[Comm] Part 2

Ephemer looked out the window of the elevator tower, watching Burrowgatory get smaller and smaller as he headed towards the Heavenly Embassy. He’d received a message from Primrose - via a Cherubun that looked nervous to be down in Burrowgatory - that told Ephemer that the keeper of the Garden of Virtues had another task for him, and to head there as soon as possible. 

Ephemer couldn’t help but wonder what kind of task Primrose had for him today. Last time, he’d helped a Cherubun named Beanny plant some flowers in a greenhouse. That had been easy, and Beanny had such a cheerful (if a little off-putting, at first) personality that made it hard not to smile around them. 

There was a gentle ding sound as the elevator tower finally reached the bed of cloud that held up the Heavenly Embassy. The Cherubun in charge of the elevator at the moment smiled at him and wished him a good visit. Ephemer stepped out of the elevator, once again struck by how different the Embassy was from Burrowgatory below. The smells, the colours, even the overall energy in the air felt different. He shook his head a few times - focus, Ephemer - and headed towards the meeting place that had been detailed in the note he’d been given by the Cherubun messenger. 

Eventually he ended up at a greenhouse that looked just like all of the others, but Ephemer thought he could see the cool grey of statues inside the greenhouse. He was just about to reach for the door when it opened, and a familiar blonde Cherubun doll came out. 

“Oh, good morning Primrose!” 

“Hello. Ephemer, was it?” The Cherubun waited for Ephemer’s nod before continuing. “Thank you for being on time. I wish I could say the same for all Succubuns who made their way up here.” He cast a judgemental sideways look at a Succubun who was being escorted by another Cherubun into a different greenhouse. “Anyways, I suppose this means you got my message.”

“Yes! I have it here with me actually, just give me a -” 

“I don’t need it.” Primrose interrupted shortly. Only then did Ephemer realize that Primrose was holding out a small, unlabeled box. He held it out towards Ephemer, along with a small note that was taped onto the top. “Your task this time is to take this box and deliver it safely to the address on the note.”

Ephemer nodded, taking the box. He looked down at the address listed and furrowed his brow. “Um, this address is in Burrowgatory. Is that right?” 

Primrose sniffed. “Yes, unfortunately.” Ephemer wasn’t sure if the Cherubun was more offended by the fact itself or that Ephemer had questioned him at all. “For some reason Dove prefers living in Burrowgatory; they even live with a Succubun…” Primrose seemed to remember that he was actively talking to a Succubun and cut himself off. “Anyways, please take this package right away. Thank you.” He whirled around and went back into the greenhouse. 

Ephemer blinked, and blinked again. “I… Okay.” He glanced down at the box in his hands, sighed softly, and turned to head back down to Burrowgatory. 

~ 

Is this the place…? Ephemer double checked the written address, then looked back up at the building. He raised a fist and knock knock knocked. To his surprise, a somewhat familiar Envy bun opened the door. “Jackal?” 

She raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down. “Ephemer, right? ‘Sup?” 

“I… Sorry I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” He held up the box. “I have something from the Heavenly Embassy for - “ Ephemer’s sentence faded out as he realized he didn’t remember what name Primrose had said. 

Jackal stared at him a moment longer before looking over her shoulder back into the house and calling out for somebody within. “Dove? There’s somebody here for you.” 

Dove! Right. 

A small doll seemed to float out of the darkness. This Cherubun, who must be Dove, looked serene and gentle, their pale blue hair shining under the delicate light streaming from their halo. Basically, they were the visual opposite of Jackal.

“Hi!” They greeted him with a smile, and waited. 

“Hi, my name is Ephemer. Primrose, I -” He held up the box again. “Primrose told me to bring this to you.” 

“Oh?” They reached out, and Ephemer handed it over. Dove opened the top, revealing several jars of leaves. “My tea!” They looked back up at Ephemer, eyes shining with excitement. “Would you like to come in and try some?” 

“Ah, that’s okay, I don’t want to intrude.” 

Dove tipped their head. “It’s not intruding if I invite you, right? And besides, its the least I can do after you brought them all this way! Please?” They peered up at him with earnest eyes. 

How can I say no to them?

Jackal smirked down at him, as if she could hear his thoughts, and silently stepped out of the way, holding the door open for him to come in. 

“Okay,” Ephemer relented. “I can stay for a little while.” 

“Great!” Dove chirped, all but dancing back down the front hallway, turning into a room that must’ve been the kitchen. 

Jackal gestured at Ephemer to follow, so he did. Their house was cozy, and it looked like most of the decorations had been picked out by Dove. The kitchen was small, but clean, and Dove opened one of the cupboards to reveal a collection of tea cups. Another glance back at him, and Dove picked out a cup with the same soft colours as his hat. 

“So,” Dove started as they began to fill a pot with water. “How did you meet Primrose?” 

“Oh, he offers these… quests to Succubuns as a chance to… prove our ‘diligence’? This is my second time helping him.”

Dove raised an eyebrow at Jackal, and then the two laughed. Dove immediately waved their hands in a warding gesture. “Sorry, sorry, not laughing at you! I just know how Primrose is.” They offered him another smile, this one encouraging. “Don’t get too caught up in how he talks, Prim is a good person. I know you have what it takes to impress him.” 

Jackal moved into the kitchen, reaching over Dove to take down a dark green teacup that matched her horns. “Good luck, though. You might need it.”