A lesson in Song

Raiben skipped along the pathways of Burrowgatory, happily sipping at a warm beverage overflowing with whipped cream and sprinkles. It was a perfectly beautiful day out. At some point, Raiben heard the most lovely voices singing out. Following the sound of various buns singing he rounded a corner and headed down the street. He wasn’t familiar with the song however. And he found out why as soon as they all came into view.

It was some of the Cherubuns, all lined up in two neat and tidy rows. They were dressed in very nice matching outfits, and all holding some kind of book in front of them. Everything looked identical and their voices were lovely to listen to.

Raiben watched several buns pass by without so much as a glance in the direction of the singers. Others stopped and listened for a while, some sneered and jeered before walking away. There were no instruments, just their voices, all singing in unison. It was rather pretty. Nothing like he had heard before. Whether that was because of the songs themselves, or simply because the Cherubuns had nice voices, he wasn’t too sure.

Raiben found a spot to sit nearby, quietly enjoying the sounds and songs while he finished up his drink. At some point they all fell quiet, and he quickly turned to see what had happened. They had taken a short break or two while they had a drink and switched pages in their books but it had already been longer than that.

Seeing that they were packing up, he ditched his empty drink and ran over. “Excuse me! Excuse me!” Several Cherubuns turned his way, many of them holding surprised expressions. Content he got their attention, he slowed down to catch his breath, bending over a little the ribbons on his ears touched the ground. Bringing his hooves up in front of him like he had seen Primrose do a lot he took a deep breath before speaking.

“What were those songs you were singing?” The Cherubuns talked about it a little bit, and in the end they gave him a spare book so he could learn them, but Raiben was at a loss. They didn’t have time to teach him themselves, and he wasn’t sure other succubuns would be able to help. To think they were all special songs for a holiday. How neat?!

Raiben brought the song book home and tried to give a few of them a try but he couldn’t manage to find the right rhythm for any of them. With a heavy sigh, he flopped down, gently tossing the little book aside and hanging his little bun head over the edge of his bed. He was staring off into space at the desk across the room. And that’s when he noticed the book.

He bolted upright. “Prim!” Of course! He had to return Primrose’s book anyway, maybe he could talk the Cherubun into giving him lessons? Perhaps he could offer up more cleaning work for it. Though perhaps he would ditch the maid outfit this time. Primrose didn’t question it last time, but after actually spending that whole time cleaning, Raiben knew it wasn’t required.

Gathering up Prim’s book, and his new song book, Raiben slipped out of his burrow and started making his way over. Hopefully Primrose would be there. Oh no, what if he was out? Then again, Primrose was one of the last Cherubuns to usually be seen out and about. Surely he must be there.

As Raiben came up to the door, books in his hooves, he finally faltered. Pausing for a long moment he stared down at the ground. Primrose however had been alerted the moment the bun made an appearance on the property, and came to the door. Raiben looked up at the Cherubun who was staring down their nose at him with that usual graceful arrogant expression.

“Ah, Pri-” Raiben started.

Primrose cut him off with a lift of his hoof. “We can skip the…pleasantries. What are you doing here?”

Raiben looked back down at the ground, frowned for a moment and then smiled back up at Primrose with his best happy puppy dog eyes. “I came to return the book I borrowed~ I promised after all.” He watched Primrose’s brow go up slightly, a small huff and he put out a hoof to take the book back, flipping through it for a moment.

“None of the pages are dog-eared. Nothing is written or scribbled on. No spine damage.” Primrose listed off each thing he didn’t find wrong with the book. Finally he closed carefully and tucked it under his arm. “I suppose… You’ve fulfilled your promise. If that is all-”

Raiben quickly lifted the song book up front and center. “Wait wait please! I…I was hoping you could teach me these!” He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. He squeezed his eyes shut and tucked his head down a little behind the booklet.

A moment later, the paper left his hooves. He looked up to see Primrose scrutinizing it. “Where did you get this?” The Cherubun asked. Turning his gaze back to Raiben, Prim straightened up a little. A sassy standing pose that usually made others falter a little, but Raiben only perked up.

“There were a bunch of Cherubuns singing in the street earlier. It was really pretty so I stopped to listen. I tried learning the songs by myself because they were busy but…” Raiben paused and gestured around himself. “I couldn’t…get the rhythm right…”

Primrose scoffed. “And you came here? Expecting what? For me to teach you?” Raiben squirmed a little under Prim’s pointed gaze. Eye flicking to and away from Primrose in uncertainty.

Raiben put his hooves together again, took a deep breath and spoke up. “You’re…the only Cherubun I really know. And I know you could do it. If anyone could teach me how to sing these songs just like the Cherubuns it would be you.”

Primrose was silent for a long while. Gently he tapped the song book against himself. He watched Raibens pleading expression for a long few minutes. The bun did not waver. Finally Primrose sighed. “I suppose you did help me out last time. And you did return this book in perfect condition. I have a little bit of time, we might as well hear what you sound like.” Primrose turned and gestured for Raiben to follow.

It was everything in him not to squeal with delight as he followed close at Primrose’s heels. He was led into a large nearly empty room. Primrose handed him the song book back and asked him to open the first page.

A few hours of lessons passed. Raiben was surprised. Primrose was strict and made a lot of adjustments and suggestions, but he was a very good teacher. Primrose even told him his voice wasn’t bad, for a Succubun. He also invited him back for more lessons the next day.

After a few days working with Primrose. Raiben’s confidence in the songs had soared, and he had the first three memorized, and the rest he barely needed to look at the booklet for. Finally, Primrose stopped him mid song. “Alright Raiben. That’s enough.”

Raiben frowned. “Did I make a mistake?” He was certain he hadn’t at all today, in fact even their last session he had done well.

Primrose shook his head. “Not at all. I just think you’re ready.” Primrose watched the bun in front of him light up. The poor thing was almost vibrating he seemed so pleased. “Come.”

Raiben immediately flushed, the blush spreading over his face. The command itself was innocent, but past experience had Raiben stumbling over his feet attempting to remember that as he scrambled after Primrose.

He was led to a group of Cherubuns already getting themselves dressed in their matching outfits. Primrose gestured to one, spoke to them for a moment when they came over, and then looked to Raiben. “This young lady will show you the ropes. Keep your lessons in mind. Don’t embarrass me Succubun.”

Ah, already back to that instead of his name. Raiben nodded anyway. “Of course!” And then he left with the Cherubun and got into his own outfit. Soon after, the ‘carolers’ were out on the streets. Raiben sang the cheerful tunes with them, even though he worried about fitting in.

“Wishing you a very happy Cherubmas~”
“Wishing you a Merry Cherubmas~”
“May the new season bring you peace and joy~”

“Good times for you all~”
“And all of your friends~”
“Good times for Cherubmas~”
“And a happy new season~”

“May you all know uplifting joy~”
“And a plentiful time~”

Raiben sang with his eyes closed for all the first three songs, smiling wide, and keeping in perfect tune with his peers. He barely heard the Succubuns passing by the jeers and cheers, he didn’t hear the clapping at ends of songs. Only the voices of the Cherubuns around him, the songs they were singing, and the odd sound of bells jingling here and there somewhere in the background.

He was glad he had practiced, the more he sang the more tired he felt, it was hard work singing at this volume without losing key. And staying in tune with everyone else, working to cover any missteps in the songs by others. It was a beautiful team effort. His throat was just starting to hurt when they all took a break to have something to drink.

Raiben was certain he would be left out, but several Cherubuns made him feel very welcome and made sure he had everything he needed too. After their short break, they all got back to singing, the songs changing from “We wish you a happy Cherubmas” to “Oh Holy Times” and “Joy to the Buns”

By the time they were all done their carols, he understood why the Cherubuns he saw last time didn’t want to teach him. He was exhausted. He was helping put things away with the Cherubuns when a shadow fell over him. Turning around, he saw Prim standing there, that same arrogant but polite vibe about him.

“Ah Primr-” He didn’t get to finish what he was saying however. Primrose cut him off. Not with a wave of the hand, not with words. He just reached down and gently placed his hand on top of Raibens head. When Raiben looked up at him wide eyed and slack jawed, Primrose removed his hand and looked away.

Raiben reached up and put a hoof to that spot, smiling wide. That was the best “you did well” that he had never heard. “Thank you.” He chirped quietly.

Primrose gave him no answer, though he could swear that perma-frown on Primrose’s face vanished for a moment as he turned away. Raiben couldn’t believe he remembered. Hell he couldn’t believe Primrose gave him another pat at all! Maybe the Cherubun wasn’t such a stick in the mud at all. Raiben finished cleaning up and quickly thanked all the Cherubuns who had sung with him today.