[YotB] Bribe on Bribe

Dan had been on the fence with this idea ever since Shibani suggested it, but he was unfortunately weak to the pale bun’s looks, which was how they ended up in the Church of Sulfur. He was glad to be there and didn’t send Shibani alone to do the convincing, however, since the head priest was all too obvious with his intentions for that “holy water”.

Holy water his ass. Or Oleander’s ass. Whoever’s ass. He wasn’t going to have that in his gift to Allocer. Thankfully, it wasn’t difficult to peel away Shibani and look for someone less lustful, and there so happened to be another curious young bun that would be an easy distraction for the head priest. He hoped that they enjoyed themselves and wouldn’t bother them until they left the building. Well, knowing them, they would be at it for at least a few hours, giving them ample time to get back to the shop with no distractions.

With Oleander’s directions, it wasn’t too hard to find the other possible person that Shibani thought could help: Mercy. Dan didn’t point out the irony behind the pale bun’s words when describing her. Generous enough to help? Sure, but he knew that it was going to cost an exuberant amount of carats for even the tiniest favor, let alone a blessing for the spring water. Still, it was worth a try, and there was always the option to say no, though that did come with seeing a disappointed Shibani.

Dan sighed to himself.

“What’s wrong, Dan?”

“Nothing, just thinking of how much this is going to set me back in carats.”

The pale bun pursed his lips and looked rather downtrodden. “Was this a bad idea after all..?” His half-pout half-sulk made his cheeks look round and plump like little mochis. Dan had half a mind to just nibble on them, but they weren’t alone in the shop.

Instead, it would be best to try to console him. They already made it this far. “Oh, no no, I’m sure that Mercy would show mercy on you, maybe. I have not talked with her for a while.” if anything, most of what the mochi maker knew about the nun came from Shibani, and he had to piece things together to figure out she was a bun who only really had eyes for carats. She might have a soft spot for Shibani, at least. Well, everyone had a soft spot for his pale little bun.

Anyway, the head nun happened to be taking a small break with a cup of tea when they found her. She looked the same as Dan remembered – calm, quiet, and unsuspecting, but the mochi maker would bet one of his products that the tea she was drinking was luxuriously expensive. Once noticing them, Shibani did most of the talking on what they were doing, showing the spring water they harvested from the caves.

And as expected, the little favor was not going to be for free.

But to his surprise, it wasn’t as much as Dan feared. It wasn’t pocket change though. Shibani looked a little flustered (cute) as he had brought no carats with him. The pale bun then looked at his companion with puppy dog eyes (even cuter).

Once again, Dan let out a sigh. He couldn’t help but bend to whatever his heart desired (within some level of reason). He pulled out a small bag that contained carats that he had brought for emergencies (in case they needed to buy some other supplies before or after the caverns). He swore, in the corner of his eye, that he could already see Mercy’s eyes sparkle hungrily.

“Will this cover the donations that you need?”

He handed the carats to her, to which she would feel the pink shard as if she was caressing a precious item. Before she could get lost in the presence of such delectable currency, however, she regained her composure and would face the two who were waiting for her verdict.

“This and one mochi from your shop.”

“Hah? That wasn’t enough?”

Dan wanted to cuss her out for being greedy, but he supposed he should be thankful that she wasn’t asking for more currency, and it also stroked his pride that she wanted something from his shop. Clearly, it showed that he was the superior mochi maker around here.

“Fine, you can pass by whenever and pick which one you like.”

Mercy smiled sweetly. “Wonderful. I will do my best to get this water blessed, then. Please wait here.”

After they watched the head nun go to another room, Shibani breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought I might’ve had to figure out a way to get those carats on my own. I’m glad that you’re here, Dan!”

The mochi maker let out a small grumble, but he also felt rather blessed that he could see such an adorable expression on his lovely bun. “Seriously, you should’ve expected this. You know how the head nun is.” 

The pale bun let out a whine. “I thought she might make an exception…”

“Well, you now owe me, Shibani.”

“I do?”

“Of course, I paid for that.”

“Oh but, how am I going to repay you?” he had such a cute expression when he looked sad or a little bit worried. Dan chuckled and pulled him close. “I can think of a few ways…back in the shop.”

Shibani blushed, finding that he was rather looking forward to heading back.