I spent the winter writing songs about getting better

A new healer.  Halo found the excitement in her chest at war with the nerves that came with meeting anyone new.  Excited to have another healer to help cut down some of the work, but what if it was Aris all over again?  What if they didn't like her?  What was she going to do then?  No, she couldn't think like that.  Even if they didn't like her, it wasn't Halo's business. She was in charge of the healers. She had to be a good leader, whether they liked her or not.

Carefully, she laid out different tasks for the newcomer. On the table at the center of her den, she laid a selection of herbs-- some common, some not so much. She pursed her lips, thinking for a long moment before grabbing a few ornamental plants and grasses as well. Not only a red herring, but if they didn't recognize them, Halo would learn how they delt with having to ask for help.

Once the first task was set up, she dragged out materials for the second. Splinting materials, various bits and bobs to pack and bandage a wound, and a random assortment of useful things from around the den. Even though she didn't always know exactly why she kept some of these things, they typically eventually served a purpose. Satisfied with her handiwork, Halo moved to her own doorway.

A sweet, melancholy call for the new healer rang out-- Halo's typical fashion. If they didn't appear soon enough, she'd send Mr. Raccoon and Dread to go find her. For now though, this would do. She sat beside the cheerful, crackling firepit outside her door with her little raccoon friend and waited patiently.

"Halo"