Please let @Iskander post first!

you don't know

you think you own whatever land you land on, the earth is just a dead thing you can claim. but i know every rock, and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name

Beautifully crafted and fluffed up paws dirtied by mud and blood traveled across the empty sands of the passage. A mind beginning to tire as she struggled to stay conscious, desperate for relief as she sunk against her comrade Iskander. The two children ceremoniously separated from his parents through a wild thunderstorm that had rocked the outside of Amaryllis the night prior. The two had been searching for them ever since, checking every bounder and tree they found until there weren't so many of either around anymore. All they could see was a large stretch of land in front of them -- with a voice that beckoned them forward. Tired, 'kander? she pleaded for them to stop so that she inevitably fell to the ground with an exhausted lilt. Maddie could not continue; too tired to play, too tired to go on.

code by corvus

Tired little paws carried a weary little body, trudging through the sea-bordered sand just ahead of his companion. He had tried desperately to be strong for his parents, to protect @Madelina when they went out to find food, but when the storm came shortly after they had left and ripped their tiny shelter apart, Iskander had no choice but to find a place where he and Maddie could hide. And come morning, his parents had failed yet to find them.

Tired, 'kander? Iskander stopped, peering over his shoulder to see little Maddie trailing behind. He'd been so focused on the little traces of his parent's scent that they could find that he'd not paid attention to the tiredness of his companion. His lips curved into a frown, and turning back, he ambled toward her and brushed his head into the crook of her cheek and jaw. “We can wait?” he suggested, but a large part of him wondered that if they were so close that, should they stop now, they would lose the chance to catch up to their guardians. And oh, how a ride between the jaws of his mom would feel much better than the hot sand on his paws.

table by ferus

Spring brought about rain and storms — Cupid is dreading the warmer weather, yet the promise of brighter days makes him torn. It’s great for plants, which means they won’t be so strapped for healing agents in the near future… hopefully. The Gentry is picking a few near the Passage when he decides it isn’t a bad time to check who waits at Amaryllis’ doors. His pace is even — paws sinking into the soft, warmed sand as he surveys the horizon.

At first, he doesn’t spot anyone — but it isn’t long before he picks up two small voices, and his mothering instinct kicks in. Drawn in like moth to flame, Cupid approaches with his posture friendly and at ease. Concern, however, pinches his expression when he spots the two cubs alone. “Are you two alright?” He calls out — stopping a respectable distance away to hopefully keep from spooking them.

table by sentinel / artist

ulla had no intention to settle for another batch of rogues when she had duties elsewhere. both noble and jarl, she had twice as many responsibilities imposed upon her by her own self. but the sight of two lost cubs thwarted that thought into oblivion. she made quick work of the short distance, mind unfurling with a desire to lay claim upon both girl and boy. they would belong to the hollows and she could raise them. perhaps it was her innate motherly instinct roaring at her, but the sigrun woman stopped short of @cupid and took to chuffing at the children. little ones, let’s get you somewhere safe it was only when she spoke did ulla lift her head up to assess the only other adult. he smelled of the bluffs, but she knew little of the pride to properly tell if doing so would cause friction. nevertheless, ulla must move forward. i will bring them to the hollows for recuperation. this isn’t a good place for young children.

ooc ulla is claiming madeline and iskander!

code by corvus | image by rabbit

"And a hole in the ground is a better place to take them?" His question would boom out from behind the small group, the pink shaded beast deciding to join them. He'd been out scouting, searching for lions that would be useful for Andal. With all the recent events and tension that you could cut with your claw the Viking thought it were a good idea to look for strong and abled bodies that wouldn't be afraid to get their paws dirty to defend. But what he found instead were two obviously worn down and scared cubs that were being claimed by the Obsidian Noble. Golden gaze would shift between her and @Cupid, the distinct scent of the Bluffs causing for his nostrils to wrinkle. It wasn't anything against the male, just the turmoil between the two prides in general that was enough to cause for his hackles to rise along his spine.

Valhalla would move in a half circle, ceasing movement once he were in front of the woman. "I win, they choose where they want to go. You win, they go with you. Sound fair?" Although they were young and he were assuming they were not from Amaryllis it only seemed fair enough to let them pick where they went. For all he knew they might've wanted to go with the Gentry. After he spoke would his defenses slip into place: hackles staying up, his tail falling limp between hind legs and waiting to be needed for balance, his limbs bending and spreading out evenly as claws unsheathed seamlessly as they pierced the sandy ground below; ears would pin into a thick mane and eyes would narrow upon her, throat tucking itself inward to protect his jugular and his shoulders rolling up and forward a bit to give further protection. His muscles would tense, waiting for impact.

VALHALLA vs. ÚLLA
for MADELINA & ISKANDER
00/03

@Úlla

table by sentinel / lion + cliffs

Z O T I C U S ♕ X A N T H O S

---

Zoticus wasn't far behind @Cupid as the newly established Gentry made way to the passage. He followed at a distance, not hiding himself, but rather giving Cupid the chance to shine- while also being around for moral support. He was new to the position, and Zoticus knew it could be nerve-racking to recruit at the passage.

Not to mention dangerous, with Wolfbron having two enemy prides.

The scent of rogues wafted along his nose, and not too much longer did Zoticus see the young cubs, @Iskander and @Madelina . Worry coats him just as much as Cupid but Zoticus stands back, letting the Gentry take charge as he addressed the cubs first. However, he noticed the arrival of @Úlla , and a frown forms on his face as she claims the cubs out from under Cupid.

"No, it is not a good place for children." Zoticus agrees as he nears closer, putting himself into the situation as he glances to the Hollows woman. "Why don't we consider the wants of the cubs- and who they may prefer to go with?" He suggests, knowing fully well that Ulla knew of the alliance between the Bluffs and the Hollows- and claiming out from under them, well, would certainly cause waves. If she refused, however... Zoticus was willing to fight her as Cupid was here first.

However, the arrival of @Valhalla was noted with narrowed eyes and a lift of his lips in silent warning. The male made quick to challenge Ulla- placing himself into a battle ready posture to the Hollows woman and Zoticus watched closely. His body gravitated towards Cupid, moving himself out of the way of the fight. Amusement came to his mind at the thought of Valhalla winning- would he honor his words if the cubs chose to come to the Bluffs over the Oasis? Glancing to Cupid and the cubs, he decided it best to focus on them for now. "I'm Zoticus, and this is Cupid. Do you guys care if we keep you company? I don't have any food to snack on... but, I am pretty comfy if you want a place to lay your heads." He gently offered as he lowered down to his stomach, aiming to meet their level and look less like a threat. To hell with the fight going on... if these cubs even made the motion they wanted to come to the Bluffs, it would be the only reason Zoticus would need to ensure they came back with him- rather it be now, or later, just like he'd done with Scilla.

---

@Úlla was putting him in a difficult position.

Jarl or not, she resided under him and if she was making statements on behalf of his pride - against his allies - there would be problems. He would grit his teeth as he approached the gathering; judging by the body language, there was already something brewing. He curled his lip. We do not claim under the noses of our allies, so I ask that you forgive my sister, Zoticus, Magnus stated as he drew up alongside the smaller form of his younger sister, tone sharp and reprimanding as he directed his words to the lioness. Upon joining she - like all those before her - had been told of their allies. Wolfbron was on that list, and had been for moons. However. Yet what you say is hypocritical. Focus turned to the pink-pelted Noble. A hole in the ground and an arid wasteland are comparable, surely? To say that the Hollows was not fit for children when they had not one but two healthy broods born and raised within its walls? It was illogical. One could argue the hazards of the desert. Our Hollows are a sanctuary for any children within it - our numbers prove it. His patience wore thin when his home was insulted; security had always been important to him, even if public opinion was not.

He would glance briefly to @Zoticus and @Cupid - wondering what the Bluffs made of all of this - before shifting his attentions back to Úlla and @Valhalla. Interesting.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

❝

He was worried to see Valhalla in the mix with two Wolfbron lions, @Zoticus and @Cupid although the latter unknown to him. At least there was two Hollows lions, ones Aquila thought he could trust... But things looked unsettled across his face as he approached and cutoff not be quite sure what was going on. By catching the trail end of what Magnus said it seemed like a fight loomed. But... The Sovereign's fixed attention his trained but stained words... His family trusted this man enough to allow him into their home... And here he stood.

Aquila's eyes grew slender, consideration heavy behind them but he said nothing to allude his thoughts. He approached his Viking Noble close to his side, trying to wane him off the battle now that @Magnus had arrived. If we wanna debate safest places for a kid we're all going to lose as soon as someone else shows up. Just let them pick. And they were not worth throwing a fit over if it should be Aquila's decision. Children would not add to his enemy's numbers by much if they went to the Bluffs, and be it by their own choice then so be it. They would be where they wanted.

❞

Amara had been out hunting and had managed to get herself a zebra calf. She ate most of it but decided to bring a leg back to the new cub they had in their pride. She was on her way home when she caught sight of a gathering in the passage. Well then, she couldn't pass this up could she? There would have been a time she would have not even cared or thought twice about joining a gathering of lions but if there was someone interesting she could add to the ranks, why not at least try? She carried her calf leg as she walked toward the group and listened in to what she could hear. As a fight started. Oh goody this might be even more fun, she could finish her leg and watch a fight. So the Hollow allows claiming just not from allies and they are Zoti were allies. Interesting. She came around the group to see that all this was over two cubs. She huffed slightly as she weighed her options here. She was clearly outnumbered by those who felt that her pride was a threat to cubs and while she would fight, she didn't see a reason to if the cub's fate was already going to be decided over battle, would the Bluffs leader respect this challenge? She looked toward the Hollow's leader for a long moment before walking in closer to the cubs with her eyes flicking between the pair of them and the Bluff group. She dropped the leg near the cubs before taking a few steps back. Eat while they decide where you go, unless you already know? She took a few more steps back so that they could eat and she could watch the fight and see what sort of outcome would come from this. Her attention wasn't fully on the fight as she was well aware that she was among mixed company and may end up in a brawl of her own. She still had another hunt to do before getting back so she would much rather not end up with wounds to hinder that.

Artist | Coding by Analese

Her eyes would narrow, peering at the man who would become her first challenger in this land. She had bested Kieran with ease, but that was through a spar. This, this was a true brawl. And while Úlla had regret for doing what she did to @Zoticus, even more so now that her brother was here, she will have no regret as she sink her fangs into @Valhalla's throat. Vellen did not care for simplicities like politics; he craved blood. I acknowledge what I did was reckless Úlla said, voice a deep rumble as she slipped into the invisible ring. However, I will not let this man hold me back. Her green eyes glinted, lips peeling back to reveal her startling white fangs. With her tail whipping behind her, Úlla would distribute her balance between all four legs, chin tucking in, and spine holding straight.

Her claws unsheathed and she lunged, shoulders rolled forward as she lurched to her left, deciding to attack Valhalla from the side. Úlla would turn abruptly to her left, head and chest both facing the male lion. She would use her back feet to push her off the ground. Meanwhile, her left front leg would attempt to find purchase on the meat of his (Valhalla's left) shoulder, hoping to slice through his skin. Her right front leg would attempt to find purchase directly beneath his spine, six inches from the valley between his shoulder blades, hoping to do the same thing as the other. Her fangs would attempt to make contact with the flesh behind Vahalla's left shoulder blade, hoping to rip a chunk away.

Ulla vs Valhalla
For Madeline & Iskander
Round i of iii

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 14 + 11 + 20 + 1 + 18 + 3 + 2

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 12 + 3 + 8 + 20

code by corvus | image by rabbit