Once the key was produced, the move in happened quickly enough. They had both travelled light; a habit Nanao had fallen into when she first started in the business and never really fallen out of. She had clothes, all the standard kit normally used  in the trade and enough books to last her the trip but not much else. There were few bags and plenty of stuff that could be left in the van. She suspected they wouldnât get to the gardens for a while, no matter how dishevelled it looked, if that sky was anything to go by
They stepped through the door, bags placed on the parquet flooring, and taking in the surroundings for the first time. It was surprisingly well care for considering. Nanao had been given the impression thereâd been a small gap between them arriving and the last inhabitants moving out, although you wouldnât have known that. A fine layer of dust had settled over most furnishings on the ground floor, suggesting a little neglect but less than Nanao was expecting. Compared to the outside, the work needed here was limited. She wrinkled her nose, frowning, deciding the last occupants couldnât have been gone long. Â
âWhen did you say the owners moved out?â
She rolled back her shoulders, slipping off her coat and hanging it on the end of the Bannister and slipping off her shoes. She didnât have time to pause before Akon was on the move and, keen to explore, Nanao followed him up the stairs. The main part of the house was deceptively spacious and Nanao couldnât help but marvel a little as they made their way through the upper rooms, finishing finally in the master suite. It was an impressive room  - probably the most impressive out of all the houses theyâd worked on together and it took Nanao a moment to properly take it all in.
Her eyes followed him to the bed, arms crossed â expression a little stern but warm enough, Â humming non committedly and smiling reflexively back in return. Theyâd worked together a long time, and sheâd always be fond of his sense of humour. She placed her bag down, passively staking a claim to what had to be the biggest bedroom in an already big place and settled on the bed, watching him marvel at their surroundings. She wondered if all the reception rooms were this neat; there was less dust here, the distinct air of care carrying over from the downstairs rooms.
âWe have timeâ she said, eyes drifting to the window âTheyâve hired us for a long time considering the state of the place and how far out of the way it isâŠâ
She turned back to him, glad this was one job she hadnât been sent on alone
âApparently, according to the locals, the owners usually got cut off here for weeks at a time when the snow hitâ
âYeah, thatâs what Iâve heard as well.â
Akon flopped backwards onto the bed, relaxing for a few moments as he stared at the intricately-adorned ceiling. A soft smile played on his lips.
âI think the owners have been gone a week, maybe a bit more. Not gonna lie, I didnât know what to expect. But it looks like this will mostly be upkeep. More like a vacation for the next couple of months, right?â
He propped himself up and rolled his neck.
âLetâs check out the rest of the house; I wanna know exactly what we are in for here. And definitely take stock of the food; they said they left enough for us, but I donât wanna end up starving to death in a blizzard!â
