[ooc: returning Ursa after this thread]

Sakana and his little helper had done a bit more gathering together and talking about plants before he determined it was getting too late to risk bringing the Armada down on his ass anymore. They made their way north of the falls to the woods with their strange staircase like branches and the brown wolf stopped as if he had hit a brick wall. He wasn't about to add trespassing to his list of transgressions today, no matter how much he really wanted to see the garden the young pup had described. “You'd best be getting home now an', oh, take these,” He pulled out a cloth with some seeds he had gathered from the east, mostly from Sea's Plain. “Maybe some of them will grow in your garden, now git.” He said the latter with a smile, shooing the girl over the invisible line and holding his place until he could be sure that she wouldn't turn about and try to wander off again. Kids.

“Speech”

Ursa was growing braver. Though Mr. Raccoon had been quick to tattle, the spring days were relatively safe. She wouldn't clip the girl's wings, at least metaphorically. A little confidence building would do her well, and Halo's companion had been quick to scamper back after her, watching at a distance. If anything was well and truly wrong, Halo would know quickly enough.

The thing that surprised her, as the child slipped back into the woods, was her additional companion. Small by most standards, but larger than Halo. There's a certain clean smell that catches the breeze as she draws closer, along with the salt air... Raiders, but this one didn't seem so bad. Jogging around the long way (it really did pay off to know the woods) so Ursa could think she'd gone unseen, Halo follows after him until they're out of earshot. "I-- sorry," she hadn't planned what she'd say to the man. "Thank you for bringing her home." She hadn't missed the exchanged parcel, though she didn't know what was inside it.

"I'm sorry if she um, derailed your day." A sheepish smile, too. While Halo wanted to encourage her confidence, she also doesn't want to be it to anyone else's detriment. They were worries she would keep to herself, locked away, fearful she'd give her own children more of her own anxieties. This leads them to slip out more when she's in the company of adults alone, more than she means... oh.

"Halo"

Sakana had turned to leave when the voice called out behind him. Ears falling flat and tail tucking instinctively, he turned to see... Well, he didn't expect that. It was the first... no second, that raid on the bamboo had bee the first time, that he had met someone smaller than him that wasn't a child. His tail began to tentatively wave low between his legs. It didn't seem like she meant him any harm, so he tentatively inched upwards, head canting at her apology. The woman didn't look old enough to be the girls mother, maybe some sort of older sister or guardian then? They did have the same eyes, after all. “She was no trouble, it was actually nice to have someone to talk to about plants for a change. She helped me gather some supplies for my...” Well Modesty wasn't exactly his friend, but it seemed easier than getting into specifics “Friend. She's been unwell with a cough she can't shake for a long while now.” He hoped that put the other wolf at ease, if nothing else.

“Speech”

He startles in much the same way she would have. Halo lowered her head a bit, peering at the man with a kind smile playing on her lips. "It's okay, no one is going to hurt you." She speaks softly, gently. This was technically enemy territory for him, she couldn't imagine how that could feel. As she comes to rest at a respectable distance, Halo watches as he begins to relax, if marginally.

"I'm glad, she loves plants. Me too, actually." She gave a soft, albeit a bit awkward giggle. Plants are among her favorite things, after all. Ursa gets that from her. The thought of the cough troubled her, though. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Peering gently after the man, heart soft. She knew how the herb hunting could be, especially for a condition so chronic.

"S-sorry, n-not to be rude. I'm Halo, the Armada's healing specialist. If there's any way I can help, please, it's the least I can do." The pale girl offered a little smile. Genuine. All of her is genuine.

"Halo"