Rise of Lord Pudd-I mean Sparkles

Alwin had decided to visit a place of foodness and foodness it would be visited. It had been a few days since his last escape, Riichi couldn't be allowed to get suspicious but luckily for the bount a book the man had never seen before had been found in the endless cleaning and organizing of Lina's hoard.

Riichi suitably occupied, Alwin had told the man he was going to practice a new surprise song and must be left alone and went off into the deeper parts of the cave.

From there he had opened a portal up in an alleyway, stepped out in his rather fancy green long coat and then immediately rushed through traffic to squish his face against the large window of a food shop. What should he geeet? What could he get? And how... He needed the money stuff but their money didn't look like his money?

Alwin pulled out almost rectangular solid gold little disks. They didn't look anything like what those people inside were paying with...

Perhaps he'd....gone a little overboard...

Perhaps he should have drawn the line at the seventh cookbook, but...but it was for something special! Lakshmi would have the perfect time out on the island if it killed him! Though, that was a bit counter productive, if he died then she was sure to have the worst time...

Still!

Kaimu wanted to be fully prepared, he still needed to...ask Shirakawa for help,but he would get to that! First, he wanted to have options to choose from on what to cook! Once he had decided on a few things then he would ask Shirakawa for his assistance!

The Human World had up to date books on everything! Cooking was included, and Lakshmi would only have the best!

So here the ex-rogue was, carrying a bag full of large cookbooks as he made his way down the streets of the Human World, humming a happy tune as he went~!

He would give Lakshmi the best post-birthday night of her life!

"But I want a candy baaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! Chocolaaaaaaaaaaaaate!" Alwin sat crying outside of the store, holding out his gold currency. There was a worker, trying to soothe the man, unsure of how to stop the tears as they sat in the sidewalk. The attention drawn was clearly not wanted, but no one could stop his crying and clearly no one wanted to buy him the most adored candy bar.

Some might recognize it as old japanese coins, the ones someone who was a high ranking noble my keep in his treasury to represent his value or to pay for rather expensive items.

The humming faded at the sound of...crying? That...That wasn't the voice of a child crying, but... Kaimu came to a halt as he noticed a crowd whose attention was on...a bakery? Well, it was a candy shop, that much was obvious.

He couldn't see very clearly through the people staring but eventually some dispersed and went along with their day, and his eyes landed on... that was a...a grown man.

He wanted a chocolate bar?

"Eh?"

That currency he held, that was... In this day and age it was very outdated, no one would accept money like that in the modern world. Candy bars were cheap, why...why didn't someone just buy him the candy bar?

He looked around, trying to see if anyone would help and no one was...

Letting out a breath, Kaimu adjusted the glasses on his face and approached the crowd, his hand slipping into his pocket and pulling out the measly amount of currency that was enough to purchase said candy bar.

"Here~ Get the candy bar with this~!" He was using his typical, playful tone, ignoring the crying of the man, and the crowd. A good deed for the day then~!

Alwin's crying kept going and going as the shopkeepers attempted to get him to stop, for some reason unwilling to just hand the poor handsome man a candy bar and eat the change. The crowd that grew seemed more amused than willing to help and Alwin felt himself becoming more and more upset as time grew on.

He just wanted candy! Why couldn't they accept his money!

His crying immediately halted as a kind and perfect stranger stopped by. Alwin looked up at the man in disbelief, looked down at the money offered, his lip quivering as a weak smile appeared. His hand with the gold disks came out and put them in the man's hand as he accepted the current money, his green coat flapping in the wind as he rushed into the store to get a candy bar. "Thaaaank yoooou pleeease wait a miiinuuute!"

"Hn?" Kaimu looked down at his hand as the man placed the old currency there, looking up just in time to see him bolt inside as he told him...to wait? He could wait if he wanted, he had his books so he had everything he'd needed to get!

He had plenty of time, he could...try to figure out his words on asking Shirakawa...

Cook...you, help... No, too demanding... That wouldn't work at all...

This currency, in the Rukon it could be used he had to question though how the man had gotten such currency considering it was outdated. Maybe a grandparent? Then again, why wouldn't he know it was outdated...? Hah....?

Now that things had been settled, Kaimu noticed the crowd dispersing fully... Yup, fun was over with people! Get moving!

Alwin came out, hugging the candy bar in his arms while sparkles shined from him. His smile was blindingly bright with his eyes closed as he held it to him. The candy~ The sweet chocolaty nectar of his heart! The lovely smooth flavor sliding down his tongue and throat! Could anything be as wonderful?

COULD ANYTHING TOP THE HERSHEY BAR!? No, it bared not thinking of.

The bount rushed up to nice man and bounced in place happily as one hand came out to pat his shoulder. "Thank you thank you! This is the best! I forgot the humans used such monies and thought this would work but apparently they are not accepted here? I do not understand anything!"

He said that with the brightest smile as he opened the candy bar with one hand, taking a bite and carefully eating. No need to get all messy!

Kaimu waited, standing by as the man presumably purchased the candy bar he'd been crying about wanting. As he waited he situated the bag he was carrying more comfortably within his grip, it was heavy but they were all precious books!

Hearing the ding of the door, he saw the man exit hugging the candy bar to him.

He'd...really wanted that candy bar.

"Welcome~!" Kaimu replied, giving one of his usual bright smiles to the man, though...

Hn~? Humans...that terminology....

Well.

"Ahaha, currency's changed drastically nowadays, though this is usable in the Rukon." Kaimu stated, the man's words easily confirming he was...well, not human. "This type of currency hasn't been used in....a very long time!"

Such a bright happy smile! Aaaaaaaaah! Alwin bounced more in return, this man was a fellow happy smiler and it was nice to see such a happy person! So happy and nice! He left the gold disks in the man's hand, happy to just allow him to have them in return for his help.

However it seemed the man knew exactly what the bount meant and Alwin nodded enthusiastically as his arms waved. "I see I see I see! Rukon for these... I'll have to be careful and figure out what kinds are what then. Sis has lots laying around the cave but Riichi's been organizing it all! I'll go to Rukon next then, that's where the shinigami live right?"

This man knew things! A fanged smile was given as he patted the shoulder more.

"Different currency is used all around the world, so it can get confusing~!" Yen, dollars, yuan, lots of different kinds!

Where the shinigami live... so he wasn't a shinigami either. Something hollow related perhaps? He didn't really seem like much of a threat, plus with the treaty there was nothing to worry about really.

"Mhmm! The Seireitei is where most shinigami are, Rukon is where the normal souls live though this currency could be used in either the Rukon or Seireitei..."

...Fangs? Eh?

"Aaaaaaaaah! I will never learn it aaall!" Alwin stuffed the remainder of the candy bar to soothe his poor tenderheart and brain at the thought of memorizing all those currencies and words and aaaah! He would stick with music, he was good with music. Leave the rest to Sis.

"So I could go to the Rukon and spend it... Hmmm. Sis would be upset if I bought things... I shouldn't use her hoard. But then how do I get presents? Should I play more music then?" Alwin's now free hands went up and ruffled his blonde hair pulled back in a long braid as his brain broke from too much thinking. "Aaaaah person please heeelp! What do I do to get more of this money?"

Breaking from his whining, he rushed closer to Kaimu and grabbed the hand with money to clasp it adoringly. He stared down, hoping for an answer as his braid wagged behind him. The person was still here! So that was a bonus! They might be friendly!

So this was his sister's money, shouldn't he take it back then so she wouldn't notice any gone? He had mentioned a hoard? Did his sister collect currency or something?

...Help? Eh?

Kaimu blinked, how to help him when it came to earning more money...

"Aaa~ Well, is there anything you're good at? Cleaning, organizing, serving...any kind of skills? If you're good with something, you can get a job! That or if you have performing talents, street performers can make a bit of change!"

He was covering as many corners as possible on this, if the man had skills he could use them in areas of profession mean for them...and earn money that way.

"I can sing and play piano! I have a special keyboard, a few of them I can take all sorts of places~ Princess liked my singing and music lots~" Alwin beamed more, glad that his music would be helpful at least a bit. He could make money off of music then!

"I am not good at those other things, Riichi cleans the cave since Sis likes to pretend she's mean and told him that he had to make himself useful when she saved him but really it was to keep him busy and happy. I don't need to eat so its hard for me to make food... We don't have a kitchen. So I guesssssssss Music it is!" Yay! Alwin gave a little hop, success! All the other things he would be a failure at~

Cave? Princess? Riichi?

He had no idea who the two, he assumed, people were and "Sis" was a rather obvious term, but...cave? He didn't need to eat, so...

"Well if you can sing and play piano those are good skills for some jobs! People will pay if they want to see someone perform in those areas! Hn, you could take your keyboard and play it in the park! People that enjoy your playing may leave money if you have the case opened!"

Street performing could earn him a little money, probably not as much as a real job but... he seemed to just want to buy presents so he didn't need to worry about having tons of money to eat off of.

"Aaah just like before when I met Princess! I see I see!" Alwin's hands and arms waved in happy circles as he pondered where would be best. A park the stranger had said? Aah yess a park would be good!

"But where are parks? How do I get to one? Randoms strangers are so helpful!" He sparkled more, his eyes staring adoringly at the glasses faced stranger with... "Aaaaah! Look your eyes are like Sis'! She has mismatched too! Look look look!"

His face leaned uncomfortably close to look at them, green eyes sparkling brightly. "I'm Alwin!"

Before Kaimu could potentially react, the young man pressed his lips against Kaimu's in a kiss.

Kaimu gave a chuckle; it seemed this Princess was someone important...considering he kept bringing the name up, along with this Riichi and sister of his. Well, it was good he had others to help guide him!

"Aa, well parks are generally popular in this area; they're the places with lots of grass and benches and trees where you see people sitting and relaxing, sometimes walking their pets! There's typically a pond too that people like to feed ducks in!

His eyes? "Aa~ So your sister has heterochromia too? Aha, that's rare to come across!" He smiled, his smile becoming a bit sheepish as the man suddenly leaned in just before...

!!!

Thi-Th... This Alwin, as he'd suddenly introduced...kissed him!?

A look of shock crossed his expression, which would remain after he'd pulled away. O-Oh no, he could not just get random kisses now! No! He had Lakshmi! Aah!

New friend was happy! That chuckle was nice and it made Alwin more happy as he then explained parks. "Oh so that's what the names of those were...and that's what a park looks like! I've read about them in books!"

"Heterochromia is what its called? Uwaaaa so much I am learning today! Parks and Sis' eye's name! She has eyes like you but blond hair and fangs like me. And one of her eyes is like mine, green." Alwin frowned, the man shared eyes like her...so he had to...had to reassert that she was in fact his sister and they shared things too! He couldn't let this man win out on things like sister level!

"Oh oh oh! I am sorry! I was supposed to ask if kisses were okay! Are kisses okay? Princess said to ask because people aren't always wanting kisses from others even if she was okay with me kissing her like this." Alwin backed up, arms waving as his eyes watered, upset that he had upset his new friend with that. He was obviously shocked and stunned! Not a nice reaction at all! Oh why hadn't he heeded Princess' words!?

"A-...Aha...aha...I'm actually in a relationship!" Kaimu explained, though he just spoke quickly, not raising his voice or anything. It seemed, this man wasn't aware of things...this Princess having told him he should ask, well, she was definitely right! He could get in trouble kissing at random! "Since I'm in a relationship I only want to kiss the person I'm with, that's what it means!"

Eh?

Heterochromia, blond hair, fangs...one of her eyes were green....

.... "...Naki?" He questioned; no way...noooo way, that...no way could he be talking about Naki!

"OH! Princess said things like that. That people might not want to be kissed because of such things." Alwin's eyes watered up more and more, a few drops spilling before his arm came up and covered them. He cried out softly to the nice man. "I-I-I'm soooorrrrrry! So soooorrrrrry!"

His sobs came to an immediate halt as his arm fell. There was an odd air about him, a subdued sparkling that grew as his hand came up and pointed in a dramatic fashion. "Naki is the worst name ever! It does not behold her majesty and grace! Say it with me, Avelina Veihault. Ava-lee-nah Viehault! I told her to pick another name...she never takes my advice. Nightingale would be better even if she's bad with music."

His finger went from pointing to poking his other one as he looked down, lower lip quivering lightly in dismay at such a silly sister. He was clearly not even thinking what this man knowing her name could mean...

"I-It ah- You know now so-ah-" Before Kaimu could attempt to stop the man's crying, it stopped itself at the mention of his sister.

That...That reaction... Huh!?

"A-Avelina Veihault." He repeated, doing as Alwin had asked of him.

It seemed he was rather serious about his sister's name, and disapproved of her nickname. Kaimu hadn't even known Naki had been a nickname! So that was her real name...

Alwin positively bloomed with sparkles and flowers as the man said it. He had said it~ He had repeated the correct name and nevermore would he have to call her by that hideous one!

"Yesss! Much much better~ Lina has the worst taste in names I swear it... Huuuuh wait a seeecond. How do you even know my Sis?" Alwin's happiness and excitement over the man's correct words in regards to Avelina faded after a second to be replaced by confusion. His head tilted from side to side as he thought about this.

Why would some random stranger know her? This was odd.

"Ahhh, we met one day in the Rukon; I helped her out because she needed help at the time!" Kaimu didn't want to say she'd been injured, that might send the poor guy into a worried panic or something despite how long ago that had been.

He'd just been out in the Rukon one day, come across her when she'd needed helped, and had helped her! Yup!

Though...if she were his sister, then that meant... Alwin was a bount then...

"Oh! That is good! It is nice to hear Sis has people to help her when she needs it. She doesn't like me to leave the cave..." Alwin poked his finger, moping more and more and more despite his happy words over the man's apparent helping of his sister.

He wanted to be the one to help her but he was stuck in the cave and not allowed to go out... He better not tell the man that he had snuck out! He might get told on!

Play it cool.

"Mhmm, I haven't really come into contact with her again after that, but I'm glad I was able to help her out." Kaimu replied; if he hadn't of helped her she would have probably died... that wouldn't have been good, even if she was a bount.

She didn't like him leaving the cave?

Odd... If he were allowed he could learn to understand the world more, and perhaps avoid trouble like the trouble he'd had today... at least. Kaimu couldn't imagine being stuck in a cave to live in of all things, rarely being able to leave... he would get too worked up.

"Oh all right. It is good you could help her! You must continue to if you see my Sis... Nothing is allowed to happen to her!" Alwin proclaimed, his eyes flashing with unshed tears as his lip quivered once more despite his words. It was obvious the man didn't want to think of his sister dying or her leaving him.

The tears fell down his face as he gave a big sniffle, his hands holding a handkerchief up slowly to cover his mouth and nose as his eyes continued to water in a dramatic fashion. "Sh-She's all I haaaaave. She can't go awaaaay..."