she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

Her teeth found purchase and tore The very wine that she had so delicately drank all those months ago, claimed all those days ago as her own. And it would be she that makes her wife bleed, not another. That much was clear as she savored the taste of her wife's divine flesh. Claws dug into her flesh and tore at her neck but that did not bother her as she would aim to jerk her head away from @Miaran ♔'s own neck and tear the flesh apart. She was here for blood. For flesh. And she felt the rage and betrayal of not knowing that this shouldn't have happened burning in her very soul.

Her shoulder - the one closest to Miaran's jaws - would attempt to shove forwards, aiming to thrust the bone end of her shoulder blade so that it would ram into Miaran's jawline. Lifting one of her legs upwards and would attempt to dig her claws into her wife's right front leg, aiming to dig into the tender flesh that was there and show that she was not to be taken lightly.

Aphrodite vs. Miaran
For Minor Maim (TBA)
Round 2

Hits;

Rolling 8d20: 13 + 19 + 16 + 20 + 1 + 18 + 4 + 10

Dodges;

Rolling 4d20: 14 + 2 + 6 + 11

Luck;

Rolling 5d20: 15 + 8 + 9 + 18 + 10

table by ryuu

The pressure of the head above him is immense. It must be a thick skull to press so hard, with so much weight. Between all the damn mane and the force, it’s hard to gasp a lungful of air, but Haakon can hold his breath for a few moments at least. It’s worth it to feel the grip of flesh in his jaws. The problem with that is, it should be a finishing move - yield or have your throat ripped out. Haakon has no true intention of murdering his wife’s family, however, and perhaps the male knows that or perhaps he’s willing to call Haakon’s bluff. Whatever the reason, the big red beast yanks backward and Haakon has no choice but to loosen his grip so no flesh stays in his teeth.

It would make for an awkward honeymoon.

The paw he’d pinned comes free, but not without injury, and all too quickly comes for the side of Haakon’s face. The smaller male winces, squinting to protect his eye, and attempts to wrap his foreleg half around Alexander’s shoulder and hook his claws in, trying to anchor himself as he knows what’s coming - and sure enough, the colossal lion attempts to yeet throw Haakon off his paws. Open jaws attempt to snap at him once again - anywhere he can get, mane be damned - trying to either keep himself upright or take something with him.

Haakon vs @Alexander ♔
For @Lilliana
III of III
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 20 + 16 + 4 + 13 + 14 + 19 + 11

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 7 + 17 + 15 + 3 + 1 + 16

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 11 + 2 + 17 + 18

art © drifty | code © hinter

The scent of Lagertha drew Aria into The Pit. Bad memories haunted this place like carrion birds coming to roost. It had once been the scene of a battle to the death. Its outcome - unknown to him. From the note of the challenger’s roar, it did not sound like he called for a pride. His ears lowered back, and his steps grew hesitant. The male was calling for a mate. A greater and instinctive motivation than mere territory. Covered once more in a fine layer of dark sand, Aria made his way to the battlefield.

The cheetah slipped into The Pit, and tried to find somewhere secluded amongst the rocky terrain. Aria’s eyes narrowed at the figure of Haakon, familiar from his time at Caladan’s challenge. Their gaze slipped to Lagertha, and the two queens of their former home. They tucked themselves into a crack between the stones, worn from years of battles. There was the usual chatter among the onlookers, and he strained to catch what was being said. Aria’s attention drifted away from the savage display in the centre, to follow the interactions of the group. From what the bard could gather, the altercation seemed to involve a family judging from their spotted, white-splashed coats and shared scent.

The arrival of a dark male preceded another ripple of unease. Aria tried to guess what had been said by the group of women when one recoiled from Lagertha. This was the spark the reaper needed to engage the Valkyrie in battle. He watched for a moment, until the sound of an angry voice reached them. Confusion, then shock claimed their features as Aphrodite attacked Miaran. What could have been said to provoke such violence, they wondered. What could this mean for his former pride, and Pyrrha’s ambitions?

Aria is attempting to hide.


Potential EXP
+5 Attend a challenge (Haakon vs Alevander for Lilliana) (1/2)
+5 Practice reading lips (1/2)
+5 Practice disguising your appearance (1/2)

bg x art x code

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

(The following interactions between Vlad and Lagertha have been agreed upon by both parties. Please do not interfere.)

Though she'd already turned her attention to something else, the words of a small red lioness had reached her ears before, lingering in her mind. Something about it was tugging at her mind. Something about that voice. Had she met her before?

But it were not the words of the fierce red one that had her mind occupied. No, it was the younger one. The fear in her first reaction to the pale warrior queen had been so obvious, shock too. Understandably. At times, she had to remind herself that not all carried a warrior's soul, that there were some with a more sensitive one. If she'd only fully understood her own feelings. Maybe then she'd have seen how similar all this was to what she'd seen and experienced before. Three souls, caught in a tangled web, never quite knowing about the other until it all crashed and burned.

Steps were taken in the direction of @Lilliana again, though only a few. Blazing verdant gaze locking onto the other woman. As much as she hated giving in to anyone, the other had a point. Things needed to be out in the open, to be settled. And this was something she couldn't settle with claws and fangs. "It seems that is what we both want."

She'd intended to say more. But a larger male entered the scene and crashed into her side. Fangs dug into her skin, her slender frame tensing as her own claws scraped against the ground. Something changed then. A growl vibrated in her throat, though she didn't move. Made no move to attack, but also not giving up or submitting. "Typical. Charging without thinking," she snarled at @Vladizmir. "Charging blindly without knowing the full situation is never a good idea." A huff slipped past her lips but she remained still, rigid. "You don't know me, don't know the situation. Have you even stopped to think about this? To think I could have been a potential ally, regardless of the situation, and how this could have affected your family?" It took all she had in that moment not to give in to the sweet allure of a fight. But she was standing down. Standing her ground without fleeing but also without striking the male. Words to resolve a problem instead of claws.

The words of another reached her ears in the midst of it all. But what the younger male (@Karsa) said, it would be addressed after. Would be addressed once this was settled. So for now, his words lingered in the back of her mind.

code by flea, art by irish

The Viper's crimson wine ran freely, mingling with the ashen hue of her fur as her beloved wife unleashed her savage fury upon her. Anguish and rage mingled within her soul as Miaran fought back, her claws seeking to pierce deeper into her wife's being even as she felt the searing anguish of tooth and claw tearing into her own flesh. The sickening impact of Aphrodite's skull against her jaw spurred Miaran to twist away at the collision, just in time to feel the razor-sharp claws that grazed her leg. Pure fury fueled her every move as she lunged for her wife's neck once more, her own claws attempting at rending skin and flesh in a frenzied dance of violence. Let the blood flow, let it stain us both in a macabre symphony of pain and passion.



@Aphrodite ♔ vs. Miaran
For Minor Maim (TBK)
2/4

Hits;

Rolling 6d20: 12 + 16 + 15 + 1 + 18 + 10

Dodges;

Rolling 7d20: 10 + 18 + 12 + 4 + 20 + 16 + 11

Luck;

Rolling 5d20: 2 + 1 + 13 + 11 + 5

table code by daanyen

@Alexander ♔ vs. @Haakon for @Lilliana
— RESULTS —

Alexander Hits: 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 luck = 17
Alexander Dodges: 2 + 3 + 2 = 7

Haakon Hits: 3 + 4 + 6 + 5 luck = 18
Haakon Dodges: 2 + 3 + 3 = 8

Alexander Successful Hits: 9
Haakon Successful Hits: 11

HAAKON HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR LILLIANA!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either all challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

There is something indescribably thrilling about bringing a giant down. Haakon has been bested by men of this size before, and he's learned from it. Today, all those failures - every hard lesson - has paid off.

His grip on the other male loosens only when he is sure the yield is given. The slight change, the heavy breath of bitter defeat. It tastes good in no man's mouth, but surely this loss is not such a bad thing. Haakon has only proven his dedication, his devotion to protecting Lilliana and the children that grow inside her. He has earned the right to call her his wife, and this lion has made sure he bleeds for it.

"Bra kämpande. Good fight." Haakon's grin is bloody as he pulls back, staggering a half step as his paws come back down. It's only then he truly gets a good look at his opponent's size, the mass. He did not win this lightly.

"Tack, Odin." He breathes, every lungful of air coming hard and fast as his body begins to come down from the fight - and feel every ache. The pain is good, almost comforting. The ringing in his ears fades, and the sound of the spectators, a low hum of chatter, catches his attention. And above it all, that sounds of -

Battle.

Haakon's head snaps around, and then upwards, and he finds his queens exchanging blows on the side of the arena. Nearby, Lagertha seems to be defending herself from a dark, shadowy beast. And too close to all of that -

"Lilli."

Haakon winces as he moves, chest heaving. The fight had been exerting. All the same, the male heaves himself out of the pit with a grunt, seeking to stand before her. The others crowded around her aren't yet acknowledged. He is bloody and legs trembling, but he is victorious.

"I won." He murmurs, as if she hadn't been watching the entire fight. His brows crinkle together as he glances over the crowd, the fight, the simmering anger he can feel. "But what the fuck happened here?" A simple challenge had turned into... This?

He'd heard enough of Lagertha's words to pick up on the tension between the shield maiden and the black shadow looming too close, but whatever it is - it does not take priority over Lilliana's safety. Lagertha is a proven warrior. She can defend herself, and seems to be doing so now. He'll get involved if need be - is this a response to his challenge, or something else?

@Alexander ♔ @Lilliana @Lagertha

art © drifty | code © hinter

He had lost. It was clear as the fight went on. Rage filled his chest; his pride completely shredded in this moment. If he couldn't defend his niece, could he defend their home? Was he too old now? Had time finally caught up with him, weakened him?

His mind ran rampant as he stood there, panting as the other stepped aside. Good fight. No, not good enough. Alexander hadn't been good enough. His chest burned, blood trickled from his mane down his face from some wound he didn't know the location of. It had happened so quick it was almost shameful.

Muscles were taut, legs shaking before he slowly stood up - his lungs ragged from breathing heavy. Lips quivered, the desire to snarl and attack the male again growing powerfully within him. The only thing that stopped him was the utterance of Lilliana's name of the males lips.

Quickly does his head snap toward the two of them, irritation evident on his features. She knew this was going to happen? Was this...was Lilliana turning against her family for a man?

No, he couldn't assume that. He had done that with Levana; he had learned a hard lesson. Shoulders rolled back and he grits his teeth, approaching the gathering of his family.

The fight between Miaran and her own didn't concern him right now - he would deal with that later. "Explain. Now. Else we may have war on the horizon." It wasn't a threat, simply a fact. An attack against the Hollows by the Cove was what was seen here today.

They needed context.

table by aurora / art

Cosmin had only just gotten to the chaos and had was certainly arriving with gigantic eyes, not sure what was going on but instinctively moving to @Thella's side. The only other individual he would have gone to was @Karsa but he seemed rather invested in the arrangements while he thought Thella might have a bit more distance. Clearly he had missed something very, very important but he was here now... his defenses at the ready to take part in something much larger than himself. Not at all prepared for the information that his father demanded from the maneless brute he looked to have fought. Yes, answers please. His expression absolutely said without shame as he was quite obviously confounded by this very large gathering of teeth and claws.

^{ART • CODE}

The Blood Mother is quiet as chaos erupts around her. Not one fight, but two. That single red eye narrows, watching as @Vladizmir strikes - quick to attack and ask questions later. While she was often one to incite violence; she knew there was an art to it and despite being her brother, it seemed he still had much to learn. Perhaps it was that she was growing older, but the anger and rage within her had become somewhat tempered. Not enough to warrant calling her soft, but enough to allow her to not act recklessly.

The situation at hand was still unknown, and while the ghoul had not heard the words spoken by Lagertha; she could guess by the reaction of both Lilliana and her sibling. A snarl erupts from her lips, crackling into the air like a whip of lightning. "Vladizmir!" She roars, hackles raising, small form shifting up to stand - tail lashing wildly behind her. "Lépj vissza." Stand down. It was a command, one ushered by The Blood Mother, one he needed to obey. If he disagreed, he could take it up with her later, but until the challenger explained - it was time to listen.

Violence and bloodshed were immortal, there would be plenty of time to rip their enemies apart.

coded by flea + background credit + art