There were a lot of things shifting and changing. There had been a second birthday party, Briar and Lia had departed for the Hallows, and things felt... well, they felt just a little emptier within the Armada, at least to Halo. She missed Lia. Things felt like they were caught in flux, in the middle of change. It was a strange feeling. Maybe she'd chalk that up to the grey too. The pale healer found herself feeling maybe... was complacent the right word? The days had gotten longer, and summer was settling in. Warm afternoons... too warm.

She sought relief from the heat, throwing herself into the shallows of the Rio Grande itself. The same river that fed her garden, and kept it flourishing. The same river that she collected water from in the mornings for her chores. Yes, today she would use it to stay cool, and hopefully not entirely overheat. Head above water, shoulders below, Halo settled in to watch the world pass around her. She could sit comfortably here and do her best not to melt in the summer heat.

"Halo"

Life had been oh so tumultuous as of late. From coming all the way here to this new land, to meeting Hattori, to finally finding an in as to where their father might be, to so much more, Kuroo began to feel overwhelmed. After agreeing to join Hattori's band with his brother, Kuroo had excused himself for a little alone time. Some space would do him good to get his head straight. They were going to meet with their father for the first time in two years. That fact alone made him want to vomit. Somewhat shaky steps led him through the dense jungle that lined around the Rio Grande. A wide and fast-paced river with some shallow spots for swimming. Making his way toward the sound of rushing water, he tried to let his muscles relax under the warming sun from above. It did little to help as his mind raced back and forth on what exactly he was going to do with his life. Lost in thought, the mottled boy almost didn't notice the ivory female basking in the shallow depths. When he broke through the brush to greet the riverbank, he misstepped upon noticing the girl and nearly tumbled into the water. Skirting to a halt before he could crash into those chilly depths, he looked over to the girl with a curious look. "I suppose I'm not the only one with that idea today," he spoke in his lilted accent, still growing accustomed to the more common language in these parts. Giving his coat a shake to rid of the surprise he'd brought upon himself, Kuroo glanced over to the inviting river. "Hope you don't mind if I join," a smile broke across his lips then as he gave the girl some space and slid in to sit in the shallows to cool off his paws.

Comfortable. Every aspect of life in the Armada seemed comfortable... Halo felt like she was doing it wrong. In the environment that had raised her, she'd come to know hardship as a near constant friend. They were always scraping, preparing, saving, scrambling... all of it. Constantly doing, planning, setting things in motion. Even taking a spare few moments to escape the summer heat, as she did today, was considered time wasted. In the back of the pale creature's mind, she was wasting time. Ah yes, the passing things that the grey reminded her, and the thoughts that it would set in motion... spinning through her head. Even taking time to relax had Halo frowning upon herself.

Still, she wasn't left to her own thoughts long. A boy with a mottled coat, about her age. It seemed like she saw him long before he saw her, but that was okay. When his gaze finally hit Halo, though, he nearly went tumbling-- "Sorry," she called with a grimace. "I didn't mean to startle you." She shifted a bit up river, away from the boy, an effort to give him more space if he wanted it. Halo's tone was sheepish. "Please, do. It's getting awfully warm," her smile was gentle, though, and it played in her words as she spoke. For as awkward as the girl could be, at least she was genuine.

"I'm Halo," she offered, words soft. Friendly. Halo could do friendly, especially as she shared space within the cool water. For today, she could try her best to be comfortable in the company of others.

"Halo"

Slightly oblivious one could Kuroo as seen by his antics. Though he didn't mind it as life felt better when one wasn't wallowing and worrying all the time. Like Usagi. Sometimes Kuroo wished his brother would lighten up, but that was just the way he was. Gosh, he did miss his brother. Did he have attachments issues? Mm, who cared. Oh, the girl was talking and shifting in the water. Turning his face to watch her, he smiled. "You don't need to move, I don't bite," Kuroo exclaimed, his voice cheerful as usual when a sigh left his lips. The chilly waters dampening the lower half of his body did feel nice against the warm summer sun overhead. "I'm Shima Kuroo, but Kuroo works better," he said as his pale gaze lit up with interest. Noticing now as he finally took in the girl near him, he saw that she was also about his age and covered in an ivory coat with pretty purple eyes. She looked nice, Kuroo noted mentally as he dipped his muzzle just below the surface of the river. Forcefully pushing out air through his nose so that bubbles gurgled around his muzzle, he couldn't help but laugh. Pulling his face up as water drizzled from his whiskers, he tilted his head at the girl. "What brings you out here Halo? Anything aside from the hot sun?" His voice is curious and friendly, nothing too nosy. He had noticed a lingering pack scent on her but hadn't paid much mind to it. After all, he wasn't a threat to anyone.

Lately, wallowing and worrying were two of the things that Halo did best. Constantly caught up in the grey... it happened sometimes, okay? The grey itself was something she couldn't really combat, all she could do was live with it. Was it even that bad? Was she making it out to be much worse than it actually was? Maybe. Maybe she was just weak for not being able to deal with it. Weak... a little pathetic... heck. Was that what she'd been reduced to? Was that what she'd reduced herself to? If that was the case, she really didn't belong here, among the Armada.

No. No, she'd push that thought from her head. The grey wasn't going to win today. She was having a good day, and she'd keep having a good day, even if it was to spite herself. The man introduced himself, and Halo manages to catch what he says. Kuroo he was called. Kuroo he would be, then. "It's lovely to meet you, Kuroo." Halo smiled softly, unable to stifle a giggle as he blew bubbles in the slow moving river water. The girl willed herself to relax, and really, his company was proving to be pleasant enough.

"Ah, it seems that I'm not built so well for the heat, so I try to take a swim or a nap around this time every day." Was it too much information? Maybe. Still, Halo is prone to dumping information when she's nervous... and in social situations, she's usually nervous. "What about you?" There we go, much easier to talk about anyone other than herself. Halo is happy to put the spotlight on Kuroo.

"Halo"

He appreciates the giggle that he can get out of her. Really, he had noticed that she seemed a bit down so anything he could do to cheer her up helped him too. Smiling in a silly manner in her direction, he leans closer into the shallow end of the water. Feeling the drench of wetness cover his back, he lets out a sigh. "Both a nap and swim sound delightful," Kuroo murmurs as he rests his chin on the surface of the water. His eyes linger toward the depths as he notices some movement. Not surprised that there are fish nearby, he resists the urge to dart after him. Flicking an ear in her direction, he hums quietly for a moment. "I like to fish," he mentions with a bigger smile creeping over his features. "Usually spend my days near the water so I can get a bite to eat," the boy adds on as his gaze moves back over to the deeper ends of the river. It would be so easy to dive in and grab one or two, but he didn't want to be rude. "Do you like fish?" Kuroo asks as his gaze shifts back over to her.