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Amleth yawned widely, stretching her lanky body and blinking blearily. As usual, Duhushi had awoken before her and was no where to be seen. She didn't mind; often he went off wandering before she woke, but he always came back.

Shaking the dust of the graveyard out of her fur, the hyena-marked lioness padded quietly out of the large elephant skull that she and Duhushi had been using as a den. The sun was already peeking over the tallest of the bones, casting dramatic shadows on the well-baked ground. This place used to scare her.

Shaking her head, she lept onto a large thighbone and surveyed the area for possible wandering prey. It was well past breakfast time.  

Ausha liked mornings. In the mornings he didn't feel quite so lethargic and melancholy, there seemed happy prospects in the gentle chill of the mists at daybreak. He was an early riser and had been awake for some time, dining on some less than fresh meat from the night before. Either way it sufficed for his thin, small frame and he'd headed out for a morning patrol of the lands, his stolen mane rustling as he moved, the multitudes of bone jewellery he wore jangling almost merrily.

He made his way across the barren landscape with confidence despite his limp and small stature, unafraid of harm in this tiny patch of land he called his own. Coming to a halt, he glanced around him, seeking any of the graveyard's other residents.

Not actually expecting anyone he almost jumped out of his skin at what looked like a hyena not far off, the mists obscuring it's shape. He bared his fangs defensively and hopped back.

"Who's there?!"  

Amleth's ears perked up at the sounds of the approaching lion. She'd never heard noises like the clinking of those many bones that adorned Ausha's form. Sniffing the air and narrowing crimson eyes in his direction, she answered warily. "My name is Amleth," she began, leaping off of the bone and padding cautiously towards the strange shape. And then, remembering that she was in the graveyard, where it was not always a good thing to have coloration like hers... "I'm a lion." she added hastily, squinting through the mists at Ausha. She was certain he was feline as well, but his many adornments made it rather hard to tell. He looked about her age.. or her size, anyway.

She risked a smile as she approached the thin lion. "Er, hello. Sorry if I startled you."  

The silvery lion visibly relaxed at Amleth's reassurance that she wasn't, in fact, a hyena. His tail went from where he'd been holding it out behind him to swishing at his back paws. He let out a hearty sigh of relief before saying "Thank goodness for that, you almost gave me a turn dear, intentional or not." he swept some stray mane out of his blue eyes and walking a little nearer looked the stranger over.

Seeming to decide that Amleth's manners and intentions were sound he smiled warmly, bowing his head in greeting, once again setting the bone earrings and necklaces he wore clinking. "A joy to meet you darling, I am Kikausha, king of the Maziko lands. I trust you are enjoying your visit here?"

He chuckled "Or maybe not, it's not everyone's cup of tea."

"Sorry about that," Amleth replied a bit guiltily. Perhaps she ought to carry a sign around her neck? Of course, it was sometimes a good thing to have hyenas think she was one of them. It gave her time to escape.

He was king? If he was king, then surely he was somehow related to Duhu? It had never occured to Amleth to disbelieve her friend about his heritage and his title as prince of the graveyard. And, now that she looked, there were some similarities... but Duhu had never mentioned a brother!

"Oh, yes!" she answered cheerfully, startled out of her thoughts by Ausha's question. "I've actually lived here.. well.. mostly.. since I was a cub," she said, sitting and curling her tail around her forepaws. "I got..erm...lost, from my old pride.. and wandered here. Then I made friends with Duhushi," she said brightly. "Do you know him?" she added, hoping that perhaps Ausha's answer would clear up her confusion about Duhushi's place in the Maziko.  

Ausha raised a brow in surprise before once again grinning emphatically. "Really? It's lovely to know that other lions enjoy these lands as much as I do, of course you don't need my permission having lived here so long anyway but you are welcome. If Chomo comes along and tries to question you just tell the big loveable brute to move along, you have Ausha's permission."

At the mention of Duhushi however, he all but clapped his paws in glee. "You know my little boy? I haven't seen him in ages! Soso glad to hear he's doing well, I worry about all my babies you know, they grow up /so/ fast." he sniffed dramatically before returning his attention to the other lion.

"Well then of course any friend of my family is welcome here."

"Oh, thank you!" Amleth said with feeling. She couldn't help liking this lion, he was so enthusiastic about everything. And friendly, on top of it! Of course, she hadn't really met her fair share of friendly lions, so each one was always a bit of a treat.

"Could I.. I was sort of wondering if I could join, you know, officially," she asked awkwardly. "Only, I want to stay here with Duhu, but I didn't know who to-- your little boy?" she stared, completely sidetracked. "Ah.. but.. you're Duhushi's FATHER?" But he didn't look any older than she was! That... well, it didn't make any SENSE. Amleth's mouth opened and shut a few times, goldfish-like, till she finally found her words again. "Erm, you'll pardon me for saying so, sir, but you look.. a bit.. well.. you know. Duhushi's almost bigger than you are," she finished lamely, looking very confused.  

Ausha nodded "Of course, any lion who wishes is allowed to join the Maziko - and a few other species besides - feel free to tell anyone who asks that you are a member." he smiled ever-so-faintly at her wish to stay there with Duhu but said nothing.

Instead he chose to answer her comment on his age. Grinning wryly, he twined a lock of mane absently in a paw. "Well yes, there is that. Let's just say that it isn't always wise to be too arrogant when there are goddesses around. Duhushi probably looks older than me because he is still free to age." He swished his tail "Though take my word that I have seen a good many moons more than he has."

"Oh, um. Goddesses." Amleth said rather dumbly, still staring at Ausha. She'd heard stories of gods, of course...and she always knew there was something ... well, odd about Tanaka, but she'd never MET one. Apparently, Ausha had, and had gotten on her bad side? No wonder Duhushi didn't talk very much about his family. It would have taken weeks to explain properly.

"Er, thank you!" she exclaimed rather belatedly, grinning awkwardly. A member of the pride! Though Duhushi had told her she'd always be welcome, it was somehow more real hearing it from the king... yes, it really WAS home, now.