We're (Trying to) Celebrate

The thing is that it’s celebration time and yet Primrose cannot get Ariel to leave the Heavenly Embassy alone. Rather, it seems that the other bun has a need to drag him down to see the sights of Burrowgatory. 

“Otherwise,” Ariel tells him in a way that spells trouble. “I’ll go cry in front of the Statue of Patience again.”

“Please do not.” 

“I’ll just cry louder.” 

It’s not a solution, not really. And for Primrose, it’s the sheer fact that he can’t drink alcohol, nor does he want to socialize with the rest of Burrowgatory. At least not on this large scale with all of the parties and the amount of indulgence going around. He’s perfectly happy here– 

“And Dove is there in Burrowgatory, it wouldn’t hurt to say hello,” Ariel then points out. “Therefore, you should come with me.” 

Which is a fair point. He should go visit her. 

“This is bribery,” Primrose replies instead. 

“If I wanted to bribe you, I would have said so earlier.” At least Ariel’s honest about it. 

Part of him now understands why Ariel doesn’t have a normal office job and spends part of his time getting thrown around on film sets and working those types of jobs. Really, he gets why Ariel is as dramatic as he is. 

Though what he can’t imagine is who would even hire someone like Ariel in the first place. 

“At least you’re honest,” Primrose replies instead. 

Then there’s a beat. An awkward one as if Ariel is second guessing his initial proposition. 

“Maybe we ought to stay up here instead,” the succubun then blurts out. “I can just invite some others up here instead. I know some of them aren’t exactly celebratory buns or ones for parties.” 

Primrose highly doubts that Ariel actually knows introverts. Except well, Ariel comes to the Heavenly Embassy everyday and anything outside of that isn’t something that he’s privy to. 

And most importantly, they’re not friends. Not really. 

“Shouldn’t you be partying though?” 

Ariel shrugs and turns to look at the flowers for Ambrosia. There’s a distant look in his eyes, one that Primrose isn’t sure he should even ask about. “I would be but I’m not exactly the most popular down there either.” 

There’s no extrapolation for a moment only for Ariel to continue talking. 

“I think it’s because I’m probably delusional and the others don’t quite appreciate it as much.” 

“Stubbornness is probably more apt for someone like you.”

“Probably, but you’re just as hard headed. Maybe I just don’t want to celebrate All Sinners’ Day alone.” 

A beat. 

“I don’t drink.” 

“Coffee won’t kill me.” 

– 

That’s how they find themselves in the Paradise Cafe rather than down at Burrowgatory. It’s not too bad though Primrose can’t help but wonder if Ariel intends on even attempting to sleep tonight. From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem to be like that’s the case when he orders a coffee from Beanny. 

“No sugar or anything in there please,” Ariel says before handing over the carats.

Primrose looks over at his fellow Cherubun, then back at Ariel before concluding that no one is as they seem. 

“Maybe one day I’ll help you with growing ambrosia,” Ariel muses as they sit down at the counter. “Could be interesting.” 

"That's assuming you'd actually enjoy the process," Beanny points out. "Which you may not." 

Ariel cackles. "There's more awful things than getting bored, Beanny. Such as getting thrown down staircases for a stunt. I'll live and it can't be that bad." 

"It could be worse."  Beanny then remarks. Which Primrose can somewhat agree with, growing ambrosia isn't easy and not everyone has the patience or diligence to make it work. Though admittedly he doubts Ariel has the patience in the first place with how he is with the Statue of Patience. 

“Right because you listen to others so well–” 

“It’s for the experience,” Ariel deflects easily. “You look like you could use the help.”

To be fair, Primrose supposes that he does need it but not right now. Especially when he notes how they should be celebrating… by drinking coffee. 

He scoffs instead. “I don’t require any help right now, and you should be celebrating.” 

“Everyone should be celebrating.” 

That’s true even if he isn’t much of a party-goer. Primrose simply can’t say that about himself, especially when he could be using this time for other things. But also a break won’t kill him, not really. They’re no longer in the Heavenly Meadow after all and there is not a Melangel to look over his shoulder. 

This should be good for him. 

“Right and all I’d do is cook for everyone, not that I’d mind,” Ariel then says. “You should come to my next get together thing for All Sinners’ Day.” 

“You can cook?” 

“How else do you think I can spend all day here if I don’t eat?” 

He walked into that. But the thought of socializing, maybe on a smaller scale suddenly no longer sounds as scary as it is currently. It’s good for him and maybe he’ll better understand the succubuns who live around the Heavenly Embassy. 

After all, it can’t hurt to expand his social circle a little bit. Then there’s the fact that he can finally understand Ariel better compared to the always crying one that he sees at the Statue of Patience.