slightly backdated shhh//

Halo's arrival on the Archipelago seemed to set off a chain reaction. Dread's companion taking off to let someone know she'd come, Dread himself appearing, no less than a couple pairs of gleaming eyes in the brush taking her in. A bit unsure of herself, but she knows trusts Dread. She trusts the Raiders, who have shown her and her children nothing other than kindness. Not only has she come with a bundle of the things Dread had traded for, there were gifts too.

Things from her stores, especially seeds that hadn't done well in the north. Things that had grown in her original garden, that would do much better at this latitude. Clay, supplemental materials for beadmaking, things that she'd taught some of the Raiders earlier in the summer. Herbs that may help with cough, tinctures, some of her dandelion mead, and some honey too. Still more supplies for Sakana as well... Halo had overdone it, a bit. In the interest of making sure that her gratitude was known, it seemed like no big deal.

It was Basil that went to fetch Modesty, letting her know that Halo had arrived. In the meantime, Halo and Dread would sit and talk happily. The young man proudly walked her around the treehouse, showing her the construction. He'd become something, and she couldn't be more proud of him.

"Halo"

   

Modesty had been expecting a visitor, so when the snow leopard came to fetch her (an odd sight in their tropical surrounds that could only belong to one among their ranks), she was sure he appreciated that she told him to rest in the shade for a bit. She made her way over to Dove Island, picking her way towards the treehouse her daughter and... future son in law? had built for themselves.

She still marveled at the construction that had sprung up in the canopy, and she could see the brilliance of it. There were no shortage of ground dwelling spiders and scorpions that skittered about in the leaf litter at night so this would offer some peace of mind in that regard. The roof of thatched leaves would keep them dry when the rains came the little half walls would keep them protected from the worst of the biting winds. It even looked like they were in the process of adding shutters that could be drawn to enclose the space for the upcoming winter. It warmed her heart to see progress being made that suggested permanence.

Modesty spotted who she supposed to be their guest and waved her tail in welcome. She wasn't sure if perhaps she had met the woman before, when she was very young and traipsing all over the Armada in the search of a perfect mud bath to share with Ophelia? “You must be Halo, welcome to Raider's Hollow.” She called out with a ready smile on her face. “I'm Modesty,” She introduced herself, “I believe Dread has very much been anticipating your visit.”

“Speech.”