the rainforest was an uncertainty. erna had mentioned they did not seem to have allies, and that was enough for alaric to make the trek to the border. he stopped well clear of it and called for the man he knew to be leading the pride -- @Zoticus. if the co-leader he had heard of also appeared then all the better for it.

then he sat to wait, doing all he could to tamp down his impatience. with a pride newly won he wanted to settle in, but he was not fool enough to think that there would be no repercussions. a sort of exhaustion settled over him at the thought of having to fight again, but he would do whatever it took to secure his crown and provide a safe home for his future cubs.

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

The call from the borders could of been from anything- anyone. Perhaps old members looking for revenge, maybe even Roarke waiting to take his hide, or land back? The idea amused him. The victory still rung fresh through his veins even if wounds still scattered his body… yes, he could be smug about it in secret if he wanted to be.

Coming to his borders, Zoticus halts as he gazes to the brute whom looked as if he had just been in his own battle. And smelt like Ecrosia. A brow raises on his scarred face, and Zoticus tilts his head in question. “You look worse for wear.” He speaks, tones deep and even as he gazes at him in a neutral state, unsure of his intentions.

@Alaric

Art & Code by Zodiac

It wasn’t the first time he had heard it, but a wry smile twisted his lips all the same. “It was a good fight.” His gaze roamed over the males equally marked pelt with a lift of one brow, but he did not comment.

“My name is Alaric Starke, and I’ve just beaten Jafar for the Mire. I understand you have also recently secured your crown?” He knew it to be true, but did not want to show too much of his hand. Alaric waited before he continued on.

“I have come to offer an alliance, if you are interested.” simple and Straight to the point - Alaric did not like to mince words.

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

The bright side was that it didn’t seem like the make before him was all that foul. He took Zoticus’ words with an ease, and the Rainforest king mirrored the smile easily. “I have no doubt.” He replies, eyes looking to his wounds idly for a few moments.

Ears perked to hear he conquered over the Mire- and his first concern was for Jewel. How did she take this news? Was she with or against this male? He spoke the name of Jafar and Zoticus’ head tilted, curious. “What did he look like?” Because he’d be lying if he said he knew that name- but perhaps he knew the face. “My name is Zoticus Xanthos, And indeed I have. A bloody battle, with some rough ends to tie up afterwards. I was certain I’d be facing an uprising…” His words led off as he heard the male speak of an alliance, something the Rainforest did need. “Do you think you may be facing backlash from your pride?” Perhaps there was a deal they could make to secure an alliance if so, and even if not, he had a few ideas in mind.

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he inquired more about the male, and it was easy to give a description — “big bronze male. Black mane. Fought like a hot damn.” but Alaric had won, and that was all that mattered.

“well congratulations all the same — I know the difficultly in winning a crown, here.” Alaric had fought twice and was proud that he had secured his position, even if he worried about the inevitable fallout.

But he shrugged, as if unconcerned. “I expect so. One of them has a particular vendetta against me because I attempted to claim a lioness once. It is…. How it works in my home.” Another shrug — Alaric would be more careful about claiming in the future:

“i have cubs coming, and I just want to secure their future, my home.” it was not a lot to ask in his mind, and he wondered what @Zoticus would think.

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

Hearing the description of this “Jafar”, it wasn’t hard to see a displeasure cross Zoticus’ features. Not at Alaric, but at the vision of the male whom sounded familiar- of one who had once harmed a past pride member of his. His lip would twitch, an irritation setting in- Jewel resided under the rule of someone who had gone against Zoticus?

Alaric expected backlash and at his words Zoticus listened. He wondered if it was the twin tailed woman herself who had something against Alaric. But for all he knew, it could of been any lioness in that pride. “When I came to Amaryllis, I claimed as well- anyone who needed my aid in survival. People here are not kind to the idea.” He would do it again, too, should the chance arise. He did it for their benefit after all, not his.

“There is someone who resides in your pride- her name is Jewel, she is black with twin tails. I offer a deal, something to seal an alliance,” He begins, looking to Alaric. “Agree to release her and her family to Firnen, and I will personally aid you in any potential uprisings to your pride, as well as set a foundation for an alliance.” It was the least he could do for Jewel- couch for her and her family’s freedom. Even if he felt bitter with the thought of her having ruled under Jafar, aiding an enemy to him. He watched Alaric keenly, waiting to hear what might be said back.

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He nodded, thankful that @Zoticus understood a little of where he was coming from. "My home was very... traditional. I can see this place is much different." Perhaps the two kings differed in their reasoning, but even this small bit of common ground was comforting. Alaric knew from experience he would have to be more cautious going forward, that perhaps he would have to abandon some of the ways of old and lean in to the charm he had learned at a young age.

He spoke of a lioness -- and while Alaric could not claim to know them all he remembered the twin tails. He remembered the fire and anger in her eyes, and wondered if that would matter to Zoticus. Would he still support Alaric if he knew that Jewel hated him so?

"I offered them freedom when I won," he answered, because it was true, "I have no interest in keeping members who were loyal to Jafar and who do not wish to stay under my rule." He hoped it would be enough to satisfy the Rainforest King, that he would still hold an alliance even if he had already done what was asked for it. "I seek a new beginning, and to fill my ranks with those that want to be there. It is too easy to tear a pride down from the inside. I may have made some mistakes in getting here, but all I hope for is a quiet home in which to raise my cubs."

Could a leopard so easily change it's spots? Not likely, but Alaric spoke truth all the same. He wanted peace and quiet, at least for a time, and would fight to ensure it.


(ooc note: technically i have not posted to the challenge, but alaric will be offering freedom to those that want it, so carrying on as if that is done)

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

This place was far different. Zoticus often remembered how he started here, and how much Amaryllis had changed. Both in good and bad ways. He nodded at the statement with a silent agreement- it seemed they both had that in common.

With his proposal out, he was focused on Alaric to hear his response. Alaric had offered freedom to all of Ecrosia, much like Zoticus had done for Firnen. Hearing the rest of his words struck something in him- a familiarity. All Zoticus had wanted was a new beginning, a place to rebuild what he had lost and it seemed almost as if Alaric was looking for the same. While Zoticus didn’t have his cubs, Alaric did. And Zoticus would be doing the exact same as him if his children were with him.

He was silent for a good moment, thinking, and contemplating. Jewel and her family were free to do as they wished- he hoped they’d come to his lands. Would Jewel be offended if he supported Alaric? Was it a risk he would take? That he could afford? Maybe if anything it would make him and Jewel even… for she had done him wrong and he hadn’t even known it until now.

“You have my support- and any others in Firnen who will willingly fight as well.” He wouldn’t force his members, namely because he wasn’t even sure who he could ask to do such a thing yet. But he would still run it by Arjana to see if she would be interested. “I took Firnen for a new beginning as well- to build a place that my cubs and wife could return to me. We are alike, Alaric, and I hope this is the start of a strong alliance.” Because it seemed it was something they both needed.

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Alaric could not claim to know all of the intricacies of Amaryllis. Erna was the brains of their operation, with her sneaky ways of gathering information. But he would remember Zoticus’s name, and he would remember that there was a connection to a prior member of ecrosia.

In time his knowledge would grow, but for now he wanted only one thing — security. This fledging alliance was the start of a new beginning for the wheat coated beast, who could not entirely stop the grin that appeared when it was confirmed.

“You have my gratitude,” he spoke with a hint of true appreciation and a ring of truth. Alaric did not easily make friends, but this was a start, and he had high hopes for the future of their relationship. “I hope so too, Zoticus. I am a man of my word, no matter what else is said about me, and you have it.” He paused, then, to see if more needed to be said before he made his way home.

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

They didn’t know much about another- but they knew they at least had each other’s back. Zoticus was truthful with his words, he would support Alaric- not only because Jafar was the one he believed to of harmed his old members, and who knows if any Hodari lived there, but also because him and Alaric looked for the same thing.

Looking at his state, Zoticus wasn’t about to send him back without aiding him in some way. Nodding his head back towards his land, Zoticus offered him silent invitation in. “Have a meal before you go back.” He didn’t really ask if he wanted it or not- but rather expected his new ally to follow him deeper into Firnen as he turned and made way to the cache.

He hoped Alaric saw it as a show of Zoticus’ trust.
/exit Zoti/

Art & Code by Zodiac