It is a painful thing to swallow, Pride is. It takes a lot for her to come home, after wandering off and daring to think her family would even come looking. The rage and irritation has already passed, leaving Nazara with little to nothing but bitterness on her tongue. Shadow across the evening stretches, the prodigal princess casually walks across her Mother’s borders with little care. Let the guards—if there were any—come and speak with her. Adorned in a few bones wrapped in rope made of dried reeds hangs from her neck. Their clank is enough to give her position away, the small leaf-based pouch strung over her shoulder with the rest of her bounty. The girl had begun studying further in her time away, but still there was no cure for her brother’s affliction.

Would he even be here? Would he be alive?

Would he be angry with her, for abandoning him?

Naza feels the gentle kiss of her harbinger’s voice across her skull. They were right. She had thought selfishly, Thruum was her only other counterpart in this world. A soulmate born from the same womb as herself. Dark obsidian eyes scan her old home, wondering what she truly had missed in the months of her absence.

To be fair, she was shocked her mother had even held the position as long as she had. Such turmoil was no stranger to the lands of Amaryllis. In her lifetime alone there had been many wars, tides crashing into one another and political storms alone brewing on horizons. Its buzzing in the air again, she can feel it. Her unseen companions whisper about these things, and the tension was enough to slice with a claw.

Nazara doesn’t stop in her walk, continuing with her silky saunter towards the willow tree marked by her baby claws. The rains of spring had made the brook swell, and it was a welcome reprieve from the summer’s brutal heat.

I could burn your motherfuckin’ village to the ground—

I could crack your skull between these motherfuckin’ thighs—I could doom your lineage with one look from these eyes! I could name the date in which they’ll put you in the ground—you’re the one who said its justice watchin’ witches drown!

code by corvus

ooc - Edit to test table

The sun is setting, painting the sky in a welcoming way that draws the boy out of the shade he had been sleeping in. Activity begins to pick up around him, insects and other small creatures begin to stir as the air cools. Raz stretches his tight muscles, he had been dreaming of a huge hog that had wanted him to chase it, the boy had obliged and run for what felt like an eternity, chasing and almost catching the huge pig. It had been exhilarating and he was mildly disappointed to find the beast was just in his imagination.

Rising to his paws the melanistic child gives his coat a brisk shake, dry leaves and dust falling away from his moon-touched fur. He can hear movement not far from his resting spot, and at first he wonders if it's his mother but the scent that meets his twitching nostrils isn't one he knows. It has a familiar undertone but the main scent is foreign.

Slowly he makes his way through the foliage, his dark coat lost in the evening shadows. Stalking on over sized paws, and limbs that are continuously growing, he knows he is not as quiet as he wants to be so it is likely the stranger has a good idea he's coming when he steps out from the lush greenery and glares at her with black eyes, the quarter of pink catching the dying light as he watches her.

"You're trespassing." Does she know? Can she smell his mother, the strong odour of the Brook lions permeates the air. Seating himself he blinks at her and cocks his head to one side before parting his jaws a mewing chuff escapes - a summons for @Icefang ♔ - he is still too young, of course, to roar.

+10 Intercept a trespasser

@Nazara

Lathan had been prowling the borders, doing something Noble..ish without actually leaving. He didn’t expect anyone to actually be foolish enough to cross the strong scent of Icefang’s borders, but he would be proven wrong as a females scent crossed- unaccompanied by that of a pride scent. His brows rose curiously as he turned, following the scent. Ahead he could hear the clack of something, rhythmic and soothing, it didn’t take him long to realize that the clacking was nearly in step with his own paws, leading him to believe it was tethered in some way to the strangers stride. How interesting. Lathan followed the scent long enough to not a hint of familiarity to it, but the base of the scent was one he hadn’t met before. Hmm… He hummed silently in his mind. Ears perked as a voice spoke, pointing out she had been trespassing, Lathan could tell the voice was that of a child and his eyes rolled slightly but with a deep inhale, he would push his way through the last of the foliage that blocked him from view. "She knows."He rumbled quietly in answer to the boy. Another unfamiliar face but he had the scent of Icefang on him. The child sends out a series of mewling chuffs for the Queen, it seemed they would be getting this sorted out quickly. "I’m Lathan. How may I assist you, miss..??" He questioned, tilting his head curiously, waiting for her to fill in the name portion. Lathan was polite and with the familiar undertone, he wasn’t looking to be hostile to a potential princess. He would be polite, let her mistake him for docile, the Queen knew the truth. @Nazara @Erasmos "Speech."

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

The whispers caress against her cheek in he form of the wind, a cool gentle breeze that came down from the mountains not far from the Brook. Nazara almost sighs, wistfully, remembering her feeble attempt at carving willow bark from this very tree. It was medicinal, sure, yet lacked the compounds to cure her twin of the affliction that ravaged him. It was cruel that he would be cursed, and she would be gifted. It was unfair to demand of her a potential in murder just to become a healer. Reluctant she was to learn, but the Whispers called. They told her what could work, and what could kill.

In a way, she supposed, she could still fullfil that unlaid destiny. More subtle, perhaps, than the dreams she once possessed.

Nazara is broken from her inner thoughts by the deliberate sound of another—a small, infant. Black eyes fall upon him, sizing him up. He wreaks of Mother, and questions whether she understands she is trespassing or not.

”Wonder what your skull looks like when the flesh is peeled off?” she snaps her teeth in his direction, loudly, pointedly. ”I lived here, little boy, a princess.” it wasn’t like her to use her old royal status for gain. Mostly, Naza kept it to herself. Before more venomous words could be spouted at the mewling creature, they are joined by another. He admits that she understands the concept of trespassing, and Naza can only roll her eyes.

”I need no help” she says, proudly ”You can run along now”

@Erasmos @Lathan.

I could burn your motherfuckin’ village to the ground—

I could crack your skull between these motherfuckin’ thighs—I could doom your lineage with one look from these eyes! I could name the date in which they’ll put you in the ground—you’re the one who said its justice watchin’ witches drown!

code by corvus

Her words don't bother him and Raz raises a brow at her before answering, Wet. You're only a bit older than me. He snorts and flicks his gaze over at the dark grey male as he appears beside him, the melanistic girl who is - like him - still not yet fully grown makes a rude comment in response to @Lathan's offer of help.

Well Princess, You don't live here now. The boy growls standing up and taking a firm step forward, his small teeth flashing as he does so. She's not so big, and he's not afraid of her. Raz doesn't know what a princess is, but that doesn't give her any right to come stomping onto their territory smelling like the outside and being rude to Lathan.

@Nazara is only about a head taller than him and for that reason she is trying to intimidate the wrong boy, his dark eyes narrow as he steps to block her path. Not sure trespassers are allowed to just wander 'round. The slightest flick of his bi-coloured eyes goes toward Lathan to make sure he is right.

The girls words were colorful, descriptive, wondering even. He smirked ever so slightly. Oh how delightful. She wanted to know what it would look like for the boy’s flesh to be peeled from his skull, how it would gleam in the light. The answer for @erasmus nearly made him laugh, he wasn’t wrong. She had went on to say that she was a princess, this was her home. Once more Lathan’s head would tilt, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as tail thumped behind him. She was a princess, or was, until she had left. When she turned her black gaze to him, he listened to the insolent reply. He could run along now. He snorted softly, rolling a shoulder in a shrug. "I could, but I won’t." He mused quietly, still polite. The boy was younger, a head shorter than the girl, but he had fire in his belly, Lathan would give him that. He growled, pointing out that she didn’t live there anymore. He was quite certain that Icefang would embrace her daughter back into the fold without question…or well…maybe with questions but she would be allowed back regardless. It was then that @Erasmos would speak, moving to block her path, Lathan recognized that stalking motion, but he did nothing to stop it. A thrill at the idea of them fighting it out coursing through his veins as he remained on the side, patiently waiting. The boy would speak, stating trespassers weren’t to just be wandering around, a fleeting glance to Lathan given. The nod was slight, almost imperceptible, as he turned his gaze back to the girl. "I believe the law states, bite first, ask questions later." She was on the wrong side of the law on this one. Unfortunately for her. He would leave Erasmos to bite first this time, they were closer in age and Lathan wasn’t in the mood to tip the scales against her. @Nazara "Speech."

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

Once a caress against her mind, the Whispers grow into a roar—a wave that gains speed as it goes along the depths of the ocean, until it is so large it engulfs the land. The irritation is prevalent on her features, Naza does not make an attempt to hide it—and the last of @Lathan’s words are heard before she makes the decision.

”Fine” with swift, practiced movements, she relieves herself of the pouch and leaves the bones around her neck.

With out much other warning, the girl turns and immedietly lunges a the boy using her slightly larger self to try and barrel over him. Best get the mewling maggot on the ground, no? Her claws unsheath themselves and seek to rake across his body—and her mouth opens in a roar before white teeth sought to sink deep into the skull of this child.

Bite first, ask later, right?

Nazara vs. @Erasmos
Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 2d20: 4 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 6 + 10 + 1

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 3 + 14 + 17 + 4 + 8

@Lathan

I could burn your motherfuckin’ village to the ground—

I could crack your skull between these motherfuckin’ thighs—I could doom your lineage with one look from these eyes! I could name the date in which they’ll put you in the ground—you’re the one who said its justice watchin’ witches drown!

code by corvus

The permission to fight comes only moments before the other melanistic beast lunges, and Raz is just bringing his gaze back to her when she is suddenly in motion. The boy is not trained, he doesn't really know how to fight but some of it is natural - instinct.

She is trying to bowl him over, he is heavy (for his age) and short, with a good centre of gravity. However, she is stronger, older and by and large more experienced. Raz's eyes light on the dangling bones around her neck as he is knocked over, letting it happen to reduce the impact - the thud of landing stings but it's not as bad as it could have been. His gaze narrows for an instant before flashing wide at the sudden pain of her claws pulling his flesh and fur, the warmth of his own blood thrills him as her claws cut into his side just below his armpit.

Positioned below her now, Erasmos' own claws are unsheathed and reach upward in an attempt to gain purchase on her forelegs, whilst his head strikes upward, jaws attempting to clamp onto the necklace of bones and pull it taut - he wants to choke her. This motion puts his head beneath her reaching jaws, so her fangs graze the side of his neck and split his left ear as the two pass each other. A scar he will wear with pride when the fight is over, whatever the outcome.

@Erasmos vs. @Nazara
Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 3d20: 9 + 11 + 18

Dodges:

Rolling 1d20: 16

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 3 + 6 + 15 + 13

The tango between them was disgusting. She would much rather it be Thruum wriggling and flailing under her than some unwashed worm. Yet, as it stands, she wants nothing more than to put him in his place and continue on her journey in silence.

His own paws are fluffy. They do little when it comes to damage as it would seem incompetence is alive and well. Who fights with no claws? Her thoughts are interrupted by his teeth grabbing the make-shift bone necklace and pulling it taught. Her growl is choked short--and instead of allowing her neck to be pulled down she yanks hard till she feels it pulled so tight it was digging into her skin. Another yank, it gives, and the bones she had gathered sprawl everywhere.

Her teeth snap at him, and she goes for a leg that had grabbed at her own foreleg. Her teeth seal to find a bone, to yank and dislodge the boy from her person. And maybe, maybe she'd get to draw some blood across her tongue in the process.

Nazara vs. @Erasmos
Dominance
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 2d20: 4 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 13 + 12 + 6

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 8 + 11 + 17 + 16

I could burn your motherfuckin’ village to the ground—

I could crack your skull between these motherfuckin’ thighs—I could doom your lineage with one look from these eyes! I could name the date in which they’ll put you in the ground—you’re the one who said its justice watchin’ witches drown!

code by corvus

His claws do not gain a proper purchase on her and that is annoying, but his jaws have found the necklace. She's not stupid though, and uses their opposing force to snap the cord and the bones go flying - one nicks his cheek as it disappears into the Brook. At least she choked for a little while, and he can only hope this knocked her confidence a bit.

Now she is aiming for his leg instead and Raz sacrifices it, letting it fall downward closer to his own body as she snatches it in her teeth. Her fangs clamp down on the thick forelimb, imbedding themselves in the powerful muscle of his left front leg and drawing the blood she craves. The pain is immense, but he is running on instinct now.

Spitting out leaves, Raz attempts to sink his own hungry fangs into her exposed throat just behind her jaw, letting her yank his leg which just brings her neck that much closer, his free right foreleg attempting to grab hold of her left shoulder - claws bared.

Erasmos is not so easily quieted, but when the adrenaline passes he knows somewhere in the back of his mind that he is going to be feeling this fight for some time to come.

@Erasmos vs. @Nazara
Dominance
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 3d20: 13 + 10 + 2

Dodges:

Rolling 1d20: 17

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 18 + 20 + 9 + 13