River stepped beside Richard. A keen eye would notice a subtle change in her overall appearance since Halloween. It was the accumulation of very few very small changes. For example River began to spend a little more time in front of the mirror each morning, recalling how she had looked in the dress. She spent a little more time on her hair, and Caelum had kindly taught her how to make a 'french braid' which she was how she had fashioned her hair today. She did not throw away her four most ill fitting shirts, however, they had fallen out of circulation by the end of the semester. She had also picked up a chap-stick, no color mind you, but had developed a habit of using that one simple cosmetic daily.

She bent down to lean on the banister above the atrium, and gave Richard a through look-over. "It looks like you are ready for a break." Then she looked out to the street, the parade was passing by, she watched a 7th year Terra jump through a hoop of fire and vanish in the smoke. 

"I am too. I am eager for our trip. I've never been to the 'west coast', mot in North America anyhow." Ever since River had made friends here at NYAMA, she sometimes forgot she was a foreigner.  With her friends and family here in this bustling city, bouts of homesickness became less and less frequent. She wondered, if she did go back to Chile, if she would not be homesick for New York!

She looked away from the parade and back to Richard. He was not from New York Either. "Where have you traveled to?" She tried to make small talk while they waited for their third.