Prince of the Savannah Jamba

This felis lion and the... bird(?) at her side both pause in their digging at the sound of your approach. "Hi," she says, after a few moments of staring at each other, her snout dusted with a modest layer of sand. "I'm just diggin' for prairie dogs; there's a burrow here and I've already blocked 'em in. You feel like takin' a break in your travels to dig with me, whatever you can carry home's all yours."

You accept the offer gratefully, thinking how your pridemates at home would be thrilled to see you return with a pack full of tasty little morsels. The felis grins and offers a paw in welcome, introducing herself as Jamba and the bird as Rufus. She's not entirely sure what he is, but his robust body and strong legs make him a helpful companion in scavenging. Together you manage to turn up a respectable pile of 'dogs, two strangers sharing friendly chatter as you work late into the evening. Sol is crawling low on the horizon when Jamba helps you stuff your travel pack so full that the seams are straining, and there's still plenty left over for her pride, making their home on the arid terraces that lead to the bayside home of Imekoti's pride.

"You're fine company, friend," she says with a flick of her tail against your flank to send you off. "Safe journey. You ever find yourself needing some prairie dogs, you know who to look for."