[IC] [Mizos]The Tides of The Past[SanaChan][Take Two]

[SanaChan]

Hotaru gave a small appreciative smile when he patted her shoulder. She made herself take another sip of it as Larel talked about understanding Alari's tenacity before looking up at him. She put the top back of her container while the two talked, putting it away. When he mentioned her, her face turned red and she looked away definitely not to let either of them see that. She cleared her throat, managing to clear her expression for the most part before looking at him,"Does it actually hurt or is it a part of the usual dramatic flair the two of you tend have around each other?" she raised a brow, "Sorry... that probably sounded really rude," she pursed her lips, feeling bad for making a comment like that, "We can wait a bit until he's already in a room or I can get you some dango or something to make up for that nasty little statement."

Mera was still standing at the board, but she found she wasn't actually reading anything. She was staring at the pages, but nothing seemed to be sinking in. She put her hands to her face, rubbing her eyes, "You're being ridiculous," she muttered to herself, "It's not like anything you just heard really changed anything. It's all about stuff in the past, right?" she shook her head before looking at the board again. She sighed seeing that there was a poster mentioning that a reward for any information on anything passing through that wasn't human. She discreetly pulled it down, folding it up as she saw there were no requests for potions or herbal remedies, "I'm sure they've got their own tricks," she mused before turning and starting back towards the inn.
Mera, we've found something
She stopped walking and looked back the way they had come, towards the hills, What is it?
It's not going to be fun/
Have that insipid demon around isn't fun, Mother, what do we need to do?
Well the good news is that you're heading in the right direction....
Mera rubbed the bridge of her nose, listening to her mother's directions as she walked back to the inn, needing to get back in time to pay for the room for the two since she hadn't given them quite enough for that. She walked in to the inn, a little unaware of her surroundings at the moments as she was still listening to her mother. It just so happened the very same warlord Mera hoped to avoid possessed an item that could forever keep Sybil in Hell where she belonged, the other demons too. A key.
"Of course he has it. It can't ever be at the bottom of a cavern that requires puzzles and magic to retrieve it. It just has to be in the grimey hands of bastards who I'd rather never deal with."

[Mizos]

Larel shook his head slightly looking over at Hotaru as she apologized, he couldn't really blame her for the comment even he was aware that there was drama between them that probably flared a bit too often.
Which he consider strange since he had never thought about it before, though he's never really had an outside audience before, Mera and Hotaru were always there to see it so on occasion he wondered if he was causing them discomfort in their constant back and forth.
Larel stared at the empty bowls in front of him extremely tempted at the offer of dango, however he felt he'd just be avoiding Alari which wasn't the right option at the moment so he decided to just suck it up.
"It's all right," Larel said lifting his head. "I'd just feel like I'm avoiding him if we stayed here. Don't worry about the comment either I may have deserve that one a little."
Larel picked up his sword and attached it to his back before putting all the bowls together in one stack, once he finished he stood up and brushed off his bottom.
"Lately I've been questioning why I hate that man so much. I used to not think about it, I figured if something felt wrong about him to just go with that, listen to my instinct. Recently though I've been questioning it, wondering why every time I see his face I want to punch it in."
Larel didn't realize it himself but Alari had explained the reasons for this long before at the campfire, aside from the fact Alari kept secrets from him that kept him confused, Larel had trouble understanding anything beyond the surface of his own emotions. Thus his hate for Alari was just that...hate, he couldn't fathom the reason because of the way he was. Just like Hotaru was his friend and that was it, Mera was his master and that was it, even if he felt something deeper he couldn't understand it.
Thanks to this Alari didn't need to do anything for Larel not to understand he just had to say nothing, it was an infinite conundrum and one Larel wasn't going to answer.
"Oh well let's go ahead and head back," he said shrugging.
Digging in his sleeve he handed the coins to the waitress before motioning towards the door.

Alari entered the inn his mood improved compared to before, Larel of all people had given him a compliment he couldn't deny he was a tad proud of his progress if he could squeeze one of those out.
He truly owed Mera and Hotaru and he hoped one day he would be able to repay that kindness in full, for the time being he would keep an eye on things and prevent as many circumstances as he could on their end that could hinder their troubles.
Though that would be easier if his echo would return, he had cut off all channels of magic in his body so aside from his own instinct he couldn't sense people a certain distance from him.
Anyone close was an exception but at a certain distance he couldn't feel presence, it was slowly returning but gaining it back was a bit more difficult since he was trying to read the life force of all living things and...well there was a plethora of living things.
Thankfully he didn't need his echo to see Mera who was right in front of him, he smiled a little noticing her but his eyes narrowed slightly seeing she was distracted by something, he watched her rub the bridge of her nose and brought a hand to his chin.
His options were extremely clear, the first option was to surprise her with a possible public display of affection, but he didn't have the courage to do that seeing as he couldn't touch her for an extended period without feeling lightheaded also there was a good chance of pain following.
The second option was to call at her from a distance but he wasn't sure if she'd hear him so he went with option three instead.
"Hey Mera," Alari said giving her a small pat on the shoulder as he walked next to her. "You seem distracted is everything alright?"
Alari adjusted his glasses and moved his hands in his sleeves before speaking again.
"Were you able to find any work?"

Hiroyuki rested his hand on his sword as he walked through the small fishing village, stopping at a vendor he handed him a few coins before taking some grilled eel from him, walking along he bit into it surprised at it's toughness but he couldn't deny it's delicious flavor.
He had lost track of his companions and ended up wandering here, Neria had run off somewhere and their strange floating companion had vanished. Neria said she would return once she finished her business and to go on ahead, and their masked companion said the same.
Wandering around now he was reminded how lonely it was traveling on one's own, though he didn't want to stand still either and he decided to take an alternate way to their destination and go by boat, it had been a long time since he had been on one, though he decided to wait a day before moving on so his companions could catch up.
"I wonder what Nii-sama's up too," Hiryouki said lowering his gaze slightly.
Much as he wanted too he couldn't get past Alari protecting Hotaru and Larel, the two of them were youkai...evil creatures, the whole thing seemed wrong to him but he shook his head putting that aside since now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru nodded and got up as well, starting with him back out of the restaurant. She took a deep breath as she looked around, making sure her hood was up as she stepped outside, not about to let herself get a burn and then have everyone there know what she was. They just need a little bit of time without the world chasing after them, or at least she did. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. She could see Alari and Mera up ahead, but decided not to say anything since that would give Larel just the reason he was looking for for wanting to punch Alari's face in.
"So. Aside from enemies, do you know what's in the North? This is definitely the furthest I've ever been so I'm definitely finding myself curious," She mused, looking around as she said it. The people here weren't that different than what they'd seen before- if not considerably more mellow- but it wasn't the kind of thing she was still expecting to see this far away from "home."

Mera looked up at Alari feeling his hand on her shoulder, not answering his questions outright. Mostly because he was the answer to the first. So instead she pulled the poster out of her pocket, making a gesture back to the square, "Though there were no needs for herbal remedies, there was this," she showed it to him, "We're definitely in the samurai's reach. I've put a flower near the billboard so I can see who will be the first to react to the missing poster," She said before going inside and paying for the rooms, holding a key out to him for one she had gotten for him, "As much as I dislike the samurai, Mother just informed me that they found a way to rid us of our distasteful guest, or at least the newest one," she said once they were on the hall with the rooms, not wanting to have humans overhearing what she was saying, "It involves my "favorite" shogun that Hotaru mentioned earlier," she murmured, shaking her head with a sigh.

[Mizos]

Larel stretched once they were outside extremely content now that he got a quick snack in, a part of him wished all the villages were like this. The food was good, it was small so it was easy to recover if one got lost, the people minded their own business but were kind even to strangers, he had forgotten the warmth they carried.
He knew it was a silly thought though and promptly put it aside, he started to look in the direction Mera and Alari were but Hotaru spoke to him drawing his attention to her causing him to miss them.
He blinked a few times hearing her ask about the north and Larel brought a hand to his chin thinking for a moment, there were so many things up north he didn't know where to start but a few things stood out to him immediately.
"Up north there are huge areas that served as battlefields. You can still see the old tattered banners at some of them, I'll show you one of the battles I fought in if we pass any. There are these huge buildings with at least eight levels and on each floor there are performers, some dancing, some singing I think I visited it once and they called it Kabuki...it's..strangely entertaining. Oh there's plenty of places with hot springs, hundreds of places to get food and the kind they serve seems as if it wasn't fit for mortal consumption. Oh and then there's castles, dozens of them scattered across the area, hundreds in the land. If it's big and stands out it's probably in the north, still you'll see for yourself soon enough there's so much up there."
Larel grinned before turning his attention forward again crossing his arms over his chest as he found he had more to say about the north then he anticipated.
"I haven't been there in so long," Larel said. "To an extent it was my home, it's a good place to visit. Minus the people trying to kill me up there."
"Well it's a good thing you're just visiting there then."
Larel's whole body twitched and he immediately turned around as a voice spoke behind them, Larel's eyes met Hiroyuki's who stared at the two his eyes narrowed slightly.
Gritting his teeth Larel reached for his sword but Hiroyuki held a hand up and motioned towards the people nearby who glanced over at the three.
"Just a misunderstanding," Hiryouki said smiling at the few passerby's.
A few of the people looked at one another and with a shrug turned and walked away, Larel's hand rested on his hilt but as he watched the people walk away his hand slowly lowered from it.
"Where did you come from?" Larel asked stepping toward him. "I didn't even feel you coming, not even Zenmaru did."
"A lesson I learned from Nii-sama, one of the things he taught me when he showed me how to use a sword. Though I haven't perfected it to the point he has," Hiryouki said. "Where I came from isn't important but it seems we're going the same way."
Larel wasn't sure what to think about this situation, the last time they met Hiryouki he tried to kill them for being youkai even though Larel technically wasn't one, now he was just conversing with them not an ounce of malicious intent coming from him.
"I won't start a fight with you with all the peaceful people around," Hiryouki said closing his eyes. "No need to drag humans into this and personally I've prefer to go about my business with little trouble today."
"So you just...approached us not wanting to stop trouble."
"I figured if you initated the conversation you'd attack first and talk later," Hiroyuki said.
Larel started to respond to that but as he thought about it he realized he actually had a point, he almost drew his sword on him just now.
"Anyway within this village I'd like a truce," Hiroyuki said before holding his hand out. "I'll put up with your....existence you put up with mine."
Larel stared at his hand then glanced at Hotaru, his eyes moving back to the hand before he reached out and shook it, giving his hand a bit of a squeeze before releasing it.
"Fine...the moment we step out though you're a target again and I will kill you this time," Larel said.
Hiroyuki shrugged and held his hand out toward Hotaru since it applied to her as well.
"We don't have to like each other to not stab each other in the back, you ignore me I'll ignore you, it's that simple."

Alari nodded as Mera spoke crossing his arms as he saw the poster, he expected to see posters eventually but he figured they had at least a few more towns. Seeing them this far down he decided to scout the area when he had a free moment, he was glad Mera was watching for who could have possibly put it up as well.
Between Mera's wanted poster, Larel's and with how things normally turn out Hotaru's they were going to have plenty of business in the north, at the very least they could avoid a few problems by sticking to the shadows and avoiding anything that would turn eyes towards them.
When he heard she found a way to get rid of Sybil Alari smiled glad to hear little bit of good news, after all the bad it was nice to be able to address one of the issues in their company.
"Good to hear news like that and so long as we don't draw attention to ourselves the north shouldn't be-"
Alari cut himself off as he heard Mera mention who they would have to meet to fix the Sybil problem.
"The shogun...the one with that fixation on you?" Alari questioned adjusting his glasses. "Hmm I wonder if Hotaru could get used to Sybil."
Alari waved his hand in front of his face indicating he didn't meant that sincerely.
"Sorry that was an ill-attempt at humor. I suppose I should ask what exactly we'd have to do towards the Shogun. Larel's first go to is to kill generally so I hope it's not that."

[SanaChan]

Hotaru looked around when the shadow surrounded them and stopped when she saw Alari and Zenmaru talking to someone. She turned Mera realizing she was there and was about to ask her, but realizing Mera was watching too. She stayed quiet, wondering where Larel was but hearing their voices around them made it clear she should probably not say anything for teh time being. When Zenmaru turned Alari to look that way, Mera just sighed, turning and looking away as the shadow dispersed. Hotaru narrowed her eyes at Zenmaru when her voice came out of Larel, "Go the hell away," she said as she sat down, "You've had your fun, now buzz off," she crossed her arms, glaring at her. "You know you being mad at her only makes it more entertaining, right?" Mera said, her eyes closed as she leaned against the wall. "Does none of what you just heard concern you?" Hotaru looked at her shocked. "Of course it does. It concerns me about Larel and making sure Alari keeps his mouth shut so she can't do anything to him. That's the primary concern. I don't want to know about whatever it is if Larel doesn't need to know it," She looked at Hotaru, "So you don't go digging either. Leave it alone," she said firmly. Hotaru's brows drew down, but she nodded. It was true. Alari had said Zenmaru couldn't say it unless he did and whatever it was would drive Larel mad and give Zenmaru control and there was no way in hell that was acceptable. She sighed, "If only we could get of the oh so mighty fallen queen," she rolled her eyes as she sat back. "Well maybe not her, that's beyond my knowledge of things and I'm not asking about it, but when we go north, there will be a way to remove Sybil," she said and Hotaru sat up, eyes wide, "It's going to require us being a little more sneaky, so for now I'm going to not say anything. Once we get where we need to be, that's when I'll fill you in." "That's not fair." "It is. Because you're both more explosive in matters that are personal to you and I need you not to create a problem in the midst of trying to fix one." "You're a bitch sometimes, you know that?" Hotaru crossed her arms, sitting back with a huff. "And you're a child. Now be quiet."

[Mizos]

Zenmaru smiled at Hotaru folding her hands together as she listened to their conversation closing her eyes, she was interested why the Spectator chose to permit them to listen, that was out of character for her...or more specifically it. She opened her eyes watching the two as Mera called Hotaru a child, folding her hands in her lap at such a development, she even chose names for them which means she was acknowledging their part in this war. Her eyebrow arched a bit at catching they found a way to get rid of Sybil, though she had been listening to some of their conversation before when Mera spoke with Alari in the town. Getting an actual confirmation was interesting, she wondered if it had something to do with the relic Mera mentioned. "I'm in such a good mood after all of this," Zenmaru said smiling. "Since you two have been recognized as members of the Red War, allow me to share something with you. Of course since I can speak of it you needn't fear saying the words yourself since you're a part of the curse as well." She pointed at the two causing the sub-contract seals to glow on their forearms before folding her hands behind her head leaning against the wall. "For decades Daana-sama has been keeping an eye on Larel making sure none of his enemies reach him, not only those who consider him a traitor, but the youkai I draw and Ai herself. He still does this today but the funny thing is Ai's five commanders have been able to close the distance between them. Seeing as how each of them represents a different part of Ai they're pretty dangerous." Zenmaru leaned forward making a motion with her hand causing five dark silhouettes to appear before she pointed to each one as she spoke. "You met Naria already, she's the one with that umbrella sword, she represents Ai's speed." The silhouette took Naria's shape before Zenmaru pointed to the next one, causing a young man to appear wielding a giant rectangular sword, wearing pants with a black headband wrapped around them and a sleeveless kimono. "Daisuke Ai's strength, then there's Hika Yurin Ai's magic, Mia Ai's weaponry and Ryu their leader who represents Ai's tactics. Naria hates Daana-sama since he...stopped Ryu from ever returning to the field all together, not killing him but...well it's a long story. These five are a representation of Ai, though they pale in comparison to the woman herself. Even together they can't take her down...which seeing as Larel can't handle one you could see why the two meeting would be bad." A large grin formed on Zenmaru's face as she dismissed the silhouettes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Ai has a specific ability that can kill Larel if she get's within twenty feet of him, or more exactly she can harm me which will harm Larel. However he would die long before I would. Since your heading north and your chance of encountering her is high I figured I'd let you know. That ability of hers is able to phase through living things...well it might sting Hotaru since she's got a bit of youkai in her but it wouldn't do any real damage and the most it'd do would be pass Mera." Zenmaru glanced at the door as a knock came at it, she smiled knowing that couldn't be anyone else but Alari and turned her attention back to the two. "I choose not to share this with Larel since I want to enjoy his response to all this turmoil, Alari won't say anything since he has a handle on it and doesn't want to burden him with the truth of the matter. So I figured I'd give you two something extremely powerful...information and let you decide how to use it. My rise is inevitable Alari can only delay it for so long, no matter how many secrets he keeps, no matter how prepared he is, it's my turn to reign and all I have to do is wait...but I enjoy challenges to my throne so use what I told you wisely. If I'm usurped again...I'll stop trying to consume Larel for one day." With that Zenmaru laughed before returning control to Larel who fell to the side, lying on the ground unconscious.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru rolled her eyes at the comment about being in a good mood, but she looked at her arm when the sub-contract began to glow. She looked at her, listening as she explained the enemies that they could expect to see and what they meant. She sighed a bit on the part about Ai being able to kill Larel when she got close. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Mera narrowed her eyes slightly at the part about her rise being inevitable, but when Zenmaru finally went away, Mera flicked her wrist, opening the door. There was a whole lot of information buzzing around in her head. With everything she'd heard before and know what she heard here. She put her arm across her midsection before pinching the bridge of her nose, feeling a terrible headache coming on. Between getting rid of Sybil and keeping Hotaru from starving herself, to Larel not knowing some unknown truth, keeping this Ai character away, and now Zenmaru's apparent rise to power, Mera was starting to seriously regret ever coming out of her pleasant little hidey hole she had been in before coming to find Hotaru after her parents death. "Whatever you're here to say Alari, it better not be anything she doesn't need to be repeating cause her conversations are starting to grate on my nerves," Mera said lowly and Hotaru looked to the door to see if a- it really was him and b- what he had to say in response to that.

[Mizos]

Alari walked into the room closing the door behind him, though his eyes went to Larel the moment he entered. He expected he was either sleeping or out since he didn't hear anyone yell when he knocked on the door. He looked over at Mera listening to her a small sigh coming from him, Zenmaru had spoken with them then and it seemed Mera wasn't too pleased about it, not that he could necessarily blame her. He had hoped to introduce all of this slowly and overtime, but thanks to the Spectator that whole matter had been ruined and now he had to find a way to fix this as well. He wasn't mad that they knew just the way it happened. "No nothing like that," Alari said before digging in his sleeve. "I have these for you." He pulled out Kaori's dolls, he set Larel's down near him which to even Alari's surprise had his blank expression perfectly copied, as Kaori had chosen Larel's true appearance over his other. He handed Hotaru's hers which seemed to have a permanent glare on it but the minuscule details in it showed Kaori took the time to match everything he was able with hers. Turning he handed Mera hers, Kaori had made the red hair from a different fabric so it actually flowed a bit and he chose her normal expression over an altered one, he put her in a cloak which hood could be put up or down. "Kaori asked me to give these too you before he vanished, with everything that happened I didn't get a chance. They're apparently good luck charms, I have one as well and to my knowledge he gave one to Mary and the others." Alari sat on his knees resting his hands on them before taking a deep breath. "That's...not the only thing I wanted to come here for though. I also wanted to apologize," Alari said bowing his head after saying this. "I didn't want you to find out about things like this...I wanted to tell you myself. I decided to do so when I would be able to say everything so I could answer any question." He kept his head lowered shutting his eyes. "I'm sorry Mera...Hotaru...my own actions caused this. I needed to at least apologize for it."

[SanaChan]

Hotaru looked at the doll as Alari handed it to her and her face went blank as she tried not to get mad about the fact she was glaring, keeping in mind that she usually was glaring at him. Mera took the doll and raised a brow at the details he put in to it put put it away in to her bag as he spoke as to the reasons for them, "Interesting," she murmured before looking at him as he bowed his head and Hotaru rolled her eyes. "As if anything we do goes according to plan," Hotaru said simply. "She's right. Sit up, Alari, you've nothing to apologize for," Mera said, "It's clear that more than anything this was a tactic to mess with you," she nodded towards Larel, "There's plenty in this world we don't know or understand so why be surprised when that's suddenly thrown in our faces?" "She knows more than I do that regard," Hotaru muttered lightly, rubbing the back of her head, "But still. By comin' in here all shame faced about it, you're playin' in to her game. But I will do whatever I have to do so I don't have to win so I don't ever have to hear that smug voice talking about how "Fun" the game was," she said, making almost a gag kind of face. "That's one way to word it," Mera murmured, shaking her head at her, "Speaking of these dolls," She motioned to Hotaru's, clearly getting off of the subject on purpose, "Where is Kaori?"

[Mizos]

Alari raised his head unable to disagree with Hotaru and Mera, Zenmaru knew him well enough to know he'd come to apologize so everything they said made sense to him. He closed his eyes a little ashamed he permitted himself to get pulled in that far, she was being more aggressive he made a note to keep an eye on that. Hotaru and Mera were right playing with Zenmaru was only going to make her happier, he just needed to focus and do what he could as he always did. He raised his head at the mention of Kaori, he stared at Mera for a moment not entirely sure how to answer that question, but this was something he wanted to bring up with them, as something had been bothered him about his absence. "I'm not sure, I've got most of my echo's back but I still can't extend too far," Alari said. "I'm trying to locate him now, I'll be spending most of the night doing that actually." Alari stopped for a moment and with a small sigh stood up and walked over to Larel, kneeling down he shook Larel until he noticed his eyes slowly open before landing on him, the moment he recognized who was in the room he quickly jumped up and reached for his sword but Alari held his hand up to stop him. "Hold off on your hate Larel, I'd like to demonstrate something," Alari said. "I need your assistance." Larel narrowed his gaze at him but his gaze went to Hotaru and Mera for a moment his hand lingering near his hilt, he seemed to hesitate but he lowered his hand and crossed his arms. "What is it?" Larel asked. Alari looked at Mera and Hotaru as a non-verbal way of asking to pay close attention to what he was about to do. "Do you know who Kaori is?" Larel narrowed his eyes at him before giving a small shrug. "Who's Kaori?" Alari nodded before kneeling down and picking up the doll, he held it out to Larel who took it his eyebrows narrowing a bit in confusion at the strange creation. "The person who made you that," Alari said pointing at the doll. "Kaori Hisugawa, wants to paint you without clothing." Larel stared at Kaori's present before his eyes shut tightly and he gripped his skull for a moment as a small headache hit him, when he opened his eyes again he gave his head a small shake. "Right Kaori...what about him? Where is that annoying man anyway?" Alari walked back over and sat back down on his knees, after Larel measured the distance between himself and Mera he sat back against the wall staring at the doll, he was surprised it took him a moment to remember Kaori he was constantly around and all his attempts to forget him had been a failure. "I've suffered the same kind of memory loss," Alari said. "Kaori and I have spoken about a number of things but I find it hard to remember most of our conversations, and at some points I remember our previous encounters, ones I know Kaori was there for...but when I first think of him there's just a...blank...where he was. The hill, Sybil, meeting with Mary all of those moments...with Kaori missing at first. In my memory I remembered Mary only giving me a flower...but then I think back and remember Kaori received one as well. I remember after focusing but I find it more difficult the more times passes." Digging into his sleeve Alari pulled out his notebook flipping through the pages a bit. "I tested this and wrote his full name down, Kaori Hisuagawa so I wouldn't forget...but it's no longer in my notebook. I've gone through it four times...but I can't seem to find it. This is the page it was originally on." Alari held the book up turning it towards the three, he had written his name on both sides of the page, when Larel looked at it he only saw a blank page which made him clutch the doll. "There's...nothing written on it," he said. "Yes...but I don't think Mera and Hotaru will have the same problem," Alari said. Alari and Larel couldn't see Kaori's name on the page, but at the very least to Mera and Hotaru Kaori's first name was written in the book on one page, Alari tapped the book with his finger and Kaori's last name seemed to flicker similar to a bulb slowly fading out on the other side. After a brief appearance it vanished completely only leaving Kaori's first name. "I asked around and for some reason women remember more of him then men do," Alari said. "Granted their memories are just as jumbled and seem to be slowly fading. This worries me as none of this makes sense." Alari closed his book and looked back at Mera and Hotaru. "I'll find Kaori that goes without saying," Alari said. "For now though I don't know where he's at. Just...make sure not to forget him. If my memory goes first I'll need you two to remind me." "...Kaori...Hisu...Haisu" Larel crossed his arms his eyes twitching as he pulled at his memories. "Hisugawa," Alari said. "You're human Larel so it's probably affecting you worse then us...whatever it is." "I'll leave that to you Alari," Larel said putting the doll in his kimono. "Just means you'll stay away from us for a bit." "Fair enough...anyway I'm sorry to disturb you with all of this. If you don't need anything I'll be returning to my room."

[SanaChan]

Mera tensed a little when Alari went to wake Larel. It didn't seem all that impeccably wise of an action considering their relationship, plus Zenmaru would always be the one that was there. She tried not to show visible relief when Larel was the one who came out, ready as usual, to his usual kind of fervor. She sighed but then her brows drew down as Larel said he didn't know who Kaori was. Hotaru looked at her, her face clearly showing her own confusion. When Alari continued and showed them the trick of the paper, Mera shook her head. How was it possible that people were just forgetting him? He went about a pretty extensive process in which not to be forgotten. In all her years, she'd never heard of such a thing happening before. She nodded once she realized what Alari had said, "Right. Well, let us know how the search goes," she said. Hotaru looked at her doll before holding it up and showing it to Larel, "Do I really always have this look on my face?" she seemed rater perturbed by it and Mera rolled her eyes in response. Mera rolled her eyes, "We'll just have to try and keep our eyes out. Maybe it's a trick of his," she mused. "Let's get some rest, we've been traveling a while she said as she closed her eyes "Someone's coming, we need to go," Sola insisted, helping her mother to get moving, all but carrying her. On the other hand, Eryn was actually carrying Mary as she had passed out from exhaustion and overexertion. "None of them can take a damn breath can they?" Raina growled, at the back of the pack, to cover them since they had their mentally and physically exhausted charges at the moment. "Of course not. Here, Raina, you take her," Sola told her and her sister came up and switched positions. Sola went to the back, creating a wall of fire behind them, though it was controlled to keep from causing havoc in the woods. "Do we need to go to where Mera is?" Eryn asked "No, that's just more attention. We've gone and pissed them off by making them away of the fact that we know what they are," Sola said simple and came over, assisting with their mother and they started to move quicker. They didn't know if their current shadows were demons or maybe some gypsies. They didn't even know if they were enemy or not. They just needed to keep moving.

[Mizos]

Larel shook his head as he didn't believe Hotaru always looked like that himself but he had no idea what went through Kaori's mind and he wasn't in any mood to find out either. Strange as he was Larel didn't just want to forget him, he was annoying, a bother and all around a pain to deal with but Larel knew he cared about them in his own strange way. He looked at the doll of himself and wondered if he had wanted to convey that somehow this way, in the end he just put it back in his kimono deciding not to think too much about it, Kaori always popped up so he figured he'd return pretending he had never vanished in the first place. "I agree with getting some sleep I'll tell you the story later. Good night Hotaru." Larel laid his head against the wall and shut his eyes with a small sigh, it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep snoring softly. Alari was on his knees in the other room gripping his chests as a fierce pain flowed throughout his body, he grit his teeth as an explosion of yellow energy flowed throughout his body, his eyes opened wide as he coughed blood coming out of his mouth and staining the floor before he fell face first to the ground shutting his eyes tightly as he hugged himself shutting his eyes. After a moment the pain subsided and Alari rolled onto his back, his breathing heavy before he opened his eyes. "...well my ki is back," he said slowly sitting up. The process was as painful as ever though it was converting his very life into power so that was the sacrifice that came with it, he shook his head and wiped the blood from his mouth deciding to ignore the pain. Folding his legs in he rested his hands on his knees before he shut his eyes, picking up the echo's a fair distance away he nodded and took a deep breath before he went to search Kaori's. He'd be at it for most of the night but he'd locate him before the sun rose, he told himself that.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru nodded and mumbled good night to Larel before laying down and trying to get some sleep herself. Mera on the other hand was wide awake, taking in everything she'd heard that day. It was more than most people could deal with taking in, more than she had really cared to learn with a matter of hours but she found herself looking towards Alari's room as she picked up what was going on in his room. She frowned but she stayed where she was, she did however make a small plant pop up between the floorboards, one she'd used a few times for various kinds of pain, figuring coughing up blood meant he'd suffered at least some. She sighed, rubbing her eyes, looking towards the window, though it was over her head. It was almost weird for her now not to have her siblings around, but she had a building sense of worry. Something wasn't right...

Raina and Sola set their mother down in the opening of a seemingly empty cave and Eryn landed, gently setting Mary down. Alessea was starting to come around but Mary was still out cold, her mind beyond the point of exhaustion from how far she'd pushed herself. Eryn panted a little, glancing out of the cave to see if the people pursuing them were still there.
"It seems clear."
"I doubt it is," Sola muttered, on edge, "I have a feeling the one other person who has their ability is with them."
"What makes you say that?" Raina looked at her confused.
"How else would someone know just the right moment to strike? Right when we're dragging them with due to their lingering in the spirit world?" Sola looked at her as if it were obvious.
"But why would they come after us? What would be the point?"
"Maybe they don't have a choice," Eryn suggested, "If they were caught and their captors learned of their ability, they would definitely be manipulated to search out others like them."
"Can't they just...stop their minds or whatever in moments like that?"
"Raina," Alessea spoke and her daughter looked at her slowly, figuring she was about to basically be lectured, "Imagine being stuck in your own head, aware of what's going on around you but unable to do anything, and due to our kind's deal with The Goddess, unable to die without someone having pity on us and burning us, but most are too afraid that we'll experience every second of the pain, which we would," she said and Raina looked down, "Call us cowards if you will, but it's not death that we're giving ourselves or even freedom."
"I'm glad you understand, Alessea," The standing siblings jumped and turned towards the petite looking male standing in the cave entrance, black shackles around his wrists and he'd clearly been through a ringer of his own, dirty and bloody, "I tried to keep them away as long as I could while you and Marianne were in the other realm, but they realized I was wasting time..."
"Ah, Wyn," Alessea stood up slowly, "You poor boy... I understand. And I hope you're going to understand what I'm going to have to do to you."
"I would actually be quite grateful for it, but I'm afraid we don't have time for that," Wyn mumbled as soldiers in black armor were walking up, drawing their weapons, "Please don't push yourselves harder. If you don't resist, they promised to not attack," he said, clearly hopeful that the murderous look in the sisters' eyes would relent.
Eryn picked up Mary and moved to get in front of Alessea, knowing Raina and Sola were not about to stand there and let these humans take them in.

[Mizos]

Alari watched the slight bob of the waves as he stared at his line thrown into the water, he spent the whole night trying to find Kaori with no luck and at the end of it he barely got any sleep before the sun was fully up.
His whole body was tense and he found it hard to calm himself down without any information, his worries didn't cease as he was still slowly forgetting the young man.
Surprisingly enough as he went out for a walk he remembered one of the few things he did to relax and thankfully had the materials nearby.
He couldn't remember the last time he sat down and fished, the activity was calming and he found he was able to think more clearly afterwards.
Staring at the water waiting for the slightest tug, he found his mind slowly go blank as his whole body relaxed.
"I feel much better," Alari said smiling a little. "I should make the effort to do this more often."
With Larel still sleeping in the inn he would have to return soon but for the time being he was going to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Sinek poured through a small red book sitting in one of the chairs within the building, at Nokori's request he was to get an account of the area and look for a specific target.
With his companion gone in search of the group an Alari it fell on him to take care of the responsibility. He was proud to help Nokori but the longer he looked the less he seemed to find, he had checked well over forty acres and there wasn't a single sign of what he was looking for.
"I'm looking for one person and there's noting here," Sinek mumbled turning a page. "None of this makes any sense."

[SanaChan]

Mera had fallen asleep, rather against her will, her head having fallen forward. She kept seeing flashes of a vision in her mind... a light surrounding Mary, a power coming from her that was beyond even what she had proven capable of so far. Her head jerked up when she thought she heard a woman's voice say in her mind "It's time." She opened her eyes, realizing at the moment she was holding her breath. She stood up, glancing out the window, making sure to keep light from getting in to Hotaru, before turning and starting out of the room. Something definitely wasn't right and it had her nerves on end. She would get supplies. Yes, that was how she was going to keep herself occupied, get supplies, get things they would need for the future, for the dangerous path they were going to have to take in an effort to be rid of demons like Sybil and any of her ilk that saw fit to use people as their playthings.
But it was as she was reaching the door that she realized an important person in her mental equation was missing. She turned and looked, spotting Hotaru's gourds on the floor, in the corner, but she herself was gone.
"Damn it," she sighed before opening the door and hurrying out, wondering where she could have gotten to and how it was she hadn't sensed her leaving. Even in her sleep she was usually aware of movements around her, yet she hadn't even realized she was gone until she was almost out the door.
Mera rubbed her forehead, thinking of Eryn's usual statements about being of her game, figuring it was the best descriptor for what had happened. She hadn't even realized she was tired enough to fall that deeply asleep. She sighed again as she stood at the main entrance realizing she should leave something to Larel to know they were both out but planned to return. She didn't exactly carry around writing materials, so she snapped her fingers, causing a flower bush to appear in the middle of the room. She highly doubted he'd get there was more to it than she wasn't actually gone gone, but that was fine. As long as he didn't freak out or think he'd been abandoned. She thought about it a moment before waving her hand and actually making the flowers spell out "will be back." Could she make it any clearer?
She shook her head before turning and walking in to town. She had to find Hotaru and figure out what she was up to. Was she out on her own free will or was something else driving her out in to the day time? She was also curious as to what Alari had discovered about Kaori, but one thing at time.

[Mizos]

Larel awoke in a small panic noticing that both Mera and Hotaru were suddenly gone, he stood up immediately grabbing his sword and starting to dash out the door in search of the two, however he froze when the bush popped up in the room. Staring at the shrubbery in front of him he looked around the room before moving to the window, looking outside for any sign of the two. Not seeing them he turned back towards the bush to see the message from Mera. His eyes narrowed a little but at the very least Mera left a sign showing she was returning, hopefully with Hotaru.
Taking a deep breath he turned and walked out of the door deciding to get a bit of air making sure to hang near the entrance in case either returned so he wouldn't miss them. A part of him wanted to go looking for the two but he felt if he went searching for them he'd end up missing them if they came back.

What awaited him outside however caused him to reach for his sword drawing it slightly as a man in front of him, whose hand also went to his sword seeing Larel's narrowed eyed gaze.
"Have you forgotten our truce," Hiroyuki said standing directly in front of Larel.
He had passed by the door only to feel Larel's gaze on him and froze seeing Larel's reach for his sword in the next moment.
Larel kept his hand near his hilt as Hiroyuki's thumb drew his blade slightly as the two waited for either to make a move, Larel's eyes narrowed and he started to move his hand away, however his eyes let off a yellow glow and Zenmaru taking control drew the sword and attacked Hiroyuki in the next moment. Larel came back reality mid-swing his eyes widening at what was happening, however since he had already started moving he couldn't stop himself nor what transpired, in one movement Hiroyuki drew his blade and hitting Larel's sword knocked it out of his hand causing it to fly through the air, before landing a few feet away. Hiroyuki put his blade against Larel's neck narrowing his eyes at him.
Larel's hands twitched as he slowly lowered them to his side, he grit his teeth staring Hiroyuki in the eyes who only pushed the blade further against his neck. After a few moments he pulled his sword away and sheathed it.
"You're not worth it," Hiroyuki said sighing. "Nii-sama didn't train me to waste my skills on the likes of you."
"What did you just say?!" Larel said stepping towards him.
"If you can't stop a simple attack like that you won't last against me," Hiroyuki said. "I'm leaving."
Larel narrowed his eyes at him but he couldn't find the words to dispute him, he wanted to argue with him, prove him wrong but his hands just shook in silent rage at the reality in front of him.
He didn't even see the movement of his sword and he could feel the difference between the two of them, he watched Hiroyuki walk away and shut his eyes taking a deep breath trying to calm down with little success. Turning he went to pick up his sword and sheath it before heading back in the room to wait for the two.
He wasn't sure what Alari was up too and right now he didn't care, he needed a moment alone.