Outside of the fence that divides Gehenna and London sat a blue mini cooper with the driver sitting in it, watching the gate. He had been approached by the guards, who recognised him and allowed him to stay and wait for his friends. They gave their condolences, and while Kristopherson really wasn't in the mood for it, he politely accepted, assuring him that he was alright when he wasn't, really. Fortunately, he had time to compose himself.

Alois had agreed to let his partner handle investigation for a few minutes to walk their mutual friend in and help him get the book he needed. Alois apologized profusely for not being able to just get it and bring it to him at home, but criminal investigations took time. Moreover, they and Kristopherson both agreed that being able to talk to supernaturals and establish a place within their community would help him.

He and Alois talked about what happened with Daniel over the phone while Alois was on his way to the front gate as well. The basics of it were discussed, at least. Understandably, Kristopherson didn't want to go over every single detail of it, but Alois got the message. The menace also felt as though Kristopherson was in the right.

"I think, it regards to that, you're doing the right thing. You're thinking about yourself, and if you aren't happy with the way things're going, then you need to do what you think is best." Alois said, walking down the street with his phone against his ear. He could see the gate, and was heading that way. "I'm almost there. Do you wanna keep talking about it then?"

"Nah…" Kristopherson answered. "I don't really know what I want right now. I just… It's a lot…"

"I don't blame you, mate. I get it." The menace replied. "You can call me about it whenever you need help, okay?" He paused, stopping in front of the gate. "I'm here. I can see your car." He added, waving at the other man.

Kristopherson looked out the window and saw him, stepping out of the car and locking it. Placing his hands in his pockets, he walked over to the gate, where the man in the booth asked for his name. Being listed as "supernatural" in the computer didn't help his sense of unrest. It felt wrong and othering. It didn't seem to bother the supernatural beings he knew, so perhaps it was simply because it was new to him? He didn't ask, instead opting to duck under the beam before it raised completely in order to join his friend.

"Whoa, you look terrible." Alois stated, being one to bluntly speak his mind. The faux-blonde wasn't dressed in his usually stylish manner, instead looking quite plain. Knowing Kristopherson, that was a big indicator of his mental state, as well as the simple observation of his eyes. They were red and puffy, betraying him and being physical proof that he had cried.

"Gee, thanks…" grumbled the faux-blonde.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know. Neither did I."

"Come on, then." The menace said, holding out an arm. As his friend walked up to him, he put it around Kristopherson's shoulders in a comforting manner and they began walking. "Let's get you situated."

Fortunately, the Gehenna General Store wasn't far. It was on the main street just a ways. A sign branched off the side of the building so one could see it as they approached from the sidewalk in addition to the one flat on the face of the store. Both were hand-painted. Kristopherson looked through the window of the store as they neared the door, noticing that it looked a lot like a convenience store, but with more grocery items and necessities than candy. Releasing the other man, Alois grabbed the doorhandle and pulled it open, allowing the bells attached to it to chime and notifying the workers of their presence. He held it open while Kristopherson hesitantly walked inside, a little nervous about what he might find, but finding the place mostly empty, much to his relief. The only other people there were Alois and the cashier, who stood behind the counter with a smile, greeting the menace respectfully.

"Mister Lion!" the clerk said, stiffening. "It's a pleasure to have you here!"

"At ease, citizen." Alois playfully shot back, offering a salute. His joking around caused the cashier to relax a bit. He then proceeded to ask where the books were located, prompting the worker to politely give him directions with a smile.

He was an odd man. For starters, his skin was a light blue colour, and the freckles that speckled his cheeks appeared to be purple. It covered over the small, horn-like protrusions high on his forehead that were framed by his hairline. Black locks were swept out of his face and tucked behind his ears, kissing the back of his neck slightly. The man's thick eyebrows were raised as he set his sights on the faux-blonde. His eyes were red, but friendly as he waved at Kristopherson, thus hesitantly prompting the other man to wave back. Once Kristopherson and his friend were safely behind the bookshelves and out of earshot, he had to ask.

"What is he?" he questioned, causing the other man to arch an eyebrow while looking to the other books with genuine interest, turning away from them in order to look at the Miles.

"Who?"

"The cashier."

"Oh, him?" Alois clarified before looking to the books again and picking one up to look at. "He's an incubus. They're harmless."

"Aren't those, like, the monsters that sleep with people at night and steal their souls?"

"Hey, hey, hey… We don't use the m-word on people, especially strangers." Scolded the menace while pointing his finger. "If you believe the stories that humans tell, then yes. In reality, they have a very strong moral code in regards to consent. They won't even sleep with people who're in other relationships. And they're not just sex-obsessed, either. They gain energy from it, but it's only on a 'need or don't-need' basis. No soul-stealing involved. Don't be rude."

"Sorry…" bashfully replied Kristpoherson, realizing he had just said something horrible. "I didn't know."

"Whelp, now you do." Said his friend with a smile. "You have to kinda approach things with an open mind. It's all kind of weird and confusing when you're new, but you get used to it."

"Sorry…"

"Don't be. You learned your lesson, right? Just think about other people's feelings before jumping to conclusions next time, alright?"

"Alright…" sighed the faux-blonde, grabbing the book he needed off the shelf. "So, do I just go up there and pay for it?"

"Yeah. Just like any other store." Alois replied. "You go ahead. I'll be right behind you. I kinda wanna look around a bit. Unless you want to leave right away. That's cool, too."

"Nah. I don't really want to go home just yet. What about your work?"

"Ciel can handle it. He's a big doggie."

"Somehow, it sounds gross…"

"Only if you're thinking about it that way." The menace stated. "Go get your shit."

"Alright, alright, I'm going." His friend said, turning to walk toward the register. The cashier took the book from him and glanced at it.

"Ah, so that's why." The cashier said. "You seemed a little out of place when you walked in."

"Am I that noticeable?" asked Kristopherson, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he averted his eyes. The blue skin was a little off-putting, so his eyes settled on the incubus' nametag, learning that his name was "Logan".

"Oh, no, not like that." Logan said, holding up a hand. "I mean, like, 'nervous'. Like you're not too comfortable being here."

"It's a lot to take in…"

"It's alright. I'm not going to bite. If it helps, I can change to look more like you." Suggested the cashier, prompting the other man to look up confusedly.

"Huh?"

"I'm an incubus." Explained Logan. "I can change my shape, if it makes you feel better."

"Oh no, no, no!" answered Kristopherson with a blush. "You're fine. It's okay."

"I know it can be a lot for new supernaturals." Said the cashier, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. "New vampires come in here, too, so I know I can be a little off-putting."

"No, you're alright. It's interesting." The faux-blonde assured.

"If you say so…" smiled the other man, looking away for a moment to punch in numbers into the cash register. "I like your goatee." He added, pausing his actions for a moment to playfully stroke his own.

"Thanks. I try." Kristopherson said back, smiling for the first time since entering that store.

"How do you get it like that, anyway? I need to know."

"Oh, it's pretty easy." the faux-blonde began to explain. "First I design a pattern, then I make a stencil of it, put it on, and trim around it."

"With a razor?"

"I actually use a beard trimmer."

"They make those?" asked Logan, looking to Kristopherson again.

"Yeah. The good ones can be pretty pricey, though."

"Damn." The incubus said before raising his eyebrows and covering his mouth. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to say that!"

"It's fine. I say stuff like that all the time."

"You never know." Answered Logan. "One person might not be offended, and another might be." He paused before glancing at the total on the register. "Oh, I'm sorry. The book is three pounds."

"It's fine." The other man said, taking out his wallet.

"I got distracted." Logan said. "I actually read this book. You don't have a lot to really worry about, it looks like."

"That's what you say. I'm trying to figure out what to do with all of this silver jewelry I've got." Kristopherson said, pointing to his ears. "I can't wear my favourite earrings anymore."

"Pfft-! That sucks, mate." The cashier said, taking the faux-blonde's money and giving him his change before handing him the book. "Might want to worry about your clothes, more, though. I think the book says somewhere to take off any jewelry before the moon."

"I'll probably have to dress like this, then?" joked Kristopherson. "I don't normally dress like this. I'm having kind of a hard couple of weeks."

"Don't worry. It'll get better before you know it." Logan replied with a grin. "Just keep track of everything and take care of yourself. The book said to make a schedule and stick to it."

"That sounds way too simple."

"I hear it works. I was talking to a werewolf the other day about it. Miss. Ethans. She says that the hardest part is finding someone to watch her kids."

"I can see that." Kristopherson said. "Thanks for the help."

"No problem. It's what I do." The incubus answered. "Seriously, though, you should show me how you do your beard sometime."

"Maybe I'll come back next time I need to shave."

"Please do. I need to see what on earth a beard trimmer is."

"Later, then. I have to find the blonde thing." Kristopherson said, gesturing behind him. "The other blonde thing." Turning around, he saw the menace peeking from behind one of the shelves, grinning at him. Immediately, the Miles blushed.

"Get out of here!" Kristopherson ordered, causing the other man to step out into the open and accept his playful shove.

"What? I wasn't doin' nothin'!" the Phantomhive said in mock-defiance while Kristopherson circled behind him and pushed against his back, trying to get him out the door.

"Let's gooo!" groaned his friend as the demon would not budge, only taking a few steps at a time at his leisure.

"I thought you weren't in a hurry to go home?"

"I never said that!"

"I distinctly remember that you did." Alois pointed out, grabbing the doorhandle and pushing against it, moving out of the way so Kristopherson could get past, only for the other man to nearly fall on his face. Fortunately, he was able to catch himself before he did. "Laters~!" the menace waved at the cashier, prompting the incubus to wave back. He watched as the pair continued to playfully shove each other through the window outside the shop before they began to walk away.

"What the fuck, Alois!?" demanded Kristopherson.

"'What the fuck' what? I didn't do anything." Answered the menace.

"Why were you staring at us like that? It's creepy." His friend said as they walked along, putting a hand in his pocket while carrying his purchase with the other.

"You were smiling." Alois said. "You were finally starting to cheer up. It was good to see."

"Not really." Denied the other. "It looked like you were thinking something weird…"

"Like you being flirted with by an incubus?"

"He wasn't flirting, he was just being nice…"

"You never know. It could happen." The Phantomhive pointed out, pointing a finger. "I've seen weirder shit."

"Psh, yeah, I know." Kristopherson replied. "I'm just not really in the mood for that kinda thing right now. I'm still pretty down."

"Sounds reasonable." Alois said, continuing to walk alongside his friend, almost to the gate. "If you ever need to talk about it, you can call me, alright?"

"Alright." The other man said, waving to the man in the booth, who raised the bar that blocked the entrance to the village. "You should get back to Grumpy."

"Probably should. Maybe we can go do something sometime. Just you and me. For laughs."

"Sure your husband will be alright with you seeing other men?" joked the faux-blonde, causing the menace to roll his eyes.

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, but I gotta fuck with your head, somehow." Said the miles, stepping through the gate. "Hanging out sounds fun, though. Just as long as it's not on a full moon."

"Piss off and read your book." Alois said, waving off his friend who raised two fingers to the Phantomhive while he walked to his car. Grinning, the demon knew that this was a good indication that that the Miles would be alright.