So.... she was pretty sure that she had veered the wrong way at some point. When she'd left, she was convinced that following the scent of Tianxia was a fantastic idea. After all, there weren't that many Tianxia leaving, and it was bound to lead her straight to her friend.
Unfortunately, Mángguo forgot to account for anyone coming and going at their own leisure... or the, albeit stale, scent of that group who had left for the Pridelands. Honestly, it was an incredibly old scent, one that the jackal should have ignored, but she hadn't been paying attention.
Now she was positive that she'd gone the wrong way. Ren's scent was nowhere, and she doubted that he would have accompanied anyone else. More likely, he would have veered away at the smell of them. Plus, she recognized this scent on the wind ahead of her now. Pridelanders were a known scent to her, having encountered those who had visited the Tianxia before, and such a prevalent smell in the air could only mean that she was heading in the direction of their home.
Well, that wasn't good. He most certainly hadn't said anything about going to the Pridelands.
The jackal gave a forlorn sigh. This was a bust. She would have to retrace her steps and hope that she caught his scent somewhere else. What's worse, the longer she traveled without any clues, the harder it would get to track him. She wouldn't be able to rely on scent alone pretty soon.
Of course, Renshu was the shy one. Mango had no qualms with asking for help.
And it would be remiss of her not to check with the locals first before immediately assuming he wasn't here.
With that in mind, she gazed around her to try and spot, well, anyone.
As luck would have it, there was indeed someone nearby.
Meera had found a great sunbathing spot, and on such a perfect day too! The cheeton hummed happily as she lay sprawled across the bare patch of dirt, luxuriating in the smell of fresh grass around her and the warmth that practically glowed across her white stomach. She had managed to ruffle up her fur quite a bit as she tossed back and forth in an attempt to cover all sides of her in heat.
Mmmmm, she loved warmth. Not too much warmth - she didn't like to bake in it - but just the right amount. It made her sleepy. And what did she have to do today? Nothing, currently.
.... The thought brought a frown to her face, and she opened her eyes in slits to gaze up at the clouds.
She had done what she wanted to accomplish. She had found the Pridelands, found her father, found so much family that she didn't know what to do with it, but it left a happy, fluttery feeling in her stomach.
But... she didn't want to stay here, just as she didn't want to stay tied down with her mother. So where did that leave her? What did she do now?
She had no interest in joining a pride, so she was ecstatic that she could visit her family regardless of that, but she also had no idea where she was going to go. She had heard of faraway places, of course she had, and she'd be lying if she said that she wasn't super curious about them.
Her mind brought her back to that conversation with that cheetah, whose name she couldn't remember. (Oops) Her eyes brightened at the thought of seeing the ocean and those who lived among it.
She thought back to her mother's stories, of snowy mountain and scorching deserts and thick jungles, and she purred at the thought of seeing it all.
It wouldn't all be sunshine and rainbows, even she knew that, but the adventure would be worth it.
.... Perhaps she had already made up her mind, she wondered as she tapped a paw against her chest.
And then she was startled out of her thoughts by something landing on her stomach.
"Oomph!" Meera felt air leave her in a whistle, and she jolted and curled around to flip herself onto her stomach, bringing her assailant down with her. Blinking in surprise, the cheeton stared at the little orange form practically vibrating beneath her. It was a little jackal, blue eyes glittering and tiny tail wagging, and oh, Meera's heart melted. The little dog was adorable!
Mango should probably work on her social skills, but she had always been the type to jump head first into things. This was no exception to that rule.
Wiggling her way out from under this lioness - wait, cheetah? No, she was pretty sure this was a lioness - the jackal hopped back up to her feet and then turned to face her. "Hello, hello, helloooo!" The last part was howled just slightly. "You wouldn't happen to know of anyone named Renshu, would you? I'm trying to find him!"
She paused, realizing that this one might have seen him but not know his name, "He's light brown, with a bunch of stripes on his legs and tail. Big blue eyes too! Hard to miss, I think." Or maybe he was. He did have very dirt-colored fur. He probably would blend in really well.
Meera gave a chuckle at that, though a part of her mourned the fact that this one clearly had a companion already. Now she wanted a jackal. Maybe she'd ask her dad if there were any living here in the Pridelands.
The cheeton shook her head though, after taking a moment to mentally go over everyone she'd met so far. "I'm sorry. I don't think I know anyone like that."
Mango deflated just slightly, and then popped back up with a determined nod. "Alright then. He must have gone a different direction then. Thank you!" And then she zoomed off. Optimistic as she was, it never occurred to her that she should really be asking multiple people instead of zooming off after the first one. That's just how she was. After all, she grew up having to balance out Ren's shyness.
And Meera tried to point that fact out too before she left, but all she got out was "Oh! Um, but you shou-" before the jackal was gone.
Wow, and people thought she was excitable? They clearly had never met a jackal.
.... But she still wanted one, she thought with a coo. The little creatures were right up her alley.