[ARIETTE] PURSUIT OF DILIGENCE: CHAPTER 4

In the wake of her last encounter with Primrose, Ariette was initially rather hesitant to return to the greenhouse gardens of the Heavenly Embassy. She knew that there was always a possibility that she would run into the pretentious Cherubun looking down his nose at her, and possibly have to deal with an elevated level of persecution in the wake of Dove’s condemnation of his actions. Either way, that was not something she wanted to have to deal with again, especially after having to endure his vitriolic tirade about “lazy, dishonest Succubuns” last time. Just thinking back to it made her feel an uncomfortable shiver up her spine.

So, to maintain her good spirits, she put those thoughts aside. However, she remembered that Dove had called her earlier that morning saying that Primrose had another request for her. Dove had said that this time she was to deliver coffee beans to Beanny, the barista at Paradise Café. Ariette was familiar with Beanny, mostly because she had a penchant for dropping by the Café during her excursions throughout Burrowgatory. Beanny was a friendly and good-natured Cherubun, albeit a bit eccentric and odd, if Ariette was being completely honest. Beanny’s eccentricities made it rather difficult for Ariette to relate to her very well, but the two of them got along fine as long as she was just ordering coffee and making small talk with the Cherubun.

~~~

As Ariette entered the greenhouse gardens of the Heavenly Embassy to collect the bag of coffee beans that she was supposed to deliver to Beanny, she was once again reminded of how harsh Primrose had been to her the last time they’d spoken. It was an odd thing for him to invite her back again, but then again he was only asking her to do an errand for him. He surely had no intention of being amicable or giving her a tour. But, why her? Perhaps he was using this request as a way to properly apologize to her? As soon as the preposterous thought entered her head, she audibly laughed. Primrose was much too prideful for something like that. He would sooner run around Burrowgatory naked than give a heartfelt apology to a Succubun.

Turning these thoughts around in her head, Ariette timidly opened the door to the Embassy’s greenhouse gardens and peered around. Her gaze weaved through ambrosia leaves and seed plots as she looked around for Primrose. She didn’t see him.

Maybe she was in luck then.

Not wanting to wait around until he turned up, she hurriedly made her way to the back of the greenhouse, spying the bag of coffee beans she was to take to Beanny leaned up against a table with assorted seed trays. Perhaps she could just grab the bag now and be on her merry way without ever having to come face-to-face with Primrose after all, she mused.

But, unfortunately for her, as soon as she stepped forward to grab the bag off of the floor, she caught sight of him.

He was making his way over to her, gloves covered in dirt and an empty bag of seeds in his hands. But, his expression was neutral. He had apparently not seen her yet.

Taking her opportunity, she dove behind the shelves, hoping and praying to anyone who would listen that she wouldn’t be discovered. It seemed that luck was indeed on her side that day, for as Primrose passed by, he did not seem to notice her as she was doing everything in her power to flatten herself against the shelving. And then, as soon as he passed from sight, she craned her head forward to listen for the sound of his fading footsteps. When they had faded away into silence, she counted to ten for good measure, and then sprung into action, slinging the bag of coffee beans over her shoulder and booking it out of the front door without looking back to see if Primrose had spotted her.

Keeping up her quick pace, Ariette dashed around the corner and began making her way to the Paradise Café to meet with Beanny.

The Paradise Café was a quaint little shop inside the Heavenly Embassy, so she wouldn’t have to travel to the center of Burrowgatory to deliver it like she had when she delivered the box of tea leaves to Dove, she thought gratefully. It wasn’t a terrible distance, and at the brisk pace she was going, she’d be there in no time.

~~~

Not long after, Ariette arrived at the Paradise Café, albeit a bit out of breath. She walked inside, heaved the bag of coffee beans onto the floor, and then took a seat at the counter. A moment later, the kind Cherubun bustled over to her and smiled cheerfully.

“Welcome back to the Paradise Café! Will you be having the usual?” she said, flattening their purple apron a bit as she spoke.

“Oh, no!” Ariette replied. “I’m just here to deliver your coffee beans from the Embassy’s greenhouse gardens. Primrose asked me to deliver them to you this morning.”

“Oh, well in that case, thank you very much!” Beanny mused, coming around the counter and hefting the bag over their shoulder before returning back behind the counter and setting the bag down.

“Are you sure I can’t interest you in a drink? I’ve been working on a new alcohol-based concoction that is sure to be a big hit in Burrowgatory next season. I could let you try some as a little thank you for traveling all the way here. And in turn, since us Cherubuns can't drink alcohol, I'd love to get your opinion on it!” she said cheerily.

“Well, if you insist.” Ariette chuckled. “I’ll give it a try.”

And then with a slight wink, Beanny replied “Of course! You’re going to love this!”

~~~

After she had tried the new seasonal alcohol-based drink, Ariette was sure that it would most definitely be a best-selling menu item when it debuted next season. 

“You’ve really outdone yourself, Beanny!” Ariette complimented. “This is wonderful!”

At this, the Cherubun beamed at her. “I’m so glad you think so! I hope everyone else thinks so too!”