Kaori sat against the wall adjusting the flower in his recently combed hair as he went over everything he had taken care of today, with Alari's help he was able to take care of his cheeks and eyes but Alari didn't touch his mouth saying he felt uncomfortable helping him with his makeup. He knew Alari was being shy but he had to deal without it now since he was being shy. He could have put it on himself but seeing the embarrassed look on Alari's face made the whole thing worthwhile. Alari had gotten him a kimono for the festival since his other one had gotten torn and dirty during their travels. It was a long kimono that stopped just above his ankles and was light pink with light purple flowers decorating the front and back. He had taken care of his nails on his own but he wondered if he should have chosen a different color. Putting his own appearance aside which was a difficult task in itself his attention went to Alari and Larel who were currently wrestling in the room with Alari winning as he pinned Larel down after what seemed like hours of roughhousing.
"Finally...got you..." Alari said breathing heavily as he stared down at Larel. "You're...putting on...that Kimono...right now.'
"I'm not wearing one, I'll go in my normal clothes."
"It's a festival Larel you can't go in that."
Larel raised his head and headbutt Alari before escaping from under him, he tried to run but Alari tackled him and pinned him down on his stomach, the kimono laying a few feet away from them. It wasn't a fancy one as he knew Larel wouldn't agree to anything extravagant, it was a simple black one that would have stopped past his ankles with countless red dots on it, however since he brought it in Larel's been resisting wearing it with all his being.
"You can only be young once Larel," Alari said turning Larel over so he was facing him pinning his arms down. "You should live your youth to the fullest."
"I don't need to hear that from someone over a century old!" Larel yelled at him. "Besides I don't want to wear it, I barely want to go."
"Didn't you say you'd go though."
"Well yeah I did but..."
"Hotaru's waiting right now you know...it'd be embarrassing if she was in a kimono and you weren't right? Be considerate of your friend."
"Ha like Hotaru would wear something like that! it'll look weird if I go and she's not in one."
"Stop being a child and put it on, we both know you want to go with your friend."
Alari glared at Larel who only returned it as the two found themselves at a stalemate, at least that what Larel thought until Alari spoke again.
"I know why you really don't want to go, you're afraid to bump into women while you're there, you never liked crowds but that especially bothers you."
Larel's eyes widened and Kaori seeing this tilted his head and spoke his curiosity peaked by Alari's words.
"Why would he be afraid to bump into a woman Oji-san?"
"If you don't put it on I'll say it out loud Larel," Alari said smiling.
"Never I don't care what you say!"
"Have it your way, Larel has a small fear of women."
Larel's eye twitched and he tried to break free but Alari kept a firm grip on him, Kaori looked at Alari and realizing he was serious pressed the matter further a small grin forming on his face.
"Really now....wait he tends to get along with Mera and Hotaru fine though."
"Mera is his master so it's not a big deal from him to look past gender and even if she wasn't he's okay around strong willed women."
"Strong willed?"
"Yes though in Hotaru's case it'd be one with a rough personality to be more precise."
"Oh you mean a tomboy!"
"That's rude Kaori," Alari said sighing. "That's why you don't get along with her."
"I"ll kill you for that Alari! and I'm not afraid of them!"
"Well to be honest he doesn't get along with anyone but he has a fear of women in particular."
"Ah so that's why he couldn't look Mary-chan in the eyes. Oh and didn't he tell that Naria woman to stay so many feet from him."
"That's correct though people like Mary really set him off. It's actually ironic what he fears most is trapped inside him. Ah I know how to end this...Larel if you don't put on that Kimono I'll have Mary talk to you again."
Larel's eyes widened and for a moment he though he saw fear but Larel quickly pushed it down and glared at him with every ounce of hate he could muster in his current position.
"You wouldn't dare...that girl...has far too much energy you can't do something that cruel!"
"Why Mary-chan I think she's cute."
"That's exactly right Kaori I know your weakness Larel accept your fate and wear the Kimono."
"Ah you insulted Mera and Hotaru without even trying Larel you really are bad with people."
"Shut it Kaori! You wouldn't make me speak with that accursed girl again you don't have the cruelness to do something so vile!"
"Try me."

Larel, Alari and Kaori walked through the crowd with Larel grumbling under his breath as he put his hands in the kimono sleeves, Alari had a wide grin on his face as he looked over at Larel before he put his hands in his own. Larel was in a bad mood but Alari was beyond simple happiness, today was what could be considered an outing with Mera, the very thought of it made Alari's heart beat a little faster and he had to take a few breaths to calm his nerves. He changed into brown hakama and got a red kimono top with small white flowers within the red, he had put on an extra top just in case but being out here now he realized he may have overreacted as it felt wonderful outside it couldn't be a better day for a festival.
He looked over at Larel who at Alari's request/threat took on his real appearance, Alari tied his hair into a low ponytail for him and tried to make him as presentable as possible. He told him since they were in a crowed area it should be okay and that he'd let him know if he needed to change back, but that didn't bring him much comfort since he made him put his sword in his shadow and sealed Zenmaru up so she couldn't give it to him at random.
Alari noticed Larel watching the other people at the festival, some eating together his eyes resting the takoyaki in one's person's hand, his eyes moved around the festival the lights above keeping it lit enough to see but leaving what looked like multi colored orbs of light lingering in the area; looking at it the whole thing seemed like a dream the more he stared at the others. The smiles on the people's faces, children running around with masks and playing with one another. When his gaze rested on the children his eyes narrowed a little and a pained expression crossed his face for a moment.
"Larel are you okay you keep staring at everything, have you never been to a festival before?" Kaori asked looking over at him.
".....I tried to come as child but everyone knew who I was so they just threw rocks at me and chased me away, I never participated after that."
"A-ah....s-sorry to bring it up," Kaori said chuckling nervously.
Larel shook his head indicating it was okay before someone bumped into him, looking closer it was a young woman who turned to speak to him but froze as Larel stared at her his pupils shrinking and murderous intent behind his gaze.
"Sorry about him," Alari said turning him around quickly."Enjoy the festival."
He pushed Larel away from the scene Kaori following until they got a fair enough distance away, Alari looked back once more before sighing a little.
"Thank goodness you need you be more considerate Larel, she bumped into you by acci-" Alari stopped talking as Larel stared wide-eyed straight ahead his jaw dropping.
Alari looked over at Kaori only to see the same expression of surprise and what seemed like awe on his face, when he turned to look at what held the two's attention his glasses were covered in a glare as his mouth turned into a thin line.
"H-Hotaru," Larel said finally find the words.
"T-taru chan...is....is...c..c..cute...how...how is it possible?!"
"Astonishing, she's no Mera but she's certainly a hidden gem," Alari said adjusting his glasses the glare leaving. "Anyway Larel I'm going now have fun."
"Ah wait," Larel said grabbing Alari's sleeve and pulling him down so he could whisper to him.
"I...I can't do this."
"I can't tell you how happy I am you're relying on me right but you have to."
"I'm telling you I can't look at Hotaru this way. You said she wouldn't be in a Kimono."
"No you said that."
"That doesn't matter anymore I can't do it."
"Larel I believe in you, Hotaru is your friend you'll be fine. Now please let go I need to see Mera in a Kimono."
"...that's the only reason you're saying all this isn't it?"
"Partially but I do believe you can do it," Alari said pulling his arm free. "Hotaru is Hotaru so go enjoy your youth," he said pushing him towards her. 
"Kaori let's go you can stay with me until I find Mera."
"Okay Oji-san bye Larel, bye cute Taru-chan bye other person!"
"Enjoy the festival," Alari said to them before walking off. 
He walked a few feet away before stopping adjusting his glasses as he remembered something.
"Ah before I forget you two look very lovely," Alari said to Erynhill and Hotaru with a smile before turning and going to look for Mera Kaori trailing behind him.
Larel watched Alari leave and rubbed his forehead regretting putting even a little faith in that man, and now he was looking for Mera, Alari threatened him with Mary so he knew what would happen if he pursued them but it bothered him. He didn't think he'd use such tactics against him, that's what he meant by he'd handle it, he truly hated that man.
He opened his eyes and looked back over at Hotaru, he was glad Zenmaru couldn't talk right now as he didn't need any extra stress at the moment. Larel cleared his throat trying to act how he normally did.
"Shall we get going then Hotaru?"

Alari meanwhile walked through the crowed his face covered in red at the thought of seeing Mera, he put his hand over his face pushing up glasses in the process as he tried to calm down.
"Calm down Alari, it's just a garment worn on specific occasions nothing to get bothered about....but....if Hotaru was like that...then Mera...Mera..."
Alari couldn't finish the words as he ran his hand through his hair, he was starting to think he couldn't handle this either.
"Oji-san you're nose is bleeding,"
Alari reached up and covered his nose but feeling nothing there he glared at Kaori before turning forward again.
"There's too many people to use my echo so I have to keep my eyes out don't interrupt me,"
"You were speaking out loud Oji-san you're exited for your date aren't you?"
"It's not a date it's a friendly outing," Alari said moving his hands in his sleeves.
He couldn't admit that he just couldn't think of the situation as such, his heart was already reaching it's limit, if he actually spoke those words he'd probably faint from the pressure as sad as that was.
"It's just a garment, it's just a garment, be calm Alari you can handle this."
"You're speaking out loud again."