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"No one would know any different," Earendil pointed out. "What if we had another sibling, and you said the same to them? You can't miss someone who never existed, just as you can't miss someone you don't know or haven't heard of."

He shook his head. "This is getting depressing. Come on, it's just a day like any other, let's treat it that way."

Earendil blinked at Lin took his arm. "But I-"

Kaito grinned and ruffled his wings a bit. "Hai, there's one that had almost three times the selection of any of the others," he purred. "And more than just sugar, too." He beckoned for Lin and Earendil to follow. "This way."

"We'll catch up with you later," Tinuviel smiled as the three of them headed off. "Don't get into any trouble now!"

Kaito just laughed. "You'll see. Come on Earendil, birthday or not, you did express an interest in the sweet shops yesterday when I told you about them."

"I know," Earendil said sheepishly, "but still-"

"Come on," Kaito grinned back. "Just have fun!"

The sweet shop was up the street, close by the inn - and that made perfect sense. Of course those who lived in the city could have any sweets any time they wanted, but the visitors who stayed at the inn would be attracted to the sweet shops that were famous.

Kaito waved to the shopkeeper as he entered the shop. He had clearly made many friends the day before.

The front room of the shop was easily the same size as the entire ground floor of the inn. There were a few different sections: hard candy, chewy candy, shaped candy, sorted by boxes, by bags, by flavours, and so on. But there wasn't just candy: there was caramel and toffee, also in a variety of shapes, sizes, and packages.

Even Earendil had to admit that he was impressed.

Kaito laughed. "He would. You should pick something up for him. I picked up some stuff for Shiro and Ura yesterday."

He paused and looked around. "I think I'm going to get something for Storm and Starr as well, now that I think about it. Idhril's still got this idea of 'sweetening' Storm. I think she knows it doesn't really work, I think she just talks about it for Sehnin's sake ... but still, I think the twins would appreciate the thought."

Earendil smiled stepped towards the caramel. "I think it's a nice thought," he murmured.

Earendil had never considered himself to be much of a sweets person, but all told, by the time he had bought all of the different kinds of sweets that he wanted to try, he was several gold pieces lighter and several pounds of candy heavier. He got something for everyone at home, as well as a stash for himself that would last quite a while.

He felt better afterward, as he waited for Lin and munched on a bit of the candy. He stood near the door as he waited, watching Lin as she finished up.

Earendil chuckled at Lin and held out one arm to escort her. "Indeed," he grinned. "I think that's the first time I've been in a sweet shop and gotten something for myself in ... well, since I was young."

But with all of the treats that were there, how could he resist?

Even Kaito had bought more candy, and he was stuffing it into his bag as he joined Lin and Earendil. "I like this place," he grinned.

The three of them (with Senka following along) spent the rest of the day - and then the rest of the week - exploring the city, playing in the river (which was pleasantly warm and not too deep in most areas), and all around just enjoying themselves.

At last the time came when they had to leave the city behind, and begin on the final stretch of their journey. Following the river back up to Tor Karad.