Larel took the gold coins and smiled to himself thanking Mera before noticing she had left, when Hotaru spoke of being left behind he gave a small nod before following after her to the seat making sure to get his order in.
Now that Hotaru had mentioned it Mera didn't always eat when they ate, he thought about it for a moment and ended up bringing a hand to his mouth at the thought of it, Mera eating like a plant actually seemed pretty funny.
"Well at least this time she said something," Larel said as his eight bowls arrived. "My duty is supposed to be protecting her, not that she seems to need it, that's hard to do when I wake up and she's vanished. She generally comes back injured or in trouble so I'm confused what I should do sometimes, I think to say something but...I know what can follow so I end up just keeping it to myself."
Larel raised the bowl to his mouth and quickly downed the ramen in one quick motion before setting the bowl down sucking in the last noodle before grabbing another bowl spinning the noodles within it with his chopsticks.
"If Mera-sama eat likes plants do I feel for her then, this is pretty delicious," Larel said bringing the noodles to his mouth.
Mera's words echoed in his mind and he drew the noodles in before wiping his mouth with his sleeve, his eyes lowered remembering Hotaru couldn't taste food.
"Ah sorry Hotaru, that was inconsiderate of me," he said clearing his throat. "We should make sure your nourished too. I mean..."
Larel trailed off for a moment and set the empty bowl down before crossing his arms trying to find the right words, he pulled another bowl closer and picked it up before speaking again.
"My master or well my adoptive mother anyway would always return from a mission with food for me. I never admitted it but I was always lonely when she left. Back then Zenmaru only tortured me...well more so than now and no one in the castle aside from my original master the daimyo liked me being there. She'd bring me food to cheer me up for being gone on a long mission, thinking about it now I miss those moments. I mean I don't feel lonely now because I have you and Mera-sama so I don't really need 'comfort' food. Uh...okay what I'm trying to say is...actually I forgot what I was saying. It was something about not being alone, sorry I got distracted by the scent of these noodles. Anyway yeah I'll always bring you comfort when you need it Hotaru."
Larel dug into his bowl having said his peace before setting it down and grabbing yet another one.

Alari watched Hotaru and Larel from a distance a small smile on his face, he turned and left their company when Hotaru spoke of Mera's supposed lack of food consumption deciding to give the two some alone time.
His intention was to get a few necessities before returning as Larel finished eating, with his echo still not working fully he wasn't able to pick up Mera's unique energy signature so he didn't notice her nearby as he eyed a vendor's stand.
He started to speak to the man but ended up leaning back as a darkness sped past him covering the small area in shadow, the shadow even ran past Mera who happened to be close enough before coming to a stop closing itself off at the end.
Alari noticed the vendor looking around quickly before scratching his head and shrugging, looking around the people were still going about their daily lives they just didn't see him...or Mera.
In fact some of them walked straight through Alari and it didn't take him long to realize where he was at.
"Not now," he said gritting his teeth. "She pulled me into the Center."
A flash of white appeared next to Alari and he turned causing his back to face Mera as the light manifested into the tan fully cloaked women still wearing the old man's mask, she hovered slightly off the ground and Alari's eyes narrowed as he stared at her.
The women's masked face slightly rose as she noticed Mera in the distance, but she lowered it seeming to not mind her presence.
"Fallen King," the women said her emotionless almost androgynous voice echoing in the small space. "You don't cease to be entertaining."
"Slorno Vasavitch," Alari said even his voice loud in the small area.
"You need not speak the old tongue with us Fallen King, you generally refer to us as Spectator's correct?"
"Why are you following me now? You don't meddle in the affairs of mortals remember. Pulling me into another reality in the middle of a town is a bit much."
"Do not ask questions you know the answer too. We are interested in the developments of the child. Fallen King you defied the laws of both morality and the underworld to observe this child. You've even created these-"
The Spectator reached forward and took Alari's glasses off causing his eyes to twitch a little.
"To hide your true eyes from the child. Amazing that they function merely by existing even removed your eyes remained hidden, though they tend to glare when your true self threatens to shows itself to him. If he peered into your true eyes and saw the sins you've committed, the eyes that have met his so many times before he would remember everything. You know this and yet you linger in his company, this action is clearly foolish yet you do so anyway. This is not like you Fallen King and that is why we are so intrigued."
Alari reached forward and snatched his glasses back putting them back on.
"I don't need to explain myself to Spectators."
"We already know Fallen King, loneliness clouded your judgement," the Spectator said. "Seeing those three so happy together caused jealousy to linger in your heart, such warmth you could see between them and you were trapped in the darkness, alone and cold. You swore to watch him from a distance, but you were drawn in by their bond."
"Do not bring Mera and Hotaru into this, those two have done so much for Larel. I can't begin to repay them for making that boy smile like that again, I can't even find the words to tell them how grateful I am. I will not have you mention them in your observations."
"You do not deny what we've seen then."
"No I won't deny it...I was lonely," Alari said crossing his arms. "You all have 'transcended' so perhaps the feeling is lost on you...but have you ever been in your company for a long time...you learn things about yourself, and you realize what true loneliness is. There were times I wish I never knew another's warmth, merely to better withstand the coldness of solitude. Is that what you want to hear Spectator?"
"We wish to hear only the truth Fallen King, you harbor too many secrets, though we understand why, the boy will understand in time, all will understand in time. Though you are aware some of this loneliness you have brought on yourself."
"I'm aware of that, I will not burden those two with my transgressions, they endure enough as it is."
"Attempted kindness can be as harmful as accidental maliciousness Fallen King. We are curious why your heart churns so, the Crimson Maiden has a powerful affect on you. Fallen King you were not supposed to interact with the boy. You knew the consequences of this, the pain, the hatred, the suffering you would endure. The Fallen Queen relishes in your suffering yet you persist."
"Zenmaru is not a problem and shouldn't you return to your watching."
"How humorous Fallen King, you seem tense is it because of the Crimson Maiden? Do you wish me not to speak of her, do you not trust her?"
Though the Spectator said these words her blank tone did not change.
"I trust Mera and Hotaru, now leave me be," Alari said his glasses glaring over, however the Spectator could see the look he was giving her.
"Very well Fallen King, I will speak to you once the Fallen Queen arises again. If I may say one more thing, you should hide your eyes from the Crimson Maiden, you reveal too much of yourself, due to your actions they are no longer outsiders, know your sins may harm them in turn."
With that the Spectator vanished and the darkness vanished as quickly as it came, Alari stood in the road and removed his glasses squeezing the bridge of his nose.
"Like hell I can do that," he said putting his glasses back on. "Telling me something I already know, I have to focus. Calm down and compose myself."
He took a deep breath and let it out his whole body seeming to relax before he rubbed the back of his head.
"Not sure how much time is passed, may as well head back."