The wheat couldn't exactly say that she was surprised but she was a little disappointed. She'd grown to be rather found of Oberon and the time that she'd spent in the Lagoon. Even if that'd only been a few weeks so as the scents of her High Sovereign began to fade, she began to question where or what had happened. Bringing herself out of the shade and into the light as she wandered close to the individual (@Arjana) that asked specifically of Oberon. I have not seen him for a few days now, she hates to be the bearer of bad news but it was better that Maude be honest rather than letting the woman continue to fret and not getting any answer at all. I'm Maude - a lioness once with the Lagoon. Of nowhere now, it seemed, but she could arrange a pride to be in soon enough.

table by novi

She frowned, listening to @Vasilis's words and turning her attention to the pair fighting, noting the blood drawn already. Both seemed evenly matched to the gaze of the experienced warrior. WHen he spoke of venturing to the Brook, she nodded, her expression thoughtful. "They would be a safe place... " If they had changed and permitted the non-natives within their ranks. The last she knew, they still were predominantly, if not completely native. It had bothered her a little.. how they seemed accepting, but still none were within their pride that didn't belong to the lands before. "I... am worried.. but." She frowned, her ears folding against her skull. "I no longer control the Cove - I have no say in what the pride would do with either of these men as neighbors." Truthfully, she worried that Vasilis was right and that either would be causing trouble for the beach pride. "I knew.. something was bound to happen the moment I passed off the crown." She lowered her head, looking defeated. The transfer of power had come with a heavy heart and a stone in her belly and now she knew why. If she had just waited a little longer.. "speech"

art by irish; stock by Svenimal

+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results

+5 Learn something interesting about a character

So, it would seem the mighty Oberon had fallen. In a way, Tobin realized he had been expecting this to happen. The man had just seemed so... naïve. He had at least spotted the fact that Tobin himself was a snake in the grass, or at least to some extent, but his actions after that fact had left the Kramer man wanting. So when he heard a strange voice call out for ownership of their lands, he wasn't at all surprised. Nor was he interested in fighting.

He was, however, interested in seeing who this male might be. He came upon the gathering and immediately recognized one of the males. Ah, it was Vermier. He didn't know what he would think if that one won. It wouldn't be good for any of the women around, that was certain. It might not be good for him personally either, he thought. Well, time would tell, he decided, settling in to watch the bout.

Hearing another man nearby, on his blind side, Tobin flicked his left ear in that direction in time to hear that Vermier was one of the attackers. One of? He wasn't aware there was more than one. He also wasn't surprised to find that the man he had spoken to briefly was in fact one of the ones who had been harming the women of these lands. Something to think about as he watched the battle, he thought.

Drakon Tollaire

+5 observe a fight

Ears twisted when he heard a call go out. With a pride being so close to his own, Drakon didn't take much of a chance without knowing about who was doing what. Especially with the attacks on Jewel and his own daughter. No. So the newly crowned king would leave the comfort of his own den and border to cross into the Lagoon's own territory. Fiery jewels spotted the growing crowd before spotting @Jewel herself. He was concerned for her of course, and she looked defeated but he had done it with a good conscious of how things needed to be. So Drakon moved to stand close to the former queen and nudge her reassuringly. "What has happened? Who is the man claiming?" He knew the other.

Table by Naboo

He turned to Jewel when she speaks, his body trembling. The brook was the safest place for anyone that needed it, at least for now it was the safest place to be and seek out. He takes a trembling breath through his lips and exhaled it out his nose. Then his nerves were set on fire yet again, this time he felt as if the sun was melting him down to what remained after all he had been through, now this, Jewel was no longer Queen of the Cove. No longer its protector. He grits his teeth and sucks in another deep breath. " Come with me. " he tells her. " Leave the cove. It's not good for either of those two to rule here. And if you are not leading the cove. Come with me to the brook. I have to go find Inez and the others and be sure they are safe. two of our ladies were still healing from their attacker, I doubt they are okay enough to be out alone right now." Vasilis the ever-vigilant guardian for all who needed it the most.

He kisses her head softly " I.. I know there is a missing time between us. I know my memories are still forming with the help of the Brook natives.. But allow me to try to glue things back together. So please... come with me @Jewel. " he didn't want to beg her to go and leave the cove. But he didn't know who was leading it right now, and in case they were to fall too - the brook was the place to go to right now. He stands up, looks across those nearby, and frowns. " The future is...no longer brightly lit here anymore.." he whispered mostly to himself. He moves to step aside. He had to leave now before he couldn't before he waited to attack Vermier once his fight with the other man was done. He claps his jaws together and nods, giving her a few moments with him before he would leave. He had to, for himself and those with no home now.

Vasilis exits to find ex lagoon members.

Hecuba was not entirely pleased with the turn of events. She was not keen on things changing so quickly, and it appeared neither was @Jewel. The stormy woman marched herself directly over to the dark lioness to settle down alongside of her, a show of quiet allegiance. Like it or not, they were dealing with one another and would continue to do so for the sake of Caladan.

"Complete control is not why we suggested what we did." Surely she understood that? That at the end of the day, Hecuba only wanted to keep her children safe as well. Her eyes drifted to Vasilis as he encouraged the woman to abandon Caladan, and Hecuba frowned before turning to her husband silently. Things were going well.

_^DEEJ

+5 Gather information about a character

+5 Gather useful information on a enemy lion or pride

Well now, wasn't this just rich? It seemed that her wish had come true, but that it hadn't been Garm to deliver it to her. The lagoon had fallen, the man who had left their pride behind to claim it seemingly vanishing in the night. Pathetic, she decided. Still, it was worth going to see who was duking it out for the throne. She had learned so much from the last battle she had gone to. Why, perhaps there would be another maiming!

This time, there wasn't anywhere she could see to hide, and so she merely joined the gathering of lions, though off to the side. She didn't want to be part of whatever little conversation was going on over there, though she did listen intently. Ah, so this Vermier was one of the ones who had been attacking the lions lately? How interesting. She wondered if he was the one who had gotten Jewel, noticing the former sovereign was in attendance. No doubt this would be an interesting turn of events regardless of who the victor was.

She moved to join Hecuba and Drakon, trying to keep from rolling her eyes at Vasilis as he moved off. Let him take the weakened woman with him, she thought. If she wanted to abandon the pride like that then they didn't need her anyway. She kept her peace and her indifferent facade as she took a seat, though, knowing it would only cause trouble were she to open her mouth.

+5 Learn something unique about another pride’s territory
+5 Explore the borders of a pride or group

Hmm, she knew the sound of that voice. It wasn't her husband's, but it was someone close to him. Devana smirked ever so slightly, rising from her place and heading towards the cry. She quickly ran across the scent border of the pride he was seeking to claim, faded as it was, and followed it around until she came upon the gathering to watch the fight. She settled herself in the background, eyes automatically scanning those around her, and the terrain. Sand filled most of it, with sparse vegetation. Interesting, she supposed. Not the sort of place she would prefer, but not one that was terrible.

He gaze finally settled upon Korrin, who was already duking it out with another male. Would her beloved decide to come here to be with his brother, or did he have his own plans to rule? She would support him either way, of course, but she did like the sound of him being in charge better. Such things were always so hard won for him...

+5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds

Maua be, these newcomers were so loud all the time. She'd believed that when the prides had settled in things would be quiet once more, and yet it seemed every few dawns there was another call ringing out. As if they couldn't settle down and simply let each other be.

Well, she was in the area this time, and so she would approach the gathering and take a seat, watching the pair fight. There was going to be blood spilled, and perhaps one of them would desire her services, presuming she felt willing to give it.

The foreigners watched as well, seeming disgruntled, and Heloise made note of that. Nymeria might have use of this information, and she was more than willing to bring it back to her.

She would lean into @Vasilis as he offered words of comfort, but her throat tightened when he begged of her to leave the Cove. The only home she had ever known, and she jerked her head to look up at him, the single remaining cerulean eye widening at his words. "I..." The ebon lady would feel the shakiness in her limbs, knowing that while the offer to rekindle what had once been between them was a tempting one.. she also knew full well that he still didn't remember - he had said as much just then. "The Cove is my home, Durius.. My mate, Our sons are there. I.. will not leave it.." Not arbitrarily on her own decision... It would be a joint decision between herself, Vysemala, and all of their sons. It was not a decision to make lightly. Jewel watched as he left, frowning after him before she looked towards @Drakon. "I'm not sure who the claimer is.. I've only seen him once before." He had been in a fight in Wolfbron - but she couldn't be sure why or for what and chose not to speak on it. To @Hecuba she smiled, nodding her head. "I understand. It's just.. Feels as if it's my fault somehow." For a year, she had ruled the Cove and nothing but light and prosperity had been with it and the Lagoon. And now - mere days after she passes the crown.. darkness threatened their doorstep. Well.. she was being overly dramatic, she supposed. "I'm wallowing.. Aren't I." A sardonic smile tilted one side of her lips as she chuckled, shaking her head at her own internal brat. "speech"

art by irish; stock by Svenimal