Treats
@theburning-soul
Quiet.
That was the best word to describe Kugane Dori Markets at this hour. Only the soft patter of a lazy rain on awnings and his oiled paper parasol accompanied him at this hour. A few shopkeepers were pulling back the curtains and lifting shutters on their shops to get started for the day.
None of them were of interest to him at the moment. Mori was looking for a particular shop that would have been open since the first light of the day. The sweet scent of baked goods, spicy touch of cinnamon, and earthiness of nutmeg permeating the air as he got closer to his destination. It was one of the few places (besides his favorite Takoyaki stand) that he had zero issues in finding.
Mori hated that he had to rely on others for these things. He didn't want to bring something back for Hokusai, or the Nine and it was likely to give them food poisoning. What kind of mate was he?
All he happened to be good at is geomancy and aetheric cultivation.
The ivory tail swished in his anxiety. He couldn't even help his friend deal with his issues. Mori stared at the door with its drapery hanging there. The emblem of the store and hingan characters were done in brush strokes to display the name: Watanabe Bakery.
A refugee from Shizunda had left the Enclave group to open it up. Mori had become a regular among so many other Kugane residents. It was nice to have treats from home.
As he stepped in, he was hit with the scent of Hingan baked goods. Though they had scents that made him think of Gridania. Watanabe Yuu had married a foreign lady that was a baker from there, and since then they had the same hobbies...well...Watanabe Bakery was the result!
"Toy--Ah, apologies." The man called from the back of the counter. A hand lifted in greeting by the middle aged midlander. "Suiren-no-Mori, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Mori smiled his greeting in reply, and made a small bow. The parasol was shut and sat next to the door on a bamboo rack. Then he stepped in to look over the display of treats. There was a number of traditional treats with different fillings that weren't so traditional. Though he caught sight of the steaming trays filled with fresh nikuman.
"It's always good to visit old friends," Mori reply, "how are you and the wife doing?"
"Fantastic, really." A small lie dressed with a faint smile and glint in green eyes. "Do you have some of the Cinnamon Apple Dorayaki available still?"
"Right to business, eh?"
The tail swished. Mori felt that probing question in his marrow like a fine point needle. His ivory tail curled, and he glanced back to the display. Yes. Right to business and no talking about what was going on. Watanabe wasn't to be burdened by one problematic fish's worries.
"I apologize, I'm in a hurry today. There is services after all."
"Of course!" His voice was lined with unspoken apologies. "Well lets see, we have plenty of those. We also have a new treat we're trying out on our customers today. Would you like a free dozen of those?"
"What is it?"
"Brown Sugar and Maple Mochi."
"That sounds really sweet?"
"It is." Yuu laughed. "I highly recommend it."
"I'll take the dozen then, and nine of the nikuman."
Watanabe worked at a smooth pace. There wasn't a flood of customers just yet after all. Each requested item was placed into parchment lined boxes and carefully separated so each warm treat didn't touch one another.
Four of the Dorayaki.
A dozen of the new Mochi.
Nine nikuman.
This was all placed into a paper bag with twin handles. It being passed over with a small sum of gil requested. A discount for old friends and the temple alike. Maybe he could leave some of the Mochi as an offering to Tenkogami Hasu. Though he wasn't sure yet how the Kami felt about sweets.
"Thank you, Watanabe-san." Mori said softly. "I appreciate it."
"It's no problem. Also, Suiren-dono?"
"Yes?"
"Tell that husband of yours: If I see you pouting in my bakery again, old Yuu will come by and give him a piece of his mind."
There was a moment where the smile faltered. Really, Hokusai didn't treat him bad at all! He wanted to panic. Give a response in his defense, but he paused and shook his head. A sincere smile coming up once more: "I'll let him know, but truly, Hokusai treats me well."
"If you say so."
"Kami keep you and your family well, Watanabe-san." Mori said then with another bow and he went to leave.
The steps carried him back through the Kogane Dori Market. A few more stalls were open, and one caught his nose. The scent of Hingan Chocolate caught his nose, along with strawberry and sake. Oh this was new. He drifted his way to the small cart minded by a smaller lalafel in an all too wide sakkat and spring green yukata paired with a lavender sash. False flowers knotted into the knot at her back.
When Mori walked up, she was setting out a folding table of bamboo wood. The surface covered with a slip of vibrant fruit and flower patterned silk, a rattan mat, and then several display trays in which round treats were placed.
So enamored with her job, the lalafel jumped when she noticed Mori. Her sakkat falling back and revealing spring green locks that were just off a shade from the yukata. A stammering voice accompanied her wide golden eyes: "H-Hello, Kannushi-san!"
"Don't panic," a bow from Mori prompted him to pause, "may I ask what you are selling today?"
"Fresh picked strawberries, soaked in sake, and coated in chocolate!" She beamed. Those short arms spread out to show off the display set out before her. "Would you like to try one?"
"Certainly!"
A bell, maybe two, later, Mori was stepping across the threshold of the temple to return. The chime of the bells announcing his return through the space, and he felt the brush of aether that was the Kami's presence as much as the Nine's. A set of noses were already in sight. His hand lifted to plead patience from them as he made his way upstairs for the shrine. The boxes sat down, his hands cleansed at the chozuya, and then he secured the box to walk into the shrine room.
The box with the nikuman was pulled from the bag of silk he carried with him. The scent of the pork buns reaching his nose as he sat out the nine on small plates for food offerings for the foxes. The first to rush in - without fail - was Kyuu. Then the others followed in time.
Mori left them to it, and put aside the box. Then he took out the one with the special mochi. Half of them set out on the altar for Tenkogami Hasu before Mori stepped back, clapped, and lowered his head in prayer. Wind passed through the branches of dogwood and the chimes dangling from them rang in acceptance.
Now to bring the rest to their room.
Each box sat on the low sitting table. Mori letting them rest before walking over to the futon. The raen reaching to tug at the covers to pull them from his husband.
"Aka, I've brought some breakfast and other treats. I'll put the tea together, so please join me."
