Meeting Delight

“Oh, back again?” Hutch offered a smile as Aphrodite stepped into the Imporium, even as they attempted to calm what appeared to be a rather antsy chirop. “And without Sunshine this time. Is it doing okay?”

“Sunshine is doing just fine, dear…” Aphrodite’s brows furrowed, even as he moved to help the other bun with their predicament. “You, on the other hand, seem to require a hoof or two.”

The chirop chirped and bonked its head against Hutch’s, although the Succubun didn’t seem phased by it. “Just…just a bit. A few buns managed to find a group of caged imps. Seems like there was either an attempt to m-make another Imporium, or…” Their voice trailed off, but the worried look in their eyes was more than enough to convey what was unsaid.

Rather than encouraging that fear, though, Aphrodite gave a nod, gently petting the chirop. “Well, I was already planning to window shop for another imp. What’s a bit of extra time spent helping out Burrowgatory’s favorite imp tamer?”

Hutch’s expression lit up, before they helped Aphrodite to hold the chirop more properly. “Great! Um, we just need to calm down this chirop, and…I-I have a few more imps to take care of, if you don’t mind?”

The lust Succubun continued petting the chirop, watching as it seemed to relax a bit. “Please, dear, I’d be happy to help. Just tell me what I need to do.”

Waiting for a few moments to watch the chirop finally give a contented chirp, Hutch brought out a cage and helped Aphrodite put the chirop inside. Both buns watched as the chirop looked around at its surroundings, before seeming to settle in with another chirp.

Hutch breathed a sigh of relief, before they led Aphrodite toward the back of the shop. It was clear that the imps back here seemed to be as antsy as the chirop had been, especially a uniqor that was pacing around the enclosure that it was in.

As Aphrodite stepped closer to the uniqor’s enclosure, Hutch waved one of their hooves. “Those are pretty unique imps! They only approach people who are pure of heart, so we often have to coax them with food.”

“Food? Well…” Aphrodite pulled out a chocolate swiss roll, showing it to Hutch. “It’s no dango, I’ll admit, but even Sunshine will steal these from time to time.”

“Dango or mochi w-will change their appearances…but you’re right, most Succubun food should do for helping to tame an imp.” Hutch looked over the swiss roll, before adding, “D-did you make that? It looks pretty good.”

“Really? I thought it was a bit flatter than I wanted it to be.” Aphrodite appraised the swiss roll again, even as Hutch gave a small laugh.

“Imps won’t be t-too picky about how flat it is!” Hutch pointed out, before gesturing to the uniqor’s enclosure. “Here…move slowly and offer the f-food to it.”

Aphrodite held the swiss roll in both hooves, inching closer to the uniqor’s enclosure. He paused once or twice when it seemed to stare him down, but when it didn’t run, he continued slowly. His hooves barely clicked the floor as he moved, and he could practically feel Hutch holding their breath.

When he was mere inches away, the uniqor leaned in close, before starting to nibble from the swiss role. It was Aphrodite’s turn to hold his breath as the imp took its time to eat, each moment of waiting feeling like he would accidentally twitch and send it running away.

The uniqor finished with a small neigh, before licking Aphrodite’s hooves clean of crumbs. He could hear Hutch letting out a relieved sigh, but Aphrodite didn’t speak until the uniqor nuzzled into his hooves. “How did I do, dear?”

“Y-you did great!” Hutch spoke in a hushed tone, their steps equally quiet as they sidled up beside him. “It seems to have taken a liking to you…did you want to keep it?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah! I-I mean, Sunshine might need companionship while you’re w-working, too, so this will help solve a couple of problems…for both of us.” Hutch offered a toothy grin. “What…what do you think?”

Aphrodite looked over the uniqor still nuzzling into his hooves and sighed softly. “How could I say no to this sweet thing? I think…I think I’d name it ‘Delight’.”

“Great! Let’s head up to the front and we can get the papers ready—”

“Don’t you need help with a few more imps, you silly bun?” Aphrodite nonetheless followed Hutch out to the front. “I can’t imagine you being able to tame all of these by yourself…”

“R-relax! I can handle these, and buns like you c-come in all the time to lend a hoof.” Hutch shuffled some folders around, taking out a sheet of paper and writing on it. “Species, color, date…”

Despite Aphrodite’s qualms, he didn’t refuse to sign the papers for the imp, but he did say, “If you ever need a hoof, dear, I can certainly make time for you.”

Hutch paused, before smiling. “I a-appreciate it, Aphrodite. For today, though, just focus on Delight. It should get along fine with Sunshine, I’m sure!”

“Very well, very well, but only because you say so…”