Dango Meetings

A few weeks ago Dixie had wandered her way into the city. She had a basket in her arm and it was filled with juicy blueberries from her farm. She had gotten word of a bun that made sweets here in the city, and he was very popular about it as well. Dan's Dango or Dan's confectionery. Dixie had never had any dango herself, but her beloved little Loafki, Berri, had once gotten ahold of a blue colored dango and then he turned blue! It was so strange, so Dixie was intrigued to know about these sweet treats and where they came from.

As she walked down the sidewalk she passed others, some as their bun form and others their dolls. She smiled and waved at a few as she went. Then she saw the sign hanging out over the sidewalk. It said his name and had a cute little depiction of the three little rice balls on the stick. She smiled to herself and then with a slight pep in her step she walked into the shop. The little bell above the door light rang out to announce her presence. The smell that hit her when she walked in made her mouth water. Dixie had a little of a sweet tooth, or teeth. She loved a good sweet treat. As she walked up to the counter she glanced down at the packages of dango within the display. There was a pink one, a yellow one, a purple one, and many others! She leaned in slightly to read the tiny name tags. Strawberry, Yuzu, Ube... Blueberry! Her eyes widened softly and a large smile spread across her face.

"Hey there."

A more gruff, masculine voice brought her out of her thoughts. She stood up straight and looked across the counter at the man.

"Hello!"

With the basket of blueberries in arm she lifted it and then set them atop the counter.

"This is my first time stopping by, but I heard around town that you make sweets. So I thought I would bring some of my prized blueberries for you."

She pushed the basket towards him. Dan's eyes watched her, then down to the basket. He stepped closer, pulling the cloth up and them peering into the basket. Within was the most blue, biggest, and juiciest blueberries he had ever seen. He glanced back up at her.

"Go ahead."

She smirked, amused at his unsure reaction.

"Try one."

She waited in anticipation. Leaning over and setting her elbows on the counter and her head in her hands.

"Hm."

Dan gave a soft grunt, the corners of his mouth twitching up into the smallest of smiles. He reached out for the blueberries and grabbed one out the basket. He brought it to his mouth, and popped it inside. Dixie watched him chew and her smile widened.

"Mmn~"

Dan groaned softly. The berry exploded with flavor as he bit into it. It was the right amount of sweet and tart, and filled with juice. He couldn't help but reach in and grab another out from the basket. Popping it into his mouth.

"These.. These are amazing."

He muttered.

"I know. Thank you."

Dixie straightened her posture once more. Reaching into the basket to grab three berries and put them into her mouth. She ate them, and then spoke again after she had swallowed.

"They're all for you! I was hoping that you could make some blueberry dango with them. I've never had one myself, but my dear loafki, Berri, he loves them! Turned him bright blue."

She chuckled softly as she thought of her beloved pet back at home.

"For free?"

He asked, tilting his head quizzically.

"For free."

She gave him a nod.

"A gift really. To a good future friendship. I make sweets as well, pies, muffins, cakes... but ive never made a dango before, and im interested in learning more about all the sweets you make."

She spoke truthfully. Dan nodded slowly. Glancing back at the basket and then back at the doorway that lead to the back of the store.

"Give me one moment, ma'am."

He spoke, leaving her so quick it left her surprised. Dixie was left there waiting at the counter. For a moment she didn't know if he was going to return at all. Did she do something wrong? Did she make him uncomfortable? That wasn't what she was wanting to do!

Right as she was going to turn away she heard steps and turned to see Dan and another bun exit from the back of the shop. Dan was carrying a small plate with him which he placed on the counter and pushed towards Dixie. Sitting on the plate were a few freshly made dango sitting on the white plate.

"Here, please try them."

He gestured to the plate. Dixie smiled as he reached out for one, a blue one, must be the same blueberry as the ones in the display. She brough it up to her mouth and bit off one of the rice balls off the stick. She chewed it up and it was a heavenly taste. She hummed softly. As she did the other new comer smiled at her.

"He makes the best dango, doesn't he?"

The white haired bun with red ropes around him spoke. He smiled with a soft chuckle.

Dixie had to nod as an answer as she took a other ball off of the stick with her teeth. After she chewed and swallowed she spoke.

"That's delicious. I never had anything like it before."

She smiled at the both of them.

"Take the rest of them with you. As a trade for your blueberries."

Dan told her. Grabbing a small bag from behind the counter and then placing her dangos inside. He closed it and handed it over to her.

"That's so sweet!"

She exclaimed, almost giddy with excitement. Reaching out and taking the bag. Berri was going to be one happy loaf.

"Thank you so much. I'll make sure to stop back by and give yall more blueberries soon!"