[Comm] [PURSUIT OF DILIGENCE] Of Patience and Thanks

Footfalls hit the ground, a steady beat matching the quickened fluttering of a heartbeat and the steady deep breaths that came with running and the gentle, musical tinkling of the bell around their neck. The light chiffon layer of Dove's over-skirt danced with the movement, catching the bioluminescence, creating an illusion of moving water, almost a trick of the light as they weaved through the burrows, knowing Andromeda was waiting for them at the Heavenly Embassy.

They hadn't meant to be running late, and didn't want to leave their friend waiting too long, especially as Andromeda couldn't really start without them. It didn't take long for the familiar shape of the clouds the Embassy rested atop to come into view, and Dove was able to relax, slowing their steps to a brisk pace now, evening out their breath and taking a moment to straighten their skirt and fix a silvery-white lock of their fringe into its rightful place, and as soon as the star motes that surrounded Andromeda came into focus, Dove smiled a greeting, waving as they closed the distance.

Andromeda might not the be the most likely to be described as patient in Burrowgatory, but it was still a skill he had finessed and honed, and truthfully, a moment or two to wait for his companion to join him allowed him a moment to admire his surroundings, which was never a bad thing.

A glimmer in the corner of his eye alerted him to Dove's approach. They'd clearly been running. Andromeda let his gaze soften, echoing the smile given to him, shaking his head a little at the sight.

"Right on time!"

"Oh, don't tease me, Andromeda."

"I'm not teasing you, Dove. You are right on time." Andromeda gestures to the entrance of the Heavenly Embassy and the beauty that surrounds them. "I got to admire the architecture a little bit, and now we can get started on our quest." He holds out an arm to Dove, inviting them to link with him, and they do.

"So, tell me what you know about what we're doing today."

"We're collecting the water from the…" Andromeda gestures again to the solid cloud they're now walking over. "Clouds. And using it to water the flowers. They're looking so beautiful already, by the way, I was in to check on them the other day."

A warm smile softens Dove's face even further, nodding as Andromeda goes over the plans.

"Yes, the clouds purify the water, our flowers need this water specifically to thrive. There are vessels that collect the catchment around the back of the greenhouses, we'll go there and then head back into the greenhouse to tend to the flowers! Think about things you're grateful for."

"Oh?"

"Last time, we told the seeds things that brought us joy. This time, things we're grateful for. Could be the same things, but that feels like a bit of a cop out." Dove explains and Andromeda is paying dutiful attention, already beginning to list things he's thankful for as the pair continue their walk, making a beeline to the receptacles Dove had just mentioned.

The cherubun gently detaches their arm from Andromeda to reach for a watering can and twisting the tap at the bottom of the rain barrel. Water poured out, filling the can with an oddly musical sloshing sound, pitch increasing until Dove deemed it full enough. They handed it to Andromeda before wiping their hands on their skirt.

Andromeda took the watering can, one hand on the handle and the other on the spout, careful not to spill. The water wasn't as precious as the seeds they were working with, but the succubun's care to detail was important to him. That, and the water sloshing out and getting either of their feet damp was not an appealing thought.

"Lead the way!" Dove gestured and Andromeda did as he was told, turning and glancing around the greenhouse to find where they had set the planter down earlier. It didn't take long to find it and the small green sprouts of the flowers, glinting and sparkling a little in the light as they climbed through the soil, searching for the light.

"You said we're going to tell them things we're grateful for?"

Dove nods, stood close enough to give Andromeda enough room to lift the watering can without resulting in an elbow in the ribs. "Just like last time!" They took the watering can gently, securing the rosette on the end before tipping it, a gentle sprinkle of water falling over the closest seedling. "I'm thankful for Jackal, for taking me in. And the work we are able to do together, helping others adjust to life here."

They turn to Andromeda, beaming, arms extending out with the watering can. "Your turn!"

He takes the watering can and echoes the gentle movements, raising his arm turning the water into something closer to rain shower as it fell over the flowers and the soil.

"I'm thankful for Dove's help with this process, teaching me how to properly care for the seeds, and helping me make a good impression on Primrose. " He swears the scent of a newly blossomed flower wafts past him, floral and light, but the flowers before him hadn't bloomed yet. "A community who love tending to plants as much as I do, and with as much care as I have. … Every sweet treat I am able to try and the wide variety of eateries that make that possible." Andromeda continued with his thanks, and when the comfort of a warm cup of tea washes over him, he remembers what he told the seeds when they were planted and lets out an incredulous little chuckle.

Dove allows them a moment, taking the smallest step back, listening to his words but not contributing anything until Andromeda had made it clear he was finished. They reach out for the watering can with one hand, and with the other, for Andromeda.

"You're very sweet, Andromeda."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're welcome, first and foremost. And that you're very sweet. The things you're grateful for. That's all!"

"What kind of things do you do?" Andromeda doesn't hesitate to allow the conversation to shift away from him, just a little.

"Hm?"

"With Jackal. The outreach you do?"

"Ah, yes! Mostly we help the cherubuns when they first get here. Help them get to grips with the lighting, the heat, the burrows… They're so easy to get lost in when you don't know where you're going. Y'know, tours, showing them the ropes, helping them find places to connect and make friends."

"I reckon they're incredibly grateful for you, then."

"… Yeah, probably! Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity, mostly. The other part of it is whether you needed a hand with anything in regards to it. It would only be fair, a favor for a favor."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, I'm happy to help!"

"Well, so am I."

"… Touché. I'll see what we need." Andromeda grins as Dove concedes, the pair turning back to return the watering can to its home and heading out of the greenhouses together before parting ways for the rest of the afternoon.