrios' family and he watched, considering who to attack.

The Andal Oasis Royalty brats were sitting ducks, and he liked when ducks sat. Tucking his chin into his patchy white mane, he surged towards them, aiming for the bigger one (for more of a challenge). As he closed the distance, he'd raise a paw and attempt to strike his target across the face with unsheathed claws.

---

Veros vs. @Setri
For Minor Maim (TBD)
Round 1 / 4
Hits:
Rolling 5d20: 4 + 20 + 3 + 14 + 19
Dodges:
Rolling 2d20: 8 + 12
Luck:
Rolling 6d20: 12 + 6 + 10 + 20 + 4 + 9


Lead Scout Perk: +1 luck to all pride-mates when fighting on their pride territory

** Dice copied/pasted with Abject's Permission; proof of original dice roll here

code (c) cala

Because right here, right now

All of your sins equal my crown

OOC:
Why were they going towards the loud annoying sounds? It seemed… bothersome. To him anyway. Still the fat cub would waddle after his brothers (@Nkosi & @Banazir) bringing up the rear of the trio. When they arrived he had slowed down to stare in awe watching the lions fight against each other, it was a magnificent sight for the young boy to behold. The sheer power of it all! But when he noticed he was alone because both boys had wandered off to hide on the sidelines he was quick to join them.  Moving to try and push himself atop of @Nkosi while he sighed heavily, “Loud” he hissed quietly to them. Clearly annoyed by the sheer volume surrounding them. Glancing up at @Hekate he sort of did a double take before smiling at her tiredly and resuming to watch the battle. They were just gonna be here a few minutes, right? if mama saw them, they would be in a world of pain. Well their ears would anyway.


"Talking"

code by corvus

Hellbent

lighting up the sky as we burn out

OOC:
"Den, now” came the commanding voice of their elder brother who had seen the mismatched colored trio make their way to the call. For fuck sakes, it was going to his fault somehow if something happened to them. And because of his height defect, he wasn't all that intimidating. Though his growing mane assisted in assuring most, he was definitely a yearling. Yellow gaze drifted amongst the group watching Livyatan prepare to do what he did best, be a good hound and do what was told. While mother was itching to draw some blood just because she could. As was the Tollaire way, well.. their Tollaire way. Noting the cubs gathering around a lioness he did not know by name he would approach the group with a frown, glancing to @Hekate before looking down at his brothers. This was how stupid cubs died. “mother will be pissed. She cannot fight if you three are here. Let’s go before we get noticed… Lead them back, I will bring up the rear,” he instructed Hekate there was a hint of concern in his facial features. Hell there was even a hint of pleading in his tone which almost made him gag.


"Talking"

code by corvus

@Hekate @Nkosi @Banazir

Such tension in the air. So many venomous words. He understood most of what was said, if not the significance behind some of it. There was history here he was not aware of, but he was getting used to being out of the older loops. Ears twitched toward every familiar word, drinking up the German and the French from all sides. Much of it seemed to be of little relevance to those outside each group, but the pale stranger did finally say something that caused him to hum in mild displeasure. The Dieudonné, after all, had been fairly good to him. At least, they hadn't been bad to him.

Sébastien would leave his safely dry perch to pick his careful path over to join the bulk of the Wolfbron lot, aiming, specifically, to approach @Louve, "Le pâle challenger a traité votre famille de prostituées. Cela semblait être une insulte qui devait être connue."¹ A glance back toward the main event came with a raised brow - Sébastien did not approve of the way the male had spoken of women in general. "Je peux vous fournir une traduction, si vous le souhaitez, de tout ce que sa famille dit dans sa langue."² It had been so easy, to let himself slide back into primarily using his first language, it was almost nice to have a chance to practice another.

Depending on where, precisely, @Amara was, he'd seek to catch her eye assuming she would be close enough to hear, "Je ne m'engage pas dans une bataille sans raison. Mais pour garder nos femmes et nos enfants hors de l'emprise des pâles, je me battrai pour cela."³ For fun? For glory? No, these were not reasons that would motivate him. But to protect their own - was it not a leader's place to do all they could to protect those who counted on them? His clan may be lost, but he could no more abandon the role and expectations of clan leader than he could cease to breathe.

---

¹ The pale challenger has called your family harlots. It seemed an insult that should be known.
² I can provide a translation, if you like, of anything his family says in their tongue.
³ I do not engage in battle without cause. But to keep any of our women or children out of the pale one's grip, for this I will fight.

Je repars à zéro

Non, je ne regrette rien

code by corvus

@Bordeux’s answer came quickly enough. Apparently, she was aware of their client and that he was not of the good sort. As long as he paid them well, the colossal could care less about his transgressions.

More and more filtered in, but Bhaskar paid little heed to what they were talking about. Only if they were approaching would he flinch a muscle, would he prepare his unsheathed talons to rip in self-defense. Still, he was vigilantly eyeing everybody, checking for weak spots in the Ecrosians. Prodding for their allies, certain that should battle occur they would have such at their rescue. ”Any idea who is friend or foe?” @Fenna's voice caught him off-guard, but the giant remained stone-faced. “The Mire, we fight them.” his eyes narrowed on a girl from Ecrosia rushing for a Wolfbron yearling at the same time. Odd. If Wolfbron was not Ecrosia’s ally, then they would not —

Then @Amara spoke aloud that the Bluffs stood with Ecrosia regardless. Damn their politics. He was here for the pay.

@Amorette joined them, and he regarded the woman with the same stoic face. Their words matched, and she did inquire how long they had to wait for the spoils. “Gotta earn ‘em, am I right?” It was the closest to a jest he could make, his lips splitting in a twisted smile. His eyes scanned the area, the audience had tripled in the span of minutes, and he was now on the hunt for a target.

But it seems that the target found them, for a woman’s curvy shape struck at @Bordeaux, and Bhaskar immediately stood on all fours, whirling his giant shape around clumsily. Fuck! @Fissure’s voice halted him, distracting him momentarily as he listened to the Raven’s plead with the attacker. “I will pull them apa—”

But before he could rush in and aid the medic, he felt a sudden pain in his left side that sent him staggering if only a step to the side, his gargantuan difficult to move. He sought to whirl and face his attacker, an athletic Ecrosian woman, much smaller as per usual in comparison, was now biting for his shoulder.

He saw her fangs reach toward his shoulder, and with a pained snarl, he attempted to shove the brunt of it into her jawline to try and counter her bite. He braced for impact, still trying to recover from the pain in his side and the bruising that began to form there. Adrenaline directed him now and dulled all other senses.

Bhaskar vs. @Myra
for Minor Maim
Round 1 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 5 + 17 + 12 + 6 + 16 + 9 + 4 + 3

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 9 + 2 + 12 + 7

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 18 + 13 + 8 + 16

So maybe he's a bit late. Fashionably late, one might say!

In his defense, he might've shown up a bit more quickly if only the call of war had been sounded while there was still daylight out. Y'know. The time when normal people were out and about. But then again, 'normal' was terribly boring. Boring normal people did silly things like 'avoid danger' and 'live peaceful lives' and 'not drop their kids off with their weird uncle who lived in the middle of a swamp at every possible opportunity that they could.'

Thank goodness Rainer had long avoided being afflicted with normalcy!

In fact, he might even thank the pale challenger for livening things up around here, once it was all said and done. Not that he's all that familiar with the usual happenings that go on within the Mire, but there's no better time to invite himself in for a tour than when the scenery was getting a nice re-paint. In red. He's developed a fondness for the color after all, and he keeps his icy gaze peeled for a glimpse of Astarte when he trots over the borders, grey tail arched cheerfully over his back.

White, however, is easier to see where it gleams in the moonlight, and he notes the presence of @Grimm and @Bastian with more approval than concern. Weird uncle (@Adeodatus) ignored, naturally. Enjoyink ze show already, are ve? He purrs, clapping a paw down on Grimm's back, the larger boy noticeably animated, while his brother...seemed to share Rainer's grief over the loss of sleep. There, there. You'd best vatch closely, you two. Zis is how Kings are made. Ze strongest varrior is ze one who vill control zis cesspool. He rumbles in a conspiratorial whisper, his lips stretching in a wide smirk that showed fang when he turned his eyes towards the main spectacle properly. Well, what he assumes is the main spectacle anyway. It's all devolving into bloodshed at an impressive and tempting speed.

Hmm. So there was the new King his wife had spoken of, the one that was supposedly family. Rainer supposed he could see some resemblance to Erna. Maybe. He'd only ever seen her in passing, years ago. They were both mud-colored, he was at least sure of that. But who exactly was the other man, whose coat gleamed as white as snow?

He might be able to learn, if only he could find -

Oh, there was @Astarte, speeding off like a crimson bullet towards a remarkably diminutive lioness cloaked in pastel colors. His assessment? A strong wind could probably topple Bordeaux over, so chances were good that even Astarte could obliterate her. He'd be amused, if only it didn't rankle that his wife was clearly following orders that were not his own. Cold, icy eyes skittered towards the wheaten form of Alaric on the battlefield, nostrils flaring with a hissing exhale. Perhaps she is not as detached from her 'past' as he'd thought.

He may do well to cut her off from it entirely.

Oh, and what was that now? Fissure's raised voice speaks Astarte's name, snapping the Rike's aggravated attentions towards the ebony male with a low growl. Poor, unfortunate soul. He moves forward, leaving his children with another heavy pat on the back that surely conveyed all the usual instructions - 'Stay out of the way,' 'Stick together,' 'Punt any runts that look at you funny into the mud,' those sorts of things.

~ Fight starts here~
Aww, your concern is terribly heartvarmink, Schönling. The beast boldly aims to slide into @Fissure's field of vision with a dark purr, his fangs gleaming in a wide, sharp grin. But my vife is not yours to command. Don't vorry - I'll take your apology right now. Rainer is lunging forward long before he's even finished speaking, his words twisting into a snarl. He lashes out his left forepaw to attempt to claw into the shadow's mane on the right side of his neck, pale jaws snaking forward to try to clamp his fangs around the muzzle Fissure should have kept shut.

The raven did have a rather pretty face. It would be such a shame if someone...marred it, now wouldn't it?

Rainer vs. @Fissure
Minor Maim
Round 1 / 4
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 10 + 9 + 16 + 15 + 14 + 18

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 3 + 17 + 13 + 10 + 2 + 14

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 6 + 4 + 12 + 7 + 10 + 18

---

1. Schönling = Pretty boy

Art + Code by Dee