It's murky here, at the mire. The place that she'd followed Violarum to when he'd "claimed" her. She still let out a chuff of laughter now and again at the idea of being "claimed", but if it made him feel better to call it that... that was fine with her. Ghyslaine wasn't super impressed with the physical appearance of the Mire thus far but she was determined to give it an honest go. Perhaps she'd find a home here after-all. In her travels, she hadn't really been through a swamp so she was finding some pleasure in exploring it. It didn't have the open breezes of the plains that she was used too... but it was interesting with its thick almost constant fog, and the different types of trees and shrubs she'd seen here.

As she'd explored, she was constantly on the look-out for another, wondering where these other lionesses to meet were, that Violarum had mentioned. She'd scented others, of course, but today she was determined to meet them. If this was going to be her home- after all- she needed to meet and get to know some of the residents. Since leaving her parents... Ghyslaine hadn't been a part of any pride or group, so she was eager to make friends and seek out some company.

As she wandered along a stream, she finally came to a halt, where the water ran a touch clearer, and it seemed safe enough to drink with a slight huff of frustration. Where was everyone? Someone had to be around right?
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Oh, someone is around.

Where else would Erna be? Aside from roaming the neutral territories now that she was free to do so, of course. During the time she was inside the Mire, she made sure to torment not only the residents but also her young children, who were now starting to walk. And if they could walk and wander outside, then in her books they were ready to begin their battle training.

She had started at their age, if you don't count the moments before that when she was tussling with her siblings. It was time for them to learn how to defend themselves for real.

Right now, though, she was just returning from the Jungle. As she slithered onward, the shape of a stranger caught her off-guard. She paused, her eyes narrowing in on the woman who was taking a sip not too far away. There was no recognition in the back of her mind, although the female clearly wore the Mire scent. Another female dragged here by one of the men? Or perhaps she dragged herself here. It wouldn't surprise the Rike wench. After all, Ecrosia seemed too popular with the strange women recently. She didn't like that one bit. You're new? Her rough, accented voice called out sharply.

@Ghyslaine

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Though the water is clearer here, it lacks the crispness she'd grown to prefer from streams from fresher sources. She'd learn to adapt to the taste, sure- but she couldn't help what she naturally craved. She sat back on her haunches, and studied the water, starting ever so slightly- when a sharp voice spoke, breaking the silence of the world around her.

'You're new?'

Ghyslaine stood, her head turning to face the direction of the sound, when she noted the presumed speaker. A dark female was the apparent speaker, and as Ghyslaine surveyed her quickly she offered a slight dipping of her head- a respectful gesture, before she speaks in response to the question at hand. "I am new. Ghyslaine Olympe," She introduces herself politely but straight to the point. The other female smelled strongly of this land, and Ghyslaine wondered at her ranking here. Violarum had mentioned an Alaric- as a high sovereign, whom Ghyslaine hadn't met yet... and had mentioned other lionesses... but of course she hadn't met anyone yet.

"May I ask your name?" Ever the polite lady, as she awaits the name of the other lioness- keen to make some kind of friend if that thing existed here. She offers up a kind smile, hoping the gesture is well received. Kindness usually was a way to make friends, after all?

@Erna

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The stranger, and now her apparent new pridemate, confirmed Erna's assumption. She was starting to wonder if the Mire held some sort of lioness magnet in its core, making all of the valley's women swarm here. Her nose scrunched in distaste at seeing just another one.

The girl speaks a strange, difficult name that goes from one ear to another. She would certainly not remember it. Why bother? Violet eyes scrutinized @Ghyslaine almost from up high. "May I ask your na-?" Who brought you here? Erna cut off the girl's question. Is it Alaric? It very well may be. Erna might be standing in front of one of his future wives. Her competition. Although Alaric's trusty generals - Violarum and Ronin - had the right to bring their own wives here.

On the other hand, it was good that there were more and more abled bodies coming in. She just wished they weren't all female. The Mire needed strong men now more than ever.

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She takes in the dark lioness, noting her purple eyes- and when she speaks, asking her name- Ghyslaine is interrupted. Rude, she thinks. She doens't say it of course- but she thinks it, before shrugging it off. Choosing to remain polite and kind, though she takes a breath; momentarily pausing before replying, trying to meet the other lioness's gaze- not to be rude, but to show that she indeed has some back-bone- even if she chooses kindness first.

"Violarum," She spoke, pausing for just a moment. "I'm pretty sure he thinks he claimed me, but that's an ongoing debate." Well, it was an ongoing debate in her mind, though she hadn't seen the large male at all since their arrival. What did he even do? Run around claiming strangers?

She gives a polite pause, so that she didn't seem like she was rambling, before speaking again. "It's nice to meet you...?" She trails off, hinting- without asking again for the other's name. It would be nice to know who she's speaking to after all. She silently debated asking the other lioness where she fit into this pride but wasn't sure exactly how to word it.

"You're the first lion I've met since Violarum brought me here," She says simply.

@Erna

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"Violarum," at the golden female's response, Erna felt some sort of relief fall from her shoulders. So it wasn't her husband. That was good. Let Violarum and Ronin grow their harems. Erna knew that her time as the only wife would most likely be short-lived. When the time comes for Alaric to take another woman, Erna will certainly show her who is the number one wife. After all, everyone must know their place.

If he's brought you here, then he has claimed you, There was no debate. Did @Ghyslaine assume she had a choice? Violarum had played his cards rather skillfully if that was the case. The long-toothed warrior took heavy steps toward the smaller lioness, violet gaze scrutinizing her as if from above. "It's nice to meet yo-" Erna's rough, accented voice seeks to cut off again, leaving Ghyslaine without an answer. What do you do? She asked bluntly, pausing a meter or so away from the other. There was evident contempt in the Rike's expression, spurred on by the newcomer's frail build.

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She's very unsure what she thinks about this dark brown lioness. As she replies to her comment about Violarum claiming her- Ghyslaine flicks an ear. They could choose to disagree about that. She enjoyed arguing with the clay-coloured brute about it anyway.

She isn't quite ready when the dark brown lioness moves towards her, and she looks at her with more of a feeling of confusion than anything else. This lioness who still hasn't shared her name, is rather blunt and a bit pushy. Ghyslaine isn't deterred- maybe that's just how she is. At the lioness's question, she contemplates that for a moment. "I want to fight- learn to fight. Defend others, who need defending." She says, raising her chin a bit as she mentally steels herself.

"I hope I can learn more about that here." She added. She wanted to be something she could be proud of- and defend those in need. "And cubs... I enjoy taking care of them. I want to learn more about expectant mothers and new mothers so I can assist them better." She pauses and offers a smile. That was something that Ghyslaine learned about herself upon her arrival in Amaryllis. She enjoyed caring for cubs- and wanted to do more of that.

"May I ask what you do?" She pauses for a second. "Are you a rank? Violarum mentioned ranks, but I don't know a lot about them here." A polite question, that is completely curious in nature.

@Erna

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The bearish woman's eyes were narrowed to thin slits, inspecting @Ghyslaine as she straightened to answer. Fight? A brow lifted in a leonine quirk, spurred by the foolishness of this small woman. Did she expect to have any success in battle with her frail size? She's been dealt a bad card, why not just pick the medic profession? Or maybe a scout? Fight to defend those in need? A strange concept to a Rike. The only one that Erna's ever defended was herself and subsequently her family name. She wanted to scoff at Ghyslaine, tell her to give up this idea of being a warrior. However, Alaric had told her to be more diplomatic. To not chase away newcomers. We need a bigger army, he was right.

She wanted to learn. And not only that, but she had another role - that of an aspiring nursemaid. You're weak. Frail. If you want to fight, you will soon learn that you're better suited looking after the whelps, Her voice boomed. There. Was that diplomatic enough? Novices were irritating, especially during a war. Bad fighters would only stand in their way, and Erna would rather strangle this woman than have her compromise her husband's kingdom.

Then another question for Erna. And another. Rank? I suppose I am, Her broad shoulders rolled forward in a shrug. Noble. I am Erna Rike, Alaric's wife and mother of the heir. A pause. Does that answer your question? Erna disliked answering questions, especially to some measly creature like this girl. However, when she had the chance to establish her dominance, she took the opportunity without a second thought.

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Ghyslaine

She feels like an exposed piece of flesh, as the other lioness eyes her critically. 'Fight?' The lioness says, and Ghyslaine nods. She's serious about this ambition of hers, and it is perhaps one of her biggest ambitions. She just wants to be able to defend others- and keep them safe.

When the lioness speaks again, Ghyslaine's ears flatten against her head, and inwardly she shrinks. 'Frail.' She'd never been called frail. Sure- she was small, but she could be fast. She forced herself to still sit straight, even if the words coming from the other lioness echoed the fears within her mind. When she's done, Ghyslaine attempts to meet her gaze, assuming the other lioness allows it- and speaks. "With all due respect, I don't believe myself to be weak. Small, yes- but not weak. Perhaps that will lend me to becoming a fast mover in battle."

This was her dream after all, to become a knight against the darkness that would harm the weak. She offers a smile to the other, unsure if it's welcome or not- but it is who she is. She adds, "It may take a lot of training but I'm willing to work for it."

Noble. Alaric's wife. @Erna Rike. She stored that information and offered a respectful dip of her head in response to the words. "Alaric's wife- so the Queen of the Mire." If Alaric was a king.. that made his wife the Queen- surely? She wasn't questioning that- merely assuming that Erna was indeed the Queen here. She nodded, and considered her own words, has she been polite enough to a Queen? And why was she called a noble, if she was a Queen?

"I am a pretty lady,"

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The pale girl is so certain in her career as a warrior, so ambitious that it made the Rike's stomach churn in disgust. Stubbornly, the other nods and Erna wants nothing but to wipe that expression off her face, to show her how hopeless her dreams were. Just like Erna's dreams of besting her siblings were smashed to pieces every single day by her own mother.

And even while her wretched mother was so far away, Erna remained weak and pathetic. And this girl? She was even more deplorable.

"I don't believe myself to be weak," she uselessly protests. The bearish Rike clenches her jaw, her eyes pressing onto Ghyslaine as she continues to object. She was so blind to her own weakness, so incapable of accepting her defeat. This... this irked Erna.

"Perhaps that will lend me to becoming a fast mover in battle." "I'll be the judge of that," and so she leaped forward to judge.

Erna's teeth attempted to wrap around Ghyslaine's left cheek, attempting to gain a strong hold onto the girl's face. Her right paw outstretched, unsheathed claws attempting to land onto Ghyslaine's back and remain there so she could keep her in place.

If Ghyslaine wanted to learn, then she will soon learn how powerless she is.

Erna vs. @Ghyslaine
Dominance
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 18 + 13 + 14 + 8 + 15 + 5 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 14 + 16 + 18 + 3 + 4 + 9

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 17 + 18 + 8 + 6

coded by flea + art by rabbit