Soot Part 2

"You need my help?"

Hutch stood there, starting incredulously at the two buns that stood before them, one in doll form looking absolutely exhausted and the other in bun form, on his shoulder, and being smacked into by a rather angry phloof.

"I do," the aforementioned Lyle said sharply back in response. "Because someone left a plate of demon chili mochi out when I was at work and now Soot has become a menace."

Hutch watched the fiendish phloof continue to smack into the other succubun, Aspen.  Obviously he was in no pain; the phloof was far to small and fuzzy to cause any sort of harm.

"So, mochi," Hutch continued, "well, I've been studying the effects of mochi and dango with Dan's help.

"Dango is relatively harmless we've noticed. If anything, it simply changes an imp's color in a way that matches the dango it consumed. Mochi is the same, however with much...greater side effects. Sea salt mochi, for instance, will give imps a similar look to buns with aqueous traits, if that makes sense."

"So then why on Murmur's red brimstone has Soot taken to trying to fight anyone who walks into my apartment, or knock over my dinner when I turn away? From mochi?"

Hutch visibly flinches at the envy bun's sharp tone. Hell, even Aspen patted his face to get him to try and relax only to have Lyle swat him away. They know envy buns had a different upbringing, and perhaps to be a bit more patient, take a breath and help.

"Well," Hutch moves his hand to try and stop the phloof's 'assault' only to turn it's attention to their hand as a new punching bag. "We noticed with Demon Chili Mochi, most imps became what we call 'fiendish'. They're more prone to aggression and hyjinks. Which, is quite funny when you mix it with an imp as tame as phloofs are.

"Imps will react due to their owners. Some training does need to be done with normal imps, and maybe a little training needs to be done to curb some of the unwanted behaviors. Such as distracting your friend here with something to ensure he stops trying to fight everyone around him."

Very carefully, the pair watches as Hutch takes the angered puffball  and gently leads him over to a few toys - no, not those kinds of toys you sickos - specifically so to a small remil toy that squeaks when hit. As soon as Soot hears the toy chirping, their demeanor shifts to one of more playful.

Aspen and Lyle watch shocked, as all the angry energy is suddenly used to toss this squeaking little toy around with a semblance of genuine joy.

"Wait, that's seriously it?" Lyle said, less aggressive and slowly coming around to Aspen's idea of visiting Hutch at the change. "Just distract Soot?"

"Well, it's a bit more than that." Hutch continues, a triumphant look in their eyes as the envy bun began to turn a corner. "It's obvious that your phloof - Soot, was it? It seems Soot truly loves you as an owner. Even with the mochi, his temperament isn't much different from some more notorious imps. Plus, I'm sure the change has gotten them a bit riled up and confused."

Soot goes over to Lyle in this moment, shoving itself into his chest and dropping the toy in his hands. Tsundere as ever, Lyle gets flustered as both Aspen and Hutch look to him expectantly to throw it's new favorite toy. Not to mention Soot's big - and now angry - baby eyes.

"Yeah well," he huffs, tossing the toy to Soot's delight as he went back to beating it up. "It can't be helped then I guess! But you, Aspen, are paying for all of this."

"What!? Why me!?"

"Because you dropped Soot off at my apartment, followed by you leaving the mochi when you knew I wasn't home!" Ah, he's all angry again. Big flustered baby. "Is there any way to train Soot to keep beating Aspen up when he comes over unannounced?"

"Personally, I'd suggest against it. While he may be cute and harmless, it could still leave with you dealing with unforeseen hassles trying to keep him from bothering others." Hutch motioned Lyle to follow, sitting themselves down nearby where the phloof continued it's adorable attack. "For now, we'll get Soot set up with some things, and if the problems continue we can always consider feeding him dango to get him back to his old self."

"Thank you Hutch." Lyle's eyes are already spying the more expensive imp toys, knowing that Aspen will pay means he can go a bit above and beyond. Only the best for his little phloof. "I'll see if these changes help. I think Soot looks good as it does, and as long as it's comfortable, I don't think we should change it too much either."

"A wise observation." Hutch smiles proudly, glad to have informed another bun of proper imp ownership. Hopefully, this would be a story that ends well. "For now, let's find something else that Soot may enjoy!"