PoD ch 4

In a sudden unexpected but grateful turn of event, Rubel was assigned by Dove to take a break from watering the flowers. For what reason? Rubel can only think it’s because they were doing such a good job they deserved a day off--they would have a breakdown for any other reason otherwise.

Nonetheless, Rubel’s sloth-vice self (read: laziness) greatly appreciates the rest, cheering for joy. Yay! Less work to consider! A day of no watering those pesky, dramatic flowers! Take that, buggers!

Except Dove does end up steering Rubel towards another daunting task: to deliver fresh coffee beans from the Embassy Gardens to Beany’s cafe.

Rubel gasps for breath as they drop the sack of coffee beans onto the pavement, a loud thud against the hard ground. “Owwch-!” They wring their hands in pain; despite their fashionable gloves, the material of the rugged sacks continue to make their hands ache. Luckily the bag is tightly secured and beans didn’t go rolling across the dirt flooring. Rubel wouldn’t want an experience parallel to the flying tea leaves incident.

Compared to the beans, tea leaves were easier to deliver as they came in the form of dry leaves and cute, dainty little sachets. Easy to put in a pocket or a small bag and light to carry, but nevertheless not clumsy-proof in the hands of a bun like Rubel.

The coffee beans? Beans, tons and tons of little, smelly beans. Large, heavy sacks made of a rough material. All together they challenge Rubel’s lack-of muscle and dexterity.

“Can’t Dove just rely on someone else... someone who actually likes holding beans...” Muttering under their breath, Rubel’s lips tilt down into a bratty pout, eyes sending an anguished gaze towards the sacks as if the bag of beans have destroyed their livelihood and have done them wrong. If a sack could have feelings, Rubel hopes this one would disintegrate into the ground out of sheer sympathy for making this little pink bun so, so sad.

...Despite the emotional spiral, Rubel won’t give up. Rubel promised they would become a helpfun bun for Dove’s sake and contribute to the growth of Burrowgatory. For the sake of being a hardworking member of bun society.

Mainly though, Dove’s impression is on the line. They really like Dove and would not want to let them down and be subjected to their sad, big ol’ eyes. They don’t really care about their goody-two shoes impression to the rest of the populace.

With a few grunts, whines, and maybe a few tears, they grab the coffee bean sack once more, and trudge on.

---

With a heave and a huff, the pink bun drags the sack up the few steps of the store staircase, careful not to snag the fabric against the loose bark of the wood frames. 

No beans were lost and no sacks were hurt during the long, winded journey down the road, from garden to cafe... As far as they know. Out of sight, out of mind.

A new record for Rubel! Woopee!

They shove the door open with a hoof and the bell above lets out a jingle. 

“Delivery service!” Rubel calls from the entrance of the cafe. They pop their head into the cafe, breathing heavily and a bit exaggerated. A few patrons amongst their drinks and finger snacks glance at the pink bun, with their expressions in a mix of surprise and maybe annoyance. Rubel’s cheeks flush red in embarrassment, about to hide behind the decorative entrance in shame, though a cheery voice stops them from fleeing the scene.

“Oh, Rubel, good to see you!” An angelic white bun steps out from behind the counter, patting their hooves clean onto a frilly apron and their cottonball of a tail wiggling loose. Their eyes crinkle with their welcoming smile as a hoove adjusts their spectacles. “What could I help you with, dear?”

“Um, Dove... well, Dove told me to deliver some beans over to you...” Rubel stumbles and waves their hooves to motion at the sack, which now finds itself jammed between the door and entrance of the cafe as if it was a doorstop. Not very graceful. Rubel could have brought it further into the cafe, but with the other customers murmuring at their abrupt entrance, they don’t know if they have the confidence to struggle a bit more with an audience.

“Wow, thanks for stopping by!” Without breaking a sweat, Beanny grabs the end of the sack of coffee and hurls it over their shoulder in one fell swoop. “Oof! There we go. Must have been troublesome to drag over, hm?” They sneak behind the counter and to the backroom with the bag of beans, probably putting it away in some sort of storage area, Rubel assumes. 

The pink bun can’t help but stare, mouth gaping wide. They themself could barely drag the damn bag outside of the garden gates, let alone across the rocky dirt paths of Burrowgatory. Could that be the power of manning a whole cafe on your own? From having actual responsibilities for day-to-day living? Rubel can’t imagine having nor needing that strength for their mundane everyday life.

With the delivery completed, Rubel awkwardly shuffles back and forth, hooves wringing and unwringing. They could technically leave now with their duty completed, but the awkwardness of just leaving without doing anything else gets them a bit stumped. Maybe they can pretend they look interested in a pastry or maybe that they want purchase something...

“Why don’t you come in for a drink before you go on your way?” Beanny’s head pops up from the backroom storage. “You must be tired from the route here, come on. I’ll set you up with some scones and coffee, on the house.”

Oh, well. Rubel can’t say no to free things. It’s not in their nature to reject such a gracious gift... and maybe their energy feels a bit depleted.

“Yes, please...” Taking a seat at one of the empty tables, Rubel slumps ungracefully with their face planted on the tabletop. Oh. They’re way more tired than they thought. Their arms feel like jelly, legs aching from dragging the weighted sack. 

Maybe Rubel can close their eyes for a bit, taking in the soothing scent of coffee and pastries... Just a few seconds should be okay.