Larel listened to their conversation but he found it hard to stare at Hotaru for too long so his attention diverted to the festival and back to them on occasion. He tried to figure out a way to get past his nervousness while they spoke so he was a little glad Eryn was there. Unfortunately he left before he could come to a conclusion and with him gone he turned his attention fully back to Hotaru not wanting to be rude. Seeing her blush however he felt red flow into his own face and he averted his eyes. When she spoke to him he didn't look back at her but tried to figure out how to answer that question. He was ashamed at how they had gotten him into this but he felt silence would only make him more nervous so he wanted to keep a conversation going. He turned to respond but when his arm was grabbed no words came out and he quickly closed his mouth as his eyes widened a little bit as he walked with her. Once they reached the food it took a fair amount of will power to divert his attention from the arm Hotaru had grabbed, he reached up and rubbed his neck calming himself down before looking at the food. Being around it actually helped a little maybe because it was familiar. He held up two fingers to the vendor before grabbing two skewers from him. He believed this stuff was called Yakitori or something like that,he held one out to Hotaru before answering her question.
"They threatened me with Mary sad as that is to admit," Larel said shaking his head a little. "I didn't expect Alari to take advantage of my fear, it was a lowly trick befitting of the man."
Larel realized he had said fear and that he said more than he intended, Larel decided to casually ignore it and continue speaking.
"What about you Hotaru? How did they get you to dress up?" Larel asked. 
Immediately after asking his question Alari's words came to mind and his eyes twitched a little, Alari told him he should be careful of his words today as he was normally too straightforward, he should take some care in this situation when it came to speaking. He loathed the idea of taking the advice of the man but he didn't disagree his words could be taken the wrong way.
"Not that it's bad you dressed up," Larel said nodding his head wanted to clarify he meant it in a positive way. "It looks good."
Larel realized what he said and cleared his throat realizing he had to clarify what he meant again.
"...wait no I didn't mean that it looked good...no I did mean it but I meant the circumstances...uh...never mind just ignore that last part....oh not that I didn't mean it...or...uh never mind."
Now that he thought about it Zenmaru was the one that always corrected him in situations like this, she was more used to conversing like this and knowing Alari he sealed her deeper inside for that reason. He was going to kill Alari for this, how was he supposed to talk to Hotaru much less anyone else when he didn't know what words fit well in conversation, he inwardly sighed and wondered if he had just offended Hotaru.

Alari and Kaori continued to make their way through the crowd when Eryn ran past them, the two stopped and looked at each before Kaori pointed in the direction he ran. Alari nodded in agreement and the two went after him, they weren't sure what was wrong but if he was running like that it worried them a little. They made their way through the people and though Alari wanted to run he didn't want to leave Kaori behind who knew would be unable to keep up in that kimono.
It took a bit of effort but they finally caught up to him, however by then Eryn was already gone and only Mera remained if not for what was right in front of them they may have proceeded after Eryn but both Alari and Kaori were frozen in place.
Alari's whole body seem to turn crimson at the sight of Mera and his glasses fell onto his nose as the world around him seem to darken with Mera standing in the center of it.
"Mera...I...just...wow...uh..." Alari tried to form some kind of sentence but it seemed only bits and pieces came out as he spoke. Kaori on the other hand fell to his knees with wide eyes as if he had just witnessed the beginning of a divine existence in that one moment. Alari's body wobbled a bit but he put his foot down catching himself and pushed his glasses back up; he grabbed Kaori and lifted him back onto his feet and tapped his cheek to snap him out of his daze.
"Sorry about that Mera I tried to find the words to compliment you...but I couldn't find any that convey what I'm seeing right now," Alari said smiling a little. 
He blushed a little and rubbed the back of his head as he spoke again having fully regained his composure.
"Also please never wear that kimono again after today....I almost embraced you for a moment and I doubt I would have let go."
Alari lowered his hand from his head and looked over his shoulder.
"Jin."
The little fox popped out of his kimono and looked at Mera before a happy yip came from it.
"Go with Kaori," Alari said causing the fox to jump out of his kimono and onto Kaori's shoulder.
"What but I want to stay," Kaori said. "You can't possibly make me leave now can you?"
"Yes please go and enjoy the festival," Alari said turning him around.
"Oji-san it's not fair I want to stay with Mera-dono! She's so beautiful I have to capture it in my art, future generations have to see this! Please it'll only take a minute! Well that's if I capture I don't know if I have to skill too but let me try!"
"Go on Kaori we talked about this."
Alari gently moved Kaori away and with visible reluctance Kaori walked away from the two, Alari turned back to Mera before offering a small smile.
"Let's enjoy the festival Mera, after everything that's happened a little relaxation might be good."
Though he said relaxation every fragment of his being was nervous, yet he was calm at the same time which was strange but he felt contemplating such matters wasn't important especially given the circumstances.