Submission (#3648) Approved

Nono was happy to wake up and know that he had nothing planned for the day. He just wanted to stay under his cozy blankets a little bit longer and listen to the sounds coming from outside. It was finally getting warm enough to sleep with his window open and let fresh air inside. He could hear the birds outside and the wind catching some leaves and blowing them over the stone paths. Nono let out a happy sigh and rolled over onto his other side when suddenly his bedroom door burst open.
“Morning, sleepyhead!”
He didn’t have any time to react before his sister Kiki jumped up onto the bed and started shaking him.
“How long are you planning on sleeping in? We already have breakfast ready!”
Nono let out a groan and pushed Kiki back so she would stop trampling on his tail.
“But it’s the weekend… just let me sleep a bit longer.”
Not that he could fall asleep again after all this ruckus. But he could try at least, right?
“Exactly, it’s the weekend! No time for sleeping! Besides, Auntie asked us to help clean up.”
Nono let out another groan before rolling back to face Kiki. He yawned and rubbed over his face before looking towards his energetic sister. As bad as he wanted to stay in bed, the prospect of breakfast was really tempting, especially as he could smell the delicious scent of fresh bread slowly wafting into the room. And he really couldn’t say no to their Auntie… It was nice to stay with her while they figured out what was going on with their parents. How could he decline her small wish?

Well, the wish wasn’t quite as small as it turned out. Bellies full with breakfast Nono and Kiki were staring in shock at the little shed. It was right next to a big tree and covered in vines. It was so small that Nono hadn’t really noticed it until yet. But this was ridiculous! How could so much stuff fit into this small space?
“We are supposed to clean all that?”
Now even Kiki sounded a bit unsure and didn’t seem quite as eager to start as she was before. Nono leaned forwards and peered into the shed.
“Well… she did say to get out the garden furniture so we could sit outside.”
Kiki snorted at that and rolled her eyes.
“What garden? We are in Enmir. There is no garden here, just swamp.”
Nono opened his mouth to argue but he couldn’t really think of anything. He did miss playing around in big grass and flower fields if he was being honest. But he didn’t want to insult their Aunties home after she opened it up to them to stay. And there was a little bit of grass here as well, just… not that much. It was mostly earth and finely lined stone paths that kept the swamp away from the wooden houses.
“Well… it could be nice to be outside and maybe set up little frog traps here? Or we could watch the fireflies!”
He tried hies best to get his sister excited again but Kiki was still frowning.
“But trapping frogs is best done further into the swamp! And fireflies! And fish!”
Nono sighed. He couldn’t really argue with it.
“But Auntie can’t go that far, right? So we can do it here with her together.”
That seemed to brighten Kikis mood and she nodded excitedly before biting into his ear.
“I know why I keep you around!”
“Ouch! Stop that!”
Nono pouted but couldn’t help but grin, his sisters smile was just always making him happy as well.
“Okay, then get cleaning. Where even are those garden furniture pieces?”
“No idea, but we will find them.”

It took quite a while to get everything out of the shed. They found a lot of odd things that Nono didn’t have any idea what they did. He thought he saw some old alchemy equipment and maybe a falcon glove but he wasn’t quite that sure. But among the mess there were three foldable garden chairs, even if one had kind of wobbly legs. They even found a grill and were already planning on making a big barbecue. What was maybe most surprising was an old easel and dried up paint brushes though. Their Aunt really didn’t seem like the type that enjoyed painting so Nono and Kiki were wondering who those belonged to. They also found some old blankets and lamps. Nono thought those would be great to put in the garden and maybe attract some night bugs with, but Kiki wanted to tape them together into a big lamp to venture out into the swamp again. Last time they got interrupted by a storm so surely a big double lamp would help them find their way back even in the worst of weathers! Nono was less impressed with that idea, especially because he already saw himself having to carry the double-lamp while Kiki did nothing. Or ‘finding the way’ as she wanted to explain her role in just running ahead without him.
“I think we just need to wash the chairs and then we’re good to go, right? Or did she talk about anything else?”
“I don’t think so. We could take these raincoats though. Maybe we can tie those over some big tree branches and get a kind of raft?”
Of course Kikis mind was already occupied with the next adventure…
“I’m not sure that would float. And we got another problem before I can let you loose on Enmirs hidden secrets again.”
“Oh yeah? What problem?”
“We still have to put everything else back into the tiny shed.”
Kiki looked around the big pile and groaned.