Pursuit of a diligent rose

Warm light filtered through the screens lining the walls and ceiling of the greenhouse. It was reminiscent of the sunlight Celestite saw briefly in the heavenly meadows. Whether the artificial light was added for the sake of appearances or because the plants needed it to thrive outside of their natural environment. Along with the unusual light, he found during his first visit that the Heavenly Embassy seemed to run hotter than the rest of the Burrowgatory, and especially hotter than Celestite's usual snowy cave dwellings. He made sure to arrive dressed for the job to come—a pair of light-wash overalls and t-shirt, both barely able to contain his chest.

Waiting near one of the empty flowerbeds was a scowling Primrose. He was wearing his same overly elaborate get-up that Celestite had seen him in last time, and he knew immediately he had no intentions of getting his hands dirty. In the back of his mind he wondered if the offer to have succubuns help with gardening was really to foster “diligence”, or if it was an elaborate scheme to keep dirt off of his frills.

Celestite nodded in greeting as he approached the other man, and, without replying Primrose scanned him up and down. For a brief moment, Celeste could have sworn his golden eyes lingered on his ample chest, but they darted back to his face before he was sure.

“I hope you're prepared for this. You should do well to remember we only have so many seeds—there is little room for error in tending to the flowers. That they can survive down here at all is yet to be seen, but...” he clicked his tongue and shook his head. Disdain was evident in his voice. Celestite didn't take it to heart. If Primrose was determined to have a shitty time in the Burrowgatory, that was his prerogative. The cherubun guided him over to where tools were laid out on a set of shelves and briefly explained which ones he would need for the task ahead.

As Celestite collected a spade and rake, Primrose asked, “And...you have never tended any plants before? Ever?” As if confirming that fact yet again would suddenly make him reconsider.

“No. But, you will be here. And you seem like an expert at the practice. Surely it won't be an issue,” he answered in an even tone.

Primrose's scowl slipped and he seemed taken aback by the compliment, before irritation settled back on his expression. Good, Celeste hoped it would get under his skin. “I am indeed an expert. That is why I knew my presence would be needed for the cherubuns to survive in this place. Just make sure you do exactly as I say.”

Celeste nodded, and with that he began working on the designated flowerbed with Primrose's direction. For all of the fussing about how precise and delicate the process supposedly was, it actually seemed quite simple as the cherubun described it. First, working over the soil to ensure it was loose all around, then setting to task digging two dozen holes an inch deep. He had it emphasized more than once how important it was the holes not be too deep, nor too shallow. More than once Primrose loomed over his shoulder and had him fix whatever hold he'd made for being too wide, too deep, or something else seemingly arbitrary.

Next, he was to fill the holes partway with the fertilizer Primrose brought out, but not before hearing a short lecture about how it worked and how special it was. According to the cherubun, no such thing was ever needed in the heavenly meadow, as the flowers naturally flourished in abundance along the rolling clouds. Melangel knew in their wisdom, however, that these divine plants would need extra help if they were to survive in hell, and thus created the fertilizer.

Once he finished his speech, Celestite asked, “Alright. So...what is it exactly? It just looks like more dirt.”

Primrose bristled and snapped back, “I just said! It's soil that has extra nutrients that the flowers need.”

“You got all of this stuff from Heaven. Why didn't they put the nutrients in the regular dirt, then? Why not fill the flowerbed with fertilizer.”

“Because—because there's such a thing as too much! Just as you can over water plants, they can be fed too much. Now stop asking questions, I can't be here all day!” His face had flushed red as he answered, and Celeste was satisfied to see him flustered.

Without arguing further, he got back to work.

Once each hole had a small amount of fertilizer, Primrose presented him with a small container of seeds. They could have been mistaken for gold nuggets the way they shimmered in the light. He gently placed one per hole, dragging the task out as long as possible to irritate the cherubun further. What was he going to do, tell Celestite to hurry up? And risk a mistake during the delicate process?

Despite his attempts to waste time, he was covering the last seed in dirt before too long.

He straightened and surveyed the flowerbed. There wasn't anything special to see, in fact it looked no different than when he started, aside from the dirt being pushed to and fro in different ways.

“How long will they take to grow?” He asked after a moment, turning his gaze to Primrose as the cherubun joined him.

“Provided they grow at all,” he replied pointedly, then after a pause continued, “They should sprout in the next week, and begin to bloom in two. Once they're in full bloom, you will harvest the flowers and the leaves. The leaves we will make into medicinal ambrosia, while the petals of the blossom will become drinks.”

Celestite nodded in understanding. The process didn't sound particularly exciting, but he had to admit some part of him enjoyed the change of scenery from the caves he called home. Besides that, he had the feeling Primrose was going to be fun to toy with the more time they spent together.

Without further fanfare, Celeste said, “I'll see you soon, then.” And took his leave.