+5 observe a fight or challenge

He felt a coldness in his chest as Drakon fell before the woman. Well, that was unfortunate. At least there had been no secondary fights, no chaos to surround this battle. It had simply been two warriors facing off against one another.

Hecuba told them not to go far, not that he needed the instruction. There was nowhere else he wished to go. He could always go to the hollow or even the bluffs if he wanted to return to the demeanor of olden days, but he had no interest in that. Some would say he had chosen the wrong family to align himself with, but those would be ignored.

The scarlet woman beside him requested his aid and he followed her absently, perhaps making a mistake in not asking with what. He got the feeling she wasn't exactly... peaceable.

-exit seraphiel-

Maia settled in to watch as more and more bodies would arrive at the Pit. She was thankful that it was similar to an arena, where there were lots of different places to sit and observe - Maia had chosen one that was quite high up, but also out of the way, and for good reason. She did not want to aggravate tensions between Firnen and the Mire more, so she decided to keep out of harms way. It wasn't long until @Roan joins her, and her crown moves to look at his figure. He is looking well, she thinks before addressing him. "Hey," Did Maia know who the challenger was? No. "She is, but size isn't everything. Though who she is remains a mystery. I guess we'll just have to watch and find out." The steel warrior comments, a fiery gaze looking down on the arena that stood below.

More and more flocked to the Pit to see what the commotion was all about, until her eyes finally settled on Drakon, who had finally arrived. A quick sigh of relief escapes her lips, knowing that he was alive, and he was okay. "It looks as though he has a fair amount of supporters," She comments to Roan, giving him a brief glance before she settled back on the fight that had begun for the Cove crown.

A man told me once that he would make me his Queen... Today, I made myself a Queen. The words from @Avaneira erupted through the walls of the Pit, settling on all ears of those who had come to watch the spectacle today. The fight had been fierce, she could not deny, but it was the white wolf who had come out on top, and not the white dragon. A slight bubble of disappointment for the former King grew in her chest as she listened to the words the woman spoke, watching @Drakon carefully before noticing his leave.

With the fight over and the lioness now crowned High Sovereign, there was not much else to stay for: many groups that had gathered had now dispersed. And it was time for her to do the same - turning to Roan, she offered him a smile. "We will have to deliver this news to the rest of the Mire. Come on, let's go. Nothing more for us to see here." She remarks, standing and flexing her paws against the rough terrain before turning to leave. But one thing would stick in her mind from this challenge.

Today I made myself a Queen.

EXIT WITH ROAN

so, she wins. it is a glorious thing to see within the fray of their previous battles. he recounts just how disappointed that woman had been losing to his fray. but now - he understands why. perhaps, she had thought she would never be good enough to take on the challenge that was this battle. the battle for life in a world of dying light - yet, she fucking won. he doesn't care about anything else in these moments - but rather the ear-to-ear smile that adds to her victory. it is contagious and spreading that would warrant the son of matriarchs to suppress such joy in the eyes of those who were disappointed in their wares. he couldn't be more proud of ava than now.

~Sole Exits~

emptyJust as quickly as tension rises, it evaporates. Ryuu huffs an annoyed noise, but he did enjoy seeing the two snap and snarl at each other, threatening trouble if they didn’t back down. Interesting. Attention quickly turns to their would-be savior as she shows her true colours - trying to lure the entire gang into her pride. Green eyes do a complete circuit of their sockets.

“Fuck that.” He says simply, looking away from @Saga and putting his attention on the cub. “You can come with us or her, but she’s not invited to the club.” Ryuu shrugs, not concerned either way with what @Nero chose. If @Bhaskar and the others wanted another kid to potty train and look after, it wasn’t his problem.

And with that, Ryuu turns on his heel and makes to leave, rather done with this and everyone. He didn’t even get to watch the fight. “This place sucks. C’mon, guys.”

Exit.empty

He'd smirk in response to his cousin's response, knowing how true her words were. "Fair enough," the mauve lion nodded with a slight chuckle. "Wouldn't be the first time a female bested a male. Wouldn't be the first time Drakon got beat by a woman, as a matter of fact... if she wins, that is." The memory returned to him of watching him fight Jewel for this very pride. It was the first challenge of these new lands, at least by ways of the outsiders who had fled here. Maybe Drakon's luck would change, though, and he'd remain the king of Caladan when all was said and done.

Again, the masked lion would nod in agreement towards @Maia's words. The crowd steadily grew around them, many smelling of the Cove, many of which Roan recognized. Soon enough, Drakon would show and step up to the challenge, not that the mauve lion expected the Tollaire to decline a fight for the crown. It was a fierce battle between two pale pelts that would be stained red by the end of it all. It hurt to watch Drakon fall victim to the challenger as the woman declared herself the newest queen of Caladan. Roan would watch the aftermath for a little longer, just trying to get a gauge on who supported the new queen and what Drakon might do in the end, but when the dragon took his leave, the Hodari knew that there was nothing else to be said here. "Yeah, let's head back. I wonder what this will mean for the Mire. Drakon is family, after all." Maybe not to all of Ecrosia, but he was family to many of the Hodari at least. Rising to his feet, Roan would stretch out a moment before following after his cousin.

exit Roan

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart

Tilly chirped cheerfully about Bhas' greatness but the colossal yearling was too busy to figure out a way to end all this chatting and get this situation out of the danger zone. While the strawberry girl boasted about the gang's freedom with no adult supervision, he glanced at the pale Saga, wondering if this will make things worse for them. To the peach lion's surprise, Conrad steps up in front of another woman that seems very displeased that @Nero was alone. Fuck. Another one. The second danger in a sea of dangers. Bhaskar feels the furs on his back stand up at the tension that hanged heavy above the group.

He flinches to speak, but he is abruptly interrupted by a third feminine voice (@Céleste). With you? The venom-laced voice continues to pierce the open air, sending insults their way one after another. This entitlement made his blood boil and the man couldn't hold it in much longer. Before he can say anything though, Ryu appears out of nowhere (along with the dark silhouette of Darling) and immediately jumps in the fray, sending just as equally sharp words in response. @Saga offers an introduction and a curt nod his way, to which Bhas replies with a nod of his own. "Bhaskar." She probably knows that by now, but a formal introduction was in order. Then, wielding whatever political power she has (he assumes), the pale woman seems to mitigate the rising tension. Great! Can they leave now?

Bhaskar's claws extend into the mud beneath as the small and fragile form of @Baby appears among the crowd. The colossal yearling didn't quite understand the politics of this place, but Saga's warning was evidently true. The gang was in danger, especially the younger gang members. His frown only deepened, but @Aries' search for comfort as he leaned into Bhas' side made the older lion more certain in his actions and views. "We've survived worse, we'll get past that." Bhas informed Saga. It was no his decision to make, but Bhas knew that the rest of his gang members would never want to be part of a traditional pride. Just like Aries says: they have all been let down too many times. Ryu beckoned them all to get out of here. Relief settled in his mind. Finally. As he made sure everyone was following, he looked back at Saga and gave a curt, emotionless nod as a silent thank you. Whether her intentions were pure, he couldn't know. But what she just did spoke for itself.

exit

It would prove to not be Drakon's day. A light frown creased ashen lips while listening to the words of the pale lioness who had battled Hanneth's relative. It was...unlikely one who had their hard work torn away by force would agree to work with their own usurper, nor should they in most cercomstaces.

Drakon was not outright hostile in his response, but nor did he agree to play guide. Copree watched for a moment as the white lion exited seemingly sturdy on his paws. Silently evaluating once more the wounds on his form as he moved out and away from the pit. Her assistance would not be required this time around it would seem.

Drakon's exit signaled and exodus of sorts, several more lions followed suit shortly after. Copree lingered for a little while after, listening to various bits of conversation and watching interactions, absorbing what information she could..before turning to slip silently from the area.

-Exit Copree
---------------

+5 Observe a fight 2/2
+5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds 2/2

code by corvus

The hermit watches with keen, focused eyes on his maiden. Icy teal gaze remains unwavering, watching her every move as she goes against the large ivory man in contest for whatever land he held. While he had not taken her as one to fight in such types of quarrels, he's impressed by her prowess and stands even prouder as Ava emerges the victor. His eyes glow with a feral desire, watching as the crowd begins to shuffle out in their own directions. While he wants to greet her and praise her aloud, it was quite obvious how surrounded and busy she was with political talk now. Without even the utterance of a word, the exotic man moves to find his own exit, heading back to the labyrinth.


-exit karim

Nero winced at the harsh language of Ryuu, his ears wilting against his head as he made himself smaller. It was inherently wrong to seek a mother's touch, he realized, if he planned on joining the large group. The boy looked sadly to @Saga, his eyes full of conflict as he glanced between her and the slowly retreating club. He frowned, unable to make a decision out of fear he would make the wrong one, before finally turning and slinking after the other kids like a scolded puppy. Nero glanced over his shoulder to Saga one more time, immediately regretting his decision, and dropped his head as he disappeared behind them.

exit

ART BY CICI, CODE BY LARS

the challenge ( is it a challenge? or just a fight between two very popular lions? ) winds down and her ears tip forward, curious. it’s hard to tell who, exactly, the victor here is — they both look wounded for their efforts, and she doesn’t know what they’ve won. no one close to her seems willing to spill the beans, either. a little pout purses her lips but she doesn’t do much else about it. if she’d come here with the intention of information-gathering, then she wasn’t doing a very good job of it. she thinks ( hopes? ) that’ll be okay, though. pressing up to her tip-toes, she does her best to glance at the withdrawing crowd — searching for any familiar faces and finding none. with the show decidedly over talitha seeks, instead, to leave. exit

CODE BY LARS; ART BY TANZANI