Larel stared at Alari in silence as Rin continued Alari nodding his head every now and then as she explained everything that happened, Alari rubbed his chin his expression darkening at certain parts only to light back up shortly after. Once he finished his tea Rin handed him another which Jin heated up as before yipping as he received thanks from Alari. Alari nodded and thanked Rin as she finished, Kaori seemed extremely happy to have Alari back and was rocking back and forth with a large smile on his face. Larel found he couldn't look at Kaori without the need to stab him and just closed his eyes.
Alari looked up at Hotaru as he saw her and remembered he was still bleeding but she seemed alright at the very least, when she spoke to Larel he just put his head in his hands not having any idea how to answer that question.
Alari noticed Raina and offered a kind smile to her before looking over at Eryn upon seeing his return, he waved to him holding his tea in one hand before tilting his head when he mentioned herbs. Alari held his arm up looking at the blood before waving his hand in front of his face.
"I'm quite alright Eryn but I appreciate the thought," Alari said. "I had a feeling this would happen so I prepared for it."
He handed his cup to Rin who took her sip herself before Alari put his hand over his heart, once he did his body was covered in a warm yellow glow, as the glow enveloped him his wounds closed, his clothing repaired itself and his blood dissipated before he returned to his normal looking self.
"...that's new," Larel said looking over at him.
"I borrowed Ki from the surrounding area, it's limited though and taking too much can harm the subject so I'll probably take the offer for the herbs next time," Alari said smiling. "I apologize for my tardiness by the way Zenmaru was pretty intent on not letting me return."
"Zenmaru was what?" Larel said glancing at his shadow then back at Alari who just took a sip of his tea. "Putting that aside for a moment how did you fix your clothing?"
"That's a secret," Alari said glancing over at him. "Don't worry about it."
"Oji-san aren't you going to ask about Mera-dono," Kaori said trying to brush the leaves off his kimono.
Alari stopped sipping his tea for a moment and rubbed the back of his head, he pointed in the direction Mera had gone.
"She went that way correct," Alari said before bringing his hand back to his cup. "Rin informed me of everything that's transpired. Thanks to her acting as the light in a dark forest I was able to return sooner."
"Joy..." Larel said averting his eyes.
Alari finished his tea and handed the cup to Rin before his attention went to Mary, he had noticed her eyes and his eyebrows furrowed at what it could mean before he stood up and brushed off his Hakama.
"I'll go see her," Alari said as he started walking.
"Hold on a second!" Larel yelled standing up. "Mera-sama went off on her own don't just go off and bother her."
"I'm afraid I can't not do that," Alari said stopping near Mary and looking back at Larel. "I mentioned already Rin filled me in on everything she saw, I don't say this to be condescending but I may be part of the cause of Mera's current discomfort. Contrary to what you might think Rin is just as observant as I am."
"Wait...discomfort what are you-"
"If that is indeed the case then I at the very least owe Mera some sort of apology. Though she may lash out, ignore, yell, or any other multitude of things once I find her. I may come back in worst shape then I was before, physically and emotionally."
"....and you're still going."
"Of course why wouldn't I?" Alari said tilting his head. "Besides something seems to be up with Mary which may have come from the effects of the helmet. Unless Eryn or..." Alari trailed off and looked at Raina before motioning to her. "This young lady here has the knowledge we may remain unsure of what happened until her return and I'm uncomfortable not knowing my friends current condition. From what Rin told me Mera screamed at Mary during the event about the effects the helmet could have on her, apparently having discussed it with her mother before thus Mera seems the best person to consult about it. She also has used an artifact herself which I expect would mean she'd need the knowledge of both it's benefits and disadvantages which she has if I'm not mistaken."
"Uh...that doesn't..." Larel said clearly losing what anger he had as it was replaced with confusion.
"Also Mera has a tendency to wander off on her own quite often, in some of these situations she did so due to her emotions, I'm sure you can recall the previous times she has done so."
"Uh....well that's true but..."
"I can think of multiple occasions when that's happened, would you prefer Mera be left alone with her emotions. After all that's transpired, seeing Mary get hurt, possibly my sudden departure, seeing her father again I doubt she's taking all of this casually, even more so as she's been trying to open up a bit more. Do you know what happens when someone is hit with emotions they don't want Larel?"
"I...that is... they...uh."
"They do multiple things but one of them is close them off and personally I'd rather not let that happen. After what I hoped was a wonderful night suddenly being exposed to all of this I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't want to open up again. Do you want that Larel, do you want your master to feel that way?"
Larel was utterly speechless as Alari adjusted his glasses seeming to get his point across.
"If you'll excuse me then," Alari said before looking at Hotaru.
"Sorry for the blood from earlier Hotaru, it's good to see you're alright as well. Keep an eye on Sybil and inform us if she tries anything, Larel of all people knows the feeling of someone whispering in his skull."
With a smile Alari walked into the forest after Mera humming a small song to himself and putting his hands in his sleeves as he did so.
"uh...are...are you alright Larel?" Kaori asked looking over at him.
"...I hate him...I really hate that man....that was below the belt. If I said no I would have seemed more evil then he is."
"Well he did bombard you but Oji-san's just worried about Mera-dono even if he won't openly just admit that. The fact he tried so hard to convince you only showed that."
"That's not helping Kaori," Larel said holding his head. "It's barely been what ten minutes and he's already off acting like a know it all."
"Oji-san's just like that, he always thinks of others before himself, personally I'd prefer it if he took some time off."
"Really not helping Kaori," Larel said ruffling his hair. "He's sadistic and evil, I'm not sure whether to chase after him or just stay here after all that."
Rin sipped her tea as that was probably Alari's intention in the first place, though she kept such information to herself. She knew at the very least Alari was still expecting her to keep an eye on everyone especially Mary.
"I suppose when it comes to Mera-dono he never takes time off though," Kaori said with a nod.
"You really want to die today don't you," Larel said glaring at him.
Kaori turned his head and played with Jin pretending he didn't hear the words Larel just said.
"...can we just...can we just eat or something..." Larel said sighing. "Alari popping out of my shadow just ruined my entire day already.