[Comm] Sleepy Diligence 2

A walk through the streets of Burrowgatory, under the cavernous roof above, was not something Galaeth found himself indulging in often. 

The succubun would have preferred to have his hands forever shifting over a keyboard, his eyes scanning a computer screen until they burned. He had manuscripts to read and edit, he didn’t have time for Primrose’s errands. He could already find his mind buzzing, his entire body feeling restless as he walked.

He glanced at his companion, watching the cherubun hold the bag of tea leaves close to her chest. Lessa, as he learned from Primrose, was a curious bun, her distrust obvious but she didn’t seem to mind following Galaeth. Even into the burrows, where plenty cherubuns were still too terrified to step into.

He would have continued to walk in silence beside her, until Lessa suddenly jolted and bumped into his side. Galaeth grunted, looking behind her at a pair of rambunctious succubun were laughing loudly.

He sighed, his hands catching Lessa’s attention as he quickly signed, “Nothing’s wrong, they’re laughing.”

True to his word, the succubuns weren’t paying attention to them, instead they were far busier with each other.

Lessa didn’t seem comforted, instead as they began to walk again, she remained at his side. How strange it was, the cherubun was constantly reminded of how different the burrows were to the Heavenly Meadow, no one had been that loud and rude in their laughter, but in the same breath, just the thought of wanting to return to the clouds above terrified her. 

She unconsciously held onto Galaeth’s sleeve, refusing to move her hands.

Galaeth didn’t press her to respond to him, instead he let her have her moment. He may not understand cherubuns, but he did at least have some compassion in not wanting to make them overly uncomfortable.

They reached Dove’s street slowly, each step quiet this early in the day, before Galaeth raised his hands again, “Does this look like the right place?”

Lessa shrugged, her eyes flicking back and forth nervously. 

Galaeth sighed, right he should have realized she had probably never been this far out into the burrows. It made him wonder why she wanted to go, especially when Primrose didn’t seem very happy with the idea. The stern cherubun had tried to dissuade Lessa from going with him, but had given up when she cowered away from his strict voice.

Galaeth didn’t understand it, but he also wasn’t going to waste time in trying to figure it out. Lessa wanted to be here in the burrows next to him and he was going to let her. It did help that she was also the one holding onto the tea.

A few more feet and they reached Dove’s door, the wood well worn from the years; which seems on par with the sort of place that Jackal would want to live. It was no secret that the envy and cherubun now shared a home together, about everyone in the burrows would have known by now.

Galaeth quickly knocked, he didn’t need to keep getting lost in thought.

They waited for a few minutes, before they heard a shuffling inside and a quiet yelp as something seemed to be bumped into behind the closed door. 

There was a moment, as brief as it was, that Galaeth wondered if he should use his voice to see if they were alright, but he didn’t get the chance as a flustered Dove finally opened the door.

They smiled shakily as they shook out one of their legs. “Hello, I’m so sorry for the wait, I tripped over the coffee table.” 

Galaeth stared for a moment, until he reached for the bag of tea leaves and took it out of Lessa’s hands. The cherubun waved shyly at Dove, nervously fidgeting.

Dove looked confused as the bag was passed into their hands. “Huh, what’s this?”

Galaeth gestured for Dove to open it. 

Dove peeked inside hesitantly, their eyes squinted until they gasped. “Tea leaves!” They tilted their head, “But why… oh! Are these from Primrose?”

Lessa nodded before Galaeth got the chance, it seemed she also wanted to be included.

Dove’s tail wagged as they looked at the tea leaves. “I was wondering when he was finally going to send them. It feels like I’ve been waiting weeks for a new bag.”

Galaeth raised his hands, signing slowly in the hopes he was understood, “We were told to get the leaves to you quickly.”

Dove smiled brightly, “Thank you for bringing them all the way here, even if I’m sure Primrose could have done it himself.”

Galaeth snorted, he didn’t imagine that cherubun would want to be anywhere near the burrows and if Primrose was, he was definitely not by his own choice.

In that moment, Lessa decided to sign, “I hope you like them.”

Dove seemed touched, their expression softening, “I’m sure I will.” They glanced at the street, before opening their door wider. “Do you both want to come inside? I can put some tea on.”

Lessa didn’t wait to see what Galaeth wanted to do as she walked into the room behind Dove.

Galaeth sighed as he followed. Lessa was too shy and reserved of a bun to be left alone in the burrows, even under Dove’s care. He would make sure she got back to the embassy in one piece, preferably before Primrose started getting worried.

Dove was quick to seat them, talking about the tea they asked for and what each bun wanted in theirs. Words that blended together as Lessa started up a conversation with them, her hands moving faster than Dove seemed to keep up with.

It was comforting background noise for Galaeth, just a moment for his mind to shut off as he listened. He didn’t like being sent on errands, but he supposed it was better than being in the dirt. Cherubuns didn’t seem so bad like this, they just wanted to do their own things,

Maybe he should tell his publishing firm.