there's something about weeknights in the suburbs

It was hot. Halo was more than ready for summer to fade away, honestly. She needed it to. The heat that seemed to come on every single day made her sleepy and uncomfortable, feeling a bit like she was suffocating under her pale coat. Today especially, it seemed to be unseasonably warm. Usually hiding out inside her den was enough to keep her cool, but it didn't seem like that would do for today. Still, there was too much for her to get done, too many things on her to-do list to justify just going for a swim. She couldn't rest when her head was too busy.

Well, at least she could take her dishes to wash. Halo would carefully move from her den to the Rio Grande, bucket of smaller dishes hanging from her jaws. By her side, Mr. Raccoon clutched the larger jar that she usually used for tea. Once it was clean inside, they could fill it with water before returning. That seemed reasonable enough. Really, she couldn't be more pleased that she'd taken Sedna's advice and acquired herself a companion. Not only was he helpful, his presence seemed to help with the lonesomeness that seemed to creep in more often than Halo liked to admit.

Setting the bucket down in the grass on the river bank, she picked up the first of the dishes, handing a bowl to Mr. Raccoon as well. Best to get started, right? To the water's edge she made her way, being careful to tuck herself into the shade cast by the sparse trees near the riverbank. From there, she dunked the vessel into the river, scrubbing at the various bits of crushed herbs that had dried to the inside.

"Halo"