Things are going well for our happy couple. As you can infer from the opening, things heated up during the last piece.

Let's see how things go as they get into town to see what's going on there.

 
Two hungry young silhouettes sat in the shadows of the house, one young and shirtless and the other younger and topless, across from one another at a large table in the dining room.

Hungry? They were ravished and yet they settled for a light meal since it wasn't food they hungered for so much as each other. It was a desire that ran deep within the bodies of both Mary Katherine O'Toole and Jarlsboris Wildfall - yet it wasn't the only thing the young Ireacans hungered for.

Recognition and adventure drove them as much as a burning desire to do right. Right by each other and right by their community.

Their hands trembled slightly as they ate, hers more than his, no longer used to seeing each other in a state of partial undress. The feeling passed as they ate and soon, they found themselves dressed and ready to head out as Mary Kate explained the situation to Wildfall again, with Wildfall suggesting maybe that was why there was so much commotion going on down the street.

From the shadows a figure watched, wishing that he could show himself. The bat turned, not knowing why he followed. He was a fugitive, and he should not be here.

But seeing the tenderness and knowing that it was in the world moved him to actions he wouldn’t otherwise take. And they had been doing so for a while now.

He shook his head, trying to shake out the sadness that he felt at seeing the affection.

Unaware Koumori was watching, Wildfall held the door open for Mary, smiling affectionately at her. "You know, from what you're telling me, I'd bet the Council's involved in whatever's going on at the mansion."

"Guess we'll find out when we get to the Council, but I have the feeling that you're right, Jarlsy." Mary returned the smile, taking his hand in hers as they walked out the door.

Wildfall mulled the thought over. "Isn't the Manor right down this way? We could skip the Council and go straight there, ask what's goin' on ourselves."

"Good idea and yes it is not far from here," Mary replied, leading him down to the Spookyraven Manor, or at least as far as they could get with the force field and groups of adventurers. "We are getting close to the spot I met that strange woman that I told you about. I saw the commotion but was so distracted by that woman I forgot to find out what was going on here."

Wildfall chuckled. "She musta been quite memorable then, huh? Well, no problem, babe, we could fix that now."

"She's more strange than memorable. I didn't feel comfortable around her and she was asking strange questions. I don't think I trust her," said Mary.

Wildfall shrugged. "I don't trust most people, so I don't blame ya."

"Well, let's hope I'm one of the lucky ones that you trust," Mary responded.

Wildfall just smirked. "Let's go talk to someone. We can just pick someone at random to walk up to; I'm social like that."

There were certainly enough people to choose from although none of them seemed to be having much luck with the pesky barrier. There were a few bruisers whaling away on it with what looked to be seal clubs and haxxors. Mary shrugged and started to walk up to them but Wildfall put a hand on her shoulder. "Um, not them. They're regulars at the Smackdown Brotherhood. I don't think they'd care for us much."

"Ok, Jarlsy, you know best. You lead the way and I'll just follow since I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to questioning and you do," said Mary. "All I'm good at is beating up people and getting myself into trouble.

"Who do you suggest I beat the crap out of for information? Or do you see someone who might be able to help us find out what all the hubbub is about? How about me beating up that Knob Goblin over there?"

Wildfall chuckled. "They probably deserve it, but I don't know if those troublemakers could tell us anything useful. We could ask that cute lil redhead over there. She might know something."

"Oh now it is perfectly clear why you put a stop to us earlier. You were hoping to find someone older and more knowledgeable than me. Well you just go get your damn cute little redhead and I will go find out what's going on," Mary replied as she turned and stomped off looking for trouble.

"What do you.. Mary!" Wildfall called after her. "I wasn't gonna flirt with her. Where're you goin all in a huff now?!"

"I told you I was going to find information my way and you can go get that redhead."

"Do I even wanna know what 'your way' involves?" Wildfall chuckled, trying to play it cool.

"Well it certainly doesn't mean hopping into the nearest bed and doing 'pillow talk' to get the information. I think I'll go find some cute guy to help me since you'll be occupied." Mary turned around and walked up to the first guy she saw, a sailor, and started talking to him.

Mary thought the sailor looked familiar from behind and when he turned to face her, she yelled out, " 'BOOBS' MCGUFFIN! What are you doing here?"

'Boobs' turned bright red and shook his head frantically. "Mary please be quiet! Nobody calls me that except on the ship." Boobs said pleading with Mary. He stood about six feet tall and had such a rotund body mass that his chest looked like he needed a breast band, hence the nickname of 'Boobs.' He wore his long blonde hair pulled back in a single braid hanging down the middle of his back.

In a quieter voice Mary asked Boobs, "What is going on here and why is everyone beating on that barrier? Have you seen anything strange going on or any strangers hanging around?"

"I just got here, Mary, and might I say you're lookin really fit since I last saw you. I don't know much, but I did hear that the Council has posted a job ordering the Mansion and surrounding building be cleared of of the 'riff-raff' hanging out around here." Boobs glanced over at Wildfall and a cute little redhead as they seemed to be in a very close intimate conversation with their heads close together.

"Boobs, not you too! What is it with you men and young sexy cute women? You can't take your eyes off her just like Wildfall." Mary sighed.

Boobs turned back to Mary, laughed and in a hushed tone he said, "Like I said the riff raff has to go and that means people like her."

The young redhead gave no indication she had heard the comment just like she'd given no indication she'd overheard Mary's commentary on her earlier, and yet the moment Mary Kate had walked off to talk to McGuffin, she turned to face Wildfall, motioning him over to a spot away from the other two.

"Hey there.." Wildfall started, keeping his voice low. He suddenly squinted his eyes. "Hey, I think I remember you from somewhere."

"Yeah," the girl said, shyly brushing a curl out of her face. She kept her voice equally low. Her eyes lit up in a familiar way. "I didn't talk much when we took your house but we made enough eye contact to get you warned off and me a good talking to."

Wildfall sighed. "Tomato, right? Cause we talked a lil out back."

She pfft'ed (made a 'pfft' sound). "Yeah, Tomato works. I'd figured on using some kind of a code name, but I'm not going with my last name. Works for you, not for all of us."0

Wildfall leaned in further, not wanting to attract undue attention from strangers - or worse, from Mary Kate. "Not so crazy about being known as 'Mz. Mollsqueeze' huh?"

She chuckled quietly. "The 'Mz' would be cute alliteration, but no, I think not. Are you here for the Council mission?"

"Figured that's what it was," Wildfall answered. "But we could use a few details."

"Yeah, sure," she answered. "I owe you part for me being here. Ya might wanna pry your friend free over there. She's tootin' the wrong ringer, like they liked to say in Honorburg."

"Yeah," Wildfall said, frowning. "Sure. What?"

"I'll Mary you two over there."

"Um.." Wildfall paused. "Wait, you'll what us? What about Mary Kate?"

"Who? No, not.. it means 'meet you,'" she said, laughing. "It's slang, when a girl meets you. Nevermind. Just get your girl and we can get down to business."

Wildfall turned with a sigh, hoping this wasn't going to be too uncomfortable a conversation.

That didn't take quick to go sour. The voter commented on it being the "strongest setup so far." (Although to be fair, it's only the fifth piece of the mission. Unless he meant of any Wildfall/ Mary piece so far.) The little bit with Koumori helped a lot although the piece doesn't return to him. (Don't worry; he'll be back soon enough.)

I loved this twist in the story. After seeing Mary befuddled by SnowCat and seduced by Wildfall (or did she seduce him?), we get to see a bit of her jealous side - and we meet two new NPC's to boot!

Koumori's such a strong addition, too. It is a bit of a shame we don't see more of him here, although I am pretty happy with the Wildfall/ Mary Kate part. Will things ever get back to normal between the two or are they done?

Well stay tuned for that one! Next up, we'll take a look at a some of our season two mainstays!