Morning After

Opening your eyes in the morning shouldn't feel like a chore. But the velvet cased cushions held like chains against Darlet's hazy thoughts. Too many things bouncing around in the skull can make wrangling them into consciousness a difficult task, but one that would be sweetly remedied by the scent of mochi. 

Finally ripping his drool drenched cheek away from the comfy prison, he looked longingly into the pile of pillows around him. His fur matted in places, his clothing strewn about haphazardly. Forcing himself to remember the day before was difficult. After enough drinks, everything becomes a highlight reel of blinking events with little context. He recalled looking for a place to sleep, preferably avoiding the long walk home. This as well as a brief argument with a confectioner. Then being dragged into these pillows. 

He almost didn't notice when the white blob buried in the pillows next to him shifted. He pulled some of the pillows aside to reveal Shibani, who was still very much sleeping peacefully through the morning. Or whatever time it was. Hell knows where a clock is in this room. Better yet, why Shibani would willing drag a drunken miscreant back to his room. Regardless, Darlet made a careful effort to sneak away from the sea of pillows without disturbing the slumbering bun. Eventually making way around the room to collect his noticeably damp clothing. 

Finally tugging everything on, he exited into the greater front shop. Dan was working hard on today's menu, although when looking back to Darlet he seemed to scowl. Oh yeah, the argument. What was that even about?

"Your meat bun is done." Dan muttered as he hit the mound of mochi with a heavy blow. "Eat it, then go."

The meat bun. The meat bun for Darlet. The meat bun specifically requested by Darlet. Darlet's meat bun. Definitely not something that Dan would make. But the slow reeling memory of the previous night recalls drunken whining, this when demanding a "Steamed Meat Bun" didn't get immediately answered with 'OK'. He knew that wasn't possible. Who here in their right mind ate meat anyway? It wasn't going to be possible, plus why would anyone ask the guy that makes Dango to make a meat bun? But an appetite under the influence is insatiable. So the new question was, what the hell kind of 'meat' is this? 

"Uh. Okay." Darlet slinked over to the covered dish that sat on counter. Simultaneously worried, dizzy, and intrigued. "What's in th-"

Dan slammed down on the mochi ball hard, making Darlet jump slightly. "Don't doubt me. Eat." He didn't even look back at him. He just continued to work on the ball. 

Darlet gulped slightly before removing the glass lid. Then raised the flaky dough to his mouth. Biting in, the bun released an overflow of warm juice. Salty, savory, and most importantly. Smoky. The texture definitely was not what he knew real meat felt like. But the flavours were all there, all perfectly balanced. This begged more questions than would ever get properly answered. But the remaining bites were voracious and quick. 

As he finished licking the remnants of the meat bun from around his mouth, he looked up to Dan standing over him triumphantly. No words were spoken, only a look of smug satisfaction. Behind him Shibani came gracefully out from the back room, gently rubbing the sleep from his still tired eyes. 

"Oh. You're still here. Are you feeling better now? You were practically falling down the whole way here. I had to ask Dan to try and wake you up to make sure you weren't dead. Sorry about the whole splashing you with ice water thing." He smiled sweetly, doing very little but easily making up for whatever may have happened the previous night. That did explain the wet collar though. 

"Oh. Nah you are both fine. I uh. Maybe went a little overboard last night. Happy hour, and the music was good. You know how it gets." Darlet laughed softly, and looked back to Dan. Who now just seemed irritated that Darlet was still here after finishing his breakfast. "I uh. I'm sorry I doubted you. I don't know how you did it, but that was amazing. I might just have to ask you for one of those again."

"Nope. You got what you asked for. Now you can live with the memory of how good I am at my job. Be a drunk in someone else's shop next time." Dan turned on his heel and left the counter without paying Darlet any more mind. He didn't even ask for payment-

"Don't mind him, you are just fine. But next time, please come over when you're sober. You didn't even get to play last night. You fell asleep before I did." Shibani pouted in a way that forced guilt to strike Darlet's heart. But he also felt some confusion. Play? What kind of play is he- "You sang really well last night. I wanted you to sing me to sleep with your lullabies, so you have to come over again. I'll make sure Dan isn't mad at you next time." Ah. That adds up. 

"Don't worry. I will be clean as a whistle. I'll even bring my guitar." Darlet smiled sweetly as he could. Guess a good voice can get people to look past the rest of his flaws, and even give him a good night's rest.