Tea Delivery

Cici liked the embassy. Really, she did. It was a great place where great work got done and there was a reason she spent as much time there as she did. But she hated the elevator ride required to get up there. It was long and tedious and she really should talk to Primrose about potentially getting some new music for it, as the cheery little tune that played whenever the accursed box was in motion had started grating on her nerves.

Marshmallow and Fluff were along for the ride, providing at least some entertainment before the doors finally opened to let her out into the entrance hall. After the two phloofs had behaved themselves so well after sneaking themselves into the Embassy the first time, she decided there wasn't any harm in occasionally bringing them again, and this time Primrose had specifically asked her to come up as there was some task he needed done.

As always, Cici didn't need to wait long before Primrose arrived, striding through one of the multiple doorways leading further into the building. "Good, you are here. Take this," he held out a nicely decorated basket filled with bags of various tea leaves, "and deliver it to Dove."

Citron was taken aback by the snappy tone, Primrose having not taken up that attitude with her for months now, and so decided to be sarcastic about it. "Wow. Hello to you as well, Primrose. Great to see you too, Primrose. My day is going well, thank you for asking, Primrose."

The snobby cherubun sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "Yes, hello. I am... dealing with something quite urgent, so apologies for my curt behaviour- may you please deliver these tea leaves to Dove? I am aware that you are friends with them, and so already know their address, and I wouldn't like to keep them waiting on their usual delivery"

Citron took the basket Primrose was still holding out, satisfied with the explanation. "Of course, I can do that. Good luck with whatever the issue is."

Primrose only managed a rather brusque dismissal before a loud crash echoed across the building, the blonde bun rushing off to whatever the urgent matter was as Cici silently thanked whatever power had ensured she doesn't have to be the one to deal with that and re-entered the elevator, taking the time to read the writing on the tea packaging during the long descent. She knew Dove got her tea leaves from the embassy, the topic of how differently plants grew in burrowgatory's soil compared to the meadows having been brought up in conversation before. Cici personally preferred Burrowgatory-grown tea, but could appreciate the unique flavour the embassy's gardens provided and was happy to try any kind that Dove recommended to her.

Some of the leaves had flowers and fruits included in the blend as well, which would definitely make for a pleasant taste. Citron would have to ask after the blends she found interesting the next time she and Dove have tea time together. Hearing the ding that announces the elevator has reached it's destination, she gets out and walks to her car, scooping up Marshmallow and Fluff to place both them and the basket onto the front passenger seat before heading around and getting in front of the wheel.

"Alright you little troublemakers- car rules apply now. If you want to hop around get to the backseat, I don't need distractions on the road."

The two phloofs stayed in the front seat, snuggling up with each and staying still.

"Ah, sleepy little puffballs. Alright, off we go."

Citron pulled out of the small parking space the embassy had, having long since memorised the fastest route to Dove's apartment. Well, technically Jackal's apartment- with how little Cici sees the envy bun, she sometimes forgets Dove has a roommate. Perhaps she should spend more time with the other, but she was never able to figure out what common interests to start a conversation over.

Cici contemplated what topics Jackal might be interested in on the drive over, still having not come up with any solid ideas by the time she was slowing down to pull into the parking lot a short distance away from her destination. Maybe Jackal might be interested in what goes on up in the embassy, living with a cherubun and all. She'll figure it out at some point.

Making sure she's parked correctly and shutting off the engine, Marshmallow and Fluff instantly seem to gain back their full energy, bouncing around as Citron moved to grip the handle of the basket and get out the car, the phloofs climbing up her back as she hunched over to stand, one sitting on top of her head and the other on her right shoulder.

Usually she would've at least moved Fluff down from where they were already sinking into her hair, but she had no need to look professional at the moment, so she let the fluffy imp stay where they were and started climbing the stairs to the upper floors of the apartment complex to deliver the package, pausing in front of the correct door to catch her breath as she wasn't exactly the fittest around and long stairways were always tiring, also giving Marshmallow some scratches with the imp squeaking in approval at the treatment.

Smoothing out some creases in her clothes, Citron knocked on the door, hearing the faint sound of footsteps before the door was partially opened to show Jackal in her doll form, glaring in suspicion until she recognised Cici, letting the door open to about half-way and giving a questioning look instead.

Cici held up the gift basket, doing a little flourish with her free hand. "Tea delivery from the Heavenly Embassy!"

Jackal stepped out of the way to hold the door open, Cici taking the invitation as what it was and stepping into the modest living space. Jackal walked further into the apartment, Citron following her towards the kitchen, a delectable smell wafting from the oven making it clear that Dove was currently baking some treats.

The cherubun turned to face the two of them when they stepped onto the tiled flooring, smiling pleasantly. "Oh, Cici- and Marshmallow and Fluff. Lovely to see you, is there something you need?"

"Pretty sure you're the one here who needs something," Citron replied as she presented the decorated basket, "Special delivery from the Heavenly Embassy. Primrose was preoccupied with something else, so you get me here instead."

Dove took the basket, having a quick look at the various kinds of tea leaves within it before looking back up. "Well thank you for taking the time to deliver it! Would you like to stay for some tea and cake?"

"I'd be delighted."

It took longer to pick the tea than it did to brew it, Dove and Cici good-naturedly debating which kinds of tea were superior, then nearly devolving into a full argument when Jackal cut in his her own opinion that coffee was clearly the better option, Dove having to cut off the conversation before Citron could tell the other envy bun in excruciating detail exactly just how incorrect her opinion was.

When Citron returned to the embassy later in the day, it was to an irritable Primrose and a completely unrepentant new cherubun. Citron didn't bother asking what had happened, it seemed like a headache she didn't feel like handling.