[Comm] Downtime within the Church

Elena sighed as she began hanging another wreath among the church, not in bad faith or ill temper, but purely in exertion. If she was going to be put to this task, she was going to do it right. The Church of Sulfur was a large building to care for on the best of days, but hanging up brand new directions was more of a task then she had prepared herself for.

She didn’t want to seem disingenuous in her cheer. After all, all of the festivities and cheer were nice to have a change of pace and after a life hidden behind the safe walls of home, she was excited to bring the excitement to her both in and out of the church walls.

Burrowgatory was just now starting to find its way into making new history and creating its traditions. 100 years was both a short and a long time for buns like them, though it must have seemed much longer to the Cherubuns who came down here. This was their chance to make history in Burrowgatory and leave their mark in a place so unfamiliar and frankly quite a bit frightening.

Through these traditions and different stories that were being shared were a way to bring them all together and create harmony between the two species. When they first brought up the idea of a celebration like this, it was a bit surprising. Elena couldn't deny that there was a little bit of skepticism there, but just as much acceptance and excitement, especially when she saw just what they wanted to bring with it.

Her fingers ached ever so gently as she placed the next wreath, the branches were slightly coarse if held at the wrong angle but the smooth brush of the leaves seemed to soothe her ache. Strangely enough, the ache wasn’t unwelcome, it showed her how far she had come. From being weak and frail to being someone who could work tirelessly to make the church shine in ways never before seen.

She had to admit that the holly berries were quite beautiful, the gold gave an ornate sense to the church that made it seem even more beautiful when decorated in such a manner. It was a contrast to the normal reds that they were accustomed to, but with enough of these decorations having been put up even Father Oleander himself couldn't deny that the place looked stunning.

All throughout the church different buns ran about, carrying various decorations and preparing a selection of foods. One thing that they had decided to emphasize during this time was a season of giving. It was a way to give back to the community and do more outreach to the envy Succubuns and Cherubuns especially, but in reality it was to everyone.

It was surprising the amount of togetherness that had come from all this strife and adversity. All these changes that normally drove people apart were bringing everyone together. Even she herself was not excluded from these changes as she was slowly being guided towards certain other members of the church and speaking to them about her transformation.

Lysander had taken the information with astonishment and disbelief. Not at what she was, but at the fact that she had even chosen that life at all. Though it seemed this realization had left him with questions of his own that he needed to answer. Maybe she could help him… or maybe she could leave him to struggle, just a little.

Still, gaining the positive opinions of other buns was always something that was important but a little dangerous at times. Buns still had their own opinions and no one was entirely in agreement about how to handle or view everything that had happened in the past year, but one thing was for certain. Everyone was going to try their best and do what they could to make Burrowgatory even better than the year before.

Mercy ran about the church, carrying decorations and papers throughout its walls before seeing Elena struggling and paused. It didn’t take long for Mercy to walk over, sharing a nod and staring at the decorations that Elena had put out before giving her an encouraging smile.

“Your decorations look absolutely stunning. You've done wonderful this year. Though I suppose there isn't anything we are attempting to top, at least not yet.” There was a chuckle with those words and Elena countered with one of her own, climbing down the ladder and meeting Mercy at the bottom. They held out some more garlands to hang and Elena took them with a nod in thanks.

“I take it the preparations are going well?” Elena asked as she ascended once again.

“Absolutely! People want to end this rough year with some cheer and welcome in a new year with more gusto than the year before. Can't say I blame them.”

Mercy stayed and helped unfurl the garlands as they were hung, draping them side by side with the wreaths and creating a beautiful cascading effect. “Do you find it silly at all? All of these new traditions they’ve brought here?

“Of course, but all new traditions are silly in the beginning, at least until they become something more familiar and and once they're more familiar they begin feeling like home. That's what we want isn't it?”

Elena smiled and nodded, unfurling the garland with Mercy at her side and adjusting the wreaths throughout the sanctuary until the final preparations had been finished inside its halls. The two stood for a moment, drinking in the sites and gently shining lights against red and gold.

It was peaceful, welcoming, in a year that had felt anything but. Or maybe it had. Despite all of the struggles they had faced they had still come through it. All of them, together. Just as they had throughout this entire year.

One year ago the cherubuns had come, one year ago the envy buns had arrived, two months ago vampires had been allowed to roam freely among society, and it was anyone's guess what would happen in the new year. Something about that left a light feeling in Elena’s chest.

“I think the celebrations are going to go well.” Elena said with a smile as she climbed down, standing side by side with the other bun who nodded in turn.

“I do too, but even if it doesn't, we’ll still stand together. So let's make the best of it.” Together the pair walked further into the sanctuary to create more festive cheer.