[Gift] Wreath Workshop

“And who in the heck says I can’t use cactuses for a wreath?!”

Hands on their hips, Robertus stood in front of a worktable littered with small potted cacti. Eager to decorate their apartment with something other than their indoor farm, they had signed up for a ‘How to Make a Wreath’ workshop hosted by Primrose and Beanny. The two cherubun hosts stood across the worktable from them, sporting expressions that contrasted each other so greatly that they could’ve been confused for the tragedy and comedy masks.

“I say so!” Primrose puffed out, absolutely exasperated. “Cacti has absolutely nothing to do with cherubun culture!” He crinkled his nose down at the spiky plants. “Ugly, garish, hateful little things…!”

“It does say on the fliers that other plants can be used. We never specified heavenly meadow plants, Burrowgatory plants are fair game,” Beanny chimed in, holding one of the mentioned fliers and smiling wryly at Primrose's completely unnecessary intensity.

Primrose scoffed. “Holy holly is the only proper way to make a wreath. May I remind you that the fliers only say that because you kept badgering me to add it?”

Beanny held up the flier to the other cherubun and waved it back and forth. “Still says it, though. Doesn't matter how it got there, gotta stick to what we promised, right?”

Primrose sharply inhaled through his nose, trying desperately to center himself. Unfortunately, him doing so gave Robertus plenty of time to speak up.

“That bun over there isn't using holly—Ma’am!” 

They waved to get the attention of Cinnamon, a bun who was working on her wreath nearby. 

“Huh? Oh! Um, yes?” Cinnamon responded, stopping her wreath-making. 

Robertus gave a wide, friendly smile; they would’ve tipped their hat if they had one. “‘Scuse me, Miss. What's that pretty little plant you're working with there?”

Smiling back, Cinnamon held up her unfinished wreath. The leaves were heart-shaped and tinted gently with a pink hue. “This is a succulent called string of hearts! Isn't it precious?”

“It sure is! Thank ya kindly, that was all I needed.” Robertus turned back to Primrose, their demeanor shifting like a cozy fireplace blazing into a raging inferno. “Now you listen here! If succulents are allowed, then I'll tell ya right now cactuses are one of ‘em!”

“It does not matter what botanical classification they are!” Primrose shot back. “Using puncturing plants like these for a wreath is unseemly! Not to mention virtually impossible!”

“Unfortunately, he does have a point at that last part there,” Beanny said as they took a closer look at the cacti, daring to give them a little poke between their needles. “These plants are very waxy and rigid. Needles aside, you're gonna have a hard time getting them to bend into a wreath shape. Trust me, if it was feasible, I’d be all for it, but this just isn't gonna work.”

Defeated, Robertus’ arms dropped to their sides. “...I reckon so. Poor little guys would just snap, wouldn't they? I don't wanna do that to ‘em.”

“Wonderful,” Primrose began, voice dripping with a viscous concoction of annoyance that this was taking so long and relief that things were starting to actually progress, “Bundles of holy holly and sheets of written instructions are over on that table. Please let either of us know if we can clarify anything or help in any way.”

Robertus looked over at the holly, and the face they made said it all. Primrose loudly exhaled while Beanny struggled to resist cracking up.

“What is it now?” Primrose asked, dismayed.

Robertus scratched the back of his head. “Holy holly’s nice an’ all, but… it ain't me. I wanna show my support for the cherubuns, but I want my wreath to feel like mine, too.”

Back straightened in an attempt to be literally high-and-might, Primrose held up a finger and spoke in his usual sanctimonious tone. “You should note that this isn't about you. It's about honoring-”

“I think it's great that you're trying to express your individuality and blending it with our traditions!” Beanny chimed in, flashing a smile at Robertus before looking over at the other cherubun. “Isn't this what we wanted? For succubunkind and cherubunkind to harmonize?”

“...I do not recall that being our goal specifically. My understanding was that we are celebrating and honoring cherubun culture in all its purity.” Primrose looked down at one of the fliers, eyes catching on an illustration printed on it depicting cherubuns and succubuns alike making wreaths with jolly expressions. “...However, harmony is certainly not a poor sentiment to incorporate into a wreath. It is a rather virtuous idea for a succubun to honor.” With a quick clearing of the throat, the Embassy head looked back up at Robertus. “Very well. I am in support of you expressing yourself through another plant, as long as it is not cacti.”

Having eavesdropped on the conversation ever since Robertus grabbed her attention, Cinnamon chipped in her own thoughts on the matter. “I think using a Burrowgatory plant in a cherubmas wreath is a beautiful way to depict harmony and goodwill between us! Here!” She began rummaging through her bag. “I couldn't decide whether I wanted to use variegated or non-variegated string of hearts, so I brought bundles of both! You can use the non-variegated one, if you think it suits you!”

Upon seeing the cute green plant, Robertus let out a long whistle. “I like it! Thank ya very much, Miss!” Taking it in their hands, Robertus gently rubbed one of the heart-shaped leaves in between their fingers. “How’d you manage to get this approved by him?”

Cinnamon giggled. “I told him it could symbolize the virtue of benevolence! Y’know, with all the hearts!”

After a good, hearty laugh, Robertus walked over to their worktable, passing by an extremely displeased-looking Primrose.

Although they only loosely followed the written instructions and unrequested verbal corrections, Robertus crafted a wreath that looked rather nice.

Hanging it up on their wall back in their apartment, Robertus knew that anytime they’d look at it, they’d remember the good times that can be shared between all kinds of buns, angelic or demonic.