Mochi Munching Party

“Do you think this is enough mochi?” Sariel asks, standing in front of the kitchen table, looking over the multiple plates of mochi set out, her arms crossed as her brows furrowed in thought. 

“That looks like enough mochi to me. Especially since it’ll be just us and the others. Hopefully we don’t have any leftovers.” Cassardis says, gently rubbing Sariel’s arms as he also looks over the multiple mochi selections. “You did remember to stash some for later, right?” He asks curiously.

Sariel blinks a few times and looks at Cassardis for a minute, trying to remember if she did or not. “Yes?” She answered, running to grab a plate and pick out a few of the mochi. “Do you think Allocer’ll like these? They’re not really homemade…” She asks, staring at the plate and frowning.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just because you didn’t make them yourself doesn’t mean they’re not homemade, kitten.” Cassardis says, leaning in and kissing her softly, the sound of loud knocking catching his ears. “Looks like they made it in time.” He says, glancing up at the clock before making his way to the front door.

“Are you sure we’re not too early?” Mimic asks, looking at Ilar curiously.

“I don’t think so. I believe we’re right on time actually.” Ilar replied, glancing at his watch.

“Perhaps we should’ve brought some mochi of our own?” Fatima suggests, standing behind the pair, frowning as she thought about it.

“If you brought your own mochi then we’d have too much.” Cassardis replied, standing in the doorway, looking everyone over. “This everybody?” He asks, leaning against the doorframe.

“Oh yes! My friend couldn’t come today. They have their own plans with another friend of theirs this evening.” Fatima replied, stepping forward.

“Oh really now? That’s a shame, I wanted to meet them.” Cassardis replied, stepping to the side and motioning for them to enter. “Come in and make yourselves at home. Sariel, the guests are here!” He calls, closing the door behind him.

Ilar, Mimic, and Fatima smile; stepping into the house and making their way towards the living room after placing their coats and shawls on the nearby coat rack. 

As Fatima was about to sit down, she noticed a pastel loafki sprawled out on the couch, staring at her. 

“Oh, hello there. Do you mind if I sit here?” Fatima asks, watching the loafki curiously as she moves to sit beside it.

The loafki blinks then rolls onto its back, kicking its little legs for a moment and wiggling while staring at Fatima.

Fatima chuckled softly then reached out and rubbed the loafki’s stomach. “You’re a friendly little thing. You remind me of my ribbow a little bit.” She says, comfortably petting the loafki.

On the other side of the room, there was a squeal then a soft thud, followed by a burst of laughter from Mimic as she sat on the ground with a Wulvern practically sitting on her stomach and sniffing her face. 

“You startled me! Hello there. It’s nice to meet you too.” Mimic says, reaching out to pet the wulvern’s head. 

“I’m going to assume it smells Bismark on you.” Ilar says, sitting on the ground and petting the wulvern as well, gently scratching behind its ears and under its chin.

The wulvern huffed and wagged its tail, enjoying all the attention it was getting, its leg thumping the ground when Ilar scratched the good spot behind its ear, leaning into all the pets it was getting.

“Shoo, shoo! All of you back to your room!” Sariel exclaimed, making her way over the group and waving her hands at the imps as she shooed them away. “Sorry about that. I expected them to be gone by the time you arrived.” She says, sighing softly.

Fatima laughed softly. “It’s quite alright. I didn’t mind at all.” She says, smiling as she scoots to the end of the couch, making room for the others.

“What’s their names?” Mimic asked, sitting beside Ilar.

“The wulvern’s name is Diavolo and the loafki’s name is Lavender.” Cassardis replied, leaning against the wall. “We have a few others but they’re wandering around somewhere. Way too many if I’m going to be honest but they're not that hard to take care of since they don’t eat as much.” He says.

Sariel nods, smiling softly. “Mhm! But we love them anyway.” She says, chuckling softly. “Oh right!” Sariel clears her throat. “I would like to thank you all for coming to my mochi party today. I really appreciate it.” She says, glancing at her friends. “Whenever you’re ready the mochi’s waiting for you guys in the kitchen. We also have an assortment of drinks for you to choose from too.” 

“It’s mostly alcohol but we do have some juice in the refrigerator and a coffee maker in the kitchen. We also have a few tea bags in the cabinets if any of you prefer not to drink tonight.” Cassardis added, pushing off the wall and making his way towards the kitchen.

“Oh, it’s not a problem! I wasn’t doing anything tonight anyway and I enjoy spending time with my friends.” Fatima says, standing up and following Cassardis.

“Ilar and I weren’t doing much today either besides relaxing after Cherubmas. So we didn’t really mind. Spending time with friends is way more fun than staying home doing nothing.” Mimic says, stretching.

Ilar chuckled. “I don’t know about you but I would’ve preferred staying home. That way, no one could hear when I make you scream.” He whispered into Mimic’s ear, causing her to blush deeply and stare at him with wide-eyes, a sly grin spreading across his face as he took her hand and led her towards the kitchen.

“Now that’s not fair! You can’t do that in front of our friends, Ilar!” Mimic exclaimed in a whisper before she let him lead her towards the kitchen with the others, a burst of laughter catching her ears, making her huff. 

“Now no, behave you two. We’re guests here.” Fatima says, shaking her head at the pair as she grabbed a glass and made herself a dracquiri, moving around the kitchen and heading towards the table and grabbing a few rosewater mochi.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it.” Ilar says, chuckling softly as he makes himself a rum and smoke before grabbing a few sparkling wine mochi then moving to sit at the nearby table.

Mimic huffs as she enters the kitchen, her eyes lighting up and sparkling as she notices a plate of her favorite mochi sitting on the counter. “You managed to get chocolate sprinkle mochi?!” She exclaims, grabbing a few of them.

“Yes I did! I didn’t expect to see them being sold if I’m being honest, so I feel like I got really lucky.” Sariel replied, smiling widely as her tail swished back and forth. “We have some juice in the fridge if you’d like some. Or, I could make some tea if you’d like.” She offered.

“Hmm, what kind of tea do you have?” Mimic asked, popping a mochi into her mouth as her tail wagged behind her and she squealed. “It’s so good. It’s been so long since I’ve tasted chocolate sprinkle mochi.” She says, sighing happily.

“I have all kinds of different teas. Have you tasted the peach one yet? It’s really good. Nice and sweet.” Sariel says, making her way over to the cabinets and opening a few of them, picking the one she wanted and grabbing a kettle.

“So Ilar, how’s your brothel coming along?” Cassardis asked, popping a demon pepper mochi into his mouth, taking a sip of his sinnamon whiskey afterwards as he leaned against the nearby wall.

“It’s going well. Still as busy as ever really. I think we got a few new customers recently. Maybe a couple of new workers as well if I remember correctly.” Ilar replied, brows furrowing in thought as he tried to remember. “What about you? How’s your freelancing job coming along?” He asks curiously, taking a sip of his dracquiri.

“It’s going well enough. To be honest, I didn’t expect to get so many offers or to find any at all when I started. It’s pretty nice overall. Still a bit surprising how many people need help with programming but I’m not complaining.” Cassardis replied, taking a sip of his whiskey.

Ilar chuckles, “I understand that feeling all too well. I knew Burrowgatory was well known for its debauchery but, with how many brothels there already are I didn’t expect to get any customers either.” He says, swirling his drink. “Imagine my surprise when our first client walked through the door.” He adds, taking a sip.

“Hey Fatima, how’s your relationship going?” Mimic asks, looking at her curiously as she takes a sip of her tea.

Fatima almost choked on her drink as she blinks and stares at Mimic, blushing deeply. “Must you always ask me that when we’re together?!” She exclaims, a soft blush dusting her cheeks.

“What? I just want to be sure that you’re happy, that’s all. You’re my best friend and I worry about you sometimes, you know? Besides, you don’t talk about it much anymore.” Mimic replied, frowning. “But, if you want me to stop asking then I will. All you have to do is tell me.” She added, popping another mochi into her mouth.

Fatima sighs softly. “Sorry…I appreciate you worrying about me.” She says, reaching over and gently patting Mimic’s arm as her tail swayed gently. “It’s going well enough I think. They’ve been busier than usual, so we don’t really get to spend much time together as I had hoped. Which, I suppose, is to be expected when you’re famous, no? However, it can get rather lonely sometimes.” Fatima replied, gazing into her drink.

“If I may, if you’re so lonely, why not hang out with us more then?” Sariel chimed in, peeking over her glass at Fatima and Mimic. “I’m most likely going to be home more often once I leave my position as priestess of the church so, I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. And to be honest, Cassardis needs more friends himself.” She says, chuckling softly.

Cassardis scoffed, “I do not. I’m fine with being alone, thank you very much. Besides, all the time I spend is with you anyway so who am I to complain? It’s much better than being out in public 24/7.” He says, dipping his mochi into his whiskey before eating it.

“If you ever need company, I’m more than happy to offer you my time as well. All you need to do is just ask. I’ll most likely say yes.” Ilar says, holding up his drink. 

“Oh! Oh I…I couldn’t. I don’t want to take up you guys’ time.” Fatima replied then blinked a few times, turning her attention to Sariel. “Wait, you’re not going to be a priestess at the church anymore?” She asks curiously. “Whyever not? I feel like you were the best one there so far. What with how happy everybody who left your booth seemed to be after confessing to you.” She adds.

Sariel blinks a few times then chuckles. “Stop, you flatter me really.” She says, shaking her head. “I just thought that maybe it was time for me to try something else for a while. I can always go back whenever I want to after all. Besides, I’m sure there are plenty of other capable priestesses there besides me.” She adds, tail swaying gently as she sips her tea.

“I suppose, but what are you planning to become now if I may ask?” Fatima asks curiously.

“Well…” Sariel started.

“Sariel wants to become a housewife.” Cassardis answered, a smirk upon his face as he swirled his drink.

“What?!” Fatima and Mimic both exclaim, glancing at the now blushing Sariel.

“Wait, really?! But… you’re not married yet, are you?” Mimic asks, a gasp escaping her. “Did you get married without telling us?!” She exclaims.

“No! No of course not! Not… yet anyway…” Sariel replied, the blush on her face deepening.

Mimic looks at Fatima then at Sariel, “Not yet?! You’re actually planning on getting married for real?!” Mimic exclaimed, her eyes wide as her tail swished back and forth. 

“I-I’m thinking about it…yeah.” Sariel replied, sinking into her chair and covering her face.

“Oh my. You simply must allow me to help you decorate when the time comes! Or at least help plan. I know someone who can make you the most beautiful dress you’ve never seen before.” Fatima says, smiling widely.

“So, do you two have a date planned for the wedding?” Ilar asks, glancing at Cassardis curiously.

“No. Sariel says it’s way too soon to consider and truthfully, I agree with her. I’ll let you know whenever the time comes. I don’t think it’s going to be a big event anyway. It’ll most likely just be us doing something at home unless she decides to invite those two.” Cassardis replies, cocking his head to the side as he motions towards Fatima and Mimic. “Of course you’d be more than welcome to attend if she does, whenever that happens if at all.” He added.

Ilar chuckles, “Whatever you two decide I’ll be there to support you. Mimic and Fatima too of course. Just, don’t forget to tell us if you do decide to make it a big event. We’ll be glad to come. Maybe we’ll even bring you both some gifts on that day.” He tells him.

The rest of the night went by smoothly. The group talked about whatever came to mind at the time and what they planned to do for the new year while eating and drinking as much as they could handle before the day was done. A few of the imps in the house even got to partake in the mochi munching festivities. 

By the end of the night, everybody was full and a bit drunk or tipsy. 

“Goodnight Sariel, thanks for inviting us to your party.” Mimic says, her arm wrapped tight around Ilar’s waist as she helps him into the taxi. “Call me later!” She added, waving goodbye.

“I will! Thanks for coming! You two take care and make sure Ilar gets a lot of sleep and drinks lots of water!” Sariel called, waving goodbye to her.

“Thank you so much for inviting me over. I had enjoyed my time with you all. Both of you take care. I shall call you whenever I wish to hang out more if that’s not too much trouble?” Fatima says, looking between Cassardis and Sariel.

“Of course! You can call us any time! Well, unless your message is sent to voicemail but I promise that I’ll get back to you afterwards.” Sariel says.

“Are you going to be alright getting home?” Cassardis asks, wrapping his arm around Sariel’s waist and holding her close. “I could walk you back if you want.” He offered; a look of mild concern on his face.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine heading back. I appreciate your offer however. Take care and have a wonderful night, you two.” Fatima says, curtsying before heading down the street.