Paris

70

   Chat Noir raised an eyebrow at my behavior and seemed like he wanted to call me out on my obvious lie. Yet, he was cut short when he perked up as if on alert.

   "What is it? Is something amiss?" I asked, tensing. I readied myself for fight, preparing for an attack to come from any direction.

   "That smell..." Chat Noir trailed off.

   "Smell?" I urged him to explain.

   "There is a strange smell I have been trying to track down but I always lost the person in the crowd," he said, looking over the building's ledge, "But I believe I can see the culprit behind this odor."

   I joined his side in search of the person he was talking about but a few people were strolling around the marketplace.

   "That woman has a peculiar smell that I cannot quite decipher," Chat Noir answered, pointing over at a blonde woman and a very familiar one.

   Rosemary.

   She was going from stall to stall buying food with a bright smile.

   I understood why Chat Noir might have been lured in by Rose's peculiar smell. She is the witch of perfumes, after all. She must stick out like a sore thumb to Chat's senses with her unique magical smell.

   "Chat Noir, I thought you were more of a gentleman than that," I teased, "Calling a woman smelly is very rude."

   "I did not mean to imply it in such a rude way. I-I just meant there is something...off. My sense of smell has been heightened and can tell-"

   I snorted, making him stop rambling when realizing that I was just joking.

   "Do not worry, I understand what you mean," I assured him.

   "You do? Is your smell keen too?" Chat asked.

   "No," I answered, "but I assume she smells strange due to her...abilities."

   "Abilities? Are you implying that she is a witch?" he questioned.

   "Sort of," I explained, "She is a magic user holder and her powers are based on smells."

   "And you know this how?" he asked.

   "Would you not like to know," I joked, "This is sounding more like an interrogation but I cannot reveal more due to the first rule of being a hero."

   Chat sighed, "Right."

   I looked at the blonde woman for a moment before deciding to go see her. Rose has been posing as me while I play my superhero role without anyone at the mansion realizing my presence was not there. She may have learned more while I was gone.

   "I will be right back," I told Chat before leaping off the rooftop, "Continue keeping watch, will you?"

   Chat Noir had said something but I did not catch a word. I landed in the alleyway and peeked around the corner. Yet, I did not see Rose at the stall anymore.

   For a moment, I was confused as to where she went. I was not expecting a tap on the shoulder, making me practically jump out of my skin. I swiveled around only to meet with my said friend. The smile she had on earlier was now a sly smirk.

   "What might the spotted heroine of Paris want with someone like me?" Rose joked.

   "I thought I might drop in and ask a little birdie if anything...odd is afoot?" I questioned.

   "Ah," Rose started with a nod, "Well...your mother has been a bit more careful. She has been quiet and has not been in contact with anyone. It has been difficult learning anything. I am honestly not sure how much longer I can keep an eye on her. She is getting closer to discovering me."