Well tell me what you want, I'm all ears.
I'll give you all I got, blood, sweat and tears

Zoticus' pain was immense. Wounds covered his frame more than his own pelt did- his blood was flowing, staining the stone beneath him. Each step he took, each use of his muscles, drained him. He could feel it- the exhaustion. He was only one man, and in the past few days he'd fought more than one person ever should. It was a wonder to how he was even standing up straight at this point.

Even though he managed to slice at Vermier's ear, he felt the grip of his jaws rip at his shoulder, wavering his balance, and the King fell. The ground came fast and the impact hit Zoticus hard- the breath knocking out from his lungs as reality set in. Failed. He was still, frozen, the dread of what had just happened started to circle in his mind, acidic eyes groggy as they looked to Vermier's paws. His mate, his cubs, his pride... he'd failed them. Rage boiled in his gut, but it was also replaced with... fear. Circe was stuck. His cubs were stuck. All of his members... were stuck, and he was beyond useless.

Slowly, Zoticus tried to find the strength to lift himself up. Limbs shook visibly, the strain obvious in each little movement he tried to preform. His pelt was no longer a pale pink, but rather a deeply stained red- his blood coating him just like his wounds did. Teal eyes would strain to see the faces around- but he saw a few important ones. @Magnus , @Ulla , @Avaneira , @Cupid , @Aarani , and @Seneca . His biggest allies pride wise, but he was not blind as he saw @Jewel among the crowd as well. (And any other friends he has that I accidentally skipped over.) Dry lips would splay, and his voice croaked out in a plea to those he would lean on, desperate for their aid. "To those who have supported me, and to those I have supported or made relations with... I ask of you now, please, help free my family. Help free this pride from his grasp... and I will be in debt to you." The look on Zoticus was enough to show he was defeated, broken down, and the only thing he wanted in this moment was the release of his family, his mate, his cubs, and his members. He would give anything and everything to see their freedom- whatever the price, his allies could name it. Zoticus would pay it without a doubt.

coding by werge | manip by vasilia

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

The dull, overburdened gazelle @Zoticus fell, and Vermier backed away. His own four limbs spread, low but secure. His pant was vivid and red. Such a pathetic beast! "You fail," he crowed, two words of laughter before he caught another breath. These words that came from the felled beasts maw were over-structured and boring, constructed of sounds that Vermier recognized as feminine legalese. And they were not focused on him? Him, the great Dieudonné, and master of this chaos? Did this stupid gazelle still think to worm out of paying tribute? Some forms of stupidity, he knew, were terminal. "ME. Regard me," he insisted, bobbing his head and puffing his chest with a snarl. "Want mercy? Beg of me. Show belly. Cry "ALL SERVE DIEUDONNE!" His claws twitched their bloodied ends.

Fuck. That was the only word hurling inside Ulla's mind as she stepped off the platform and onto even ground, alongside the others who were watching the battle. She never anticipated @Zoticus to win. Now, all hopes of an alliance with Wolfbron fell apart, because of this one vermin who dared to challenge and came out as victor. The memory of her lagoon fight still rang fresh and clear in her mind just as Zoticus called out to everyone, asking for help. This Ulla can do, and she will do, as she moved as close to the former High Sovereign as possible. Then, she stared at @Vermier, and spoke No one will serve your fucking family. You will release Zoticus's family and all who wishes to leave. Or else. The words were laced with a growl as she stared down Vermier. Now, Vermier. It was a demand, one that slipped out of her mouth as easy as breathing.

table by ferus

She saw @Zoticus fail, heard his words and gave the pale beast a silent look. The black lady turned, stalking away, to get some space between herself and the others that had come. Jewel knew that her queens said they had stood with the Bluffs.. that was all the permission she needed. She heard a woman talking, but was focused on ensuring her friend and their children were released from a pride that reveled in stealing the young from others she failed to hear what was said. Unbeknownst to Jewel her subsequent challenge may be nullified if the new Bluffs king released the ex-royals...but she would still gain something out if it in the process. Confidence won back. //exit//""

Table coding by Jolee

The unthinkable happens in the blink of an eye. Cupid focused on the banter between his Noble and the Lagoon monarch misses a portion of the fight that leads to @Zoticus beaten. The crowd stirs with life, and it is this movement that catches his stone eyes back to the fighting duo who have since parted. Vermier stands victor, with Zoticus reaching out towards his allies for support in ridding his family and many loyal lions from the clutches of this foolish man.

His heart races — to think that they have delayed Riptide and Namara’s release in hopes the young ward would heal and make the trip for themselves… only for the Bluffs to fall as it has… Forearms find themselves planted firmly on the red rock ground. Fur bristled. You cannot have them. Harden brows and rippled muzzle target the new High Sovereign with distaste.

@Úlla finds words where he had not — demanding the release of those who wish for freedom. Cupid stands, stepping forth to further hide @Madelina. “ @Lexa, become Firnen’s Gentry. If he does not release them, please… challenge for her.” He glances briefly towards the lilac calico before his eyes settle on the petite woman besides him.

From there, it is time to unleash the dragon upon them for @Roarke already seems so keen on starting a brawl in this. “Roarke,” he calls over, “if he does not free them, take them from him by force… please.” It feels wrong to attempt commanding the Noble in any way, but he hopes just this once he would repay a favor.

living like a riot, setting off the sirens; fists are clenched, i'm fighting

table by sentinel / art

Things are looking...bad. Feyre doesn't know if she should leave or stay. But since @Jewel is staying, she decides to stay as well and watch what will unfold. From what she sees, everyone dislikes the man who came out as the winner. The shiny pink lion seems to have lots of friends. Or maybe allies is a better word? She sees Jewel stand tall, focusing her attention on the winning lion. And she isn't happy, not at all. In a momentary decision, Feyre decides to mimic Jewel's facial expressions with her own brand of toughness. The little knight puffs her chest and stomps on the ground. Not to get the new king's attention, but to support Jewel even if she's still the boogeyman in her dreams. ooc feel free too pp her and drag her back to the cove or whatever.

image by rabbit/nesla, code by koi

This was a particularly chaotic challenge and Reyna was missing a lot of context to understand why. What she did see was a frantic and visceral response from many of the lions that surrounded her - apparent leaders and ranked members and Jewel stalked off without a word - yet her violent intent is clear to Reyna.

Apparently, the new victor was not well-liked, and that was all she knew thus far.

Eyes move to @Morrigan and @Avaneira, remaining calm and poised despite the looming idea of action that her pride may need to take here. In spite of her perfect demeanor, Reyna is not afraid to get her paws dirty if that is what the two Queens demand of her right now. "What will you have me do, my Queens?" Is this Frenchman's rule really such a threat? Did allies need to be freed? She does not have a rank to challenge with, but she can fight where needed - and a rank be bestowed here and now if need be.

Hopefully, that is not necessary, Reyna heavily dislikes being in this position where she is in the dark on something apparently important; let alone something she may be asked to fight for here and now.

Grey gaze watched with annoyance written on her face as she hated so many in the pride lands. She knew this was normal but still she was honestly surprised no other fights have broken out yet. It didn’t matter though as the fight comes to a finish and her heart sinks. It felt like her heart stopped for a moment when @Zoticus fall as the loser. Rage filled her and than fear. Not fear towards @Vermier for she wasn’t afraid of him. She did fear for the safety of her children. Mina and her littlest ones. She knew that Laurel being male could just leave but she’d be damned if she left her child. “Take care of him @Rue I fear he’s about to get himself killed.” She whispered to the small healer before she left to go to her den so that she may collect her children. Hopefully Vermier isn’t a rat who goes back on his word. After all there had already been a crowd when he had said she could go if he won, but you never know.

-exit-

Art & Table by Autumn!

g

od is singing in my head again / in the howling voice of a she-wolf / that’s just eaten her young.

---

The battle continued to unfold, allowing Avaneira the chance to watch as her members descended from the cliffsides that surrounded them and gather near. Her gaze flitted briefly as her sister joined her, offering her a firm nod; she'd mentioned in passing here and there about their friendship with the Bluffs, but had not gone into details. @Zoticus had become a dear friend, but Hecuba's information had stayed her hand if only because she'd not had the chance to talk to him about it yet. Now, that could all be upheaved by the ambitions of one Vermier Dieudonne. Her gaze remained focused on the battle until an unfamiliar (but still strikingly familiar) scent accompanied an unmistakable voice.

“Petra,” she breathed, a ghost of a smile unfurling onto her lips. She'd been so busy with her newborns that she'd allowed Morrigan to shoulder the majority of the pride while she recovered. Had @Petra joined during that time? Had she been the one to become their newest Gentry? Avaneira couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised by her presence. I'm different than you last saw me. She no longer bowed to the whims of Skarde and his wicked schemes.

The brawl continued, and Avaneira could not help but catch the stand-off between @Magnus and @Amara; she watched out of the corner of her gaze, flitting between that and the battle between the Bluffs King and his challenger. The tension lingering in the air was almost palpable, and kept the Cove Queen focused on all that happened around her; so when @Nephthys appeared before her, she was met with a quirked brow. I want out of the pride. Avaneira's lips pursed. Is now really the best time? Making such a young woman a rogue in the middle of a pride challenge, of all things, was perhaps one of the worst ways to go about this. Most of all, she didn't want Hecuba having her head for relinquishing her daughter to the wolves. “You will remain in the pride until you leave this challenge,” she commanded, though there was nothing unkind in her voice. She wanted to make sure the yearling got out safely, at least; once she was out of the pride officially, what she did was beyond Avaneira's control.

As @Reyna approached, Avaneira turned to greet her; but just as she did, the battle reached its finality, leaving Vermier the victor. The Cove Queen visibly stiffened, taking a step closer toward Morrigan, as if to brace herself against her sister's shoulder; it reminded her of Valhalla over and over again, even as Zoticus still stood there, beaten but alive. His call for support quickly caused Avaneira to want to stir into action; she watched out of the corner of her eye as @Jewel quickly disappeared to initiate her own challenge (of which Avaneira would remember, for it seemed that her Lead Fighter seemed to jump into action far more easily rather than waiting for the careful command of her Queens), but it made Reyna's careful questioning far more appreciated. She nodded toward the pale lioness, before taking a step toward @Vermier. “Will you let them go?” she questioned; there was no need to linger around attempted pleasantries or riddles or vague promises. If Vermier released the lions Zoticus wanted to free, then there would be no need for further bloodshed.

If not, Avaneira was ready. For far too long had she lingered in stagnation.

Despite all the fighting that had waged on recently, there had never been a doubt in her mind that the bluffs might fall today. Zoticus was tired, sure, but they had always come out on top thus far. It seemed that his luck had been stretched too far though and despite giving his best that he could muster, the red-stained king fell. There was a moment when everyone amongst the crowd seemed to shift uneasily, some protesting while others questioned the rule this new man would bring.

Namara had already felt off about @Vermier 's challenge and now he dared suggest that they roll over? He was a coward who challenged a man recovering from fights threefold. He would never best Zoticus at his best and she was willing to bet others were also more capable. One thing was certain, she wasn't serving a dirty Sovereign. She cared not for what this "Dieudonne" thought she had already made her ties.

The sunset-colored lioness stepped forward, herbs still in maw as she eyes her new "king", though it was not him who she approached to aid, but @Zoticus . She was painting a target on her back she was sure, but this man had not won without his own injuries. If he attacked, she would fight, but for now, her goal was to get the fallen man somewhere where she could tend to his wounds without interference. He struggled to stand so she would press her body to his side for him to lean on, a glance passed his way hoping he might understand the meaning behind it.

Let's get you somewhere safe.

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

table by sentinel / lineart + colored by aso