Larel listened to Hotaru bringing a hand to his chin, he was glad at least Sybil wasn't causing too much trouble but the 'strike out' part bothered him a bit. Larel rubbed the side of his head as they walked in the inn a small sigh escaping from him. When Hotaru spoke about the game he offered a small smile as she took out her money, he admitted he felt a bit bad he couldn't pay for the room. It was part of his employment of course but every now and then he wondered if he should return the favor, his thoughts were pulled from the idea when Hotaru handed him the coins. He blinked a few times not sure what it was for until she mentioned the food, his eyes widened as he stared at the money in his hand, he only offered a nod as Hotaru mentioned getting the room. Larel watched Raina leave with Hotaru before he looked over at Mary, just staring at her sent chills up his spine and he ended up averting his eyes.
He knew he couldn't ignore her she was Mera's sister but trying to talk to her wasn't an option either, normally he just wouldn't bother with interacting but Mary was an exception. Larel had a duty to her sister and Mera cared for Mary which meant protecting her was a part of his servitude. In order to do that he had to be able to at least speak with her.
"Mary-san," Larel said looking over at her.
He felt himself pause as that familiar sinking feeling filled him, he took a deep breath glad she kept some distance from him, it definitely made it easier.
"If you feel hungry I'll be at the restaurant, I'll probably buy eight bowls of Yakisoba so I can give you one. I mean I'll have to ask you to sit a table away but I'll share with you. If not Hotaru's taking care of the rooms so just go with her."
Larel turned around and walked out of the inn before heading towards the building sticking the gold coins in his sleeve, once he made it to the building true to his word he ordered eight bowls of yakisoba and five pieces of dango along with some tea. He held onto one of the gold pieces in case he had to go to a blacksmith later before clapping his hands together.
"Thanks for the food," he said picking up one of the bowls and digging in.

Alari looked over at Mera his shoulders drooping a little as she asked where he was going, he kind of hoped she wouldn't touch on that. When she got closer his eyebrows arched but he didn't really have room to back away so he just ended up staring at her remaining motionless. He ran a hand through his hair at the idea of answering in his normal fashion with Mera, he didn't want to but he kept the truth to himself for a reason and he couldn't deny that.
When Eryn spoke Alari's eyes widened a little bit especially seeing the tint on Mera's cheeks, he pushed his glasses up a little ashamed he didn't catch what Mera truly wanted. He crossed his arms at the idea of speaking with her about it not completely against the idea. He did smile when she mentioned Eryn trying to be a cupid, he'd be lying if he didn't appreciate it a little bit.

Kaori followed Eryn his eyes shining at the idea of talking about his art, Alari knew he wouldn't be able to resist talking about that it was something very dear to him after all.
Once they were far enough away Kaori started speaking the excitement clear in his voice, there weren't many people willing to listen so he was glad to have the opportunity.
"I love the natural beauty of the bare body Eryn-san. The slight curves, the movements that seem almost mystical in a sense I never tire of painting it no matter who it is, young, old, male, female, noble, poor each body has it's own style to it that just pulls at me. I mean how can you not see it as beautiful, it takes two people just to make one and some say that higher powers help form them depending on who you ask. I love painting a bare body in any position possible, I believe front is the best but painting from the back can be mysterious yet alluring depending on how you present it. I found my love for it while I was still with my sensei, the natural form of all living things ah just thinking about it makes me happy. One day I'll create a piece that's beauty will cause wars to stop and people to weep in joy at a representation of beauty shown through the body. Nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, an innocence that pulls at the heart. Even those who sin could look upon the work and see the pureness that lingers deep within them still."

Alari closed his eyes finding his answer before he looked over at Mera, reaching up he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Alari took a look around them glancing in the direction Larel had gone, he was far enough away by now and he didn't see anyone else in the area nor did he sense Zenmaru, he was sure Eryn or Kaori couldn't hear them so with a bit of hesitation he decided to give Mera an answer.
"I'm heading to the fishing village," he said putting his glasses back on. "Ever since I noticed it in the book its been on my mind, and something's been bothering me since it came up. Ai was definitely in the village, I'm positive she's not there now but one of her commanders probably is they're normally right behind her. When I saw Naria some time back I realized she was closer than thought, if her commander locates Larel and Ai finds out about it she'll come for him."
Alari brought a hand to his face at the very idea of it, he closed his eyes hating the possibility of it but it was literally a village away.
"Ai will kill Larel, he won't last three seconds against her," Alari said lowering his hand. "I've spent months just keeping her away from him, we've fought before and I wouldn't walk away unscathed from a fight with her which is inevitable, she views me as an obstacle and the sentiment is shared. I've tried speaking with her but she just attacks me without saying anything. I have to prevent any possibility of her meeting him."
Alari let out a long sigh and squeezed the bridge of his nose, he expected something like this eventually but the timing was worse than he expected.
"That's where I'm going," he said looking over at Mera. "Her men normally move at night so I'll catch them as they're traveling and lead them in the opposite direction of Ai. They'll know Larel is here but it'll buy more time at least and I'll be able to lead them in the wrong direction again, I already have Ai pursuing a ghost of Larel."
Alari let out a long sigh after his explanation and rubbed the back of his head, surprisingly he felt better letting a bit of that out but he knew he couldn't make it a habit.
"Please know that I don't want to keep things from you Mera. I have to keep my promise...but I want to tell you at the same time. Until Larel can open his eyes...I can't speak of anything."
Alari held his wrist with the bracelet his eyes drooping as he stared at it, he needed this constant reminder to do what was necessary and he couldn't allow himself to falter.
"I can't even answer his questions....he knows more about me than he believes," Alari mumbled. "One wrong word and his memory of me might return."
Alari quickly shook his head and slapped his cheeks, he couldn't permit himself to get lost in his thoughts like that he had a job to do.
"I apologize Mera you didn't need to see that," he said rubbing the back of his head. "I haven't allowed myself a moment like that so once it got out I couldn't stop. You must have some kind of spell on me I should be careful might start telling you all my secrets that'd ruin the fun of discovery wouldn't it?