[PROMPT] Mochi Master

Arsene returns to Dan’s workshop some weeks later after the insistence of his crew. He put his dango making skills to use and since then, his crew demanded he keep making them forever. Partially because they no longer had to spend carats but also it meant keeping their boss busy. A busy boss is a less strict boss, or so they hoped. Their hope wasn’t in vain as Arsene let up on most time consuming tasks and his overall hardiness, though he still kept them in line when they got a little too rowdy. Wanting to placate them, he decided to take up Dan’s offer to learn how to make mochi, hoping the similar treat would reward their obedience and patience. He rapts his knuckles against the door and waits for confirmation before entering, nodding respectfully as he spots the other bun before making his way inside fully.

The inside is about as neat and tidy as one would suspect, though the piles of mochi seemed to have doubled the last he was here, no doubt in preparation for Mochi Moon this year. A sweet scent of adzuki paste lingers in the air as he approaches Dan’s side, rolling up his sleeves as he helps the other bun in his doll form.

“Learning mochi’ll be a lot more work than making dango. Typically this process takes a lot more people, though it can be done alone.” Dan explains. Since he’s already prepped the sweet rice, he explains the process before the real hard work. The rice is already steamed from hours ago and the usu, the pounding mortar, is already prepped. He drops the cooked rice into the mortar and hands Arsene the kine, the huge hammer needed to pound. “Here, we have to knead the rice into the mortar first–so rice doesn’t go flying everywhere.”

“Got it.” Arsene murmurs and begins helping Dan knead the softened rice into the mortar, mimicking Dan’s movements and following instructions as best he can. He watches as the rice transforms from clumps of individual grains to a more unified blob, though its texture is not as refined as the mochi he consumes. “…you just do this on your own, usually?” The teal bun grumbles, the burn in his muscles more a tingle than anything else. He thought the rolling of dango was something but just this was enough to work up a sweat. Arsene could only imagine the process after this.

Dan grunts, affirmative with his response. “Yeah. Ever since my mentor…well, you know how it goes. Besides, it’s not as though there’s anyone who’s really caught my eye so far as my own apprentice so until then, it’ll just be me. Don’t mind it and sometimes Shibani’s here to appreciate the treats so.” The bun shrugs all while Arsene doesn’t comment on the slight blush on the other’s cheeks. “He might want some after we’re done.”

Arsene shrugs. “I don’t mind sharing. Besides, I’m the one asking for your time, this time around. I hope you find someone worthwhile in the end.” The question lingers for a moment before Dan nods.

“Yeah, well, me too.”

Once the texture completely softens, it was time for the pounding. Here, Dan takes the lead and does a little bit of demonstration before Arsene joins in, waiting his turn before he pounds and then Dan, then back to him again. They take turns, back and forth, moving like a seesaw as they flatten the mochi, transforming it into a smooth and buttery mold. Dan flips it over, softening it with spring water, before they continue pounding again and again. If Arsene didn’t work up a sweat before, he certainly has now. His muscles burn truly this time, his breath labored and heart racing. Part of him wondered how Dan could do this all alone and on a production scale of this size. Though he knew Dan wasn’t the only confectionary maker in all of Burrowgatory, he was one of the more popular ones and could only imagine the demand to get orders out day in and day out. Still, he knew the other was more than capable of handling it. After all, he’s survived this long hasn’t he? Arsene wished the other would find an apprentice someday–at least, maybe, to help out with the fillings.

Amused, a small smile tugs at his lips. Right, wasn’t that what Shibani was for?

After the pounding was reprieve with adzuki paste filling and molding. The mochi had long since cooled and they dusted the shells with rice flour, filling the individual mochis now at the nearby counter. Arsene set a few aside for his crew while Dan set a few aside for Shibani. Before Arsene left however, he offered a large bottle of sake to Dan.

“As thanks for taking time out of your day…and to bring in the Mochi Moon. May Allocer bless you this year.” He bows politely, taking his finished, packaged mochi container under his arm. Dan takes the sake with an appreciative nod, jerking his thumb back at the workshop behind him.

“You too. You’re free to stop by for any extra lessons, if you feel yourself getting rusty. See you around, Arsene.” Dan says, bidding the teal bun goodbye. Arsene can’t help but nod, that small smile threatening to return as he turns on his heels, back towards Burrowgatory and to his gang, with seasonal mochi in tow.