(355) It's been too long since this has been replied to. I'll have Lilin jump in now. Sky, I felt it was safe to assume Ink and Lili have crossed paths a couple of times. Feel free to reply whenever. Tim, let's keep this going kay? :>

The Virding hadn’t ventured to the borders in quite some time; not since she’d welcomed Oak and Cassia over a week prior. Saul had made it clear that it was rather unwise of her to do so; at first she’d felt controlled, a feeling she frankly detested. It had taken quite a few quarrels with her mate for Lilin to begrudgingly admit that he was right, something she still occasionally debated with. She understood why proper caution had to be exerted and how heedlessness could put her progeny’s life at risk. It was common sense and while she understood as much, it didn’t make staying within the pack lands any easier. Wanderlust would occasionally overcome rationality, leading her to very edge of the territories claimed by her family.

Monotony was a terrible thing and in times like these, when even praying to the Gods did not ease her restlessness - she would travel to the very edge of her homelands until she could walk no further. Her little adventures would often take all day; her pregnancy weighing heavily on her normally energetic pace. The mother-to-be found comfort in the fact that fresh scents belonging to fellow Vinattans littered the pack lands. Their numbers had doubled and the borders were scouted effectively on a daily basis. That thought alone was reassuring in itself. Her confidence was only strengthened when she stumbled across one of their newest recruits conversing with a stranger.

“Ink,” she called out, a greeting and inquiry subtly infused into the boy’s name. The Soulstorm heir remained silent for a moment, giving the Risna an opportunity to provide an explanation even though she’d stumbled upon the duo just as the loner had expressed his half-hearted desire to join Vinatta, which she acknowledged with a quirked brow. “Might be looking to join? I must admit, that doesn’t sound very convincing,” she replied matter-of-factly, mediterranean irises noting the weapons discarded on the ground before continuing. “I’m Lilin, one of the leaders here.” Surely this stranger would make his intentions known without her needing to ask for clarification.

(393) Welcome Tim! :> This will be my last post. You guys can continue or come up with an OOC ending/assume Ink took Roland back to the village. You can also PP Lilin saying goodbye to them and such!

It was her pack mate who replied first, employing a greeting mirroring hers in simplicity. Her gaze found his salt and pepper face, awaiting further explanation when the stranger promptly interjected. She remained silent, assessing his motives with great difficulty. Lilin made no effort to conceal the perturbation highlighting her features when the youngster spoke of his own well-being being at risk. It was an honest answer, she had to give him that much. She had, however, expected him to provide her with a good reason to grant him admission into the pack. No such thing followed suit, making her wonder if he would be more a liability than an asset to Vinatta. Despite her uncertainty, the Virding took a step forward and shook the stranger's hand.

''I'm afraid you'll have to give us something in return if you want a home,'' she replied, hoping the newcomer would understand. What could he do for her? Lilin had seen innocent lives wither and fade away. She had also been a loner for the majority of her life -- she knew how dangerous it was out there. Those were facts of life and none of it fazed her enough to grant him a free admission. Ink came to his rescue before the Virding could say anything else, providing the information she'd been awaiting. ''Three rogues on your own? Impressive,'' she admitted, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. So this was the trespasser Saul had mentioned in passing. She supposed he'd had a good enough reason to do so, given the extenuating circumstances. ''I'm willing to give you a chance. You'll be a Risna until you've proven yourself to the pack.'' With that, the mother-to-be turned to Temeraire's friend; granting him a lopsided smirk. ''Since you two know each other already, Ink will bring you to Jordheim.''

She needed time to rest and the journey back to Jordheim was a little too tiresome. Ink was trustworthy and capable enough. ''Ink, please stop by the storage house and give him two pelts and a bottle of wine,'' she continued, unfastening her own Frithr necklace before offering it to their newest recruit. Lilin could get another one from the pack's inventory when she got back to the village. ''Every Vinattan owns a Frithr necklace-- you should too. Welcome to the pack.''