Cleaning day (?)

[time to start cleaning then. is there a lot that needs to be done? where do you think is the best place to start?]

[is everyone helping or are some of your loomies skipping out on cleaning duty and sleeping somewhere?]

Horsey had woken up excited that morning, looking forward to tidying up the farm with his people, Doug and Tal. It had gotten a little overrun by vines for the winter, so they had to get started quick if they were gonna get it all done.

About a half-hour into cleaning, however, Doug and Tal started talking in hushed voices. They already had a pile of vine-filled trashbags, but they weren't even close to being done. This wasn't good! Horsey galloped over to hear what they're saying.

"I saw someone coming down the sidewalk. You don't think..?"

Doug was obviously panicking. "Got one of them' phone calls, again. I think them government people are back after me, Tal."

Tal was equally as worried. "Yeah, yeah. Go hide, i'll, uhh.. I'll distract 'em. You went and turned me into your little accomplice, huh?"

Doug chuckled a little, and kissed his cheek. "Yep. Yer stuck with me, now. I'll see ya."

And off they went. Douglas, with his service loomie's help, hopped into the barn and hid in the hayloft. Tal closed up the hayloft's gate for him and returned to Horsey. What?? They only just started, and Doug was already skipping out?? Horsey huffed to himself, knowing that they definitely wouldn't be finishing this in one day, with Doug out of commission.

"I know you're upset, Horsey, but we gotta do somethin' important. We'll take over for now." Tal ushered Horsey to continue their vine-chopping escapades.

They were able to get two more trash bags full of vine pieces before a pair of women showed up to the fence gate. When Horsey noticed them, he galloped over immediately. If he could get their help to clean, they'd get done so fast! But when he saw how nervous Tal was, he became a little apprehensive. He waited for Tal at the fence and stuck close to him.

"Ladies!" Tal said, smiling and leaning on the fence. "What can I do ya for this fine evening?"

the first woman, Loreli, stared at him pointedly. "It's noon." Tal's smile faltered a little, and he stammered an apology over the mistake. "We're looking for a certain James Proton. He is wanted for tax fraud and money laundering. You happen to know him?"

Tal shook his head. "Nope."

The second, Monet, looked skeptical. "What about Douglas Dimmadome? That is his false identity. You wouldn't happen to know Douglas Dimmadome, would you?"

Tal whistled lowly, pretending to think. "Mmmnnnnnope. None that I've heard of."

Neither of them were amused. "Unless you are also visually impaired, I can see his service animal right there," Monet said, and pointed into the farmyard, where, sure enough, Whiskey was nibbling at the vines to pull them down. Tal broke into a sweat.

"Er. Uh. Actually, that's my good friend Jordan's loomie. I'm just borrowing him to do some yard work, is all. " He paused, looking this way and that. "Yep. Just some yard work." Horsey could tell this was a tense conversation. The heavier and heavier the atmosphere seemed to get, more he lowered his ears. Tal's explanation didn't seem to sate the two women, since they only scowled and narrowed their eyes at him. A long, awkward pause drifted between the three of them.

"May we come in? Take a look around? We could help with your yard work." Loreli said, breaking the silence.

"I don't need any help. You gotta warrant to come on in here?" Tal snipped. There was another long pause. Monet sighed roughly.

"No, sir. Let's go, Lorie. No use with this one." She said, and turned around. Loreli said her polite goodbyes, and followed her partner.

Tal waved them goodbye as they left for the day. Horsey looked up to Tal. He was disappointed at their missed opportunity for extra help, but was getting excited to start the yardwork again. If they were quick, maybe they'd get it all done, after all!

---

With Whiskey, Doug, and Tal helping, Horsey was able to get the vines all cleared that evening. He kicked and whinnied excitedly as he helped bring the trash bags to the forest for compost. It was always exciting to get things done, even when Doug had to escape from some of his past shenanigans.

Well, Horsey thought, coming back into the farm after their long day of work. What would be their focus for tomorrow?

Maybe it would be cleaning up Doug's record. But honestly, Horsey doubted it.