diligence 3

Bright light beamed down through the panes of glass which made up the greenhouse. It was set to the perfect temperature to host and grow the necessary plants for the cherubuns of Burrowgatory. Shengjiang had been here before, once to plant the seeds belonging to native heavenly plants, and the other to pick up a delivery of cherubic tea leaves for Dove. Both times were simple and, at the very least, entertaining. It gave Shengjiang something to do when he was in a particularly strong bout of art block. Besides, if his help contributed to fostering a good connection between succubuns and cherubuns, he was happy to do it. He figured that he may as well too, since he was one of the more well behaved succubuns that he knew.

He shaded his eyes from the light using his hand, looking around for Primrose. The cherubun wasn’t especially difficult to find, even with a lot of the surrounding environment being the same whites and pale yellows as his clothing and hair. Primrose was near one of the supply sheds, shuffling in and out, taking things out of the shed and leaving them on the floor right outside. Buckets, barrels, hoses, and watering cans. Nearby, Shengjiang could see several of the terracotta plant pots that he had planted seeds in the last time he was here. They looked to be doing well, to his surprise. He didn’t realize that he had even an ounce of luck or talent when it came to growing plants. Maybe he should set up some planters at his house, maybe Take-hime would thinks it’s pretty. He could even grow flowers that he could make bouquets out of for her. That would be quite-

“Hello? Did you come here to daydream, or to help?” Primrose called out, standing right in front of Shengjiang. The succubun jumped, startled.

“Sorry,” Shengjiang chuckled nervously, “I didn’t think you needed help right there, the shed isn’t big and uh, too many cooks ruins- what did you need help with, again?” The surprise caught Shengjiang off his game, having him fumble over his words in a manner which was quite rare to him.

“You’re going to water the plants.” Primrose said curtly. He shoved a watering can and a hose into Shengjiang’s hands. “We need to gather the water from the dew pond.”

With that, Primrose headed off to another part of the Embassy’s greenhouse. Shengjiang obediently followed, trying not to give Primrose a taste of his own attitude. The two walked until Primrose led Shengjiang to a small, shimmering pond. It almost looked like it had a slick layer of gold on top, shining brightly in the light.

“This is one of the natural ponds here,” Primrose took one end of the hose from Shengjiang and stuck it into the opening of the watering can. “The clouds that make up the Embassy’s ground filter the water so that it is usable on the plants here. The Burrowgatory’s water would kill them.”

Primrose carefully placed the other end of the hose into the pond. The water began flowing audibly into the watering can. The watering can got heavier and heavier in Shengjiang’s hands. Thankfully, he was strong enough to carry it. Primrose pulled the hose out of the pond as soon as the can was full, not a second later, wanting to make sure that none of the water was wasted.

“Go and water the plants that you planted. I’m going to stay here and fill barrels so the pond doesn’t overflow. I trust that you can handle that on your own?” Primrose looked at Shengjiang with a cocked eyebrow, almost like he was challenging him.

“Of course!” Shengjiang scoffed. Did Primrose really doubt succubuns that much? Obviously he could handle sprinkling some water over some plants. Now he had to make sure not to mess up. He couldn’t let one mistake mess up Primrose’s impression of all succubuns.

Shengjiang made his way over to the plants pots, ensuring not to slosh the water in the watering can around. He didn’t want to spill a single drop.

The seeds he buried in the soil had already begun to sprout, little green shoots poking up out of the dirt. Primrose had told him that they would sprout a little, then when they were big enough, they’d get transferred into the cloud soil that the Embassy as a whole sat on. They’d be kept in the greenhouse until they had a reason to be moved, or until they were eventually harvested.

The light brown soil grew darker as the special water was sprinkled onto it. Shengjiang vaguely wondered if the water would have an adverse reaction on his skin, with it being cherubic and him being a succubun. He hoped not, not that he was going to spill any anyways.

Each of the pots took the water well, and it wasn’t long before he was finished. Looking for Primrose, Shengjiang headed back towards the pond. He got there just in time to see the cherubun bending to pick up a heavy, water filled barrel. 

Primrose braced a hand on each side of the barrel and stood up straight, struggling with the weight. He had moved several of the barrels already, but the pond was especially productive this week and he wound up having to take more water out of it than he expected. His concentration slipped just for a second, and his left hand lost traction on the side of the barrel.

Luckily, Shengjiang was there in time to catch that side, albeit a bit clumsily. A little bit of the water sloshed out, but it’s better than losing all of it.

“Thanks,” Primrose maintained his carefully trained composure.

“No problem, where are we going with this?”

“To the nursery. It’s to my right, let’s go.”

The two of them took careful steps together, carrying the barrel to join the rest of them in the plant nursery. There were tons of little sprouts and saplings on trays, sitting on wire racks and other shelving units as they began to grow.

“Woah,” Shengjiang said as he put the barrel down with Primrose. 

“This is where the more fragile plants go.”

Shengjiang was amused at that. Of course Primrose hadn’t had him deal with fragile plants. Still, Shengjiang was glad that he was even allowed around this part of the greenhouse. The small pots had plants just now beginning to sprout, their leaves shimmering and golden. It really was quite a sight, one that Shengjiang wasn’t used to. He was surprised that Primrose was in charge of all of this, even with the enlistment of help. It looked like a lot to manage.

“You’re done for the day,” Primrose dusted his hands off, “You can leave. Thank you for the help.”

Shengjiang gave a pleased smile. That was the first thank you that had actually felt genuine coming from Primrose. 

“Let me know when you need something else.” Shengjiang said leaving with a cocky wink that he knew wouldn’t fluster Primrose in the slightest.

Damn, that cherubun really was immune to his charm. Seems like he’d just have to earn his trust the hard way, through work and dedication. He was excited for the challenge.