Eli was alone once more. After trying to teach the little male how to survive out in the rougher lands, he had left her for a time to go in search of other females to take home. She was aware of his quest and what was required of it. It sounded strange to her, but she could understand it. From what he had told her, it was an older pride, with families too closely knit together to safely find a mate within in whom you are not related to. Badly in need of fresh blood, so they sent their young males off on a rite of passage to gain adult status. She wished him luck on it. As she already had a pride to belong to, she wasn't interested in helping him any further than she had. Not that the sound of the pride itself was anything appealing to her. Being treated less than a male and doing all the work? No thanks.
She was certain he would return to her, though. If not to say goodbye. He was a nice little lion. She would miss him when he left. Maybe she would be fortunate of seeing his sons out on their quests in the future.
Bending down over her kill, Eli ripped a bit of muscle away from the gazelle's leg to chew on while she watched the vultures nearby eye her. All she did was smile at that, flicking her tail against one of her legs. This little flock was familiar to her. As she was to them. An attempt at trying to steal her kill before had ended with one of their numbers dead. They didn't seem too keen on trying the stunt again anytime soon. Fortunately for them, all they need to was wait for her to finish and they would have enough meat for them all to go around.
Unless the young lion returned to share it before she turned her back on it.
