Look sent towards the small stallion seemed to make him think twice, though he tipped his head and flicked his listeners up in greeting. Lakota was not so welcoming as Phaedra, but only because she would not allow strangers to believe the Grey was weak. He replied steadily, meeting her gaze without wavering. Lakota inclined her head in a cool expression of respect, showing that she approved in a miniscule fashion. If he continued to act in such a way, perhaps the Grey would accept him. There was to be no weakness, even along the medics, and if he could handle her sharp stare, he was already on the way to receiving an audience of their leaders. Lakota would not call her queens until she was sure that this fellow was deserving of the title of a mercenary. Depending on the side he chose to follow, of course. Already Phaedra and Lakota displayed the difference, for Lakota was a mercenary under Ktulu and Phaedra was a spy beneath Ophelia. Phaedra's flourishing bow made her snort softly, but her eyes turned to her with amusement that did not normally appear on her face. Let it be a little treat to her, she thought dryly, for Lakota to find it more funny than annoying on this day. Gaze snapped back to him as he announced himself as Murdock, and his flourishing almost-bow made a tiny wry smile tug at her lips as if she was amused by a small child that was both funny and annoying. It was the best one could get from Lakota, most of the time.

Then he revealed what he wished, to join their ranks. Behind her Phaedra snorted softly and Lakota swept her eyes over Murdock once again. Staying silent for a few long moments as she dissected him with her gaze, picking out the good and the bad. She would not be the one to accept them, but she needed to know who to call, Ophelia or Ktulu. Violet eyes drifted back up to stare at Murdock, telling him that she was listening and ready to barter, in a way. But if he wanted to move any step farther past that statement, she would require total honesty. "If you take a step into this, before I so much as breathe your name into the ears of my leaders, you must both know something and tell me something. First, know that this is no mere group. This is a family, and if you do not give us your full loyalty, we will not hesitate to kick your ass out of here, understand? We have no room for flighty characters that will not have our backs, no patience for weak links. For if we fight, you will have our backs. Got that?" She eyed him intently, though it was not hostile. Merely the truth. For deep in her gaze was revealed to him that she would not turn him away if he could accept this, that she would call Ktulu or Ophelia if he could agree to what she had said. Waiting only for his reply before moving on. "What you must tell me is this. What is it that you fight with, and for? Do you fight with smooth words that trick others into giving us what we desire? Do you attack with hooves and teeth? Or do you fight with the power of healing?" Grumbling the words out, not used to speaking so much. Face remaining stony, not ready to take down her walls quite so soon. You can never be too cautious. "You will not be able to take sides, Murdock. We are the Grey, the in-betweens, the plane walkers. We fight for all and for none, for those who do not deserve injustice. Forget your friends now, your alliances, for when and if battle calls you cannot be indecisive." With that she ended it, crown rising slightly and taking a step back to allow Murdock space. Brushing up against Phaedra briefly, turning dark purple gaze to the younger woman momentarily. If Murdock proved himself worthy, she would call their leaders. If not, she would have Phaedra help her in driving him away. They could not be inconsistent. Murdock would be welcomed into their tightly knit family if he wished, but if he did not approve of their standards...they simply could not exceptions.