Aster's etiquette lessons continued over the next few weeks. Most of it came from practice at home, reading Primrose's guidebook, and visiting the Embassy at least once a week to confirm his progress with the head cherubun. Despite his lessons, Aster's etiquette only extended to Primrose, most of his other relations receiving the same treatment from him as before. What he didn't know couldn't hurt his chances, right? It's not like he had spies watching him to monitor whether or not he was acting on his lessons or not.
Once again, Aster finds himself sitting at his vanity, preparing himself like usual for another meeting with Primrose. This consisted of significant preening - more so than usual - in his mirror. He had to look his best of course, from horns to toes and everything in between, he was pristine. Aster gets up from his chair, satisfied with his appearance so far, and waltzes to his wardrobe to choose an appropriate outfit. This, however, was proving more difficult than expected. All his best outfits had already been put on display for his lessons, and while he didn't own junkie clothes, none seemed perfect for his final lesson. Aster stands before the mirror in his lounging robe, wondering if it would be too much effort to go out and buy another outfit for the day. He wasn't above such antics.
The succubun would deny any claims that he had a growing crush on the cherubun he was going to see; he simply wanted access to the gardens. All this prep work was merely to prove he could follow the rules and outdo the other bun while doing so. It had nothing to do with trying to impress Primrose.
Aster decides a new outfit was in order after all and picks an easy "running around" fit for the errand. A few puffs of fragrance later, the bun is out the door and on the way to the shops.
----- ----- -----
The succubun sits at his desk, hands folded politely, and lesson book opened to the last page. Primrose was going over the last section, and Aster smiles as the cherubun seems impressed with his work. Good. Those gardens were as good as open to him.
"Well, well, you've come far, haven't you?" Primrose speaks at last, with an almost proud expression on his face.
"You've been an excellent teacher," Aster lays on the charm. Surely some flattery would take him farther.
The cherubun looks at him curiously, and somewhat amused. "Thank you, you have been a particularly...receptive student."
Aster doesn't know what to make of that; his instinct is to be offended at his lack of understanding, but the gardens were so close. "Thank you, Primrose." He smiles sweetly.
The angel bun closes his lesson book and slides it back to Aster. "With our lessons complete, I suppose you'll be wanting that chaperone to the gardens?" He raises a brow.
Taking back his book, he nods a little too vigorously. "Yes, please - if you think I'm ready, of course." Aster adds on.
Primrose quiets, and Aster can see the gears turning in his head. Had he been too obvious? Could the cherubun see right through his plot?
"You have been very consistent with your learning, very conscientious. I think you've earned it," he smiles and stands from his desk. "Are you sure you want to go in that outfit though?"
Aster looks surprised, "what's wrong with it?" He pouts at not having Primrose's approval, looking over his fit unusually self-consciously.
"Oh, nothing, it's very nice. Though I do need to tend to the gardens while I take you; there's a chance you'll get messy."
"Messy?" Aster questions. Was this a double entendre like he was so used to in Burrowgatory? No, it couldn't be. This was Primrose. Still, he didn't want to ruin his new outfit. "By chance, do you have any gardening uniforms I could borrow?"
----- ----- -----
Outfitted in overalls, wellies, a simple shirt, and gloves, Aster proudly follows Primrose to the gardens. All his hard work was finally paying off, and the only beauty that could rival his, was close at hand. Soon, he catches sight of the entrance and the glow coming from within, and his excitement grows. Primrose had been rattling off the history of the Heavenly Meadows and the significance the greenhouses hold to cherubun life as they approached, but Aster wasn't exactly listening.
After weaving their way through the other buns in the area, they reach the entrance at last. Aster pauses, waiting for permission to enter from his companion. Primrose stops with him, frowning. "You didn't change your mind, did you? Surely you aren't afraid of a little work."
Aster shakes his head, "no, it's not that, I just...I've been waiting for so long."
"Then let's not waste any more time, come," Primrose leads on, and soon the succubun is in the first greenhouse. His chaperone continues to explain about the proper care for the various plants and flowers within, and this time, Aster is paying attention. He'd never gardened before, but he wasn't about to lose access to the gardens by accidentally killing the plant life.
"Ah, here we are, greenhouse three," the cherubun takes him through another section and comes to a stop besides some empty plots and tools. "Let's get digging."
Primrose, in a matching outfit, kneels down on the ground, and trowel in hand, digs a decent sized hole. Aster follows suit, reluctantly getting on the ground himself and picking up the shovel. It's easy enough to dig a hole, and easy enough to follow Primrose's instructions on placing the seeds carefully within. Together, they manage to dig, plant, and cover the whole plot, finishing them off with a healthy amount of water.
They move on to another plot of earth and end up spending much of the day planting together. It did turn out to be messy, but also fun. Aster was enjoying listening to the gardening tips and bonding with the cherubun, and even getting dirty wasn't bothering him. After their planting escapades, Aster is treated to a fuller tour of the greenhouses and garden buildings by Primrose, staying close to him and listening intently as he views the lushness of the space.
"Same time next week?" Primrose asks as they come to the exit of the gardens.
Aster perks up, "of course, I wouldn't miss it!"
"Good," the cherubun smiles back. "I'll see you then."
The succubun beams back, "yes, you will." Realizing he was still in the borrowed gardening clothes, he quickly adds, "uh...should I just keep these for next time?"
Primrose chuckles, "you may. Now, I must get back to work, thank you for your help, I'll see you soon, Aster."
With that, the purple bun is left to his own devices as the cherubun walks off. He waits a moment, watching Primrose until he's lost among the crowd of buns. Aster collects his things and makes his way to the elevator, heading home after a hard day's work.
