Scaley Daddy And The Omakase Diplomacy

"Mochi, this is Cyrus Veyr Drakhal," Kane said, gesturing between them. "Cyrus, meet Mochi."

"Holy whiskers," Mochi whispered, suddenly switching to a deep bow that sent his leather jacket creaking.

"The Cyrus Veyr Drakhal. In the flesh. In the scales? Sorry, is that offensive? I'm just—wow."

Cyrus regarded the cat spirit with cool detachment. "You seem surprised."

"Well, yeah!" Mochi straightened, sliding into the seat beside Kane.

"When Kane texted about lunch, he failed to mention he was bringing actual royalty." His eyes gleamed.

"Last of the black dragons, CEO of Veyr Corp, the spirit who makes other spirits piss themselves just by walking into a room."

Kane's ears flattened. "Mochi—"

"What? It's a compliment!" Mochi leaned forward, grinning at Cyrus.

Cyrus's expression remained impassive, though Kane noticed a slight tightening around his eyes.

Kane cleared his throat as Mochi settled beside him, still staring at Cyrus with undisguised fascination.

"As I was saying, Mochi, I'm currently working for Cyrus as his personal assistant."

"Personal assistant?" Mochi's grin turned sly.

"We need information about the Midnight Chalice," Kane continued, leaning forward.

"It's for a... collection piece. Cyrus has this thing for rare antiquities."

Mochi's whiskers twitched. "The chalice? That's not just any trinket for rich people to display, fox-boy."

"Cyrus has unique taste," Kane explained, leaning back with practiced nonchalance. "The rarer, the better."

Mochi's eyes darted between them, tail swishing thoughtfully behind him. After a moment, his posture relaxed.

"Well, you know the rules, Kane-chan. Food first, then we talk."

As if on cue, the server appeared, sliding open the door. She carries an elegant wooden tray with the first course of their omakase—delicate slices of hamachi topped with yuzu and sea salt.

Behind her, another server followed with an enormous platter of glistening sashimi arranged like a colorful mosaic—fatty tuna, salmon belly, sea urchin, and other delicacies Kane couldn't even identify.

Mochi's eyes widened at the spread, his professional demeanor momentarily forgotten.

"Now we're talking," he purred, reaching for his chopsticks. "Maybe working for Scaley Daddy has its perks after all."

Cyrus's eye twitched at the nickname, but he remained silent.

"Definitely better than those sad conveyor belt places you usually drag me to," Mochi purred, popping sea urchin into his mouth.

Kane savored a piece of fatty tuna, eyes closing in bliss.

He glanced at Cyrus, surprised to see him working through the sashimi platter.

The dragon selected a slice of ruby-red tuna, examining it before eating.

"You're actually eating," Kane blurted.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "Did you expect me to just watch?"

"I just mean—I didn't expect you to like sushi."

"Raw fish is acceptable," Cyrus replied simply. "As I told you before, I prefer my meat uncooked."

Mochi's eyes widened. "Wait, he told you his dietary preferences? Kane, you've moved up in the world!"

Kane's ears flattened in embarrassment while Cyrus selected another piece, seemingly indifferent to Mochi's commentary.

The next course arrived—delicate tempura scallops nestled on beds of shiso leaves with golden droplets of spiced honey. Mochi's eyes dilated to perfect circles.

"This is what they feed you in paradise." he whispered, reverently lifting a scallop to his mouth. His tail curled in pleasure as he chewed.

Kane stared at the artful presentation, almost afraid to disturb it.

He'd never seen food that looked like edible art—even the garnishes were carved into impossibly delicate flowers. He took a cautious bite and nearly melted into his seat.

"This is unbelievable," he murmured, savoring flavors he couldn't even name.

Cyrus, meanwhile, accepted each new dish with practiced ease, nodding occasionally to the waitress who appeared to present particularly special courses.

As they finished the final course—a delicate yuzu sorbet that cleansed the palate—Kane noticed Mochi's satisfied expression.

The cat spirit leaned back, patting his stomach with a contented sigh.

"So, about the Midnight Chalice," Kane prompted, leaning forward. "What can you tell us?"

Mochi's ears twitched, his previous enthusiasm dimming. "Ah, that." He glanced between Kane and Cyrus, his playful demeanor fading.

"I wish I had something juicy for you, especially after that meal, but I don't have much information about it."

Kane's tail drooped behind him. "Nothing at all?"

"It's ancient, powerful, and somewhere in the mortal realm." Mochi shrugged.

"We know about that, anything more?" Kane couldn't hide his disappointment.

"Unfortunately," He tapped his claws against the table.

"But I can ask around, pull some strings with my more... historically inclined contacts. I'll get back to you if I find anything useful."

Cyrus remained silent, watching the exchange with calculating eyes.

Mochi stretched, his leather jacket creaking as he stood.

"Thanks for the five-star treatment. Best meal I've had in decades." He gave an exaggerated bow toward Cyrus.

"You know how to treat a cat right, Mr. Drakhal."

Kane's ears remained flat against his head, disappointment evident in his slumped shoulders.

"Don't look so crushed, fox-boy." Mochi patted Kane's shoulder.

"I said I'd ask around, and I will. My network runs deeper than you think."

"You promised information," Kane muttered.

"And I'll deliver." Mochi's eyes flickered toward Cyrus. "Consider me properly motivated."

He flashed a grin, revealing sharp canines. "Trust me, Kane. When have I ever let you down?"

They stepped out of the restaurant into the afternoon sun.

"I'm sorry, I really thought Mochi would have something solid. He usually comes through with information."

Cyrus adjusted his cuffs, seemingly unbothered.

"There's an old temple at the outskirts of Feilun. We could start there."

Kane stopped mid-step, tail freezing behind him.

"Wait—you have a lead? This whole time?"

"You never asked me," Cyrus replied simply, continuing toward the car.

Kane jogged to catch up, his amber eyes wide with disbelief.

"I never—" He made an exasperated sound. "Of course I didn't ask! You never mentioned knowing anything about the chalice!"

"You assumed I didn't," Cyrus corrected, unlocking the Lamborghini with a casual press of his key fob.

"That's different from me withholding information."

Kane's mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to speak. "So while I was stressing about finding leads, you already knew where to look?"

"Not precisely," Cyrus said, sliding into the driver's seat.

"But I have my suspicions. The temple has... historical significance."