Mo' Mochi Mo' Fun

With most of the foot traffic settled for the day, all seemed settled at Dan’s confectionary shop. The owner let out a puff of relief, sweeping the front as clean as he could manage. Everyone had gotten the inspiration they needed from his mochi or at the very least, ate some, before going home to make their own offerings for Allocer. He scolded any bun who would try to pass off his handmade mochi as their own, though if they paid any heed to his warnings Dan wasn’t entirely sure. His own offerings were prepared and all he had to do was take them to Allocer’s altar and then drink to his heart’s content. He heads towards the back and before he’s able to grab them, his attention shifts to the large pillow pile tucked away in the corner and dozing atop it, Shibani.

Despite the buns coming and going all day, it didn’t seem to stir the soft looking bun at all. Another quiet breath escapes him as he wanders over, squatting down to poke his companion’s face gently.

“Shibani, time to get up. C’mon, we got to drop off these offerings.” Dan murmurs, careful not to startle the other too badly.

For his part, Shibani stirs only a little and after a yawn. “Dan…? Oh, are you done with work already?”

“Yep.” Dan confirms with a nod. “Up and at ‘em. Did you wanna stop by and pick up anything? It shouldn’t take too long this time around though.”

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Shibani only smiles up at Dan and shakes his head. It only takes him a few more moments–and a stretch or two–before he takes the other’s outstretched hand and helping himself up out of his pillow pile. “No, I’m good…although, we promised to visit Arsene didn’t we? He wanted to share the mochi he made with us before he left his offerings too.”

Dan mulls it over before he nods again, grabbing his mochi before leading the other out and through Burrowgatory to visit their friend. They don’t seem to be in any rush, saying hello to buns they come across on their excursion. While Shibani has Dan recall the day he had, Arsene appears in view shortly enough, turning to greet the pair with a courteous nod of his own. Shibani can’t help but giggle at how similar the two were or at least, how they seemed to be buns of few words.

“Shibani. Dan. Hello.” Arsene greets.

“Hello Arsene!” Shibani greets back in return, bouncing from Dan’s side to the hellfire bun’s, much to Dan’s slight annoyance. “We came to pick you up. Oh, but do you have your mochi prepared for Allocer…?”

The teal bun nods and pulls out a small tray of mochis, mostly of the glittering and sparkling variety. He peels back the protective wrapping and extends the tray to the pair. “Please, have a try. It won’t be as good as Dan’s but I think I’ve improved since the last I practiced with him.”

That was all the offering Shibani needed before he took one to bite into, delighting in the chewy texture and sweet filling. He sighs dreamily, giving his gentle hums of approval before nudging Dan to follow suit and do the same. Dan grumbles but takes a careful bite and then another, assessing every aspect of the mochi as a skilled mochi maker should.

“Yeah, not too bad. The texture is a lot better this time around. Chewier. The filling ratio is good too.” Dan assesses after he swallows, offering a grunt of approval. “Now, if it’s the same to either of you, we still have to drop these offerings off. Let’s head off.” And before the other two could get a word in, Dan had already turned heel.

After some walking and a little complaining from Shibani, they made it to Allocer’s altar. There, cleaned and free of other mochi offerings, Dan leaves out his tray with Arsene right after. They all stand there in silent reverence and consideration, thinking of what they hoped would come with the new year. With hopes filled in their hearts, the trio looked to one another before Shibani smiled at his companions, taking either hands into his.

“Now that we’ve made our offerings, let’s go visit Hops and get something yummy to drink!” And before the other two could argue, Shibani, with renewed purpose and vigor, leads them back to Burrowgatory to enjoy the rest of the evening with good company and with even better drinks.