[Pursuit of Diligence 1] Odd One Out

Marianna furrowed his brows and scratched the side of his head inquisitively before going back inside his home to go through the small pile of mail he received this morning. It had been a week since he had checked for anything, but he didn’t receive a lot on average.

He decided that he would brew some coffee before checking out what the letter was. He had purchased some special coffee beans from the Paradise Cafe. After trying out the drinks they made there, he discovered that he much preferred coffee over alcohol. If only he’d been a Cherubun in another life… 

Marianna transformed into his doll form and sat down at his dining room table (and in order to open the letter more easily so that he had use of his opposable thumbs to carefully open the mysterious letter – not wanting to tear such a nice envelope). The wax seal did rip some of the paper, but it didn’t damage too much. The Pride bun slipped the letter out of its sleeve and folded it open. It read as followed:

‘Dear Marianna, I suppose I hope this letter finds you well. Do not take this any sort of way, but I couldn't help but notice your aptitude for helping others and how often you frequent the Church of Sulfur. Despite the… nature of that place, I am aware that it is where you often go to practice your faith and assist in fostering infant Succubuns before they are sent off to be raised by higher powers. While I do not normally go out of my way to request assistance from a Succubun of all individuals… My judgment tells me that you seem different. If you do not want to disappoint me, or prove me right about you and your kind, please meet me at this address as soon as you are able. You cannot miss it. Oh, and please do not bring any company. Three is a crowd, as you might say… Yes? Anyway, come to the Heavenly Embassy sometime this week. My patience is thin so please do not test it.’

The end of the large body of writing was signed pristinely and neatly in cursive with the initials ‘PR’ – along with instructions on how to reach the location. Marianna had not the slightest idea who that could be, and why anyone from the Heavenly Embassy would want his help with anything. As far as Marianna knew, Cherubuns tended to keep to their own kind even if they did live in Burrowgatory. The only one Marianna had ever gotten the chance to meet was Beanny, and she was quite nice to everyone. By the way this ‘PR’ bun wrote the letter, he sounded like he had one too many sticks up his ass… And, how did he even know Marianna’s name?

Well, Marianna would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn’t eager to find out what reason the mystery Cherubun would have to summon him. The sooner the better, right? Quickly finishing his coffee and breakfast, he wasted no time at all. He put on his usual attire that made him appear holier than he probably should. Feeling it to be appropriate for going to where the heavenly buns resided, at least. Maybe he would blend in? It was a funny thought, but for sure his horns and tail would give him away.

Marianna made the long, exhausting trek to where the letter directed him. With a deep breath and straightening his back, Marianna made his way towards the foot of the Embassy and tried to look around for a way to get up there. There were no stairs or magic elevator, for that matter… He scratched his head in confusion.

“You there! … Yes, you! Are you just going to stand there?”

The random voice coming from nowhere caused Marianna to jolt slightly, looking around in utter bewilderment. Until he noticed the giant tower to the right of him. How did he not see that coming here…? Still didn’t explain where the voice came from.

Marianna edged closer to where there happened to be an elevator at the bottom of the tower. That was when the mystery voice spoke to him again. This time, Marianna saw that it came from a speaker right next to doors. There were no buttons, though. Likely so not just anyone could venture up there.

“Ah… You’re here earlier than I thought you would be… and I had sent that letter out merely a few days ago…” The voice muttered the last part.

“Um… hello… You’re expecting me, yes?” Marianna inquired softly.

“Yes, obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t have said all of that, would I?” 

The voice was rather snippy. This definitely had to be the same Cherubun that wrote the letter.

“Right… so, do I just–”

Before Marianna could finish a sentence, the elevator doors opened wide. “Ah… okay then.”

The Pride bun walked right in; the doors of the elevator closing as he turned around to face them. You could see out of the sides of the tower as you went up, seeing Burrowgatory get smaller and smaller the higher it went. Marianna felt his stomach doing backflips and he swallowed a little. He’d never been this high up… 

Ding!

The elevator reached the top to its destination in no time. It opened, and there stood a stranger with the telltale sign that they were a Cherubun: a circular, golden looking halo. His clothing was casual but definitely the classy and preppy kind. The stranger’s eyes widened and his cheeks flushed a tint of pink as he looked up at the tall Succubun. It was a bit obvious as to where his gaze was resting… Marianna wasn’t exactly very modest with his clothing when it came to the top part. 

“Tsk, I-I… I guess I’m not surprised at this point, but couldn’t you have worn something at least a LITTLE more appropriate??” the Cherubun griped, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Hm? Oh… sorry, I guess…? I wasn’t aware there was a dress code-”

“Ugh, it’s fine, it’s fine… Just- just follow me,” the Cherubun waved his hand dismissively and pivoted on his heel.

This place gave Mariana feelings he couldn’t describe. It was so stark in contrast to the muggy and sinful air to Burrowgatory. It didn’t have as many colors, the atmosphere was (almost disturbingly) serene, and the buildings were built a lot more like quaint little cottages as opposed to urban structures and skyscrapers. The grounds had both lush green grass and cobbled pavements, and the Embassy certainly didn’t feel as populated which contributed to the overall quietness. 

“Much different from your home, isn’t it?” The Cherubun walked in a steady stride in front of him, finally piping up and holding his hands behind his back and keeping a perfect posture.

“Oh, yes… very much so… Um, you’re the one that sent me that letter, correct?” Marianna asked as politely as possible.

“I thought that was obvious, but yes… Though, I guess I’ve forgotten my manners.”

The Cherubun came to a halt, turning around and clearing his throat before holding his hand out; keeping the other behind his back. “I am Primrose. I am one of the very first Cherubuns to travel down to Burrowgatory in order to assist other Cherubuns in need.”

Marianna looked down and took the handshake, forgetting how strong he was. 

“It’s um… nice to meet you, Primrose. I guess I don’t need to introduce myself…? You did write my name in the letter.” 

Marianna let go of Primrose’s hand, and the Cherubun lightly shook it – as it became a bit sore. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“You’ve never met me before. I guess I’m a little curious as to–”

“That isn’t important, is it?” Primrose quickly shut the Succubun down. It was rude, but… was he… embarrassed? He turned around and continued in the direction they were heading originally.

Marianna blinked in confusion but quickly followed behind. It wasn’t like Marianna to be a tease, but he had the great urge to keep poking at the Cherubun for answers. Maybe later…

The two of them eventually arrived at a fenced off area. Primrose opened the gate for them, then they walked inside one of the larger greenhouses. 

Inside, there were flowers of unknown breeds that shimmered. Marianna’s eyes opened wide, glimmering at the sight of them. He instinctively couldn’t help but slowly reach out to touch them…

“Hey, hey! No touching!” Primrose lightly smacked Marianna’s hand away. 

“Oh- I-I’m sorry… They’re quite beautiful, whatever they are. I have my own little garden back at home…” Marianna sheepishly rubbed his neck and looked down at his hooves.

“Tsk, it’s fine… Just– here, this is what we’ll be doing. I’ll show you.” Primrose sighed, going over to what appeared to be a rack of green aprons and gloves. “Come come. Put these on, too.”

Marianna blinked and felt like he was being strong-armed into doing something he didn’t sign up for, but he couldn’t refuse. He walked right over and put on his own apron and gloves awkwardly. 

“You see these seeds?” Primrose had walked over to a box and picked out a small bag made out of cloth, pulling a few out with his fingers and showing them palm-up. “They are extremely delicate and hard to come by. In fact, it is impossible to cultivate them in Burrowgatory. So the ones we do have must be conserved and harvested as carefully as possible. Cherubuns cannot ingest the poiso-... beverages that Succubuns are able to. Whatever is in them is toxic to us, so it is required that we brew fully grown flowers into Ambrosia.”

Marianna walked over and Primrose gestured for him to hold his hand out, to which he did, allowing the Cherubun to sprinkle them into his palm. “Ambrosia…?”

“Yes,” Primrose answered curtly, “It is the only type of beverage other than water or the coffee that Beatty makes that we can drink without harm. We need it to survive, hence why this is important. There are some empty plots further into the greenhouse so I want you to assist me in planting them. I’ll show you how, obviously.”

Primrose demonstrated visually and verbally how to plant them. Marianna watched with actual interest as the normally prissy Cherubun dug a small hole out with a trowel from the soil, then picked out some seeds from the bag and let them gingerly fall into the hole. Once the seeds were in place, he scooped the soil back over them and securely patted it. 

“Now then, you try…” Primrose politely commanded, observing what Marianna would do next.

As shown to him, Marianna did pretty much exactly what Primrose did. Being as careful as his large hands allowed him to be as he planted and sowed the seeds.

The pair continued to do this in silence for a while before Marianna asked a question that was burning at him for the duration of his stay.

“So… Primrose…”

“Hm.”

“I… hope this isn’t rude to ask, but why did you send the letter to me of all buns? Are there no Cherubuns that reside here that would be willing to help? I mean, I’m not saying I’m not honored to be picked out for this, but I gather that you aren’t exactly… thrilled about being around a Succubun. Your letter gave me that impression…”

There was a long pause before Primrose cleared his throat quietly and stopped what he was doing. “Well… I suppose from what you also read in my letter that I took the time and effort in writing – I saw a lot of… potential in you, if you will. You don’t seem to carry yourself like most other Succubuns.”

“How do other Succubuns carry themselves, exactly?” Marianna tilted his head, prying for more information on Primrose’s opinions. He could tell this was going to be uncomfortable.

“Tsk, you’re going to make me say it aren’t you?” 

Primrose set his trowel down, took his gloves off and crossed his arms. He stood up straight from where he was kneeling on the ground and looked down at Marianna; chin upturned.

“Succubuns are inherently prone to engaging in sinful acts such as drowning themselves in alcohol, drugs and s… se… coitus.” Primrose stuttered for a moment before regaining his composure. “Most of them do nothing but carry these acts out day after day. All the while being shameless about it! I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around why… But, as I was curiously visiting this Church of Sulfur your kind worships at, I noticed you visiting it every day and… and I couldn’t help satisfy my curiosity further by…”

“... Following me? Spying on me?” It finally occurred to Marianna. Not that he was creeped out. In fact, it was amusing. His tone didn’t contain a hint of playfulness but he couldn’t help but let a tiny smile come across his lips.

“I-I- n-no, not exactly! Of course not! Don’t put it like that – I’m not a stalker if that’s what you’re implying! I’m not into that kind of nefarious act!” Primrose was quick to get defensive, raising his voice and waving his hands out palm-forward towards Marianna. 

Marianna giggled under his breath and shook his head. “It’s okay… I’ve never had someone take that much interest in me before.”

Primrose’s cheeks were a deeper red this time (in contrast from the light pink from earlier). His arms crossed again and he looked away from Marianna. “L… Like I said in my letter, don’t read too much into it. I just strongly believe that a Succubun such as yourself has more to them than going to all-day parties and swimming to the bottom of a liquor bottle while neck-deep in debauchery.”

“Okay, okay…” Marianna conceded, “I mean, I can understand where you’re coming from despite the obvious prejudice. It can’t be helped, I suppose. It must have been hard transitioning from your old life all the way to Burrowgatory. I can’t imagine what it was like with whatever angel or angels you were raised by. But I can take a guess and say that they have contrasting methods than Murmur and other demons. Either way, I think you’ve made a lovely place here. I’m happy to help you in any way I can.” 

Marianna smiled warmly and continued to water the planted seeds, humming a tune to himself.

Even if Marianna didn’t catch it, Primrose looked absolutely stunned by the kind words. The Cherubun watched as his new acquaintance kept working, carefully cultivating one of the most important things to Primrose and all of the other Cherubuns who needed it.

“... I– yes… thank you…” Primrose finally spoke up before following along and getting back to work. “Perhaps I’ll tell you another time about Melangel…”

“Who?”

“Nobody… j-just pay attention to how you plant those seeds. You completely missed the hole you dug!”

“Ah..! Sorry!”