[i]'Viran! I came!' she called, walking over. This is so grand, I didn't expect it."[/i]

Viran turned away from the group of Valkorians he was talking to and smiled at Mina. One of the other Valkorians turned and looked at Mina and then back at Viran and his eyes widened in surprise before he playfully elbowed Viran.

"Viran! You didn't tell us you had a mate!"

Viran's face turned a very bright red color as he tried to stammer out a reply. "I...Uh...She..." He managed to stammer as the other Valkorians gathered around him and looked at Mina curiously and then turned to look back at Viran. Most of them laughed and slapped him playfully on the back while another one spoke in low hushed tones to him for a brief moment.

Viran's face took on an even brighter shade of red. "I...I...I..." He stammered again as he tried to speak normally. Rikelis approached Mina and smiled. "It is good to meet you. I am Rikelis. Second in command to Hisel and leader of this colony." He turned his head to look at Viran and smiled.

"His face is red enough that it looks almost like what your people call...what's the word again? "To-ma-to?" He said with a laugh.