They at least had Miira's blessings to travel. Ifa followed Shido, and Shido followed Ifa on the trail the seer had laid out for them. The benefit was in not being alone, though -- Shido wasn't the biggest or smallest, and with his pale mane, hunting was difficult for him, but Ifa, used to hunting from her pilgrimmage and from readapting to roaming with her youth name again, could easily hunt for both. Similarly, Shido was kind, keeping the less desireable beasts away as they searched. From grassland to desert to Oases, they didn't stop.... Not for a long time. Not until they reached one oasis that seemed to have potential. Or, at least, was as far as Miira could see. It seems to lack occupaqnts, beyond prey, so if nothing else it was a good resting point as they regrouped.

Ifa stretched, settling to drink at the waterside as Shido slept closeby, and looked over contemplatively, until a sound caught her ear.

The male was asleerp now which meant Damla could have a civilized conversation. Although abandoned for a long time to her own devices now, Damla wasn't uncivilized -- a woman was usually a welcome guest, but this one brought a male with her. It was worrying really -- didn't she know he ought to be the hunter and pet, not her? Damla had stalked the pair to her home for days, stealing leavings after they left, and watched the female and male duo move, eyes shining. And now - now she finallydared show herself, approaching the female as one might an old friend, head tilting.

"Why are you serving a male, sister?" Damla crooned. Ifa looked up to the female curiously, blinking at her. Was this the female?...Possibly. Her markings were odd, but her base... Same to Shido, an Ifa shrugged.

"Well out here with that mane he'd starve if he tried. He stands out. I don't, so it makes more sense." Ifa shrugged, sitting patiently.

"Can't he?" Damla rolled her eyes. "Or won't make it work?"

"Can't." Ifa poked with a paw, frowning. "I've watched him try." Ifa shrugged, tail swaying. Damla seemed to consider the female's words, then eyed Shido's sleeping form before looking back over.

"Then of what use is he? Cubs?I don't see cubs." She blinked. Ifa burst out in laughter at that, falling backwards to roll.

"Cubs? no, no no, I'm helping him look for someone on behalf of his mother." Ifa giggled, rolling to her paws again at the baffled female's face as she nodded, still beaming. "His mother lost her daughter as a cub to cubnappers before he was born. So I'm helping the guy bring her home."

Damla blinked, then sat, scowling.

"His mother lost her child? Ugh. Males, obviously. Well, if you need help, I'm certainly happy to help." Damla nodded, shrugging before sighing. "Not like I'm doing too terribly much here. My family dumped me behind a long time ago, so I just stay out here."

Ah... Interesting. Ifa filed the information away before nodding.

"Well, it would be most welcome. His mother is very sad about it. Her mate and furst liutter are otherwise gone so she only has her second litter." Ifa explained. "But I'm hoping to bring her closure, at least."

Damla listened silently, watching the female, before offering an understanding look. Such a good female -- kind, really, to help a stranger. Damla felt her heart go out to the mother too-- in her pain, her sorrow... Surely Damla could help. It was the right thing to do after all.

"Well,I'm the only lion this way, but I know of some prides around... Oh, but don';t trouble the desert pride of red lions. I've seen them once looking for a place to hunt a while and they're kind of tetchy."

"Yeah, sounds smart." Ifa motioned. "The lady's a seer but she didn't get further than this number of days in this direction, so it might help to trouble some lions in nearby areas about it. Erm. Once Shido's awake, anyhow."

"Why not just... Wake him up?" Damla blinked, moving towards the male casually. "He's just a guy."

Ifa groaned, and bolted, moving to block the female's path with a sigh before giving her a serious look.

"It's rude, that's why." Ifa explained. Damla stared.

"He's a male." She pointed out. "He's just lazy. That's what I was taught!"

"Oh gods. No, not lazy, honey. Trust me. He's been fending off some assholes while we travelled." Ifa motioned. "Sort of a case of mutual aid? So p0lease don't be rude." Ifa protested. Damla stared several moments before sitting, looking perplexed.

"Lady. Trust me. He'll appreciate the help, truly -- but please don't wake him up. The poor guy's never even left his mother. I promised to bring him home in one piece and he's not used to sudden waking or anything. Last time he neaqrly screamed." Ifa groaned. Damla stared back, then slowly, she poked Shido.

"So he's.... A marshmallow?" Damla blinked, seeming flabbergasted.

"Yeaaah. He's... Not really one used to roaming like me. So go easy with the man-bashing." Ifa sighed. Damla blinked, head tilting before looking.

"Really? He's sheltered?" Damla blinked. She wasn't that surprised though -- her expression seemed to sofgten as she shook her head instead.

"I guess losing a child in that way really does scare you... Never had kids of my own. Ought to though. Surviving children... It's a proof of strength." She chuckled, half-bitter, then smiled. "So, why not. Let him sleep, I mean."

"Thank you." Ifa sighed, flopping out a bit in exasperation. She had a feeling she did this to others, but to deal? Suddenly she felt an all new empathy for the creatures dealing with her. Ifa gestured with a paw, settling and looking to Damla idly. This lioness -- whatever name she had - was going to be 'fun'. Truly.

"Once he's awake we'll catch some food and go, lady." Ifa drawled, and Damla nodded. The lioness stretched, laying down near Ifa idly to relax, and wait.

"Yeah. Sounds good."