Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mkaa's family lived nearer the borders of the Pridelands than to the central lands and, say, Pride Rock. And the dark lion was glad of it, and he knew he was not entirely alone in that opinion after his chat with his mother. Now that he was most definitely all grown up, he felt obligated to seriously consider the conversation they had had. No official decisions or requests had been made, but he was almost certain he'd prefer the relative solitude that came with scouting. And his mother was not a bad lioness to idolize professionally.

He was perched on a rock that barely had him above the tall grass, looking out over the lands when the white blur of a lioness running caught his eye in the distance. He didn't really blend in with his surroundings, but he didn't do anything to make himself really stand out, either. He wasn't sure, though, if there was something she was running from so he stood up and looked off in the direction she'd come from, though at first glance there didn't appear to be anything following after her.

Mkaa's gaze shifted back to the running lioness as she slowed down, deciding that she didn't look too distressed. It was possible to just run for the fun of it, if you had the energy to burn and no one to talk or play with. He would have sat back down and let her be if he had not realized she was staring back at him when he looked back.

Smiling sheepishly, he remained on his perch as she came closer and called out to him.

"Hey," he replied awkwardly, "O-out for a run?"

Realizing how rude it was for him to stay on the rock, though a bit late, he decided to hop off to level the ground between them a bit. It was more polite than making her look upward- more comfortable too. He managed not to stumble, which was good. She wasn't scary or anything, and one stranger was better than several at once.

"Oh, of course," he agreed with another sheepish grin, and he opened his mouth to reply when she suddenly apologized and introduced herself. Then he realized his mistake at not having introduced himself either, and he laughed quietly.

"Malika'eusi, it's a pleasure to meet you," he responded politely, not stuttering now- the conversation had a direction now, "I'm Mkaa. My family lives not too far from here, actually, but I'm just.. out." He hesitated as he about mentioned his thinking about a profession for himself.. but decided not to say anything. Unless she had some insight.. maybe..