[4 years before the Brevon Incident]
Early morning, and deep within Red Scarves HQ, an olive-furred lynx in a teal skater dress sprints through the barracks as fast as she can. Barely able to contain her excitement, she overruns her destination. Sprinting back, she slides to a halt in front of the door, on which she knocks rapidly and continuously.
The vixen in the room stirs from her sleep. Whu… Who's that… She checks the time. What the… Why is Maria waking me up this early? Guess I better see what she wants… The vixen slides out of bed and stretches, yawning deeply. After checking her nightgown is straight, she heads to the door and opens it.
"Morning Hanna!" Maria chimes brightly, wearing her cheesiest grin.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Hanna yawns. "I was having a wonderful dream too."
"I have exciting news!" Maria replies, bounding into the room and onto the bed.
"Why yes you can come in," Hanna sighs, closing the door. "So, what's this news that means you have to wake me an hour and a half ahead of my alarm clock?"
"There's a new Scarf starting today!" Maria answers, bouncing gently on the end of the bed.
"We get new Scarves all the time," Hanna replies. "And stop bouncing and sit down: I don't want you breaking anything."
Maria stops bouncing and sits as requested. "There's something special about this one though," she explains. "Something I bet you can't guess."
"Can you just tell me so I can go back to bed?" Hanna asks impatiently.
"Aw, you're being such a meanie!" Maria pouts comically. "But I like you, so I'll tell you anyway. The new Scarf… is a dragon!"
Hanna blinks in surprise. "A what?"
"A dragon!" Maria chimes.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously!"
"Well, that certainly is different," Hanna comments. "We don't get many dragons. Thinking about it, the only one I've ever met is the one who recruited me." Hanna pauses a moment. "It'll be interesting to see how this new dragon gets on. I wonder when I'll meet him in a tournament: it'll be cool to defeat a dragon."
"Her."
"Hm?"
"The dragon's a girl," Maria corrects.
"What's her name?"
"Dunno," Maria shrugs. "All I know is she's a dragon and she's purple."
"An interesting colour," Hanna muses. "Is that everything?" she continues. "Can I go back to bed now?"
"Sure!" Maria agrees. "Think I'll take a nap too," she adds, curling up on the end of the bed.
Hanna makes to object, stopping when Maria starts purring. Fine, whatever… Taking care not to disturb Maria, Hanna slides back into bed. I have to admit, I'm excited about meeting a dragon. I've heard they're meant to be good fighters, and I can't think of a better way of showing I'm the best than defeating one.
A few minutes later, Hanna falls asleep, smiling at the thought of defeating a dragon in front of the entire guild.