[@PaulHaynek] [@Nakushita] [@Enkryption]

[quote]“Well what they said was rather concerning, so it may be wise to bring the matter to him so that he is aware of it, and bringing it up with the others surely wouldn’t hurt anything either, who knows, maybe someone will have a solution, I just don’t think us alone are going to be able to solve it all on our own without any help from the others, it seems like a pretty tricky mess to insert ourselves into under prepared”[/quote]

[color=fff79a]"I was just thinking the same thing. It's already gonna be a rough handful dealing with the Varjans, but the additional infighting will just make this more difficult. So yeah, best to get everyone on the same page."[/color], Kerry commented, her hands clasped behind her head as she relaxed in the hot spring. It was for the best, really. Nipping any potential issues at the bub would go a long way to ensure the taskforce didn't run into any headaches during this war. [color=fff79a]"But, in the mean time.... I didn't answer one of your questions back when we first met. To answer your question, I'm a hornet..."[/color]

For the rest of the time they had in the spring, the two mamono chatted, sharing their own stories and experiences. A new friendship growing.

[hr]

An hour or two later, Kerry and Yuki returned to the Temple, minds and bodies rejuvenated by the hot springs. The duo was just in time to see Takeshi and Alice return from their quest, the mad hatter was catching z's leaning against the young lord's back.

[color=fff79a]"Oh, Takeshi. Perfect timing."[/color], spoke Kerry as she approached the duo. [color=fff79a]"So Yuki and I were on our way to the hot springs when we overhe-"[/color]

[i]Sniff[/i]

Kerry froze mid-sentence as a [b]particular[/b] scent wafted across her nose. 

[i]Sniff....Sniff....[/i]

It was slightly faint. Like time had passed and the scent was being muffled by an obstruction (read: clothing), but it was there. By the Demon Lord, it was there!

Kerry knew what this scent was. [b]EVERY MAMONO IN THE WORLD[/b] knew what this scent was.

[b][i]A man's essence.[/i][/b]

She snapped her gaze toward Alice and noticed the dopey smile she had as she snoozed. And....was it just her eyes or did the mad hatter had a kind of....[i]glow[/i] to her?

[color=fff79a][i].....No.....[/i][/color]

Her eyes swapped to Takeshi, seeing how withdrawn and subdued he appeared. Like he did something he wasn't supposed to do. Like....[b]he regretted doing something.[/b]

[color=fff79a][i]No. Fucking. Way.[/i][/color]

Her eyes went back to Alice.....then back to Takeshi....Back to Alice....Before settling back on Takeshi. And then....

[b]The dots connected.[/b]

Kerry took a moment to survey her surroundings. Outside of Yuki and Ayu, none of the other taskforce members seemed to notice Takeshi's return yet. The mamono members will [b]definitely[/b] notice the smell. Hell, Yuki is probably smelling it right now. But more importantly, the villagers and refugees are out of earshot and seemed to be preoccupied with their own affairs right now.

This was good, because what Kerry was about say, if an outside ear caught wind, would completely cause chaos and destroy any chance of getting cooperation from the locals.

And if the other taskforce members walk in on it.....well, here's hoping the others have enough sense to not blurt it out for the world to hear.

[color=fff79a]"Takeshi..."[/color], began Kerry, her tone low enough for anyone just a few feet away could hear. [color=fff79a]".....did you fuck Alice?"[/color]