[3 years before the Brevon Incident]
Evening in the Red Scarves HQ mess hall, and an ochre badger sits alone in the corner, picking at his food. Occasionally, he looks over to the centre of the mess hall, where a small crowd of Scarves are celebrating the most recent success of a couple of teal polecats. After about ten minutes, a silver hare joins the badger and tucks eagerly into his own meal.
"I see the Kims have scored another moment of glory," the hare observes.
"Seriously Rob, do you have to rub it in?" the badger snaps.
"Easy Danny, I didn't mean anything by it," Rob apologises. "I thought you weren't bothered by glory anyway?"
"Sorry, it's just…" Danny sighs. "I know the Brocks have never been glory hounds-"
"Especially since you're all badgers," Rob quips.
"…but sometimes, I think it'd be nice to get a just a little glory," Danny finishes.
"Yellow badger going green?" Rob teases.
Danny doesn't respond, instead fixing Rob with an unimpressed look.
"…you're actually serious about getting some glory?" Rob asks.
"Just once, I'd like people to celebrate my achievements," Danny admits.
"Me and the girls always celebrate your achievements," Rob reminds.
"I know," Danny sighs. "But it's not the same, y'know?"
"I'm sure something will come along one day," Rob assures.
Danny shrugs. "Where are the girls anyway?"
"They're in Shuigang tonight, raiding a mansion for evidence against a businessman suspected of gunrunning for Shuigang rebels," Rob explains.
Danny looks over to the crowd again. "Oh great, they're coming over."
A moment later, the two teal polecats stop beside the table, the small crowd right behind them. "Not joining in the celebrations?" the male polecat asks.
"Go easy on him Eun," his twin sister adds. "It's not his fault our lineage is better than his."
Danny looks up from his food. "Eun. Nari. Another success I see."
"Of course," Eun confirms.
"You should join us, get a taste of what it feels like to be successful," Nari suggests.
"Unless you're happy being a loser," Eun adds.
"I'm flattered, but no thanks," Danny replies flatly, returning to his meal.
"Well, we tried," Nari shrugs.
"Come on, let's get back to celebrating being successful," Eun suggests.
"Sure," Nari agrees.
Once the polecats and the crowd have departed, Rob finally speaks. "One day, they'll fail, and their fall from grace will be spectacular."
"Maybe," Danny mumbles.
"Definitely," Rob assures.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
"Why?"
Danny pauses a moment. "You got a mission tonight?"
"No, I'm free."
"Library Archives in an hour." Danny stands and leaves the mess hall, his meal unfinished.