"Maybe it would be easier if it was in some seriously heavy alcohol," Hotaru muttered as she put it to the side and laid on the ground in the shadow of the room, "But thank you for being understanding and all that... I was afraid... you might think badly of me if I actually accepted it... accepted that I have to drink it," she took a deep breath, looking away, "I hate to have to thank you for helping me get it as well, but you did do it, so thank you for that..." 
[i]My god, you are pathetic.[/i]
"I wonder if there's any magic that can shut her up," she sighed, sitting back up and looking over at him, "How nice would that be? To at least muffle her so all her snide comments don't sound like it's someone sitting right next to me?"
[i]And here I thought it was the start of something beautiful.[/i]
Hotaru rubbed her forehead before looking at the gourd, wondering if she drank more, if it could make her quieter. 
[i]You could always try. But I wonder what I could be able to do if you had [u]too much[/u].[/i]
Hotaru visibly paled at the thought as Sybil cackled away in her mind and she pushed the gourd away from her, shaking her head, telling herself that she could never let herself be careless. She wouldn't find out if she could help it, "A-anyways, was the food good?" she asked, meaning when he went to the restaurant, wanting to change the subject, wanting some different line of thought.
[i]Ignore me if you like, but my siblings are still out there. One of them will help me have my fun.[/i]
"Do you have any of the gold left? I-I can give you more so you don't have to ask for it or anything," she trailed off a bit, having been trying to talk over Sybil. 

Mary smiled softly as Alari put his hand on her head, shaking her head a bit at Kaori's admonishment of his behavior, not finding it necessary. She watched him leave, noticing Mera was watching him as well, and looked over at Kaori as he spoke again, "After everything, we could all use one," she said, taking a deep breath, "Do you need anything Kaori? I know Mera's going to get fabric to make Hotaru a new cloak and you don't seem to be keen to what Alari's making, so I could get you something else?"
"No," Mera walked over, putting her arm around Mary's neck, giving Kaori an annoyed look, "He deserves what he's getting. I might make Eryn eat something like it," she said as started to pull her away, heading towards a place that had some fabrics she could use.
"What did they do?" Mary looked at her, confused.
"Gossiped like old women on things that are none of their concern."
"About you and Alari?"
"Don't go blabbing that," Mera glanced up at the inn.
"He'll find out eventually, you know that, right?"
"I know... I just don't think right now is the best time."
"The best time might pass and then he'll be hurt that you hid it from him since he trusts you."
Mera looked at Mary, the anxiety of it clear in her eyes, "Stop reminding me you're not so young as you look," she murmured, leaning her head against her sisters, "I like to believe I can still save some of your youth."
Mary smiled softly, [i]"I would hate to remind you of the truth, sister,"[/i] she murmured.
Mera and Mary reached the fabric store but Mary sat out front on the bench, letting Mera go in and get what she needed. She wasn't just making a new cloak, she was going to try and make kimonos for her and Hotaru so they could get out of the garbs that Eryn had given them for the festival. Mary allowed herself a moment, just to watch people pass, not thinking about anything, giving her mind a chance to really just settle and perhaps the truth of what she said to Mera to sink in without making her want to cry. Mera glance out the window at her before leaning against a counter, putting her hand to her head. She had tried so hard to protect her, to keep her from suffering, but perhaps she had only made it worse for her. And that thought made her feel sick, as well as the anxiety from Larel finding out about her ridiculous feelings for Alari. She heard a slight rip that reminded her of what she was doing and looked down at the fabric her nails had ripped through.
"Damn."