Hi.
This is the forth installment.

Nothing much happens- at least of mass significance, minus maybe two small things.
But we are about to meet two of those little 'Noah Family Brats'- I think it fits them in a fun, playful kinda way. Enter Rhode, Wisely and Tyki.

To the Bottom!
Huzzah!

"Wanna be free
Wanna be loved
Wanna be more than you're thinking of
Everything seems to be estranged when you're alone…"
"I Wanna Be Free" -Panic! At The Disco

XXX

A-(Not So)-Sexual Man
Chapter the Forth:
Quirks

Alma Karma could now say he was the only one in his family that didn't seem even slightly bothered by the white-haired man now sitting at the kitchen table, by this point. But after receiving the mental signal from his nearly-twin, he was also the only of the seven of them that had decided to not play poker against Kanda's boyfriend. And, also, he and Lenalee had been made privy to that assuring title.

Kanda was now holding Allen's, or Moyashi's, phone hostage- pending the arrival of the six-month older man's three cousins. And seemed a bit anxious about it, if Alma had any indication- and by the nervous glances his brother had been sending his partner, he was inclined to believe it.

But, Karma was also still reeling from Allen's amazing skills at poker- cheating at poker, Kanda assured him.

And then the piano piece he could now recognize as Allen's ring tone and the doorbell began chiming at nearly the same time. Allen threw Kanda another glance and Alma watched as his brother made his was to the front door, pulling the phone out only long enough to answer and then hang up without even lifting it to his ear. Alma followed a bit, stopping at the foyer archway.

"Kanda-tan," came a smooth, young sounding female voice from the entrance and Alma felt the need to peek around the archway and watch. Noticing the sleeved arms wrapped around his brother's midsection and Kanda tense back, Alma smiled. Apparently everyone liked to glomp his brother.

"Get off, Rhode," Kanda growled back a moment later, as two other bodies moved toward the door. The girl grudgingly let go as Kanda moved to open the door again.

The girl who Alma could mostly see now, came up to Kanda's shoulder and her vibrant hair was wildly-stylish on her head- seemed to be a family thing, he noted as the other two males made their way into the foyer. The first was a white-haired male, who Alma guessed was the 'actual cousin' as Allen had been calling him. His odd hair was held back with a long black and white stripped bandana. The man behind them seemed a bit more… normal, maybe. His hair a coal black, that was pulled back in a half knot- though his eyes were a bright, vibrant yellow color. Each had their weird quirks, it seemed.

And after letting the three in, exchanging a few words with each, Kanda returned to his normal and slid passed Alma without even attempting to introduce the three that now stood awkwardly between the front door and him. With a sigh, Alma took over- introducing himself and motioning that they could put their coats in the closet.

"Sorry about Kanda," Alma laughed a little nervously. "He doesn't seem to be very happy at he moment." The small girls laughed a bit as she handed her coat to the black-haired man, who took it and hung it while she turned back to Alma.

"Allen's playing poker," she guessed innocently. Alma froze. "He is, isn't he?" And they both shared a tight smile. "It happens a lot," she finished. And then the black haired man joined the other two back in the foyer, kicking off his shoes as he exited the medium sized closet. The while haired male, who hadn't said anything yet, was smiling at him slyly.

"Tyki," he tells the dark-haired man, who looked up to the three of them eyeing him oddly.

"Yeah," he asks slowly, his eyes locking with the white-haired man's.

"Go play poker with Allen," He commands lightly, "I get the feeling he's terrorizing them." And glancing at Alma, his face unintentionally agreeing, the dark-haired man's lips slid into a quick, devious smile.

"Sounds fun," Tyki relied before stepping passed Alma in the hallway and heading for the dinning room where there were loud groans being expelled again. Alma turned back to the two who were watching- maybe- elder man move through the house.

"Wisely Walker," the white-haired man introduced himself, extending his hand to Alma. With a curt shake he continued. "That over-excited card player is Tyki Mikk, and this-" he motions to the small girl now with her thin purple phone in her hands, tapping away "-Is his niece Rhode Kamelot. My…" he pauses and even Rhode looks up at him both stopping for a second to think.

"Cousin," Rhode asks slowly, and after a second Wisely begins to nod.

"Yeah," another pause and then he nods again looking back at Alma, "Cousin?" Rhode still looked contemplative.

"So I'm Allen's cousin too," she half-asks looking up at Wisely again. "Right?" The white-haired man pauses again before nodding.

"Well, yeah." Alma was just watching now- slightly amused with how they didn't really seem to know already.

As they thought about it, Alma took in the appearance of the two. Wisely was wearing a pair of tight, white skinny jeans with a gray mesh scarf though the loops that trailed down his left thigh. His shirt was white with an inlay of a black vest on it, odd gray swirling lines on the right pocket of the non-existant vest that almost resembles a gray flower with its loopy curves. His wrist were covered with a few black bracelets that varied from string to thick leather. Black fingerless gloves covered his hands, the blacks lined with a thin white ribbon in a stitch pattern. And then add in the white and black stripped bandana- he seemed coordinated, down to the black converse he had already removed.

Rhode seemed a bit different, as in instead of white and gray- she wore violet and lavender. Her leggings were solid strips of black and purple, that lead to a plaid skirt that was only accented with white strips with the purples and black- held up with a thin black belt. Her shirt was a simply purple tee, with black swirls on it, surrounding a crest detailed in thin lavender lines. And on her neck was a thin black band, with a violet gem- that looked plastic-fake surrounded by lavender and black lace. Her hands up to her elbows covered with arm socks in similar colors of black and purple lace. Again, Rhode was coordinated down to her black and purple ballet flats that had already been removed.

And finally after few random names and hand gestures that Alma couldn't follow that both agreed that Rhode, Wisely and Allen were cousins- full cousins. Wisely added, "Seems like it's just me and Al, 'cause you're still in high school." And Rhode stuck her tongue out at him.

And with a small chuckle Alma motioned them both from the foyer- telling them to drop their bags next to the stairs, where Kanda and Allen's already were. Wisely even moved Tyki's.

And by the time they made it into the dining room- there was a large whoop and Allen was laughing at whatever just happened.

"You were so counting," he chuckled. Tyki merely grinned right back, seated at opposite sides of the table- where he'd obviously kicked Lavi out. Kanda was now standing just to the right behind his white-haired boyfriend, watching him over his shoulder. He was only slightly shaking his head with a displeased smirk on his face. Everyone else seemed quite please with whatever had happened.

"Oh, I know you were too," Wisely called as he entered the room and the noise lowered a bit at the two white-haired men grinned at each other. "So don't try to blame it all on him- he's just a bit less honest about his cheating." Allen was now grinning while Tyki had turned his head to glare at his… cousin- Alma understood now why they just went with cousin.

And then they went around the room quickly the two Walkers taking the lead and introducing the people Allen had only known a few hours.

And now, glancing at the clock- Alma was a bit caught off guard to realize that it had gotten that late. It had been about dusk when the three cousins had arrived, and now it was dark out- even though it was only a bit after seven.

And suddenly as Lavi and Daisya were about to get into another tussle while Rhode smiled down at her phone next to them- glancing at the impending battle next to her with intrigued eyes- there was a crappy ring tone suddenly calling from somewhere in the room. And they all made to check their phones, other then that five people who seemed unbothered by it. Allen, Tyki, Wisely, Rhode and Kanda looked on as the rest of the room looked for their phones and pulled them out.

Lavi suddenly realized he didn't even have his and started for the living room after kicking Daisya for 'making him lose it'. Marie merely held his pocket and deduced it wasn't his. Froi mumbled something about the kitchen and began toward the door. Alma pulled his out to a black screen and shoved it back in, and then all eyes were suddenly locked on Lenalee who was by this point glaring at her small black and green device.

And with a angry sigh she answered it, put it to her ear, while leaving the room. "Yes, brother," was heard as she moved toward the hall. Kanda met Alma's eyes as the three month elder sighed.

"So," he began, as Allen turned to look at him, then back at his boyfriend's brother. "How's that working out?" Alma simply scoffed.

"Let's not talk about it," he relied quickly and Kanda merely smirked, while shaking his head a bit.

"Told ya so," The three month younger taunted. Alma's face fell as he pouted a bit.

"Go to hell." Kanda only chuckled a bit, making his brother look back at him to meet his teasing eyes.

Well, that's new.

"Kanda," Rhode was suddenly speaking, her fingers still tapping at the pad of her phone. "Are you coming to Lulu's?" And there was a pause, where the four other three other cousins were looking at her with the same look that asked 'Who are you texting so much?'- while Alma, Daisya, and Lavi who had just returned to the room where looking at her with looks that asked, 'Who's Lulu?' Kanda was just wondering why she was asking.

Allen then turned a bit to look back at him, "I told you- it's up to you." Kanda met his eyes and his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Then he looked back at Rhode who was paying them no mind as she tapped her phone.

"I don't know," he answered then, "Why?" Rhode's shrug came immediately.

"Dad asked," she answered still not looking up.

"Who are you texting so much, 'cause I know it's not Cyril," Tyki finally asked as Rhode was still not looking up.

"Number two," she then answered just as bluntly. There were a few nods at this before Tyki sighed.

"Tell him I said happy birthday- though I'll probably hear from one of them tomorrow," the older man added. Rhode hummed.

"Me too," Allen threw in as Tyki motioned for another round of cards. Kanda seemed to be the only one of those that would recognize it to see Rhode throw a look at Wisely as he stood back near the door, only a few feet from the younger female- but far enough to matter. Wisely merely glared at her before rolling his eyes.

And the rest of the night continued in a steady downward motion. Froi ordered pizza a while later- Allen and Tyki both chipping in a fair amount for the three unexpected cousins. And eventually, after Lavi had left and Marie and Daisya had retreated to their rooms for whatever reason, Alma finally managed to ask about sleeping arrangements.

"I call the couch," was Tyki's two cents, which Rhode and Wisely seemed unbothered by.

"Is my room still a half-office," Kanda asked bluntly without looking up from the hand of cards where he sat across from Wisely as the four males- minus Alma- were playing, as both the elder Walker and Kanda watched for signs of cheating. Alma rolled his eyes as he nodded. "Is that hide-a-bed still in there?" Alma nodded to this too. "Good enough."

Lenalee who sat at the head of the table, texting her brother about coming home, merely smiled a bit. Alma openly looked at his brother blankly for a moment, before shrugging and dropping it. Wisely was the only cousin to wear a smirk, only Allen's small grin acknowledging the thought, even as he drew another card.

And before long, Lenalee was gone, Alma having shown her out and watched her enter the next house over. And by the time he'd gotten back, Kanda and Allen had left the dining room table where they'd been playing poker all day it seemed, and the other three cousins were settling down in their spots in the living room. Wisely had taken over the lazy-boy, Rhode the leather chaise, and Tyki- as promised- taking the couch.

And Alma Karma now noted- these cousins seemed to adapt rather quickly to chaos. Then with a small hum, he turned and began upstairs to bed.

Wednesday morning, Alma was surprised that he was up before Lenalee's morning text.

And dragging himself out of bed, into the bathroom and then on to the kitchen seemed normal. Until he got to the first floor and stopped in the entryway to the living room to let his brain wake up a little.

And if he had been more awake, he might have laughed at the marker scribbles Rhode was etching on Tyki's face. Or maybe even noticed Allen seated in the corner arm chair with his feet propped up on the stool and a laptop on his lap. Or maybe, just that it was still dark out. But the combination of the three had him awake, and yawning as he moved into the kitchen. Only to stop again in the next doorway and wonder if it was normal for Wisely and Kanda to glare so heatedly at each other.

And it continued for a moment before Wisely's shoulders sunk a bit in resignation. "I guess we'll just agree to disagree," the white haired man commented before taking a sip of his coffee and then turning to Alma just as Kanda did. In sync, he realized.

"Uh," he decided to voice after neither had said anything for a few moments, "Morning."

"Morning," Kanda replied, taking a sip of his coffee before throwing another glance at Wisely and picking up the other cup of coffee still on the counter next to him, Kanda moved passed Alma and out of the kitchen.

Wisely sighed, the chuckled a bit nervously, "Sorry; seems I've angered the baby-face a bit early." Alma tired to smile back- even laugh at the nickname. Because though he obviously didn't know Wisely well, even he knew when someone was obviously upset.

"Are you okay," he couldn't stop the question he hadn't planned on asking, and apparently from the stun he felt on his face right after. Wisely understood that, as his own stunned expression melted into a soft tender smile- that Alma somehow knew he didn't show much.

"Not really," he answered with a gusty sigh, after a moment, "But I think it's best left at that." And then the white-haired cousin was sipping his coffee and following his brother out of the kitchen- almost scurrying, Alma noted.

Alma shrugged as he gathered his own caffeine and moved back through the door into the living room. Tyki was now gone from the couch, Rhode having taken over one end, while Wisely had moved into the other corner. Allen was still seated in the arm chair in the corner, a cup of coffee not-so-magically now in his hands as Kanda was sitting in lazy boy in front of where the arm chair was positioned. And with a small glance at his brother over the book Kanda was skimming through, Alma moved to the chaise and situated himself for a possibly interesting morning.

And then, after a moment Rhode was standing, purple cell phone once again in her hand and moving through the house and into the kitchen. And just as the kitchen door closed, Tyki appeared at the opposite door. There was an expectant look on his tired looking face, and without introduction both Wisely and Kanda tilted their heads to indicate the kitchen and Tyki was off again. There was a round of squeaks from the other room filtering through some girly laughter, and Alma grinned.

And suddenly Alma found himself once again noting things about Allen's family. From how Wisely's hand were covered with the long black sleeves of his shirt, which had holes for his thumbs to hook into. And he remembered how Rhode had been wearing arm socks all morning and last night. And Tyki even had white fingerless gloves on. Glancing back at where Allen was tucking into the corner, he noted that white-haired man was still wearing the pleather black and burgundy striped fingerless gloves, that only his black painted fingernails poked out of.

It was intriguing, Alma noted- But then again a lot of things about this family seemed 'intriguing'.

Well, hello there.
This is the bottom- it says hello.

(I scare myself sometimes...)

Anyway, I really want to thank the rather large number of people who seem to really enjoy this story and have reviewed on any chapter(s). I do my best to reply, but with working full time hours right now it's just been hard. So I apologize to anyone I missed and I will try to reply as much as I can. I so appreciate the love this story is getting.

And a little tidbit- the lyrics at the top of the chapters may seem meaningless right now, but they won't remain that way. (Smiles and chuckles a bit.) Oh yeah, the things my brain cooks up are so exhilarating sometimes... (Dirty girl grin)

Thanks for reading, and until next time- your's;
-Aseru