summer's ambrosia

After weeks of sowing, watering, growing and watering some more, the harvested flowers are finally ready to become ambrosia for all cherubuns to sip and enjoy.  The whole ordeal is quite different from Michael's usual line of lawyer work, but despite his initial hesitance, he discovers at the end that he rather likes gardening.  Daily life is busy, often rushing from the coffee shop to the office to the courthouse while tracking down witnesses and listening to endless cases and before Michael knows it, it's the end of the day.  As he stands in the kitchen beside Primrose, he quietly reflects back on the journey as he begins to grind the dried leaves into a fine powder with mortar and pestle.

 

"Once you're done grinding the leaves, you can pluck the petals and mash those next and I'll work on brewing once the water's hot and the powder's ready," Primrose calls to Michael, glancing at him over his shoulder as he adjusts the temperature of the stovetop, making sure it's just hot enough for the water to start bubbling in the pot.  The act of brewing ambrosia is a delicate process.  Too hot and the ambrosia will burn, but the water should still be more than warm enough to enhance the delicate flavor.  Best to leave this step up to the professionals.

 

Michael glances down, checking how fine his powder is.  Just a few more rotations and it should be good to go... perfect.  "Here," he says, carefully reaching around Primrose to set the bowl of prepared powder beside him on the counter.  "Leaves should be ready.  I'll work on the petals next like you said."

 

With an eye closed, Primrose leans over to inspect Michael's handiwork and finds it more than satisfactory.  As expected of a fellow cherubun!  The aroma is perfect as well, wafting gently into his nose with a scent reminiscent of the beach and the salty waves.  Yes, this should make a fine Salty Ambrosia.  So far, so good.  In fact, Primrose would say things are going almost too swimmingly.  Surely, this is too easy.  Sure, Michael perhaps protested slightly in the beginning, but even Primrose has to admit that Michael's work and dedication to the task at hand is nothing short of impressive.

 

While waiting for the petals, Primrose lowers the temperature of the water on the stove and gently takes some of the stems to finish plucking the rest of the petals alongside Michael.  Together, they work in relative quiet with nothing but the soft lilt of instrumental jazz playing in the background.  Michael doesn't even glance at Primrose, completely focused.  Primrose clears his throat to break the silence, "So... it has been some time since you've made your way to Burrowgatory.  How do you like it so far?"

Michael pauses, staring at the petals for a moment.  "Hm, it's difficult to answer," he hums in reply, mashing the petals with care.  "Burrowgatory is busy and bursting with vice, which can lead to trouble, but..." he trails off, thinking about his stay so far.  The Heavenly Meadow is, by far, more quiet and peaceful but in Burrowgatory, Michael feels lighter.  Free, even.  Not that life in the meadow was agonizing by any means, but Burrowgatory feels like a city where he was always meant to be.  He thinks of those he has helped.  He thinks of those he has gotten to know during his life here up until this moment.  Of course, he thinks of Lucifer too.  With a little huff, he smiles reluctantly, shaking his head.  "Burrowgatory is an uncouth, wild lot, but the citizens have a lot of heart and embrace a surprisingly refreshing way of life."

 

Primrose blinks, but nods his head in understanding.  The mashed petals are complete, now transformed into a smooth pulp and ready to be mixed in with the powder from earlier.  "I think I know what you mean," he answers in kind with a small smile of his own, fondly thinking of all the succubuns he has overseen during their own diligence quests.  ...Perhaps some a bit more fondly than the others.  "Shall we move on to the next step now?"

 

Michael nods his head, watching Primrose pour and stir in both the powder and the petal pulp into the water.  While Primrose stirs the concoction to perfection, Michael fetches the remaining ingredients left on the list: sugar, some fruit (namely blue raspberries and plum extract), sea salt, sparkling water for the bubbles and of course, the golden nectar.  The process of gathering and diluting the nectar is a well-known and well-guarded secret and Michael knows better than to pry though even he admits he's curious.  After all, no ambrosia is complete without the special quality that nectar adds into the mix.  While Michael has had more than his fair share of ambrosia, he can't seem to place the flavor either.  A natural sweetness without compare, no doubt.

 

Finally, after stirring in the rest of the ingredients on low heat for some time, the Salty Ambrosia is complete!  All that's left for Primrose and Michael to do is to bottle the shimmering, bubbling liquid into their respective containers and they'll be available for purchase for all cherubuns to drink and enjoy.  Of course, a taste test is also in order to ensure the quality...

 

Michael and Primrose clink their glasses together before taking a small sip.  Ah... perfectly sweet, salty and delicious!  Another drink well-made.

 

Summer is quickly coming to an end, but the air is still hot and succubuns flock to the beaches in droves for one last wet hurrah.  It's Michael's first summer in Burrowgatory and even though he was simultaneously busy with work, it was refreshing to be able to take a little time to do some gardening and to help out his fellow cherubuns with their small list of errands.  While Michael looks forward to what autumn has in store for him (cooler weather!), he'll no doubt miss the warmer months and the invigorating taste of summer's ambrosia on the flat of his tongue.

 

Farewell, summer.  Here's to next year!