memmy moon mochi scheme

During the Mochi Moon festival, Bex decided she was going to do everything she could to avoid being in Dan’s eyesight. Nothing (or at least, not much) against the bun, but she’s extremely sure he’s swamped with work. Everyone in Burrowgatory wanted mochi, and they were more than likely swarming him by the minute. And since the whole point is to make the perfect mochi for Allocer, he was probably putting a lot of focus on that too.

All this to say, Bex very desperately wanted to avoid being politely asked to help out with making some of the mochi. Not that she did amazingly in her two training sessions she’s had so far, but she’s not sure whether that precludes her from being a random pair of semi-trusted hands pulled in to help thin the truly humongous workload. Saying no seemed like closing off a potential avenue of free snacks later, and saying yes was simply not something she had any interest in doing at all.

So, she may have to resort to different measures.

The first plan was to tape some carats and a note to Memmy and send the phloof on his way into the store, but that was quickly discarded. The fluff of the phloof got quickly tangled in the tape, and all Memmy wanted to do was sit down and sleep in her pocket. She discarded that idea, knowing that the mochi would likely be covered in a light fur anyway. Even if the fluff wouldn’t of stayed when Bex pulled the mochi off of Memmy, she would still know that it was part phloof-mochi. 

Another plan is needed. A disguise, maybe? She racks her mind for things she could disguise herself as. In her bun form right now, without any clothes, doesn’t leave her many options. She could… put her ears up? That still wouldn’t change the fact she has the exact same colors, patterns, and horns. Maybe if she was in her doll form and had a change of clothes, but she isn’t and she doesn’t. So disguising is off the table. 

Of course, she could just give up and go mochi-less. But it’s the Mochi Moon festival. So Bex must have the festival sweet. 

She kicks her feet, thinking. She’s seated on a bench nearby (but not too near) Dan’s shop, and she can smell it from here. It must be heavenly, or at least that’s what everyone coming out of the shop seems to think. And sure, she could buy some knock-off mochi at a place that wasn’t Dan’s, but it’s Mochi Moon festival! And she deserves the best there is to have!

On her shoulder, Memmy makes a small eeping noise. And that sparks the final, perfect, flawless idea. She brings her legs up onto the bench, crossing them to the best of her ability. She gently sets the phloof in her lap, and pets him a few times to settle him.

“Shhh,” she coos. “Go to sleep, Memmy, go to sleep. I need you in a nefarious plan.”

He definitely doesn’t know what she’s saying to him, but the soothing voice is enough to lull the little purple poofball into settling in and closing his big round eyes. Once he looks sufficiently sleepy, Bex waits a few moments. She lets everyone moving through the thoroughfare around her pass by, wanting it to be the perfect chance.

Then, she makes eye contact with some festival go-ers going in the desired direction, and tries to wave them over. She puts a twinge of embarrassment in her gaze, but nothing too serious. The first few people ignore her, but she gets some bun to come over eventually. 

“I have… a silly request, if you’re heading over to Dan’s?” She says, giving another embarrassed smile. “My imp… well, I just don’t want to wake him up! He looks so comfy, right?”

The bun laughs along with her, agreeing that the phloof is just so cute, and of course they’d be willing to buy some mochi for her so that she can let Memmy rest.

Some buns would be worried about a stranger wandering off with their money, but Bex is confident enough in her ability to track others down for loans that it doesn’t phase her. 

Her grand evil plan works, and she is eventually given her special Mochi Moon mochi. She allows the passerby to pet Memmy, and then leans back to enjoy her treat. Memmy is unfussed by the movement, just like he would have been if she woke him up by standing. He’s good natured like that, but that stranger didn’t have to know that. 

She forces herself to eat it slowly, resisting the urge to devour it in one big bite. It tastes good, heavenly even. She’d donate this to Allocer, if she made herself. But she didn’t, and she’s glad she didn’t. 

It tastes even better this way.