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It was a brilliant, quiet day in the neutrals. Augustus lay in the dappled sunlight between the trees, watching the landscape in front of him as the clouds rolled on. It was too quiet here, too peaceful. Augustus resented it. There were rumors of strong packs, whispers of demons with red tattoos and armies in dense, dying forests, but where was the fear? Everyone in the unclaimed land ran around without any caution, without worries or apprehension. As if peace was something within this tortured realm's grasp.
Augustus stretched his body out, claws digging deep into the soil as his back arched and popped. He stood, pastel eyes looking out over the land. If he wanted to build his empire, he would need to start with an army. Able bodies, compliance, structure. Minds to manipulate into doing his bidding. Loyalty.
Those things would come with time, but for now, a recruitment was in order.
He moved with a purpose towards a small field he'd passed early that smelled strongly of bovine. He stood out against the trees, an orange and red blur among the greenery, but he stuck to the shadows and went mostly unnoticed by the forest's inhabitants. The peace had clearly lulled these animals into a false sense of security; no one should feel comfortable with a brute like him lumbering through the shadows.
Without pause or bravado, the man leaped from the bushes and latched his full weight onto the throat of a bull cow, previously grazing and unaware of his presence. It let out a terrible shriek, immediately bucking and kicking and trying to fight him off. His grip on it's throat tightened and tightened until eventually it fell with a crash to the forest floor, suffocated. A sharp hoof had sliced his shoulder, so Augustus licked at the wound as he stood triumphantly atop his kill.
Blood dripped from both his shoulder and his lips, and poised atop his prize, he held all the regality of the king he intended to be. "Come here," He purred at whoever had amassed. "Are you hungry? Why don't you share a meal with me." No less charming than he'd always been, voice thick with honey and danger.
"There's plenty here for all of us."
HECAT
“ Oh, the tigress had been watching the other feline for some time. She assumed that she would have to chase them off the bull she had been eyeing but, as fate would have it, they were giving handouts. "Well, my leonine friend," she purred as she slunk out of the shadows of the underbrush, "If you're offering, then I am more than interested in a free meal." Approaching the upper back of the dead bovine, she used her claws to carve into the flesh and portion out the rib roast. Sweetly, she spoke to the lioness, or possibly lion for their voice was a bit deep, "If you're giving away food, there must be a catch. What are you selling, hon?"
"Well, my leonine friend,"
Augustus watched the woman slink from the shadows with bright, appraising eyes. Tigers had always been an interest of his--mysterious loners, shadows with bright eyes and sharp tongues. You never saw them coming, even with their bright orange and black pelts. They were a bit alike in that regard; typically by the time you saw Augustus, it was already too late.
Like for the bull, for example.
"If you're offering, then I am more than interested in a free meal."
He hummed quietly and dipped his head in a nod as he sat back on his haunches and regarded her, one paw still placed on his prize. He had no appetite to speak of, not at the moment; but this was his kill, and even if he didn't plan on eating it, he didn't want them to forget it, either. A subtle display of dominance, but one he was sure would not go unnoticed. His eyes traveled the length of the tigress before him as she carved her pound of flesh, taking in her brilliant gold markings and her dark, dark pelt. She was a lovely thing, and Augustus had no doubt that she knew it.
"If you're giving away food, there must be a catch. What are you selling, hon?"
A slow smile curled his lips. "No catch," He said. "And I am no salesman." He didn't need to sell himself--he would give the facts, and they could choose whether or not to follow him. For now. "I require no payment. Only consideration."
He rolled his shoulders and settled more fully. "I plan to craft a kingdom in these lands, powerful; like the ones they whisper about at night to misbehaving children. I am offering the chance to be apart of it's formation," Before they rose to power. Before they would be able to force others to join them. Augustus still could, even now, he thought; but slaves would be troublesome to keep without drivers. He didn't have time for such things--recruitment and choice would have to do, for now.
"Are you interested, tigress?"
HECAT
“ Her onyx eyes flicked to his paw placed so casually, yet so possessively on the carcass. She lifted her own, bloodied paw, bronze toned claws flashing. "I'm listening," she lifted the paw to her muzzle, licking it once, twice, eyes locked with the other feline. A group that would make the weak tremble, and to be part of their beginnings. Chances like this didn't come every day. Oh, she could carve out her spot. "Lead the way dear, I'm going to Rome."
ooc: This is still open! Feel free to join with any character--you don't need to ask permission first! We have acquired the territory across the desert, so Augustus will be escorting anyone who joins back there! Rome is here--please read up on all the rules and ranks! c:
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