Chapter Text
It was a typical night at the bar. Louis was there late, it being a Friday, Rose had popped in for a chat. But now it was closing time.
Mori waved to Louis, "Take care, Lou! Alright. Emily, you don't have to stay and help. I know you'd like to get home to check on your sister."
Emily shook her head, "I really don't mind, Mori."
Mori rested a hand on her shoulder, "I do, though. I'll close just fine on my own. Thanks for offering to stay and help, though. Oh, before I forget, here's the pay for the week. And a little extra since the Feast of the Winter Star is coming up."
Emily smiled, "Thanks again, Mori. See you tomorrow."
Mori nodded, "See you then. Ah. That girl. Well, no time like the present I suppose."
Mori set to cleaning. He mopped the floors, dusted the shelves, and cleaned off the windows. Making sure to take extra care around the arcade machines. Those kids were prone to spilling back there.
Mori finally sat down when he heard a squeaking noise. He groaned and stood back up. Probably just a window that got left open. No, everything was locked tight. Odd. Well, maybe something tipped over in the storage room.
Mori walked in to find…something he wasn't expecting, "Cheese? Okay…weird. Hey! If any of you kids stayed behind, this isn't funny. Come out right now. Sebastian, Abigail, I'm not above calling parents."
No answer.
Mori started to walk out when he saw a fuzzy little thing in the corner of his vision. He bent down, "Huh? Oh…hey little guy. Oh poor thing, you're skin and bones. Aww, you're a sweetie aren't you? Yeah. Were you the one getting into my cheese? Yeah? Aww, you're so naughty. C'mon, I'll get you something good to eat." Mori gently carried the little mouse to his counter and set it on top.
He sighed, "What to get you. Hmm, well, you certainly like cheese. But lets try this instead."
Mori made a small bowl of some strawberries and pumpkin seeds, petting the mouse on the head.
He yawned, "Finish up, then you gotta get going little guy." The mouse looked up at him, eyes wide. Mori groaned, "C'mon little guy, I can't keep a mouse here. It…look it's not sanitary."
Still, it just stared. Mori whined and sighed, "Fine, you can stay. But just in my room, I don't want you scaring guests."
For the next few weeks, that's how it went. The mouse, which Mori named Jouse, hung around Mori's room, content with his berries and seeds. Mori went back to his room for a bit after opening the store. While he was there, he scooped Jouse into his
hands, "We can go sit in the store until the others come, ok?"
Jouse squeaked in reply.
Mori grinned, "Cutest little chaos bean."
Mori tucked Jouse into his pocket, giving the fluffy, curly mouse a little pat before continuing out to the store. He was shocked to see Louis already there. Mori still put Jouse in the little bed he'd set up for the mouse.
Mori leaned on the counter, "Morning, Louis. What's up?"
Louis shrugged, "Just here for my morning drink. who's the little guy?"
Mori glanced at the mouse, "I call him Jouse. Cute, right?"
Louis nodded, "Yeah. Bring him out more, I'm sure people would love seeing the little guy."
Jouse scampered over and politely bowed his head for Louis to scratch it.
Louis laughed, "Pampered little prince, I see. Well, your majesty, you may have all the scratches you wish."
Mori grinned, he supposed having a little helper around the place would be alright.