Briar was leaving soon, and Lia would be going with her. Halo didn’t necessarily want to admit it aloud, but it made her more than a little sad. Sirius had sent the handmaiden to her on the very first full day she’d had among the Armada, and through that, she’d been her first friend within the pack. It left her a bit heavy in the chest to see the girl go… but it was her duty. Halo knew the order of things, but she couldn’t help but be a little sad about it too. The tenderhearted girl had helped prepare the dyes for the two year olds’ birthday gifts, and she figured there would be some sort of celebration fast approaching. Halo was no good at parties, and tended to be anxious around crowds. Heck, she was anxious about the idea of there even being a party on the horizon. At least she knew that within the Armada she’d be safe… they’d all be safe. Still. Still, it was hard to wrap her head around. In the bustle of it all, Halo had made Lia a going away gift too. A small, tightly braided band of cord, dyed red and golden to match her friend’s pretty coat. It was leftover rawhide from the splinting kits that Halo had spent time building, but she’d taken the time to treat it until it became soft and pliable, and easy to work with. That combined with the coloring process had left it in a texture that she figured would be nice enough to wear. They were going to The Hallows, and Halo had one more thing to send with Lia. A small, neatly packaged bundle, wrapped in yet another scrap from her splint making endeavor. The dried bark of the white willow trees, some of Halo’s stash for her friend. It was good to have on hand, and she had more than enough. She’d ask Lia to take it to Audra, in hopes that it would make her friend’s life a little easier. With careful steps, Halo crossed to the area where Briar and Mortis’s dens were. Lia would be around here, right? She carefully carried the two tidy packages over, not wanting them to come unwrapped in transit. “Idalia?” Halo called out softly. “Are you in?” Well… it may have been a silly question. If she answered she was in, if she didn’t then she was probably out. Halo was still no good at making the first approach. Still, the pale girl’s tail wagged. She was friendly, after all.

WC: 427

Lia was packing and organising the den. Thinking somewhat fondly of it, as the first place she had really been able to call home. It had been cosy, sharing it with Briar, and Mortis and Hika only a room over. It had left her with a feeling of safety and security that she really wasn’t familiar with.

There was still a lot to do, Briar had already packed the bags once, but it seemed like she was going to cull much from the list and start again. Lia gave a fond chuckle, as Briar headed out of the den to grab something, and started to sort something out for dinner. She had just popped out to grab what she needed, and was returning when she found Halo at the mouth of the den, calling out for her. “Over here, Lady Halo. is there something I can help you with?” she asked the sweet other woman.


"Speech"

Halo wagged her tail as she moved towards her friend, smiling softly. "Lia," the pale creature smiled, moving towards Lia. It was warm, and she was happy to see the other healer. "There is, if you don't mind, and if you have space in the move." It hadn't occurred to Halo just how many things were packed for Briar and Lia to bring to the Hallows. "There's a healer in the Hallows, her name is Audra. I was wondering if you could bring these to her," the tenderhearted girl produced the bundle of white willow bark. There was quite a bit, mostly smaller shreds from fallen branches, carefully packaged and dried.

She was warm in the way that she regarded the handmaiden. "Also I made this, for you," Halo presented the braided band, sheepish for a moment. "Thank you for being my first friend here." Her voice was small, quiet. She'd miss Lia when she and Briar set off to their new home, their new lives. It was the way of things. Still, Halo wanted to make sure that the other girl knew just how appreciated she was.

The tenderhearted girl did her best to hide her sheepishness, changing the subject. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Halo could only imagine how much work there was to be done with a move like this. "How are you feeling?" For now, she'd leave the question to be open ended. She'd open the floor for Lia to talk about the things on her mind, if there was anything that was pressing or concerning. With so many changes coming so soon, Halo couldn't even imagine what her friend was feeling.

"Halo"