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Berfortoto yawned loudly, trying his hardest not to fall asleep. It was barely noon, but he still wanted to go back to sleep. He shouldn't though, because he needed to get some lunch! Maybe if he found his meal quickly, he'd be able to take a short nap. He attempted to get up, but rolled over lazily onto his side instead, the lion groaned, much to comfortable to actually move.

It didn't help that the tree's shade was comforting as well. Should he nap before getting food now or...?

Mkali rarely moved around during this part of the day… or during the day at all, for that matter. The dark colored lioness preferred the night, where she could blend in. But there was no arguing that hunting was better during the day, when creatures were slow and sluggish from the heat. Mkali felt it too, but she could tolerate it. Adanna was probably still asleep now, and Mkali would be proud to have made a kill and have food ready by the time her sister awoke. Adanna had been so stressed lately, Mkali would have done anything to help.

The lioness heard a noise suddenly that made her pause. Sounded like a groan… was it a wounded animal? Perhaps the hunt today would be easier than she thought it would be. Creeping up to the shade of the tree where she had heard the sound coming from, she stopped and sighed. It wasn’t prey. Just a lion. Although her sister enjoyed teasing males Mkali didn’t have much to do with them. But… maybe he was familiar with the area. Mkali, being on the move with her sister, was lost.

“Ahem,” she started, making a sound that hopefully would help the lion realize she was nearby. She was far enough away not to be looming over him, but she could be plainly seen.

Berfortoto was about to drift off to sleep, but he heard a small noise. He turned his head, blinking slowly wondering what it was. Oh! It was another lion. A female lion. The lion quickly rolled over and up, trying to shake off as much dirt and dust he could without making too much of a scene.

Berfortoto smiled at the female, noticing she was very pretty (well actually, every female were pretty to him), "Oh hello!" he said cheerily, "I haven't seen you around here before. You must be new?" he asked. She didn't seem like a mean-spirited lioness, though he could tell she was probably pretty composed and reserved. Just like a real lady.

Mkali watched as the male got up, looking him over but saying nothing. He was handsome, but Mkali didn’t think about things like that normally. To Mkali, who had an emotional connection with only one other lioness in the world, all males that she didn’t need something from were just a bit of a nuisance. However, at the moment she did need something, and so she was prepared to humor him. It wasn’t that she minded the company, she just often preferred to be either by herself or with her sister, who was the only exception to her loner behavior.

“I’m just passing through the area,” Mkali told him, her voice, as always, very quiet and very toneless. She rarely ever raised her voice, for any reason. If she couldn’t be heard she simply didn’t try to be. “I am looking for prey, also. Do you know where the herds are? If there are any.” Mkali looked him over again, speculating. He didn’t look like he was going to fight her… so that was good. She would wait and see if he could be a help to her.

Berfortoto was unsure if he should move closer to the female. It would make it easier to converse to her, but she might be uncomfortable if he moved any closer. "Oh, I see." he said, "Is there anywhere you are traveling to?" he asked, just wanting to make pleasant conversation. If he continued to make small talk with her, she would probably get more comfortable and they'd probably go on adventures together or something. Hopefully. Though she didn't seem too friendly. Or maybe she wasn't the kind of lady to on adventures.

"I'm Berfortoto by the way." he added, "What's your name?" he continued in his pleasant tone. "If you're looking for the herds, they're probably over at the watering hole." He nudged over his shoulder. "I can take you there if you want." He was planning on getting some food sooner or later anyways.

“Just traveling,” Mkali told him briskly, her voice as always devoid of inflection. She didn’t care if he knew, but she knew her sister didn’t trust most males, and so the less that knew where they were really going, the better. Her ears perked when he told her he knew where the watering hole was. She had had no idea there was one around here.

“Yes, I’d like that,” she told him, actually sounding genuinely grateful, even if she still seemed a little cold. That was just the way she was. “I’m Mkali,” she told him, stepping closer. She may as well let him know her name, there was no harm in that. He didn’t seem to sort of male that would stalk them later, like that other one had. “Lead the way when you are ready, then.”

"Traveling is fun, isn't it?" he said casually, "Personally, I feel too homesick to really travel too far." Berfortoto chuckled at himself. It was good to see that she was still talking to him. If she had just went silent it would have been a little awkward wouldn't it?

"The herds always travel to the watering hole around this time of day." he said, "I guess its cause they get so hot they all need the water." Berfortoto smiled, "You can also find a lot of different herds. Though I haven't seen elephants around here in a while so it doesn't get that dangerous. But a lot of zebras and gazelles." He stood up, waiting for her to follow him, "There's always a lot of meat going around here, so one doesn't go hungry y'know?"

“I… suppose traveling is alright. As long as the destination is worth it.” Mkali never seemed to overly enjoy anything, at least that she let others know about. She felt it was better not to wear everything out where others could see it. “Where is your home? Here?”

When he spoke of good hunting, Mkali’s stomach growled. It wasn’t that she was starving, but always being on the move and not knowing the good hunting places made it difficult to get regular meals. This place seemed nice… but she knew she had to try and find the Mwana’a’lela. It was clearly the best place for them, and Mkali could probably never settle for less. “I love zebra. It’s been a long time. They are difficult to chase but worth it if you get one.”

S they walked, the lioness sniffed the air. She smelled mud… and prey. She hoped they were getting close to the watering hole. Her muscles ached with anticipation. She loved the thrill of the hunt!

"My home is not far from here. A day's trip east from here." he replied, "I wanted to leave, but I missed home terribly so, I can't bring myself to leave." Berfortoto chuckled. It seemed kinda pathetic now that he thought about it, but it was the good, honest truth.

"Zebra is delicious." Berfortoto agreed, "But I prefer gazelle. Though I wish they were as big as zebra." The grass began to thin out as they walked, the ground getting softer. "The water hole is right there as you can see." he didn't have to point over because it was pretty large. The zebra were slowly walking over to the water's edge some taking a drink and some deciding to step into the water. On the other side, gazelle and antelope were resting by the water's edge.

"See? No one ever goes hungry when they're here." he smiled, "It's also just fun to chase them around when you're bored."

Mkali saw, and her tail began to twitch back and fourth. She had one thing on her mind now - getting her claws into one of those plump, healthy prey animals. The desire to hunt was an urge almost too strong to control.

“You’re right,” Mkali agreed when Berfortoto told her that no one could go hungry here. It was true! “Thank you for showing me this…” She realized as she was speaking she was creeping forward, like a magnet being drawn towards the herds. It was too much for her to resist. She loved killing, and she would like having a nice big zebra haunch to bring back to her sister come nightfall…

She set off at a run, hoping that her friend there would understand. She had her priorities! But she would remember this place, and hopefully if she ever set foot in it again, she would find this male. If only there were more males like him where they were going… Kind, helpful ones. The ones she didn’t mind having around!

Berfortoto couldn't help but laugh loudly as he saw Mkali dash forward. "It's no problem at all!" he called out, "If you ever stop by here again, make sure you stop and say hello!" He stretched out his limbs, then set out at a run after her. Hey, he had to eat too! He'd go for the antelope though, cause personally they were easier to catch. It was good that he didn't have to tell her that he was a terrible hunter. Perhaps he had looked like a great male in her eyes.

Maybe he would have a chance with her one day!