They left the dishes to soak because the sink would still be there later, and because people who plan to do a second round of work do not waste energy cleaning plates the same minute they eat.
They pulled on yard clothes. Everly tied a ribbon around her wrist for a small piece of color on a day that did not ask for any.
Evelyn tucked her hair back and touched her ribs the way someone checks a door latch. Nothing hurt.
Ethan rolled his shoulder once and listened for the single, familiar click that served as a warning to behave.
Outside, the sparring ground looked like a park designed by someone who valued function over drama. The mats still held the warmth from the sun's first hour.
Target posts blinked on with low light that did not show off. A quiet crowd had already sorted itself into corners. One group was practicing breath counts.
