[Pursuit of Diligence 2] Tea Time

A significant amount of time had passed ever since Marianna had been summoned to the elusive location that is the Heavenly Embassy. At this point, he had started to wonder if that invitation was a one-time thing. He wasn’t going to sit around and mope about it, but he couldn’t help but get distracted every now and again thinking of the enjoyment he got out of the serene environment there compared to the hustle and bustle of Burrowgatory. 

Getting to know the prissy and stuck up Cherubun, Primrose, was also something Marianna was not expecting to experience. Getting to learn the ways around cultivating the special plants and the reasoning behind why the Cherubuns needed them to survive was enlightening. It made Marianna wonder what those Ambrosia concoctions tasted like…

Out of what felt like nowhere, Marianna heard his phone ringing with a jingle he didn’t recognize. The number on his lock screen didn’t look familiar either… Nonetheless, he cautiously answered the phone.

“... Hello?”

“Hello? Is this the residence of the Succubun known as ‘Marianna’?”

What a strange way to ask that, Marianna thought. “Um, yes. That would be me… Who is–”

Before he could finish his thought, it occurred to him that this voice could only belong to one other individual. “Oh! Primrose? Is that you?” Marianna’s tone became more lighthearted. “How are you? How did you get my number?”

The bun on the other end of the call sounded flustered at the question. “I… have my ways… I realize that I had forgotten to exchange numbers with you once you left the Embassy the last time we interacted. That is on me…”

“That’s okay. It didn’t really cross my mind either. And, well, I guess I didn’t think we’d cross paths after that,” Marianna sheepishly admitted, rubbing his neck.

“Tsk, did you really think that I would summon you to our most sacred place and never speak to you again?? As if I would…” 

Primrose sounded rather huffy; as if trying not to go on another rant. It was actually quite endearing and warmed Marianna’s heart to know that the Cherubun actually wanted to speak with him more.

Marianna tried to change the subject. “Hah, no, you’re right… I’m glad. What did you want to talk about?” he inquired.

Primrose cleared his throat before responding, “Yes, about that – I have a special request. I’ve been very busy with a lot of tasks here at the Embassy lately… This isn’t just some errand I’m having you run because of laziness. Don’t get the wrong idea. I just believe I can trust you with this in particular… I have a fellow Cherubun friend that is living down in Burrowgatory. I need you to come to the Embassy whenever it is convenient for you to pick up a package to deliver to her.”

A confused expression formed on Marianna’s face. “A package…? We do have mailing services in Burrowgatory–”

“The contents of this package are too important to entrust some random mailbun with,” Primrose interjected, “And like I said, please do not see this as me making you be some errand boy for me… You do not have to do this if it is not something you desire to do.”

“I don’t mind,” Marianna replied without hesitation. “If it’s that important to you, it’s no trouble at all. I know my way around and the package definitely won't get lost.”

“Ah– really? I mean– okay. Yes. You know where the Embassy is already, yes? You can meet me at my house. I’ll text you the details of what my residence looks like… Thank you for doing this. Just let me know when you are coming by.”

With that, they ended the phone call. Not much more than a minute later, Primrose messaged Marianna the details of where to go to get this ‘package’.

Marianna took some time over the weekend to make his way to the Heavenly Embassy. Despite only traveling there once, the layout was slightly familiar to him already. He went past the gardens to where Primrose said his home was located. Upon seeing it, Marianna automatically knew it was the blonde Cherubun’s residence. The style was very quaint and clean. Trimmed foliage and a lot of various flowers. 

There wasn’t too much of an exchange of words between Marianna and Primrose since the Cherubun seemed as if he was in a hurry, but he was obviously grateful that the Succubun was doing this for him – he was just bad at showing it.

Primrose handed over a small sticky note with an address in Burrowgatory written down on it for Marianna to deliver the package to. It was a medium sized box that wasn’t very heavy (to Marianna, at least, considering he was physically capable to carry most things). 

It didn’t take too much time for Marianna to find the address of this other Cherubun. It appeared to be a nice apartment complex with studio apartments towered as high as 4 stories. The specific apartment number that Marianna needed to deliver the package stuck out like a sore thumb. The welcome mat had a flowery decor all over it, and there were some white and blue colored flowers on a small glass end table next to the front door. 

This must be it, Marianna thought. The Succubun gently yet firmly knocked on the door, holding the package in one arm. He waited patiently for about 20 seconds before he heard a brash voice from inside.

“Who is it?” the voice demanded.

“Um, hello… I’m Marianna. I was sent here by Primrose…?” the dark-furred Succubun replied nervously.

There were a few moments of silence before he could hear the locks being undone. In just a moment, the door opened to reveal a very short, feminine looking doll.

“Hello there! It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Dove!” The stranger held her small hand out for Marianna to take; to which he did. His hand practically encumbered hers.

Just like Primrose, this Cherubun had a halo hovering over her head. Her ears had that unusual winged shape as well. Her demeanor was the polar opposite of Primrose’s, though… It was a tad jarring. Then again, it would be just as prejudiced to assume that all Cherubuns were the same way personality-wise.

“Nice to meet you too. Ah– I believe this is yours,” Marianna held out the box of mystery contents out to Dove. 

“Ohh, I know what these are… Jackal! The tea leaves are here!” Dove excitedly called over her shoulder to another bun in doll form that was back in their living room. That must have been the one that barked at him from behind the door at first.

“Finally, huh?” the other Succubun answered from the couch in their living room. “Primrose sure likes to take his sweet ass time.”

“Aw, don’t be like that…” Dove responded in a lightly scolding tone, “Cultivating these tea leaves takes a lot of care! I would be more concerned if it didn’t take Primrose a while to get these delivered.”

Marianna stood there awkwardly with a subtle smile as he listened to these two speak. It was interesting to see in the least; a Cherubun willingly living with a Succubun… They seemed rather comfortable.

Just as Marianna was about to open his mouth to announce his departure, Dove spoke up again. “Would you like to stay and try some of this tea with us? It’s the least I can do to thank you for delivering these.”

“O-oh, I’m not sure… I don’t want to intrude,” Marianna chuckled and looked to the side.

“Nonsense! I insist. Please, come in. I’ll start heating up the kettle right away!” Dove took Marianna’s hand and led him inside, then closed the door behind him.

The smell of vanilla candles wafted over to Marianna as he entered. The style of the inside of their apartment was very homey. Though, you could tell that two different buns with very different tastes lived here. 

In the living room, there were a lot of CD racks and an electric guitar resting next to an amp. Meanwhile, the kitchen had a more elegant feel to it. That was definitely where the Cherubun spent a lot of her time.

Marianna looked over to where the other Succubun doll was sitting and waved to her politely. In return, she nodded. “‘Sup…”

“Sorry for the trouble. I don’t need to stay long.” Marianna looked over at the kitchen to where Dove went.

“Nah, don’t worry about it. If Dove wants someone to be in our home, then I ain’t gonna stop her. ‘Sides, she’s right; if you had to deal with Primrose of all buns, you deserve a reward.”

Marianna blinked and couldn’t help but smile at her joke. “I’m sure you have your opinions on him…”

The Envy bun scoffed, “Ha! Don’t even get me started on that puny ass punk–”

“Jackal!” Dove stopped her by whining over from the kitchen.

“Sorry, sorry, angel… You know how I feel about him,” Jackal apologetically sighed. 

“I know. Primrose can be a bit much, but he means well,” Dove insisted as she waited for the kettle she put on the stove to heat up and boil water.

“Speaking of…” Jackal looked to Marianna once again, “How exactly did you manage to get Primrose to trust you with bringing us the tea leaves? Usually he goes out of his way to do it himself or get another Cherubun to do it, but…”

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Marianna sheepishly replied, “I’m still wondering what the reasoning is behind him getting into contact with me. Well, he has told me some of his reasons… But I guess I still don’t understand.”

“He must see something in you! Or maybe he likes you~” Dove chimed in from the kitchen. She turned the dial down for the heat and began the process of brewing the leaves.

Marianna’s brows raised. “No… I mean, I just think he believes I can be of assistance to him with certain things. He told me in a letter that he ‘saw potential’ in me when he saw me at the Church of Sulfur and–”

His sentence was cut short by the sound of Jackal comically spitting out a drink she took a swig of – a can of some sort of soda. Marianna whipped his head around in shock. 

“PFFFFFSH– WHAT!?” Jackal yelped and coughed violently. After composing herself, she frantically asked more questions. “What in the Hell was he doing THERE? Did he finally decide to convert?”

“Huh? No! No, no I don’t… I don’t believe he was, no,” Marianna protested and put his hands up. “He told me he was there out of curiosity and saw me there every other day…”

Jackal swiftly put her hands on Marianna’s shoulders and looked up at him dead in the eyes. “‘Every other day’??” So not only was he going somewhere that he might as well catch on fire when stepping foot in there… he was STALKING you?”

“N-no!! Primrose wouldn’t do that! I mean, I don’t know why he would–” Marianna was struggling to explain himself. He almost felt dizzy.

“Stop interrogating the poor thing, Jackal!” Dove (once again) scolded her roommate from the kitchen. “Who knows what Primrose’s reasons are for what he does? Maybe he just genuinely wants to be friends with Marianna. Did you think about that?”

Jackal paused for a moment before letting go of Marianna, then laughed under her breath in what seemed like amusement. “Eh… yeah. You could be right. That goober needs more friends, anyway. All he does is sit in his garden or boss people around all day.”

As the conversation went on, Dove finished brewing the tea from the Embassy and brought over a cute little serving tray with a few cups full of the flowery smelling drink. She set the tray on the coffee table and then passed out the tea cups to Marianna and Jackal. 

“I hope you like it!” Dove chirped, clapping her hands together. “I decided to brew one of the more floral tasting blends… It’ll probably taste a lot different than what you’re used to, Marianna, but I think you’ll enjoy it!”

Marianna swirled it around in his cup before blowing on the liquid. He lifted it to his lips and carefully sipped it so as to not burn his tongue. It was still rather hot, but it wasn’t anything that he couldn’t handle. At first it was mild, but then hints of what tasted like lavender and honey hit his taste buds. And… was that mint? It was a mixture of flavors he had never thought to combine, but he kept drinking. 

“Mmh…” Marianna sighed from his nose before pulling the cup from his mouth. “Wow… that’s delicious.”

Dove smiled brightly as she took a sip of her own teacup. “Mhm!” She let out a satisfied breath as lowered her cup down into her lap. “They’re one of a kind… If it weren’t for the Heavenly Embassy, we wouldn’t be able to live easily here.”

Marianna slowly nodded and looked to the Cherubun curiously. “I hope it isn’t too much of a personal question… but what made you want to live here in Burrowgatory? Primrose doesn’t seem all too thrilled about it, so it’s surprising to see.”

“Ah, it’s a bit of a long story for another time… but Jackal has really helped me get acclimated to it. And I’ve enjoyed learning about Succubuns’ way of life despite how different it is to ours.” Dove looked at her companion and smiled. “I’ve made a lot of friends here and it’s not like I can return to where I used to live…”

‘Not like I can return to where I used to live’... When Cherubuns come down to Burrowgatory, they aren’t allowed to return? That doesn’t sound very nice. Or, whatever (or whoever) rules over Heaven doesn’t sound very nice… 

Marianna didn’t pry any further, but the three of the buns talked about a variety of topics. From their favorite drinks to hobbies. It was pleasant to learn more about a Cherubun’s way of life compared to a Succubun’s. In fact, it helped Marianna understand where Primrose was coming from a little more. While Dove was settling in better, Primrose was still avoidant of assimilating in Burrowgatory due to culture shock and avoidance of understanding Succubun culture. Maybe Marianna could try and explain it further to him if he really did enjoy Marianna’s company enough…

After finishing his tea, Marianna decided to get out of Dove and Jackal’s hair. He said his goodbyes and thanked them for the tea and good conversation. There was a lot to think about.