diligence 2

Shengjiang fiddled with the small wooden box that he carried in his hands. He had seen Primrose pack it personally, taking leaves off of drying racks and sheets to fill the box. Shengjiang did not even need to ask for an explanation before Primrose introduced him to the art of Cherubun tea leaves. 

The tea plants were unlike anything that Shengjiang had seen before. He was familiar with tea, and the tea leaves that grew in Burrowgatory, but these looked different. The leaves were softer and greener than what Shengjiang was used to, and they emitted a fainter and more delicate scent.

Some of the dried tea leaves got scooped into a small twist top jar, and some were placed into little sachets. Each item was carefully put into the wooden box, the jar laid on the right side, and the sachets sitting in rows on the left. 

“Don’t lose it.” Primrose pushed the box into Shengjiang’s hands. The wood was a dark, warm color, like mahogany. Shengjiang could only assume that this box belonged to either the embassy, Primrose, or Dove themself, and it was constantly shuttled back and forth between the garden and the recipient.

Shengjiang had a duty, and he wouldn’t let them down! 

Getting to Dove and Jackal’s place wasn’t difficult, given Shengjiang’s familiarity with the layout of Burrowgatory. He weaved through the city effortlessly, making note of the cafes that were on the way and thinking about how he would pick up a sweet treat from one on the way back. While he moved, he inspected the box.

It had small gold embellishments at certain places, like the corners, and the latch which kept the lid secured to the body of the box. Shengjiang dealt with antiques on occasion, and he wouldn’t exactly claim that this was an heirloom, but it was probably something at least a little bit special to somebody. There were fine scratches and little marks where the box was obviously used, or possibly dropped. He wondered if it might belong to Jackal, if it was for something else and is now being used for Primrose to give tea to Dove. Shengjiang wouldn’t put it past the envy bun to do such a thing. The bond between Jackal and Dove was apparent, even if Jackal had such a mean looking exterior, she obviously had a soft spot for Dove.

Shengjiang had gone to Jackal’s house to assist with something before, and the environment was… not particularly welcoming. It was dark, and only very sparsely decorated. Shengjiang hoped that he would be able to just hand the tea leaves off at the door, and he wouldn’t have to go inside.

He arrived and gave a few knocks on the door. He waited patiently with the box in his hands for someone to come and answer.

To his surprise (delight, maybe) Dove was the one to answer, not Jackal. In fact, he didn’t even know if Jackal was home at the moment. He didn’t see her looming behind Dove.

“Delivery from Primrose.” Shengjiang held out the box with a friendly smile on his face, though the look Dove gave him was far warmer than anything Shengjiang could possibly muster.

“Thank you!” They graciously accepted the box, “You came all this way, would you at least like to try some?” Dove stepped aside and went into the home, leaving the door open behind them for Shengjiang to follow along.

There was a part of Shengjiang that wanted to say no, solely for wanting to avoid whenever Jackal came home. He knew that she tended to vet the buns that Dove associated with. Yet, Shengjiang couldn’t turn the offer down, not when Dove looked so sincere about it.

“Of course,” Shengjiang stepped in. Dove was already putting a kettle on the stove and taking out small teacups and a teapot. 

“The embassy’s tea is just so unlike anything here.” Dove spoke, half to themself and half to Shengjiang. “I’d hate for you to have done such a favor and not even get to try any!”

“Oh, well, it really wasn’t much trouble!” Shengjiang knew quite a number of the buns in Burrowgatory, but given that Dove was so new here, he wasn’t familiar with them. They looked so soft and gentle, and Shengjiang knew that he himself had a gentle touch and he was able to converse with most anybody, but something about Dove made him feel like he had to protect them. He understood why Jackal behaved the way she did.

Dove filled the teapot and brought it over to where Shengjiang was leaning against the breakfast bar-like counter. He simply felt too out of place to take a seat on one of the stools. The small paper label hung out of the top of the teapot, attached to a fine string and blowing in the gentle draft inside the home.

The aroma was truly unique. It almost made Burrowgatory tea seem musky by comparison. This one was fresh and ripe in a way that reminded Shengjiang of a delicate peach. Dove hummed as they brought over the two teacups on two porcelain saucers.

“I hope you’ll let me return the favor,” Shengjiang chuckled.

“Goodness, this is me returning the favor to you!” Dove gave a light giggle and looked into the opening of the teapot, judging the color of the brew so far. “Though of course, I couldn’t stop you if you wanted to.”

Shengjiang already had the perfect idea; a new teapot! It wouldn’t be overly difficult to make, and he was sure that Dove would appreciate the gesture.

Dove put a delicate hand on top of the teapot lid and tipped it over each of the cups, letting the tea flow into the teacups. Shengjiang was amazed at the almost shimmering nature of the liquid, and it smelled amazing in a way that warmed something in his belly. 

“Now be careful, it’s hot.” Dove smiled, then blew gently on their own cup of tea. Shengjiang mirrored the action, taking in the scent up close.

It wasn’t long before the tea was finally cool enough to sip, and Shengjiang was finally able to taste. The warmth flowed over his tongue, coating it in a gentle sweetness. From the smell, Shengjiang would have thought that it would be a lot stronger, more overpowering, but it was delicate. Soft, yet complicated. It was perfect.

“What do you think?” Dove asked.

“It’s wonderful.” Shengjiang had to restrain himself from gulping it all down and letting it burn his throat. 

He took his time and sipped his tea with Dove simply enjoying their company and learning more about where they came from. Shengjiang filled Dove in about the softer parts of Burrowgatory, the ones that Jackal didn’t often find herself around. Since Jackal didn’t know much of the cafes, the hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the public parks, she couldn’t have possibly told Dove about it.

“You should show Jackal some of these places,” Shengjiang mentioned, “I know that her scene is usually bars, but she might like something a little nicer.”

Dove nodded enthusiastically, their white hair bobbing with the motion. Shengjiang went to take another sip of tea, only to find his cup empty.

“Aw,” He pouted, “I guess that’s my sign that I have to get going.” He set the cup gently back onto the saucer and took a small step away from the counter.

“Really?” Dove asked, “If you really have to go, then we should meet up sometime soon! Me and Jackal could use a guide to explore the artsy part of Burrowgatory!”

“Of course,” Shengjiang grinned at the cherubun. “That sounds lovely.”

He stepped out of Dove and Jackal’s home, no longer planning on getting a small treat on the way home, but definitely planning to ask Primrose if he could buy some tea leaves off of him later.