[YOTB] Mochi Blessings - Mercy, Please

    Bronx needed only one more bottle of Holy Water and the mochi for Mochi Moon would be completed, Shibani said so, blushing furiously when he realized they were one bottle short; he had forgotten to go see mercy, having been caught up that day with Oleander. Shibani had asked him to help out during another one of their cuddling sessions, damn it, Bronx really needed to stop falling for it but he really liked helping Shibani out– he’d get him back for it somehow though.

  The only other person in all of Burrowgatory that could bless a bottle of water, though, was Mercy and she could be a real hard ass when trying to get anything from her. Shibani warned Bronx that they’d have to probably dress in their finest church outfits and bring a sack of carats as a bribe– thank the high demons, or gods, or whatever existed that Bronx and his roommates weren’t exactly strapped for cash. How Bronx didn’t have a greedy streak was beyond him. 

  Bronx dressed in his finest suit (wow he had so many occasions to wear it recently!) and grabbed some of his personal carat stash, stashing the pouch in his inner jacket pocket for safe keeping; if anyone tried to snag it he’d show them a really bad time but he hoped he wouldn’t have to ruin his suit today. 

  Bronx offered to get Shibani another outfit but the Succubun declined with a shrug and “If she doesn’t like me the way I am, so be it.” Bronx shrugged, then they were off to the Church of Sulfur.

  –

  The Church of Sulfur was a large building, almost imposing in stature, and there they stood in the foyer. Shibani and Bronx meandered down the main aisle, past rows and rows of dark wooden pews and floor to ceiling columns carved with intricate patterning, until they found Mercy up front talking with Oleander about gathering… donations. Consecration needs were no laughing matter and apparently required the help of the congregation.

  Upon their approach Oleander and Mercy turned and greeted them with warm smiles, though Oleander smirked and pulled Shibani into a hug.

  “Hello, welcome to the Church, how can we be of assistance today?” 

  Bronx stepped forward and smiled at Mercy. “We’re here for Mercy today, may I speak with you?” 

  Mercy nodded and motioned for the larger Succubun to follow, Shibani made a motion that he would be staying and chatting with Oleander, Bronx nodded and followed the Nun Succubun into the back where she had an office. 

  “What can I do for you today, Bronx?”

  “I was wondering if you could bless a bottle of water for Shibani and I to use in some mochi for Mochi Moon?” Bronx leaned back in the chair he was offered, waving away the proffered tea or lemonade.

  “Hmm, I may be able to- for a price of course.” Her eyes narrowed and turned calculating, though her smile stayed pleasantly neutral. “As you know we need donations for our Consecrations.”

  Bronx nodded solemnly. “Of course. Of course.” He carefully pulled out the sack of carats he’d brought from home, the dark purple velvet pouch making a tinkling sound as it swayed in mid air in his grip, he gripped the bag between thumb and index finger.

  Mercy’s eyes lit with a greedy fire but she tried to play it cool. “Hmm, that seemed to be a few carats, though you know how expensive these things can get, don’t you dear?” 

  Bronx laughed softly, crossing his legs and leaning back further, letting his designer jewelry and suit speak for themselves in the dim lighting.

  “Now Mercy, you’re aware of us who live in the large mansion right? We’re not strapped for carats and can donate whatever we see fit– though, again, it comes at the price of a bottle of Holy Water.” 

  She hemmed and hawed, clearly trying to discern how much she could take without pushing to far, tapping her chin she hummed.

  “The sack of carats you’re holding and help from Draco and Silas on the weekends.” She purred from her seat. “So many of our members do like seeing those two around.

  Bronx chuckled and tossed the bag of carats on to her desk, which she greedily snapped up. 

  “You have a deal, now, about that Holy water.”