Monthly Extra: Spring Cleaning (nonbinary Keo)

"I have got to stop buying blankets at every market I go to," I complain, holding up a small woven cloth in the most garish shade of red I've ever seen. "I mean look at this."

I toss it over my shoulder and hear a soft impact as Keo catches it in one hand. "It isn't so bad," they hum, looking it over in their grasp as I turn to argue.

"Then you decorate with it," I challenge. "Want it in your living room?"

Keo adds it to the discard pile without another word, and I stifle a laugh. "You know," they say as they crouch beside me to dig through the box I've pulled from my closet, "you wouldn't have this problem if you dressed appropriately for the weather."

"So many of the festivals start before it gets cold," I protest. "How am I supposed to remember that by the time it's midnight I'll be freezing? It's so hot during the day!"

"You've lived in a desert your entire life," they say, trying and failing to hide their amusement. "Is this the Enalan in you coming out?"

"Maybe," I snort as I pull a nicer piece of material out of the box. It's a soft light blue with golden thread at the edges. "Hey, I was joking before but this one might actually suit your living room. Want it? If it doesn't work out you can give it to someone else. I think Tiane might go for it."

"I like it. Thank you," they fold it up carefully, placing it on my bed to take home later.

"Anything for my favorite agent," I joke. "I wish I had that thing you've got, where you never seem to get cold. The coin I would've saved..." I stare at a misshaped poncho in black, pink, and orange. "Really, the mind reels," I mutter.

"Lono might like that one," they comment, placing a kiss on my temple as they reach over my shoulder to lift it from the box. "Children's toys always come in bright colors - they might find this nice."

I place my hands on my knees and stand up, stretching. "If you say so," I reply doubtfully, raising my arms over my head and letting out a contented sigh at the movement. When Keo slips their hands around my waist I smile and let my hands fall to their shoulders. "But if my little sibling develops a terrible taste in fashion, I'm blaming you."

"Speaking of your family," they glance in the direction of my bedroom's window, gauging the height of the sun, "we should probably leave now, if we're to make it to Sena's and back before dinner. Unless you've changed your mind on what to bring."

"Nah," I shake my head and reluctantly step out of their arms. "I already told them I'd bring some of her cafe's pastries. If we show up without them there'll be tears - we've definitely got to make it to Sena's before she closes."

"Then lead the way."