PURSUIT OF DILIGENCE: CHAPTER 2 - VIKTOR

Viktor once again found himself back at the Heavenly Embassy, strolling through the gardens to complete a simple fetch quest that Beanny had requested of him. He liked Beanny, he really did. He’d gone to their coffee shop quite a lot up here - he enjoyed the taste of the grounds and the sweetness of the syrups. 

It was, well, heavenly, he supposed. 

He’d brought them to his favourite coffee shop in Burrowgatory and bought them a coffee. They’d shared some cake and talked about science. Viktor liked listening to them talk about the science behind coffee - it was thrilling. 

Viktor had spoken about his work with them, and they’d really hit it off, so when Beanny asked if he could jump in for this delivery over her, how could he say no? They’d become such good friends after all. 

But, when he arrived at the gardens, he remembered why he didn’t like coming here without the other. 

“Primrose,” he said very sternly as he walked to meet the other. 

“Ah, Viktor, a pleasure as always,” Primrose replied, and Viktor’s tentacles curled and flicked out in irritation. Even the sound of his voice irked the scientist. 

“Beanny sent me to deliver some tea to Dove, I’m going to go on the way to work, do you have the box?” Viktor asked him, his tail now joining his tentacles in an irritating flurry of swishes and wooshes. 

“Ah yes, just be a moment,” Primrose replied, delaying the handover on purpose. How he enjoyed watching Viktor become more and more irritated with each passing moment. 

Viktor watched as Primrose faffed about for a bit longer, but he held his tongue, as he always did. One of these days, he’d explode at the other, but for now, he’d be good.

“Here we are,” Primrose said, picking up a box labeled ‘Dove’s Tea Leaves’ and handing it to Viktor. It had been sitting plainly on the counter since they’d arrived, but Prim had purposely avoided just handing it to the man of science. 

“Thank you,” Viktor said between gritted teeth, and Primrose smiled that irritating smile that made his face even more punchable. 

“I’ll be going now,” Viktor continued and turned to leave. 

“Bye bye, Viktor, safe travels,” Primrose called. Viktor simply walked away and headed out of the Heavenly Embassy and toward the streets he felt more comfortable on. 

The purple succubun walked in the direction of Jackal’s apartment block. It was technically the long way round for his work, but he didn’t mind the walk, it was nice to stretch his legs. 

He passed by Coney’s, his bar of choice, and walked down by the bus shelter on the main street. He strolled on by the busy town center, avoiding making eye contact with everybody he passed. All the while, he kept a tight hold on the box of tea leaves. He wanted to get this to Dove on time and in one piece. 

Finally he turned the corner to the apartment block, he scared away a group of wild corvats that were nestling on the steps and rang the buzzer. 

“Mmm, hello,” came a soft voice from the other side. 

“Hello, I have your tea leaves here, from Primrose,” Viktor replied. 

“Uhhh who is this?” Dove asked sheepishly. 

“This is Viktor, I’m doing the run for Beanny today as they’re busy at the café,” he replied simply and matter of factly. 

There was silence for a moment. 

More silence. 

And then bzzzt. 

The door opened, and Viktor pushed himself inside. He climbed the metal stairs, all the way to the top floor and toward Jackal’s apartment, where the door was now open and Dove was standing. 

“Hello, sorry, I’ve never seen you before,” Dove said simply and Viktor tried to smile reassuringly but didn’t do so well and got an awkward look from the cherubun. 

“Here’s your tea,” he said to her simply and handed her the box of tea leaves. 

“Oh thank you very much, would you like to come in for a cup, I feel bad that you had to walk all this way,” Dove replied with a smile as she walked inside without getting an answer. 

“No that’s okay, I have to get to work, but thanks,” Viktor replied and nodded awkwardly before making his escape. Dove didn’t hear him and simply stared at the empty doorway as Viktor made his way down the stairs and out the door onto the street. 

He wasn’t much of a tea drinker anyway. 

Plus, he had to get to work before Caleb got pissy with him for being late. He was techincally his boss, but Viktor didn’t mind being ordered around by the other, it kept the bun entertained and out of Viktor’s hair. 

“Oh I better call Beanny and let her know I’ve delivered the tea,” Viktor said to himself and took out his phone to dial their number. 

“Hey Beanny, hope you weren’t too busy, oh, yea that’s what I’m calling about, the delivery went fine, Dove has her supply of tea, hmmm, coffee…well…” Viktor said and looked at his watch. “Yea I got time, I’ll see you in a little bit.”

He hung up the phone and smiled. It was nice to have somebody to talk science with, even if it was just coffee. So he’d be a bit late this evening, and spend a few moments talking to his new science bud. 

Little did Viktor know that Beanny had more requests and fun little jobs for him to do. She liked talking to Viktor too, but it was always good to have a helping hand around the Heavenly Embassy. Plus, she was determined to get Primrose and Viktor on… better-speaking terms. 

They just needed to spend more time together, then Primrose would learn how nice and interesting their new friend was. 

Viktor walked into the coffee shop and smiled at Beanny behind the counter. 

“Hey,” he said, and she handed him a coffee, she knew his regular order by now. 

“Hey yourself, so…are you free next week?” she asked as Viktor sat down. He wasn’t an idiot. This was going to be another little job, wasn’t it? 

“Hmm, I suppose,” he replied.

“How would you like to water those flowers we planted?” she enquired, and Viktor nodded.

“I guess so,” he answered and sipped his coffee. It was very hard to say no to Beanny.