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

[SanaChan]

Mary wasn't quite expecting to see what she saw when the man showed them Kaori's painting and it took her a moment to regain her composure when Alari crushed his glasses, "Once my head stops hurting I'm going to make myself forget what I just saw," she said simply before giving a wave since he was leaving, "See you," she said and started back as well, deciding to go stay with Raina and Eryn so it wouldn't be awkward between Larel and her, and possibly Mera since she kinda wanted to tease her more, but she couldn't do it auspiciously since she couldn't let Larel in on the fact that Mera liked Alari at all, much less in the sense that she did.

Mera kept on working as Larel got up and spoke to Hotaru, who seemed rather thrown off by Larel's observation. They both looked at him when he asked the question, Mera starting to thread her needle. She took a deep breath, "If you intend to cause trouble I would ask that you don't. I would like some peace and quiet for a little while and you fighting him won't grant us that. If you really are just asking a favor, the last I saw him, he was speaking to Mary outside the fabric shop, though I believe he was going to get something to make for him and Kaori to eat," she said, looking back to her fabrics.
Hotaru stifled a smirk at the fact Mera was rather specific, meaning she had probably been talking to him, taking advantage of the lack of Larel's presence since he had created the distance rule on them. She wondered how Larel would react if she brought up a hypothetical situation of Mera liking Alari.
I imagine that would go over well. Please, do ask.
And with that, she decided not to touch that at all. She sighed a bit, starting to feel a bit bored being closed up in the room, even with Larel's great story telling and Sybil's constant nagging of being bored herself. But she couldn't really let herself become nocturnal since everyone else moved during the day, so she couldn't sleep like a part of her wanted to.
That's fine. Ignore me all you like. But you won't be able to ignore my sister if she gets her fingers in to the brain of that sister of your beloved Mera. And no, unfortunately I don't mean the trump card with all the amazing mind capabilities. Her brain is a bit like a fortress, even when she's having a hard time thinking. But. The two siblings she's probably going to spend the evening with have no abilities whatsoever and therefore no way to keep us out.
"Mera, Mary needs to stay in here," Hotaru said quickly, making her jump.
"What?" Mera looked at her confused.
"Sybil was just threatening her, saying that others like her could get to Raina and Eryn," she said, a little impatiently. Mera frowned at the thought of her family yet again being at the mercy of demons and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I've got to find a way to keep those bastards out," she muttered, wishing Nero were still around since he was always the quickest at finding those kinds of answers.

[Mizos]

Larel arched a brow at the first part of what Mera said but if that was her request then he would comply with it. He nodded as she confirmed where he was at, though he wasn’t really sure what to think about him hanging around Mary much less speaking with her, while he wondered if he should pursue it he heard Hotaru speak to Mera mentioning something about Mary staying in the room with them.
When she explained why Larel brought a hand to his mouth for a moment, Mera cared for Mary and he couldn’t let his own feelings of the matter put Mary in unnecessary danger, though he didn’t know how much Sybil could be trusted even with information like that. In the end he decided not to say anything since he also had to ask his favor, which meant he needed to speak with her anyway.
“Well I’ll go find him then,” Larel said starting to leave but froze when a familiar voice reached his ears.
“Oji-san you’re back!”
Larel physically flinched hearing Kaori, he reached up and put his hand over his face shaking his head slightly, putting aside they were in the same inn he wasn’t sure where Kaori’s enthusiasm came from, lowering his hand he let out a sigh.
“Alari Wisdom come here,” Larel said crossing his arms.
He barely said the words but within a few minutes a shadow stood outside the door, Larel looked over at it and lowered his arms as it was clear he was there.
“Why aren’t you coming in?”
“Well I’d be breaking the ten foot rule if I did,” Alari said from the other side of the door.
“Just get in here.”
“Are you sure I’d rather not have a sword-”
“Get in here!”
Alari walked in cleaning his glasses and his eyes went right to Larel, he noticed he was uncomfortable with him in the room but he was resisting attacking him so it must be something important to have him hold back.
“Alari I need a favor,” Larel said narrowing his eyes at him a little.
Alari continued to clean his glasses and stared at him in silence, once he finished he placed them back on his face adjusting them once before moving his hands in his sleeves.
“This is rarity what do you need?” he asked smiling at him.
Larel swallowed the words that almost came out seeing that smile on Alari’s face and closed his eyes to regain his composure before speaking again.
“Can you put a seal on Hotaru to silence Sybil?”
Alari looked over at Hotaru for a moment before looking back at him.
“Indeed I can if she will permit me to do so,” Alari said. “It won’t completely silence her though since I don’t know Sybil as well I know Zenmaru and I’d have to make a custom one for her which would require-”
“Can you make one?” Larl said cutting him off.
“I can have one ready by tomorrow,” Alari said.
“Would you be able to make one sooner than that…perhaps tonight?”
A glare formed on Alari’s glasses which surprised Larel since there was no absolute light in the room, and Alari decided to note the shift in Larel’s tone at his request for a moment before he spoke.
“Not possible,” he said adjusting his glasses and making the glare go away. “Tomorrow morning I’ll have it complete.”
“Fine…it’s not like I can ask anyone else,” Larel said. “I don’t like owing you a favor but if you can do it I’d appreciate it.”
“You don’t have to owe me anything Larel,” Alari said. “I’m more than happy to do it.”
“Lying isn’t helping you right now Wisdom.”
“I’m not lying I’m fine with doing it.”
Larel turned his head slightly his eyes scanning Alari for a moment before he spoke again crossing his arms.
“Why are you alright it, are you going to curse Hotaru or something?”
“No but Hotaru is your friend right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
Larel arms fell to his sides as Alari smiled at him again, he seemed dumbfounded for a moment as he stared at Alari, it took him a moment to realize he was serious and return to his blank faced self.
“Well….that’s…fine then…since you’re being so generous I’m staying in your room so get out.”
“What?”
“Mary’s staying in this room so I’m staying in yours, I feel like I make her uncomfortable for some reason.”
Alari admitted he was proud Larel made that observation but he was saddened he couldn’t exactly identify why.
“…..alright you can stay in ours,” Alari said a small smile on his face.
Larel arched a brow a bit concerned at how easy he agreed to it but shrugged his shoulders deciding not to question it. Alari was going to be gone for most of the night so he would be sharing it with Kaori which didn’t bother Alari as it kept him from being completely alone.
“Of course I still intend on playing GO with Hotaru so I’ll head over once I go to bed,” Larel said. “When I do you’ll leave?”
“Of course,” Alari said adjusting his glasses. “Now before I get to work on the seal.”
Alari looked over at Hotaru and brought a hand to his chin, he smiled a little as he had to confirm something before he got to work on it.
“Hotaru I’m more than happy to do so but I want to confirm it with you, do you want me to place a seal on you for Sybil.”
He was sure Larel asked because of Hotaru but it would save trouble from Larel later if he heard it from Hotaru specifically. While he waited for her answer he felt a strong desire to glance at Mera but Larel’s gaze was locked on him waiting for any reason to assault him and he was sure that would serve as more than enough reason.

[SanaChan]

Mera focused on her cutting and sewing, seeming to tune them out at the moment so she could do everything to a certain level of exactness. She finished making all of the cuts on the fabric that was supposed to be Hotaru's cloak and some small vines came out between the cracks in the floor and took the needle she had been using, working on finishing the sewing as Mera started working on the different colors she had gotten for what she was making Mary. She had gotten a second needle out and was holding it between her teeth, her head tilting in different directions as she thought about what exactly she was doing as she made the decisions. All the while the vines continued to work without missing a beat, pulling the seams tight so the cloak wouldn't get pulled apart.
Hotaru, however, was listening to them intently, feeling a wave of relief hearing that Alari could make a seal for her. On the other hand, Sybil was raging, swearing that nothing they would try would be able to restrain her, insulted by the fact they had the nerve to even dare try such a thing. Hotaru blinked when Alari turned to her, raising a brow when she tried to figure out what he was doing and looked a him like he was crazy when he asked her, "How is that even a question?" she shook her head, appalled at it, "Yes. If there is anyway to keep her under control and help me keep my sanity, I am 100% for it, I don't care what I have to do," She said and Mera stopped for a second as she looked at her.
"And yet, you fight so hard on drinking the one thing that is actually going to keep you alive."
"It wasn't helping, so your argument is kind of not working," Hotaru muttered at her. Mera rolled her eyes before looking back to the different strips of the different colors she had gotten cut out, "What the heck are you making?"
"None of your business," Mera said simply, glancing at the cloak the vines were sewing to see how far along it was, glad to see that it was almost done.
Hotaru made a face at the fact she was getting told a second time that something was none of her business. She looked back towards Alari, "Why can't it be done before tomorrow morning? She's really loud now that we're talking about this," she muttered, putting her fingers to her temples.
Now you're forcing our hands, to do such a thing! You want to try and lock me up?! WELL! I certainly won't make it EASY!
Hotaru went wide eyed as a ringing filled her ears, unable to hear anything around it and then gripped her head as a splitting pain hit her.

A shadowy figure crept along the streets, having emerged from the alleyway, a black cloak hiding everything about them. It looked around, looking for something. It stopped outside the restaurant where Larel had been eating earlier, spotting a certain female that hadn't decided to show up since before Hotaru had truly been turned.
She had split from her more responsible counterpart and had picked up the groups trail after the massacre at the last village and had gnu in the direction she had figured they would go next. While in the restaurant, she had learned that Larel had indeed been there, and was now enjoying her meal that she had ordered while questioning the waitress.
The shadow seeped in to the shadow near the door, slinking along, from shadow to shadow until it reached her. Her defenses were down, her mind unfocused. And she would regret letting herself relax to such an extent as a black cloak came from her shadow and put itself on her, her body freezing as it did. It had happened quickly and quietly, not even alerting the people across the way from her until someone looked over and noticed the sudden cloak on her.
She put the money on the table as she stood up, the cloak hiding her face as she made her way out of the restaurant. She walked down the road slowly, approaching the inn, stopping outside. She tilted her head before turning to face the crowd lingering around outside, "Understood," she said in a flat voice, drawing her katanas.

[Mizos]

Alari nodding hearing Hotaru's response, that was enough for him to get to work on it, the process wouldn't be a simple one and he didn't want Larel to react at every little thing, since he heard Hotaru openly agree to it he would at least hold back a little. He looked over at Larel to see he was a bit relieved, he was probably more worried than he let on which made Alari smile a little. He wasn't sure what to say about the conversation between her and Hotaru and looking over at Larel, it seemed he didn't intend on getting in the middle of it.
Alari adjusted his glasses knowing he was going to need a specific one for Hotaru, sadly he couldn't just transfer the seal on Larel's head over to her, he brought a hand to his chin wondering if he had all the supplies for one. He was pretty sure he did but it wouldn't hurt to check his case later and he'd send Kaori out for a few things if necessary.
Alari was pulled from his thoughts as he met eyes with Larel, he lowered his hand as the two stared at each other, there was something in Larel's eyes and it seemed like he wanted to tell him something but Alari couldn't discern what it was but it was clearly difficult for him to say.
He ended up turning his eyes from him as Hotaru spoke to him about finishing the seal sooner, Alari closed his eyes as Larel kept his gaze on him wanting the same thing. He opened his eyes only to see Hotaru cover her ears, Larel turned to look at her as well and quickly knelt down near her putting a hand on her shoulder and giving her a light shake to get her attention.
"Hotaru what's wrong?! Is Sybil trying to hurt you?!"
Alari watched Hotaru his eyes narrowing slightly seeing she was in pain, he reached up and removed his glasses before rubbing his eyes. It seemed his relaxation was going to have to wait until tomorrow, he couldn't just leave Hotaru like this.
"I'll have the seal done tonight," he said putting his glasses back on. "It seems Sybil's pretty intent on making sure her voice is heard."
Larel only offered a nod to him and Alari made a note knowing he was going to start soon if he wanted to get a good start on it before he left.
Alari started to leave but a chill ran up his spine and he looked behind him for a moment, he shook his head and turned around again bringing a hand to his head, for some reason he felt something...off but he contributed it to his tiredness and looked back at Hotaru one more time before turning to leave the room.
Larel stayed by Hotaru's side happy to hear Alari would take care of it tonight but his gaze didn't leave Hotaru, he racked his brain trying to think of anything he could do but he wasn't even sure what Sybil was doing in the first place, his hand closed into a fist hating that he couldn't just make Sybil stop with a bit of force. Zenmaru was chuckling at something but he wasn't sure what it was and he didn't care to ask either.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru gripped her head and Mera frowned seeing that Sybil seemed to have gotten a deeper foothold on Hotaru this time. It irrupted her more than anything that Nero's sacrifice had been wasting by that demon and now she was disrupting what little chance they had at peace. She got that feeling as well that something was off and she stood up, letting her vines finish was she was doing on the other cloak as well before glancing outside, not letting too much light in to the room, "I thought it was a lot busier outside... Maybe it just got later than these folks like to be out for," she mumbled at Hotaru seemed to be calming down at bit.
Hotaru letting out a breath as when Alari left the room, Sybil seemed to have calmed down a little, "Damn, how come she can do that?" she asked, out of breath, her head throbbing. She thought that unless she was in control she could do nothing more than annoy her with talking.
Mary sat up straight and ran out in to the hall, trying to find the source of it. She hurried up the stairs and had to stop at the sheer darkness around her. She put her hand over her mouth at the smell, gagging a bit.
Both Hotaru and Mera froze when a drop of blood came down through the cracks of the ceiling. Both of them looked up, a little bit of panic with them both. Hotaru because the fact Sybil just suddenly stopped hurting her right in time for that dripping to start. Mera was panicking because this meant one simple thing. Sybil was about to try and barge her way out.
"Larel, get back," Mera said sharply, the small vines shrinking in to the floor, hiding the cloaks as they did, more blood drops came down. Hotaru's eyes were fixated on where the blood fell. She wasn't that thirsty, she'd had plenty, but she was having one of those moments where she was expecting the worst. The floorboards close to Hotaru's hands suddenly snapped up and grasped on to her as a blood drop came down and on to her face, "Find what's causing that before it becomes worse," she ordered him as the drips became steady streams. Hotaru's pupils shrank as the blood got on her, trying to focus. Mera reached her hand up to try and close the boards tighter, but she gasped as shadows pushed them open even further and she put her arms up as a large amount of blood poured down in to the room, the steams now leaving large pools in the floor and Hotaru got completely covered, "This is low, Sybil," she growled knowing she had something to do with it in response to them threatening to seal her. The blood stopped and the floorboards clapped back in to place as Mera used more vines to grip Hotaru's arms, trying to prevent her from moving.
As the floor fell back in to place, the darkness upstair dissipated as well and Mary thought she was going to be sick seeing the bodies in the floor that were mutilated to get the most blood out of them. She felt something behind her and turned around to a different kind of darkness.

[Mizos]

Larel didn't leave Hotaru's side even as she removed her hands from her head, he was relieved at least that it had stopped but he wasn't sure how to answer that question. He didn't want to but he was really depending on Alari to be able to do something about this, though he put aside the favor for the time being looking back at Mera catching what she said earlier. Alari had suddenly looked behind him moments ago and Larel didn't know what it was but he could still hear Zenmaru laughing in his head, anything she found funny normally wasn't good.
Alari meanwhile was making his way back to the room when he noticed Mary running upstairs, he arched a brow but followed after her not sure where she was going in such a hurry on her own. Seeing her run into darkness Alari's eyes narrowed before a scent, a regrettably familiar one at, that caught his attention causing him to stop immediately.

Larel eyes widened and he felt his heart sink as blood dripped into the room, seeing the expression on Hotaru's and Mera's face didn't help his worry and it took a bit of willpower to regain himself to move as Mera instructed. He looked up ceiling at the wondering if he could cover it up only to see a drop land on Hotaru, his eyes narrowed seeing the expression on Hotaru's face and though he didn't want to leave he agreed with Mera that whatever this was needed to stop. Larel grabbed his sword and ran out of the room to find the source, Zenmaru's laughter only seemed to increase before she told him to go upstairs as she noticed Alari dash up there earlier.
He wasn't sure what to think about her advice but he complied and ran up the stairs as the cause was probably up there anyway, sure enough he noticed Alari and ran towards him as the darkness receded around Mary, Alari eyes narrowed seeing what was underneath it. His hands closed into fists as he stared at the bodies, he took a deep breath to calm himself but it didn't do much as his hands remained clenched and he barely held his composure.
He wasn't sure why these bodies were here but this was bad, innocent lives were laying on the ground in a horrific state and he was sure Hotaru was going to smell this....just as that thought came to mind Alari's eyes widened, if this location was where he thought it was then it would be above the room Hotaru was in. It would be bad for anyone in that room if that was the case including Hotaru.
"Alari!" Larel yelled causing Alari to look away missing the darkness behind Mary.
"Larel what're you- ah that doesn't matter go back to the room there's bodies up here! I'll try and take care of them."
"Alright hurry up!" Larel yelled with a nod and quickly turned before running back toward the room having the source of the blood.
Alari turned back around to see the darkness behind Mary, he grit his teeth and quickly rushed forward that wasn't Zenmaru's or Larel's darkness. In the end he had to try and act as it was right near Mary.
"Mary move out of the way!"

[SanaChan]

The darkness behind Mary was the cloaked Yasu (At least I'm fairly certain that's the name I used for her XD) and she struck Mary when Alari had turned back towards them, hitting her at an angle that knocked her out. Yasu looked at Alari, her face completely hidden in the darkness of the hood, then quickly picked up Mary, dashing for the window, another bloody body dropping out of her cloak, someone who was still alive and gasping for air, several wounds causing them to bleed quickly from their upper body.

"Hotaru," Mera looked at her, "Hotaru, you need to focus, now. Even a second of uncertainty and she's got you," she said, keeping her hands up to make sure she had a good hold on her, but she grit her teeth realizing what color Hotaru's eyes were. They weren't orange which meant Sybil wasn't in control. They were instead a bright red, her pupils in tight slits. The floor creaked at her starting to move, "If it's not one thing it's another," Mera muttered angrily before a vine shot up, wrapping around Hotaru's neck and holding on tight, "Larel!" she called, sensing he was coming back. Hotaru's eyes went up towards her, the floor cracking as she started to get up, "Sheesh..." she wasn't so much worried about containing this, she was worried about Sybil managing to take over with her in this state. There wouldn't be such a simple solution as drawing her in to close range. Mera closed one of her hands, squeezing the vine around Hotaru's neck before she heard a knock at the window. She looked back confused, and her cloak blew up just enough when the window opened to see Mary in the shadow persons arms, "Mary!" The simple second of broken focus was all they were trying to achieve. Mera realized it and turned around to get one of the floorboards she had put on Hotaru's arm flung right in to her face. She quickly closed her hand again, holding the rest of it in place. She put her other hand to her face, grimacing, "Damn it!" she grit her teeth, looking back to see the woman gone. Her heart sank. How was she supposed to get to Mary while holding Hotaru in place. Larel might be able to slow her down, but someone would most definitely get hurt if not killed and then Hotaru would be hard to deal with once she was sane, but Mary was gone. She kept her one hand up and went over to the window, looking around outside, seeing no signs of her. Hotaru was clawing at the vine at her throat, which was starting to squeeze even tighter than before from Mera's frustration

[Mizos]

Alari reached out for the darkness as he got closer his eyes moving to the 'face' of the person, he couldn't see past the darkness to identify them but he intended on finding out who it was the moment he got his hands on them. However he instinctively stopped when the body was dropped out, he noticed the person was alive and in his hesitation the darkness got away. Alari grit his teeth but knelt down to the person and summoning his Ki started healing their wounds glad he made sure to keep excess, once the person was healed and he made sure they stayed knocked out he stood up and looked towards the window clenching his fists.
"Who was that?"

Larel quickly turned the corner and sped up as he heard Mera yell, he reached the room to see the darkness holding Mary and Mera get hit with one of the floorboards, he grit his teeth seeing the darkness holding Mary and if not for the look in Hotaru's eyes he would have dashed after it, he could see Mera was still holding Hotaru though judging by Hotaru clawing at her neck she was probably squeezing a tad too tight. Larel wasn't sure what to say as he stared at Mera and looking at Hotaru it didn't seem she was fully herself at the moment, he grit his teeth at how fast this all happened, in one moment they were resting in the inn and the next Hotaru was being held down and Mary was now gone. Larel was glad Mera was safe but he knew Mary being gone hurt Mera.
"Mera-sama you're hurting Hotaru," Larel said walking into the room.
He started to say more but Alari walked into the room right after him, noticing the blood on Hotaru his eyes narrowed before he held his hand out towards her, Larel started to move seeing the glow from his hand but he froze seeing the blood on Hotaru start to dissipate along with the blood in the room, the blood turned into yellow energy that flowed into Alari, once it was gone Alari closed his hand dismissing the glow.
"Hopefully that helps," Alari said lowering his arm. "I took care of the bodies upstairs as well."
Larel wanted to question how he just did that and removed the bodies that quickly but there was a more pressing though in his mind right now.
"Alari Mary was taken we saw her in the window carried by that thing, wasn't she near you?! How did they get to her?"
"They got her when my head was turned I chased after them but they dropped a body, I hesitated seeing they were still alive and they got away...I'm sorry."
"Ah good to see you chose a stranger over your 'friend' good to know," Larel said bringing a hand to his head and sighing.
Alari averted his eyes and stared at the ground not having a response to that, Larel noticed the dejected look on his face and lowered his hand actually feeling a tinge of guilt for saying that but he turned his back to him and turned back to Hotaru.
"What happens now?" Larel asked kneeling down in front of Hotaru.
"I can't hear echo's or I'd track her that way," Alari said running a hand through his hair before looking at Mera.
If what Larel said was correct then Mera saw Mary get taken by that cloaked figure, Mera couldn't have seen that and remained perfectly calm at least on the inside, he tried to find the right words but nothing seemed right to say and with Larel right there he was even more limited.
"Mera-sama what would you like me to do?" Larel said turning his attention back to Hotaru.
Alari remained silent looking towards the window, he adjusted his glasses wondering where that darkness came from, that feeling from earlier was probably that.
"Sybil probably knows," Alari looked at Larel's shadow seeing the familiar smile of Zenmaru. "Kinda falls into place a bit too easily right?"
Alari snapped his fingers causing the smile to vanish, he didn't even like considering the possibility of talking to her.

[SanaChan]

Mera was having a hard tie focusing. Mary was gone and that bitch knew where she was. She clenched her fist so tight her nails dug in to her palms and drew blood. Hotaru gave a wheeze as it cause the vine to squeeze tighter, "Come on out you bitch, I know you want to gloat," she spat, her eyes the most wild they'd probably ever been.
Hotaru eyes rolled back in her head for a second before they shot back, orange in the center, but still blood red, "My, my, cutting it a bit tight are we?" Sybil tapped on the vine, "Can't speak if I can't breathe."
"You're speaking just fine now. Tell me where she is!" Mera demanded.
"Why should I?"
"What the hell do you want?!" Mera's voice came out at a different pitch.
"As if that's an actual question," Sybil's eyes went over to Alari, "You guys forced my hand. Threatening me as if I'm some leashed pet that can be told what to do," she spat before looking back at Mera, "Simple trade right? My continued "freedom," if that's what we're going to call it, for the location of your sister. Decline too long as you just might find a corpse."
"How I'd love to gut you," Mera growled, narrowing her eyes
"If only I were an actual person right? And not shoved willingly in to the head of your favorite little pupil. By the way, this isn't actually hurting her. With the overload to her senses from all the blood, her body is working on overdrive to keep everything in check. She's got surprisingly good willpower, since her whole being is screaming to kill anyone and everyone around her and she could totally bust free right now if she wanted to. I will just have to try harder to send this little vampy on a rampage," she laughed at that and Mera punched the wall behind her, needing to hit something before she took it out on Hotaru.
"Say yes," Mera looked at Alari, "Just say you're not going to do it, we don't have a choice!"
"Of course you do, but I knew the choice you'd make a long time ago," Sybil sneered, "You're too attached to your little sister for it to be healthy. The second anyone so much as threatens her and you nearly fall to bits. What happened to that stonewall I met so long ago? Oh well, I guess when I actually first met you, you were a lot like your sister is now, that was before men tried to defile you right?"
"SHUT UP!" Mera snapped at her and paled as there was a snapping from Hotaru's arm.
"It's fine, it'll heal, but Hotaru's not gonna be happy with you for breaking her arm. I must say, though, you really must make up your mind. First you want me to talk, now you want me to shut up. How rude."
Mera put her hands to her head, trying to get her composure back, feeling like she was about to have a bit of a nervous breakdown if Alari didn't say yes and someone didn't tell her where her sister was.

[Mizos]

Larel's hand involuntary flinched seeing Hotaru's eyes change and hearing Sybil's voice, he closed his hand into a fist making sure to keep his composure, he glanced over at Alari whose eyes rested on Mera for a moment, the look in her eyes worried him but he turned his attention back to Sybil seeing the two were speaking to one another.
Even Larel could see Mera wasn't her normal self right now which he could understand, Sybil was being contained and if it was anyone else she was inhabiting he'd cut them apart just to keep from hearing her voice again but it was Hotaru and he knew he wouldn't be able to attack her so all he could do was glare in her direction and listen.
When Sybil's eyes went to Alari he adjusted his glasses hearing she wasn't pleased about being locked away, she had far more influence then he thought even within Hotaru, he should have paid more attention but it was too late for that right now.
Larel hated it but Sybil wasn't wrong about one thing, while she was in Hotaru responding to her was difficult, watching Mera hit the wall made Larel's eyes narrow a little, Sybil was pushing all the right buttons on Mera and she wasn't the only one who wanted to gut her.
While Larel stared at Sybil something in him clicked though, he glanced over at Alari whose eyes had moved over to Mera again. Alari hated Zenmaru even he knew that...yet Alari made an effort not to hurt him, even when Zenmaru took over.
Larel shook his head not sure why he thought that and turned his attention back to Mera hearing her talk to Alari about not placing the seal. Alari's eyebrows furrowed a little as he was worried about Mera right now, he knew Hotaru wasn't going to be happy about any of this either especially as he heard the crack of her arm. He noticed that Larel flinched hearing that, it made sense as he didn't like seeing his friend get hurt but he knew it wasn't Mera's fault, Sybil was the one instigating it.

"Larel can you remain composed," Alari said looking over at him. "I'm sure you accept Sybil's offer as well though it's not exactly fair."
Larel arched a brow at him but offered a nod not sure what exactly he meant by the first part but he was correct at the very least.
Alari walked over to Mera as she gripped her head and reaching over put a hand on her shoulder to offer at least some comfort before he looked over at Sybil.
"Alright Sybil I will not place the seal on you," Alari said. "However please allow me to clarify something first about this current situation."
Alari walked away from Mera and knelt down on one knee as he got eye level to Sybil, he removed his glasses his eyes letting off a red glow as he put his glasses in his sleeve.
"You are free to gloat of course but you are little more tan a minor nuisance at best right now, you're hiding behind Mary and Hotaru and it shows just how weak you are. For all the confidence you have at the end you're just a coward barely worth the attention. You're still a leashed mutt if you can even be called that, it seems too high a compliment to compare you to such an animal. One day you won't have anyone to hide behind and when that day comes you'll come to realize just how useless you truly are, I will patiently wait for that day, the world will forget you, just like the rest of us will."
Alari stood up and walked over to Larel before putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry Larel I'm sure you wanted to say that," he said smiling.
"Oh..uh...no I just...want to kill her...thanks though."
"No problem and you better keep your word Sybil or I will seal you away, especially if Mary isn't returned safely," Alari said before walking over and leaning against the wall.

[SanaChan]

"I think it's perfectly fair," Sybil muttered to Alari when he was first talking to Larel. She grinned a bit whenever he came over, even more so when she saw the glow of his eyes. She bursted out laughing whenever he finished talking, "OH MY! How much I must have done as "a tad nuisance" to make the almighty Wisdom threaten me!" She put her free hand to her chest, "I'm hardly leashed, boy-o, I just loooove to watch people squirm and this one," she tapped her chest meaning Hotaru, "Is dying to just be human again. Her instincts have always been warning her about what would happen if too much blood gets in her system, hence why it turned in to a fear of it in general, so how else to best make her think she can keep me under wraps," she laughed, "I could easily take over while she sleeps if I wanted, but there's no fun in stomping around all the time," she waved him off, "And you lot may forget me all you please when I'm done with you. Lasting memory for you shits isn't really what I care about. So long as I remember the screams and the tears, I'm as happy as can be," she grinned again.
Being reminded of keeping her word, she sighed heavily, "Such a buzzzzzzz kill," she muttered before looking over at Mera, "How bad does it hurt you to know you're so pathetic in the end? You get tugged a hundred different ways to try and protect those who you're close to and in the end you're kinda useless. Even when I go back to my hidey hole in her head, she's still flippin' out on the blood overdose. You couldn't stop that because you're too busy making cloaks as a stupid sentiment to your sister, who you couldn't protect because you're so focused on someone you're not even related to! Not to mention, your beloved older brother sacrificed his life to get rid of me. Or at least that's what it looked like, how do we know he wasn't just damn miserable seeing everyone else move on and be chipper and having to pretend to be when he saw his father murder the woman he loved? Not to mention he was probably aware daddy wasn't daddy a long time ago and no one believed him," Mera was covering her ears, not wanting to hear any of it. Not wanting her poisonous words to get in to her head. Especially since it was things she already felt, "Then again, I'm sure you and Raina remember telling everyone bad things had happened to you and no one believed you. Such foolish little girls, human men wouldn't touch you. Why would you let them?"
"But fine. If you want to try again, I'll put your poor little sister back where I found her and let you have this one back. Too bad I can't give you back your brother right? Except, I'm pretty sure he'd rather stay dead," Sybil shrugged, giving one last grin before snapping her fingers. Her hand dropped and her head lolled forward, stopped by the vine that was still around her throat.
Mera sank to her knees, feeling like a little girl again, who had just gotten lectured for something she didn't do, something she couldn't avoid. She slammed her fist to the ground, needing to strike out, wishing so badly to just rip Sybil to shreds. Hot, angry tears streamed down her face as the floor and wall cracked loudly before there was a thud upstairs. Her head lurched up and she pushed past the guys as she launched to her feet. Mary sat up, holding her head and Mera went to her, pulling her close. Mary frowned as the pain just seemed to roll off her sister and she hugged on to her, knowing she just needed a moment to vent out else she would shut down again.
However, her emotional instability caused the hold on Hotaru to loosen. Her eyes opened again, still red around the outside of her eye, the blue of her eyes seeming quite vivid in comparison, and her eyes shot around the room, trying to figure out what just happened.

[Mizos]

Larel couldn't put into words how much he hated this person, if Alari didn't exist she'd be at the top of his list. Speaking of Alari he seemed to be watching her with the same calm expression as always, he could hear Zenmaru chuckling a little but she wouldn't clarify why and just told him to listen. When she spoke to Mera Larel felt immense rage threaten to consume him she had the gall to not only take over his friend but now she was messing with his master, Larel started to take a step forward but stopped feeling a hand on his shoulder. He glanced behind him only to see Alari shake his head, Alari didn't like what was going on either but responding to Sybil wasn't the best thing right now, as much as he may want too, for now he urged him with his eyes not to speak.
It took an immense amount of willpower but Larel clenched his fists as Sybil continued to speak to Mera, he understood why Alari was stopping him, Mary wasn't back with them yet if he stepped in and started arguing with her she'd just be gone longer, or at least that's what he assumed...which confused him as that showed Alari had a heart which wasn't a possibility.
Alari put his glasses back on as Sybil finished, making Mera cry was unforgivable, if he was a different person he would have gone back on his word, but he was thankful he had a sense of honor at least. He turned his attention to the ceiling hearing the thunk upstairs, Alari could guess what that was and going off Mera's speedy exit she understood as well.

Larel looked back at Hotaru seeing some of the red in her eyes had left, though he could see some in the corners, he walked over to her and knelt down before taking hold of her broken arm.
"Hold on and clench your teeth," Larel said before promptly snapping it back into place. "There we go."
Larel took a few steps back before kneeling in front of her knowing she was going to need a bit of an explanation.
"Sybil came out and was well...Sybil, she said some stuff, messed with Mera-sama by taking Mary, talked about you a bit."
"Nothing too personal of course, some comments on your feelings of blood," Alari added leaning against the wall.
"Mera-sama's with Mary right now, it's good to have you back Hotaru."
Alari stared at Larel for a moment adjusting his glasses before he noticed Larel's gaze move back to him for a moment, he arched a brow seeing this before Larel spoke.
"Alari...with Zenmaru did you...." Larel started to speak but just ended up trailing off. "Never mind..."
Alari stared at him for a moment before smiling having a feeling where that was going and glanced towards the door.
"Kaori," Alari said.
Kaori stepped out from around the corner looking over at Hotaru for a moment before handing Alari his notebook.
"Did you get everything?" Alari said flipping through it. "I know it wasn't expected but..."
"Of course Oji-san just as you said."
Alari had stopped by the room on his way back after cleaning up the bodies and asked Kaori to stand outside the room and keep watch so something wouldn't get the jump on them again, he gave one of his notebooks just in case something happened in the room, he hadn't expected Sybil to fully come out but the opportunity helped anyway.
"Good and since she was 'enjoying herself' there was a good chance she wasn't lying, that extra information will be beneficial in my study," Alari said putting the notebook in his sleeve.
"Wh are you going on about now?" Larel asked as Alari adjusted his glasses the glare forming on them.
"Did you know I worked at a Kabuki theater for awhile?" Alari said smiling a little.
"What's that got do with anything?"
Alari didn't respond and turned his back to the two, Kaori smiled and waved to them before running out of the door.
"My business is concluded, leave Mera with her sister for the time being and come to the room when you feel like it." Alari said before walking towards the door, he stopped in the frame however and glanced back at him. "Oh and Larel Sybil can't take something from Hotaru no matter what she does, I planted the seeds back then to ensure that. Make sure to support your friend, I'd like those seeds to grow."
With that Alari walked out the door and turned to head back to his own, for a moment he ended stopping to up look up the stairs, he did want to check on Mary but he wasn't going to interrupt the two.
Larel wasn't entirely sure what Alari meant by that but he didn't like that Alari was 'planting' whatever with his friend, though Alari only said that since only Mera understood the reference and he wanted to move things around a bit more.
"How are you feeling Hotaru? Are you okay?"

[SanaChan]

Hotaru looked at Larel, still dazed as he told her to clench her teeth, yelping when he fixed her arm, holding it close to her as the pain brought her senses in tune quickly. She looked at herself and noticed the blood was gone, something she figured she should thank Alari for. Hearing that Sybil had gotten out and had messed with Mera certainly explained the crack in the floor, "What did she say?" she asked, her voice kind of hoarse after Mera had squeezed her throat, unlike how clear Sybil had sounded. She was curious since Alari was talking about using the information that Sybil divulged. However, he was leaving and making some comment about working in a Kabuki theater. She rubbed her forehead as he mentioned planting seeds and Sybil not being able to take something. She looked back up at Larel when he asked her how she felt, "I've most definitely been better. Can't completely recall feeling worse. My head still feels like its pounding, my throat hurts, though thankfully my arm is numb at the moment. I'm hoping some of those vampiric healing bits will kick in and make it all go away- one good use for it all, I suppose," she mumbled.
She looked around the room again, sighing as she saw the mess, "Well... at least that's over, right? We can at least try and have a quiet rest of the evening... I'm guessing Mary and Mera are alright though?" she looked back to him, her movements a bit slow, lethargic. She was starting to get the familiar sense of her head being underwater. All she really wanted to do right that second was lay down and sleep, but it was a little bright in the room again due to all the damage.

Mera leaned back, taking Mary's face in to her hands, "I'm never going to quit worrying about you," she mumbled, brushing a bang away, "How am I supposed to sleep at night when you leave? Not that I seem to be any good at protecting you anymore anyways," she shook her head.
"Are you seriously trying to blame yourself for the demons nasty tricks?" Mary raised a brow at her and Mera was a bit surprised by the annoyance in her sister's voice, "It happened. Neither of us were prepared for it so it was kinda like we were ganged up on, completely overwhelmed, nobody like us is to blame."
"We've got to figure out how to get rid of them," Mera muttered, shaking her head, "Damn it, Nero," she muttered, wishing their brother could have picked a less lethal way to attempt to be rid of Sybil before. They needed him now more than ever to try and figure it out.
"Then that's where I'll go," Mera looked at Mary again as she spoke, "I'll talk Raina and Eryn and we'll find some of the old elven archives. I'm sure they dealt with more demons than they cared for and so they must have solutions," Mary nodded firmly. Mera still seemed rather hesitant to let her leave, but Mary was too closely related for Mera to have any notion of being able to make her stay once her mind was so clearly made up, "I'll stay for the night with them so we can plan on what we're going to do," Mary stood up, helping Mera back to her feet, "You have your two friends downstairs to protect until we get that solution," she gave her a small smile, trying to make her feel better about it.

[Mizos]

Larel stayed near Hotaru at least until he heard she was alright, a small relieved sigh escaped from him before he stood up but he stopped hearing her speak again. He took a look around the room as well noting the damage in it, they were probably going to be blamed for it later but that was another matter to attend too when it came too it.
He wasn't sure how to answer the other question about Mary and Mera, Mary was back at least and Mera had to deal with some verbal abuse but with Mary back he was sure she was at the very least relieved though he was sure she wasn't fully recovered yet.
Larel didn't say it but he noticed that Hotaru seemed a bit tired, after everything that just happened he couldn't really blame her.
"Far as I know they're okay at the moment," Larel said looking over at Hotaru. "Mera-sama ran up shoving Alari and me out of the way so she has the energy to move that fast I'm sure she's okay at least physically. Sybil crossed some lines though mostly about her family and Mary, Mera-sama held back as much as she could when she did anyway."
Larel rested his sword against his torso and ran his hand through his hair, their quiet evening was ruined in a moment, it was a bit too nostalgic for it's own good and he knew Zenmaru was smiling in his head at his thoughts on the matter.
"She didn't say much about you, she did mention your fear of having too much blood in you and how you want to be human again," Larel said closing his eyes. "Personally I'd rather not speak of Sybil's words, true or not nothing good comes from it."
Larel's eyebrows drew down a little bit at the very thought of it but his expression relaxed moments later and he looked back over at Hotaru.
"Why don't you try to rest Hotaru, we can play GO another time," Larel said. "You seem a little tired, if you need darkness for that..."
Larel held up his hand and flexed it causing purple energy to hover around his hand, it was his own darkness instead of Zenmaru's but the offer was the same.
"I can help with that, if you want."

Alari remained quiet leaning against the wall his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes drooped a little as a slightly worried expression showed itself on his face. He could hear Mera and Mary in the room directly next to him, and he admitted he felt a little bad for what he was doing.
He knew it wasn't polite to eavesdrop and he said he was going to leave the two of them alone but he couldn't help but worry a little, by time he came fully to his senses he was standing next to the door and figured he may as well make sure.
He did lean off the wall when they mentioned taking care of the demons, walking away from the door knowing he shouldn't linger too long, he got enough confirmation that they were okay or as much as possible considering the circumstances.
Alari walked down the stairs and out of the inn, he stopped and glanced back at the building for a moment. He told Kaori to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and gave him a talisman that would act as a signal for Alari should things turn, Alari pulled out the other half of the talisman before shoving it back in his sleeve confirming it was active.
Folding his hands behind his back he made his way towards the gate of the village, he would be watching the three for the rest of the night he was aware of that at least which meant he needed to take care of things.

"I shall return soon."
Hiroyuki and Naria stopped as their floating travelling companion spoke to them, Hiroyuki arched a brow at the cloaked woman staring at the mask of the old man he believed it was called a Kojyo mask but he wasn't fully sure.
Looking at the mask Hiroyuki wasn't sure why he bothered trying to see her expression since it was hidden anyway.
Naria shrugged at the information and continued walking seemingly alright with the idea, for the most part she didn't intend on stopping just because one of them left, Hiroyuki was sure she would keep walking if he was cut down right in front of her and sadly he'd be correct.
"Alright...uh...be safe," Hiroyuki said and watched as the woman vanished.
He turned and caught up to Naria before walking alongside her, she twirled her umbrella a few times the sounds of their footsteps on the dirt road being the only sound in the area, even the insects seemed silent making the silence between them almost deafening seeing as Naria didn't like talking. Hiroyuki glanced over at Naria wondering if he should say something, he hadn't been travelling with her that long but he found she was pretty quiet when she wasn't very talkative at least most of the time, and honestly that hidden sword of hers bothered him, the speed she could draw that thing would beat his draw if he didn't pay attention.
"I don't know why you told her that," Naria said breaking the silence. "It's not like she's human so there's no reason to tell her to be safe."
"You think so?"
"...she was floating and she hides her face behind a mask, her entire body except her feet is covered in a long white cloak, and she spouts random bit of information that make no sense half the time, do you know any humans who go around like that?"
"I suppose that makes sense...do you think she's a Youkai?"
"No.....I'm not sure why...but it doesn't feel like she is but she has information on Alari so I don't mind if she stays around, I'd feel the same even if she was one."
Hiroyuki offered a small nod and the two continued on their way, that was the reason they let her come with them she had answers that both of them wanted.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru hated that Sybil had been talking through her, knowing that was the whole reason Sybil was determined to possess her- they wouldn't willingly attack her, even if Sybil was verbally torturing them. She looked at Larel when he talked about resting and playing GO. She shook her head at the offer for darkness, "I'll be fine. Just give me a few minutes to get my head back in order," she murmured, rubbing her arm. It was almost weird that she could already tell it was healing, but much slower than any cuts or the like had done. Which made sense. The bone had been broken, "Are you okay though?" she looked at Larel, "Last time she came out you let her stab you," she muttered, still not happy about that incident. It wasn't long enough ago for her to have forgotten about it. She was just hoping that it didn't happen again. She still somewhat blamed herself for it since it was her body and her weapon that attacked him even if wasn't her will.
She looked up when the door opened, Mera re-entering the room. Hotaru frowned, never having seen such a frazzled expression on her face before. She also flinched a little because she could see the mark on her face from where the board had hit her. Mera waved her hand, the boards in the room groaning as they all snapped back in to place, She walked back to where she had been before and sat down.
"I apologize for your arm, Hotaru.... Mary will be staying with Raina and Eryn tonight so you do not have to endure Alari if you don't wish to, Larel," she said, her voice empty of emotions at the moment. She was holding herself together as tight as she could, not letting anything back out. It was all she could do to keep her composure, to not let that damned demon get that victory of seeing her completely come undone. Mera closed her eyes, breathing out, sinking in to a sort of meditative state as she tried to calm down.
Hotaru took a deep breath, hating hearing how monotone her voice was and the guilt for that fell on her shoulders too. She had to get better control over this. She had to wonder if Larel could control Zenmaru without that seal or if she had to find someway to trick Sybil in to it. She would do whatever she had to do to fix this. She couldn't let Sybil do anymore damage.

[Mizos]

Larel closed his hand dismissing the darkness as he listened to Hotaru, he gave a small nod and rested his arm back on his knee. His attention didn't leave her as he was still a bit worried but it seemed she was trying to recover so he didn't say anything in response. Coming back after being taken over wasn't easy and being in a hold from Mera meant she probably came back with a bit of pain, he noticed her voice had been hoarse when she spoke so he had to make sure he brought everything up to speed if she requested it.
When Hotaru mentioned if he was alright he arched a brow a little before hearing what she said after, a small smile formed on his face seeing she seemed worried about that, he started to respond but stopped seeing Mera walk into the room. He wanted to welcome her back but something about Mera made him hesitate, when she spoke his eyes narrowed a little hearing the lack of emotion in her voice. He only offered a nod as she informed him Mary would be staying in the room, he was worried about her but he couldn't think of anything he could say to Mera, as he thought about it he noticed her going into some kind of meditation and he decided not to bother her.
"Are you still thinking about that?" Larel asked looking back over at Hotaru smiling at her. "I'm alright and don't think that about that anymore, I let the attack hit me and I made sure it missed any lethal organs. Aside from having to listen to Sybil I'm alright," Larel said chuckling a little bit.
"That's not much comfort Larel."
Larel's eyes shot to the door as he heard a voice outside of it, his eyes narrowed and he did notice shadows under the door as he stared at it.
"...Kaori...is that you?"
"....no..." Kaori said from the other side of the door.
"Were you listening to that?" Larel said a bit of an edge to his voice.
Kaori opened the door and bowed deeply once it was open, Larel arched a brow as he raised his head a small smile on his face.
"I'm sorry," Kaori said before walking in closing the door behind him. "I didn't meant too Oji-san asked me to keep an eye out for you, he said to do it from the room but that's boring so I'm going to sit in here with you."
"I don't believe I said you could come in," Larel said. "We don't need a guard either go away."
"Don't worry I know it's serious time I won't say anything," Kaori said nodding ignoring the later half of Larel's words. "That and I was worried for Taru-chan but she seems a little better."
Kaori sat down on the other side of the room on his knees, he rested his hands on his knees and smiled at the two, though he could see Mera was occupied doing something and remembered Alari told him to be tactful.
"Anyway I'm just going to watch you silently, don't mind me. I'll be the best guard you've ever seen."
By some miracle Kaori really did go silent but he just stared straight ahead in Hotaru's direction, the same smile was on his face but he didn't speak and...didn't blink either, Larel could feel his gaze was also on him and probably Mera too, it was a tad uncomfortable for him.
"....never thought I'd say this but I actually miss Alari," Larel said getting a little freaked out. "Ignoring him Hotaru focus on recovering, I'll be right here if you need anything."
He glanced back at Kaori who remained completely still, he started to wonder if Alari did this all the time just in darkness.

Alari walked out of the gate and followed a pathway to the fishing village, he kept a steady pace wanting to reach it as soon as possible. Mera was still on his mind and a part of him wanted to rush back there but he knew he wouldn't be able to do anything with Larel in the room, even talking to her would cause him to attack him. He would finish his business in the fishing village and hurry back. It was still thanks to his disappearance that they got this close in the first place, he needed to take responsibility for that and fix this as fast as possible.
Alari let out a small sigh and folded his hands behind his back, things had certainly taken a strange and unsettling turn, he needed to speak to Nokori later to get an update on everything. Though he was intent on the idea he remembered that he had said he would relax, now he wasn't sure if he could even do that but it wouldn't do to say something like that and not put forth the effort to take a breather.
Alari walked past a tree in the forest and as he did the cloaked woman appeared in the distance, a chill ran up Alari's spine and he quickly turned in the direction of the woman only to see she was gone. His eyes narrowed as he stared in the direction only to have her appear on the other side of him, a few feet away. Alari quickly turned his head and looked in the opposing direction only to find nothing.
Taking one last look around Alari continued walking moving his hands in his sleeves, the feeling of being watched didn't leave him as he continued on his way.

[SanaChan]

Hotaru's eye twitched a little at Kaori's behavior but a thin vine came out of the wall, a leaf wrapping around the top of Koari's head, blocking his sight, "Stop," Mera said simply, getting a little annoyed by the whole thing, "Either go to sleep or go back to your room," she didn't open her eyes or change her position, trying to focus still.
Hotaru glanced at her then looked back at Kaori, "This really isn't the time for you to be yourself, Kaori," she muttered, coughing a bit when her voice scratched her throat. Mera had squeezed the hell out of her throat apparently and she could only guess that her throat was trying to heal itself and her talking was difficult to do while it was in the middle of that process. Luckily, it seemed that Sybil had gotten her fill of screwing with people and was being silent. That or she was just enjoying the results of her words, "However, if you're in here, where did he get off to in such a hurry that he thought leaving you as a guard was such a splendid idea?" she asked.
Mera sighed a little since they just kept talking. There was no focusing with the conversation going on in the room, but perhaps just listening to them could help her get it together. She sat back against the wall, looking over at the three, though she was leaving the leaf on Kaori's head if he didn't pull it off since he was just being more weird than she honestly felt like dealing with right now.

"Get rid of them?" Raina raised a brow at Mary's words when her youngest sister made the suggestion, "In case you're unaware, Eryn and I have no connection to any of the elements, much less the crazy skills you and mom can use, how are we supposed to help get rid of demons?"
"I highly doubt the demons have any connection to them either. Our own lore suggests that some demons, especially kinds like Sybil, are not that much different than us. We chose to follow the natural elements, whereas they decided to follow the darkness, an immediate satisfaction for the lack of power we suffered when our elven lineage had truly died out," Mary explained.
Eryn smirked, "You can tell she spent a long time with Nero," he murmured and Raina nodded in agreement since everything that had just come out of her mouth sounded like a parrot of what Nero would say.
"Maybe... he could help us," Mary murmured, and they looked at her, quite surprised she would suggest trying to contact him.
"He wouldn't be very happy with you for doing that," Raina pointed out
"He wouldn't be very happy to find out that Sybil thwarted his sacrifice either," Mary countered
"True," Eryn murmured, taking a deep breath, "As much as I'm sure he's happy to be back with Ferrin, neither of them would have wanted him to just end his life for nothing, and as of right now it was for nothing," he said.
"We're going to try and find out of the elven ruins around here so I can try and get some of the lingering energy from there. The simplest solution would be to let him possess one of us for a period of time until we find the solution," Mary said.
"Seeing as I'm basically useless anyways, I guess that's me," Eryn gave a small smile, waving off the objective looks his sisters gave him, "It's true. I can't really fight, at least not now. I left those weapons behind a long time ago and I would prefer not to bloody my hands anymore. You two are much quicker on your feet than I am since I'm so out of the loop, but if Nero were working in here instead, he would at least be able to move quickly. Plus, I'm the only guy of the three so I'm sure he would prefer not having to deal with that existential crises," he laughed lightly.
"That last point is really the only reason I would have suggested it," Mary murmured.
"Well, before we get ahead of ourselves, how are we supposed to find the ruins?" Raina held up her hands, "We can't split up unless you plan on monitoring our thoughts the whole time and you're still healing so it wouldn't be a good idea if you plan on contacting the dead when we get there."
"The easiest way would be to actually ask Mera," Eryn pointed out, "She can see for miles as long as she's calm and touching the earth."
"That calm part may be the difficulty considering everything that's happened today," Raina took a deep breath, rubbing her forehead

[Mizos]

Larel glanced over at Mera seeing she used the vine to stop Kaori's staring, he said a mental thank you for it before wondering if he could cut off the first option Mera gave and just make him leave. He didn't have a chance to think further on it as Hotaru spoke, his eyes narrowed a little hearing her cough but he remained quiet as Hotaru had said what he wanted too, minus a few insults he had in mind.
The second question Hotaru asked actually made Larel look back at Kaori as he was curious of that as well, however when his eyes landed on his face he felt a chill run up his spine. Kaori had a wide grin on his face and he was leaning back and forth a little the leaf still on his head.
"W-why are you smiling like that," Larel asked his eyes twitching a little.
"It's almost like being in contact with Mera-dono, which I'm not allowed without permission so I'm happy," Kaori said giggling a little.
Larel immediately raised his darkness noting Kaori talked anyway and removed the leaf from Kaori causing him to pout, he was going to make him answer his question then possibly kill him for saying that.
"Answer Hotaru's question Kaori," Larel said lowering his hand. "Where did he go?"
Kaori crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head slightly before looking over at Larel.
"I have no idea, Oji-san just told me he had to take care of something," Kaori said.
"Take care of something?" Larel questioned. "He didn't mention a place, or even out?"
Kaori nodded and reached in his sleeve, he pulled out one of Alari's glasses, which Larel wondered how he got a pair, before putting them on giving them a small adjust.
"It's nothing to be concerned about," Kaori said trying to mimic his voice. "That's what he told me, sorry Taru-chan I wish I knew."
"Of course he did," Larel said sighing.
"By the way I'm not a guard in terms of strength really," Kaori said rubbing the back of his head. "I have a talisman on me that lets him know what's going on here, so long as I'm nearby it's okay."
That actually made a bit of sense as he was sure Kaori would just run and hide if danger did come, no he was absolutely sure that's what he'd do.
Larel was silent for a moment as he tried to find the right words to what he was about to ask Kaori, he hesitated a bit but it had been bothering him for a bit now and this was the best time to ask without asking the man himself.
"Hey Kaori," Larel said drawing Kaori's attention to him again. "Uh.....has Alari....spoken to you about...stuff."
Kaori adjusting Alari's glasses but he couldn't make it glare naturally like he did, with a tilt of his head he smiled waiting for him to continue. It seemed his silence was a yes and a notion to continue....kind of like Alari.
"Zenmaru....he hates her right....why hasn't he...attacked me because of it...I mean he has control over the seal and all yet he doesn't hurt me, I was just curious why."
Kaori blinked a few times actually aware where this was coming from, he couldn't help but smile as Alari had planned for this possibility, Larel was conscious of some of his actions towards him, that was a rarity.
"I'm not allowed to say, but I'd say it's probably the same reason you won't do the same to Hotaru," Kaori said grinning. "You're thinking a bit more on why you hate Oji-san right, good for you Larel you're maturing so quickly."
Larel lowered his gaze at this as Kaori was right as much as he hated admitting it, about Alari at least the latter half almost got him punched.
Larel glanced over at him watching him mess with the glasses, he seemed to really enjoy those things for some reason.
"If you can find the reason you'll understand your relationship with Oji-san a bit more Larel...but you have more important things on your mind right?" Kaori said grinning. "I know your still thinking about your sister too."
Larel flinched a little and Kaori kept messing with the glasses, it seemed they were starting to annoy him now, he was starting to question how Alari wore these all the time.
"Taru-chan and Mera-dono are important right now, forget your sister and stop thinking about Oji-san. Focus on what you can do now," Kaori said.
".....you're being surprisingly sensible."
"I told you it's serious time," Kaori said removing the glasses. "That and Oji-san told me to say all that to you if you asked."
"....of course he did," Larel said shaking his head. "I hate how he always knows what to say."
"Anyway since we're talking about Oji-san have you looked into his eyes without his glasses Larel, they're so mesmerizing, there's something about his world weary eyes and the calm gentleness in them. I end up staring sometimes, I'm sure you'd get lost in them too Larel it's comforting actually."
Kaori brought his hands to his cheeks and blushed a little, Larel's eye twitched and he started to move towards him but he glanced to his right hearing Zenmaru talk which stopped him.
"Don't agree with him especially in my head," Larel said before looking back at Kaori. "Don't talk about Alari's eyes in here, or about him in particular...actually why are you even talking about it?"
"It's true though," Kaori said shaking his fists deciding to ignore his last question. "I caught him with his top off too, he saw me so I didn't get to look for long but he has a surprisingly good build, the scars make him look even more masculine. Ah I actually got to draw some of it, it's unfinished because I have to get the bottom but I'll show it to you."
"Don't," Larel said seeing Kaori reach in his sleeve. "Just sit there quietly, don't talk and don't let me hear your breathe...now's not the time for that,"
"...you brought him up though," Kaori said averting his eyes but he did as requested and sat back down.
Larel watched as he closed his eyes and went silent, he wasn't sure how long he'd stay like that, but he hated how right he was. Larel's mind did drift back to his sister for a bit once everything calmed down.
"Are you feeling better Hotaru-chan...this headache aside," Larel said rubbing his forehead.

[SanaChan]

Mera rolled her eyes at Kaori's behavior over the leaf, but continued to listen to the conversation, curious of the fact Larel and Hotaru were both willingly conversing with him rather than just outright ignoring him. She didn't speak seeing as she knew where he was going thanks to their earlier conversation. When he pulled out a pair of Alari's glasses, her brow went up. Hotaru's eyes twitched a bit seeing Kaori trying to mimic Alari. Whether or not he was doing the same things Alari did regularly, it was just creepy when Kaori did it. Hotaru shrugged when he told her that was all Alari had told him.
Both looked at Larel as he asked the question and Hotaru looked back towards Kaori to hear the answer. Mera was still concerned about what Larel would do if he found out how she felt about Alari, so hearing that he might be losing some of that immediate disdain for him was a little comforting. Maybe he wouldn't think her some kind of idiot or traitor. She took a deep breath, rubbing her forehead as the conversation continued.
Hotaru gagged a little at Kaori romanticizing Alari's eyes and Mera seemed a tad bit annoyed at it,.She shook her head at the fact Kaori had a drawing of Alari and just closed her eyes again once everything quieted back down.
Hotaru gave a short smile, "Better than a minute ago, honestly. My arm is slowly healing itself as is my throat apparently," she kept her voice low as to not create that irritating scratching again, "Maybe you can tell me the rules of GO so we can get right to playing tomorrow," she nodded

[Mizos]

Larel nodded glad to hear she was feeling a little better, he wanted to respond but he was still taking a minute to get the images of Alari shirtless, courtesy of Zenmaru, out of his head twitching a little as he forced all of them deep into his memory hopefully never to surface again.
He came back as he listened to Hotaru mention GO and offered a small nod before bringing his hand to his chin, he gave her a quick summary of the game since for the most part the two had played before, he hoped it would be enough to explain but he made sure to go over the rules too as well.
"That's pretty much it," Larel said smiling a little. "I'm looking forward to playing, it's been far too long."
Kaori glanced around the room and smiled a little, the tension in the room seemed to be at little less or at least it appeared like that to him. Since that was the case he figured it might be time to go and return to his original duty.
Kaori stood up and offered a small wave with a grin before turning and leaving the room, Larel watched him go but didn't return the wave, he wasn't sure what all that was about but he wasn't going to complain about Kaori leaving.
"The capital seems so close yet so far away," Larel mumbled before closing his eyes. "What did he even mean by that anyway...I'm not thinking about that annoying man that much."

Kaori decided to walk outside and get some fresh air, he stretched and let out a small yawn once out before looking around at the people going about the daily lives.
Aside from what happened earlier today was such a nice day he loved it when it was warm like this, travelling in the winter was never fun especially alone. Kaori flinchws as little as Jin ran up out of his kimono and landed on his shoulder letting out a small yip, Kaori smiled at him forgetting Alari left him behind when he left to go be...well Alari.
Kaori reached and pet Jin's head smiling at the little fox, he was glad Alari kept this little guy around he always felt a little alone whenever Alari ran off on his own. Actually now that he thought about it Jin could change into anyone and he's taken Alari's form before, a small smirk appeared on his face which caused Jin to flinch a little.
He started to say something but Kaori decided to leave it alone since he didn't want a copy of Alari's form for his creation, only the real thing would spark his passion and the same with for Mera, no copies allowed.
"Hisugawa-san?"
Kaori turned around seeing a young man run up to him, he tilted his head before realizing it was a messenger, he offered the messenger a smile before nodding at him which caused the messenger to pull out a letter and hand it out to Kaori.
Blinking a few times Kaori opened the letter, he didn't know that many people so he was curious who it was from, he scanned the letter with a smile but as he read on the smile faded and his expression darkened remaining even after he finished reading. The messenger tilted his head seeing the sudden change in expression but remained silent and stared at the fox on his shoulder, he wanted to ask if that was a Youkai?
"Jin-chan be a sweetie and burn this," Kaori said holding the letter over to the fox.
With a small yip Jin sent a small ball of fire out and the letter was engulfed in a blue flame, Kaori dropped the letter watching as the ashes were carried off by the wind his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Uh...Hisugawa-san?" the messenger said seeing his expression hadn't changed.
Kaori offered a small smile to the messenger and pulled a few pieces of gold out before handing it to the messenger.
"Sorry about that," Kaori said. "Someone I've come to like will be passing away soon."
"I'm sorry to hear that Hisugawa-san," the messenger said.
"Thank you for the sentiment, it was inevitable though just a matter of time in the end, anyway I won't hold you up."
Kaori waved to the messenger as he ran off lowering his hand as a long sigh escaped from him, he felt something rub against his cheek and noticed Jin was trying to comfort him.
"Haha, I'm alright Jin-chan. Just gotta keep smiling right can't have Oji-san come back to a sad face," Kaori said before turning and walking back inside going to his and Alari's room.

Alari reached the town with more time than he expected, a small smile formed on his face as he walked through the village, the smell wasn't the best in some parts of it but there was something to be said about being near the sea. He resided in fishing villages before, the people were generally kind, though he met some rough characters on occasion they had good hearts.
Unfortunately there wasn't time to walk around and take in the village, he needed to find a place to wait until night fell so he could do what was necessary.
Alari walked down the road looking for a place to eat, if he was going to wait it wouldn't hurt to get some nourishment first, however he came to a stop as he noticed an old fisherman inspecting broken pieces of wood nearby.
Alari's eyes drifted the wood and his eyes narrowed before he turned and walked over to the man, the old man glanced back at him and offered a kind smile before standing up pushing on his back a little.
"Hello and good evening, would you be able to tell me what you're doing?" Alari asked.
"Good evening young man, I'm checking this wood here. You see that symbol on it?"
Alari looked over at the wood and nodded, the symbol was one of the reasons he had walked over in the first place.
"A circle around an eye," the old man said. "Neighboring villages have been warning us about bandits who attack by the sea bearing this symbol. My friend took his boat out and noticed a bunch of bodies and broken ships in the water, it was quite the sight though that was a little bit ago."
"I'd imagine it would be," Alari said. "Do you have any idea what happened?"
"Not really but I'm thankful to whatever stopped those bandits, I'd hate to think what would have happened had they made it here. Although it's a shame so many of them died, bandits or not they were still people."
Alari gave a nod and requested if he could look at the wood, the old man shrugged and watched as Alari knelt down and ran his hand over the wood, his eyebrows drew down as his hand rested on one of the pieces.
"Ai was here," he mumbled standing up.
"You say something?"
"Ah no I didn't say anything," Alari said smiling at him. "Sorry to bother you I'll be going have a nice day."
Alari walked away and folded his hands behind his back, a glare formed over his glasses as his eyebrows drew dow realizing this was another matter that needed to be attended too, he raised his head slightly walking into a small building where he caught the scent of food, he would correct all of this tonight.