The light of day started to make its way though his den. Lazily, he opened one eye. He had expect to find his den empty. But instead he saw the leopardess Tsillah sitting in front of the wall, writing notes in the dirt next to her. He didn't move, not wanting to disturb her concentration.
'How long has she been there?' he wondered. Looking at her, she looked tired, like she was going to fall asleep at any moment. He noticed that around her neck she had on the necklace that he had found. A small smile spread on his face.
Tsillah had hardly slept. Her thoughts kept going to the wall and the secrets it held. Utako knew exactly what it said and if he was going to be playing his silly games in order to give her the information, Tsillah decided that she would try a different tactic. It had gone well so far. She figured some words out and guessed at others.
There was just one thing troubling her. Yesterday she had brought up the fact that Utako's name was all over the wall and he said that his name was just a commonly used name. However from what she could tell, the story on the wall was referring to a single Utako. The Utako that was referenced was not a hero or a pride member. She was fairly certain that the Utako described on the wall was some sort of monster. Whoever wrote on the wall feared Utako.
“Read anything interesting?” Utako finally spoke up. Both of his eyes were on her and he was still pleasantly smiling at her.
She had been so focused on the writing, that she had become oblivious to Utako. Startled, she jumped and turned toward him. “I- er yes, though I still need some help reading some words.” She stepped toward him and sat a little ways in front of him. “What I have tired to read doesn't exactly line up with what you told me. At least the part about your name.”
A loud yawn escaped Utako's mouth and he adjusted his body, somehow taking up even more room then before. “What can I say, my pride is complicated. I was thinking that, since you helped me out so much yesterday that today we could spent the majority of the day going over the pride's history.”
Tsillah gave him an unsure look. Every time she brought up something that he did not want to talk about, he would change the subject quickly to something that was more interesting. “And you will talk to me about your pride's history no strings attached?”
“Well, perhaps a small string.” He responded as he got up. “Look, I have been stuck in this cave for a while and I would like a break. I know this nice stream where we can talk without getting distracted.”
“Fine.” Tsillah did not bother to debate about it. The sooner they left the sooner she could start asking her questions.
“And while we walk, feel free to admire or observe. Whatever you prefer to call it.” He said before giving her his usual playful smile. Gently he brushed his tail against hers before going to the exit of the den.
For the first time in a very long time, Tsillah felt her cheeks warm. She shook her head before catching up to Utako and walking beside him. “If you would like you could lead the way down. The path will not be wide enough for us to walk side by side.”
Tsillah frowned. She still felt her face flushed from earlier. If he did anything, even compliment her, she knew that she would just feel that way even longer. “You can go first. It is fine.”
“If you insist.” With that he started down. He was surprisingly quiet when they traveled. Tsillah's embarrassment quickly faded and was replaced with questions she could ask Utako when they reached their destination. She found herself wondering more about him then the actual pride though. There was still the strangeness of him being the only one left of the pride. It was odd. She couldn't imagine anyone staying in a deserted pride with no company except for the occasional rogue. Then there was his name.
“I was wondering, since I am answering your questions, would it be alright if I ask a couple of my own?” Utako asked, breaking the silence. They reached the end of the path. He stopped and looked at her. When she reached his side, he continued onward.
“Hm well I guess. I will do my best to avoid answering, much like you have been doing.”
“Fair enough. I just find it strange that a leopardess would be traveling all alone just to find information about a pride that has nothing to do with her. Wouldn't your time be better served learning more about where you come from? Even if you weren't from a pride, certainly one of your ancestors were.” Utako said. “I mean, I am not complaining about you being here. I enjoy the occasional company, even if you are throwing off my usual schedule.”
Tsillah scoffed. “Usual schedule? You must be joking. Since I have gotten here you done practically nothing. If anything I am making your daily like more interesting.”
“Hm perhaps. You did not answer my question though.”
“So now you know what it feels like.” Tsillah thought it would do the lion some good to learn what it felt like to not get the answers you want. “You live alone in a pride that is completely deserted. Why would someone do that to themselves? I feel like that is the act of someone who is completely loyal to their pride or fears the outside world. Wouldn't your time be better served finding a new place to live?”
Utako let out a more genuine laugh. “You got me there. I do wander from time to time.” He found a spot in the den and laid down and motioned for her to sit next to him. “Ask your questions. I will do my best to answer them.”
She did not believe for a moment that he would answer her questions and was certain this was nothing more then a game. However, she laid down near him. If today she did not make any headway, she would leave. There was no use wasting her time with a lion who was unwilling to budge. “Alright. Can you tell me how your pride got destroyed?”
“Water dried up. Our food went with it. That was three generations before I was born.” Utako explained. “My great grandfather was the pride chief. He remained hoping the gods would shine on the pride and restore it to its former greatness. His will passed on to his son, my grandfather. From my grandfather to my mother and then finally to me. And now I am all that is left behind of their legacy.”
“Are you going to continue their legacy or is it going to end with you?” The question was a tad more personal then any of her other ones. But she felt like it was a fair point. At this point she wasn't sure why he wouldn't just give up and find some place better and settle down. There wasn't really a way to rebuild the pride by himself. The locals didn't seem interested in assisting either.
“If I did I would just follow in my family's steps, find a rogue curious enough to stick around. My mother wasn't that great at it. Usually she would scare off any male that got near. It didn't bother her much though. She preferred the company of other females. I on the other hand, have no problem attracting females.” He looked smugly at Tsillah. “Just harder to get them to stick around. Something about my personality.”
“Yep that will do it.” Tsillah retorted. “If you do want to leave, you can always go with me. I never stay in one place long.”
Utako's let out a dramatic gasp. “You are actually inviting me to go somewhere?”
“You can scare off others with your personality.” She said with a shrug. “But we can talk about that later. I still more questions.”
“Bring them on.”
Utako couldn't remember the last time he actually had a conversation this long before. She would ask him a question. The answer usually was short, but then she would discuss it with him, asking for more details. He eventually found himself telling old tales about the pride, though keeping one story a secret.
“I still do not understand why your name is so common.” She stated. “On the wall, it was everywhere.”
“Would it be okay if I tell you about it tomorrow? It is a long story and I need some rest.” He said. She nodded. A second surprise happened when she curled up near him. He looked at her with a small smile and draped his tail over her. “Good night.”
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