Time of Togetherness

Slowly but surely, the weather got colder and the snow fell all over Burrowgatory, burying it under a white, cold blanket. After the last month’s trouble, stress and scares, this month was supposed to be calm and relaxing. Focusing on Cherubmas. The Cherubuns told everyone about the holiday they called Cherubmas. A festivity they celebrated in the heavenly meadow. They taught how important relationships are, romantic or just friendship either way. It was Dove’s idea to share the Cherubun traditions with Burrowgatory.

Father Sabinian was sweeping snow in front of the Church of Sulfur. He thought about Cherubmas and how it taught the importance of relationships. Was that all it was about? Relationships? Sabinian saw all the Buns with their loved ones and let out a sigh. He wished to spend time with a loved one too..He was liked in the church, but privately? He had no real relationships, at least that's what he thought.
Yet he wanted to participate in Cherubmas and did a lot to decorate the Church and the surrounding area for the festivities. He hung up a few wreaths on the Church doors and decorated the walls with garlands. That’s all he could do. After he was happy with the results, he started to sweep the snow in the church yard. The guests at the Church of Sulfur should be able to get in the Church safely without slipping on the snow.

Sabinian swept one bigger poof of snow away and…it chirped quietly. The Succubun was confused and gently poked the snow with his broom. It chirped again. The Priest kneeled down and carefully brushed the snow away with his hands. After a moment, he found…a natural colored Avia which chirped miserably in the snow.
Father Sabibian brushed the snow completely off it and wanted to stand up, Avias are a real nuisance to the Church, he helped it to get out of the snow but that was enough.
The small creature let out the saddest chirp in existence and shivered.
Father Sabinian looked at it…and it looked back with huge sad eyes, crawling towards the Succubun.
He let out a deep sigh…picked it up and went inside the Church.

Mercy saw him coming back inside the Church ,holding something close to his chest. They curiously came closer.
“What is that? Oh, an Imp?” they asked, a little confused on why Sabinian would bring an Imp in.
“An Avia…it was stuck in the snow and shivering outside.” Sabinian said with compassion and Mercy smiled warmly. Now they understood, Sabinian brought it in to help it.
The head priest Oleander walked up to the two of them and Sabinian told him how he found the Avia too.
“Oh no the poor thing…Let’s see if we have something to eat for it~” Oleander said and all of them went into the Church’s small kitchen.
The rest of the day, Mercy, Oleander and Sabinian cared for the little Avia.
They warmed it up with a fluffy blanket and fed it with Mochi. Caring for the small creature brought the three of them together somehow.
Even though there were other things to do, these three Succubuns felt like making sure the Avia was well, was the most important thing to do today. Such honest compassion and empathy was rare to find in Burrowgatory. Maybe it was the Cherubuns positive influence? Or the ‘Magic of Cherubmas’? Whatever it was, it felt great for all of them. It was nice helping a helpless creature and it was great to spend time together doing good.

In the evening Mercy, Oleander and Sabinian just sat together and talked about anything and everything. A few candles were lit and they drank a little wine from the church supplies.The setting was cozy and nice, perfect for a cold evening.
They laughed together and even shared private stories not many knew, like close friends would do.

Sabinian petted the Avia which was sitting on his lap and smiled, it looked healthy again. So this is what Cherubmas is about? Caring for others? showing compassion? Spending time with people that you like? After all, Father Sabibian seemed to have friends whose company he greatly enjoyed. He hasn't even thought about Mercy and Oleander but yes…they were his friends, he just never realized that.

Late in the Night, after a few glasses of wine and many shared stories, Sabinian went home. He wanted to set the Avia free on his way and stopped near some trees that even had an Imp-Feeder. The Succubun held the little Imp up towards it.
“Come on, go, you’re free~” he said but the Avia snuggled against his hands. Even when Sabinian tried to set in on a branch, it refused and even went inside his sleeve.
It was clear, Father Sabinian now had a new friend that he would have never expected to have.