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Gepeto had a lot of experience in a lot of things! It was...just that...hunting wasn't one of them.

And it was good of Meshindi to try to look past the obvious--to give him the benefit of the doubt. Because it would not have gone over well to be approached about his...ineptitude. Gepeto was a prideful individual. And a strong one to boot.

But sheer girth could not keep out his companion's bony nudge, a slightly disgruntled breath exhaled in response. Then, he muttered "What the hell, man..." before rolling to his feet.

Normally Meshindi's prodding wouldn't have him up and stretching...but the guarantee of food that came along with it certainly would do the trick.

After all, Meshindi had not yet provided for them today.

"Alright, alright..." He growled, shuffling forward in a groggy state. "I'm up. I'm up."

"Alright," The male grunted for a second time, his gait as lazy as they come. "Go get'em. I'll catch up." Eventually.

Honestly, Gepeto didn't expect to be doing much of anything. In his current state of mind, he deduced that Meshindi's wild excitement was to attract an audience from the brown male. Maybe his companion was going to bring home something large and never had before? And if that were the case, Gepeto might as well assume the other male also needed some muscle to drag the catch back to their den-site.

This all made sense now.

But in any case, Gepeto really did not expect to be doing much.

Help? Had Meshindi ever insisted on Gepeto's...help before?

A low, disagreeable moan shook his growing mane when Meshindi had nudged his ribs, still somewhat sore from the original jab. And yet, even while confused, and uncertain; Gepeto quickened his pace. Toward the other male his eyes did narrow and his brow did peak, their path forward one Gepeto was starting to question.

What was with his companion up to and why. It almost made him angry to think about, considering their 'silent' arrangement made some time ago on the matter. Meshindi, hunt. Gepeto, protect. Just like the structure of a real pride, the two 'brothers' had fallen into their ranks and until just then, had not strayed from them. So what prompted Meshindi to throw Gepeto into the fray?

When the all too familiar scent of prey filled the air, the lion growled.

"Do you really need me for this?"

Given more time to become fully aware, he might have noticed it.

Gepeto might have questioned the familiarity of the wounded wildebeest's stagger and how peculiar it was that the predator responsible be no where in sight...

But instead, the only thing that the large and lumbering brown lion questioned was, "Meshindi?!" In a loud and rather accusatory fashion, which was intentional. "What the hell?!" He fumbled over awkward footing to turn and face his fallen comrade, features twisted in a look of worry that was not meant for Meshindi's wellbeing. Not so much as it was for himself.

Gepeto's head turned from the prey to Meshindi frantically then, and in a rather aggressive tone the lion spat, "Get up!" Taking several steps toward the black feline.

Just get the food!

But... that was your job.

He spent the briefest of moments staring at Meshindi, dumbfounded. How could such a well-off hunter stumble... land in a hole...

While his mind tried to work out the faults, his stomach raged. Food. It wanted food.

And so, the reluctant male turned, catching the ground beneath his paws with half-hearted enthusiasm and took toward the wildebeest. Outsiders would have found the entire ordeal quite comical, as was the nature of Gepeto's 'hunt'.

The male showed his teeth in a seemingly painful grin, whiskers twitching, eyebrows furling. The chase sent him in circles, both of his injured prey cleverly outmaneuvering their advancer even with lame limbs and diminishing stamina. The three danced for what would seem far too long before Gepeto, in all of his great hunter wisdom, would finally decide to cut one of the lumbering creatures off. He would thrust himself into the air, all four limbs flailing, and not gracefully tear the beest to the earth-- but flatten out atop of it.

Either the blow from his elbows or the headbutt he delivered finished the job, and beneath him at last was the catch. Gepeto spent a moment eagerly snapping at the fallen's neck, ensuring its demise, before seeking out the second and doing a similarly terrible job at downing it.

It was only when both had been taken care of that Gepeto rose in search of his companion. That same toothy smile that rose his whiskers and wrinkled his snout found Meshindi in the same state he had left him in. Without much thought the brown lion began his race to aid his brother, leaving behind their soon-to-be meals on the open plain.

Of course, he couldn't do anything before squealing, "Did you see THAT?!" What a rush!